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Chapter Text

Nathalie had a reputation: she was a rational person who made sensible choices. Her most recent habits disproved that reputation of hers. The reality was only known to herself and an accomplice. If you could call having a supervillain alter-ego a habit that is. An action performed at least three times formed a habit.

Action 1: Gabriel Agreste
Action 2: Gabriel Agreste
Action 3: Gabriel Agreste

Oblivious to it himself, Gabriel had full intentions of keeping up this pattern.

“You either have them delivered by my selected date, or you lose your position,” Gabriel asserted. Nathalie heard some desperate pleas, but she had witnessed this type of conversation enough times to not care.

“And that’s final!” Gabriel bellowed into the phone. He huffed and shoved his phone into his pocket. The nerve of some people. “Nathalie, arrange a new importing line. I can’t deal with these low lives.”

“Understood sir,” Nathalie said. If Gabriel handled them in the way she had suggested, they wouldn’t be in this mess. His patience, or lack thereof, was comical. It had once again gotten them in an inconvenient spot.

“Thank you.”

“You might pay for that later, Monsieur. You know Mayura will grasp at any powerful emotion she can. I hope you stay inside.” Nathalie peered in her suit pocket and smirked at the sight of her miraculous.

“Don’t be ridiculous, all those times were coincidences.” Gabriel scoffed.

“I’m going on my break.” Nathalie got up from her chair and stretched. She had something far more interesting to do.

”If you got out, would you mind getting me a coffee?”

”It’s no trouble. I'll be back soon.”

With that, she left him alone. The perfect chance for Gabriel to royally mess up. Nathalie’s absence left his mind wandering. If she wasn't there to keep him in check, his efficiency left something to be desired.

“Creativity block, my greatest nemesis. Maybe I'll work better with some fresh air.” Despite her warning, Gabriel wandered outside. Finding a place on the stone bench in their garden, he tried to relax with the sketch pad hand. His irritations were reflux interrupted by loud banging across the yard.

“Gabriel Agreste! You have pushed me around for the last time.” A man with a twisty mustache monster approached with his sentimonster. The ground rumbled with each step closer.

”For the love of fashion.” Gabriel made eye contact with the creature and booked it inside.

“Now my creation, capture the all-mighty Gabriel Agreste.”

“You're fired!” Gabriel shouted as he ran through the halls of the mansion.

I should have listened to Nathalie.

Somewhere in New York

“Do you hear me, you imbecile!?” Audrey shouted.

“Yes, ma’am!” The server curled up in a ball, quivering.

“Now you’re-!” Audrey looked up toward Paris, her eyes winded. Was it true? Has Gabriel taken the final step in becoming like her? If her senses were correct, he has.

The server looked up after the noticeable pause. “Ma’am?”

“That’s my boy. I wish Charlotte were more like you.” Audrey said, thoroughly impressed. Not one of her two daughters could accomplice what Gabriel had just done. For the first time in her life, she felt like a proud mother.

An enraged designer and their sentimonster roamed the city. Capturing demanding bosses and anyone who got in their way. Their most prized captive was currently dangling off the Pont des Arts.

”It seems we will always meet again and again Monsieur Agreste.” Mayura caught his necktie as he was about to fall off a bridge. His arms and legs were wrapped tightly in fabric, leaving no room for escape.

“Please do me a favor,” She pulled him closer, choking him slightly, and stared at him dead on. “Stay out of my way if you don't want to get yourself hurt.” She lifted Gabriel into a bridal style carry to take him somewhere less dangerous. This man had the survival instincts of a dodo bird.

”Put me down you blasted bird.” Gabriel said with no bite. Insulting someone fondly was his specialty.

” What, I can't keep my prey?”

”That's not the kind of bird you are.” Gabriel curled his face into the side of her neck. Being so close to her hair, he caught a whiff of raspberry he was familiar too.

”Is that so? I’d be interested in learning more about myself from you. Since you do so enjoy bird watching, my papillon.”

“Just call me Gabriel for goodness sake. It’s better than that insufferable nickname you keep addressing me with.” He snarled.

