Look, not everyone has to like every character, but the Alya salt is out of control in this fandom. It's to the point where people turn this sweet and loyal girl into a cruel and heartless bully in a way that doesn't even vaguely resemble who she is as a character.
And often times this is done either in the name of Lila takedowns or Chloe redemption (or both), which is really sad because I do love both of those things, but when I see the "Alya salt" tag added onto fics with those elements it turns me away.
It's a thing that I have seen with other characters and in other fandoms too though, where the fic writer wants one character to have the role another has in canon (best friend, significant other, etc), so they completely villainize the one with the canon role in order to get them out of the way, but it's just a trope that I don't care for in any form.
Hey can someone tell me the reason (besides obvious racism) why there's so many goddamn Alya Salt fics who treat her like she just betrayed Marinette for no reason and was Lila's bestie, when all she did was say "Mari, you need evidence before saying Lila's a liar"? Like seriously, there's SO many fics that have Alya as the baddie who Nino needs to either get away from or mindlessly follow?
I think the fandom needs more Chloe salt along with Audrey what about you?
It’s not really the Chloe redemption arc that I’m against. I’m just against it being used in the same stories that make out Alya or Adrien or any other classmates out to be irredeemable, when Chloe has done far worse in canon than what salt writers make them do in those fics.
Summary: During another invasive interview pushing her towards Chat Noir, Ladybug panics and claims that she’s dating someone. Who?
Oh, just her civilian identity. Dominos unexpectedly topple.
Ko-Fi
-_-
It was a heat of the moment thing.
Ladybug really couldn’t blame herself. Well, technically she could, considering she had agreed to another hour-long interview with Nadja and Chat Noir. Where, of course, the topic inevitably turned back to the nonexistent romantic relationship between her and her partner, not helped at all by the fact that Chat kept egging it on and nobody seemed to notice or care about her discomfort. The moment Alya appeared on screen and asked “So when are you going to admit your feelings for each other?”
She snapped.
“I have a girlfriend.”
Dead silence encased the studio. Chat gaped at her, Alya gaped at her, Nadja gaped at her, everyone gaped at her. It was only until a hand reached out of the audience that noise came back in. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, I have to agree,” Nadja said, a flustered blush making her cheeks red. “Excuse me?”
Welp, she had already said it, so might as well. “I have a girlfriend,” she repeated. Chat and Alya continued to gape at her. She took a deep breath in and plastered on a stern look. “Nadja, did you ever think the reason why I don’t confess my feelings for Chat is because I don’t have any?”
Silence encased the studio, but it was the silence where people were muttering to each other. Ladybug waited. Chat continued to gape, but Alya shut her mouth and made an odd squeaky noise.
Nadja finally took a deep breath in. When she opened her eyes, she seemed to be staring at her in a different way. Not as an icon or an idol or a celebrity, but as if Ladybug was a real person. She hadn’t even realized that she hadn’t been looking at her that way. “No,” she said. “I’m…so sorry, Ladybug. I hadn’t considered that.” Ladybug nodded but didn’t say a word. “May I ask who it is?”
Well, crap. She hadn’t expected that. She was tempted to say, “No comment,” but then it would be possible that people would catch on to the fact that she was lying. She needed someone. Ladybug thought for a moment and then prayed Tikki wouldn’t be too mad.
“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
Once again, the room descended into muttering silence. Chat was pulling out his staff with the angriest look she had ever seen on his face. Ladybug couldn’t help but raise a brow at that. But then Alya spoke with a “NO WAY!”
Ladybug raised a brow. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“Yes!” Alya said, seeming to not care about the fact that she was being televised live. “She’s in love with Adrien Agreste! He’s her soulmate, I’m sure of it!” Geez, Alya, thanks. Chat’s muttering stopped. “She’s been struggling to confess to him since the attacks first began! He’s-”
“A boy, Miss Cesaire,” Ladybug cut her off, keeping her voice bored. Yes, she did have a crush on Adrien once. But her feelings had faded over time, especially when she thought of how he reacted to Chloe and Lila hurting her. “A boy that is well-known and popular with the female population of Paris. A boy that would be expected if a person asked about a celebrity crush.”
