I really need a name for my ‘Gabe tries and fails to akumatize Marinette’ idea so I can stop calling it this long winded description all the time lol. For reference, I’m talking about this.
Now, a tentative plot progression in bullet point form:
Post Weredad (It’s more important that it’s after Chameleon, but I called back to weredad in that fic I’m writing)
At first Gabe is only mildly annoyed with Marinette for letting go of her anger and deflecting his Akuma, but he ultimately didn’t care since he thinks he gained a reliable ally in Lila.
Only Lila kinda sucks.
Sometime later Marinette is stressed out over some school work that backed up since her Ladybug duties and other obligations got in the way, and Gabe sees his third time to strike and he sends out an akuma.
*tap tap* it goes on Marinette’s window cuz they’re not open which presents a bit of a problem. Gabe never had to deal with something as trivial as being locked out before.
So Mari looks up and is alarmed at the akuma outside her window but then she realizes it can’t get in and just-
It is a temporary solution though. Eventually the Akuma finds it’s way in through the bakery, but luckily Marinette managed to calm down enough for it to be safe.
Queue Gabe’s temper tantrum because wow he just can’t win with this one can he??
Like it’s bad enough that he loses to Ladybug on a weekly basis, but now he can’t even manage to akumatize this girl, who last he checked was little more than a crazed fan of his son who steals books? Unacceptable.
Meanwhile Marinette is all like ‘Tikki this is 3 times now, what do I do if I can’t resist next time??’ So she suggests going to Fu’s for advice.
His advice is to teach her some meditation techniques so help calm herself when her emotions are heightened.
And at first it works! (Bonus: It helps with her anxiety around Adrien and overthinking things in general) Next time she gets angry about Lila spreading lies around, she’s able to apply proper breathing techniques before the akuma can even get into the school.
Suffice to say, Gabe is just incredulous because that is ridiculous.
He seeks Lila out again forlornly, already knowing she would fail. But why waste milage on his akuma?
After a few failed akuma he tries with this elusive girl again. Surely, SURELY 5th time would be the charm??
It is not the charm.
At this point, both Gabe and Marinette are getting fed up with each other. Marinette sees the akuma coming towards her and suddenly the hurt because of her friends not believing her about Lila is just gone because really? Really?
So Marinette just rolls her eyes and walks away.
like
Bye bitch
Gabe throws his cane against the wall.
Distantly he knows he might be losing sight of his actual goal, but now he just needed to akumatize this girl on pure principle. It would be his side project, a more obtainable goal, surely. When he akumatizes Marinette then at least Gabe can pretend he won at something.
He thinks that maybe he needs an actual plan.
Some time that night Gabe asks Adrien about his friend, the ‘designer one’, and if she would be interested in am internship with his company since he’s been studying her work and thinks she has great potential.
Adrien extends the invitation to Marinette the next day, completely excited for her, totally unaware that his Dad is about to execute Operation: Break Her Spirit (because he wants to WIN dammit) TO BE CONTINUED. In a part that’s less fun.
