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feminaexlux · 3 years

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All That Matters (Pt 2: They’re Multiplyin’ and I’m Losing Control)

Part 2 of All That Matters. Part 1 here

Find this on AO3 here!

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Ladybug convinced a newly transformed Dragon Noir to use Water form and launch himself into the sky. He'd be able to get a look at what was happening from a bird's eye view and find Queen Wasp and the other Miraculous holders. Dragon Noir was hovering above Paris in a large water bubble at the peak of his arc when he contacted her. "Hey 'Bug, she's at the Trocadero, and… you're right," Dragon Noir sighed. "She's got the other heroes all brainwashed and suited up. Except Ka--uh, the fencer girl is just… standing there."

"Is she okay? M-Master Fu isn't with them, is he?" Ladybug asked nervously.

"I think she's fine, just… non-responsive. I don't see him. Am I supposed to see him?" Dragon Noir asked, concerned.

"No! No." Ladybug breathed out a sigh of relief. "Just… just that Queen Wasp doesn't have access to all of the Miraculous then," Ladybug said. Okay. Master Fu was still safe, to a degree. Even though he wasn't really the Guardian anymore.

"Master Fu" was, in fact, not even a real person anymore.

There had been one too many close calls with Master Fu being nearly discovered by Mayura and Hawkmoth, and with Marinette being as hyper-competent as she was, Fu made the decision to retire earlier in the late summer. After all, the Order had been restored and he was no longer the last of his kind. Marinette had proven herself worthy of Guardianship time and time again. He was just too old, too weak, too slow to react and adapt.

Fu had handed over the Miracle Box to Ladybug at the end of summer. His penultimate act as Guardian was to tell her who King Monkey was after handing out the Monkey Miraculous to Kim. Ladybug became the new Guardian of the Miraculous in secret, and the person that was "Master Fu, Guardian of the Miraculous" was no more after he lost all of his memories.

There was one final "gift" that Master Fu had left Ladybug before his memories were erased. Fu had given her his blessing to use him as a decoy. Better to have Hawkmoth track down and find a dead end in a broken old man than wreak more havoc with more Miraculous under his command.

The knowledge of whoever Chat Noir was underneath the mask got lost along with Fu's memories. But that was fine to Ladybug. Chat Noir was simply her partner, and that was enough.

Though losing Master Fu as her mentor and confidante had been such a huge blow to Marinette. She had spent a week crying in secret until Luka had surprised her one day, visiting her in her room. "Thought I'd join you here if that's alright," Luka had said, and Marinette let him stay with her. He'd just smiled and held out his hands to her. He hadn't even asked what was wrong. He was just present, letting her cry in his arms until she couldn't anymore. "If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."

It had been a good long time until she was able to speak again. "You're already helping me," Marinette had said quietly, pressing herself into the hug. "This is all that I need."

Ladybug shook her head to get back to the present. She stuck her head out of the water and took a quick scan of her surroundings, making sure she wasn't spotted by anything. She got out of the river, drying out the Lucky Charm scarf as best she could. "Tikki, Mullo, Unify!" This was another Big Secret Marinette kept to herself: that she'd been keeping Mullo's Miraculous on her. It had changed a bit recently, now representing itself as a necklace with a pendant shaped like a guitar pick that she hid under her shirt. Marinette was paranoid enough that she couldn't let anyone see her wear the necklace. Multimouse had detransformed in front of Chat Noir, after all.

Sometimes she transformed into Multimouse without any akumas to deal with - breaking her own rule of not using the Miraculous for personal reasons - to be as small as she felt sometimes and hide away from the world. She and Tikki had a lot of heart to heart conversations tucked into a hatbox in one corner of her room.

This time, she was using it to just be stealthy. She used Multitude to split into several smaller versions of herself, fanning across a large area and running down different streets and alleyways toward the Trocadero.

"She's calling herself Miracle Queen," Dragon Noir mused. "The… the others are surrounding her to defend her. I'd say we're in quite a pickle, my Lady."

Multibug didn't stop running. "How do you feel about trying to draw the honor guard away?" one of her asked.

Dragon Noir snorted. "On it. Easy as pie." Over the comms Ladybug heard her partner shout "Hey there demons, it's me, ya boi Chat Noir! I'm standing right here. You brain-dead zombies want my miraculous? Come and get it!"

…

Okay…

One of the Multibugs pulled out her yoyo and took a look at the screen. Dragon Noir's spot on her map kept jumping around, pulling the group of the other heroes away as they all chased after him. Pegasus was using Voyage to keep trying to intercept but Dragon Noir bounced off in a different direction as fast as lightning. She had to give props to Chat, he sure knew how to play that cat-and-mouse game well.

But Dragon Noir wouldn't be able to keep this up forever if Viperion was working against them. She needed to take down Viperion and this Miracle Queen, and she needed to do that as soon as possible. She kept moving forward, scurrying across as fast as she could to get to cover or hide behind or underneath things, trying to close in and surround Miracle Queen from as many angles as she could get at the Trocadero.

One of her got close, so close. Miracle Queen was standing in front of a line of golden statues, and a Multibug was hiding behind one of the statue plinths when she got grabbed from behind. "Aahhh!" she squeaked out loud.

"Not ssso fassst, little moussse," Viperion said as he turned her toward his face, stressing his s's in what was probably a mockery of Sass. "You'll never get the drop on me, can't you see?" He turned toward Miracle Queen and bowed to her with Multibug firm in his grip. "I've found a pest, My Queen."

Multibug held back another squeak. "Lu--Viperion! Viperion, don't do this, don't listen to her! Don't let her control you!" She had been so sure that Dragon Noir had led them all away, how did Viperion surprise her?! She realized he must have used Second Chance and timed it so he knew just when to turn back and stop her. The other heroes must have coordinated to trick Dragon Noir!

Miracle Queen turned her head lazily, examining her nails with a sour look after giving a quick glance at Viperion presenting her the Multibug in his left hand. "Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. A rat? That's the best you could do, Ladybug?" Miracle Queen leaned in and looked closer at Multibug. "Hmm. Although you do have your Miraculous, but they're so tiny. I don't know how much more useless you could possibly be, but…" A wasp manifested above the Queen's hand, hovering and ready to strike.

There was a lightning fast zzzip and a yoyo snatched up the wasp from right in front of Miracle Queen before she realized what happened. Miracle Queen cried out, looking up only to have a pair of Multibugs drop down from above and wrap the scarf tight around her face, blocking her vision entirely. "What the-- Aaaah!" Miracle Queen screamed as she stumbled backward.

Viperion started reaching for his bracelet but the Multibug in his hand reached out as fast as she could and held back the serpent's head to prevent the reset. The two Multibugs that dropped merged together, and another larger Multibug emerged from the shadows. The 2 larger Multibugs lassoed Viperion's left and right wrists with their jump ropes and pulled away from each other, forcing Viperion's arms apart. They coordinated and pulled their ropes backward, unbalancing Viperion and dragging him off his feet to slam his back up against a statue plinth, knocking the breath out of him. This allowed the Multibug in his hand to wriggle free and pull off his bracelet as he struggled against his bindings.

Miracle Queen pulled off the scarf and threw it on the ground just as a detransformed Luka fell to his knees, the jump ropes untying smoothly from his wrists as the Multibugs pulled away and sprinted off in different directions. "DISGUSTING! Ugh!" She stomped toward Luka and grabbed the collar of his shirt and forced him to look up at her. "You're so useless!"

"Hey! Leave him alone!"

Miracle Queen looked to her side, where a fully sized Multibug was glaring at her. "What, this piece of trash?" Miracle Queen mocked, picking a struggling Luka up by the throat until he was hanging a few inches off the ground. "He belongs with the rest of the filthy garbage!" She threw him at Multibug.

"Luka! No!" Multibug rushed in to catch him and they collided, sending them both tumbling to the ground. She sat up with Luka cradled in her arms, he was still dazed from the impact and mind control but it seemed like he was slowly recovering. Her face was set in rage when she looked up at Miracle Queen. "How could you?!"

Instead of responding Miracle Queen summoned a new swarm of wasps. Miracle Queen commanded her wasps to "Get her!" just as Multibug's earrings beeped, starting the countdown to her powers running out.

Multibug growled, trying to decide between letting Luka down to deal with the threat or getting them both out of there as fast as possible. She made her decision, throwing out her yoyo and hooking it onto a railing, pulling her and Luka away from the Trocadero as fast as she could manage trying to outpace the wasps. But even after a few swings the wasps were still pursuing and inching in closer, much too close for comfort. Multibug wasn't sure where she could go that would be safe so she gritted her teeth and dove both her and Luka into the Seine.

⁂

Luka's head was swimming in black and white static. It felt like he was floating in a sea of quicksand, getting swallowed up and drowning in grainy noise. He couldn't have any thoughts of his own last longer than a second, they'd all been drowned out by this stupid buzzing. He must have gone crazy.

"--bzzzkrrzzzzkstshshhbzzzshzzzLuka!bzzzsrrkzstzz--" Wait, that was… that sounded like-- "--rrrbkzzzzshshkstbzzzssskchssshbrLuka!rssshkzzzbzkrrrrbzzz--" Marinette! For one split second he saw her. She'd been panicked, looking up at him with worry. He hated that he made her feel this way.

He felt his legs being forced to move. Something was tugging at his hand, something warm, something small, but the sensation of it kept slipping away unless he fought hard to concentrate on it. Then it let go, letting him fully sink back into the static. He could sense that he'd been walking for some time, and then he stopped. There was this… grating noise on top of the static that must have been someone's voice tell him something… something about… the Miraculous?

Hissing sounds started overlying the buzzing in the background. He felt something tightly coil at his wrist, and when he could stop and focus against the pressure wave of sound that pressed into him from all sides, he noticed that a lot of that hissing came from… that coil? It was shapeless, the definition of its boundaries lost in the black and white grainy spots that covered his vision.

He felt that thing that was hissing bite into his wrist, and man, ouch, what the heck was that-- He started seeing distinct outlines and colors, forms and shapes, could hear silence beyond the buzzing… He could faintly see Sass? That little guy was sinking his fangs into Luka's wrist… He almost got back in control of his senses with the pain from Sass' bite when it felt like his head got yanked back by an invisible hand and it slammed his head forward into the static, sending him back into confusion.

Wait, could he… he couldn't tell if he was breathing, but he could still feel his heartbeat. He needed to focus on that, maybe try to feel the pattern, feel the pulse, meditate on that constant rhythm like a metronome. Could he break free from the static with that?

Sass bit him again. Luka was hoping it was the kwami trying to help more than hurt Luka. He trusted Sass, didn't he? Yeah. Yeah, why did he question that? There was a blinding flash that forced Luka to blink and he forgot about both his meditation and Sass trying to get his attention. What might have been an eternity or a few seconds later, there was another flash, but Luka tried to keep his eyes open. He could swear he saw Sass more clearly in that flash, but what did that mean?

There was another flash. Followed by two more. He'd grabbed something in his left hand. Mouse, he suddenly thought. "--zzzzzzbzzzzhssssssssshshshchtchssszzzzViperion!brrsssszzzzzrrzzz--" Viperion? Was that who he was? Were the blinding flashes his use of Second Chance? Wait… who was calling him? He had the faintest impression of red, or pink maybe, or blue-- Marinette's eyes were staring back up in fear, in pleading -- why couldn't he help her? He wanted to make her happy but he'd just been so--

"You're so useless!"

Yeah. He knew that.

The static noise abruptly stopped and he was looking up at yellow and black, the masked face of Miracle Queen. Her magenta eyes were narrowed and mocking and full of derision. She lifted him by the throat and he was struggling against her, but then he got flung aside. Marinette's voice cut through the lingering thick fog in his mind. "Luka! No!" He landed on something softer than the concrete ground. "How could you?!" Marinette yelled at Miracle Queen, sounding the most angry he'd ever heard her.

Wait, this wasn't Marinette… was it? Luka had tried to get a better look at the girl who was holding him up but then she sent them both soaring through the sky, pulled along by her… magic yoyo. Ladybug? She didn't look like Ladybug… or no he saw some red and black along with the pink and gray of the rest of her suit.

His face was right next to hers. He heard the beeping of her earrings get faster. He also heard Chat Noir's voice coming through Ladybug(?)'s earrings. "Sorry 'Bug, I'm out -- I gotta recharge!"

"Me too!" Ladybug replied, yelling over the wind. "Sorry Luka, we're going in," she said more quietly, pulling him in closer and cradling his head against her chest. Then they both plunged into the Seine.

⁂

To be continued...

Oh boy what a pickle >_>

#fxl fic #lukanette #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #ladybug #chat noir #dragon noir #multibug #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #miracle queen #viperion #akumatized(?)!viperion #lbscexchange2021

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coffeecomicsgalore · 3 years

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With the World on Her Shoulders...

Ao3

@marinettemarch

Summary: With the world on her shoulders, Marinette feels alone. She spent the summer focusing on her guardianship, dealing with the "easy" task of her duties while handling the daunting task of moving on from Adrien Agreste. How will she handle the responsibilities this new school year? With the help of her friends, of course, but not without the fall of her own world in the process.For Marinette March 2021.

Note: Hey everyone! Welcome to Marinette March 2021!I wasn't planning on writing this story, but I've been stuck in a writing rut since November, which is also hindering a lot of my WIPs. I'm usually a post and write by the seat of my pants type of person, and lately, having an outline for those stories has hindered my writing flow, so to speak. So I'm writing this story, daily, hoping that it will be the thing to get my mojo back.Take a ride with me and Marinette as we go through some angst before we get to the fluff. No Salt here. With the world on her shoulders, she's going to need all the help she can get.xo Coffee

Chapter 1: Secrets

How could she have known that her life would have changed a year ago? How could she have known that the secrets that she kept hidden within her heart would keep her awake at night? How could she have predicted that she needed to live each day as if there was nothing to hide? She didn’t, and that made the guilt-filled stone that sat in the pit of her stomach weigh her down like she was a lead balloon.

It wasn’t like she didn’t have someone to talk to about this. She had Chat Noir. But even then, there were plenty of things that she couldn’t spill her thoughts on, especially with how much of a jumbled-up mess it always was.

She sighed as always, hoping that the heaviness in her chest would dimmish somewhat.

It didn’t.

She leaned her head down onto the railing, using her arms as a pillow to combat the hard iron under her skin. The feeling of the cool metal did nothing to cool her thoughts, but it was a nice break from the warmth that the summer day had brought.

She watched as the clear blue sky turned into deep oranges and yellows, the setting sun disappearing behind the Parisian skyline.

School would be starting in a few days, and she couldn’t deny that she wasn’t looking forward to the new school year. Just another year of responsibilities, another year of dealing with Chloe and Lila, another year of being Ladybug. The only difference this year would be adding is the Guardian role to her resume, and she could only hope that Hawkmoth would slow down on his attacks at least for a little while.

Like that would actually happen, she thought not for the first time, not realizing that a tear escaped the corner of her eye until it fell from her chin.

But no. The other big difference was that she had to give up on Adrien completely. That was what pained her the most, resulting in her spending the summer alone.

She didn’t mean to keep her friends away. She just needed time to focus on how to move on. She used the excuses of bakery duties and commissions—which weren’t lies, per say—but they weren’t complete truths either. She spent most of the summer keeping her focus on learning the Grimoire, the only copy left that Master Fu had given to her during one of her training sessions with him. She had begun to translate half the book, going back to what Master had done and recopying the 300-page manuscript from scratch.

Between that, she spent time talking to all the Kwamis, learning each and every quirk and power up that each wielder would be able to have once transformed.

She had pages upon pages of different tactics that she had come up with, hoping that writing them all down would help her and Chat whenever it was needed.

Not only that, but she had a spreadsheet of all her friends, wondering if any of the Kwamis matched a person specifically for any future fight. She even considered all the pros and cons of reusing the exposed temporary heroes once again, and if she should hand a different miraculous to them so she could reuse their usefulness.

But nothing was more daunting than sitting there and willing herself to forget about her love for Adrien. And no matter how hard she tried, she failed miserably over and over again.

“Marinette?” A squeaky voice came out warily, her nose twitching as she hovered near her Master.

“Yes, Mullo?” Marinette somberly asked, twisting her body enough to see the mouse beside her.

“Tikki asked me to check up on you. She knows you’re upset with her right now, but she does care about you.”

Marinette closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply, letting out a calming breath as she chose through the plethora of words that swam around her head.

“I’m not mad at her.” She answered sincerely. She really wasn’t; she understood what Tikki had been trying to explain earlier, just as she had done over the last three months, but revealing her identity to Chat was something she just couldn’t do right now. Not when her entire world was hanging on by a thread. “I just can’t add more cheese to my plate right now.”

“But wouldn’t knowing Chat’s identity be less of a burden for you?”

Marinette mulled it over in her head once more. “Maybe. But I… I just can’t.”

Mullo tilted her head as she tried to understand. She had been there when Tikki and Marinette began to argue earlier. It was not something that she wanted to see, but she had heard the entire conversation even if while hiding behind the computer screen, and she was hoping that after seeing Tikki so down, that she could maybe convince Marinette to see it from a different point of view.

“I know I cannot convince you on those thoughts, Master, but what about taking a night off from everything, even for just a short moment?”

Marinette stood up and looked at the small mouse, the bluenette’s sad eyes furrowing slightly as she thought over her words.

“You know I can’t do that, Mullo.”

Mullo just smiled. “How about you run around as Multimouse once more? No responsibilities for an hour and stretch your legs. No patrolling, no saving, no akumas. Just you and me and the warm night air.”

Marinette smiled as the words seeped into her mind. She could feel the tension falling off her shoulders slightly, a moment of reprieve without the world needing her was something she so desperately needed.

“Okay.” Marinette smiled, a small moment that neither kwami had seen in weeks. “Mullo? Get squeaky.”

#miraculous ladybug fanfiction #ML #ml fanfiction #marinettemarch2021 #marinettelove2021

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quickspinner · 4 years

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Triple Threat

Here it is, the 500 followers special, posted hot off the presses as promised because not only did I hit 500 followers before the poll even closed, I’m now at 520! My mind is blown. Thank you all for sticking around this little corner of the lukanette trash heap and especially for all your replies/comments/reblogs, I covet every single one.

So you guys voted and you wanted to see Multimouse flirting with Viperion, and Marinette flirting with Viperion was a very close runner up, so I decided to do both, and I threw in a little Viperbug flirting for you just because I love you. So I hope you enjoy, and extra love to @livrever for giving me a sanity check when I needed it because y’all, I love you so much I wrote an akuma for you and even though most of the battle happened off-screen I still wasn’t sure whether the whole thing would hang together or not.

I hate long author’s notes and this one is already wordy, but I just want to say again, thank you for being here and I appreciate all 520 of you that are here now and everyone who stumbles on this in the future.

“Stupid Chat,” Ladybug muttered to herself between swings. “Stupid, overprotective Chat, making everything more complicated than it needs to be because of this stupid identity bullshit again and why am I still keeping up this ridiculousness now that Master Fu’s gone I have no idea…”

She ought to be grateful, she knew. Later, she would be touched by Chat’s affection and protectiveness towards her civilian self, but right now it was just a pain in her red-and-black spotted ass. Fortunately, the akuma knew her name but not much else about her, which meant Chat was able to fool it into following him on a wild goose chase to buy Ladybug time to get help that they didn’t actually need but whatever.

But it was fine. This was fine. She had a plan. In the three years that she’d been Ladybug she’d gotten very good at thinking on her feet. She tried not to call on Viperion too often, because it seemed like a bad idea to muck around with time too much, but the fact was, his power was both incredibly useful and incredibly reassuring for her.

And, either because Luka was older or perhaps because he was simply more mature than the rest of the team, he’d been the first to push his powers past his original time limit, and he still had the longest time limit on the team, though he wasn’t anywhere near the unlimited time that supposedly came with being “an adult.” Marinette had questioned Tikki about that, whether it was a question of physical maturity or mental maturity or both, but it turned out that questioning a being as old as Tikki about the minutiae of human growth was...frustrating. Tikki’s concept of time was colored by her nearly-eternal perspective, and the markers of adulthood changed and shifted over the centuries.

In any case, second chances were all too scarce in her life and it was only the knowledge that all magic had a price and the fear that there had to be a catch somewhere kept her from calling on it more frequently.

Seeing the Captain and Juleka both on deck, Ladybug crouched on the bank and squinted. It looked like Juleka and Luka’s room was empty, so she should be able to just slip through the porthole if she timed it right.

