Friendly Neighborhood Content Dealer

And when Ladybug grabbed his cup she saw “Gabriel Agreste” on the ticket that was still on the coffee cup.

LB: Gabriel Agreste?

CN: Dad?

SM: Adrien?

LB: Chat Noir?

CN: Sentibubbler!

*Sentibubbler turns his head*

*dabs* Here you go! *Nae Naes away*

Adrien was bored. His father was busy doing something, his homework was done, he didn’t have any extra curriculars to do.

“Someone looks bored.” Plagg said.

“I am.” Adrien sighed.

“You know who isn’t bored?”

They both smiled and said “CHAT NOIR!”

Adrien transforms and hops out of the window, hopping rooftops.

He loved being Chat Noir. It gave him an escape from being depressed at home. Being able to see the beautiful views Paris had to offer and being able to help the citizens, it made him happier.

But the best thing about being Cat Noir, the thing that would always make his day... 

His staff rang. He checked the caller ID and a smile spread on his face.

“M’lady, I didn’t expect you to be out this time of day. Do you like watching the sunset too?”

“Hey, I need to talk to you. Is there some place we can meet up?”

“Yeah, I know the perfect place.”

“Great, send me the address. And Chat? Don’t scare me!”

“I won’t, I won’t.”

He hangs up and sends Ladybug the location he knew all too well.

The Grand Paris Hotel... Bar...

He made it and walked inside, seeing his beautiful lady on the bar stool. His heart skipped a beat and his chest became warm and fuzzy.

Ladybug turned her head as she approached and she smiled.

“M’lady, you look lovely.”

“Hey, Kitty. Thank you for not sneaking up on me.”

“Of course.”

Jean comes out with a red drink with blackberries in it.

“Here's your mocktail Ms. Ladybug, a raspberry Shirley temple topped with fresh blackberries. A Grand Paris specialty.”

“Thank you”

“And for you Monsieur Chat Noir? The usual?”

Ladybug nearly choked back her drink.

“No thanks, I’ll take the Chat Noir mule Mocktail, please.”

“Ah, yes! The blackberry and mint drink. Very good choice sir. I’ll be right back.”

“So this isn’t another attempt of taking me out on a date is it?” Ladybug asked.

“No, but it could be if you wanted it to.” Chat said.

She dipped her fingertips into her drink and flicked her fingertips in his face, playfully splashing him.

“I’m kidding, but I did think you’d like this place.” He used a napkin to wipe his face, his tongue licking the side of his face to taste her drink. “Your drink is pretty good.”

“It is nice here, and you frequent here often?”

“Yeah, I do. Whenever I’m bored or I have extra time, I’ll stop here. Mr. Bourgeois actually has a policy that prevents reporters and media from coming up here unless given permission for interviews, since mostly celebrities frequent this bar.”

“Really?”

Chat Noir nodded. 

Jean brought him his drink. “Anything else I can get for you two?”

“No thanks.” Ladybug reached into her yo-yo compartment and Chat Noir reached into his pocket and they paid for their drinks.

“So what is Chat Noir’s usual.” Ladybug asked her partner.

“Promise not to laugh?”

She nodded.

“I get a glass of milk.”

“You really are a cat, aren’t you?” she huffed out, holding back her laughter.

“How else do I get these strong muscles?” He flexed in front of her, earning a soft smile from his lady. “Anyway, what did you want to talk about?”

“Is it alright if we go upstairs to the roof? For privacy?”

“Lead the way, M’lady.”

They both headed upstairs to the roof, them finding a table and chair by the pool, with a view overlooking the city.

The sun had just set and the stars were beginning to poke out.

“Listen, Chat... I know that you’ve noticed that something’s wrong... with me.”

“I have...” He wasn’t going to lie to her. “I know we can’t exactly talk about our personal lives, but I want you to know that I’m here for you, and that I care about you.”

“I’ve been stressed, and overwhelmed, and...”

“Got your heart broken?”

“... I loved him so much, but couldn’t be honest with him.”

“Because of the mask.”

“Wait...” Him knowing everything she was saying. “You too?”

“Yeah... I loved her too, but... It didn’t work...” Chat Noir sighed and shook his head. “You do seem better though. I know you have a lot more stress than I do, but you do seem better than when we went to the movies.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me... But I do feel better... because I did something.”

Chat’s ears perked up as he took a sip.

She breathed in, and out. “I told someone.”

Chat Noir choked on his drink, coughing as processed what she said.

Ladybug placed a hand on his back, helping him get his breath back.

“That- that was totally meant to be a spit take” He choked out.

“Sorry, are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah...” He got his breath back. “You told someone? That you’re Ladybug? Like someone in your civilian life?”

“Yeah. I did. I felt like you should know.”

“Wow. I...” He was surprised.

“You’re not mad are you?”

“Mad? Why?”

