Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ladybug added Rena Rouge, Carapace, Miel, and Chat Noir to the chat

Ladybug named the chat “Team Chat” 

— Team Chat, 3:15pm —

Ladybug: Hello, I decided this would be useful since you are now all full-time miraculous holders. We should have a way to communicate between our civilian selves so that we can alert others to akumas. 

Rena Rouge: omg HI LADYBUG!!

Carapace: Sounds cool dude

Miel: i know we haven't worked together a lot but i am proud to say i'm a permanent member of the team now and i am excited to work with you all.

Miel: wow ok ew that was too mushy for me, never again.

Rena Rouge: I’m excited to work together too!! you will definitely be a vast improvement from our last bee holder lol

Miel: hopefully.

Chat Noir: ohohoh can we do pronouns and our favorite hobby ? i want to get to know you all more

Chat Noir: lady ? is that ok ?

Ladybug: Sure, as long as no one says anything obvious about identity stuff. 

Chat Noir: OK !! ill start i use he/him and i love to re ad

Rena Rouge: i use she/they and i am a writer in my free time.

Carapace: I am a bit of a music buff and I use any pronouns

Miel: she/her and i love to collect jewelry.

Ladybug: I also use she/her and I love to bake in my spare moments. 

Chat Noir: ohmigod ladybug cookies are the best. ever. !!

Carapace: No way she does all that for the city and is also an amazing baker

Carapace: Bro

Chat Noir: bro im being so fr rn

Chat Noir: bro

Carapace: Bro

Miel: please go make out in dm’s. 

Rena Rouge: lmaoooo BURN 

Carapace: We are literally in love

Rena Rouge: babe you can not make me choose between you and the bit,, you know what i will choose. 

Carapace: :/

Miel: so real

Ladybug: This is already turning into a mistake. 

— Team Chat, 6:25pm —

Ladybug: @everyone Akuma at the louvre. 

Miel: omw

Rena Rouge: me and cara are same

Chat Noir changed Carapace’s name to Cara

Ladybug: @Chat Noir get off your phone and get over here.

Miel: burn.

— Team Chat, 9:58pm —

Cara: Are you sure that was one of the first times you came out with us miel? You were insane out there today

Miel: what can I say, i’m a natural

Chat Noir: i can totally inagne you flipping your ponytail while tiping that

Miel: so many spelling errors.

Chat Noir: :(

Rena Rouge: everyone make it home ok?? that was a long one.

Chat Noir: yup !!

Miel: yes. 

Cara: Mhm

Ladybug: Yes Rena, thank you for asking. 

Chat Noir: wait, did Rena and Cara say they were together befroe the akuma today ?? do they know who eachother are?? 

Cara: ,,Ladybug?

Ladybug: Yes, they do. That is my bad. Before they were asked to be full-time, there was an instance where I did not have the time to split them up before I could give them the miraculous’s. They have shown me though, that they can keep the secret only between themselves and that was actually a large part of the reason why I chose them to be a part of the full-time team. 

Chat Noir: ahhhhhh ok

Miel: makes sense.

Rena Rouge: we wernt sure if we were allowed to tell you guys, earlier today, my hands auto piloted. 

Ladybug: It is okay Rena, I understand. In civilian form, I am actually quite clumsy, so I understand not having total control of all you are doing all the time. 

Cara: Is that a joke i don’t get it

Ladybug: Unfortunately not. I’ve dropped so many batches of cookies on my kitchen floor.

Ladybug: Obviously, those are the ones I give to the cat. 

Rena Rouge: OMG

Miel: BURN

Cara: Ladybug is on her villain arc rn 

Chat Noir: i asm sobbing this can not be true

Chat Noir: my lady

Chat Noir: my light

Chat Noir: say this isnt true

Ladybug: I will neither confirm nor deny. 

Miel: i know shes a bug but,

Miel: the bug got that dog in her.

Cara: Real

Rena Rouge: this is the best day of my life??

