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Stupid and in Love, P5

Chapter Five: La Paonne, Master of Illusions (Or Better Yet, Lies)

Nino is a chill guy. He’s always been known for keeping his calm, going with the flow. He’s not the kind of dude who gets upset over small things, or jealous when someone else has a crush on Marinette…

Okay, Evillustrator was a completely different thing. That...that was him being a hero! Protecting her from evil.

(It’s a story for another time, thank you!)

But yeah. Nino is super chill. Like, ice cube chill.

So why does the new girl get on his nerves so badly?

She seems pleasant, too. A transfer, daughter of an Italian ambassador. The girl, Lila just wants to make friends. She’s nothing but sweet, with a cheerfulness to match Adrien’s and a kindness that parallels Marinette...so why does she rub Nino the wrong way?

He asks Wayzz about his gut feeling, the Kwami shrugs.

“Sometimes the human subconscious can pick up on danger that you may not otherwise perceive,” the small turtle says calmly as they hide in the empty bathroom. “Perhaps you should look into the matter.”

So he does, because his little buddy is never wrong about this stuff. (Nino thinks it’s cause the Kwami is roughly a bajillion years old, but he won’t say that out loud. Respect your elder gods and all.)

He follows her to the library, where she talks with Adrien. Adrien, his best bro, who is holding a book on...is that a hero? Are those...Miraculous wielders?

Huh. Nino should probably tell Ladybug about that, huh?

Nino hears shuffling, and glances around. And then he blinks, surprised, because he sees Marinette eyeing the new girl, Lila, with curiosity. She, too, seems distrustful of the girl. Nino wonders if she has the same weird feeling, or if there’s something else Marinette is thinking.

Maybe Marinette is just feeling shy.

The sound of books falling makes Nino look away, and he sees Lila and Adrien on the ground, picking up Adrien’s books as Lila apologizes for knocking them over, with Adrien waving off her apologies before walking off, books in hand.

Nino hums lightly, wondering why the feeling isn’t gone, and then he looks to Marinette.

And he sees the ways her eyes narrow, and she starts to follow Lila.

He follows her.

“What’s up, Nette?” He asks when he reaches her, making sure Lila doesn’t hear his voice.

Marinette jumps, turning on him with wide eyes.

“Not much, Nino! Were- were you looking for something?” She’s fidgeting, glancing around, trying to look natural.

She’s an awful liar, but it just makes Nino smile. It just shows how amazing she is, that she’s always so honest.

“I saw you following Lila,” he admits. “Why?”

“I think she took his book,” she whispers the confession after a few seconds, and Nino scowls.

“I knew something was up with her! Don’t worry Nette, I’ll handle this.” And then he’s storming off, trying to find her, missing the way Marinette blinks and looks to her own Kwami, trying to find answers that the little goddess doesn’t have.

Nino finds Lila leading Adrien to the park, smiling and giggling. Adrien follows, responding with ease.

They stop in a secluded area, and Nino hides among the trees, eyes trained on Lila.

He won’t lose track of her, not this time…

“So, what did you want to tell me?” Adrien asks, as happy as always.

Lila giggles, leaning in. “Well, I noticed how much you love heroes, what with your book and all…”

“Oh!” Adrien blushes, smiling. “Yeah, the heroes are really cool. Especially Ladybug. Did you see how she took down the latest Akuma? She’s so awesome.” Then Adrien pauses and laughs awkwardly. “Wait, you couldn’t have. You just moved here.”

“Yes, the fight was so intense!” Lila gasps, it’s over exaggerated and makes Nino wary. He glances away for a second, locking eyes with Wayzz, who seems just as wary. “I mean, from what I’ve heard.”

“Uh, okay?” Adrien tries to brush it off, willing to ignore the weird response, but Lila sighs.

“I can’t hide this anymore. You seem really sweet, Adrien, and I’d hate to keep this a secret. You’re trustworthy, right?” Lila giggles when Adrien nods. “Of course you are. I’m going to tell you something, but you have to keep quiet about this, okay?”

