Chapter Text
Chat Noir gently set the man down. “Maybe a paragliding delivery service was more of a ‘good in the head’ idea rather than a ‘do it for real’ one.”
“You think?” Spidey chuckled humorously. “I get the idea, and love the innovation, but you got to account for those high flying currents.”
“I understand.” The guy sheepishly rubbed his head. “Just trying to find a way to beat all those trucks. Thanks for the save.”
“No problem. Though a little tip from one daredevil to another.” Chat whispered. “Parkour delivery service would be A LOT cooler. You jump off roofs, get everywhere fast, and everyone thinks your awesome.”
“Oooh, just need to account for the weight.” The man grinned, running to the stairs.
“And #anotherlifesaved.” Queenie took a selfie of them all, posting it on her top. “Oh yeah, steady gains. I have two thousands followers now!”
“Great, and if that actually accounted for being a good person, that would actually mean something.” Ladybug groaned. “Some of us don’t need a social media presence to BE good.”
“For your information, Ladytwat, it’s to make sure Paris KNOWS I’m doing good. Or did you forget that I took down the Hobgoblin.” Queenie teased.
“Speaking of … we never got any answers out of him, did we?” Adrien asked. “He just kinda played dumb the entire time.”
“I do admit it’s a bit odd.” Peter tilted his head. “The man’s so egotistical you’d think he’d take pride in all the mayhem he’s caused.”
“It’s not like we can expect him to be another Martin Li.” Ladybug pointed out. “Some villains just like watching the world burn around him. Who knows what’s going on in that maniac’s head now?”
“Maybe he’s just miffed his partner left him high and dry.” Queenie snickered.
“Oh yeah, Menace … can’t wait till that ball of sunshine rolls around.” Ladybug groaned. “I suppose we should head out-“
“Wait, M’lady.” He raised his hand. “Don’t you think that love’s in the air?”
“...Not more than usual.” Ladybug noted. “I mean, it IS paris, city of love, so it’s kind of a normal day for this place.”
“I mean, between the couples around, and Spidey planning to ask out Chloe …”
“He’s what?” She blinked.
“Hehehehehe-yeah, wasn’t exactly planning on advertising that to the Watermelon, Chat.” Spidey glared.
“Why not, it would be advertised to the world anyway?” Queenie grinned.
“Well yeah, but I would’ve liked to keep it intimate first, you know, spend the first few dates to ourselves without having the entire world watching us.” Peter explained. “I mean, I know that last part is kind of inevitable, but a little time to ourselves without so many eyes wouldn’t hurt.” Ladybug just stared at him. “Any comments melon?”
“No … you wanna start a relationship on lies, be my guest.” She waved off. Guess that was as close to approval Spidey would ever get. “You were saying Chaton?”
“Well, I’m saying that romance so clearly in the air, my heart has become overwhelmed with positive affirmations, one that this feline can’t help but give to you.”
Ladybug blinked. “Chat, wait-”
He pulled out a rose he’s been saving. “Ladybug, would you humble me with your grace, as my … love?”
“Chaton.” The love of his life groaned. “I’ve told you before, the answer is no.”
There was a long awkward silence. “... Ouch.” Queenie winced. “I mean, I saw this coming a mile away, but that’s just cold.”
“But-“
“Chat, my heart belongs to someone else. I told you this when we fought Glaciator, remember?”
“Well, yeah, but-”
“But nothing.” Ladybug explained. “I like you Chat Noir. You’re the best hero I know. I literally wouldn’t trade you for the entirety of any superhero team in the world. But … I can’t love you.”
“..Seriously, she’s like the queen of heartbreak here.” Queen Bee whispered to Spidey. “Like, it’s so sweet yet so scathing.”
“To be fair, it doesn’t help she’s been very clear about no since day one.” The web head whispered back. “Like, I’ve tried to help him see other options, but, no dice on that front.
“But… But…” Chat took in a deep breath. “Ladybug.. I… I…” Okay… let it out.
“Bro, don’t do anything you’ll regret..” Peter warned.
“..The fact of the matter is that I’m Adrian Agreste, and I don’t care about secret Identities, I trust you with my name and my heart.” He took off his miraculous. “My life is in your hands, My lovely lady. I would jump over the moon for you, I would cross the harshest and deadliest parts of the savage land for you ... there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the greatest hero in all of Paris… because you’ve been saving my life every day since I’ve met you.”
And he knew this would work. He knew deep in his heart it would work. He’s seen signs before that she liked Adrien Agreste … “Don’t reveal your identity Chat.” She said.
“...Huh?” He blinked… he… he imagined it….. He just.. Daydreamed the whole thing.
“… We won’t be able to work together if you do …” Ladybug crossed her arms. “You’re the only reason I’ve come so far … I can’t afford to lose what we have now … So this is as far as it’ll ever go for us.” And she swung off.
“… I feel like I should buy him some catnip or something.” Queenie whispered.
“That might be putting salt in the wound a bit Queenie.” Peter winced. “Give me and my feline friend a minute alone, guy talk is needed.” He told Queen Bee as Peter slung his arm around him. “So.. did it feel good to almost ask her out at least?”
“...” He stayed silent.
“..Ugh..” Peter groaned. “Bro, we’ve been over this before. Ladybug’s too much of a stickler to ever fold on this card. You HAD to have seen that coming.”