”If you say so, Gabriel.” Mayura finally landed them on a building standing a safe distance from the battle going on. She knew she should be helping, but saving Gabriel again was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

”If I may?” Mayura hovered her hands in front of him, waiting for permission to touch his face. Gabriel nodded his head yes, he didn’t mind her being in close contact with his face at all.

Her thumps pushed up Gabriel’s crooked glasses. Her fingertips brushed the side of his face, causing him to shiver. ”Your hands are cold.”

”And your face is warm.” Gabriel stared into Mayura's captivating eyes, he couldn't look away. The sense of familiarity mixed with the striking color drew him in. ”Are you just going to stare at me?”

”I would never take my eyes off you if I could.”

”Do you sincerely mean all those things?”

”What things?”

”The words you say, all your charms.” Gabriel looked away in embarrassment. ”Or is this to get a rise out of me and destroy my pride?”

”Hm, yes, your pride. A man like yourself has far too much.” Mayura went to untie his constraints with the break of eye contact. When she looked back up, Gabriel was staring at her.

Gabriel leaned down to her height. Mayura’s arms snapped to her side when he smirked at her. “Are you lying, my dear?”

“I-” Mayura made a strangled squawk while trying to think of actual words. “I must go.” Mayura shoved Gabriel so far to the side of the building he almost fell off. Flustering someone with enhanced strength is not a good idea. Making a hurried grab for his arm, she caught him in time.

“Until we meet again.” Mayura took his hand and kissed it. She needed some control here.

“If we meet again.” Gabriel corrected.

“Oh, I’m sure of it.” Mayura saw the defeat of her sentimonster and left without another word. Small talk with the enemy wasn't on today's agenda.

Ladybug and Chat Noir approached the building quickly. Gabriel stood there dumbfounded as he watched her go. Reading people was never his strong suit. Meager social skills aside, he could discern that Mayura’s actions were unusual. “Why does she keep saving me?”

”Beats me. She doesn't go out of her way to save very many civilians. You have a habit of running in trouble with her.” Chat Noir had an eyebrow raised in suspicion.

“The trials of being well known, I suppose.” Gabriel let his mind wander before he thought of something ‘brilliant’. ”I have an idea. If I purposely endanger myself and she comes running-”

“No. That is a horrible thing to do.” Chat Noir gawked at Gabriel. How someone could genuinely think that was a good idea was lost on him. “I don't know if Mayura is rubbing off on you, or you on her.”

“The chances of her saving me are very high. My son tested the same theory with Ladybug, and it worked.” Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest in defense.

“Lucky chance.” Chat Noir laughed. He smiled fondly at the reporters Ladybug was fending off. “You should get going, Mr. Agreste, I’ll help you down unless you want to take the stairs. Wait, would that be good for you back?”

“I’m in my forties, I will not collapse in the presence of a staircase. Children these days.” Gabriel stomped to the rooftop's exit for the sake of his pride. “Nathalie gives me enough salt baths to combat those pesky aches.” He grumbled.

Mayura walked around town curiously. Civilians parting like the red sea was a welcome side effect of her reputation. Battling crowds got old. Her scary demeanor didn't get any closer to an apology gift. Finding a gift that said ‘sorry for almost dropping you straight on the ground Gabriel’ was troublesome. A small corner of her mind felt guilty, it must be inconvenient to keep getting attacked by giant creatures with malicious intent.

A small flower shop caught Mayura’s eye, so she pursued it. Stepping into the shop's entrance, she heard the jingle of the opening bell.

“Welcome to Friendly Florist! Where every order is made with- Mayura!” A middle-aged man wearing the employee uniform jumped. The poor thing was shaking like a leaf in her presence. Mayura almost felt bad, almost.

“Hello,” Mayura looked down at their name tag, “Stefan.”

“H-how do you know my name? Am I in trouble?” Stefan was scrambling to connect the dots. Mayura pointed down to his name tag with a tired look.

“I’m not going to rob you. Do I look like Robinhood to you?” Every supervillain who walked in was going to steal? Mayura put the man's biased assumptions aside and pulled out a plain unnoticeable wallet, one that could be easily disposed of.

“Where do you keep money in that outfit?” Steven now looked more confused than scared.

“I’m always prepared,” Mayura assured him. “Now, this is what I want to be constructed,” Giving her description in meticulous nature that only came about from her career as the florist responded with rigid nods.

“Miss Nathalie, is it a good idea to be attacking Mr. Gabriel so much?” Duusu poked their head out from under Nathalie’s blazer. As much as the kwami love drama, they were prone to fussing.

“The only other person in this city who comes close to exhibiting such raw negative energy is Audrey Bourgeois. For one thing, she's not present at the moment. Second, I’m not interested in entangling myself with the mayor’s wife.” Nathalie whispered, hoping no one could hear her. Discussing her plans in public wasn’t the most ideal situation but getting Gabriel coffee was currently her only alibi.

“Because you don't want to flirt with a married person. Do you like each other or something?” They had seen many kinds of flirting over the centuries, but human nature still perplexed them.

“If I want to avoid fraternizing with a married person, it's far too late.” Nathalie drawled. “And for the last time, I do not have genuine feelings for him.” Gabriel wasn’t supposed to flirt back, not to that level. Any form of acknowledgment is a big deal regarding him. Nathalie recognized that the designer was talented, beautiful, intelligent (book-wise), and had a smile worth a thousand. Acknowledging facts didn’t mean anything assured herself.

“Did I stress you? I’m sorry.” Duusu related the words a thousand times as they nuzzled against her neck. It was a welcome affection, akin to snuggling a pet after a long day at work.

“Duusu, it’s fine,” Nathalie reassured her kwami. Stifling a laugh due to their antics. Every day reminded her that Duusu was her most prized companion.

A beautiful bouquet sat on the desk in his office. It was an assortment of pink roses and white laced with synthetic peacock feathers and the small colorless ones Paris knew. A tiny ivory card with elegant handwriting stuck out. It read:

‘My sincerest apologies for the inconvenience of today, you need to stay out of trouble. Also, if you want to see me, just say so, Gabriel.’

I should turn this note in to the police. It might help them figure out who Mayura is. Against all his better judgment, Gabriel slipped the card into his pocket.

“That blasted bird.” Gabriel rolled his eyes, but his blush betrayed his tone. The thought of Mayura, the Mayura, calling him by given name made him feel more incredible than he had in a long time. His thoughts were halted by a couple of knocks at the door. “Come in.”

”Mr. Agreste, I saw the news.” Nathalie walked in with a cup of Gabriel’s regular coffee order.

“I was kidnapped by a petty fabric seller. The people in this city have such weak minds.” Gabriel brushed it off. Attempting to hide anything was virtually pointless, though I could at least try. A sip of his favorite order could speed up his brain, but Nathalie held the cup hostage.

“The one you screamed at?”

“Yes, the one I screamed at,” Gabriel admitted. He knew it was pointless.

“Mayura saved you, so you’re not hurt in any way?” Nathalie’s eyes observed him like doctors as she stepped in. After the brief examination, her eyes darted to the flowers and Gabriel saw. Neither of them mentioned it. Explaining why he had a present covered in magical feathers wasn't a conversation he wished to have.

“Why,” Gabriel hit with the familiar scent of raspberry, the same shampoo Nathalie always used, “yes.”

“I’m glad you’re safe.” Nathalie touched Gabriel’s shoulder tenderly. “And since you are safe, you‘re going to need to talk to this new vendor without scaring them off. We need these imports.” Back to business as usual.

”I can't promise that.” Gabriel would have been more irritated with being told what to do, but with her hand caressing with so much care, he couldn't muster it.

”Having enraged monsters running after you is not good publicity, sir.” She mocked.

Gabriel took little offense. His assistant was right to be peeved with him. The least he could do was take it. “I know better than to ignore your input, Nathalie.”

Gabriel smelled his flowers instead of working. He turned in early for the night, processing emotions requiring more energy than he currently had. ”These are pleasant. I'm almost pleased with this turn of events.”

