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With Time: Chapter 37 - Alya
Authorâs Note:Â Happy St. Patrick's Day! đ Today's the day that every American tells anyone who'll listen about how they're actually kind of, sort of, partially Irish, if you, like, go back far enough to their great grandmother's cousin's half-sister who married some guy who...
Alright, that's enough of teasing my country. This chapter being posted on a holiday is purely coincidental, so there's not really any mention of it in here, also it wouldn't have been relevant.
I don't know about you guys, but the state I live in is taking the self-quarantine thing pretty seriously. I hope my chapters can help you from going too stir-crazy. I have been writing and baking like crazy (and playing Plague Inc, because, come on, I can't not). Several colleges in Michigan are moving online.
Stay safe you guys! Be sure to disinfect whichever device you're reading this on if you haven't recently.
That's enough about the coronavirus. You're all here for Alya, and I'm prepared to deliver. Enjoy!Â
Chapter Summary:Â Alya and Marinette have a very important (and long overdue) talk.
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Chloe: I heard that fake reporter was coming over to âapologizeâ today, so hereâs some stuff to really drive your point home.
 Marinette: wait where did you get those pictures
Marinette: have you had them this whole time???
 Chloe: I have my ways. Donât question me Dupain-Cheng.
---
Adrien <3: Alya wants to know if itâs a good time for her to come over.
 Marinette: yeah
 Adrien <3: I can tell the others, we can come over.
Adrien <3: Make sure she doesnât try anything.
 Marinette: kitty.
Marinette: she wonât try anything
Marinette: she just wants to talk i can handle myself
 Adrien <3: Of course, I know you can.
 Marinette: adrien
 Adrien <3: Anyway, sheâs headed over. Iâll let the others know so we can wait in the park and glare at her. Itâs the least we can do.
 Marinette: or you could go about your day as usual and not bother with needless interruptions
 Adrien <3: We were already going to hang out, now weâre just coming by earlier. You canât run from our love and support.
 Marinette: You donât need to do that.
 Adrien <3: Iâll make plans that have nothing to do with that then.
---
Hug This Boy: So who wants to go to the park outside of the bakery for reasons completely unrelated to the fact that Alya is coming over to talk to Marinette. Itâs just a coincidence if we go to check on Marinette afterward and maybe hurt Alya if need be.
Hug This Boy: Completely unrelated.Â
 Patisserie Princess: Adrien.
 Hug This Boy: Itâs so fun watching the grass grow.
 Kid Mime: o absolutly
Kid Mime: its so green
 The Mom Friend: yep
 Melodie: So fascinating.
 Felix: Most definitely.
 Patisserie Princess: âŠ
Patisserie Princess: this isnât necessary
 Melodie: Well how else are we going to look at the grass that happens to be right outside your house?
 Kid Mime: yea mari
 Patisserie Princess: oh sheâs here ive got to go
Patisserie Princess: all of you are to go about your day as usual
 Hug This Boy: Wow, the next event on my schedule is âwatching grass grow at the park that happens to be outside of Mariâs placeâ.
 The Mom Friend: wat a coincdence same here
---
âAlya,â Marinette states, opening the door, âLetâs go to my room.â
She nods numbly, and the pair make their way upstairs, ignoring the glares from Tom and Sabine.
They both sit on the floor of her room, and they sit in silence for what feels like an eternity.
Alya breaks first.
âMari- Marinette. Iâm sorry. I was supposed to be a reporter and I didnât even bother to fact check! I just believed her because I was so- so- so infatuated with her stories! She sounded so cool! Sheâd been everywhere and met everyone, and then⊠she hadnât. It was all a lie. You were right. When the slides changed during the competition it felt like everything stopped. I couldnât even process that everything sheâd told us seemed to be a lie. Everyone apologized to you yesterday, and I should have the moment I knew the truth, but I wanted to process it first because⊠well I mean now Iâm trying to avoid acting before thinking- Not that Iâm suggesting that you made anything up, or something like that! Iâm not! I just wanted to make sure I had all my thoughts in order. Iâm so sorry,â Alya says hurriedly.
âYouâre not wrong,â Marinette agrees, âYou completely threw me out for someone you didnât even know. The whole class hurt me, but Alya⊠you hurt me the most. More than Lila - sure, she tore me down enough that I was definitely in a bad place⊠but you?â she sighs, âDo you even- Alya, do you remember the first week of school? Do you remember Thursday? Can you just⊠go through it with me? How did we go from making plans to⊠that?â
Alya is tearing up, but nods. âI didnât know anything was happening until I got there. Lila was sobbing hysterically, and she looked awful. A few of the class were already with her, and she said she had something to tell us, but wanted to wait for everyone. She said sheâd already talked to Adrien. When everyone got there she said that she was being bullied. Regular insults, cyberbullying, attempts at isolating her, so much and it was all so awful. Afterwards, we were all obviously furious and spent at least five minutes convincing her to give us a name. All she managed was to say your name and then she started sobbing and wouldnât speak anymore. Then class started, and you came in like everything was normal and just made me more mad, I absolutely hated you,â her voice cracks, âSo when class was over we all confronted you. We thought you were lying, we thought you threw yourself down the stairs for pity points. We figured if Chloe was coming to your defense, then you must be a bully, and when you left and didnât return we just took that as you running away. Going to start over in a new place.â
Alya is openly crying now, staying as quiet as she can.
âThatâs not how I saw it. You know, to this day my memories of it are vague, and thereâs like half of it I canât remember period. I spent hours just dead, staring at nothing,â Marinette takes a shaky breath, preparing herself. That day is still the hardest part to talk or think about for her, even all these months later. âI went to school in a good mood, you know, because weâd talked for the first time in months and were making plans to hang out. Lila had been gone for a while and I figured that she wouldnât be back and I could have more of a break. Everything seemed normal in class, I was worried about being late, especially with Adrien gone. Then class ended. You were yelling at me, maybe Nino too? I couldnât breathe right, and I tried to leave. You grabbed my wrist and suddenly everyone was yelling, and then the door slammed. You were surprised and I twisted myself away, falling down the stairs. By then Iâd realized the door slam was another person and I was scared, so I ran. Chloe and Sabrina found me in the bathroom, and from there I donât know, but others have filled me in. Chloe brought me home and apparently took pictures. Then Maman must have had me go to my room. Chat Noir said he saw me on my balcony and I was completely unresponsive. He sent me to bed, and then it was the next day.â Somehow, Marinette manages to get through the story with minimal voice cracking and tears.
Alya makes a choked sound, more tears falling. After a moment she croaks, âCan I see the pictures?â
Marinette looks at her. âWhat? Why?â âI deserve it. I was the reason you fell and I need to see what I did.â
Marinette pauses. She didnât intend to show anyone the pictures, they were obviously upsetting. Sheâs sitting on the counter, slumped and staring downward. She had expected her eyes to be haunted, or sad, or something like that, but they were just⊠empty. Nothing at all. Somehow itâs worse that way.
Her red-rimmed eyes and dried tear tracks are proof of her earlier crying.
Marinette is covered in fresh bruises, on her arms, legs, and the one on her face. She got scratches near most of them, the angry red of the skin outlining and accentuating the bruises. Her wrist is clearly sprained - swelled and bruised. Her Maman is in front of her, cleaning her up as best she can, applying bandages and putting an ice pack on the wrist.
âAre you sure? You donât need to see them. Theyâre-â
Alya nods. âI deserve it.â
So Marinette turns the phone to her.
Alya covers her mouth in horror, fresh tears coming to her eyes. She wonât let herself look away. She flips through each picture repeatedly, growing more and more upset. Her expression changes momentarily, confusion to sickened understanding.
âIâm so sorry,â she sobs, âIâm so so so sorry. I never- Thereâs no excuse- I- Iâm so sorry.â
Marinette takes the phone. Seeing the screenshots that Chloe sent, she winces. She still doesnât like reading them, somehow the pictures of her are more bearable so she switches back to those before shutting the device off.
âWhy?â Marinette asks, âWhat on Earth was going on that day that you thought I deserved to hear those things? I wa- n-need to know.â
Alya shakes her head. âThereâs no excuse. I⊠I was having a bad day, and then Lila told us that Ladybug had sided with you and I j-j-just got so mad. It felt better than just wallowing in self-pity. You s-sent that text and I just u-used you as some sort of p-personal punching bag. I t-t-texted you for a while, and then Adrien, Chloe, and Sabrina showed up. I guess Sabrina grabbed my ph-phone when I was d-distracted with Chloe and deleted your contact. I sp-spe-spent the rest of the day mad at you.â
Marinette stares at a corner of her room, her voice soft. âI was at lunch. I was already having a bad day, and I had found out you deleted the Ladyblog so I was thinking about you and wondering where I went wrong and how much you guys hated me, which was honestly the usual, but moreso.â Alya barely stifles a cry. âI meant to text Allegra, but Iâd taken the wrong phone to school. I made myself read each text, and it was everything Iâd been t-telling myself, so that wasâŠâ Marinette looks away and takes a deep breath. âMy friends found me, and somehow I got to the library. I donâtâŠ. I donât really remember much until I got home, and Adrien was there and I decided to tell them why I transferred.â
âIâm so sorry. Iâm so so sorry.â
Marinette shakes her head. âI didnât have you come over so we could compare events. Alya, you were my first friend, my best friend, and you just⊠left me. I donât understand.â Her voice cracks.
Alya reaches toward her slightly, then remembers herself and draws back. Guilt claws at her inside, and it feels like it is coursing through her veins. âI- always thought that you had deceived us. That you had somehow faked kindness and that Lila was finally showing us the truth. I was d-disgusted with myself for ha-having ever called you my friend, and I just wanted t-to d-d-do everything I c-could to make it up to Lila for it. I thought- I started avoiding you near the end of school because you seemed like you were changing for the worse. Then that first week back just seemed to prove it. Iâm so sorry, Marinette.â
Somehow, something about her words angers the designer. Sheâd been doing her best to stay calm, but something in her wants to make Alya understand how she was hurt and hurt her back.
âOh?â Her voice is scathing, and she fakes disinterest, exaggeratingly inspecting her nails. âSee, to me, I felt like I was losing my best friend. I had been so sure that Lilaâs threat to take all my friends away would never come true. I told myself that sure, we werenât as close, but you didnât hate me. Then I returned to school. Wednesday we made plans to hang out, do you remember? I was so hopeful after that, and then you were the first to turn. All of you just threw me out - do you have any idea how badly that messed me up? How long it took me to believe I was worthy of being cared about after that?â
Like someone watching their neighborâs house burn in the night, Alya stares as Marinette continues.
