Chapter Text
Loving That Bug
Chapter 1
This existence was frustrating in a way; you knew that in a previous life this world had been fiction, and in that would you knew the identity of Hawkmoth, of Chat Noir and of Ladybug, but the magic of the miraculous was flawless and no matter how hard you tried you couldn’t tie the face of Ladybug with the face of your classmate.
There was spoiled Chloé with her blond hair, blue eyes and light-pink lipstick, Alya with her green-brown eyes, Caribbean complexion and red-brown hair, Marinette with blue eyes and blue hair in pigtails, tall Juleka with purple dyed black hair and brown eyes, short Mylène with multicoloured dreads, even shorter Alix with her pink hair and blue eyes, Sabrina who was ginger haired and blue eyed, and Lila – no, let’s not bother with Lila.
Compared to Ladybug who has blue eyes and blue hair in pigtails – there’s no match! Or at least, none you can make. You’re pretty sure it’s the magic of the miraculous doing its thing here.
So here you were, in that class – the class with all the akumatisations – with a mad crush on Ladybug, who is almost certainly one of your classmates. And aside from the frustration at not being able to end Hawkmoth’s rain of terror, you were frustrated at how hard it was to love the girl behind the mask.
“Aimée,” whispers Alya from her seat next to you.
Despite having been called Aimée for many years, it was still strange to hear sometimes. Even stranger was jumping at your old name from a different life.
“Hmm?” you respond, looking up from the schoolwork you’re supposed to be doing.
“Marinette is doing a sleepover on Friday, you in?”
Marinette leans out from behind Alya to give you an enthusiastic look. You had a mad crush on Marinette too who’s just too cute for words. You’d chase her as well, except – well... Marinette’s almost as incredible as Ladybug. They’re basically identical, except Ladybug is also a superhero.
You give Marinette a small smile. You can dream though.
“Sure, I’m in.”
Unfortunately, it seems Marinette prefers pretty boy Adrien. You’re not really sure why, though that lack of understanding might be because you’re the biggest sapphist on the face of the planet. Who needs boys when you could have the likes of Ladybug and Marinette? Well, Juleka is also very cute and you would have taken a shot at her if you weren’t worried about boob-blocking Julerose. Actually, on that note, most of the girls in class were pretty. Even Chloé if you redefined “pretty” as “physically pretty”.
It was Wednesday now, so a few days and you’d be able to laze about in Marinette’s room eating junk food as everyone watched movies and played games.
It would probably be the usual crowd which meant every girl in class except Chloé for obvious reasons, Sabrina who would likely not join us unless she was on the rocks with Chloé again, and Lila who was thankfully “out of the country”.
wWwWw
When the bell rang Friday, you raced home to grab your things and then headed to the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Your greeted Sabine as she served some customers and popped your head into the kitchen to greet Tom, and then it was upstairs.
You were the third one to arrive. Obviously, Marinette was here as she didn’t need to divert to grab anything. The second was actually Alix who had left her skates by her bag. It was actually a pretty convenient way to get around a city.
“Aimée!” Marinette greeted.
“Hey Mari, Alix,” you said in return with a wide wave.
Marinette was running about making last minute preparations while Alix lazed on the couch. You joined her having learnt after much repetition that Marinette would still be running about setting things up regardless of how much you helped her; running about that like was just her thing.
“Have you two got anything else planned for the weekend?” you ask.
“Nah,” Alix replied. “I was just going to cruise around the city, you know?”
You nodded and waited for Marinette.
“Just some projects, I’m way to busy. This was the only spot for some girl time I could actually get,” she said.
Marinette did push herself, possibly too hard at times.
“Mum and dad are taking me to see some relatives on Sunday. We’re having lunch there,” you explain. “In Reims, so like a two-hour drive.”
Alya was next, then Mylène.
“I’ve got a date with Ivan later,” Mylène said apologetically. “I can only stay for a few hours.”
Everyone waved off her apology.
“Really, it’s fine,” assured Marinette to everyone else’s nods.
The came Juleka and Rose who arrived as a unit, and that was it.