Well, regardless of whatever method the Miraculous used to measure adultness, Marinette thought as she made her way through the porthole with some Miraculous-aided acrobatics, Luka had matured in the three years they’d known each other both mentally, and...and physically...oh dear. Ladybug gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth, which did absolutely nothing to salvage the situation, since her eyes were still wide and staring.

Luka was standing in the doorway in his boxers, hair dripping into the towel around his shoulders, a faint blush growing on his face. “Ladybug. I wasn’t expecting you. Obviously.”

Ladybug yelped and turned her back, this time slapping her hands over her eyes, though too late to do either of them any good. “I’m sorry!” Ladybug cried. “I just—your family was on deck and I didn’t want anyone to see me coming in and the room was empty so I thought I could just—but I didn’t expect you to—“‘

“It’s fine,” Luka chuckled weakly, and she could hear him moving around behind her. “Nothing you wouldn’t see at the beach. Living in a house full of girls I don’t actually make it a practice to run around naked. You can look now.”

“Good. Sound policy,” Ladybug managed, like she wasn’t dying of embarrassment. She dropped her hands and turned around and then bit the inside of her cheek to keep in another scream. He had his jeans on now but he was still digging through a pile of shirts on the end of his bed and she was staring at his bare back. Which wasn’t anything she hadn’t seen before, really, but only when she was prepared and had Alya to smack her if she started...staring. Not ogling. Definitely not.

“I’m assuming you need me for something?” he prompted, glancing over his shoulder.

“Yes! Uh…” Ladybug shook herself back to reality and outlined the situation. How there had been a big design contest this week and one of the losers was taking it badly and had it out for the winner, a girl named—

“Marinette?” Luka turned to look at her sharply, now fully clothed (which, it turned out, helped less than it should have since knowing what he looked like under the shirt made her more than able to trace the lines his body made in it NOT THAT SHE WAS OH GOD) “Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”

“Ah, yes,” Ladybug said, surprised enough to be shocked out of her absolutely-not-ogling. “You, um...know her?”

“Yes, of course I do. If Marinette’s in trouble, I’ll do anything you need,” Luka declared, a fire in his eyes that almost made her step back. Ladybug paused and studied him for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Can you do this, Luka?” Ladybug asked, folding her arms. “The last thing I need is to suddenly be facing an akumatized Viperion with time reset powers. I know you guys are friends but if you’re more than that I need to know now.” What was she doing? It was a good thing she was still blushing from earlier. Why was she asking this, she knew he was over her, she was like a little sister to him and—wait, was he blushing?

Luka looked away, but she was sure she saw red in his face. “We’re just friends,” he said softly. “Even if I sometimes wish we were more.” He glanced at her, and his blush deepened as he dropped his eyes again. “Maybe more than sometimes. I can do this, Ladybug. I won’t let my feelings for Marinette interfere. I promise.” He gave a lopsided smile. “I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping a lid on it.”

“Oh,” Ladybug blinked. “I see.” She...wasn’t as surprised as she should be. Luka had never really made a secret of his feelings, but even if she hadn’t quite believed herself every time she told herself he was over her, she hadn’t expected him to be so...passionate about it. Especially after all this time. Especially after everything that had happened. “Well—well okay, if you think you can do this then I trust you.” She held out the box.

Luka took the bracelet, greeted Sass briefly and transformed as Ladybug continued her instructions.

“I wanted to just hide Marinette but Chat thinks she needs more protection. He’s distracting the akuma now. You pick Marinette up at her home and keep her with you. Obviously, you’ll use Second Chance to keep her safe, but it might also take a few tries for Rena to get the illusion right, so you’ll also need to be in position to observe and report.” She couldn’t help a smile, feeling a rush of affection as the familiar green eyes blinked back at her. “I trust your judgement, so I’m not going to micromanage you; figure out what works and do it. Here’s the catch, though.” She folded her arms. “I won’t be there. I can’t explain to you why. Once the akuma’s focus is off Marinette, take her home, and proceed to Phase Two.” She continued giving him instructions and he listened attentively, asking only a few questions.

Luka nodded as she finished. “I won’t let you down,” he said firmly.

“You never have,” Ladybug smiled, and Luka looked...flattered? Almost shy. And that was kind of weird. Luka was reserved, sure, but never shy.

People did seem to find Ladybug intimidating, though. And it was kind of...cute. “You know,” she found herself saying as she strolled closer to him. “I think this Marinette girl’s awfully lucky to have caught your eye. I’m sure she’ll appreciate your help. I know I do.” Ladybug gave him a slow smile. She reached up and touched his mask with two fingers. Viperion’s eyes widened slightly. “I think I prefer blue eyes to green though.”

“Me too,” he said almost absently, searching her face, and she thought she saw a hint of color just below the line of his mask. That made her smile wider.

“It’s a bit of a complicated plan today, but I think you can handle it. Good luck.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek, and before Luka could react, she dove out of the porthole, yo-yo catching just in time to send her skimming away above the water.

Luka—Viperion, now—swallowed hard, swaying slightly in place. Because it was a plain fact that Ladybug was hot, as well as strong, smart as a whip, and tough as nails. All things that very much appealed to him, even if his heart was still given elsewhere, and he...didn’t quite know what to do with the last few minutes.

Viperion shook himself. He had more important things to worry about.

...Starting with how to leave the boat without being seen by his family. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Ladybug had caught him off guard this morning, and between having just woken up and running into Ladybug in his underwear—not to mention whatever that was just now—he was feeling a little off balance. It should have occurred to him to wait until he was off the boat to transform.

Well, he’d figure something out. It sounded like his job was simple enough. He wasn’t super happy about having Marinette actually at the battle site, but he could see Chat’s point; it was the only way they knew she was absolutely protected and the akuma couldn’t pull a double-fake on them to come back for her. It had happened before. Hanging back with him, Marinette would be as protected as possible, out of sight of the villain to keep her from accidentally interfering with Rena’s illusion, with Second Chance as a backup if something went wrong.

Somehow, he just had to try and not be too Luka around Marinette. Best to keep things chill and aloof if he could, he supposed.

Viperion could see her on her balcony as he approached, that would help. His last leap took him soaring in a flip to land on her balcony railing with a bit more show than was probably necessary.

“Marinette?” he smiled. “Nice to meet you. Ladybug told you to expect me, I hope?”

“Wow,” Marinette breathed, blinking up at him. “She said she was sending someone but not who. You’re...you’re Viperion, right?” Her big blue eyes were round in her face. “You’re like—the most mysterious of all the heroes. You’re hardly ever on the Ladyblog.”

“Not mysterious, just...quiet,” Viperion smiled with a shrug, feeling a little warm suddenly beneath his mask as he hopped off the rail. “I’m not really a front line fighter like Chat. I do my best work behind the scenes.”

“Really? But you’re so strong—” Marinette’s eyes traveled down his body, rather blatantly checking him out. “Wow,” she breathed. “I thought the suit was just armored, but that’s actually you.”

Viperion shifted a little uncomfortably under her gaze. Not that he minded, just...it was Marinette and she’d never looked at him like that before and...he kinda liked it.

Okay, he really liked it.

But Ladybug was counting on him to be professional.

Viperion cleared his throat. “Did Ladybug brief you on the plan?”

Marinette nodded, still studying him though her expression turned serious. “Yes. I’m supposed to stick to you like glue and follow any orders you give.”

Viperion nodded. “We’ll be out of the main battle so you shouldn’t be in any danger, but that last part is really important. You’re a smart girl though so I’m not worried.” Much. He offered her a hand. “We should go so we’re in place before Chat gets there.”

Marinette met his eyes and—shit, there went his traitor heart, suddenly galloping a mile a minute. Help me out here, Sass, he thought desperately, but his pulse continued to pound as Marinette put her hand in his and smiled up at him. Shyly, but also...mischievously? Her lips twitched just slightly, like they wanted to twist in a smirk, and crap why was he even looking at her lips, look away, Luka.

If she smirked at him now he’d never be able to keep his cool.

Taking a deep breath and hoping against hope that he wasn’t blushing too obviously, he tugged her closer to him and dropped her hand to put his on her back. “May I?” he asked, and when she nodded he lifted Marinette in his arms and settled her close against him, making sure he had a firm grip. She put one arm around his neck but ran her other hand across his chest, firm enough for him to feel the pressure even through the suit. His breath caught as she exclaimed “Cool! The material’s so different from Chat’s. Neat texture.” Her tone turned flirtatious. “Fits you really well too.”

“Ah—” He couldn’t think.

“Sorry,” she said, glancing up at him and looking not sorry at all. “I’m a fashion designer. You’re—inspiring.” She used the arm around his neck to pull herself up to look in his face, and he had to adjust his grip quickly. “I have to tell you I love your mask.” And there was the smirk, even more devastating at close range as she ran her fingertips along the bottom of his mask.

Viperion felt dizzy as she settled back again with a cheerful, “Ready when you are!”

***

She wouldn’t stop touching him. Tracing the lines of his suit where the different materials met, outlining the yellow diamond on his chest with one finger, not-so-subtly feeling up his arm…

Chill and aloof was obviously not going to be an option, he admitted to himself. He needed a new plan.

When her fingers traced his collar, actually brushed his skin at the hollow of his throat, he stumbled and nearly dropped her, landing hard on his knees.

“Are you okay?” she gasped, snatching her hand back guiltily.

“I’m fine.” Viperion sighed and set her down, getting to his feet and brushing off his knees before turning to face her, trying to figure out how to say what he needed to say without hurting her feelings.

He thought he understood what was going on. Marinette was always under a huge amount of stress. Pretty as she was, she didn’t get out much, and probably didn’t get to do a lot of flirting. She wouldn’t flirt with him—Luka him—because she knew he had feelings for her and she worried about leading him on. She couldn’t flirt with Adrien, partly because he was dating her friend and largely because she could still barely speak a coherent word to him.

As Viperion, he was a safe option. Marinette spent too much time lonely and sad. As far as she was concerned, she’d only just met Viperion, and when the mission was over he would disappear. She didn’t have to follow through on anything she said to him. Nothing she did raised any expectations. She didn’t have to worry about leading him on or breaking his heart. The situation must be frustrating for her. She was a doer. Being a spectator at best and a victim at worst in this situation, it made total sense that she would need something else to think about and focus on, a chance to blow off a little steam without consequences.

And honestly, Luka was fine with indulging her. It fed his ego that she found him attractive enough to flirt with, even tease, but more importantly, if he could make Marinette happy, he wanted to. If he could make her feel pretty and valued and wanted, like the attractive young woman she was but never seemed to have time to be, then he wanted to, even if he had to wear a mask.

There was just one little problem.

“Marinette,” he said, as gently as he could, “I get that you’re interested in the suit and I’m more happy to let you look at it, but first I’d like to get us where we’re going without faceplanting us both into the pavement, okay?”

“Right,” Marinette said, looking horrified and completely embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I should have known better, if course you’re a professional and I’m being horrible, aren’t I, making you uncomfortable when you’re just trying to do your job—“

Well, that wouldn’t do. He placed two fingers over her lips.

“Don’t be sorry,” he told her when she stopped talking, and chucked her under the chin gently. “I don’t mind you touching me at all. In fact—“ he leaned into her space, just a little. “I like it. Certainly worse things than having a hot girl put her hands on me, even if it’s just for the suit.” He gave her an appreciative look and a wink and had the satisfaction of seeing her blush. “I just don’t want you to be hurt. Ladybug’s counting on me to keep you safe after all.”

He could see instantly that it was the wrong thing to say, though he couldn’t fathom why. The color creeping up her face drained away and her smile turned plastic.

“Right,” Marinette said cheerfully, but the sound was hollow. “Wouldn’t want to let Ladybug down.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Vierion repeated, putting his hand on her shoulder, all playfulness gone as he hunched slightly to look into her face. “Ever, but definitely not on my watch. Marinette, it would kill me if anything happened to you because I was distracted. And you can be…” He gave her a lopsided grin and a quick up and down look. “Very distracting.”

She hunched her shoulders slightly, blushing, in a way that took him back to another time when he’d felt the urgent need to tell her how important she was. “I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice.

“Don’t be sorry,” he said warmly, squeezing her shoulder before letting go. “You can check out the suit as much as you want when we get where we’re going.”

“Right,” she breathed as he picked her up again. She put her arms around his neck and tucked her head down, pressing her eyes against his neck. “Because it was totally all about the suit.”

Viperion chuckled. “You can check me out too if you want, I don’t mind.”

He cradled her a little tighter as he ran, aware his heart was pounding from more than the run.

***

“There you go, Marinette. We made it.” Viperion let her feet drop, keeping his arm around her back. Marinette slid down his body until her feet touched the ground, her arms still around his neck. “I’m sure you’ve heard of Rena Rouge,” he added, gesturing at the hero in question. “Rena, Marinette.”

“Hi,” Marinette said, sliding around to his side as she hunched her shoulders and waved with an awkward smile. “Um, sorry about all the trouble here.”

“It’s not your fault, Marinette,” Viperion said warmly, squeezing her against his side before Rena could even speak.

Rena was looking at them with raised eyebrows. “You two are certainly...friendly,” she commented.

“Are we?” Viperion said, lips twitching with the effort not to laugh as he looked down at Marinette still pressed against his side. “Sorry if I’m being too familiar,” he told her insincerely. She covered a giggle herself as he continued, “It’s just, well.” He gave Marinette a sly grin and a wink. “Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng is a bit of a mouthful.”

She looked up at him with a wicked twinkle in her pretty eyes. “I think you could handle it.”

He had to look away for just a moment before he could keep a straight face as he told her in a low voice, “I’d certainly try if you wanted me to.” Marinette giggled again behind her hand.

Rena’s eyebrows looked likely to shoot off her head entirely. “Well, it certainly seems like there’s something going on here that I missed.”

“You didn’t miss anything,” Viperion shrugged as Marinette unplastered herself from his side and wrapped her hands around his bicep instead.

Probably fortunately, Chat showed up right then and ran through the plan again. Marinette continued clinging to Viperion’s arm throughout the briefing, which got looks from both Rena and Chat, but Viperion’s face remained impassive.

“Don’t get distracted,” Chat warned him before leaping away.

Marinette snorted softly. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Viperion coughed to cover an embarrassed laugh.

“Looks like it’s just you and me now,” he remarked.

Marinette perked up a little bit, squeezing his arm. “Do you work out? Or is it just part of being a hero? Do magic muscles come with the suit?”

Viperion laughed as he reached back for his lyre and shook his earpiece out of its compartment. “A little more strength, yeah, but no extra magic muscles. Let’s just say I lead an active lifestyle.”

“One that includes a lot of time in the sun,” Marinette giggled, reaching up to touch his cheek. “You’re pretty tanned. You definitely didn’t get that from being a hero.”

“Kind of hard to sunbathe in the suit,” Viperion agreed, running a finger along the edge of his mask. “Leaves awkward tan lines.”

Marinette buried her face in his shoulder to muffle her laugh. “So the tan goes all the way down then?” she asked, when she could.

Viperion smirked at her. “Yep. All the way.” Marinette turned red and sputtered, and he looked away, grinning as he slipped his earpiece into place. Went a little further than you meant to, didn’t you? he thought with amusement. Too bad for you Couffaines have no shame. “Chat, Rena, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Gotcha, Scales.”

“Let me know when you’re in position,” he said, and then movement caught his eye.

“Akuma,” he said urgently, growing serious at once. He put his arm out to move Marinette behind him, and felt her hands on his back as she moved close. “Here we go,” he said grimly. “Second Chance.” He slid the snake head back and touched his communicator. “Chat, Rena, she’s here. Checkpoint set. Round one.”

Marinette’s hands moved over his back and down to his sides, and he sucked in a breath as they slid up the smoother texture of the darker panels on his side. “This part is kind of like Chat’s suit,” she murmured. “But this part must be armored,” she ran her hands forward over the ridged teal armor over his belly.

Dear God, what had he gotten himself into?

She must have noticed his tension. “You said I could touch you,” she reminded him.

He had to swallow before he could answer. “I did.”

“Did you change your mind?”

Luka closed his eyes for a moment. He’d always known she was attracted to him but it wasn’t a thought he normally allowed himself to indulge in much. It just made knowing she didn’t actually want him worse. If he wanted to back out, now was the time. “No,” he said finally. “It’s okay.”

Viperion drew back slightly as the akuma passed by below them. He felt Marinette peek over his shoulder.

“Oh, she’s scary,” Marinette whispered, and pressed her face into the back of his neck. “You’re sure you can’t see us?”

He turned his head toward her for just a moment and leaned it on hers. “It’s fine, we’re out of sight. Don’t be scared, we’re all here to protect you.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m not scared if I’m with you.”

He had to shift his position to cover the shiver that sent through him. The akuma was past them now and Rena was casting her illusion.

She ran her fingers through the tips of his hair at the nape of his neck. “Your hair’s so soft. Guess a Miraculous dye job will do that, huh?”

Oh, that felt amazing, but Viperion could see the akuma shriek and begin to flee. “Second Chance,” he breathed. A flash of white, and then he gave his debrief over the comm so that Rena could adjust her illusion. Then Marinette’s hands were sliding up his sides again.

It took nine resets before Rena got her illusion refined enough to fool the Akuma into thinking she’d gotten her revenge on Marinette and for Chat to successfully lure her away. Nine times he recounted the battle over the comms and suggested changes.

Nine times he’d steadfastly kept his attention on the akuma while he let Marinette run her hands over his sides, up his belly and chest. Nine times he felt her press her face to the back of his neck and rest her cheek on his back while she toyed with his hair. He knew every line of her teasing by heart. His own varied, partially depending on his own sense of whether he was going to have to reset again. The only reason he hadn’t just given in and kissed her (or tackled her to the floor, if he was honest) was the combined knowledge that his friends were still in harm's way and that Sass would give him a lecture about the responsibilities that came with time powers.

He was maybe wound a little bit tight by the time he took her home.

“Well,” he said, setting her down on her balcony. “Here we are, beautiful. Unfortunately.”

“Unfortunately?” she asked, not unhooking her arms from around his neck.

“I’ve never enjoyed an akuma battle so much,” he told her, voice low, one hand sliding onto her hip while the other gripped the railing behind him in a desperate attempt to ground himself before he did something stupid. “Whoever catches your heart will be one lucky guy.”

“Thanks for being my hero today,” she smiled up at him through her lashes, a pretty pink tinting her cheeks the only warning he got that she was about to wreck him again. “I think a kiss is the traditional reward?”

“I don’t hold with those kinds of traditions,” he said a little roughly, hand tightening on the rail behind him. “But if you want to kiss me, I’m not about to say no.”

“If I do, are you going to kiss me back?” she asked, and though her tone was teasing her eyes were anxious.

Viperion hummed thoughtfully, the hand on her hip sliding around to press into her lower back, pulling her closer. “I guess that’s just a chance you’ll have to take. If you decide you want to.”

“I want to,” she breathed, and he bent down until his forehead touched hers, eyes on hers the whole time. He felt her breath hitch and closed his eyes, waiting, as always, for her to choose, and trying to pretend his heart wasn’t racing just at the thought.

Her fingertips touched his cheek, hesitating, and then her palm fitted itself to the curve. It occurred to him to be glad he’d had time to shave before Ladybug showed up. He did kiss her back and she grew more confident, pressing into him, and the next thing he knew her hands were in his hair and her tongue was in his mouth and he made an extremely unheroic noise even as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her up into him.

Viperion’s bracelet beeped and he felt Marinette sigh as she pulled back from him. “That means you have to go, right?”

“I, um,” he blinked as she began to back away from him and his hands slid from her back to her arms, and then to her hands, which softly squeezed before letting go completely.

“Please be safe, Viperion,” she said, her brow creasing as she undoubtedly remembered that he still had an akuma to defeat. Viperion swallowed and shook his head quickly, mustering a Chat-worthy grin that was entirely fake.

“Don’t worry,” he winked. “That Akuma’s not even close to being the most dangerous thing I’ve been around today. I’ll be fine. Go inside now and stay there until Ladybug does her thing, okay?” Viperion turned away quickly, pulling in a deep breath before he vaulted over the balcony railing.

***

His bracelet beeped a final warning about three rooftops later. He quickly found a place in the shadow of the building’s roof entry hutch and put his back against the wall. His transformation released and he met Sass’s highly amused eyes before he put his hands on his face and slid to the ground with a muffled whine.

Sass’s hissing laughter was deeply unhelpful.

“Sass,” Luka said from behind his hands. “What the hell was that?”

“At a guess,” Sass replied, smirking—Luka didn’t have to look at him to know it—“Hormonesss.”

Luka slid his hands down to glare at Sass over his fingers. “That’s your input? Ladybug and Marinette both decide to try and make me combust today and the best you’ve got is hormones?”