âI still havenât recovered properly! My anxiety is so much worse now, because come on, look what Lila did in less than a year! Who knows what could happen! A part of my mind is still constantly waiting for people to leave me again, and while I no longer believe it- thank goodness- actually no! Thank my friends, because they stayed. They cared about me, when I didnât even care about me and I would never have recovered without them! So yeah, while I no longer think that theyâll leave me, thereâs a part of my mind forever wondering âwhat if they doâ. I thought Iâd lost them before. You met them after an akuma attack and Lila was with you, and I saw them talking to you and I was so sure that they would find out about everything and then theyâd start looking at me in disgust too, that Iâd be forced to watch more people drift away, to lose people again, and then Iâd be alone again! They didnât even know what happened yet! They found me having a panic attack and the first thing I said was that Iâd prove to them that I wasnât lying! I was so desperate! I didnât want to lose them too! AndâŠâ Marinette exhales, fury dying down and giving way to exhaustion. âLook. We used to be so close, but no matter what, that canât happen again. Thereâs a rift now. I donât hate you, and Iâm not saying I never want to speak to you, maybe years from now, we could maybe be some sort of friends, but we can never be best friends again, if we ever were.â
Alya nods. âTh-th-thatâs fine. I donât deserve you. Y-youâre b-be-being too nice as it i-is.â
Marinetteâs heart breaks. She wants to comfort her so badly, but she wonât lie, and sheâs beginning to feel that maybe itâs okay to think someone doesnât deserve her. She has value, and if people donât treat her that way, then she knows who isnât worth her time. She wonât agree with the statement though, that just feels too mean, and she canât bring herself to say it to her face.
The two sit in an awkward silence for some time, interrupted only by Alyaâs barely stifled sniffling and sobbing. Marinette grabs her phone.
 Marinette: would you be up to talking with alya?
 Adrien <3: What did she do?
 Marinette: r talk went fine i meant for the way she treated u.
 Adrien <3: Oh.
Adrien <3: Sure.
 Marinette: well be on r way down
 âAlya? I think you should talk to Adrien. The way he was treated at school is inexcusable,â Marinette says coldly. She flips up on the messages app as she turns off her phone.
The other girl nods shakily, and they head downstairs. When they reach the entrance to the park, itâs not hard to spot her group of friends. The five of them are out on the grass, chatting with each other. Marinette walks over to them, staring down at them. âWatching the grass grow, huh?â
They all turn to look at her, there are several cries of âMari!â from everyone but Felix who just remarks, âOh yes, it is indeed very intriguing.â
She can see the barely concealed smirk on his face, and she just rolls her eyes. âGoodness, you guys.â
âHow did it go?â Allegra asks, eyeing Alya warily.
âIt went fine. Sheâs here to talk with Adrien.â
Adrien nods, standing to give Marinette a quick hug before walking with Alya to the other side of the park.
â...I feel bad. Sheâs so upset,â Marinette mumbles.
Allegra hugs her tightly, and Marinette can tell sheâs scowling. âAs she should, after what she did.â
âStill.â
âYou care too much, thatâs all,â Claude justifies, âToo much empathy, which isnât the worst trait to have.â
âWe can hate her enough for you,â Allegra growls, still watching Alya.
âShe doesnât deserve that. I donât want her to hate herself for this, thatâs not good.â
âOh, âNette. Iâm sure she wonât hate herself, probâly just be pretty guilty for a while.â Allan reassures.
Felix adds, âEven if she did, it would not be your fault in the slightest. You cannot control what other people think.â
Marinette frowns, unconvinced.
Claude musses up her hair, earning an affronted squeak from the girl. He ignores her, saying, âAnyways, do you want to hear about the grass weâve been watching? I swear itâs grown a whole one thousand twenty fourth of a millimeter.â
âDid you actually watch grass grow?â
âWell, thatâs what we said we were gonnaâ do, isnât iâ?â Allan teases.
Marinette shakes her head, sighing.
âActually, itâs technically spring right now, how are you doing?â Allegra asks.
Marinette grins. âIâm back to normal, but in a few weeks? Once flowers start blooming Iâm going to be a little hyper, so prepare yourself.â
âWonderful,â Felix mutters, âTwo Claudes.â
âYou love meeeee!!â Claude flops towards him, teasing.
âI suppose.â
âSo, is that from the same thing that makes you try to hibernate?â Allan checks.
âYup! I really like spring! Flower crowns incoming.â
âI am all for flower crowns!â Claude crows.
âIâm guessing Adrien knows about this?â Allegra says, âHe seemed to know something when spring was brought up, but decided he was going to be all cryptic about it.â
âItâs just more fun that way!â The boy in question returns, going next to Marinette.
âHeâs not wrong.â
âOh, of course you would agree with that, Claude.â
They bat their eyes innocently. âWhy, Allegra, I have no idea what you are talking about.â
âPfff. Yeah, youâre definitely the picture of innocence, buddy.â Allan rolls his eyes.
Claude gasps. âAllan! Youâd betray me like this? Does our friendship mean nothing? Et tu, Brute?â
The boy puts the back of his hand on his forehead, falling backwards.
âOh no! Claude feign-ted!â Adrien cries.
It takes a moment, but Claude is the first to get it, cracking up. Marinette just sighs wearily, soon followed by Felix. Allan and Allegra understand at the same time, the former laughing, and the latter groaning.
---
Authorâs Note:Â How was that for a chapter? Originally, I was going to have her friends see the pictures, but it didn't quite fit in, and it wouldn't have led to anything big, so I dropped it.
Were you surprised there wasn't a strong language warning? I was when I was proofreading.
Hey, who wants to see the results of the survey? Do you want them later today or on Saturday (to give it a full week)? Also, there's some great extra responses from that bit at the end, so do you guys just want to see all of them or have me find some highlights? If you haven't taken it, please do, because I'm having a blast. Also, should I do another survey for a dumb debate like this, because I already found another great question.
(Can you tell I've been cooped up inside only leaving to walk the dog or get groceries? A little stir crazy here. My dog is just happy I'm home more.)
Regardless, I look forward to any and all comments you have for me! You guys make me smile!
P.S. I havenât done a âthings Iâve overheardâ in a while. Iâll probably post one soon.
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@ofinsecuritiies continue from hereÂ
[ â â CAROLINE @ 11:45 AM ] just now! [ â â CAROLINE @ 11:47 AM ] I told you a couple days of ago that I was thinking of getting a dog. [ â â CAROLINE @ 11:50 AM ] Its not my fault that you had other things on your mind on that particular day. [ â â CAROLINE @ 11:52 AM ] oreo...i like that name. Â
With Time: Chapter 29 - Lilaâs Plan
Authorâs Note:Â Ooh! Bonus chapter! With a bonus scene I quick wrote at end while editing because I couldn't help myself.
Stay tuned for the summary of the next chapter at the bottom!
Chapter Summary:Â Where was Lila in chapters 27 & 28?
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Sheâs honestly disappointed in herself that it took so long for her to think of this. Lila had been hoping to find Marinetteâs new school ever since the girl had left Dupont, and now Lila had finally realized sheâd had the answer since December.
Felix Voclain.
Heâd been one of the ones to assist Marinette at the Louvre that day, so it made sense to guess that the two attended the same school.
Already knowing where the boy went, Lila didnât hesitate to go to the school âfor a tourâ. The class is under the impression sheâs in South America or something like that.
She doesnât really care - the morons can believe whatever they want.
Today is about finding Marinette.
Once in the office, sheâs told her student guide will be arriving momentarily.
âAh, here he is! Claude De Rosier! Claude, this is Lila, youâll be showing her around today.â
The boy and girl stare at each other blankly. Lila isnât sure what to think, because sheâs sure sheâs met him before - twice - but heâd insisted it had only been once, with legitimate proof to back up his claims.
The boy grins, sticking his hand out for her to shake, âWelcome to my school, Lila! Iâm so excited to show you around!â
She isnât sure what to make of his strange emphasis. Itâs so slight, she isnât sure if she imagined it or not.
As they shake, she smiles easily, âThank you so much! Iâm sure youâll be a great guide!â
âThe best!â he winks at her.
As they exit, Lila swears it looks like Claude wipes his hand on his leg. He rubs fingers against his palm a few times - confused - before subtly sniffing it, and frowning slightly. When he notices her glancing his way, he smiles reassuringly and leads her onward.
âWell, if youâre interested in transferring here, I can assure you this is a very welcoming school! There really wasnât any need to rush out the door!â he takes some hand sanitizer from a dispenser on the wall - a lot more than what would be considered normal. Lila wipes her hand on her leg nervously as she responds.
âWhat do you mean?â Sheâd spent extra time on her appearance today. Being attractive helps sell a story more.
âOh, well I just-â he pauses, looking over her slightly, âItâs nothing! Nevermind! Uh, hereâs the math wingâŠâ he hurriedly moves on to describe the current area of the school, commenting on teachers and the different subjects taught.
He is going over the locker arrangements - grade-wise - when he interrupts himself to say, âYou know, my locker is close by. Iâve got a hairbrush you can borrow if you wantâŠâ
âI- uh- What?â Lila touches her hair self-consciously. It seems fine to her, but she canât see all of it, âIs there something wrong with my hair?â
âOh no! I just- nevermind! Itâs fine!â he rushes to reassure her, but she can tell he isnât being entirely truthful. Before she can ask for that hairbrush, he hurriedly moves onto another aspect of the school.
Lila keeps touching her hair, glancing in any reflective surface she could find, but none of them seemed to show her what was off about her.
âOh! This is the theatre department! I can introduce you to some of my friends.â
The taller boy pushes through a door, holding it open just long enough that she had to catch it as she entered. He runs ahead, seemingly unaware.
âAmy! Victor! I was just showing a student around, and was wondering if we could talk to you!â
Claude has attracted the attention of two students, clearly a few grades above them. They turn to the boy welcomingly, agreeing as they turn to face the touring student.
She could have sworn that she saw recognition - and disgust - flash across their faces, but itâs gone before she gets a good look.
âI told her about that trip the three of us - and some of the other theatre kids - took to England! In December.â
Amy and Victor glance at each other. They went on the trip, as did many others, but Claude? Claude did not. There had been a running joke that âClaude was always with themâ to the point that one of the group had jokingly photoshopped Claude into several pictures, but Claude hadnât actually gone.
Heâd stayed home in Paris, especially since one of his friends - Marinette, sweet girl, a shame about the bullying theyâd heard about - was going through a rough time. That wasnât the only reason Cladue had stayed of course, but still. The point stands.
âOh it really was a blast! Weâre a really close group here!â
âMhm! One big family! London was so fun!â
The pair may not know whatâs going on, but they can play along. Amy and Victor both vaguely recognized the girl as someone they disliked, so they donât have a problem screwing with her.
Lila grows uncomfortable as the boy keeps glancing at her head before correcting himself to make proper eye-contact. The girl seemed startled by some aspect of Lilaâs appearance and frowned slightly before covering it up with a too-big smile.
âOh, I forgot to introduce her! This is Lila Rossi.â
Oh, they most certainly know her. Most people in the school are familiar enough with her. Sheâs the one that was rumored to have done something to Marinette.
No one is quite sure of any details, but thereâs a silent agreement among the school that the only ones allowed to bring up that girl around Marinette are her close friends. All others pretend she doesnât exist.
Marinette doesnât seem to have realized she joined a popular friend group. The former-quartet (now quintet?) had been known for being kind people who were fun to hang out with. Marinette had been adopted so quickly, and her nature seemed to be just as good-hearted, which made her just as popular. Not that she seemed to realize it.
When rumors started about bullying people were horrified. Then a name came up.Â
Lila Rossi.
The girl who is apparently currently standing in front of them.
Claudeâs actions make so much sense now.
âIâm really not much of an actor! I havenât been able to do much work since the accidentâŠâ she trails off, playing melancholy and waiting for the usual sympathy. It never hurts to pull her tricks in a new place.
It doesnât come. Each person before her seems fixated on whatever theyâd been looking at on her earlier.