“..I didn’t..” Adrien admitted. “I had one trump card and she didn’t let me use it.”
“…” Peter watched as Queenie left. “… You know what you need?” He asked. “A rebound.”
“A what?”
“An easy relationship. A girl you can just be with and not expect any massive problems with. Someone who can get your mind off the spotted wonder.”
“..Isn’t that a little … sketchy?” AdriEn asked.
“Not if you’re fully honest about it.” Peter explained. “You’re not looking for someone serious, at least not yet. Right now your emotions are too raw, mostly because you’ve never been in a relationship or in love before. You need to do something other than just lament on your crushed feelings. Explore what it means to actually date someone. And then you’re given two choices, either take what you’ve learned and apply it somewhere else, or you take the rebound into more serious territory. Either way, you get out of the rut you’re in right now.”
“… I … I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I ask.” He patted the boy’s back. “Remember, the key to a healthy rebound is honesty. Let the girl know you aren’t fully committed.”
“… You say that while fully intending on not being honest with Chloe.” He shot back.
“It’s not lying to her. I’ll tell Chloe eventually. I’m asking her to date Spider-man, and if she agrees to date Spider-man, then everyone wins.” Peter grinned.
He sighed. Sometimes it felt like Adrien was the only sane one on this team.
========================================================================
Kagami once more attacked Adrien. “You’re sloppy today.” She noted. “I have a five point lead.” To spend her time with the boy was … interesting to say the least. Initially, she saw the boy as nothing more than a rival. An obstacle to overcome. It didn’t help that her mother more or less pushed that sort of narrative onto her. She wanted her to associate with the best, and Kagami complied.
The boy himself was … kind, unflinchingly so. Being raised by a blind woman taught you a few tricks, one of which was seeing a lie a mile away. His kindness was honest and genuine. So was his skill, he was very talented, leagues beyond everyone else here, probably the only challenge she could get.
He never got angry from anything she’s seen. He was supportive, helpful… and he always lended a hand… there was never a veneer of cynicism or trickery. He was kind… just to be kind… It also helped that he was quite beautiful to look at..
…It might have been the combination of having genuine human interaction and being in a gymnasium full of sweat, but lately, certain… feelings were beginning to swell up on the inside. Feelings that were confusing to Kagami for a multitude of reasons … one of which was the surprising confirmation she might be bi (one couldn’t deny Black Widow’s allure). Another being that Kagami had zero experience in the field. The closest she got to understanding these kinds of emotions were from Manga … unfortunately she didn’t have much to go on, due to her mother’s strictness limiting her reading time.
“Sorry, I’ve just caught up in thought today.” He apologized. “Recently something happened and I’m trying to mull over some advice.”
“I see. And this vague set of circumstances is making you dazed, confused, and off balanced?” If she understood correctly, ‘friends’ were supposed to be insightful about the distress of other people.
“Yeah …” He sighed. “It can wait for after practice if you wanna talk about it though, It’s a bit personal to speak out here.”
Hm… would a friend respect his wishes and talk about it later, or ignore his wishes and force him to talk about it? Manga was unclear what the right answer was. “Instructor, we are going on break.” So take the middle ground.
“You have five minutes. I’m skeptical about having you in my class as it is.” Maybe it was a tad too much to demand such a, in the long run, derivative, challenge when she started.
“Wait, what?” Adrian blinked as she grabbed him by the hand.
“You are clearly too unfocused to concentrate on anything other than what’s going on in your head, so it would be prudent to resolve it as quickly as possible so I may get my sparring partner in top gear again.” She explained. “No offense to the others, but they don’t come close to being on your level of skill.”
“... I guess that’s fair.” He nodded as he took a seat next to Marinette, who was already pouring the both of them water. “So I had this huge crush on Ladybug when she came out.” Water that was promptly spilled over the ground. “Are you alright Marinette?”
“Ye-yep, fine, totally fine. Just clumsy as always I am.” The other bluenette chuckled with a clearly blushed face. “Continue with your conversation, pay no attention to me, I’m going to ... Get more water, yes, water, because ... water is the source of all life….heh..”
…This girl was just as strange as the first day Kagami encountered her. Was she afraid she would get akumatized again… not the worst fear to have, Kagami was out of line. “Continue Adrien.” She nodded.
“And it’s been going nowhere for a long, long while.” He sighed. “So, Peter, you remember him right?”
“Snarky American, yeah.” She nodded.
“Yeah. Peter suggested I should get a rebound date to get my head off of her.”
Splliish
And the other brunette girl slipped on the floor, spilling water all over herself. “Marinette, are you alright?!” Adrien called out.
“Peachy!” She screamed. “What was that about Peter!?”
“He … suggested I get a rebound date. Said since I have no experience with romance or love other than my crush it might be good for me.” Adrien groaned. “I don’t know, the term and situation ... just feels a bit off to me.”
“It does have a hint of merit to it.” Kagami noted. “In fencing, if hitting one target from multiple angles doesn’t work, it’s a sign to switch targets.”
“Huh … I didn’t think about it like that.” Adrien looked thoughtful. “But, is it fair to the hypothetical girl I would ‘date’?”
“Not if your upfront. I know several people my mother has dated purely to establish business relationships and allies within her field.” Kagami explained. “Dating is like weaving an intricate web of connections. You don’t necessarily seek out romantic intent, but bonds you wish to have.”