“Because I didn’t tell you first.”

“What? No, I get why you didn’t tell me. Our dynamic works because we don’t know who we are, and what if Hawkmoth akumatizes one of us, or if the akuma mind controls one of us, all of that. Besides I like the mystery around who you are.”

“I’m glad, and I promise when Hawkmoth is defeated, we can discuss revealing ourselves to each other.”

“Of course. If anything, I’m surprised that you told someone. I completely thought that I’d accidentally reveal myself first because of Plagg.”

Ladybug laughed. “I thought I’d accidentally reveal myself, you’d be surprised if you knew my civilian self was me.”

They shared a laugh together.

“But, the main reason I wanted to tell you is because I know this job is stressful and I know we can’t reveal too much about our personal lives, but I don’t know how stressful being Chat Noir is in your life.”

“It gets stressful at times, but being Chat is a freedom that I wish I had more of in my personal life.”

“I’m glad, but for when it does get stressful, I want you to have someone to lean on... someone who isn’t me.”

Chat Noir paused. “Wait... do you mean?”

Ladybug nodded. “If you want to you can tell someone.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, I’m guardian now, so I make the rules.” She joked. “But seriously, if it’ll make your life easier, you can tell someone. It’s only fair.”

“Any restrictions?”

Ladybug thought. “It can’t be a woman.” Just to cover her basis of protecting herself and Alya.

Hear me out...

Adrien has to go to some event. Invitation requests both him and his father.

Gabriel doesn’t want to go, but Adrien begs him to go because they never get to spend time together and he misses him

His father agrees and “leaves” to go get ready...

He transforms into Shadow Moth and creates a Gabriel Agreste sentimonster to hang out with his son

Bonus points if he akumatizes the sentimonster if possible to throw off his trail of him being Shadowmoth

Adrien and the sentimonster come home and Adrien hugs his dad, thanking him for a great day before heading off to his room

Mega bonus if at the end of the episode it’s revealed that the Gabriel Agreste that was with Adrien all day was a sentimonster, turning back into a feather before Shadowmoth does his monologue

You know, just to fuck with our feelings

You’re telling me this didn’t happen at some point in their friendship?

Marinette: Can Kagami and I go to the movies together? I hear it’s supposed to be great!

Tomoe: No!

Kagami: I told you Marinette.

Marinette: Please?

Tomoe: No!

Marinette: Alright, at least let me give Kagami these pastries. They’re macaroons, I made them myself, you can have one too if you want.

*Tomoe places hand out and Marinette places cookie in her hand*

Tomoe: Kagami is much too busy- *tries macaroon*

*Kagami and Marinette look at each other in silence*

Tomoe: She can go.

Kagami: What?

Marinette: Yes! Thank you! Thank you!

Tomoe: Leave the cookies with me, go to the movie

Kagami: ...What?

Marinette: Thank you again, come on Kagami!

*Next Week*

Marinette: Is it alright if Kagami comes with me to get some coffee?

Tomoe: No!

Marinette: I brought pastries!

Tomoe: Kagami go with your friend!

Hi people wanted a part 2 to this so :)

That night, Marinette was up on her balcony, replaying the day’s events.

Tikki was with her, eating a cookie.

“Tikki, did I do the right thing? Everything just felt so overwhelming, I had to tell someone. It felt like it was eating me up inside.”

“Marinette, you’ve had to take on more responsibilities than any Ladybug I’ve had prior. They all had their struggles and obstacles, but none of them ever became a guardian. And even if they did, your circumstances in becoming one weren’t ideal.”

That was true. Master Fu had discussed with her about becoming the next guardian when he was too old to watch over the miracle box and whenever that day would come, he’d let her know.

But Hawkmoth found him, and she did blame herself for that, but even if he was found without her mistakenly leading him to Fu, it was a dire situation.

In order to protect the box from Hawkmoth, he had to give it up. She can’t blame him for that.

Fu’s words about her being the best miraculous holder he’s ever met, how she always knew how to fix everything... how she’d be a great guardian.

He had chosen both her and Chat Noir for a reason. He must have seen something in her that made him pick her to be Ladybug.

“But has there ever been a Ladybug that told someone their identity?”

“A couple times with their Chat Noir, a few with their loved ones when it was life or death. I can’t say if they did after I was given back. But I know that Alya is your best friend, and she was definitely someone you needed.”

Marinette smiled softly. She was so happy Alya was there for her, that she was able to work up the courage to tell her.

“Being Ladybug is hard, but it’s even harder to go through it alone.”

~The Next Day~

Alya comes over to check on Marinette with some coffee and home-made cookies.

“Thank you for the coffee, Alya. You really didn’t have to.”

“I know you needed it, and consider it the start of a very long thank you for saving me all those times.”

“And did you make these cookies yourself?”

“The twins helped, but yeah. Chocolate chip.”

