#mlbigbang2023

[ladyofthenoodle]

part time soulmate, full time problem

a soulmates-adjacent au where a morally questionable technology does the matching but happens to be right anyway, written for the 2023 @mlbigbang, rated T

thanks to @miabrown007, @chocoluckchipz, and @wackus-bonkus-maximus for betaing and @thewanderersminuet for the beautiful art! check out chapter 1's art here.

summary:

On paper, Marinette Dupain-Cheng has been terminally single her entire life. If anyone asked her, she’d say she was happy that way. After all, she can’t tell them the real reason she’s never signed up for Alliance in hopes of finding her soulmate—she’s already found him. Her and Chat Noir didn’t need an algorithm to know they were meant for each other. Until one day, Chat Noir changed his mind, and decided he’d prefer the algorithm after all. After several weeks worth of moping and cursing Alliance’s name, Marinette remembers the age-old mantra: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So she finally gives in and signs up for the app in the hopes of moving on—a task made much easier when her match happens to be the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen.

chapter 1: she walked in the place

“Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng.” A stern-looking, dark-haired woman holding a Gabriel branded tablet interrupted her train of thought. She had dark circles under her eyes and what looked like braces on her legs—though, like everything else in the building, they were far more sleek and modern than any brace Marinette had seen before. She hadn’t noticed the doors opening; but the woman must have come from the building. “I hope you weren’t thinking of leaving.” “Oh, um… no?”  The woman raised a brow. “I mean, no!” A nervous giggle escaped Marinette’s lips. “I was just… quagmiring the gilding!” Her voice was too loud. The woman just stared. “Er, that is, admiring the building—it’s so, um… Clean?” Marinette offered, waving her hands at the (truly) spotless entrance from which she had been carefully backing away. “I’ll pass on your compliments to our janitorial staff.”

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[cardiac-agreste]

I am filled with excitement, nerves, dread, and pride to announce that I am taking part in the @mlbigbang this year. Starting January 8, I will be posting my Sabine fic, A Small but Stubborn Fire! AHHHHHH!

First, the team! The incomparable @uptoolateart beta read my fic, and helped shepherd it along. I've also got @naz-artz and @izanogi helping me bring visuals to Sabine's story. So many others have helped in great and small ways, and I'm overwhelmed with the support the community has given me since I decided to write my lil story. Which became a big story.

Synopsis: What if you were the parent of a teenage superhero, but didn't know they were? All you know is the nightmares, the panic attacks, and the bruises. She's missing school, she's disappearing on you, and she's not telling you anything.

So you assume the worst: Assault. Depression. She doesn't trust you anymore.

And what do you do when you realize you weren't thinking dark enough? That your fourteen-year old daughter is the hero who flirts with death on the nightly news.

More below the fold:

AO3-Style Tags: Marinette & Sabine; Tom/Sabine; minor Adrienette; Marinette Dupain Cheng; Sabine Cheng; Tom Dupain; Adrien Agreste; Rolland Dupain; Gina Dupain; Good Mother Nathalie Sancoeur; Sabine's mother!; Sabine's sister!; angst; hurt/comfort; Chinese culture; happy ending; inter-generational trauma; Sabine's mom, Gabriel, and Tomoe should start a Bad Parents Club; SABINE KNOWS KUNG FU; IDENTITY REVEAL; IDENTITY SHENANIGANS; SO MUCH DRAMATIC IRONY; Nobody better forget Marinette is half-Chinese; etc.

Excerpt:

She was surprised at how easy she found it to invade Marinette’s privacy this morning, and how quick she was to turn critical. It was Marinette’s diary, after all—she could write as sloppy as she wanted. Trust her.

“I’ll be back down in a sec, Alya. I can’t believe I forgot my backpack!” shouted Marinette from a few feet away. Sabine startled, but couldn’t see any way to avoid getting caught.

“Maman! What are you doing?!”

She spun around, schooling her face not to betray her guilt. “I thought I had left my ring up here last night after your latest nightmare. I was hoping you’d found it but forgotten it on your desk.”

Marinette ran over and scooped her diary up from her desk, closed it, and hugged it to her chest. ”The ring…on your finger?”

“What?” Caught. Sabine looked down at her trembling fingers. “Yes! Oh, haha! Silly me, it was right there the whole time! Oh, please don’t tell your father, he’ll tease me for days.”

“...right.” Marinette shifted from one foot to the other, seemingly unable to stay still. Sabine wondered if it was just the invasion of privacy that had Marinette anxious.