Sass laughed at him again and Luka groaned.

“What do you wissssh me to sssay?” the kwami chuckled. “I have myssself heard Ladybug refer to Viperion as a ‘ssssnack.’ I don’t sssee any reason Marinette should think differently. Unless I mistake the meaning of the word in this contexsst, that should be ssssufficient anssswer.” He flicked his tail. “Ssssspeaking of which.”

Luka groaned. “I could have lived without knowing that, thanks.” He pulled the little baggie full of chopped hardboiled egg out of his pocket and tossed it to the kwami without even looking. “Eat fast, we have to go meet Ladybug’s other contact.”

Sass just chuckled and pulled the bag open.

***

She didn’t have a lot of time, she was on a schedule, but Marinette couldn’t resist throwing herself on her bed and squealing into her pillow. Then she rolled over onto her back. “I can’t believe I did all that,” she gasped, fingers flying to her lips “What’s wrong with me?”

Tikki floated nearby, giggling. “You like Luka, Marinette, you know you do. I think you just felt a little bit bolder knowing he was wearing the mask.” She flew close and poked Marinette’s cheek. “Was it everything you thought it would be.”

Tikki zipped back quickly as Marinette pulled her pillow back over her red face and squealed into it again. She never thought she would be bold enough to do such things, but...but it felt good. And Luka...he’d been thrown at first, clearly, but then he’d rolled with it, because Luka was super good at rolling with things, even, apparently, if those things included her touching him and teasing him and flirting and trading innuendo she never could have spoken to his unmasked face.

Would it...be like that? If it wasn’t Marinette and Viperion, but Marinette and Luka, and they were in a relationship, is that...is that how it would feel? Not awkward and embarrassing, but...fun and teasing and exciting. Was that how it felt when you liked someone who liked you back? Would he look at her like that every day with those soft eyes, and talk to her in that warm, low voice, and stand with his arm around her, pulling her close into his side, and...and let her kiss him like that...or maybe kiss her like—

She felt Tikki land on her head and pat her hair. “Come on Marinette! You’d better get ready for the next part. You don’t want to keep Viperion waiting,” she finished in a singsong.

“Right,” Marinette sighed. She got off her bed and pulled the Miracle Box out from under it. As soon as it opened, she picked up the mouse Miraculous and weighed it thoughtfully in her hand. It had been a couple of years since Multimouse’s last appearance. Surely she was safe to try it again. Mylène had done a great job with it but she was out of the country on one of her eco projects for the moment, so it was up to Marinette.

Not that she minded the chance to work with Viperion a little longer. Not that she minded at all.

Marinette put on the necklace and smiled at Mullo, eyes sparkling. Moments later, she was leaping off her balcony in the familiar pink and grey suit, on her way to meet Viperion, her heart beating with anticipation.

***

Viperion was leaning against a wall, idly strumming his lyre and daydreaming about Marinette, when his mission partner hit the roof and rolled to her feet. It took him a moment to totally focus on her but when he did it took all of his natural stoicism to keep his jaw from dropping.

That...was not the mouse he expected.

Holy shit.

Until today, Luka would have denied that he had a type, but God. Clearly he was weak for tiny blue-eyed dynamos with dark hair. He’d never seen eyes that could kill like that except on Marinette. Her suit was fitted like Ladybug’s rather than padded and armored like his or Chat’s or Carpace’s, or flared like Rena’s. While all the boys had gotten used to seeing, or avoiding seeing, Ladybug’s curves in the suit, Viperion suddenly realized that the red and black spotted pattern did a much better job of distracting from the more subtle lines of her body, and the new mouse’s light grey suit...did not.

She cleared her throat, and he realized that he was staring at her abs and straightened off the wall, tucking his lyre away.

“Sorry, I was expecting someone else,” he said as smoothly as he could, offering his hand. “Viperion.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said brightly, shaking his hand and then planting one hand on her cocked hip and saluting with the other. “I’m afraid your regularly scheduled mouse couldn’t be here today, so I’m Multimouse, at your service.” She winked one big blue eye and Viperion’s knees went weak.

He decided he was taking a very long, very cold shower when he got home. Assuming he survived. The universe really had it in for him today.

Well it’s a hell of a way to go, he thought to himself, taking a steadying breath.

“Happy to work with you,” Viperion smiled. “I’m sure Ladybug briefed you on the plan, any questions?”

“Plenty,” she grinned with another devastating wink. “But we’re supposed to be working.”

Viperion folded his arms and smirked despite the heat he felt in his face. “I’m almost afraid to ask if there’s anything I should know.”

“Just follow my lead, handsome,” she grinned, turning away as she unlooped her jump rope belt with an entirely unnecessary swing of her hips. “Think you can do that?”

Oh, Mousey was a flirt. He grinned. “I’ll certainly enjoy trying,” he murmured, quiet enough that she could ignore it if she chose.

Instead Multimouse looked back at him over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. “I know you’ve had a long day already, so just let me know if you get tired.”

Viperion chuckled. “I think I’m getting my second wind,” he winked. “By all means, after you.”

“Catch me if you can, handsome!” Multimouse swung from the building and Viperion took a running leap after her.

Multimouse led him to a warehouse, and after he smashed the lock, they slipped inside. It was deserted and Chat was supposed to be keeping the akuma occupied and after his ring, but there was no harm in being cautious. “You’re a handy partner to have,” Multimouse said, looping one arm through his. “This plan shouldn’t be difficult at all.”

“Ladybug did the hard work,” Viperion commented. “I’m just the muscle today. Have to hand it to her, she’s got a mind like a steel trap.”

“Ooh, watch your phrasing,” Multimouse winced, swinging her hip into him. “Remember your company, handsome.”

“Sorry,” Viperion chuckled. “You’re right, poor choice of words.”

“If you’re nice for the rest of the mission maybe I’ll let you make it up to me,” Multimouse teased, fingers curling around his bicep. “Hmm, Ladybug knew what she was doing.”

Viperion plucked her hand off him. “Don’t do that, please.”

“Oh,” her eyes widened slightly, the first sign of hesitancy he’d seen from her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” Viiperion told her, squeezing the hand he was still holding before letting go. “I’d just rather we keep this hands off, if you don’t mind. No hard feelings.”

“Sure,” Multimouse perked up again, though he thought he saw a hint of pink under her mask.

“Can’t say I mind being on pretty girl detail for the day,” he said lightly, hoping to put her back at ease. “Where to, ma’am? I’m supposed to follow your lead.”

“This way,” Multimouse tugged him towards a corridor. “The akuma victim rents a space back here to use for her studio. Ladybug wants us to get there, take a look around, and see if we can get the akumatized item. She thinks it’s probably boobytrapped, so that’s where I come in. You’ll set second chance before I go just in case anything goes wrong.”

Viperion followed her and they started slowly down the long, echoey hallway. So much for stealth, he thought, wincing slightly. Multimouse must have thought so too because while she kept her alert posture, she smiled back at him and said, “So, did you know that you came up second on the Ladyblog’s Hottest Hero: Male Edition survey?”

Viperion chuckled awkwardly, trying not to blush. “Chat’s hard to compete with,” he replied with a crooked smile.

“You were robbed, if you ask me,” Multimouse said in a conversational tone, winking at him when he glanced over at her. She really needs to stop doing that. He swallowed and took a slow breath before he answered her. He had a feeling he was going to be doing a lot of belly breathing today.

“Everybody has their own taste,” Viperion shrugged. “Guess not everybody goes for ‘mysterious, aloof, and quiet.’”

“You read your own profile?” Multimouse giggled.

“I was curious,” he grinned. “Haven’t you read yours?”

“Don’t have one,” Multimouse held up her hands and pretended to pout. “I’m so overlooked.”

“I can’t imagine anyone overlooking you.”

“Ooh, flatterer,” she giggled, and then sobered. “This is actually only my second time out. The first time was years ago and it didn’t end so great.”

“Really? That surprises me. You seem so natural,” Viperion said, following her down the corridor.

“Why thank you,” Multimouse grinned over her shoulder at him, and his heart skipped a beat.

Marinette, he reminded himself firmly, although she technically had no claim on him and he certainly had none on her. He blew out another breath, and then inhaled deeply—and abruptly wrinkled his nose. “Fabric dye,” he muttered. He’d been over to Marinette’s once while she was dying fabric and even with her windows open the smell had driven him up to her balcony.

“Yes, this is the place,” Multimouse confirmed. She opened the door a crack and peeked inside, and Viperion readied himself to jerk her back in case of any unexpected surprises. “You don’t have to go any further,” she said, her flirtatious air gone and replaced with an intense focus that impressed him. “I know you hate the smell. Multitude!”

Viperion looked at her sharply but was blinded by the light of her power activating. He took a step back as she glowed brightly, and when he could see again, his partner was gone. He looked down to see the Multimice grinning up at him. One of them waved him down. Viperion knelt and put his hand down. One of the Multimice climbed onto his palm and he lifted her to his face. “I’ll stay with you,” she said cheerfully, hands on her hips. “Wouldn’t want you to get lonely.”

Viperion chuckled. “Welcome aboard.” He brought his hand up to his shoulder and the Multimouse hopped up.

“The rest of me will go scout and report back,” she said, and then pointed to his bracelet. “If you could?”

“Second Chance.” Viperion slid the bracelet back.

The Multimice still on the floor blew him a kiss in unison, and then ran off in different directions. Viperion couldn’t help a smile, though he directed it at the ground. She—they? were really too cute.

“So,” Multimouse said, reclining on her side along his shoulder and propping her face on one hand, “Just you and me now. Does my handsome partner have a girlfriend?”

“No girlfriend,” he sighed, a wistful smile taking over his face. “Just a girl. One amazing girl. You’re cute, Mousey, and I’m sure you’ve got a style of amazing all your own, but my girl...she’s not my girl, she doesn’t like me that way, but...anyway, there’s no one like her. Not even Ladybug.” He looked at her and she jumped, shutting her mouth quickly and looking down as she ran her finger across the texture of his suit. “You? Anyone special in your life?”

“Hmm,” Multimouse twirled her jump rope absently. “Sort of. It’s...complicated.” She sighed dreamily. “And I really wish it wasn’t, because I really do like him. He’s sweet and talented and thoughtful...insightful, really.” She sat up, crossing her legs, and reached up to pinch his cheek, which felt really funny considering how small she was. “Almost as handsome as you. Nice muscles, too, though he doesn’t show them off nearly enough.” She bounced her foot and seemed to consider what she was about to say. “I thought I’d missed my chance though. I kept him waiting for a long time, and—” She looked at him, and then looked away quickly. “I was pretty sure he didn’t feel that way about me anymore, but...I’m starting to wonder if…” He turned his head slightly so that he could see her face better. She was smiling softly down at the jump rope in her hand, biting her full lower lip and blushing. Viperion smiled.

“Well, maybe it’s time you took a little chance then,” he said, shrugging his shoulder just enough to jostle her slightly. “If he’s been waiting all that time, then he’s probably not going to make a move unless you do. He’s kinda put himself out there enough, don’t you think?”

Multimouse frowned, blinking at him. “But if he was still into me, wouldn’t he keep trying? Other...other guys have…”

Luka snorted softly. “Would you like him if he was like ‘other guys?’”

“I’d like him if he was like you,” Multimouse purred, leaning against his neck.

“Right, okay,” Viperion chuckled. “We don’t have to talk about it anymore if you don’t want to. I’m just saying, if you are interested, then you’re going to have to make a move, because if he does still have feelings for you, he’s trying to respect you by keeping them to himself.” He turned his face toward her and winked. “Food for thought. Though I’m sure a girl like you has plenty of options.”

“Aw, I’ll bet you say that to all the girls you turn down.”

Luka chuckled. “Believe me, if it weren’t for M—my girl, I’d be first in line.”

Multimouse squeaked and nearly fell backwards off of his shoulder, and Luka bit his lip in a vain effort to contain his grin.

“Need a hand?” he asked, careful not to move.

“No, I’m good!” she gasped, clawing her way back up the seams of his suit. Then she turned her head and brightened. “Oh, here I come!”

The Minimice—nope, Viperion immediately crossed that name out in his mind—the Manymice—no, that was practically the same as Multimice. Copymice? Okay that just sounded dumb. This is why I let Rose write the lyrics, ugh. The Multimice returned, each of them with their arms full of...yarn? Viperion knelt and his Multimouse jumped down from his shoulder. They chattered amongst themselves, talking so fast that Viperion couldn’t quite keep up, and then they lined up and began knotting their pieces of yarn together.

One of them (he wasn’t sure if it was the same one that had been with him all this time; he wished they came in different colors or something so he could tell them apart) turned to him and said, “The akumatized object is defended by a weird sort of...maze made of yarn. Like one of those laser grids you see in spy movies? We’re pretty sure that if we can get above it, we can drop down through the maze. I’m not sure what the strands do but we’d just as soon not find out! I think we’ve got enough pieces here to reach from those girders up there.” She pointed up and Viperion looked up to the girders crossing the warehouse-style ceiling.

“Are you sure it’ll hold?” Viperion frowned. “I don’t want you to fall.”

“Check it,” Multimouse winked at him, holding it up. Viperion took yarn and held it up, inspecting the knots. His eyebrows went up.

“You know your knots,” he said, tugging the yarn carefully. The knots tightened and held. “Where’d you learn that?”

“Oh,” the mini Multimouse’s eyes went wide, and she blushed under her mask. “Umm...a friend taught me.”

“Your special friend?” Viperion teased, “Maybe more special than you said if he taught you knots like these.”

“It is not like that,” Multimouse insisted, growing pinker. She folded her arms and looking away from him. “He spends a lot of time around boats, that’s all. Maybe I should ask how you know them.”

“I’ve spent a little bit of time on boats as well,” Viperion chuckled. “Well, it looks pretty good. I think it should work. Everybody grab on, let’s give it a quick test and make sure it’ll hold your weights.”

The Multimice all grabbed onto the yarn rope in a line, and Luka carefully lifted it by one end, his other hand ready to catch anybody that fell. Finally all of the mice were off the ground, the end of the rope hovering an inch or so above the floor. “Okay,” Viperion nodded. “Okay, looks good. Nice work. I’ll take you up.” He looked up to the steel girders criss-crossing above him and then around, planning his route up.

It took some fumbling but after a few minutes, Viperion got to his feet with his arms full of clinging Multimice. “Everybody good?” he asked. “If you don’t feel secure, now’s the time to say.”

“We’re good!” chorused the girls, and Viperion chuckled, then looked up again and took a deep breath.

“Okay, here we go. One...two…” He felt them grip tighter. “Three!” Viperion leapt, resisting the instinct to use his arms for balance and momentum, and made it up to the steel crossbeam. He blew out a slow breath, relieved as he let the Multimice carefully down on the girder.

“Well done,” one said, patting his hand with a sympathetic look, and Viperion smiled tightly, a little more adrenaline in his system than he wanted to admit to from the effort of getting up here without dropping or crushing anyone.

“Be careful,” he said as the Multimice walked along the girder until they were all gathered above the glowing yarn maze, looking down into the center. Luka followed, careful not to knock anyone off as he looked down.

“Not scared of heights, are you?” Multimouse teased.

“Not at all,” Luka chuckled, sitting down on the girder and hanging his legs off as he looked down. “What is that? It looks like a stapler.”

“It’s a bedazzler,” said Multimouse, and all of them wrinkled their noses at once. “How cheap. Did she really think she was going to pass that off in front of those judges? Audrey Bourgeois might be the queen of glitter but I guarantee you the stuff she uses costs at least a hundred bucks a bottle and cheap rhinestones are not going to cut it. I can just hear her now.” She put her nose in the air, one hand on her hip and the other one out in an affected pose as she flapped her hand. “Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!” Viperion’s breath caught, his eyes widening slightly.

“That’s...a pretty good impression,” he said slowly, looking intently at her. “Almost the best one I’ve seen.”

Multimouse just shook her head. “Poor thing was probably humiliated, no wonder Hawkmoth got to her.” She held up the end of their yarn rope. “Would you mind tying it?”

Viperion did so, hands working the tiny yarn rope almost automatically as his mind raced on other matters. He gave the Multimice a thoughtful look, but none of them noticed, all on their hands and knees staring down at the purple bedazzler. “This is really worrying,” one of them commented. “This is the first time an akuma’s actually hidden away from the akumatized person. This one’s simple enough, but they always get smarter.”

When the rope was secure, he lowered it carefully between the strands of the yarn maze. Four Multimice hopped onto it one by one and slid down.

Working together, they knotted the end of the yarn rope securely around the bedazzler, silently thanking Luka for his lessons on knots and ropes, and then one by one the Multimice shimmied back up the rope. Once there, they reformed into one large multimouse, who grinned up at Viperion triumphantly as she reached down and grabbed the yarn rope, hauling the bedazzler up hand over hand. “And there we go,” she grinned triumphantly, sitting down on the beam and crossing her legs, holding out the bedazzler triumphantly.

Viperion was looking at her strangely, one arm folded across his chest and the other propped up on it, fingers pressed to his lips. Multimouse cocked her head, and looked back at him. “Do I have something on my face?” she quipped. “Besides the mask.”

He didn’t answer.

“Care to do the honors?” Multimouse asked, setting the bedazzler down between them.

Viperion wordlessly took his lyre from the small of his back and smashed it down in a quick, violent movement that made Multimouse jump. It did the trick, though, and the akuma floated free.

“Wow,” Multimouse said absently, tracking the little butterfly. “Never thought I’d see you do that with an instrument. I’ll signal Ladybug and meet you on the next roof over.” She got to her feet and leapt nimbly across the beams, following the akuma. When she was sure she was out of Viperion’s sight, she whispered, “Come on out, Tikki.” Tikki popped out of one of her buns and came to float in front of her, beaming. “Ready?” Multimouse asked, and Tikki nodded. “Okay. Mullo, Tikki, unify.” A few minutes later, she’d captured the akuma and tossed her yoyo to cast the cure.

She stood weighing her yoyo in her hand. Technically speaking, Multibug supposed there was no need for her to meet up with Viperion again. She could have just sent him home, which was her original plan. But she hadn’t and he was expecting her and she felt unwilling to disappoint him. Marinette was used to the extra freedom that came with the mask and didn’t usually let it go to her head, but...well. She’d said a lot of things to Viperion today that Marinette had been longing to say to Luka for a while now and it felt good. He deserved to hear that he was brave and strong and kind and wonderful, and nobody said it to him the way they should.

Including her.

“Mullo, Tikki, divide,” she ordered, and Tikki flew free. She took one look at Multimouse’s face and giggled, hiding back in her bun again.

When Multimouse arrived on the roof, Viperion was sitting on the ledge of the roof, one knee bent and one hanging down, his eyes on the lyre in his hands as he idly plucked a tune. He looked like he’d been plucked from the gardens at Versaille and left there by accident. There was something about his posture that made her uneasy and she approached him with a little less swagger than she had planned. She opened her mouth to greet him but he spoke before she could.

“I was just thinking,” he said, eyes still down, “About that girl. The one I’m so crazy about. She’s a lot like you.”

Multimouse rocked back on her heels slightly, trying not to give away how thrown she was. She folded her arms and cocked her shoulders teasingly, closing one eye. “I thought you said there was nobody like her.”

Viperion chuckled, still strumming. Strumming...strumming Marinette’s song, she realized with a sudden jolt. “This girl, she’s amazing. I’ve been in love with her for years. She wasn’t interested though so I’ve been kinda hanging back for a while now.” He shook his head, and Multimouse was having trouble looking away from the fingers plucking the lyre. “I’m starting to think though...maybe she’s changing her mind. Maybe she’s starting to feel a little bit of what I feel for her.”

Marinette felt a thrill that sped up and down her body and took up residence in her stomach, electrifying the butterflies already fluttering there. “You still love her?”

Viperion smiled, and stopped playing, returning his lyre to the small of his back as he cocked his head to look at her, and the look in his eyes took her breath. “More and more as time passes. She just keeps getting more amazing, not less. I’ve dated other people, but never for long. Nobody measures up. I think maybe I can get over her then I see her again and it’s like no time has passed at all.”

Multimouse had no reason to blush at that, she reminded herself. She strolled over to him and turned, flattening her hands on the ledge where he was sitting and leaning back against it. “You should tell her, then. Maybe you’re right and her feelings are changing, but she thinks you’ve moved on so she’s too scared to say anything.”

“Well, you know. I might be wrong, but…” Viperion leaned toward her and put his mouth right by her ear. “I think I just did.”

She couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her.