Marinette smiled. “I’m glad I was able to come clean about this to you.”

“I’m honored that you told me. And don’t worry, I am working on myself and keeping myself calm, so Hawkmoth doesn’t akumatize me anymore.”

“I’m still amazed that you were able to break his hold on you.”

“Me too.” Alya told her. “I’m still amazed that you were Ladybug all this time. How did you even become Ladybug?”

“The previous guardian chose me to be Ladybug on the first day of school. I saved him from being hit by a car, and he knew that I was the one. When Ivan was akumatized and we were all sent home, I found a box on my desk with the earrings inside.”

“That’s so cool, and mysterious! Wait, does that mean you have a Kwami, too?”

Marinette held up one of the cookies and smiled. “I do.”

A red Kwami came out from behind her and flew right to the cookie, taking a bite.

“Mmm, these cookies are delicious!”

Alya’s jaw dropped, she was so cute!

“My name is Tikki, I’m Ladybug’s Kwami. It’s a pleasure to finally be able to meet you, Alya!”

Alya stuck out a finger and Tikki used both her hands to shake it.

“OMG! I’ve met Ladybug’s Kwami! This is so cool!”

“Yeah, Tikki is the coolest.”

Tikki giggled.

“So what about Chat Noir? How did he get his?” Alya asked.

“I don't know exactly, I assume the same way I got mine, but either way he was the right cat for the job.”

“What’s it like working with him?”

“Chat Noir? He can be a bit of a pain, and annoying, but at the end of the day, I really love working with him. I couldn’t imagine being Ladybug without him. There’s no one I trust more, you know?” Marinette said with a smile on her face. “Aside from you of course.”

“Do you like him?”

“ALYA!”

“You kissed him twice!”

“The first one to save him, the second I don’t remember!”

“Has Chat Noir ever been with you as Marinette?

“A couple times yeah.”

“Was it on your balcony?”

Marinette turned red.

“I’m just saying, that’s romantic!”

Because I want it and I’m a writer so *hands you head canon post on a silver platter*

Alya hugs the absolute crap out of Marinette as she ends up sobbing into her shoulder from stress and exhaustion.

Alya is soothing Marinette, eyeing the widows, doors, and every crack an akuma could squeeze in through.

Even long after Marinette has stopped crying, they were still hugging. She took comfort in Alya’s arms around her.

“...Alya?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Alya squeezed her tighter. Marinette deserved this.

“I’ll always be here for you, Marinette. Don’t you forget that.”

They pulled apart, Marinette wiped the tear stains off her cheeks and she huffed out a small laugh.

“I’m surprised you’re taking this so well.”

“I’m holding it in. You really needed a friend.”

Marinette smiled as she braced herself. “You can let it out now.”

Alya breathed as she stood up. She went over to Marinette’s computer and pulled up a picture of Ladybug and made it fullscreen. She looked at Marinette, then to the Ladybug picture, then back to Marinette.

*inhales*

“I... I can’t believe it! My best friend! You- You’re Ladybug! How could I have not seen it? I mean I know I couldn’t have seen it, but you’re fighting Hawkmoth and saving Paris everyday!” Alya stammers. “When? Wait I know when, but how? I just- It’s been you this whole time. Everything makes since now, you being late, odd excuses, why you picked me to be Rena Rouge. I feel like my brain is exploding!”

Marinette laughed.

Alya replayed today’s events and relaxed. “But wait, Ladybug said that she’s now the guardian when she-you gave me the necklace, which makes you the guardian. What does that even mean? Actually, no don’t tell me, it’s probably incredibly important and stressful, and you’ve been having a stressful time, I don’t want to add to that.”

Marinette sighed. “No, it’s fine, it just means I have a lot of responsibility now on top of being Ladybug.” It felt so weird to say that to her best friend, but it felt like a huge weight was being lifted off her shoulders.

“I’ll help you in any and every way I can, you can count on me.”

“Thanks Alya.”

Alya goes home and marinates with this new information.

She swore on her life that she wouldn't tell a single sole this information

As she’s pacing in her room, she’s debating on completely deleting the LadyBlog.

She ends up spending hours completely reformatting the website. Taking down the “Who’s Ladybug” posts and adding a couple of mental health posts. She makes a post about giving back to Ladybug and Chat Noir by working together to figure out who Hawkmoth is.

As she’s reviewing her LadyBlog, she finds a few old videos The first one was Ladybug noticing her in a sea of reporters and commenting her on her work on the LadyBlog (The Mime episode). Marinette did that for her, and she smiled at how sweet that was of her to do.

The second video was her first actual interview with Ladybug (also Mime). She remembered how Marinette thought she deleted the first video so she stole her phone to try to recreate it, and when she couldn’t she gave her a surprise. Alya didn’t even know how she managed to convince Ladybug to give her an interview back then but now it’s obvious. Marinette is such a good friend!