Cara: Real

— Ladybug started a private chat with Miel at 10:13pm —

Ladybug: hey chlo, are you ok? I saw the slight chloe bashing in the chat done by rena and i wanted to come on and make sure you were alright

Miel: yeah it sucks but it’s nothing i don’t deserve. i have a lot to make up for when i'm chloe.

Miel: and don't even think about denying that i deserve this treatment. chloe harrassed and bullied countless people for years, even people who don't know her know her reputation, i wouldn't be surprised if rena didn't know chloe and got a sour image of her from her ego as queen bee.

Ladybug: it still wasnt cool

Miel: maybe not, but it's not like she wouldn't have said it to my face if she knew it was still me. 

Ladybug: i guess

Miel: it’s so funny how you type so formal around the others but are so casual in dms. 

Ladybug: they expect me to act like a leader i cant act like mari or they my not respect me as much or even worse, start connecting the dots between mari and bug 

Ladybug: although, it is a pain editing my texts like i'm writing a paper for literature. 

Miel: lmao

Miel: but i’m sure they wouldn't mind if you just relaxed, especially when we are just talking about random stuff.

Ladybug: Its not that i think they will mind, i just don't want to relax too much and find hawk moth knocking on my door i already took a risk with giving out the other three full time miraculouses, i can’t take any more risks. 

Miel: ok, ok i get it. if you need to ever like talk or anything, i guess it wouldn't be the worst if you talked to me. if you need. 

Ladybug: that looked like it hurt to type

Miel: it really did, buggy.

— Team Chat, 3:45am —

Miel: is anyone still awake?

Miel: ok

Two messages deleted

— Team Chat, 6:16am —

Cara: I hate school 

Cara: I am sitting here while my teacher is taking role and there is nothing more that i want to do than drive a road spike through my skull

Rena Rouge: dramatic

Miel: real

Ladybug: Pay attention in class. 

Miel: are you not also in class? 

Chat Noir: brun

Miel: good try bud.

Chat Noir: :(

Ladybug: I am never able to pay attention, too tired. 

Cara: Thats rough LB

Rena Rouge: you are joking right??

Ladybug: Oh, yeah of course. 

Miel: what’s that smell?

Chat Noir: i dont smell anything ?

Cara: We are nowhere near each other

Miel: bullshit. the smell is bullshit. 

Rena Rouge: I wish i could high-five you right now, mi

Miel: yes, please. 

Rena Rouge: we have a patrol together this week right?

Rena Rouge: We should catch a late movie after or find a cafe opened late and just chat, for some reason, i think we could be good friends

Miel: i guess that sounds alright. 

Chat Noir: i think we could bee good friends. 

Ladybug: Boo. 

Cara: @Ladybug Miel is trying to steal my gf

Miel: she literally asked to hang out with me. 

Miel: plus, i already like someone else, sorry rena. 

Chat Noir: ooooo spill

Rena Rouge: ^^

Miel: i can't really say anything specific bc identity shit but she is really pretty and we have almost nothing in common (literally opposites) except the fact that we both like to be athletic, and neither of us take any shit from anyone. but i am really interested in showing her all my interests and learning about all of hers. 

Miel: i was paired with her on a project for one of my classes last term and i just absolutely fell. but my only defense mechanism is to be a gigantic bitch all the time (it was extra bad at this point) and i think she literally despises me. ah well. 

Cara: I’m so sorry dude thats ass

Chat Noir: yeah,, hopefully you get another chance to show her who you really are !

Rena Rouge: ^^

Chat Noir: really poignant today huh ?

Rena Rouge: ok, sorry i actually CARE about getting caught in class with my phone

Rena Rouge: This just in, chat noir spells a complex word right, more at ten.

Ladybug: Miel, if she ever gets to know the you that we have met? I am sure she is going to change her mind about you. 

Ladybug: Also, no capitals please, it hurts my brain this early in the morning. 

Cara: lmao 

Rena Rouge: real ok sorry

Miel: ok not to be a bitch but, did you not read my texts right? i drove a girl i like away with just my personality. i was the problem.

