#sl fic

I NEED TO READ PEOPLE SIMPING/HATING/LOVING JINWOO, or like idk teenagers babbling on the internet of how hot Jinwoo is and i need the specialists in Hunters making big analysis in youtube over Jinwoo’s powers, and average people telling on twitter or tiktok how they were saved by a Jinwoo’s shadow

I mean, there’s already like two fics of Solo Leveling with social media involved BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH, THIS FANDOM NEEDS TO GET BIGGER PLEASE 💀💀💀💀 I DONT KNOW ANYONE WHO LIKES SOLO LEVELING, I NEED MORE FRIENDS WHO READ SL

SL with social media i guess:

It’s time for another good idea, bad idea by Haurvatat in AO3:

Sung Jin-woo has a problem.A new ridiculous side quest has put him on the path to internet culinary stardom. Woo Jin-chul has a problem. His favorite Youtube cooking channel host is the new tenth S-ranker in Korea. Let the shitshow begin.

Offer me that deathless death by one_step_closer_to_death in AO3

This was ridiculously fun to write.

Part 2

Marinette was having a pretty good day, and she was sure it was only going to get better. First, she had finished all her homework early, then she completed some sketches that she was quite proud of, and now she had a meeting with Adrien at the café with patrol right after! She pushed open the door with a pep in her step. Not even Scarlet Lady could ruin today! 

Adrien squirmed in his seat. Plagg had told him over and over that there was nothing to worry about, and he was probably right, but Adrien was still nervous. What if he said the wrong thing? What if he spilled coffee all over himself? What if- Adrien stopped himself before he could assume the worst. It was just going to be him and Marinette, two friends at a coffee shop talking about fashion and other things.

Before long, he heard the bells by the door chime and Marinette walked in. She smiled when she saw him.

“Hey, Adrien! Were you waiting for very long?” she asked, sitting across from him. Adrien shook his head.

“Not at all!” he said, pulling himself out of a trance. They ordered their coffees and caught up a little bit until they arrived. Then Marinette pulled out her sketchbook. 

“So, what do you think of these for the upcoming fashion contest?” she asked, sliding it towards him. Adrien flipped through the book curiously and quickly got blown away.

“Wow” was all he could bring himself to say. “T-these are amazing, Marinette.” Marinette smiled shyly.

“Thanks, Adrien. I’m just a bit nervous. I mean, it’s not every day your dad announces a design contest like this. I’m jittery just thinking about it.” she murmured, sipping her coffee. Adrien smiled. 

“Well, with designs like these-”

“Well, well, well!” a familiar, haughty voice called from behind them. Marinette and Adrien grimaced in unison as Chloe walked over to their table. “Adrikins, what are you doing here with Dupain-Cheng? You do realize that hanging around with low-lives will turn you into one, right?” 

“Is that why he stopped hanging out with you?” Marinette grumbled under her breath. Chloe shot her a dirty look.

“Well, Maritrash-”

“Her name is Marinette.” Adrien interrupted. “And we’re here together because she wanted me to give her some advice on her designs, not that she needed it, though. Her designs are impeccable.” Chloe’s eyes narrowed. Then, she grinned evilly. 

“Are they really? I’ll just take a look and–Oopsy!” Chloe poured her coffee onto Marinette’s open sketchbook. “Looks like your designs are ruined.” Adrien’s face contorted with rage. 

“Chloe! What the f-”

“Adrien, it’s okay.” Marinette murmured, her voice impossibly calm.

“It’s okay?! But-”

“This is my laminated sketchbook.”

“What?”

“WHAT?!” 

Marinette smiled and wiped the coffee off of her designs with her napkin. Sure enough, the laminated pages protected the designs effectively. Marinette smiled innocently at Chloe, who had an expression of pure rage on her face. With a mighty hmph, the Mayor’s daughter stormed out of the café. 

Marinette took a sip of coffee and checked her watch. 5:15. “I should probably get going. I have to get up early tomorrow.” Adrien nodded, still frazzled from what had just happened. 

“I-yeah, me too. It was great hanging out with you, Marinette.” the baker’s daughter blushed slightly and smiled.

“We should do this again sometime, just us two.” Now it was Adrien’s turn to blush. 

“I’d like that.”

———————

Marinette ducked into an alleyway and Pollen flew out of her purse, smiling knowingly.

“Has my queen found her prince?” the kwami teased. Marinette blushed.

“H-he’s just a friend.”

“A very handsome friend.”

“I-I just… Buzz on!” Marinette transformed and threw out her spinning top. She had a patrol to get to.

Adrien stared in shock as Marigold flew out of the alleyway that Marinette was just in. 

“What?” He murmured. 

Marigold hopped across the rooftops, slightly red in the face. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she nearly ran into Bunnix, who was walking out of her burrow.

“Woah, there, Mini-gold! Slow down before you break an ankle!” Marigold blinked.

“Bunnix? What are you-” 

“-Listen carefully.” Bunnix interrupted, placing her hands on Marigold’s shoulders. “Something happened today that caused a major disaster in the future, but I’m not sure what it was or when it happened exactly. Anything unusual to report on your side?”

Surprised, Marigold shook her head. Bunnix chewed on her lip.

“Okay, in my Burrow, now!” Before Marigold could protest, Bunnix grabbed her arm and pulled her through the time portal.

Bunnix put a bowl on Marigold’s head as soon as she was inside.

“Wait, what? Why is-”

“Wanna know what you’re getting for your next birthday?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly!”

A little while later, Bunnix pushed Marigold through a different portal and removed the bowl from her head. Marigold’s eyes widened.

“What happened here?”

“The less you know about the future, the better. Just capture the Akuma in your weapon and bring it back to me. Then the train will be back on track.”

“You’re not staying?”

“I gotta stand ready to jump back into time and try something else, in case you fail. Mwah!”

Bunnix blew a kiss and walked back into her Burrow. She placed a hand on a nearby portal to watch the events that led up to this moment.

———————

Marigold plopped down next to Cat Noir, who smiled.

“Heya, Goldie. What’s up?”

“Everything, Cat Noir. Today was the perfect day. Not even Scarlet Lady can ruin today!”

“Wow. That good, huh?”

