peppermint_shamrock

Alya's trying. But keeping both her feelings and Ladybug's identity under wraps is weighing on her heavily, and sooner or later, one or the other is going to give out.

But maybe she isn't as alone as she thought…

Written for ML Rare Pair Month Day 22 Prompt - Help

Last entry (for now) for the Secret-Keepers/Scary Kwamis AU. But I've still got one more fic (unrelated) for Rare Pair month after this!

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Marinette was talking about Adrien again.

Alya tried not to let it bother her. After all, it wasn’t Adrien who made out with Ladybug last night. And she’d promised, she’d promised Ladybug that everything was fine, that they could keep seeing each other, that she wouldn’t let it affect anything in her everyday life. She’d lied through her teeth, to herself as much as Ladybug, and said that she didn’t care that they couldn’t have a normal relationship – she just wanted a relationship.

That was easier to believe in front of Ladybug who loved her back than Marinette who had no clue.

But Alya had done her best to hold her tongue for the past month, since she found out. She’d done her best to be patient and supportive. She’d done her best to hide her knowledge of Ladybug’s identity, and never let on to Marinette that part of her life was buried in lies. Alya had done her best, and the stress was eating away at her bit by bit by bit.

She didn’t think she could last much longer, and she didn’t know what would happen if she broke. That kwami was watching, she knew, it must be to know when there was danger that Ladybug needed to respond to. And if Alya became the danger, the threat to Ladybug by being unable to keep the secret…

She didn’t want to think about that. She had to be strong.

But it was never harder than when she had to listen to Marinette pining after Adrien.

“…and then I’ll ask him out for ice cream and we’ll get married and have three kids and…Alya is something wrong?”

Damn Marinette’s senses, oblivious to her own role but keen enough to spot a friend in distress from a mile away. This wasn’t the first time Alya’d nearly been caught.

She told herself to fake a smile, and tell Marinette that someday, Adrien was sure to see how amazing she was. But Alya choked on her words. She didn’t want Adrien to see that. She wanted to be selfish; she wanted to have Marinette herself.

She could always have Ladybug, but it would be wrong to be with her if she was already with someone else as Marinette. Even if Ladybug didn’t know that, it would still be wrong, and Alya would feel guilty about it. She felt guilty enough already while Marinette was technically single.

“I…I can’t do this any more,” Alya said, before she could stop herself.

Continued...

Today I wrote: 1764 words

I worked on: Rare Pair Month

Excerpt:

“Of course,” Alya said, tonelessly. What were a few more memories to a kwami? What did silly human relationships matter to them? Maybe Marinette had already been made to forget about their whole conversation. How much of Marinette’s life was actually hers anymore? And how far removed were these kwamis if they really thought Alya would agree to the same fate?

Being secretly in love with your best friend while having to encourage her to pursue the boy she's crazy for is hard even under normal circumstances.
These are not normal circumstances.

Alya knows Ladybug's identity.
Ladybug...doesn't.

Written for ML Rare Pair Month Day 6 Prompt - Lonely

AO3 Link

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For a few months, Alya had been living the dream. She’d dutifully followed the heroes around, recording their efforts, even got personal interviews with them! Oh, they were amazing, especially Ladybug. It was hard not to fall in love with her.

Which of course, was exactly what Alya did. And that was fine, great even! Because Ladybug, as impossible as it might’ve seemed…reciprocated. It was hard to tell, of course, because Ladybug was usually only out when the city was in immediate danger, and when the city was in immediate danger, Ladybug was being professional. But there were the small things – the light blushing, the stumbling of words, the special preference Alya seemed to get when Ladybug was rescuing civilians.

And then Ladybug had kissed her.

It wasn’t much, just a peck, really, as Ladybug told her to stay safe. But at that moment, Alya knew for certain that Ladybug was interested.

It felt wonderful. Alya was giddy for days. The reporter and the superhero…what a classic couple they were! The danger didn’t scare Alya – if anything, it added a thrill to the developing relationship. Even if they couldn’t have “normal” dates, everything was just perfect as far as Alya was concerned. And it might have stayed that way, had Alya never noticed Marinette, eyes glazed-over, walking into a secluded alley. If only Alya had turned away, gone to video the Akuma wreaking havoc. If only Alya hadn’t quietly followed Marinette in concern.

If only she hadn’t seen Marinette transform.

She’d been too shocked to do anything but stay hidden where she was.

How…how could this be? How could Marinette be Ladybug? How could she keep this a secret from Alya for that long? How could she kiss her and then sit next to her the next day like nothing had ever happened?

Had Alya misread the affection entirely? Or was Marinette…toying with her?

No, Alya told herself. Marinette wouldn’t do that. She’s way too nice to…

But…Alya knew all too well how much Marinette was in love with Adrien. She’d never look twice at anyone else as long as Adrien was around.

But then, why would Ladybug kiss her?

There had to be an explanation. Clearly, Alya didn’t know Marinette nearly as well as she thought she had. And the way forward was clear. Alya needed to confront her.

So, with determination fueled by her hurt, confused heart, Alya set out to catch Ladybug alone.

( Continued... )

Happy New Year's!

Today I wrote: 997 words

I worked on: Rare Pair Month

Excerpt:

“What are you doing to Adrien?” she demanded.

Nothing that he didn’t agree to.

“That doesn’t count for much when he’s such a pushover. And he doesn’t even know that he’s agreed to anything, does he?”

Today I wrote: 781 words

I worked on: Rare Pair Month

Excerpt:

Alya choked again.

“You…you’re not going to get kicked out of school,” she managed, trying to ignore the way that her heart hurt at hearing Marinette go on about Adrien. It had never been a problem before. Alya had been happy to encourage Marinette to pursue the boy of her dreams. But now…

Today I wrote: 393 words

I worked on: ML Rare Pair Month

Excerpt:

“Why?”

Ladybug stopped her ramble to blink at Alya’s question. “Why?” she echoed. “Isn’t…isn’t that obvious, Alya?”

“It should be! But why like this? Why not in school? Why chase after Adrien just to turn around and kiss me?”