âOh! Iâm sorry, did you say something?â Amy looks at her apologetically and the others break from their staring to make eye contact, though the older girl has to nudge Victor a little to get his attention.
Lila is really starting to wonder whatâs wrong, but sheâll never admit to it. Repeating herself wonât do any good so she changes topics, âI just, uh, was saying that fashion is more my thing! My, uh, friend Marinette might have transferred here I was wondering if you knew her?â
âNope! I donât know any Marinettes!â Claude shakes his head regretfully.
Victor shakes his head as well, but Amy speaks up, âThere is Marinette Pontbriand, but sheâs in the musical arts department, and sheâs not a recent transferâŠâ
âUh, no. Thatâs not her. I must have gotten the school name mixed upâŠâ
âWell, it was nice meeting you! We do have to get back to work now though.â Victor says, then he leans in, patting her hand comfortingly and speaking softly, âYouâre so brave. Itâll get better Iâm sure.â
He turns, and Amy waves. The taller girl pauses and turns back to Lila, similarly leaning in and speaking softly, âWe all have those days.â the girl looks over Lila sympathetically, then digs in her bag to subtly hand her a pad and tampon. Amy hurries to join Victor.
What the-?
âAnyways, we should get back to our very important tour!â Claude breaks her out of her confused stupor.
âY-Yes! Letâs!â She stuffs the period products into her bag and follows the boy.Â
---
By the end of the one hour tour, Lila feels shaky and confused. Everyone they spoke to seems to know something she didnât - and that something had to do with her.
Sheâs never felt so self-conscious before. Itâs driving her crazy, because she has no idea whatâs going on. What do they all see?!
She smiles at Claude weakly as she heads out the door.
Lila turns to go home, deciding to not bother with school for the day.Â
Once home, she spends hours in front of the mirror, studying herself.
By the end of the day sheâs taken 5 showers, washed her hair 3 times, tried ten new makeup routines, washed her clothes twice, and considered three different outfits for school tomorrow.
---
Bonus:
Kid Mime: so
Kid Mime: remember how i was suposed to be leeding a new studnt arownd 2day?
The Mom Friend: yeah? is somthin wrong? r they ok?
Kid Mime: i sure hope not
Kid Mime: it was liela
Melodie: Excuse me?! She has the nerve to come here?? Does she think weâre stupid?? That little brat had better count her lucky stars that I didnât see her.
The Mom Friend: o goodness wat did u do
Kid Mime: i pretended that there was something wrong with her
Kid Mime: u no
Kid Mime: besides everything else about her
Kid Mime: i had to shake her hand and i made sure she saw me wiping my hand on my leg and using a ridiculus amont of sanitizer
Felix: As you should, after being in contact with her.
Kid Mime: of corse
Kid Mime: anyways i kept suggesting somethign about her lookd weird
Melodie: Besides the sausage hair?
Kid Mime: bsides the sasage hair
Kid Mime: i had her catch every door
Kid Mime: it was almst as satisfin as slaming 1 in her face
Kid Mime: uh
Kid Mime: o!
Kid Mime: teh best part is that as soon as i introducd her to peaple as liela evry1 messed w/ her 2
Kid Mime: i think amy gave her a tampon
The Mom Friend: well mari is a sweetheartÂ
The Mom Friend: the scool is gunna protect there own
Felix: She has certainly made an impression here. I cannot think of anyone that does not like her.
Melodie: Iâm so proud of her. Like, remember when we first met her Claude? She tripped over one of us or something and seemed to think we were going to yell at her, poor baby.
The Mom Friend: 2020 hindsite tho that makes a lot of sense
Kid Mime: she was so quietttttttt
Kid Mime: an it took like a month b4 she actualy hung out w/ us outside of scool
Kid Mime: :((((((
Melodie: Sheâs doing a lot better.
Felix: Speaking of, how is she now?
The Mom Friend: asleep
Melodie: Rest well, honey!!
---
Authorâs Note:Â Lila, Lila, Lila. You are no match for my baby boy. I really do enjoy this chapter. Showing off my baby boy in a 'fox' v fox chapter.
Anyways, I know why you all stuck around. You want the chapter summary. Well, just so you know, the reason I'm giving it early is because I just love worrying you guys. Here it is: Ladybug goes down during a battle and Adrien can't find a pulse. đđđ
Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any thoughts, theories, constructive criticism, or anything really in my ask box, in replies or through reblogs. I love seeing what you think!
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With Time: Chapter 23 - Unhandyman
Authorâs Note:Â Ah! I'm so sorry! I forgot today was Saturday! I was responding to comments, and was about to say 'tomorrow's update' when my brain did a double take. Either way, it isn't Friday, and while I'm late, at least I got it up today! As reparations, here's a 14 page chapter (usually aim for 8-10). Also, there's two reference slides for this chapter.
See the akuma here. (No, I don't regret it)
Chapter Summary:Â During an akuma attack, Ladybug is put out of commision. What's a cat to do when his partner can't help?
First | Previous | Saturday
Claude had just exited the bakery. He had been visiting Marinette because heâd been in the area, and theyâd hung out for a little bit until Marinette fell asleep. Now, walking out of the bakery, they saw another of their friends. Adrien is in the nearby park with-
Oh.
Heâs with them. Alya, Lila, and some boy that must be Nino. It looks like it must be some sort of âdouble dateâ but as Adrien had pointed out before, that would require both couples to be dating. That Lie-la girl is hanging off the poor boy who is so clearly uncomfortable. The so called âfriendsâ donât seem to notice his distress, and Alya even seems to be taking pictures of the âcute coupleâ every so often.
Itâs time for an intervention.
âAdrien! I didnât know youâd be in the area! We could have planned something with everyone!â Claude runs up to the group.
âClaude, itâs nice to see you!â Adrien takes the chance he gets and extricates himself from Lila to move closer to his friend. Itâs only a momentary relief, Lila clings to Adrien again, looking at Claude in feigned fear.
âYou! Y-you were one of the people that helped Marinette attack me at the museum!â Alya and Adrien both open their mouths to say something, but Claude speaks first, âOh Iâm so sorry to hear you were attacked, but Iâm afraid I donât know what youâre talking about! When did this happen- Iâd like to clear this up.â
âEarly December a-at the Louvre. I-I havenât been back since.â Lilaâs shaky voice prompts Alya to hug her closely, glaring at Claude suspiciously.
Claude shakes his head, clucking his tongue, âSorry darling, but you must have mistaken me with someone else. I was in England performing for most of December, just got back last week. Iâm an actor.â He pulls out his phone, showing her various pictures of him in front of various English landmarks, and some with him in costumes with different people also dressed up. One specifically shows the date that he knows sheâs talking about, so he lingers on that one, but doesnât point it out seeing as heâs not supposed to know the day specifically.
Adrien covers his confusion well. Lila looks startled, âB-but-â
âSorry, girl. Itâs okay, it must be the trauma,â Alya comforts Lila, before looking at Claude, âSorry about that, it was a scary day. She had a run-in with a former bully.â
âHm.â
Lila gasps quietly, freezing in the journalistâs arms.
Alya and Nino notice immediately, asking her whatâs wrong and hovering over her as though she might break.
âI-itâs j-j-just I forgot-t-t how c-c-close we were t-to her house.â Lila stares wide-eyed at the bakery nearby.
Alya frowns, handing Lila to Nino, storming over to the bakery and throwing the door open. She hasnât even stepped inside before the group hears raised voices from the couple inside. Alya comes back after a moment, fuming.
She mutters bitterly, and Claude figures this is as good a time as any to rescue his friend.
âWell, anyways, Adrien did you still want to see Allegraâs practice for her upcoming concert? I was just on my way there!â Obviously, there is no practice, especially given that said girl is out of town visiting family for a few days.
âOh, thatâs today! I completely forgot! Sorry guys, I canât miss it - sheâd be so bummed!â Adrien plays along flawlessly.
âWell, maybe we could come with? We barely see you out of school anymore, Adrien!â Lila clings to him once more, and Claude knows that if Allegra were here sheâd not have the self-control to keep herself from forcibly ripping the leech from him.
âOh, sorry dear, but you canât join us!â he shakes as head as though truly sorry, âThe orchestra likes for people planning on watching performances to sign up beforehand - they donât want too many people at once.â
âW-well maybe we could see the actual concert in a few weeks? Weâd come with Adrien of course!â She wonât give up.
Adrien joins in, âActually, thatâs why Iâm seeing the practice - the concert is on the same day as an important shoot so I wonât be able to see it. Itâd be kind of weird for you guys to go without me.â He finally pries her off of him, moving to be near Claude, âWell, you guys enjoy the rest of your day!â He hurries away and Claude follows.
âUgh, how long were you trapped with those dreadful people?âÂ
âA few hours. Thanks for saving me.â Adrien looks to him questioningly, âWhere did you get those pictures?â
âAdrien, Adrien, Adrien. You should know that a magician never reveals their secrets.â
---Â
Adrien is practicing piano when Plagg flies over with his phone.
âAlright, Kitten. Youâve got an akuma to deal with. Itâs near Notre-Dame.â
Adrien checks his phone for confirmation.
 Akuma Alert:
Type 3
Notre-Dame
More information and updates available.
 âPlagg, claws out!â
Itâs their first akuma attack in a while. The absence of akumas lined up nicely with his fatherâs trip so theyâd had a break from both his controlling nature and Hawkmothâs nonsense.Â
That breakâs over with now apparently.
He arrives to see that Ladybug is already there. Sheâs standing on a nearby rooftop shivering and clearly not wanting to be out of bed. He lands beside her.
âHey Bug, surprised to see you managed to beat me.âÂ
She only leans into him, mumbling, âI woke up. Didnât wannaâ.â
âUnderstandable. Do you know anything about the akuma, or are you just cold?â
âBoth.â She huffs, as though he should realize sheâs always cold,ââtâs giant construction workâr.â
âDid he see you?â
âNo.â He hears loud thuds from down the street, and she continues, âHeâs backâŠâ
He turns, seeing a man wearing a yellow construction hat, an orange and red checkered shirt and blue overalls. Heâs got work boots on, and a construction belt with various tools sticking out of it.
Oh, and heâs as tall as a building. Thereâs that too.
The man is holding a wrench and swinging it around, smashing the street and nearby buildings. Civilians are staying inside. Definitely a type three.
He spots the heroes and points at them with a screwdriver from his belt, putting the wrench back as he does so, âI am the Unhandyman! My work wasnât good enough, so now nothing will work well! Nothing is repaired - everything is broken! Give me your miraculous!â
âNahâŠâ Ladybug mumbles at the victim.
âIâm with my Lady. Youâre going down! What happened anyways? Didjaâ screw up a construction project? Just couldnât nail it?â
The man doesnât respond, just throwing a hammer at them. They jump out of the way, but the building gets hit anyways, opening up the ceiling as the tool crashes through the ceiling. It fades eventually, showing up in his work belt again.
âLeâs get him⊠less buildâns anâ peoplesâŠâ Ladybug suggests.
âGood idea, we can lead him in this direction.â The duo continues in the same direction, being sure to be slow enough to keep him captivated. If he gets bored and wanders away then the citizens of Paris could get caught in the crossfire.
Ladybug swings around him once theyâre in an open area, looking for a way to wrap him up. Itâs a good thing their weapons are indestructible because it makes them easier to use when an akuma needs to be restrained.
