An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
summary
The trust between Ladybug and Chat Noir is stretched to breaking point when a new butterfly holder emerges in the wake of Monarque's defeat. Chat Noir doesn't know who to trust until Chrysalis confronts him with a truth Ladybug had tried to bury: Monarque made the Wish—and she wants Chat Noir’s help to undo it.
excerpt
“I shouldn’t,” she said quietly, turning her face away. “Besides, I’m not really in a party mood… there’s still Guardian stuff to do.”
He studied her gaze, fixed on something unseen in the distance. Though he’d long grown accustomed to the way his heart tugged harder toward her the further away she went, this time the pang ground deeper in his chest.
“Right, of course,” Chat Noir said, turning away too. “You took Monarque down.” You and Gabriel Agreste, he couldn’t help thinking. “I’m sure you have a lot to talk to Nooroo about. And Su Han. And the team.”
What a talk that would be, when Chat Noir would receive the play-by-play alongside all the other Holders. There was no point being angry about it. Not when Gabriel was gone, when Ladybug wore her victory like a shroud, when there was still so much work to do. Chat Noir didn’t know how to be angry without destroying anything—and so much had already been destroyed.
“And you have to find a new Butterfly Holder too, right?”
so excited to do this collab with @ladyofthenoodle! this fic is gonna be amazing guys. don't let all the angst scare you away from the happy ending ;)
Anddd this chapter officially marks us a week into Ladrien June! I hope you guys like it. This chapter is set during mid-s5 so keep that in mind before reading :). Lemme know what you think <3
AO3
Ladybug felt her heart plummet to her stomach as she swung from rooftop to rooftop. She watched as the akuma slammed into the ground, mere inches away from Adrien. She picked up the pace, swinging faster in a desperate attempt to save him.
The akuma had interrupted her mini date with Adrien as Marinette at the Place des Vosges. He had gotten her to safety before leading the akuma away from her. A wonderful sacrifice that had left her heart wobbling in her chest. Either way, he had given her just enough time to transform and come back just to see that Adrien hadn’t made it out yet.
An involuntary gasp left her lips as she watched him duck and dodge away from the slashes of the akuma’s sword. This only seemed to infuriate the villain whose mad swipes became shorter and quicker. Her heart pounded against her chest as she watched their battle.
Adrien attempted to roll out of the way and Ladybug held her breath. Some of the tension in her shoulders relaxed when she watched him stand up, seemingly unharmed. Narrowing her eyes, she was just about to land in front of him to keep him safe when the akuma lashed out once more, slicing against Adrien’s leg.
He fell to the ground with a wince, clutching his ankle in pain. A quiet, almost silent shriek tore through her lips as she saw him fall. A mixture of rage and worry overwhelmed her as she watched the akuma smirk, striding towards him. He pointed his sword, about to deliver the fatal strike.
But it was too late. Ladybug swooped in, picking Adrien up as she tore out of there as fast as she possibly could. She needed to get him to safety! Hopefully, Chat would be able to get started on the villain whilst she was busy protecting Adrien. Right now, all she could think about was making certain that he hadn’t gotten too badly injured.
She swung the two of them up to a rooftop. Carefully, she set him down on the ground. Her stomach swooped as she watched him almost fall straight back down. Using herself as support, she tried to take as much of his body weight as she could.
Everything would be fine once she used her lucky charm, she tried to tell her racing heart. He’d be safe after she stopped that akuma once and for all.
“Are you alright, Adrien?” Ladybug’s voice was soft as she gazed at him. Her hands trembled as he leaned even more against her, trying to take the pressure off his leg. She had to get him home. Had to ease at least some of his pain.
The grimace on Adrien’s face did nothing to assuage her worries. If anything it just made them worse. Especially when he tried to smile at her. It was weak and filled with pain.
Her lips wobbled and she struggled to keep the sobs of apologies from leaving her lips. Adrien didn’t know who she was. Couldn’t know who she was. Not until Monarch was defeated and she could finally share her secret identity with him anyway.
“I’ll be alright, Ladybug.” He attempted to wave her off. “You need to go and stop that akuma.”