“Sure, what’s the matter?”

“You see...I’m actually a hero, too,” Lila confides, and Nino feels his eyes widen. There’s no way she is, right? Unless...is she Rena Rouge?!

“Really?” Adrien gasps out, and Lila nods.

“Really!” And Nino watches her pull out a peacock themed broach. “I’m actually a secret hero named La Paonne. I work from the shadows to help Ladybug and her team.”

Nino sees the way Adrien blinks, how he hesitates and his excitement dims. And he feels the way his blood boils.

He’s normally calm. He’s normally chill, relaxed, laid back-

But there is no Peacock hero. At least, there isn’t at the moment. And Nino knows Ladybug would have told them if they had a teammate, especially someone that worked from the shadows!

He doesn’t know what upsets him more- that the new girl is trying to claim to be a savior of Paris to make herself look better, or that she’s lying to his best friend.

The second, because Adrien finally blinks and smiles. “Wow, that’s amazing! I didn’t even know there was a secret hero!”

“That’s the point, silly.” She giggles again, the sound making Nino scowl even more, and then taps his nose playfully. “Ladybug trusted me to guard her back, we are best friends after all.”

Nino feels his hands curl into fists as Wayzz whispers, “The Peacock Miraculous was lost long ago, and it was broken. Whatever that girl has, that isn’t Dusuu’s Miraculous.” He adjusts his own Miraculous, the bracelet charm shining in the light.

“I think it’s time she sees a real hero,” Nino decides. “Wayzz, shell-”

“Just who do you think you are?” Rena Rouge’s voice cuts through the air as she leaps out from behind a bush, and Wayzz zips into Nino’s bag.

(They’re lucky that Rena didn’t notice them.)

“I- I’m-” Lila tries, but Rena is nothing but pure rage right now.

“A liar, that’s what! Let me tell you, little miss, we don’t have a Peacock hero! And if we did, it wouldn’t be you. It’d be someone fighting by our side, because we don’t do shadow work. That’s Hawkmoth, because he’s a coward. If you were a hero, you’d know that we risk our lives to get up close and personal with Akumas to protect Paris. I don’t appreciate hearing some little teenager trying to take credit for the risks we take so she can impress some boy, thank you very much.” With one last huff, Rena Rouge turns around and jumps away, disappearing quickly.

Nino looks back to the scene. Adrien looks taken aback, and Lila...Lila looks pissed. The Italian runs off before Adrien can even say a word.

Nino takes that as his cue to leave. He doesn’t notice that Adrien’s book is in the trash can nearby, and neither does the blonde as he walks away.

And nobody notices Marinette as she slips onto the scene afterward, urged on by Tikki.

~~~~~

“What is it?” The bluenette asks, unheard as she races after her Kwami.

“I think the book is nearby! It’s important!” Tikki says, darting around. “We need to find it!”

“I just wanted to design,” Marinette moans out. “The sky looked so pretty.”

“You’ll have time later, Marinette! This might be about the Miraculous!”

“What?” Marinette yelps, and then she’s searching just as intently. Five minutes pass, then ten, then-

“I found it, Tikki!” Marinette cheers, yanking the book out of the trash can.

Tikki zips over, eyes scanning the book as Marinette flips through it. “We have to get this to the Guardian!” Tikki blurts out. “Come on, Marinette!”

“Wait, who?” Marinette asks, but Tikki is zipping away. “Tikki!”

“Come on! I’ll answer questions when we’re there!”

Marinette sighs, letting her little friend lead the way. Maybe she’ll get to design later?

She doubts it.

~~~~~

Her doubt was right. She just got relaxed, she just finished all of her homework and was about to chill on her balcony, with nothing but her sketchbook and some pencils to pass the time…

When some fudging Peacock snatched her and ran off.

“You’re in danger, little lunare,” the bird cooes as she darts along the Parisian sky.

“Huh?” Marinette responds, ever the eloquent gal.

