#lovedrien

[wield-the-mighty-pen]

The struggle of having both a Snekmouse and Lovedrien fic idea running circles in my mind

and having to choose which one to focus on first

[shabootldoo]

Just Lovedrien on my mind

WC: ~700

--

Marinette dashed over the rooftops, basking in the glow of sunset, spinning and gliding as she went. Going out just for a leisure run was something Ladybug would never do–it was too irresponsible. But Loveybug could do whatever she wanted. She prance and twirl with the grace from ballet lessons she'd never taken, she could pause to run around and play with a sad child on the street the way Marinette would with Manon, and, like today, she could carry around confetti and pretend it was magical as she tossed it around on days where she needed a pick me up.

Marinette paused over a storefront and sprinkled some glittery confetti over the same grumpy-looking old man she'd sprinkled on several occasions before. She laughed and waved as he glared up at her, but Marinette wasn't fooled, she could see him struggling not to smile.

A little boy standing across the street squealed and clapped his hands. “Loveybug, Loveybug! Give me some too!”

Marinette raced over to him and showered him with confetti. “There you are! Now you have my ladybug luck!”

The boy's father sighed with fond exasperation. “Thank you, Loveybug.” He paused as though hesitant to say something. When a second passed, Marinette took a gander.

“Would you like some confetti too, sir?” Marinette picked up a handful from her hip pouch (a Marinette original specifically designed for confetti purposes) in anticipation.

With a look of slight embarrassment, the man nodded.

Marinette grinned. “But of course!” She granted his wish with a flourish, before resuming her run. “Have a good day, sir!”

Making the people around her smile–her people, the people of Paris–that gave her so much motivation. In some ways, Loveybug was better than Ladybug. Ladybug was always too busy getting straight from point A to point B that she never stopped to see the flowers along the way. But Loveybug was constantly stopping for the flowers–to admire them, to manage their weeds, to water them, to sow new seeds. Loveybug had Cat Walker to remind her of the path to follow, to take her hand and steer her forward. It was a relief, to have this outlet to be so carefree. There were no consequences if Loveybug draped herself over Cat Walker in interviews, no consequences if Loveybug professed cheesy sonnets of her own creation to Cat Walker as they parted after an akuma attack. No one knew Loveybug was Marinette, yes. But, more importantly, no one knew Loveybug was Ladybug.

But as much as Loveybug was freeing, Marinette found that being Loveybug could be…unexpectedly tiring. She loved spreading happiness, she did. But she forgot that energy it took to spread it. To give more and more of herself to it. She gave, but never received it in return, not in the same way, at least. Cat Walker was supportive, but professional, and discussion of their personal issues were at a minimum. Who was there when Loveybug was having a bad day, but smiled and laughed like it was any other day?

She never realized how lonely Loveybug could be.

And maybe, so wrapped up in loneliness, she could spot it with ease in others. Marinette saw the sadness in Adrien's eyes mere hours ago. He had to turn down a hangout because of Chinese lessons and piano practice. He had smiled and assured her that it was alright–that he would join them another time, but Marinette knew better. Marinette could see the tightness in his eyes as he tried to smile her worry away.

With Adrien in her thoughts, Marinette found that she subconsciously ended up jumping towards Adrien's mansion.

And maybe her thoughts called to Adrien, because as she approached, she spotted the subject of her thoughts gazing out of his window. Up high, away from prying eyes, he was free to look out to the world in candor. It simply broke Marinette's heart to see a look of misery on his face. A small smile played across Marinette's lips. Exhaustion momentarily forgotten, she was absolutely sure she had a little more to give today.

She lowered herself in front of his window, and Adrien jumped in surprise.

“L-Loveybug?”

Loveybug beamed at him. “Adrien Agreste?” She reached into her pouch. “Would you like some confetti?”

[shabootldoo]

Loveybug AU Week

2/17 : Reveal

One More Day (Lovedrien, partial reveal)

WC: ~1000

Read on AO3

@asukiess 🥹

_______

“Adrien!”

Loveybug practically flew through his bedroom window, landing as gracefully as a tightrope walker. She pounced on Adrien, squeezing him in a hug.

Adrien couldn't keep a wide grin off his face if he wanted. He squeezed back just as tightly. Loveybug was always generous with her hugs and Adrien would take as many as humanly possible–doubly for the ones Car Walker gently ushered back.

“So wonderful to see you,” Loveybug sighed. She leaned back a little for la bise, one she extended to far more kisses than customary. Adrien indulged her, but more importantly, himself.

“You too. Your visits really make my day.” Adrien poured every ounce of gratitude and love he had into those words. He brought her back into a hug again. Knowing that the girl behind the mask was a good friend of his made everything a million times better.

Loveybug skipped over to his bed and fell back on it with a happy sigh. “How do you even get up in the morning? I'd never leave this wonderful cloud.” She moved her arms to make a blanket angel.

