Ce mur qui nous offre des blorbos

Little Marcaniel comic for patrons and ko-fers hehe

Ko-fi

See, Marc openly dresses alternative or eccentric, Nath doesn't. Marc is kind and shy, Nath is a good person but he's quite angry. In my head canons at least, he's the kind of guy to have a lot of misdirected anger, which is what happens when you have a shitty strict family or housing situation. So yeah, I'm not too surprised

Oh and just adding on (edit): Marc and Nath both don't talk a lot, but Marc's like that because he starts off shy, Nath's like that because he's done with life. And you could argue that they're both insecure but in different ways yk? Nathaniel's insecurity is the kind of low self worth that comes from being repeatedly beaten down by the kind of people who should have been your safe space of unconditional love who you can never avoid

I had been thinking only a few days ago after rewatching episodes where Marcaniel were the focus or got substantial scenes, and it was remarkable to me how all their behavior prior to "The Ruler" (at least from S2 onwards. S1 seemed to not know very well yet what to do yet with Nath) was very consistent and informed ultimately by their home lives. (Repeating really what the-cicatrixee-guild said here).

I always think back to "The Reverser" and how Nathaniel reacts when he finds Marc and not Ladybug. He inmediately jumps to the conclusion that Marc (and Marinette?) were playing a prank on him to mock his feelings, and reacts extremely by ripping his book off. The kicker of this comes from Nathaniel's scene with Alix later on, who's trying to tell him that maybe he shouldn't have reacted so harshly. Nathaniel inmediately dismisses this, claiming Marc just wanted to tease him, "like everybody else".

Now, who is this everybody else referring to? In how many instances was Nathaniel really mocked? I can recall Chloe, and not much more (correct me if I missed any major instance, my memory is bad). Surely he isn't referring to his classmates who are majorly nice to each other, and never outcast anyone.

But if nobody really is mocking him nor belittling his feelings, then why would he hold this belief?

Because is what he learned at home!

His art, his biggest passion, where he pours his most vulnerable feelings, is stupid, nonsense, shameful, and therefore, so are HIS FEELINGS. And if that's the case, he needs to hide them, or he will be mocked by them otherwise. And even if he isn't openly ridiculed, he is always being silently judged.

This will naturally cause Nathaniel to be, not only shy, but extremely reserved. And we can see he indeed is. He never was outcasted, and always integrated into group projects, but at least to me he always missed.... something. Compared to every kid in his class, he really seemed to fade the most into the background, and not have an established relationship with any of them (even with Alix, he didn't have major interactions with her until "Reverser", iirc), despite being amicable to all of them.

Being reserved is also supported by what seems to be a tendency to avoid groups (or technically, teamwork, as he claims) and preferring to be alone and left to his devices, as shown in "Penalteam", along with the fact it was MARC, someone who WASN'T even in his or that class, DRAGGING HIM to not skip classes, and "The Ruler" somewhat (remember his mom chastising him for spending the whole weekend inside drawing? Definitely not his first time).

And now that I mentioned this, it's a good instance to move the spotlight to Marc for a second, who, while clearly shy, we are shown is def a different type of shy. Marc IS shy and awkward, but once he gets out of his shell, he also openly seeks friendships and connections, something that Nathaniel does not, even when he already is doing better support-wise, than he was in S1. One could argue that Nath is simply a natural introvert, if it weren't for all the points made above. This kid clearly struggles in a way Marc does not!

The comment about dressing alternative, also really tells a lot! Specially now with S6 designs. Marc (like almost every other kid) barely changed his outfit, but Nathaniel's was a remarkable overhaul, and almost seems like a different person, in attitude and look. Is it hard to believe, that up until this point, Nathaniel also lacked a sense of self (or at least the bravery to show himself), and just lazily dressed how his parents influenced him to do all his life? Nath clearly had a lot of growth during the summer.

the-cicatrixee-guild mentioned headcanoning that Nath has a lot of misdirected anger, but I think really, had we gotten to enjoy more of Nath prior to S6, this would simply be true. If Nathaniel is already having all these issues, and he has such parents as point of reference, (and I'm referring mostly to his harsh, arrogant mother here, who for all we know, could have had the same, untouched mommy issues growing up) I think Nathaniel would def take a bit after her when it comes to dealing with bad emotions. Or maybe I just severely agree with the idea that this boy has anger in him!