“I see … so I should ask a friend?” Adrien suggested.
“I wouldn’t mind it personally.” Kagami shrugged.
Smack
This time the other Bluentte ran into a wall. “Don’t… don’t mind me… I’m just… going to.. Check in with the koala..” The girl muttered as she fell to the ground.
“...I ... think she’ll be fine?” Adrien winced before turning back to her. “You really wouldn’t mind?”
“You’re influential enough that my mother and your father should give us more breathing room to have fun … plus, you seem friendly enough.” She smiled. “And if I can’t beat you at fencing, for now that is, I would seek to dominate you in various other fields of activity.”
“Careful, you just might eat those words.” Adrien smiled at her warmly with a slightly challenging grin.
“Not before you, as they say, eat my dust.” Kagami returned the smile as best she could… it was weird for her to smile, she’s never put in this much effort into keeping her mouth upright.
“... I can beat you at smiling.”
“Oh those are fighting words.” She challenged. “Well then, shall I plan our first date?”
“Oooh, taking initiative, I like it.” Adrien grinned. “Oh, would it be too much if I invite Marinette along? She looks like she’s having a bad day with all her tripping.”
She turned to the girl, who was still slipping on the pile of water all over the ground. “While I’m not opposed, wouldn’t she feel more awkward as a third wheel?” At least that’s what manga told her.
“We can let her bring someone else along so she doesn’t feel too out of place.” Adrien smiled earnestly. “Plus, it’s not meant to be romantic, so there’s not too much pressure .”
“Fair enough.” She turned to the girl. “Marinette, would you and a friend like to join me and Adrien on our date?”
Now it seemed that the girl was somehow slipping on water AND suffering from a heart attack simultaneously. “By-wha-kteh-hpv ja ja-”
“...Did I say something offensive?”
“Nah, she just gets like that sometimes.” Adrien admitted with a nod. “Sometimes she’ll just start dancing and hopping in place. We’ve all gotten used to it, everyone in class I mean.”
“It sounds like a lovely little class.” She nodded.
“It is … say, do you go to school, or does your mother make you study at home?”
“I go to a private school on the other side of Paris." Kagami nodded. “I.. haven’t made the time to be friends with any of them though. Over there, it’s success or dirt.”
“I never got that mentality.” Adrien shook his head. “There’s many ways to succeed after all, and just because someone’s not good at everything doesn’t mean they’re useless.”
“Are you actually claiming to not be good at everything?” She inquired curiously.
“I definitely don’t know how to bake.” Adrien chuckled. “Can never compete with Marinette’s scones. They’re mouthwatering.”
Slump
And the girl was unconscious. “..Perhaps we should take this girl to the nurses office.” Kagami noted. “If she doesn’t have a concussion, I will be genuinely surprised.”
========================================================================
Chloe groaned. “Why does being nice mean I can’t force Sabrina to do my homework anymore?” She asked aloud.
“I don’t know. I have served several queens who have delegated all of their duties to their servants?” Pollen floated above her science work book that she had spent the last hour trying, and failing, to ignore.
“... Wait, can’t you do the homework?” She asked.
“Certainly.” Excellent! “One question though … what is this oxygen the book speaks of?”
“...I think I’ll just take the F on this one.” Chloe groaned as she sat on her bed, now thinking about the other thing on her mind in the past few days. “Was I being too obvious trying to be my own wingman to set myself up with Spidey? He says he’s going to ask me out, but he hasn’t said anything to me specifically as Chloe.”
“He’s probably just too shy to speak out to your radiance.” The kwami replied. “He did seem nervous about the prospect of it all.”
“Yeah …” She admitted. “Maybe I can turn on the spidey signal …” Haven’t used it ever since she became Queen Bee. “..What if he’s having doubts? I mean, he’s a hero asking out me! Sure, I’m well known around Paris, but Chloe Bourgeois isn’t anything compared to a superhero, what if he thinks this’ll sink his rep?!”
“Then he doesn’t know the glory he’s missing.” Pollen smiled. “Because I see nothing but a wonderful little bee that will grow up into an amazing queen.”
“Thanks Pollen ... I don’t think I’ve ever had a friend as supportive as you.” Chloe chuckled.
“It’s all my pleasure, my queen.” The adorable little bee smiled. “All Queens are capable of anything if they set their mind to it, that’s true with or without a miraculous.” So frickin cute.
A knock on the window, as Pollen went to hide. Chloe quickly panicked, checking the mirror to make sure she looked her best, before pulling back the curtains and opening it up. “Spidey, hey, what’s … up?” What’s up!? LAME! UTTERLY LAME!
“Well, at the moment, just me, the clouds, sky, and the occasion pigeon that I hope to Kwami won’t be apart of Mr. Pigeon’s army.” Spidey rolled with it like the amazingly cool person he was and turned her lame joke into something funny. “Another hard day of hitting the books?”
“Yeah… hitting those books real hard… so hard I give them black eyes..” AHHHHH! WHY WAS SHE MAKING BAD JOKES ALL OF A SUDDEN?! “What um … what brings you here?”
“I um …” He rubbed his head … nervously … was this it? “A … friend of mine, or more like a pen pal really, is going on a date. And I’d like to support him.”
