Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Hold… still!" Marinette grunted, tongue sticking out between her teeth. "Honestly, aren't your costumes supposed to be like, magical? Can't you…" She waved her free hand around, spattering some paint across the sheet placed down for the express purpose of this issue, "woosh your appearance different?"

"I coooouuuulllldddd," Chat Noire drawled, wiggling excitedly as she leaned closer to Marinette, green eyes glittering in the dawn light. "But where's the fun in that! This is my first time doing something for Pride! Being part of the community, doing fun stuff with people I know and all that stuff." Her smile wavered a bit. Marinette paused her painting, tilting her head to look at her partner.

"You doing alright, kitty?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, just fine," Chat Noire said, waving off her concerns. Marinette didn't buy it for a second but it felt wrong to spoil a day like this by digging into what was obviously a capital i Issue. So she just nodded, giving a (hopefully) supportive smile back and dabbed the last bit of paint of the superheroine's cheeks.

"Aaand I think we've got it!" She leaned back, tapping the brush to her top lip, squinting this way and that before nodding. "Have a look, mon joli chat." Chat Noire hopped up and peered at herself in the mirror, faux-tail twitching with excitement. All at once the sun seemed to come back into her eyes. One cheek was painted with blues, pinks, and white. The other had a dappled sunset of oranges and reds. Around her eye mask were tiny cat paws of alternating color schemes as well, making a tiny, wandering trail. The claws of the suit had also been painted, each hand now matching the opposite cheek.

There obviously were better and grander displays getting ready today. A lot were probably already done, completed days ago rather than a spur of the moment sprung on Marinette late last night. But for Chat… It was meaningful. A small thing, a special thing. She traced her fingers over her face, shoulders hunching slightly at the realization that there had been a weight on them that she had never noticed before. Never understood before. The first transformation almost a year ago had been like jumping into a deep river and flailing around to get used to it. This? It might as well have been sinking into a warm bath.

"You good, kitty?" Marinette asked again, hands hovering and fidgeting by Chat's shoulder. "It looks right, nothing has smeared so far, I could do something bigger if you want, just need a-"

"No," Chat Noire interrupted, turning back to her, lips spreading into a beaming smile. The rising sun cast her long blonde hair aglow. A golden halo with stark relief in the twin emeralds that were her eyes. "It's perfect…"

Chapter Text

Metal bowls and measuring cups clattered across the already semi-filled counter. "Shit, just one…" Alix Kubdal muttered to herself as she hastily stopped the rolling pin she had placed here beforehand from falling off. They took a step back, hands out and glancing around to make sure nothing else would fall off. Satisfied, she slowly approached the counter again and flipped through the multiple magazines that were laid out over a few older and falling apart recipe books. The stuff in those were tasty, but Alix had grown up with them. Marinette deserved something bold, something new. "Gotta be good, she deserves it after all…"

A lot of the recipe's were for Valentine's Day (as a general rule, not because Alix planned to do something like this for then but forgot, shut up), but the general sentiment should stay the same. Still, it felt kinda weird giving Marinette a… 'Cherished Hearts Dream Cake' for Pride. Well, to ask her out, but as a backup in case she rejected Alix she could say it was for Pride. No faults. 10 outta 10 backup. Let's do this.

Butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, eggs after that, flour measured carefully and toss. Alix hummed to herself as she worked (an older song she vaguely remembers her mother singing in the kitchen when Alix was younger), and felt damn domestic. Not her usual vibe for sure. But there was just something about picturing Marinette's shocked face turning into a teary-eyed warmth as they presented the cake to her… Alix felt their insides go wobbly and had to smile as she snagged a carton of milk from the fridge and added it to the mixer.

…The batter wasn't supposed smell sour, right? Alix stopped the mixer and peered inside, sniffing at it again. They checked the recipe, before hastily looking at the carton she pulled from the fridge. Her heart sank when she saw the expiration date. Swallowing heavily, Alix decided to dump the mess into the trash and thoroughly washed the bowl.

This was fine! It's fine. Marinette lived in a bakery, she was probably sick to death of cakes already! Something else, Alix needed something else. They flipped through page after page before stabbing their finger down. Got it! Chocolates. Marinette probably wouldn't have a lot of chocolates made for her without pastries or stuff involved. Sure there maybe ten confectioners every block or so in this damn city, but that didn't matter! These were for Marinette solely, and a combination of 'will you go out with me' and 'happy Pride month' jammed together. It meant it was special.

A little mix up (heh) wouldn’t get Alix's determination down! She bounced back in a flash, heating up water and placing a metal bowl over it like the cookbook said. Carefully she measured the chocolates out and placed them in the bowl to melt. Alix set her phone to time it and turned her back on it and the open window. They never saw the little flash that hovered over it. She gathered vanilla extract, some molds, and a few bits and bobs of other candies lying about. The heart shapes looked good in the picture, and Alix could do twice as good! Confidence surged in Alix. They could do this, they could do this! Alix would win Marinette's heart for sure with this; show she wasn’t some go nowhere skater! She scooped up the bowl to pour the chocolate into the molds…

She forgot. Searing hot metal burned her calloused hands and she dropped it with a scream. The chocolate splattered all over the floor, hardening and staining the tiles. Alix rushed to the sink for cold water, fighting back tears and pain and frustration. Why? Why was it so hard to be better? She could skate and race and compete with the best of them. They'd fallen down and scraped knees and even broke a wrist once but… This was simple! WHY WAS THIS WHAT WAS BREAKING HER? Alix took a deep breath. Can't let her temper get the best of her. Once more!

Golden confidence hardened to steely determination. She threw herself back into the books and magazines. Has to be something special, something that MEANT something. Can't be too simple or else Marinette wouldn't think any effort had been put in. And it needed to be today, or else everything… it'd be wasted. A flash of color caught her eyes. That'd work.

Oven temperature, lowered. Lesser amount of batter, with the RIGHT milk, mixed (need to go to the store soon, replace what was wasted). Little paper cups filled to the proper amount so they wouldn't burn or overflow. Tins in the oven. Frosting time. More mixing, sugar and butter. Split a few of them off into smaller bowls for food coloring. Red and orange and black and yellow with a small one for plain white. Done. Just in time for the oven to ding.

Alix walked steadily over to it and yanked out the cupcakes. They were good, great even! Place them on the counter to cool so the frosting wouldn't melt. Alix tapped their foot, waiting impatiently, glancing over at the tray as if their glare would make it go quicker. When she could poke one and not burn her finger excitement surged inside her. Slather the tops, lesbian flag cupcakes and nonbinary ones too. The finish line was in sight. Now to get these up someplace higher so nothing could tamper with them They stepped on the bowl still on the floor. Alix was great at keeping balance. Part of their whole ability after all. But with the stress and the blooming hope and the frayed nerves, she over-corrected. And went down.

Slowly, Alix lifted her face from the smashed plate of frosting and confection. Something deep inside her burned. Her breath came short and fast, hot tears mixing with ruined decoration. why…? Why, of all days, of all MONTHS did she fumble? Did she fall short of what she wanted!? Behind her in the open window, dark wings fluttered. Alix hunched on herself, teeth grit, flinching at the doorbell ringing.

"WHAT!?" They shouted, stomping over and flinging the front door open, only to freeze. Marinette stood there, shocked expression on her face.

"O-oh, is… is this a bad time?" She glanced behind Alix, before looking back at the skater. Alix could barely breathe. "You, uh. Texted saying you wanted me to come over, right?"

Had they…? Alix fumbled in their pockets for their phone before remembering they used it as a timer on the counter for the chocolates. Did they text Marinette? It, was possible, they'd bee distracted but- Something whooshed behind Alix. Both turned to look. Nothing but the hint of a mess around the corner. "I… might have?" Alix said, wiping at her cheeks. "This, this is kind of a bad time right now, sorry. I was trying to…. to bake, something. For, for you, and I…"

"Had a little slip up?" Marinette asked. Her tone was lightly teasing, but Alix didn't mind. It made her heart flutter a bit.

"…sort of."

"Well, maybe I can help? What were you trying?" Marinette slid past Alix, glancing at the chaos of the kitchen. Alix hunched in on themselves, trying to wipe more frosting away.

"It, it was-"

"Oh! Basbousa! I've heard about this! Never been able to try it before though!" Marinette turned around, a recipe card softened with age and love in her hands. Alix blinked. "Looks interesting, do you, uh… mind if we try it out?" Marinette smiled, brushing a pigtail back further behind her ear. "It, it would be good for me to try out unique pastries, and also I may have… wanted to ask you something… If that's alright of course!"

Alix felt their own cheeks warm. "O-oh yeah, totally! Let me… I'll, I'll clean up and then we, uh… yeah," they finished lamely. Marinette nodded, distracted.

"Sounds, sounds good." Marinette shuffled a bit closer to Alix, reaching over and swiping a bit of frosting from their nose. "You… yeah. This, we can do this I think."

On a rooftop across the street, looking in through an open window, Bunnyx chuckled as her past self flailed at the simple touch. "They should be able to figure it out from here," she said, standing back up and inspecting the Akuma caught frozen in status in her hand. With a flick of their wrist, a portal opened, the evening sun gleaming off the wedding ring on her finger. "Let's get you back to be purified little butterfly, can't be hanging around here for long. After all…" Alix chuckled again, sighing warmly as she jumped into the portal. "It's my anniversary."

Chapter Text

"Hey Chloe!" Chloe shoved the pictures she was sighing at into her locked and slammed it shut, cheeks burning as she turned around with a scoff.

"What is it, Sabrina?" She asked, trying to subtly push the edge of the photograph that was caught in the door back into her locker. The ginger girl frowned, peering around Chloe to try and spot what she was fidgeting with. "I'm very busy right now, and don't need you snooping in on my secret stuff."

"I… was just wondering… if you, wanted me to help with your hoooomework or…" Sabrina trailed off, staring pointedly at Chloe's hand. Chloe managed to shove the corner through the edge of the door and leaned back against the cool metal. She glared down at Sabrina. Sabrina just glanced around before looking back at Chloe, eyebrow raised and head tilted slightly "Are. Are you, like, okayyyy? If it's drugs I won't tell my dad-"

"Ugh, shut up!" Chloe huffed, cheeks still a little flushed and crossed her arms. "I was just, looking at something private, okay? I don't have to explain myself to you! Why'd you think it was drugs, anyways?"

"Well you've been kind of distracted lately, your face has been kind of flushed each time we meet up after school around this time, and you haven't been telling me what to do either," Sabrina listed off. She frowned, squinting at Chloe as she leaned in. "You haven't even been that bothered Marinette's been hanging around with Adrien either…" Chloe most certainly did not press herself further against her locker, that would be silly to do with an underling. She... just liked the back support.

"Why does it even matter!" Chloe threw her hands up. "So what if she's openly hanging around now? One less creepy stalker for Adri-kins to deal with. Gives her an outlet or whatever."

"Well, yeah, but-"

"But nothing, Raincomprix!" Chloe took the initiative, advancing on her friend and poking her in the chest to force her back. "I don't need to tell you everything about what's going on with me, alright? So just buzz off!" Chloe growled the last part, cheeks flushing slightly from the obvious exertion, nothing more. Sabrina just blinked, her textbooks clutched tightly to her chest.

"…alright, Chloe," she said softly. Sabrina took a steadying breath and returned the glare. "If you don't want to tell me about whatever it is that has you so obviously distracted, fine. I'll just, go then." Sabrina turned on her heel with a little hmph! and strode off. Chloe watched her go, eyes narrowed and hands clenched at her sides. As soon as she was out of sight, Chloe whirled back around, fumbling with her locker door.

"C'mon, c'mon, pppllleeeeaasseeee don't be damaged… YES!" Chloe slammed the door open and caught the fluttering photograph before it reached the floor. She hastily checked the corners and sighed. Nothing was torn, nothing was creased. "I… know I should tell her, but… what if she gets the wrong idea?" Chloe whispered to herself, trailing a sparkly blue nail over the picture. Bright cyan eyes stared back at her, a mischievous smile that seemed to warm with just a glance. Chloe pressed her forehead to the picture, fingers clenching just before bending the precious item.

"I can't," she whispered. "After everything I've done, why would she love someone like me back?" Chloe lowered her hands, cold anxiety lacing her veins melting a bit as she looked once more at the girl she fell head over heels for. "If only I figured it out sooner…" With another sigh, Chloe pressed her lips to the photo, before tucking the image of Miss Hound back into her locker, and closed the door.

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

"I had a fight with Chloe today," Sabrina said, kicking her legs over the side of the bed. "I think she's got a crush on someone, or found a love letter, or something. It's the only explanation on why she's been so distant lately. I'm worried… I'm worried it even might be on me." Sabrina glanced at her propped up phone, her favorite saved image greeting her. A lovestruck sigh fell from her lips. "How could I possibly tell her? We've been… 'friends' for ten years now. If she knew…" Sabrina let her words drift off, reaching out to brush against her inspiration, her rock when times got tough, the girl she met once before and whose confidence kept her steady during those stormy waves with Chloe and the others. "Oh Queen Bee…" Sabrina muttered, picking her phone up to press her cheek to its screen. "We're really in it now, huh?"