Of course, their weapons are indestructible, but the things they attach them to are not. Unhandyman sees a chance and hits a hammer against where Ladybug has latched her yo-yo, sending her flying into a snowdrift. Chat winces as he realizes she will most definitely be hibernating. He needs to get to her immediately.
The akuma victim has other plans. Surrounding Chat with nails taller than him, Unhandyman aims the hammer at him. The hero ducks out of the way, only hitting a nail with his suit. The impact of the hammer shakes the ground and he stumbles slightly. A giant screwdriver stabs into the ground in front of him, stalling him long enough for the Unhandyman to draw out a measuring tape on its side as a makeshift barrier.
Chat Noir backs off for a moment, going to higher ground before vaulting over to land near his partner. All-in-all, sheâs been in the snow for a little more than five minutes, maybe six. He isnât sure how long exactly, but itâs definitely been too long.
Sheâs in a snowdrift that reaches above his knees, curled in on herself and shaking slightly. Heâd typically be concerned about hypothermia, but her ladybug tendencies can protect her from the cold better than it would seem. Going into hibernation can help her, but only for so long. He picks her up carefully.
She doesnât move to be any closer to him, completely limp in his arms. Definitely hibernating - not that he had any doubt given the whole falling into a snowdrift bit.
He makes his way to the rooftops, sparing a glance back at Unhandyman. Heâll have to trust that Paris will be able to stay out of his way while Chat gets Ladybug somewhere safe.
He wonât be able to defeat this akuma alone though.Â
---
âMaster, Iâm sorry, I know Marinette usually comes for back-up, butâŠâ He trails off, lifting the still limp girl in his arms to show his point.
Fu looks startled for a moment, âI take it that you two have revealed yourselves then?â He moves to allow the still-transformed pair into the house.
âOh. Uh, yeah. Sorry, it was an acci-â
âNo matter. It was bound to happen eventually. What led to this?â He gestures at Ladybug.
He nods, âShe got knocked into the snow and I couldnât get to her for a while.âÂ
âYou should de-transform, Plagg will be able to release Tikki.â Wayzz suggests.
âClaws in.âÂ
Plagg flies out of the ring, blinking for a moment before going to the earrings to release his other half as he has before. Tikki falls against Marinetteâs shoulder, both girls are entirely asleep.
âWhile it is not ideal, you will have to leave them here while you deal with the akuma. Wayzz and I can keep them warm, though she likely wonât wake up with you so far. Would I be correct in assuming you came for back-up as well?â Fu leads Adrien into the main room, grabbing the Miracle Box and placing it in front of him.
He hesitates. This is Marinetteâs job. Heâs never done this before and doesnât know where to start. Heâd default to Honey Bee - trusting Marinetteâs past decisions - but Allegra isnât in Paris at the moment.
âA distraction would be useful here, Kid.â Plagg suggests. Adrien nods, grabbing the orange fox tail. He transforms, thanking Fu for his help and hurrying to the rooftops.
He has someone in mind.
---
âClaude De Rosier, this is the Miraculous of the Fox which grants the power of illusion. You will use it for the greater good. Once the job is done you will return the Miraculous to me. Do you accept?â
They stare at him in complete shock, âMe?â
Chat Noir smiles, âI donât see any other Claudes here.â
Claude blinks, taking the necklace and placing it around his neck. He startles when an orange glow appears, fading to reveal Trixx.
âGreetings kit, I am Trixx, Kwami of the Fox Miraculous! Are you ready to be a hero?â
âIâll do my best.âÂ
âItâs simple! To transform you say, âTrixx, letâs pounceâ and to detransform you say, âTrixx, letâs restâ. When you transform you will be able to use your flute to create a mirage for your purposes. Once you do so, you will only have five minutes before you will detransform, the necklace will display how much time you have left. Chat Noir can guide you.â
Claude notes the absence of the heroineâs name, âWhat about Ladybug?â
âTikki is hibernating, I could feel it back when we were at the Guardianâs place.â
âLadybug wonât be able to help. I can explain another time.â Chat offers.
âReady?â Trixx turns to Claude excitedly.
They nod, âTrixx, Letâs Pounce!â
The Kwami flies into the necklace, and an orange glow overtakes the boy. As it fades, Chat looks to see how he changed.
He has an orange tunic with a white stripe running down the middle, and the long sleeves are covered by black elbow length gloves that end in zig-zagged cut and look fuzzy. The tunic is tied around the waist, and the material trails behind him, ending in three almost diamond shapes that are tipped in white. Their legs are orange and are covered from the knee down in boots similar to the gloves, that appear to have toe-prints on the bottom. On his head sits two fox ears that are more triangular than those of Rena Rouge and Volpinaâs - more like a real fox and fluffy too. His mask is almost entirely orange, though the eyes are lined in black, as is the tip of the nose. They have a short shoulder cap around their front, orange except for the white zig-zagged cut edges. The flute is on their back, held there by magic.
He looks over himself, inspecting the various parts of the outfit.
âWhat should we call you?â Chat asks.
âHmmâŠâ The fox hero thinks for a moment, âHow about⊠Kit Mime?â
âI like it. Letâs go!â The two boys jump out the window, Kit Mime taking a moment to adjust to using his abilities. The flute doesnât extend, instead, they can jump far better than normal - luckily for them the boots seem to negate the slipperiness of the iciness of the rooftops.
Itâs easy enough to find Unhandyman, following the trail of destruction which leads them to the Eiffel tower. Heâs about to bash one of the legs with his hammer when Chat calls out, âHey! You miss me?â
The giant turns, glaring once heâs spotted the heroes, âWhere did Ladybug go? Finally admit defeat?â
âActually my Lady realized she has better things to do, sorry if youâre a fan.â
âMay I say something sir? Iâd just like to say that I understand that it can sometimes be difficult choosing the right hammer, but youâve nailed it!â Kit grins innocently at his pun.
Their response is the giant hammer being thrown at their head. Both boys jump out of the way easily, running to get closer.
âAny ideas on the akumatized object?â Chat questions Kit.
âMaybe the hat? Or the belt?â Heâs new at this, but those seem like the most likely options.
âOkay, weâll start with the hat - it should be easier. Maybe we can climb down from the towerâŠâ
Theyâre at the base of the tower, and Chat stops to consider things. Kit Mime looks up and jumps, landing at a platform much higher up. He continues in this way until heâs higher on the tower. At this point Chat has realized what theyâre up to and is distracting Unhandyman.
Kit Mime lands softly on the hard-hat, stopping for a moment to think before shrugging and slamming his flute into it. A hole shows up, but no butterfly comes out. The victim has realized what happened so Kit jumps back to safety, sliding down the tower and running to join Chat.
âIt was a good attempt.â Chat offers.
âOh well. Do we try the belt now?â
âYep, itâs mostly trial and error. Iâll let you in on a secret-â He leans in, whispering conspiratorially, âLadybug and I donât actually know what weâre doing.â
âI think you do pretty well for people that donât know what theyâre doing.â
âThanks, youâve done well for someone who probably also doesnât know what theyâre doing.â
The thud of a wrench slamming into the Eiffel tower brings them out of their conversation.
âAlright. Hereâs how weâre going to do this. Make an illusion of me and just stick near me. Make it seem like weâre trying to get to him. Iâll sneak up from behind and catacl- destroy the belt. First let me go out of sight for a bit - maybe donât let him see you making the illusion though.â
Kit Mime and Chat Noir duck into separate hiding places. Soon enough Chat Noir sees another him running alongside Kit, and he sneaks over to the tower, climbing quietly. Whispering, he says, âCataclysm.â
He jumps to the belt touching it with his hand. An akuma flies out and he holds it between his fingers, sliding down the tower to meet Kit.
âLetâs get somewhere quieter. We gottaâ detransform.â
They find an alley just as the necklace runs out. Claude stands in his place, and Trixx is flying about excitedly, âYou did so well!â
âYou did. Welcome to the team.â The ring beeps, âIâve got to take Trixx back now though. Are you free tonight?â
Claude lifts the fox tail over his head, âI think so. Why?â
âWeâve started bringing our temporary heroes on patrols every so often - for practice. Seeing as youâre free, Iâll stop by later. Iâve got to go now, are you good here?â âYep! One of my friends lives near here, and I left a coat at his place once so itâs as good a time as any to grab it.â
Chat gives a two finger salute and jumps away, arriving at Fuâs place just as his time runs out.
âAlright kid, letâs check on our bugs.â Plagg is clearly antsy about being away from a hibernating Tikki for so long.
âI can assure you, Wayzz and I have kept them safe.â Fu allows them in and Adrien hands back the fox miraculous in its box.
Plagg ignores him, zipping through the walls to get to Tikki.
âMaster, what can we do about this?â Adrien holds up the butterfly he still has pinned between his fingers.
âWith Plaggâs assistance, we may be able to get Tikki to purify it and cast the cure. She will not be awake, but such a task is second-nature to her and as such she could likely do it while not entirely conscious.â Wayzz speculates, taking the butterfly and going to the other Kwami to discuss it as they enter the main room.
Marinette is lying across one of the mats, covered in blankets. Tikki is nearby, similarly unconscious, surrounded by Wayzz and Plagg. He sees a soft white glow and ladybugs rush out to repair the city. Plagg pulls her closer hugging her in the hopes of helping wake her up.
âShould I take her home now?â Adrien looks to Fu.
âIt may be for the best. Her room is likely warmer than this one, and a familiar environment could be better for her.â
He nods, scooping her up without hesitation. He waits for Plagg to gently place Tikki on top of her before he transforms.
He does his best to avoid places he may be seen on his way to the bakery - one of the heroes of Paris carrying an unconscious girl could raise some questions.
Luckily, (thanks Tikki) he manages to go without anyone spotting him with the two bugs. He slips in through the trapdoor, relieved to see that her absence hadnât been noticed. Her parents are still busy in the bakery below.
With her being in hibernation, thereâs no hope of simply waking her up. He covers them in blankets and releases his transformation so that Plagg can be with Tikki.Â
Hugging his partner closer to him, Adrien plays with her hair softly, hoping to warm her up faster. It probably isnât good for a human being to hibernate for too long. Eventually, he falls asleep too, resting against her and purring contentedly.
---
Adrien hears his phone ding in his pocket, waking him. Pulling it out, he sees a text from Claude.
 Kid Mime: elsie drew me
Kid Mime: this is the best thing iâve ever seen
Kid Mime: allan im stealing your sister
 The Mom Friend: no sheâs mine
 Hug This Boy: Wait, whoâs Elsie? Allanâs sister?
 The Mom Friend: yep
The Mom Friend: shes 6
 Kid Mime: i love her
 Hug This Boy: Is Claude at your place?
The Mom Friend: yep
The Mom Friend: someone decided the best way to get there coat back is to go OUTSDIE in the SNOW without a coat al teh way to my house
 Kid Mime: well i can only where 1 coat at a tme.
 The Mom Friend: C A R R Y O N E
The Mom Friend: you coud hve goten sick
 Adrien looks next to him at Marinette. Sheâs still sleeping, but seemingly out of hibernation. Thatâs good. What isnât good is the fact that - despite being in her warm room covered in blankets and right next to him - sheâs very visibly shivering. He frowns at her shaking, touching her forehead gently. Definitely far too warm, it would seem her time in the snow got her a fever, perhaps also a consequence of her body being shut down for hibernation. The human immune system doesnât work well that way.