Chat Noir: you saud yourself that it was a defense mechinisum , as long as you were just being rude and not verbally assulting her, i am sure that she would understand that your words come from a place oftrauma and you are working though it to make ammends with not only her but yourslef. 

Ladybug: Poorly spelled, but well said. 

Ladybug: Realizing what you have done in the past was wrong is the first step to growing into a better person. 

Rena Rouge: ^^

Cara: Someone get ladybug some coffee

Rena Rouge: ^^

Ladybug: Please, that would be so good rn

Ladybug: Alright the next person to talk in here gets pushed off a building next patrol. Pay attention in class. 

Cara: Thats cold LB

Cara: Oh no

Ladybug: :)

—

Chapter Text

— Team Chat, 12:54pm —

Cara changed Rena Rouge’s name to Foxy

Cara changed Chat Noir’s name to Gatto

Cara changed Miel’s name to Vinegar

Cara changed Ladybug’s name to Boss Lady

Boss Lady: Okay, explain yourself. @Cara 

Cara: I realized if anyone finds our phones, we’re screwed

Cara: Obvi we can change them but i kinda like them

Cara: @Foxy

Foxy: ;) thanks babe

Boss Lady: Understandable. 

Vinegar: honey and vinegar, works every time. 

Cara: I love that you got my reference

Vinegar: unfortunately, i am a dennis kinnie. 

Cara: Damn, bro thats ass

Cara: I am so sorry for you

Vinegar: eh, at least i am sexy. 

Foxy: real

Gatto: wait can i change my own name ? ? 

Gatto changed their name to Kool Kat

Kool Kat: I love this !

Foxy: chat is so wholesome i love it 

Cara: Oh yeah, my bro always brings the best energy

Kool Kat: bro

Cara: Bro

Vinegar: please not again. 

Boss Lady: You know, that name really does suit you, Miel.

Foxy: BURN

Cara: LB

Kool Kat: this is the best day of my life ? ! 

Vinegar: 

Vinegar: i deserved that. 

— Team Chat, 3:45pm —

Boss Lady: I can not win with these cookies. 

Boss Lady: cattreats.jpg

Boss Lady: Just for Chat. <3

Kool Kat: T-T

Cara: Its so cursed the way they all splattered like that

Cara: I’d still eat them though tbh

Foxy: youd be crazy not to??

Vinegar: so real

Vinegar: i made my self a toasted cheese for my lunch today but i do not usually cook so its a little raw. its honestly more of a cheese sandwich. 

Foxy: mmmm warm cheese sandy

Cara: Yeahhhhh this is why i do not cook for myself 

Cara: Helps me avoid that and what LB got herself into

Cara: And that way, my beautiful gf can make my lunches for me <3

Foxy: yeah its soooo fun

Foxy: I love waking up extra early just to make lunch for the twins, mamman, and my super capable bf 

Cara: <3

Foxy: </3

Cara: D:

Vinegar: burn .

Vinegar: but i have to get better at it, i want to be able to cook for myself when i go to university. 

Vinegar: life skills and what not. 

Foxy: that’s a really good goal, mi!!

Foxy: my bf could take lessons from your preparedness 

Vinegar: as long as its not from my cooking.

Vinegar: i think this bread is moldy.

— Team Chat, 10:07 pm —

Kool Kat: akuma at the arc

Vinegar: omw

Cara: ^^

Foxy: same

— Team Chat, 10:36pm —

Cara: lb are you on the way? 

— Team Chat, 12:02am —

Boss Lady: Sorry I was late. I was hit by a road sign that was thrown in the panic and I think it messed up a few of my ribs. 

Cara: Were you in civ form

Kool Kat: she had to have been , it taks a lost to hurt us in the suits

Boss Lady: Unfortunately, yes. 

Foxy: the cure worked its magic though?? You are ok??

Vinegar: lb?

Boss Lady: Unfortunately, the cure doesn’t work on me. It never has for my personal belongings or physical health. 