Viperion hopped off the ledge and turned to face her, placing one hand next to her on the ledge as he leaned in close. Just like Luka, she thought distantly, her heart racing, to not trap her in, to leave her an escape. “You know a little too much about me for coincidence, little mouse. And maybe I know you just a little bit too well. I’ve heard you do that Audrey Bourgeois impression a few thousand times.” Multmouse bit her lip. “You’ve been running me a merry chase all day but I’ve caught you now, haven’t I?” Viperion continued, his nose brushed lightly against her cheek, just under her mask. “Can I kiss you?”

“I don’t mind, handsome,” Multimouse said, as bravely as she could manage, even though having him so close was making her heart pound. “But what if you’re wrong?”

“Haven’t you heard?” She could see Viperion’s grin widen out of the corner of her eye. “I’m all about taking chances.”

Multimouse turned her face to give him a Look, lips parted for a retort, but as soon as she turned to him, he dipped down and kissed her—not the soft, careful way she’d always imagined Luka would kiss, but hard and hungry and fierce, like—

Like they were both wearing masks and they could pretend it never happened if they chose. Like it might be the only time she’d ever let him and he intended to make the most of it. Like she’d been torturing him all day and he just couldn’t take it anymore.

Like he’d been in love with her for years and was finally feeling a tiny sliver of hope that she might have feelings for him too.

She felt him hesitate and begin to pull back, and suddenly she realized she hadn’t exactly stopped him, but she wasn’t really responding either, too caught off guard to do more than let her lips form to his. And if that wasn’t just like Luka, to kiss her like that and still wait for her.

Marinette might have hesitated. Ladybug would have delivered a lecture on professionalism in the suit.

Multimouse put her arms around his neck to stop his retreat and pressed into him, catching his lower lip between her teeth before pressing her mouth to his. His breath hitched and his hesitation disappeared and then they were really kissing, and it was like kissing him on her balcony only better, because this time he wasn’t shocked and hesitating and acting on instinct.

This time he wanted her and she wanted him and neither of them had to own up to it if they didn’t want to and it made them reckless.

By the time they stopped only his arm around her waist and the hand feeling up her back were keeping her from just toppling over the roof, he’d bent her so far back. They hung there for a moment, panting, and then he slowly straightened, bringing her back upright. He grinned at her, looking extremely pleased with himself as he eyed her. She felt a little cheated that his Miraculous lipstick wasn’t smudged, but his hair was a wreck, which made her smirk.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he told her, voice deeper than she’d ever heard it outside of a performance.

Multimouse slipped out of his arms and turned half-away from him, hands on her hips. “You think you know who I am,” she said, pouting bruised lips. “But that doesn’t mean I know who you are.”

“Hmm,” he smiled indulgently, leaning back against the roof ledge. “If you didn’t know before, I think you know now. I’m planning to be at Cafe Belle about two o’clock tomorrow. If the girl I like just happens to wander by, I’ll ask her to join me for coffee and cheesecake.”

Multimouse wrinkled her nose. “Is that a mouse joke?”

Viperion’s low chuckle made her shiver. “If she doesn’t care for cheesecake I’m sure I can find something to her taste.”

“Hmm,” Multimouse said airily, twirling the end of her jump rope tail as she sauntered away from him. “Well, good luck with that…”

Viperion sighed, head cocking slightly. “I am going to miss that suit.”

Multimouse whirled, her hands on her hips. “And I thought you were such a gentleman.”

Viperion grinned, looking at her through his bangs, his green eyes looking somehow more intense and...predatory than Luka’s usual blue. “I guess we both learned something about each other today. I didn’t know you could be such a tease. You made it an awfully long day today, you know.”

Multimouse cocked a hip and folded her arms. “You still might be wrong.”

Viperion shrugged, but his grin didn’t budge. “Maybe.” He winked. “See you tomorrow.” He kicked up his legs and flipped over the roof ledge behind him.

Multimouse sighed. “I’m going to miss that suit too.”

***

Luka was sweating and exhausted by the time he got back to the boat. He’d run as Viperion as fast and as far as he could, teeth clenched to keep from whooping at the top of his lungs.

Even after his transformation dropped, he sprinted a couple of blocks just on his own. He had, after all, kind of a lot of energy to burn off. Every time he thought he was calming down, he remembered, and a grin split his face and he put on another burst of speed.

He could hear Sass laughing at him in his hood and he couldn’t care at all.

Luka arrived home panting and sweating and dishevelled. That wasn’t unusual for him; if anyone saw him they’d probably assume he’d been at work—which was sort of true, anyway, even if no one knew he occasionally moonlighted as a superhero and made out with pretty girls on rooftops how the hell did this become his life.

Sass eyed Luka as the kwami ate his snack. Luka grinned at him and then at the ground.

“May I asssk what that was?”

Luka shrugged his shoulders without looking up. “Hormones?”

Sass laughed. “Indeed.”

Luka risked a glance at him. “Are you going to yell at me?”

Sass snorted. “I am not. If you wissssh a lecture, I’m sure Ladybug can arrange a disssscusion with Tikki. Persssonally, I think if you are judged worthy to wield me, which you have done resssponssibly for yearsss, it isss reasssonable to asssume you are not a fool. You knew what you were doing, you knew the risssk you were taking. Ladybug trusssts you with the fate of the city; I trussst you to ssstand up to your choicesss, whatever the outcome.”

“I—” Luka sighed. “Thanks, Sass.”

Sass finished his food and came to land on Luka’s shoulder, wrapping his tail lightly around Luka’s neck. He patted Luka’s cheek gently.

Luka put the plate away and went back on deck to wait for Ladybug. Unsurprisingly, given how long it had taken him to get home, he didn’t have to wait long. He was leaning on his elbows staring at the water when her feet hit the deck and the zip of her retracting yoyo.

“You’re not playing your guitar,” she observed.

Luka turned and shrugged. “It’s been kind of a weird day,” he said, handing over the bracelet. “I think I’m still processing it.”

Ladybug’s eyebrow quirked and his heart jumped for no apparent reason. Habit, he supposed, at this point. Gorgeous blue-eyed girls had been wrecking him all day so why should now be any different?

Different.

It...wasn’t different. It wasn’t different at all. Luka swallowed, suddenly staring at Ladybug’s mouth.

“Good weird or bad weird?” Ladybug asked, tilting her head and studying him. He probably looked deranged, he realized, windblown and sweaty and suddenly having a lot of difficulty putting words together.

“Good,” he replied, barely managing not to stutter. “The good kind, the best, actually, um…” He pressed his lips together before he could babble anything else. Ladybug looked like she was fighting a smile.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I am fantastic,” he said, collapsing more than leaning back against the rail. “Couldn’t be better.”

Ladybug giggled. “Well, that’s good to hear.” She gave him a smirk and flung her yoyo. “See you around, Luka.”

“Right,” he said numbly to the empty air, and then he bolted for the door to the cabin. He clattered down the stairs and burst into his thankfully-empty room where he could lose his shit in peace.

It was a little thing, really. Her lips were just a little redder than usual, but it was enough. The eyes, the lips, the hair—holy shit the smirk—he felt like an idiot. Luka’s legs went weak and he sat down on his bed.

He bent his head and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. “I need a shower,” he muttered absently.

“Didn’t you shower this morning?” Juleka grumbled from the doorway.

Luka stripped off his sweaty shirt and threw it in her face. “I’m a guy, I need another one.”

“Eeew!” she squealed, clawing it away. By the time she threw it to the floor, Luka had pushed past her and into the Liberty’s small bathroom, just about the only place where he could actually be alone on the whole boat.

He preferred to be alone while his brain was melting out of his ears.

Multimouse was Marinette. Marinette is Ladybug. It was clear as day now, it just plain wasn’t possible that there were two people like that in the world, let alone three. He felt like such a moron.

Marinette kissed him and he kissed Multmouse who was Marinette who was Ladybug and that he means he kissed Ladybug. Twice! Which, okay, he was in love with Marinette and always had been, and over the moon to have been kissing her, but he’d had some time to process that part and come on. Ladybug. If there was anyone in their age group who was attracted to girls who hadn’t fantasized about kissing Ladybug...well it was no one he’d ever met. Just nobody thought they’d ever actually get to, and he had, and that was kind of blowing his mind.

Juleka would be so jealous if she knew.

Of course she hadn’t been wearing the masks at the time, or at least not that mask, but Luka didn’t care. He’d kiss Marinette in any mask or no mask and he’d wear any damn thing she wanted him to because he was madly, stupidly in love with her, and she was three times as amazing as he ever thought and he had a date with her tomorrow.

After years of silent pining and half-hearted attempts to move on...he had a date with Marinette.

His hands were shaking.

Luka leaned his elbows on the tiny sink and grinned at himself in the mirror, shaking his head.

“You are one lucky bastard,” he muttered to his reflection, and laughed, giddy and breathless.

***

“What am I doing, Tikki?” Marinette breathed as she walked, briskly despite her nerves. “This is crazy. Right? Tell me this is crazy, Tikki.”

“Love is always a little crazy, Marinette,” Tikki giggled, peeking up from Marinette’s purse. “Just give it a chance! For once it’s not the world at stake. And it’s just Luka.”

“Right,” Marinette muttered. “Just Luka, that I climbed all over yesterday and now he knows it was me and—”

“And thinking that he wanted you to meet him today just to reject you would be crazy,” Tikki teased, poking Marinette’s side. “I know it’s scary, Marinette, but this is the good scary! The normal scary! The exciting scary!”

Marinette smiled and put her hand in her purse to stroke Tikki’s head lightly. “Thanks, Tikki.” She promptly faltered a step and tripped. “Oh no, there he is. Just like he said he would be.”

“That’s a good thing, Marinette!” Tikki giggled.

Luka was leaning against the wall between the cafe door and the alley separating it from the next building, hands shoved in his pockets. His jean pockets, because he wasn’t wearing the hoodie that she had seen on him at nearly every encounter for three years, just a Kitty Section t-shirt that Marinette had made him.

And because she’d made it, it fit him perfectly. And without his hoodie, it left his arms mostly bare. Marinette whimpered quietly, cursing yesterday-Marinette for making her admiration of his arms so...obvious.

“You can do it, Marinette,” Tikki whispered, sinking lower into the purse. Marinette gulped in a deep breath and started walking again.

“Hi Luka,” she called as she got closer, “Hey, what a surprise, running into you like this! I was just, um, just out and about.”

Luka looked up, giving her that same warm stare she’d last seen from masked green eyes, and a slow smile that made her skin tingle. “Hey Marinette. Fancy meeting you here. I was just thinking about getting a table to grab some lunch. His smile took on a cocky tilt that she had only rarely seen on him and for a moment she couldn’t decide if she was annoyed by it or something else entirely. “Care to join me? I hear they have great cheesecake here.”

Marinette stood, vibrating in indecision for just a moment. Luka’s eyes didn’t waver.

Well, maybe it’s time you took a little chance then. He’s kinda put himself out there enough, don’t you think?

He was right.

But first things first.

Marinette took a deep breath, steadied her nerves, and in a smoother motion than she would have thought she was capable of outside of the suit, she stepped up to him, grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and swung him around into the alley entrance. “Woah,” he yelped, and then his eyes widened further as she planted a hand in the middle of his chest and pushed, backing him further down the (thankfully relatively clean) alley. Something in her face must have given him an inkling of her mood because he was slowly turning very red.

She changed her angle to back him into the wall and kept advancing until she was chest to chest with him, looking up into his face. “Just so we’re clear,” she said, with only a little tremble in her voice though she could feel her hands starting to shake, “Nothing on this earth will save you if you breathe a word of what you think you know to anyone.”

Luka’s eyes couldn’t get any wider. “Of course,” he gasped, breathlessly. “I wouldn’t, I would nev—mmph!” Marinette grabbed the back of his neck and jerked him down into a kiss that was harder than she meant it to be, just out of nerves. He must have liked it well enough, though, because he made the same noise he’d made yesterday when she kissed Viperion on her balcony. That sparked the memory of the look on his face afterwards, which made her giggle, and then she squeaked as he took advantage of her distraction and—wow, pulling him into the alley was a good decision because she did not want any witnesses to this.

This was so much better without the suits, she realized giddily as he pulled her up flush against him. He made that noise again when her hands slid up over his shoulders and slipped into his hair. It felt amazing and she could have kissed him forever but there were things she still needed to say.

Finally she put her hand on his shoulder, pushing lightly, and he stopped and drew back to look at her, lips red and hair even more tousled than usual, and Marinette was grateful he was still holding her because she wasn’t sure she could stand on her own at that point.

“A little mouse told me you still had feelings for me,” Marinette whispered. “Is it true? Because I—” she continued in a rush before he could answer. “Because I definitely have feelings for you and if it’s not true that’s okay, but if it—if it is then maybe we could go have that cheesecake and if you’re free maybe we could go see a movie and—”

He cut her off with another kiss, and it was softer and slower, more tender, more like how she had always imagined Luka would kiss, but it was no less thrilling.

“She also said you were a really good kisser,” Marinette added breathlessly when he drew back.

“Yeah?” The corner of his mouth came up in a subtle smirk that she could definitely get used to seeing on him.

“Yeah,” Marinette shrugged one shoulder, aware that her intense blush belied her unusually calm attitude. “So I guess I’m kinda hoping that since she was right about that,” Marinette dropped her eyes and rubbed two fingers against the fabric of his t-shirt, “Maybe she was right about the other thing too?”

“If you mean the fact that I’m even more in love with you than I was the day you tripped into my room,” he lowered his forehead to rest on hers and took a shaky breath. “Then yeah, she was totally right. And that’s one secret I’m more than happy to be rid of.”

“I’m sorry,” Marinette sighed, “For keeping you waiting so long, and then hesitating even when I knew what I wanted.”

Luka lifted one hand and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek. “If you think I’m even the slightest bit dissatisfied right now then by all means, let me convince you I’m not.” His hand turned and cupped her cheek as he leaned in. Marinette put a finger on his chin and he paused.

“So...about that cheesecake?” she smiled.

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” he told her, and his eyes—she couldn’t look away. “Today and any day. Every day, if you want. Whatever I have to do to make this real, just tell me, I’m there.”

Marinette smiled slowly. “Silly boy,” she said, letting her finger slide away from his chin. “It’s already real.”

He looked at her with soft eyes, and his voice was warm and low as he said, “Then let’s go have some cheesecake and go watch a movie that, I’m going to warn you now, I have no intention of remembering.” His arm slid around her, pulling her close into his side, and she smiled.

Luka smiled too as they strolled towards the cafe entrance together, not entirely convinced that his feet were touching the ground, and only the persistent pounding assured him his heart was still in his chest.

Luka held open the cafe door for her and she smiled up at him. As she passed him, he took a cookie out of his pocket and slipped it into her purse. He wanted to make a good impression, after all, even if he wasn’t quite ready to tell Marinette he’d figured out more of her secrets than she realized.

@wickidjennie

#quickspins #500 followers #thank you #hope you love it #triple threat #flirting #fluff #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #mlfics

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gabriel-agreste-has-no-rights · 4 years

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Rating: G

Summary: While Marinette is helping Adrien and the boys clean up after the guys-only party, she accidentally crashes a kwamis-only party. (Party Crasher identity reveal fic)

Word Count: 3361

Notes: I haven’t written one of these in a while, but it was for an anon from the episode-divergent identity reveal fic requests. I’ll probably still keep doing these periodically, but I still have a few mlbforblm commissions/prizes to finish up, so it might be a while.

XXX

“I can put those up!” Marinette offered quickly as Adrien scooped up a pile of costumes. It was hard to see so much evidence of the party she’d been locked out of, but she was determined to make the most of it now.

She’d gotten to spend time with Adrien in the end. Hopefully next time she could do it without lying, but she couldn’t pretend she regretted it.

He shot her one of his award-winning smiles, the ones that made her knees weak. “Thanks, Marinette. You can just leave them in the closet. I’ll fold them later.”

“No problem!”

She accepted the bundle of sequins and silk without a stutter. It was hard to feel embarrassed when he’d seen her dressed as “Marino” and still wanted her around.

He’d seen her in her pajamas, bought her constipation medicine, let her sleep on his shoulder, and most recently, watched her dance to Station Nation as a mustachioed biker. If all of that hadn’t convinced him she was completely insane, maybe he really could like her.

That thought had her walking on clouds as she rearranged the pile of clothes in her arms to open the closet.

When she turned the handle, the clothes promptly fell to the ground.

“Go, go, go, go!” Kaalki was chanting as Plagg sprayed whipped cream into Xuppu’s mouth. It would’ve been ridiculous enough even if they weren’t inside Adrien’s closet.

But they were. Why? How? If anyone else had seen them here—!

Sass hissed at the others, trying to grab their attention. Kaalki kept chanting until Marinette quietly shut the door behind her, leaving them in the dim lights rimming the top shelves.

“Marinette.” Sass touched his arms together and bowed his head respectfully.

“What’s going on?” She finally demanded. “I swear, Plagg, if you crashed Adrien’s party because you wanted cheese again—”

“Y-yeah!” Plagg tried to hide the whipped cream behind his back. Considering the can was twice his height, it didn’t do much good. “You know me. Can’t resist a good wedge of Camembert. I already ate it all though, so don’t expect me to share!”

Tikki flew out of Marinette’s purse. Her antennae twitched with anger.

“You remember what happened last time you went across Paris to steal cheese! You got us all captured by a supervillain!”

“Relax, sugarcube! Hawkmoth already crashed this party once. He won’t think to do it again. Besides, Master Fu’s close enough to help if anything went wrong.”

“We rarely get out of the Miracle Box at the same time.” Kaalki pressed her hooves together. “Pleeease, Tikki, don’t be mad.”

“Aww, who cares if she’s mad? Tikki’s always been a party pooper.” Xuppu crossed his arms and stuck out his tongue.

“You mean she’s always had good sense.” Wayzz stuck his head out from inside… a Barbie Dream House?

Yep, it was definitely a dollhouse peaking out from under the hangers of shirts. Marinette hadn’t expected Adrien to play with dolls. The thought was adorable enough to make her grin before she remembered she was supposed to be angry.

“I can’t believe you, Wayzz,” Tikki huffed. “You’re Master Fu’s kwami! You’re supposed to know better! Did Carapace corrupt you already?”

Wayzz gave a sheepish smile. “Well, Master Carapace does know how to ‘let loose’… but in this case, it was all Kaalki’s idea.”

“Me?” Kaalki looked aghast. “I only wanted to see the inside of a house as glorious as Monsieur Agreste’s! It was Xuppu who decided to throw a party.”

“Yeah, it’s my first time out of the box in a century! I deserve to celebrate!”

Marinette’s eyes flickered between the kwamis as all of them—including Tikki—dissolved into bickering.

“Quiet!” She said as forcefully as she could without raising her voice. Adrien’s door seemed thick enough to block sound—she hadn’t heard the kwamis from outside, anyway—but she didn’t want to push her luck. “It doesn’t matter whose fault this is. The point is, I can’t let you all throw a party in a civilian’s closet. It’s too dangerous.”

“More dangerous than Master Fu coming to a party here himself?” Wayzz asked.

Marinette sighed. She’d been surprised to see Master Fu today, too. She supposed she couldn’t expect the kwamis to be better behaved than their Master.

“Do you all have your miraculouses?” She asked. “Or did you leave them with your temporary holders?”

“I have been guarding them,” Wayzz said in resignation. He flew back into the Barbie house and returned with a stack of four hexagonal boxes.

“Alright, everyone,” Marinette looked over each of the kwamis, “now I’m the party crasher. It’s time you all went back to Master Fu. No arguing.”

“That isss likely for the besssst.” Sass’s head hung. “Until next time, Plagg. Tikki.”

He accepted his miraculous box dolefully, then flew out through the back wall.

“So not cool.” Xuppu stuck his tongue out at Marinette one last time for good measure. It was hard to blame him. If he hadn’t been out in over a hundred years, how could he really understand how dangerous it was?

Except he’d been there for the incident with Kwami Buster. So either he was lying, or he didn’t count helping Multimouse fight the akuma.

“At least let me take this fabulous ‘whipp-ed cream’ back to our world?” Kaalki asked with huge, pleading eyes.

“Alright. That can’t hurt.” Marinette nodded.

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” She nuzzled Marinette’s cheek before balancing the miraculous and the spray can together. Marinette wasn’t quite sure how the kwami managed to get them through the wall, but she did.

“My humblest apologies for their behavior,” Wayzz said before leaving as well. Maybe he was afraid that if he hesitated, Tikki or Marinette would chew him out again.

That only left one kwami hovering in front of her.