Chapter Text

Ladyblog→Message Boards→Events and Planning→Pride Meet Ups→Planning Talk

AlyaOfficial posted @ 9:03 AM

"Goooood morning friends! Giving a heads up that there is a possible chance Ladybug herself will be at the gathering today! Make sure to bring water and any merch you want signed. That said, no more than One (1) item per person please. Our heroes are busy busy people and it's a treat they're even able to make it!"

PawsiblyChatNoir(NR) posted @ 9:04 AM

"WOO! I'm so there!"

SpottedLady posted @ 9:04 AM

"I always get tricked by your name dude."

PawsiblyChatNoir(NR) posted @ 9:05 AM

"Same to you, UwU"

"Anyways, what do folks think I should binrg that'd be good?? I have a mask, yo-yo copy, and that art print I commissioned. Ty @KurtzMeow!!"

KurtzMeow posted @ 9:06 AM

"binrg"

SpottedLady posted @ 9:06 AM

"binrg"

DJ_Ni-No postd @ 9:06 AM

"binrg"

PawsiblyChatNoir(NR) posted @ 9:07 AM

"MEAN TO MEEE!"

AlyaOfficial posted @ 9:07 AM

"Make sure to try and keep this cleared, lots will be happening here today! Photos and such will be uploaded later, as well as potential events we'll have at the ready."

"binrg."

Ladyblog→Message Boards→Events and Planning→Pride Meet Ups→General Talk

G0thSl0th posted @ 11:08 AM

"Place looks amazing! Can't believe so many people are here already…"

FragrantPrince/ess posted @ 11:08 AM

"Yeah!! I think it's because of our special guests."

G0thSl0th posted @ 11:10 AM

"You're right, Jagged Stone is pretty special."

FragrantPrince/ess posted @ 11:10 AM

"Naive on purpose. -2 points."

KurtzMeow posted @ 11:10 AM

"Oh wow, is Adrien Agreste here!?"

PawsiblyChatNoir (NR) posted @ 11:11 AM

"WHAT!? WHERE/"

G0thSl0th posted @ 11:11 AM

"Didn't take him for an Agreste fan."

"Make sure you don't blow his cover! Gabriel doesn't come across as an understanding guy."

SwimWin posted @ 11:13 AM

"Doesn't he have that Pride Line out?"

G0thSl0th posted @ 11:14 AM

"Yeah, with like, the most shoehorned in design possible. One of my friends is a fashion designer, and she went on a HUGE rant about it a few days ago."

AlyaOfficial posted @ 11:15 AM

"I think I know the one."

"Gotta go. Need to snag said friend from skulking in the bushes. Enjoy the stalls, everyone!"

SpottedLady posted @ 11:53 AM

"Ugh. Watch it folks, some 'concerned protesters' found across the street from the fountain."

DJ_Ni-No posted @ 11:54 AM

"Saw them. Pumping the music around my booth up to keep them from being heard. Think I saw Chat Noir around them too. Hopefully the cat can scare the rats off lol"

G0thSl0th posted @ 11:56 AM

"Rats are friends :("

AlyaOfficial posted @ 12:01 PM

"@everyone BACK, NOW."

Ladyblog→Akuma Alerts

AkumaAnnouncer posted @ 12:02 PM

"@everyone: Please be aware of an Akuma manifestation at Bd de Sebastapol near the Fontaine des Innocents. Unknown Abilities as of yet. Remain calm. Stay away from the area."

AkumaAnnouncer posted @ 2:45 PM

"@everyone, Akuma purified."

Ladyblog→Message Boards→Events and Planning→Pride Meet Ups→Photos

AlyaOfficial posted @ 3:30 PM.

'An image of Alya shooting a peace sign at the camera, winking with a Bi flag painted on her cheek. Ladybug, hero of Paris, is behind her waving as well, the usual costume and hair changed to be more masculine. A genderfluid flag is draped around their shoulders.

"Ssssoooo, not much breaking in this breaking news cuz most everyone heard it, but yeah! Meet our new protector of Paris, Cramoisbée, @everyone !

DJ_Ni-No posted @ 3:30 PM

'An image of Nino grinning widely and pointing excitedly at a posing Chat Noir, the black cat wielder's hair being longer and a more feminine style to her outfit now.'

"Can't forget Chat Noire either! Asked why she kept the name similar to her old one and it damn near broke my heart, man!"

PawsiblyChatNoire(NR) posted @ 3:31 PM

"What was the reason?"

DJ_Ni-No posted @ 3:31 PM

"Said the name was the first one she chose before coming out and it felt like freedom to her, so she wanted to stick close to it ;-;"

SpottedLady posted @ 3:32 PM

"I like the mash-up Cramoisbée is doing. Very punny."

PawsiblyChatNoire(NR) posted @ 3:34 PM

"Yeah, bet he spent all night trying to make it work lol. ANYWAYS! I got my art print signed too, with the new name!!"

KurtzMeow posted @ 3:35 PM

"Congrats!"

.

.

.

Cramoisbée smiled at his phone, seeing the congratulations from Nat on his art getting signed. He sent back a smiling face emoji and set his phone down, looking across the gathered crowds. He swung his foot over the rooftop edge. Aside from the Akuma attack that Cramoisbée absolutely was going to throw a chair at Shadowmoth for, things had been fine this year. A slight scuff on the rooftop made him turn around, face softening as his partner in heroics hopped up from a crouch, mouth in a wide smile, waving. Yeah. This year had been pretty good.

Chapter Text

"Nino! Get Chris ready, okay? I need to finish something real quick!" Marie calls out, brushing some hair away from her face as she squints at the project she was commissioned to do. A client had asked for his website to be completely overhauled for 'the new era of online spaces', which meant some consultant had managed to worm their way into his ear and now Marie was scrambling to meet shifting demands and a deadline by the end of the month. Normally not a problem, but with the upcoming wedding and all…

A crash echoed from the kitchen. Marie groaned and leaned back, quickly saving the work so far and went to get up. "It's fine, Marie, I got it! Just a little spill, isn't that right, Chris?" Marie paused, taking the opportunity to just. Smile.

"Thank you, Nadja," she called back. They met when the station commissioned her for a logo redesign and things just… fell into place. Of course Marie knew about Nadja beforehand. Everyone who watched the news knew who the undisputed reporter queen was but to actually meet in person was completely different. They bonded first over being single mothers (Nadja didn't want to talk about what happened with her husband and Marie didn't press. After Manuel died, it had been hard), before meeting up after work for a bit.

Nino had been a saint, watching after Manon with Marinette sometimes. Chris took having a couple of new people coming around the house in stride too (Marie half-expected there to be a cry about not enough attention, but the two seemed to play well together and Chris being a little older probably made him feel smugly in charge). After a few more times just, being with one another and an almost conveniently timed Akuma attack, Marie felt ready to pop the question. Nadja did it first. Which of course she did. She was the best at breaking news after all.

"Come on dear, we're going to be late," said news breaker hummed, coming up behind her to kiss Marie on the head. She rested her chin there, looking at the screen. "You do know he's probably going to ask for another change, right?"

"I do, but I just feel like I need to get this one done first," Marie complained. She felt Nadja's laugh blow some of her hair aside.

"It's, what, due at the end of the month? I've reported on this guy before. He won't care if it's a little late, so long as regular updates happen. Now come on!" Nadja turned Marie's chair around despite her protests and pressed another kiss against her, this time to her lips. Marie melted slightly. "We're going to enjoy one of my days off together in the park, and I'll brook no shift in schedule." Nadja grinned against Marie who had no choice but to grin back.

"Mommies can kiss each other?" A tiny voice asked. Both women turned to see Mannon staring wide-eyed at them from the doorway.

"Of course they can! It's how they get the little chocolate hearts in the store!" Chris answered as he scooted up behind her. "And your shoes are on the wrong feet!"

"They're the only feet I have!" Mannon countered, poking Chris in the stomach.

"Can't argue with that," Marie said, cutting off any brewing argument. She gave another quick peck to Nadja before scooping Chris up and blowing a raspberry where Mannon poked him. Chris giggled and shoved his hands against Marie's face. Nadja cooed in the background, before snatching a cackling Mannon up as well "Alright gang, I think it's time we relax a bit," Marie said, letting the weight of stress leave her shoulders in the warmth of a renewed life. "Let's enjoy the sunshine."

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, there were two heroes. They were chosen from among countless others in their great city to wield power in defense of their fellow citizens, protecting them from a dark and malevolent force. These two heroes were skittish at first, not knowing how or why they had been chosen, only that they must fight to protect their loved ones and their home.

The first hero, a clumsy lad who worked for his parents shop, was given the power over good luck and creation. He originally thought it a joke by the universe. Him? With good luck? Absurd. But his quick mind and inability to let go of a problem once he had his teeth into it proved he was the correct choice for such a momentous responsibility.

The second hero was by all accounts a charming and noble boy who had wanted for nothing material in his life. But the love he thought he knew was shallow at best, the love offered a puppet or a doll for playing house with. He eventually came to know and understand true love, in part thanks to his fellow hero and lord who stood by his side against the perils of the villain they faced.

And face them they did. Side by side, for over a year they stood as selfless defenders of their city. And soon, the pair came to a realization. With no one else to trust in the face of this onslaught, they turned to one another and spoke of love, and of identity, and of desire. The clumsy boy became a confident girl. The charming boy became a happy girl. And both were filled with relief and joy and a deeper understanding of one another.

But the city grew uneasy about the pair. Despite all they did in service for the defenseless people, they now whispered about where their powers came from. Was it demonic in nature? Did the reversal cure of the confident girl leave any lasting harm? Did the happy girl truly deserve her own powers for how little she seemed to contribute in the battles?

Slowly, and little by little, the public turned against them. There were outcries in support, of course. But with how long their foe had lasted, could it really be said these two were protectors? So, the confident girl and the happy girl formed a plan. With the skills unlocked and their identities now known to one another, they forced the hand of their adversary. The battle was great and terrible, and it rocked the city with how fierce they clashed. Soon, however, our heroes stood triumphant. Their skill and force of arms combined battered aside the legions of their foe, and by combining the very essence of their powers were they able to silence his voice for good.

But the city grew fearful. The villain that was cast down had been the happy girls own father. Did she share his wicked plans? If the two could stop such a monster like him, who would be able to stop them if THEY went out of control? The leader of the city heard the concerned voices of his most powerful citizenry. The leader heard the concerns of the distant head of the city's faith. The leader of the city agreed, and set a celebration for the two, all while preparing a trap under it…

Adeline paused, her voice choking up a little bit. She took a breath. Nathalie looked over from where she was preparing some tea, but said nothing. This was Adeline's ritual after all.

…the ambush was swift and effective. Secrets gleaned from guardians contacted beyond the nations borders silenced the source of the heroine's powers. The confident girl tried to deflect it, but the magic was too strong and overwhelmed her as she tried to defend her partner. The two guardian gods of creation and destruction were fused together, to form It That Bent Reality. And a wish was cast. The confident girl and the happy girl were reverted back to their previous states of being, and the confident girl suffered the most backlash from the wish that was made. So, the happy girl took her partner and fled. Fled, back to the home that was once so empty and now was partially destroyed. But there was a chance. She still had the source of two other powers, powers that once belonged to her father and his own partner in crime.

Adeline swallowed hard again, accepting the tea from Nathalie. "Well," Adeline said, giving a wane smile to Marinette. "You, know how the rest goes." Adeline reached out and pressed her fingers to the glass casket that kept her former lady in stasis. Sleeping, but alive. Adeline stood. Dark wings swept across her body, and a clack of a cane echoed through the underground hall. "Have no fear, my lady," Machaon Noire said, sending a butterfly flapping from her palm with a single breath. "I shall retrieve our friends, and wake you from cruel slumber with a kiss. And we shall have the fairy tale ending that was stolen from us, I swear it…"

Chapter Text

Adrien hummed along with the music coming from the street below as he braided Marinette's hair. It had been a tradition going back to when they first met in the orphanage, bonding over memories of their departed parents. Which wasn't that uncommon for the rest of the children gathered there after the annual event, but something between the two just… clicked. Nino had joked about them being soulmates or something, which got him a few stuck out tongues and light slaps. After so many Gommage's, it was hard to believe in that sort of thing anymore.

"Are you packed and ready to go tomorrow?" Marinette asked, tilting her head back to look at him.

"Mhm. You?"

"Yep." Marinette looked forward again, letting Adrien's fingers card soothingly through her hair. "Nino is too. As is Alya."

"I'm glad they're coming with. It may not amount to much, but-"

"But we'd still be together, even over there." Marinette reached back and squeezed Adrien's arm. The setting sunlight glinted off of her three rings: onyx and emerald for Adrien, opal and gold for Alya, and peridot and steel for Nino. Adrien gently took her hand and brought it to his lips, the ruby and silver for Marinette's own ring glinting alongside the others of their group. Not many cared for traditional relations these days. Not when there were far more pressing things to worry about.