Anyway, I apologize for the big rant! Nathaniel Kurtzberg is just a very fascinating character to me and I can't help studying him under a microscope. I can't wait to see more of him in the upcoming seasons and I hope it destroys me emotionally.

I havent seen anyone draw Nath with the cat miraculous and Marc with the ladybug miraculous, so I'm making my own dreams come true

Ko-fi

12 pages of Marcaniel/Capribold exploration??? And the crowd cheered!!!

Ko-fi

Marc's books usually get stolen, which is how the rumor that he's gay spreads (he writes gay fanfic). Nathaniel eventually gets a hold of one of the books, reads it out of curiosity and gets way more excited about it than he should. so much so that he feels compelled to DRAW something inspired by the writing, which of course he carefully keeps a secret and hides away from all eyes. Wanting to read more, Nathaniel secretly returns the book to Marc, who's surprised... but pleased that he won't have to buy a new one.

It gets stolen again. Marc is initially frustrated. But a few days later is returned. Rinse and repeat. Marc is perplexed, but the book keeps coming back so... It grows into a weird routine he stops paying mind to. Maybe someone likes his fanfiction THAT much, he likes to think.

It goes like this for a while until Nathaniel draws a little thing (guys kissing) for Marc's writing and accidentally leaves the sketch inside the book. When the book is mysteriously returned to Marc, he's pleasantly surprised at the notion of another queer... guy? person? also existing at school. He takes a gamble and leaves a message for the artist, thanking them for the drawing. His book gets stolen once more. Nathaniel is shocked and relieved to find out Marc saw his drawing, liked it, AND even replied back.

Hesistantly, he draws and leaves another drawing among the pages again. A mutual communication soon begins, where they leave each other messages, new writing, more drawings. Weeks go by, and against all odds, they find in each other a safe, comfortable space, even though they haven't met. Just 2 half strangers, secretly indulging in queer art, a little solace from their less than great lives.

Then one day, Marc writes down the question: "Do you also like boys?". The books gets "stolen" again, Marc just used to it.

It maybe was an obvious question. I mean, he wrote boys in love, and this secret artist, drew said boys. But he didn't want to make assumptions. Even if Mystery Artist didn't like boys, Marc would still be happy that someone was chill enough about queer matters.

Nathaniel was paralized. Reading the question again and then once more. His stomach painfully uncomfortable, his heart dropping. Hurt and confusion. Nathaniel DID like boys. And now he had the confirmation Marc did as well (that "also" carrying such weight...), all those rumours not so unfounded after all.

Nathaniel was heartbroken as the realization settled. Nathaniel liked Marc, and Nathaniel was not a boy.

As the fact pierced his heart, Nathaniel didn't realize a few tears had dropped on the page. He hurriedly tries to wipe them away, and grimaces when he realizes the wet spots are not going away.

It takes a bit longer than usual, but the book finds its way to Marc once more. Marc didn't realize how nervous he was about such a simple question, but tries to shake the feeling and flickes through the pages.

A single "Yes." shows up, right under the question he had written a while ago.

Marc can't help smiling like a fool, his heart fluttering.

Then he stops for a moment. He still doesn't know this mystery PERSON. Marc has been assuming the individual on the other side was a boy, it's what his gut feeling was telling him. But maybe he wasn't. The next question came naturally to him, as he grabbed his pen.

"Are you a boy or a girl?".

Nathaniel was not doing good. That first question already had left him feeling sick. So when he stole Marc's book as per routine, and came across that second one, he straight up wanted to vomit. This had gone to places Nathaniel did not want to explore. Places that if he were to take a step towards to, it would mean not coming back, he felt.