Alya stared at her. She could practically see her put the pieces together. “What about Luka Couffaine? She dated him for…a few months!”
“Her and Luka Couffaine, I have discussed with her,” Ladybug said, keeping her voice calm. Her mind raced- she would definitely need to talk to Luka after this. “I will not pretend to be a good girlfriend, Miss Cesaire. Marinette does not know who I am under the mask- if anyone says that they do, they are lying-” Hopefully, that dealt with Lila. “Our relationship had to be kept secret. I cannot take her out on dates or meet her parents. So, we agreed to an open relationship.”
Nadja cleared her throat. “She does not know who you are?”
Ladybug shook her head. “No. We agreed that, after Hawkmoth is defeated and I can retire, I will reveal myself to her and discuss our relationship from there. I’m only being open with my relationship now since she knows I am uncomfortable with people trying to ship me with Chat Noir-”
“Because they know we’re meant to be!” Chat burst out. Honestly, she was surprised that he hadn’t spoken up sooner. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her close. “My Lady, think about it! We have so much more in common than some random civilian!” His eyes were dark, sending shivers up her spine. “You’re lying about Marinette, right? There’s no way you could fall for some random person-”
“Hey!” Alya spoke up, her voice bordering on fury. “Marinette’s not just some random nobody!” The camera shook as something slammed, most likely Alya’s fist slamming into the desk. “Marinette is the smartest, most creative person I have ever met! She’s probably the greatest actress of all time, and I would say that she has done so much more for Paris than you ever have on your own!” She took a deep breath. “Ladybug, you have great taste.” And with that, Alya’s camera cut short.
Nadja nodded. “Okay, next question,” she said, her voice still a touch strained from the bombshell that was just dropped on her.
Hopefully, this didn’t blow up.
-_-
It blew up.
Tikki, thankfully, didn’t seem mad. “It was clever,” she said before encouraging Marinette to go to bed.
When Marinette woke up surprisingly early, it was to a ton of messages on her social media and email. By the time she left for school, it was a flood that she was too afraid to look at. Her parents were surprisingly happy for her, with her dad apologizing for blowing up in such a way on Chat Noir. “It’s okay,” she said, hugging him. “It was awkward, but it kept Chat from following Ladybug.”
“Which I can’t believe he did!” her mother groused. “You think he would know better!”
“Yeah,” Marinette sighed, old annoyance flaring up. “Me too.”
Thankfully, there wasn’t a crowd of reporters- yet. So Marinette wasted no time in rushing over to school before one did form.
Once she was there, she found herself pausing. A large portion of the people she saw were wearing Ladybug’s spots or LGBTQIA+ merch, from full outfits to just hair clips. Several stopped to smile and give her friendly waves, while others looked starstruck. This was a bigger reaction than she was expecting.
She waved back and headed to her classroom. She sent another prayer to the surprisingly quiet Tikki that nothing happened and opened the door.
The classroom was surprisingly quiet, with Lila sitting in the back looking like she had all the life drained from her, until Marinette stepped inside. “Marinette!” Alya said, jumping to her feet. She had switched her orange flannel for one bearing the pan colors. She wasted no time in rushing up and practically scooping her up in a hug. The shock meant that it took a second before Marinette realized that Alya was apologizing into her hair. “-so sorry, I should’ve thought more about Ladybug’s feelings, I never meant to hurt her, swear-”
“It’s okay,” Marinette said, pulling away to smile at her bestie. “I know how people can get with superheroes, I think Ladybug forgives you.” She poked Alya’s nose. “Although I’m annoyed that you tried to air out my crush on Adrien to all of Paris.”
Alya sighed, nodding. “I know. Now that I think about it, it was super not cool.” She tried for a smile. “I’m sorry, girl.”