Marinette gulped loudly. She slapped her free hand over her mouth and laughed nervously. Then she spun around and rushed to her backpack, sliding the diary inside.

Sabine was proud of herself that in the end she hadn’t peeked, but at the same time she wished her eyes had accidentally scanned a few pages. She wanted the knowledge, but knew she shouldn’t get it this way.

She walked to the attic door and stepped through to the ladder. As she took the rungs one at a time, she ran her hand along the trim of the door, feeling the wood grain beneath her fingers, and she paused. “Marinette? You know I love you very much, right?”

“Of course!”

“And you don’t think I’m too hard on you?”

Marinette tilted her head and looked at her, her eyes revealing confusion and concern. “No, not at all! Maman, is there something wrong?“

Sabine angled her face down when she realized she was straining to smile. She inspected the ladder like she needed to pay attention while she descended, as if she hadn’t been doing this every day for years.

“No, nothing’s wrong. Sometimes parents want what’s best for their kids but don’t know if they’re doing the right thing.”

She heard Marinette shuffle toward the hatch and felt a hand slide over hers . There was Marinette, crouched low, moving her forehead in to touch hers, smiling broadly.

“I’m so happy you’re my mother. Don’t worry about a thing; I’m not going anywhere.” Her phone tolled with incoming messages, probably from Alya. “Ahhh!!! Except to school! Because I’m late! And grounded! Move, Maman!”

[littlemourningstar]

Long time no see internet!

Surprise! I'm a participant in this year's @mlbigbang!

In collaboration with my amazing artist @cheesyakumas, I'm excited to bring you my first ever multi-chapter fic!

Liar, Liar, and Heart's on Fire

After their first meeting causes a rift, Marinette and Adrien continue to be at odds until their class gains a new student in the form of Lila Rossi. After weeks of lies and false promises, Adrien and Marinette reluctantly agree to a truce and tentative partnership in hopes to take Lila down before someone gets hurt or in trouble.  The plan is simple: Adrien uses Lila’s infatuation with him to get close to her, hoping she’ll let something slip he can latch onto.  More misunderstandings abound before tension between Marinette and Adrien eventually boils over…

The first chapter will be posted on Wednesday, January 10th

Teaser:

“What’s your plan?” He watched as her singular raised brow moved back down to scrunch with its twin. Confusion causing her face to morph almost comically.

“Excuse me?”

“Your plan, y’know, to out her as a fake?” Adrien was surprised at her lack of understanding; she of all people should have had some idea by now of what to do about their newest classmate and her tall tales.

Her features softened in understanding as she moved her eyes to where Alya and the other brunette had meandered.

“I’m serious. What’s your plan? I want in.”

“At present, I don’t have one. Usually people like that lie themselves into a corner eventually. At least Alya, Nino, and I know she’s a total case.” Marinette would never admit it, but she was glad Adrien wasn’t swayed by Lila like the rest, it would have made her life a lot more difficult to say the least.

“She’s making promises that she can’t keep. When the rest of the class find out she can’t deliver, won’t that upset them? They’re getting their hopes up.” She was surprised at his genuine concern, the look on his face didn’t betray it either. To her, him keeping in good graces with the rest of the class seemed to all be an act. Maybe not.

“While I know you and I have our major differences and butt heads often, we both benefit from bringing her down. I knew if you understood my intentions right away, you’d be a helpful ally.” Adrien knew he was going out in a limb with this. He had no idea if she would trust him.

“So, instead of just going ahead and playing into her act, you decided to consult me?” Marinette cocked her head and gave him a quizzical expression.

“Right. I have no idea what she’s thinking regarding alienating you, but I want no part of it. I’ve never tried to intentionally get you in trouble or make you look bad.” He hoped she’d believe him. Having her on his side in this was a must.

“Ditto,” Marinette sighed and glanced around the quiet hallway. “I guess for the time-being, you and I will have to work together if we want this to go in our favor.”

“So,” Adrien felt his fingertips tingle as he held his hand out towards her. “Are we in agreement, partner?”

“Partners?” She snorted softly, a cute sound he hated that he found endearing.

“Yeah, like, partners in crime.” His palm began to perspire as he awaited her own hand.

“That kinda has a nice ring to it.” Marinette gave a small smirk, glancing at his hand before swiftly extending her own.

Pink tinged both their cheeks as they shook hands. Solidifying their pact.

[sizzleissues]

*screams*

soft announcement of me being a part of @mlbigbang this year. So excited because for many years before I actively posted for the fandom, this event was like a gleaming monument of the absolute best this fandom could do when working together and I’m ar bís to be in it!