“Uh huh..” Obviously just a lead in line. “Go on.”
“And well, I’ve kind of ... well this is probably a shock to you, but I actually don’t have much experience dating people, not officially anyways, it’s just not the thing that’s come easily to me, I’ve never found someone that I could … you know ... Be genuine and real with.” Spidey chuckled. “You get what I mean?”
“Tottally, totally.” No one understanding the real you ... only seeing the angry brat and the daughter of a fashion designer.
“And seeing how he made it a group thing, I thought that maybe … it could be a … double date.” He looked away, his hands fiddling. “So … would you…like to go on-“
“Yes, yes, yes, literally all the yes in the world!” She jumped onto Spidey and kissed those sweet, warm lips again. “Trust me Spidey, this is going to be incredible!”
“... Okay.” He gasped out, eyes wide and smiled wide. “Someone's more eager than I thought.”
“You kidding me?! I can’t say yes fast enough, I mean, after what we did after the white rabbit thing…” Chloe blushed.
“Yeah.. yeah that left quite the…impression on me.” Spidey chuckled. “Now, you sure about this? Cause we’ll be getting a lot of eyes on eyes, and I know getting attention is kind of a mixed bag for you nowadays.”
“I just assumed you'd post us live.” She rubbed his chest. “Letting the world know that the Spider is taken.” No more Black Cat playing around with him or super heroines flirting.
“I’ll be sure to make a note of it on my next podcast.” He chuckled as he picked her up. “Anyway, we’re going to be at the ice rink.”
“Paris has an ice rink?” Chloe blinked.
“Yeah, we’re gonna be meeting Adrien Agreste and his classmate from fencing class.”..Wait what?
“Adrikens is going on a date?” That was news to her.
“Yeah, Japanese girl, kind of intense looking, but kind of shy. I know having it be a double date is kind of weird for a first date…”
“No, no, I don’t mind ... Just find it weird Adriekns would ever ask someone out.” Chloe admitted. “It’s kind of hard to imagine his naive soul doing something like that.”
“Heard the Parker kid convinced him to go on rebound.” The hero chuckled as they swung through the air.
“... I’m gonna kick his balls next time I see him.” Pushing her precious Adrikens into such a vulnerable position.
“Hehehehehehhe, you know that whole ‘being nice thing’ we talked about … that applies to this.” Spidey chuckled.
“Trust me Spidey, this is a childhood friendship thing, there’s just some lines you don’t cross.”
========================================================================
Plagg munched on some cheese. “Man, can’t even snark with Annasi as I watch these children crash and burn.”
“I know, it’s such a shame.” Pollen shook her head. “I can’t enjoy this beautiful moment with Annasi while his holder is with my queen.”
“Maybe we try and have a little more faith in our holders?” Sugarcube asked. Plagg simply pointed to Marinette, who was screaming into a chair cushion.
“Gaaah, why did I agree to this, why did I agree to this, WHY DID I AGREE TO THIS!? This is a disaster!” Marinette shouted. “Peter, when I see you again, I’m going to kick your butt! I thought you were on board with helping me, not making my life worse!?”
“… Why are our lives such a mess?” Tikki asked.
“I don’t know what you’re complaining about, my holder’s doing just fine.” Pollen pointed to Chloe, who had Spidey wrap her shoes on personally.
“We could’ve gotten you a pair too, you know.” The girl said.
“They didn’t carry my size. I’m a no toes twelve.” Spider-Man snarked. “Besides, I can handle ice no problem. Sticky feet, I can control when I slide on the ice, and I'll always be able to catch you princess.”
That made the girl blush. “Well, you won't have to use it too much. I am as graceful on ice as I am on the sidewalk.” The girl stood up ... and immediately fell right into Spidey’s chest from the imbalance.
“Don’t worry, I don’t mind holding you in my arms.”
“How are you so dorky at asking someone out but so smooth at this part?” The girl squeeked.
“Reel him in my queen, reel him in.” Pollen smiled.
“Surprised you haven’t spilled the beans that the guy she loves is the guy she hates.” Plagg noted as he took another bite of cheese.
“Every kwami has their little order of importance.” Pollen nodded. “Mine is my queen’s orders, the guardian’s orders, and helping the world bloom.” The bee waved off the problem. “It wouldn't be in my roll of servant to spoil my queen’s fun. Plus I fully trust Annasi’s holder to fully charm her eventually, that's just how fare works.”
“This is less fair and more a tragic coincidence.” Tikki muttered. “At least your holder seems like he’s doing fine.” She gestured to Kagami, who was finishing up trying her laces with Adrien.
“So, a simple maneuver across the field?” The girl asked.
“Yeah, a simple twirl, backflip, all the casual stuff.” His kit nodded with a grin.
“... Annasi may have had a point.” His sugarcube raised an eyebrow. “You sure he’s a hundred percent human?”
“He sweats like a human. He's got the dirty gym socks to prove it.” Plaag noted. “And I'm pretty sure I would've noticed if he was a mutant or an inhuman.” He shivered. “Ugh, I just gave myself Dark Phoenix flashbacks.”
“So … humans have come into contact with Lightforce, Darkforce, and the Phoenix Force.” Pollen noted. “... You think they’re gonna ascend?”
