Chapter Text
*It was another day in France, as we see Mirabel and Marinette in the middle of an argument. Well. Argument was a strong word. It was more like Marinette was begging and Mirabel kept saying no. You see today the whole class was going to the beach, the only difference was that today was special. Lila couldn't make it! Unfortunately, neither could Alya but what's important is that Lila wouldn't be there. It was the perfect chance for Marinette to spend time with all her friends and her new friend without Lila there ruining everything.*
Mirabel: No.
Marinette: Please! Please! Please!
*Marinette begged on her hands and knees, in a pathetic tone with those big puppy eyes that usually work, but this time? Not so much Mirabel was unmoved, she hates the beach. She always hated the beach, give her a nice stone lake, fine. A public pool? Mirabel had swam through worse. A Waterpark? Cool. But a beach? Absolutely not, Mirabel isn't looking to have sand everywhere especially not in her hair. So Marinette can beg all she wants, she's not gonna ruin her hair just to spend time with only 1 person she loves and a large group that she hates deeply.*
Mirabel: My lovely little jewel, I care about you. But I love my hair more. Do you have any idea what seawater does to it? How much of a pain in the ass is it to clean it after the beach?
Marinette: I'll take you to a specialist! I'll pay for it and they'll fix it right up! Please, please, please, please!
*Marinette kept begging since she really wanted to go and have Mirabel there. Since it would be a great way to start fresh. Mirabel and the rest of the class had a bad start, especially since Mirabel takes her job seriously and is constantly seen as the bad guy in the situation, hell Mirabel even admitted to it, since she prefers them being angry at her than at Marinette. And while a gesture that touched Marinette deeply that Mirabel loved her that much. She really wanted to see Mirabel in a bikini.*
Mirabel: Still no.
Marinette:.... I'll kiss you on the lips.
* Marinette said, using her trump card. But unfortunately for Marinette, Mirabel responded so quickly that even the author couldn't fill this up to around 100 words.*
Mirabel: As much as I would love that. This isn't a time when our usual playful teasing will work. I have to say no Marinette.
Marinette: Why not? If it's not the class, if it's not you're hair then what?!
*Marinette complained like a child, looking so adorable for Mirabel that she couldn't help but chuckle which just made Marinette look more annoyed at her. Mirabel gave a deep sigh as she thought on things. Marinette already knew where she lived, and if they were going to be a couple soon, they needed to be more honest. The last thing she needs is this specific secret coming back to bite her in the ass later. So with a deep breath, Mirabel gave Marinette the real reason she didn't like the beach. Since she was happy when her body was covered.*
Mirabel:... well you already know I'm a runaway street rat. Might as well be more honest with you.
Marinette: What are you gonna show me?
*Marinette asked confused, since somehow what she had to show would explain why Mirabel was reluctant to go to the beach. Mirabel took a deep breath as she started to undress. Not an action that caused any reaction from either woman, since they were designers, they had seen naked models before. Marinette for her art classes, and Mirabel for having a family of mostly girls. Mirabel took out her clothes until she was only in her underwear and she showed herself bare to Marinettem Marinette's eyes widened in surprise, she knew that Mirabel was skinny, but this? She has seen this in the models that work for Gabriel Agreste. This was an anorexic type of thin. Mirabel had no fat to speak of, she was practically all bone. Mirabel gave a small chuckle, at Marinette's reaction. If she thought this was bad, she should've seen her before Marinette's parents started to feed her. With an almost sad sigh, Mirabel spoke.*
Mirabel: Just... don't freak out alright? I know it's bad.
Marinette: Bad? Mirabel, I can see your pelvis! Oh my god, I can see you're ribs! I can see everything!
*Marinette yelled as she walked around Mirabel like a vulture inspecting Mirabel's body, it was a horrific sight, seeing Mirabel's spine. Marinette couldn't help herself and she gently touched Mirabel's back, her finger traveling down her spine, an action that made Mirabel tremble a little but she allowed it to happen. Mirabel moved her head to the side and gave Marinette a bit of a side-eye smirk, and shrugged.*
Mirabel: Yeah, not having a consistent source of food will do that to you. But as they say, you give up some things in the chase of a dream
Marinette: What? This... we gotta take you to a hospital!
*Marinette said quickly, as she grabbed Mirabel's clothes from the ground and pushed them to Mirabel's chest so she could get ready. She has never been happier than in this very moment that France has universal Healthcare. They'll take Mirabel to the hospital and they'll.... Marinette doesn't even know, but they'll be able to do something. Mirabel snickered seeing how panicked and frazzled Marinette looked, it was adorable. As she started to get dressed again, she spoke, giving Marinette a bit of a dose of reality.*
Mirabel: can't. No money, and technically speaking I'm an illegal immigrant. You take me there and they'll kick me out of the country. I can't let that happen.
Marinette: But God! We've gotta do something!
*Marinette screamed as she stomped her foot on the ground. She can't just stand there and let Mirabel continue to live like this, with herself being so skinny, that if she looks close enough she could see Mirabel's chest moving because of her beating heart. Mirabel shrugged since her body was just the price she had to pay to get to France and finally find Lila again. To get justice for Luisa, so who cares if she's severely underweight, the ends justify the means.*
Mirabel: The damage to my body was made long before I came here my precious jewel. I'll be ok.
Marinette: No... no. This is not ok. Not at all! Why did you run if this was the outcome?!
*Marinette asked as she blinked rapidly to stop the tears from escaping her eyes, from seeing the girl she liked be in such a physical state. She looked like she was on the line of death. Mirabel's smile became smaller from the question, Why did she run? Why not just stay in the Encanto and try to change her family for the better? Simple. Because Luisa wasn't there anymore. Because when she had nothing, no gift, no parental love, nothing. She was there. Her sun. Then it was taken from her. It was like seeing color and then somebody takes that ability from you. Wouldn't you do everything in you're power to get it back? No matter if you break you're family more, no matter if you get addicted to nicotine, no matter if you lose yourself completely to the point that Luisa would be absolutely disgusted and ashamed of you. None of that mattered, as long as she got her justice. No sacrifice is too great.*
Mirabel: a sacrifice worth making. Trust me Marinette. Some things are worth the pain of hunger. Look, just have a fun time at the beach without me. I've got prior engagements anyway.
Marinette: How can I enjoy it when I know this?!
*Marinette asked as the blinking didn't work, she started to cry. First, the fact that Mirabel was living in the bad side of town, then finding out that her apartment was a rat-infested hellhole, after that finding out that she was a runaway girl, and now this? The fact that she didn't have food that her body ate itself alive until there wasn't anything left? It was too much for Marinette and she cried softly, covering her mouth so that a moan of heartbreak didn't escape her lips. Mirabel's smile became sad as she walked to Marinette and hugged her, her jacket becoming wet from the tears of Marinette. She tried to warn the precious jewel against this, but she was persistent.*
Mirabel: Sorry to be cruel my jewel. But that's not really my problem is it? I gave you every single opportunity to live in ignorant bliss. You rejected them and the bubble burst.
Marinette: I...
*Before she could get another word in, Mirabel silenced her by doing something that took Marinette by surprise. Mirabel let go of the hug and placed both her hands on her cheeks before kissing Marinette softly on the lips. It wasn't a long kiss, no tongue, nothing. Practically a peck on the lips, but it was enough to silence Marinette's brain for a moment. Mirabel offered the girl a soft smile as she separated and took a few steps back from the girl.*
Mirabel: I'll see you tomorrow ok? If you really want to help me, have a fun day. Nothing makes me happier than knowing you're happy. See you later Marinette.
Marinette: Bye.
*was the only thing that Marinette could say. Mirabel smiled and kissed Marinette's forehead before she left the room. While she would love to spend the day with Marinette, going to the beach simply wasn't an option for her anymore. Marinette was on autopilot as she sat down on her bed and just looked at the wall with a thousand-mile stare. Tikki came out of hiding and looked at Marinette with concern. She has seen that look before. Marinette was going down the deep end to help somebody in need. The curse of having 100% compatibility with the ladybug miraculous. Their selfless even to their own detriment.*
Tikki: Marinette...
Marinette: I have to do something. Anything. I don't care what it takes. I... I just can't let her keep living like this
* Marinette said softly, as she stood up and walked to her computer. She grabbed her phone and texted the group chat of the class that she couldn't make it because of some family issues and then closed the phone. Marinette started to do some research on ways that she could help Mirabel, and that's where she'll spend the rest of the day.*
Later with Mirabel
*We see her waiting in the corner of the street, leaning against a pole with a cigarette in her mouth, the other contributor to why Mirabel's skinny, keeping herself warm on the chilly day. This reminded Mirabel of a moment in her travels, one of the small moments of kindness somebody showed her. A prostitute saw her freezing to death and she gave Mirabel her jacket to keep, the same jacket that Mirabel is wearing now. Candi with an I really was such a gem in her industry. Shame she's probably dead of an overdose in Mirabel's opinion. A limousine stopped in front of her and the door opened. Mirabel saw Lila there inside with a small smirk.*
Lila: How is it that every time we meet, you're smoking?
Mirabel: Because you're always late. And you're exaggerating. It's not every time. So, what is this meeting about? I had to leave my little jewel in an emotional state. And while I'm sure it makes you happy when Marinette is miserable it doesn't for me.
*Mirabel said as she walked inside the limousine and closed the door. The driver grunted and pointed at the cigarette that Marinette was smoking. Marinette rolled her eyes as she took the biggest inhale that she could, rolled down the window, and flicked the cigarette out, as the car drove. Mirabel blew the smoke out the window and then rolled it back up. While she was doing all of that Lila just fixed her hair, it took a lot of convincing and stalking, but Hawkmoth finally agreed to give Mirabel an interview.*
Lila: Trust me, this will be worth it.
Mirabel: That remains to be seen.
*Mirabel said as they were driven around town, unlike with Marinette where conversation just came to them naturally towards each other, Lila and Mirabel just remained quiet, with each other. Lila was flipping through channels on the mini television in the limo while Mirabel just scrolled through social media. Mirabel frowned for a second before her eyes returned to normal seeing the news "new on the scene model Isabela Madrigal, will be making her first photoshoot in New York." Mirabel looked at the fake hollow eyes of Isabela in the picture and then scrolled to the next one until the limo stopped. Mirabel looked out the window and then at Lila.*
Mirabel: Isn't this your little toy's manor? Why are we here?
Lila: patient little one, patient. All will he revealed soon enough.
*Lila said with a small chuckle, as the two of them got out of the limo and walked into the huge home. This was something that Marinette will never understand about the rich culture. Why? Why get a house so big for only a family of 5? In this case a family of 2. Mirabel would be paranoid that somebody was living in a room and she would have no idea, as if somebody was living in the walls. Thankfully that would've never happened in Casita, so many people lived in that home that somebody couldn't have had room hidden from the rest. Mirabel stopped thinking when they made it to the meeting spot and Mirabel saw the man that Marinette had talked about with how much she admired him as a designer, everything else he was garbage. Lila walked a bit ahead and turned around to Mirabel.*
Lila: Mirabel. Meet Gabriel Agreste. Or how you already know him, Hawkmoth.
Mirabel:.... makes sense. Only a white man would have the time to do all of this.
*Mirabel mumbled to herself, in a tone that everybody heard. Mirabel walked up to the table and sat down on one side of it while Lila sat down next to Gabriel, as if she were his partner and not just another tool for him to use. Mirabel remained calm, as she looked at the two. It seems that Mirabel's plans would have to change, she didn't have to frame Lila anymore, she just needed to expose her and Gabriel. But then again, Gabriel was a powerful man, so she couldn't just take a picture now and show it to the police. No. Mirabel will have to change her whole game plan completely and be more patient than she originally thought. After a moment of silence, Gabriel the main villain of Paris whose alternate hero version is a total silver fox. But this inferior version spoke.*
Gabriel: Hello. Mrs. De los mismismos Santos. Please. Sit. We have a lot to discuss.