The group started with eating large amount of unhealthy pastries and cakes. They were rejects from the bakery: too small or too big, or somewhat deformed, but still very very tasty. Marinette brought loads of these into class several times a week so you happily dug into them.
“Games or movies first?” Alya asked.
“Is there actually anything new to see?” you ask. “Of things we all enjoy?”
That was the problem, finding a film everyone liked.
A few people looked thoughtful.
“How about a game while we think about it?” Marinette suggested.
You can see the small smirk on Marinette’s face; she just wants an excuse to slaughter everyone else. You liked to think you were good at games, but there wasn’t much Marinette didn’t slaughter you in. Your best bet was to play a game she hadn’t played before, but that usually only lasted the night. There was maybe one or two games you could reliably beat her in and maybe a handful you were evenly matched in, but otherwise she kicked you ass. But being kicked in the ass by Marinette wasn’t a bad thing.
A few more innocent souls agreed immediately, but Alix, Alya and you shared a knowing glance.
“Oh my god, look at these graphics!” said Marinette an hour or two later.
She was not complimenting them. You give her a level smile and hope the low-quality graphics distract Marinette enough to get the flag back to the base.
“What era is this even?” Marinette continues, acting like this game is from another age.
“It’s not that old,” you grumble.
Thankfully, no one else had quite gotten the technique of rocket jumping down yet, allowing you to sweep past the opposition Marinette’s team had attempted to put up.
“This came out in – uh – 1999?” you say.
1999 sounds about right. There are a few shared glances.
“So, before we were born,” says Alya.
You shrug back.
“So were the Star Wars prequels.”
“Some of them,” Alya replied.
Alya’s poor attempt at spying meant she was currently on fire, Alix seemed to be having a blast given she was laughing after setting Alya on fire, Mylène’s sentry gun was not in the best of locations despite your kind attempts to have it moved, Juleka and Rose were running a heavy/medic combo that might have worked if they understood how fast you could move rocket jumping, while Marinette fruitlessly tried to hit you with her grenade launcher.
“And I’m getting my ass kicked again. I’m out,” declared Alya. “Next game.”
You shrugged; this was a pretty common occurrence. It was almost tradition at this point to try a one new game each sleepover, and they were not always well received by everyone.
wWwWw
“Is it weird that Mylène is the only one of us dating anyone?” Alix asks as the aforementioned girl leaves for her date.
A few of use turn to Alya. She looked around the room for a moment.
“Nino and I haven’t used the word yet,” she explains.
“Okay, so seven of us, and we’ve got one in a relationship and one probably in a relationship.”
“Eh, we’re still in collège,” you say. “It’s not that odd, is it?”
Glancing at Rose and Juleka you don’t see any signs of the pair wanted to suggest they might be more than friends… maybe they’re not there yet. Turning back to Alix, you are curious though.
“Is there someone you like?” you ask Alix, not hiding your curiosity.
Alix blinks at you in surprise. You had thought Alix might be gay, but a few months ago she didn’t seem to react when you wore that low-cut top and bra, and then spent the day leaning over the table at her at every opportunity and leaving your boobs in as much view as you could while remaining clothed.
“No?” she replies with faint surprise.
She doesn’t sound like she’s embarrassed or hiding something. In fact, she’s incredibly nonchalant about the question.
You shrug.
“I had thought you might like girls, but when I spent the day giving you every opportunity to look down my top and you didn’t, I figured I was wrong,” you admit.
“What?” Alix asked, her pitch going up ever so slightly.
“Like two months back?” you ask to no recognition. “I wore that flimsy low cut white top? I spent the whole day with my boobs touching the table and seeing if you peeked or not.”
Alix blinks again before a look of realisation crosses her face.
“Oh, that day,” she replies, giving you a curious look. “It would be a bit rude to peek, don’t you think?”
And with those words you find yourself back at square one in the game of “is Alix gay?”.
“Why did you want Alix to look at your boobs?”
You mentally stumble at Alya’s question. Isn’t it obvious?
Marinette, Alix, Juleka and Rose look a bit uncomfortable at the question though.
