Chrysalis uses any excuse to attempt to akumatize Adrien so she can ask him out.

Chrysalis, laying on her side floating in the akuma mind space with rose petals fluttering in from above: "Metal Maniac... I see the universe has ruthlessly struck you down once again. Oh, how my heart bleeds for your suffering."

Adrien: "I stubbed my toe."

Chrysalis: "Let me grant you flesh of impenetrable steel! No furniture will ever harm you again! All I ask in return are the Miraculous... and maybe we grab dinner after? Just to see where the night takes us~"

Adrien: "...Lila, please. Just break into my room like a normal person."

Careless Whisper plays in the background the whole time with Chrysalis' avatar going ham on the saxophone.

Far far deep in my assorted notes is a bunch of ideas involving Lila and Adrien and their "friendship", more specifically chronicling every single time Adrien did something to piss Lila off 😭 I've grown very attached to the idea that they're two very similar people who can go through the motions of acting civil yet cannot STAND the other. Lila is too mean and Adrien is too quirky. By the time Adrien grows a spine and stops taking Lila's bullshit without standing up for himself (i.e. purse smacking, verbal insults, screaming...), he's perfectly able to match her energy and start pissing her off on purpose instead of just by accident.

These are all snippets from VoxPop, though, so thankfully they're not doomed to Secret WIP Hell. Adrien, I love you and your bizarre off-putting swag.

*Which is debateable. When Kagami put a truth-detector on her, she said that she loved Adrien, and it didn't trigger. Now, it is possible that she just believes that she loves Adrien,** or that the truth detector was only responding to her larger point, which was her saying that if Kagami kills Ladybug, she is willing to stop trying to date him.

**Which might actually describe Marinette's relationship with him.

Dude, I have so many thoughts about how Liladrien would go. It's literally my favorite ship in mlb.

Their dynamic is just pure gold. With only three episodes, the show managed to give this relationship more development than the main ship had in 6 season (Adrien and Lila's initial perceptions of one another are very different than their final perceptions). The two of them are insanely good foils for one another. And most importantly, you can explore sides about those characters that you never see anywhere else.

Adrien got Lila pegged from the get go. She lies because she wants attention and to pretend like her life is better than it is. (Or at least that's the characterization they had for her before the Cerise nonsense, which is what I'm sticking with.)

He also correctly assessed that the best way to deal with her is to ignore her, as that robs her of all the power she has over you. I don't give a shit what s5 says, Adrien was completely right in his attitude towards Lila. Especially because as soon as Lila started doing things that aren't just harmless lying, he took action as well.

That scene between them in "Ladybug" might be the single most fascinating piece of characterization Adrien ever got. For a single scene, Adrien was allowed to have a spine of steel and put Lila in her place. He was shown to not only be Lila's equal, but someone who who could win against her in a way literally no other character in the show managed. Not even Gabriel managed to go against Lila and escape unscathed.

We only see them interacting a single time after that, but there we see that Adrien is quick to tell her off for trying to pull bullshit with him.

This is a side of Adrien we never get to see anywhere else. With other people we get hints of his anger, his stubborness, even the tiniest flicker of ruthlessness. But he cares about their opinions of him too much so he pushes down everything that might make them dislike him.

With Lila? Adrien couldn't care less what she thinks of him. That makes him willing to be a lot more open about his agressive or otherwise unflattering sides of him. It's such an amazing setup to explore all his less-than-perfect sides and his relationship to them.

Because what he feels about them would define how he feels about Lila. Is he ashamed of them? Hates them? Scared of them? Or maybe there's a part of him he represses that wants to let them loose. That wants to be allowed to act however he wants without having to contort himself for the sake of the other person.

And if that's how he feels about them, then even if he can't stand Lila and hates that she tried to hurt his friends, he would still have a reason to seek her out. After all, she's the only person he feels comfortable acting this way around.

On Lila's side, the relationship would be just as fraught. We saw her reaction in canon to having her lies exposed and it's universally to lash out and try to mess up the other person's life.