“Doubtful.” Tikki noted. “It's more of a case where they're messing with forces they don't understand. At the moment they don't really comprehend the weight of what they're tapping into. Even Mr. Negative was practically made out of the stuff and he didn't fully tap into its power.”
“I give them about five more decades before they wipe themselves off the map.” Plagg didn’t even try to sugarcoat it like his partner.
“Why-why-why is this ice so slippery!” Chloe kept struggling as Spidey held onto her.
“There there, I’m here to keep you steady. One leg at a time.” Peter said calmly as he continued to carry her forward.
“This is a mistake.” Marinette groaned from the seats. “Why did I come here?”
“Marinette?” The girl turned her head ... and saw some kid with blue hair.
“Luka?” Marinette blinked. “What are you doing here?”
“I was having a bit of a slump with a song I was trying to come up with, figured I'd do something new to help clear my head.” The new guy grinned as he sat down. “What about you? Didn't take you for a skater.”
“I-um-you see-friends here-offering support.” The girl stampered out.
“New guy?” Plagg asked.
“Hard to tell.” Tikki admitted. “She does like him, but the Adrien of it all keeps her in the middle ground of indecisiveness.”
“Why not take both?” Pollen asked.
“Humans are still on the fence about polyamory.” Plagg explained. “Either they're all in love with each other or it's a no go.”
“Ah, I see.” The new guy looked around. “I take it that circumstances have made you the fifth wheel of this outing?”
“... Yeah…” Marinette sighed. “I was invited, so I didn't want to be rude. Said I could invite a friend but honestly, anyone watching this would make me even more pathetic.”
“... I don’t think your pathetic.” The boy smiled, offering his hand. “I can take it slow if you want to try to move on the ice.”
“Really?” The girl blinked in shock. “It wouldn't be awkward for you?”
“Of course not. Spending time with you is the opposite of awkward.” The boy helped the girl up.
“Wow, this one's smooth.” Pollen cooed. “If Annasi's holder wasn't an option I would point my queen towards him.”
“Definitely a top contender if Adrien never notices her.” Tikki nodded.
“Course not, they’re ‘just friends’.” Plagg air quoted. “Bleegh, gonna be sick the more he says that.”
“I mean, they've never acted romantically with each other, they kind of are just friends.” Tikki noted.
“Oh Marinette, your finally on the ice.” Adrien spoke out as he and Kagami met up with the new incomers on the ice. “And you've made a new friend.”
“New-ish actually.” Luka chuckled. “I'm Juleka's brother Luka. I met the rest of the class when my mom was akumatized into Captain Hardrock.”
“Oh right. I was busy locked up at home. Nice to meet you Luka.” The boy waved.
“Nice to meet you. Adrien, right?” Luka nodded. “I think I've seen you in a commercial once.”
“I get that a lot, and I thank you for not going ga ga at my face.” The kit chuckled. “Glad you’re having fun Marinette, I was worried this would be awkward for you.”
“What-me-akward, why-why would it be awkward?” Marinette cackled with a light nervous sweat. “We’re just friends.”
“Marinette, you know we’re more than that.” At that line, everyone went silent, as they stared at the boy. “We’re best friends.”
“... OOOH, That's what you meant.” Pollen nodded. “I see, very misleading.”
“He watches romantic comedies all the time, how is he THIS bad about giving clear cut messages and mixed signals?” Plagg asked. “It’s like all his social skills bled into his physical athleticism.”
“You know…in a cosmic sense…this is just sad.” Tikki groaned as she pointed to the infatuated couple of Spidey and Chloe. “How is that couple more sustainable than anything Marinette and Plagg’s holder have going for them?”
“Look on the bright side.” Pollen smiled. “Maybe their frivolous attempts to ignore their hearts by focusing on alternative lust for different people will draw them closer together upon failure.”
“... You have a very skewed view on love.” Tikki bluntly glared.
“I don’t get out of the box much.” She shrugged.
“Greetings!” A man gave a nervous smile as he skated over to Spidey and Chloe. “Can I interest you in skating lessons?”
“Sorry dude, not a skater.” Spidey pointed to the fact he was walking instead of skating.
“Well, obviously the lovely lady here would-”
“Ah-ah-ah” The girl kept slipping. “Romantic as heck but I've already messed up my pedicure falling down on this stupid ice. Never doing this again.” Chloe muttered.
“Ahhh …” The man went over to Kagami and Adrien, who were now skating away from Marinette. “What about you? Would you like to take lessons?”
Kagami silently stared, before grabbing onto Adrien, tossing him up, doing three spins, and grabbing the boy in her arms without missing a beat. “Top that and I’ll consider judging your credentials.”
“Strong girl …” The kit muttered with a flush.
“If one is to support the weight of an empire, one must be able to support the weight of one's self.” The Asian girl nodded with a confident and slightly smug smirk.
“... Not going to lie, that girl scares me.” Plagg admitted. Although it was nice to finally confirm what his holder liked, kind but strong women who could absolutely manhandle him but treated him with love and support.
“Come on, come on, you have two more candidates, don't blow this, don't blow this…” the instructor muttered to himself.lf. “Greetings, would you two like to take lessons? They’ll make you the talk of your friends.”
“No thank you, this is just a casual thing.” The new boy smiled calmly.
“Yeah, I'm not much of a skater, plus my schedule is way too packed for something like this. On top of being student body president, duties at the bakery, commissions, homework, occasional donations and volunteer work at feast..”
