Reader's POV

"(Reader,)" A voice said

"(Reader!)" The same voice called out

My eyes blinked slowly, adjusting to my new surroundings.  I felt like I was laying on the edge of something.  The sweet, gentle wind caressed my brown hair, feeling as if another gust could send me falling from this unknown structure I was laying on.

Suddenly I'm blindfolded by unseen hands, as I'm tilted back.  The blindfold feels lose, I can feel it moving against my head.

I'm pulled back only to roll on the ground.

"She will NEVER love you.  Young men like you make me sick!" A woman spoke

Someone grabbed me by the shoulders and dragged me to what I could feel was a chair.

"PUT YOUR ASS IN THE GOD DAMN CHAIR!" The woman said shoving me on it tying my hands and legs

"It's a shame you're disconnected from what you have left of bars."

Slow echoing steps are to my right.

"Tell me, what causes your heart to beat for this...Alix?" Another voice asked

"You know your heart will be broken by her!  Shattered!  Love is a PATHETIC EMOTION AND SHALL BE ERADICATED FROM THIS EARTH!" The same voice said pulling back on a bow

"Cupid no!  Not yet you idiot!  We gotta keep the bait alive, not kill him."

"You mean his heart."

"Whatever!  Just do as I say, I have no doubt they'll be here soon." The woman replied

"Leave us." She concluded

The second person walked away as their footsteps disappeared along with a door closing.

"Now, since I've loosened you up out there; let me look at you." She said sliding the blindfold off my head

A woman with a striking resemblance to Alya was in-front of me.  Sure, she had the same body shape, hair and eye color.  A kind soul was missing.

"So, tell me.....(Reader,) what're your reasons for being here?"

"You kidnapped me and drugged me that's what!"

"I wouldn't shout if I were you.  But good luck anyone hearing, these walls are soundproof."

"Do your worst you BITCH!"

"Ah ah ahhhh!  Ya used a bad word, Wifi Slash!"

The woman took out a phone and made slash marks on it, the marks made their ways onto my inner and outer arms.

"GAAAAHHHHH! FUCK!"

Above my head towards the ceiling was a pink symbol pointed at me.  She turned to face it.

"People of Paris, prepare to have a once in a lifetime scoop!  Superheroes like to think they have no weaknesses, and I may have just found the WEAKEST link of all time!  For this world's most pathetic chain, what you just saw was only a TIDBIT of what I'm able to do in harming this man!"

"Syringe!"

A purple and pink syringe with a purple and black mist inside the tube appeared in her right hand from thin air.

The needle shot agonizing pain in the left side of my neck, dangerously close to my throat.

"That was just to prove my point.  Ladybug, you have ONE HOUR to reveal your secret or your crush won't just be slush!  His words are always misread, WHICH MEANS HE'LL BE DEAD!"

The symbol above us remained still as she prepared another slash mark.

It landed on the right side of my neck.  Then the symbol disappeared.

The tearing sensation finally hit me as blood had been pouring from my arms and neck.

I yelled out in pain as she walked away.

"AHHHHH!  YOU'LL DIE FOR THIS YOU HEAR ME!?  YOU'LL DIEEEEEE!"

"Yell all you want, Mother Mary herself won't hear you."

A door opened as light poured in blinding me.

4 Hours Earlier

I had a nightmare, and woke up screaming with the sunlight creeping into my peripheral vision.  Ignoring the sweat I'm drenched in, I ran to the bathroom splashing water on my face staring in the mirror.

'Calm down, to much adrenaline'

'Calm the hell down.'

"Well good morning to you too, (Reader.)" Adrien said appearing behind me wrapped in a towel

The look on his face told me nothing more needed to be said when he saw how terrified I was.

"Nightmare?"

"The first in months."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Kidnapped, but that's all I can say."

"Good thing we got the day off today.  Go clear your head." He said walking out

As I grabbed a towel from the rack, he turned around.

"I know what we can do today!"

I raised my eyebrow.

"Let's get ya some new clothes."

"Sure."

With the door closing, I took a quick shower, with my fears evaporating like the steam.  The same couldn't be said for the stings I felt on my neck and arms.

As the last of the steam dissipated, the same bracelet from last night was still by the sink.  Black with a silver plate with "Marinette" engraved on it.

"Nice gift." I said aloud

Classic blue jeans and a gray shirt is my attire.  Wonder where Adrien will take me to get new threads?  Personally, I figured what I had left packed in my bags was good enough.  I won't argue with a caring cousin though.

Outside, his driver was waiting as we piled inside.

"Oh hey, just got a text from Alya.  She wants to tag along." He said

"Why the hell not?" I laughed

There was a short drive all in all between picking her up and getting dropped off at some fancy shop.  It kinda looked like a few I went to in the States.

We walked through tons of isles full of shirts, hoodies, jackets, jeans, and everything in between.  The accessories, if anything else caught my eyes.  I snagged a black snapback with white music notes on it, various bracelets, and a few cross and dog tag necklaces for good measure.  I grabbed pairs of blue, gray, stonewashed, and black jeans that seemed like good fits, finishing off with 3 different V-neck shirts.  Them being dark red, light blue, and dark green.

Through every combination I walked out of the dressing room in, I liked the dark red V-neck and black snapback, silver cross necklace, brown and black leather bracelets, stonewashed jeans, and a pair of black high tops the best.

"Damn dude! Lookin hot!" Alya said

I turned to the mirror, and I did like how I looked.  Turning around, I saw how nice the jeans fit me.  Been a while since I had such things that were my size.  The shoes were a different story, slipping them off.

"Hey Adrien, can you grab these in a 10.5?"

"Yeah dude." He said walking back

Alya went back and grabbed a light gray flannel button up.

"Here, slip this on."

I went back into the changing room slipping my arms through, buttoning it up as I walked back out.

Alya walked up to me, unbuttoning the top 2 buttons showing my chest.  I wasn't ripped by any means, but decent for me.

"Ya know what, just undo the rest." She said as I complied

"There, now you're a babe magnet.  With those looks you "modeled" for us, I bet even Ladybug would ask you out." She smirked

"Me and the superheroine of Paris?  As if she has time for dating." I rolled my eyes

Alya took out her phone and snapped a pic of me.

"Oh, you never know dude.  Any girl would be a fool to not at least take a stab at ya."

"Thanks for the confidence boost."

Alya sighed in frustration.

"Ugh!  How many bars ya got in here?" She asked

I zoned out having the nightmare return, only hearing the word "bars" over and over.

"You disconnected or what?" She asked again, now realizing I wasn't paying attention

"O-oh, I'm fine.  I got full bars, actually."

"You gotta be kidding me.  Guess I'll post this later."

Adrien came back with the shoes, they were a perfect fit.

"Alright, I'm sold."

After the transaction, bags in hand, I came out wearing my new favorite outfit.  It was nice wearing a hat again, the sun nearly blinding me wasn't a problem now.

"What were ya gonna post the pic of me on?" I asked

"Oh that, I meant I was gonna send it to Marinette.  Aaaaand done!"

"Thanks." I said rolling my eyes

Marinette's POV

I haven't heard from (Reader) much, which I've grown used to since he sleeps late on our days off. Refreshed from a morning shower, Tikki greeted me with the steam following behind.

"Morning Marinette.  Looking good." She teased

"Tikki, come on.  I'm not even dressed yet." I said adjusting my towel

"Just filling the void (Reader's) leaving." She laughed

"Tikki, (Reader) is many things, but a pervert is not one of them."

"In his eyes, you look amazing in anything.  You of all people should know."

"Whose void are you trying to fill again?" I asked annoyed

"If anything, I'm sure.....Adrien would say something like that.  Not (Reader.)" I said getting my usual outfit ready

"You're probably right, but agree to disagree.  You gonna give him his bracelet back?"

"I will I just....gotta find the right time." I said finishing up my outfit with the signature gray jacket

Bzzt

Alya - New Picture Message

"Woah, (Reader) cleans up nice, I'll give him that."

"Seems like now would be the perfect time."

"Tikki, let's not rush things." I said getting lost in thought

My eyes spaced out.

"Marinette!" Tikki said

"I-I'm fine.  I'm not torn between them, he's nice and all; but my heart belongs to Adrien."

"Please be careful."

Bzzt

Adrien - 1 New Message

Adrien: Hey Marinette! Just took (Reader) out to get some new threads, he loves em! Wanna hang out in the park? Alya's with us too.

Me: I'll be there! See you then! <3

I looked back at the mirror focusing on my still damp hair, as I began brushing it.

"Long or pigtails Tikki?"

"Long, I rarely see you with that style, I think it suits you better."

"Thanks."

I slipped (Reader's) bracelet in my purse.

"You don't mind, right Tikki?" I asked

"Nope, I'm good."