Marigold nodded and looked out at the sunset. Cat Noir snuck a glance at her. How did he not figure it out sooner? Their kindness, their determination, their laugh, even their smiles were the same. 

After the patrol, Adrien detransformed in an alleyway. 

“I can’t believe it, Plagg,” he said as the kwami appeared in front of him. “The two most amazing girls I know are the same girl!” Plagg gulped.

“Are you entirely sure that Marigold and Marinette are the same people?” Adrien grinned.

“Well, you just confirmed it! I never said either of their names before you did!” 

“Son of a fish.”

“But this is so amazing! I mean, I was holding back because I didn’t want to endanger Marinette and I was quickly falling for my superhero partner. Not to mention being Scarlet Lady’s ‘partner’ is exhausting and time-consuming so I wouldn’t be able to devote my time properly to either of them anyway. But now, I know they’re the same girl AND Marinette can protect herself just fine AND she’s freed me from the burden of having to work with Scarlet. That’s… the biggest three-way win I can think of.” 

Plagg couldn’t help but let a little smile slip through. His kitten was just so happy. And he had to admit, he really couldn’t do much better than Marinette/Marigold. Even before she got the bee miraculous, she was a hero. Plagg shook off the warm and fuzzy feelings.

“Alright kid. I get it. Love and happiness and whatnot. Can we go home now? I need some cheese.” Adrien smiled.

“Plagg, never change.”

“Never will.”

Adrien walked out of the alleyway, not noticing his yellow-clad superheroine partner, frozen on the roof with shock. She didn’t hear what he was saying to his kwami, but she had just seen him detransform.

“What?” Marigold murmured, her eyes wide.

———————

Later, Marinette flopped onto her bed and screamed into a pillow. Pollen buzzed worriedly above her. “Marinette, are you alright?”

“No! I’m not alright! Everything is just so frickin perfect!” Marinette exclaimed. Pollen frowned, confused.

“Wait, is everything not alright or is everything perfect? Humans can be so confusing.” Pollen muttered. Marinette took a deep breath.

“It’s just… Adrien is Cat Noir. The two kindest and most amazing guys I know are the same guy! I mean, I was holding myself back because I was torn between them and they were both equally stressed and overworked. Now, I know they’re the same guy AND I know WHY he was stressed AND I can lessen his burden. It’s like… the biggest three way win I can think of.” 

Pollen smiled at her holder, then frowned at her sad expression.

“But then… why are you so upset?” Marinette sat up and hugged a pillow to her chest.

“Well, because I’ve been denying my feeling for both of these guys for who knows how long. Just because I’ve found out my feelings for him doesn’t mean that he has them for me. And I don’t want to ruin the amazing friendship I already have because of my feelings.” Pollen smiled and buzzed next to her.

“I think you should tell him. If he does reject your feelings, that’s okay. Just keep on being friends with him. It sounds like you two have an amazing relationship, anyway. Just because he doesn’t share the same romantic feelings back doesn’t mean you should stop being friends.” Marinette smiled.

“Thanks, Pollen. That makes me feel better.”

“Anytime, Marinette.”

(A/n: monologues come from this post)

———————

Adrien blushed.

“W-what?”

“I-I’m in love with you, Adrien. And I’ve been denying it for years and I literally just found out last week and now I have no idea what to do and now I’m rambling and-”

“-I’m in love with you too.” Adrien interrupted. Marinette’s eyes widened.

“Really?” Adrien nodded and took her hand.

“Yeah.”

They smiled at each other and leaned in slightly…

“And then what happened?!” Alya exclaimed. Marinette grinned.

“You want to go get some lunch? I’m starving.” she said, walking ahead in the direction of the bakery. Alya gasped.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, don’t you dare walk away from me! I must know what happened!” she shrieked, chasing her grinning friend. Eventually, she grabbed Marinette’s hand.

“C’mon, Marinette! What happened?!” Marinette smiled and looked up at the sky longingly.

“Well, then he kissed me.” she murmured, her cheeks coloring slightly as she remembered. Alya couldn’t help herself. She let out a squeal of excitement and hugged her best friend. “Alya…”

“I’m so happy! My two best friends are together and they’re in love and they’re going to be together forever!”

———————

“Dude! That’s amazing!” Nino exclaimed, clapping his best friend on the back.

“Yeah, I almost can’t believe it actually happened.” Adrien said, grinning shyly. Nino spun around and grabbed onto Adrien’s shoulders.

“Dude. Is it really that unbelievable? You two have had feelings for each other for a very long time and you are going to be together forever.” Adrien blushed.

“Do you really think so?”

“I know so. Trust me.”

———————

Marigold swung across Paris in the direction of the Eiffel Tower to meet Cat Noir. Three million thoughts ran through her head. Should I tell him I know who he is? Should I tell him who I am? Should I tell him we’re together in our civilian forms? What if he thinks I’m only with him because he’s Cat Noir? What if he doesn’t want to be with me when he finds out who I am? What if-

Marigold slammed into the side of the tower, interrupting her train of thought.

“Woah there, Goldie!” a familiar voice called. She turned to see Cat Noir with a concerned expression on his face. “Are you okay? That was a pretty hard hit.” Marigold nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.” She answered, landing on the cool metal beam next to her partner. “Is Scar going to show up?” Cat Noir shrugged.

“Probably not, but I don’t care.” Marigold chuckled.

“So, anyway, what’s been going on with you?” she asked noncholantly. Cat Noir hesitated, then blushed.

“Well, I have a girlfriend now.” he admitted, finally. “Honestly, I feel lucky she even likes me. She’s talented, kind, and determined… I fell in love instantly.” Marigold blinked in surprise.

“Did you really?” Cat Noir nodded. 

“Of course. I would have been insane not to.” Marigold fought to hide her blush. This was Adrien, her boyfriend, talking about her. “Anyway, what about you?” Cat Noir asked, interrupting her thoughts. “Anything going on in your life?” Marigold hesitated. How much should she reveal? 

“Well…” she began “I actually have a boyfriend now. I can’t belive how long it took for me to realize my feelings for him. He is handsome, kind, and helpful. Oh, and he’s also a huge dork. You should see how excited he gets whenever we watch Tangledtogether. He just…” Marigold sighed. “I love that dork so much, it’s not even funny.” Her partner sniffled beside her. “Cat Noir… are you crying?”

