A/N: Jesus Christ the ages of these characters always has me in pitfalls. For the sake of age and law and all things holy and good, the characters are all between the ages of seventeen and eighteen. Meaning I've gotta go back and make some alterations. Great. Just great. Although those alterations only revolve around timing issues - so some mentions to season two and stuff because apparently they were only fourteen in season fucking two. Good thing this fic is an au.

Sorry, the ages in the show just get me annoyed. Like... a lot. Gotta now fabricate three years of memories and sew in some lore. Yay :)

Till next time,

D.L.D

Chapter Twelve: Asteroid Belts

Marinette

Surprisingly, even after the highly uncomfortable birds and the bees talk with her father, the rest of the week passed quickly for Marinette. Staying at home whenever she wasn't at school, a good chunk of her time was dedicated to school work and finishing off Nino's costumes. Planning the party with Alya took minimal effort from her, Alya only consulting her on themes and colours, and patrolling as Ladybug felt almost effortless with the recent all-time low of akuma attacks.

Today, Saturday, was the day where Alya's party was due to happen. With her role as co-planner, Marinette was due to arrive a few hours early because Alya needed her help with setting up. Aside from that, Marinette had little to worry about today - if anything.

Releasing a content sigh, Marinette smiled as she glanced through her wardrobe for something to wear. Sneaky as ever, Alya made her intentions clear when she made the party have a strict mask and code name policy. Until the end of the party, no-one was supposed to know who the other was beneath the mask. A play on the rule enforced by Ladybug for the entire team of superheroes in Paris - despite most of them knowing each other's identity.

Deciding to play on Alya's rule themselves, Marinette and Adrien had decided to be Lady Noire and Mister Bug for the night. So, following that rule, Marinette looked through her rather limited selection of black clothing. Being an avid fan of colour, Marinette rarely wore anything that was plain black. Black dotted with pink, black and white stripes and colour with splashes of black were Marinette's specialty. They were in abundance.

Nevertheless, after enough searching, she managed to find something suitable: a black off-the-shoulder dress with a skirt littered with neon green paw prints. Something she'd made ages ago, Marinette remembered, although she couldn't remember exactly why. Most likely she sought inspiration from Chat Noir's costume and had forgotten about it entirely. That wouldn't be anything new for her. Plus she conveniently had a black mask and cat ears to go with it - definitely not a coincidence.

"You and Adrien really had a smart idea by switching," Tikki piped up, giggling as she nibbled at a fresh strawberry. "Although the magic of the suit keeps your identity hidden, this will make sure that no-one thinks you're Ladybug."

"Yep," Marinette grinned, easily putting on the plain black mask. It felt like it was missing something... contacts! Rummaging through a drawer, she produced some green eye contacts, "Now I'll really look like Lady Noire!"

Satisfied with her outfit, Marinette pulled her hair from its usual pigtails and began to brush it out. All too soon she was plaiting it into a side-braid, securing it with an elastic band before placing a black velvet choker necklace with a bell around her neck. Pairing her necklace with some black boots and fingerless gloves, Marinette also grabbed a silver clutch bag and put her keys, phone and money inside of it.

Once she was finished getting ready, Marinette then traveled downstairs to her parents' bakery to collect Alya's mandatory order of pastries for the party. Now, it was no hidden secret that all of Marinette's class enjoyed her parents' baked goods. In her school, those things would be treasured like solid, edible gold. So, for the sake of everyone else, Marinette would make sure to get a good stock and selection for tonight.

"Oh Marinette, you look wonderful!" Her mother, Sabine, nearly teared up at the sight of her daughter all dressed up. Stationed behind the counter, she was busy dealing with a customer, who smiled a little at the interaction.

"Thanks mum," Marinette blushed, bashful under the watching eyes of the bakery's customers. Not wanting to hold up the line - as well as draw more attention - Marinette raised a brow, "Have you and dad finished the order for the party?"

"Of course," Sabine grinned, nodding toward the back of behind the counter. Right where the opening to the main bakery was, heat from the large ovens seeping through like water through a large crack in a wall. "They're in a few boxes by the back. Make sure not to run into trouble."

"I won't," Marinette promised, placing a fleeting kiss on her mother's cheek. Picking up the boxes, she smiled as she called out to both her parents, "I'll see you both later!"

"See you later!"

A ring of the bell and Marinette was out in the fresh air of the city, traffic zooming past in the daytime rush. Waiting right outside, phone in hand, was Alya. Her outfit consisted of a white dress with a plaid orange skirt, paired with black boots and a white jacket. Falling around her shoulders in beautiful curls, her ombre-dyed hair was tied into a high ponytail, spilling down her neck and resembling the bushy tail of a fox.