In all honesty, I'm glad that I'm heading to the park to hang out with Adrien, (Reader,) and Alya.  His bracelet made a rhythmic clinking noise matching the rhythm of my walk.  Adrien waved over to me, and for once I didn't become the embarrassment I usually am.  (Reader) wasn't far behind him, looking off in the distance, then turning to me smiling.  That smile of his, just as sincere and genuine as Adrien's.  I promised myself that I won't get torn between them, taking Tikki's words to heart.  We exchanged greetings, and talked about everything and nothing.  Separation became commonplace, as he would go talk with Alya, or text Alix.  I mean....I figured he was.

When a lull in the action happened, I tried taking a stab at where (Reader) was staring.  It only took me a few seconds to see what it was.

The Notre Dame Cathedral.

"It's really pretty. You've ever been there?" (Reader) said walking next to me

"Not......"

Choose your words carefully Marinette!

"Not really.  I'm hoping we'll have a field trip there soon."

"Nice, is it just open for tours?"

"For tours and Mass, yeah."

"Cool, I thought it was just open for tours.  Maybe we'll go together sometime."

This kid, honestly.  He's so nice, but he can be so damn quiet sometimes.  Does he still have baggage from the states?

I decided to pull him by the fountain when Adrien and Alya struck up a conversation.

"Have you been alright recently?"

"Other than this nightmare I had last night, I'm okay."

"Do you.....want to talk about it?"

"I was kidnapped, tied to a chair, and someone scratched my arms and neck, then stuck a needle next to my throat.  They said something about Ladybug though."

"They?"

"I guessed there were a few villains that did it."

I could tell he remembered more than what he was telling me.

"Anything else?"

"Some chick gave Ladybug a timeframe to reveal her secret before I get killed." He said putting the last word in air quotes

"Seems really intense, you sure you're alright?"

"I'm sure I wouldn't've gotten a few new getups if I wasn't."

"Even with your new outfits, this one looks good on you by the way; I can still...."

I sighed.

"Look, whenever you're ready to tell me more about your nightmare, don't hesitate.  I can still tell that it's still affected you." I concluded

"I might've over reacted a bit, but I'm fine." He replied

"Hey, me and Alya gotta grab some stuff from school.  Wanna come with?"

"Why not?"

That damn smile of his.

Alya's POV

The three of us began our walk to school.  Marinette was partially right, all we had to get was something from our lockers.  Me and Marinette grabbed what we needed, heading back to the music club as I left my phone in the locker.  I unlocked the door, and gave (Reader) a basic rhythm pattern.  He went to the piano of all things, and recorded a simple melodic loop with no chords.  Slipping on the guitar bar and power chords were struck, then some short solos and shreds in-between.  While the piano loop was playing, Marinette began playing her own melody on top of it, throwing in some basic chords she knew.

All the while, I'm glad I hit record on the computer.  We continued playing like this for a few minutes, then ended our song.

"Damn that was good!" (Reader) declared

"Seems like you haven't lost your touch, Marinette."

She laughed.

"Yeah, I'd still need some lessons from (Reader) though."

"Sounds like you got a good structure." He replied

Then of course, as we were walking out, Chloe had to step in and ruin the fun we were having.

"Hey losers, foreigner."

"The hell do you want?" I said

I normally don't curse, but I've let em fly a few times.  Even Marinette gasped.

"Nothing, since Adrien isn't here, and Sabrina's sick; still gotta let everyone know I'm the best." She said in her persnickety tone

"By the way, I'm totally gonna destroy you in this semester's Class Presidential campaign."

"In your dreams." Marinette said

"What's your 'master plan' this time?" I asked

"Simple, I'll get the principal to remove the Music club from our school."

"Over my dead body you will!" (Reader) declared jumping in

"What?  You gonna run?"

"Candidate or not, I will NOT have the greatest club IN PARIS taken away!  What about the school orchestra!?  Marching band!?  The concerts!?"

"I can't reveal my strategy now, that'd be un-presidential.  Good luck winning this round Marinette, you won't have a chance." Chloe proclaimed walking away

Chloe quickly turned around, punching (Reader) square in the jaw before he had a chance to block it.

"That's for protesting a candidate."

"Nope." Adrien said pressing a button on his phone

Chloe did nothing but look at him, blinking twice.

"Nope."

"Not my blood Chloe, not my blood." He said grabbing her arm dragging her to Mr. Damocles' office

(Reader) turned to the men's room, but Marinette grabbed his arm.

"To the nurse's office!"

He was holding his jaw in pain, I felt like I should've taken the punch for him.

The nurse said that no teeth were lost, but it'll be sore for a few days. She gave him a bottle of painkillers.