“What? No! I just… have something in my eye.” He coughed into his elbow. Marigold raised an eyebrow, but decided to let it go. 

“Hey.” She raised a fist for him to bump. “No matter what, we’ll always have each other, right?” Cat Noir hesitated, then bumped her fist with a smile. 

“Of course.” He said. “Always and forever.”

———————

“It’s heartbreak for all the girls in Paris as supermodel Adrien Agreste has a girlfriend, classmate Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

Marinette learned how to evade paparazzi pretty quickly. After all, her boyfriend was an expert.

———————

“Miss Dupain-Cheng, your relationship with my son is detrimental to the Gabriel Agreste brand. I demand that you stop seeing him at once.” 

“What? But… I didn’t do anything.”

“If you refuse, I will remove Adrien from school and he will never see his friends again.” 

Marinette gasped and dropped the tray of macarons she was holding.

“A-Adrien doesn’t deserve this!” she cried. 

“Then make the right choice.”

Tears slid down Marinette’s face. Without warning, she turned on her heel and ran upstairs and into her room, locking the trapdoor behind her. She threw herself onto her bed and sobbed. The clouds darkened overhead, reflecting her mood. Pollen tried to comfort her, but there was nothing she could do.

A little while later, Marinette walked downstairs. Her hair was a mess, her face was blotchy, and her eyes were bloodshot. She didn’t say anything. She just grabbed an umbrella and walked out the door, ignoring her parents’ looks of concern.

———————

She promised herself that she wouldn’t cry, but she knew deep down that it was impossible. She hated doing it. She hated that she was making herself do this. She hated seeing his heart break in half as she forced the words out of her mouth. She hated that there was no other way. 

The rain poured around her as she sat on the steps of the Metro and sobbed, hiding under her umbrella. She was sure he hated her now. What kind of girlfriend breaks up with her partner with no explanation? What kind of person just ends it like that?

A familiar voice jarred her from her thoughts.

“Marinette! Move!”

“A-Adrien?” 

She turned to see Adrien running towards her, an unnaturally determined look on his face. 

“Plagg, claws out!” 

Marinette watched in shock as Cat Noir summoned his cataclysm and closed his hand over the purple butterfly that was inches from her face. 

“Adrien!” She gasped. He smiled sadly at her.

“You were about to be akumatized, I didn’t have a choice, My Flower.”

Marinette stood there in shock. Then, with tears in her eyes, she dropped her umbrella and hugged her partner.

“Everything will be okay. I promise.” He whispered, sadness in his voice as he wrapped his arms around her. 

They sat there for a long time. Cat Noir’s transformation faded out, but they kept holding onto each other as the rain poured around them. 

“So… you knew?” she murmured. Adrien nodded.

“So did you.” he replied. Marinette bit her lip and hugged him tighter.

“I’m so sorry, I should have told you…” she sniffled, her tears leaking onto his shirt.

“Shhh… it’s okay. Everything will be fine, Marinette.” 

“No, no… don’t say that, it’s only going to get worse from here…” she whispered.

“How?”

“W-what?”

“How is it going to get worse?” Marinette chewed her lip and and disentangled herself from his embrace. He let her, but still held onto her hand. “Marinette, please…”

“I-I can’t.” she said, finally, her voice shakey. Marinette let her hand slip out from his and she walked down the steps and into the Metro as Adrien watched, tears streaming down his face.

She didn’t even pick up her umbrella.

!!!!!!! thank you so much!!!!! i got so excited to see you mention the cipher omg, the section was a nightmare to write out without spoiling things aaaaa

Hello! Um so.. this is my first Simbar fic ever so please don’t judge me too hard 😅I tried okay?😁 I hope you’ll enjoy it, you can give me some feedback on what sucked and in what I could get better🤷🏻‍♀️ or just your opinion would be fine. I want to thank my twinnie Emma @deliverygirlx for giving me advices through out the writing process and for proofreading. I love you❤️ and then one big THANK YOU to the squad (you know who you are❤️) for encouraging me to write🙈 It means a lot.💕 I lava you, girls!!❤️❤️ Okay I’m done now, you can start reading

Ambar was sitting on her bed, staring at nothing and thinking about the Prom, which is coming closer and closer. It’s basically in a week and she still doesn’t have a date! I mean, she could ask any boy to go with her, it’s easy like that… except she doesn’t want to. Everytime she imagine dancing with a boy at her prom, she sees a cute little smile and soft brown eyes that are looking at her gently and.. cling . She jumps a little and blinks from her daydreaming. STOP! She can’t think like that! No. No, no, no, no! She takes her phone to look who’s writing her and then rolls her eyes at the message.. Jazmín: S.O.S.!! I need your advice immidiately! Roller in 20 minutes! It’s SUPER SUPER IMPORTANT!!

Twenty minutes later she arrives at the Roller. Before she enters, she suddenly becomes nervous and starts mumbling. “Please don’t be here. Please don’t be here… okay Ambar. Breathe in and breathe out. What is wrong with you??” She puts on her confident face and enters the Roller. The first thing she does is look around carefully and when she doesn’t see him, she feels relieved.. but disappointed at the same time. She spots her friends and goes to sit down with them. “So! What is it Jazmín?” she says instead of greeting them. “Guess. You have one try..” says Delfi and rolls her eyes. “I’m inviting Simon to prom and I need your advice how to do it in the most romantic way!!!” says Jazmín, almost jumping on her chair. “What?” she stares at her in surprise, feeling like someone just punch her in the stomach with all their strength. “What? Ambar! Concentrate please! This is super SUPER important okay? I need all of your ideas! So I was thinking: Simón coming to the Jam&Roller in the morning to work. Dark everywhere and then suddenly.. BAM! The lights are on and I will jump up from a huge box with a huge sign that will say: ‘PROM?’ BUT!! But!! There’s more okay?? Imagine Delfi filming that for Fab&Chic! LIVE! So the whole world can see Jamón finally get together!! Thousands of viewers, thousands of Jamón shippers! Ahhhh! PER-FECT. Genial right?” Jazmín clasps her hand excitedly. Ambar bursts into laughing. “That’s one of the worst and most ridiculous ideas that you’ve ever had Jazmín. Please! Do you really think he would like that??!” Jazmín frowns: “Really? And what would he liked then?” Ambar imagines the brown eyes again and she get lost in her thoughts, doesn’t even realize she’s speaking out loud. “Something modest… just go to him and simply ask..he doesn’t like big things that catches attention. He’s too shy for that..” She smiles unconciously and doesn’t see the puzzled look at Delfi’s and Jazmín’s faces. “Just ask him? Without… anything ?!That’s SUPER OUT! How would you know anyway? You don’t know him like I do.” She snaps out of her thoughts and swears in her head. Then put on a fake smile. “Then why did you wanted my advice, Jazmín? It seems like you already have the perfect plan how to invite him! So why are you bothering me with it!!?” She doesn’t realize she’s screaming until she looks around and sees everybody staring at her. She takes her things and march out from the Roller. Why is she so angry? What did Jazmín said that was so bad to start screaming? You don’t know him like I do … it keeps resonating in her head over and over again. “Of course I don’t know him like she does! I don’t even want to know him more! Why would I? This is ridiculous! He’s just a stupid Lunita’s pet! I don’t even care if he goes to the prom with Jazmín! I can go with the hottest guy in this town! Ambar Smith can do so much better !” As soon as she gets home, she gets herself a hot date but for some reason, she doesn’t feel better at all. She actually feels worse than before. She lays down on her bed and can’t control the one tear that falls down her cheek..

