#shattered dad animatic

[rebelcourtesan]

Hellava Boss S2, Ep3: Exes and Ooohs Shows us the Difference Between Good and Bad Parters

Been meaning to write about this for a while, but due to editing Thicker than Water, I've put this on the backburner and now I can finally give my thoughts to a hidden theme of this episode.

In Hellava Boss S2 Ep 3: Exes and Ooohs we are introduced to Moxxie's background, family (Crimson), and ex-boyfriend (Chaz).

Chaz fascinated me as early as the season 2 animatic trailer from his sign (Tell your dad it's a salemen) and wondering about his character and intrigued he was Moxxie's ex. I expected the plot to be Chaz returning to Moxxie's life to draw him into a scheme and temptation much to Millie's fury.

I have to say, the plot for Ex and Ohs was more intriguing and telling than I could have imagined.

Unless a lost love comes out of the woodwork, we can assume that Moxxie has had only two significant others in his life, Chaz and Millie.

Let's assume Chaz is Moxxie's first love and bi-sexual relationship.

It's instant attraction on Moxxie's part who first meets Chaz at his induction ceremony into the mafia. From his shy awkwardness around Chaz during a turf war with another gang and a relationship was formed.

We're only given brief glimpse into their relationship enough to tell us they snuck around behind homophobic Crimson's back and judging from how Chaz helped Moxxie 'polish' rifle and drawing him nude, it was very sexual. From Chaz's words when he tried to seduce Moxxie, they both enjoyed sexually charged musical numbers.

However, judging from Chaz's behavior in the present, he was a very narcissistic and self-serving, which could mean he intended to seduce Moxxie, the son of the Mafioso Don, to get into mafia's good graces or perhaps enjoyed the thrill having the attentions of a Moxxie who would be considered a higher figure in the mafia's hierarchy.

I'm afraid that Moxxie goes along with Chaz's toxicity because he doesn't know what a good partner is at this time in his life. Remember, the only example he has seen of a relationship is the abusive one between his parents. He probably believes that since Chaz isn't physically abusive, then he's a good partner and overlooks his flaws.

While I'm certain Moxxie loved Chaz, Chaz strikes me as someone too in love with himself to love another. Hence we witness the end of their relationship.

While we do see Chaz worry for Moxxie for a split second before gunshots spook him, he makes a ultimate decision to service himself and take the money, leaving Moxxie behind which shatters Moxxie's heart.

From there, we witness Moxxie meeting Blitz in prison where it's assumed they escaped together and Moxxie joined Blitz's I.M.P, and meets Millie whom he marries shortly after.

Not only is their partnership formidable, but the most loving and wholesome relationship I've seen in the Hellaverse. While their relationship is sexual, it is also fulfilling emotionally and mentally for them them. Over the course of the series, we've seen them be so supportive and protective of each other.

I have yet to see them fall into any of the couples troupes I've seen in so many television couples. They don't get into petty arguments, nor have trust issues, nor jealousies. While we do have the troupe of the in-laws not accepting their daughter's husband, Millie always took Moxxie's side and assured him he was good enough for her.

Unlike Chaz who abandoned Moxxie to service himself, Millie fought off human agents, a giant fish monster, Striker, and Fizzarolli to protect Moxxie. She would NEVER have left him at the bank and enraged at Chaz for doing so.

Now let's take a closer look at the events that unfold in Exes and Ooohs as there is a stark contrast between Chaz and Millie.

As we learn later in the episode, Chaz hatches a plan to become part of Crim's mafia family by marrying Moxxie. Not sure if this is his plan the whole time as he waited a while to put it in motion. To be honest, Chaz comes across as someone who lacks the patience to play the long game. My theory is Chaz took the money from the failed heist for himself and spent it all, but ended up in debt. Being that it's the Greed Ring in Hell, his life may have been in danger and what better way to get the money he needs and protection is to marry into a criminal family.

However, Moxxie wasn't happy about the idea one bit.

In the scene where Moxxie retires to his old bedroom, we see its already been taken over by Chaz who covers the walls with pictures of himself in the nude.

(In a side note, I suspect that Chaz might have had a gig as a model, but due to his attitude and hyper fixation with sex ruined any chances of a profitable career).

Several times in this scene, Moxxie both physically and verbally tells Chaz he's not interested. He looks away from Chaz during the serenade, pushes him away when he attempts to side hug him, and tells him repeatedly to leave him alone. Chaz persists to the point Moxxie kicks him out of the room.

In this scene, Chaz doesn't listen to Moxxie's wishes, persistent despite Moxxie's rejections, and has no respect for what Moxxie wants.

Chaz only cares about what Chaz wants and that's money and being inducted into the family, whether Moxxie is happy about it or not.

And he caries nothing for what Moxxie wants. Literally, Moxxie is tased, forced into dress, tried up, gagged, and held at the altar by Crim and no once did Chaz show any remorse nor hesitation. He was getting what he wants at Moxxie's expense and there is no guarantee if Crim wasn't going to kill Moxxie after the ceremony for defying him.

At any time, Chaz COULD have called it off, but he did not.

On the flipside, let's look at Millie's interaction with Moxxie earlier.

Upon arriving at Crim's house, she knew something wasn't right with Moxxie. She picked up on his discomfort around Crim and his deference towards his father concerned her. After Moxxie is intimidated by Crim, he shares a moment with Millie.

Again, she KNOWS something is wrong and it concerns her. Especially since they have to stay in separate rooms. I believe she was hoping to have time alone with Moxxie to find out what's wrong, but with Alessio standing over them and Crim's threat weighing heavily on him, Moxxie tells her everything is okay.

Millie knows her husband and can see he's upset. She assures him he could tell her what's wrong, but doesn't get upset or impatient when he doesn't tell her what's going on. She can tell he isn't ready to tell her and doesn't press him, respecting his boundaries.

In this one scene, she has shown more respect and patience for Moxxie than Chaz as every shown Moxxie in their relationship. She trusts Moxxie to tell her when he's ready and supports him, telling him she loves him and he can tell her anything.

Because she genuine loves Moxxie and cares for his feelings and wellbeing. This woman fought for him and carved a bloody trailer through sharks to save him from a loveless marriage.

I can see why Blitz, who is obsessed with their relationship. While Blitz's attitude towards love and sex is a whole other essay, their relationship is something he wishes for himself to the point he wants to join in on it.

On a side note, this episode totally cemented my theory that Blitz has a crush on them wants to join their marriage in a polyamorous relationship.

Anyway, I like the contrast between Millie and Chaz's relationship with Moxxie and decided to write a post about it.

#helluva boss #essay #helluva boss moxxie #helluva millie #exes and oohs

[endergirlplayz]

Early morning story thoughts

ideas related to my spirit characters( I'll reblof w/ more maybe) the spelling errors will be severe it is 5 am an I have not slept :<

Ive mentioned previously online that most spirits have an ability that is like there natural abilities and also one or two more common abilities they learn by study

Im thinking imma make all the natural abilities oddly specific

Like yes, Eva can fly but she can't go more that a few feet of the ground she started in so it rlly only good for, like, crossing a abyss when the bridge breaks (like in fantasy media )

Also purples is enhanced by her weapon, since I am re gifting her her old weapon she by default is like, a radio, if you put your ear up to her you hear music. And woth her new glove she can amplify the volume to be so loud in a small radious that it can shatter glass n stuff

Im also doing a thing wher Pink 234s trained ability is healing but instead of her being attuned with the earth like rocks and plants I think imma make her a wind character instead. I made an animatic that uses this concept

https://youtu.be/HkjKBuJVUpw?si=2GO0OVB9R9GEZjNu

I may also have to redo greens weapon again bc as cool as it is I hate drawing it bc it makes her hands unnecessarily complex

This is greens weapon btw ( and her new ref)

Also I need to specify again that purple and orenge are not related. It's just that purples mom and orenges dad used to date. The break up was messy as he'll and it's been a struggl3 for them to get close bc neither can talk to there friends(or may d more than friends ;)) parents without it being EXTREMELY awkward

#ender draws stuff sometimes #ocs #oc #art

[mazeowen]

“Hand me my shovel, I’m going in!”

c!Owen animatic idea

“Hand me my shovel, I’m going in!”

- [ ] My heart was stolen by a blind pickpocket in the deep city streets in the summer of 2012 and I never even saw her face

His town burning down due to that group of demons, his family’s heads on spikes, said demons who c!owen probably doesn’t even know the faces or names.

- [ ] My dreams were shattered like a stained glass window

Trying and failing to keep the peace at the maze. With people arguing or dying.

- [ ] Jesus in Pieces! I believe I threw a brick right through Him.

Him killing innocent demons, but specifically the princess or Apo

- [ ] But my memory could not be saved

Losing his memories. Him arriving at the maze with Rasbi.

- [ ] It just seems unlikely that it's me who was to blame

His denial of pretending his killing is right and just, at the prison after the others left him after his actions were revealed

- [ ] So I bookmark my DSM 'cause I need to remember my place

Remembering his past and noticeably becoming harsher. Or that fight he had with his father the day the town burnt, with his dad saying the first half and switching to maybe whatever the fuck that father hallucination thing was

- [ ] This is not enough, This is not enough to prove it yet. No, I need to hit the bottom. This is not enough, This is not enough to prove it yet. No, I need to hit the bottom! (Gotta get to the bottom of this) x3 Take you with me

Self explanatory part of him doing his self imposed mission of killing the demons in the maze. The take you with me part gives us a shot of all his kills.

- [ ] My name was soiled by a last call spill

Krow and Red appearing and telling the group about Owen’s true nature

- [ ] With a backwash swill and the blackout killed me

The group believing them and putting him in jail. (Possibly also showing his death?)

- [ ] Sober on impact from a fall from grace

Panel showing contrast between the Owen pre-memories returning and current owen. Probably from the pov of one of his visitors from the prison, likely Magic, as she was like the visitor he had more of a relationship with (aside of Gracie but yknow)

- [ ] Take the road on higher ground and tell me "don't look down! You'll fall and break your back." But that just reminds me how there's more to be found beneath the black

Apo offering him to forgive each other for their paths and just go back, but Owen deciding to forsake that for the worldview and hatred he held. Maybe also Guts talking to him about how revenge does more harm than good, but him disagreeing (whole world blind and an one eyed man) taking his form of ‘revenge’ on her anyway.