(Once I have more than lineart and vague ideas I’ll post a proper teaser)

((Why did I make such a big piece XD))

[monpetitchattriste]

I am so excited to share my story for @mlbigbang, that has been stuck in my brain since May. Chapter 1 will be out on Jan 7th! I would like to give thanks to my amazing friend and beta @burntwaffle12 who had to listen to me rant about this story for way too long and my amazing artist @piratesandpizza !

A secret I keep tucked inside my chest

Preview:

Chat had found them a secluded place in the park to hide. The bench, tucked away in a forgotten nook, offered a sanctuary from the world, hidden behind a veil of blooming lilacs and whispering willows. He rested his head in Ladybug's lap. Her fingers wove through his hair, skillfully twisting the strands into delicate braids, each movement a soft brush against his scalp. "Have you thought of names?" he inquired softly. "I have thought of a few. But I was thinking that maybe you should name her." "What, really?" "Hahaha, just as long as it isn't some lame cat pun." There was no hesitation when it came to what he wanted to name his daughter. "Emmeline. In honor of my mother. We can call her Emma for short." He turned his head just enough to kiss her stomach. "It's beautiful," she murmured, leaning down to kiss him. As she pulled back, her smile faltered ever so slightly, an unspoken thought flickering in her eyes, Chat barely even noticed it. “I was also thinking that we should paint her room yellow and pink.” Her movements paused for a second before they resumed. “Maybe we can paint little flowers on the wall. Unless you had an idea?”  Her fingers stilled mid-twirl, the braided strands of his hair unraveling and softly brushing against his cheek. “LB? Is everything okay?” He moved to sit up. She shifted her gaze, her eyes tracing the pattern of leaves above them, avoiding his questioning look. She hesitated, biting her lip. “Yeah, everything's fine. It's just...” She glanced away, her voice a half-hearted attempt at nonchalance. “I promised my friend I'd help her with her English paper. I really should get going.” Chat felt a twinge of suspicion. “You’re lying.” She always left when he mentioned something about them living together. At first, he thought it was just pure coincidence, but now he realized that she was avoiding the conversation. Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a sigh in defeat. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.” “Why would I be getting my hopes up?” He could feel the beating of his heart threatening to burst through his armor. The feeling of dread was settling into the pit of his stomach, gnawing at it. “Chat...” Her fingers intertwined with his, a gentle but firm grasp that pulled his gaze to meet hers, leaving no room for avoidance. “We won’t be living together. Our daughter is going to stay with me.” He noticed the hesitation in her voice, the way her eyes didn't quite meet his. This wasn't like her; Ladybug was always direct, even when it hurt. He blinked, the world around him blurring as her words hung in the air, elusive and disorienting like a fog he couldn’t penetrate. Each syllable echoed in his ears, unreal and distant. “So are we going to be switching off weeks then?” She hesitated for a moment. “No.”

[nemaliwrites]

My super secret Big Bang fic is finally not so secret! My @mlbigbang fic, In Pursuit of the Uneatable, will be posted on January 1st!

Relationships: Adrien/Marinette, Marinette & Tikki, Marinette & Chat Blanc Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Inspired by Bunny, Manipulative Lila Rossi, Self-Esteem Issues, Identity Issues, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir is not Chat Blanc, Introspection, Canon-Typical Violence, Lila Rossi's Downfall, Hurt Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Psychological Horror, Moral Ambiguity, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Unreliable Narrator Summary: Who do you trust when your own reflection becomes a stranger? In a Paris where Lila weaves tales that blind the city, Marinette stands accused, isolated. Her parents’ trust is shattered, her friends distant, and in battle, illusions blur the line between ally and enemy. As the shadows and uncertainty threaten to close in, Marinette finds herself turning to the last person who claims to be on her side: a boy in a white mask who calls himself a fox hunter.

and here's a lil snippet from chapter 12:

Ladybug’s been crafting her apology in her head for days now, but if there’s one thing she’s certain of, it’s that it’ll all fall apart the second she lays eyes on him. That is, if he even shows up — it only occurs to her now that he might not, that he might be angry enough at her to avoid her.

But he does show up. Of course he does. She never should have doubted that; the fact that she did only has the effect of making her feel more guilty. Because he would never put his own feelings ahead of their duty, and she never should have thought he would. 

He comes, a shadow in the night, to stand before her. For a fraction of a second, Ladybug finds herself doubting which cat this is — after all, noir and blanc are two sides of the same coin, are they not? When she sees his eyes, though, she knows truth: his eyes that are one color, the greenest green. 