Like Tikki had said, the magic of the miraculous made Alya appear like a normal person - not at all like Rena Rouge.

"Finally," Alya huffed, taking the boxes from Marinette and marching toward a car waiting nearby. "I thought you were never going to leave."

"Sorry," Marinette apologised, sighing, "I didn't realise I had a lack of black clothes."

"And you call yourself Chat Noir's girl," Alya tsked, shaking her head as she pulled open the back doors.

"Alya!" Marinette hissed, nodding toward the car's driver.

"Tons of girls love that blonde flirt," Alya rolled her eyes, sliding into the car and setting the boxes onto her lap. "Right, Uber driver?"

"Yep," They grumbled out, shaking their head. No doubt they had hoped to get a quiet kind of customer. "Now where are you two girls going?"

Marinette

Streamers hung, banner in place behind the snack table, Marinette couldn't help but feel proud as she and Alya finished setting up for the party. Boxes of Tom-and-Sabine-approved treats out, unicorn cupcakes proud on their stands, combined with starters from Alya's mother: the array of snacks was perfect - no, more than perfect - to sustain the evening. That was without even mentioning the dishes Alya had specially catered, calling in a favor from her older sister Nora.

Always keen to make things more fun for herself, Alya had also made sure bring along her box of "Ladybug Stuff". Empty plastic cups, bottles of red wine along with beer, all emerged from the box as she set them on display, wiggling her brows as she joked to Marinette about Alix being great at mixing drinks. Marinette herself could only shake her head, aware that some of her peers did drink but clearly not aware to the sheer amount of them.

Quite well-behaved and demure, Marinette herself had only dared to try red wine. Occasionally. Everything else, from beer to potent shots, had never been tried and tested on Marinette's tongue. part of her was wary from just the sight of it all. Ladybug did have to be sober, after all.

"It's for truth or dare," Alya spoke, somewhat exasperated as Marinette stared at her, mystified. "You don't have to drink any. It's just there in case anyone wants something other than the tame stuff."

"I get it, I'm a complete prude," Marinette sighed, shaking her head as she got back to blowing up curling ribbons with a pair of scissors. "Ladybug can't get drunk so I'll be sober as a judge tonight."

"That's fine by me," Alya responded, grinning as she placed two more bottles onto the kitchen counter. "More fun for the rest of us."

Another half hour ticked on by, Marinette and Alya placing their final touches. Without everyone there, the venue felt empty, an open space that usually served as a main hall for a local church. Benches pushed aside, wooden floors cleared, it felt almost eerie within the modern building, so much different from the grander cathedrals and older churches scattered around the country. Like being in school after hours, or visiting an abandoned home, it felt almost unnatural being at a party before it truly began, like staring at its ghost.

"I don't know about you, but I'm itching to just start this thing," Alya sighed, slumped on a chair as she flicked through her phone. Agitation and annoyance were clear on her face, pinching her brows as she scrolled. "It's too quiet in here."

"I know what you mean," Marinette sighed, taking a seat beside her. She'd just finished bunching a few balloons together - into a Ladybug, for some odd reason - and had stuck it up where Alya had requested. "But we still have an hour until everyone's due to arrive."

Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps hitting the old, wooden steps leading down to the hall. Tense and alert, both young women turned toward the noise, ready to spring in action if this intruder was anyone unexpected.

"Who could that be?" Marinette whisper-yelled, inching toward the kitchen. In times like these she was thankful for Alya's instance of always packing a good, durable frying pan with her oodles of tasty foods and treats.

"Nino," Alya shrugged, snagging a sneaky taste of the mouth-watering cupcakes on display. It wasn't like anyone was going to notice. "Probably."

"Probably!" Marinette shrieked, almost pale as her hands wrapped around the handle of the frying pan. "Alya! A creepy psycho could be coming down those steps right now and you're saying that it might be Nino!"

"We did ask him to DJ," Was Alya's response, her shoulders shrugging.

Heart pumping rapidly in her chest, Marinette couldn't help but feel both frightened and agitated at the same time. Why didn't any of them come up with a security method to prevent something like this happening? For all they knew a complete stranger could be about to walk into this room - someone who could pose to be a viable threat. But, that stranger could also be a trusted friend, someone who definitely didn't deserve a frying pan to the face.

Sucking in a deep breath, Marinette made her decision. She'd just have to act once she knew who it was. That would remove the element of surprise, but it would also avoid the risk of accidentally giving Nino a concussion.

Waiting in complete silence, heart still hammering against her chest, Marinette hid, back pressed flat against the wall, right beside the stairway. Still snacking on her cupcake, Alya hid by the table, keen eyes watching the stairwell for any possible movement. For a moment only intense stillness hung in the air, charged with the suspense of what would happen next. Not even the creak of the steps echoed around the room. Not even the shift of a stray streamer.

"Alya?"

"Oh thank god!" Alya beamed, her smile wide and triumphant as she rushed toward her confused boyfriend. Glancing toward the shadowed corner, Alya nodded toward her antsy best friend, "Marinette, it's ok. You don't have to use the frying pan."

"Thank goodness," Marinette sighed, emerging from her corner with a relieved smile. Pink tipped her ears, splashing across her cheeks as she flashed Nino a smile, "Hey Nino. Are you sporting the heroes too?"

"Um... yeah. Alya said there was a dress code," Nino nodded, vaguely glancing down at his chosen outfit. Decked head to toe in green, a deep shade of dark green, he most definitely took inspiration from Carapace, the latest member of the superhero team. He even had a green baseball cap on, a brown hexagon symbol printed onto the front of it. Instead of a mask, he had painted across his eyes, printed with the camo pattern used in the military.

"And you followed it perfectly," Alya nodded in approval, placing a quick peck on his cheek. "Speaking of, Marinette brought the goods."

"Yes!" Nino fist pumped the air, his excitement blatant as he glanced at the awaiting boxes and stands of delectable treats. "I am so blessed right now."

"My parents thank you for the compliment," Marinette giggled, shaking her head as Nino ambled his way toward the snack table. Not even five minutes into his arrival and he was already focused on stacking his collection of goodies the highest he possibly could. Honestly, Marinette gave it fifteen minutes for the entire order to last once everyone arrived.

"I thank them for the taste of heaven," Nino hummed in response, mouth full with a hearty bite of cupcake.

"It really is like tasting angels' wings," Alya agreed, already down to her last bite.

"You guys..." Blushing, Marinette could only sigh as she rebooted her brain to focus on more important matters, "Seriously though, can you both stop eating the goods? There won't be any left! Plus you should set up before you forget, Nino."

"Yeah, yeah we know," Alya rolled her eyes, crumpling up her cupcake wrapper and tossing it into the bin. "But don't blame me if I get grumpy."

"That's fine with me," Marinette smiled, "I'm happy as long as everything gets done in time."

Lila

Olive green eyes filled with scrutiny, Lila critically studied her reflection in the mirror. Going with her theme as a fox-themed vixen, she had chosen to wear a russet coloured dress, tight around the edges and boasting a pretty white ribbon that tied around the waist. Framed by a sweetheart neckline, a generous portion of her cleavage was on display, adding to the more coquettish appeal of her chosen outfit.

Matching with the dress, Lila chose a pair of black high heels, vermilion lipstick spread on her lips and dark, smokey makeup framing her eyes. Wisps of her chestnut hair were framing her face, the young woman opting for a messy bun as a hairstyle. Completed with a plain black mask, decorated with scarlet kisses littered across the material, and Lila was more than satisfied with her outfit. In fact she couldn't help the smirk that wormed onto her lips as she posed in front of her mirror.

'This will surely catch attention,' Lila beamed, smoothing out her dress as she thought about Marinette. Silly, insignificant Marinette. Oh how much she had to learn about being a true woman...

Buzzing, her phone snapped Lila from her blatant self-flattery. Popping up on her screen was a message from Alya asking if she was still attending the party tonight. Honestly, Lila was wholly surprised when Marinette and Alya had forwarded the invite to her. With how tense everything was between them - even before the recent Ladybug drama - Lila had figured that they wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole.

Nevertheless, self-righteous as always, Marinette and Alya always had to be the better people. Too easily they invited Lila, welcomed her into their plans.

If she were any other person, any normal person, Lila would have been touched by their sickening display of true humanity. Unfortunately for them, Lila wasn't normal. No she was used to the game of lies and deception, using smoke and mirrors to manipulate the world like putty in your hands. Therefore, despite the friendly-seeming intentions of the pair, Lila wasn't going to let her guard down at this party. Oh no, they were going to be way up.

Frowning, Lila picked up her phone and typed up her response.

*New Message sent: To Alya*

Lila - Yeah I'll be there at seven.

Discarding that phone and swapping it out for another, Lila then picked up her handbag and booked an Uber. Ten minutes were spent waiting, mostly killed with the addicting smoke of nicotine as the young woman loitered outside of her home. After ten minutes she was in the Uber, phone screen lit up as she messaged someone she hadn't really heard from in years. Someone who was going to help her get what she wanted.

As the Uber pulled up outside of the party's venue, Lila couldn't help but smile. Tonight she'd finally get rid of the number one threat to her relationship with Adrien. Once and for all.