She wokes up to a notification for Fab&Chic live. She’s immidiately wide awake and clicks on it to watch it. It opens right in the moment when Simon walks to the Roller and the lights turn on. She can’t believe Jazmín actually did it… she watches his shocked expression and when he says ‘Yes’, her world becomes a blur. She can’t see anything through the tears in her eyes but she’s glad she doesn’t see the rest. She doesn’t even want to imagine what came after that 'yes’. She throws the tablet across the room angrily and starts screaming. “I don’t need neither of them!! I don’t need anyone !! I am Ambar Smith !!! Neither of these losers matters to me!”

This has been done forever, really and I don’t even know why I didn’t post before but I’m sorry I hope you enjoy it

She is nervous, anxious and feels like she is about to throw up, she has never felt so worried about an open before but then again she has never sung so heartfelt, so personal and on top of that written specifically for someone in the audience. She looks around he is not here yet, maybe he won’t come, he didn’t come for the last open of the year. Maybe he isn’t even singing, maybe he will spend his time with his fake girlfriend or whatever she is. She has heard  some rumours but there’s nothing she can really trust.

The roller band is finishing his presentation, then is Jazmín’s turn and then she comes next. Matteo is nowhere to be seen and she doesn’t know if that relieves her or breaks her heart into tiny little pieces. She smiles to Nina telling her that she is about to go backstage, she smiles back a little sadly and squeezes her arm softly to encourage her.

She stands up from the chair a little shaky but as she goes to the the backstage she convinces herself that nothing bad will happen, he’s not even here, he won’t realize that this song is for him, he won’t even know it exists, her heart calms down a little, it’s beating turns slower but that might feel because she feels it squeeze inside her chest.

Even Later

To say that Chloé Bourgeois was pissed would be a massive understatement. Quite honestly, there are no words to describe how utterly ridiculous this all is. 

And to think, everything was perfect a week ago! She had the world at her beck and call (no she didn’t), she was a perfect superhero (no she wasn’t), and Adrien adored her! (No, he truly didn’t.)

But then her lousy, incompetent sidekicks betrayed her! They tossed her to the curb the one time she faltered- and she only faltered because they chose not to do their jobs! Scarlet Lady was left to face that nasty Akuma all by herself, and what did Chat Noir and Marigold do?

“Go off, Scarlet Lass!” Marigold cheered, voice as high-pitched and annoying as usual. “Show her what’s for!” 

They cheered on the Akuma. They laughed at her, laughed at all of her hard work and all that she had done for them! What did they know about being the leader of the team? They were just stupid little sidekicks, they couldn’t win without her! They needed Scarlet Lady! 

(As it turns out, they didn’t.)

The next day, Chloé showed up to school bitter and cranky, both from a lack of sleep (the de-Akumatized ex-fangirl had yelled in her face for an hour before walking away, finally satisfied) and a lack of Miraculous. She stormed into the class, ready to complain her frustrations away to Sabrina. 

She wasn’t prepared to find her class yelling excitedly, already talking about Ladybug.

And really? Ladybug? Of all things, that’s what Marigold came up with? Wow, great, superb! A thief stole her Miraculous and didn’t even use a good name. How embarrassing. 

Chloé glared at the room as she walked to her seat, and her anger only grew as Alya smirked at her.

“Hey, Chloé!” Alya said, voice taunting. “Did you hear the news? Your ever beloved Scarlet Lady has been replaced!”

“You’re one to talk,” Chloé snapped back. “After all, you run Scarlet Lady’s blog-”

“You mean the Ladyblog,” Alya interrupted, brandishing her phone. “Times are changing, Chloé, and so is my blog! Now I get to focus on a real hero!”

“And Chat Noir!” Marinette piped up, all too happy to speak her mind. “Alya’s got the blog split so that there’s an equal split between the Parisian duo!”

“The real Parisian duo,” Adrien added, leaning into Marinette, which, what?! When did Adrien start getting cuddly with that, that baker’s daughter of a fashion disaster?

Chloé scowled, looking away. “As if! I doubt that new girl can take over the mantle that Scarlet Lady created! No one could be that good!”

The only response she got was laughter. Alix was the one to respond.

“Please. Ladybug is Marigold. She announced the change in position last night to Alya herself! Apparently Scarlet Lady’s identity got revealed to Hawkmoth, which, wow. You had one job, but whatever. So Chat Noir and Marigold decided that a new Ladybug had to be chosen- which, thank God- so Chat Noir gave the Miraculous to Marigold.” She shrugs. “And I don’t know what cloud you shoved your head in, but Marigold has done wayyy more than Scarlet Lady ever did.” 

“She does seem to be much better at being a true hero,” Max added in, and Chloé growled.

“Please! You guys are just jealous that Scarlet Lady is so much cooler than any of you!”

“Scarlet Lady has never helped any of us,” Nino stated. “It was always Chat Noir or Marigold. I, for one, think Marigold should have been Ladybug from the start. Probably would’ve been better in the long run.” The class agreed easily, as if they were right. 