“Wow Marinette, your pretty capable and talented.” Luka chuckled. “I can't even imagine multitasking on that big a scale.”
“I mean-it’s not that special-just a little bit of effort here and there-can barely handle it myself.” And she was a blubbering mess with every boy it seemed.
“But … but-“
“Philippe that’s enough!” Oh, Mayor was here. “None of these children want lessons and no one else is showing up. I’m shutting down your ice rink for the gym for my daught-I mean, the city.”
Everyone looked to Chloe after that statement. “.. Oh right … that's why I didn't know there was a skating rink in the city. Daddy said he was going to shut it down from the lack of customers.” The girl snapped her fingers. “Weird coincidence.”
“Sure, coincidence.” Marinette muttered as the man skated out crying. “And now his business is destroyed.”
“To be fair, it was already being shut down a while ago, no income.” The mayor said apologetically. “Today was his last day to gain any signs for his lessons.”
“You'd think someone like that would try to advertise more.” Spidey muttered. “I mean, the skate rink doesn't even have a social or anything.” He looked down at his chain. “Maybe I can offer a tip or two …”
“You might want to hold off until after that!” Luka shouted, pointing to expanding ice from the direction the man ran off in.
“Akuma … everyone skate for your lives!” Spidey screamed out as the door burst open, a cold gale overtaking the rink.
“You may have taken away my skating rink, but the power of Frozer will make the whole world my skating rink!” The akuma shouted as ice began covering everything, from the solid floor to the walls.
“Will we still have to pay tuition!? Cause if so I’m gonna need a loan!” Peter exclaimed, drawing attention as he went to attack.
“Come on, we need to meet with the others.” Tikki began floating to Marinette.
“My queen shall grace the ice with her glory!” Pollen cheered as she went to Chloe.
“Oh great, we’re gonna have to …” He gagged. “Eat the potions … so gross.”
========================================================================
Peter had a pro con benefit against this akuma. Pro. He had full control of his stickiness. Sticking and sliding whenever he wanted without any visible indicator. It gave him a movement advantage. Con. “Cold! So so cold!” No thermal undies. “I knew I should've invested in the spider-scarf. It would've looked like one giant web!”
“The cold can end if you give me your miraculous!” The villain that ironically sounded like he had a cold (or that could have been Hawky’s terrible fashion choice), called out, before blowing a gale of cold winds onto him.
“No way, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I gave away my best suit on the first date!?” He shot back. “Plus I didn't pack an extra, and going all natural isn't something you do on a first date!”
“I mean, I wouldn't mind..” Chloe muttered with a blush as she ducked underneath a stray blast of ice.
“I love the initiative princess, but maybe save the banter when I don’t have to worry about you becoming Paris’s prettiest ice pop!” He shouted out. Seriously, his limbs were starting to get numb … crap, better not be frostbite. “So if you would please flee before anything else happens.”
“Right, right, got it! You totally got this Spidey!” Chloe blew him a kiss as she ran off.
“So what do I call you? Jack frost? Frozone the second? Skaterella?”
“Call me … Frozer!”
“... Dude, that can't be the best you've come up with.” Spidey raised an eyebrow. “Tacky costumes are one thing, but tacky names as well?” He was rewarded with a hail of pointed icicles. “And you’re so sensitive for someone with such a cold heart! You’re the reason why they call them snowflakes!”
“I'm unique and one of a kind, so thanks!” The ice villain laughed as he skated towards Spidey, and slammed him against a wall.
“Gah, this is humiliating, I'm getting thrown around by the nutjob on ice.” Peter quipped as he kicked the man back as he climbed up the wall. “Doesn't matter how good you are, even you can't skate up a wall.” The man proceeded to then skate up a wall. “I call so much malarkey!”
“I’ll make sure to ref it!” Shouted the familiar voice of Chat as a black blur slammed into the man, knocking him off. “Zero points for the landing.”
“Great job … Chat Noir?” He asked, looking at the hero now adorned with multiple ice crystals in the shape of large snowflakes, a now silver bell, and skates.
“Nope, Icecat at your service. Had to put on my skating shoes.” Adrien smirked, pulling out a half bitten cheese. “Takes a little longer to charge up when you only eat half of it.” He responded, tossing the food item over to him.
“Right, you had those potions ... and you made them into cheese?” Spidey blinked.
“A power up and a recharge rolled up into one. Kwamis can eat them too.”
Peter looked at the stinky piece of camembert. “... Annasi, you owe me big time for this.” And tossed it into his mouth. “Gaaah, it tastes like yellow snow and rotten pine.”
“You think that’s bad, I have to shower five times a day to get rid of the stink.” Adrien shivered.
He was gonna hurl … as his miraculous began slowly changing lights. “Uhh …”
“Told you, it takes a charge up time.” He explained. “Why do you think I got here so late?”
“Watermelon's sense of timing rubbing off on you?” He chuckled.
“Yeah yeah, be sure to lay it on me.” And here came the woman herself, only more sparkly and wearing a tiara. “Ladyice is on the scene.”
“Oooh, looks like your purincess is wearing her good crown today.” Peter chuckled …
“We should focus on the akuma. I’ll observe his capabilities, we make the plan once you can transform.” And the dude rolled it off.
