#cat!ivan

Considering the recent episode this seems like a great time to show off an au @circuscomics and I made way back in 2021!

When Chat Noir gave up his miraculous in Kuro Neko, instead of just letting Plagg go off and pick a new holder (or the same holder as in canon) Marinette is actually able to think about it and make an informed decision, and ends up deciding to give the ring to Ivan!

Since it was so long ago I don’t fully remember what we’d planned to be the catalyst for that, but after a bit of convincing, Ivan made a great partner for Ladybug. He was big and strong and was very good at protecting her and civilians, being a brick wall between them and akumas.

Chat Noir’s replacement was very controversial in the city, the public being very split since Chat Noir was one of the original heroes and very popular, but Mountain Lion was proving to be much better at the job.

Adrien was pissed of course, even though he was the one who threw the hissy fit and quit in the first place he didn’t think Ladybug would actually go through with replacing him! His friends at school all seemed to have different opinions on the matter, but with Adrien being upset with Ladybug he ended up getting a bit closer with Chloé.

Being a hero did put a little bit of strain on Ivan and Mylène’s relationship, it takes up more of his time and she’s more in the Chat Noir camp (thinking Mountain Lion is too big and scary) which is more then a little awkward.

Yes I am going for Cat!Ivan, also with Fox! Nathaniel

Ao3, Calendar 

.

Mountain Lion was a frightening force. There was no denying the might of him, big and powerful, akumas always thought twice about charging at him. To a point, they’d sooner turn and charge at his small partner, which usually ended up a grave mistake on their part. Sweet Ladybug easily flipped akumas heading her way, akumas twice her size. For the most part, it worked out for them both. Ladybug made use of akumas assumptions and Mountain Lion can be the intimidation and strength to back her.  

Ladybug and Mountain Lion were a solid duo. A solid team. Hawk Moth was going to tremble before them. Nothing would get in their way or slow them down.

Or so Lion had thought.

Sitting on a ledge of Notre Dame, Ladybug sat on his leg, leaning against him as she stared down, searching the streets for the latest danger. Lion though, his silver eyes were directed elsewhere. Down below, slowly walking by Notre Dame were his classmates.  Classmates he hardly had the chance to talk to.

Alya, Alix, Juleka, Rose, and… Mylene.

Ladybug gave a start as Mountain Lion shifted, leaning over a little see them better as they walked by. The spotted hero raised a brow as she glanced up at her towering partner, then looked down to see where his silver eyes were drawn. Her lips puckered up into an amused smile as she turned to her partner, giving him a light nudge.

Lion blinked, turning to see Ladybug grinning up at him. She teased, “Does someone have a crush?”

Lion’s face went red. “What?” he mumbled.

“You do!” she gasped in delight, leaning forward to look over the girls. “Who? I’ll help you, I’ll totally help you.”

“Ladybug,” he mumbled, fidgeting with his claws.

She caught onto the punk-themed cat hero’s protest, sighing. “Yeah, you’re right. That could be risky…” She glanced up to see him offering her a small smile, his cheeks still pink. She slid off him, settling on the edge of the ledge, kicking her feet out as she asked aloud, barely keeping her excitement hidden away. “Is there anything you can tell me about her?”

Lion turned away, rubbing his arm, his short thick belt tail curled about behind him. Her smile grew as he smiled slightly, his gaze fond as he stared down.

To Ladybug, he said, “She’s pretty small in comparison to me. And so brave. And sweet. And soft and charismatic, and so energetic. And her eyes, they look like honey, and she’s just so colorful…”

“You’re in love, Mountain Lion,” Ladybug gushed, giggling. She slid closer, looking up and wondering, “You going to tell her?”

Mountain Lion looked away, rubbing his neck. “Well, it's kind of complicated…”

There was that instance before he discovered the ring. That big of rage that took him, the shaking of Paris as he hunted for the source of his anger.

That bout of anger had been so costly…

There was a light pressure on his arm and he looked down to see Ladybug’s gentle smile. “Maybe you should try talking to her again,” she suggested.

Before Ivan could respond, she rose up and stretched. “I’m going to head off, got some homework I’ve been putting off that I should do.”