“Master, I don’t think as many people would attack you if you would stop insulting their livelihoods.” Nooroo pointed out.

“Impossible.” Gabriel deposited his flowers in an elegant white vase he had sitting around his room. Even admiring them on his bedside table, he still would have preferred synthetic. Those could have been treasured forever.

Chapter Text

Another eventful day for Paris’s very own mistress of evil. Causing people soft psychological damage was truly diabolical. The wallets of self-help book authors and therapies only approved the influx of those seeking therapy. The number of amok’s Mayura made went into the double digest. Most likely in the ‘30s, the exact number escaped her. Something, or rather someone, was distracting her from keeping count.

After Mayura’s usual loss and Gabriel’s recuse, they flew together like magnets.

“Did you miss me, Gabriel? We haven't seen each other for two weeks.” To everyone’s surprise, the monster before this one had nothing to do with Gabriel. Audrey mixed things up by pushing another one of her employees too far.

“Or rather, did you miss me? I’m your favorite civilian.”

“My most problematic one. I couldn't avoid you if I tried.” Mayura’s cruel look turned soft. Her hands were fiddling with her fan almost girlishly. A look unbefitting of someone who almost smashed two heros’ teeth moments earlier.

Gabriel was no better. Mr. Agreste had his right hand propped under his chin. A million clogs were turning in his brain. He was studying the woman under his gaze as if she were one of his finest designs. “A great mind like yourself can certainly appreciate good conundrums.”

That was it. Ladybug had enough. She preyed the love birds apart with enough force to make them fall back. “Ok, this is gross. You two,” she made quick zig motions with her finger. “Are going on a date.”

“What?!?” Mayura, Gabriel, and Chat Noir all yelled in unison.

Ladybug snapped her head with such force her pigtails momentarily had the appearance of whips. Today was not the day to test her patience. Ms. Mendeleiev hit the class with a pop quiz she wasn’t ready for. Dragging him to the side, she began interrogating her uncooperative partner. “What’s your problem, Chat?”

“My lady, please no. They’re clearly a bad influence on one another. Supervillains shouldn’t be rewarded with boyfriends!”

“Does this affect you? Do you have any personal connections to Mr. Agrest?” She calmed herself. Yelling at him would solve nothing. If there was an issue here, they could figure it out together.

“No, not really.” Chat Noir was sweating. Making his disdain obvious could give away his identity. Information like that falling into Mayura’s hands wasn’t an option. While going against everything he stands for, he bit his tongue.

“Maybe if they dated, they wouldn't flirt during battles. It’s borderline public indecency.” Ladybug’s face fell into her hands. An optimistic thought interrupted her mopping. “Even better, Gabriel shows Mayura enough attention that she doesn’t want to make sentimonsters all the time.”

“What if it works out too well? What if they get Married?! Mr. Agreste has a son. I doubt that kid wants a supervillain as a stepmother.” I would know.

“I’d feel bad for Adrien Agreste too.”Ladybug placed her hand over his. “We have to do something. Fighting these things can't last forever.”

“Fine, but I don’t like it.”

“Thank you.”

Paris’ heroes rejoined with Mayura and Gabriel. This problem was getting solved, whether they liked it or not. Mayura was clearly more than willing to go on the date since she initiated everything. Gabriel, however, would need a little pushing.

Ladybug returned to interrogating Gabriel. “So you’re telling me you don’t want to go on a date with Mayura?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Good.” Got him. “I want both of you on top of the Eiffel Tower. Higher than the tourist. We don’t need them getting too many pictures of you two together, understand?”

Gabriel and Mayura only nodded. The sheer sass and audacity of that child left them unable to report properly.

“Awesome, I'll make sure you're both there, then I’m leaving. Let’s go kitty.” Ladybug made a come hither motion and bolted away with her partner in tow.

With that, Ladybug and Chat Noir left.

“Did I get bossed around by a 5’2 teenager?“ Even saying the words out loud made it no easier to believe. He, Gabriel Agreste, owner of a globally reconsider company, has been set up on a date. When his parents told him adult life gets confusing, this isn’t what he expected.

“We got bossed around by a 5’2 teenager.” After getting over the shock, Mayura realized Gabriel was still standing with her. The clock was ticking, and she was well aware of how long Gabriel took to get ready. Thankfully, she would be spared from date prep. The peacock miraculous had a variety of advantages. “Would you like me to take you home?”

“Why do you know where I live?” Dumb question, he knows exactly why. The only reason he postponed it was because Mayura’s preferred mode of transport made him feel like… a damsel. It wasn’t unpleasant to say he simply wasn’t used to being carried like a rag doll.

“Why does half of Paris know where you live?”

“I’m famous.” Gabriel snapped his fingers with mock discovery.

“There you go.” Mayura patted his back delicately. Her arm rested there as she waited for permission to lift him. “Come on, Gabriel.“ Once his arms wrapped securely around her, they were off.

Hours later, Gabriel opened his enormous front doors to who's growing to be his favorite person. Her bright magenta eyes stuck out even more so in the dark. The background of stars made her look breathtaking. In the least creepy way possible, Gabriel wanted nothing more than to take a picture of the woman before him at that moment.

“Shall I escort you to our date? I don’t want you getting caught in the crowd and that elevator doesn't reach the top.” They were both valid reasons without being the real reason she wanted to be there.

“I’m beginning to think you like carrying me.” Gabriel caught her excuses. Mayura used many similar ones before. Though, I enjoy being carried. remained unspoken. She heard it loud and clear.

“I do. I see you're not only a genius in fashion.” Sometimes she thought she was coming on too strong, but Gabriel made it criminal to pass up. That short temper and those awkward expressions made Gabriel enthralling to talk to.

“Nice weather we're having? Obvious since the sky is clear, and it's not raining.” Gabriel cleared his throat. “I got you some flowers.” His arm shot out stiffly as he shoved the bouquet straight into her chest.

Despite choosing them herself earlier, Maura happily took them and traded the assortment for the ones she was holding. “I also got you flowers.”

Gabriel blinked in suppressed. “Only I’m supposed to get you flowers.” Damn it, he was blowing this. The last time he went on an actual date was with Emilie.

“I don’t care. I don't think you care either.” Mayura said flatly. She tried now to give too much away. Nathalie had seen him in drag, spend hours on his makeup, and take every single order from his wife, not Mayura. “I’ve known you for months.” Years. “You don't have to pretend to be something you’re not.”

“This was foolish.” Gabriel huffed. He felt like he was blowing it. If the world had any mercy, he would die right then and there.

Though, the phrase ‘cruel world’ is not for nothing. Mayura couldn’t let him run away just yet.

“Remember Gabriel, you're my precious papillon. My pretty boy.” She cooed at him. Gabriel’s attractiveness often got drowned out by his harsh personality. Every reasonable person put these facts aside and avoided involvement with Gabriel Agreste. His big doe eyes, high cheekbones, and elegant figure were lost on many, but not her. Mayura wasn't like them. She was unreasonable.

“Never say that out loud again.” Gabriel felt his ears warm. “I’m not a boy or a butterfly. I am a grown man.” Gabriel made a mock look of annoyance. He quickly covered his smile and refused to meet her gaze.

“A precious and pretty one.” Mayura made no attempt to remove the little grin that appeared on her face. This costume allowed her to say things she’d never be able to. One thought soured all her happiness at this moment: One day, Gabriel would know the truth.

But that wasn’t today.

“Let’s get going and tell me about that assistant of yours.” Mayura hated to stroke her ego (no she didn’t) but she’d heard Gabriel talk about her. When they were face to face as civilians, he became nervous and didn't always say what was on his mind. Clawing him open was as hard as opening a clamshell with your bare hands.

The light in Gabriel’s eyes brightened. Nathalie was one of his favorite subjects. A highly skilled and fashionable person was hard to come by, and he knew her worth. Mayura laughed to herself at the way Gabriel rambled over her. Goodness, if she were any other woman, she’d have left.

In one quick motion, Mayura swooped Gabriel off his feet. Tonight would be an invaluable one. Not even an uncertain future couldn't take that away from them.