 Hug This Boy: About that.
 The Mom Friend: oh no
The Mom Friend: are you sick?
 Hug This Boy: No.
Hug This Boy: Our favorite pig-tailed designer may or may not have ventured outside and may or may not have fallen into a snowdrift and may or may not have stayed there for upwards of five minutes before I happened to find her.
 The Mom Friend: SHE WHAT
Melodie: Is she okay?!
 Hug This Boy: I think itâs just a fever.
 Kid Mime: poor girl
 The Mom Friend: hi đââ€
The Mom Friend: my b ther is makin food
 Kid Mime: allan is stress cooking
Kid Mime: looks like pizza
Kid Mime: so were good
 Hug This Boy: What?
 Melodie: There are levels to it. If heâs making pizza then this should be enough to get it out of his system.
Melodie: Hi Elsie! Do you remember me? The girl with the long hair?
 Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: yeh i tink i do
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: clwed mayd me name pretty
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: do u lke it
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: đđ»đđ§đšđ©đđșđđ đš
 Felix: It looks great Elsie.
 Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: r u the cat boy
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: ???ââââÂż
 Felix: Yes. I take it that you are referring to Pluto?
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: yeaaaaaa ââđșđșđșđ
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: he relly cute!!!!!!!!
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: can i seeee him agan???âââ
 Felix: Attachment: 1 Video
 Melodie: (This is such a wholesome conversation)
 Kid Mime: (its even bettr in person)
Kid Mime: (felix she loves u. shes so smiley)
 Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: i love kitties!!
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: tel him hes reallie pretty
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: an giv him a lot of pats
Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: đœđ»đșđčđžđ±đđ»đ»đ»đ»đ»đ»
 Felix: I will.
 Really Cool Girlâđđ„đđ: o allin mayed me a samwitch by by
 Felix: Farewell.
 Melodie: Bye!
 Hug This Boy: Goodbye!
 Marinette hasnât woken up yet. Adrien is starting to worry.
âItâll be fine. Bugs tend to get sick if they hibernate too long. Itâs like a cold or a fever.â Plagg consoles.
âA magical cold or fever.â Adrien points out.
âThere is that, yes.â
Marinette stirs slightly, murmuring nonsensically. Adrien focuses on her immediately, turning her face to him and feeling her forehead again.
âMari? You waking up, Bugaboo?â
â...thereâs chinchillas in the walls...:â Â
âIf you say so.â he holds her up carefully, her head lolling to the side. Sheâs still asleep, âCome on, you should wake up now. Youâre sick, and I canât help you if youâre sleeping.â
She only scrunches up her face trying to process whatâs happening.
âPlease? You can go back to sleep once weâve made sure youâre okay.â
She squints at him, âKitty?â
âHi Princess.â he smiles at her, happy that sheâs finally awake.
Marinette slumps onto him, mumbling incoherently. âAwakeâ may be too generous of a term.Â
ââssss colâ...â
It isnât actually that cold, but given her clear shivering she probably wouldnât accept anything other than agreements, âIs that so? I had no idea.â
ââcause you warmâŠâ she falls against him again, humming happily. Sheâs still shivering.
He opens his mouth to respond when he hears someone on the stairs. Tom or Sabine must be checking on her.
Speaking quietly, he tells her, âIâve got to go now. Iâll try to check on you if I get the chance. Feel better soon.âÂ
Her feeble attempts to stop him via hugs arenât entirely effective. His heart breaks at her sad face, but thereâd probably be trouble if they came in to see him with their sick daughter in her bed. He kisses her forehead softly and jumps through the trapdoor to the balcony, transforming once heâs outside.Â
He probably needs to get back to piano anyways.Â
---
Patrol with Kit Mime had gone well. Heâd been understanding about Ladybugâs tendencies and had adjusted further to his powers.
Chat had returned the miraculous to Fu at the end of patrol, and is on his way to his house.Â
What kind of partner would he be if he didnât check on Marinette first though?
Itâs a good thing he does, seeing as sheâs on her balcony. Again.
Landing behind her, he lectures her, âClaws in. What is it with you and going out on your balcony when youâre sick?â
She turns to him, â...hi AdrienâŠ?â
Tikki sits on her head, âPlease get her inside,â sheâs shivering from the cold, âSheâs b-been out-t-t here for⊠too long?â Keeping track of time is difficult for sleepy Bugs.
âWhy are you out here?â
âGottaâ t-tell Chat I wonâ be doinâ pat-trol⊠he k-know Iâm m-me now, so I c-can do thatâŠâ She looks around at the nearby rooftops hazily.
âMari. Iâm right here. I already knew you were sick.â
She frowns, âN-no, youâre A-Adrien. Chat is C-ChatâŠâ
âRight. My bad. Sorry Plagg, Claws Out.â the Kwami yelps in protest as heâs sucked into the ring.
Chat Noir stands in front of her, touching her arm gently, âAlright, will you go inside now?â âB-but I gottaâ t-tell y-â
âShh. I know youâre sick, okay? Now you have to sleep.â
He leads her to the trapdoor, âI alr-ready slepâ a lots t-today?âÂ
âHibernation isnât the same as sleeping, Princess. Besides, I know for a fact that youâre tired right now.â He helps her inside, making sure she doesnât trip on the snowy balcony as she enters.
Marinette slumps into him once sheâs inside, â...am.â
âTold you. Can I detransform now?â
She hums in confirmation and he releases the transformation, Plagg returning to Tikki immediately.
âHow have you been feeling? Have you eaten?â He leans against the wall and covers her in a blanket while she curls into him.
â...colâ...Paris is mean, dumâ snoâ.â she glares at a window across the room.
âThatâs just how it is. The snow canât get you in here-â
âYou gonnaâ save me from the snoâ?â she looks at him expectantly.
âI will. You donât like snow.â What else is he supposed to say? No? To that face?
âYay.â she hugs him tighter, which isnât actually all that tight given her exhaustion, â...âre purrinâ...â
âMhm. Donât think you can avoid my second question though, did you eat?â
She makes a face, âyeah⊠Maman made me soupâŠâ
âI take it you didnât want to eat soup. What do you have against soup?â
ââs not aphids. All them left âcause colâ...luckies.â
âAre you still cold? Whatâs your temperature?â He glances around, hoping for a thermometer. Heâs in luck, thereâs one on a nearby shelf - presumably left by Tom or Sabine.
âNot enough. âCause âm cold.â Clearly, Marinette doesnât understand the question.
Adrien stretches, grabbing the thermometer and moving back to lean against the wall. Marinette settles herself again, glaring at him for disturbing her.
âOkay, can I take your temperature?â
She harrumphs, clearly wanting to rest, but allows him to check with the thermometer.
â38.8 (101.8â). Hmm.â he pulls out his phone, googling a few things, âHowâs your head feel?â
âBad⊠everythinâ hurts.â sheâs started blinking slowly, feeling heavy.
âSorry Bug, you might have the flu. According to the internet at the very least. Itâs hard to tell, seeing a lot of the symptoms are just your tendenciesâŠâ
âKayâŠâ
âThough I donât think youâre supposed to be so confusedâŠâ He peers at her in concern. She only blinks up at him, smiling softly. She reaches up and ruffles his hair.
â...like âur hair, Kitty-catâŠâ
âYeah, thatâs the earrings again.â Plagg interrupts, âHibernating animals are going to be confused if you wake âem up early. Sheâll recover by tomorrow, just stay close.â
âAlways. Sheâll still be sick though?â
âYep. Bugs get sick really easily in the winter. Especially after they hibernate.â
Marinette is still mussing up his hair. He purrs at her happily, leaning into the touch. She blinks at him tiredly, still feeling heavy from exhaustion. At this, he returns the slow blink - not even thinking about it. Itâs just what feels natural.
Marinette likes that Adrien is here. His hair is soft. His purring is nice too. What isnât nice is her headache. Itâs more than a headache - a person-ache? Sheâs a person and she aches. Her throat is sore too. Itâs very cold. She has heaters, but they must be broken because sheâs still cold. Then Adrien showed up. Then he left, but Chat came. Then Chat left again and Adrien came back. They should stop leaving her. Itâs very confusing trying to keep track of whoâs here and who isnât.
At least heâs warm. Heâs warmer than the rest of her room. She loves him. Also she likes that he is warm. Has she mentioned how cold it is? It is very cold. She wants to stay awake to be with her kitty longer, but itâs cold and sheâs tired, and the tired is making her cold and the cold is making her tired.
She fights against the sleep hanging over her, forcing her eyes open again and again. It only makes her more tired, but she gets to see her favorite person so sheâll keep doing it. She can stay awake. Sheâs a hero, so staying awake is easy compared to everything else she has to do.
She feels Adrienâs hand playing with her hair, and her eyes slip close for a little longer, before she remembers that sheâs awake right now. She forces them open again, determined to stay awake. His purr seems to get a little louder, and heâs still playing with her hair and sheâs really tired. Sheâs stopped messing with his hair - her hand limp, twisted in his blonde hair and just above his face.
Okay. Sheâll compromise. Sheâll close her eyes for a little bit, and then sheâll open them again for the same amount of time. If she keeps up that cycle, sheâll make it through the night. Easy.
Sheâs on the verge of sleep when she remembers herself, startling herself awake. Maybe she can close her eyes for longer than she keeps them open? She really is tired. Adrien is really warm and it would be so easy to just sleep. She just doesnât like that sheâd miss him. Heâs still running his fingers through her hair and purring, so she tries her new compromise, certain it will work better.
Adrien watches Marinette carefully. She seems to be fighting sleep, though he canât imagine why - she must be exhausted. He keeps running his hand through her hair, trying to get her to finally rest. Heâs still purring, doing nothing to quiet it, because Ladybug would always fall asleep on him in patrol when she was tired if he was purring.
Marinette is still fighting it, but he can see itâs a losing battle. He knows her too well for her to be able to fight him when it comes to her wellbeing - which includes getting the rest she deserves. He can feel her hand twitch slightly, as though sheâs trying to keep messing with his hair. Sheâs too tired to pull that off properly, and only makes her hand slip slightly.
Her eyes finally close, and he waits to see if theyâll finally stay that way. She gives a small adorable yawn and snuggles closer to him. Her breathing finally steadies and she gives in to sleep.Â
He keeps playing with her hair - itâs nice.
Inevitably, he will have to return to his house. For now though, he rests with his Lady, eventually following her to slumber.
---
Authorâs Note:Â Well, what do you think? Lateness aside, this is one of my favorite chapters, so I hope you enjoyed!
New year (almost), new fox hero! Claude is the fox holder, I saw plenty of you guess that! Congrats on being right! I'm pretty proud of that name by the way, I feel like it's pretty clever! (Though I could be biased) Reference slides here! I had fun with their outfit. It went through many changes.
That akuma seemed familiar. Huh. Probably not an easily recognizable cartoon character or anything. Slides here.
Allan's sister made her debut! I haven't even considered what she looks like, but maybe I'll come up an outfit or something (I will take any excuse to mess around on dress up games, I have a blast). I love her.
Last update of the year! Decade too! There's no telling what the next chapter will bring, unless you have 2020 vision of course! (>áâą)
Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave any thoughts, theories, constructive criticism, or anything really in my ask box, in replies or through reblogs. I love seeing what you think!