“.... Not that I don't like his serious attitude, but … that was … off.” Ladyice muttered.
“Tell me about it.” Peter’s eyes widened. “Guess my advice about trying to find another girl paid off. Congrats melonpop, no more lovestruck cat on your back.”
“Why is that a theme for me today ...?” Ladyice grumbled as she shook her head.
“Be-be-because you’re baaad at relation-shhhhhips?” Queenie asked, shivering. “I somehow feel colder with the ma-magic suit. Is it a bug th-th-thing?”
“Probably.” Spidey nodded. “You got any spare ice potions in the bag?”
“The reason we don’t abuse them is because they’re about seven days and three hundred euros worth of effort.” She stared at him flatly.
“So you don’t?”
“..I do..” Ladyice grumbled as she tossed out-ooh, blue macaroon. “Eat this, then say power up.”
“Do-do I have to?” She asked.
“Eat it or freeze, your choice.” The melon head crossed her arms.
“...Ugh, this better not ruin my diet..” She chucked the cookie in. “Gaaah! It tastes like black ice and sugar cubes!”
“Better than what I ate.” Peter muttered, as his rings began glowing.“Ooh, charge up complete. Power up!” He shouted, his suit becoming covered in crystalline webs, the blue giving way to a lighter white, skates on his feet, and a mouth mask, nice. “Call me … Wolf Spider.”
“Really, not even an ice theme to it?” Chat asked.
“Wolf spiders live in the arctic.” He argued. “Just say power up Queenie.”
“Al-al-al right…p-po-power… power up!” Queen shouted, as her body became covered in crystallized honey combs, white replacing the black stripes of her costume, along with some added white fluff around her wrists, ankles, and neck. “Oh yeah, that’s MUCH better. Now, I am…Frost Bee!”
“Frost Bee, Frosty ... nice play on words.” Spidey gave his thumbs up.
“Really, you’re flirting with her?” Ladybug asked.
“Compliments can be compliments without flirting, not everyone is as highstrung as you, Melonpop.”
“Right, let's go.” Chat jumped ahead.
“...Is it just me or does it feel like he should’ve said something about that?” Queenie, or Frostie now, blinked with a tilted head.
“Rocky relationship.” Spidey nodded. “Now come on, let’s insult the almost as lame as Mr Pigeon villain, Frozer.”
“Oh god, that cannot be his real name.” Frostie snickered as she started skating … and fell on her face. “.......Not one… word.”
“Okay, here’s three.. Ha, ha, ha.” Ladyice cackled.
========================================================================
Marinette having a rough day was … not putting it lightly. Adrien asked out Kagami, Luka made her a confused mess, Spidey and Chloe were having fun with each other, and the latter would probably get off scot free despite being partially responsible … as usual. And now Chat Noir … or Icecat, was giving her the cold shoulder… sure she wanted him to understand she wasn’t interested … but now he was acting serious ... and it was kind of hot-
GAHHHHHH! Why was this such a turn on for her?! It wasn’t like she needed someone calm, cool headed, focused on the task in comparison to her chaotic and random life-okay, now it was starting to make a little more sense. “So Frozer?” Spidey asked, wrapping a chain around the villain’s leg. “How does it feel now that every advantage you had is gone?”
“You may be skaters, but you’re not the best!” The man went into a twirl so fast he actually dragged Spidey into a tornado. “I’ve perfected my craft over the decades! I’m a three time ice skating olympics champion, there is no one more suited for a life on the ice than moi!”
“If by life on ice you mean trapped in a freezer where you and your dumb name can sit for the next hundred years, then yeah, you got that right!” Frost Bee shouted ... as she knocked frozer out of the way by slamming into him in one klutzy trip that made Marinette have whiplash to several of her own fails.
“Huh, could have sworn the suits would compensate for lack of skills.” Chat mumbled as he tried to skate closer and land a blow, only for the man to leap back. “I think the akuma’s in his skates. It’s the only visible thing on him.”
“Then we just need to keep him off his feet.” Ladyice nodded, trying to land a kick on the man’s torso. “Good thing we have a chat that always lands on his, right?”
“I’ll attack from a distance.” Chat nodded sharply as he took out his pole.
“....” Dang, Chat NEVER skipped out on a chance to play off a pun… her rejection wasn’t THAT bad, right? She let him down as gently as she could, especially with Spidey and Queenie riffing on her.
“And from above comes Wolf Spider, his dazzling suit showing himself as a beacon, a star for the world!” Spidey exclaimed, skating around the man as he tried to grapple with him.
“A star from a bygone age maybe. Now, is the age of skating!” Frozer shouted as he bent over the chains, only to get a kick from Queen bee, and an attack from the head from Chat’s pole.
Ladyice grabbed his skates with her yo-yo, pulling them up. “Now Chat!”
“Cataclysm!” He shouted, jabbing his hand on the skates, which turned to dust as a familiar butterfly emerged.
“No more evildoing for you little akuma. Time to de-evilize!” Marinette shouted, catching the creature. “Gotcha. Bye bye little butterfly.”
“You know, wasn’t much of a challenge considering all of us are immune to ice now.” Chat noted.
“Well you know what they say.” Spider chuckled. “Some motherhubbers are always trying to ice skate up hill.”
“... What the heck does that mean?” Ladybug looked at him dumbfounded.