“A man was Akumatized, he’s stalking down beautiful girls. Apparently he was rejected by someone, and believes he’s owed love from everyone now. He was climbing up your house.” Her mysterious heroine glares behind her, huffing, then turns her gaze back to Marinette. “I knew I couldn’t let such a beauty be harmed, so I swooped in without a second thought.”

Marinette blushes at the heroine’s words. “Ah..thank you, uh…”

“Call me La Paonne.” La Paonne smiles. “Your personal guardian.”

Marinette giggles. “Thank you, La Paonne, I-” She hesitates, the girl’s words striking a bell.

Guardian?

Marinette recalls the rest of her lunch period. How she ran after Tikki and learned of the existence of a Miraculous Guardian. How she met the man, and recognized him as the one she helped to cross the road on her first day of school. How they talked about the book and quickly made a copy, as she knew she’d have to return the original to Adrien soon.

...How she saw a Peacock hero...one who looks oddly similar to the one who holds her now, who claims that they saved her from an approaching Akuma that neither she nor Tikki noticed.

And just as Marinette starts to doubt the mysterious girl that continues to dart across Paris, her judgement is confirmed.

Because her actual hero leaps in front of them.

And he looks pissed.

~~~~~

Nino didn’t expect Lila to get Akumatized.

Okay, no. He kind of did. Rena Rouge definitely didn’t hold back when yelling at the Italian.

But why at night? Nino just wanted to patrol, to get some fresh air, maybe some inspiration for his music.

Instead, Carapace finds himself face to face with ‘La Paonne’. And to make matters worse? His Nette is currently being carried in her arms.

“Who are you?” Carapace growls out, on edge, and he sees the way Nette tenses in fear, eyes darting to her holder and back to him.

“I’m La Paonne.” She smiles easily, but he sees how she shifts. He does, too, pressing a button on his shield, calling his team and sending his location. “Ladybug chose me to work in the background and help you. I’ve tried to stay out of sight, to be a hidden trick-”

“Then why are you out now?” He growls out, but he knows. Nette seems to realize the problem, because her eyes are scanning the area, more frantic than before, and he can see the way she fidgets.

“She was in danger,” La Paonne says calmly. “I saved her from an Akuma. He’s still on the loose, though, so it’s best to go after him.” She smiles, holding Marinette a little closer. “I’ll protect her, or-”

“I will protect her,” Carapace bites out. “I don’t know who this Akuma is, or where he is, but if you do, I trust that you’ll deal with them. We don’t need any hidden partners, so you might as well show the world you exist.” He’s lying, he knows who the Akuma is, but La Paonne thinks he buys her act.

“I suppose you’re right. Take care of her.” La Paonne hands her over, and Carapace smirks as he hears two sets of footsteps landing behind him.

“Shellter,” Carapace says calmly, and a glowing green dome surrounds him and his Nette.

“What? What’s that all about?” La Paonne asks, and Carapace barks out a laugh.

“I know an Akuma when I see one, and I don’t appreciate one that tries to hurt others to further their goal,” he states.

“Took you this long to get Akumatized?” Rena Rouge asks. “I suppose you’re good at lying to yourself, too, Lila.”

La Paonne snarls, leaping at Rena Rouge and Chat Noir, and the battle begins.

~~~~~

Marinette watches with wide eyes as two of her teammates fight La Paonne, unable to leave the protective dome that Carapace created around them.

Speaking of, her hero kneels beside her. He gazes at her with concern, asking, “Are you alright? She didn’t hurt you, did she?”

“No!” Marinette squeaks out, blushing. “I’m, uh, fit as a fiddle!” Who says that?

Carapace seems relieved by her answer, though. “That’s good to hear, br- beautiful.” His dome flickers, and he winces. “My shellter will only last a bit longer, and then I’ll only have five minutes. The moment it wears out, I’m getting you out of here, okay?”

He called her beautiful. Carapace called her beautiful. He thinks she’s pretty!

Oh, oh he asked her a question didn’t he?

“Okay!” She says, then winces as she hears Chat Noir knock into a chimney. Her teammates are getting hurt, and she’s here talking to Carapace...she’s not even suited up yet.