"It'll only hurt when you-" The nurse said

I felt the bruised spot on his right cheek, he winced in pain.

"Touch it." She concluded

As terrible as it sounds, I chuckled.

"Alya!  Stop!" Marinette said

We walked out together, (Reader) holding his cheek as a bruise already began forming.

"I'll be heading to my locker and going home.  You alright (Reader?)  Need another bodyguard?" I asked

"He's fine Alya.  I think between the two of us, we can manage." Marinette said

"Alright then.  Catch up with you two later."

Marinette's POV

Alya walked back, leaving us alone.  I noticed Adrien and Chloe still weren't out of the Principal's office.  I mean, yeah Chloe's a major bitch and all, but even I'd say this is a first for her.

Damn it Marinette!  You should've taken the punch for him!  No, that would've gotten (Reader) in trouble.  I bet he'd lay her out too, I'd hate to get on his bad side.  Let's hope that day never comes.

"Hey, uh....if you're still.....up for it.  You want to see one of the clubs I'm in?" I asked

"This?  It's just a scratch, I've had worse.  Sure, I'm down."

I took him down another hall, and opening a door to the Kickboxing club.

"MMA?" He asked

"Kickboxing actually."

"You compete?"

"No, but it's fun to build up a sweat and blow off some steam.  One hell of a stress reliever if you ask me.  Want a few lessons?"

"If you want, sure." He said taking off his hat, necklaces, bracelets and flannel shirt

"Normally it's best to do this in gym shorts and a crappy shirt, but in a pinch, this'll do." I said putting pads on my hands

He took a fighting decent stance, but I still adjusted him.

"There." I held up the pads

"Left."

Dead center.

"Right."

Dead center.

"Left, right!"

"Right, left!"

He caught on quick.

"How are you with kicks?" I asked

"I could be better."

I showed him a simple kick, he mimicked it almost perfectly.

"Watch your form." I said bringing up the pads again

He hesitated at first.

"I can take it, go on."

His kick made just as much an impact, if not more than the punches.  It sent me back a few inches.

"Perfect!"

I cleaned off the pads, wiping the small bits of sweat from my forehead.

"Good job, keep this up and you'll be taking names in no time." I praised

"Ok, Lara Croft, I think you're years ahead of me." He smirked putting his accessories back on

"Haha!  Wow, nice." I said extending my fist

His fist bumped mine.

As we walked back to the main entrance, (Reader) stuck up another conversation.

"T-this seems like a cool trade. I'll teach you guitar and piano, you teach me your kickboxing stuff." He said

"Sounds like a good deal to me." I said

Adrien and Chloe were finally done, as he walked back to the lockers.  I could tell she didn't care what the punishment was, a devilish smirk was plastered on that witch's face.  Alix walked out of the science room, waving to him as she came over to us.

"H-Hey (Reader.) What're you doing here?" She asked

"Just learned some kickboxing moves, you?"

"Finished a paper I was working on."

"Guess we share the same Chemistry class too?"

"It's a different one actually."

He nodded.

"I-If you're not doing anything later, w-would you maybe, want to...."

Chloe rushed up to us.

"Hahahaaaaaa!  You!?  Alix, pleeeeease tell me what you'd bring to the table.  What could you POSSIBLY have that'll get his attention!?  Nothing, you slut!  Get out of my sight!"

Alix ran off bawling her eyes out.  (Reader) tried comforting her, but she brushed him off.

"UGH!  THAT WHORE!" We heard her scream as she walked down the steps

Adrien leaned against the wall next to us as he came out.

"I swear, Chloe has gone too far this time."

"In more ways than one." (Reader) replied

Incoming Call - Alya

"Hello?"

"Put me on speaker."

"Guys, that BITCH, TOOK MY PHONE, AND DELETED MY LADYBLOG!  ALL MY INTERVIEWS, FOOTAGE!  BACKUPS, EVERYTHING!  Ohhhh mark my words, she'll get what's coming to her!  I swear it!"

She hung up.

"She always this terrible?" (Reader) asked

"You don't know the half of it." I replied

A threatened musician, heartbroken admirer, and the hard work of a passionate journalist destroyed.  Including much more, such a perfect breeding ground for my Akuma's.

Fly away my little Akuma's AND EVILIZE THEM!

Alix's POV

After I finished my Science paper, the moment I saw (Reader) in that new outfit, my heart almost stopped!  That hat, necklaces, those jeans!  Everything!

Even though I've only hung out with him for a night, I can tell he's heartfelt and caring.  I....I want to know him more!