What had he got himself into? Should he be honest? Should he invoke his right to privacy and not say? Should he...?

He grabbed his stomach. In all that mix of confusion, nausea and anxiety, a fluttering feeling arose.

Marc didn't have to know. They were strangers at the end of the day. They weren't gonna meet, right? Nathaniel would never associate directly with Marc. Nath grimaced at this own thinking, but it was true. He could never face Marc, the guy he literally bullied (or used to, it's been certainly a while...). This little back and forth with his crush was one of the few highlights of his life lately. He did not want to ruin it.

With his lunch threatening to leave his stomach, Nathaniel wrote down his reply, shaking, a weird feeling of excitement refusing to leave his body.

Marc finally got his book back, and his heart skipped a beat when he read the reply from his mysterious artist.

I've never been too too attached to either Marc or Nathaniel, but this episode really won me over! It was neat getting to see both of their parents, and show just how much of a difference unconditional support can make. It really reminded of just how lucky I am that my own parents are so accepting.

I also love the contrast in the setting as well, with Nathaniel's family physically further apart, while Marc and his parents are all bunched together on the same couch. I feel like the show has been putting in a lot more care into framing and the setup of scenes this season, and I'm all for it!

Also, this is one of the first times I've seen their new designs up close, and I'm a huge fan! Love all the little details, like Marc's eye makeup, Nathaniel's self-painted shoes and his wavy little hairclip. Just look at the happy boy!

Now, onto the meat of the episode. Nathaniel's passions (and by association himself) being rejected by his parents did get me to tear up. It hurt and felt so real, I'm amazed to see this sorta thing in a show like Miraculous.

I felt so bad watching him destroy his work and try and force himself to conform to his parents' expectations. It was a very realistic picture of this type of struggle, and is definitely something I and I'm sure many others have struggled with before. And I was shocked at how blunt the writers got with the implied homophobia with lines from his mom about making Nathaniel "go straight."

Then once it got onto the mom being named Ruler, I just kinda started laughing, like, oh, they weren't gonna be subtle at all!

And dang Lila, willing to even use homophobia to get those miraculous. Tsk tsk.

The Akuma's power was definitely pretty creepy, like I hate these eyes so much, but Lila got really dang close to getting those miraculous this time, far more than any of Gabe's minion-based akumas! And despite this being the billionth time Chat Noir's been controlled, the physicality of the animation and voice acting did a decent job of making it funny.

It was also neat that the Akuma's powers got to be used against them, with Nathaniel finally stepping forth and taking back control from his mother (side note: I loved his transformation literally having him come out of the closet, the animators knew exactly what they were doing).

I know I've ignored them most of the episode, but I will say that Marinette and Adrien were adorable as usual! And I love that he feels comfortable enough with her to tease!

Then there was the ending. I'm so glad Nathaniel's parents came to accept his love of comics (and Marc). It was a sweet moment of acceptance that not everyone is lucky enough to have, so I'm glad we at least got a happy ending here.

I also really appreciate that little serious moment at the very end. I was expecting more Lila dialogue when the ominous music started playing, but having a serious moment where they discuss how they're attacked simply living their lives was a sad but pleasant surprise. It's cool that they're acknowledging a reality that so many people face every day. But I'm so glad these boys have each other in this!

And even if I know for a fact that the identity reveal is going to blow up in their faces one day based on the show's history, it still was so adorable and I loved the scene! Just the joy on each of their faces, knowing they're not alone, was so sweet!

Overall, I'm just really impressed with the writers this season! They're tackling a lot more serious topics in these one-off episodes, and honestly doing it far better than I ever expected from this silly love-square show. So many of these stories have resonated with me, and it's been really neat getting to see so much representation of different struggles. And it's especially cool to think about how these episodes could meaningfully impact the show's younger audience as well! These are the sorts of things I wish I saw more of growing up, it would have changed little miss shell's world for the better. So, keep up the good work Miraculous Team!