However, we see a difference in how she reacts to Marinette and Adrien's attempts. Marinette goes against her publically and tries to destroy everything she built up, which leads to Lila getting obsessed with destroying her in turn.

Adrien meanwhile, talks to her in private conversations and only tries to stop her when she's hurting people. Lila's reaction to that was to lash out at him once, but she never developed the same sort of vendetta as she has against Marinette. In fact, he called her out and went against her but she didn't retaliate at all.

She clearly sees Adrien's method as less of a threat to her ego, and so she's more willing to tolerate it. Even after he went against her she still tries to flirt with him. But there's no way she can accept his victories over her gracefully, especially if it happens multiple times.

The way Adrien can see right through her would definitely put her on edge. And to make matters worse, he reaction isn't to demonize her and treat her as an enemy, but to empathize and offer his hand in friendship.

She was already attracted to Adrien for all the reasons you would imagine (rich, famous, handome), but now he would also be the one person she can't manipulate but who's also not her enemy.

If the show actually cared about character dynamics rather than making Marinette the center of the universe, Lila would see Adrien as a worthy opponent. She could still see Marinette as that bitch she despises and wants to make her life hell (especially if she suspects Marinette is Ladybug like in s6, since she would have double the vendetta), but Adrien is the one she would be looking to play games with.

She would seek to possess and control him. Both to get one over him as payback, but also because she seeks the understanding and companionship he offers but wants to have it without having to risk being vulnerable.

Adrien would push back, as we saw he's both capable and willing to do against Lila. And every time he would manage to get one over her, she would grow more obsessed with posessing him.

If they ever get into a relationship, it would be one of the most overtly toxic things you ever saw. Lila would use all the classic abusive techniques to try and isolate Adrien, to cut him off from any support network he has and undermine his confidence and self esteem. Not all of them would succeed, but some of them would.

But while most of the toxicity would come from Lila's side, not all of it would. That relationship would bring the worst out of Adrien. Yet the toxicity would also be half the appeal for him. It would feel more honest than something like the sickly sweet relationship he has with Marinette. Lila's possessiveness would also do a lot to soothe his abandonment issues.

I'm of two minds whether Lila would use his amok against him. On the one hand, it would feel cheap, and part of the fantasy of taking Adrien down a peg would be earning that victory over him because she's so much better. On the other hand, all's fair in love and war and Lila definitely isn't afraid of playing dirty. If Adrien didn't want to get mind controlled he shouldn't have been born a senti. She would most likely keep it as a ace up her sleeve for a moment where she doesn't manage to get what she wants by her usual means.

As for breaking Adrien's amok, I can only see her doing that as a "if I can't have him, no one can" thing. She would never in a thousand years break the amok in the same situation Marinette was. She would let the city burn first.

The ways Marinette mistreats Adrien are less toxic (not a high bar to clear), but unlike with Lila, Adrien doesn't push back at all. He cares about Marinette's opinion of him, so he has all his people pleasing instincts engaged. He would rationalize that all of the mistreatment is his fault because he's doing something wrong (as we see in canon). He wouldn't hold Marinette accountable for any of it.

Marinette would definitely be willing to use Adrien's amok. As soon as she feels like she has a justified reason or it would be the quickest way to fix a problem, she would do it with barely any hesitation.

Prompt 1:

Marinette smiled as her friends looked at Lila wearily. It was risky, but she was able to find a way to go back in time without the rabbit miraculous. A potion in the Grimoire that was used only in dire emergencies. The person who drank it would find themselves in their old body, new memories intact. They would use their knowledge to lead others towards the right path.*

Surely, someone telling her friends Lila Rossi was a serial liar, was a good deed.

It couldn't be Marinette or Ladybug. No no no. They didn't know Lila Rossi. But an anonymous prior victim of hers?? Definitely.

Oh, why anonymous? Because Lila ruined their life. They were scared but still wanted to warn them!!

The only problem was when it came to telling Adrien. She had sent him a message and he had sent one back telling her he wasn't interested in rumors.