- [ ] Repeat chorus

- [ ] Looking up we see the point of entry

Owen being captured and taken to the maze

- [ ] Between where we are and we've been

Again showing pre-memories and current Owen. Or maybe kid owen and current Owen because that can still work ig.

- [ ] Looking down I could say Heaven sent me, hand me my shovel. I'm going in!

Him talking about how his mission of “cleansing” to the others

- [ ] Repeat chorus but slower

-Him panicking at the prison, remembering his good times w the others and their words now and realizing he was just a tool

- [ ] The whole chorus with “gotta get to the bottom of this” with sounds of glass breaking. +the lines of ‘if it kills me’

Showing the events of the series (maybe his life in general) spiraling until his death.

#outsiders smp #c!owen #owengejuicetv #outsiders Owen #mine #idk more tags lol #long post #my thoughts

[myundeadgayson]

“Beachboys” by McCafferty, except it’s C!Karl Jacobs and the Mr. Beast Crew

I’ve had this idea in my brain... for SO LONG. Unfortunately though, I can’t draw well enough to turn this into an animatic... I’ve also never made an animatic, so... BUT I SURE CAN PUT THIS INTO WORDS. So, this is gonna be C!Karl-centric and heavily inspired by my own headcanons that before joining the SMP, Karl used to live with the Beast Crew (that being Jimmy, Chris, Chandler, and himself). I’ll make a post later with all my ideas, but specifically it comes down to the idea that the four of them grew up together in a small village on a peaceful server, but Jimmy eventually got the idea for a bunch of fun events (kinda like the Mr Beast Videos). As the events grew bigger and bigger, the Beast Crew started traveling around to other servers a lot to put on more events. One would end up being the Technoblade vs. Dream battle, which is where Karl meets the Dream Team for the first time and eventually how he gets invited by Sapnap to come live on the server if he wants. This is all takes places before Karl finds out about being a Time Traveler, but this whole thing is the after with Karl’s memories all blurring together! Be aware, there’s LOTS of C!Karlnap in this with a lot of your usual C!Karlnapity Lore with all the normal sadness:) So if you find this interesting at all, please continue to read!! (Note: this isn’t really a songfic. it’s more like I’m giving you all the lyrics and describing the scenes I keep seeing in my head that way you can imagine it along with me. A bit more messy and chaotic, but still fun!!)

[Jimmy VC, but it’s him breaking down laughing while he yells]   “I swear to fucking God, Chris!   I'll turn this fucking car around!   Shut the fuck up!”

  I don't get parties,   Or getting high,   I just get low most of the time… [Insert Karl walking through multiple scenes— a party, an empty field in front of Kinoko, his friends arguing. It soon cuts to Karl’s upside down face pouting. When it pans out, it shows him hanging upside down off a couch cushion in his cozy home in Kinoko.]   And I'll be there for you, baby [Insert Karl Fingerguns]   But I've got to have some room— [Now insert blushing, semi-smiling Sapnap, then it cutting to them in the future with Karl holding a journal and turned away from Sap as if sneaking away while Sapnap’s turned away from him. Sap’s likely on fire, possibly with his glare aimed towards a shadow of Dream in the distance, or the destroyed Community House.]   And you gotta keep your eyes on the new guys in the room. [Close up on Karl’s eyes darting around nervously]   And the way they dance is crazy,   I have never seen this shit. [Faraway shot of Karl in a room while everyone’s dancing, Chris is one of them and going too fucking hard in the center of it all]   And the strobe light's way too hot,   So let's get this over with. [close up cut, close up cut, close up cut until reaching Karl’s face and a sweat drop rolling down]   She says, "Your lips tasted like they did way back in July" [Sapnap coming to hold his hand. Karl smiles, but there’s a flash of the past with Karl seeing James]   Headaches and overdose,   I hope that we never die… [Karl, overcome by thoughts, pulls away from Sapnap and walks away]

  October's always here, [cut to Karl sitting on the swing in the Inbetween]   November's never leaves, [cut to same scene in the Other Side]   December disappears, [same scene, but Karl’s sitting under a tree in the Overworld, clearly in Kinoko Kingdom.] [He suddenly gets pulled up by the hand.]   She says to me, "Well, I dance really fast, so you've gotta dance real fast, [The scene shifts. Chris is the one holding his hand, grinning brightly back at him and speaking the lyrics. The scene has faded into a past memory way before Karl joined the SMP. The view blurs while Chris tugs him over to what appears to be the dance floor dance with him. Jimmy and Chandler can be seen in the background. It’s a party of sorts in some past city or kingdom they lived in. It’s outside. Chandler is back by the food table, stuffing his face while Jimmy calmly drinks from a cup while talking to someone.]   “And my friends are all passed out in the back of my friend's van," [The scene spins along with a laughing Karl, who’s being twirled around by Chris, into the after where they’re all passed out on top of each other in some barn. Karl’s passed out in a pile of hay on the floor with Chris, who’s fallen asleep sitting up beside him.  Karl’s all sprawled out with his hair a mess and his legs are laying over Chris’s own. Jimmy’s sleeping face up on the haystacks with Chandler flopped face first horizontally above his head on his own two stacks. Chandler’s arm is definitely hanging over the haystack. Chris is sitting closest to Jimmy with his arms crossed, almost like a sleeping guard dog.   And she's got this sexy hair braid that goes over her forehead [Cut to a close up of Sapnap’s forehead and bandana]  Lindsey, let me kiss your forehead... [It pulls back to show Karl standing with a smirking Sapnap. It’s unclear of the time, but this is possibly a flash of the future, potentially hinting this Karl is from the future and time travelled back to the past. Or, it hints that this is right after him and Sap met during the event they held where Dream faced off with Techno and Sap and George would have come as guests to watch. Karl developed a crush on him almost instantly.  Karl’s reaching to brush Sapnap’s hair aside. Their eyes are locked and Sapnap’s smirk is growing, waiting for Karl to finally lean in.  The scene abruptly cuts back to Karl’s eyes snapping open with his cheeks burning red. Then, it shows his POV of a laughing Chris and Jimmy over ahead. Karl looks over, only to see Chandler curled up his side and making kissy lips at him, causing Karl to shriek and jump away.  The scene ends with them all laughing at Karl’s expense while Karl screams at them.]   And I know that you think that I don't care   About all the friends I left behind,   The ones who stay up late at night   Screaming out their shattered minds. [Karl smiling fondly up at his friends, laughing and goofing off above him. Chandler is laughing beside him, staring up at Jimmy, who’s chuckling as he shoves Chris, who’s smirking at some joke he’s made.  When Karl blinks, the scene changes and he’s pulled out of the memory]   I know that you think that I don't care   About all the friends that I left behind, [Suddenly, Karl jolts into a new setting.  He’s back in his house in Kinoko, sitting in a chair. As it pans out, it gives the vibe that he’s been sitting there spaced out for a while. Sapnap and George appear to be arguing, but Sapnap’s attention suddenly falls to him. You can see his lips form, “Karl?”  Karl blinks again, looking up now at a concerned Sapnap holding his face.]   The ones who stay up late at night   Screaming out their shattered minds— hey! [Karl smiles softly, putting his hand over Sapnap’s and alleviating some of those worries. Sapnap seems to relax some, offering his own tiny smile. He takes Karl’s hand, yanking Karl up, who only laughs in return.] [As the camera turns to show both of them, they’re shown laughing and grinning as Sapnap pulls Karl to his feet, it follows them as they fall back into a new frame. It’s their bedroom. Karl giggles as he falls on top of Sapnap.]   And she's on top of me, and it is hot, hot, hot!   She says, "Come on, sweetheart, take 'em off" [Sapnap is smirking up at him. He mouths along with the words.]   So I will take 'em off, and then we take 'em off, [Karl grins in return, cheeks pink as removes his sweater, tossing it aside.]   And then her dad walks in —   ...oh shit, her dad walks in. [Just as Karl’s about to lean down for a kiss, Bad bursts through the door, beaming brightly as he seemed to be announcing his visit.  Cut to a full view of the room. Karl and Sapnap are frozen in place, both visibly blushing as they stare wide-eyed at each other. They’ve been caught.  Bad freezes, dropping probably like a casserole or something he made for them before screaming at them.  As the second line plays, it cuts to a close up to Karl nervously sweating with an “I’m gonna die” smile while Bad’s definitely screaming from the side.]   She says to dance really fast, "'Cause I like to dance real fast, [Hard cut to a new scene. It’s Karl dancing with Sapnap. They’re at a party, likely in the past.  It’s obvious as Karl’s passed around, spinning from Sapnap’s arms to a smirking Quackity in his OG outfit, though when Quackity winks at him, his eye flashes to show a pale blue eye and a long scar. It disappears before Karl can even panic and Karl’s being spun forward.]   “And my friends are all passed out in the back of my friend's van" [He passes Dream and George. Dream has a drink in one hand and his other arm is around George’s waist. Dream’s mask is half-tilted to the side, showing him and George smirking back at a stunned, delighted Karl.]   And she's got this sexy hair braid that goes over her forehead.   Lindsey, let me kiss your forehead. [He spins back into Sapnap’s arms, who grins back at him. Karl instantly melts, all concerns forgotten as he reaches to cup Sapnap’s face.  Just as he leans it for a kiss, the scene pans upward into the night sky.]   And I know that you think that I don't care   About all the friends I left behind,   The ones who stay up late at night   Screaming out their shattered minds. [It drops back down, panning down to Karl, standing still and alone with a weapon in hand.  The view spins around to his POV, showing Sapnap, George, and Quackity all yelling at Dream in what appears to be El Rapids.]   I know that you think that I don't care   About the friends that I left behind,   The ones who stay up late at night   Screaming out their shattered minds... [The scene pans around again. This time, it’s him and Sapnap in front of a scarred Quackity.   Quackity has a poker chip in hand. Las Nevadas can be seen looming behind him. Sapnap has an arm around Karl’s waist. He looks furious to the point of almost combusting while Karl looks terrified and worried all at once.  Quackity flashes them a wicked grin, his scar stretching as he flips the chip in hand.]   “It's always a head game with you, Nick!   You've never had a shot at any of this!   So just smash your guitar!   Smash your dreams!   Grow up now is just what I mean!” [Quackity opens his mouth to yell at Sapnap in time with the lyrics. (lmao Sapnap “Nick” moment)  Quackity keeps yelling, causing Sapnap’s temper to flare further and further until he’s shoving Karl away to step forward. He’s surrounded by flames as he approaches Quackity. He steps out a frame, leaving behind a stumbling Karl, who falls down into a sitting position.  He curls up into a tight ball, trying to block out the arguing overhead as the surrounding world fades to darkness.] [Suddenly, the world cuts.] [When Karl looks up, he sees Chris above him. Chris is looking down at him with a disappointed, but also slightly pitying smile. He offers out a hand, which Karl takes, still slightly trembling as he stands.  The surrounding world brightens slowly, coming back to a familiar scene for Karl.  It’s Jimmy’s old living room from their time when they once all stayed together before Jimmy became well-known, Karl moved to the SMP, and long before Karl’s adventures with time began.  Chandler’s sprawled out on a couch in the background. Jimmy’s shown sitting on the far end of the couch with Chandler’s head on his thigh.  Chris and Karl don’t seem to acknowledge them. Chris is too busy looking at Karl and worrying about him while Karl’s forced to meet his eye.]  It's always a head case with you, Nick,  You've never had a shot at any of this.  So just smash your guitar,  Smash your dreams,  Grow up now is just what I mean, oh… [Chris begins to speak with the lyrics, causing Karl to avert his eyes towards the ground in what appears to be shame.  The camera follows his face for a moment before returning to a concerned Chris, who puts his hand on Karl’s shoulder.  Chris isn’t actually reprimanding him. The scene actually mimics a past moment between them where Chris expressed concerns for Karl the first time Karl came home after the SMP, after being gone for months. He’s returned with one less life and his memories fading.  He went home to visit The Boys after a few trips through time to maybe jog some of his early memories, or at least record them before they were lost forever blend together. He can’t remember a lot of his time with them anymore.] [Karl remembers Chris expressing his concerns for him and regretting that moment greatly because when Chris asked what was wrong, he couldn’t be entirely honest.  Now he wishes he was, but it’s too late to change his mind now. He’s forgotten too much to be able to ever safely go back alone.] [As the song fades out with the repeating lyrics, as does the scene itself. It pans out slowly to Karl waking up from what’s now shown to have been a dream.  The camera slowly spins, panning out further as it does to show more of the bedroom.  Karl lays in the center, lying alone in a bed way too large for only him. There’s hints of Sapnap living there too on the nightstand and in the clothes thrown around the floor, but Sapnap’s nowhere to be seen.] Oh fuck… [As the song reaches the last bit, it cuts back to a close up of Karl’s face and him closing his eyes before pulling the blankets over his head.  Even with the light-hearted jokes at the end of the song, Karl remains under the covers and everything cuts to black as the song fades out completely.]