Kool Kat: it doesn’t?

Kool Kat: why have you never told me?

Boss Lady: I did not want you to worry. 

Boss Lady: I am strong. A few nights sleeping in my suit and I’ll be mostly good as new. 

Cara: Do you have to do this often

Cara: I mean this is really scary lb

Foxy: are you breathing ok?? rib injuries can be serious 

Boss Lady: I think I’ll be ok, my body is used to the extra stress and I do pretty well under the rapid healing. 

Kool Kat: lady we always want to know these things espcally me . we r ur team we want to look out for you

Boss Lady: I know Kitty. I just didn’t want to worry you over something that heals itself in a few days. 

Kool Kat: you can take a few days off, Paris won’t collapsee 

Boss Lady: As much as I wish that were true, you and I both know it is not. 

Cara: No one would be mad if you took a few days off

Boss Lady: All due respect Carapace, the only person that has enough context to have this conversation is Chat. 

Boss Lady: And Chat? I am sorry, but you know that this is how it has to be for me. I know that it is not optimal, but I will try not to put the city and the team in danger like that again. 

Boss Lady: If you all are willing to excuse me, I am going to take my power nap now. 

Boss Lady has logged off. 

Vinegar: im calling power of attorney.

Vinegar: take your nap lb cause when you wake up, im gonna whoop your sorry ass.

— Union Forum, 12:46am —

Miel has added Carapace, Rena Rouge, Chat Noir into Union Forum

Miel has changed Carapace’s name to Green

Miel has changed Rena Rouge’s name to Red

Miel has changed Chat Noir’s name to Black

Miel has changed their name to Yellow

Yellow: so, I have something to disclose. 

Yellow: just, please wait for the end of my little rant until you choose to respond because it’s going to get weird and bad before it gets kinda ok. 

Yellow: essentially, the bombshell is that i know LB’s civ identity. 

Yellow: she didn’t want to show me and she didn’t want to show me (we know each other as civs and we did not get along before this) but we were trapped and running out of air and if she hadn’t transformed, at the very least, i would have died that day. 

Yellow: we didn’t talk about it or to each other for about a week after the event and i was silently having a melt down. I mean i was the only person in Paris who knew ladybug, it was too much for me to wrap my mind around. 

Yellow: then, a week and a day later she pulled me into one of the supply closets at our school and well, she looked like she was crawling out of her skin, looked like she hadn’t slept in a few days.

Yellow: she then essentially begged me to do whatever i was planning because she couldn’t take the stress of not knowing what was going to happen. 

Yellow: i was never planning anything, obviously, but i realized then that i was such a dick to the people in my civ life that she was expecting me to ruin both of her lives by exposing her to the whole of Paris. 

Yellow: i marched her to my house after that little outburst explaining that no, I was not going to potentially put everyone she loved in danger and yes, i was being serious. 

Yellow: and then, i made her sleep in my bed all school day because god damn, that girl never has any time to sleep. I called me forcing her to sleep “power of attorney” because she was not thinking rationally at that point. 

Yellow: and i told her my biggest secret, you all know it i am a lesbian. But she was the first person i told. And the only person in my civ life that knows to this day. And I definitely did not cry. 

Green: Sure

Green: We totally believe you didn’t cry

Green: Currently winking

Red: it’s so cray that you’ve met ladybug

Red: totally not sending a bomb to your current location

Black: she told me after it all happened.i was a little sad because we had this whole plan to meet at a cafe and reveal our identities to each other but i get that she had no other choice.. 

Yellow: you guys are much cooler about this than i thought you all would be. 

Black: meil,, we love you// unless you do something to baselessly hurt us or the city, we are going to be on your side. 

Red: **miel

Green: We love our little bee

Yellow: shut the fuck up but lovingly.

Red: that’s our girl!!

— Union Forum, 5:45am —

Yellow ended the voice call in Union Forum at 125 mins

Yellow: everyone ok with the lb love plan? 