She was confused, but told him she wasn't spreading rumors. He didn't reply back, so she figured he'd apologize later.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Things couldn't have gone better!!

Marinette smiled as her friends glared at Lila, scoffing at her stories.

"Yeah, sure," Alix rolled her eyes, "you know Jagged Stone. And I'm Adrien Agreste."

"But, I'm not lying!!"

"Save it, Lie-la," Kim snapped, crossing his arms, "we were warned about you."

Lila looked around, hoping someone would believe her. But everyone either gave her a cold look, or avoided her gaze entirely.

She didn't understand. She thought...

"What's going on?"

Everyone turned to see Adrien standing at their classroom door. Bag slung over his shoulder, confused look on his face.

He looked back at them before grinning brightly.

"LILA!!"

"ADRIEN!!"

The class was surprised as the two embraced each other. Surprise turned to discomfort as Lila began to tell Adrien what they had done. The accusations of being a liar. The emphasis in her name. The way they scoffed at her whenever she tried to talk to them. How they wouldn't accommodate for her disabilities. She knew it would take time to adjust, but she thought they would at least talk about it. She didn't want it to be done out of nowhere. She told them her mom was sending her files over since they got lost. But they insisted someone had warned them about how often she lied. Made up stories. And had all but pushed her to the back of the class. She didn't know what she did wrong. She didn't know who lied about her. She thought...she thought she could finally make friends.

"You guys are the worst," Adrien told the quiet classroom. "You...don't. Don't talk to me. Chloe, you get a pass ("Wow, okay...play favorites why don't you?"). Let's go, Lila. I'll sit with you. We can talk to Mrs. Bustier later, okay?"

"...okay..."

The class was tense for the rest of the day. Whenever they had free time, they would look at Adrien and Lila. The two looked comfortable with each other. Like they knew each other. Sometimes Chloe joined them. And any time one of them tried to talk to Adrien, he ignored them.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

"Okay, Adrien, what gives?!"

Adrien sighed as he was dragged back into Mrs. Bustier's classroom. Lila and Chloe had gone and he was right behind them when he was pulled back.

He sat in his old seat and crossed his arms.

"'Adrien, what gives!' I don't know, you tell me."

"Adrien, listen," Alya stepped forwards, deciding to be the one to explain, "I don't know if you got any emails or messages, but we were warned-"

"That Lila's a liar? I know. I got the message. Told them to fuck off in the politest manner I could."

"So, you know? That Lila's a-"

"She's not a liar!!"

Someone scoffed, "How do you know?"

"I think I know my own girlfriend, thank you."

Pause.

"Can I go now?" Adrien asked as he stood up.

He groaned as hands pushed him back to his seat.

"GIRLFRIEND?!"

"SHE'S YOUR GIRLFRIEND?!"

"SO YOU'RE DATING A LIAR?!"

"BUT WHAT ABOUT-"

"ENOUGH!!"

Adrien stood back up and pushed his way towards the door.

"I honestly thought you guys were better than this. Like I said, don't talk to me. Now, if you'll excuse me. I need to find my girlfriend."

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette screamed into her pillow.

Why?! Why?!?!

Things had gone from great to absolutely terrible.

Mrs. Bustier had called several of their parents to tell them about the bullying they had done. While not everyone had done something, some of them were still quiet and let it go on.

Marinette had been grounded once she was home.

The only ones not to get a call home was Adrien.

What did she do wrong?? What went wrong?? Nothing should have changed beyond people believing her when she said Lila was a liar!!

But, looking her up, she did know Jagged Stone. Clara had her credited as a background dancer in several MVs. She was a part time model. She and Adrien have been dating since they were both 10. They've been together for 4 years, almost 5.

She wasn't a liar.

Why wasn't she a liar?!

*It was believed they would wake in their old bodies, but the truth is the potion didn't truly work. You couldn't control where you ended up. It was rare for someone to actually go back in time. Reality is that the potion sent you to another, well, reality. It's body swapping, to be more accurate. Had Fu not lost his memory, or had he had more time to train her, he would have told Marinette this potion is strictly FORBIDDEN.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Prompt 2:

Marinette jolted awake.

They had lost...they...she...

She looked around. Was it a nightmare?? Did Shadow Moth fail??

She made her way to her computer and gasped at the date.

Today was the day Chloe left. The day she had decided to leave the first time.

She giggled as she realized the opportunity that had been given to her.

This would be wonderful! Fantastic!! Perfect!!

Finally!! Chloe would be gone!! She wouldn't push her to stay. She wouldn't give her the bee again.

But then a thought crossed her mind. Adrien got upset when Chloe said she was leaving last time.

Shoot.

Whatever, she can make him feel better afterwards. And then he'll forget all about Chloe.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette frowned as Adrien left.

She huffed and rolled her eyes, deciding to coddle him later. She had a victory to celebrate.

CHLOE WAS GONE!! SHE WAS GONE GONE GONE!!!

She partied to her hearts content. She laughed and cheered with her friends.

Finally, Chloe Bourgeois was gone.

And good riddance.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette sighed as she went to bed. The party had been great. Everyone was glad to celebrate Chloe's departure.

And when she told her friends Adrien had left, they all agreed with her that he was being overdramatic. That he would get over it eventually.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

It's been days and Adrien still wasn't over it. He barely talked to them. Whenever they invited him to hangout, he declined. Said he had to facetime Chloe. He and Chloe were gonna screenshare a movie.

Chloe Chloe Chloe!!

Why wasn't he over it already?!

Were they not his friends? Was Marinette not his friend?!

She didn't understand why he was still so upset about Chloe leaving.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette was surprised to see Adrien smiling as he entered class. For once, she wasn't late. So she was able to see her future boyfriend Adrien walk in, happy as can be.

"Hey, Adrien!" Alya said, "I see you're finally happy again."

"I am! I found out something amazing this morning!!"

Marinette blinked and looked around. The others had turned towards them. Seems like she's not the only one curious.

"Oh?" She said, coughing to clear her throat, "Uh...what-"

"Class!" Mrs. Bustier stepped in, and Marinette bit back a gasp when she saw the person next to her, "I want you to meet our newest student."

No...

No!!

Why?! Why him?!

No wonder Adrien was happy.

No wonder he was smiling.

He just had to be here. He just had to join their class.

"This is Adrien's cousin, Felix. He'll be in our class from now on."

No!!

Marinette bit back another gasp as Felix looked at her, a smug look crossing his face for a moment before it was replaced by a pleasant smile.

No...no, it's not possible...surely he didn't...

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Prompt 3:

Marinette grinned as she watched Lila being escorted out of school in handcuffs. As Chloe was sent to her hotel, suspended until further notice.

Finally!! Finally things were going her way.

She didn't know how to explain it. Explain her future knowledge.

But she was able to fix things. Make things right.

First, she had anonymously sent records to the school board about Chloe. Hence, her suspension until further notice. But if everything turns out to be true, she would be expelled. She had hoped Chloe would be expelled immediately, but turns out there's a process for that. So she got suspended instead.

Still, a win is a win.

And then there was Lila. Lila who had caused a scene. Lila who had been caught in her lies. Lila who had to be dragged out by the police.

Marinette couldn't help it. She shot Adrien a smug look, not caring if he looked even the tiniest bit hurt.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette looked at the floor. A member of the school board was talking to her parents.

In their investigation, they had found out about the time she had stolen Adrien's phone.

They had also found out about the time she had taken his trash out of the garbage and the many, many, many times she had followed him around.

They had spoken to other students about her, telling them what they found.

The girls had confessed they helped her with her schemes, Alya even said she helped Marinette enter Adrien's phone. They were all facing possible suspension.

Max told them about the gaming competition. How Marinette entered last minute when sign ups had closed the prior day. She could still play, but she wouldn't have been allowed to compete. But everyone pushed for her to take his rightful place as Adrien's partner, and then Adrien had to give up his place for Max.

