LadyBugOut AU (Snippets)

Summary:
Luka finds another fancy box on his bed.

Chapter Text
"Trixx," Luka said, staring blankly at his bed.

"Mm?" Trixx hummed, draped lazily over Luka's shoulder.

"Did...did you do this?"

He didn't actually think that Trixx did anything. The question had really just come out of surprise.

Specifically, surprise at the new black and red box, sitting on his bed just like the other one had all that time ago. Juleka was even still taken by it, staring with awe and maybe a bit of jealousy this time.

"I didn't do anything," Trixx replied. "Looks to me like that glowing recommendation was as bright as a spotlight."

Luka blushed. Trixx always knew just what to say to make him flustered, and it didn't help that Trixx knew very well that Luka suspected that his "glowing recommendation" was from Marinette.

Juleka glanced over at them. "You think it's a new one? All the other miraculouses that we know are already being used, right?"

Luka nodded. "And Fuki and Mata do a great job. Why would they be replaced?"

Trixx raised a paw, smiling. "I think you two left someone out there," he pointed out. He flew down to the box, then stood next to it with a knowing gaze.

Luka and Juleka paused, not understanding for a good few seconds.

Then, their eyes widened. They looked at each other, muttering in unison, "No way."

Luka approached the box, grabbing the top with a curiousity. He had to know.

He opened it and stepped back, watching as the light poured out just like when Trixx had been released.

The light formed, a black cat-like kwami in its place. It opened its eyes halfway, looking tired, then met Luka's gaze.

Their suspicions had been confirmed. Chat Noir got his miraculous revoked. Though, admittedly, Chat's kwami seemed a little quiet-er than they expected.

Trixx flew up, giving the cat kwami a firm pat on the back. "Let me save him the effort. Plagg, kwami of the ring miraculous. Gives the power of destruction. Likes processed cheese."

Immediately, Plagg's ears flicked up and he turned to Trixx in a fury. "You think I like that garbage?! I'll have you know that I only eat the real deal! I--"

Plagg paused, probably noticing how Trixx was just floating there, looking completely unbothered and even a little satisfied.

"Uh--" Luka interrupted. Once he had Plagg's attention, he asked, "So, you're my kwami?"

"That's right," Plagg said rather quickly, looking eager to be away from what just happened with Trixx. He puffed his chest out. "Only one of the best kwami there is."

"But..." Luka held up the fox tail part of his necklace, pointing to it. "I already have a miraculous."

It wasn't as though Luka hated his role as the fox; far from it. He just didn't understand why he'd been picked again when he was already Cadmeancio.

Trixx swished his tail, shrugging. "Two miraculouses are a big responsibility, but I'm sure you could handle it if you wanted to." While floating, he leaned back and placed his paws behind his head, as if reclining. "But you gotta be ready to be Ladybug's partner."

Partner, Luka repeated in his head. He'd been Ladybug's teammate for a long time, but the cat miraculous was a counterpart to the ladybug miraculous. They were meant to be equal, which is why it made sense that Chat wasn't working out anymore.

And now, Luka realized that had a chance to fix that. He could be the partner Ladybug needed; the partner that she deserved.

"I'll do it," he said without hesitation. He reached for the box and pulled out the ring, then slipped it onto his right hand. It flashed white as it formed to fit his finger perfectly, turning from its signature black color to something blue, vaguely reminding him of the shoulder pads he had as a member of Kitty Section.

Trixx whistled. "Impressive," he said, eyeing Luka's hand. "How do you think you're going to balance being both heroes?"

Luka glanced at Juleka. She looked back at him, but seemed confused as to why she was being stared at at all.

Luka smiled. "I'm not."

As soon as his hand touched the blue chain of his necklace, Juleka's eyes widened with realization. She held her hands up, waving them rapidly as she watched him remove the necklace.

"Luka, no way, I..."

Her voice trailed off as he held the necklace out to her with a smile, its original shape and colors tempting her. She chewed her bottom lip, her eyes sparkling with desire.

"I--" She looked away, rubbing her arm self-conciously. "I'm not really a hero."

"I'd say you are," Luka argued with a reassuring grin. "You just don't have a miraculous yet."

With a chuckle, he added, "Besides, I bet you already have a name and everything, huh?"

Juleka blushed, embarrassed to be called out because it was true. Ever since Luka had become the fox, she'd fantasized about being a hero herself, and even imagined what her name would've been had she been given the fox instead. She'd never wished that Luka hadn't gotten it so she could've taken his place, but she also couldn't deny that she wanted to be a hero.

Finally, with shaky hands, she took the necklace from Luka's grasp.  She slipped it over her head, though quickly, as if afraid she'd lose her chance if she did it too slowly. Just as with Luka's ring, it flashed and transformed, the oval chains turning to diamond ones and the fox tail turning to her Kitty Section lightning bolt.

The necklace didn't feel like anything special on its own, but knowing its purpose and what it offered, Juleka felt a sense of pride that was further strengthened by the nod of approval that Trixx gave at seeing her wearing his miraculous.

Juleka vaguely wondered what Rose would think of her being a hero.

Luka eyed her with a bit of pride, then glanced over at the doorway leading out of their room. "We should show Plagg around," he suggested. "On the next patrol, I'll help you get used to your powers, alright?"

Juleka smiled gratefully, then nodded. "Cool."

The two proceeded to leave the room, giving a quick glance back at Plagg and Trixx to encourage them to follow whenever they were ready.

Trixx watched them go, then turned to Plagg with a smile. "Feels good, doesn't it? Seeing them interact."

When Plagg only gave Trixx a fleeting glance, Trixx poked at his cheek with a paw and added, "You must be happy, having one extra person to mess with."

Plagg let out a snort at that. Trixx smiled, satisfied.

"Yeah, I guess it's not bad here," Plagg admitted with a casual shrug. "Way better than some fancy mansion. Just annoying that I'll have to start my cheese stash all over again."

"I'll help you take it back if you want," Trixx offered with a mischievous grin.

Plagg raised a brow at him. "What?"

"We'll take it when he's sleeping. He'll never know." Trixx turned, flying over to the doorway. Looking back at Plagg, he gestured for him to come closer. "But for now, come on! You'll have to get used to this place if you want to figure out where you'll put your new cheese stash!"

With a wink, Trixx went off into the other room. For a moment, Plagg did nothing, simply floating in the air and staring at where Trixx once was.

Then, he smiled. Yeah, he'd definitely like it here.