“I dunno, heard it from a vampire one time.” Spidey shrugged. “Still, didn’t expect today to be a no lucky charm day.”
“Kind of need to use it anyway … considering …” She gestured to the frozen city. “So … Lucky Charm.” She flung it in the air… and got a bouquet of flowers. “..Okay, now I know this thing is messing with me.”
“There’s probably no deeper meaning to it, might as well throw it up.” Chat grumbled.
“...” Okay, she needed to stop this now. “Chat, shutting me out isn’t going to make you feel better. Don’t do this to me, partner. You’re better than that.”
“... It hurts.” He sighed. “Feeling something you know is never going to get returned.”
“... It does …” She admitted. It hurt so … so much. “But we can’t let that cloud judgement ... or damage the friendship we already have.”
“So we’re still not looking for a Ladybug replacement?” Everyone turned to Frost Bee. “What, just saying, that was an option a few weeks ago.”
“Not the time to be glib, Frostie.” Spidey shook his head.
“What I’m trying to say Chat..” Ladybug took one of the roses, and placed it in Chat’s hand. “Just because I don’t wanna date you, it doesn’t make you less important to me ... heck, even if I manage to give my heart to the one I love ... you’ll still be the most important person in my life … can you understand that?”
“... Yeah … I can.” He sighed. “My feelings for you can’t be replaced… but.. I can open my heart to others.. It’ll take time, but… the void will be filled someday.. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.. and for being passive aggressive about it.”
“Hey, you’re still better than Spidey and Queenie, you’d never come nearly as close to being as rude as them.”
“...I feel like I just watched one of those cheesy soap operas.” Queenie whispered.
“Eh, I say it’s more like something on the CW, but that’s just me.” Spidey shot back.
“Don’t you have a date to get back to?” She asked.
“Actually, putting it on hold for a second, I wanted to chat with the ice instructor for a minute.” Spidey noted.
She shrugged. “… So I’m going to actually need the flowers back, they’re my lucky charm and all?”
“Of course… I’ll be sure to give you a blue rose of friendship in the future.” Chat bowed with his normal playful grin.
“Orange actually.” Marinette corrected with a grin, accepting the roses back. “Miraculous Ladybug!” And like clockwork, the world was back to normal.
“Pound it.” A four way first bump was made.
“Huh… felt weird… “ Frosty blinked.
“It’s called comradery.” Chat laughed.
“So, Philipp, was it?” Spidey asked. “How would you like me to film some awesome skating moves as advertisement?”
“Really, you would do that?!” The man shouted in disbelief.
“Sure, I had my first date with my girlfriend there, I’d like to keep the place around, just for the memories if anything else.” Oh barf.
“Shame, I could’ve used the gym to keep my figure up.” Frosty mumbled as she set out her top.
“How did you know about the gym?” Ladyice asked.
“...I-uh-was.. Spying on Spidey’s date…?” The bee hero nervously sweated. “You know… as a friend…”
“... Huh … and here I thought I was desperate.” Icecat said bluntly. “We need to get you a date.”
“Oh look who’s talking, mr. mope about watermelons!”
“..I suddenly feel more secure about my feelings.” Maybe all super heroes just dealt with this. So far, the only married heroes she knew were Mr. Fantastic and Susan Storm.
========================================================================
Luka smiled as he watched Marinette return. “I’m glad your alright, Marinette.”
“Ah, you know how it is, class gets attacked all the time and Ladybug fixes all the damage. My sense of danger is becoming dangerously low.” She admitted with a chuckle. “It’s starting to become the only simple thing in my life really.”
“The most simple thing in my life is helping my mom escape police custody, so I can relate to a certain extent.” Although escaping an akuma was somehow easier than that. “So, still feeling awkward, or did running for your life snap you out of it?”
“Eh, at the moment I’m just kinda drained and bummed, so no awkwardness.” She noted, looking out as Adrien and Kagami walked to a limo together. “... It’s like an entire different world between us …”
“... You like him, don’t you?” Luka questioned with a smile.
“... Would any answer I give you be a believable excuse?”
“No, your melody makes it very obvious.” He answered.
“Can you like, actually hear souls or something? We live in a world with mutants and magic, so I have to ask.” Marinete asked curiously.
“It’s less magic and more intuition. I see someone, and I’m usually able to understand the kind of vibe they give off.” Luka explained. “Music’s just how I like to process everything. It keeps me stress free.”
“Haven’t found any music that sets me at ease yet.” Marinette admitted. “Mostly just sketching designs helps me calm down, declutters the head and all that.”
“I can see that. Sometimes just playing what’s on my mind sets me at ease.” He nodded. “... When you listen to the world, you can hear what it wants …” Luka touched his chest. “When you listen to your own heart, you know what it wants.”
“...Wow..” The girl blushed. “That sounds amazing ... guess my heart’s just too random and chaotic for me to know what the beat is.”
“Or …” He leaned down, meeting her face to face. “You just need to sit down and listen closely.”
“Ahh …” Huh … she was kinda cute when she was flustered.
“And one more thing …” He handed her a piece of paper with his phone number. “In case you ever change your mind about music, I’d be happy to give you a lesson.”
“...Has anyone ever told you that you can be too smooth?” The girl blushed as she nervously accepted it.
“My mother says I got it from her, but I don’t buy it.” Probably from his old man … whoever that was.