“Natalie's disappointment is enough to make me get up. And I don't like keeping my bodyguard waiting.”

“You’re so sweet Adrien~ No wonder you have such a large fanclub.” Loveybug rolled over, cupping her chin in her palms. 

Adrien shook his head. “I'm supposed to be. It would look bad for the Gabriel brand if people thought I was mean.”

“Don't say that,” Loveybug said. She reached out a hand, beckoning him closer. She was a beautiful splash of color against the dark sheets. “I know you aren’t just acting. You’re the sweetest person I know.”

Adrien blushed at her words. He took her hand, gazed at her almost longingly. Loveybug sat up and guided him to the spot next to her and pulled him into another hug, humming. Adrien simply melted. Her hugs were so warm. What more would it feel like to curl up together under the covers? Adrien was sure he'd never get up in the morning then. But it wasn't right to think that way, especially knowing the girl under the mask wouldn't be enthused by it, Loveybug or not.

Accidentally discovering that Marinette was Loveybug was honestly a blessing. He hadn't meant to run into an alley in time to see her detransform. It was just one of those things. Some unlucky timing–a lucky happenstance. Certainly, an accident. Adrien knew he would eventually have to say something, but every time he looked into those sparkling blue eyes, he just couldn't.

His father would never allow Marinette back in the house after so many antics, and attempting to sneak her or any other friend in would likely end in disaster. 

But Loveybug? Loveybug could swing in whenever, and slip out with no one the wiser. Adrien couldn't say no to that.

Loveybug could scoop him up in her arms and carry him about and it wouldn't be strange in the slightest. Because it was Loveybug. Marinette would never even think of walking up to Adrien and greeting him in the mornings the way Loveybug did when she came over. As a civilian, Marinette wouldn't even accept la bise from him. But something about Loveybug compelled her to do so. It was probably pathetic, but Adrien was practically inhaling her affections. There was no way he could just end something so wonderful. Could anyone really blame him for wanting to spend more time with his friend? It was a little secret, just for them.

“How was your day today?” Loveybug pulled back. She still held his hands in her own, giving him rapt attention.

Seeing different sides of Marinette was interesting, if not a bit confusing. With Cat Walker, she was unashamed, but with Adrien, she was a bit shyer, though nonetheless still flirty. And as Marinette, Adrien still got the impression that she didn't particularly like him. Especially as of recently.

Maybe she was trying to not give away that she was Loveybug?

“It was alright,” Adrien said. He stared down at their hands and turned them so their fingers were laced. “I miss you during the day, but sometimes, it also feels like you’re there with me.” He traced the lines of her palm with his thumb. “We had an exam today, and I was really struggling with one of the questions, but I felt like you were looking over my shoulder and cheering me on.” Loveybug froze for a split second, and Adrien had to bite back a smirk. “Even though you weren’t there, you helped me. Is that weird?”

Loveybug blushed. “Of course, not. That’s what I’m here for.”

Adrien raised his eyebrows. “Not for cleansing akuma?”

Loveybug giggled. “That’s my side job. My first priority is you.” She cupped his cheek, giving him her signature adoring smile.

Adrien stuttered. “I–I–you–”

Loveybug grinned. “Yes, Adrien?”

 Loveybug just had a way that–just by looking at you–you felt invincible–that she thought you hung the sun and stars–had the world on your fingertips–like you were everything to her. Adrien knew why Paris loved her so much; that sort of look would make everyone feel special. At first when receiving those looks, he'd feared she had an infatuation with Cat Walker. But she looked at Adrien the same way. And Marinette wasn't in love with Adrien. That gaze was just her nature. That radiance she emanated was just… Adrien sighed. How could anyone not adore her?

Adrien squeezed Loveybug’s hand. “How are you so wonderful?”

“Me? You’re the wonderful one!”

His lady couldn't have picked a better holder for the ladybug miraculous. Marinette wore it like a second skin, almost like she was born to wield it–second only to his lady, of course. There was no better person to hold in her stead the hope of Paris. She certainly held his heart.

…He definitely should tell Marinette he knew who she was at some point.

But Loveybug herself had told Cat Walker numerous times that he should indulge in the things that made him happy. And he would be remiss to not take her advice.

Tomorrow Adrien thought to himself.

Loveybug raised his hand to her mouth and kissed it. “You’re more wonderful than the sun, the sky, waterfalls, rainbows–”

Adrien smiled as she went on and on.

Maybe tomorrow on Venus.

[shabootldoo]

Hey Loveybug writers, just wondering, which dynamic of the square is the most challenging to write?

LoveyWalker

MariWalker (within the au)

Lovedrien

Adrienette (within the au)

All equally as challenging

I don't write for Loveybug/See Results

Voting ended onMar 9, 2024