Despite herself, Marinette couldn’t stay mad. “I forgive you. But, don’t do it again.” Alya nodded and with that out of the way, she could move on. She looked around and couldn’t help but raise a brow. “But what’s going on? Why is everyone either wearing Ladybug stuff or pride stuff? If I had known, I would’ve dug my pride stuff out.”
“Oh, haven’t you checked online?” Nino called, his headphones decorated with bi stickers.
Marinette shook her head. “I’ve been too afraid to,” she admitted. “My social media has been flooded with messages and emails.”
“Oh, I can sort those for you, dudette.”
“Thank you,” she sighed, handing over her phone. “The code’s still the same.” Nino nodded as he began to fiddle with her phone.
“Anyway,” Kim said, wearing a transmac hoodie instead of his regular red hoodie. “The entire queer community adopted Ladybug as a queer icon after her interview last night. People have been debating for hours whether she’s a lesbian or bi.”
“Uh huh,” Well, at least the community was supportive. “I’m glad people are supportive.”
“Of course they are,” Alya said, leading her to their seats. “It’s Ladybug and you, the biggest sweethearts in Paris. If anyone isn’t, they look-”
“RIDICULOUS!” Chloe stormed in, wearing her normal clothing. Her gaze could’ve set Marinette on fire as she marched up and slammed her hands on her desk. On closer inspection, her eyes were rimmed red. “Break up with Ladybug.”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you deaf?!” Chloe shrieked, slamming her hand down. “Break up with Ladybug! There is only one girl that is perfect enough for her to date, and it’s certainly not you!”
“And I’m guessing that’s you?” Alya scoffed before Marinette could figure out a proper response that wasn’t not in your life. “Please, everyone knows Ladybug hates your guts.”
“She does not!” Chloe shrieked, tears beading up in the corner of her eyes. “She thinks I’m great! She chose me to be a hero! She knows I’m great! She-”
“Lost the Miraculous by accident, and you refused to give it back.” Marinette interrupted. Chloe’s jaw dropped, and she gaped at her. “Yeah, she told me about that. She thought you would do better, be better if you understood how your actions affect Paris. But you didn’t.” She leaned forward and that angry spark in her, the one that had been burning in her since Adrien pouted and moaned, burned. “Your actions are why people were celebrating that you were leaving Paris when you decided to go to New York.”
“Marinette!” Adrien called, also dressed in his normal clothes, but she held her hand out.
“You are nothing to Ladybug. Just a hazard and a safety risk.” Marinette leaned back in her chair. “The only reason I made that party for you is because Adrien asked. Nobody else.”
Chloe shut her mouth. She looked around the room. Sabrina looked away. Nobody else did, staring her down, bonded in silent agreement. Marinette expected her to rage, to scream, to throw a fit. Instead, she straightened up and walked to her seat. The moment she sat down, she hid her face.
“Marinette!” Adrien barked. “That was horrible! You-”
“Told her what Ladybug thought of her and what she needed to hear,” Marinette said, interrupting him. She leaned forward, allowing the anger brewing in her at him to burn in her eyes. “And if you don’t stop and think about your actions, so will I.”
Adrien stared with wide eyes. Without another word, but a nasty glance back, he turned and sat down. Nino scooted away from him before turning and holding up her phone. “Here, Nette,” he said. “There was some hate mail from people like Chloe,” Chloe flinched. “But a lot more of people supporting you.”
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Marinette said, taking her phone back.
The rest of the school day passed in silence. Twice, Adrien tried to get her alone, apparently undeterred by her threat, but Alya and the rest of the girl squad made sure there was a bodyguard nearby until Adrien had to leave for a photoshoot. (Rose was tiny but fierce in her desire to protect Marinette.) The rest of the school left her alone, excluding a few people who asked for her autograph and pictures and a whole bunch of gifts and letters in her locker. Marinette tried to ignore the heat in her face with all the love and care.