The sky shifted slightly. Adrien felt Marinette tense against him. "Nino and Alya-"

"Other room," Adrien said, cutting off her panic. "We can be with them now if you want."

"No, I… I'm good here. Thank you, Adrien," Marinette said, squeezing his arm again. She knew where her other two partners were, could hear their soft sounds if she strained a bit, but the fear remained. Her parents thought it was a mercy if their daughter didn't get to see them Gommage. It led to a need for control that the other three were slowly diluting and unwinding. "…do you think this year will be the expedition?"

Adrien shrugged. He appreciated the shift in topic as well. "Possibly. Gustave finished the converter, and we've all been practicing with it. Alya's chroma skills have gotten way better too." Adrien nudged the heavy staff and clawed glove he kept in his shadow for a weapon. Others had suggested a blade due to his fencing (second in class behind Maelle!) but the versatility was what drew him to the design. Plus, he liked the unconventional weapon choices of their little group. His Lady had her yo-yo, his Fox had her manifestations, and his Rock had his shield.

The gleaming sunset vanished. The pair braced themselves as they had done so many times before. Some called them cowardly for not witnessing the others Gommage. None of them paid those people any heed. A wave of dark ash and flower petals drifted up in front of their window. Adrien choked back on a sob, pressing his face to Marinette's head and breathing her in. "It doesn't get easier."

"No, my little cat," she said, cupping the back of his neck and stroking her thumb across his skin. A reminder. A grounding. "But this year… we can do it this year."

"Expeditions are open to all volunteers," Adrien murmured.

"As long as those who leave, leave for those who come after," Marinette finished. The door to the other room opened. Alya and Nino slid comfortably into their little pile, and the four looked out the balcony window, across the horizon. Tomorrow, their Expedition 33 would commence. And between them, there was no doubt in their minds that victory was all but assured.

Chapter Text

"Nath."

"I, I can't help it, Marc! You saw them…"

"We had this talk with Ziggy asking for 'extra servings' of pretzels and you ended up feeding her the whole bag!"

"She was hungry…"

Marc sighed, rubbing the bridge of their nose, shooting a wince at the front desk. The secretary hadn't looked up from her computer, but the raised eyebrow at the mention of the bag incident. They hoped it wouldn't affect their chances… "Nathaniel," Marc said, clapping his hands together lightly. The full first name was always a good attention grabber. "This is more than our- friends, begging you for more of our food, alright? This is full blown, independent entity that will be relying and counting and needing us, okay? Additionally!" Marc stressed, cutting off any adorable pouting, "we cannot take every single one home with us."

Nathaniel slumped dramatically. "Can we at least get two, Marc…?"

"We barely have the space for one! I know how exited we were to get out own apartment and all, but we need be smart about things. And even though our comic has taken off, expenses are…" Marc trailed off as he stared into Nath's puppy dog eyes. Suddenly every single argument against his partner's desire seemed frivolous. Marc could feel their resolve try and rally, create a guard, a barrier, around his melting heart. He took a breath in, wincing at the pain of the rejection building in his throat-

Then Nathaniel did that thing they did. He pushed some of his illegally soft hair back behind an ear and smiled. Marc would have better chance at surviving Cataclysm. "…..we can ask Alya for some help covering rent," Marc conceded, letting their head sink in shame as Nath cheered, peppering his cheeks with butterfly kisses.

"BUT!" Marc said, gently grabbing his partner's face, "no more than two, okay? Promise me this."

"I prmish," Nath responded, voice smooshed slightly. Marc stared at them for a little bit longer before letting go and walking back up to the receptionist.

"Hi, sorry about that. We've come to an agreement."

"I heard," the receptionist said, giving a polite smile. She tapped a few things into her computer before looking back up. "So, which one of our rescue dogs would you like then?"

Marc went to answer before realizing that they… didn't, decide on which two. They slowly looked back at Nathaniel, who just blinked innocently. Marc groaned and gave a weak smile to the now amused receptionist. "Can we, just, two more minutes please?"

She nodded as Marc and Nath went back to the corner, whispering intensely between themselves. Her co-worker came out the glass doors, a hail of barking following her before being cut off. "Still at it?"

The receptionist sighed, nodding. "New dads…" she muttered, shaking her head.

Chapter Text

"Okay, we have four additional helpers who signed on last minute which is GREAT because five were unable to help contribute further," Marinette muttered, tacking another string to her board with a few names and even a picture sent in. The older woman seemed a bit frosty, but the larger man and the sheepish grinning eyepatch on being swooped up into an embrace for the selfie balanced it out in her mind. "That's the star float done. We are still missing contributions for Radio Paris and like, tttttwwwwooooo mooorrreee? Uggghhhh…"

Marinette let her head slump against her desk. When she had been asked to help organize a parade for contributors to the school she jumped at the chance to help out more and to get that extra credit, which she… sorely needed. Akuma attacks at 3 AM do not help her grades. Adrienne, bless her, offered to help as well, and Marinette wanted to work with her! But after Alya had a little side-talk with Marinette it was decided that if the project actually should get done, they'd need to work on different sections. Curse the full percentage bump being so tantalizing…

"Marinette, maybe you should take a break?" Marinette looked up at Tikki who hovered above the mass of cut out magazine pages. "You've been doing this since… wait, is that the sun?"

"I can't take a break, Tikki!" Marinette groans.

"Seriously, you started at like, 9 in the morning did you-"

"I have too many ideas, and too many people want to help or not enough want to help and this is the BIGGEST thing I was asked to do yet! And Adrienne is rooting for me and this is the first Pride she's been to since she came out and I want it to be good too because I found out 'oh wow I'm Bi' so this is equally as important for ME but I also-!"

"Marinette!" Tikki flew up and squished Marinette's cheeks. "Breath, girl!" She waited for her holder to take a few deep gasps. "You good?"

"I'm good," Marinette answered weakly.

"Alright. Have you eaten anything?"

"I-"

"Croissant's don't count."

Marinette snapped her mouth shut. Tikki sighed. "Get some food in you first. You can't rush this kind of stuff and expect it to go good. Maybe asking for some help from Alya or Sabrina? They're good at organizing things. And the school never said you had to do this all alone!" Tikki twirled around, pressing a little kiss to Marinette's cheek before hugging her. "Take a rest, take a breather! Get some food and…." She trailed off, Marinette staring straight ahead silently. Tikki squints before slowly flying in front of her face, waving a little paw. Marinette kept staring forward. "Mari?" Tikki asked, glancing over to where Marinette was looking.

Ideas and designs and schedules for the parade sections were still pinned to the corkboard. Photos of willing participants gathered in the hasty run around yesterday afternoon. Tikki raised her eyebrow at a large piece of paper reading 'How to get the hero's to show up on a float' with a list of increasingly complex ideas under it before the realization seemed to have kicked in. Tikki looked back at Marinette and was about to say something when she heard soft snoring. Tikki sighed deeply, rubbing at her eyes. "Well, that's one issue taken care of. Good morning, Marinette, I guess." With that, the Kwami fluttered closer to gently close Marinette's eyelids and ease her head down to the desk. Maybe Sass would help with planning stuff later…

Chapter Text

Kagami stared in the mirror. Her appearance was sharp and pristine as she could make it. Hours from years of learning how to properly present herself as a child of the Tsurugi family made it a necessity. She practiced her easy grin again, scanning for any imperfections. It seemed okay. Just enough teeth to be charming but not enough to be threatening. Idly she noted that her canines had gotten sharper. Again. She'd need to ask Longg about that later. Or maybe Ladybug would know…? Kagami would bring it up after she successfully kissed Marinette tonight.

Kagami checked her phone. 17:32. Good. Just enough time to head over to the bakery for her pre-planned excuse, just like the magazines said to do. She gathered up her bag and did a final check in the mirror before grabbing the mint chews she had already washed the sugar from and stuffing them in her pocket. Kagami had brushed three times while practicing her expressions but she wanted to get this right. It needed to be perfect.

It took 15 minutes on the metro and another 12 of walking before she was in front of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery. Kagami threw her gum out and knocked politely on the door, squaring her shoulders back. Marinette's father peeked through the glass before opening it. "Ah, Kagami! You, don't have to knock every time you know. We're still open."

Ah, right. "Ah, right," Kagami said, squeezing the strap of her bag harder. "Well, is Marinette home? I was hoping to work on a project with her." Tip 4: establish plausible alibi.

"Oh wonderful! She should be in her room. Want me to scrounge anything up for you two?"

"That won't be necessary, thank you, Mr. Dupain-Cheng," Kagami said, scooting into the bakery. Tom nodded and hurried back behind the counter, leaving Kagami to trek up to the loft. She poked her head through the trapdoor. Marinette sat hunched over her desk, muttering and scribbling away on something. She put a pen between her teeth and squinted at her paper, before reaching out and fumbling for an identical pen to continue working. Kagami felt her heart flutter a bit.

"Mari-" was all she got out before Marinette yelped and toppled backward. Kagami scurried up in a flash to check on her but Marinette waved her off.

"'m fne, 'm fne!" She said, still holding the pen in her mouth. "S, uh, Kgm- bleh, Kagami! What, are, yoouuuu doing here?" Marinette asked.

Kagami wanted to tell the truth. That she was here to ask Marinette out, that she needed the warmth the other girl provided, the manic, impossible feeling of life she brought with her that crashed through Kagami's stagnant reality. "I came to ask for some help on a project."

"O-oh, got it!" Marinette said, hastily standing back up. Her cheeks were reddened from the fall and she seemed to fidget. Kagami reached out to see if she was fine, but Marinette clapped her hands and moved over to her desk. "So! What kind of project did you want help on? I mean, you're kind of the smartest person in the class so I don't know why you would…" She trailed off, staring down at her desk in horror. Before Kagami could peek at what had her so terrified Marinette crumpled the papers up and shoved them into a drawer before turning around and giving a sheepish grin. "S-sorry, personal project."

"I see," Kagami said, rifling through her bag. She glanced at the pages of Teenz Crush Monthly she had carefully cut out and taped to the inside to help her with her solemn task. "Well, the project I had in mind was less school oriented and more personal." Tip 7: Make it seem like no big deal.

Kagami turned around at Marinette's cough. "What, kind of, uh, personal?" Marinette tried to lean against her chair only for it to start to roll away. Kagami swiftly caught her with one hand before she fell again. Maybe she should open a window too, Marinette was looking warm.

"Well, it is sort of silly in a way, but there is an event I am to attend that is coming up," Kagami said, greedily letting her fingers stay on Marinette's arm for a moment longer before going back to her bag. "It will run rather long, so I was hoping I could have help finding a lipstick that wouldn't smear or be unmanageable for that length of time." Kagami stood back up, several pre-picked shades and brands in her hands. Tip 2: Act like it's a spur of the moment deal, but in reality have it all mapped out beforehand. She knew already which one she would be told to wear, but Marinette didn't need to know that. …Marinette didn't need to breath either it seemed. Kagami poked her shoulder.

"yeahwecouldtestthemoutifyouwant," she squeaked out. It reminded Kagami of a mouse. Now the image of Marinette as Multimouse refused to leave her head.

"Okay, I have this one first I would like to try," Kagami said, applying a nude color to her lips in the desk mirror. She capped it and looked at Marinette's slightly panicked reflection. She suddenly felt nervous. Why did she feel nervous. Kagami got nervous before fencing matches, before meeting with her mother. She didn't get nervous around Marinette. She got excited, joyous, needing to spend more time with Marinette and feeling the pit in her chest the opened when she had to leave. Kagami swallowed, her plan crumbling to ashes in her mind as she looked down at the desk. "Maybe… this, isn't a…"

Warm hands brushed her arm. Kagami turned around and blinked in shock as Marinette planted a frantic, desperate kiss on her lips. Kagami's breath stilled. A weight she was always aware of but never acknowledged began to shift off of her. When Marinette pulled back, panting slightly, Kagami remained frozen. She tried to speak. It was harder than she thought without air in her lungs. Marinette was speaking, saying something under the ringing in Kagami's ears.

"-ou feel the same way about me?" Marinette asked, hands clenching out of worry. Kagami felt her weightless body take a step forward. Her own hands reached for the sun that thawed her frozen world, cupping its cheeks.

"Close enough, I think," Kagami whispered, before leaning in to test her lipstick again. Tip 1, after all, was make sure.

Chapter Text

"THIEF!" Another musket shot rang out, cracking the stone where Chat Noir had just been. He glanced back, shooting a fanged grin to the police captain who shouted.

"Whom, moi-w~? A thief? You insult me good sir! But maybe it's a good thing they hurt me so much. You'll never wound me otherwise~!" Chat Noir snickered and ducked another shot. He swept his cape around as he plucked his cocked hat from the air with a grin before flashing a hint of the golden jewelry he stole and leaping to another rooftop.