#dsmp #dreamsmp #c!karl jacobs #c!sapnap #c!quackity #karl jacobs #karlnap #c!karlnap #c!karlnapity #karl jacobs lore #songfic idea #mr beast crew #beast crew au #i might add more tags later #but i know this is a LONG one #beachboy by mccafferty be like #c!karl angst #feral boys #i love c!karl a lot #please enjoy this it took a while #DNF is hinted #I forgot to mention that but you can ignore it #Also BadBoyHalo is Sapnap's Dad as he should always be #Chris Tyson #Chandler Hallow #Mr Beast #Jimmy Beast #Sapnap #C!Dream Team #C!Dream

[newsies-of-corona]

@cinn-a-mom here’s my part of the trade!! I hope you enjoy it!! (And thank you again for that beautiful Letter to the Refuge animatic!)

Broken Pieces

“Hairstripe! Hurry up, you slow poke!”

Hugo runs through Old Corona village, Varian trailing behind him carrying as much glassware as he possible can.

He tediously walks, one step at a time, trying his hardest not to drop any.

“Well...may-maybe you could give me a hand instead of, you know, yelling at me!” The glassware pile says from behind Hugo.

Oh wait, that’s Varian.

The beakers and vials begin to teeter over in the alchemist’s hands and almost hit the ground before Hugo swoops in and grabs half of the pile.

“Oh. There you are Hairstripe! You’re so short I couldn’t even see you behind all this stuff!” Hugo jokes with a smug smile.

Varian rolls his eyes, “Shut up, heh.”

He looks at the situation they had gotten themselves into with a small frown.

“Heh. Note to self...next-next time we definitely have to bring dad’s wheelbarrow when we buy glassware, heh.”

He almost drops a vial but steadies himself and continues walking.

“Yeah, no kidding. Though we wouldn’t need so much if someone didn’t blow everything up every two minutes,” Hugo remarks snidely.

“Hey! The last time was with your compound!” Varian fires back.

Hugo opens his mouth briefly, but remembers Varian is indeed correct.

“Touché...” he grumbles.

The two continue walking until they finally pass the marketplace. It’s only a couple more blocks to their house. They can make it without breaking any beakers, right?

Suddenly, a loud crash resulting from a broken flask causes Varian to whip his head around to face Hugo.

“Heh, now who’s-“

The alchemist immediately cuts himself off when he sees the boys’ biggest nemeses walking towards them: Hunter and Curtis.

Hunter is taller than Varian, but a lot shorter than Hugo. His brunette bangs swoop in front of his eyes on the left side of his face, covering one of his hazel eyes. Hunter’s father is a close friend of Quirin, and Varian has known the boy since they were kids. Only recently did he team up with Curtis when Varian exploded the town yet again. Curtis, a fiery red-head with a temper to match acts as the brains of the team while Hunter acts as the brawn. The two have been tormenting the brothers for about a month now, practically every time they leave the house.

“Right on cue...” Hugo whispers as he kicks away the glass.

Hunter is the cause of broken flask, and he stands there blocking the Hugo’s path along with his partner in crime.

“If it isn’t the Old Corona Menace and his assistant...” Curtis mocks, moving to block Varian’s path directly.

Hugo isn’t one for conflict, but he doesn’t like anyone insulting Varian either. And he especially hates that nickname that the village generously bestowed on his brother. He’d gladly take the fall for that one. He shakily delivers a snide comment.

“Oh, come-come on, fellas! You really need to step up your game on the insulting nicknames! I mean, Hairstripe may not look like much at first glance but he’s no assistant-“

Hunter laughs cynically and steps closer to Hugo. The brunette boy is significantly shorter than the blond, but he still intimidates Hugo enough to make him back up.

“You’re the assistant.”

Hugo stiffens slightly and gulps as Hunter gives him a shove, shaking him up and causing another test tube to crash to the ground.

Varian narrows his eyes at Hunter and grits his teeth. He’s heard the “Old Corona Menace” nickname multiple times before. He deserves it, but Hugo? Hugo should be allowed to have a better reputation.

“Sorry, what-what did you say to him?” Varian asks slowly.

Hunter starts to walk away from Hugo but Curtis stops him, enclosing in further on Varian.

“You heard him. That weakling orphan you call a ‘brother’ is just adding to our problem.”

“Yeah and that’s you Vari-jerk!” Hunter speaks up.

Hugo rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“Oh come on, that’s not even clever,” he voices under his breath.

“Shut it, Huge-o!” Hunter yells, trying to regain his ego.

Hugo resists the urge to roll his eyes again in fear of being beat up. Hunter may be shorter than him, but he and Curtis together can do a lot of damage. Especially considering the heaps of fragile and dangerous glassware that the alchemists were carrying.

“Listen, guys, we have a lot on our hands right now, literally,” Hugo puns. “So, maybe we can move our weekly bullying session over a day?”

He starts sweating nervously and backs up more when Hunter smirks at him, drawing even closer than before.

“Uh, or-or a month?”

A cynical laugh on Varian’s side causes Hugo to shift his focus away from Hunter.

“No this is a great time,” Curtis replies mockingly as he snatches up one of the flasks on top of Varian’s pile.

“Heh, uh, please don’t touch that...” Varian asks, trying to bottle up and distract from the anger he feels.

Curtis looks it over and tosses it back in forth in his hands.

“What is this anyway? Some kind of jar for your magical spells?”

Varian corrects him, just like he does everyone else. Even if this time it’s a little more strained.

“Heh..technically it’s not magic, it’s alchemy, and-and that’s actually a-“

Curtis drops the flask on the ground before Varian can finish, and it shatters into a million pieces.

“Ugh you’re such a nerd. Both of you. Let me let you in on something: no one cares about your sorcery-“

“Alchemy.” Hugo speaks up under his breath, but unfortunately Hunter hears him. He rolls up his sleeve, jumps up, and punches Hugo straight in the face.

The blow is so unexpected and so forceful that it causes him to stagger back. He drops all the glassware and it shatters around his feet. Hugo holds his injured cheek which most likely contains a bruise.

“Just another one for the collection...” he whispers, trying to stay strong.

“Maybe that’ll teach you to keep your mouth shut, Huge-o. You should have just stayed an orphan. You’re more of a nothing now than you were before.”

Hugo tries to keep in his tears, but Curtis’s words cut deep. He simply looks up at the boy with hurt and angry eyes.

“Awe. You gonna cry?” Hunter taunts, glancing kicking some of the glass in Hugo’s direction.

Varian stays silent through this whole exchange...but livid. His eye begins to twitch as his grip on the glassware tightens, causing some of the beakers he’s holding start to crack from the pressure.

“Whatever you call it, we’re tired of you morons blowing up our town! And if we get all your magic stuff out of the way...” Hunter moves over to Varian and grabs two test tubes from his pile, smashing them both to the ground.