The third was about Lila, talking about how Ladybug saved her and how close the two of them are. And suddenly Marinette’s hatred for Lila made sense.

“That Bit-!”

Alya deleted the video and whipped out her phone.

Mari, I am sorry for ever trying to defend Lila and that it took me this long to realize that she’s a liar.- A

Oh yeah, I couldn’t exactly tell you that I knew that she didn’t know Ladybug because I am Ladybug-M

Again, sorry for being stupid.-A

It’s okay, at least you know now-M

Dang all the lying she’s doing for attention, I almost feel bad for her-A

Alya remembered what Lila had done.

Wait no I don’t! She got you expelled and nearly akumatized by Scarlet Moth! What a lying snake!-A

She also threatened me in the bathroom that she’d make everyone turn against me if I tried to expose her and her lies and it made me so angry that I was almost akumatized by Hawkmoth -M

I’m actually going to push her down a flight of stairs! I don’t care that you have your ladybug powers, you can’t stop me!-A

Nino also messages her, noticing the website change. Alya said that she wanted to use her skill to find Hawkmoth and help Paris civilians. Nothing more.

She spends the rest of the night staying up late researching ways to control emotions and to keep anger and other strong emotions at bay. If Hawkmoth akumatizes her, it’s all over, and she’s never going to let that happen again.

Alya falls asleep thinking about Marinette being Ladybug this whole time.

And whatever hardships Marinette had to deal with, Alya was ready to give her a boost to fight it all.

Also I know there wasn’t any Marichat, but... we all know Marinette let Chat Noir find her or find her with Fei (who is now my daughter).

Chat Noir: Oh, Marinette! I found you!!! I’m glad you’re safe!

Mari: thanks Chat Noir, I appreciate you looking out for me! I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble...

Chat: Don’t be, I’m just glad you’re okay and that I was here for the Lady, also who’s your friend?

Fei: Hi, I’m Fei

Chat: Pleasure to meet you, I’m Chat Noir, one of Paris’ finest superheroes, need me to escort you two back home?

Marinette: No, that’s okay, I want to get to know Fei more and I’m sure you have other superhero duties to do.

Will there be a new version of the song with a new singer?

Will Selena Gomez reprise herself in singing the song again or will they reuse her version from 2008?

Will it hit just as hard as her 2008 version did?

So this is either one or the other because it can’t be both:

One- August, theoretically you can shorten it so it sounds like “est” or you could say “Este” as a nickname. A stretch, but I think August would know or at least be aware of the cheating signs.

Two- August is the Mistress who takes out the life insurance policy, eventually leaves town due to murderous rumors, and she uses the money to buy the house at the end of The Last Great American Dynasty. After all, she had a marvelous time ruining everything, both here and in folklore. Also kinda much, but I can’t stop thinking about both thoughts.

I want her to curl her hair like country Taylor, cuz throwback you know.

Willow

Cute

Invisible Strings Sequel

Like a Happy Cardigan 

Champagne Problems

New Year’s Day throwback, as if it was played back to back

The bride line

Gay. That’s it

Gold Rush

Reminds me of the Gold references from Rep

Folklore line

That drop off at the end

‘Tis the damn season

The background bass? I think it’s a bass. I love it

A holiday version of All Too Well

Oof... Just oof. Oof in a good way, it’s good and has lots of depth, but I feel like I broke up with someone even tho I’m single. Tis good!

Tolerate it

Begging for footnotes... That line

Probably going to repeat later

No body, No crime

The haunting revenge country song that every female country artist has

The turn this song went, I love it

She really said lets get revenge and get away with murder, and that’s my favorite genre of country music

So far it’s my favorite

Happiness

For some reason this is the sequel to seven, the sad sequel to seven. I can’t explain it

Seven years in heaven, there it is

Leaving something and then there is happiness, all for it

Dorothea

Gay

Someone’s gonna name their kid Dorothea... probably

High school lost love vibes

Coney Island

The mall before the internet, the place to be. That line hit hard.

Lovely duet, reminds me of The Last Time, but more lively

GOLD clock

Betty/Cardigan aftermath vibes

Ivy

Breathing for the living

Now I’m covered in you

Invisible Strings sister

My house of stone, rep line

This is the house at The Lakes, yes?

Cowboy Like Me

The lyrics in this, just lovely!

Song for the lonely, heartbroken people out there

Long Story Short

Rep references

The wrong guy... the real ones know

She found the right one :)

Catchy

Marjorie

What died didn’t stay dead

Every scrap of you was taken from me, that hurts

Interesting name choice

Certain road trip reference

Closure

Shape of your name spells out pain, harsh

Situation that needs to be handled, ouch

This is such a subtle diss track, holy shit!

Hell yes this cuts deep!

Karlie, like... it’s obvious

Evermore