So Marinette sighs and looks around. She spots a few things quickly. A doorway, letting her down into the apartments they landed on. A pipe, just laying on the ground. And Carapace’s shield, which he holds in one hand.

“Hey, Carapace?” She starts, and all of his attention goes to her.

“Yes, beautiful?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” His lack of hesitation surprises her, but then Marinette beams.

“Follow my lead.” And then she takes his shield and hits the dome, shattering it.

“Hey!” He screams, but she’s on the move. The crash startles La Paonne, distracting her long enough that Rena gets a good punch in. By the time the Akuma is back up, Marinette has the pipe in her hands.

“Why you mangy fox, I’ll make you pa-”

La Paonne is cut off when she gets hit in the head by a pipe. She turns to see the cause, but the door slams behind Marinette as she darts into the building.

Seconds later, Ladybug swings around the building and kicks La Paonne in the face, knocking her down. She snatches the broach, breaks it, and purifies the Akuma.

And then she looks to Lila.

“What happened?” Lila asks, then sees the broach in Ladybug’s hand. “Was I...oh no.”

“It happens to the best of us,” Ladybug tries to console the girl. “What happened?”

“I..I was trying to befriend this one boy,” Lila says softly. “And...I saw that he liked heroes. I thought, I thought,” she starts to cry, “I thought if I was a hero, he’d like me more.”

“But lying about being a heroine isn’t right,” Rena huffs out.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t realize it would be so offensive,” Lila cries, and Rena’s gaze softens. Chat fidgets, unsure what to do as the girl cries. Even Carapace seems remorseful for his anger, although not as much.

“It...it’s fine,” Rena says at last, then turns. “Just don’t do it again, got it?”

“Of- of course!” Lila promises with a quick nod.

“Great. Bye, guys.” Rena hops off.

Chat Noir sighs. “I need to head home. See you guys next time.”

Carapace opens his mouth to speak, but his Miraculous beeps, cutting him off. “Shoot,” he mutters. “Ladybug, can you check on Marinette?”

“Marinette?” Lila asks, confused.

“I will before I leave. Go on, Carapace.”

Carapace leaps away with thanks on his lips, and Ladybug excuses herself. She darts into the apartment building and detransforms. Two minutes later, Marinette races to the roof, where Lila stares at the Parisian sky.

“Lila?” Marinette asks, forcing herself to sound confused. “Were you La Paonne?”

Lila nods, and Marinette can see the tears. “What did I do to you?”

“Nothing bad!” Marinette promises. “You just...well, you kind of kidnapped me?”

Lila stares at her with wide eyes. “I what?!”

“It’s not the worst thing, honestly. I, uh, enjoyed the view?”

Lila giggles, and Marinette starts laughing, too.

“Well, can I...can I walk you home? It’s the least I can do,” Lila offers, and Marinette agrees.

As they walk, Lila admits to Marinette the same thing she told Ladybug moments before.

“I just… I just wanted to impress him. Is that so bad?” Lila asks, voice soft and quiet, but echoing in the streets.

“No, it’s not. I’m not a fan of liars, but I can see the appeal. Honestly, Lila, I don’t think you need to lie to impress anyone. You seem amazing as you are.” Marinette smiles, missing the way Lila blushes.

“You seem amazing, too,” Lila responds.

The rest of the walk is peaceful, and Marinette finds design inspiration in the twinkling skies, and a new friend under the streetlights.

Perhaps the day wasn’t a waste.

(A few blocks away, Nino has the feeling that he has competition, but doesn’t know why.)

~~~~~ Wow, it’s been far too long since I last wrote for this! I had toyed with the idea of going in order, but I...well, I was in a Lilanette mood? So if you want to see Evillustrator and how that played out (or maybe see some other episode?), hit me up and send me a request, and I’ll see what I can do!! Tags: @northernbluetongue @indecisive-mess-named-me @magnitude101999 @crazylittlemunchkin @allolale @immatureidiot101 @bee-wrecker @demigodgirl20031

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