“Hehe. Guess I should get back to Chat Noir. Smell ya later, sugarcube!”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Tikki grabbed his tail. “I know that no matter what they said, you’re the one behind this. You’ve been nothing but irresponsible since you’ve been out! I know your owner is lenient with you, but you can’t keep doing this.”

“Easy for you to say.” Plagg tugged his tail back. “I’m the kwami of destruction. Rules are made to be broken!”

“Could you two be quiet?” Marinette rubbed her temples. “If someone hears you, we’ll all be in trouble. Now just—use your head next time, okay Plagg?”

“Fine.” He huffed before finally flying out through the wall.

“That was a close one,” Tikki said. “I can’t believe they’d throw a party like that! And not even invite me!”

Marinette raised her eyebrows, and the kwami giggled sheepishly.

“I mean… oh, I wish we could have parties too, Marinette.” She slumped. “But I know it’s not safe. Even when we gathered together for Nooroo’s cycle, we left you and Chat Noir alone and created an opening for Hawkmoth.”

“Oh, Tikki.” Marinette opened her arms, and her kwami nuzzled the crook of her neck. It had to be lonely, spending most of her day stuck in a purse, never seeing her friends…

In fact, it sounded all too much like the life Adrien had thrown this party to escape from. Worse, because Adrien at least got to see their friends at school. Tikki never got to visit the other kwamis.

“Maybe a surprise party is too dangerous, but we could see how Master Fu feels about having a few kwamis stay with us sometimes,” Marinette suggested. “If I’m supposed to be the next Guardian, it would be a good idea anyway, right? I’ll get to know the kwamis, you’ll get to hang out with your friends…”

Tikki’s eyes glistened in the dim light. “You’d really do that for me?”

“Of course I would! I know we’re friends, but you deserve to see your other friends, too.” Marinette crouched down, fiddling with the door of the Barbie house. “Maybe I can even get you a cute dollhouse like this for you guys to have sleepovers in.”

It was huge; she would’ve killed to have one like it as a kid. ...Okay, maybe she still would. Not only would it be the perfect size for Tikki, but it would go well with her Ladybug and Chat Noir dolls, and…

Apparently Adrien thought so, too. A Ladybug figurine sat at the kitchen table with a model Chat Noir. They both looked like top-of-the-line action figures. Of course, Adrien could afford the best.

Curious, Marinette poked around a bit more. A hot pink car with sharpied-on black spots sat in the garage. The bedroom, oddly, didn’t have a bed—not a toy one, anyway. It looked more like a black sock wadded up into a little lump.

“It is a sock.”

“Don’t touch it, Marinette! It might be important to him. What if he finds out you went through his things?”

“Oh, it’s not like this is the first time. Besides, aren’t you curious what his fancy dollhouse is doing with a sock for a bed?” She picked it up. “I wonder if it’s supposed to be some kind of sleeping bag…?”

That was when she noticed the green embroidery along the toe. It was haphazard and awkward, as if done by a beginner.

“Oh no.” Tikki shut her eyes as Marinette finally parsed out what the embroidery said. It was only one word long.

Plagg.

“Oh. That makes more sense.” Marinette laughed. “Plagg must have left it behind after their party. Of course Adrien wouldn’t have a sock in his dollhouse. Do you think Chat Noir made it? That’s really cute of him, actually.”

“Y-yeah, I’m sure Chat Noir made it. You should just put it back. I’m sure Plagg will come back for it.”

“But then Adrien might see him! I should bring it back during patrol. Then I’ll have proof that his kwami was off partying, too.”

Satisfied, Marinette was about to stick it in her pocket. But then the door opened.

“Marinette?” Adrien stood silhouetted by the outside light. “Oh, good. I was worried you got lost in here—”

His eyes landed on the sock in her fist. He scrambled to shut the door behind him.

“Marinette, it’s not what you think!” He waved his hands, but Marinette could hardly process that. She was in a cramped closet with Adrien! Well, not exactly cramped—his closet could’ve fit, like, five of hers in it—but still, it was just the two of them alone, and—what if her breath stunk? He could probably smell it since he was so close, but he was busy staring…

At Tikki.

Oh.

Oh no.

“Marinette, you’re…” He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, pointing his other between Tikki and her. “You’re Ladybug. You’re Ladybug!”

Marinette panicked. Acting on instinct, she went to slap her hand over his mouth—forgetting that she was still holding Plagg’s sock.

Her soul left her body. She’d basically shoved a smelly sock in her crush’s mouth! This was worse than being outed as Marino, the mustachioed biker. Probably even worse than Adrien discovering she was Ladybug.

“Adrien—I’m so sorry—I—Tikki, is there a Lucky Charm that can make it so that didn’t happen?”

“I’m not Sass. I can’t turn back time.” Tikki sighed. “Oh, Plagg is never going to let me live this down...”

Adrien spat the sock out into his palm. “It’s okay, Marinette. I should’ve known better than to startle you. And—and I’m really sorry, too. I know you didn’t want us to share our identities.”

“But I already know you’ve been a superhero before. When I gave you the snake miraculous?” Marinette’s brow furrowed. Maybe that was why Sass had felt comfortable hiding in Adrien’s closet. But they’d barely been together for a few minutes, unless Sass also remembered all 25,913 time loops…

Adrien deserved a hundred parties after having to go through that.

Tikki slapped her forehead for some reason. Adrien’s head tilted.

“That’s not really the same thing as knowing I’m Chat Noir.”

Marinette’s jaw dropped. Adrien was… Adrien was…

Oh. That… actually explained some things. And left her more confused about others.

But Plagg flew out of Adrien’s overshirt, shattering whatever was left of her denial.

“Hey, sugarcube. Long time no see.” He grinned.

Tikki smacked her head again. “We were so close.”

“Yep. Your holder’s pretty stupid. I really thought she wasn’t gonna figure it out.”

“Marinette’s not stupid!” Adrien scowled at Plagg. “She’s the perfect Ladybug. Besides, she found out who I am because of your stinky sock!”

Marinette could barely breathe. Adrien called her perfect.

Adrien was also her partner. Adrien made bad puns and knew how to moonwalk. Adrien had tried to kiss her.

“Plagg’s right. I am stupid.”

“My Lady, no.” Adrien stepped forward to wrap his arms around her. Adrien’s arms. Adrien’s scent. As if her brain wasn’t already fizzling out as it was.

“It’s my fault,” he continued. “I should’ve known better than to have you come in here. Plagg’s Barbie house is more conspicuous than I thought, I guess.” He winced.

“Oh, heh, about that…” Plagg trailed off before pointing at Tikki. “It’s sugarcube’s fault!”

“Plagg!”

“What? It is! Pigtails was never gonna put two and two together. If my kid didn’t see you—”

“He already assumed Marinette knew, since she’s holding your stinky sock!”

“Should we just let them duke it out?” Adrien whispered with a small grin.

Marinette giggled. Maybe she should’ve been more worried, all things considered—but Adrien was Chat Noir. And he was still hugging her. She might’ve been a bit more lenient about their secret identities had she known who her partner would turn out to be.

Maybe Plagg was right, and some rules were made to be broken.

“If you think this is bad, you should’ve seen all the kwamis in here earlier.”

“All the kwamis?” Adrien’s eyes widened. “You mean, not just Plagg?”

“You didn’t have a clue, did you? You weren’t the only one who decided to throw a party today.”

“I didn’t actually decide to. Nino and the guys just showed up. But if you crashed a kwami party… I’m just lucky it’s you who came in here.”

That was true. It could’ve been much worse if any of the other boys had found the kwamis. They might have told someone, who could’ve told someone else, who might have been smarter than her and assumed Adrien was a miraculous holder.

She could still hardly believe she’d missed it. In the dim lighting, she could paint Chat Noir’s mask over his eyes. When he’d been Mister Bug, his irises had even been the same.

“Marinette?” Adrien bit his lip. “Is this… I mean, are we okay? I’m glad you’re not freaking out or anything, but… are we going to have to give up our kwamis?”

Not give up their miraculouses. Their kwamis. Marinette didn’t miss how Plagg curled protectively into the crook of Adrien’s neck. Plagg’s bright green eyes squinted out at her, as if daring her to try.

“No. No, I won’t let that happen,” she promised. After the incident with Feast, Marinette doubted the Master would dare try to separate them from their kwamis again.

“Me either,” Plagg said.

“I couldn’t choose another Ladybug,” Tikki agreed, snuggling up under Marinette’s chin. With the two kwamis in between her and Adrien, it was like one big group hug.

“The Cat and Bug Team sticks together.” Adrien squeezed her tighter.

“The Bug and Cat Team, you mean.” She smiled, resisting the impulse to flick a bell that wasn’t there.

Yes, he was still Chat Noir. She could get used to this.

“You know what this means, Tikki?” Her smile turned sly. “I won’t have to get you a Barbie house after all. You can come sleep over in Plagg’s.”

“I don’t suppose there’s any chance you’d come sleep over too?” Adrien wiggled his eyebrows, and she went bright red. “I—I mean, that came out wrong. Not that you can’t come over if you want to; I always leave my window open, but uh—”

She laughed. He was definitely still her Chat Noir.

“Maybe in your dreams, kitty,” she said automatically, and he smiled sheepishly. “But… if you wanted to watch a movie, or play some video games, maybe…?”

He blinked. “Are you… asking me on a date?”

She—she was! Despite shoving a sock in his mouth, despite dressing up as a boy, despite—well, pretty much everything, honestly—she’d finally done it!

“Yes!” She practically shouted. “I mean—only if you want to. No pressure.” She grinned nervously.

“Are you kidding?” He laughed and spun her by her waist; her feet knocked a few shirts off of their hangers. “I’d love to go on a date with you, Marinette!”

She laughed too, a giddy sound that built from the deepest part of her lungs. He said yes!

“We’re going to have to watch them be this disgusting for the rest of their lives, aren’t we?” Plagg sighed.

“Hopefully.” Tikki smiled. Both of the kwamis had flown out of the way when Adrien had picked Marinette up. “Aren’t you glad to see them so happy?”

“Meh. Just don’t expect me to share my sock with you if you do sleep over.” Plagg picked that sock off of the ground and bunched it up in the Barbie house bedroom.

Marinette giggled at them. She would’ve giggled at anything, at this point; all the air in her lungs felt like helium. She could’ve floated off the ground.

In an impulsive move, she stretched up on her tip-toes and kissed Adrien’s cheek. The grin that stretched across his face could’ve lit his whole closet.

“This is the best day of my life,” he sighed.

Hers too. Pleasant tingles ran all through her, and that was just from kissing him on the cheek.

“If it’s okay,” she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his neck, “I have an idea that could make it even better.”

His eyes softened, like liquid sunshine. His head tilted down until their noses were brushing, until all she could see was him.

“You know I’m always ready to follow your lead, my Lady.”

With that permission, she surged up to meet his lips—

—Only to be blinded by light spilling through the doorway.

“Oh. Uh, my bad.”

Marinette and Adrien sprung apart like magnets.

“Nino!” She shouted.

“Fancy seeing you here!” Adrien’s eyes were hysterically wide. Thankfully, Tikki and Plagg had hidden as soon as Marinette and Adrien looked like they were about to kiss, so she didn’t have to worry about Nino discovering their identities.

“I was helping you clean your room. You know, like everyone else?” Nino said. Adrien almost started to apologize, but Nino grinned. “I was just looking for you because you disappeared all of a sudden. But it looks like you’re busy.”

“I’m not—”

“We’re not—”

“I mean—”

“We’re just—cleaning the closet!” Marinette lied. Why was she lying? Everyone already knew she wanted to kiss Adrien!

“Actually…” Adrien bit his lip, then looked at hers pointedly. “We were a little bit busy.”

Nino laughed. “I told you she’d interrupt guy time. But it’s all good, dude. Just don’t forget Mylène and the girls are waiting on us!”

He winked, then closed the door on them.

“Oh my gosh.” Marinette dropped her burning face in her hands. “That was so awkward!”

“It could’ve been worse!” Adrien hugged her again. “It could’ve been Kim. He would’ve told everyone. Or Nino could’ve seen Tikki and Plagg.”

“Please, no one’s gonna see me. I’m not coming out of my sock until you two are done sucking each other’s faces.” Plagg’s voice came muffled from the Barbie house.

If Marinette’s face heated any more, she could fry eggs on it. But she’d been more embarrassed than this before. It wasn’t going to stop her from kissing Adrien.

“So about that face-sucking…” Adrien grinned.

She braced her hands and the edges of his jaw. Her skin tingled at every place they touched.

“Kitty, just stop blabbing and let me kiss you.”

(He did.)

#miraculous ladybug #ml #adrinette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #fic tag #tali writes #plagg #tikki #kwamis #reveal #fic requests

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maximumjinx · 4 years

Text

Ladybug’s Finale

Chapter 2

- didn’t expect this to get any attention, but appreciate it nonetheless!-

“Ladybug, remember to breathe.” Adrien spoke, slightly panicked. The heroine’s air of mystery and professionalism in her new suit was lost with her wheezing, bent over with hands on her knees.

“Oh my god I’m an idiot. Of course you’re Chat, same blonde hair, same eyes, nobody showers that much! How could I have never seen it?” Ladybug spoke rapidly, freaking out not because Chat was Adrien, someone she didn’t really know how to feel about, but how blind she was to it all.

“Are you upset?” Adrien looked downwards, not meeting her eyes.

“Yes! No? I’m feeling a lot.” She hadn’t felt this much in a while if she were honest with herself. Ever since Lila returned everything had been mildly numb. The panic in her heart and head felt familiar, and a tad comforting.

“Are you disappointed?”

Ladybug didn’t know how to answer. A few weeks ago, she would have been jumping for joy. But Chat was so pushy about his feelings he disregarded her own. Adrien didn’t want to disrupt the flow of the class, so he also wasn’t concerned with how she felt either. Regardless, she was cast aside.

She wasn’t disappointed that Chat was Adrien or vice versa, but maybe she was disappointed in them as a person.

She wanted so badly to reveal herself, if only to see what his reaction would be. To turn the question back on him. Instead, she squashed her curiosity. Revealing her identity now could be even more dangerous.

“If I’m honest, I don’t know how to feel about you,” she held back, watching her partner deflate, “I think I have to get to know you again. From scratch.”

Hope filled the boy’s eyes.

“I’m okay with that. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

Ladybug frowned. She had thought it was mostly due to her avoidance of Chat Noir, but he hadn’t called her a pet name all night. It seemed like he was holding back.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything Bug.”

“You don’t call me your Lady anymore.” Her face remained passive. “What’s up?”

She didn’t want to ask if he found someone. She didn’t want to ask if he had stopped loving her

Adrien blushed, cheeks finally uncovered to show how bashful he can be.

“I- you said-“ he stumbled, “I thought you didn’t like it.”

Ladybug hummed. She felt some relief flood into her body. She took a few steps to the edge of the roof and took a seat. Adrien followed suit.

“I didn’t like it in the middle of a fight.”

“I know, I act stupid sometimes-“

“No,” She turned to him, a flicker of feeling in her chest as she met his eyes. “Don’t apologize for acting like yourself. Just for the poor timing.”

Adrien smiled at that. He dug his hands into his pockets, squeezing his fingers.

“Honestly, it was Marinette that changed my mind.”

Ladybug choked on air.

“The bakery girl?”

“Multimouse, baker, class president, designer.” Adrien smiled, “She is a girl of many hats. Makes them too!”

She felt the lilt of smile struggle to surface. Adrien had always been Chat, silliness and all. Why hadn’t he shared that part of him? Or had she not seen it in a cloud of model perfection?

“What made her change your mind?”

“She wanted to stand up to this girl at our school, Lila. She isn’t mean like Chloe, but lies a lot.” Adrien’s brows furrowed. “To make friends, gain popularity, I don’t know really. But it drove Mari up a wall.”

Ladybug lifted her eyebrows. “Mari, huh? Guess I’m not the only one graced with nicknames.”

Adrien must have been getting cold, his cheeks were dusted with color.

“Marinette kept trying to call her out on it, Lila even lied to me too. You knew that though.” He recalled her outburst in the park. “She gets akumatized so often and it’s such a headache. I told Mari to let it go, since it wasn’t hurting anyone.”

Ladybug’s fingers felt cold. It started to climb up her arms and shoulders.

“Doesn’t it hurt her?” She spoke so softly, almost afraid to say it.

Adrien looked at the street below. Suddenly being so up high without his suit made him feel uneasy. He felt vulnerable.

“Lila has taken over the class. She almost got Marinette expelled, and would have too if I hadn’t threatened her.” Ladybug’s head snapped up. “She’s been using anything and everything to hang off me and use my father. She uses everyone.”

Adrien lifted his fist out of his pocket and slammed it onto the cold gutter. Ladybug didn’t jump.

“She makes me uncomfortable, she talks badly about my friend. She makes promises to the class with her lies and never follows through.” His father’s image flickered in his head, “People like that really are the worst aren’t they?”

He shook his hair out, enjoying the ends to curl up randomly instead of styled to perfection. It was weird to see him like that, like he had finally put down the front he’d been wearing.

“Anyways, Lila never took no for an answer. The only love I’ve know is from Chloe who was the same. They don’t care about my space, my feelings, my voice.” He looked up at his lady in red. “Mari probably felt the same about Lila. You probably felt the same about me.”

Ladybug felt confused. She didn’t want to let Adrien off the hook like that, but she could see he was learning about something he had no experience with.

“You care about this girl enough to threaten Rossi?” She chewed on her lip, trying to focus on one point of Adrien’s face as to not get overwhelmed.

“She’s the only one who has cared so much about other people’s feelings in our class. She talks through their problems, helps them with their projects, keeps them company when they don’t want to talk at all.” His eyes shone. It was so dark, but he may as well have been wearing his mask.

“And I let her down.” He sighed, “The least I could do is have her back.”

“Maybe, let her know you have it? So she doesn’t feel so..” Ladybug didn’t want to finish. Adrien nudged her shoulder with his own.

“So, did you learn anything new about me?”

Ladybug thought to herself.

“You’re more timid than you let on.” Adrien frowned at that response. “You’re more thoughtful too. You aren’t this boistroseous personality that you like to show off, and you feel more guilt than you probably should.”

“I can’t really tell if any of this is good or bad LB.”

“It doesn’t really have to be one or the other,” she decided, “it’s you. For me, that’s enough.”

—

“It’s getting late. And we haven’t talked about a plan.”

“Yeah,” Adrien looked toward the direction he came, “not feeling up to going home, yknow?”

“Your dad would be worried.”

“He doesn’t notice. I’d like to say his behavior is explained by being Hawkmoth, but he’s been like this since before superheroes and akumas. My mom’s disappearance really messed him up.” Adrien looked down at his hands.

“It messed you up too,” Ladybug defended, “and you didn’t become a supervillain.”

Adrien winced. She wanted to slap herself, it was too soon.

“Ladybug.” Adrien turned, “you have to take the Black Cat miraculous.”

Her jaw dropped.

“What? No.” She stood up. “Why would you even say that?”

“It’s not safe under that roof.”

“It is with you!”

“We can’t risk that.” Adrien dusted himself off, rising to meet her.

“I just can’t be without my partner Adrien. I won’t.” Her heart was beating so fast. Was he giving up?

“We’ll figure it out. You can leave it somewhere I can get it and transform.” Adrien paused. “That might be riskier actually.”

“So then keep it!” She wrapped her arms around herself, “you need to be there with me.”

Adrien smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“We both know you’ve been able to handle akumas yourself for a while now.”

“What happens if I get hurt? You need to be there to help me, you’re supposed to have my back!” Ladybug was furious. How could he do this.

Adrien nodded, seeing the argument.

“Why not train with the old man then?”

Both heroes snapped towards the new voice. Plagg poked his head from Adrien’s hood.

“He could get better at his job, and Fu can hold the miraculous until he’s ready.” The small kwami looked unamused, as he always did, but Adrien hadn’t seen him this serious in...well ever.

“He already has a full schedule, when would he have the time?”

Adrien felt a little annoyed they spoke without him.

“You managed to get more free time, what did you do?” Plagg already knew the answer. He knew Ladybug was Marinette and he knew that humans were still to blind to see true value in one another.

Ladybug looked away, and pulled her hood down.

“I prioritized my responsibilities.”

“There you go!” Plagg turned to Adrien, “drop your friends.”

“No!” Ladybug protested. Adrien looked taken aback.

“Plagg that won’t fix things.”

“They don’t care about your friend, hanging out with them means hanging out with sausage hair, and its a few hours every week that you can dedicate to training.”

“Those are his friends!”

Plagg snapped to the heroine, green eyes ablaze. For a moment she was reminded that she’s talking to a god. One of destruction.