“To figure out if she was gay?” you reply, considering your answer. “I thought just asking was a bit rude –” you frown “– but given Alix pointed out that peeking was rude, maybe expecting her to peek if she liked what she saw was also rude?”
You hummed, thinking it over. It’s a good question now you think about it. Glancing at Alix she seems to be thinking too.
“Yeah, but why?”
And your train of thoughts grinds to a halt again. A deeper answer means admitting you found Alix attractive. You mean, she’s not Ladybug or Marinette, but she is cute and she is nice, and unlike Marinette she’s not pining after Adrien, and unlike Juleka you won’t ruin Julerose going after her, and – well – you’re not really sure what you were doing there. Did you want to date her? Maybe. It was a mixture of gay curiosity and playing it by ear. Maybe it was just going to be flirting, or maybe just some gay gals having fun, or maybe Alix would push aside the thoughts of Marinette and Ladybug.
“Because I like it when cute girls notice me?” you say, going half-way.
And who doesn’t like it when people you find attractive notice you?
You try not to catch Alix’s eyes as you see her face morph into surprise.
“I mean, you’ve probably done…” you pause as you look for the word “… flirtatious things for a boy you thought was cute. I’m sure if I asked Nino about it, he’d blush immediately.”
You could count down the seconds before a light seems to light up in Alya’s head.
“You like girls?” she asks.
It’s not a nasty question, she’s just surprised, and you’re very confused.
“Yes?” you reply, drawing out the s sound.
You look around the room. There’s a mixture of awkward postures and faces.
“Wasn’t that obvious?” you ask around the room. “I thought I said it straight up at least once, and I don’t think I’ve hidden it.”
“We – uh,” starts Rose before faltering.
Rose and Juleka give each other sideways glances.
“We guessed, but it seemed rude to presume,” finished Juleka.
Though nobody said anything there seemed to be agreement from Marinette and Alix, though Alya seems like she really only just realised.
“Huh,” you reply thoughtfully. “I thought I had said something.”
The room seems to have lightened up a bit.
“Well, I’ll make It clear: I like girls, and only girls…” you say. You almost want to laugh at how ridiculous this feels. “And – um – ew, boys.”
That gets a mixture of curious looks.
“Maybe not a sentiment shared by everyone,” you add straight faced.
It lasts about five seconds before you giggle.
Thankfully this is the 2010s, in a country that’s very progressive by world standards. You are also surrounded by at least some bi girls, and maybe a few full-on lesbians. You’re in good company.
wWwWw
“Truth or dare?”
“Truth?” you start off.
The gang hadn’t played truth or dare in a while, and you suspect the “revelation” (mostly to Alya) kicked off the renewed interest.
“Why were you flashing Alix?” asks Marinette.
You blush faintly and give everyone a small smile. Your previous answer would not hold.
“Alix is cute,” you admit with a shrug. “I was curious, I like girls checking me out, and – well…”
Alix is looking at you curiously. You stare back for a moment.
“I wouldn’t have said no if Alix showed some interest.”
Alix blinks in surprise and blushes for the first time you’ve ever seen.
“Sorry, I don’t think so,” she says after a few seconds.
You shrug back.
“It’s okay, I was mostly testing the waters and kind’a already figured you weren’t interested.”
It’s your turn to ask going around the circle.
“Truth or dare,” you ask Alya.
“Truth.”
Alya opened the sapphist can of worms, so it’s only fair you ask such a question.
“If given the opportunity, would you ditch Nino for Ladybug?” you ask before quickly adding “Not that I wish any sadness on Nino, but… Ladybug.” Obviously.
Alya opens her mouth and then closes it again, her thinking face on.
“No,” she replies after a few moments. “Why would you think I would?”
You ignore the fact she asked you a question and shrug.
“Hey, every even slightly gay inclined girl has a thing for Ladybug.”
You look around the room to see Rose and Juleka giving each other the tiniest shrugs of agreement while Marinette was furiously blushing. Marinette had clearly been thinking it, which was elating in a way to know she might like girls after all, despite the Adrien obsession.
“I was curious given how much attention you give Ladybug.”
Alya frowns slightly.
“Well, no,” she replies.
You chuckle in response, unsure if it’s because she’s never considered it, or if she really is dead straight.
“And it’s Alya’s turn,” Marinette says quickly.
Alya looks around the room before her eyes settle on Juleka.
“Dare,” Juleka says before Alya can ask.
“Hmm,” Alya hums in thought.
It gets to thirty second mark when you have an idea and lean close to Alya’s ear.
“Dare her to wear the prettiest dress Marinette has,” you whisper.
Alya turns to you wide eyed before nodding enthusiastically. You’ve been looking for this opportunity for a while, and you had been pretty sure Alya would be curious enough to see Juleka wearing something so un-Juleka clothing-wise.
“I dare you to wear the nicest dress Marinette has around here.”
Marinette looks suddenly enthusiastic at the idea and you can’t help but smile when Juleka with a look of shock and happiness on her face smiles around the room. The little circle on Marinette’s rug and sofa breaks up as Juleka, Rose and Marinette get up to scour Marinette’s many wardrobes and boxes for clothes. Rose eventually grabs a screen to hide the surprise.
After fives minutes interspaced with occasional assurances from Rose that Marinette didn’t need to adjust anything for a dare, a slightly flushed Juleka stepped out.
Marinette would probably correct you knowing all the right terms, but the dress consisted of a basic circle skirt with two layers: a black out layer and an inner red that poked through as Juleka walked. It stuck out a little bit, but not as much as an old-timey dress; just enough that it had some form. The top half off the dress was almost corset like, but not really a corset. It hugged Juleka so well that it was probably tied up at the back like a corset and it also showed off her normally more modest bust, but wasn’t stiff like a corset was. You thought Marinette might have leant her a push up bra though given they two were probably petty similar in bust.
“Wow,” you admit out loud.
Juleka smiled more widely at the compliment. Rose took her hand and standing on her tippy toes said something to Juleka – you thought it was probably a reassurance. Making pretty girls more confident in themselves made you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Off to the side Marinette looked pleased, giving the dress and Juleka a good look over. You wonder though if it’s more than just satisfaction with her work and decide to find out.
Standing up you wander over to them.
“Have you got a picture yet?” you ask.
“Not yet,” Rose replies, fishing her phone out of her pocket.
You and Marinette step back as Juleka poses for photos.
“She looks great, doesn’t she?” you whisper to Marinette.
“Yeah,” Marinette softly replies.
“Pretty enough to kiss?”
Marinette turns to you wide eyed. The smirk on your face is teasing before when you realise something else, turning to a sad smile.
“With the photo thing… I always thought it was heartbreaking how Juleka puts herself down. She’s so beautiful and she doesn’t want to admit it,” you say before giving Marinette a small smile. “So, I figured I’d tell her, right now, how kissable she is.”
You shrug slightly awkwardly and give Marinette a knowing look.
“I figured if you thought that too, you might want to admit it as well. Can you imagine Juleka’s smile if you told her that? The prettiest girl in school telling her she’s very kissable and very tasty?”
Marinette looks at you with shock and embarrassment, but going by her smile, clearly noticed your compliment. You give her a wide but nervous smile yourself. You do want to make Juleka happy, but another part of you is hoping that this knocks Adrien off Marinette’s mental pedestal. You wouldn’t feel too bad if Marinette ended up with a crush on Juleka.
Marinette stares at Juleka as she poses for Rose’s camera. She looks deep in thought, nervously chewing her lip. You decide not to mention that you think Juleka probably thinks Rose is the prettiest girl in school, but she’d still like the compliment from Marinette.
“Okay,” she replies quietly.
You offer your hand, holding it out for her and after several second Marinette takes it. You give her a reassuring squeeze.
“You want to do it loudly so everyone hears, or whisper it in her ear?”
You’re not going to twist Marinette’s arm into saying it aloud that’s for sure.
“I – I think I’ll do it… personal.”
You give her a reassuring smile.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Now blushing, Marinette nods as her hand slips from yours. You hang back next to Rose as she steps up to Juleka and hugs her.
“Now, I’m sure you want to kiss her too,” you say with a quiet giggle.
Rose blushes, keeping her eyes on Juleka.
