Just wanted to say how incredibly sorry I am for abandoning this story for SO long. But I'm back and really hoping to complete this sooner rather than later. Here's a long chapter full of superheroes, fluff, and even angst, take it as my apology!
Ms. Bustier, in her barely recognizable slug form, stretched open her mouth again to release another slime bullet. Chat Noir tightened his grip on Ladybug's waist and she responded by wrapping her arms around him. He kicked off of the branch they were on and leapt higher into the tree's branches.
"Any idea how we beat this thing?" Chat asked her as they caught their breath.
Marinette's heart was warm, despite the terror she was feeling from the entire situation. Chat was here. And while she had no idea what to do about this new enemy that had taken over their teacher, she felt so much more hope than she had moments ago. With him beside her, they had a chance.
She sighed, releasing her arms from around him, "Honestly I have no idea," her voice got a little higher as she looked away from Chat, "I mean I don't even know what's going on, I-uh was camping with Family!? And heard some screams so I hurried this way and came upon this!"
If Chat was suspicious, he didn't show it, "Well it's not an akuma, this is different. My friends and I noticed she seemed off earlier and now she's this disgusting slug beast! But now that you're here with me, my lady, I feel brave as a lion!" He gave her a playful wink and she giggled gently. Her reaction seemed to surprise him a little, and he turned away before she could see him blush.
"First things first, let's try to contain her!" Ladybug stated, "That way she can't harm anyone else and we can maybe figure out a way to get her back to normal?"
Chat grew serious, looking down at the stumbling giant slug below them. It was completely dark brown and realistic, not a trace of the teacher left in it except for a large purple spot on its back like Ms. Bustier had, had on her neck. Slowly, it seemed to be attempting to climb the tree, but with no success yet.
"Let's hurry," Chat Noir said, crouching down preparing himself to jump down, "There are students who were contaminated and there's the possibility they're losing oxygen."
Marinette wondered how Chat knew about the students, but she reminded herself now was not the time to be worrying about that. Chat was right, if Alix and Kim were going to survive they needed to move now. Together, they hopped down the branches and landed behind the slug.
"Lucky charm!" Ladybug cried, summoning whatever magic item may be able to help them.
A large, black polka dotted red salt shaker landed in her arms. She gulped, wouldn't the salt hurt her teacher? Then, she remembered creating salt mazes as a child for slugs to go through. It was cruel, but it gave her the perfect idea.
"Chaton, can you lead her a little further into the woods?" Ladybug asked.
He saluted her and yelled, "On it!" Then ran head on for the slug.
"Hey slow poke, catch me if you can!" With his baton, he smacked the slug right in the antenna, then booked it for the forest.
Slug Bustier followed rather quickly considering she was a slug. Chat ran deeper into the forest, hollering insults at the slug as he went. Ladybug followed them close behind, jumping from tree to tree silently as she attempted to go unnoticed.
"That's good Chat!" Ladybug shouted as she dropped to the grassy floor. She sprinted around the slug in the shape of a large oval, pouring out a salt trail behind her until Ms. Bustier was completely trapped in a salt ring.
Chat placed a hand on Ladybugs shoulder, his other hand pointed mockingly at the semi-frustrated looking slug, "Looks like you've been a-salt-ed!"
Ladybug groaned, "Okay so she's trapped, but now what? There's no Akuma for me to cleanse, and I only have about two minutes left until my transformation wears off."
Chat Noir opened his mouth to answer but then froze. His face went blank for a moment and then he said, "Are you sure?"
"Huh?" Ladybug tilted her head.
"Sorry," Chat replied, "My Kwami is talking to me, and he wants me to cataclysm her.."
"No!" Ladybug gasped, "That could kill her!"
"Marinette, trust Chat Noir and his Kwami" Tikki's sweet voice said sternly in Marinette's head.
Chat looked troubled, but Ladybug bopped his nose comfortingly, "I trust you, and my Kwami trusts your Kwami, so let's see what happens."
He nodded, then yelled, "Cataclysm!" Chat ran at the slug, slamming his palm straight on to the purple blotch on its back."
A rush of energy bursted from the slug, sending Chat Noir straight into Ladybug. They fell together, eyes wide in shock at the sight before them. The salt shaker was now a black puddle of goo. A large, sickly looking black bubble formed around Slug Bustier, and then, it popped. The two heroes covered their faces as a nasty slime sprayed everywhere. Then, where the slug once was, sat a worn out and slime covered Ms. Bustier.
Ladybug's earrings gave one last warning beep, "I have to go Chaton, I think things are okay now and hopefully we won't need to see each other again until we are both back home."
"Wait!" Chat called out, but Ladybug had already sped off.
"Let's get you back to your students," Chat Noir said as he helped up his disoriented teacher. He led her back to the camp grounds, then jumped away to release his own transformation.
"You both did very well!" Tikki hugged Marinette's cheeks as they sat below a tree, just on the edge of the campsite. Marinette still had slime all over her and she grumbled in distaste. "You should hurry back now, I'm sure everyone's worried about you and we can always talk about this later."
As she ran to the bathrooms, the students started flowing out. Alya screamed in joy when she saw Marinette and ran for her, hugging her even though she was all slimy.
"Oh gross, girl did you get slimed out there? I told you to stay with us!" Alya shook her hands violently to shake the slime off.
"Uh yeah!" Marinette apologized, "I'm really sorry! Are Kim and Alix okay?"