Someone had told them about how she was convinced either Kagami or Lila would steal Adrien from her.

Alya told them she had their future planned, from the number of kids to what they'd do (Marinette would be a famous fashion designer while Adrien modeled for her instead of his father).

Some things they told the adults were irrelevant, some things painted a larger picture. And it all pointed to Marinette being obsessed with Adrien.

Adrien, who didn't know.

Adrien, who was told off for not telling an adult about Lila. Be it her lies or the way she would break his boundaries.

Adrien, who was leaving. Leaving for London with Kagami.

Marinette continued to look at the floor. She'd be shocked when she found out. It was shortly before the school board member arrived. Alya told her.

She tried contacting Adrien. Blocked. Number disconnected. He was gone.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Marinette blinked back her tears as she went to her room. She was grounded. Suspended once again. Told she was lucky she wasn't expelled. To hope her luck would stick with her. Maybe Gabriel Agreste wouldn't sue her for harassing his son.

── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──

Ladybug sighed. No sign of Chat Noir anywhere. She'd been hoping to see him. To rant about her suspension. About how everyone looked at her when was finally able to go back to school.

She sent him another message.

Where was he?!

"Ladybug!!"

Ladybug smiled at her classmates.

"Hey everyone!" She swung down to greet them, "Just me tonight. I don't know where Chat Noir if any of you had hoped to see him."

Her friends gave her a confused look.

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

Alya quickly pulled something up on her phone and showed it to the spotted hero.

Ladybug's jaw dropped as she took the phone.

There he was. Her partner.

Next to someone she didn't know. But it was clear they had the peacock miraculous.

The headline declared them London's heroes. Chat Noir and Argos.*

When asked, Chat Noir said he had been told he would be moving in with family in London. He didn't want to give up the hero life, so he continued it, deciding Argos would be his new partner. Besides, lately, he didn't feel like he belonged in Paris. Like he was Ladybug's partner. He found a new place in London. A better partner in Argos.

After all, they ARE family.

Ladybug handed Alya back her phone, mumbled a thanks, and swung away.

Once she was back home, she dropped her transformation.

Marinette quickly looked up the article Alya showed her on her computer.

How long? How long has Chat Noir been gone?? Why did he leave her??

First Adrien, and now Chat Noir.

She wasn't supposed to be the one who got in trouble. Who lost everything.

I am not as cruel as you, so a prompt will be provided.

Jokes aside, your works are lovely and me want more. The idea I had is what if after Adrien threatened Lila for suspending Marinette, she saw his hidden edge and it got her highly curious. She of course gets Marinette back, even if she despises the self-centred baker girl, but instead of evading Adrien, she starts to spend more time with him, trying to see that hidden, sharp edge again.

The thing is, she doesn't chase a mirage, Adrien actively leaves her crumbs here and there, because that sharp, amused look that said "Let's see how far you'd get" was definitely aimed at her. To say that she is curious, is to say nothing. Lila is thrilled!!! She's a danger junkie and this is prime cut venison for her.

Adrien behaves as normal to everyone around him, but Lila is not some nobody, she knows where to look and what she sees is one of a kind beast.

Correction, two of a kind. Because Liar recognises Liar and Adrien is as good as her, if not better.

Just like he shown a new side, Lila decided to repay the gesture and bare a piece of Cerise. Suddenly the lies stop, so does the attention seeking, even the wig is off.

Lies are for fools, she will win Adrien over with truth, because that way he won't be able to weasel away. Now her aim and attention are directed entirely on Adrien Emilien Agreste, and he knows it. He allows it. She knows that there's no one like them, but she also knows Adrien.

So if he wants to pretend to be normal and date pastry disasteress? She'll let him, after all she knows she's the endgame, and that soon he will understand it too, wannabe designer is not a threat to her, never was, and never will be.

Adrien and Marinette are leaving class, hand in hand, blushing and talking tooth-achingly sweet, yet Cerise still looks at Adrien with a lovesick smile as if he hanged the moon, the sun and the stars just for her.