“I-” The bell rang, cutting Chloé off. Huffing, the girl stormed over to her spot. “Whatever! This is just ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”

And it got worse. Chloé couldn’t believe it! Not only was her stupid little class infatuated with Ladybug, but so was all of Paris! They followed every little thing that dumb sidekick did, praising her for whatever she did! 

“Akuma battles are quicker than ever before!”

“And look at that teamwork! The two work together so flawlessly, it’s impeccable!”

“Ladybug is such a natural leader! She’s got an eye for solutions, really!”

“And Chat Noir has somehow become even greater!”

Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!

And then, get this, the two were spotted kissing. Chloé wanted to gag as the reporters had an absolute field day, raving over the new ‘power couple’. 

‘Those two sidekicks deserve each other. They’re not good enough for anyone else,’ Chloé told herself, shutting off her television for the night.

The day after ‘LadyNoir’ started trending was even worse, somehow. Chloé got to school, doing her best to ignore the stupidity of her peers, when a comment threw her off of her game.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir are so cute together!” Alya raved. “I just feel bad for you, Marinette.”

“Oh?” Marinette asked, ever so stupidly. “W-why do you feel bad?” Ugh, that stupid stutter.

“Well, with Chat Noir swept up in Ladybug’s arms, you don’t get a chance with him. I’m sorry, girlie.” Alya seemed upset, which, ew? Marinette would never be good enough for a sidekick, as if she’d have a chance with someone better than an absolute fool with no money to his name. 

‘Maybe she should date Nathaniel. Little artist freaks could be happy together and stay quiet,’ Chloé thought with a smirk.

That smirk quickly fell, however, when Adrien turned around and asked, “Well, Marinette, if you can’t pursue Chat Noir anymore…would it be alright if I pursue you?”

What. The. Fuck.

The room was silent as Marinette giggled. “I thought you’d never ask! There’s a new movie coming out on Friday, want to see it together?”

Adrien nodded like some lovesick puppy, and Chloé-

Chloé was done. Absolutely done. 

Storming out of the room, she missed the knowing glance that passed between the new couple.

Slamming open the bathroom door, Chloé glares at the group of girls who gossip with one another, giggling as they apply their stupid makeup to their stupid faces. They see her and panic, darting out immediately. A smart decision, because Chloé Bourgeois is not in the mood to deal with some lowly people.

She stalks around the bathroom like a caged animal, glaring at the walls, the floor, the stalls, the door. Everything pisses her off, from the bright lighting to the dirty mirrors that reflect her glares and curled frown, the shows off her bare ears, lacking any accessories.

She looks away from the mirrors, missing the sight of the purple butterfly that phases through the wall, merging into her purse and allowing the outline of a mask to line her face.

“Scarlet Lady,” Hawkmoth cooes, voice serene and calm. “Your lousy sidekicks have thrown you to the side, betraying you for the sake of fame. Their act of treachery is befitting of a villain, undoubtedly worse, and I am aghast to see such wrongdoings being done by the ‘heroes’. I refuse to fight against such impure people, and as such I will give you the power to overthrow the new Ladybug, so that I may have a proper enemy once more. All that I ask for is Chat Noir’s Miraculous, as he is also unworthy of wielding such power, and in return I will give you the power to defeat Ladybug. Antibug, will you answer this call?”

Chloé smirks, satisfaction overcoming her. “It would be my pleasure, Hawkmoth.”

And then she’s covered in purple. 

—–

Marinette always thought she’d be a normal girl with a normal life. She had dreams of becoming a designer, sure, but even those dreams were rather modest. She wanted to make a difference, sure, but she never thought that she would become somebody.

So imagine her surprise when she ended up becoming a hero of Paris not just once, but twice. First as Marigold, the Bee who rose up to fight beside Chat Noir when his own partner was lacking in, well, everything. Then to become Ladybug, the one who can reverse any damage done by Akumas and to act as Chat Noir’s other half. 

It was unexpected, to say the least, but that’s not to say it is unwanted. No, Marinette loves her life. She loves being able to help people, being able to make a difference in the world. She loves patrolling with Chat Noir at night, hours of laughing and joking as they leap across the horizon. She loves the friends she’s made since this whole villainous mess started. And, of course, she loves her new boyfriend, both in and out of the mask, Adrien “Chat Noir” Agreste. 

Overall, Marinette is happy. She’s really, truly happy. 

So, as the universe goes, Chloé Bourgeois tries to ruin her day. Because that is simply how the world works. 

A crash is heard outside of the window, and class is quickly disrupted as her peers race over to look for the source.

“An Akuma!” Kim shouts, ever so helpful. Marinette and Adrien peer out, eyes quickly trained on the rampant Akuma.

Marinette rolls her eyes when she sees the villain du jour. The blonde girl wears a black suit with red polka dots, a matching yoyo currently being swung about, hitting whatever she can. From the obvious reference to Ladybug to the ever present pout, it’s obvious.

“Chloé,” Marinette and Adrien mutter in unison, and then they sneak off to transform.

As soon as they’re suited up, the duo slips outside, speaking quietly to each other.

“Think it’s because of your popularity, or because we’re dating?” Chat asks, smile light and joking.

“Maybe both. Who knows, maybe she’s been playing hard to get this whole time, chaton.” Ladybug winks, giggling as the blond curls his nose in disgust. 

“Mon Dieu, don’t even say that. We both know that she was just obsessed with the model boy.” 

“Poor boy. I hear he’s got a girlfriend, though, so maybe that caused her to snap?”

“Could be. Oh well. If she’s anything like she was as Scarlet, she’ll be an easy fight.” And with that, they come face to face with the Akuma.

“Ladybug,” she sneers. “I am Antibug, and I’ve come to reclaim my Miraculous!” She shouts out the words, and Ladybug is very aware of Alya as she leans out of the window, phone catching every word.

“Definitely can’t get it back now,” Ladybug whispers, and Chat Noir snorts. Louder, Ladybug says. “The Miraculous is not yours, nor should it have ever been. I have been informed that you stole it from its rightful user, and they have granted it to me instead.” When Tikki told Marinette that she was chosen, not Chloé, the girl had been pissed. 