“Adrien, I know I haven’t been around in a few hundred years. But training was always put first. This isn’t a hobby you accepted. It’s a duty.” Plagg stared his chosen down. He let the kid have fun, but he can always whip him into shape.

“Ladybug, he’s right.”

She felt something twist inside her. Was it fair to have Adrien lose his friends too? They were everything to him.

Adrien read her mind.

“I needed them and school for a lot of reasons. I wanted to get away from my father and the constant supervision. Chat Noir isn’t a curse, it’s a freedom, and if I want to keep it and my friends and you, I have to work for it.” Adrien looked determined, like he wasn’t going to take no for answer. He slipped his ring off and handed it to his kwami.

“Send me an address in the morning. I don’t have a shoot so I’ll start my first lesson then.”

Plagg smiled, “I’m proud of you, kit.”

“What if you get into trouble?” Ladybug watched the exchanged helplessly.

“I’ll be as susceptible as anyone else.” He shrugged, “and you have my back.”

“What about your friends?”

Adrien grinned, wide and delighted.

“Guess I’ll move to the back.”

--TAGLIST--

@shannaro-sakura @uninspired-writer @magic-miraculous @mividaexo @juhavs @salsyy301 @liamnl @reblog-trasher @autumnhunter1

#i don't know how to do taglists #but comment tag if you want to be tagged #lots of ladrien lol #ladrien #ml salt #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #ladybug #chat noir #hawkmoth #lila rossi #ladybug's finale #fic #salt fic #plot fic #idk #maximumjinx

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milknette · 4 years

Text

day 30 - roommates

promise me you’ll stay, beyond the sunrise.

tumblr month: @auyeahaugust

links: ao3 | ff.net

MARINETTE doesn't know how he got her address.

She'd only moved in that day, after a haphazard decision to do so for independence and freedom in her own work. (Though the whole Ladybug-and-unexplained-disappearances thing when living her parents was a huge factor, too.)

Scratch that, it's probably the onlyfactor.

If it weren't for her parents' growing suspicion and concern due to her heroic escapades, Marinette would still choose to stay at home and with them; or at the very least, stay nearby.

She had to move a good distance away— a bus ride or so, in order to rationalize with her parents why she had to move out. ("But why do you have to leave?" "Moving would be easier for me to do my work! It cuts down on transportation time a lot.")

Never mind that as Ladybug, she can move from one side of Paris to another in mere minutes.

The apartment itself is quite modest, with enough space for her to live comfortably (but not much for anything else). Nino, Alya, and Adrien had helped her move in all her stuff, though quite a few were still left untouched inside their boxes.

It's more a reflection of Marinette's need for privacy than their helpfulness as friends, though— since a hefty amount of the items in those containers hold her carefully-curated collection of Adrien Agreste collectibles, limited edition items, and posters.

So. Many. Posters.

(It's been years, but her crush on him has only grown all the more intensely. She's grown out of her stuttering phase, fortunately, but the butterflies in her stomach don't fade, either.)

Exhaustedly, Marinette lies on her mattress.

They only left an hour ago… is it okay to miss them this much?

She's not accustomed to the quiet, especially with the bustling energy of her family and the customers that arrive for their daily dose of caffeine in the early mornings. The lack of aromatic scents of freshly-baked breads and desserts as she lays down is a stark reminder that she's not home anymore.

Marinette sighs to herself.

Maybe she's lonely.

Just a little bit.

It's in that exact moment someone comes knocking on her balcony door. The balcony is a good amount smaller than the one she had at home, only really enough for a few plants and one person—

Or one disguised cat-themed hero.

His smile's bright as she pushes away the curtain and opens the sliding door.

Chat Noir doesn't even wait for a verbal invitation; he walks inside, looking around in wonder.

"Wow, you've already unpacked a lot," he starts, noticing her sewing machine set up on a desk nearby. "You already took it out?"

An eyebrow raised. "Yeah… why?"

"I thought you were setting up your sewing area last," he starts, before absurdly coughing to himself at her suspicious glance. "I mean, considering that it's the only one without a designated space… I thought you'd do everything else first, because it's common sense, right?"

Hmmm.

"That was the original plan," she finally admits. "But I have commissions to work on, so I decided to keep it there. Temporarily, at the very least." Chat Noir nods, before Marinette gestures at him. "So… how did you find out about here?"

"What do you mean?"

"My apartment?" She asks, leaning upon the door frame. "I don't recall telling you where I was moving."

"Oh…," he pauses, sifting through her boxes. "Uh, superhero, remember? Ladybug and I make it a point to know where everybody is at all times. To protect the citizens of Paris and all that!"

Well, that's not even the slightest bit true, but it's not as if Marinette can rebuff him.

So, she nods in fake understanding instead and shrugs.

"That doesn't explain what you're doing here, though?"

Chat Noir smiles. "I figured that you'd meowss the company. You moved pretty far from your friends." He sounds almost sad at that revelation, and Marinette almost feels sorry.

(What would he be so sad for? It's not like she moved far away from him.

Though she wouldn't really know, if she did.)

"Well, I can't say that I don't appreciate you showing up." She smiles, eyes bright.

It's a sweet moment.

Until:

"You can help me unpack everything else."

(They spend the rest of the night unpacking things, but Marinette insists that one box be left alone. When Chat Noir accidentally sees a peak of an all-too-familiar model's poster flap out from its cover…

he thankfully decides against mentioning it.)

ii.

Chat Noir makes it a point to regularly stop by her apartment.

(Even at times he should be busy and on patrol— though more often than not, Marinette can't find it in herself to be angry at him.)

She still doesn't see her friends and family that often, but being with him, she finds, lessens the loneliness a lot; to the point that she finds herself more fulfilled, if anything.

At first, she figured that he'd get tired of him— seeing him both as Ladybug and Marinette, and so often, but it's the complete opposite. They talk about and do everything together, with her learning so much more about him than she'd ever expected to.

If anything, Chat Noir is good and fun company, even though she'll never admit it to his face.

It's a few months into their arrangement of random meetings when Marinette makes the mistake of going to her apartment straight home as Ladybug.

"… milady? What are you doing here?"

She pauses as she reaches for the balcony door, belatedly noticing that Chat Noir follows right after her. He's perched on the balcony railings, staring at her with confusion and almost suspicion.

Oops.

"Chat?! What are you doing here?" She points at him accusingly, almost stumbling backward. "I thought you said you were going straight home after the akuma!"

"Yeah…," he starts, eyebrows knitting together. "But I always stop by Marinette's to check on her if she's doing okay. She just moved away recently, and I just want to make sure she doesn't feel lonely or sad or anything." He pauses, realizing how his statement may sound. "I mean, speaking as a superhero, you know… I can't risk her getting akumatized! Especially since she's Multimouse and all…"

"That's actually… pretty sweet of you Chat."

He smiles softly, before suddenly narrowing his eyes. "That doesn't explain what you're doing here, though?"

She halts, evidently caught off-guard. "I— uh—"

"Ladybug… visiting Marinette… in her apartment… that means…"

"Wait, don't connect the dots—"

"Marinette's planning a surprise for me!"

"I'm not—

Wait. What?"

She's never seen Chat Noir look so excited.

"I knew she was planning something for me! You know, last time I came over, we were talking about birthdays, and I told her it was some time around this month… is that what the two of you were planning all this time? Ack, this is pawsitvely exciting my tails on end!"

Ladybug wonders how he can be so smart but so dumb at the same time.

(Well, whatever the case— it works out well for her.)

Ladybug smiles. "You know I can' tell you that!" Her voice is a notch higher than usual, as she playfully and awkwardly punches his shoulder. "… pal! Now go home and let us plan your surprise, okay?"

"Can I get a hint?!"

"Uh. Cats." She stops, almost similar to the way a robot would if they were to malfunction. "Yup. Cats. Like you. Now that's all!"

She pushes at him, before he finally relents and leaves the balcony.

The next day, Chat Noir comes to Marinette's apartment, and sees his surprise:

A cat-themed party.

Marinette looks absolutely exhausted, but seeing Chat Noir's bright smile— she doesn't quite mind it.

"Happy birthday, kitty: however old you are, and whenever your birthday really is!"

They spend the rest of the night celebrating together.

(Adrien's birthday happens a week later, and she's surprised to find out that he wants to spend it treating her out, just the two of them. She wonders why he doesn't want a birthday party, and he explains that he already had one— and nothing could top how perfect it was.

They spend the day going around together, and end it as he drops her off at her apartment. Alya and Nino insist it's a date.

Marinette vaguely wonders to herself if it was.)

iii.

Chat Noir stops by when Adrien doesn't.

Marinette rereads the text over and over again:

I'm so, so, sorry, Mari. My dad's not letting me out until I finish all the work I do. Let's hang out another time, okay? Miss you, Alya, and Nino a lot!

She sighs, walking over to turn off the oven. The scent of passionfruit macarons makes their way around the apartment, as she carefully puts them into a container. Her outfit, a nicely-fitted red dress— the one Alya calls the first date dress, shines in the room light.

It's a strong inner debate as to whether Marinette should call her friends, but she ultimately decides against it.

(It'd be mean to burst into their lives with last-minute plans, and she especially doesn't want to disappoint them with the news that her dinner-with-Adrien-and-confess-your-love plan had failed spectacularly— before she could even do anything about it.

Marinette figures that she'll just disappoint them later on.)

She raises the container of sweets to her face. "So, what should I do with this…?"

"I'd like to try them."

She almost drops the macarons as a sudden voice bounces off the walls, clutching her heart in evident surprise. "Chat? What the heck, don't scare me like that! How long were you standing there?"

He looks almost sheepish. "A few minutes… I tried knocking, but you seemed so distracted in your thoughts so I just came in." His expression turns concerned. "Are you okay?"

She shrugs. "Just a little upset, but nothing new, really."

"I'm sorry."

Marinette shakes her head. "What are you sorry for? It's not your fault." She sighs to herself, before offering the container to him. "Anyway, do you want to try this? I'm not sure if you'll like it because it's passionfruit, but…"

"Are you kidding me, I love passionfruit! It's my favorite flavor!"

He beams, before quickly taking a bite of the snack, and breathing dreamily to himself. "These taste amazing." Then, a pause. "But are you sure I should eat this? Didn't you make it for someone?"

Marinette laughs softly, then walks over to sit on the couch, gesturing for him to come next to him.

"Chat, do you love anyone?"

The question is upfront and straightforward, and he's evidently surprised by it.

After the initial shock, though, he smiles to himself. "Of course I do. She's the purrfect girl, andI think about her a lot more than I should," he says, staring at her for a good moment.

Marinette doesn't know how to describe how his stare makes her feel.

"I love someone too," she finally admits.

The words hang in the air, and Chat Noir doesn't know what to say.

"He's a lucky guy," he finally breathes, a sad look in his eyes.

"You'd think," she laughs to herself, almost bitterly. "But I don't think he feels the same way, or if he ever will."

"What do you mean— who wouldn't fall in love with you?! You're kind, and sweet, and pretty on a regular day but tonight you're absolutely stunning…"

"Haha, thanks kitty," she mutters, before holding on to her dress. "I even dressed up for him today…"

A quiet pause.

"Wait… the guy you were supposed to meet today is the one you're in love with?'

She nods silently. "Adrien Agreste. He's a good friend of mine, it's just that my feelings are something so much more than that…"

Marinette isn't looking at him directly, so she's surprised to notice him abruptly stand up.

"Sorry, I have to go."

"Chat? I'm sorry if this was too much but…"

"I'll see you around, Marinette."

It's the lack of a playful nickname that gets her.

Almost frozen, she somehow manages to nod.

And Chat Noir disappears into the night.

iv.

The next time they patrol, Chat Noir tells Ladybug they need to talk.

"Are you sure I can't reveal my true identity to anyone?"

Her answer is instantaneous. "Of course. It's too risky." She pauses, then almost careful: "Why do you ask?"

(Things have become more awkward since the last time Chat Noir went to her apartment; when he just left her without explanation and stopped showing up completely. They still meet as heroes, but it's become much more strained since then.)

He sighs to himself. "It's just… I'm in love." Chat Noir pauses, then immediately backtracks. "Not with you, of course. Not anymore. I respect that you love someone else, and I've finally fallen for someone different. And I don't want to reveal too much but… she loves me back."

Marinette feels happy for him, of course, but can't quite explain why her stomach churns uncomfortably at the idea of him being in love with someone else.

"Then, what's the problem?"

He laughs bitterly to himself. "She fell for my civilian identity."

Oh.

"So you want her to know you're the same person?"

Chat Noir pauses for a moment, as if in thought, then shakes his head. "No," he finally says. "I just want to be sure she loves the entire me, and not just the perfect character I keep up in real life. I want her to fall in love with Chat Noir, too. Because this identity's just as much a part of me as Adr— as my civilian self is."

Silence, again.

"As a superhero and the Guardian, I cannot stress the importance of keeping your identity secret. Even if it is someone you love." He winces, and she presses on. "But as your friend, I want you to be happy, kitty. So, do what you must." She smiles at him. "I know you'll do what's right."

The superhero smiles back, then abruptly gets up.

"Then if you don't mind, milady… I have somewhere to be."

By the time Chat Noir arrives at Marinette's apartment, she's already home.

"What are you doing here, Chat?"

"… for two things. Do you mind if I come in?"

She doesn't exactly willing to do so, but lets him in anyway.

"The first part is an apology." He looks at her, evidently ashamed of himself. "I'm sorry I just left like that back then. I shouldn't have left without an explanation, and it was one of the worst things I've ever done. I'm so sorry."

"As you should be," she only says, before sighing to herself. "And the second part?"

"An explanation."

"Better keep it short."

"I can summarize it in three words."

She looks up at him, suddenly intrigued. "Which is?"

"I love you."

(The dots connect themselves even without Marinette willing them to, and she catches on before Chat Noir even realizes the situation they're in.

Knowing about her address, his birthday celebrations, his love for passionfruit, the mysterious person he was in love with—is in love with, and his abrupt disappearance after her confession…

How did she not realize it before?)

The faces of two people Marinette love dearly start blending into one.

She never knew it would be possible to feel so much for one person.

Marinette starts laughing, tears in her eyes, as everything becomes that much clearer.

She smiles.

"I love you too—

Adrien."

(He almost falls off the balcony.

Fortunately, however— this time there's somebody around to catch him.)

He knocks on the correct door, this time around.

And with him, a ton of boxes and containers that tower almost menacingly around his figure.

"Sorry I had to use this door," he starts. "But my stuff wouldn't fit through the balcony."

Marinette laughs, before putting her hands to fold in front of her chest.

"That's a lot of boxes," she observes. "I don't recall you having that much of a problem with my stuff back then."

"That's because I only stayed the night."

"And now?"

He smiles, then presses a sudden kiss to her lips.

"Hopefully, I'm staying the rest of my life."

She huffs at the sudden surprise, then smiles back softly.

"I wouldn't be opposed to that."

#auyeah2020 #mlauyeahaugust2020 #auyeahaugust #auyeah august #marichat #marinette dupain cheng #chat noir #miraculous ladybug #milk writes #this got out of hand so we r using a read more tag #COZ I KNOW HOW TO USE THOSE KNOW #ml fic #ml fanfic

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s-and-n-writes · 4 years

Text

scarred, broken, and mended

summary: She felt the weight of the ring on the string around her neck and could feel her scars.

No, she thought, not wanting to get lost in the memories, not now. I can do this later.

So she plastered on a smile, tied an apron, and started frosting some cupcakes.

That night, she allowed herself to feel, and cried herself to sleep, plagued by nightmares of black leather and a feral grin.

pairing: jason todd x marinette dupain cheng, red hood x ladybug, red hood x multimouse

quick links:

| next chapter >

| miraculous masterlist | series masterlist |

inspired by:

scars, freckles and names, and gotham mouse, paris bug, both by @izzybellepenguin

warnings:

trigger warnings, abuse, mentions of abuse, angst, evil! adrien

a/n: Maribat Jasonette Fic. violence and bullying. there might be another tw but i don't know. the possible tw will start at ~~ and end at ~~. the definite tw will start from the first word and end at ~:~.normal intro notes. i'm s of s and n. also this is going to be angsty for a long time. also I've never read the comics or watched the movies for batman but i've read almost every maribat fic so plz come at me. thank u

Crack .

Marinette sunk down against the wall, holding her, now broken, wrist. Tears were streaming down her face as she held in a sob.

“Stop bullying Lila, you filthy bitch! God, why was I ever friends with you,” Alya whisper-yelled at her. They were in an empty classroom after school ended and nobody was around. Still, Alya took care to be quiet. Lila was standing behind her, complete with fake tear tracks and a massive smirk.

As Alya slapped her again, leaving her cheek red, Lila continued to fake sob about how she “couldn’t believe Marinette would act like this” and how she “makes it so hard to forgive her”.

~:~

“It’s fine, Lila. She deserves this. You are a much better person,” Alya said, and they walked away together. Alya continued spewing out encouragement and praise until Marinette couldn’t hear them anymore. She finally let out her sobs but quickly wiped her eyes. She had to be home soon, before her shift at the bakery started.

She got up, cradling her wrist, and put up her hood to cover her red face and puffy eyes. Marinette had changed what she wore after the first time they left visible bruises. Now, she wore a black hoodie over a pink shirt, with grey pants, and kept her signature purse (I never liked writing clothes so just imagine them). She made them, and she signed everything with her signature: MAT. She had made a fashion brand online after Jagged Stone had asked for more pieces, and soon Clara Nightingale had asked for a few too. Eventually, her brand, MAT, was famous and celebrities everywhere wanted something. It stood for Marinette And Tikki, for her favorite tiny god. She knew Tikki would be there for her, no matter what.

Oh no! She was going to be late! Marinette took off, trying to rush home, when she winced and had to slow down. She had forgotten that her ankle was sprained after Alya pushed her down the stairs. She limped home quickly, entering through the back door. She didn’t need her parents realizing she wasn’t home yet.

Marinette hobbled up the steps and into her room, putting down all her books and collapsing on her bed. Tikki came out of her purse and flew near her.

“Marinette! Are you okay? Are you hurt too badly?” Tikki asked, full of concern for her favorite Ladybug.

“No. My face hurts but the main thing is my wrist. I think it’s broken,” Marinette said, trying to stuff the pain and sadness down. It was a habit even though Hawkmoth was defeated. She was just so used to pushing all her emotions down that she couldn’t stop. Blank-faced, she sat up and wiped away the tears. Her face was almost back to normal and she needed to start healing now since her shift started in 10 minutes.

Marinette started chanting the healing spell she learned from the Grimoire. After Master Fu had passed over guardianship, she had taken it upon herself to learn the Guardians’ magic, as it would help her. Right now, she had to heal her wrist. FInishing the chant, she took a sip of the potion needed to complete the spell. Marinette scrunched her face in disgust. No matter how many times she drank it, it still tasted like a mix of broccoli, sock, and camembert. Odd combination, but what can you do?

Now that her wrist was almost fully healed, (it still hurt to move it a lot), she needed to run down for her shift. If she was late, her parents would ground her, and that would hinder her patrol schedule. Even though Hawkmoth was defeated, she and Chat Noir had kept their Miraculous. Well, that’s not completely true.

Chat Noir started out as a good partner, if not a little too flirty. As time went on, however, he started being less helpful. He would flirt aggressively and try to force Ladybug on dates, which made him useless in battles, but at least he would try. Once, he even went as far as to refuse to help defeat an akuma.

During the battle with Hawkmoth, however, when he was revealed to be Gabriel Agreste, Chat Noir fought hard , with an intensity Ladybug didn’t know he could have. It was completely new and seemingly out-of-character for the guy who would constantly get killed and controlled by akumas. Honestly, Marinette was a bit scared. She had to physically stop Chat Noir from cataclysming Hawkmoth.

After Hawkmoth was defeated, Ladybug decided not to reveal identities, since Chat Noir was kind of annoying. Not to mention, he was incompetent in fights and generally terrifying during the battle with Hawkmoth. Not a great person to know your deepest secret.

Chat Noir kept pushing for a reveal, how he deserved this for taking down Hawkmoth, and how everything would be great because they could finally date. Ladybug had no interest, and when she said so and refused the reveal, Chat Noir went crazy.

He began demanding and begging for a reveal, saying how they were ‘soulmates’ and they could ‘ finally start dating’ and how they were ‘perfect’ for each other. When that didn’t work, he was following her on patrol, trying to find out where she lived. Chat Noir and Adrien both got closer to Marinette as well. Chat Noir would stop by and vent about how Ladybug was rejecting him, and how Marinette was so similar to her. Adrien would hang out closer to her and Marinette saw him stealing glances at her during gym and lunch. Normally, this would have made her giddy, but her crush had died the day he said to ‘take the high road’.