Finally, the school day was over. Marinette walked out and breathed a sigh of early relief. She could see a few news vans waiting outside the bakery, so she had that to stress about, but she had gotten through the school day relatively unscathed.
The sound of a guitar met her ears and she paused, coming to a stop on the stairs.
Right. Luka.
She meant to talk to him after the interview, but Chat Noir had been following her, insisting to talk more about them, that she hadn’t been able to. So, here she was, standing on the steps, trying her best to not be seen by the musician as he strummed his guitar, probably waiting for Juleka.
It was tempting to run. But Marinette had to be braver than that.
She took a deep breath and marched down the stairs, coming to a stop right next to him. Luka paused in his playing, staring at her. Marinette couldn’t look him in the eyes. Instead, she found herself staring at her feet. “Hi, Luka,” she said and immediately wanted to facepalm. Hi, Luka? Just that? Not, hey Luka, did you see the interview where Ladybug revealed I was two-timing you with her even though we’re the same person-
“You should’ve given me a heads up that we were poly,” Luka’s voice broke through her haze. She glanced up. Luka smiled at her, although it was edged with something. “I have a cute boy in my class, his name’s Felix, and I think you two would love each other.”
Marinette’s mind blanked, at first wondering what he was talking about, and then realization. “You…you aren’t mad?”
“I…I don’t know how to feel,” Luka admitted, and it was strange to see him admit that. Luka was the only boy she knew who was best in touch with his emotions. “On one hand, it makes a lot more sense than you pining over Adrien like everyone thought. On the other-”
“I lied,” Marinette admitted. “I lied, a lot, to you and everyone.” She gripped the edge of her shirt. “I kept ditching dates for something dumb, not related to her,” Luka raised a brow, but she continued on. “Sometimes I wished she didn’t exist because I trust you, Luka, I trust you so much but I keep having to lie because I care about her too and hurt you and and and-” Warm arms engulfed her but she couldn’t allow it, she needed to say it. “I’m so sorry, Luka.”
Luka didn’t say a word, just held her. Finally, he sighed. “I’m sorry too, Marinette,” he admitted. “I should’ve been better, maybe then-”
“No!” Marinette shoved him away. Luka stumbled back, looking hurt, but Marinette wasted no time in gripping his shoulders, staring him down. “You were wonderful,” she said, making sure he understood. “You were wonderful. I was the one who should’ve been better. I should’ve communicated better, I should’ve explained better about why I was leaving you in the lurch.”
“I was the one who got akumatized,” Luka said, staring back with wide eyes. “I went after you.”
“It was my fault you got akumatized in the first place!”
“No, it was not-” And now Luka was holding her shoulders, making sure she was looking at him. They probably looked strange, gripping each other’s shoulders like this, but Marinette didn’t care. “It was not your fault. It was Hawkmoth’s fault.” Right, right, Marinette needed to remember that. He was the one who took advantage of people. “We’re both crappy at communicating. We can work on that.”
Wait…
“You…want to try again?”
Luka paused and then nodded. “Now that I know more, enough to possibly understand some things,” He took in a deep breath. “Only if you want to?”
Marinette nodded back. “We can try,” And isn’t that what they all could do? “Maybe you can introduce me to Felix, and I can introduce you to…” She held up her hand at the sight of a familiar red car. “Hang on real quick.”
Luka blinked but nodded. Marinette smiled as they released each other before she turned and marched up to Kagami, who paused with a raised brow. Much to her delight, she wore gloves marked with the queer pride flag. “Wanna go on a date?” she asked promptly.
Kagami blinked. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then hummed. Marinette waited patiently. If Kagami had to think about it, than she was willing to wait. “Yes,” she finally said. “If your girlfriend is alright with it?”
Marinette nodded, feeling her face heat up. “Luka and I are trying again,” she admitted. “So he’s introducing a friend of his on our date. I wanted to introduce you to him, because I think you guys would be good friends, if not datemates.” She wanted to be honest where she could.