Curtis crosses over to Hugo who’s still holding his injured cheek. The red-head threateningly stalks closer and hits the inside of his hand with his fist.

Varian can’t hold it in anymore and he throws down all of the glassware he’s holding. The sound of the glass shattering causes both bullies to stare straight at him.

“Don’t you dare touch my brother again,” he warns between gritted teeth.

Curtis and Hunter glance at each other nervously for a moment. After all, this is the kid who blew up their entire village only a month prior. Both of their houses were damaged in the explosion. There’s no telling what the “dangerous wizard” could do to them.

“Hairstripe, don’t-“

The desperation in Hugo’s voice seems to push Curtis on, even though he’s still wary of Varian.

“Wha-what are you gonna do? Explode us?” Curtis asks with a nervous laugh.

His comment gives Varian an idea and he readies a smoke bomb from his pocket.

He glances to Hugo behind him and backs up.

“Come on, Vari-jerk! Show us what you got!” Hunter chimes in.

Curtis shoots him a look. As far as they knew, Varian could kill them if they weren’t careful. However, this doesn’t stop the bullies from cornering the alchemy brothers anyway, their fists dangerously close to the alchemists’ faces.

At the last second, Varian gives Hugo a short nod and throws his purple smoke bomb on the ground. Before it hits, the brothers sprint away as fast as they can, leaving their attackers coughing and surrounded in smoke.

The two run all the way back to their house, stopping right outside of the farm to catch their breaths.

“Varian...the glassware-“

The alchemist cuts him off, still angry at the bullies.

“Hugo, I could care less about the glassware. We can buy more...eventually...”

He trails off, knowing it won’t be any time soon. They were in danger every time they left their house. He sighs and continues voicing his grievances.

“But Curtis and Hunter have-have been tormenting us for too long. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing!”

Hugo rubs his cheek, his fingers hitting an old bruise next to his fresh one. Varian sees him wince in pain, and furrows his own eyebrows.

“We-we’re telling dad what happened.” He states matter-of-factly as he marches towards the house. “He’s the village leader, for Demanitus sake! He-he can do something-“

Hugo catches up with Varian and stands in front of him. The last thing he wants right now is to cause more problems for his family...

“No, Hairstripe. I’ll just say it was another acid burn...if he asks.”

“But Hugo-“

The blond calmly cuts him off again.

“There’s no reason to get them into more trouble. I mean we already destroyed their houses, which they won’t let us live down...”

Varian starts to raise his voice, not understanding why Hugo doesn’t agree with him on this.

“Hugo, that-that was my invention. You had nothing to do with it. But Hunter hit you! Twice in the last week! And the things Curtis said were...were inexcusable! Don’t-don’t you think they deserve some form of punishment?”

Hugo notes Varian’s tone; he sounds actually...angry. And when Varian was angry, the only smart thing to do is to listen. Hugo carefully considers his brother’s words. Even though Quirin adopted him years ago, it still feels weird to have people standing up for him. Almost as if he didn’t deserve it.

“Maybe...” he trails off.

But what would happen after the boys were punished? The bullying wouldn’t stop, that’s for sure. Everyone in the town already hates them. If Curtis and Hunter were taken down, there would surely be others to take their place, most likely targeting Varian. Hugo couldn’t take that chance. He could deal with a couple dumb bullies for his brother’s sake.

Hugo takes a breath and shrugs, standing up straighter to show he’s okay.

“But it’s just a bruise! Plus Hunter’s punches are wimpy anyway. Same with his nicknames,” the blond jokes.

Varian’s intense glare softens and he chuckles slightly.

“Yeah those nicknames are pretty dumb, heh. I mean ‘Huge-o?’ Really?”

Hugo smiles, glad that he successfully changed the subject.

“And ‘Vari-jerk?’ That’s Vari-insulting to many other Vari-interesting words that flow seamlessly with your name.”

Varian rolls his eyes but ends up laughing. He can always count on Hugo to cheer him up. Even if it’s with dumb puns. But that doesn’t erase that matter at hand.

“Are you sure, though? About keeping it a secret again?” The alchemist asks, hoping for a different response.

Hugo’s face falls, Varian isn’t going to let this go so easily, but he can still try to avoid the subject as long as possible.

“Yeah. I’m sure.” Hugo stays serious for a moment before his tone flips back to joking.

“Plus I’m sure you already scared them silly with that smoke bomb stunt.” He elbows Varian in camaraderie and the alchemist returns the gesture.

“Well they literally asked for it! And you can’t say they didn’t deserve it, heh.”

Hugo shrugs in agreement and the two walk a bit further to the door. Varian starts to walk in when Hugo stops him by putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Hairstripe...Varian. I don’t say this enough but...thank you for sticking up for me. It means a lot,” he tells his brother sincerely with a slight smile between the pain of his bruise.

Varian is slightly surprised at this out of the blue gratitude from Hugo, but smiles back and shrugs nonchalantly.

“Of course, Hugo. That’s what brothers are for, you know? We stick together,” he tells him, bumping him on the arm.

Hugo rolls his eyes but still maintains his smile. This is getting a bit too sappy for him, even though he secretly enjoys the affection. He tries to change the subject again.

“Ha, yeah. So much so that I’m apparently your ‘assistant.’”

He smirks, elbowing Varian again.

“I thought that was Cassie’s job!”

Varian immediately turns red and elbows Hugo.

“GAH! H-hey-shut up!” He retorts.

Their little episode at the expo is not one to forget. And Hugo will never let him live down the “Cassandrium” incident. Luckily, they both know he’s joking. Hugo’s comments aren’t painful or cutting like Curtis’s, just mildly annoying. But Varian wouldn’t change it for the world.

The two stand in an awkward silence for a while in front of the door, when Varian decides to go for it. He suddenly wraps Hugo in a hug, causing the taller boy to tense.

After the initial shock, Hugo’s wary at first, but he hugs him back. Like it or not, he really needs this.

“I-I just wanted to say, even though you’re adopted, I still love you as my real brother, Hugo,” Varian tells him genuinely. “Nothing is ever going to change that.”

Hugo blushes nervously, but the corners of his mouth start to turn up in a smile.

“I...uh...”

He sighs, and finally gives in to the “sappy” moment.

“I love you too, Hairstripe.”

And he means it. Their glassware might be broken, and even their reputation is shattered into pieces, but they have each other and that’s all that really matters.

———————————————————————

I hope you all enjoyed this one! It hurt me to write those bullies...haha, but I actually loved writing the story!! Thank you so much Mom for asking for this!!! 💙

#it’s soft until i mention that this is in the same au as ‘I Promise...’ #varian and the seven kingdoms #hugo seven kingdoms #alchemy bros #best friends au #varian #tts fics #platonic i love you’s amiright?

[andstuffsketches]

cw Guns, death, implied abuse, poison (typical to Ace Attorney) and ableist language

Thanks for watching! This animatic.... gave me trouble. And a bit of wrist pain.

But it's done and here for you to see! Song is My Eyes from Doctor Horrible, ft Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day

video descrion below the cut

[video description: animatic to the song “my eyes” from Doctor Horrible.  The first verse is sung by Neil Patrick Harris, the second by Felicia Day, the third by both at once.

The video starts with a title card of “Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney / My Eyes”

“Any dolt with half a brain Can see that humankind has gone insane” Young Edgeworth and Franziska, about 12 and 4, have a tea party and read law books in a library solemnly

“To the point where I don't know If I'll upset the status quo” Edgeworth and Franziska, about 20 and 13, walk down the courthouse hallway, chattiing, then suddenly stand at attention as Von Karma shows up.

“If I throw poison in the water main” Dahlia’s hand pours poison into a coffee cup

“Listen close to everybody's heart And hear that breaking sound” Young Edgeworth, 9, excitedly preparing to play chess with his dad.  Gregory Edgeworth holds up a Knight piece.  On “breaking sound”, the elevator bullet hole is over the picture.

“Hopes and dreams are shattering apart And crashing to the ground” Edgeworth on his knees in the elevator, the gun near him on the floor.

“I cannot believe my eyes” close up on edgeworth’s prosecuter badge in his hand.

“How the world's filled with filth and lies” Close up on Edgeworth’s conflicted face as he looks at his badge

“But it's plain to see Evil inside of me is on the rise” Lana Skye hands edgeworth the SL-9 file, then leaves, and he turns away.  College Phoenix Wright cheerfully runs past him and into the foreground.

“Look around” Phoenix runs into Dahlia happily.

“We're living with the lost and found” “Dahlia” asks for his necklace back, he laughs and holds it away.  She looks resigned.

“Just when you feel you've almost drowned” Feenie looking shocked and upset, then Dahlia dismissing him from the witness stand

“You find yourself on solid ground” Feenie and Mia Fey, behind the defense bench.  She confidently objects.

“And you believe there's good in everybody's heart” Mia shaking Phoenix’s hand, welcoming him to the office.  He is now in a button-down.

“Keep it safe and sound”  Mia drawing attention to her badge and lawyerly smile.

“With hope, you can do your part To turn a life around”  Phoenix is hard at work at his desk, taking a book on evidence law from Mia offscreen.  He looks at a newspaper clipping at his desk (among a note on when the bar exam will take place, a signal samurai keychain, and a bi flag) that says “Dark Suspicions of a Demon Attorney” with a picture of edgeworth in court.

“I cannot believe my eyes” close up on Phoenix’s attorney badge being pinned to his lapel. He is now in his suit

“Is the world finally growing wise?” Phoenix grins and shows off his badge

“'Cause it seems to me Some kind of harmony” Phoenix puts a comforting hand on Larry’s shoulder as they enter the courtroom

“is on the rise” Confetti rains as they celebrate Larry’s aquittal in court

over a few seconds of instrumentals, Phoenix’s shocked face and Maya Fey looking up at him crying, from where she’s sitting next to mia’s corpse.

“Anyone with half a brain (Take it slow)” Phoenix and Edgeworth square off in court, Maya at the witness stand

“Could spend their whole life howling in pain (He looks at me and seems to know)” Phoenix and Maya behind the defense bench, determined

“'Cause the dark is everywhere and Penny doesn't (The things that I'm afraid to show)” Edgeworth behind the prosecution bench, angry.

“Seem to care that soon the dark in me is all that will remain (And suddenly I feel this glow)“ Phoenix and Maya celebrate in the foreground while Edgeworth looks on bitterly, walking away.

“Listen close to everybody's heart (And I believe there's good in everybody's heart)” 9 year old edgeworth, looking determined, then objecting at the class trial. Young Phoenix looks up from his tears

“And hear that breaking sound (Keep it safe and sound)”  present Edgeworth looking startled as he objects to Dee Vasquez

“Hopes and dreams are shattering apart (With hope, you can do your part)” Close up on edgeworth looking shocked

“And crashing to the ground (To turn a life around)” Edgeworth, angry and clutching his arm, looming over Phoenix after the trial

“I cannot believe my eyes” Phoenix looking down at the tv, shocked

“How the world's filled with filth and lies (How the world's finally growing wise)” Edgeworth on tv, the scroll says “demon prosecuter arrested for murder”

“But it's plain to see (And it's plain to see)” Edgeworth holding the gun, behind him worried Phoenix on one side and happy Von Karma on the other

“Evil inside of me (Rapture inside of me)” Edgeworth looks at Phoenix’s badge in the detention center

“Is on the rise” same shot from the opposite angle, we see Phoenix’s determined expression, then a shot of Phoenix and Edgeworth on opposite sides of the glass over the last notes of the song.

A few slides of credits say “my Eyes from Doctor Horrible, art by me, thanks for watching” end video description]

#video #pmv #amv #animatic #ace attorney #pwaa #phoenix wright ace attorney #phoenix wright #miles edgeworth #maya fey #mia fey #franziska von karma #manfred von karma #gregory edgeworth #bratworth #feenie #dahlia hawthorne #implied abuse #guns #death #poison #food #tw ableist language #2020 #video description #image described #my eyes #dr horrible #doctor horrible's sing along blog #narumitsu

[vldrocketeer]

Tag 10

Tagged by @winter-and-little-brunettes 

I love doing these Sam thanks for tagging me all the time haha<3

Age: 20

Birthplace: Hastings, Minnesota

Current time: 9:09pm

Last drink you had: Lots and lots of water because I’m sick and I’m dehydrated, Bob (The Incredibles reference????)

Favourite song: Hard to say because it changes ALL the time, but I really dig You Only Live Once from the Yuri on Ice soundtrack (*cough* I may or may not listen to this all the time and dance around my house when I’m home alone)

Grossest memory: My dad once fell off a ladder and completely shattered his wrist and they put like metal rods inside/outside of his arm while it was healing and it was very traumatizing

Favourite film genre: Sci-fi is super interesting to me

In love: I don’t even have a crush on anyone right now

Jealous of people: All the time, but not in a bitter way. More like “I wish I were that good and not a completely untalented train wreck”

Love at first sight or should I walk by again: Not exactly sure of the question but I am definitely someone who gets infatuated quite easily with guys, only to realize later on that I didn’t really like the kind of person they were. Soooooo I’m gonna say “should I walk by again” but I don’t practice what I preach haha

Middle name(s): Elizabeth. It’s a variation of my mother’s name, Betty.

Number of siblings: Zero. It’s so nice.

One wish: I wish I could get my shit together and not want to die all the time, but hey its whatever

Questions you’re always asked: “What are your plans for after college?” Answer: please do not speak to me ever again, good day sir

What do people always assume about you: People assume that I’m a very stuck-up person with no sense of humor but in reality I am just a sarcastic socially awkward girl who spends too much time in my room. Literally everyone tells me I’m different than they originally thought I was.

Goals within the next 12 months: More/better drawing. And actually going to all of my classes and turning stuff in on time. That would be good.

Song I last sang: Not sure where the original song is from, but I sang “A Guy That I’d Kinda Be Into” from that Klance animatic

Worst habit: Making plans and then not wanting to do them because I am a depressed introvert

Time I woke up: 4:00am (I was Sick ™ and I couldn’t sleep)

Vacation destination: I’ve already traveled a lot, so I’m pretty content with the places I’ve been. As I get older all I want is time off from school and work to stay at home and sleep

Favourite food: Chocolate. Milk chocolate. And pasta. But not together, gross.

Zodiac: Scorpio (I am very much a stereotypical scorpio--fear me lol)

I tag: @xxashwiixx @randomphangirl1991 @softklanceday and anyone else who wants to sorry I don’t have friends

#haha depressing much #tagged

[miraculousbirds]

And Then I Was Emma Dupain-Agreste

http://archiveofourown.org/works/13547310

And then I was nine:

I don’t really remember how the car crash happened. I only remember the sound my mother made and the feeling of my head hitting the window. They say a deer jumped onto the car and shattered the window. The car went out of control and hit a lamppost. They say it was a miracle that I was alive. They say I was lucky. I don’t think I’m very lucky considering that my parents just died.

My name is Emma Dupain-Agreste and I am nine years old. My grandparents have recently moved to Canada so I was taken in by a man named Nathaniel. He has hair like fire.

And he has never talked to me.

And then I was ten:

Sometimes I read through my diary. I realized that I wrote about school more than my parents. As if I thought I didn’t need too. Diaries are to keep track of your memories. I was too naive to think they’d be here because now they’re gone.

I miss my papa. He’d plays board games with me. He said I was a winner like my mother.

I miss my mother. She made me dolls.

Nathaniel is a good cook. Although, every week he rotated what he makes. I think he only knows how to make seven meals. I miss homemade pastries for breakfast. Nathaniel is also very quiet. He doesn’t seem to talk at all. I don’t think he wants me anymore.

School is fun. I’ve been reading a lot of mystery books. I wanna be a detective when I grow up.

And then I was eleven:

“Nathaniel how do I make friends?”, I approached him while he was painting. It was very green.

“That’s not something I’m qualified for”

“You don’t have friends?”

He shrugs, not looking away from his work.

I was hesitant at first before replying, “Alya comes over sometimes!”

“I assume she comes here for you, not me”

“Really? But I didn’t know she was my friend”

Nathaniel turned around from his easel and for the first time, I saw him smile. “You remind her of someone”

“Who?”

“Well her name was Marinette. She was righteous, kind and determined” Nathaniel’s smile grew to a full-on chuckle, “A heart of gold!”

I guess I assumed he was a tortured artist but he’s very...very real. More real than before.

And then I was twelve:

Nathaniel wants a cat but he can’t afford it. He can barely afford me.

I still can’t seem to make close friends. The school I go to has very nice people. No one bullies me and the teachers are very smart. Even with that, I’m still lonely.

Nathaniel bought me a piano keyboard for my birthday. He says twelve is a very important age. I don’t see any importance but I’ll trust him on that.

Middle school is weird. People start dating and I started taking English classes. How can one letter have millions of ways to say it. English is stupid.

“Nathaniel?”

“Yes”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No”

“Boyfriend?”

“No!”

We sat in silence for a while before I remember someone he mentioned before, “oh!” I exclaimed, “who’s Marinette then?” I smirked foolishly.

He didn’t respond.

Nathaniel is nothing like my father. My papa was a stay- at -home dad. He did everything he could to make sure I wasn’t alone. He never missed family dinner and spoiled me rotten with attention. I guess he found importance in keeping his daughter company.

My mom wasn’t home very often. Papa would say that she’s chasing her dreams. I asked Papa if he had any dreams. He said, “Emma Dupain-Agreste, you are my dream”

I do remember one memory of my mother though. I remember going to her workshop once. It was a forbidden room in our house full of mannequins, fabrics and a lot of pins. That’s probably why I wasn’t allowed in there. I remember the time she brought me to the beach. The water was so unnaturally blue.

And then I was thirteen:

Alya came over again. I asked her about my parents. My Papa was Adrien Agreste. He was generous, intelligent and beautiful. My mother was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Then Alya cried.

Marinette. That’s such a beautiful name. Where have I heard this before?

“Nathaniel?”

“Sorry give me a sec,” he said while reading through his mail. I waited patiently. His finger started bleeding. He almost cursed in front of me. I don’t know why he censors himself in front of me. I’m a teenager now.

“Nathaniel?”

“Emma please stop”

“Sorry”

I watched him close the door of the bathroom. I don’t want to live in an apartment anymore. I want a house with a backyard. Something beautiful. I remember my old house. It was large. We had lots of houseplants and pictures around the house. Mostly of me as a baby in really bad Halloween costumes (I was Winnie the Pooh) but there were many of my mom and my dad’s wedding and anniversaries.

“Okay I’m back”

“Nathaniel are you famous yet?”

“I’m only thirty-five”

“I don’t want to live like this anymore, can I get a job?”

He shook his head “No, don’t grow up”

“Oh...um...okay?”

Nathaniel likes cafes. He says he likes to observe people. I think he just likes coffee and pastries. I don’t mind though because he lets me get coffee too. Although he says that my coffee isn’t real coffee.

“Nathaniel, why did you adopt me? You obviously aren’t living a life that is suitable for two and you don’t seem to like me very much”

“I like you very much”

“Why did you adopt me?” I looked out the window, “Did you pity a little girl that lost their parents-”

“You remind me of someone”

“Who?”

“Marinette”

“Of course I do, I’m her daughter”

Nathaniel rubbed his hand against his scruff. He looked up at me with starry eyes. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen such excitement in his eyes, “Do you want to paint with me sometimes?”

“Oh” I laughed, “I’m not very good at art”

He smiled again “don’t sell yourself short...you really are like her”

He gazes down at his coffee and the milk swirls.

And then I was fourteen:

I ran away to my boyfriend’s house today. I wish I had his parents instead. I wish they could just take me in.

I’ve been fighting with Nathaniel lately.

This is how it happened:

“Emma, I don’t want you to have a boyfriend, you’re too young”

“I’m not a child Nathaniel, and everyone else at my school are in relationships”

He sighed and put his hand on my shoulder, “I just don’t want you to get hurt”

I looked straight into his soft eyes and said what I’ve been thinking for so long, “you don’t know what’s best for me if you did you would’ve let me die in the hospital”

I felt his hand fall off my shoulder as I ran.

I agree that I was over-dramatic and probably hurt his feelings. I guess it just sucks. Everything sucks. He’s not my father, my papa’s dead.

Also, I love him so, I want to date him.

I met a man today while walking. He was wearing a tropical shirt which is weird considering where this takes place. The man was quite old (no offence) and seem to be carrying a lot of books. Like the angel I am, I helped him carry books to his bus stop. He thanked me and left.

I should apologise.

I’m sorry Nathaniel.

And then I was fifteen:

Nathaniel bought me my own set of watercolors and a ukulele this year. I’m not very good at either but I love them so much.

This is the closest I’ve ever been to someone since my papa. I don’t need school friends and shitty boyfriends. All I need is Nate.

Alya and Nino invited us to dinner. They have a two-year-old son. His middle name is Adrien and I love it.

I dressed nicely today. It’s a dress I’ve taken from my mother’s old wardrobe. Nate tells me the stories and inspiration behind each dress. She really was following her dreams.

It’s white and goes far past my knees. It has lace on the shoulders. Nate says I look beautiful.

When I go over the little boy grabs onto my finger and doesn’t let me go. Alya is happy to see me getting along with Liam. Nino says I look like a young adult.

I hope Nathaniel is proud.

I found a frame with Nino, Alya, Marinette and Adrien. They look about my age.

“That was Mari’s birthday party,” said Nino as he puts a firm hand on my shoulder, “that’s her dress isn’t it?”

I really don’t think I can live up to my parent’s names.

Nino told me they were like superheroes, always putting others before themselves.

When we went home Nathaniel found a suspicious package at home.

“Emma!”

“Coming!”

I ran out my room. He was playing weird indie music,“is this yours?”

It was a small black box with intricate red lines on it, “no”

“Oh okay sorry”

I found a picture of papa and mother. Everyone’s right, I look just like my mother. Not a single trace of my father was on my face.

My mother and papa look so in love in all these photos. They’re bright-eyed and young. I cried.

And then I was sixteen:

“Nathaniel, why did you adopt me?”

Nathaniel was working on his latest piece. It was a girl on the roof of a building. Her hair was blowing in the wind and her eyes were unnaturally blue like the beach.

“I guess I needed some company”

“From a little girl?”

“From an intelligent and fun little girl”

He turns away from the painting to face me. That’s when I realized he was only wearing boxers and a tank. I can already feel my face heat up which is never a good sign.

“Why don’t you just get a girlfriend?”

“Easier said than done” he propped his elbow on his knee and smiled at me kindly. His hair looks so fluffy. I really want to touch it.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had a girlfriend”

He runs his hand through the hair and laughs. Nathaniel’s laugh is contagious. He looks like an action shot during a movie when he laughs. So animatic.

“I can’t believe this! I’ve had a million times yours”

“A million times zero is still zero”

I scrunch my nose, “...shut up”

Nathaniel smiles at me. He smiles at me like a sweet little boy. He’s thirty-eight and still is so lively.

“I was just always waiting for the right person to come by”

I guess that’s when I fell for him.

And then I was seventeen:

I started driving. It’s scary as hell. People in France live on the wild side, that’s for sure.

I came home and immediately saw a pair of shoes I’ve never seen before. Little white boots. I look up to see a girl. Of course, she’s blonde. Of course, Nathaniel is right beside her.

“Wow she looks just like her”

“Is that a good thing?” I asked in a snarky voice. I probably should town it down.

The blonde girl’s face softened, “its the best thing!”

After having a riveting conversation about herself, Chloe Bourgeois she needed to “freshen up”

What a pretentious female dog.

“I can’t believe you, who is this crazy chick?”

Nathaniel stood up abruptly, “crazy chick? Emma that’s so rude. She’s my high school friend!”

I’m not rude. It’s not like I just waltzed into someone life for no reason and pretend like it hasn’t been years.

“I don’t approve of her”

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed, “Emma, when did I ever need your approval?”

I immediately felt a gunshot pang to my heart. Sometimes I forget that he isn’t a friend of mine and that he’s not even my dad. My opinion doesn’t matter to a grown man. I hope he couldn’t see the hurt in my eyes as I went out the door. I just need some air.

I remember the last time I ran away. I was a dumb teenager that took someone like Nate for granted. How foolish of me.

No...I’m still foolish. To fall for someone so much older than me. It was never possible. Just some weird hormonal teenage fantasy.

Just as I was about to leave the elevator the stairs doorway opened. His face was red and I could hear his heavy breathing. For someone that hasn’t gone outside for seventeen years, he can run. I looked at him and he looks at me.

“You have her smile” is what he said breathlessly as I reached out to him.

I guess I never realized how long I was waiting for someone that would chase after me.

I think I reached out too much though because...I kissed him.

The worst part though is that he didn’t pull away.

And then I was eighteen:

It raining today. I can hear the thunder roar. I’ve decided that I wanted to get into the field of medicine. My papa showed me his love for math and science. As much as I love art, I want to do what he never aspired to do.

I want to have a job that can support my future children.

“Nathaniel, why did you adopt me?”

“You ask this question fairly often” he responded while looking over to me.

“I do?”

He nodded his head, changing the channel on the TV.

“I’m going to propose to Chloe” A heavy weight was lifted from my chest. I guess it’s been there ever since, “I’m so proud of you”

“Emma I’m really sorry for all the confusion I brought you”

I sighed. He put too much blame on himself, “It’s not your fault. I was a weird and lonely hormonal teenager that swooned at everything you said” he blushes and turns off the TV.

He gazed at me with glassy eyes, “Before Adrien Agreste came along, I really thought I had a chance. Emma, when I saw you without parents I want nothing more than to take you in because that’s what Marinette would want me to do”

His bright eyes looked intense, “you reminded me so much of her that I couldn’t control myself and I’m sorry”

“You loved my mother?” I inquired.

“Who didn’t?”

He looked guilty as if that was something to be guilty for. He had a high school crush on someone. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. You know what something to be ashamed of...falling for someone more than twenty years older than me.

“Oh um...Do you love me?”

Nathaniel looked at me, “Of course I do but, not the way that you want me to...I’m sorry”

Emma forced a smile and stuck out her pinky to him, “to another life”

He smiled at me. The most genuine and brilliant smile I’ve seen. He linked pinkies with me and said, “to another life, another story and another circumstance”

And then I was nineteen:

I found the black box on top of our fridge. There was no return address so it sat here for years. I open it up to see a broach. Thin and flat which beautiful etchings of butterfly wings. It’s gorgeous.

Just like the wedding (Segway!!).

After the beautiful ceremonies and watching Nathaniel cry while cutting the cake, he was talking to some high school friends, “So this is the girl you’re always talking about”

“Hahaha...well actually let me introduce you to my daughter, Emma”

Daughter... no one has called me that in a while. Nathaniel put his arm around my shoulder and smiled. I’ve never seen him so bubbly and social.

The girl we were talking to was also blonde. Wow, Nathaniel had a lot of blonde friends. She was one of the bridesmaids and smells like roses.

“Hi Emma! I’ve heard that you major in digital animation and a prestigious school near here” I had decided to change schools last minute. After all, I was born with art in my veins.

“Nathaniel?”

“Yes”

“Where did you get the money for my school anyway?”

“Well” he rubs the back of his nervously, “I’ve been saving up ever since I adopted you. I guess I had a feeling that you’d become an artist” he ruffled my hair which took a long time to do, “I’m sorry I couldn’t spoil you as much as I wanted to”

I saw little Liam at the party. He’s six now. Alya and Nino must be so happy with him. I hope that boy spends a lot of time with the people he loves. I hope they spoil him with attention.

A few months before the wedding, Chloe and Nathaniel bought a small house on the outskirts of Paris. They have a nice backyard and a cat. Now let me tell you something about this cat. It has the most striking and unnatural eye color. It’s bright green like a...um...I don’t even know.

I guess this is the end of a journey and the beginning of another as I chase my dreams just like my mother. Thank you, papa and mother. You may have left me, but you left me with the best people on the planet. May you rest in peace.

And then I was Emma Dupain-Agreste.

Taking over the world, one step at a time...

I really enjoyed writing this story. I know it’s not the most dramatic and interest story in the world but, I really like it. I was very nervous about posting it first because it doesn't' seem like anything I've read before but, my friend persuaded me. Also I'm sorry I didn't spell his name the french way. I didn't realize it till the end and was too lazy to change it. So sorry T~T

Thank you for reading, Caspy

http://archiveofourown.org/works/13547310

#ml fic #miraculous ladybug #parents au #emma agreste #nathaneal kurtzberg #chloe bourgeois #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #adrien agreste #nino lahiffe #alya césaire #character development #my writing #miraculousbirds

[luxuriant-starlight]

I Won’t Say I’m In Love Ch. 2

whoop chapter two is here

this intro is rushed bc im tired af. if u want a more detailed one then check out the ao3 link. 

anyways hope y’all enjoy

Summary: Marinette Dupain-Cheng is madly in love with Adrien Agreste who is Chat Noir who is madly in love with Ladybug who is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. After a sudden burst of confidence, the two decide to confess to their individual crushes, and both get rejected. Now Marinette and Chat Noir turn to each other for comfort- but soon realize they may be getting a little TOO close for comfort, and just end up trying to deny it, like the ridiculous losers they are.

Based on an animatic by @pepper-bottom, who you should most definitely check out! 

Words (in this chapter): 4k (hol y shit)

[AO3] [FFN]

Chapter 2 - Marinette Throws Herself Into The Fray

That night, Marinette laid on her bed, staring up at her ceiling, replaying the events from patrol over and over again in her head.

No matter how she thought about it- no matter how she framed it.

She still felt like a total jerk.

Her body felt numb.

How could she not know? How could she call herself Chat’s best friend? How could she have been hanging around with him like three times a week every week for the past three years and not see it?

Maybe you’re just a shitty friend. Her heart suggested, bitterly.

Maybe you are just a shitty friend.

She sighed and groaned, sitting up and pulling her knees to her chest.

He had just looked so devastated. He practically ran away from her. As if...like...

Like I shattered his heart.

Marinette’s stomach sank even deeper.

“Marinette…” Tikki started, nuzzling into her cheek. “It’s not that bad.”

Mari groaned. “Yes, it is, Tikki!”

“He’ll move on. I’m sure.” Tikki reassured her, hugging her face as much as she could with her tiny body- basically, just managing to hold her chin and nothing else.

“It doesn’t matter if he moves on or not. The problem is that I- the person who calls herself his best friend - couldn’t see how he really felt about me. I teased him. I led him on.” She frowned.  “And not just once! Consistently. For years!”

Tikki pursed her lips. “Marinette...I’m sure Chat knew what he was getting himself into. He knew the risks of confessing to you.”

Marinette buried her face into her knees, pulling them even closer. Tikki stroked a little section of her hair.

“Oh, Mari. It really will be okay. You couldn’t have known. It had been going on since you two met. You’ve never known a Chat that acted differently.”

“...Maybe you’re right.” She admitted, peeking her eyes out at Tikki from behind her arms. “But I still feel bad. What if he doesn’t wanna be my best friend anymore?”

“Of course he wants to be your best friend!” Tikki burst out, incredulously, but then took a more gentle tone. “Marinette, you two are meant to be best friends. You were chosen because you two are soulmates- romantic or platonic. Chat loves you. Not just romantically. He’d never stop wanting to be your friend just because you don’t share his feelings.”

Mari picked her head up, sighing.

‘Best friends. Always.’

She sighed again, sitting up. Tikki was right. Chat wouldn’t want to stop being her friend just because she rejected him.

“But I still hurt him.” She told Tikki, after a moment. “I still broke his heart.”

Tikki sighed, patting her cheek. “Humans are more relisient than you think. His heart will heal.”

“How can I possibly make it up to him, though?”

Tikki nudged her chin, making Marinette lift it to look at her.

“You can be his friend. You can keep caring about him, just like you’re doing right now.”

Marinette thought for a second.

“You’re right.”

Tikki giggled. “Aren’t I always?”

Marinette grinned, hugging Tikki closely. “Always.”

And for a moment, things seemed better.

Marinette laid back down on her bed, letting Tikki curl up on her pillow and rest.

After what could’ve been a few hours or a few minutes but just felt like an eternity, she was still awake- staring at her ceiling once again. She couldn’t sleep.

She turned onto her side, restlessly, and a picture on her nightstand caught her eye. It was a bunch of pictures of her and Adrien. One of those photo booth picture strips. They had taken it this summer when they went to the arcade. One of the first times they hung out alone, outside of school.

She and Adrien were a lot closer now. For the whole first year they knew each other, Marinette was more than a little awkward around him. She could barely speak a whole sentence in his presence. The crush she had for him was just too massive.

But that was three years ago. Now she was 18 and much more mature than her 15 year old self. She finally mastered speaking full sentences around Adrien- encouraged to do so by the fact that they begun hanging around each other a lot more as Nino and Alya began to get closer.

Being around two other friends while they spoke every single time they hung out eventually broke the ice. Turns out, they had a lot in common.

Now, Adrien was one of her five best friends (the friends being, in no particular order: Alya, Tikki, Nino, Chat, and Adrien). They hung out all the time. They played Mecha Strike and Mario Cart and Overwatch and a ton of video games together at her house like once a week or so. She spent lunch with him, Alya, and Nino like every day.

She took down her pictures of him. And his schedule. She changed her computer wallpaper to a picture of her and a bunch of her friends from class. Any pictures of Adrien in her bedroom were no longer magazine clippings or things she printed off the internet- they were pictures of them together. Laughing, smiling, having fun. All their memories together.

Yet, her feelings for him remained.

In fact...they intensified.

Marinette’s crush was no longer superficial. She didn’t admire him from afar anymore. She admired him up close now. No longer was he perfect in her eyes- but, rather, perfectly imperfect.

A total dork. She mused, a smile appearing on her face- only widening when she looked at the way he stuck his tongue out at her in the third picture.

A total dork that you adore. Her brain reminded her.

Yeah. She did adore him.

Chat’s face flickered in her mind again.

He had confessed to her. He worked up the courage.

For how long? Weeks? Months?

However long, he had done it. He had planned and plotted. She knew he had. She knew him and how he was.

It was the bravest display of emotion she’d ever seen. He was clearly torn up about it, but still managed to confess- even though he knew he might get rejected.

Even though he did get rejected. Her heart told her. By you.

Oh. Right.

Marinette sighed, rolling onto her back again. If only I could be that brave.

Her head turned towards Adrien’s photo again. In the last of the four pictures, he was holding her close, laughing with his arms wrapped around her. She was mid-laugh too, her cheeks red.

Marinette turned to the ceiling again, and closed her eyes.

She knew what she had to do.

She had to be brave.

---------

“Are you sure about this, girl?” Alya asked her, trying to catch up with Marinette’s fast paced walk into school that Monday morning.

“I’m sure.” Marinette told her. “I’m ready to tell him. I was thinking about it the whole weekend.”

She had had a whole long-ass conversation with Tikki about it the morning after Friday night (when Chat had confessed and she had made up her mind), and then had another again with Alya that Sunday, when she came over to help her and her parents decorate some flower shaped sugar cookies for Spring.

She was determined.

Alya raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes a bit. “I still don’t know what’s gotten into you.”

“Nothing has gotten into me.” Marinette lied. “I just feel like I’m ready to finally tell him. I feel bad keeping it from him.”

It wasn’t a total lie.

“Alright, then.” Alya replied, opening the door for Marinette.

When they walked into class, Adrien and Nino were already there, talking at their desks.

Marinette’s heart fluttered a bit in her chest, and tried to jump into her throat, but she swallowed in down, and walked with Alya over to their row.

“Hey, guys.” Alya greeted.

“Morning!” Marinette followed.

“What’s up, ladieeessss!” Nino greeted, grinning. Alya rolled her eyes.

“Morning.” Adrien seemed very...out of it? Marinette thought so.

“Are you alright, Adrien?” She asked, concerned.

“That’s what I’ve been asking all morning!” Nino exclaimed, looking irritated. “I’ve been trying to get him to tell me what’s wrong for like half an hour already.”

“I told you- nothing’s wrong.” Adrien assured him, then turned to Marinette, smiling softly. “I’m okay, Mari.”

“Are you sure? You don’t look okay.” Marinette furrowed her eyebrows.

“It’s fine. Honestly, I’m just out of it because I’m tired. My father’s had me working every night this week.”

Marinette didn’t buy it, but respected his privacy.

“Your dad is crazy!” Nino told him, huffing. “You’re 18. You should be allowed to take breaks and have fun.”

Adrien nodded and shrugged. “I guess.”

They all spoke for a few more minutes, mostly about how Nino had had a gig DJing a party downtown this weekend. They quieted down by the time their teacher had come in.

As the teacher started her lesson, Marinette stared at the back of Adrien’s head, thinking about how she was gonna confess. She was nervous but maybe for no reason.

She had been thinking this whole weekend about what would happen if Adrien rejected her-

Like you did Chat. Her annoying brain reminded her again.

Shut up. Marinette fired back.

- but what if he doesn’t reject her? What if he actually...likes her back? What if he feels the same and they go on a date and then a few more and then become boyfriend/girlfriend and then he proposes and they get married on a sunny Spring day in an intimate family affair and then they live together and love each other and have three beautiful children named Emma, Louis, and Hu-

Woah woah woah.

Chill, girl. You’re not 15 anymore. Stop with these crazy fantasies and focus on the task at hand. How are you and Adrien gonna ever get married if he never knows how you feel?

Marinette blinked, snapping out of it. She then ripped a paper out of her notebook and wrote Adrien a note.

‘Hey. I have to tell you something. It’s...kinda important. Can we talk after school?’

She slid the note under the desk, poking at his side with the corner of the folded paper.

Keeping his eyes trained on the teacher, he secretly grabbed the note, expertly placing it on his desk without the teacher seeing.

Marinette waited with baited breath.

After what felt like an eternity (but in reality was only 10 minutes), she felt a folded piece of paper poke her bare knee. She slid it onto her desk and opened it as inconspicuously as possible.

‘Of course Mari. Is after school good? :p’

The note came with a tiny doodle of a smiling snail.

She grinned. She adored this boy.

When he turned to look at her a few seconds later while the teacher turned away, she nodded slightly.

And now, we wait.

---------

After the final bell rang and Marinette was freed from the absolute sin formally referred to as chemistry, she stood by Adrien’s locker, waiting for him to arrive.

Her heart was doing flips.

She wasn’t so sure she could do this. Maybe it wasn’t too late to turn back. Maybe she should just tell him it was something funny and dumb like “you’re a dork” or “you got some updawg on your shirt” and leave it at that.

She felt her phone vibrate in her skirt pocket. She slid it out and read her latest text. It was from Alya.

‘You got this. I believe in you. <3’

Marinette smiled, her heart warmed by the text.

‘Thanks, Alya. You’re the best.’

And she was. Alya was such a good friend. Maybe Tikki was right. Maybe she really was lucky. Lucky to be blessed with such an incredible support group.

“What’s got you so smile-y?”

Marinette whipped her head up, locking her phone and sliding it back into her pocket, as Adrien stood before her- all sandy blonde hair and grass green eyes and soft spoken and-

Focuusss. Her brain nagged.

“A-Adrien! Hey.”

“Hey!” He grinned. “I asked you a question, you know.”

“Oh- oh yeah. Alya was texting me something sweet. About how I’m her favorite and whatever.”

Adrien chuckled. Her heart nearly melted.

“You’re everyone’s favorite, Mari.”

Marinette giggled, nervously. “I sure hope so…”

Literally, though…

“So, what did you need to talk to me about?”

Her stomach sank, but she willed it to work with her a bit.

“I...uh...wanted to know if you wanted to walk home with me.”

It apparently didn’t listen. Goddammit.

“Sure. I actually have time, for once. Just let me grab my stuff?”

“Okay!” Marinette replied, a little too loudly and a little too quickly.

I’m reverting. She panicked. Shit.

Pull it together, Mari.

“Ready?” Adrien asked her, after a minute, slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

---------

After a minute or so of feeling awkward, Adrien striked up a conversation, and she silently thanked him for taking the lead. They quickly started talking about some nerd shit- as two nerds like them might do.

“There is no way in hell that Ponyo is better than Howl’s Moving Castle.” She scoffed. “Sophie is so much more complex than Ponyo. Or Sosuke.”

“Howl’s good, but it’s no Ponyo!” Adrien insisted. “Come on- the story of a young girl learning to break free from oppression! Teaching a boy about true love.”

“It’s more of a child-like infatuation, if you ask me. Or a platonic love.”

Adrien huffed. “You just can’t appreciate fine cinema.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed, looking at him.

He was so… God, he was so attractive. He drove her absolutely crazy. Like she said, he had that whole sandy blonde hair and grass green eyes thing going for him. But not only that, he had this...sunkissed skin. Like Apollo himself descended from the heavens and personally blessed him to forever be a literal embodiment of sunshine. And his body, oh my god.

Back when they were 15, Adrien was a bit more lithe- thin and shapely, but still maintaining a fit form and an alright shoulder to waist ratio. It came with not only having barely gone through puberty, but having to keep up that stereotypical model look. But now that he was older, Adrien was more built- and encouraged to maintain a wholesomely sexy look instead of the boyishly handsome look he had had before.

And Lord, did it work for him.

He was still a little lithe, but had much broader shoulders. He wasn’t exactly dorito shaped, but definitely more manly- thicker biceps and more defined muscles. He could now fill in a shirt.

He ran his fingers through his hair, looking ahead, his green eyes intensified and brightened by the sunshine.

Marinette could’ve stayed just like that, staring at him- soaking in his beauty.

But then she saw it.

His frown.

And not just that, but his eyebrows. They were furrowed. He was thinking very deeply about something.

Marinette frowned right along with him, then stopped walking, placing a hand on his shoulder. Adrien turned to look at her, surprised.

“Okay, model boy. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Mari?”

She frowned deeper, putting her feelings for him aside to address him with proper concern. “You’ve been acting off all day. I know you. There’s something you’re not telling me.”

He sighed, looking even more upset. “It’s nothing.”

“Adrien..”

“What about you? You’ve been off all day, too. Don’t think I believe for one second that the real reason you wanted to talk after school was so I could walk you home.” He raised an eyebrow at her, crossing his arms, petulantly.

Her stomach sank, but she quickly shook it off and laughed. “Are you trying to change the subject? I asked you first.”

“I asked you second.”

They narrowed their eyes at each other.

“Rock, Paper, Scissors for it?” Mari asked, determined. She had to win.

“You’re on.”

---------

“Goddammit!” Mari cursed.

After three games of Rock, Paper, Scissors, she had lost. Twice.

In her defense, she had momentarily forgotten that paper beats rock. How does that even make sense?

“Ha! Now you have to tell me what’s on your mind.” Adrien gloated, sticking out his tongue.

Why am I so in love with this boy? Mari asked herself, even though she knew the answer.

“No. I changed my mind. I don’t wanna tell you.” Mari crossed her arms, pouting, and turning away.

“Oh, come on, Mari!”

“No!”

He placed a hand on her shoulder, gently turning her around. “You know you can tell me.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Or several.

Okay. Okay okay okay. I can do this.

I think.

“Alright...you’re right.” She confessed. “I do need to tell you something… kinda important. We should… maybe sit.”

“Okay.” He gestured towards a nearby bench, and they both sat.

Adrien looked at her, expectantly.

Her heart felt like it was filled with an icy cold fire.

“I know this is...sudden…” Marinette told him. “But…”

“But?”

“But… I really liked all the time we’ve been spending together, Adrien. I really like all your dumb jokes. I really like playing video games with you. I really like the way you scarf down all the food I give you, as if it’s the first time you’ve ever seen a chocolate croissant. I really like the way you ramble about things you really like…”

“Mari?”

“I really like... you, Adrien.”

“ Mari… ”

“No. More than really like you.” She closed her eyes, and let out a deep breath. “I love you, Adrien. Like. Really love you. Like. I’ve-been-madly-insatiably-in-love-with-you-for-the-last-three-years in love with you.”

Adrien looked floored. “Like...romantically?”

“Like, romantically.”

There was a pregnant pause. Marinette’s heart was beating so loudly, she could barely hear herself think.

After a moment, Adrien spoke.

“Marinette…” He sighed, eyebrows knit together. “The thing…. I had to tell you.”

“The thing?”

“The thing is…” He took her hands in his, looking apologetic. Oh no.

“ The thing is…. there’s someone else.”

Her heart sank. “Someone...else?”

“I confessed to her last night. She rejected me but…” Adrien sighed. “But I’m still in love with her.”

“In...love...with her?”

“I do love you, Mari. As a friend. And I love all the time that we’ve been spending together. You’re...an amazing person. An amazing friend. Beautiful and fun and smart and determined and wonderful. But…”

“But I’m not her.”

Adrien looked away, guiltily.

Of course.

Of course.

Why would I… how could I even think that… a guy like Adrien…

Marinette stood, suddenly, letting go of his hands, staring at her feet.

You had better not cry. She ordered herself. Not in front of him. You had better save that shit for when you get home.

Her eyes welled up with tears anyway.

She tried to will them away. Don’t. Don’t humiliate yourself any further. You’d better not.

Her resolve melted when Adrien stood up and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Marinette… I’m so sorry.”

The tears just kept rolling down her cheeks.

“You’re sorry?” She laughed, numbly, wiping her face. “What do you have to be sorry for, Agreste? I’m the one who’s making you feel guilty for no reason.”

He pulled her in close, suddenly, hugging her tight. “I still hurt you.”

The tears kept flowing in his arms, staining his shirt. It just...wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair. She’d come so far. She’d finally gotten close to him. Finally got them talking to each other. Finally become his real friend.

Maybe Tikki was wrong. Maybe she wasn’t so lucky after all.

Marinette sobbed.

Adrien rubbed her back and held her close.

---------

He’d insisted on walking her home.

She tried to keep a brave face, but as soon as she got through the front door, she just pressed her back to it, slid down, and started sobbing again.

Her mother had heard her cries and immediately came rushing in from the bakery, a look of deep concern on her face. She helped Marinette to the couch and, there, Marinette had told her mother everything she could. How a “friend” she didn’t feel the same for confessed his love to her. How she had rejected him. How she had been inspired by him and confessed to Adrien. How Adrien had rejected her on the way home.

“Oh, honey…” Her mom held her close, letting Marinette cry on her shoulder. “Sometimes, it just happens.”

“I really thought we were meant for each other.”

“I know, I know.” Her mother sighed, stroking her hair. “I know it feels like the end of the world. But it’s not. You’re a bright, beautiful young woman. There are other things out there for you.”

Marinette nodded, gripping her mother’s dress harder, sniffling.

Her mother whipped up one of her favorite dinners that night- beef stew with carrots and potatoes. Warm and delicious, as always. Her father had pulled out his beat-up ice cream maker, as well- and made them homemade salted caramel ice cream.

It could’ve been delicious, but Marinette couldn’t say. She was too messed up.

Instead, she just ate small, slow bites, and felt the tears dry on her cheeks, staring blankly at the table. She just felt numb.

---------

After dinner, she had skyped Alya, and told her the awful news. Alya promised that they’d have a “Ladies Night” the next day- which basically just meant they’d get together and talk it out and cuddle and eat ice cream and watch the Real Housewives.

Marinette had agreed, gratefully- but aside from that, she didn’t really speak much either.

Tikki seemed concerned. She, too, spent a fair amount of time comforting Marinette- and at least made her clean the smeared makeup and dried streaks of mascara off her face. Her pores would probably thank her tomorrow.

After a couple hours, though, Marinette sent Tikki to bed.

“I can’t possibly sleep right now. It’s best you just go to bed now. I’ll lay down and try to rest in a bit.”

“Are you sure?” Her kwami asked, concerned.

“Yeah. It’s fine. I promise.”

Tikki didn’t look totally convinced, but gave in once Marinette put on her brave face.

“Alright...but you’d better be in bed by midnight! You do have school tomorrow, after all.”

“Yes, mom.” Marinette tried to grin. She wasn’t quite sure she got it across.

Tikki rolled her eyes and kissed Mari’s forehead before flittering off to her bed (which was essentially just a pillow and a small, hand sewn blanket hidden behind the staircase in Marinette’s loft bedroom).

After Tikki was finally fast asleep, Marinette sighed, walking out onto her balcony, her blanket wrapped around her shoulders and a cup of green tea that her mother insisted she drink in her hands.

She took a sip of the now barely warm tea and sighed again, staring across at the lights of Paris.

This is supposed to be the city of love.

She scoffed. More like the city of heartbreak.

Marinette laughed at her own bad joke, emptily.

She felt like a total idiot.

How did she not see this coming?

She sighed once more, shakily this time, and felt her eyes well up with tears again.

And once more, she sobbed.

Not the kind of sobbing she had been doing before.

Horrible, awful sobbing.

Marinette was devastated.

Three years she’s been in love with Adrien. Three years she’d… actually believed that they’d… get married. Have kids. Spend their lives together.

How stupid. She thought, bitterly, sinking down to her knees, gripping the railing with the hand not holding her now cold green tea. So stupid.

She pressed her forehead up against it, letting tears fall onto the street below her.

She just kept sobbing and shaking. So loud was her sorrow that she didn’t hear the leather-clad hero land on her balcony and walk towards her pathetic form.

“...Princess?” She heard a familiar voice ask.

She looked up to see Chat Noir, looking like he felt sorry for her.

Great. She thought, and just cried harder.

#ml fanfic #ml fic #miraculous ladybug #marichat #ladynoir #adrienette #i wont say im in love #my fics #fanfiction #ml #love square #mady writes #angst #romance