Mirabel: Yes. Thank you for the tea, but let's not beat around the bush. We all have things to do today. What do you want with me?
*Mirabel asked as she went straight to the point and moved the teacup that probably cost more than what her whole family had made since Alma was born combined, to the side. Besides, Mirabel was in enemy territory, she didn't know what that liquid might contain, best not to risk even taking a sip of tap water. Lila nodded her head with a small smirk, as she began speaking. It was quick but Mirabel saw it. A flicker of annoyance, Gabriel did not want lila to talk in this meeting but it seemed that he didn't have control over this girl. Interesting, it made Mirabel question just how valuable Lila is to this man.*
Lila: We all want the same thing, Mirabel. We all want the class to be miserable. He wants them miserable so he can akumatize them. I want them miserable so I can turn them into my followers. And you want them miserable, because of you're morals you don't think they deserve to be with Marinette.
Mirabel: This is true. I take it you have a way of separating Marinette from those sheep?
*Mirabel asked carefully as Mirabel finally noticed the spread that Gabriel had his servants put out for this meeting. It was all Colombian food. A subtle trap, to show Mirabel that he knows more than she thinks, but that didn't worry Mirabel, since it was absolutely impossible for anybody from the outside to find the Encanto and the birth records from the village, especially since they weren't digital. Gabriel only knew she was from Colombia, nothing more. Gabriel gave a short nod as he finally spoke with authority.*
Gabriel: Before you came along, the plan was to turn the class against Marinette Dupain-Cheng, then set scarlet akumas on the rest of them when they're feeling betrayed. Miss Dupain-Cheng is a good leader. That way, she'd be so full of anger she could lead the akumas to victory against Ladybug and Chat Noir. However...you've given me a better idea.
Mirabel: I'm listening...
*Mirabel said as she drummed her fingers on the table. Ladybug and Chat Noir. Heroes that while Mirabel may say their perverts, she can't deny that they are heroes and that their hearts are in the right place. This was a deal with the devil that Mirabel was walking into, one wrong move and she'll fall with these two if the heroes ever find out the truth. But that was a risk worth taking if it means that Lila will fall with her, even if Mirabel has to drag her to jail with her. Gabriel nodded and kept talking.*
Gabriel: Marinette is the most beloved girl in that class. She is their hero. Their savior. They adore her. They treasure her. Well...what could devastate them more than to have their Everyday Ladybug turned against them? To have the one they love and cherish most sever her ties with them?
Lila: They'll be destroyed.
*Lila said with a small laugh thinking of that day, Oh they'll be crushed, and once their spirit is broken, Lila will be able to swoop in and take Marinette's spot. The only difference is that those idiots will be working for her, not the other way around. Gabriel honestly didn't care about any of them, not even his son right now. No. Marinette was the key he needed to finally defeat Ladybug. A girl who after everything has never once allowed herself to give in to the butterfly. If he can get her to accept it, he'll have a minion strong enough to take Chat Noir and Ladybug by herself.*
Gabriel: And Marinette herself will be, too, if she thinks that the people she once called her friends, for whom she stood up and sacrificed, were truly nothing but liars and bullies the whole time. They'll all be easy prey for my akumas.
Mirabel: What's in it for me?
*Mirabel asked, as she again drummed her fingers on the table, her subtle way of telling Gabriel that she was bored with this conversation. Really, did he think Mirabel was just gonna accept risking her freedom, for nothing? No. If he expects her to play ball, he'd better be offering something that will tickle Mirabel's interest. There are many things she needs, but the main one she really needs is nationality. Lila for her part gave a small scowl at Mirabel, they were giving her Marinette on a silver platter, which was what she wanted.*
Lila: Excuse me? You get Marinette all to yourself. Just like you wanted.
Mirabel: Please. That's mine to take, not yours to give. And Lila I'm not a fucking idiot. I know he's giving you you're modeling career. Don't blame me for wanting a little something too.
* Mirabel said with an uncaring shrug, as she kept a neutral face even when Lila pursed her lips in anger, for being called out on her hypocrisy. Gabriel examined Mirabel with a stern pout. This girl was confident that she could succeed in claiming Marinette entirely without any outside help. And, as much as Gabriel didn't want to admit it, she definitely could with enough time. He had been watching Mirabel with his butterflies. She'd barely been around Marinette for a couple of months, and she had made significant progress in breaking Marinette down among her classmates. She was good. That's why Hawkmoth and Lila wanted her on their team.*
Gabriel: What do you want?
Mirabel: I'm a simple girl Mr. Agreste. I want something only someone with you're power can give me. I'm a runaway girl from Colombia. I have no papers. Make me a legal French citizen papers, social security number, and everything in between and I'll get you what you want. Just put me on the French grid.
*Mirabel said with a firm nod finger on the table. If she gets the papers that say she's a French citizen and not an immigrant, then things can really work for her after that point. She'll be able to finally leave that apartment complex and go to a safer neighborhood, or at least one with warm water. Gabriel looked almost surprised at such a request, he was so sure that Mirabel would've asked for money, or that maybe she would become a model like Lila, but no. She asked something that even if you gave him a million guesses he would've never guessed. Also, something that can be very easily done with his connections.*
Gabriel: simple enough request. That's all you want?
Mirabel: That's all I need. That and you're people blackmailing the principal of my school, to change the fake papers I gave him, with the legitimate papers you'll make for me.
*Mirabel said with a shrug, as she thought on the deal she just made with a literal devil, not just because he was Hawkmoth, but because he was rich and powerful, one wrong move and he could make her disappear forever from the face of the earth. If she betrays him without having all her dots connected, she'll lose and chances are she'll never see the light of day again. But she needed those papers more than anything else right now. Especially since she knows Marinette is up to something. Gabriel waved his hand and what must be his assistant walked up to him. He whispered something into her ear, making the woman nod and then walk away. Gabriel gave Mirabel a nod of agreement.*
Gabriel: Deal.
Mirabel: Have to warn you, though...Adrien might get some backlash. I think he's got a thing for my Marinette, even if he's too foolish to see it.
*Mirabel said with a shrug as she told the truth. She looked at Gabriel, trying to get a read on him but got nothing, he held absolutely no reaction that his son will 100% be caught in the crossfire for all of this. It reminded Mirabel of her own parents, how fantastic, something they have in common, both of them have shitty parents. The only difference was that Mirabel was free, while Adrien only thought that he was free. Case and point the girl in charge of keeping Adrien under control spoke next.*
Lila: Even if he does, he's gonna be mine, one way or another.
Gabriel: Don't worry about Adrien. He might go through some hardship, but it's all to get his mother back. Once our mission succeeds, he won't give two needle pricks about Miss Dupain-Cheng. He'll be completely happy for the rest of his days.
*Gabriel said and Mirabel just nodded showing no reaction, although she was confused. How was Ladybug and Chat Noir going to help Adrien's mother, when Marinette had told her Adrien's mother was dead? But maybe that wasn't the case, just what they told the public, to cover up her disappearance? Hmm. Whatever the case was, Marinette is a patient girl, she'll figure it out soon. She saw Gabriel stand up and walk to her, once he was there he offered Mirabel his hand. Mirabel didn't even hesitate, she grabbed Gabriel's hand and shook it. It was done. Mirabel just made a deal with the devil.*
End of season 1 season 2 coming out soon, for the moment 10 chapters of season 2 is done at patreon, but I don't publish until I have at least 20. So! Season 2 will probably be out in February