Alya nodded, and the two walked over to Kim and Alix. They had their arms around each other for support, they were exhausted but otherwise unharmed. Nino and Adrien ran to the girls, Adrien also covered in slime like Marinette was.
"Did Mari get slimed out there too! God, you guys need to stay put next time!" Nino said in frustration. Adrien looked sheepish but Alya roughly said, "hopefully there won't be a next time!"
Ms. Bustier found her students by the bathroom, and ran to them with tears in her eyes, "I'm so sorry," she sobbed, "I had no control and I never meant to hurt any of you! Thank goodness Ladybug and Chat Noir were there to save me!"
Marinette stiffened while the other students gasped, "They were here!?" Alya exclaimed. "Oh my god and I missed them damnit!" The students were now excited, all remaining fear gone as they trusted their super heroes to protect them. Adrien and Marinette both looked worried still, scared for whatever may come next.
...
That evening, everyone was gathered around a large, roaring campfire. The flames were hot and comforting and Marinette had relaxed considerably over the last few hours. The students were loud, telling stories, laughing, and roasting marshmallows. But Adrien still seemed upset, so much that Marinette began to notice. She got up from her spot besides Alya, walked past Nino, and softly sat herself down next to the sad, blonde boy.
Gently, she asked him, "Adrien, is everything alright?"
He looked up, coming out of his little trance. He gave her a smile, but his eyes were sad and shiny, not just from the heat of the fire. And despite the warmth, he shivered, "Hey Mari.. I'm okay. Just a little down but I'm okay."
Marinette almost blushed to Adrien calling her by her nickname, but she was too concerned in that moment to be flustered by it. She shyly moved closer to him, and placed a hand on his knee.
"I'm always here for you, if you ever need someone to talk to or anything," her voice was just a whisper and a dark blush bloomed on her cheeks.
To her surprise, he took her hand from his knee and held it between both of his hands. His hands were large and cold, and he just held her hand for a few moments as they both sat in silence. Marinette's face was completely red and her heart rate quickened but externally she remained calm, despite the fact that she wanted to squeal.
"Thank you," he finally said, so quiet she almost didn't hear him. He held her hand a little tighter, his voice cracking sadly, "When I found out my dad was Hawkmoth, it was almost as painful as losing my mom.. And I've been okay, I'm not alone and so I can get through it. But with this new monster taking over Ms. Bustier today, I'm just reminded of how horrible my father was.. Yet despite that, I still really miss him. Miss her. And it's hard. Really hard."
Marinette felt tears fall on to her wrist. Her heart ached so badly for the poor boy, he didn't deserve any of this and she wished more than ever she could take all of his pains away. She took her hand away, but instead replaced it with a large hug. She held Adrien in her arms the best she could, and felt him shake as he began to break down. Her hand rubbed his back and she whispered soothingly in his ears, telling him everything was going to be okay. Her eyes were moist, and as she wiped her eyes she realized the campfire had gone silent, some of the students watching them while others looked away respectfully. She had eye contact with Chloe, who immediately looked away but not in spite, for her face looked more heartbroken than any of the others.
He was so sad, and Marinette felt desperate to make him feel better this very moment. She looked around, and noticed beside her was a bag of marshmallows.
"Adrien?" She said into his ear after he had seemed to calmed down.
He looked at her, his beautiful green eyes shining and slightly red from crying. She smiled at him and asked, "Have you ever had a s'more before?"
It was an unexpected question, his mouth opened into a little "o" in mild shock. Quickly and almost childlike, Adrien shook his head. Marinette moved away from him, letting him out of her arms. She turned to pick up the bag of marshmallows.
Popping one into her mouth, she cheekily said, "boy have I got a treat for you!"
As she roasted the marshmallow, the other students went back to their happy banter. Nino begged Alya to make a s'more for him as well, but she teasingly told him no because "it will look sad compared to Marinette's s'more perfection." The flattered baker's daughter giggled and bashfully promised she'd make each of them one after she was finished with Adriens. From her pink camping backpack, she brought out a chocolate bar and a box of graham crackers. After roasting the marshmallow to its full, beautiful toasty potential, she delicately laid it on a piece of chocolate that was layered on a graham cracker square. Then she sandwiched it with another graham cracker, and presented her masterpiece to Adrien proudly.
The three friends eagerly leaned forward to watch Adrien eat his first s'more. Marinette took out her camera while Alya took out her phone to record the moment. Adrien suddenly felt nervous, unsure of what to expect because his friends were so weirdly excited. With a deep breath, he brought the s'more to his mouth and took a large bite.
There was a lovely snap of the cracker as he bit it, and then his soft munching. The friends leaned in even closer, waiting for a reaction. Adrien's face was blank, and stayed that way until he swallowed.
His eyes closed, his cheeks blissfully rosy and he sighed dreamily. Then he turned, put a hand on Marinette's shoulder and sighed, "Mari I could kiss you."
Marinette squeaked, jumping in her seat and spluttered frantically. Alya and Nino started cracking up and Adrien just continued to eat his s'more, seemingly unaware of what he'd just said or not caring that he'd said it. Mari stared wide eyed, almost waiting for what he'd do next. Adrien finished the s'more, rested his head on the blushing girls shoulder, and sighed again pleasantly.
"That was heaven!" He sang.
"Our turn next!" Nino and Alya shouted, pushing Adrien off of his seat and scrambling into his place next to Marinette. She giggled at poor flustered Adrien, but left him on the dirt floor as she began making s'mores for her other dear friends.