"Sketches of the Heart" One-Shot

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Yo my magnificent :smile_cat: kitty-cats! :smile_cat:

It's your girl, PrettyQueen325, with a brand new one-shot! Since, I asked you all what to write about, and the majority chose a Gender Bend AU so here it is!

I also will be submitting this one-shot to Peyton:)'s CLAWsome #TheAlternateUniverseChallenge

I hope you enjoy this fluffy, yet angsty adventure into an alternate universe! Enjoy!

Edit:WHAT?! This got featured?! Thank you so much!

***

Marcq Dupain-Cheng was doodling in his sketchbook. For once, he was the first one to arrive in class due to not being able to sleep.

He had spent hours gazing against his bedroom's chalky white ceiling. Thinking about how in the world he and Catty Noir were going to find and defeat Mrs. Butterfly, Paris's number one villain. Sure, they've stopped all of her akumas so far, but for how long? It was only a matter of time, until one of Mrs. Butterfly's minions land a scratch on them.

It's been four months since his big speech and promise to protect this city. He and Catty Noir have been more than willing to put their lives at risk to keep the people of Paris safe before releasing the thousands of pure white butterflies fluttering into the sky blue heavens and over their beloved city of lights.

Finally frustrated from no solutions to his problem, Marcq decided that it would be best to just get ready and leave an hour earlier than necessary. On the bright side, at the least it was one less detention for him and it would save Marcq from one day's humiliation.

So that's how it went, how Marcq successfully(for once) managed to get to Mr. Cal Bustier's homeroom before anyone else. In some ways, Marcq was relieved. He enjoyed the blissful tranquillity of the classroom with no disruptions, distractions, or noise from the usual bustling chatter of his classmates. It left him time to sketch his next designs in privacy which Marcq appreciated and was grateful for.

Ever since he was a little boy, Marcq dreamed and wished on every birthday cake, every shooting star, and every dandelion to become a fashion designer. Upon seeing, his idol, Gabriella Agreste's ingenious ideas, Marcq knew this was what destiny had paved the road for him for.

Marcq worked hard each and every day, working on new ideas and sketching his heart out between his parents' craziness with the bakery, helping out his best friend, Alan with the Lordblog, practicing the nerve to ask Adrianna out, and his duties of Lordbug. Gods, he was a mess. But that wouldn't be enough to stop him, Marcq believed in his parents words that dreams do come true if you just work hard enough, so Marcq tried to not complain and decided to trust the world that it knew what it was doing.

And fate was on his side once again once he saw the girl of his dreams sauntering in through the classroom doorway. Adrianna Agreste.

Marcq didn't know if his brain was exaggerating it or not, but his crush seemed to glow more radiantly than ever before on this particular day.

Her golden locks gleamed like sunshine while they bounced and cascaded down her tight flannel. Irises of meadow green with a certain deja vu as if Marcq had saw those eyes before. On a different person. A different place, but Marcq waved the thought off; thinking it impossible.

"Hey Marcq!" She chirped; smiling like today was the greatest day of her life. Her goddess-like appeal almost made Marcq drool all over his own pearl white t-shirt.

"Adrianna!," He squeaked; sending his voice up another octave. "Uh. Um. Hi!"

His rambling made him want to punch himself square in the jaw; just to knock some sense into himself.

Adrianna, looking a bit baffled, just shrugged and slid next to her own best friend, Nina Lahiffe, before engaging into a lively conversation.

Marcq slammed his head against his sketchbook; groaning quietly and asking himself the same question over and over again.

Why am I such an idiot? Why am I such an idiot? Why?!

"Looks like someone isn't having a good day." A familiar voice said; hindering Marcq's pity party. Marcq turned his head to the side to find a crimson-headed boy with glasses and an orange plaid shirt. "Girl problems?" He guessed.

Marcq nodded; rolling his head back down. Alan chuckled and ruffled his friend's indigo hair. "You're such a drama king." Alan teased.

"It's only one of my many talents." Marcq responded; while trying not to grin.

Alan just shook his head; having nothing to quip back and took out his iPhone to check on the Lordblog no doubt.

Marcq raised his head; long enough to notice some of his other classmates have also entered. He saw Nathalie, Jules, and Ray toward the back until he saw Ivey alighting through the door.

The designer in training stared back toward his drawing sheets, taking out his pencil and letting his hand do what it wished. Marcq adored drawing, he found drawing to be a great way to let out your deepest emotions in your heart which was how he could sympathize with his friend, Nathalie, another talented artist.

A few moments later, Marcq saw what he was drawing. Adrianna. He recognized every curve of her pretty face, every soft curl of her hair which he longed to touch, and every detail of her pristine eyes. Her astounding beauty wasn't what he loved most about her though. He loved the way she talked. The way she laughed like a light, fluffy piano composition.