Already she was shaking her head. That was not happening. Not on her watch. He was much too important to her to leave him all alone on a rooftop. “That can wait, Adrien. I need to get you home. You need to lie down. You’re hurt.”
She scanned him, allowing herself a quiet breath of relief when she noticed that he was alright. She had been worried that the akuma’s sword had done serious damage to more than just his leg but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Her mind flashed back to that akuma, her thoughts filling with murderous fury as she recalled the way he had attacked Adrien. She was certainly going to make the fight a quick one this time.
Ladybug tried to pick him up but he simply hobbled away. A frown furrowed her brows as she watched him. Now he was being ridiculous.
“I’m fine, really! Paris needs you. And I’ll be alright after you use your lucky charm anyway. Besides, I’m sure Chat Noir really needs your help right now.” A pointed look entered his eyes as he emphasized his words.
Her gaze softened and the small pucker on her forehead smoothed out as her head tilted. The tiniest smile lit up her face. It was no wonder that she had fallen in love with Adrien. He was so selfless. It was sweet. Even if it was stupid. Sometimes, she wished he could be just a little less stubborn.
Once again, Ladybug shook her head. “Chat’ll be fine. I trust him. I’m sure he’s already picked up a few things fighting the akuma.” An odd glint entered Adrien’s eyes but before she could decipher it, the look faded away. “But I won’t be able to focus unless I know that you’re home safe. I can’t just leave you alone up here. Right now, you need me more than Paris does.”
His lips parted in surprise and something that looked briefly like utter joy before he closed his eyes and shook his head harshly. Eventually, he opened them with a hesitant chuckle. “Well, if it helps you focus.”
Ladybug beamed. Taking him into her arms, she swung the two of them over to the manor. She let herself enjoy the brief, wonderful moments when her boyfriend was cradled in her arms. He looked so adorable cuddled against her chest. And it was nice to feel his arms tightly wrapped around her.
Quickly, though, Ladybug slid into his room. Unfortunately, there was still an akuma to fight. Gently, she placed him down on the couch.
Worry and uncertainty fluttered in his eyes as Adrien shifted on the couch. Ladybug managed to hold in a sigh. If only she had managed to get there sooner. That way he never would have had the chance to get hurt. Then she could have stopped all of this pain from ever existing.
She retrieved a cushion and carefully propped it under his injured leg for support. Adrien winced as she adjusted his position, but he still managed to offer her a grateful smile nonetheless. Ladybug's heart swelled with affection as she brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead.
"Stay here, Adrien," she insisted gently, her voice filled with determination. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Just hold on, okay?"
Adrien nodded, his expression a mix of concern and trust. "Alright, Ladybug, I will. Just... be careful. Please. This akuma’s tough."
Before she could talk herself out of it, she pressed a brief kiss to his forehead. He looked shocked at the action and she gave him a small grin before rushing out of the room. Adrien didn’t call after her and she wasn’t sure whether she was glad he didn’t or not. She would’ve almost certainly gone back if he had.
On one hand, Ladybug wanted to be able to spend even more time with him but on the other, she knew how essential it was that she helped Chat defeat this akuma. Oh, if only there were two of her. Then she’d be able to be in two places at once. Taking care of Adrien and saving Paris.
As she swung through the city, her mind raced with thoughts of both his safety and the akuma they had left behind. She knew that she had to defeat it to keep him safe but at the same time, all that she could think about was going back to his side to make certain he was alright.
As Ladybug neared the site where the akuma had last been spotted, she cleared her mind. It was time to focus. The faster she defeated him, the faster that she’d be able to check on the boy she loved.
Art by the amazing, showstopping, most belovedst, spectaular, unique, never the same @thesquipproject
Summary:
Adrien -now Mr. Dupain Cheng- is a dorky science teacher who puns a lot and gets mistaken for that one obscure child-celebrity Adrien Agreste (Whatever happened to that kid? Wasn't he like, Hawkmoth's son?)
One of his students, Matthieu Magan, a punny and (seemingly) happy-go-lucky fifteen-year-old boy who at first doesn't like Adrien very much but LOVES Chat Noir, discovers his secret by accident.