(Nearing 100 followers, feel free to give me ideas on ways to celebrate)
First | Previous | Saturday
With Time: Chapter 8 - The Revealer
Authorâs Note:Â Here we go! An honesty akuma, which was one of things I thought of when this story could barely be considered a story. It's weird to be here, the timeline I've got planned for this story moved faster than I expected. The reference slide for the akuma can be found here!
Anyways, this is the beginning of... a lot. Buckle up buttercups, this is going to be fun!
Chapter Summary:Â Claude begins scheming. Ladybug and Chat Noir deal with an honesty akuma.
First | Previous | Next
Marinetteâs phone dings on her desk as her friends classmates are standing to go. She crosses her room to pick it up, glancing at the screen, âOh hey, Adrien got his phone back! He says that he wanted to let us all know that he got into Concours d'arts musicaux!â She starts tapping at the screen, probably sending a congratulatory reply, âIsnât that great?!â
Allegra smacks her palm against her forehead, â Thatâs what I forgot to tell you guys! I donât know how I forgot. I got in too!â
âYou did? Thatâs wonderful, Allegra!â Marinette gives the taller girl an excited hug.Â
âYay! Iâm jealous you two will get to spend a bunch of time together though, donât forget the rest of us when you guys become stars!â Claude joins in the hug, pouting slightly.
âAs if youâd let me forget you.âÂ
âNever!â
âThatâs great Alâ, do you know when it is yet?â Allan gives her a hug too.
âNo, but it wonât be for another few months.âÂ
âCongratulations, Allegra!â Felix stands off to the side giving her a smile that she probably canât see. Claude grabs him by the shirt and pulls him into the hug.
âThere is no escaping a group hug, my friend!â
Felix sighs, accepting his fate for a moment and joining their hug before pulling away and straightening himself out. The other four break apart too.
âIâm so happy for you!â Claude is shaking in excitement.
Allegra shakes her head, smiling, âClaude, it hasnât even happened yet.â
âStill!â
Eventually they do manage to get downstairs. As they say their goodbyes, Claude holds up his hands, âWait!â
âWhat is it Claude?â Felix and the rest turn back to him. Marinette pauses in closing the door, looking at him questioningly.
âI have forgotten my textbook in Marinetteâs room!â
âOh, you can come back up and get it then.â Marinette opens up the door to let him back in. He races in.
âDo yaâ w-â Allan starts to shout after him before Claude calls down.
âNo need to wait for me! You may go on without me, my pals!â
Allan shrugs, âThat answers that question then.â He waves, âBye âNette!â The three turn and walk back to their respective homes.
Marinette shuts the door and exhales heavily, allowing the smile to fall from her face for one of the first times that day. That is, of course, until she hears Claude bounding back downstairs. At that, she fixes the look back onto her face, turning to greet him.
âFind it okay?â
âYep!â He holds it up triumphantly.
She opens the door for him, âThatâs a relief.â
He smiles at her, âThanks for having us over again, Mari. Itâs fun.â
She shrugs it off, âItâs no big deal-â
âWe really enjoy hanging out with you, yaâ know.â
If Marinette had allowed herself to imagine him saying anything of the sort before, she may have reacted differently. However, as it was, she considered such a statement completely unrealistic and her surprise showed. Sheâd honed her acting skills in recent weeks though, so she was able to recover quickly, âAw, you guys are sweet. It was nice having you over, goodnight Claude.â
Claude smiled at her, giving her a quick hug - seemingly on impulse - as he skipped out the door, âGoodnight Marinette!â
She shut the door, and as she did, his smile faded. He didnât want to worry her - thank his wonderful acting skills for allowing him to pull that off - but she sounded more than just surprised by his simple statement - which would have been concerning enough on its own. She seemed completely caught off-guard, shocked - astonished even - and though he thought heâd noticed some hopefulness, it had gotten crushed immediately. The pig-tailed girl had better acting skills than he would have given her credit for, making him think through some things heâd filed away in the back of his mind as âoffâ about her before. By the time he arrived home, heâd come some rather concerning and alarming conclusions. Pulling out his phone, he started putting a plan together.
He wouldnât allow this to continue.
 ---
Marinette had actually gotten a reasonable amount of sleep when she woke up the next day. Sheâd slept in a little, which was a nice and surprising rarity. Checking her phone, she sees Claudeâs usual good morning text.
Directly above it is an akuma alert. Darn it.
A type five too, fun . It could take a while, so she decides to quickly scribble a note to her parents that she would be out today in case they came up to her room. Saturdays can be pretty busy, but type fives are pretty annoying, and she didnât want them to worry. Better safe than sorry.
Turning to her desk, she found her Kwami, still resting,âHey, Tikki, you up?â
âI am now. What is it, Marinette?â the little Goddess sat up, looking to her chosen.
âThereâs an akuma - type 5.â
âOkay, letâs go de-evilize it!â She floated up to be at eye-level as Marinette spoke the words.
âTikki, spots on!â
Feeling the magic wrap around her, Ladybug takes a moment to prepare herself to go against another akuma. It is her job, yes, but keeping up the act when she is in front of a few people is very different than all of Paris. Not to mention the added stress of magical monsters and probably Alya.Â
She hasnât spoken to her as Ladybug since before⊠that Thursday. As Marinette, not since she left.
She exhales deeply. Ladybug doesnât have time for this, not with a type five on the loose. Shoving everything deep back down where it belongs, she hops out of the bedroom. Swinging in the direction of the akuma, she focuses on getting her mind back together. It is a little ways away, so she has time.Â
Ladybug is definitely approaching the akuma now. She can see plenty of citizens out on the streets. They look pained, and a few are speaking rapidly, many are crying. Others look upset or surprised at the very least. One couple seems to be in the midst of an impromptu proposal⊠interesting timing?
âLadybug! Over here!â
Ladybug lets out a genuine smile for a moment at her partner. Heâs one of her favorite people, and- no focus. If you canât even stay on task you donât deserve your miraculous. Quit smiling you moron.
She lands beside Chat Noir, âSorry Iâm late. Last time Iâll let myself sleep in.â
âI get that feeling. You let yourself get a few extra moments of well-deserved beauty sleep and Hawkmoth slaps you across the face with a dose of evil butterfly magic.â
âHeh. You been here much longer than me? Anything on the akuma?â Joking with her friend partner was something she didnât earn today. Sheâd already treated herself to a few extra moments of sleep anyways. Time to actually do your job you airhead.
âYeah, itâs going to be risky for us. We should really try to avoid getting hitâŠâ Chat takes a moment to survey the area, making sure the akuma isnât going to sneak up on the duo. She gives him a quizzical look before he continues, âItâs an honesty based akuma. Sheâs got two abilities. She can hit her gavel, which lets out a wave - if you get hit, itâll slow you down- all of this is from observation. Donât worry, she hasnât seen me yet. Anyways, what we got to really look out for is when she throws her gavel - or the other circle-thing. If someone gets hit by either of them, they spill their guts. Seriously, these people just, like, let it go. It looks like you can hold it off for a little, but it looks painful? Iâm not sure. I think peopleâll tell more if someone asks them a question.â
âYeah, okay we definitely need to be careful. Our secret identities are on the line.â Stupid, he already knew that. Â
Chat Noir nods, bowing, âShall we?â
Ladybug scoffs, taking a few steps before leaping off the roof heading towards the akuma that has wandered a few blocks away. Her partner follows behind her dutifully.
Ladybug finally laid eyes on the victim. She has long hair and is dressed like Lady Justice but without the scales and sword. In place of the blindfold she has glasses. Her wrists are wrapped in thick, heavy chains, which trail behind her on the ground, ending in a ball, her ankles similarly have a weighty pair of ball and chains cuffed to them. Despite the burden, she moves quickly and purposefully, holding her arms aloft as she wanders the streets. In her hands she holds a gavel and a circular wooden sound block. Ladybug observes her for a moment longer, waiting to see her abilities in use.Â
She doesnât have to wait long, soon enough the akuma hit the gavel to the sound block several times, releasing blue crescent shaped waves that rush out towards the people closest to her. Some get out of the way in time - others not so much. They slow considerably, and one unlucky soul gets hit by two and could probably end up losing a race to a snail.
Ladybug decides sheâd done enough surveillance. She quickly puts herself ahead of the akuma, but stays on the roof. She shoots out her yo-yo, and as much it would be nice to wrap-up this akuma quickly (Chat would have liked that pun), she knows better. Type fives are never quick, and never easy. So while she is aiming to have her yo-yo wrap around the woman, she mostly wants the akumaâs attention. Knowing their goals and views on their task often helps to defeat them,
The akuma notices the weapon immediately, hitting it back with her gavel.Â
âLadybug! Chat Noir! So youâve finally decided to show up, huh? I am The Revealer, I was hurt by the truth being kept from me, so Iâm going to make sure no important truths are kept from anyone! All secrets must be revealed, including yours!â She punctuates the statement by throwing each of the objects in her hands at the superpowered pair.
Ladybug steps out of the way, and Chat bats the one aimed at him away with his baton, âThank you for the exposition, but Iâm afraid some secrets are meant to stay that way. Purr -haps you could encourage good communication instead?â
âNo! Lies will persist without my intervention.â
âI can agree with you there - no one like a liar.â Ladybug really sympathizes with this woman, she knows firsthand the pain lies can bring about, âBut forcing people to tell the truth in this way could hurt more people than it will help.â
âIf they lied,â the akuma bangs her gavel a few times, before throwing it and the block again - summoning new ones to replace them, âthen they deserve any pain this brings about!â
The gavel hits a man walking with one of his friends. He immediately collapses - much to the concern of the friend. They drop to his side, and evidently hear many surprising and upsetting things. They pull out their phone, dialing a number before speaking rapidly both to the person on the other end and to the man when he snaps out of it. Grabbing their friendâs wrist, the pair hurry away.
Many similar scenes are playing out all over - Ladybug can hear the yelling of a woman who was cheated on and crying from various others. The akuma is blind to the hurt around her and continues throwing things.Â
âLadybug! Chat Noir!â The Revealer has focused back on the heroes, âParis demands to know the identity of the so-called heroes protecting them. How can we trust those that we know nothing about?!â
Dodging the projectiles, Ladybug calls back, âIt is for our own safety that our identities are secret. We get the job done, thatâs all you need to know.â She hooks her yo-yo above her, swinging to get behind the akuma.
âEven we donât know each otherâs identities.â Chat chimes in as he ducks beneath the gavel aimed at his forehead. â Purr -tty sure that how superhero-ing works.â
The gavel keeps flying and hits someone standing nearby, âBabe! You good?â
Ladybug freezes - only her momentum keeps her moving - she knows that voice, even if she hasnât heard in weeks. Nino .
Nino. Which means⊠if heâs talking to someone here - at an akuma attack - someone he called âbabeâ then that could only meanâŠ
She recovers, turning her head to the voice, and seeing him, and on the ground near him is Alya. Sheâs clutching at her chest and speaking rapidly. The heroine hears âLadyblogâ, ânot good enoughâ, and âjealous of my best friendâ, but canât make out much more. The last statement throws her for a loop. Jealous of her best friend? She hasnât seen Marinette in weeks, what is there to be jea-
Oh.Â
Lila.Â
Nevermind, she gets it now.
