Miraculous Dragonus (Lila Rossi x Male Reader)

Arc 06: Chapter 02: Kings in Gold and Red

"Doesn't it seem a little strange?" Tikki asked as Marinette rushed to get ready. The girl in question was stressing over her good deed for this Heroes' Day, having given barely any thought to it and now had to come up with an original idea on the spot. While the last Heroes' Day picnic was a success, it didn't come without a lot of hiccups, most of them named Scarlet Moth.

"What seems strange?" Marinette asked as she scratched another idea off of her list and threw a textbook into her bag. Tikki sighed. "The complete lack of Hawk Moth or Dragonus activity in the past couple weeks! Neither of them have been this quiet for such a long time." Marinette shrugged. "Maybe they were fighting each other and hurt themselves?" She immediately knew what she said was stupid. Dragonus would sooner blow up Hawk Moth's lair than let himself be wounded.

"Or maybe they're planning something big." Tikki said. "Really big. We'd better keep an eye out and keep your link to the Miracle Box ready, just in case." Marinette nodded, then checked her clock.

"I'm late! Again!" She yelped as she rushed down her staircase and nearly face-planted on the kitchen floor, down the main staircase to the bakery, and after catching a box of macaroons her parents helpfully tossed her, rushed out the door and to Françoise Dupont.

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Meanwhile, across Paris, Adrien finished his breakfast with one thought on his mind: why has it been so quiet recently? The worst things in the past few weeks, ignoring the, quite strange, Verity Queen incident, were the escaping zoo animals and a few minor crimes. He could almost feel Hawk Moth and Dragonus right behind him, waiting for him to turn around so they could stab him and watch as the fear flooded then drained from his eyes.

"Don't be Mr. Doomsday." Plagg said nonchalantly from Adrien's pocket. "If they do end up doing something together, they'll end up squabbling like kids. It'll be nothing you and Ladybug can't handle."

Adrien sighed. "That's why I'm worried, Plagg. Dragonus has our powers, and likely past powers, if that time traveler villain he created is any indication. He might make Hawk Moth deliberately angry, and if Dragonus draconizes him..." Adrien shuddered. Queen Wasp was incredibly powerful when the heroes first fought her, and if she was any indication, a draconized Hawk Moth would be a nightmare.

Nathalie walked into the dining room, her tablet in her arms. "The piano classes have been booked, Adrien. Don't forget the appearance at the Agreste Foundation." She said. Adrien nodded. "Thanks, Nathalie. You know, you've done so much for us. It's a shame Father can't see past the business part of your relationship." He couldn't help but smirk a little when he saw Nathalie's cheeks flush red.

"Excuse me." She said hurriedly as she moved briskly out of the dining room. The Gorilla came in, and after Adrien finished, they left for the school.

Gabriel watched as the silver sedan left the iron gates, then checked his phone anxiously. Dragonus had said he would come by before noon. The door to the atelier opened, Gabriel jumping in surprise, then sighed in relief as Nathalie entered.

"Is everything in order?" Gabriel asked. Nathalie nodded. "If everything goes smoothly, Ms. Rossi will grow enraged again, and we can follow the steps we did last time. If she has proven anything, it is that people believe what they see." She checked her tablet again. "If all goes well, Adrien will be out of harm's way." She said quietly.

"He had better be." Gabriel growled. "If Dragonus's plan puts my son in danger, I will not hesitate to unleash the wrath of a father upon his golden hide." Nathalie nodded, then turned away, answering her phone as one of the gala managers called.