He loved her kindness. When he saw a poor kid drop his chocolate ice cream and Adrianna gladly gave hers away without a second thought or a single ounce of selfishness. Marcq believed that Adrianna loved nothing more than a smile on someone else's face.

He loved everything about her. And he hoped and dreamed that he could someday have her all to himself. She was the only one stealing his thoughts, taking her place as queen of his heart, and her gorgeous self; inside and out was a piece of art.

"Hey loser." Marcq groaned. Could this day get any worse? He really didn't want to turn, but he did and regretted it immediately when he saw his nemesis's sickeningly attractive face.

"Hello Clayton," Marcq said coldly. "What do you want?"

Clayton Bourgeois, the son of the current mayor of Paris. A rich, snotty bully with undeserving good looks.

Clayton ran a hand through his blond hair and smirked evilly making his ice blue eyes seem colder. "Just saying hi to my least favorite person in the world. Is that so wrong?"

Marcq was losing his patience and was desperately tried to keep himself cool. He didn't need his temper flaring up again sending him off to detention and then having to explain why he didn't come home to his parents. But Clayton's annoying face wasn't making it any easier.

"Leave him alone, Clayton." Alan sneered. Marcq gave his friend a sign of thanks.

Clayton scowled. "Watch your tongue Cesaire or I'll have your father removed from my mother's kitchen." He smirked victoriously; indicating the worst.

Alan looked livid. "Why you little piece of-"

"Alan's right Clayton. Leave Marcq alone unless you want to deal with me." A new voice entered the tense conversation.

At this point, the whole class was staring intently in interest of the two enemies' morning spat.

Nathalie sighed. "Here they go again..."

Adrianna whipped her sandy blonde curls over her shoulder; sending a clear, distinct signal at her childhood friend to leave the raven haired boy alone.

Clayton scoffed in disbelief at the model's outburst. "Sweetie, you can't be serious. You're siding with THEM instead of me?!"

Adrianna flinched at his lovesick nickname. "I'm not siding with anyone, but you need an attitude change mister because I'm not just gonna stand around like a 'good' girl and watch my friends get hurt!"

The whole homeroom class was shocked beyond words; Adrianna was the last person anyone expected to tell the school bully, Clayton off. They watched as Clayton's face turn a frustrated, whiny beet red and his hands clenching in antimony. "I-I'm calling mommy!" He screamed before starting to stomp away, but not after doing one last cruel trick.

Upon appearing to march away like a soldier, Clayton struck his hand out as fast as lightening, snatching Marcq's treasured sketchbook, and tossing it into the air like trash with sheets of paper soaring everywhere in ridiculous spite.

"No!" Marcq yelled in panic; vaulting out of his desk and leaping to catch the fallen deg pages. Time slowed and the clockwork ticks and tocks were caught in mud. If anyone saw his sketch of Adrianna, his entire existence and secret would be exposed to bitter humiliation.

In a frantic attempt to save his honor, Marcq began rapidly collecting all the thin sheets covering the wooden flooring before anyone saw a peak. However it was too late.

The pencil marks and lines were thin and erasable, but they were clearly visible. Visible enough for the whole class to pear over the shiny desks and each other to steal a look if only for a second. All were consumed in their burning curiosity.

Each look of surprise on each one of Marcq's classmates was a ripped, torn vessel of his shattered heart. But, the worst expression wasn't even Clayton's. His tears leaked out of his bluebell orbs when he saw his crush's countenance.

It was as if she couldn't process what was drawn on one piece of paper. Marcq couldn't move. His feet were frozen; all succumbing to the suspenseful drift in the atmosphere.

After a full minute, Marcq couldn't take it anymore. His body seemed to be in his control again. The designer specialist dropped all of the scattered sketchbook pages and bolted out of the class door; letting the salty liquid drown him.

Adrianna snapped out of her daze. Recalling what had just occurred, she grabbed the specific doodle with her face on it and raced after her friend.

"Marcq! Wait!" She called.

***

She searched all the over the school; cautiously avoiding the faculty, before sneaking out of the sandcastle like building.

Darn that idiot! That stupid idiot!

Adrianna raged over her idiotic childhood friend. What the heck was he thinking? Spilling all of Marcq's precious designs like it was nothing out of wrath.

She wasn't a fool. She saw how protective Marcq was of that sketchbook. She noticed how energetic he looked when he shared his ideas with her, Alan, and Nina. She knew that drawing notebook was proof of his hard work and dedication to his dream while also being his sanctuary if things ever got rough.

Adrianna had never met someone as honest, and hard-working as he was. How he put everything on the line to pursue the objective and goal that fueled his drive, ion, and perseverance to become a fashion designer.

That's why she had to find him. To tell him that he was the most talented person she had ever met. To tell him that he shouldn't be ashamed of drawing her, Adrianna should have been honored to be his model. All she wanted right now was to get that bubbly smile beaming like the moon etched over his sweet face once again.