Green: I think we're all good on our parts but what did you say you were doing again

Yellow: my job is to go over to lb’s house and convince her mom she is actually sick, so she has an excuse to be down for the count for the next two days.

Red: knowing lb?? I can only imagine what her mom is like.. good luck buggy

Yellow: it is certainly going to be interesting. 

—

Chloe tucked her phone away after sending her last text even though it was still buzzing in her pocket. She had been standing in front of the Dupain-Cheng bakery for a solid ten minutes now and genuinely was not sure if she would be making herself enter any time soon. It wasn’t Sabine, she was a bit hesitant to see Chloe back in Mari’s life after hearing second hand what she had been doing for years, but after a tearful gut-spilling to the woman and so many more bows than necessary, Sabine actually seemed excited about Chloe's shiny new personality change. 

No, Chloe was nervous to face Marinette. Ever since their surprise reconciliation Chloe has tried with great care and surprising accuracy to stay within Mari’s boundaries. One of the big ones, really the only big one is no identity talk. While she hadn’t told the team everything, she had told them stuff that could be implied out of the Ladybug comfort zone and it was making her skin absolutely crawl. Seriously, she was not used to this level of guilt surrounding something so tangible. It was honestly freaking her out. A lot. 

So here she was, still on the sidewalk outside the cafe and oh no, Sabine is smiling and waving at her. Now she had to go in. 

“Darling! I thought you might be stopping in! I made you a ham and brie on a croissant.” Was it possible to have mother envy? If so, Chloe had it bad. 

“I love you, Sabine.” Chloe took a bite and noted the addition of the spinach and the raspberry compote. She just about melted into a puddle on the floor. “You have to teach me this.” Chole’s mouth was still full as she took another bite. “I am trying to teach myself how to cook and it is not going too well.” 

“Any time I’m not working dear, I’d be happy to teach you.” Chloe wished this woman was single. Really, she’d put a ring on it. 

Chloe sees herself upstairs and goes over the plan in her mind. Go up the ladder, tuck in a sleeping Mari, have Tiki yell at her for at least twenty mins, scroll through twitter for about an hour, go downstairs and tell Sabine that Mari is so sick , fall asleep on Mari’s chase, and wake up tomorrow to make sure Mari stayed home from school to rest. Just a super simple, seven step plan. 

Chloe often found herself wondering what her life had come to, and that is no different today as she crawled her way up to Marinette’s trap door. 

Chapter Text

— Dupain-Cheng bakery, 7:20 am —

“She has a fever?” Sabine was manning the register at the cafe when Chloe came back down from Mari’s room around an hour later. “Oh gosh, I have a huge catering order today that Tom has to help me with. I’m sure I can find time to sneak away to check on her throughout the day though.” Chloe could tell the baker said the second part mostly to herself, but she knew that that was definitely not happening. How was anyone supposed to explain Ladybug sleeping in her daughter’s bed?

“I’ll stay with her. I probably already have what she has anyway, you don’t need to put yourself at risk of being sick.” Chloe sees the way Sabine weighs the options, she is like her daughter in the way that she has a really expressive face. Chloe knows she needs to say something else to win the mother over for good. “I am really far ahead in my classes and I have people who can take really good notes for me. Really, if I already am exposed, I shouldn’t be going into school anyway.”

Sabine’s face rippled into an appreciative smile and Chloe knew she had won. 

“Thank you for taking such good care of her, darling. You really are a lifesaver.” Chloe just nodded and turned to leave the cafe. When she was almost at the door, Sabine called after her again. “I am glad you are back in Marinette’s life. You,” she paused like she was thinking about how to phrase what she wanted to say, “lost your way for a while, but you are shaping up to be a wonderful young woman.” 

Chloe just nodded at her again with a smile and tried to pretend her eyes didn't feel glossy. 