The glittering lamps of Paris seemed to whip by as Chat Noir ran through the city. A few shouts and muffled cries arose at his passing, and he offered only a laugh and a wink to those who shouted his name. This… this was freedom. The wind in his hair, the power in his limbs, the yo-yo careening into his flight path- Chat Noir ducked just in time to avoid getting clocked in the jaw with the black and red weapon.

"Me-OWCH! Almost got me there, my lord!" He righted himself, spinning his staff out to proper length. "Do we have a little problem? I was just enjoying the night breeze, why bother with little old me?"

"Your little innocence act won't sway me, mon chat." A lithe figure hopped up on to the other side of the roof, the yo-yo swaying slightly with subtle finger twitches. A dark haired man with an elaborate face mask and a high necked red coat covered in black spots stared the gentleman thief down. "I practically saw the entire thing. Your only saving grace is that I like the way you run, Chat."

Chat Noir felt his heart pump faster. This conflict, this clash. How he longed for it as much as the thrill of the chase, and the glory of the theft. "Oh my, how daring, my Lord. What would the king think if his most ardent knight purposefully let the cat clawing at his curtains vanish into the darkness?" Chat dodged a well-earned strike as Cramoisbée darted forward. Let tonight's dance begin!

.

.

.

"Which is why the guards have been doubled, your ladyship," the old man Adrianna forget the name of said, puffing his chest out proudly. "That dastardly thief would not dare to even consider robbing another of your father's warehouses, let alone your charming home."

"Of course, I thank you for your diligence in this matter," Adrianna said, giving a gracious smile. The man ('Raincomprix,' Adrianna remembered), just stroked his mustache and nodded.

"Of course. Though, for added security, we are merging your protection detail with another. A temporary matter, I assure you. Just until that Chat Noir is caught." Raincomprix nodded to one of his men who saluted and opened the doors of the foyer, mumbling something to somebody outside. Adrianna raised an eyebrow as she saw another lady enter, more police flanking her as she entered. "Lady Marinette, this is Lady Adrianna, who I informed you about. I do thank you for agreeing to allow us to display your collection alongside each other."

Adrianna brought her fan up to her lips, giving an appraising stare to the woman in front of her. Marinette gave a genial smile and curtsy, her dead eyes meeting Adrianna's easily enough. Raincomprix's words faded into the background as ground was held between the two secret foes and companions. And in a not too distant night, weapons clash once more, above gaslit Parisian streets, for the taste of freedom only this conflict could allow.

Chapter Text

Luka sat fiddling with their guitar in Marinette's loft. The girl in question was bent over her sewing machine, a look of pure focus matching well with the three pins held in her mouth, trying to get a few custom pieces finished for the upcoming pride event. Mylène lay on the floor, kicking its feet as it sorted through the collection of beads and enamel trinkets it was stringing together to make bracelets for tomorrow. A tomorrow that might not work out too well if the rain storm outside didn't let up soon. Luka looked up from their task at the dark clouds and occasional flashes.

They drummed their fingers against their guitar's surface. Marinette's internal song was way off, jumping and jangling with each thunder rumble. Mylène's was a bit smoother, but was still concerning. Even Luka was feeling the strain of all their groups plans going up in smoke. A week of hard work, gone. They wouldn't be surprised if Hawkmoth had some hand in this storm, trying to foster more Akuma's to summon.

……Luka tapped their fingers steadier. The thunka-thunka-thunka of the sewing machine, the little clinks of bead and trinket, the patter of the rain and the woosh of the wind. Luka smiled. "Won't, you play a simple mel-ody? Like, my mother sang to me?" The others glanced over at them, but Luka kept tapping away, grinning at the discordancy merging and blending in their head. "One, with good old fashioned, har-mony. Pla-y a simple melo-dy." They finished and looked up. Mylène blinked at them. Marinette's sewing machine slowed a little. Luka grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of their head. They went to speak up, and explain themselves before-

"Musical demon, set your honey's a dreamin' won't ya play me some ra-ag?" Mylène smirked, tapping a few of the beads it was working on together to help the harmony, a tune she remembered from one of its father's shows coming easily to mind. "Just change that classical nag, to some sweet, beautiful drag!" Marinette snorts from her seat, looking back down at the costume she was sewing. Carefully, she began to work on it again, keeping in time with Mylène as it continued. "If you play from a co-py, of a tune that is cho-ppy, you'll get all my a-pplause~!"

It stood, enemal pins and beads in hand, clacking them together before gesturing at Luka. "And that is simply be-cause, I wanna listen to ra-ag!" Mylène gave a wink, sticking its tongue out. Luka laughed, going back to tapping on their guitar, joining in together.

"Won't you play a simply mel-ody…"

"Musical demon, set your honey's a dreamin'…"

Mylène and Luka sang, Marinette humming along as she continued sewing. The thunder rolled outside, adding to their little impromptu jam session. When the final note was struck, the wind died down and the rain went from a torrent to a drizzle. The three looked at each other and laughed, before Mylène and Luka had to hurry over to help Marinette who unbalanced herself. A small moment, caught in time, one that each would cherish long after the sun came out the next day.

Chapter Text

"Self-care junk?"

"Check!"

"Movies?"

"Check!"

"Gay people?"

"Check!"

"I already checked in the closets."

Sabrina slowly lowered her clipboard, shooting a deadpan stare at Chloe. "…I am going to move on from your suddenly getting a sense of humor and say the invitations were sent out."

"Sabrina, darling, I've always been funny. Just to the wrong sort." Chloe batted her eyelashes and went back to her phone, checking those who accepted. Adriana had, naturally. She was the whole reason Chloe managed to snap out of (most of) her hang-ups and attention craving, and also the sole reason for this little sleepover to happen in the first place. Chloe's fingers tighten slightly as she remembers that afternoon a month ago when Adriana came out to her. Chloe shook her head, putting her confident smile back on.

"Adriana, me, you, Alix for some reason, Marinette…Zoe, that Luka person too. Think this is enough?"

"Should be, they're here now after all."

"WHAT!?" Chloe shouted, scrambling off the couch before putting herself back into 'perfection mode', and then loosening up a few notches. Her therapist had suggested making different 'modes' for how she felt she needed to behave. It was tricky getting the visuals in her head at first, but her time as Queen Bee had helped immensely. Finding out magic was real and the requirements for being a superhero like Ladybug forced some of the blockages through.

Guests were greeted, cheeks kissed, animosity carefully pushed aside. She let Sabrina handle Luka since they seemed to know each other more while Chloe clung to Adriana. "Oh I'm so glad you were able to show up, Ana! Is Ana okay? Trying out new nicknames."

"I-

"You're right, makes you sound like a grandma, scrapping it." Chloe made a show of pulling out her journal and striking something from the page before tossing it aside. Adriana snorted, fighting down a grin. Chloe counted the success. Marinette just stared at her, shocked. Chloe bit back the acidic response. "Ah, Mairnette. I think Alix was looking for you." She nodded over at the skater who was poking through the movie selection.

"O-oh, thank you, Chloe?" The skepticism was clear on the baker girl's face but Chloe didn't care. Her attention was focused on keeping best friend feeling comfortable.

"Mhm. Now, Adriana," she continued, gently squeezing her hands, "this is your first girly sleepover, so I want you to come ask me for anything you want! I can't believe I denied such a cutie like yourself the formative experience of gossiping amongst friends while doing makeup with each other." Chloe pouted, resting her cheek on Adriana's shoulder, and gave some exaggerated sniffles. "Can you ever forgive me dear~?"

The other girl stifled a giggle and put her chin on Chloe's head. "I forgive you, Chloe. And, thank you. For putting this together." Chloe felt her breath shudder. "I, felt really selfish for asking this of you, and with how Gabriel's been using-"

"Nope! First rule broken, no talking about parents," Chloe interrupted, leaning back and smooshing Adriana's cheeks. "I don't want to hear anything about Gabriel that isn't about how his clothes line is kinda trashy when not worn by you. Now, pick out some PJ's I got for you because I know you don't have any that you actually want with you right now. Zoe can help out there, too, I need to go make sure things are set up, okay? Toodles, kisses, and everything else in between!"

Chloe pressed a little smooch to Adriana's forehead and booped her nose before heading off to the main room of the event. Seeing the genuine smile on her 'all-but-but-but-quite-sibling-friend's' face made her… warm. The good kind of warm, the kind that she usually only got when Queen Bee was thanked on the street or when she saw she had been painted in the Hero Mural near the Arc. She took a deep breath in and held it, just feeling the happiness in her chest. "Yeah," she murmured to herself, going over to where Sabrina and Luka were talking, "I like this me much better."

Chapter Text

"Food's here," Rena Rogue said, hopping up on to the roof.

"Oooh, gimme gimme!" Multimouse scurried over and snatched at the plastic bags Rena held out. She opened them up and passed the takeout boxes among the others lounging here. Carapace took his gratefully while Chat all but snatched it with the same fervor Multi did and began to scarf the food down. "Wow, hungry much?"

"Mff mmfmfm, mmfmfmfmfff," Chat mumbled around a mouthful of rice and egg before swallowing. "It takes a lot, running around for patrol!"

"Have you been eating enough in civilian life, dude?" Carapace asked. Chat just stuffed more food in his mouth. Rena just rolled her eyes and slumped against Multi as she began to nibble at her own meal. The four sat in comfortable silence, the sounds of Paris at night filling the spaces between them all. Multimouse reached over and began to scratch at Rena's hair, who sighed happily and pressed her foot into Chat Noir's back, letting him stretch against it before he nuzzled slightly on Carapace's shoulder.

"People were speculating online about us again," Rena said, shuffling over so Chat could snuggle up beside her. He was the most touch loving one of the four, so the other three ensured he was welcomed to just… be.

"More dating rumors?" Carapace asked, pressing a little kiss to Multimouse's head before joining in the pile.

"Mhm."

"I can kind of see where they get it," Chat added, stealing some chicken from Multi's box. She bit her teeth at him. "I mean, I didn't, like. Know, that this sort of thing was an option before you approached me, Rena."

"And that was very nice of her," Multi said, pressing her forehead to Rena's for just long enough to steal a dumpling.

"Yet I am repaid by thievery, how cruel life must be," Rena said, sinking to the ground, lifting her hand dramatically to the cloudy sky. "Put me out of my misery before Hawkmoth Akumatizes me!"

The other three quickly piled on top of her, giving over the top apologies and declaring their undying affection for their partner, before dissolving into snorts and laughter that echoed in the darkness. They calmed down, finishing their patrol dinner and settling back against one another.

"…did they write any good fics this time?" Carapace asked, opening his tool to check the Ladyblog.

"Think there was one where Ladybug joined our little gang," Rena said. Carapace patted Multimouse on the back to help her sudden coughing fit. Rena glanced at her sympathetically before humming. "Which, I guess is cool, but… I dunno. It might be weird having the main leader around all the time? No offense, Chat."

"None taken," Chat said, flomping on to Carapace's lap. "She is My Lady first and foremeowst, but that feels like it should be kept separate, right?"

"I can get behind that," Rena said, scrolling through the blog. She wrapped an arm around Multi's waist and tugged her closer. "A big thing was that we all know each others identities too, saw that being batted around."

"Could be nice," Multi said, toying with the end of her ribbon tail.

"Maybe one day, after Hawkmoth's gone," Chat said. The other three reached out and gave him a pat or a squeeze. The silence was back, but it was colder. The lights surrounding them felt like eyes now. Staring, searching, looking for any weakness or cracks or gap to wriggle in and devour them all from the inside. Rena felt Multi's hand join hers. Carapace took Multi's other hand and rubbed his thumb over it. "…sorry to bring down the mood," Chat said, wincing.

"Not your fault, dude. We all knew it, it's gotta be said out loud sometimes. Just so we don't think it's purely a joke or in the background of life I guess," Carapace said. He stood up, breaking the pile first. "Speaking of, should get back on patrol. Make sure the little evils get handled while the biggest one is chipped away at." He bent down, giving a nuzzle or a chaste kiss to his three partners and dashed off. Rena stood next, hugging the other two before bounding in the opposite direction. Chat sighed heavily, before shaking his head and scooping Multimouse up.

"Well, guess it's us again. This, was nice. Thanks, Multi. If you spot My Lady first, tell her I'm doing better now, and… to give her my love, okay? It's because of her I was able to meet you all." He gave a soft, true smile, before scampering off over rooftops and into the night.

Multimouse stared at him leave, before sitting back down heavily. Tikki fluttered out from her hiding space, giving Marinette a knowing look. "You need to tell them," she said.

"I know, I know, Tikki. I just-" Marinette sighed, grumbling and scratching at her head. The wind was chillier without everyone else. "…like what Chat said. After Hawkmoth is gone. We can keep it up until then. For now…" Marinette released Mullo's transformation and donned Ladybug's mask. "…let's go make things a little better."

Chapter Text

"So all I need to do is say… the thing you said, and then I can fight the huge rock monster?"

The flying little cat… thing, nodded lazily. "Yyyyep! Your deepest wishes and desires shall manifest with the power of blah blah blah, bunch of fiddly words that don't matter in the end, you'll learn more as you go, that sort of thing. Now hurry up! Oh, and also I won't be able to talk to you once you transform, so keep that in mind!"