Lion chucked. “You should.”

“Talk to her,” she encouraged before she zipped away.

Mountain Lion peered after her, then glanced down, seeing the girls leaving the area. He dropped down and detransformed, Ivan Bruel pressing his back against the wall, fiddling with his fingers, nervous and anxious. Plagg floated before him, watching the large boy fret and stress.

“I don’t get why humans find talking to be so nerve wracking,” Plagg said, crossing his arms.

“It's scary,” Ivan mumbled. “What if I mess up? Look like an idiot?”

Plagg hummed, diving into Ivan’s pocket as he warned, “Well, it's about to get scarier.”

Before Ivan could ask just what the kwami meant, he stilled when there was a surprise “Oh!” behind him.

No.

She was leaving. He saw her leave.

Slowly, Ivan turned around, seeing Mylene staring up at him, her honey eyes wide and big.

With a shy, tight smile, Ivan offered her a wave, mumbling, “Hi.”

“He-hello, Ivan,” she returned, clasping her hands together, turning to stare down at her feet, rocking on them.

Ivan turned away, rubbing his neck, flustered and tense. He gave a start when Mylene asked, “On your way home?”

“Ye-yeah.”

“...Um, do you want to walk up together?” Mylene offered, her smile small and shy, but open.

Ivan blushed, and found that he could only nod, wishing that he could just say it. Yes, he would like to walk with her, that yes, he liked her very much and she made this mighty cat so shy and silly and she had no idea.

“Talk to her,” Ladybug’s advice rang in his mind again, a gentle urging.

Witha  gulp, Ivan tentatively asked, “So, uh, how was your day?”

She looked up, her smile turning warm. “It was a fun day. “And um, how was yours?”

Lila and Alix would not do that great with Prowl. Lila would have an issue with being invisible and that would hinder her, she'd be kinda pissed that she only has one power. Alix would do better than Lila, she still might have some issues with self-control.

Ivan would struggle with Brilliance but would be happy to have a Cure. Alix would have some better control of Brilliance, as it's better to perceive than Cataclysm and her precision is pretty good so she'd do better with staying further away from the fight and doing stuff from there. She probably wouldn't like it tho

Lila wouldn't do bad with Cataclysm but would prefer Brilliance since it's more attention-catching. Ivan would also do better with Cataclysm, Brilliance is just more scary to him.

As for the kwamis, Lila would find Roaar and Plagg a bit annoying. She'd get along with Roaar quicker than with Plagg.

Alix wouldn't mind Luxx but she'd think that he's a bit bland. She'd really like his nonchalantness with the miraculous stuff and how much he tells her (she'd be kinda concerned/suspicious at first tho). Roaar would love Alix, thought Alix would find her a little annoying, and thinks that she could tone it down a bit or be less,,, childish.

Ivan and Luxx? Great, absolutely chill, Luxx would encourage Ivan to be more free and stand up for himself. Plagg would keep his distance at first (just like with all of his holders) but would warm up pretty quickly, maybe he'd think that Ivan is a bit boring and could spice his life up a little.

I'm gonna be using my versions of the characters.

Ivan would be scared of his powers. He'd barely use them, only in emergencies or when someone told him to. He'd overall focus more on saving civilians and getting them away from the dangerous situation rather than actively fighting. He prefers to have a plan beforehand and wouldn't really like a situation with heavy improvising. I don't think he'd really do well with public pressure.

He'd get along with Plagg pretty well. Plagg would try to help him with his emotions since Ivan is someone whose emotions take control over him sometimes. And Plagg would obviously cause some trouble, like secretly talking to Ivan's little sister. He would also constantly complain about the cheese quality xd

On the other hand, Kagami would be pretty fine with the ladybug. She would be kinda annoyed that her powers aren't more offensive, including her weapon. She wouldn't really plan out what she would do, only a slight outline as a suggestion. She would be the attacker and a good one but her emotions, particularly anger, would sometimes overtake her. Her boldness and perseverance would maybe make her unlikable a little, especially to her team (if she has one). She wouldn't care about the public's thoughts of her.