Kagami’s eyes brightened at the mention of friendship. “Then I certainly will come,” she said. “You have my number, so let me know the details.”
“I will.” She held out her hand and Kagami didn’t hesitate in giving it a squeeze. “Maybe after practice today, we can have our first date? At our usual spot?”
Kagami smiled. It was awkward, but it was sincere. “I would love that.” With one last squeeze of her hand, Kagami marched into the school.
Luka was chuckling when Marinette returned. “I guess we’ll have a full table,” he said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll talk to Felix and figure out a good time for us.”
Marinette nodded. “Let me know the details.” She paused. “And, thank you, Luka.” Before he could respond she took off running.
Lying about her girlfriend went better than expected!
Man, Adrien's just wants everyone to be happy, and because he goes on the wrong way, he gets a raw deal.
Will he ever get a break in your fics?
... Okay I have gotten 1 to many asks like this even though if you check my pinned post you would see all my fics with tags a fair few of which include Adrienette or even just cool friends Adrien and Mari but to make your life even easier HERE I will link every single fic I have written (to this date) in which there is 0 Adrien salt ENJOY:
Alya Salt Prompt: Views (Alya Salt / Prompt / Mild Lila Salt )
Ladybug Is Addicted to Pastries ( Fluff / Comedy Short )
Corruption: A Prompt ( Light Adrinette / Lila Salt / Prompt)
The Interview (Comedy /Gabriel Salt / Nathalie Salt / Lila Salt / BAMF Marinette)
The Interview Part 2: Live Broadcast ( Comedy / Gabriel Salt / Nathalie Salt / Lila Salt / BAMF Marinette / Hints of Daminette / Gay Adrien / AdriJon )
Jealousy & Honesty: Sugary Prompt (Innocent Lila AU / Marinette Is Insecure but Sweet / Marinette Talks to Her Mom / Prompt)
Who Framed Marinette Dupain Cheng (Comedy / Marinette Harem / Fluff / Class Sugar)
"So, why are we in a video group chat?" whined Kim.
"Yeah, I have work in the morning." growled Alya.
"Adrien sent me a video and said we should all watch it." Nino answered.
Many groaned.
"Can't we do this another time?" asked Alix
"How long is the video?" questioned Max.
"Uh, ten minutes?" The DJ replied.
"Okay." Rose spoke, "That's not sooo bad."
"So, its not a video-video." declared Nathaniel.
"What's it about?" Mylene asked.
"I don’t know." Nino spoke, "He just said we all had to watch it."
"Well, press start." Kim declared.
"Yeah, I wanna go back to bed." Alya sighed.
Everyone watched as Adrien popped up on the screen, like he was filming off of his phone.
"Shit!" He murmured, "Wrong side."
The group laughed. Suddenly, a runway appeared.
"A fashion show?" questioned Juleka.
"Why would he-" began Ivan.
"This year's winner is Marinette Wayne." The announcer cried.
"Wait! What?" Alya shouted.
"Marinette? As in our Mari?" Rose gasped.
"No. Couldn't be. They said Wayne." Nathaniel corrected.
To their shock, the Marinette they knew walked out with long hair, in a tight dress and heels.
"Thank you, all, so much." Marinette smiled, "I'm honored to be chosen to stand before you today. Thank you to my husband for dealing with my ridiculous schedule and for forcing me to go to sleep. Thank you to our children, who kept my days bright when I felt at my lowest and felt like nothing was good enough. My parents for always supporting me and the Wayne family for sneaking me coffee, when Damian forbid it."
That got some laughs. The camera shifted to some guy who looked really pissed off.
"No, but in all seriousness." And the camera was back on Mari, "Thank you Bruce, Tim. Jason, and Richard for welcoming me into your family with open arms and for the spur of the moment design adventures. My collection isn't complete without all of you. My commissions will be back up in a month and some slots have already been filled."
They watched as the grumpy man took the stage.
