Four years ago tomorrow is the anniversary of when I woke up, too scared to check the news and wrote a cute instead.

I started meet cute Mondays and dragged @ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole with me. I got a couple others to join but it didn't really take off.

I'm feeling just as much need for the cute and no news right now.

bold-o-ween

I haven't had the ability to write recently. But check out fall/spooky/Halloween works I wrote in the past

Short and sweet

Vampire

Longer fics that feel related or have a scene

Darker themes

Period pieces which feels like autumn to me

Others

Ask me why I have so many that feel like falloween on discord !!

Unkidnapped

Luka looked nervous. He never looked nervous; he was always cool as a cucumber. Until now. Marinette had ended up in a lot of unusual situations and he always knew exactly what to do. Unfortunately what he did was take the surviving coffee out of her hands and gulped it down before turning back to her.

“Start at the beginning and tell me how we got to this,” he said.

He looked swiftly back at the car she had driven up in when a thumping noise drew his attention.

“I was just getting coffee for us,” Marinette said.

She reached out for the coffee as Luka stepped away from her and tipped the cup back all the way and drank until it was clearly empty. He handed the empty cup back to her and she batted at it knocking it out of his hand. He glanced back at the car again as it thumped.

“You have got to stop starting stories that way. It is becoming a habit. Can’t you ever just get coffee and come back without a major problem?”

Marinette huffed, “It isn’t a major problem.”

“Then, tell me how you ended up with a car you don’t own that hopefully doesn’t have a person locked in the trunk.”

goodbye kiss

“Ladybug, wait. That’s not what I meant,” Nightwing shouted across the rooftop.

Ladybug turned back just as Nightwing caught up to her. He had to stop suddenly to keep from crashing into her.

“It is exactly what you meant. You just hoped I wouldn’t understand,” she responded, jamming her finger into his chest as she spoke.

He grabbed for her hand but she pulled out of his grasp.

“You are twisting everything. Can we just talk about this?”

“I don’t want to talk. You have made it clear that you don’t see me as a partner or an equal. Talking would just make sure that it was really over.”

She turned to go but he reached out for her and turned her back to him.

“I’m just saying now isn’t a good time. I don’t want to stop working with you, but it isn’t safe for you to be more than that. I need to focus and I can’t do that if I think you are in danger.”

“This is the issue with you. If we are partners then we worry about each other. Now and in the future. Don’t blame the danger for not wanting a relationship. Just tell me it was all a mistake and you don’t want to be with me now.”

Nightwing pulled her close. His hands moved to the sides of her face and tilted her chin up.

He pressed his lips against hers gently, breathing her in. She met him in the kiss for a brief second before she stopped herself and pushed him back.

“I could never tell you it was all a mistake,” he said, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I told you that talking about it would mean that it was over,” she stepped away from him. “I don’t see anything changing in the future, Dick.”

She turned and walked away.

“Wait, how do you know that name?” he called out to her.

She didn’t slow or turn back.

I don't like to choose

The only thing keeping some of these numbers from being higher is how able I am to write

I have so many still in my docs for nearly all the ships

If you suddenly find yourself without your comfort website, I got you

My master list is here to help you in this trying time

Tag team tournament 2023

Still Bitter- Marinette thought Tim left a coffee for her

Unintended consequences- Jaydrienette final battle forced but with disastrous after effects

Survival Juice- stephinette coffee shop au

Relaxing braid- Cassinette. Cass takes care of Marinette

You look like a dream- jasonette meet cute

Catch- daminette Marinette wants to play a tiktok game

Skip to the good part- Roynette meet cute during dare

Value in Friendship- Robin confesses to Marinette but she likes someone else

Race to Prove- konette race through Gotham

Queen in Iron- Vampire Dick. Fae Marinette

From the start- jasonette hanahaki

god of death- jasonette incorrect quote

Queen in Iron

Dickinette fae-vampire au

Part 1 of ??

There is blood and violence but not particularly graphic

Race to Prove

“It wouldn’t even be hard,” Marinette argued. “He isn’t really a bat so he had to find some other way to stop me.”

“I’m not saying it can’t be done,” Kon said. “I’m saying you can’t do it.”

“That’s where you're wrong. I could easily bike through Gotham without getting caught by Batman.”