Adrien is suddenly stuck with a kid who adores him in a very "Miles Morales and Peter B. Parker" sort of situation and takes him under his wing, quickly regretting doing so because of how similar they are. First butting heads with one another, Adrien trains Matt to become a Miraculous holder and Matt is eager to prove himself, even if it gets him in trouble!
Adrien shows up on Luka's doorstep with some big news and an unexpected question.
“It’s just...I got to thinking…” Adrien paused to take a deep breath before the words rushed out of him. “If something ever happens to me you’ll take care of her, right?”
Read on Ao3
A soft knock at the door of his apartment made Luka pause. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Maybe it was just a kid playing a prank, or someone with the wrong address. But when the knock was repeated, Luka dragged himself off the couch to check who it might be. When he looked through the peephole and saw Adrien Agreste on his doorstep, his first response was to grind his teeth together. His second was to sigh and open the door for him.
Adrien looked up at Luka sheepishly. They hadn’t really spoken since the wedding. Luka told himself he was happy for them both and left it at that. He locked away any potential for jealousy— boxed it away in a small, secret part of his heart, and promised himself to never think of it again. He still kept in touch with Marinette, as much as he allowed himself to, and she usually told him how Adrien was in the same breath.
He and Adrien had a simple, unspoken understanding. They both loved her. They both understood the other's position. There wasn’t usually any need for their paths to cross. Luka had even relinquished his Miraculous when Adrien and Marinette had started dating after the identity reveal to make things easier on everyone. Even though it killed him to give up Sass. Marinette had protested, of course, but Luka’s mind had been made up. He’d only get in the way.
“Can I come in?” Adrien asked, as shyly as Luka had ever known him to. This was a breach of protocol and they both knew it. Luka stood aside in silent acknowledgement.
Once inside, Adrien started to wring his hands nervously and pace along the entryway tile. Luka had no clue what Adrien wanted, but if he was here, it must be important. Luka shut the door and leaned back against it to wait for Adrien to spit it out.
“I have some news,” Adrien started. Luka nodded for him to continue. “Marinette’s pregnant.”
Luka’s eyes widened before he could stop them. He managed to close his mouth quickly, but his teeth clicked with the force of the motion.
“She doesn’t want to tell anyone yet.” Adrien stopped pacing and met Luka’s eyes, solemnly swearing him to confidence. “Her mom and dad don’t even know yet.”
Luka cleared his throat. “So why are you telling me?”
Adrien picked up his pacing again. His nerves were starting to make Luka fidgety, too. He almost wanted to reach out and grab Adrien just to make him stop moving. Finally, he did stop, and he faced Luka at attention, although he was still fiddling with his Chat Noir ring.
“It’s just...I got to thinking…” Adrien paused to take a deep breath before the words rushed out of him. “If something ever happens to me you’ll take care of her, right?”
Luka blinked. Once. Twice. He still couldn’t process what Adrien was asking. Adrien let out his breath in a huff.
“Last night. Marinette and I were talking about being superheroes as well as parents. How it would work, you know,” Adrien tried to start again, “and it made me think about all the narrow misses I’ve had.”
He fixed his eyes on Luka’s. “And I thought about Marinette. Being alone. I wouldn’t want her to miss me. I would want her…” He tensed his jaw. Luka braced himself for whatever was coming. “I would want her to move on and fall in love again.”
The words knocked the breath out of Luka. Adrien waited. He knew what his words meant. It was their mutual understanding, blown wide open. It was an admission that Marinette could have loved Luka once. That if Adrien hadn't been in the picture, Marinette could have chosen Luka. That if the worst should happen, Luka had Adrien's blessing.
Luka braced himself with a hand on the doorknob behind him as he slumped backwards. He’d been doing his best not to think about what ifs. Now they all came crashing in on him. His eyes couldn’t seem to focus on anything except a spot on the floor directly behind Adrien.
In his peripheral, Adrien shifted uncomfortably. “You’ll be there for her, won’t you?”
Luka nodded. Automatically. Of course he would be. He’d always be there for Marinette.
There was an awkward pause between them.
“Orchids are her favorite,” Adrien started cautiously. Luka’s eyes snapped up. “She likes surprise gifts, but gets embarrassed if they cost too much.”
He waited for Luka to object, to say something, but Luka was still reeling from almost a decade of repressed feelings rushing back at once.
“She likes a splash of coffee in her cream. And don’t tell her, but she acts just like Sabine, especially when she’s angry.”
Luka’s swirling thoughts finally caught up to him. Adrien was being helpful, in his own way. He was giving Luka tips on courting Marinette. For if he ever needed them. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and managed to pull himself upright again.
Adrien’s cheek pulled up in a sad half-smile. “Babies make her smile every time.” Tears were starting to gather in his eyes. “She’ll be a fantastic mother.”
Finally, Luka understood. Adrien was terrified.
“And you’ll be a fantastic father,” he managed to say.
Adrien avoided Luka’s eyes. “I can’t be a father,” he admitted quietly.
Luka reached out to grip Adrien’s shoulder and shook him the smallest amount. “Marinette thinks you can be.”
Adrien cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes hurriedly. “Uh, what else? She hates glitter. I bought her a card once covered in it and she went on for a solid ten minutes about it.”
Luka pressed his thumb into the hollow of Adrien’s shoulder. Enough to hurt. “Adrien, you can’t run away from this.”
Adrien shrugged Luka’s hand off irritably. “I’m not. But being Chat Noir... Let’s just say I know the odds aren’t in my favor.”
“They would be if you didn’t throw yourself in front of every shot.”
“That’s just it, though. That’s what I do. That’s what being Chat Noir means. I’m the sacrificial pawn.”
Luka couldn’t help the mean chuckle that slipped through his teeth.
“What?”
“It hasn’t occurred to you to change your strategy?” Luka asked.
Adrien opened his mouth, then closed it.
“Let me get this straight. Your first thought after hearing you’d be a father was not, ‘I’d better be more careful,’ but ‘I’d better make sure that if I die in battle, my good friend Luka will pick up the pieces of my shattered family’?” Luka was being cruel, he knew. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t the truth.
Adrien still hadn’t recovered. He was just glaring at Luka now.
“What if, and here’s a crazy idea, but what if you let someone look out for you for once. A bishop to your pawn.”
“I can’t let Marinette-”
“I wasn’t talking about Marinette.” Luka’s voice was firm. He could almost see the gears moving in Adrien’s head.
“You’d be Viperion again?”
“As long as you need me.” Luka crossed his arms over his chest. As far as he was concerned, the decision was made. Marinette was happy with Adrien. Which meant it was Luka’s job to keep Adrien safe. Nothing more to it. “With Second Chance, it doesn’t matter if you make stupid mistakes. Although I’d really appreciate it if you at least tried to show some restraint. For Marinette’s sake if not for mine.”
Adrien nodded thoughtfully. He went to tuck his hands in his pockets and he seemed surprised to find an object inside one of them. Probably Marinette's Lucky Charm he always had on him. He fiddled with it while he processed. Luka could guess what he was mulling over. It wouldn’t be comfortable to work together again. But they were both bound to Marinette, one way or another.
“Alright then,” Adrien said eventually, “but I need you to do one more thing for me.”
Luka shrugged.
“Come over for dinner tonight? Marinette’s making dumplings and I think she’d love to see you.”
Luka smirked. “As long as I get to tell her you want me to woo her in the event of your untimely demise.”
“What makes you think she doesn’t already know?”
Adrien pulled the snake Miraculous out of his pocket. They both stared at it in Adrien’s palm.
Luka let out an incredulous laugh as he picked up the bracelet with shaking fingers. “She knows us well, doesn’t she?”
Adrien nodded. “Always one step ahead.”
As Luka fastened the bracelet around his wrist, Sass appeared in a flash of teal. Instantly, he took his customary place settled on Luka's shoulder, hiding in his hair while his tail wrapped lightly around Luka's neck. Luka felt Sass nuzzle against his neck and couldn’t help the happy tears that sprang to his eyes.
Luka nodded and swiped his tears away with his thumb as he cleared his throat.
“To be honest, though, the team hasn’t been the same without you. I’m surprised Marinette didn’t ask you to come back sooner.”
Luka paused to think as he tucked a finger underneath the familiar bracelet and tugged at it gently. Why wouldn’t Marinette come to give this to him herself? Why would she risk sneaking a Miraculous, Luka’s Miraculous, to Adrien without asking him explicitly to deliver it?
When the answer hit him, Luka shook his head and started chuckling at their mutual stupidity. “It had to be our idea.”
He watched as Adrien gradually came to the same conclusion he had. “She wanted us to talk.”
Luka nodded. They’d both been so stubborn—Luka thought he’d be in the way and Adrien probably thought Luka was bitter—and sweet, sensible Marinette, sick of being caught in the middle, had been forced to knock their heads together.
"Always one step ahead," Luka murmured.
They both paused as they met each others’ eyes, caught in the new unspoken understanding that was washing over them. They both loved her, and that probably wouldn't ever change. But it didn't mean they had to be at odds with each other. If anything, it made their friendship stronger. Because they both understood the other's position.
"So, dinner?" Luka broke the silence.
Adrien nodded before he lowered his head and glanced up at Luka.
"You won't tell her I freaked out about being a dad?"
Luka reached back behind him for the doorknob and opened the door again before he shot a smirk at Adrien. "What makes you think she doesn't already know?"
“I’m not bleeding,” Marinette said, glancing down her body just to be sure.
Aspik paused, blinking several times before setting her down. He slid down, his back against the wall as he pressed his palms into his eyes. “You were bleeding last time,” he said. “And the time before that. Before that I saved you, but the akuma almost got my miraculous. The time before that you were bleeding again – I think that was the first time. I’m not sure anymore though – last time I knew it exactly but this time . . . all I can remember is 25,913 times I couldn’t save Ladybug. Maybe it’s better I can’t remember how many times I’ve failed you.”
“You didn’t fail me,” Marinette insisted. She hated that she’d had to give him the snake miraculous again. As Ladybug she had made him promise to tell her if it got to be too much, but Ladybug had vanished, leaving him on his own. She had left him alone.
Aspik looked up at her, “You don’t remember it. My power – second chance, it lets me go back in time five minutes. I’m the only one who remembers.” He took a shaky breath. “There was so much blood. Or maybe it was a little blood a lot of times.”
“As – Adrien,” she’d find some excuse later for how she knew. Identities weren’t important. The only thing that mattered was that Adrien was in front of her and he was hurting. “Look at me,” he looked up. “You’re here now. I’m okay, I’m safe. You saved me.”
“H-how’d you know?”
“I – I . . .” there was an explosion and the sound of screams drew nearer. Suddenly Adrien was in front of her, his hand hovering over the miraculous, ready to turn back time.
“Don’t,” Marinette covered the bracelet with her hand. “Please, don’t go back again.”
“B-but the plan –”
“Ladybug can come up with a new plan.”
“I can’t fail again!”
“You won’t, Adrien, please, you promised Ladybug you would tell her if it was too much.”
“I-I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t have to!” Marinette cried. “You said it yourself, you’re the only one who remembers each time you go back. That means Ladybug knew on the surface how many times you’d gone back, but she had no way to see how much it was affecting you! I never would’ve asked you to do this if I had known . . . all of this,” she motioned around with her hands. “Adrien, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I never should’ve asked you to do this. And I knew – I knew you’d say yes, but I should’ve realized – I was so selfish . . .”
Tears began to fall down her cheeks. How could she have asked him to wear the snake miraculous again, knowing what he had done, knowing how much he’d put himself through? And she’d revealed her identity to him! She had promised Chat Noir he’d be the first to know and she had wanted Adrien to be the second but she couldn’t even keep that straight and why was she worrying about herself when Adrien was the one hurting and – “My lady?”
Oh. It’s you. Of course, it’s you.
Chat Noir had always looked at Ladybug like she personally hung all the stars in the sky each night, and Adrien had looked at Marinette like she was the air in his lungs. Now she was seeing both looks at once and it was turning her legs to jelly and how was she not just a puddle of goo on the floor?
He put a hand on her check, brushing away the tears that had fallen, “Please don’t cry.”
Marinette laughed, half relief half joy, “Adrien, Chat, I love you.”
He sucked in a breath, “Say that again.”
“I love you,” she said, pulling him in for a kiss.
Chat Noir Is My Science Teacher: Chapter 3 is up my dudes!
3. Damage Control
The Miraculous Team helps the Dupain-Chengs with Adrien's predicament, but not without poking fun at him first.
Excerpt:
Alix, who had been the first to receive her drink order, snickered as she took a sip from the tea a waiter had just brought her.
“Your ability to fuck up in escalating carelessness never ceases to amaze me, Adrien.”
“It was an accident ,” Adrien hissed back.
“Ah yes, just like that time you sent Timetagger to murder your child self. What a fun accident.”
Kagami burst in short laughter, earning a glare from Adrien. “She’s right. You brought this on yourself, there is such a thing as checking a room before you transform, you know?”
Adrien sank in his chair as he grumpily twirled a spoon in his latte. “ ‘Oh yes, Chat Noir, you can always count on us to help you. We’re your friends!’ If I wanted to be bullied, I would’ve just let Marinette get a clear shot at me.”
“It’s not bullying, it’s called the consequences of your own actions,” Marinette said, then sighed. “Alix, isn’t there anything we can do? Maybe nudge the timeline?”
Alix snorted as she sipped on her tea. “Sure, if you all wanna fucking die.”
“Language,” Marinette said.
“Ah, yes. Pardon me. Provided that you would desire to be fucking extinguished.”
Adrien and Marinette frowned at her.
“Look,” Alix said, setting down her teacup. “You know I can’t tell you about this. But, at the risk of causing the fourth world war: this was meant to happen.”
“It’s so nice to be able to play these with actual people,” Adrien said, dodging an attack.
“Even though you keep losing?” Marinette smirked, using another combo. Adrien's cat bot only had a few health points left.
“I have a feeling my luck’s about to change,” he grinned, setting down his controller as he tackled her, tickling her sides.
“Hey!” she protested between laughs. “This is . . . this is cheating! No fair!”
Just as quickly as he had started, he stopped, grabbing his controller and using his special attack, finishing off her bug bot. “That doesn’t count!”
“All’s fair in love and war!”
“You really sure you want to go there, Agreste?” she asked, the glint of a challenge evident in her eye.
“What’s wrong, mon couer, scared of a little challenge?”
“You wish.” Marinette pressed the rematch button.
The match had barely begun when she grabbed his face in between her hands and pulled him into a kiss. She heard his controller fall to the ground in seconds as he moved his hands to her waist, pulling her closer. She teased him, nibbling on his bottom lip before trailing kisses down his jaw. He gasped as she moved so she was on top of him, pressing his back into the armrest of the couch.
Marinette pulled back a little and his eyes followed her, dark with desire. She was almost tempted to abandon the video game completely to continue kissing him. Almost. She lowered her face so her lips were only centimeters from his. “Marinette.” His voice was low, almost pleading.
“Adrien,” she stole one more kiss “Just remember” and another “You started this.” She quickly pulled back, grabbing her controller and launching her bot into an attack.
“Hey!” Adrien pouted, scrambling to find his controller. He fumbled around for a bit, his mind still clearly elsewhere. He only managed a few counterattacks before the game declared Marinette the victor.
She’d barely set down her controller when Adrien began peppering her face with kisses, “That was,” he kissed her forehead “so” her nose “mean,” her cheek.
“I thought all was fair in love and war,” she grinned, bopping him on his nose. “And your face was pretty priceless.”
“Mean,” he insisted, resting his forehead against hers.
“Guess I should make it up to you then,” Marinette said, a teasing smile on her lips.
“Or maybe I need to lose at video games more often.”
“We both know that’s going to happen anyways, love,” Marinette laughed, pulling him closer for a kiss.