Marinette could deal with this. She could deal with the following, the venting, and the begging. It was annoying , but not the worst. Then, it happened. Ladybug was out on patrol and Chat Noir was following her, as usual. He stopped her by yelling and caught up. Then, he grinned, and it was more animal than human.

~~ (possible trigger warning)

Ladybug could see the malice in his eyes when he pinned her on the ground. His claws traced her face, then it started. Chat Noir growled and tried to rip her suit, rip her mask, do anything to be able to identify her. He even tried to remove her Miraculous, but thankfully she had enchanted them so they couldn’t be removed by force. Then, he tried his ‘Hail Mary’.

“CATACLYSM,” Chat Noir yelled, no, growled , and Ladybug’s eyes went wide. His hand went to her left side and Ladybug screamed. She could feel the cracks on her skin, could feel the dark energy zooming across her body. She went limp, and Chat Noir jumped away, seeing how the suit cracked but didn’t come off. It left scars from the left side of her rib cage, stretching around to the right side of her stomach. The main one was on the front, but there were many smaller ones, branching from the main one and covering her back.

~~ (possible trigger warning ends)

After all of that, Marinette knew she had to take back the Miraculous. With a heavy heart, Ladybug called Chat Noir to the top of the Eiffel Tower and took back his Miraculous. It was hard but ultimately worth it. Even now, walking down to the bakery, she felt the weight of the ring on the string around her neck and could feel her scars.

No , she thought, not wanting to get lost in the memories, not now. I can do this later . So she plastered on a smile, tied an apron, and started frosting some cupcakes.

That night, she allowed herself to feel, and cried herself to sleep, plagued by nightmares of black leather and a feral grin.

quick links: | next chapter >

a/n: so updates will be there and if i miss the schedule, it will be there. i will try and update every week. plz comment if you enjoy. comment if you dont. if i fail miserably at writing let me know.

tagging:

so we’ll be starting a taglist for this series, and we’ll be tagging people who liked the post before. if you don’t want to be part of the taglist, sorry about that! shoot us message and we’ll remove your tag, no offense taken. if you want to be part of the taglist, send us an ask/message and we’ll add your name!

@charme-de-malchan @aveline-rose @bookblokeanoid

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2manyfandoms2count · 4 years

Text

#MarichatMay Day 7

Another submission because the procrastination is strong in this one *points to self*. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy this piece!

(And again thanks @marichatmay!)

---

Day 7: Disguise

“You know the Agreste superhero ball is tonight, right?”

Chat Noir was lying on Marinette’s sofa, completely relaxed as his favourite civilian paced around the room, flicking through the pages of her notebook.

“Thanks, Sherlock.” She shot him a dark glare.

That cat would be the death of her. How weak had she been, accepting his invitation as his date? She’d worked all week to plant the foundations of a lie that would have justified her absence with her friends. On Monday, she had started to cough. On Tuesday, she’d pretended to sniffle all day. Wednesday she’d maintained her act, complete with a non-faked tiredness from working on her Ladybug dress overnight. The coup de grâce came on Friday: she had used Tikki’s powers to fake a small fever. The Kwami had disapproved at first, but had changed her mind when she had seen how stressed her carrier was at the prospect of juggling between Marinette and her Miraculous persona all night. Was it wrong to want to be just Ladybug for an evening?

That night, though, Chat had paid her a little visit, having heard through the “cat-vine” that she hadn’t been “feeline” well. Except that instead of finding her feverish and buried under a pile of covers, she’d been running around fixing up a characteristically red and black, Ancient Egyptian-style dress.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe Ladybug is exploiting you for a disguise she doesn’t even need!!” He’d started dialling her on his baton, but Marinette had interrupted him.

“She’s not exploiting me, I’m very happy to be working on this dress,” she huffed. “And I promised my parents I’d spend the evening with them.”

“Oh but please, come tomorrow! Be my date? I purr-omise it will be fun!” He used the kitty eyes move she had trouble resisting with Manon, except his were much more enticing. She felt oddly drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. In that if she got too close, it wouldn’t end well.

“I’m not a super hero though, I’d need a disguise. And I don’t have time to make myself one.”

“Just take Ladybug’s. She won’t mind.” He shrugged.

“Yes, she will. She announced on TV that she would be wearing one of my creations. If she doesn’t, she won’t be in Gabriel Agreste’s good graces anymore.” She sat down on the floor and adjusted the dress’ hem. “She declined his offer to be dressed by him, you know.”

The mysterious designer had reached out during one of her patrols, offering her a tailored creation that would leave the “tout Paris” gaping. As much as she’d been dying to see him work, something had felt off. She didn’t know if it was that day’s biais of Mr Agreste, who’d once again refused to let Adrien join their crew for yet another activity, but as much as she admired the artist’s work, all she had seen was a man who prevented his son from leading a normal life. Besides, as she knew all too well, tailoring meant measurements, which could let out too much information regarding her real identity. She couldn’t afford the risk of Hawkmoth getting his hands on her physical specifications.

“Why do you want me to go so badly anyway?” She asked the cat-boy. He was busy playing with a ball of yarn that was lying on the floor.

“I don’t want to spend the night alone.” He lost interest in his toy, and his eyes glazed over as he looked into nothingness. A sort of fatigue seemed to have washed over him.

Marinette’s heart softened. He looked so sad she wanted to hug him. “You know you’re never alone, Chat. You’ve got Ladybug.”

“You’re nicer though, purr-incess” He looked at her, a small smile forming on his lips. “I like spending time with you, it’s... refreshing, being able to breathe for a bit, and have a proper chat with an actual human being. Ladybug’s always running around, I wish she’d slow down sometimes, you know?”

She thought about all the times she’d left Chat Noir hanging after akumatisations or even on patrols. So the reason why he was constantly trying to get her to go see a movie with him, or eat an ice cream, or just hang out, was actually to get her to relax? And to not be alone? She closed her eyes, thinking about how dense she’d been to his feelings. Of course Chat felt alone. She also did. It came with the job.

It hadn’t been her intention to hurt him though. Most of the time there was a valid excuse as to why she had to bug-ger off (he rolled her eyes at the realisation that she was being contaminated by Chat’s puns). Like imminent detransformation.

“Fine, then. I’ll go.” She had sighed, cursing her good heart and his persuasion skills.

“Really?” His eyes had lit up, and he’d started dancing around the room, sing-songing his thanks. He’d dragged her along, hugging her tightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring your disguise. You can count on me!”

And she’d believed him. Because if Ladybug could always count on him, then so could Marinette.

But she wasn’t Ladybug.

“Oh come on, cheer up! It’s not like it’s a complete cat-astrophe. I still don’t understand why you won’t wear my disguise. Banana-noir has saved Paris at least a couple of times.” He smirked, eyeing the bright yellow suit that was hanging on Marinette’s mezzanine. “I even got it signed specially for you!”

Marinette glanced at the “stay peachy!” scribbled on the costume and sighed.

“It’s one of the most important fashion events of the year. I’m representing my brand. I can’t go as a fruit!”

“Not a fruit: bananas are actually berries, you know.” Chat grinned.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

“How about Marino? He was a stylish character.” Chat asked absentmindedly.

She felt heat rise to her cheeks. She hadn’t interacted with Chat Noir that day in her civilian attire. Had he been there? At Adrien’s party? “What... How do you know about Marino?”

Chat’s cheeks burned up, and had the girl looked up she would had noticed the sheer panic in his eyes. “Um... At the end of the fight, I went inside the Agreste’s mansion to check if everything was okay. I... I saw you hiding behind a seat.” He breathed, trying to calm his tachycardic heart. “Strong disguise, but I’d recognise those pretty eyes of yours anywhere.”

She almost snorted.

“Thanks, but I’m afraid Marino won’t be making an appearance today.”

“Everybody’s loss I guess.” He laughed awkwardly. That had been a close one. “Oh I know! Why don’t I go and get you the mouse Miraculous? You can pretend you copied the design. Or just own the fact that you ARE Multimouse. Bugaboo already made it clear she wouldn’t give it to you again because I know who you are, but I mean technically Paris doesn’t know.”

She thought about it. She doubted Master Fu would be willing to give out a Miraculous as a disguise even if it was for her, but she guessed there’d be no harm in trying. And she could actually whip up something like Multimouse’s costume in the short amount of time that separated her from the ball. She’d have to be careful about it, but there was a good chance she could make the double identity work. She could just make an appearance as Ladybug at the beginning of the night, “leave” and come back as Marinette.

“That’s actually a good idea.”

“Ah see, I’m not just a purr-etty face!” Chat smiled. He leapt up and made his way to the trapdoor.

“I’ll be late though, I wasn’t lying yesterday when I said I promised my parents a family night.”

“I’ll be waiting!” He kissed her hand, as he usually did Ladybug’s. “Can’t wait to see your designs. You know I’m your number one fan.” He winked.

She couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks kitty.”

Later, as she was finishing her Multimouse outfit, she heard a knock. The trapdoor opened and she saw a black hand throw a small box on her bed. Before she could react she saw Chat Noir jump to a nearby roof, and disappear into the sunset.

She climbed to her bed and picked up the box. A note was stuck on it, reading:

I don’t want to bother you during Ladybug’s fitting/family night, but here is the promised disguise. Thank you for being the Souris to my Chat. Can’t wait to see you later, it’s going to be paw-some! xxx Your number 1 fan

She pocketed the box, and put the note away in a drawer, with Adrien’s poem. She had to take care of her Chaton, he was too purr-ecious to lose. But she’d need to find a way to stop using his puns all the time though. Because that simply wouldn’t do.

#marichatmay2020 #marichat #the miraculous adventures of ladybug and chat noir #disguise #miraculous ladybug #mlb #miraculous fanfiction #marinette dupain cheng #chat noir #ladybug #i honestly don't know how to end one shots #if someone has a clue please tell me #elle writes

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mairmeetsmiraculous · 4 years

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Squeaking By

Multimouse Appreciation Week!

Pairing: ChatMouse/Marichat

Marinette being a squeaking mess when some simple self-help does not go as planned in the slightest.

•••

This had been the worst idea she had ever had, which was saying something when she looked back at the long, long list of convoluted plans that grew from her brain. But this? This was practically catastrophic.

Marinette had been so beyond exhausted. She was the Miraculous Guardian, she had a portfolio due for her dream summer fashion program, plus all of the stress of final exams coming up. It had been the only hope she had to get it all done, and even Tikki had reluctantly agreed that it was better than Marinette exhausting herself on her own.

So she had put on the mouse miraculous, transformed and multiplied herself. The relief she felt at having ten hands instead of just two was overwhelming. It all would have been fine, if only h e hadn’t shown up.

As soon as she heard the thump from her balcony, she knew she was doomed. It wasn’t the first time that Chat had stopped by, but his visits were rare enough that she had been lretty sure that tonight would not be one of those nights. Of course, she had been wrong. Even worse, her light was on, and he was already opening the hatch because she had told him to drop in whenever (something she very much regretted right now). And then he was in her room, staring with the most confused expression she had ever seen. All five mini-nettes had frozen in place, watching him try to piece together exactly what he was looking at.

“Uh, hi, Chat Noir.” she finally managed to stammer out, all of the mini versions of herself stopping their separate tasks to gather on her desk. She sat down on the edge of it, letting the other minis combine with her until she was full sized again and hopped off the desk.

“I’m confused,” he said quietly, still not sure at all what was going on.

“Well, um, uh, Ladybug came by? Yeah, she stopped by earlier,” Marinette started, feeling increasingly guilty as she struggled to lie through her teeth to keep the cat off her trail. “And she’s been thinking about giving out the Miraculous permanently, and she asked me to do sort of a trial run, I guess?”

That wasn’t exactly a lie. Since becoming the guardian, she had been strongly leaning towards it. She knew she could trust the wielders she had chosen, and she had just been struggling with how to tell Chat.

“Oh, okay,” Chat replied, almost instantly seeming to fold in on himself. She could only imagine what was going through his head. Oh she was making a mess out of this.

“She said she wanted to tell you at patrol tonight, and that she wanted you to help her decide who else would get them permanently.” Pausing for a moment, she flushed as she tried to come up with a plan for how she would have this conversation later as her other masked self. “Apparently, um, she only came to me first as a sort of surprise? Because she knew that you wanted to give me the mouse a few times. Which I’m flattered by, of course.”

It was his turn to blush as he stiffened slightly and then immediately brightened again as he realized that his lady was trusting him with responsibility. “Of course I did! You were great, Marinette. Or should I say Mousinette?” He laughed and she couldn’t help but join in. He had seemed to accept her explanation, which was good. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your mousing around, sorry if I put you in a weird spot. I should probably go find Bug, but maybe we can hang out sometime? Patrol, or something,” he added quickly, looking a little awkward and uncertain. It was endearing, she noticed, the way he seemed so hesitant when it came to specific things. It was so different from the boldness he had in fights.

“Definitely!” she replied with a slight squeak as she caught her train of thought slipping down the wrong path. He grinned, climbing the ladder back to the trap door on her ceiling.

“Later, Mousinette!” he called before climbing out and closing it behind him. She waited until she heard him leap off and then finally relaxed, letting out a whoosh of air.

“Oh Tikki!” She groaned, slapping her hand into her forehead. “That was almost a disaster,” she said, shaking her head at herself. The little kwami just laughed, quite amused at the hoops her chosen had put herself through. “Now I have to go find him and explain that all, again,” she realized, groaning once more. She started to clamber up the ladder and opened the hatch, already climbing out when she was startled by a loud and shrill yell.

“Marinette! Aren’t you forgetting something?” She whipped back around, realizing that Tikki was still there because she was still transformed as Multimouse.

“I think that I might be an idiot,” Marinette said quietly, taking a deep breath. This was going to be a long, long night.

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #multimouse #multimouseweek2020 #chat noir #marichat

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zekroudon · 4 years

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The Song of our Hearts (Lukadrien June 2020)

@lukadrien-june

Day 5: Freedom

Chat Noir stops his patrol on the Liberty to try and cheer up Luka. You can read on Ao3 here. (I know I,m one day behind, I’ll post day 6 later today)

I was sitting on the bridge of the liberty with Luka beside me with his guitar. I was doing my usual patrol route when I saw him alone playing sad music. I decided to check on him and cheer him up, not wanting my friend to be akumatized. I was certainly not influenced by burgeoning feelings for him, every minute spent with Luka is time well spent, as with my other friends. Though, with him, it always feels more intimate. There’s something about him that calls to me, like a siren’s song alluring me to him.

Plagg likes to make fun of me when I try to deny my feelings for Luka, just like he did with Marinette. It was a little heartbreaking to realize that I had been too late to see her feelings for me, but after the reveal of our identities, we had agreed it was better not to date each other for the time being. Which in turn guided me to Luka. A selfish part of me was relieved that his relationship with her didn’t work out, just like my short one with Kagami, since it left me free to pursue a relationship with him.

If my mask offers me freedom, spending time with him gives it to me as Adrien. I’m free to be myself with Nino and Marinette too, but since they have been spending a lot of time with their girlfriends, I don’t spend a lot of time with them. I know that if I asked, they would all drop anything they have been doing to do something with me since my schedule is usually filled to the brim with photoshoots or other boring activities Father insists I do. Fencing is fun when I get to spend time with Kagami, and piano practice with Nino or Luka is always a blast, but other than that… I know how important love is and how you never know how much time you have left with your loved ones before they disappear, so I would rather let them spend time with their significant others than with me.

"It’s nice of you of staying, but you can continue your patrol, I’ll be fine. - It’s okay, it’s nice spending time with a fellow superhero, I add elbowing him lightly. - Yeah… - Is something bothering you? I don’t want to pry or anything… It’s just that you look sad."

Why would I say it like this? That’s dumb. So many words that exist and I picked sad? I facepalm while Luka hums a few notes.

"I could say the same about you, you know? I’m not great with words, but I’m a great listener… So if you want to talk or something… - Okay, but only if you tell me what’s bothering you… I’m an ameowzing listener with double the ears, I reply wiggling my leather ears. You start!"

I poke his arm as if we were playing a game of tag and a small smile creeps up on his face. I’m glad I managed to make him at least a little happier. He doesn’t say anything for a minute or two, probably evaluating his options or how to explain what is troubling him. He sighs loudly and deposits his guitar next to him.

"Well, there’s this guy… I really like him, but I’m not sure if he reciprocates my feelings…"

Oh. That starts well. It’s nice to know that he’s open to guys too, but if he thinks he’ll be happy with him, I’ll help him, no matter how hard it may be to let go of him… Maybe I’m just not meant to be loved romantically…

"He’s really nice, maybe too much for his well being, but still. He has this huge fan club that he can pick from and I’m sure that I’m not a choice he would consider…"

He likes XY? That’s surprising, I thought he hated him after they stole Kitty Section's music and costume designs. I guess I could use some of my connections to allow Luka to meet him again…

"My friend, Marinette, I think you may know her… She had a crush on him for a long time and even though she has a girlfriend now… it just feels weird you know. I don’t want to ruin our friendship because I ask her old crush out. - Yeah, that’s understandable… Though you should still ask him out, I’m sure Marinette won’t hold it against you…"

He picks up his guitar and starts strumming its cords in a yearning and unsure song. The guy Marinette had a crush on… He certainly isn’t speaking of himself, so it only leaves one other person…

" I don’t know… Adrien had a girlfriend… It may be too soon to ask him… - You’ll never know until you ask him. And for the record, you’re a clawesome guy and I’m sure Adrien would ask himself what you see in him. - What do you mean? I know he’s unsure sometimes, but he’s a great guy. I really hope you and Ladybug will give him another chance at being a hero, he’s a perfect fit for one. The snake may not have been meant for him, but I’m sure if you give him a second chance, he’d surprise both of you… Marinette too, by the way."

He likes me? Like Adrien me? I’m not Misterbug right now, am I? I touch my earlobes and they’re free of earrings. I feel like the day when I learned Marinette was Ladybug and that I had been the other guy all along. My head was in the clouds and nothing could have ruined my mood… until she said we couldn’t be together while Hawkmoth was still terrorizing Paris.

But, yeah… Let’s not repeat the Multimouse and Aspik fiascos. Ladybug was irritated by me for bringing it up so often, but in a way, I was right; Marinette is the perfect superhero as she's Ladybug, while the cat is the miraculous best suited for me. Looking back, it is funny, but it wasn’t sometimes then. We had a few fights because she wanted to give Adrien another Miraculous, and me with Marinette, but we had to protect our identities. Plagg laughed a lot, not us.

"I agree with you, but I can’t tell you more, in case we have picked them for a Miraculous to protect their identities since so many of you were outed by Miracle Queen. - That’s fair. - It’s just that, in some ways, I’m a bit like Adrien... In my civilian life, people look up to me, admire me, they make me seem perfect. I know many would be thrilled by all this attention, but sometimes it gets suffocating. They claim their love for me, but it’s not the real me… This mask the Miraculous gives me, it allows me to experiment, to laugh and have fun. It gives me the freedom to express parts of myself I can’t usually without being reprimanded. - I think that you may be right, the Adrien that hangs out with us is not the same we see on television or when Nathalie is with him… His song is always different as if it was smothered by her and his father. It’s a shame, I love his heart song and I’d love to help him make it louder. Sometimes, it’s like chains are keeping him in low and calm beats when he longs for a crescendo…"

I’m thankful for the darkness of the night and Luka’s lack of night vision, it allows me to hide my blush from him. We stay silent for a while, but him playing music relaxes both of us and it allows him to express himself. His music echoes over the silent Seine, creating a nice ambiance, one I know I’ll get to experience more often if we get together. My tail sweeps the deck behind us, dangerously close to him, and I stifle my purr, preferring to not deal with that awkwardness that would come afterward. I deeply hope he’ll play my song for me one day…

#Lukadrien June 2020 #Lukadrien #adrien agreste #Luka Couffaine #chat noir #day 5: freedom #zekroudon's fics

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goggles-mcgee · 4 years

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TRANSFORME MOI

Let's talk Miraculous Ladybug transformation phrases! Some of them just uber suck, just hella suck and others I can tolerate, and there are those I have a soft spot for and would be okay if they went unchanged, but I'm going to suggest different phrases whether I like then or not! XD

Let us begin

LADYBUG: First off I do have a soft spot for 'SPOTS ON' it's cute, it's simple yet effective! But I did say I would suggest a different phrase even if I did like the orginal one. So I suggest 'APOSEMATE'

Aposematism is when an creature is brightly colored to trick hunters into thinking they are toxic or will taste bad. It is why ladybugs (some anyway) are bright red.