“Please! As if that stupid Dupain-Cheng deserved it!” Antibug states, just as loudly, and now Ladybug is glad that she came up with her small lie. Otherwise, her identity would be broadcast to all of Paris, if not the whole world, by now. As it is, Ladybug can hear the whispers of her shocked classmates, surprised to hear that their friend was originally chosen to be their beloved heroine.

Shaking her head, Ladybug forces herself to ignore her peers. She has more pressing matters to attend to.

Like the fact that, for an incompetent hero, Antibug is a surprisingly good villain. She plays dirty, using her yoyo to trip up Chat Noir and Ladybug, throwing random objects for them to dodge or deflect, and calling multiple Unlucky Charms in an attempt to throw them off.

“Of course she’s a better villain than a hero,” Chat Noir complains as he leaps over a car, the fight by now taking place in the abandoned street in front of Dupont. “It only makes sense, considering villains are motivated by selfishness, while a hero has to be selfless.”

“You’re one to talk about selfishness!” Antibug taunts before throwing a car at him. Ladybug catches him with her yoyo, pulling him out of reach. “You betrayed me so you could give your little girlfriend my Miraculous.”

“Your identity was revealed, and you were a lousy hero! As if we’d give you the Miraculous that was never supposed to be yours in the first place!” Chat screams back, venting out some of his anger. Ladybug takes the chance to snag Antibug’s yoyo with her own, pulling away the weapon. 

“Chat!” She cries, tossing him the weapon. Without even summoning his power, the blond crushes it in his grip, letting out a small purple butterfly.

“No more evildoing for you, little Akuma!” Ladybug says, catching the Akuma in her yoyo. Quickly, she casts her Miraculous cure, letting a shower of ladybugs fill the air as all of the damage disappears. 

All that is left is one pissed off Chloé Bourgeois, and Alya recording behind a car. 

Ladybug sighs, stepping forwards. Now is the time where she and Chat Noir usually comfort the deakumatized victim, helping them to find a solution. And, as a hero, she and Chat should look past their feelings, right?

Nope. Ladybug quickly decides otherwise when the blonde lets out a yell, lunging at her and reaching for her earrings. Without hesitation, Ladybug restrains the girl with her yoyo, pinning her arms to her side.

“Chloé Bourgeois,” she speaks, voice cold and harsh. “As Scarlet Lady, you put Paris in danger for far too long in order to satiate your ego. You left your partner to do all of the work, letting him run himself ragged to save the city, putting twice the work on him. You never changed, allowing yourself to become even more vain and self-centered with every passing day. You were anything but a hero from the very start, having stolen the Miraculous from a girl who had the potential to save this city from the start. Instead, that girl will never have the chance to help as much as she wants, because you have broadcasted her identity without a second thought. And even though she chose me to take her place, you still try to defy her wishes, going so far as to try stealing the Miraculous from me. You are not Akumatized, either, so you have no excuses. You are a menace to society and a danger to Paris, and you will never and have never been a hero. Good bye.” 

Exhaling, Ladybug retracts her yoyo and leaps out of view, Chat Noir following her. They detransform together, exhausted.

“You went off on her,” Adrien says, a small grin appearing on his face. “Mon Dieu, princess, it’s like you said everything I ever wanted to.”

“Thanks, chaton,” Marinette replies, leaning against him as they walk out of the alley. “Do you think I went too far?”

“I think you said exactly what you should have. She’s gone far too long unchecked, it was about time someone told her what’s for.”

The words relieve her of her doubt, and give her the strength to walk back into their classroom.

Chloé isn’t there, but the class speaks of her nonetheless. 

“I can’t believe she was Scarlet Lady!” Alya cries out, then pauses. “Actually, no, I can. Dang. And I ran a whole blog about her. Ew.”

“It explains why she was so awful,” Kim says bluntly.

“And why she always ditched me…more so than usual, at least,” Sabrina whispers, saddened by this revelation.

“And she stole the Miraculous, too!” Rose cries. “How awful!” 

Alya’s head snaps up, looking to Marinette, who still stands beside Adrien in the front of the class. “From you, right? Ladybug said it was stolen, and Chloé said it was yours!”

“You were supposed to be Ladybug!” Alix shouts, slamming her fist on her desk. “Damn, that would’ve been so cool!” 

“Heheh, yeah…but when Marigold told me what had happened, I knew that I couldn’t take the title,” Marinette says, trying to look bashful.

“Why not?” Max asks. “If it was yours originally, why couldn’t you use it?”

“Because Chloé knew. And I was afraid that she would broadcast my identity in order to get ‘revenge’…and it looks like I was right to assume that.”

Alya frowns. “That’s terrible, girlie. You could’ve been a hero by Chat Noir’s side the whole time.”

Marinette shrugs, leaning into Adrien’s side even more. “Yeah, but I can’t let that stop me. I’ll still help when I can, but Marigold…I knew I could trust her to be a hero. So she became Ladybug.” 

“Yeah, Mari here doesn’t need a Miraculous to be a hero,” Adrien pipes up, smiling widely. “Remember how she always threw herself into fights? She was always helping out with battles.” He laughs. “She only stopped because Chat Noir practically begged her to stay out of the way. He was worried that she’d get hurt.”

The class cooes over the statement, agreeing easily, until class starts back up at last. Marinette takes her seat once more, ready to continue the day.

“Just so you know,” Alya whispers, “I think you would be an amazing hero.”

Marinette simply smiles, and she knows that Alya is right.

Marinette thought she’d be a normal girl, but she’s so much more.

And now it’s Ladybug’s time to shine.

Author’s Note: At long last, I finally made a sequel to Later, which I wrote back in October. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoy zoe’s amazing comic! ~Salthaven 

Day Twenty-Seven: Sidekick

    “Of course I’ll be here to save the day,” Scarlet Lady says, tossing her hair behind her back dramatically. “I have to clean up after my mangy sidekick, after all.”

    Sidekick, huh?

    Chat Noir huffs, ring beeping loudly. He’ll deal with this later.