If Adrien didn't know better, he'd say the fairy cat sounded smug. A distant roar and crash shook him out of his mulling. "No time for this," he muttered to himself, slipping the ring on to his finger. He held his fist out, taking a steadying breath. "Plagg, claws out!" The creature gave a smarmy grin as it swirled into the ring's face, smearing like an ink stain across the canvas of reality.

Adrien felt the wave of magic flow over him. Power filled his body, arms and legs tensing and flexing with a strength athletes would kill to get a feel for. Black leather and mesh and what felt like Kevlar shaped itself to his body, clawed gloves with glittering steel points manifested around his hands, similarly appointed boots climbing up to his thighs. A belt-like tail whipped itself from his waist, twisting and connecting intuitively to his mind as it formed. The same went for the little black faux cat ears that he brushed out of his longer hair.

….What? Adrien ran his fingers through the blonde strands that now went down to around his waist. He twisted around, trying to get a better look at himself. Faint green highlights accented the dark curves of his new heroic outfit, and his new heroic body. A cold, floaty feeling blossomed in his new chest. Adrien scrambled out of the alleyway, stopping to stare at himself in a window.

He was… no longer a he. The girl as Adrien's reflection was beautiful, poised, and very much going through a panic attack. Vibrant green eyes stared back at Adrien, wide and twitchy. "Plagg-" Adrien began, flinching at the softer and higher pitched tone, "what is, happening?" Silence aside from distant screaming. Right. The gremlin had said he couldn't talk while transformed. Welp! This was a wonderful dream, but it might be time to wake up. …Any second now.

A red blur jumped over Adrien across the rooftops, heading for the commotion. He shook his head, clapping at his cheeks to snap himself out of whatever shock this was. Handle the monster and civilians NOW, worry about the implications later. Adrien was always good at compartmentalizing, what was this if not one more thing to tuck aside until he was ready to open it back up?

With a firm nod, Adrien grabbed the silver staff at his waist and twirled it open, muscle memory of an action never done before fighting actual experience for a brief moment before it extended properly. Adrien turned and began to run where the other obvious hero went only to give one last look at the transparent reflection. He reached up and gave the little bell around his throat a jingle, before running a hand down his new curves. The cold in his chest turned to giddy heat and he had to shake himself free again. LATER. Also, think of a hero name. And how to act. A new face meant a new start in the world, after all. With a firm nod, Chatte Noire planted her pole firmly in the ground and launched herself into the air, heading for her first battle.

Chapter Text

Kagami fiddled with the hem of her dress as she stared through the gala crowd, trying to spot a particular guest. She turned and murmured an introduction for her mother about another old man who came up to greet them before resuming her vigil. There wasn't a crowd, which was usually a good first sign for Ladybug being in an area, so that shot that idea down. She might be in disguise to start with, try to not cause a riot (again). Still, Kagami couldn't help but grow more and more nervous as the clock ticked by. She had promised to be here, to support her. Or at least cause enough of a ruckus for Kagami to slip away so they could share a moment.

"You're fidgeting again, Kagami," her mother said quietly after Mr. West wandered off. It rang in Kagami's ears like a knife being sharpened. She straightened up and bowed her head. The Tsurugi matriarch couldn't see her doing that, of course, but that never seemed to matter.

"Apologies, mother."

"What has you so upset anyways?" Tomoe Tsurugi asked. She inclined her head slightly, cane tapping with the shift.

"I am looking for someone, mother," Kagami said. There was no use lying to her. Small, half-truths sometimes slipped past on the phone or some other communication, but Kagami had made her peace with the lock that seemed to form around her throat whenever she even thought about lying directly in her mother's presence.

"Ah, yes. That Adrien boy." Kagami's hands tightened on her skirt. Wrong on two fronts, but again, no use. "I am sure he will come around sooner or later. Stop fretting."

"Of course, mother." Kagami stood still, eyes flitting around the crowd. She felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned, eyes widening slightly as she saw Marinette standing there. Kagami didn't know she'd been invited. This event was rather upscale, after all. It didn't feel like it would fit somebody like Marinette at all. Perhaps somebody had asked her to come along? The extra invitation that Kagami was allowed to hand out had been given to Ladybug after the last Akuma attack.

Before either could speak, the iron softness of her mother's voice spoke up. "Who is it, Kagami?"

She swallowed. "It is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, mother. My friend from school." Kagami didn't miss the slight tightening of her mother's hand on the cane.

"I see. You may speak briefly."

"Actually, Miss Tsurugi, I was hoping to have Kagami help me with something?" Marinette gave a short bow as she spoke, one hand gently resting on Kagami's arm. Tomoe raised an eyebrow, tilting her head in their direction.

"I require her here, with me," she responded. "Surely this can wait until you speak again at school."

"It's kind of urgent," Marinette said. She squeezed Kagami's arm. "I promise it won't take more than ten minutes."

Those dark glasses turned fully on to Marinette. The temperature dropped a few degrees as Tomoe considered. "…I suppose it couldn't hurt," she eventually said. "Better than if Adrien asked to have her for a moment. Ten minutes. Starting now."

"Thank you, mother," Kagami said, already being hurried away by Marinette. The pair hurried through the small crowds and into another hallway before ducking into an unused room. "So, what is the emergency?"

"There isn't one. I just thought, well…" she flushed slightly. "You were waiting for Ladybug, right?"

Kagami blinked, shocked. "I- yes. I was. How did you know?"

"Wwweeeelllll…" Marinette bit her lip, tugging on a lock of her hair and fidgeted with her own dress. "It, wasn't really, a guess?"

Kagami stared at Marinette. "What do you mean?"

"I, uh. You're looking for her and… found, her too." The confidence Marinette had showed in front of Kagami's mother had evaporated. She looked ready to split any second now. Did she not like Ladybug? Kagami glanced around the room. Dimly lit, a few unused tables and other furniture pushed to the sides of the walls. No Heroine of Paris to be spotted.

"If this is a joke, I don't really get it, Marinette." It was Marinette's turn to blink at Kagami's confused expression. "ow, if you don't need anything, please, let me return to-"

"Tikki, spots out." A burst of vivid crimson temporarily blinded Kagami, and when it vanished, the girl who had not only saved the young Tsurugi from two Akuma but also brought life back into her existence during their late night talks stood. It clicked.

"…oh."

"Yeah." Ladybug shuffled, peeking up at Kagami with those same crystalline eyes that snared her in the first place. "Sorry I couldn't get to you earlier. I thought it'd be too big a scene, I'm not exactly meant to be here, the press and junk would have questions, and with how we talked about your mother…"

"I get it," Kagami said truthfully, cutting off the other girls ramble. She smiled softly, reaching out to touch her savior. The shock and realizations could wait for later. Now, she just wanted to hold Ladybug, to breathe her in, to kiss-

The doorknob rattled. Ladybug's hand clamped over Kagami's mouth before the automatic 'who is it' could escape. "In here," Ladybug hissed, tugging Kagami over to another door which hid a small closet. She pulled Kagami inside and closed it. They stood in the dark, hands holding each other as they waited with quiet. A few breathless seconds passed, before the closet door swung open, revealing a smirking girl with dark hair dyed deep blue at the ends who was whispering to someone behind her.

She turned her head to look into the closet and blinked at the pair. Behind her were two other girls, one with sandy brown hair in a suit, and another with fluffy blonde hair in a white dress. Kagami stared at them all, as did Ladybug. The blonde girl peered inside, raising an eyebrow.

"What's up, Venus?" The suit wearing girl asked, trying to push her way past to look inside. Her eyes widened as she spotted the pair. "Oh, wow."

"I, think this closet's occupied, Nep," the blonde girl, Venus, said. The lead girl snorted.

"Guess so. Come on you two, we can find an empty one." The other girl turned around, but not before giving Ladybug and Kagami a little wink. "Some party, right? Glad someone else had the right idea for fun."

The door was closed, a quiet whisper of 'Was that LADYBUG??' followed by two shushes making their way through before silence fell over the pair again. Kagami glanced at Ladybug, who looked at Kagami. Ladybug broke first, snorting.

"Well! Better make the most of our ten minutes, huh?"

"Seven minutes now," Kagami said. A gloved hand brushed her cheek as Ladybug leaned in, grinning as their lips brushed each other.

"Well, that's just perfect, isn't it."

Chapter Text

Nino glanced nervously at his phone for the fifth time in the past three minutes. He had made sure to clean up nicely just for tonight. Hair trimmed, aftershave nabbed from his dad, binder freshly washed, Marinette asked for an outfit, the works. And yeah, he might have shown up… ten minutes early, but that was 18 minutes ago! The waiter was starting to look pityingly at him as he refilled Nino's water. Murmured voices from the front caught his attention and he craned his neck to see who walked in.

Which quickly made him scramble back to looking chill and unbothered as Adrien shuffled past a few of the waitstaff who clearly recognized him. He managed to break free and turned, spotting Nino. Instantly, the Model Smile melted away into a proper one. "Hey there, Nino," Adrien said, slipping into the chair across from him. "Sorry I'm a bit late, the photographer made me redo around five more shots because I wasn't 'enthusiastic enough'." His smile shifted into something warmer, something sweeter. Nino would eat his hat if any photographer managed to coax this out of Adrien.

"It's fine! I just got here myself, so yeah." He pointedly did not look at the waiter who glanced smirked as she refilled his glass again. The pair ordered their dinner (Nino frowned at Adrien waving off everything but a salad, a clear hunger in the other boy's eyes, but he held his tongue), and settled into easy conversation. Nino asked about fencing, Adrien asked about his music. It was nice. Like sinking into a warm bath and not having anyone bother you for a while. It also was nice because Nino could fully get lost in those glittering emerald eyes.

"So, how's Alya doing? I feel like I haven't seen much of her lately, what with break and increased shoots and stuff," Adrien asked when they were finishing up. Nino had declined dessert. He'd had his eye on a sinful sounding cheesecake, but it'd just taste like ash if he ate it in front of Adrien.

"She's doing great! Her and Marinette have gotten together, finally." Nino grinned at the memory of Marinette inviting him to her room to help change out her big board of 'Get Adrien to notice my designs' to 'Get Alya to notice me'. He had managed to convince her to not hide in trash cans at least, working down to a more respectable bush lurk. Then Alya had asked her out the next day anyway. Nino was considering using Marinette's reaction face he managed to snap a picture of as an album cover.

"O-oh, is that… I'm sorry," Adrien said, his smile falling. He scratched the back of his neck and looked away awkwardly. "Well, I'm glad you were able to have a good time!"

Nino blinked. His pause allowed Adrien to sneak the check out from under his hand. "Wait, what? Why are you sorry about that?"

"Well, it's because you wanted to go out with her, right?" Adrien asked, getting up. Nino followed, still feeling like he got smacked with a shovel. "And if she's with Marinette now, that's, gotta be a bit stinging, yeah?"

The night air helped clear Nino's shock. "I, wait, no?? She's a best friend, yes, but I never really wanted to date her! She's cool, but a total lesbian." Nino paused, frowning. The cogs in his head creaked out a suspicion. He reached over and gently took hold of Adrien's shoulders. "Adrien," he began slowly, "I need to know what you think we just did together."

Adrien fidgeted, glancing around. "If I say 'had a great time with my best friend' would that be wrong?"

Nino took a deep breath and had to hold in his laughter. "Dude, this, I… I like you, and we just had a date, right?" Nino wished he managed to take a picture of Adrien's face now.

"Wait, seriously!?" Now it was Adrien's turn with the shovel. He stumbled back, cheeks flushing. "I, I-"

"Easy there, cowboy," Nino joked, keeping Adrien up. "Let's, have a sit down over there. We can discuss what is, apparently not such an obvious night. But first, do…" A cold swirl of water filled Nino's chest. He swallowed down the anxiety. "Do you actually, like me?"

Adrien snapped himself out of his repetition, staring into Nino's eyes and swallowing. "I… think so? There's, some stuff I want to, to figure out and maybe tell you, but… yes?" The answer was small, fragile. Nino took it and cradled it close to his heart. He smiled warmly.

"Good enough for me."

Chapter Text

Adrien slammed the window to his room shut and fled into his closet, slamming that door too. Staring at the wooden surface, he grabbed one of his shoehorn's and jammed it between the handle and the door. It fell to the ground. He put it back up. It fell again. He repeated this until his ring beeped its final beep and detransformed him. Shakily, he reached for it again as Plagg flew in front of his face and waggled his little paws. "I don't get what the big deal is, kid! You did the big hero thing and saved the day, you big hero!"

Adrien bit his lip, shaking his head. "That's, no that's not it! I know I did the 'big hero thing', thing, but when I transformed, I was…"

"A girl, yeah, cuz you are," Plagg interrupted. He puttered over and curled up on Adrien's shoulder. "If you aren't, then meh! I only summon up what you desire and wish for at the moment is all."

"WHY DOES THAT MEAN-" Adrien clapped his hands over his(?) mouth, wincing at the noise. He shook his head, trying to get the ringing from his ears. "Why does that mean I get turned into a girl though!?" He hissed instead. Plagg uncovered his own ears, glowering in the dim light coming from the crack in the door.

"Don't know. What mindset were you in when you said my phrase?"

"I… I wanted to save people! I wanted to be seen as a champion, a hero, someone I could look up to if I were in their situation. My best self, so I could… do my…" Adrien slumped, blinking. Plagg patted his cheek.

"Theeere we go. I had a previous holder go through sort of the same stuff. Mesopotamia if memory serves! I think you mortals called him hrrk!" Plagg was cut off again as Adrien grabbed the Kwami, cheeks burning.

"That! Does not! Help me! Oh god-"

"Yes?"

"-what am I going to do!" Adrien pressed his back against the door. He ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at it like he used to do in his youth to try and make it grow longer. Like Chatte Noire's was. He chewed on the other hand's fingernails as another habit when his stomach grew empty and he felt the urge to bite something. Was Adrien even Adrien? Sure he looked up a few things out of curiosity; potions or machines to make you into a girl, boys wearing girls fashion, makeup tutorials…

But those were all small things! He just liked seeing that sort of stuff! And maybe stealing into his mother's wardrobe when he was still small and could get away with wearing her high heels and movie dresses and smearing lipstick on his face. Back when she had just giggled at Adrien, called him adorable, and then got him cleaned up and put back in proper order. He hadn't really done it after the third time. His mom got a bit annoyed but in her defense, Adrien was messing with her stuff. She had gotten his father who told him politely not to try that again and he hadn't, like a good son.

Adrien sighed heavily. He began to run his hand up and down the door, feeling the varnished wood glide smoothly under his fingers. His eyes wandered to the very back of this space, where a small air vent was. He crawled over to it, fingers hooking around the metal and popping it out easily. He pulled the small bag out from there and stared at it. Nail polish and a skirt from a photoshoot years past. Stolen Borrowed, and unable to be returned. It had been an impulse, a tiny bit of rebellion. And the skirt was slated to be tossed away regardless.

Maybe… there had been. A few, things. Adrien ran his(?) thumb over the fabric, ignoring Plagg's poking and comments about getting some food. Maybe… she, could take a few steps, quietly, to see if this was… not just a phase anyway.

Chapter Text

A glowing portal popped into existence before depositing a grinning Bunnyx and shutting. A wriggling Akuma was held tight in their hand as they scooted over to their wife and pressed a kiss to her brow. "Hey, lovebug, got the little bastard."

"After I told you to remember it this time?" Marinette asked with a wry grin. Bunnyx shuffled and pointedly looked away, a blush spreading across her cheeks. So… it may have taken a few years of them being together before they realized there had been an Akuma threat the day the two of them began their relationship. Aaaaaand it took a few more before Alix realized they should probably go back in time to handle it. …and then actually do it when Marinette told them to stop 'putting it off for future you' and refuse to help make basbousa for their anniversary unless they did so.

"If I say yes will I get a forgiveness kiss?"

Marinette snorted, tapping her earring and transforming into Ladybug with a flash. Alix still felt a little flutter of adoration when seeing their wife shift into her heroic form. It wasn't needed much anymore, but it had served as useful over the years since the Butterfly had been brought back. Especially when it came to keeping the returned Guardian's at bay from retaking the Kwami.

Another flash of light and the Akuma fluttered off into the air, wings shimmering before growing still, and vanishing. The last hold out of Hawkmoth's power cleansed, a sigh of blissful relief whispering around the pair. Alix stared at where it had been, smiling. They turned to meet Marinette's kiss, both shedding their heroic forms once more and settled down on the couch. A tap of a foot had the table fold out, cookies and carrot slices ready and waiting for the hungry Kwami, who scooped them up and dashed away, talking to one another and leaving the wives alone. They knew what today meant.

"So," Marinette began, carding her fingers through Alix's hair. A few gray ones stood out against the dark red. Not an issue at all, Marinette had her own starting to come in as well. They were both nearing their 40's, but the stress and strain of handling their respective aspects had started to take its toll. Alya had some theories about it. Alix didn't want to know. "How were our baby selves, hmm? Just as dumb and flustery as I recall?"

"They absolutely were," Alix said, snickering. "It was all I could do not to laugh at little me, covered in frosting like that!" They snuggled closer, enjoying Marinette's warmth. "…we've had it sort of good, haven't we?"

Marinette hummed, holding Alix closer. "A lot's changed since then."

"Hawkmoth defeated, Diana coming out, Chloé getting better," Alix said with another snicker. Marinette smiled too, before it fell a bit.

"…Luka. Ivan, too. And-"

"We don't say his name," Alix cut Marinette off. One of their few clashes over the years, their handling of Lê Chiến Kim. His… defection had wounded them deeply. Killed, even, with Ivan. And with Luka, not even Bunnyx could manage to find him. His timeline just stopped fourteen years ago. Juleka was still getting over it. Rose helped.

The two felt the weight of at least three lifetimes weighing on them. Golden days of warmth and sunlight and thunder choked nights of bloodied teeth and desperate survival. They sat in the light of a Parisian noon. Not quite satisfied, but content nonetheless. After a moment, Marinette took a deep breath and smiled. "Come on, time to start baking. A lot still left to do today."

Chapter Text

It was a hot and lazy day as Marinette licked a Popsicle on her balcony. Juleka, Adrien, Alya, and Luka had joined her for an abandoned attempt at a school project, Luka passing out a few more Popsicles to the others before settling down himself. Adrien had managed to sneakily get Chloé on some sort of vacation or other task, Marinette didn't care which. Just that she was inexplicably busy and wasn't bothering them right now. Marinette sighed, smiling in the heat. This… was good. Even Hawkmoth seemed to have taken a break today, so the Heroes of Paris could just. Rest for a moment.

"Do you think Ladybug is gay?" Juleka asked, hair pooling on the wood from her upside down posture. Marinette almost choked on her snack, eyes going wide.

"Who the hell starts a conversation like that, I just sat down!" Luka groaned, leaning back. "And why do you think that anyway?"

"Dunno, just reads that way to me," Juleka responded. She righted herself to chomp on her frozen treat. "Jus' a hnch," she said through the cold and syrupy sweetness. "Rose thinksh th' shme."

"Well if the two of you think so it must be true," Alya said from her perch. She tapped away on her phone, cleaning up the Ladyblog.

"S-surely there has to, to be more than, than vibes!?" Marinette asked once she managed to clear her throat. The others (minus Adrien who looked as confused and alarmed as she was) glanced at each other for a moment before looking back at Marinette.

"Not really."

"Nah."

"At this point there's a bit more but overall no."

"What does THAT mean?" Marinette whined at Luka. They just shrugged again.

"She keeps rejecting Chat Noir, seems to get flustered around some of the more… girly Akuma's?" Luka glanced over at Juleka who nodded. "And also I would hate to have Kagami get her heart broken because she has a huge crush on Ladybug too."

A chorus of awes and snickering contributed to the white noise in Marinette's ears. She stared down at her melting Popsicle, trying to go back to each interaction she'd had and. See it in new light. Chat Noir was fun, and she liked hanging out with him, but she couldn't see herself dating her partner in heroism. There was just too much risk involved! And speaking of risk, Stormy Weather was cute, alright!? So her fumbling early on was a result of inexperience with not wanting to harm someone too badly. And sure, as Lady Wi-Fi Alya was… oh. Marinette swallowed heavily.

"Wait, what about Chat Noir? Aren't he and Ladybug, you know, like, there's something there?" Adrien asked, looking a little pale despite the sunlight.

"Oh, no he's gay too," Juleka said.

"Very much so," Luka agreed.

"Hundred percent," Alya chimed in without looking up. "The whole 'want to get with Ladybug' thing screams 'wow, I need to get with a girl so I can prove that I'm manly and good enough for whoever I might fear disappointing'. Can I get one of those juices?"

"A bit harsh there, don't you think?" Juleka asked, tossing over a juice pouch to Alya, who caught it easily.

"Nora was the same before she came out," Alya said, shrugging. She sipped on her juice and put her phone down. "Just a bit weird seeing the same song and dance again." She glanced over at Adrien and frowned. "Woah, you okay dude?"

Marinette shook herself from the memory of Kagami as Riposte pointing a sword at her and looked over at Adrien too. He looked pretty flushed. Must be the sun, he probably wasn't used to all that heat. "Let's get you inside for a bit," Marinette said, stumbling to her feet. She felt relief at finding a convenient enough excuse to get away and… think. And maybe go see Kagami soon.

Chapter Text

Adrien watched Chloé pace back and forth, her perfectly manicured nails messing up her perfectly styled hair. "This. Is. Impossible," she hissed angrily. A hand lashed out, making a grabbing motion at the air. Adrien handed her a sheet of paper from the slowly dwindling stack. Chloé crumped it up and then tore it to pieces, the fluttering white confetti joining more of its kind on the floor. "How could I, ME, Chloé Bourgeois, fall in love with, with, with-!"

"With a very talented and impossibly perky girl like Marinette?" Adrien asked wryly. He held up his hands in surrender as his all-but-flesh-and-blood-sibling whirled on him, snarling.

"YES!" Chloé grabbed at Adrien's collar and shook him. He let his head bounce back and forth more for dramatic effect. Chloé appreciated it by letting go early. "She's just so, so…. SUNNY! I am constantly in a state of cuteness aggression around her, and it doesn't help at all that I may have been-"

"Bullying her?"

"Being slightly less than courteous for the entire time we've known each other, yes," Chloé deflected easily. Adrien kept up his level stare until she slumped over. "What am I going to ddddooooooo! I've been awful to her and yet when she smiles I just want to bite into her cheeks like they were some sort of cupcake!"

"Might want to wait until the third date for that, Chloé."

"Shove it, Adri-kins," Chloé growled back. She sat down on her bed beside Adrien and let her head fall into his lap. He dutifully began to fix the mussed up strands. It was a time-honored ritual between the pair.

"Have you told anyone else?" He asked, putting a cold hand to Chloé's neck.

"God no," Chloé snorted. "Sabrina is nice and all, but she has her own things happening and I don't want to have the worry of coming out to her about this. Daddy is absolutely no as well, you know how he'd get."

"Buy Marinette's folks out or do some weird zoning thing until she agreed to date you?"

"That, ignore it until it goes away, or find a way to garner votes." Adrien gave a sympathetic sigh and squeezed Chloé's hand.

"Well, you got me at least, right?"

"I do…" Chloé felt herself smirk. She squeezed Adrien's hand back. He was her rock. Her best friend. The thought of some harpy or gold digger getting their hands on him made her blood start to simmer. Gabriel had made assurances that he had enough protections about to keep that from happening. But both of them knew how much Gabriel's promises were really worth. So, while Adrien opened himself up to let Chloé vent and seethe and curl up inside him, she became his first line of defense against the hungry public eye. Anyone getting too close, getting too handsy? A well placed trip or laugh or public display of 'being together' or quiet threat in the hallway was enough to have them run for the hills. Only the last time she had tried that with someone she thought was trying to use Adrien for her own purposes…

"I still can't believe you accidentally kabedon'd Marinette, then blurted out 'you're cute'," Adrien snickered. Ugh. Never mind, best friend status rescinded. Chloé smacked him in the face with a pillow.

Chapter Text

Ladybug took a quick breath before plastering on her 'talking with public' face as the cameraman counted down and pointed at Nadja. Nadja nodded and beamed at the first camera. "Hello and welcome to TVi News with another exclusive interview! We're sitting down with the fearless duo of our fair city, Ladybug and Chat Noir! After their stunning defeat of a frankly marathon of Akuma from Hawkmoth, they both agreed to come on in and share just a bit about themselves! So, Ladybug-" the heroine sat up straighter, feeling the tingle of electricity in the room, the whir of dozens of machines, glass and mechanical eyes on her, "a lot of people are feeling a bit nervous lately with the three attacks back to back. Do you have anything on the mind to help soothe the city?"

"Of course," Ladybug heard herself say. 14 hours. Three Akuma attacks. She was running basically on fumes now and her partner didn't look better. …Well, he looked better, but only because he had freakishly good camera face. Ladybug had to take crash courses from Alya the first time she went on the news (hastily explained as prepping for potentially being interviewed as a designer) and it still hadn't seemed to click. Which was annoying. She naturally had a pretty good idea of how things connected or could be used to create, and as Ladybug that process seemed to kick itself into overdrive. But no matter how much confidence she projected or how many times she practiced, everything still felt a bit off when talking in public.

"Fascinating!" Nadja said. Ladybug shook herself, flushing slightly. Apparently she responded while lost in thought. Well, that's fine. She and Chat Noir had planned to put on or at least help sponsor a parade, and getting the word out was the first step. Hopefully that's what she said. "Now, Chat Noir-"

"Present!" He said, jolting a little, hand raised in the air. Ladybug stifled a giggle. She knew that feeling all too well. To her credit, Nadja seemed to take it in stride.