“Oh really? Prove it. You have to take the bridge into Gotham, loop through the city, and get to Arkham Island before Batman or any of his affiliates catch you.”

“Done. Are you up for a race?”

From the Start

Marinette bumped through the crowd to check the posting for who she would be paired with for the literature assignment. She quickly darted away after. She could already hear others in the crowd talking about who they got as a partner and very loudly hollering and laughing about their opinions on who no one would want to be paired with. She could do without their opinions on her own pairing.

She saw that Jason Todd, her assigned partner, had walked up but he hadn’t gotten to looking for his name yet. She preferred to be away from the crowd when her name was discovered listed with his. He was rich and popular so everyone would be sure to have something to say about the quiet French girl who had come in a few months back. She had felt bad that Callie had already been publicly ridiculed for being paired with Samuel. He was nearly as popular as Jason but not nearly as nice.

You look like a dream

“You are by far the most beautiful woman here.”

Marinette turned at the voice behind her. She didn’t recognize the man who had joined her on the balcony. Her ice cubes clinked in the glass as she turned, glancing around, just in case he decided to be an ass.

“Excuse me,” she asked, thinking she must have misunderstood his clear come on.

He watched her over his drink. It felt like he was drinking her in more than the amber colored liquid in his glass.

“If you are going to look like that, you should be more accustomed to compliments. Even the gorgeous sunset can’t compete with you in that dress.”

Skip to the Good part

“I don’t disagree that it would be funny. I just think you would never actually go through with it,” Jason said.

He turned away and drained his drink while walking off. Roy grabbed him before he got away.

“You can’t just lay out a challenge like that and then saunter away like I’ve already failed,” Roy said.

“First off, I don’t saunter. I charge. Second, I bet you won’t do it to the next person you meet.” Jason gestured broadly. “You always say you hate these events but you sure keep yourself in line. You will never follow through. I bet $500 that you won’t.”

Value in friendship

“Ladybug, we have been friends for a long time so I feel I must tell you that I wish to seek more than friendship with you.”

Ladybug startled. She had been watching the water from high on Wayne Tower, thinking about another man when Robin showed up. She realized that she had heard him land but hadn’t registered the noise because she knew it was him and felt no danger. She considered this their spot and they had even joked about it because it was hidden from view in all directions and they had never seen anyone else perch there. They frequently would sit and talk after patrol or even in silence.

“I–”

She had no response. She was suddenly concerned that she had given him the wrong impression and that he would be angry. She remembered how Chat Noir had reacted when she didn’t return his feelings. She had second guessed every action after that, worried that she was somehow conveying things to him that she didn’t feel. Her shock was evident on her face though and Robin reached out for her hand. It didn’t feel romantic, with a small squeeze he held it while he spoke again.

“I have shocked you. I will give you time to think this over,” their gloves made a small noise as he released her hand. “Your response will not change our friendship. I may require a time of adjustment but I value our friendship.”

Catch

“Why are you recording me?” Damian asked, reaching for Marinette’s phone. “You know I prefer not to be recorded in public.”

“We are playing catch. Everything you catch and don’t drop, I’ll buy.”

They had already picked everything they were buying and Damian really didn’t feel like making a game of it.

“I can afford everything we have easily. Even the things you consider splurges.”

He was going to continue on with this but he stopped as her mouth turned into a pout. She turned away and tried to hide it but he had already seen it.

“It’s fine. I’ll turn the camera off.” her laugh came out forced. “Jason promised to buy all the fabric on my wishlist if I got video of you dropping something.”

She was making a joke but he could tell she really wanted to play. He didn’t know why, but it was hard to deny her. Especially when Jason had made a challenge. He might just buy everything on her wishlist anyway.

“I will not cede defeat to Jason. Let’s see what you have.”

Marinette started off easy with the pillow on the top of the cart. It was an easy shot but she still smiled when he caught it.

He probably would have played just for her smile.

They continued in the direction of the register. Damian had caught everything even if she tried to make it hard. Once they had gotten separated by a couple carts and he was around the corner but he still reached back and caught the game controller. He gave her a look at throwing something fragile. It had only needed replacing because she had knocked down the last one and been damaged.

His arms were full and the cart was now empty.

He no longer needed to worry about when she might throw the next things. She had picked up her phone and was turning off the video before they went to pay.