"Hoe, you okay?" Even Chloe is worried at the vixen's behaviour but she's dismissed, so she leaves her be. "Ridiculous."

Few weeks pass before a sudden fencing tournament happens at Francoise Dupont and bastards from Carnot Academy come. The feud between schools is long and bloody, as it is pointless. Yet it gotten to a point where the fights are on sight with almsot everyone in the class, sans Adrien, Marinette, Chloe and Cerise having been in a fight or two with them.

(Now that she thinks about it, Adrien absolutely could have beaten them, except he kept it hidden somehow and the idea of Adrien covered in someone else's blood starts some outright sinful thoughts in her.)

Of course when they come, boys are getting way too handsy with Dupont girls, harassing and groping them without a worry, teachers, as usual are turning the blind eye because everyone is Golden Youth. Not the students though, but even when confronted, the teachers suddenly pipe in and make sure Carrots are unharmed.

Lila is pissed at what's going on at HER turf. Those are HER schoolmates to torment, and also she was looking for an excuse to let out some rage over the whole Timestalker fiasco. Before she can do something with a switchblade she always carries, she spots Adrien and he's pissed.

He looks pissed.

Adrien is as good an avtor as it gets, so no one ever saw him so enraged, and that's saying something. He leaves and something is about to happen!

When she silently peeks through the door she sees him fiddle with something. Curiosity took the best of her, so she slithered in, tiptoeing towards the blonde. Suddenly he stood up, catching her sneaking in the boy's changing room. With each step he took forward, she had to take one backwards until she ended up being squeezed between him and the wall.

"And what do we have here?" He said with toothy grin.

"He-he-he, can't blame girl for being curious, right?"

Suddenly all mirth left him and he turned serious.

"Be quiet and observe. You wanted something interesting, you'll get something interesting."

The arm that left her no escape and made her heart beat faster left with the boy, and Lila couldn't help but start giggling like a fox she once was, still is to some part.

"a-are you okay, m-master?"

"Okay? Okay??I'm thrilled, Nooroo!! Ladybug be damned, this is so much more interesting! I can't wait to see what he will do! Hi-hi-hi-hi!!"

Few guys got punched when the adults weren't looking, so perverse behaviour somewhat mellowed out, but Dupontians were out for blood.

"Mec, I know you are an athlete and rich, but I will give you a hundred euros if you tackle sons of bitches."

"Jeez, calm down Nino. Don't worry, we'll crush them so bad they'll never show up."

"That's my bro! But the offer still stands."

"I'll keep it in mind."

And just as he put on the protective mask, she saw it again. The smirk, the one she knows too well, the promise of suffering is what it meant. Everyone was cheering for their school's team, so was Lila, if only for Adrien. Marinette looked as if he was about to jump from a skyscraper. The naive, foolish Marinette.

En Garde command was given, and the athletes were exchanging blow for blow. Everyone held their breath as light bounced from the foils creating an illusion of sparks. Unlike usual, Adeien wasn't feinting, just parry, attack, block, attack. Cerise spared a glance at Kagami, Adrien's equal in fencing and confirmed her suspicions, he was toying with his opponent.

Then suddenly, Adrien threw a feint and poor bastard fell for it, moving his foil up for defence. Lila felt it, Kagami felt it, and Adrien too. The perfect moment to strike.

Everything happened so quickly, but Tsurugi sisters jumped up because they saw it. As if afraid and trying to defend himself Adrien slapped the tip against his enemy's foil. The tip blicked as it fell off, and Agreste thrusted the newly sharpened edge right into opponents shoulder, passing all the protective gear.

The scream of pain was so loud almost everyone flinched. The medics and officials run in as Adrien tried to help. He took of the mask showing his shocked and afraid face. The referee was and D'argencourt were trying to calm down the shaking model, even her lovely sister jumped over the fence and ran to her friend.

If Lila didn't know Adrien, she would believe it was an accident. She would be sure it was an accident!! Adrien truly was a prodigy.

"...and to think he called ME a liar." She said to nobody in particular. And when his gaze found her in the stages?