What We Want Isn't What We Need

Fanfiction
Title:	What We Want Isn't What We Need
Author(s):	Starry_Sky12
Date(s):	May 28, 2020
Length:	14,049 words (4 chapters)
Genre:	het
Fandom:	Miraculous Ladybug
External Links:	fic, archived vers.; art, archived vers.
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

What We Want Isn't What We Need is a GabeNath fanfiction written for the GabeNath Mini Bang. It is rated T for Teen And Up Audiences, with the Archive warning No Archive Warnings Apply. The fic was beta-read by archekoeln and art was provided by Creativitydeficient.

Fic Info

Additional Tags

• Nathalie Sancoeur-centric, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Emilie Agreste Lives, (kind of?), Peacock Miraculous has a different power, GabeNath Minibang 2020, Bittersweet Ending

Summary

• "Why is it always me?" Nathalie bemoaned. She slapped a hand over her face and made an exasperated sound. The thing causing her frustration was a note, a singular note, and a peacock themed brooch. They both lay on her mattress, boring into her soul.
• After receiving a mysterious brooch from a long time college and nothing more than a short note as an explanation Nathalie understood her normal life was over. Becoming a fighter of “evil” wasn't supposed to involve the charming torment of her unknowing enemy but it looks like things don't always go as planned.
• With new feelings, friends, and flirtations Nathalie’s only choice is to handle it in the best way she can.

Reception

By July 2020, What We Want Isn't What We Need had received 42 comments, the majority of which were positive. A few are included below:

Oh I LOVE AUs like this one! Unfortunately I can't keep reading for now but I'll be thinking about this fic until I get the chance to continue!

--Amsves on Chapter 1

“I am simply bored! She will be nothing more than a pass time, I assure you!” Gabriel shouted. He saw the look of fright on his kwami’s face and decided to give it a break. “I will let you pass this time but you must learn, as Hawkmoth, that I cannot be so lenient with you.”
EXCUSE ME SIR YOUD BETTER TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT THIS INSTANT AND THEN TAKE NATHALIE OUT TO DINNER AS AN APOLOGY

--Amsves on Chapter 2

"She couldn't help but look in and yearn for something similar.
She wanted someone to be infatuated with her. Was that so bad? It was selfish but was it the worst thing in the world?"
THE PAIN. Poor woman

--GranadaCtonica on Chapter 3

This was interesting. I loved seeing Mayura as a hero, and I enjoyed the sad ending. If Nathalie really did have the power to remove her own romantic feelings for Gabriel, I wonder if she would. They are what motivate her to help him after all, but I also imagine that they're incredibly painful. Lastly, the idea that Gabriel himself was amokatized is fascinating. I loved the description of Mayura trying to remove it.

--ReminiscentLullaby on Chapter 4