#Asian ladybug in dog's mouth

[petcareadvisors]

#pet #pets #dogs #dog #pouch #pouches #canine #canines #pups #puppies #pup #puppy #Asian lady beetle #ladybug #ladybugs #Asian lady beetles #Ladybugs in dog's mouth #Asian ladybug in dog's mouth

[janedoe-eyes]

Neighbors in a Mask

This is my Secret Santa gift for @theatreandcomicfreak - I hope you like it! I had the help of a wonderful Beta who made this infinitely better😂. Merry Christmas! @maribat-secret-santa-2020 -  I’m also posting it on ao3 😁

“Ok - ok, you can do this! This is just a friendly introduction, what could go wrong? New town, new place, new start.” A wet nose nudged her hand in agreement with her little self-pep talk, and she smiled at her furry companion. Marinette squared her shoulders and knocked on the apartment marked ‘655’, the mantra ‘new town, new place, new start’ ran on repeat in the back of her mind. She fidgeted listening for signs of life on the other end of the door.

She jumped when the door suddenly and silently opened to reveal a man her age - half-dressed, extremely attractive, and wearing the least welcoming glower she’d ever seen.

“Yes?” He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

“I… uh… next door… chest moved in… shirtless - I mean!” She sputtered, face resembling a tomato and she barely managed to grab the plate of macaroons she’d lost her hold on while  she flailed. Holy hell, I haven’t sputtered  this much since…

That thought sobered her right up, and she shook her head to clear the nervous clutter. She took a big breath and started again.

“Sorry - I just moved in next door,” she jerked a thumb to her left, indicating the other condo in the pair. “I wanted to bring these over and introduce myself - I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and this is my dog Squishy.” She gestured to the cream-colored Pit Bull, and he glanced down for a half a moment. “I just moved here from Paris! I’m a fashion designer and novice gardener-”

“Look, I have a lot of work to do,” He cut her off with an exasperated sigh. “I am not interested in whatever you are selling - whether it is a product, business deal, or yourself.” Her jaw dropped. “I do not socialize beyond what is forced upon me by my family - so you have wasted your time. Good day.” He nodded stiffly at her and shut the door.

What the fu…

She stared at the same spot on the forest green door until Squishy whined and nudged her hand. She looked  to see the dog leaning on her leg and slowly wagging her tail.

“Squish… did you hear him say what I think he said?” She asked, looking at the door. She received  another nudge, this time from her purse on her other side.

She peered down to see Tikki’s blue orbs looking at her  with  concern. Marinette  smiled in reassurance.

“I’m fine Tik -  just rebooting.” A small giggle sounded from the bag, and Mari’s smile grew. She gave the door one last look and huffed.

“Oh well,” She shrugged. “Might as well head home.”

She stepped off his stoop and strolled over to her own, her deep red door already decorated with a spring wreath - little ladybugs hidden throughout. She shut the door behind her and caught  the plate  for a  second time when  a black blur zipped right in front of her face.

“Hey Bug, I overheard your  little exchange… want me to phase over and cataclysm his TV or something?”

“Plagg! What have I said about startling me? You’re gonna give me a heart attack!” He ignored her, floating in lazy circles near her ear. She continued to grumble about the cat as she continued to the kitchen - Tikki flying out of Mari’s purse to join her other half.

“No cataclysms!” The Luck God scolded him, crossing her paws. “We can’t risk anyone becoming  suspicious of where the guardian is - anyone who knows  the temple returned will be on the hunt!”

“Please,” Plagg scoffed. “I can pop  in and out without him noticing and not leave a trace - it’d probably at least annoy the hell out of Mr-stick-up-his-”

“As much as I’d like to get him back for his rude  comment - seriously, where does he get off?!” Marinette interrupted with a sigh and a small smile. “Tikki’s right, and it wouldn’t be very guardian or Ladybug-like of me besides.”

“Fine - but the offer still stands.” The little floating cat huffed, flying over to where Squishy cuddled  in her bed by the window, watching her owner for signs of needing her.

It was odd how well the dog and cat god got along - Plagg refused to acknowledge he was fond of the Pit Bull, but they were found more often than not sleeping curled  together on Mari’s bed at night, and Marinette suspected he snuck  her treats.

“As long as we don’t see each other much beyond going in or out of our places - it shouldn’t be a problem.” She shrugged, popping a cookie from the plate in her mouth and handing one to Tikki who happily accepted. “With how ‘busy’ he alluded to being - it shouldn’t be hard.”

*******************************************************************************

Turns out -  easier said than done.

She saw him the next day in line at a coffee shop accompanied by  a man a few years older than him who looked as if  death had warmed over. Mr. Grouchy made eye contact with her and scowled before turning away with a tsk.

She rolled her eyes and focused back on the barista. “Hello,” she smiled as much as she could manage at the buttcrack of dawn. “It’s a longshot, but do you happen to have any ‘Black Insomnia’ or ‘High Voltage’?” The blonde behind the counter paled.

“Not another one.” She whispered, her eyes darting over to the man being tugged along by her neighbor.

Marinette tilted her head in question, and the barista seemed to shake it off.

“We are well stocked with Black Insomnia, what size will it  be and how would you like it made?” She asked, her customer service smile  strained.

“The largest you have - as black as you can make it.” She smiled back and took her receipt, walking over to a booth, overhearing her call out for a “Suicidal Wayne” just as another worker called out for the same drink.

The older boy, the one who looked in desperate need of a good night's sleep, leaned on Mr. Pissy as if he was the only thing keeping him upright - but at the mention of the order, his eyes snapped over to her. He gave her a small wave, and she returned it with a quirked brow. He looked close to  moving  over, but Sir Scowls-a-lot stopped him with a hand on his arm. He spoke in a low voice, and the tired man’s face melted into a mix of disappointment and exasperation. The man shot her an annoyed look and turned back to the front.

She wanted  to go over and demand to know what he could  possibly say   having met her once for five minutes, but the barista called out three names - hers, ‘Tim’,  and ‘Damian’. She walked  up before the two could move and grabbed her cup, thanking the woman, before brushing past ‘Tim and Damian’ on her way out. She was in a rush - there was a show coming up next week and she had fittings all day, she didn’t have time to deal with her asshat of a neighbor and his friend with good taste in coffee.

*******************************************************************************************

As the days passed, they continued bumping into each other. Their dynamic well-past talking, favoring annoyed glares and eye rolls. He wanted to scare her off (the Wayne lawyer way or Robin way - he hadn’t decided yet), but his father and brothers refused - insisting she hadn’t done anything deserving of any kind of action.

Yet. His mind supplied.

There was something off about her - the sixth sense he’d acquired through his life was never wrong, and she set it  off like fireworks whenever she was near. He couldn’t get a read on her intentions, but he wasn’t one to wait for the other shoe to drop - he planned to keep his eye on her.

*******************************************************************************************

He saw her again on patrol a week and a half after she first knocked on his door.

He was in costume uniform tailing a group of five men who  had recently left a warehouse that  belonged to  the Penguin. Red Hood stationed  across the street following parallel to him.

The men turned the corner on Hood’s side, and Robin signaled he would wait until they were out of earshot before grappling over. Hood nodded and continued trailing them.

Robin waited for a beat, then shot his hook out to grab the highest ledge available.

“Shit.” Hood’s voice through his comm made his hand jerk and his grappling hook missed the mark. He released his own curse and reshot as soon as the cable  fully retracted.

“Report, Hood.” He snapped, flipping at the arc of his swing and sailing over the first building.

“They’re targeting a girl - she looks  your age, tiny, at least partially Asian,” Hood grunted lowly.

Damian groaned.

“Acquaintance of yours, Demon Spawn?” Red Hood teased.

“No names in the field, Hood.” He hissed. “And it’s  my new neighbor - she keeps popping up like a bad penny.”

“The one you said tried  to butter you up with cookies, and drinks the same motor oil as Replacement?” Hood asked. Robin landed beside him, leaning over the ledge to watch the girl’s progress as she leisurely strolled down the street with several shopping bags.

“<Tt>, idiot,” Robin muttered under his breath. “That’s her.” He glanced at Hood who nodded.

“You know - I still say you might have misjudged the situation - Timmy said she didn’t seem the cozy-ing up type and seemed  kinda openly pissed at you.” Red Hood mused.

“No. Names. In. The. Field. Hood.” Robin grit out, tired of this conversation - he’d had  versions of it with his family ever since the coffee shop incident.

Everyone insisted the  Dupain-Cheng girl was trying to be nice - but he looked through her records, and found  an unprecedented amount of bullying accusations against her in high school, and she’d quit her job at ‘Agreste’ with no warning - but that was oddly heavily-guarded information. He had been locked out of many of even the simplest social media accounts and public records - especially anything to do with the Agreste brand founder. A  familiar itch on the back of his neck told  him he was onto something big - and his suspiciously friendly neighbor was connected.

Hood took a breath as if to continue the conversation when Robin put a hand up and signaled downward.

They both looked to see the tiny girl turn sharply across the road and into a dead-end alleyway. She’s even stupider than I assumed , Robin mentally groaned as he and Red Hood scrambled to follow.

They dropped to street-level and ran over to the alley, prepared to find the young woman in need of saving, only to see three men passed out near the entrance.  A dented trash lid resting nearby.  The small girl, who looked like Red Hood could lift her with one hand, flipped  a fourth over her shoulder with ease.

“Holy Mother-” Hood gaped at the scene and  sidestepped  the flying body - it landed behind him on top of the others.

Robin didn’t flinch as the man sailed past and ruffled his cape. His eyes were fixed on the girl as she high-kicked the last man under the jaw - knocking him out immediately. He couldn’t stop the words ‘almalak almuharib[1]’ from slipping past his lips in an awed gasp. He’d never seen anything so beautiful in all his life.

He shook himself, scowling at the foolish thoughts that rose unbidden. Perhaps she is a shaman or spell caster. That is it - this must be a  spell. He reasoned to himself.

He watched, still unable to move, as the girl dusted off her clothes and reached into her bag.

“Are you two gonna help, or do you plan to stand there with your mouths open like a couple of fish.” She asked as she turned around with a handful of zip ties, eyebrow quirked.

“You have  one hell of a kick, kid.” Red Hood broke the silence, moving forward to grab a few of the proffered zip ties (even though he had plenty of his own).

“It was nothing.” She brushed off the complement with a wave of her hand and a light rose dusting on her cheeks.

Red Hood scoffed, “Whatever kid, that was the most badass take-down I’ve seen in a while - and I know Wonder Woman.” He extended his fist for a bump.

Her smile fell  from her face as if she’d been slapped - her eyes fixated on the proffered fist and starting to water.

“Uh…” Red Hood lowered  his arm, “I ain’t trying to hit you kid… you guys have fist bumps in Europe, right?” He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his neck.

“I… It’s nothing - you just... reminded me of a friend.” She whispered, taking in a shuddering breath and turning  sharply to secure the last guy she knocked unconscious.

Robin shared a look with his brother (an odd thing to do through a helmet, but they knew each other well enough for  it to work) and shrugged, before taking out his own zip ties and turning to the pile of three large men.

As they finished  with the other four, Marinette walked past them with her bags and a quick “I’ll leave them to you, then” - and left the alleyway, disappearing from sight.

“That… was weird, right?” Hood said, staring after her. “Shouldn’t we make her stick around to give a statement?”

Robin shook his head slowly. “I think… it would be best to let her go... this time. We have both seen that look before.” In the mirror every time we lost a teammate in battle, he glared   where he’d last seen her retreating figure, and puzzled  over the new information.

“Wait, wait, wait, I agree she can fight  and all, but are you really saying that the little pipsqueak...” He choked out in surprise, Damian could tell his eyes were bugging under his mask.

“I’m not sure, but she’s certainly no average civilian.” He cut his brother off with a shake of his head. “I suggest we keep an eye on her.”

“Hey, if you two have finished your little intrusion into the poor girl’s life and traumas, the police are  a minute out.” Barbra, or rather, Oracle’s voice sounded from their earpieces.

Damian took one last look at where she’d disappeared to before turning away with narrowed eyes and a “<Tt>”.

*******************************************************************************************

Marinette withdrew following  the encounter in the alley - barely acknowledging her surly neighbor, Squishy refused to leave her side, and Plagg and Tikki often needed to call her name several times before she’d respond… The  Kwamii were worried.

“Tik… we only just pulled  her out of the slump she was in back in Paris after…” Plagg’s normally light and expressive face fell, his tail, ears, and whiskers drooping.

“I know… It’s never easy to lose one.” She whispered with a pained wince, past memories flashing in front of her eyes. She floated over to her other half and pulled him into her, petting the back of his head as stuttering purrs overtook  his shaking.

“If she continues to relive it, we’ll lose her too - remember  Keket.” Tikki shuddered at the reminder of the young girl.

“No… we can’t let that happen again,” Plagg growled, the memories of the long lost kitten painful even all these years later. They couldn’t let that happen to Marinette. Tikki nodded firmly into his shoulder.

*******************************************************************************************

Marinette stretched out under a large oak tree in the city gardens, her sketchbook open on her lap and Squishy laid  over her legs - keeping guard. She stared at the blank page with unfocused eyes, memories swimming  in her head out of order and distorted.

“*Sniff* Mommy... Daddy…” A small voice sobbed, pulling her from her musings. She closed her book and set it aside. Squishy took that as a signal to get up and look around, her ears swiveling alertly.

“Where is it coming from, Squish?” She reached  to rest her hand on the dog’s back, Marinette stood  and looked  around intently.

Her dog gave a soft *wuff* and tugged on the leash. Marinette turned and allowed the Pit Bull to direct her. As they neared the bushes the sound came  from, Marinette stopped  short at the sight of a familiar well-kept head of dark hair and moved her and Squishy to peek around them to the bench beyond.

From her position, she saw  her prickly neighbor crouching next to a boy of about five or six whose cries turned into soft giggles as a Great Dane licked at his face, tail wagging wildly.

“Alright Titus, let the boy breathe.” The man grunted, tugging lightly on the large dog’s collar. “Now, have you calmed enough to tell me your name?” He asked in a surprisingly gentle voice, turning his attention to the boy. The kid nodded, sniffing and reaching out to pat the dog - who happily leaned in.

“E-Ethan… My name’s Ethan Sorensen, Mr. Wayne.” He said shyly.

“Ah, you recognize me?” The younger boy nodded, still stroking the dog.

The Wayne Heir returned the nodd. “Good - at least you didn’t talk  to  a complete stranger. You should be more careful though, the world - and this city especially - are dangerous places for someone  young and inexperienced.” He scolded with a frown.

The boy shrunk in, and Titus nudged further into the boy, whining slightly. The temperamental man sighed and hesitantly put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“I do not mean to be harsh - I am merely  glad I found you first.” He gave the boy a strained smile and it received a laugh from the kid. His eye twitched in annoyance.

“<Tt>,” He groused, pulling back and taking out his phone. He tapped a few times before placing the phone against his ear. “Gordon, I have a boy named Ethan Sorensen alone in the Southeast end of Robinson Park, have there been any missing child reports?” He nodded at whatever response he received. “Good, let your father know we will wait  for them on a bench... Yes, of course I plan to remain with him! He is no older than six!... Yes, yes, I will stay behind to issue a statement to the officer… Goodbye Gordon.” He hung up the phone and returned it to his pocket before turning back to the boy.

“Your parents are on their way, would you like to play fetch with Titus until they arrive?” He received a shy nodd in return and handed over a yellow batman-themed ball which was enthusiastically chased  once thrown.

Marinette watched a few more throws before retreating to the tree where she had left her bag and packed up.

“So he can be sweet,” she mused to Tikki under her breath.

The Kwamii poked her head out of Mari’s pocket and giggled. “Though he didn’t seem super comfortable with the situation, he went out of his way to be kind to the boy. He stepped  up when needed.”

“Yeah, I guess our grumpy-goose next door can act like a human - now and then.” Marinette laughed, turning toward the park’s exit, a light flutter in her chest  after watching her awkward frenemy do something kind.

*******************************************************************************************

That night, Marinette seriously considered  donning her mask for the first time in over a year.

She couldn’t explain why, but watching Damian’s secretly sweet nature peek through had  lifted her spirits. She felt more like her old self than she had in a long time.

The dark and handsome man was obviously out of his comfort zone in interacting with the boy, but his desire to help another person outweighed his own discomfort. Mari’s guardian senses could see the effort it took to overcome the deep-seated parasitic darkness that latched onto his being. .

Her bones buzzed with an energy that had been absent for  a year. She didn't call for a transformation though - her Guardian duties came first, and she needed to understand the city as a healer before she could take on an active protector role.

Using the recovered energy, she took back up a project she'd been working on - knitting hats, gloves, and scarves with needles Wayzz helped her infuse with a warming charm. She planned to give them away at the shelter she volunteered at on weekends when the weather turned in a few months.

She had four sets of mittens done and adjusted the needles to start on a fifth when a loud crash sounded from the other end of the wall. She jumped up and grabbed the retractable baton she stored in her crafting room, sliding into a crouching position. Tikki and Plagg flew over from the cushion they were lounging on to hover next to her.

They waited in suspense  - listening for clues as to what was going on beyond the wall.

After a few moments, a pained groan sounded along with another, smaller crash.

Was it… her surly Wayne neighbor?

She shared a glance with Tikki and Plagg, and the three nodded. Plagg phased through the wall, and Tikki flew to Mari’s shoulder. An anxious minute later, Plagg returned, stifling laughter with his paws.

“Oh yeah - he’s gonna need some help,” He snorted. “And what is it with you attracting all the weirdos?” He cackled, flying over to the mini-fridge she kept stocked with Kwamii food and phasing through.

“You’ll want to bring the first aid kit,” he continued, exiting the fridge with a small wheel of cheese and taking a large bite before continuing. “Probably keep the baton with you in case there’s trouble - the kid may not be much help  watching your back.”

That snapped her to attention, and she rushed off to her bathroom to grab the enormous first aid kit she collected over  years of hero work. She pulled on a coat - Tikki slipping into a pocket - and shoved her feet into her deep red combat boots, quickly tying them before rushing out her front door and over to the stoop she’d glared  at in passing for weeks.

Marinette  took a deep breath to calm herself before testing the door - which was of course locked. She huffed and pulled out the lock-pick set she stored in the inner lining of her boots. She unlocked  the door after two frustrating minutes - it seemed her neighbor wasn’t satisfied with the standard locks that came with the condos and installed his own.

Once inside, she closed the door behind her and re-locked it  - noticing a blinking red light on a small black box along the side of the door.

Probably a silent alarm, she mused, No matter - I’m here to help and have no intention of harming… Oh geez, I don’t even know his name - what will the police think when they arrive  here?! What names did the barista say  at the coffee house? - Tim and… Damian? Gah! It doesn’t matter - he still needs help! She shook herself and continued along the hallway with the first aid kit in her left hand and the baton in her right - raised and ready for trouble.

“Um… Hello?” She called out, deciding it was better to alert any robbers than to scare her injured neighbor. “It’s Marinette Dupain-Cheng - your neighbor next door? I heard a crash and someone in pain, so I let myself in…” Having cleared the first floor, she turned to the stairs at the back of the house past the kitchen. “Mr. Wayne?”

A pained grunt sounded from the top of the stairs and she tensed further, not foolish enough to rush  ahead after the warning Plagg gave  - even if it wasn’t bad enough to insist on coming himself.

“Is that you, Mr. Wayne?” She called, narrowing her eyes as she reached the top of the stairs.

“I...in here...” A deep male voice coughed from the last room to her right, and she heard a low growling as she entered the room.

“I’m going to turn on the light.” She called a moment before she did.

Muttered cursing sounded at the light and drew her eyes to the floor under the window where the young Wayne lay on his side, clutching a gash over his chest, and surrounded by glass. The  man was dressed in a ripped Robin uniform she’d become familiar with due to all the merch that littered the city.

“Oh…” Marinette  whispered, Plagg’s comment on attracting weirdos now making sense. She heaved a deep sigh.

“His name is Titus, right?” The dog twitched at his name, and his master nodded stiffly. “Will he  let me take a look at your injuries?” She retracted the baton and set it on the ground slowly with the kit, keeping her movements slow, and returning to a standing position with her palms empty and up.

“Titus, hda[2].” The dog slowly relaxed his tense position and looked back at the boy on the ground behind him. “Rahab[3].” The man said,  nodding toward her, wincing as it pulled at one of his many injuries.

Though she didn’t understand the language of the commands, their meanings were obvious - she sank to the floor again and turned to her side, slowly offering her hand for the great black beast to sniff. He cautiously approached her and watched her body language intently as he snuffled at her hand - leaving a cool trail behind, which would have made her giggle in  another situation.

Finally deciding to trust her , he licked her cheek and released a whine - tugging her jacket sleeve over to his injured master. She reached back to grab her kit and allowed the dog to pull her forward.

“Where are you hurt most severely?” She asked, kneeling beside him, ignoring the few pricks of glass in her legs as she did so.

“The gash on my chest is the only one that needs looked at immediately... the others are superficial.” He wheezed lightly, his voice strained.

“Was your head or spine injured to your knowledge?” At the slight shake of his head, she carefully slid her arms under him and gently lifted him into a princess carry. He let out an indignant and surprised manly squeak and she tried to hide her smile.

“Your partners, do you want me to contact them?” She asked, entering the connected bathroom and flipping the switch with her shoulder.

“My communicator and tracker are busted - though if you came through the front door, they were alerted and will send someone to check when  I do not respond.”

She nodded and set him into the tub as gently as she could, shooing Titus away from sticking his head in as close as he could get it to the man. She set her kit on the floor and pulled out a pair of scissors. He snorted at the sight.

“Those will not even make a scratch in -” She grinned at his stunned silence as she nearly glided through the material, snagging  a few times on previously patched parts.

“...” He stared at the scissors as she shifted to cut the sleeves. “This is the highest grade kevlar… how in the…” He turned to meet her laughing eyes and quirked an eyebrow.

“I have my secrets,” She gestured to the suit she was tearing into. “And you have your’s.” He pinned her with a look, but she raised her own brow as if to ask ‘you don’t actually expect me to tell you, do you?’

He scoffed and turned to the wall.

She laughed and moved the last of the material out of the way - turning back to her kit to gather her supplies.

“I don’t suppose you’d let me give you any Lidocaine?” He gave her a ‘what do you think?’ look. “That’s what I thought - want something to bite on?”

“I’ll be fine.” He grumbled, turning away again.

“Alright tough guy, I’m gonna just dive in - if you need a break or want to change your mind, let me know.” He nodded, and she threaded the hooked needle, glancing at him once more before starting in.

She was amazed at how little he reacted - a few face twitches at most - and she made sure to get through it as quickly as possible. After tying it off, she cleaned around the wound and taped gauze over it, and nodded to herself in satisfaction.

She turned  to grab more alcohol swabs, only to find the injured hero unsteadily climbing  to his feet.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” She asked, exasperated.

“The rest is livable - I will be fine. Thank you for-”

“Thank me when I’m done patching you up, you stubborn fool.” She rolled her eyes, pushing him back down.

“How are you so strong?!” He huffed. “I don’t know of many civilians who could lift a grown man without an issue…” He left the statement trailing like a question, and she laughed.

“I grew up in a bakery - I’ve been lifting bags of flour my whole life.” She shrugged, taping up his finished arm and moving onto another gash.

“Sure…” He scoffed, not believing for a second that was all there was to it. She shrugged in response.

They sat in silence until she finished , tapping on the last square of gauze.

“Alright,” She helped him to his feet  and over to his bed. “Is there anything else you need?”

He shook his head, giving a soft ‘Thank you’ - reaching out to catch her hand as she began walking over to retrieve  the baton she’d left by his door.

“Truly - I… I would have been in trouble if you had not found me when you did. The others are in the middle of a fight and my beacon was broken before I could activate it… there might  still be  time before they worry.”

“Happy to help.” She smiled, patting his arm. He nodded, breaking eye contact again and patting Titus who jumped on the bed  to snuggle  the man.

“By the way…” She started. “What is your name? I know your last name is Wayne - that’s what the boy at the park said anyway, and I think it’s either ‘Damian’ or ‘Tim’ - because those were the names the barista gave at the coffee shop…”

“Wait,” He stopped her. “You… don’t know who I am?”

“Um… should I? The way the boy said it made it sound  as if you’re well known here - but I’m only familiar with Parisian celebrities.”

“Oh, then… I believe I may owe you an apology.” He scratched the back of his head, still avoiding eye contact.

“Yes, yes you do - but what are you referring to?” She started with a irked look, and he had the decency to look abashed.

“When you first came to my door… I thought it another instance of someone trying to get in my good graces because I’m a Wayne. My father and brothers have warned me against social climbers, and I find it best to avoid encouraging them by making my disinterest known right away.” He still refused to meet her eyes and she reached out to touch his shoulder.

She waited until he met her eyes before speaking. “I appreciate and accept your apology, and  I understand. ” He raised a disbelieving brow.

“No,” she chuckled, “Really. Back in Paris, I had a few friends who suffered from  the same problem - an Olympic fencer, a model, a rock singer…” She shrugged. “I get it… but I’d also like to start again if you’re up for it?”

He stared at her for a moment, taking in her sincerity, before he slowly nodded and extended his hand.

“Hello… I am Damian Wayne.” She grinned and grasped his hand.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

*******************************************************************************************

Dick burst into the apartment moments after Marinette returned to her own home - leaving her phone number behind with strict instructions to call if he needed anything. He explained what  happened - causing Dick check for a concussion when he openly admitted to misjudging her - and was taken to the cave.

Alfred was impressed with Marinette’s stitch job, and only needed to re-bandage the wounds he’d checked. His father had interrogated him for several hours when he found out a near-stranger  knew at least Robin’s identity. He was talked down from all-out kidnapping the girl for answers only because Damian insisted on it - and he rarely stood up for his family, let alone strangers. So, they decided to keep a close eye on her when she went out (Damian living directly next door kept them from over-bugging the outside of her home).

They discovered she worked  in a small boutique in the Fashion District, and volunteered  at a shelter. When she wasn’t at either of those places or running errands, she wandered the city for places to sit and sketch. They had the sneaking suspicion she knew of their presence , but hadn’t caught her looking directly at them yet.

They were all  wary of her but eventually  eased up on their suspicions the more they were around the little - but strangely strong - ball of sunshine.

*******************************************************************************************

A few nights later, Damian awoke to the sounds of muffled cries. He instinctively jolted out of bed and reached for the sword next to his nightstand. Listening, he found the sounds came from Marinette’s apartment. He popped open the door to his balcony located  on the same wall as hers.

Leaping over - narrowly avoiding knocking over one of the many pots strewn on  every surface - he slunk over to her door and peeked inside, expecting  a struggle and looking for the best opening to intervene.

What he saw was his small neighbor (friend?) curled  on her bed, tangled in her blankets, with tears streaming down her face. She thrashed, a whimper loud enough for him to hear through the glass slipping through her lips.

He sighed and set his shoulders - he’d seen enough night terrors from his brothers, the Titans, and even members of his grandfather’s League to know he wouldn’t leave her to suffer, but not looking forward to explaining how he entered .

Working on  the simple lock, he slid the door open silently, and closed it behind him, leaning his sword against it where she wouldn’t notice it unless she paid attention. .

A whine halted his approach, and he paused, noticing the butter-colored Pit Bull at the foot of the bed - having obviously knocked off in her mistress’ movement - and reached a hand out. The dog sniffed hesitantly, her tail stuck firmly between her legs, and her ears flat against her head in worry.

“It’s alright, girl, I am here to help.” He soothed, rubbing at her ears until her tail uncurled and began to half-heartedly wag.

“NON!... CHAT!” The girl on the bed sobbed, her arms flailing as if reaching for something.

He was at her side in an instant, grabbing her arms and readying himself in case she fought him.

“Mari!” He called, shaking her none too gently, “Mari! It is a dream! You need to wake up!”

It took several tries, but soon her eyes shot open.

She sat up, latching onto the first thing she found, and as he still held  her wrists, (and her dog was on the floor) he found his arms full of a sobbing Marinette. She gasped, muttering in French  how sorry she was, how she should have been stronger, how it was her fault…

He held her, as his brothers did for him for months after he came back from the pits and awoke from his own nightmares. He started to rock back and forth - smoothing her hair, and she cuddled in closer, her cries pittering out.

The city’s ambience filled the room - interspersed with the slight creaking of the bed at Damian’s continued rocking motion.

“Do you wish to talk about it?” He asked after what felt like both a moment and an eternity.

She hesitated, before starting in a small, frail voice.

He learned  what  transpired in France with the villain the League had been forbidden from interfering with. She told him of  the emotional trauma - having to police your own emotions, watching loved ones be used, watching them die horribly, only to have them come back with no memory of the fact.

And then - she told him about Ladybug.

She didn’t swear him to secrecy or threaten him if he told anyone - it spilled out with everything else.

She had been alone.

As a civilian, she was isolated, and as a hero - she had no one to lean on, especially once  entrusted with the Guardian title. She had only her Kwamii (whatever that was - she made it seem like some  all-powerful sprite) who knew her identity, and she couldn’t properly vent for fear of becoming ‘akumatized’.

She told him about the final battle. How it turned out to be the father of a friend who terrorized  everyone, how her partner had nearly fallen apart in grief - as it was his father - and how her partner, her friend, had died saving her from his father’s blade. The blow caused his own power, a "cataclysm" to defensively implode, destroying everything in the vicinity - even the bearer of the ring. Marinette's saving grace was her own power, the ultimate balance to destruction, which shielded her from the blast.

She sobbed into his shoulder after the tale was done until she eventually fell into a deep sleep.

He set her back into the bed gently and covered her with the blankets. Moving to the chair in the corner he  slumped down,  head in his hands,  absorbing  the emotion and information her story had left him with.

A wet nose nudged his arm, and he looked down to see her dog slowly wagging her tail and giving him sad puppy-eyes. He gave her a small smile.

“It’ll be alright…” He shifted to search for a tag to find  her name - not remembering it from Marinette’s initial introduction.

“It’s Squishy.” A small, high voice called. He jerked his head up to watch a red fairy-bug…thing float down to rest on the dog’s head. “Mari found her rooting through some trash in an alley a week after the final battle - they’ve been inseparable  ever since.”

They eyed each other for a moment before he broke the silence.

“...Tikki… right?” That was the name from Marinette’s story. She nodded, her big sky-blue eyes analyzing  his soul.

“I am Tikki, Kwamii  of Creation and good luck. Thank you for helping my chosen tonight - Plagg and I couldn’t wake her.” She drooped. “This one was particularly bad.” He nodded, and another sprite floated over, this one pitch black with a tail, small pointed ears, and ancient, acid green eyes.

“I’m Plagg - Kwamii of Destruction and bad luck - and I won’t hesitate to cataclysm you into oblivion if you hurt my Bug with the info she trusted you with tonight - or at all, for that matter.” It should have been impossible, with all of his experience, to be frightened of such a tiny being, but Damian found himself shuddering at the fierce protectiveness all the same.

“Understood.” Damian nodded.

“Good.” And just like that, the eyes were half-lidded and looked bored. “Do you have any fancy cheese at your place? The Bug cut me off from the good stuff after I tangled  her  expensive yarn or whatever.” He rolled his eyes and crossed his ‘arms’.

“Plagg! Can you not think of your stomach for once?!” The red sprite cried, exasperated.

“I spent the whole night watching Spots and trying to wake her when the dream started, then I threatened the birdboy - that’s a long time!” He pouted, and Damian huffed in amusement at how much the tiny cat reminded him of Todd’s bottomless pit of a stomach.

“There’s blue cheese and brie in the fridge.” He pointed down and to the side where his kitchen lay, and was shocked as the cat passed directly through the wall without a word.

“Sorry about him ,” Tikki said with a fond sigh. “He’s worried about Mari, and pretending he doesn't care is how he copes.” She took on a serious look and pinned him with it.

“I know you’re  a hero and used to keeping secrets, but the miraculous are the most powerful artifacts in the world. We existed  before the dawn of man, and we will far out-live your kind.” He stared at her, the ancient power from the cat now pulsed  from her, telling him she wasn’t to be trifled with.

“Mari is all alone in this, and we planned  to convince her to seek help from your “league of heroes” soon, so this is not entirely  inconvenient - but she trusted you. She is  gifted with excellent instincts - both as a Ladybug and a Guardian - I don’t oppose her choice, but I warn you - should you cause any harm to befall her, you will answer to me.” Damian shuddered for the second time that night - the second time in years - and nodded solemnly.

“I understand.” She searched his eyes for another minute before her own softened.

“I see  you do. You’ve  endured your own trials.” He looked at the lump on the bed to avoid her stare. “I think you will be good for each other.” She mused, rising from Squishy’s head and floating over to the wall connecting his home to Marinettes’.

“I’m going to make sure Plagg hasn’t eaten everything you own.” She giggled, and phased through the wall.

He released a shuddering breath and slumped down from his stiff position - reaching over to pet Squishy’s head as she leaned in and began to thump her tail against the floor. He smiled softly at the sight and sunk further back into the chair with a deep sigh.

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, trying to sort through how to help the neighbor he’d assumed was after his money and name. He winced at his previous misconceptions. He  needed more practice at  learning to accurately read people - perhaps he could convince Cass to coach him in nonverbal cues.

He shook his head, helping Marinette build  a support system was top priority. He’d always bemoaned his family getting in his way - but at least he’d never been left alone. From her story, it seemed like she’d run  the entire Paris operation on her own the four years Hawkmoth had been at large.

The first step was to involve  his Father and siblings  - they’d know how to execute a plan  - but he felt it had to come  at her own pace. From what she said, she’d had no choice but to play catch-up during her entire battle - since she was twelve.

He continued to chase his thoughts  in a dizzying dance until he eventually succumbed to sleep, not noticing when the kwamii crept back and snuggled in alongside Marinette.

*******************************************************************************************

Three months later - a tiny girl in a dark red and black ensemble was spotted running on rooftops alongside Robin, Red Hood, and Nightwing, her light, bell-like laughter ringing out into the Gotham night.

The local media pages blew up - the people of Gotham fell  in love with their ‘Ladybird’ and her sweet nature which  opposed the stoic and gruff bats. It was interesting for them to see her banter and fight alongside the other members of the team -  especially Robin, who became  her shadow, rarely leaving her side.

She had several blogs dedicated to her feats and theories about the miraculously healed injuries and repaired battle sites. It didn’t take long for people  from France to find the numerous articles, and start the rumor she was once their ‘Ladybug’, but there was no solid evidence. The two looked and acted completely differently.

Ladybird was free-spirited and light of heart, whereas Ladybug was serious and professional. Many speculated the  Ladybug miraculous  traded hands, but, as there was no supernatural Cat seen, it  remained an unlikely theory.

Unfortunately for the bloggers, it was hard to snag  a good look at the bats, as they thrived in the darkness. Others  commented on Robin’s costume change, but Ladybird’s appearance  took the spotlight.

If they had caught a closer look, they would have found Robin’s red and yellow colors gone , and the forest green was replaced with a more muted-toxic tone. Thankfully, his hood hid the most significant changes as he now sported two small velvet ears that reacted to sound and emotion, and his usual katakana now had a pitch-black blade with green detailing on the hilt.

In completely unrelated news,  the youngest son of Gotham’s resident billionaire was  in the news frequently as he’d taken to hanging around a petite Asian-French girl who was rumored to be a famous designer from France. She was photographed numerous times on outings with Damian and both their dogs - who got  along even better than  their owners.

Due to her kind nature and enchanting  smile, she quickly gained the  nickname  ‘Sunshine of Gotham’ and the tag trended frequently  on Twitter.

During an interview with a fashion magazine, she was asked if she’d ever leave the city of crime, and the answer she’d given was proudly displayed in the Gotham Gazette the next day.

“The people of Gotham have heart and spunk which  can’t be matched - I was welcomed here after a difficult time in France, and I don’t see myself growing tired of being challenged and cared for in the way only Gotham can.”

*******************************************************************************************

[1] Almalak almuharib - ‘Warrior Angel’ in Arabic [2] Hda - ‘calm’ in arabic [3] Rahab - ‘greet’ in arabic

#maribat-secret-santa-2020

[unmaskedagain]

No, Bruce! You can’t Adopt her.

This isn’t salt, Cupcake. But I’m going to do a quick drabble of this anyway because it’s an awesome idea.

The suit was a deep dark red. Darker than it used to be from what they had seen saw from the previous news reports reviewed. Her mask was black. Her eyes a startling blue and her hair a shade just touch short of being as dark as night. The girl looked to be no older than thirteen or fourteen.

Somehow she had shown up on the scene just before any of the batfamily could and immediately solve the riddles, freed the innocent civilization, dismantle the bomb with rubber duck and a hair pin, dodged the trap, and was now fighting off the Riddler and his men.

And as they watched her kick the Riddler in the face and then yo-yo away, only to spin around and do it a second time, all the batkids knew they’d have to step in.

“You can’t adopt her, B-Man,” The Redhood pinched his nose.

           Robin opened to his mouth his defend his father but quickly shut it. His four adopted brothers, an adopted sister, one sort of adopted “cousin”, and the hardcore way his father had been pushing Luke spend more and more time at the manner to the point where Lucius Fox had taken to glaring at the Dark Knight.

“…She needs a mentor,” Came Batman’s gruff response.

“You need a therapist.”

           They winced when Ladybug broke the arm of a 300 pound bodybuilder and slam him on the ground.

           Nightwing gave his dad a grin, “I’d love a new sister, OUCH!” His hand went his thigh and saw blood. He glared at Robin. “Did you stab me?”

           Robin slowly sheathed his sword. “…No.”

“Let go!” Riddler screamed as he clawed at the floor as the red menace dragged across the floor by his legs.

“Stop squirming!” Marinette barked. “You’re going to jail!”

           Somehow the Riddler managed to free himself. Then it was Ladybug chasing the Riddler around the tower.

“Come back here, you fashion disaster.”

           The caused the Riddler to pause and give the hero the most hurt look anyone of the batfamily had ever seen on him.

“Black Bat would love a sister.”

“Leave me out of this,” Cassandra’s voice rang in their ears. She was patrolling with Batwoman across the city.

           The fight ending with The Riddler hogtied, and dangling from the ceiling, while Ladybug chastised him on the rudeness of strapping people to bombs.

           Batman smirked.

“No!” Red Robin decided to step in, “She probably has parents. You can keep doing this B.”

“And another thing,” Ladybug hissed. “I’ve seen Disney villains with more style than you; you walking neon glowstick.”

           That was when Batman decided to step in. The Riddler visibly brightened at seeing him, “Bats, I don’t like this Robin. She’s mean. Bring back the boy Robin”

“That one lit you on fire.”

“…She made me cry.”

           Ladybug glared at the bad guy.

           Oh yes that was it, Batman was going to adopt Ladybug.

           Bruce Wayne was going to adopt Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The girl and the rest of her class had taken the Wayne internship program that lasted a little more than a month a half during summer.

           Marinette was the star. Unlike the other interns, Marinette was never late. She never complained. If someone needed research done, she was the first to volunteer and was exceptional at it. Tamara, Tim’s assistant, swore by her. The girl took to assisting the assistant to the CEO like fish to water. When they need a big name to perform at the Waynes’ annual charity Gala, after theirs backed out on short notice, Marinette had saved the day.

           She didn’t interrupt. She had merely leaned down and whispered in Tamara’s here, who then addressed the rest of the room.

“My assistant Marinette,” Tamara nodded with a relieved smile at the young girl. “Would like us to direct our attention to the front screen.”

           They all did. A few months later, the screen split and Clara Nightingale was on the screen, looking as glamourous as ever.

“Marinette,” She beamed. “Love, you are as gorgeous as ever. Now what’s this about a party in Gotham?”

           Before she could answered, there was a beep on the screen as another call came in. Marinette scrambled to disconnect it, “One moment. Sorry.” Tamara got up to help, only for the call to connect anyway.

           That was when Jagged Stone appeared on the screen, “Marinette, how’s it rocking? And Clara, I didn’t know you were on the line too. Penny!” He yelled. “I’ve facetiming Marinette and Clara. How you doing, loves?”

“Jagged,” Clara beamed. “I’m great. Xy’s been bugging me to lay vocals on his new tracks. I’ve heard better from my nephew’s garage band; and his nine.”

           Jagged winced. “That’ll tank a career. Dude’s a sound biter.” He turned his attention back to his favorite bluenette. “Marinette, what’s up? What’s with the stiff in suits?”

           Marinette blushed, “I’m Gotham working as intern for Wayne Industries.” Marinette said. “We’re in a meeting.” The young girl smiled prettily. “This is my amazing boss, Tamara!” She introduced the older black woman, standing between her and Tim. “And we could use some help with a Wayne charity event, on the 19th of this month.”

“I’m there!” Jagged grinned. “Hey! Penny, we’re going to Gotham. Marinette invited us to a party. We’re rocking out!”

“I’d love to come,” The brown-haired superstar clapped her hands. “I have been to Gotham yet. It will be an experience. I can write a song about Batman!”

“Well, we only need one of-” Marinette started but stopped herself as someone, Tim, jabbed her in the side. The only give away that something had happened was the slight widening of her eyes and then cough from Tim, when Marinette stomped on his foot. “Maybe, you guys can perform together.”

“YES!” Clara screamed excitedly. “A duet. A clash of natures.”

“Rock and Pop,” Jagged grinned his approval.

“The fans will love it,” The singer looked at Marinette. “Send us the deets. Jagged, I’ll call you in five to start composing our song.”

“Rock it out, talk later Marinette!”

           Then the calls disconnected.

“Clara Nightingale and Jagged Stone,” Bruce leaned back in his seat. “Well done, Marinette.”

           The Asian girl nodded, “Thank you, sir.” After the meeting let out, Tim, Bruce, Tamara, and Marinette remained behind as they finalized the information to send to the singers.

Bruce noticed Marinette give Tim a dark look, and then were was a huff and Tim winced in pain.

“Stopping fight with your brother,” Slipped from the billionaire’s mouth before he could stop it.

           The room froze. Tim’s face morphed from shock to understanding to an incredulous expression, “No. I’m telling, Alfred.”

           Bruce crossed his arms and pouted. Pouted. Marinette make an excellent additional the family.

           Her and Ladybug.

           He wondered how well the two would get along. If only he could get the two in a room together.

           Meanwhile…

           Lila had been feeding the class lies about her time in Gotham and living with the Wayne family. Alya believed every word, and had requested an interview with Lila’s Dami-bear.

Somehow she’d gotten stuck working in the mail room with Alya and Kim; neither were happy. She didn’t even know where Marinette ended up so she could spin a tail about the other girl threatening her to switch assignments.

           The only bright spot was the Damian Wayne frequently visited Wayne tower to learn about how the business works. However, whenever she tried to get close to him, he’d give her a look of disdain.

           That didn’t bother Lila though. As soon as he got to know her, or rather the her she’d tell him she was, Damian would fall head over heels.

           However, as the weeks went on in Gotham, she found all her plans to get close to the Wayne heir failed. She even tried visiting his home, feigning being lost, only for the Butler to send her packing. Lila didn’t even get a chance to look inside.

           When she learned about the gala, she upped her game. She found herself just “happening by” whenever Damian just happened to be walking by. One time, Lila even pretended to trip and hurt herself; only for Kim to “rescue” her and Damian to walk on by like she didn’t even exist.

           On the night of the gala, she sat in her hotel room with her adoring classmates, watching it on TV, “I’d have gone of course but Dami-bear didn’t want me to get attention from any Gotham villains.”

           Alya nodded sympathetically.

           Lila opened her mouth to regale another tale about her and Damian love affairs when Sabrina cut her off, “Hey, that’s Marinette!”

           And sure enough, the girl they had all froze out and declared their ex-friend was on screen walking with Jagged Stone, Clara Nightingale, a beautiful black woman, Damian Wayne, and Tim Drake. Marinette wore a stunning sliver dress that made eyes stand out even more.

“Who are you wearing, Clara!” A paparazzi called.

“MDC,” The superstar answered and placed a hand on Marinette’s shoulder. “This designer here. Marinette Dupain-Cheng; she designed all of our looks tonight; including her own. Doesn’t she look wonderful?”

           More questions were thrown out.

“Jagged, why a crocodile? Why not a dog or a cat.”

“Damian, who are you dating?”

“Why is MDC with you, Tim?”

           Jagged answered first, “Well I wanted a dog. But I’m deathly allergic to fur. Found out when I was a kid. Can’t get near it. Dogs are cool but cats aren’t rock and roll enough for me.”

“I am dating no one,” Damian answered. “Any rumors that say otherwise are lies. Anyone that says otherwise is lying, and should keep in mind I will sue for defamation of character.”  

           Tim grinned at the crowd, “Marinette is Tamara’s intern. She helped organize this wonderful event. She did such an amazing job as an intern that I’ve had to stop my dad from trying to adopt her.” There were laughs from the crowed.

           Damian snorted as they walked inside, “He is not joking.” He was the one who found the adoption papers.

#marinette dupen chang #Marinette deserves better #class salt #ml salt #bruce wayne #crack #batfamily

[galahadwilder]

We Break Things Down Just To Build Them Back Up Again

Chapter 4: Avoidance

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AO3

*

The mom friend override is working—Marinette hasn't flinched at the sound of Lila's voice all morning. Of course, Lila has barely been speaking all morning, thank the tiny gods, though that has nothing to do with her. They've started a unit on Vietnamese history, and, well... the version that the textbooks are teaching is... heavily sanitized.

It turns out that Kim may not know a lot about most things, but his family history? He knows really, really well. Most of morning class is spent with Kim actually correcting Mme. Bustier in progressively louder and angrier tones. (She seems to be aware that he's right, but can't officially acknowledge it.) Lila is, for once, staying out of it, which Marinette thinks is one of the wiser things she's done: this is too delicate a topic for the Italian girl to pretend expertise on, especially with the mood Kim's already in. One wrong word and he'll immediately turn his vitriol onto her.

The problem is that Kim is having some trouble articulating his thoughts, and he's getting more and more frustrated the more words escape him. And the angrier he gets, the more trouble he has speaking. It's a vicious cycle.

Everything he's saying is something Kim's grandmother had explained to Marinette a few years ago. She and Kim had been closer when they were younger—as two of the only Asian students in a school full of predominantly European and North African origins, they shared a number of experiences that their classmates didn't quite understand, despite the differences between their cultures. So normally she'd be leaping in to back him up, to help him find the words, to—

Her hands are shaking. Her heart is slamming against her ribs. She knows that if she speaks up, she becomes a target. No matter what she does, Lila will immediately go on the offensive, find a way to attack her, to silence her, to turn her words against her. Even if she's supporting Kim, Lila will make it sound like she's being condescending towards him or needlessly antagonizing Mme. Bustier or something, and...

And this is exactly what Adrien has been doing to her, she realizes. This is how he feels all the time.

She squeezes her eyes shut and gouges her fingernails into her palms, tuning out Kim and Mme. Bustier's argument and focusing her mind's eye on the blond boy sitting in front of her. This beaten-dog feeling is all too familiar to her—Chloé had pounded it into her over years of shared classes, and she'd only managed to break it thanks to Alya, Tikki, and Chat Noir. And even then it still came back sometimes before Lila retargeted it.

...and Chloé has been Adrien's only friend for eleven years. Oh, Kwami, this just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?

She zones back into class and realizes that Kim has gone quiet. Bustier is continuing with her lecture, but she seems embarrassed. Marinette's willing to bet she's going to apologize to Kim later, and admit he's right. Only in private though.

She tunes Bustier back out again—she's saying something terribly incorrect and colonialist, and Alya's pencil is creaking under the pressure of her angry fingers. Most of the class seems kind of annoyed, actually, though whether at Bustier, Kim, or the French school system, Marinette couldn't say.

Come lunchtime, the atmosphere in the classroom is downright frosty, and everything that Marinette is is screaming at her to fix it. But somehow she doesn't think anyone is going to let her. Anything she says will make her a target for Lila and she doesn't really have anyone in her corner.

Her mother's words from last night come back to her: "You have a big heart, but you need to look after yourself first." But... helping other people is part of who she is. She's Ladybug for Kwami's sake. She needs to feel useful. She just needs to fix one thing today; doesn't matter what it is, she needs to help someone.

So it's a relief when Adrien turns to her as soon as the bell rings, teeth digging into his lip. "Uh, hey... Mari?" he says, his voice rough.

Her heart slams into her ribs immediately, and she has to swallow down anxiety bile at the thought that oh god he hates me why did I break into his bedroom he's going to call the police and I'll never see him again. "What's up?" she chokes out. They're way past the point of calling cops.

Adrien's face falls. "I..." he begins in a whisper, staring at the floor. "I don't want to go home for lunch." He clenches his hands, his whole body tight.

Marinette can't miss the tension in his frame. "What do you need?" she says, heedless of Alya and Nino staring at them.

Adrien starts, his stunned emerald eyes locking on hers. "I..." His hand twitches, flaps, and he does something that's sort of like a snap but not quite. Relief spreads across his face. "Can I..."

"Of course," Marinette says with an unnaturally steady voice, her heart bursting in her chest like a balloon on the end of a fire hose, utterly heedless of the students who are beginning to file out of the classroom. "I told you. You're always welcome." She rests her chin on her fist and smiles despite the pounding of blood in her ears. "You don't even have to ask."

Alya glances between them. "What just happened?" she says.

Nino narrows his eyes. "I think Adrien just asked Nettie to invite him over for lunch."

*

"Thank you for not telling them," Marinette says as they cross the street between the school and the bakery. "About..." The muscles in her arm tighten with nerves, and she flaps her hand, letting the tension bleed out through the sudden movements. "You know, me breaking into your room."

Adrien glances at her hand, smiles as they step up to the curb. "You're doing that more often," he says.

She holds up her hand with a soft smile and snaps a few times. "The more I do it," she says, "the more comfortable you'll get with doing it."

Adrien grins, biting his lip with his front teeth. "You're amazing," he says.

She feels her face squeeze from the rush of extra blood, and immediately loses track of her feet. Which promptly smack against the leg of one of the chairs on the bakery patio. She shrieks, bracing for chin to strike table, but instead she feels the familiar crushing pressure of Adrien's arms across her chest.

"Whoa, Princess," he says, his voice stronger and faster than she's ever heard it, yet somehow achingly familiar. "Can't have you falling for me."

She squeaks, sliding out of his hands into the chair. She tripped and he caught her and he said—he said—oh gods, everything about what just happened is a disaster she needs to move to Tibet.

"Mari?" he says. "Are you—"

"I'm going to explode, thank you!" she yelps, drawing her feet up onto the seat of the chair and hugging her knees to her chest, curling up into a fetal position. Even with as small as she is, she barely fits her whole body onto the seat.

"Mari, I'm sorry," Adrien says, sliding to his knees in front of her. "I—I forgot."

"Forgot?" she whispers, looking up at him through her bangs. "Forgot what?"

Adrien swallows. "That..." His fist clenches, and he pulls it close to his chest.

She reaches out to pull his arm out, holding it between them. "Stim if you need to," she says.

Instead, Adrien's fingers creak open. "I forgot you said you were in love with me," he whispers.

Marinette's breath turns to ice in her lungs.

"Didn't... mean to make fun of you for it," he adds, looking away.

She opens her mouth, tries to speak, "I—I—I..." she starts, trying to force the words out around the anxiety-blockage in her throat, but her brain is stuck on the first word like a record where the needle keeps skipping. "I, I—I don't... I—I'm..."

He collapses backward, falling onto his ass, his eyes wide with shock. "Mari?" he gasps. "Are you—"

She presses her palms into her eyes, crushing them into her skull, and screams.

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@katieykat513 @alexseanchai @kiritomarshelllee @mayumikurosake @flightfoot @dawnonfireinferno @dont-call-me-a-faerie @kaydenth3gayden @h2onima @everywhichwaymb @facegun @varikasnuori @marichams @smackthat-allonthefloor @definetlydorkybandgirl @gingerdaile @dani-ari @ouatpancakes @theblogthatnoneknewabout @waiting-for-the-barbarians @digitalmagpie @starshine89561 @eleventhdivision @jessielefey @jawnlawk @ladynodrinette @certainloverjudgepatrol @donegonewrong @juhavs @the-wizard-sam @littlechaoslady @rena-rain @sailormew4 @adamsrandomstuff @cartoonfanorwhatever @wickedboibaby @hiimpetermanwaitno @lionxufla @leviaana @pagan-fae @sunksunnyk @celinedgd

#miraculous ladybug #we break things down just to build them back up again #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #le chien kim #lila rossi #colonialism #historical revisionism #french history #adrienette #adrinette #original content #my fic #abuse #tw abuse #adrien sugar #anxiety #adhd marinette dupain cheng #autistic adrien agreste #stimming #stim

[blueishfood]

Golden lightning (Chapter 1)

“Can you please do a miraculous ladybug/starstruck AU? Lets say, Marinette's family going on vacation and Alya tags along since she's practically family. Alya drags Mari around since she wants a good scoop for her blog. Alya sneaks in with Nino(aka stubby character) for an exclusive. Adrien was told not to go out but he had to make an appearance at his long time friend's(Chloe) party. Mari gets tired of waiting and decides to use a backdoor to find Alya only to get hit by Adrien with said door?”

- @thevixentimelord​

A/N: I don’t know how long it has been since you gave in this request,vixen, but I just saw it now, sorry! Here’s the first (very short) chapter, anyways :)

Words: 549

Warnings: One swearword

Chapter 2

“How does two bakers even have the money for a beach house in America?” Alya asked, heaving her suitcase out of the car.

Marinette hissed as her knee touched the black car. Summer in California was not like the summer heat in France. This was something different altogether, and Marinette was nowhere near used to it.

“They don’t”, she said, and rubbed her hand over the stinging spot, “We inherited it from some rich grand uncle in China, mom says he’s got old money”

Alya stepped away from the car to take in the view of the charming house they were staying at. It was luxurious, but small and someone had clearly tried to make it seem modest.  “Are we talking crazy rich Asians?” Marinette guffawed, pressing a hand over her mouth as a lady walking with her dog stopped to stare at her.

“No.” She snorted, then quieted, placing a hand on her hip, “Well, honestly, I don’t know.” Alya rolled her eyes. It was just like her best friend to have rich family members and not know about it.

Marinette hoisted the backpack up on her shoulders and grabbed her case, together they made their way down to the building. Alya felt sand creep into her socks, and asked, “So, you know this uncle?”, to get her mind off the feeling.

“No, never met him”, Marinette shrugged, lifting her case since dragging it in the sand seemed pointless, “apparently he spent his youth in France, and loved that mom married a French man.” They flinched as a seagull squawked loudly over their heads and Marinette added; “Also helps that he’s got no children.”

The inside of the house was a little less modest than the outside. And by little, Alya meant a lot. It was graciously filled with colourful and modern interior, combined with a flat screen TV and kitchen equipment to last centuries. Marinette inhaled in surprise.

“Holy fuck.” Alya uttered, ignoring Marinette’s reaction to her word of choice with a wave. She walked over to the kitchen to pat the mahogany table. “This is seriously so much like crazy rich Asians.” Marinette stopped her exploring of the bedrooms to roll her eyes at the journalist.

“This is nowhere near crazy rich Asians”, she stated, and plopped down on the leather couch.

“Okay, so we’ve got a little way to go, let’s say…” Alya poked the microwave until it made an electric sound, noticing how it was better quality than the one she had at home, “Crazy rich Frenchmen?” They laughed.

“Oh my-” Marinette shot up from her place in the couch and ran over to the large windows looking out over the ocean. “We’ve got to go swimming!” She squealed excitedly as Alya came up beside her to enjoy the view.

“Your parents are coming on…” Alya trailed off, leaning back against the couch’s armrest.

“Tuesday”, Marinette said, letting the word float in the air for a little while.

“Half a week then, to ourselves.” The two girls turned to look at each other, grins forming on their faces.

Alya screamed loudly, Marinette joined in. The lady with the dog turned around to look back at where she had left two French speaking girls. She rolled her eyes, Europeans, she thought, and continued her walk.

#adrienette au #adrienette #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #miraculous ladybug #mlb au #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #mlb fandom #MLB #mlb fluff #mlb fanfic

[ecofinisher]

The Adventures of Super Nathan 2 - Chap. 11

Chapter 11

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18224606/chapters/45549415

https://www.wattpad.com/743323007-miraculous-the-adventures-of-super-nathan-2-the

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13243294/11/Miraculous-The-Adventures-of-Super-Nathan-2

In the orphanage Super Nathan stood together with the young girl Lisa in front of the poster of the art miraculous holder looking at it.

„Where did you get that poster?“ Questioned the purple-skinned hero looking down at the blonde.

„Kérine brought it from the school library“ Responded Lisa. „They also have magazines for the students to read and there is a box, where the teachers drop the various posters, that come in the magazines.“

„Ah and so she brought you this one?“

„She brought all superhero ones. The newest one is from Lady Red together with Honey Bee and Miss Vixen with the caption girl power“

„Sounds cool“

„It‘s in the other room over Destiny‘s bed“

„Okay, “ Super Nathan said looking back at the poster of himself. „Would you like me to sign it?“ Questioned the superhero making the girl smile, then Super Nathan drew on his tablet a marker, which appeared in real life, making Lisa applaud.

„Awesome!“ Lisa complimented the superhero, that signed afterward on the poster his superhero name, then closed the marker again and gave it to the girl.

„You can keep it as a souvenir…..or I can draw you something else, what do you think?“ Super Nathan asked earning a nod from the girl.

„Can you draw me a backpack for school inspired by you?“ Questioned Lisa earning a nod from the superhero, that sat down on the bed from the girl starting to do his task on the tablet. Into the room entered Lady Red together with a brown-haired girl, then walked to the second bed, where over the bed hung a poster of her swinging her yo-yo.

„And my poster of you is here, “ The young girl said showing it to the Japanese superheroine.

„Rita, do you want Lady Red to sign the poster?“ Asked the blonde showing to the roommate the marker, then the brunette took the marker and gazed up at the heroine.

„I‘d love to, if you want Rita“ Lady Red responded and the brunette pressed the marker on the hand of the heroine the marker, then Lady Red signed the poster for the girl and handed the marker back to the young girl.

„Thank you, “ Rita said, then looked at Super Nathan drawing the backpack Lisa wished, then he stopped as he was done and a white backpack appeared with the logo of Super Nathan and a small Super Nathan figurine attached to the zipper of the smallest bag of the backpack.

„That‘s amazing!“ Lisa cried grabbing the backpack and hugging it hard. „You‘re the best Super Nathan, “ Lisa said giving Super Nathan a hug shrieking him.

„Aww, “ Lady Red said watching the girl hugging her idol. „You made her so happy“

„I could draw them something special, so they remember us“ Super Nathan suggested the blue-haired heroine.

„Like what?“ Questioned Lady Red making Super Nathan shrug his shoulders.

„Have you got any suggestion?“

„We could ask them?“

„You know, what would be really cool?“ Asked Rita. „If we had a dog“

„A dog?“ Asked Lady Red. „But that‘s a lot of responsibility“

„We could make a schedule of who walks when with the dog, who feeds the dog and when we go to the vet with him“

„Well, you need to ask Madame Livre for the authorization.“ The ladybug miraculous holder mentioned to the girl.

„And you need to find a breeder or a kennel to adopt a dog“

„A kennel would be a better solution, most of them are have been abandoned or been taken away from their old owners and they would feel happier to be in a house full of children, that love and take care of it“

„I‘m going to ask Madame, “ Rita said leaving the superheroes back.

„Is Miss Vixen in the other room?“ Questioned Super Nathan earning a nod from the Japanese girl.

„She‘s helping Kevin with his homework“ Responded the partner, then walked out with Super Nathan at the corridor to the room on the other side, where Kevin sat on the bed together with Miss Vixen solving the task.

„Hey what about a desk or two, where the kids could do their homework?“ Suggested Super Nathan.

„I think they use the dinner table to do their homework?“ Responded Lady Red.

„What about better bed slats for the mattress?“ Suggested Super Nathan holding on the metal-made slat.

„They could also have like in Japan futons“

„How do they look like?“ Questioned Super Nathan.

„The slat is usually made off wood and about 10 centimeters high and then you only have the futon over it. It‘s similar to a duvet“

„Okay, but I still need to see a picture, cause I don‘t know the looks of it“

„I could draw it if you want to“ Suggested Lady Red.

„I would let you, but it doesn‘t work, when someone else does it“

„Really?“ Asked Lady Red surprised.

„Yeah come on try it, “ Super Nathan said holding to Lady Red the stylon, which she picked, then she drew a cube, afterward he received an error message on the tab.

„Error: User couldn't be identified“ Read Lady Red out loud. „Now that‘s a strange thing“

„I think that‘s so, that when a villain has access to it, he doesn‘t draw anything dangerous to hurt somebody I would say“

„Well that‘s good“

„I don‘t know if people would actually be able to use my tab“

„If they were as good as you at drawing, it would be possible“

„It still has some complicated things, but if they‘re smart enough they manage to find out how to use it…..or to find the manual, which it actually has“

„Well that‘s useful“

„You know, what would be cool Super Nathan?“ Kevin asked the purple-skinned boy, that looked up at the boy, who had given Miss Vixen his homework to check it.

„No“ Responded Super Nathan. „What?“

„If you made bed slats look like cars“ Responded Kevin. „Well at least for the boys“

„I can ask each of them, what they want and then I‘ll do it“ Offered Super Nathan sitting down on the bed next to Kevin. „What do you think?“

„I think they would like it“

„Then if you want, we can start with yours,“ Super Nathan suggested and Kevin went down from his bed along with Miss Vixen.

„Hey I‘m going to ask the others, how they want their bed to look like, I‘ll be right back“

„Sure“ Super Nathan answered his girlfriend, then sat down with Kevin on the second bed and Super Nathan started to picture something on his tablet. Lady Red followed Miss Vixen to the other room, then watched Miss Vixen pick up the little girl Erin to spin her around, making the ladybug-themed heroine smile at the sight of it.

„Meow, “ A voice said and Lady Red looked back to see Cat Noir stand in the middle of the corridor smiling at her.

„You‘re here," Lady Red said turning around to him, then he approached her and looked together with her into the room, seeing Miss Vixen tickle the little girl as she sat on the floor laughing at the tall fox-themed tingle her on the sides of her belly.„You haven‘t had my sister in your arms yet, right?“ Questioned the blonde superhero making the blue-haired girl shake her head.

„No"

„This evening you really need to hold her. I promise you, that the feeling of holding a newborn in your arms is the most wonderful thing in the world“

„I believe you“ Lady Red answered making the cat hero smile gently at her. „Could you rest a little better, after I called you“

„A little bit“ Responded Cat Noir. „But I didn‘t want to miss this opportunity“

„Cat Noir‘s here!“ Shouted a short raven-haired boy grabbing himself on the legs of the superhero.

„Whoa little man, be careful, that‘s real leather, Cat Noir said jokingly making Lady Red hold her mouth to cover her laugh.

„That‘s not real leather Cat Noir, I know this from Zackary Jeremias‘ biography about you and the other heroes“

„There you right boy, it‘s artificial leather or maybe Alcantara“ Explained the blonde superhero.

„Can you sign my Cat Noir poster I have over my bed?“ Asked the boy earning a nod from the blonde.

„Of course, what‘s your name, if I may ask?“

„Christian“

„Nice, now show me, where your bed is, boy“ Cat ordered the boy, who entered the room, where Miss Vixen was to show it to Cat Noir.  

An hour later, after Super Nathan had managed to draw everyone a new bed slat the kids were helping each other in pairs to cover their bed with clean bed sheets and the last two beds Cat Noir assisted Super Nathan placing the mattress back on the new slat, while Miss Vixen and Lady Red helped each other doing it on the second bed.

„Jason‘s fox-inspired bed is the best one, Lisa said looking at the bed, where a tan-skinned South Asian boy sat.

„I‘m glad you all liked it, Super Nathan said a little abashed. „I really gave my best to give you all something, that would not let you all forget this day“

„We can make it last longer if we all sign our names somewhere on the bed if they want“ Suggested the vixen heroine. „What do you all think?“

„Oh, oh, sign mines first!“ Jason announced jumping on his bed, making the others giggle.

„Alright, “ Miss Vixen said walking up to the fox-themed bed with a black marker, then signed her name on the wooden board on the end of his bed.

„Where‘s Damon?“ Questioned Lisa looking around the room to see, that almost everyone from the orphanage was there, beside him.

„Which one is Damon again?“ Questioned Cat Noir the blonde girl.

„He‘s around Erin‘s age“ Explained Rita. „He‘s only here for a month, he lost his parents in an accident“

„Oh that‘s sad, “ Super Nathan said sadly. „Is there a way we could help him?“ Super Nathan asked looking up at Cat Noir and Lady Red.

„You have tried everything Super Nathan. You and your team“ Madame Livre said as she stood by the entrance of the room watching the heroes around the bed of the Korean descendant boy.

„In which accident did the parents die?“ Questioned Cat Noir looking at the woman, then Super Nathan got up from the bed with a shocked face as he realized, what accident she could have mean.

„I‘m so sorry, “ The redhead said sinking his head down at thinking about the night of the airplane crash.

„Hey, hey, come on, I know this was bad, but try to forget this and focus on the future. Focus on the future missions we‘re going to face“ Cat Noir comforted his superhero friend.

„Since Le Paon had been defeated we haven‘t really fought someone really, really bad, “ Told Lady Red handing Cat Noir the black marker for him to sign Jason‘s fox-themed bed slat. „I feel we‘re like patrol officers, most of the times“

„We‘re still doing good things like protecting the citizens, stopping a robbery, grand theft auto, we even help the poor quarter from Paris. At least the real police force can focus on other important cases“ Cat Noir explained his girlfriend.

„And Paris is thankful for you all“ Madame Livre said, then one of the girls, that was inside the room ran at the woman to grab her on the hand.

„You have to see the beds Super Nathan made for us. All the heroes even signed it“

„That sounds amazing, Ruby“

„It was our pleasure“ Super Nathan said changing looks with the other superheroes.

„Thank you for welcoming us, “ Miss Vixen said to the orphanage owner giving her a handshake.

„Are you leaving?“ The adult asked. „Please be our guests for lunch.“

„What‘s for dinner?“ Asked Cat Noir and Super Nathan at the same time making the superheroines laugh.

„Chicken breast with mashed potatoes and peas“ Responded Madame Livre.

„You can count on me, “ Cat Noir said while licking his lips, then he watched his teammates nodding at the woman, which felt pleased about the heroes having accepted her invite.

„That‘s fantastic if you want you can all come down and take a chair. In 5 minutes it will be ready“ Madame Livre mentioned. „And Jason can you do me a favor and call the others for lunch?“

„Yes Madame Livre, “ The Asian descendant boy said getting down from his new bed making his way into the corridor to the other bedroom.

All followed Madame Livre out of the room, besides Super Nathan who stood back distracted, then Miss Vixen who was the last leaving the room noted, that Super Nathan stood back and she walked back to him.

„You‘re alright?“ Asked the vixen-heroine the boy, who shook his head and looked at Miss Vixen standing in front of him.

„Sorry, I was thinking about Damon, that…..just because of our failure he lost his parents“

„It‘s not your fault, it was just bad luck“ Miss Vixen comforted her boyfriend, who couldn‘t get that out of his mind. „You were all doing it right, the plane just had the pitch to get caught on the electric cable“

„Yes….“

„Let‘s go down and eat with the others, I promise you will feel better after that“ The fox miraculous holder promised giving Super Nathan her hand to accompany him out of the room to join the others for lunch.

#miraculous #miraculous ladybug #update #its been 84 years #Kagami Tsurugi #adrien agreste #lila rossi #nathaniel kurtzberg #orphanage #alternate universe #au

[shesjustyoursoulmate-blog]

May the Best Win (Chapter 5)

NOTE: The characters do not belong to us, except for Charlotte Agreste and Olivie Vereau. WARNING: Contains adult language, not suitable for young children. Enjoy

                   ————————————————————

Unforgettable

 Dupain-Cheng Pâtisserie, second floor, 9:35 am.

She finally did it. Marinette finished her bikini. It was really beautiful. It had a pink shade (just like her bedroom walls) with some black spots that gave them the perfect final touch.

Marinette grabbed her backpack, were she put her bikini, sunblock, two towels (one for her body and the other one for her hands), clothes that she could put on later, clothes that she could put on in case the clothes she was going to put on later got lost or wet, a sketching notebook, sandals,  and finally another towel.

—Marinette, MARINETTE! —said a little voice— You look pretty.

A black hair head with brown eyes and Asian features peeked. She was Bridgette Cheng, Marinette´s cousin, who came by because her parents were on a business trip that day,

—Mari, why can’t I go with youUu? —asked the girls.

—My dear cousin: first, this party is not for 10 year-old girls. And besides, you have to do your homework…

—But…but I don't want toOoO… — complained the minor.

—Ha ha, that´s not how the world works (even though we all would love it) you still have to do it.

—Can I at least pick you up? — the little girl asked.

— Nope, I come alone.

—Pleassee?

Bridgette put her best puppy eyes.

—Ohh, Brid, you are the personification of mischief. All right, all right.

—Yayy!! Thanks Mari —said Bridgette.

Marinette grabbed her backpack

—Bye, Mom! Bye dad! Bye Brid! Bye Tikki! — she said to her family and her reddish-haired dog, Tikki.

               -———————-———————-———————

Agreste Mansion, 9:50 am.

DING DONG!

It had already been 10 minutes since Marinette's departure and she had finally reached her destination.

—Bugaboo, what a pleasant surprise! — Adrien said teasing Marinette.

—Shut up Chaton.

BOOM!

— Who climbed up without my permission? — questioned Adrien to the staircase.

— He he he... — Olivie's face popped out from down the stairs, with a Ladybug doll in her hand.

—NO, NOT MY LADYBUG COLLECTION— he shouted and started to chase her.

Miraculous Ladybug was a very famous cartoon show throughout Paris. It tells the story of two children, Tikki and Plagg, who transformed into two superheroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Both Marinette and Adrien were big fans of the show. That is why Marinette called her pet Tikki and Adrien (and Charlotte) had named their cat Plagg.

—Hehe, yeeah the boy loves that show— said a voice.

Marinette freaked out a little bit too much over the sudden interruption.

—Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you— Charlotte said, —It's just so entertaining to make fun of my brother.

Just then, Olivie came down the stairs with a poster of Miraculous in her hands, followed by Adrien.

When they were about to finish coming down the stairs, Olivie, out of nowhere (or at least Marinette thought so), took a bottle of water and poured it on the last step.

When Adrien stepped on it, he slipped and fell into Marinette’s arms, who was in front of him.

The two blushed.

Charlotte couldn't help but to put her pervert face.

Olivie was furious. Luka deserved Marinette! She couldn't keep watching it so she left.

—I'm sorry Marinette — Adrien said trying to recover his cool (and failing terribly)

—No ... problem … there…is… — were the only words Marinette could come out with. — I have to change…em.. Where is the bathroom?

—Ah, uh..

—Down the hall—said Charlotte interrupting Adrien.

—Thanks — said Marinette before she went to the bathroom to put her bikini.

—Hey brother I think you should go with her. —Charlotte said after Marinette left. —You lost your cool over there…veeryy casual.

—YOU...you shut up—he said to her.

 Pool of the Mansion, minutes later

 —Well, the water is cold- Marinette said, already in a bikini, touching the water with her foot. —Very cold. I guess I’ll wait.

—Don’t worry, —said Adrien. — It’s going to get better.

Suddenly, he picked her up with his arms.

—3 ... 2 ... 1 ... — Adrien said, — and, GO!

Afterwards, he threw her to the pool.

—Ahh…well, okay, it's not that cold anymore— Marinette said to Adrien from the pool.

The pool was full of people.

Adrien jumped and got in the pool.

—People! — He said going near her sister, who was wearing a green bikini— LET'S PLAY!

They started playing volleyball, basket, among others.

Adrien interacted with everyone, which was a pity for Marinette since she wanted to spend more time with him.

—Marinette, what's wrong? — Adrien said intrigued to see his face.

—Ah, em, welll ... I am hungry? —He told Adrien.

— Don´t worry—said Adrien. —I'll bring you a cupcake.

Adrien quickly left the swimming pool walking like the model he is with water dripping from his hair, just like a movie.

Marinette turned red.

His green eyes showed a new expression with each step, and his biceps and abdominals flexed under his shirt. It seemed like he was walking in slow motion.

Marinette sighed with the thought of touching his hair and…

Nope, NOPE. Not today brain. Well any day, He... he is just a friend…right? Why does that sound so weird to say…or well think? And why does…

—Marinette, I have your cupcake— said Adrien taking Marinette out of her dream— but you have to come out of the swimming pool if you want to eat it Bugaboo.

Marinette came out and Luka appeared with her towel.

—Marinette, here is your towel—he spoke.

— Ah! Thanks Luka! —Marinette replied.

—Marinette and Luka / Sitting under a tree / Peeling the turkey / AND KISSING! WEE ~~! –sang Olivie

Adrien glared at her.

Olivie showed him the middle finger.

Marinette ate her cupcake, oblivious to all of that.

Everyone was already getting bored with the pool. Luka had changed incredibly fast, and imitating Marinette, picked up a cupcake.

Looking at the pool, Adrien got an idea.

—Well, Marinette, I leave you. I have to exercise, —Adrien told Marinette walking towards the pool.

—Ah! — Marinette replied —W... well.

Adrien stopped. He stretched, showing himself in all splendor. His blond hair turned gold with sunlight. His eyes shone like two emeralds. Adrien stood on the edge of the pool, and, doing a dive, jumped. In the pool he began to swim slowly.

—My brother and his nonsense —Charlotte said, appearing next to her.

Marinette did not react.

— Heyyy! — A voice shouted.

— Em! — replied Charlotte.

Émilie Bourgeois and Charlotte Agreste hugged each other.

— Emilie! It's been years — Charlotte said. —How did it go in Quebec?

—Cool! — Émilie replied. —I got there the beautiful coat I'm wearing! Have you seen my sister?

— Ah! Your sister is at the table on the left eating ice cream with Alya and Nino.

— Oh okay. — said Emilie —How’s her bikini?

—It’s yellow with black stripes.

—Ooff! Well thank God, I didn’t want her to be hanging around with MY blue bikini. Well, Ciao.

—Ciao Em!

———————

Marinette had not paid attention to their talk.

She was busy with …other things

One of those MaNy things was Adrien swimming.

His eyes shone like two lanterns, green as a forest. His biceps flexed as he moved nimbly, gliding across the pool. Her hair looked like pure gold. Marinette wondered if that hair was as soft as it looked like and she wanted to touch it.

Wait, what?

Stop it, Marinette. Bad Marinette.

— Die, Bitch! —said a voice.

It was Olivie, on the edge of the pool.

She jumped down in front of Adrien Agreste, causing water to enter his nose, eyes and mouth.

                                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Minutes before

Olvie was bored, she had no one to talk to. Lila, in her white bikini, had thrown herself on a beach chair because she wanted to tan.

So Olivie decided to practice her favorite hobby.

Annoy Adrien Agreste

And why not? Drown him a little.

                                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Marinette and Charlotte laughed their asses out.

—Thanks, thank you—said Olivie making a bow. — I give shows every Saturday, and they don’t cost much, trust me.

Marinette and Charlotte laughed even more, yes that was possible.

—Vereau- said Adrien. — I’m NEVER going to forget about this.

He left the pool, tired, to change clothes.

—And, Marinette, —Charlotte said. —What do you think of my brother?

The images of Adrien in those black bath clothes filled Marinette's mind.

She turned red.

—Am, this ... I ... um ... huh? — Marinette stammered, red as cherry.

Charlotte just laughed.

———————

Inside the Agreste Mansion, shortly after

DING DONG!

The bell of the Agreste mansion rang.

Adrien went to open, since he had finished changing.

— Hello, Adrien Agreste! — said Bridgette Cheng. —I've come to pick up Marinette. Oh, can I have a cupcake? — Asked watching a table full of candy temptingly.

—Of course, and Marinette is near the pool— said Adrien, smiling.

Bridgette went to the table and picked up two cupcakes. She went looking for Marinette, when suddenly she collided with someone; making her drop her cupcake.

Luka.

Bridgette glared at him.

Luka glared at her too.

—Marinette, LET’S GO— said Bridgette when she found her.

—Yes, but quiet, little one— replied her cousin,

After saying goodbye to everyone, the two left.

———————

Parisian streets, 1 minute later

—Brid, umm, there is this question that just kinda popped out of my mind. So, what do you think of Luka and Adrien? — Marinette asked.

Bridgette, obviously, already knew the names of all Marinette’s classmates.

—Just follow your heart, Mari, —she answered. —But I would prefer to include Adrien as a new member of our family.

Marinette blushed.

#may the best win #TheMiracuWorkshop #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug fanfic #adrienette #adrienette fanfic

[petculiars]

Are Ladybugs Poisonous to Cats? What About Asian Lady Beetles?

New Post has been published on https://www.petculiars.com/are-ladybugs-poisonous-to-cats/

Are Ladybugs Poisonous to Cats? What About Asian Lady Beetles?

If you’re a cat owner, you surely know how fascinated these animals are with not only ladybugs but all kinds of six-legged, winged insects. As long as you see your pet playing with a ladybug, running and chasing it, there’s nothing to worry about. But what if you notice the cat munching on one? What if you notice it eating a bunch of ladybugs? What would happen if your cat likes to eat ladybugs? Should this worry you in any way? – It turns out there isn’t any harm in your cat eating a ladybug or two.

Even so, there are other insects and even some ladybug varieties that can be toxic for cats. This article will give you a better understanding of what would happen when your cat eats a ladybug and what insects are really bad for your pet.

Are Ladybugs Poisonous to Cats?

Most veterinarians would agree can only become harmful for your cat when consumed in considerable quantities. I, for one, tell the owners of my patients to relax whenever they tell me that the animal has eaten a few ladybugs. If, in turn, the cat has gone through a large number of ladybugs, the risks of an upset stomach or other side effects like ulceration increase considerably. The good news is that usually, a cat will stop eating ladybugs after its first one, as they have a really bad taste.

You might also like my articles on whether cats can eat Aglaonema, Mayo, or Cinnamon.

Another thing to keep in mind is that although the average, garden-variety ladybug won’t affect your cat’s health in any way, there are some ladybug species that might be bad, especially in larger quantities. As per the ASPCA, you should keep not only cats but also dogs away from the Asian lady beetles, which are very similar to the ladybugs you already know.

But What Are Asian Lady Beetles?

The Asian lady beetle, also known as the harmonia axyridis, looks just like a ladybug but will usually be a little bigger. These Asian lady battles can be either red or orange, while the common ladybug will usually be red. The color is so similar, that it will be really hard to differentiate between these two species.

Know The Difference Between Ladybug And Asian Lady Beetle

Although both the Asian lady bottle and the Ladybug have dark black spots when one is next to the other the Asian lady beetle will have considerably more of these spots. You will also spot a clear white mark between the body and the head of the Asian lady beetle, very similar to the shape of the letter M. It will also have considerably more white on the head than your average Ladybug.

The Asian lady beetle is also more likely to infest your home and will have a more negative effect on your garden. Asian lady beetles will usually invade your home in colder months and are on the list of known pests. Asian lady beetles can be very harmful to pets, especially in larger quantities, while ladybugs are considered harmless.

What Could Happen if a Cat Eats a Ladybug?

The good news is that it’s usually pretty hard for a cat to eat a large quantity of either Asian lady beetles or ladybugs because it is usually pretty hard to find either of them in bigger groups. Even if the pet finds a larger group of these insects, eating one will usually be enough, as they taste horrible. Even before your cat can eat a ladybug, it will set off a horrible smell that would usually push away any predators, including your pet.

Most of the time, eating just one or two Asian lady beetles or ladybugs will have little to no effect on the cat’s health. In larger quantities, these bugs are known to cause all kinds of side effects, from symptoms of gastroenteritis to visible ulceration inside the mouth. There is also a risk for the Asian lady beetles to stick to the palate, which means that you will need the help of a vet to remove them.

You should get your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you notice it isn’t feeling all that great after eating one Asian lady beetle or ladybug.

Although it doesn’t happen all that often, you should always be prepared to counter an Asian lady beetle infestation of your home. You should especially keep these insects in check if you notice that your cat has no issues eating insects and isn’t repulsed by their taste.

What Other Insects Are Poisonous to Cats?

Most of the bugs you will find in your garden and around your home will not be poisonous to your cat. There are a few, though, especially the ones that can sting, that can leave some nasty swelling on your pet, or even have a worse effect on its health. Let’s go through some of the most dangerous insects you would commonly see around your home.

Spiders

Not all spiders will be harmful to your pets. Even so, if you live in parts of the world where more dangerous spiders live, if your cat gets in contact with a bad kind of spider, it could have very bad effects on its health, even to the point of the encounter becoming lethal. Among the most dangerous species of spiders are the brown recluse and the black widow, which you should prevent your pet from getting in contact with. Remove the spider as soon as you notice your cat playing with it, to prevent the bad effects of a bite. Be careful when removing the spider, because its bite can even be dangerous for you. If you suspect that your cat has been bitten by one of the nastier spiders, you should look out for symptoms like:

Bruising

Fever

Itching

Swelling

Scabbing

Redness

Skin that’s hot to the touch

Vomiting

Some extreme cases will lead to organ failure or can even become lethal. You will have to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect it has been bitten by a venomous spider.

Caterpillars

Your cat will find this slow-moving insect quite interesting, especially because most of them are very brightly colored. Although a rare occurrence, in the event that the cat ate a caterpillar, you will usually notice esophagitis, gastritis, drooling, irritation of the mouth, or some other similar symptoms. Rashes on the skin caused by the bite of the caterpillar sting are also a thing, but the good news is that most cats will be protected from this by their coats.

Of course, as with most insects, not all caterpillars are bad for your cat, but you should try to remove any caterpillar you see in your garden especially if you own one or more pets.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are another type of insect you should try to remove from your cat’s reach. The bad thing about these tiny pests is that they are not only aggressive, but they are also very attracted to pet food in general. They are usually more than one and their mites might hurt your cat, even up to the point of it needing a veterinary consultation and treatment.

Wasps and Bees

A single sting by a wasp or a bee might be enough for your cat to get an aggressive allergic reaction, just like humans do. Some of the more common symptoms are irritation around the area of the sting and pain, This should usually go away in time.

In some cases, your cat might be allergic to these stings just like humans are. The worst thing that could happen is of course the anaphylactic reaction that would require immediate professional help, but other symptoms are also possible, like:

Pale gums

Hives

Extreme swelling especially of the face or limbs

Diarrhea

Struggling to breathe

Weakness

Vomiting

Stinkbugs

Most people find the name of this insect pretty funny, but the stinkbug is actually pretty bad for your cat’s gastrointestinal system. Most of the time, the issues your cat will experience from eating a stinkbug won’t be all that serious. They can experience diarrhea and vomiting due to the stinkbug’s secretions.

Are Insecticides Harmful to Cats?

Although insecticides in small amounts should have no effects on a cat’s health, overexposure can become toxic at some point. Insecticides can become toxic for cats if you spray your lawn and the cat walks through it, getting its paws covered in the substance.

You will notice your cat has gotten insecticide poisoning if it experiences any of the symptoms: respiratory failure, excessive salivation, muscle tremors, anorexia, vomiting, or fever.

Conclusion

You shouldn’t stress too much when it comes to ladybugs and your cat. This is because most of the time, the cat will just eat one and then never feel the need to eat them ever again, due to their bad taste. The garden is full of insects that can be harmful to your pet aside from ladybugs, like Asian lady beetles, caterpillars, fire ants, spiders, wasps, or beetles, so there are a lot of reasons to worry aside from ladybugs.

[sandwormsladybugs]

Running blind

Queen Bee centric fic where she feels down on herself because she doesn't perform as well as she thinks she should. 

So this fic is based on this and this You can watch them first and let me know how I did or read first and see if you can guess. Let me know

Ao3

It had been a long battle. The heroes had to work to capture the akuma. It had been one of Jagged Stones roadies that had fallen victim to Hawkmoth and it had taken everything they had to stop him. It had only been made worse when Queen Bee had arrived. She had tripped them up more times than they could count. But it was over. Carapace and Rena had taken the roadie to comfort him. Ladybug and Chat had to exit stage right in a hurry, as both were down to the count before they de-transformed. This left Queen Bee centre stage with the audience that had been under the akuma’s thrall… staring at her.

She looked out over the crowd and drawled “Well? Shouldn’t you be clapping or something?” If it wasn’t for the miraculous magic masking her anyone would have known it was her.  She did a little dance before giving a dramatic curtsey.

It started with one man. It was an irritating laugh. She was astonished, someone was laughing. Then another joined in, soon the whole audience was laughing at her. She knew she had not been perfect, but they were laughing at her. At first she was angry, but it soon washed into disappointment. She wanted to have people love her like they loved Ladybug. She felt as the hot tears started to leak from the corner of her mask. She broke left, ran off the stage and out of the theatre.

She walked the streets, head bowed, lost deep in thought. Of course, she could have flown, but she just couldn’t bring herself even to flutter her wings. Of course, she could de-transform, but she didn’t want to face Pollen just yet. He kwami was so sweet, she half chuckled at her little joke, but she would be just like Jean always was. You can do it; you just started, it will get better… She wasn’t ready for it yet, she needed to feel sorry for herself for a bit longer. There wasn’t a reason for her feeling bad, after all, she had everything. Right? Everyone loved Chloe. She was the most popular girl in school. If she wanted something she just needed to snap her fingers and it would appear. Now she was a superhero and was destined to be part of “THE TEAM”. She was just not sure she could do it.

The neighbourhood she was in was grubby, stinky and yucky. She would have never come here before, but it almost felt right for her mood. She didn’t know why but she ran a bit, feeling the wind in her hair. She passed empty lots with chain-link fences, ugly old warehouses and other odd places.

She slowed to a jog and came to a halt in front of a man standing with his black dog. Chloe didn’t like dogs, they smelled. But for no reason, she reached down and patted it on the head. She stood smiled at the man did a little dance with a pirouette and scampered off. The man stood there scratching his head in confusion but with a huge grin on his face. Bee Laughed at herself, Chloe would never have done that but Bee could.

Things had changed so much lately. It was strange thinking back, she had always got busy before it rained she even liked walking in it if it was only a light shower. She liked watchin' the puddles gather rain. Pollen has said she had been destined to be with her, that these things were what bees did.

…oooOOOooo…

It had been one of those days, she had been walking in the rain with her gold sparkly umbrella to keep her dry. She was in a park when she came across him. The strange little Asian man. His nose dripped as he trudged along, he was soaked and looked miserable. She had initially thought it served him right for not being prepared. He mind jumped to Jean and Mr. Cuddly. They would want her to be nice. She had promised Adrien as well.

She sighed as she walked over, not saying a word she walked up beside him and started walking the direction he was going, her umbrella big enough to cover the two of them. He didn’t look up at her, but she could tell he stood up a little straighter. They walked through the park and across the street. Suddenly he stopped in front of a quaint little tea shop. “You must come inside,” he had said. She had no idea why but she closed up her umbrella and followed him in. Looking around she found an empty table as he walked to the counter. He joined her at the table carrying a gilded plate with two small Chouquettes. Slowly he placed them in front of her. They had been decorated with tiny gold stars and drips of honey. Chloe loved honey. He smiled at her.

It didn’t take long before a teapot was placed before them with a small jar of honey. She had never seen a teapot like it. It was all glass and in the bottom was a small ball. It looked like some dried up sticks held together with some string. She watched intently as the server poured hot water in over the strange item. Slowly it opened as the water hydrated it, seeming to be like a flower in bloom.

He poured her a cup. Usually she didn’t drink tea, preferring coffee, but she decided but this was too amazing not to try, and after all, he was being so nice to her, even if he was a bit odd. After adding just the right amount of honey she sat back and sipped her tea. She was surprised by how good it was. The smell reminded her of the chrysanthemums that grew on her balcony. She ate the treats as well, they melted in her mouth. The man finished he tea and stood to leave. Smiling, she handed him her umbrella. She knew she would end up wet, but the hotel wasn’t far. He bowed his thanks and left.

She smiled at herself, Adrien would be so proud, she was doing so good being nice. She finished her tea and stood to leave when she noticed a small rectangular box on the table just behind the teapot. It was black with ornate golden Chinese designs decorating the top. She picked it up and hurried after the man. As she stepped out in front of the tea shop, there was not a soul to be seen. In the park he seemed as slow as a turtle, but now he had simply disappeared. She shrugged and put the box in her purse she would take it home and maybe it would hold a clue to its rightful owner.

…oooOOOooo...

Bee strolled along contemplating what it meant to be a hero. As she walked, she came to a bus-stop with a yellow bench. An older man sat on the bench. He wore an old jean jacket with a sheepskin collar and had a cane resting between his legs. She thought he looked sad. She walked over and plopped down beside him.

As she turned to him, she smiled and said, “Hi!”

He turned to her, “um. Hi?”

“So, how are you?”

He looked a bit perplexed. “You know waiting for a bus. Going shopping. All I can say is that my life is pretty plain.”

There was a silence between them when suddenly he turned, and blurted.” It must be exciting to be a superhero.”

She ducked her head as he looked at her with intent eyes. “To be honest, it sucks.”

“Miss. how can that be?”

“I speak my point of view, but it's not sane, It's not sane.” She sighed. “Its just this is not the real me. Since becoming Queen B, I have started to understand that nobody really likes me the real me. I have been trying, but as the real me I just want someone to say to me, oh I'll always be there when you wake. As Queen B, I want to be part of the group.” She shook her head. “You know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today. Besides I wanted to hear about you.”

“You know miss, that’s what happened. You asked me about me, and then we talked about you. That’s the way it works, you don’t have to be the only one that gives, you can take too. It just has to be a balance. You made my day the minute a real live superhero stopped to say hi. You know?”

Bee sighed and stood. She held his hand for a moment and whispered, “Thank you.”

She ran off down the street, block after block passed. She stopped to watch as a bulldozer smashed an old building. She had no idea why but the image filled her with a feeling of melancholy. Someone's memories used to live there. Things were always changing, and she couldn’t stop it.

She was hungry, wandering the neighborhood she looked for someplace to get something to eat. She found it, it was bright yellow, the windows had bars over them, and above the door was a sign that simply said market. She stepped inside, ignoring the young woman behind the counter she walked to the back of the store. After wandering for a moment, she found what she was looking for. It was a guilty pleasure. As Chloe, she always snuck away when she looked for these so nobody would know. Mini doughnuts drenched in honey, so peasant-like. They were usually hard to find, but places like this often had them.

She was bent down to pick the gooiest package when she heard the door crash shut. She slowly stood up to find two men with shotguns pointed at the girl behind the counter.

The first one growled, “All the money.”

The second, “And all your smokes.”

Bee cleared her throat. The first swung around, “Hands up!” Bee put her hands up. “What the hell is that? You think you are a superhero or something? Crazy kids thinking they are Ladybug and dressing up. Insane! You are gonna get yourself hurt. Now slide your phone over and no funny business.”

B knelt down and slid over her communicator, as the first thief reached down to pick it up she grabbed a container of honey off of the shelf and threw as hard as she could at the other. It smashed off his face exploding as it struck, dousing him in the sticky goodness. Her wings buzzed loudly as she launched at the one that was coming up from the floor. As she reached him, she grabbed the gun, swinging it at the honey guy. She heard the crunch as she connected. As he went down hard, she swung at the other guy,  he took the blow to the head and followed his partner to the floor slumping against the fridge behind him.

B looked up at the clerk, “Sorry about the mess, I can help clean up.”

The shocked clerk blinked, “um. No, I think its ok.” She looked down at the doughnuts in B’s hand and pointed. With a nod said, “Those are on the house!”

B smiled and flipped them in her hand, “Thanks.” She walked out to find a small crowd. She smiled as she looked at them with confusion on their faces and thought to herself. ‘You know I don’t care what they think. I did that because it was the right thing to do, not because I want to be a star. I’m not a star, I’m a hero!’

She did the same dance from the stage earlier in the day and took a curtsy. To her surprise, as she came up an old lady started to clap. Then a young boy. Soon they all were! She flushed bright pink and waved as she ran off.

As she ran her communicator pinged. It was a message from Ladybug. She needed to see her at a nearby park. He heart sank, maybe she had messed it up again. Ladybug was probably mad about the store. Resigned, she couldn’t even eat her sticky sweet doughnuts as she marched to her fate. They were going to tell her the didn’t need her.

As she made her way to the nearby park, she decided that she might as well walk. Though she knew it was only delaying the inevitable.

The entrance the park had a large wrought iron gate. Strangely there were flowers wrapped around the handle. It was a wreath of chrysanthemums. So odd. She peeked through the gate, the sight on the other side took her breath away. Carapace, Rena, Chat and Ladybug stood in the middle of a green field. There was a picnic laid out in front of them, they waved her over with huge grins. Pushing the gate open she stepped in and glanced around, and besides the heroes, the park was deserted except for a familiar Asian gentleman that sat off to one side. He grinned and waved at her, there was a familiar yellow umbrella leaning next to him. Right then and there she knew that she was part of the team. She had been stewing all afternoon because of her own self-doubts, not theirs. She ran to them smiling so wide she thought her face would break. They all gave her a big hug as they sat to eat

#Queen Bee #miraculous ladybug #spitfic

[jeffreyrwelch]

So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

What are your next steps if your dog eats a sock? Photography ©Barna Tanko | Thinkstock.

When dogs swallow items they have no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you were lucky enough to witness your dog swallowing a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock… Or Another Object?

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©dosecreative | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

Dog Tear Stains: How to Naturally Remove Them and Keep Them From Coming Back

The Real Costs of Treating Dog Diseases and Injuries

Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The post So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next appeared first on Dogster.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

What are your next steps if your dog eats a sock? Photography ©Barna Tanko | Thinkstock.

When dogs swallow items they have no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you were lucky enough to witness your dog swallowing a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock… Or Another Object?

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©dosecreative | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

Dog Tear Stains: How to Naturally Remove Them and Keep Them From Coming Back

The Real Costs of Treating Dog Diseases and Injuries

Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The post So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next appeared first on Dogster.

[stiles-wtf]

So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

What are your next steps if your dog eats a sock? Photography ©Barna Tanko | Thinkstock.

When dogs swallow items they have no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you were lucky enough to witness your dog swallowing a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock… Or Another Object?

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©dosecreative | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

Dog Tear Stains: How to Naturally Remove Them and Keep Them From Coming Back

The Real Costs of Treating Dog Diseases and Injuries

Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The post So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next appeared first on Dogster.

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So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

What are your next steps if your dog eats a sock? Photography ©Barna Tanko | Thinkstock.

When dogs swallow items they have no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you were lucky enough to witness your dog swallowing a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock… Or Another Object?

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©dosecreative | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

Dog Tear Stains: How to Naturally Remove Them and Keep Them From Coming Back

The Real Costs of Treating Dog Diseases and Injuries

Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The post So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next appeared first on Dogster.

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So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next

Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t, and many of those things are not necessarily food. Dogs can chew and gulp down almost anything. So, if your dog ate a sock, you’re not alone — it’s a commonly swallowed item.

“Dogs seem to love cloth,” says Kelly Diehl, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, scientific communications advisor for the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that funds animal health research. “I’ve pulled out a lot of socks and underwear. Amongst us gastroenterologists, people kick around the idea that sometimes dogs eat inappropriate materials because they have some kind of GI problem, whether that’s a food allergy or intolerance. I also think there’s a behavioral component to it, which we can’t really explain, but some dogs just seem to be sock eaters.”

If Your Dog Ate a Sock, Here’s What Happens to That Sock

What are your next steps if your dog eats a sock? Photography ©Barna Tanko | Thinkstock.

When dogs swallow items they have no business swallowing, several things might happen. If the dog is big and the item is small like a sock, the dog might simply vomit it back up — either right away or a day or two later. If that doesn’t happen, it’s possible that the dog might pass the sock and eventually poop it out. This could take several days, and you will want to take a close look every time your dog poops to check for the sock.

In some cases, the item might even become stuck in the stomach. “When the stomach empties, food will go first and indigestible objects go last,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Items can stay in a dog’s stomach and cause periodic problems. They got them down but they can’t throw them up, and they’re too big to go into the intestine, so they bounce around and cause some discomfort. These dogs usually become chronic vomiters.”

What If You’re Not Sure If Your Dog Ate a Sock?

Because some types of items are difficult to see on an x-ray, and because dogs sometimes swallow things without their owners realizing it, your veterinarian might elect to take a look at the stomach with an endoscope. “Sometimes, I go down there with a scope because I think they have bowel disease or chronic inflammation, and I say, ‘Oh! Look, there’s a ball down here!’” Dr. Diehl says.

One outcome you really hope to avoid is an intestinal obstruction, where the sock lodges somewhere in the intestines, causing a blockage. An obstruction is serious and it requires surgery to remove the item. The tricky thing about intestinal obstructions is you might not realize your dog has one if you didn’t actually witness him swallowing a sock or something he shouldn’t.

What to Do If Your Dog Swallowed a Sock

If you were lucky enough to witness your dog swallowing a sock or other item, one option is to bring him directly to the veterinarian to see if the item can be removed from the stomach with an endoscope. This is an especially good option if your dog is small and the item is large.

“One thing about socks in the stomach is they’re really easy to pull out with an endoscope,” Dr. Diehl explains. “It’s going to cost you some, but it’s less expensive than a surgery. Once they get in the intestine, it’s a problem because you can’t get a scope down that far and then they can swell from the gastric and intestinal juices and they can get stuck.” Your regular vet might be able to remove a sock with an endoscope, but if not, he or she can refer you to a specialist who does endoscopy.

According to Dr. Diehl, many dogs, especially large dogs, will either throw up socks or pass them in their stool. If your dog is not acting sick and isn’t throwing up, one option is to wait and see if it comes out on its own. If you don’t see the object come out in a few days, or if your dog starts acting sick, it’s time to see the vet.

Did Your Dog Swallow a Sock… Or Another Object?  

If you’re not sure whether your dog ate a sock or another inappropriate item, but you notice telltale signs of an obstruction, go to the vet to have him checked out. “If your dog starts vomiting profusely, especially if he’s not eating or drinking, and he just keeps vomiting and vomiting, that’s often a classic sign of obstruction and that’s definitely a medical emergency,” Dr. Diehl explains. “Additionally, if your dog isn’t typically a barfer, but starts vomiting several times a week, it could be because something is stuck in the stomach.

If your dog swallows a sharp object, a battery or a very large object, see the vet immediately, as these types of objects may cause serious problems. And if your dog swallows underwear, take him in to try to remove it with an endoscope before it gets to the intestine, where the elastic band can cause problems.

“Really be careful about leaving socks and underwear out,” Dr. Diehl cautions. “It’s almost like a habit with some dogs. It’s much more common in young dogs because they’re often sampling stuff and eating things they shouldn’t. A lot of dogs will grow out of that habit, but some dogs persist.”

Thumbnail: Photography ©dosecreative | Thinkstock.

Read more about dog health on Dogster.com: 

Dog Tear Stains: How to Naturally Remove Them and Keep Them From Coming Back

The Real Costs of Treating Dog Diseases and Injuries

Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The post So, Your Dog Ate a Sock — What to Do Next appeared first on Dogster.

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You Can Read Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

The following blog post Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know was originally published to Dogsteron December 05, 2017 at 11:00AM Ladybugs in a dog’s mouth? First, know that it absolutely is possible for insects to embed in a dog’s mouth. I have seen it many times, when debilitated dogs with dental abscesses or tumors suffered fly strike, leading to severe oral…

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Ask a Vet: Ladybugs or Asian Lady Beetles in a Dog’s Mouth? What to Know

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