Then that bitch Chloe came up and HUMILIATED ME!  Slut!?  She's the slut!

TimeBreaker, we meet again.  You wish to change the way things were, succeed in your plans.  All I need is Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous.  You know your powers, use them!

"Damn straight Hawkmoth!"

Alya's POV

"I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE DELETED ALL MY WORK I PUT INTO MY LADYBLOG!  SHE'S GONE TO FAR THIS TIME!"

Lady Wifi, the wind tells me your efforts of revealing Ladybug have been destroyed.  I can help you fulfill your destiny, all I want is Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous.

"All lies will be exposed, and the truth will be told!"

Marinette's POV

Adrien ended up leaving, not before kissing my cheek.  Before I lost focus, I turned to (Reader) who was now sitting on one of the benches drawing something in his sketchpad.

Bzzt

Adrien - 1 New Message

Adrien: Gotta cancel date night, something's come up.  We'll reschedule, I promise.

Me: It's alright, don't be sorry.

Adrien: Thanks <3

"What you are drawing?" I asked sitting next to him

"I was trying to draw you, even though I'm terrible with drawing people. I kept the eyes, and just doodled whatever else came to mind. I guess you'd call it a logo?"

What he showed me was stunning!  I take back my comment about him being so quiet, it's just part of who he is.  He'll tell me more about him when he's ready.  The amount of detail he put into this.....it's unreal!  He did my eyes, a pink flower, two red bands, and a black one wrapping it all together.

"It's no masterpiece, but-"

"It's from you." I said

"Y-Yeah."

"I noticed how you tied everything together with the bands, nice touch."

"Thanks."

Looking below the bands, I saw my initial and flag along with his.

"What does that symbolize?" I asked pointing to the black ribbon that looked cut above his flag

"Crossing the world suddenly, which is why mine is faded."

I then saw the colors in between the cuts, a mix of blue, pink and red that was untouched.

"The blue is my favorite color, the red is my family blood with both our flags, and the pink is well.....from that design of yours.  You really helped me a lot, even though I'm normally quiet and usually keep to myself."

"(Reader,) I'm floored by the effort you put into this!  It's yours, the symbolism, structure, how it all flows together.  I'll never underestimate your creativity again." I said

He smirked.

"Y-you want it?"

My heart froze.

"W-what? (Reader,) this is your artwork!  It's a part of you, you can't just give a piece of yourself up like that!"

"If it makes you feel better, I'll make you a copy." He said

He quickly signed it in cursive.

"I'll get it copied ASAP."

A set of hurried footsteps rushed out and down the steps, I didn't get to see who it was.

"By the way, I have your brace-"

Before I could finish, a blindfold appeared on his face, and his hands were tied from thin air!  I could see him being shoved in a cage before he disappeared!

A pink sphere flew towards me as I flipped over the bench, taking cover behind it.

"Looks like you're gonna have to fight your best friend again!" Tikki said

"Let's hope I can save her again.  Time to transform!  Tikki, spot's on!"

As soon as I transformed, I rushed out the door as Lady Wifi took (Reader) from the cage, hoisting him over her shoulder.

"Evillustrator, take me away! Destroy her!"

I started swinging my yoyo trying to get the sketchpad out of his hand, being blocked with every shot, and nearly getting frozen from one of Wifi's symbols.

Before I could make one last effort to wrap it around her leg, they sped off.  Little did I know, it got around it, and was taken for a short ride before crashing on a rooftop.  The last I saw of them, they were heading past the Eiffel Tower.

"Looks like they got away." Chat Noir said walking up next to me

"They took (Reader!)  Who knows what they'll do to him!"

"Relax M'Lady, we'll get him back.  I promise, cat's honor." He replied raising his hand

"You *better* raise that right paw of yours." I said

"How many victims were akumatized?"

"Just two, who knows how many?"

"Let's just stick with what we know so far."

Timebreaker began skating past huge crowds, making huge crowds disappear.

"Make that three." I said

"HawkMoth must be planning something big."

I jumped down from the rooftop as adrenaline ran through my body, landing amongst the crowds running away in a courtyard.

"Hey!  Time's up Timebreaker!"

"I nearly beat you once, I won't be defeated again!"

"Come near my loved one and you'll regret it!"

"Enough of this." She said skating past the civilians

"Fight Me!" I declared taking a stance swinging my yoyo

So yeah, back at community college.  And before you ask, I threw that picture together.  Really love how it turned out.  Hope yinz are still enjoying this despite the long gap in my updates!