“Chat Noir,” she says, voice nearly lost in the wind. The only indication he’s heard her is the way he turns. His profile, the only thing that’s illuminated, faces her. “I’m sorry.”

He says nothing. 

“I’m so sorry,” Ladybug continues. Her voice threatens to break, but still, she persists. “I should have told you everything, I know that. I…I never meant to leave you in the dark like that. I just didn’t want you to worry about me—“

“I do worry, Ladybug.”

Chat Noir says the words loudly, confidently, an open declaration. She gapes at him.

“I’m always worried about you,” he says; he turns his eyes skyward, as though desperate to look at anything that isn’t her. “I worry if you’re getting enough sleep. I worry if you’re stressed out. I worry that an akuma might come for you and that this time, there won’t be anyone to save you — that I won’t be there to save you.”

And now it’s his turn for his voice to break. Ladybug steps closer, takes his face in her hands. Turns it so that he’s looking at her.

“Have you considered,” he asks softly, “that maybe you don’t like to rely on people? That you don’t want to show weakness? That you’re too focused on thinking that you can do everything yourself?”

Mirroring her, he brings his hands up to her face. They’re interlinked, intertwined, impossible to tell where one stops and the other begins. If noir and blanc are two sides of the same coin, then so too are the ladybug and the black cat. 

“Maybe,” she admits, hating the way that doing so makes her feel vulnerable. But here, of all places — in her partner’s arms — maybe she can let herself be vulnerable. “Maybe you’re right.”

Chat Noir drops his hands, steps away from her. A stark contrast to his next words: “You know I’m always on your side, right? No matter what.”

“I know,” says Ladybug, because she does. She’d just forgotten it — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Her hands fall to her sides. “And I think…I think I’ve found someone else on my side, too.”

Someone, something, somewhere, somehow. 

[ladyofthenoodle]

part time soulmate, full time problem

chapter 3: gettin' caught in the rain

for @mlbigbang 2023

thank you @miabrown007, @chocoluckchipz, and @wackus-bonkus-maximus for betaing! and @thewanderersminuet for the art, which you can find here

chapter summary:

Marinette meets Adrien's friends.

chapter excerpt:

When the waiter arrived with a bottle of wine she hadn’t noticed anyone ordering, Marinette still had no idea what she wanted to eat. Félix, who hadn’t looked at the menu once, had no such trouble. “We’ll have the Bresse farm poached hen for two.” The waiter nodded, then moved past Kagami to take Adrien’s order. Kagami seemed unbothered by Félix ordering for her. Should Marinette expect Adrien to order for her too? Or had Kagami and Félix already discussed their order before coming?  She should’ve done that. Why hadn’t she done that? “The salmon, please,” Adrien told the waiter. The waiter turned to Marinette. Marinette swallowed what felt like a rock in her throat. Apparently the waiter did not expect Adrien to order for her. Something she would’ve appreciated in… literally any other situation. “Do you have any food allergies?” Kagami asked, looking irritated. Marinette shook her head. “She’ll have the lobster,” Kagami told the waiter, and that was that.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[ladyofthenoodle]

part time soulmate, full time problem

chapter 4: the taste of champagne

thank you @miabrown007 and @wackus-bonkus-maximus for all your patience and support this chapter!

you can find the heart-wrenching art by @thewanderersminuet to accompany this chapter here

chapter summary:

Adrien meets Marinette's friends.

chapter excerpt:

"You go here every week?" he asked in clear awe, his gaze devouring the rows of stalls. "My family goes every week," Marinette corrected. "Sometimes we all go together, or I go myself if they can't get away from the bakery, or they go without me if I'm swamped with schoolwork or ak— a killer design." Adrien squeezed her hand and winked. Both their palms were sweaty from the summer heat, but Marinette didn't mind. "Your parents sound so supportive. It's too bad they were busy today." Marinette blinked. She hadn't even considered inviting them—it's not like she and Adrien were picking up the weekly groceries. And wasn't it too soon to meet the parents? She'd have to ask Alya. Meeting the parents had never been an option before. A flutter of excitement rushed into her chest as she pictured it: her Papa, asking him if he knew how to bake and Adrien shyly admitting he'd never been allowed to use the oven. Maman offering them both gentle advice and suggesting Papa might go check on an order in the back that didn't exist, to give them some space. Chat Noir looking at her baby pictures on the wind— Wait! Adrien was the one looking at her baby pictures!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works