"…Yes, so, what are your thoughts on what Ladybug suggested to help bolster the spirit of our city?"

"I think it's a purr-rific idea! The two of us, along with a few other of the chosen heroes, visible and cheering to have a show of support and thanks for the brave citizenry. It brings a tear to the eye," Chat said, miming wiping away a non-existent tear. Ladybug couldn't stop a fond smile from crossing her lips. Maybe it was the high adrenaline wearing off, the stress of the upcoming school play, or just because he was himself, but Ladybug couldn't help but be filled with that warm, loving glow. It felt easy. Like slipping into a bath after a stressful day. Everything just seemed to… melt away. Something Nadja seemed to pick up on, given her raised eyebrow and hungry grin.

"Oh? And maybe the people of Paris will finally get to know if you two are perhaps together at the festival culmination?" Ladybug blinked, somewhat registering the question. Chat Noir seemed thrown for a loop as well, looking over at her with a curious eye, before shrugging. Ladybug sighed and shrugged as well. It was a wonderful platonic partnership, and they both knew they would never be split, but on the romantic front and in the end-

"No thanks, I'm gay."

"I thought about it, but no, realized I'm gay."

The studio froze. Even the constant humming electricity seemed to go quiet for a moment. Ladybug's eyes went wide, cheeks matching her suit as she realized what she had just dropped. Chat gave a strangled noise like someone had stepped on his tail. Nadja's shock melted into an impossible grin. She slowly scooted forward, hands clasped together. "And, would you care to-"

"NO COMMENT!"

"NO COMMENT!"

Chapter Text

"Stop pacing."

"What if it goes wrong?"

"It won't."

"Am I even allowed to use the Miraculous powers in this way!?"

"Ladybug said it was fine."

"But what if-!"

"NAT!" Nathaniel felt his cheeks get squished up by the desperate looking Kwami, cutting off his next panicked ramble. Ziggy looked ragged. Her fur was a mess and her eyes had visible bags hanging under them. "Please. Just, breathe. He's going to say yes. Nothing. Will go. Wrong. Ladybug has said it's fine to use the transformation for it as well. Okay?"

Nathaniel nodded slowly. Ziggy floated away, little paws still out. A beat passed between them before Ziggy lowered her head with a sigh. Nathaniel couldn't help the gremlin smirk that spread across his lips. "But what if-"

"AGH!" Ziggy flew back up to Nathaniel, beating on his head ineffectively as Nathaniel giggled and tussled back. "You're going to give me anxiety! ME! I am the aspect of passion personified and yet you're driving me crazy!!"

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry! Please stop messing up my hair!" Ziggy swooped away with a huff, though one eye was open and looking fondly at her holder. Nathaniel took a deep breath. The crackling glass of worry that had lodegd itself in his chest had eased a lot. He just… wanted to get this right. Marc meant so much to him, and he knew it was a troubling reality out there even without the super-powered terrorist, and they had only just graduated, and a dozen other reasons and ideas that would stop this from happening. They all added up on one side of the board, beneath a bolded table header called CONS.

But towering over that entire mound of fair and reasonable ideas, was a single monolith that outweighed it all. The fact he would get to marry Marc. All they had to do was say yes, and Nathaniel was fairly certain they would. Or at least ask for a later time. And that was fine too. As long as it was on the table, Nathaniel would wait until the stars grew dark. …probably not the best mental health wise, but it was fine. The argument still stood for him.

"Right then. No more time to waste." Nathaniel tapped his hair clips and shook himself. "Ziggy, let's Bleat It." A swirl of gray and white light surrounded Nathaniel as he felt the transformation take hold. He tapped his feet against the ground, giddy with the swell of magic and strength now filling his entire self and began the short dash across Paris to Marc's home.

He loved being transformed. Everything felt better. The world wasn't moving as fast when he was Caprikid. Or rather, he felt like he could actually keep up with it. A few people stopped and waved or shouted and he gave a salute back before carrying on, the speed and lightness of his body and the nervous anticipation of his mission making him feel like he was flying. And all too soon, he touched down on the balcony outside Marc's room.

"Right, no going back… well, I could go back, probably forgot a few things actually. Wait, did I? Crap, I know I had it in here somewheeeeeeyyyyyy Marc!" Caprikid's worried muttering cut off as his boyfriend peered out the door at him. Marc's confusion was replaced with a fond smile.

"Hey there yourself, Cap. What's going on? No mention of an attack today, and I don't think I missed a text asking for a hangout," Marc said, glancing up an down Caprikid's nervous stance. They stepped out on to the balcony and leaned back against the door, eyebrow raised. "What's up?"

Caprikid swallowed heavily, already regretting his decision to go big with this. "Right, well! It's, I didn't text because this was, I wanted to make it a surprise is all, and, well, and… Uh, just, you can say no! Obviously I don't want you to, but-" he clamped his mouth shut to keep the rambling back. Caprikid tightened his fists and dug deep into the well of passion that flowed through him in this form. Marc's curiosity turned to worry, but before they could speak, Nathaniel acted.

"Genesis!" He called out, taking the magical paintbrush from thin air and sent a burst of power through it. Deftly, he swiped across the air in a rectangle shape with a few lines to connect it, before quickly twisting around and making a circle and triangle closer to him. Both objects solidified, with Caprikid snatching the circle out of the air before it could fall. Behind him, on a large banner still glittering with the magic that formed it, were four simple words: Will You Marry Me?

Marc blinked, holding his hands up to his mouth. Watery eyes looked down as Caprikid knelt, the newly created diamond ring still being fiddled with. "Nath…" they whispered.

"I know it could have been done better, and we're just out of la fac, but I… couldn't, really handle another night wondering, and as I said, you can say-"

"Yes." Nathaniel's stammering vanished. He looked up at Marc's face, seeing the wide grin peeking out from beneath their fingers. Marc swallowed, trying to get a breath in, before kneeling down as well and cupping Caprikid's face. "Yes…" They breathed again, and leaned forward to put action to their words.

Chapter Text

Another red string was connected between a pair of pictures and a notecard on Marinette's board. The owner of said board stepped back, chewing on her thumb. A half-dozen pictures of Chatte Noire taken from the Ladyblog were spread across in a haphazard arrangement that only the truly mad, or their originator, could understand. An interview last night had thrown Marinette's confidence about her partner into sharp confusion, leading to this current whirlwind of conspiracy. Chatte Noire had laughed. Genuinely, laughed. For the first time since they were partners. Now, Marinette had to sweep like a whirlwind to figure out the fallout of it. Tikki had woken up a half hour ago, looked at the complete mess happening now, and promptly turned back around and phased into her dollhouse.

"Tikki, come back here, I think I've figured out the bottom of this mystery," Marinette muttered. She fumbled blindly at the dollhouse, tapping it to get Tikki's attention. The kwami, ever dutiful to her holder, grumbled and phased back out. "I've cracked this case wide open and gotten to the tip of this iceberg!" Marinette whirled and pointed triumphantly at the one blank section of her wall. Tikki blinked slowly.

"You, got some metaphor's mixed-"

"WHY! Am I so awkward around Chatte Noire?" Marinette declared, rubbing at her eyes. She was happy it was a weekend at least. This way she could obsess in peace. "I have come to a few conclusions, please stick with me, alright? The first thing I have come up with is that I am just unused to interacting with other girls my age without expecting some form of retribution. I have Chloé to thank for that, by the way." She flexed her hands, feeling back in her body after that brief moment of spaciness, before grabbing a cookie off the plate she brought up and handed it over to Tikki. "The other main conclusion I have come up with is that Chatte Noire is secretly an ally of Hawkmoth and is poisoning me with a kind of airborne toxin."

"What happens to you around Chatte Noire?" Tikki asks, accepting the cookie bribe shamelessly. She refused to acknowledge the last thing Marinette said.

"My heart starts racing a bit faster like I had just gone for a run, I keep stammering a lot, and I really like listening to her laugh," Marinette listed off. She chewed her thumbnail, squinting at the pictures and strings she had put up to help her think.

"Oh, I… I think it's because you're gay?" Tikki asked. Marinette narrowed her eyes at the board. Red string connecting the cutest pictures she could find of her heroic(?) partner(??) online and other variables. Chemical formulae for toxins, a large section of her symptoms printed out, a picture of Chloé with a red X over her face, and scribbles of how long it took Chatte Noire to help take down Akuma (her own laziness and incompetence for not being a better hero subtracted, naturally. Can't have the data be skewed for her own inadequacy!).

She peered closer at the central image she had. Chatte Noire and her, after taking down Mr. Pigeon for the second time, laughing and teasing one another based on how they had to do it. The photographer was good for getting this candid shot. The sunlight made Chatte Noire's costume seem to glow warmly, outshone only by her vibrant green eyes. Marinette felt her heart twist again, breath catching slightly in her throat, a chasm of yearning and shaking hands reaching out for something, anything, to hold, opening in her chest.

"…No, that's silly, Tikki," Marinette said confidently. Tikki sighed with the weariness only a God could muster.

.

.

.

"Hey, Plagg?" Adrien asked quietly, staring up at his (her?) ceiling. "Do you think Ladybug is gay for Chatte Noire?"

"Yes, now go to bed, don't bother me," the grumpy cat Kwami said, poking a little paw into Adrien's cheek. Affirmed, she grinned and turned over, getting a good nights sleep.

Chapter Text

The summer heat baked the streets of Paris. Despite this, and the obvious super terrorist still on the loose, the crowds had not waned around the Eiffel Tower. Landmark made more appealing for the fact that Lady Noire and Mister Bug often seemed to use it as a meet up point for their patrols. The swell of tourists and locals alike hoping to catch a glimpse of the duo at rest and not in the middle of an attack made a crush in the parks that Juleka frankly was already done with. It was a mistake to wear black today, but her wardrobe was currently lacking any other good looking outfit NOT in black. She would have bounced back home to the relative cooler and far less public safety of the Liberty, if not for the clearly excited girl in pink clinging to her arm.

"Ooh! Look, they have ice cream! Let's go get some!" Rose squealed, beaming back up at Juleka and tugging her along. Juleka squinted at the cart and nodded. It wasn't run by Andre. Don't get her wrong, his ice cream was phenomenal and seemed to be tailor made directly for each customer, buuuuuutttt… his matchmaking skills were a few decades old it seemed. It was a miracle Kagami got with Marinette and Adrien at all after the 'three flavors' fiasco. And with the heat, Juleka didn't want to have to deal with that, or a potential Akumatization.

So, Juleka let herself be led to the cart. A few people also had the same idea, making them wait behind them. "So, is this what you had in mind?" Juleka asked, glancing down at Rose. "Heat, crowds, sticky snacks?"

"Mhm! And you, of course," Rose responded, giving a little peck on Juleka's cheek. The flush that spread across the other girl's pale skin had nothing to do with the sun. Juleka hunched in and tugged at her bangs.

"O-oh, guess that's, yeah, whatever…" Juleka felt Rose's smile more than she saw it. She pressed her hand into Rose's, chipped black nail polish stark in contrast to the expertly applied happy pink. The line moved forward. "Do you think it will last?" Juleka found herself asking, more to herself than anything.

"No, it seems to moving kind of fast," Rose commented. Juleka snorted, bumping into her lovingly.

"I meant the peace and stuff. There hasn't been an attack in, what, three days?"

"Three days, thirteen hours, and twenty-three minutes," Rose said. Juleka raised an eyebrow at her. It was Rose's turn to flush, her hand tightened around Juleka's. "I, like to keep track. Helps the anxiety."

"I'd figure it would make more anxiety, keeping your mind on things like this," Juleka muttered, shifting closer as a bike rider dinged his way past them. "I try not to think about it. Especially after my own, uh, possession."

Rose hummed. They stepped closer to the ice cream vendor. "Weird how that is. I need to look and see and be on top of things."

"And I can't stand to know." The pink anklet and the purple panjas glittered in the sunlight as the couple moved up in thoughtful silence, placing their orders. Juleka licked at her strawberry cone, while Rose bit into her blueberry one. "I guess," Juleka began, glancing up and spotting a flash of black and red against the skyline, her phone going off with the well memorized alert, "we just do what we can to make it to tomorrow." Rose nodded, tugging her girlfriend on to find a quiet space to transform.

"For another three days of peace. Rejoice."

Chapter Text

The marriage between Ladybug and Ryuko, Chat Noir and Viperion, and Caprikid and Rooster Bold was not meant to be big. Then somebody let something slip, and the whole thing exploded. When the mayor found out he tried to make it into a grand event. Publicity, decorations, the best hall in the city, trumpets on every corner! Fliers printed and scattered, social media accounts heralding the upcoming event, and the main news stations gleefully carrying it along across the airwaves to the city's people. Why not, after all? It isn't every day three weddings for the Heroes of Paris happen.

"I'm going to kill him," Adrien groused. He was staring at the brightly colored invitation in his hands. A ticket to the 'after-event' of the wedding, sent by the mayor to the prestigious heir and face of the Agreste family that he was. It was ironic in a way that made him keep the damn thing. "I will cataclysm his office and then his tie and then his face and then his face a second time after Ladybug reconstructs it with Miracle Cure."