“Yeah,” she admits with a sigh.
“You should do it,” you say reassuringly.
Rose turns her head sharply to you. You had no intention of letting these two lovestruck idiots dance around each other.
“I’m not sure she…” Rose says, trailing off.
You huff a laugh and shake your head.
Juleka seems to blush and smile widely as Marinette whispers in her ear. As Marinette turns back around, she looks like she’s blushing as much as she does when she says things about Adrien. Your hand brushes hers as she walks past towards the sofa, letting you step forward.
Pulling Juleka into a hug for a few moments, you step back and look her over again before giving a knowing glance Marinette’s way.
“Can I also admit I think you’re kissable?” you ask. “Well, you’ve always been kissable, but you look even more sizzling in this dress.”
Your cheeks feel warm at the admission as Juleka returns the statement with an embarrassed and satisfied smile.
“Thanks,” she replies quietly.
“Always remember you’re the girl who got Marinette to stop thinking about Adrien for a while,” you say with an eyebrow wiggle.
You manage to hold of the giggles for a few seconds before Juleka joins in.
“Marinette said I could keep it, provided she can alter it a bit more.”
“Really?”
Juleka nods and you look Juleka over again. It looks really good on her, but even to your untrained eyes you can see a few patches that need to be adjust so it fits Juleka perfectly.
“I’m going to pay her though, mama would kill me if I didn’t,” Juleka states firmly. “Marinette is a local craftswoman who deserves every cent for the work she put into this. It’s not the work of some sweatshop.”
“Sounds fair.” It certainly sounds reasonable. “So, you and Rose?” you ask knowingly.
Juleka loses a fraction of her smile.
“I’d like to…” she admits.
You roll your eyes with an annoyed groan.
“She said the same thing,” you state bluntly.
Juleka looks at you in surprise.
With a slightly annoyed sigh you look over your shoulder and wave Rose over. Juleka looks at you in panic for a moment. You try to reassure her with a smile as Rose approaches.
“Okay, you two lovestruck idiots like each other,” you tell them in a furious whisper. “You both admitted it to me, so kiss – dammit.”
You may have done a little bit overboard with the emphasis but watching these two dance around each other for months would be agonising. Both are blushing at your statement.
“If you haven’t kissed by Monday, I will handcuff you together until you do,” you frustratedly whisper. “I’m not watching two friends who clearly are madly in love with each other keep denying to themselves that the other likes that that way.”
You smile is wide and shows plenty of teeth. You give them both a thumbs up and a big serious nod.
“Kiss!”
wWwWw
Rose was next and she quickly turned to Marinette.
“An akuma that makes you confess to your crush. Do deliberately get hit by their powers?”
Damn, you think, that’s not a bad. Marinette blushes lightly at the question.
“No, I’d –” Marinette pauses for a moment to consider it. “No, the akuma would make me admit too much.” Marinette looked uneasy. “I’d probably end up telling him I was madly in love with him and that I’ve already picked out names for our children, and designed my wedding dress.”
Marinette was definitely baby crazy, but could you really blame her when she’d make such super cute kids?
“Yep,” Rose agreed quietly with a wince.
She turned to Juleka and Juleka turned to you.
“Truth.”
“Who do you have a crush on?”
You roll your eyes affectionately.
“Ladybug – duh.” You laugh.
Marinette is blushing again. You smile at her widely.
“Maybe we should try distracting Mari with Ladybug though; superhero beats supermodel after all.” Marinette opens her mouth to refute it before pausing. “No one’s going to judge you for fancying Ladybug too,” you reassure her.
Juleka and Rose immediately add their agreement followed by Alix and then Alya. Though Alya seems surprised.
“Does everyone here have a secret crush on Ladybug?” she asks.
You glance at Juleka and Rose who seem to be silently communicating before they eye you and both give a tiny nod. You take it as consent to out them.
“Well, we’ve got one,” you say pointing at Marinette, “two and three,” you point at Rose and Juleka, “and me as four.”
Looking curiously at Alix she shakes her head. It perhaps the strongest indication of no interest in girls that you’ve gotten from her.
“Four out of six.”
Alya is a little wide eyed.
“And it’s Alix’s turn,” suggests Marinette quickly before we continue our discussion on distracting Marinette with Ladybug.
“Well, not that I care, but continuing the theme: Alya,” says Alix.
Alya, knowing what the theme has so far been nervously swallows.
“I’ll take dare then,” she says, wanting to avoid another round of questions about Ladybug.
“You sure?” Alix asks sceptically.
Alya at this moment seems to realise that dare is probably a lot worse than truth with this theme.
“No take backsies,” Alix adds with a smirk.
“Oh no,” Alya mutters quietly.
Alix pauses for a few moments before a bright idea clearly comes to mind.
“You have to call Nino and tell him that you are madly in love with Ladybug.”
Alya pales as much as her skin tone lets her.
wWwWw
Juleka and Rose whisper together as Rose’s turn rolls around. Given the looks they’re giving you, you figure you’re next.
“Truth or dare?”
You haven’t done dare so far (in fact, only Alya has picked dare), but Rose is normally pretty tame and you do want to spice things up.
“Dare.”
Perhaps not expecting it, Rose and Juleka go back to whispering. They quickly agree to something.
“I was going to ask you this question, but now you get to put on a show instead!” says Rose enthusiastically. “Kiss the girl you like the most here.”
Oh.
That was an easy pick, but…
“I’m not kissing her unless she wants me to,” you state firmly. “And no pressure that she has to agree either.”
“Yep,” Rose replies with a nod, looking almost disappointed in herself for not thinking of that. “That the rule.”
Rose looks thoughtful.
“Maybe you can move onto your next liked person?” Juleka suggests.
“Yes!” Rose agrees.
You blush and give the group a look over, working up your courage. It’s easier knowing she will say no, but still not easy.
“Mari?” you ask giving her a smile.
Marinette blushes and gives you a small smile back.
“Sorry,” you apologise.
“It’s okay,” she replies quietly.
You’re thinking Juleka next, she really does look drop dead gorgeous in that dress and Rose must have known it was coming when she and Juleka conspired together.
“I’ll do it.”
Now it’s your turn to be surprised. Marinette is fidgeting, a blush on her face and avoiding your eyes, but still smiling.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured,” you say slightly worriedly.
Marinette catches your eyes.
“I know.”
You can feel your heart race. Worried though, you turn to Rose.
“You mean a proper kiss, right?” you ask her. “Like making out?”
Rose looks between the two of you for a moment, blushing herself.
“Yes,” she replies after a moment.
“Are you sure, Mari?”
You see her nervously swallow before nodding but she looks determined.
“Yeah.”
Looking around Alix and Alya seem shocked. You’re beginning to feel elated though, like this might actually be possible. Steeling your nerves, you shuffle across the rug towards her and then biting your lip nervously, you consider how best to do this before figuring that as you’re shorter and lighter than her (though not by much), you could just sit in her lap… and that is how you imagined it.
Deciding that you didn’t want to waste the opportunity you slowly step over her, giving Mari every opportunity to object, but instead all she does is blush furiously and nervously smile as you straddled her lap, your legs on either side of her.
It’s close and it’s wonderfully sensual, and has far too many similarities to how you imagined kissing Ladybug for the first time. You can put your arms over Marinette’s shoulders, you could pull her close and feel every bit of her and yourself making contact, and Marinette could…
That might be too far, as much as you were willing to make that leap.
“Last chance, beautiful,” you whisper quietly as Marinette’s face approaches yours.
You catch a surprised smile on her face as you connect.
Marinette’s lips are wonderfully soft and you instinctively pull the other girl closer. The pleasurable moan you give off is lost with Marinette’s as she gives in and your tongues make contact. It’s bliss and simply wonderful, and you wonder if you should go all in in snatching Marinette out from under Adrien.
When it’s cut cruelly short and you stare into Marinette’s wonderfully blue eyes, you decide that yes, you were going to try make Marinette yours.
You sit in Marinette’s lap for a little too long, staring at her wonderfully flushed face, before carefully sliding out on onto the rug. Neither of you contribute much to the rest of the night.