— Team Chat, 8:30 am —

Foxy: guys my bsf is absent from school today and I’m so bored. This is the worst day of my life ever

Cara: I’m literally sitting right next to you but ok

Kool Kat: aww I’m sprry  that’s the worst

Foxy: literally . I hope everyone is having a better day than me

Cara: The lady deffo is, she gets to sleep all day today

Kool Kat: i hope you see this la ter and no that we are rooting for you too feel better !!!

Cara: real ^^

Foxy: yesss feel better buggy <<<<33333

— Team Chat, 1:46 —

Cara: Ok but the bee top has all the versatility that the yo-yo has but it also has the pointed end and can do more damage when striking an enemy

Kool Kat: see,, I disagree.. not about the pointed end but the vercatility . The top can’t do the spinny shield thing that the yo-yo can plus, lb throws that yo-yo hard ehough that she does basically all the same damage that the top does..

Cara: The yo-yo is extremely blunt, we’ve seen Miel break things that LB had already tried to break unsuccessfully 

Kool Kat: but when lb is in shield mode, he can cut holes in things with the velocity of the spins 

Foxy: yeah yeah you both have boy crushes on the other girls on the team i have something important to discuss.

Cara: Babe i can explain 

Kool Kat: whats wrong Rena

Foxy: my bsf won’t respond to any of my texts or messages even if she is sick she usually gets woken up by the buzzing of her phone

Foxy: I know she’s fine but im still just worried

Kool Kat: maybe you could take her some soup when you get off school ? if it turns out she is sick, she will probably apprecate it ! 

Foxy: maybe after I am finished putting the twins to bed, depending on when my mom is done, but I have to watch them today and tonight. 

Foxy: I just really hope she’s doing ok and is just knocked tf out 

Foxy: I’d make Cara do it but he works right after school

Foxy: and our other close friend has to work too

Foxy: maybe I can get the girl who usually takes her jw to her when she is under the weather to sus out what's happening she lives right down the street

Cara: that’s a good idea

Foxy: brb gonna text her 

Kool Kat: so anyway I thi k you are looking to hard at really spasififc traits of the two weapons, if you were really being objective , you’d take into consideration the total net pover they both possess 

Foxy: good lord

Cara: No way bro the whole point is that we are debating one specific trait

Foxy: at least chat spelled consideration right 

Foxy: good job kitkat

Kool Kat changed their name to KitKat

— Private Message, 3:56 pm —

Alya: hey this number is Alix’s right? It’s me Alya!

Alya: can I ask a favor of you? 

Alix: probably 

Alya: ok so I can’t go to Maris today bc I have to watch the twins but I really want to know if she’s ok, she hasn’t been responsive to my messages 

Alya: and I know you are going bc of how close you both live, to bring her her work

Alya: just take a look at her, make sure she’s ok

Alya: if she’s awake tell her that I’m freaked a little that she’s not responding 

Alix: oh sure thing

Alix: ms Dupain usually makes me come in the house and tires to make me a protein smoothie anyway, lol

Alya: ugh love that woman

Alix: yeah 

Alix: on my way, I’ll lyk 

Alya: thanks girl!

— Marinette’s loft, 4:12 pm —

Chloe was still in a groggy state when the trapdoor flung open. She had fallen asleep with her glasses on her head, sitting almost upright so her neck had an obvious tinge in it from being in the wrong place for too long. She was expecting Sabine or Tom to have come through the door so she was very much surprised to see Alix frozen in the trap doorway. By the look on Alix’s face, she wasn’t expecting to see Chloe either. Good, at least she was not the only one caught out at the sight. 

“Chlo?” Alix seemed more confused than anything. At first, that is. Then the feelings melted from her face to have anger replace it. “What’s going on where’s Marinette?”

Chloe flinched as she said it much louder than what was desired. 

“Please, keep your voice down, Alix. Marinette is asleep in her bed.” Alix easily hoisted herself over the threshold and placed the cover back on the door. As soon as she did, she started pacing and pulling at her hair. There was a ping in Chloe’s chest at how familiar it all looked. 

“What are you doing here? In the bakery? In Marinette’s room? What did you do to her?” