I told myself I’d never do a fic recs post. I’m too picky. I don’t like non-magic AUs, OCs, etc. and have a hard time finding well written fics with good characterization and an interesting plot. Just a warning that Adrien/Chat is my favorite character, so most of these are from his perspective.
Blame @probably-voldemort for this.
A Rational Fear of Dragons by @probably-voldemort (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: When Kim gets paired with Marinette for a history project, he learns a lot, though most of it has nothing to do with their project.
Why I like it: I did a post on Marinette and Kim’s possible canon BroTP and the author responded with a link to this. I haven’t laughed this hard at a fic in a long time, guys. It’s got Marichat, dragons, some hilariously timed cursing and a smart Kim.
Pairing(s): Marinette/Chat Noir, Marinette & Kim friendship
Warnings: Cursing, mild violence, Marinette’s badassery, sort-of-identity-reveal
Length: 4,612 words
The Kitchen Gods by takethembystorm (Rated G)
AO3 Summary: Adrien needs an independent cash flow; the Dupain-Chengs need someone to work part-time at the bakery over the summer. Marinette mostly needs someone to keep her heart from stopping.
Why I like it: Adrien gets a job at the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Chaos ensues. This is my favorite ML fic for a reason. It’s so well written that it reads like an actual episode.
Pairing(s): Marinette/Adrien
Warnings: Tooth-rotting fluff, post-reveal, OCs (kitchen staff)
Length: 9,474 words
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Adrien. by @inner-sakura (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: In which Adrien inadvertently buys a ticket to the Gun Show™ and gets a little more than he bargained for.
Why I like it: Pure comedy gold.
Pairing(s): Marinette/Adrien
Warnings: Identity reveal, buff Marinette, hormonal Adrien
Length: 1,332 words
I hope the worst isn’t over by @thescuttlebugg (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: Falling is exactly like flying right up until you stop. Like, assuming the kind of flying you’re used to involves busted steering and useless panic, Nino guesses.
“GO LIMP!” a voice shouts, and Nino catches a glimpse of black something-like-leather and the twin flashes of a golden bell and silver staff streaking through the air.
“Are you kidding me, dude?!” he shrieks.
Why I like it: This is my rare pair. Even rarer than this pairing are the fics. This thing is so good, I check the author’s AO3 once a month to see if there’s a sequel. This needs to either be a series or there needs to be a sequel.
Pairing(s): Chat Noir/Nino
Warnings: Violence (there is an akuma fight), Nino the Badass™, a lot of falling (in love/off buildings), the fact that this is a oneshot and not a series :(
Length: 4,288 words
Schedule by @amynchan (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: Chat Noir leapt from building to building, his Lady having left for the night. Usually, patrols made him feel freer, more happy. But he wasn’t. He was pensive. He was looking over his shoulder. He was wary.
Why I like it: This one hits close to home and is one of the few fics that deal with the very real problem the show has with Marinette’s stalking tendencies.
Pairing(s): One-sided Marinette/Adrien
Warnings: Stalking, possible trigger for stalking victims, panic attacks
Length: 5,682 words
Adrien and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by @vickyvicarious (Rated G)
AO3 Summary: Chat Noir's used to bad luck - it kind of comes with the territory. But detransforming in the middle of a crowd of reporters is a little worse luck than he’s used to having.And he hasn’t heard a thing from Ladybug since.(AKA the "everyone finds out all at once" angst fic no one asked for.)
Why I like it: Everyone has that angst fic they go to when they’re feeling down. This is mine.
Pairing(s): Most sides of the love square
Warnings: Angst. A LOT of angst. Also, panic attacks, Gabriel sucks as a father (and is also HM), identity reveal
Length: 8,986 words
Transform by @htbthomas (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: When Adrien runs away from home, only Ladybug can help him. They both find out more than they bargain for.
Why I like it: It’s in character with the right combination of angst and action. It feels like a more adult version of an episode.
Pairing(s): All sides of the love square
Warnings: Angst, hunger issues, Adrien whomping, Gabriel as Hawkmoth, identity reveal, violence, some OCs but they work well
Length: 43,551 words (14 chapters)
Recipe for Disaster by @mooncactus (Rated T)
AO3 Summary: Two shot series about Adrien cracking under pressure and Marinette struggling to find answers - and a quite frankly ridiculous amount of baked goods.
Why I like it: I just found this a few nights ago and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning to read it all.
Pairing(s): Chat Noir/Marinette, Adrien/Marinette (for, like, a chapter), Nino/Alya
Warnings: ANGST, Gabriel is Hawkmoth, identity reveal, low blood sugar, holy crap poor Adrien
Length: 49,199 words (4 chapters in 2 oneshots)
Also, read anything by @lairep (A03 link).