Stupid girl. Why would anyone be jealous of you ? Youâre just some fool playing superhero until they find someone better. Youâre not anyoneâs best friend because no one would want to spend time - Wait hadnât Claude said-
A crescent wave goes right past her face, snapping her out of her thoughts. Turning to Nino and (the now-recovered) Alya she says, âGet out of here. Itâs dangerous.â
Alya is holding her phone, still recording, âGirl, Iâm fine, I already got hit anyways and this isnât live so nothing important can get out.â she looks to Ladybug, winking, âUnless you need some back-up?â She and Nino turn to her, smiling eagerly.
Ladybug stiffens slightly, though the pair donât notice. Someone else does though, âSheâs right. You two need to get out of here.â Chat blocks another gavel with his baton as he lands near them. Ladybug recovers, nodding in agreement before swinging back into the battle.
âFinally see sense? Have you decided to let Paris see your truths?â
âSorry maâam, but Chat and I have good reasons for the lies we tell.â Do you though? Not all your lies are about your Ladybug identity. Sometimes you just lie because you want to, sounds like someone else you knowâŠÂ
âI doubt that! You donât feel the weight of your lies on your chest! You need me to show you just how wrong you are! Without me, how are you going to know all that youâve done wrong? How will you make things better?! For that you need the truth!â
Ladybug scoffs quietly, muttering under her breath, âHa! Jokeâs on you lady, I already know that Iâve messed up big time! There is no righting my wrongs - truth wonât help me.â Sheâs quiet, and distracted with blocking more attacks. She misses how her partnerâs fake ears twitch before he shoots a confused and concerned glance her way.
The Revealer hits her gavel several times, spinning in a circle and sending the glowing crescents everywhere. Ladybug returns to the rooftops and Chat Noir isnât far behind. Seeing the heroes are out of her range, the victim moves on to reach more areas.
âUh, Ladybug, you good?â âWhat?â Ladybug hears concern in his voice and her stress sky-rockets, what did she do?
âI just, uh, thought I heard you say somethingâŠ? I thought maybe I should check on youâŠâ He cocks his head, green eyes looking at her patiently.
You know the rules. Youâve memorized the rules. The rules are there for good reason and you canât even follow them correctly.
Sheâs memorized the rules, and she knows them by heart and could recite them top to bottom, left to right, and she knows the last one well. Itâs one of the more important ones, with them now numbered itâs #11.
 Rule #11: Adrien, Claude, Allegra, Allan, and Felix have been nice enough to put up with you, donât make them regret it.
 Itâs since been edited to include her partner, because unlike those she originally mentioned, he doesnât even have a choice. His obligation to Paris requires him to put up with her idiocy on a near daily basis.
Stupid stupid stupid stupid you brainless numbskull. Youâve broken one of the rules, heâs worried about you now. For absolutely no reason. Fix this - now.
âOh no, Iâm fine kitty.â She puts on her most convincing smile, and pumps her voice with false sweetness and happiness that she doesnât feel, âI think I just needed some more rest, thatâs all!â
He keeps looking at her,âAre you sure? If somethingâs wrongâŠ?â
âNo, nothingâs wrong! I just need to be sure to get proper rest today, thatâs all!â
He smiles at her weakly, âAlright, if you say soâŠâ
âMhm! Now, lets go get that akuma!â
âRight!â
The duo swings toward the direction they last saw the akuma head in. Ladybugâs thoughts trail behind her as she goes.
Stupid stupid stupid stupidstupidstupidstupidfailureâŠ
---Â
It was just past noon, and theyâd been at this for well over three hours and had gone through several Lucky Charms. Nothing seemed to be working, and it was hard to concentrate on setting up a trap for her when she was set on hitting them over the head with a gavel, or playing a painful game of frisbee with the sounding blocks, not to mention all the close calls with being slowed by a neon crescent wave.
âMaybe we should take a lunch breakâŠâ Chat has his hand on his knees, breathing heavily. Theyâre both tired, and have lost the akuma again.
Ladybug is about to protest - they need to do their job - but looking at her partner, doubled over and clearly overworked, she realizes he certainly deserves a break. Heâs worked hard today, not to mention that sheâd worried him earlier.
âYeah, maybe we should. You certainly deserve one - be sure to eat something. Maybe check in with some people so they donât wonder where youâve been all day.â
âBug, you deserve one too. We both have been at this all day. Besides, you must be tired out from being so radiant all day long.â He winks at her.
She huffs, folding her arms and turning away so he doesnât see her blush. She is blushing from the compliment thank-you-very-much. She certainly doesnât have any sort of crush on her partner. That would be unprofessional. She has a crush on Adrien and only Adrien . Not Chat Noir too - nope, no way.
âFarewell, my lady, enjoy your break!â Chat waves goodbye as he leaps away.
âSame to you, mon minou!â Ladybug heads in another direction, swinging from roof to roof until she lands on a familiar balcony.
âTikki, spots off!â The Kwami in question shoots out of her earrings. Tikki waves tiredly at her as she floats down to presumably rest somewhere inside. She certainly deserves it - Marinette spent most of today transformed, with only a few very short breaks.
The tired and overworked girl flops onto her bed as soon as sheâs inside. She wants to sleep, but her body refuses to shut down. Maybe itâs because she hasnât eaten at all today. Sheâs fairly certain thereâs leftovers in the fridge if she wanted them, but stairs seem like so much effort after hours of rooftop parkour. Her leg muscles are done with movement for now.
Her phone dings. Checking the screen she realizes that her friends have been messaging quite a bit while she was out, and thereâs several messages asking about her. Thatâs right, she never responded to the good morning text from Claude - theyâre probably worried now, good going.
 Kid Mime: â§ïœ„ïŸ: *â§ïœ„ïŸ:* Good morning my stars!!! *:ïŸâ§*:ïŸâ§
 Felix: Good morning, Claude.
 Melodie: Itâs too early to be up do you wake up early just to send a text?
Melodie: I know youâre not a morning person how do you do it?
 Kid Mime: iâll never tell
Kid Mime: my secrets shall remain that way for all of eternity
Kid Mime: iâm taking them to the grave
 The Mom Friend: youd better not be heading there any time soon
 Kid Mime: i dont plan on it
Kid Mime: whats this??!! Kid Mime: Allan isnt the last one up!
Kid Mime: this is almost unheard of!
 The Mom Friend: im not?
 Kid Mime: nope, Maris been quiet so far
 The Mom Friend: huh
 Felix: Perhaps she is sleeping in. She likely needs the rest.
 The Mom Friend: that she does
 Kid Mime: also unheard of! Today is a day of surprises!
 Melodie: Marinette honey I hope we donât wake you up.
 Felix: I am fairly certain that we wonât. She may just have her phone off, or maybe it isnât near her bed.
 Kid Mime: maybe shes talking with adrien. I still wnat his number especialy now he has phone back
 Melodie: How did he lose it again?
 Kid Mime: i dunno
 Felix: If I recall correctly, he did not perform as well as expected on a photoshoot, so his father decided to remove distractions, I believe he was pulled out of school for some time as well.
 The Mom Friend: translation his dad sucks
 Kid Mime: translatin allan is totally going to kidnap adiren
 The Mom Friend: no I wonât
The Mom Friend: ⊠not yet at least
 Melodie: Iâm in
 Felix: You are all terrible influences on each other.
 Kid Mime: u loooooveeee us!!!! :))
 Felix: âŠ
Felix: âŠÂ
Felix: I do.
 Kid Mime: YAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!
The Mom Friend: awww
 Melodie: Youâre all adorable.
 Kid Mime: u no who els is adorable????
 The Mom Friend: marinette!
 Kid Mime: ding ding ding!
Kid Mime: where is are favorite fabulous fashionista??? Kid Mime: i miss herrrrrrrrr
Kid Mime: :(((((
Kid Mime D:
 Felix: You just saw her yesterday.
 Kid Mime: but i stil miss her
 Melodie: Oh got to go for a moment.
Melodie: Iâll be back eventually
 The Mom Friend: careful theres a akuma out
 Melodie: I will!
 The Mom Friend: you better
 Kid Mime: maybe sheâs been kidnapped!!! Kid Mime: we must find her
 The Mom Friend: im sure shes good
The Mom Friend: jus getting wel deserved rest
 Head Searcher: the hunt is on!!!
Head Searcher: she wil be found!!!
 The Mom Friend: feâ i can hear u sighing from across paris
 Felix: Indeed.
Felix: Claude, it is very unlikely she has been kidnapped.
Felix: I agree with Allanâs guess.
 Also Head Searcher: watâs that Felix?
 Felix: Nevermind.
 Head Searcher: never fear! our cool, cute, and creative companion will be saved fromthe clutches of evil
 Also Head Searcher: nice job with the alliteration
Also Head Searcher: ur on a roll today
 Head Searcher: thx
 Felix: The worst part is that I am unsure whether Allegra would be another voice of reason or if she would join in on your nonsense.
 Melodie: What?
Melodie: Oh, hmmmmâŠ
 Head Searcher: do it do it do it!!!!
 Marinette smiles as she finishes reading the texts she missed. She hates to have worried them, but they seem to think she just slept in so theyâre fine. Deciding that she shouldnât leave them hanging any longer, she hops into the fray.
 Patisserie Princess: hi!
Patisserie Princess: im ok guys!
 Melodie: Hi!!
 Felix: As I said.
Felix: Good afternoon, Marinette:
 Kid Mime: YAYYYY!!!!
Kid Mime: (ă€ă»âœă»)ă€â(ă»âœă»â)
Kid Mime: (ă€â§âœâŠ)ă€â(ă»ăźă»â)
 The Mom Friend: u get some rest mari?
The Mom Friend: its past noon
 Patisserie Princess: nah, i didnt sleep in much
Patisserie Princess: just lost my phone
 Lies. They deserve better than that, they deserve someone who can be honest.
 Kid Mime: u should sleep some! U deserve it!
 Patisserie Princess: thx, but iâve got to go again
 Kid Mime: noooooooooooooooo
 The Mom Friend: take care of urself
 Melodie: Yes, please do. Have fun with whatever youâre up to.
 Felix: Farewell, Marinette.
 Kid Mime: buh-bye!
 Patisserie Princess: ( Ï)ïŸ
 Marinette sighs, putting her phone down. Her smile fades eventually as she just stares at the ceiling for a while, thinking of nothing in particular.
After some time she exhales sharply and sits up. Sticking her head over the side of her bed she says, âTikki, are you up? I think itâs about time we get back to that akuma!â
âReally? That was quick⊠alright Marinette, letâs go!â
âTikki, spots on!â
 ---
 Adrien is halfway done with his lunch when his monitor dings. Heâs been eating at his computer, keeping tabs on the akuma. Plagg is sitting on the desk, munching on some camembert.