He smiled to himself, knowing that there was still no way he would let her pay. He barely registered her call out to him.

“Catch!”

He didn’t see what it was but on instinct, he moved and caught the small box on top of the pile of other things.

“You thought you had me but now you have to buy me the,” he glanced down at the small box, “quick read pregnancy test?”

He looked back up at her. She was biting her lip, clearly nervous about his reaction. It took only a moment for what he looked at and said to register with him.

He no longer cared about anything. He dropped the pile of things carelessly and reached out for her. He pulled her to him and kissed away all her concern.

“Really?” he asked.

Her eyes were worried but her nervous smile was looking more excited.

“I’m pretty sure.”

He lifted her and spun her around, not caring about anything else. Then he let her slide down just enough for him to be able to reach her lips again. He held the back of her head and kissed her breathless, not even wondering whether she had ever stopped recording.

Unintended consequences

Ladybug and Chat Noir were finally coming out on top in this battle. Even with the outsiders, who were having their own battle focused on the pair, they had managed to draw Hawkmoth out. They would finally be able to put a stop to the misuse of the butterfly miraculous once and for all.

He was clearly drawing them out but they had him cornered. He was trying to bring his akuma back to fight them but they planned ahead for this. They had been training and all the miraculi were in play. They had all the back up they needed to end this.

Red Hood dropped down between them as they approached. Ladybug had rushed in while Chat Noir was moving in more slowly to block and escape routes. She didn't see Red Hood knock him flat on his back and take his ring off his finger, but did distract Hawkmoth for just long enough that she was able to grab his brooch and tear it away. Red Hood was already moving toward her so she looped her yoyo high above. She swung away without looking back to see the man Hawkmoth was revealed to be. She still needed to stay ahead of Red Hood.

Adrien seemed frozen but he would have to rally, Red Hood was gaining on her too fast. He gripped her leg and she couldn't get away. She chose to protect the miraculous over her identity. She shouted down to Adrien as she tossed the earrings. They had practiced this in their recent training. If getting the miraculi were the goal then keeping them safe would be their plan.

She trusted that he would catch them so she did her best to control her fall.

Her grip had loosened when she took off the earrings so she slipped and Red Hood fell with her. He landed first but he was already rolling to lessen the impact to himself. She tucked her arms in and pushed away as soon as she could. Adrien was bent to pick up the earrings he hadn't managed to catch but Gabriel Agreste was lunging for him.

Marinette could see that the man didn’t even pause to consider that it was his son he was attacking. He was focused only on his prize. She jumped forward to stop him, not caring that none of them were magically protected now. Gabriel shoved her aside and moved to where Adrien stumbled back with the earrings. Marinette dove between them and Gabriel raised his arm to strike her but Red Hood pulled her out of the way. She bumped into Adrien who caught her but still seemed stunned as they watched Red Hood punch him and then work on restraining him.

The rest of both teams started showing up and Jason allowed the rest of the bats to take over the arrest while he came over to see how they were coping with the mixed victory. The Parisian heroes were huddled around them but Adrien didn’t respond to anything. Marinette reached for his hand but her heart broke when he finally spoke.

“Well, I guess that makes sense,” he said.

Jason pulled him close and he took the comfort for only a moment before he pushed off and ran away. Marinette stopped anyone from following. She and Jason met back up with the rest of his team before going after Adrien. The Parisian heroes were returning all the miraculi they had used. Marinette was repeating the same things over again as everyone wanted to know if Adrien would be okay. It was probably better for him to not be here and hear everything the others were saying. They were so shocked that they couldn’t help but discuss how everything had worked and he didn’t need to hear that.

The bats decided to debrief later. She was fairly certain that Cass had suggested it. She always seemed to be able to push Batman to the things she thought the others needed. Jason took her hand as they walked away and she laid her head against his shoulder. They had won but she still felt like they lost.

“A part of me wishes that your team had never come,” she looked guilty at the admission. “I know I asked, but this is not what I meant.”

“It’s hard when something so good leads to something so terrible.”

—

“Is that for me?” Adrien asked.

They didn't have to look hard for him. Marinette’s balcony was his favorite hang out when he needed some space. Marinette held up the bag.

“It isn’t even mamma’s spaghetti,” she gave a stiff smile when her joke fell flat. “It’s Maman’s soup.”