CHAT NOIR: Again another soft spot, 'CLAWS OUT', it's simply yet effective but first a joke suggestion! 'CROSS THE PATH' mainly because it seems the show is taking the western view on black cats and there's that whole superstition of a black cat crossing your path being bad luck.

Actual suggestion is kind of lame but eh, 'SHAPE SHIFT' simple why I chose this one, again it ties in with the western view where many people believed black cats were shapeshifters and shifted into witches.

HAWKMOTH: Pffft okay I absolutely loathe his transformation phrase 'DARK WINGS RISE' okay angsty boi calm down. I refuse to believe that is the actual phrase that his been used since the start of time.

My suggestion is another simple one but damn of it is not effective. 'METAMORPHOSIS' literally that thing that happens in a butterflies life. Literally would make more sense.

MAYURA: Soft spot number 3! I mean it works 'SPREAD MY FEATHERS' it works as is but again I did say I would give suggestions. Joke suggestion! 'SHAKE MY TAIL FEATHERS'

Actual suggestion would probably be 'LIFT THE TRAIN' as weird as it sounds, the feathers on the back of a peacock that people call their tails is also called a train.

RENA ROUGE: 'LET'S POUNCE' I don't hate it but I don't like it but honestly I did have a hard time coming up with suggestions that didn't sound funny.

'WEAR THE COAT' or 'GROW THE COAT' was the best I could come up with as I did want something to do more with foxes than just pounce. Foxes fur is commonly referred to as their coat, so I took inspiration from that.

CARAPACE: 'SHELL ON' soft spot #4! It's simple and effective which if you haven't noticed is something I appreciate! Joke suggestions is literally just singing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song (anyone will do) or 'KOWABUNGA'

'OUT OF SHELL' is what I decided on, it may sound weird but I have reasons! Coming out of the shell so to speak would be the hero version of the wearer and the end phrase could be 'BACK IN SHELL' where the wearer goes back to hiding who they are.

QUEEN BEE: another one that I don't hate but I'm not entirely fond of either. But it does do it's job I'll give it that 'BUZZ ON'

Suggestion is literally just because I think it would be fun to say everytime 'QUEEN ME' come on, you can't tell me you wouldn't have fun saying that.

VIPERION: 'SCALES SLITHER'........uuuuuuuuuuuggghghjjsjsiajahshs SCALES DON'T MOTHERTRUCKING SLITHER GOT DAMN. I hate it. I despise it.

I have three suggestions. 'SHED SKIN' shedding the old skin for the new, i.e shedding their civilian look for their hero look. 'FANGS BEARED' just for funsies, 'CHARM ME' or just 'CHARM' I chose this because snake charmers and how snakes follow their movement and it would fit with Luka's noddle dance.

RYUUKO/RYUKO: 'BRING THE STORM'......I mean...why? Out of everything. I get that it's trying to tie in with the powers but it is just unnecessarily convoluted! Like sure it sounds cool but you're heading into Hawkmoth level of extra.

Suggestions! I didn't have many, I honestly was stuck with this one. Anyways just sing the American Dragon Jake Long theme song and boom transformed! 'ELEMENTAL STORM' I mean it's not bad but not the best, but eh. Or 'RAIN CLOUDS' idk this one was hard my dudes

PEGASUS: 'FULL GALLOP' it works! I mean it does it's job but idk it's not my favorite but I do like the end transformation phrase! 'DISMOUNT' that's a great one. This was another one I had a difficult time coming up with suggestions but I shall give some.

'TROT ON' simple horses trot XD I know I'm sooooo creative. Or maybe even just 'GALLOP' it works the same as full gallop I think.

Edit: 'LET'S MOUNT' suggested by @capribornio which sounds really good thanks for the suggestion!

RIN SEOIGE/KING MONKEY: 'SHOW TIME' it's cute and honestly I had trouble with this one too. It is one I have a small soft spot for.

Joke suggestions! 'GO BANANAS' 'MONKEY BUSINESS' yup love them. Anywho one suggestion that is actually serious (though not proud of) is 'HANG TAIL' the image that always comes to mind with monkeys is them using their tails to hang from places. I got nothing else XD

MULTIMOUSE: hshsushjsjsjsjsb 'LET'S GET SQUEAKY' it's cute! But no. Honey no. I love Multimouse, absolutely adore her but that phrase just does not cut it.

Joke suggestions! 'GET SNEAKY' 'HICKORY DICKORY DOCK' My actual suggestion is going to sound like a joke but I think it would be good. 'ALL FOR ONE' and end phrase would be 'ONE FOR ALL' AND SHE COULD HAVE CALLED HERSELF MOUSEKETEER!!!! HOW CUTE WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN!?!?!?

BUNNIX: 'CLOCK WISE' look I love this one especially because it ties in with the powers and that is cool as heck.

Joke suggestions, sing all of Cotton eyed Joe. 'FLUFF TIME' pfft. Okay okay but actual suggestion would probably have to be 'HOP ALONG' or '0' CLOCK' this was another difficult one my friends.

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waltzofthewifi · 4 years

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Kota Chapter 20: Souris Rose

Big shout-out to my friend on Discord who came up with the phrase “Get Cheesy!”

Beginning | ToC | Next

"Choose an ally you can trust."

Marinette exchanged the rooster miraculous for the mouse miraculous.

"Do you have someone in mind?" Fu asked.

Marinette nodded. "I'm surprised I didn't think of her before. She's so kind hearted, she'd make a perfect hero!"

"Ah, but be careful," Fu warned. "The mouse miraculous needs an intelligent hero as well as a kind one. Think about how you used the mouse miraculous to defeat Kwamibuster."

Marinette hesitated. "That's true. I - she's no Max or Alix, but - but I trust her. And she's available, which is a huge thing right now. And it's a temporary thing."

Fu nodded. "Just be careful. You have a talent for finding good heroes, Marinette."

"It's not like I'm searching for them or anything," Marinette argued. "They're just my friends - people I know as a civilian."

"Yes, but being around you has inspired them to be better," Tikki added. "Both as a superhero and as a civilian!"

"You really think so?" Marinette questioned.

Tikki nodded. "I've seen it."

"Having allies you can trust is important," Fu agreed. "Though if you plan on giving the mouse miraculous to someone, you need to give a reason to Chat Noir that Marinette is no longer available."

"That's easy," Marinette said. "I was on that boat - I'll just tell him Marinette was caught."

"Sounds like you have this figured out," Fu said. "I'm sure whoever you've chosen will make a good hero."

"I know she will."

Marinette stood up, but hesitated. "Master, there is something else we need to talk about."

"Oh?"

"Viperion knows my identity," Marinette said.

"That is very concerning," Fu replied.

"Master," Tikki cut in. "I don't think it's a big deal. Snakes are naturally in the position to learn secret identities, and none were ever a problem."

"Tikki is right, Master," Wayzz added. "One of the reasons the snake miraculous is given so rarely is because of its ability to uncover secret identities."

"What can we do about it?" Marinette asked.

"It's definitely not worth replacing either Ladybug or Viperion over," Tikki decided.

"No, it's not," Fu agreed. "Just... be careful, Marinette."

Chat Noir's ear twitched when Viperion landed behind him.

"Any word from Ladybug?" Viperion asked.

"Should be here in about five minutes," Chat Noir replied. "Did she tell you who she was grabbing?"

"No - just that whoever it is will be receiving the mouse miraculous," Viperion replied.

Chat Noir's eyes widened in excitement. "Do you think she's grabbing Multimouse?"

Who?

And then, because Chat Noir seemed to be waiting for an answer, "Who?"

"She was the hero who helped us defeat Kwamibuster," Chat Noir replied. "She's super cool! And really intelligent - I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she was, like, Ladybug's cousin or something."

Viperion hummed noncommittally- he was pretty sure Marinette didn't have any cousins in Paris.

Chat Noir yawned, stretching his back like a cat as he did so.

"Early morning?" Viperion asked.

"Yeah, I have a demanding job," Chat Noir replied. "Can't tell much. You know, secret identities and all."

Speaking of secret identities...

"So, uh, I was talking to Ladybug," Viperion started. "And, well, I think you should know - I know who you are."

Chat Noir eyes widened again, and he grinned. "Really? I - wait, did you tell Ladybug? Is she going to be mad?"

"She doesn't know I know," Viperion said. "But I don't think she'd be mad. I saw you destranform during a loop I reset."

"Well then I probably owe you for resetting that." Chat Noir rubbed the back of his head. "It's really cool that you know, though! It'll be so nice talking to someone about all this that isn't Plagg - that's my kwami, he's... annoying, to say the least."

Viperion chuckled. "So you've said."

Chat Noir chuckled too. "I guess I was complaining about him a lot last night. But to be fair, he was being a pain."

"Everything was a pain last night," Viperion replied. "I had such a headache this morning from the sensory overload."

"I'm just glad we at least had school akuma-free," Chat Noir admitted. "I worked so hard to go to school this year, it sucks when an akuma ruins it. Especially now that the dramas died down."

"Being homeschooled means it's not as much of a problem for me," Viperion admitted. "But I dislike being interrupted while playing."

A soft thump behind them, and Viperion turned to see Ladybug land.

"How's Rocker?" She asked, walking up to Chat Noir.

"He found Anarcha, so he's just shooting people and waiting for us," Chat Noir reported. "Occasionally he argues with Hawkmoth."

Ladybug nodded. "Good."

"Are you getting Multimouse?" Chat Noir asked.

Ladybug shook her head. "Unfortunately Rocker already has her. But I have another in mind for the mouse miraculous."

"Can't wait to meet her," Chat Noir said.

"Be ready," Ladybug said. "As soon as she activated her powers, I want you to activate Second Chance. And Chat Noir, we will need your help fighting Rocker."

"We'll be ready," Chat Noir said. "Just give us the signal."

Mylene and Sabrina were the only classmates that made it out of the Liberty. They were hiding in an alley on the other side of the Seine, watching the fight and talking in short whispers.

When Ladybug landed in front of them, they both stood straight up.

"Ladybug!" Sabrina greeted.

"What's happening?" Mylene asked.

"Don't worry, the situation is under control," Ladybug said. "I just wanted to make sure you two got out of here safe. Is there somewhere nearby where you can hide?"

"My place is right around the corner," Sabrina said. "I just didn't want to be seen."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Rocker seems otherwise occupied," Ladybug said. "Mylene, I can take you home if you live farther."

"You really don't have to do that, Ladybug," Mylene said.

"It's no problem."

Satisfied that her friend would be with a superhero, Sabrina quickly left and darted for her home.

"Seriously, I'm fine right here," Mylene offered. "You need to be focusing on the akuma."

"I am," Ladybug replied. "I actually needed to talk to you in private. We need help defeating Rocker."

Mylene's eyes widened. "My help? With an akuma?"

"You're a kind heart," Ladybug said. "And I know you'll do anything for your friends."

Mylene nodded. "I will."

Ladybug took the black box out of her yo-yo and held it out. "Mylene Haprele, this is the miraculous of the mouse, which grants the power of division. You will use it for the greater good. Then you will return the miraculous to me. Can I trust you?"

Mylene's eyes were even wider. "Yes. Yes! You can trust me, Ladybug."

She took the box, staring at it in awe before opening.

And squeaked and dropped it when the bright light shone.

"Don't worry!" Mullo said, flying upwards. "It's just me! I'm Mullo, the mouse kwami."

Mylene slowly untensed. "Oh. Hi."

She leaned down to picked up the box and necklace.

"So I just... put it on?" She questioned.

Mullo nodded. "The transformation phrase is 'get squeaky!' To activate your powers, say 'multitude.'"

Mylene nodded and put the necklace on. The pendant bounced against her chest.

"Okay..." Mylene took a deep breath. "Mullo, get squeaky!"

Ladybug watched as the transformation overtook Mylene. A second later, she stood in front of Ladybug, looking pinker than any mouse Ladybug had seen.

Mylene now wore a solid white bodysuit, with pink gloves, pink Ugg-like boots with ribbons on the back, and a pink tank top with a handkerchief cut. The mouse miraculous hung above the tank top, now bright pink as well. Mylene's dreadlocks had lengthened and were now pulled back into a ponytail, with her dreadlocks a mix of her natural blonde, white, and pink. She had a pink handkerchief over her head, with two corners sticking out almost like ears. On her face was a pink domino mask, and now her eyes were bright red. A pink jump rope wrapped around her waist.

Mylene inspected the outfit, turning in a circle to see it all. "I like it!" She flexed her fingers in her gloves, ran her fingers through her hair, and tested out her jump rope, flicking it like a whip.

"Alright," Ladybug said approvingly. "So, here's the plan-"

Mylene easily followed Ladybug as she swung over the Seine and landed on a rooftop near the Liberty.

"Be ready," Ladybug said into the comm device. She turned to Mylene. "Are you ready?"

Mylene nodded.

The two superheroes backed up on the rooftop. Ladybug gave Mylene a nod, and the two began their running start.

Their feet hit the edge at the same time, and they both pushed off into open air.

"Multitude!"

Ladybug tucked in a roll and hit the deck, narrowly missing a shot from Rocker. She rolled onto her feet, deflecting another shot with her yo-yo.

A miniature Mylene rammed into Rocker's ear, diverting his attention. He aimed a shot and hit the mini Mylene, but another smacked into his neck.

"What. Is. Going. On?" Rocker grounded out as he was assaulted by a bunch of mini Mylenes.

Ladybug watched for a moment, impressed. Mylene was holding her own (her owns?) fantastically.

"Another brilliant choice, my lady," Chat Noir said as he and Viperion landed behind her.

"Now let's end this," Ladybug replied. "Lucky charm!"

A single fish hook fell into Ladybug's palm.

"Small Tool for a bunch of small mice?" Chat Noir suggested.

But Ladybug already had another plan. "I'm going to need your baton."

Chat Noir nodded, splitting the baton in half and giving on side to Ladybug. Ladybug grabbed the end of her yo-yo string and attached the fish hook, and then wrapped the string around the baton. She left the yo-yo hanging on the side.

"I didn't think this was a fishing boat," Chat Noir commented.

"We'll have to make do," Ladybug replied. "The two of you keep him distracted."

"Uh..." Viperion pointed at Rocker, who was still being very distracted by the mini Mylenes.

"This is not very rock and roll of you!" Rocker yelled.

"Okay, just watch my back," Ladybug said.

"Always," Chat Noir replied.

Ladybug climbed up to the roof of the houseboat, and crept towards the edge. She released her makeshift fishing line towards Rocker.

The hook caught in Rocker's glove, the one she saw the akuma fly into, and Ladybug pulled.

The hook tore into the glove, releasing the butterfly.

Ladybug freed her yo-yo and snatched the butterfly.

"No more evil doing for you!"

As the purified butterfly flew away, Ladybug rejoined the rest of the heroes on deck.

"Pound it!"

"Good Job, Minnie Mouse," Chat Noir commented. "You made our job much easier."

"Glad I could help," Mylene replied.

"You went above expectations today," Ladybug responded. She gave Mylene a supportive shake on the shoulder before retrieving her hook.

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

Ladybug watched as her classmates and several other bystanders reappeared in the ladybug swarm.

"Ladybug!" Jagged Stone stood up. "Was I akumatized again?"

Ladybug turned to him and nodded. "Unfortunately. But don't worry, we'll always be here to save the day."

"Thank you!" Jagged Stone replied. "You two are super cool! The most rock n roll people I know, except for Anarchy of course."

"The two of you seem really close," Viperion said.

"Close? We're family!"

"You don't have to tell everyone that," Anarcha said, walking up to where they were talking.

"This... is about to get awkward," Chat Noir said. "I'm going to go."

And just like that, he was off.

"Dude, cool! Another superhero!" Nino was up, moving away from the other students with his phone raised. "Can I get a picture? My girlfriend runs the Ladyblog."

"Sure," Mylene replied, blushing a tad. Ladybug and Viperion moved out of the way, and Mylene struck a dramatic pose.

Nino chuckled. "Perfect. Anything else you'd want the famous Ladyblogger to know? Do you have a name picked out?"

"Souris Rose," Mylene replied.

"Super cool."

"Hey, why don't you get a photo of me and these heroes for your Ladyblogger?" Jagged asked, swinging his arm around Ladybug.

"Yes please!"

Ladybug and Souris Rose landed in a concealed alley.

"Good job today!" Ladybug said.

"Thanks," Souris Rose replied. "So how do I... you know? Take this off?"

"The phrase is 'get cheesy'," Ladybug replied.

"Mullo, get cheesy."

Mullo flew out of the miraculous, and Ladybug handed them a bag of skittles.

Mylene took of her miraculous and handed it to Ladybug.

"Thanks for trusting me," Mylene said.

"Thanks for showing you could be trusted," Ladybug replied. "Now, remember - you cannot tell anyone your secret identity."

Mylene hesitated. "I don't know know if I can keep a secret from my parents - or Ivan, my boyfriend."

"You have to," Ladybug insisted. "For their safety as well as yours."

"I'll try," Mylene relented.

"That's all I ask. Do you need a ride home?"

Mylene shook her head. "No, but thank you."

Putting the mouse miraculous back in her yo-yo, Ladybug headed up to the rooftop where Viperion waited for her. He was sitting criss-cross, strumming his lyre absent-mindedly. He gave Ladybug a bright smile when she landed.

"Today's been interesting," he said.

"No kidding," Ladybug replied. "What did Jagged mean when he said your mom was family?"

Viperion frowned. "I don't know. Mom doesn't talk a lot about her family."

"You don't want to know?"

"Of course I do! I just... respect that there's some things she won't want to tell me."

"Still, you might be related to your idol!" Ladybug replied. "I feel like that's something she should tell you about."

"Alya's best friends with her idol," Viperion replied. "People keep secrets for a reason."

"Fair point."

Ladybug sat across from Viperion, listening to what he was playing on the lyre. Viperion noticed her attention, and began playing a slightly more interesting tune.

During the tune, Ladybug's timer ran out - Viperion must have already recharged his, since his bracelet was quiet. Tikki landed on Marinette's knee, enraptured by the music.

About two minutes later, Viperion finished the tune. Marinette applauded.

"You really are a tremendous musician!" Tikki said.

Viperion smiled. "Thank you. I love this lyre - I think I might have to get myself one to play when I don't have my miraculous."

"Maybe there's an electric lyre you can play with Kitty Section," Marinette joked.

Viperion chuckled. "Maybe. You probably need my miraculous back now, right?"

Marinette nodded, and Viperion detransformed and handed the bracelet over.

Marinette stood, then paused.

"We probably should've detransformed on the ground."

Juleka watched from her favorite chair as her classmates all checked in with their families.

Adrien would no doubt be picked up soon, since his family was strict about akumas. Sabrina had already left - having been rescued by Ladybug sometime during the battle - and Ivan and Mylene had already decided to head home, and were talking to Mylene's dad on the phone about their plans. Marinette had called her parents expecting not to need to rush home, but it sounded like she was wanted back home anyways, and Nino's call to his parents were being constantly interrupted with texts from Alya. Nathaniel was whispering into his phone, and Alix was doing the exact opposite.

"It's getting loud in here," Rose commented, appearing at Juleka's side. "Want to go back down to the band room?"

Juleka nodded. Rose grabbed her hand, and she let herself be led downstairs into the messy band room, where snacks were still left out over the room.

"I hope everyone remembers to grab dinner," Rose said, removing a plate from the couch and sitting down. "Since we got interrupted."

Juleka sat down next to Rose, leaning her head on her shoulder. Rose picked her feet off the ground and snuggled more into Juleka.

"There you are!"

Anarcha barged into the room, breaking the girls out of their cuddle.

"Have you seen your brother?" Anarcha asked. "We have some things we need to talk about."

Juleka shrugged.

"He might be walking Marinette home, since she had to leave," Rose suggested.

"I'll text him," Juleka said.

Mom wants you in band room

Her phone beeped back instantly.

On my way

"He's coming," Juleka reported.

"Excellent!"

Anarcha grabbed a chair and placed it in the center, across from the girls. She sat down, pulling anxiously at her coat as she waited.

Luka arrived a second later, sitting down on the armrest of the couch.

"What's this about?" He asked.

"It's about today," Anarcha replied.

"You mean about Jagged Stone?" Juleka questioned.

"Yes," Anarcha replied. "As you might have heard him say, we are... technically, family."

"Okay, but how?" Juleka asked.

"Well, you see... he's my half brother."

#kota #my writing #miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #pjo #hoo

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