Clicking on the link, he sees that above the footage added this morning, Alya has added a quick clip to the front of the Ladyblog, âWhatâs up Ladybloggers? Alya here! After what was presumably a break for the heroine, Ladybug is back!â The camera turns around, showing a red and black spotted girl leaping across the rooftops. Alya continues with the commentary as she follows, âOne question that remains on most everyoneâs mind is where is the back-up lately? I know I for one would love to see Rena Rouge or Carapace out in the thick of it! Anyways, due to the nature of this akuma, I will not be filming this live. Alya out!â
Adrien closes the tab, turning to Plagg, so had been watching with him, âPlagg, Iâve got to go! Ladybug is out there again, she needs me!â
âSheesh kid, does your partner have any chill?â âThis is serious Plagg!â
âSo is your health! The two of you have been at this all day and have only been on break for an hour! You havenât even finished your food!â
âBut Plagg-â
âNo. Adrien, you need to at least finish eating before you head back out there. And donât just stuff your mouth, youâre going to be moving a lot. Canât be much help if you make yourself sick.â
At Adrienâs doubtful look the cat continues, âBesides, you two have very different personalities. Cats are lazier, and rest more. Bugs are constantly buzzing around, you two are there to balance each-other out. Too much of either mindset would be bad.â he stuffs some camembert into his mouth, swallowing before he adds - almost as an afterthought, âNever leave a Bug and a Bee together on a project - theyâll work themselves to death.â
Adrien sighs, Plagg is right - he wonât be much use if he rushes out now. His Lady must just eat quickly, âFine. But Iâm only staying here another half-hour; 45 minutes tops!â
He resumes eating, albeit at a slightly faster pace.
âFine by me, kitten.â
 ---Â
Despite the break, itâs been another six hours and the akuma is still around. People are starting to get upset, I know, I know, I need to do my job better - be better, please stop yelling at me.
Chat seems to be similarly over tired, having coming awfully close to snapping at a few people. She really needs to step up her game.
Theyâve finally tracked down the akuma again, and they drop in front of her, ready to finally end this.Â
âLadybug, Chat Noir, ready to admit defeat?â
âNope.â Chatâs tone is clipped - he dropped the puns and bantering some hours ago.
âThatâs a shame, it would make this so much easier!â More hits of the gavel before she tosses the items out of her hands again. Itâs a formula theyâre well-adjusted to by now and they dodge the projectiles tiredly. Ladybug swings behind The Revealer to be opposite Chat. When it looks like sheâs distracted by the feline hero, Ladybug shoots her yo-yo out, aiming to restrain her arms to keep more projectiles from being thrown.
The spotted weapon has almost reached its mark when the akuma turns suddenly, holding her gavel out where the yo-yo is headed. The string makes contact and loops around several times.
The woman grins, letting it go.
If it had been earlier in the fight, or if Chat had been closer, or even if Ladybug had eaten or gotten more rest, maybe things would have been different, but as it was, when the yo-yo wrapped gavel came flying back at her, Ladybugâs reflexes are too slow to do much good.Â
The wooden mallet makes contact and Ladybug is down.
---
Authorâs Note:Â Should the attack have lasted this long? Probably not. Did I want to make them suffer through an all-day akuma attack? You bet!Â
Foreshadowing? It was unintentional, but it's there.
A quick note on the music competition - I don't think I ever really explained it. Basically middle-school musicians tried out, and the winners get to practice regularly together to perform a concert in the spring. The concert will be hosted at a local school, but which one will it be? Hmm...
Once again, Â the reference slide for The Revealer can be found here! I'm tempted to post early in honor of Halloween? Or a bonus chapter maybe? Mostly because it feels weird writing so far ahead of what I've posted. That said, I really have to keep myself on a more reasonable schedule when it comes to updating this. Eh, we'll see.
Thanks for reading, and constructive criticism is welcomed in the comments below!
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With Time: Chapter 7 - The Best Group Chat
Authorâs Note:Â A short chapter - just a quick catch-up. Next update will be Saturday, and oh boy we've got another akuma. If I'm so insistent on writing them I should probably figure how to actually write fights.
Chapter Summary:Â Some text interactions of the Quantics and Felix and what they've thought of Marinette up to this point.
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Kid Mime: So!!!! Wat do you all think of our new frend that weve had 4 a weeekkkk!!! Because I love herrr!!! We r going to keep her right!!!????
 Melodie: Oh you bet we are. Iâm a little worried about her though, I mean did you see that bruise?Â
Melodie: Also she is precious and very sweet. If she doesnât seem uncomfortable with the arrangement, we should keep hanging out with her.Â
 Felix: Are you referring to the bruise on her face? It did seem unlikely to have been caused on accident.
 Melodie: WHAT BRUISE ON HER FACE?!
 Kid Mime: SHE HAS A BRUISE ON HER FACEEEEE?! MOMMM SOME1 HURT UR NEWEST CHILD!!!
 The Mom Friend: Wait wat? When did you see that Felix? r you sure?
 Felix: On Thursday, when she seemed overly tired. She was falling asleep in class and her palm wiped some make-up off of her face. She excused herself to the bathroom when she realized, but I did see a rather concerning bruise on her face, and there seemed to be scratch above it. I assume you were referring to another bruise?
 Kid Mime: HOW MANY BRUSES DOES THS PRECIOUS ANGLE GIRL HAVE!!!?
 The Mom Friend: enuf that im concerned
 Melodie: The make-up means that sheâs hiding it, and come to think of it, she is dressed rather warmly for the current weather.
Melodie: I meant the bruise on her arm, it was pretty big.
 The Mom Friend: yea long sleeves an pants in early spetember is kinda wierd
 Felix: While I find this to be disconcerting, we would do best to avoid jumping to conclusions. It would also be for the best to avoid mentions of her past school - when it was mentioned on Monday, she seemed rather uncomfortable.
 The Mom Friend: yea we donât want to make assuptions and i donât want to upset her
 Melodie: Sheâd better have just fallenâŠ
 Kid Mime: Alâ no murder
 Melodie: âŠÂ
  Kid Mime: DOES ANY1 NO HOW 2 GET OUR AMAZING MARI TO HANG OUT W/ US??? I ONLY GET 2 SEE HER AT ACHOOL AND IT SADDENS MEEEEEE
 Felix: She may just be shy, it would be best to give her time to adjust to her new environment.
 Melodie: I do hope she decides to join us soon though. I think she seems like a pretty cool person, especially if she could get out of her shell.
 The Mom Friend: allegra, give er time dont want to force her it might make her uncomforable
 Melodie: I know, thatâs not what I meant, I just worry about her.Â
 Kid Mime: Im with u there. i wory about her sometimes something just⊠i dunno
 Felix: It is understandable to be concerned. It seems likely that she may have rather low self-esteem, and lacks confidence in herself. That, as well as the fact that we still do not know where she got so many bruises.
 Melodie: I think we were right about why she was wearing longer clothes, did you guys notice sheâs wearing short sleeves now.
 The Mom Friend: poor thing at least she heeled now
  The Mom Friend: does anyone no y mari was so tired today
 Lovable Grump: I noticed, but she did not mention any reason in particular.
Lovable Grump: âŠ
Lovable Grump: Claude, Iâm changing my password again.
 Kid Mime: NOOOO pls we all have fun nicknamesssss
 Felix: Your nicknames have a tendency to be longer than my actual name, which makes them unnecessary.
 Melodie: Accept your fate Felix. Claude can not and will not be stopped. Also Allan, I donât know know about Marinette. She did seem pretty tired today thoughâŠ.
 The Mom Friend: hmmâŠ
 Kid Mime: FEEEELLLIXXXXXXX NOOOOO UR NAME IS SOO BORING NOWWWW!!!
 Felix: That is unfortunate for you.
Felix: It is not the first time that Marinette has seemed overly fatigued. She does commissions does she not? Perhaps one of her projects kept her up.
 The Mom Friend: maybe she should take on les if shes being overworked
 Kid Mime: *mom instincts activated*
 The Mom Friend: im just concerned about her health
 Melodie: Heâs got you there, Allan.
  Kid Mime: I CANT WAIT IS SCOOL OVER YET
 The Mom Friend: only a little longer
The Mom Friend: then to mariâs
 Kid Mime: I KNOOOOOOOOO
Kid Mime: I CANT WAIIIIIITTTTTTTT
Kid Mime: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
 Felix: Claude, you should calm down. You do not want to overwhelm her.
 Melodie: Iâm excited too! She actually wants to hang out with us after school and she invited us over to her house!
 Kid Mime: do u think i can finally get her number
 Felix: I doubt sheâs interested in your memes Claude.
 Kid Mime: but i cant even send her cute baby animal oictures
Kid Mime: or texxt her good moring
 Melodie: You mean texting her good morning like five minutes before first hour? After youâve already seen each of us in person anyways?
 Kid Mime: YES!
 The Mom Friend: all of u guys need to pay attention in class
 Kid Mime: :(((((( fine
  Melodie: Why did she give us a bunch of pastries and thank us?
 Felix: Perhaps she thought we were rather nice guests. Though I will admit I thought it rather odd as well.
 Kid Mime: as much as i like baked goods i donât get it??? I feel like were missing something? It seemed liek she was thanking us for soemthing else????? all we did was come over
 The Mom Friend: did anyone notice that there was a school right across the street?
 Melodie: Hmmm.
 Felix: As much as I wish to get satisfactory answers, it is not our place if she does not wish to share.
 Melodie: Fine, switching topics: Thoughts on Adrien?
 The Mom Friend: u mean the boy you accused of bullying her
 Melodie: >:( I just thought he seemed suspicious
 The Mom Friend: u meant well
 Kid Mime: PERSONALY I DONT NO Y SHE HID SOME1 SO GREAT FROM US
 Felix: Marinette was correct. The two of you should never have been introduced.
 Melodie: He seemed nice. (Besides the puns) I liked him
Melodie: Heâs got my approval
 The Mom Friend: thats good i dont think it wood be good if two of her friends didnt get along. He seems to understand when shes upset so thats cool very good
 Kid Mime: does our mom have another child now?!
The Mom Friend: âŠ
The Mom Friend: âŠmaybe
 Kid Mime: :)
 Felix: Moving on, Iâm impressed with the connections she has at such a young age.
 Melodie: RIGHT?! WHAT KIND OF BEAUTIFUL TALENTED STAR HAS BEEN GIFTED TO US?!
 The Mom Friend: allegra stop snooping on the internet we just agreed not to do that sort of thing
 Melodie: âŠ
Melodie: FineâŠ
 Kid Mime: i still didnt get her number :(
 Felix: Perhaps you could ask her at school.
 Kid Mime: BUT THATS SO FAR AWAY
 Felix: It really is not.
 The Mom Friend: let him be dramatic
The Mom Friend: its his middle name
 Kid Mime: it is
Kid Mime: as my unofficial official mom, he wood no
---
Authorâs Note:Â So basically, they're worried, but want to respect her privacy. I could have just said that, but I love their interactions. Â ÂŻ\_(ă)_/ÂŻ Â They're all just such sweethearts.
One thing I forgot to put in the note at the end of chapter 6 was my reasoning for Marinette getting to that point. I forgot one big reason (I'm sorry. This is why i need to write things down.) But for the most part it's that Marinette often takes the blame/apologizes for things that aren't her fault, so I feel she is quick to blame herself. That, combined with how she sees the good in people, I think she could have trouble identifying that she isn't at fault for how things turned out at her old school.
Okay, so this past weekend I was struck with the ability to write - don't ask I don't understand either - so basically now I'm writing chapter 11. Yeah, I managed to write the next 4+ chapters in a day. As much as I'd love to post them all now, I need to keep a regular schedule for the sake of my sanity and still need to edit them a bit. But hey, at least there's no chance of waiting too long now.
I really love seeing your comments so don't be scared to write one! I can assure you that it's one of my favorite parts of this.
Thanks for reading, and constructive criticism is welcomed! See (well, not 'see') you guys Saturday, with an akuma that doesn't like being lied to.
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