Adrianna could think of one thing to make this search a lot easier and faster. She opened up her messenger bag revealing her black cat kwami.

The black humanoid moaned. "Need me already? It's too early!"

Adrianna rolled her eyes at the lazy so called 'goddess' of destruction. "No time, we need to find Marcq now!"

"Ou, someone's getting all love struck over a boy." The cat kwami teased.

Adrianna flushed. "We're just friends," She explained patiently before saying the magic words. "Plagg, Claws Out!"

***

Catty Noir bounced over the teal tinted roof of Parisian apartment before vaulting over a connecting railing only to land face first into a brick chimney.

"Ouch." She winced as her hand trailed over her forehead. It would most likely bruise in the morning. Catty Noir groaned.

Just great. It's been hours and I still couldn't find Marcq. And now, Nath and Mother will never let me hear the end of it if they find out, I accidentally injured myself and that I skipped school. I didn't realize this would so time consuming! What possible excuse could I make this time? Ugh, Marcq. Where in the world are you?

Her worries skidded to a stop when she glanced up for only a moment to outline a scarlet red figure with black spots in the distance; star gazing at the brilliant display of fiery gas illuminating the pitch black backdrop. Her mood brightened up immediately when she saw her lord.

She strolled over confidently; making her voice as sassy and flirty as possible. "My lord." She bowed down mockingly, but no response.

Catty was baffled. Usually, he would have some sort of comeback with a 'Hey kitty' or something as equally charming, but their was nothing.

"Lordbug? You okay?" She reached out a leather claw to tenderly touch his shoulder, but he scooted away.

Lordbug considered lying, but his tongue responded before he could think. "No." He itted.

"Bad day?" Catty guessed. He didn't have to speak for her to know. His silence said a thousand words. "Same here."

"So," She drawled. "What happened?" She asked after positioning herself next to her partner. The black spotted hero said nothing.

"Talking about it will make you feel better," Catty explained. "My dad always use to say that."

Lordbug stifled a laugh. Man was she persistent. "It's just," Lordbug started. "There's this...guy that really irritates me and today he pretty much ruined my chances with the girl of my dreams."

Catty tried to not let envy crawl into her veins when he said 'girl of my dreams'. So, he did have someone he loved. What did you expect Catty, that he would fall in love with a rookie hero just like herself? Get a grip! She should have know that her fantasies would come to a bitter end.

"Catty?" Lordbug noticed that the blonde-haired girl had became unnaturally quiet. "What's wrong?"

"Huh?" Catty snapped out of her distant gaze. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about what happened to me today..." Lordbug peered at her face; giving her an upmost focused expression.

The cat hero stifled a giggle at his serious countenance. "Technically though, it didn't happen to me, but to a friend of mine," Catty reached to her jet black leather suit pockets, pulled on the silver zipper to take out the now neatly, folded sheet.

"You see," She continued while unfolding the drawing paper. "He drew this picture of me..."

Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

Nothing could describe the explicit horror that caved through Lordbug's throat. His voice was muted into deafening silence. Terror wrecked his brain; left and right. Blood rushing to his cheeks, his head making him woozy.

No. No. No! It can't be! It just can't! This isn't fair! Why did it have to be her!

However, it was the exact same drawing he witnessed hours ago. The same one he drew. The same one he put his heart into. If he didn't know any better, it was as if he was doodling his own heart! Doodling who owned his heart: the one he said that he would give the galaxy, no beyond that if she wanted it.

"...But, he seems to be ashamed of his talent so I'm trying to find-" Suddenly, Lordbug stood up from the comfortable ledge, tenebrious shadows covering his usual bright blue eyes.

"I have to go." Lordbug said monotone like.

"What?" Catty said incredulously. "But, I need you to help me find-"

"I said, I need to go." The blue-haired boy said again; snarling slightly.

"That's ridiculous!" Catty yelled feeling frustrated. "My friend could be akumatized by Mrs. Butterfly and you say that you're leaving without helping him?! This is our job as heroes-"

Lordbug laughed harshly without any ounce of humor. "I'm no hero. I'm just some part of a pathetic puzzle of irony!"

Catty Noir was taken aback. What was he talking about? She saw dewdrops of tears pouring out of his dull eyes like it was hurting him to speak. Like he had figured out something he wished he hadn't.

"Ignorance really is bliss," Lordbug muttered. He glanced back toward his partner. "Good bye Catty." The spotted hero swung his yo-yo over a faraway lamppost; and turning back slightly, he swung back into the misty night.

Catty couldn't believe what had just happened. She traced her claws over the delicate pencil marks like it would make her feel better.

"To think," She breathed while holding back tears. "That this all started with some sketches of the heart."

***

Well, that just happened. :sweat_smile:

I hope you liked my one-shot of a Gender Bend reveal and try not to get too crazy mad at me for the ending. Plz don't kill me too much... :joy:

Until next time! ME-OUT!!!!!

-PrettyQueen325 :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: