LADYNOIR, MARICHAT, AND ADRIENETTE (I don't really like Ladrien, but there'll be a scene...)
Marinette has a disease.
She's always had it, really. A disease that cripples her, and will eventually render her completely paralyzed for the rest of her life around the age of 16. It kicks in sometimes, making her the clumsy person people know on the outside, not the frightened person on the inside, the one who knows what is inevitable.
Her only escape from this is her second persona, the famous Ladybug, defender of Paris. Transforming nullifies her sickness, and she has freedom, but that freedom is so short. Too short. And deep inside, she wonders. When it finally overtakes her completely, what will happen to Paris? Only Chat will be there to fight the akuma, and no one to catch it. He might even make the connection and somehow find out that she is really the klutz Marinette. And what will happen then?
After a painful fight with an akuma, Ladybug is badly hurt. Even in her weakened state, she refuses to allow Chat to see her identity, thinking that he'll be disappointed. After using 'Miraculous Ladybug', she faints, and Chat has to carry her to a hospital (bridal style *cough cough*). Every time he visits, Marinette has to transform to Ladybug despite how exhausted she is. She also instructs the staff not to let Chat know the true symptoms of her reason for being there so that he won't worry, as she knows he would. But she also knows that eventually he'll find out, whether by accident or on purpose. It's only a matter of time.
Ladybug collapsed after an akuma fight, forcing Chat to carry her to a hospital. She seems tired, and he assumes that it's from being a superhero while maintaining her other side. At least, that's what the nurse explains to him. After all, she does most of the work. He buys the story, though it seems strangely off. But when she stays for over a month, he starts to wonder if there's more...
As Dallas and Drayton navigate life in the spotlight, Spencer is navigating intense feelings for Nathan - her best friend's brother.
*****
Dallas and Drayton are planning their wedding, talking babies and learning how to navigate life in LA now that Drayton is a hotshot football player in the big leagues. Meanwhile, Spencer and Nathan are back at home in Colorado, coming to terms with their feelings for one another and learning how to co-parent with Grayson, the father of Spencer's daughter. Will the realities of adult life strengthen them - or will their relationships break?
[Sequel to The QB Bad Boy and Me]
[[word count: 150,000-200,000 words]]