She sat next to him and leaned against him. He relaxed against her and she could feel his weight on her shoulder. Jason shuffled closer and wrapped an arm around him. They stayed there for several minutes. They didn’t need to talk and they knew each other well enough to

know that isn’t what Adrien needed right now. Jason shifted away and Adrien made a sad noise until Jason held his hand.

He turned and reached for the bag and pulled out the container of soup.

“I don’t think I can eat right now," Adrien held up his other hand and shook his head.

“You need to eat,” Jason said sternly but he squeezed Adrien's hand gently. “You can refuse but I’ll just force feed you.”

Adrien didn’t look like he believed him at first but Jason reached for a spoon and took the lid off. Adrien reached out for the container and Jason put a kiss on his cheek when he handed it to him. Marinette had pulled out the other two containers and handed one to Jason. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek too.

They ate in silence for a few minutes but she could tell when Adrien was done eating. He peeked over to Jason to make sure he wouldn’t object to the amount that he hadn’t finished, but instead he caught Marinette watching him. He looked down at her soup and then back at Jason. They had one shot. Jason seemed to know immediately that they were planning something but they were too used to working together. They both took a spoonful of soup and fed it to Jason when he opened his mouth. He made a muffled noise but he seemed mollified when they leaned in and kissed his cheeks at the same time.

The night was cooling off so they dropped through the trap door and laid on Marinette’s bed until her parents decided it was too late to have her boyfriends in her bed.

Survival Juice

“That’s a lot of chocolate,” Steph said.

Marinette glanced up at her and smiled, “It is, but sometimes you have to use regret levels of survival juice and the chocolate helps it go down more smoothly.”

She put the lid on the cup and walked over to the register to take her order, pausing to take a quick sip of her drink before she did.

“Survival juice?” she laughed. “Did you have a late night?”

“Yeah. Every night this week. I work every day but I also take commissions for design and I have a lot due soon.”

“That is hard.”

Steph looked up and studied the menu even though she had been here many times. She preferred the sweeter ones, but recently she was ordering drip coffee and staying just long enough to get a refill before she went on her way. Marinette suspected she was short on money so she came up with a plan for this time. She was really hoping that she was looking at the menu to extend her time here since the cafe was empty.

“You’re actually the one thousandth order this week. You get one free beverage, any size.”

“Really?” she asked. “Anything?”

“Yeah. It just can’t use more than two shots of espresso.”

“It has been so long since I’ve even considered ordering a fancy drink. What do you recommend?”

“I know just the thing,” Marinette said.

She turned away with a smile. She took a breath to calm herself. She had been waiting for this moment for weeks. She needed to make sure the shop was clear if she were going to offer something free so it didn’t get back to her boss. But also, she didn’t want anyone to see her hitting on a customer. There were far too many who would expect equal treatment.

She made it with maple, cinnamon and vanilla and whipped the milk frothy to make it extra creamy. It was as close to tasting like a waffle as she could manage. She looked up to make sure the woman wasn’t watching the final step. She added purple on top of the frothed milk and pulled out the mug she had for her. She had seen her stop to look at it one day and Marinette had hidden it for this very moment.

She poured carefully, making feathers down the side before making a heart inside a heart. She was not very good at saying what she felt. But she had always been able to have a creative flair that she used to make things. Hopefully, it would be seen for the confession that it was. She turned back with the drink, anxious for the other woman’s reaction.

“Is this for me?” Steph asked as she looked at the sparkling purple mug in awe. “I was so sad when they sold out. My work went out of business and I haven’t gotten a paycheck at the new place yet. It’s all going to my rent anyway.”

“It had to be purple. It matched the design,” Marinette said.

She said it like it was no big deal but she waited with baited breath for Steph’s response.

“It’s purple! How did you even do that?” she exclaimed.

“I’ve been practicing.”

“I know better than to hit on the hot barista, but if you give me the best mug in the world with purple hearts on top, I might just ask you to marry me.”

“As nice as it sounds, maybe we should start by going on a date?”

“Hell. Yeah.” Steph said.

Marinette couldn’t hold back her excitement. She climbed over the counter and pulled Steph into a hug. She pulled away just in time as people came in the door right after, but before Steph left her with the line that was forming, she left her phone number.