    With this in mind, he hops away, searching for a place to detransform.

~~~~~

    Later doesn’t come quickly. No, later is pushed off. Battle after battle, Chat Noir is stuck alone, fighting battles meant for two. He fights and is forgotten, fights to save Paris, only for Scarlet Lady to be adored. He fights and hurts and gets battered and bruised, and only one person even recognizes how much he works to keep Paris from becoming a chaotic mess.

    Marinette Dupain-Cheng. From the very first fight, she’s been on the sidelines, cheering him on. Sure, she has a penchant for getting in the way of battles, but Adrien knows it’s because she’s truly a hero. She stands up for what’s right, she doesn’t let her lack of powers keep her from fighting against evil.

    She’s the Ladybug Chat wishes he could have. Someone he could call a partner. But no, instead he gets Scarlet Lady.

    Yet exhaustion feels okay when Adrien walks into class and sees her smile. The weight on his shoulders seems a little more bearable whenever she offers him coffee or a croissant, or just insults Scarlet Lady. 

    Yeah, later can be pushed off, because Marinette will wait beside him.

~~~~~

    Chat Noir is used to being called a sidekick. For months, he’s dealt with battles alone, taken all of the pain and suffering alone, saved the day and been tossed aside alone. He’s exhausted, he’s beaten down and he doesn’t know how to get back up.

    But just as he thinks the world can’t get better, it does. Because Marigold steps out of the shadows, and she protects him. She holds out a hand to help him. Together, they beat the Akuma. Together, they save the day. And the workload lessens. The struggle of every battle diminishes when it’s doled out between two heroes. 

    Finally, later comes. It’s after a pretty easy Akuma battle (or is he just getting better at working with Marigold?) and neither Chat nor Marigold used their powers. The reporters come, just like usual, and Chat doesn’t run.

    But as he sees them coming, he notices something else. The victim, a young boy, maybe nine, sitting on the floor, looking sad and scared.

    Chat pushes later away, going to comfort the kid. Marigold follows suit.

    “Are you okay?” Chat asks, kneeling down. “You seemed rather upset, did something happen?”

    The boy sniffles. “I, I failed a math test. My mom is gonna ground me for sure, and then my friends aren’t gonna talk to me because I can’t play games and I’ll be lonely and, and-”

    “Hey,” Marigold coos, pulling the boy into a loose hug. “It’ll be alright. Your friends will understand, and I’m sure your mom will, too. Everyone has bad days, you know?”

    “Even you?” He looks up at her with shock, and Marigold giggles. It sounds like bells to Chat.

    “Even me. Here, I’ll even let you in on a little secret, but you can’t tell anyone, okay?” When the boy nods, Marigold whispers conspiratorially. “I’m awful at physics.”

    “Really?!” He gasps, as if the idea is astounding.

    “Really. But my parents understand, because I’m getting tutored. I have the sweetest friend, and he’s a genius. He teaches me about physics, and I’m doing better. Do you have a friend who’s good at math?”

    The boy nods. “Alice! She’s really smart.”

    “Maybe you could ask her for advice, then!” She grins. “And if not, I’m sure you could ask your parents for help.”

    Chat nods with Marigold, then adds, “And if they won’t teach you, come hunt me down. I’m have you know I’m the purrfect math teacher!”

    The boy giggles. “Thank you!”

    “Of course. Now, little guy, do you need help getting home? I can give you a lift,” Chat offers, and the boy lights up.

    “Yeah!” 

    So Chat leaves later behind, leaping away with the boy on his back. And, a short conversation later, little Thomas is hugging his parents, who promise to help him with math. 

~~~~~

    Later passes without Chat noticing. Time after time, he chooses comforting the victim over calling out Scarlet. Because that’s why he’s a hero. It’s not for recognition, it’s to help people. That’s why Marigold, too, has risen from wherever she was to fight by his side. It’s not about proving that he’s a partner, not a sidekick, because only he and Marigold need to know that.

    But it’s this approach that causes later to spark. It’s this decision that proves the truth for all of Paris.

    It sneaks up on him. Never one for checking the news, he doesn’t see the exponentially increasing number of articles on him and Marigold, doesn’t see the shift in public opinion, doesn’t know how he and Marigold become favored over the once beloved spotted ‘heroine.’

    Then he goes to school, and hears something that shocks him.

    “You’re changing the name of the Scarblog?” Marinette asks Alya, right as Adrien enters the room.

    Alya nods, glaring at her phone as she types rapidly. “Yeah. It’s about time. Scarlet Lady is awful, I can’t believe I didn’t notice earlier!”

    Adrien can’t believe it. Finally, someone noticed other than Marinette! Finally, someone else understands. It feels like Christmas, it feels like-

    “Yeah, she sucks,” Alix adds in.

    Forget Christmas, Adrien is in heaven! 

    Quickly, all of his class is chiming in, insults thrown at the girl who only knows how to care about herself. Marinette seems just as ecstatic over the words being spoken, agreeing vehemently. 

    Then Chloé walks in, just as Kim shouts, “The only heroes we need are Chat Noir and Marigold!”

    Adrien hears his old friend before he even sees her.

    “What did you just say?!” She shouts, and Adrien jumps.

    “If you must know, Chloé,” Max starts, adjusting his glasses, “we’ve noticed the trends of the battles. Statistically speaking, the chance of Scarlet Lady actually contributing to the battle and fighting the Akuma is zero point zero zero zero zero zero zero one perecent. There has been one battle where Scarlet Lady was said to have taken initiative, and that was during Copycat. According to Marinette, who was the only witness present, Scarlet Lady did not even act until Marinette mentioned that there would be two Chat Noirs present, with one of them adoring Scarlet Lady.” 

    Chloé scoffs. “As if Dupain-Cheng is a reliable source.”

    “She is, actually, our most reliable source, having been involved in almost every single Akuma attack. But if her alibi for the Copycat attack is unusable, as nobody else can attest to it, other than Chat Noir and Scarlet Lady, then Scarlet Lady has never been useful, except for her Miraculous Cure.”

    Rose gasps. “Marinette, you could’ve been Scarlet Lady! You would be an amazing hero!”

    Chloé turns her glare on the petite blonde. “Dupain-Cheng could never be as great as Scarlet Lady! She’s too clumsy and foolish to be a hero.” 

    Adrien glares at Chloé. “Marinette is greater than Scarlet Lady could ever be, if she could manage to get her head out of her ass! Marinette does everything she can to help the heroes, she puts herself in danger to keep others safe. She already is a hero, which is more than I can say for Scarlet.”

    “Guys, I-” Marinette tries to cut in, but Chloé interrupts.

    “If it wasn’t for Scarlet, you’d all be surrounded by that stupid sidekick’s messes! The city would be in ruins! I don’t see Marigold fixing that.”

    Adrien freezes, and he sees how Marinette stiffens behind him. Because nobody uses that tone when referring to him as a sidekick, no one except Scarlet Lady.

    He cringes, remembering every single time Scarlet tried to claim his civilian identity was her boyfriend. Now it makes sense. Gross.

    Marinette, behind him, becomes enraged. “You know what, Chloé?!” She shouts, stomping forwards. “Chat Noir is the greatest hero that will ever live, and you should feel blessed to know that he protects everyone! He puts his life on the line so that we can be safe, and he fought alone for months because his partner was too busy putting on lipstick! We never deserved Chat Noir, but god damn do we need him if we’re stuck with someone like Scarlet as our only other option.”

    “And Marigold has more talent in one strand of hair than Scarlet has in her whole body!” Adrien shouts. “She should’ve become Scarlet Lady, not the incompetent idiot who put on the mask! In fact, I doubt Scarlet was meant to be the hero. I bet she got the Miraculous by taking it from the rightful owner!”

    From the way Chloé winces, Adrien knows that he’s right. Chloé stole the Miraculous, but who would she have…oh mon Dieu.

    She stole from Marinette, didn’t she? Marinette, the girl who is a real hero. The girl who is creative and brave and puts her life on the line to protect others. Marinette, the girl who always supported Chat Noir, the girl who always knew how awful Scarlet Lady is. 

    Adrien feels enraged by the love of his life. He wants to reach out and snatch the earrings from Chloé, wants to hand them to Marinette because she’s their rightful owner-

    But he can’t. At least, not right now.

    Sitting down for class as the bell rings, Adrien has never been more excited for an Akuma to attack. He can’t wait for later to come again.