"The world doesn't deserve the beauty you show it, Mon Ange." He spoke, "If I wasn't already married to you, I'd propose all over again."
They cooed in time with the audience. Mari smiled at her husband and handed the mic back, before he led her back stage.
"Holy shit! Mari got married and has kids!" Adrien shout-whispered, "Imma go see if I can catch her and say 'Hi'."
The group watched as Adrien tried to squeeze through the crowd and tripped.
"Fuck; I'm alright." He spoke to himself.
"Mr. Agreste, I wasn't aware you had backstage passes." Spoke a security guard.
"Right here!" He shouted, practically shoving his badge in the guard's face.
The guard backed up and verified the pass. They nodded and allowed him in.
"Hey, have you seen Marinette Wayne, the contest winner?" Adrien asked a model.
"Get that camera out of here, you jerk!" They shrieked.
"I'm not filming you!" Adrien replied. "I just wanna see Mari!"
"No, i haven't seen her." The model shot back.
"Shit." He mumbled.
"Hey, he's looking for the new girl!" The model shouted.
"Hubby took her through the back!" Someone called out, "They had plans!"
"So, she won't even be at the after party?" The former model whined.
"Probably not. I heard her panicking before the show started." The new model replied. "Something about her uncle or something. I don't know; I didn't really pay attention. Could have been a ploy."
"Lita had to call her husband over to calm her down. He promised to take her to the airport after the show." Another model spoke, as they walked by.
Adrien nodded and walked out, "Damn, I wish I had congratulated her."
The video cut suddenly.
"Holy shit!"
"Oh my god!"
"That was Marinette!"
"Did you see how long her hair was?"
"She got married!"
"He seems like a grump."
"Who cares; she has kids!"
"What about the death threats?"
"She looks so happy."
"He looks like he could protect her."
Alya stared at the screen in silence as everyone continued to be amazed at Marinette's life.
'After everything we did, none of it mattered. Mari never got with Adrien. Lila ended up getting bullied by someone else and rejected by Adrien, in the end. She never forgave him for that. Lika felt so humiliated that she left the school and they lost contact after a few months. The only reason she even talked to him now, was because of Nino. Now, Marinette just...vanishes and gets a perfect life? She's married with kids! That guy looks nothing like Adrien!'
Alya blinked and realized the screen had gone dark. She turned her head and saw Nino staring at her, before wiping years away.
"It....It doesn't make sense!" She cried out, "I thought she was in witness protection or something, after her parents told us about the death threats! She just stopped talking to us! She still has her same name, Nino! She's married! She has kids! She's a fashion designer! How did everything work out for her and not for us?" Alya shouted.
Nino sighed and unlocked Alya's wheelchair. Alya growled and made her way back to the bedroom. She dragged herself back onto her bed and pouted.
"You have therapy tomorrow, remember? Maybe you can bring this up there." Nino answered, softly.
"That wont change the fact that she got everything she never deserved!" Alya cried, "She was a bully and controlling! She stalked your best friend! She-"
"Was threatened and scared." Nino spoke, " She was fifteen when she left Paris. It's been ten years, Alya, but you keep blaming her for everything. You even blamed her for when you ran into traffic and lost your leg."
"I keep telling you; she did it all the time and was fine!" Alya screeched, " I should have-"
"Enough, Alya!" Nino shouted, then sighed, "If I had known what was on the video, I wouldn't have shown you. I'm sorry and I'm going to bed. Max and I have work in the morning."
"Nino." Alya whispered, as he reached the door, "Do you think that if she had watched my sisters that day, we would have worked out?"
"No." He answered, "You are in our guest room because it is close to your therapist's office. I know you're trying, but try harder. The girl I remember didn't give up and she got lost somewhere years ago. If I could meet that girl again, that would be nice."
Alya stared at the door as it shut.
'I don't know how to prove it, but she ruined everything. My life was amazing until she left. It was like she sucked all the good luck out of me. Maybe if I can finish therapy, Nino will see I'm right and he'll love me like he use to.'