"Please don't kill anyone. It would be hell to clean off my dress," Luka said from his side, one hand gently carding through his fiance's golden blonde hair.

"Cataclysm doesn't leave any blood behind," Adrien countered. Luka paused, eyes narrowed, before he shrugged.

"Fair. Go for it, kitty."

"No one is killing anyone, alright!?" Marinette called out from her 'damage control corner'. She looked up, pointing a finger at her wife-to-be. "And no encouraging it!"

"I have done nothing but sit here and admire you for ten minutes," Kagami said factually. Marinette's stern look melted, a blush creeping up the sides of her neck. "However, if you were not so against it, I would be down for a political assasina-"

"Nope! Not listening anymore," Marinette shouted, going back to the mess in front of her. Pages of interview requests, documents to allow a workaround for being married in hero mode, rebuffs for the guest lists, it just went on and on. Sure, they could have just gotten married in civilian mode, but this was meant to be fun! And, also, maybe a rushed decision made after a risky battle. Decision making while drunk on victory and adrenaline doesn't usually backfire like this though!

"I'm going to just put this out there," Marc said, lifting a hand up. "Get one of the others to be ordained and just do it on a roof someplace."

"Phrasing," Nathaniel said, voice muffled from underneath Marc. With a wriggle, they popped their head up from under Marc's arm. "And that could work? But… it feels off. Like, I want a big event. But to have all these people try and use it for brown nosing is… egh."

"Egh," Luka agreed. He scooted closer to Adrien, giving the touch-starved man his leg to entwine with his own. "We could get Chloé on it, but…" Luka made a Face. Kagami nodded as well, before standing up and dragging Marinette from her seat, the other woman squawking briefly at the sudden kidnapping. She looked at her fiance, blushing. Kagami just blinked back.

"Why does everyone else get cuddles?" Marinette's blush deepened. She grumbled and crossed her arms, leaning into Kagami's embrace.

"…we'll think of something, I guess," she grumbled. Everyone took a moment to sit in silence, enjoying the others company. Marinette rubbed her thumb across Kagami's hand. She'd figure it out, she had to. But it was nice to be held. And nice to not have to think for the moment. Her shoulders wriggled when Kagami pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck. "Four days, huh?"

"Mhm," Adrien hummed, finally setting the invite down. He pressed a kiss to Luka's cheek and chewed his thumb, looking back at the pile of stuff needing their combined attention. "…want to forget all this for now and try on our outfits again?"

"Ugh, finally a good idea."

"Absolutely."

"100%."

"Thought you'd never ask."

"Marinette goes first."

Chapter Text

Alya snorted and shook her head as she tapped away at her phone. An update was needed for the Ladyblog to integrate the new Akuma Alert system the city was trying out, so she decided to do it over at Marinette's place to listen to a customary rant about her hectic life. "And THEN! Just as I'm about to ask Adrien out, Chloé shows up and trips me! I almost fell down the stairs!" Marinette grumbled, arms waving for emphasis.

"I know, I was there," Alya said, tweaking a few settings. "And let's be real, you weren't going to ask him out this time."

"I was preparing to work the nerve up to do so," Marinette sniffed. She crossed her arms and flicked her head up, a picture perfect pout on her lips. Alya looked at her, eyebrow raised. Marinette cracked an eye open to look down at her, before both girls fell into giggling fits.

"It's been a year, girl! Honestly, why are you still after him? What's he got that I don't!" Alya held up her hand. "Besides the obvious, of course."

"Alya!" Marinette sputtered, chucking a pillow at the other girl. Alya batted it away with practiced ease. "It's not that! He's funny, he's smart, he's soft, and pretty, and I just! Ugh!" She flopped back on her bed, groaning into her hands. Alya saved the changes made and set her phone down, getting up to flop down next to Marinette.

"Hey. Look at me." Alya's heart did it's funny little thing when that sparkling blue focused on her again. "Why don't you try asking me out as if I was him. That could help the nerves, right?"

"I… guess?" Marinette rolled on to her side, legs dangling off the side. "Can't hurt I suppose… alright!" She took a steadying breath before the determination Alya loved seeing set in. Marinette clasped Alya's hand in hers. "Adrien," Marinette began, "I, I really like you. You're witty, and clever, and every day is… ugh, wait! Restart!"

Alya nodded, swallowing hard. Her heart was doing that funny thing again. "Y-yeah, long as you need, girl."

Marinette gave a grateful smile before sliding off the bed and standing up. "Right, right… Whoo, let's go." She whirled around, pointing directly at Alya. "Adrien! I love you! Let's go out so I can bask in your glow and touch your soft hair and AGH! NO!" Marinette grit her teeth, pressing her palms into her eyes. "Again!"

Alya stroked her hair, blinking. "Wha-? Oh, y-yeah. Still, long as…" She trailed off as Marinette started over. At this point Alya stopped paying much attention. She knew it was for Adrien, Marinette started each of her multiple attempts with his name after all. But some part of her… blurred it out. It was the same part of her that made Alya approach Marinette to begin with a year ago. The same part that made her put up with dozens of failed little schemes and plots to get Adrien to fall in love with her. The same part that made her heart race with the same fear she felt for her family whenever an Akuma made an appearance for Marinette.

After the fifteenth try, with the other girl literally on one knee, looking up into her eyes, asking her out, did that small part of Alya kick the rest of her brain into realization. 'Uh oh.'

Chapter Text

Marc tilted their head, leaning against Nathaniel as they both stared at the blank wall in front of them. A myriad of supplies rested at both of their feet, everything from paints and brushes to banners and stickers. Orikko and Ziggy tilted their heads to match as they floated above them.

"…I don't know what goes here," Nathaniel eventually said. Marc shot them a deadpan look. "No, seriously! I used allll my creativity on the other ones!"

"Uh huh," Marc said, planting a kiss on his partner's head. "And it's definitely not because you feel bad for claiming every other wall for your designing?"

"Absolutely not," Nathaniel lied firmly. Marc continued his stare before relenting.

"Fine. Let me look at it again." They turned back to the wall, squinting. It was a blank canvas. A white expanse of pure potential, just waiting for Marc to mark, cementing the fact that they now had a place for their own. …the realization just hit them. They had a place. They had a place and a life together and-

"You doing alright?" Nathaniel asked softly. Orikko hovered closer, little wings brushing at Marc's cheeks. He nodded, giving his best smile.

"Yeah, just. Didn't think I'd get this far," Marc said, squeezing Nathaniel closer, pressing his face to his partner's hair and just breathed them in. "Certainly not with someone I'd want to go the rest of the way with." Nathaniel was still for a moment, before winding their own arms around Marc and squeezed.

"Want to finish this tomorrow?"

"Nah, I think I got an idea," Marc said, separating their hold and looked back at the wall. The others were a dazzling array of colors and styles, all carefully planned and splayed by their more artistically inclined partner. But for Marc, written words held his soul. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but those words still could be said.

Another round of poking fun at one another, carefully placing the blue painter's tape the way they wanted, and almost spilling the can of black paint later, Marc took a step back, beaming at the decorated wall. "Look good?"

Nathaniel came over, munching on a slice of pizza they had ordered so no one had to do any cooking. His eyes trailed the letters written there, taking them in again. Marc had made them go take a break after basically doing every other section, so even though Nathaniel knew what was going to be painted, seeing it in black and white, fully done, made them pause.

'A thousand dreams within me softly burn.' -Arthur Rimbaud

Nathaniel nodded slowly, swallowing. "Yeah. I think it's perfect."

Chapter Text

Chatte Noire stood in a room that belonged to someone she didn't feel was herself anymore. Bright green eyes shone in the darkness (the lights being off helped a lot with these sorts of acclimation sessions), looking around at the suddenly very… bare living space. Not that there wasn't wonders galore for a rich kid like Adrien to enjoy here. A TV screen wider than most people's windows hung above a bank of computer monitors. A second tier of the room, holding a sprawling library and a climbing wall to encourage both athletics and intellectualism. The skateboard ramp and basketball system was just icing on top of the cake.

But they weren't used. The ramp was far too steep and ran practically right into the opposite wall. The rock climbing section had no padding. The basketball game was no fun with only one player. Chatte Noire ran her claws across the bed frame. She knew this room like the back of her hand. Only the stranger's hands she currently had felt better than the ones she had for years now.

Did. Did she even like this place anymore? A twist of nausea hit her. She scrambled to the bathroom, careful to not rip the door off its hinges with her transformed strength let her head lean over the sink. She fumbled for the light switch and turned the water on cold, letting the spray mist over her. She'd been getting these flashes and vertigo attacks lately. Plagg offered nothing, the greedy little jerk. They persisted even after going back to 'normal' sometimes. When talking with Chloé while she did her makeup, or hanging out with Marinette in her room and looking at the designs across her wall, that sort of thing.

Chatte wasn't stupid. She looked online about potential causes for this. The urges to look pretty, the need to swaddle herself in feminine clothing and styles, the rising gall she now felt whenever someone called her boy name. The answers she found didn't help. All they did was just make her feel more out of touch and distant from the normalcy she had just managed to grasp hold of at school.

Chatte raised her head, staring miserably into her reflection. Even when struggling to come to terms with an internal war, she still had to yearn softly for the long curls and softer features she saw there. Plagg had mentioned having different mindsets while transforming could offer different 'forms' for her costume to take. Chatte tried it once. She almost didn't make it to the Akuma attack with how Wrong she felt afterwards. Ladybug hadn't been happy about that. Thankfully, Chatte managed to make it up to her by getting frozen in time saving her. A huge win!

Taking a deep breath, Chatte stood back up. She raised a shaking hand, running it down over the her waist. She. Liked this. It was fleeting, and probably a major waste of magical responsibility, but being Chatte Noire rather than… Him, just. She couldn't help it. Being called her, and adorable, and princess, and seeing other people comment about how cute, and bubbly, and feminine, and, and-

Chatte Noire shook her head. Enough was enough. A search result said to say her name out loud and a actually list aspects she liked to see if it 'clicked' or not. Guess now was a good a time as any, especially with the Akuma attacks meaning she had to sort her shit out. She turned the water off and took another breath. Eyes met eyes. She shoved down all the muttering and whispering voices that sounded a lot like her mother and father and Looked at herself. "I am Chatte Noire, super-heroine, girl, and protector," she said softly. The nausea threatened to swell again. She pushed on, the sparks of Cataclysm flickering around her claws.

"I am a girl. I want to be a girl. I… am allowed, to be a girl," her voice fell to a raspy whisper at the last phrase. Her vision swam briefly, ring lighting up. Distantly, in a hidden chamber, black lightning danced across the surface of another Miraculous. Destruction takes many forms. And for the freedom of its holder, the Black Cat was willing to… bend the rules a little.

With a minuscule pop! the nausea vanished. Chatte Noire gagged hard, blinking wildly before staring back in the mirror at herself. The doubts and strangling pressure she had felt ever since transforming was… gone. A warmth bloomed in her chest as she looked at herself. She posed a bit, letting her hips stick out, one hand resting on the curve of her transformed self. "This? Yeah. I think this is good," Diana said, smiling to herself.

Chapter Text

"Kitty? You've been uh, staring for a bit." Chat Noire shook herself out of her reverie. She glanced back at Marinette, wincing.

"Oop, sorry. I just. The colors and me being me and all. We're still good to go, right?"

Marinette looked at her clock, frowning. "Wwwweeeelllll… we're a bit late already-" Chat's heart lept into her throat, "but honestly? I think it should be fine. This is your first experience with this sort of thing and it's just to see if you even like, like it, so there's no hard and fast rules for 'oh, you need to arrive promptly as stuff'. Does that make sense?"

The super-heroine swallowed and nodded. After she worked past the lump in her throat at the thought of being late she spoke. "It does, yeah. Thanks, Marinette. For, for doing all this stuff for me." She blepped her tongue out and wriggled back and forth happily. She looked back at herself in the mirror, watching her expression soften. She ran her fingers through her longer hair, thumb claw tracing across the trans flag painted on her cheek.

The first transformation had been… an experience. After about the fifth one she finally got it clicked in her head. Staring at herself in the mirror, watching herself just, being herself. It made the fear of asking Marinette to help her out for the parade all worth it. With a flush Chat realized she had been staring at herself again, so she turned around and thrust her hand dramatically back.

"Marinette, why didn't you tell me your mirror had a purr-se on it! I can't look away furr-om myself! Oh, how woeful! I shall ne-purr escape at this rate!" She cracked open an eye, smirking at the now giggling Marinette.

"Well, my pretty kitty," Marinette said, leaning in and flicking Chat's bell, "we should get down there then. Don't want to keep everyone waiting for one of the Hero's of Paris~!" She pressed a little kiss to Chat's nose and turned around to head off. Chat swore steam puffed from her ears at that little gesture. With another wriggle and a sharp breath in, filled with joy, she hurried after Marinette, shutting the door behind her, eager to make new stories.