~~~~~

    Luckily for him, an Akuma attacks that night. Even more luckily, the Akuma holds nothing but hatred in her heart for Scarlet Lady. She calls Scarlet incompetent, a sorry excuse of a hero. She despises the girl, and wants to take the earrings so she can be a hero instead.

    Chat Noir doesn’t intervene. He slips into the shadows, catching Marigold before she reaches the fight. He moves to whisper what he has learned of Scarlet, but Marigold speaks first.

    “She’s in my class,” Marigold whispers angrily. “I hate her.”

    Chat blinks at the information. Marigold is in Chloé’s class…

    “Marinette?” He whispers, and she blanches.

    “I, uh-” She sighs. “God damnit. How did that give it away?”

    “Because I’m in her class,” Chat admits, and watches Marigold blush as she understands, “and I just realized it today.”

    “It was the sidekick comment, wasn’t it?” She asks, and Chat nods. “So what’s the plan, partner?”

    “We sit back and let her fight.” He does as he says, leaning against the chimney of the rooftop. “And when Scarlet Lass defeats Scarlet Lady, we swoop in.”

    “I like the sound of this.” She smirks, and so does Chat.

    The fight doesn’t last more than a minute. Scarlet Lady, panicking, calls for her Lucky Charm, but has no idea how to use it. She screams at Chat and Marigold, demands that they help her. They smile.

    “Go off, Scarlet Lass!” Marigold cheers. “Show her what’s for!”

    Scarlet Lass seems confused, then smiles sadistically. “As you wish, my future teammates!” 

    The earrings are off of Chloé Bourgeois in seconds. And then the heroes of Paris, the real heroes of Paris, leap into action. 

    “Venom!” Marigold shouts, and stuns Scarlet Lass. 

    “Thank you!” Chat says sweetly, taking the earrings from the Akuma. 

    Chloé huffs. “Good job, now give me my earrings so I can save the day.” She doesn’t expect to look up and be met by two glares.

    “No.” Chat toys with the earrings, eyes still locked onto hers. “I don’t think I will.”

    Chloé gasps. “What do you mean, ‘no?’ Those are mine, you stupid sidekick, return them at once!”

    Marigold hums. “Now here’s the thing, Bourgeois. Your identity is compromised. Even if you were a good superhero, which you weren’t, we couldn’t let you continue. Because now Hawky knows your identity, so he could take the earrings at any time. So, no. Your reign of terror is over.”

    She huffs. “Oh yeah? Well, good luck saving the day! You can’t fix damage without me.”

    “No, we can’t fix damage without a Ladybug,” Chat corrects her, then turns to Marigold. “So, Marigold, I think it’s time we swap your yellow for red.”

    Marigold’s eyes widen for a second, and then she nods. “I think you’re right, partner.” She pins the earrings to her ears, and Tikki appears before them. “Hey, Tikki, right? I need your help to save the day, if that’s alright?”

    Tikki looks close to tears, nodding frantically. “Of course, Marigold! My transformation phrase is ‘spots on.’” 

    Marigold smiles. “Alright! Tikki, spots on! Pollen, buzz off!” A flash of pink and yellow  covers Chat’s partner, and when it dies down, she’s changed. Gone is the yellow and black, now Marigold wears red and black. The spots resemble Scarlet’s, but she keeps the more sensible aspects of her Bee ensemble (cough no heels cough) on her person. Spinning her new yoyo, she says, “Let’s finish this, kitty.”

    “Got it!” Chat breaks Scarlet Lass’s Akumatized object, a charm of Scarlet Lady, and the Akuma flies out. Marigold catches it immediately, then purifies it.

    Once the damage has been fixed, Marigold turns to Chat. “Pound it!” She cries, just as she usually does. Then she asks, “Want to go get ice cream?”

    Chat Noir blushes. “Of course, Marigo-”

    “Ladybug,” she corrects, sweet and simple. “Let’s go with Ladybug.” 

    “Alright, Ladybug, let’s go have some ice cream. Think Andre is still around at this time of night?”

    “I’m sure he’ll make an exception for a new hero!” Ladybug jokes, and the two leap away, leaving Chloé behind with a still-angry ex fan, who relishes the chance to insult the ‘hero’.

    Yes, later feels wonderful.

(I wrote this for Inktober on my ao3 account, I hope you enjoy! -salthaven)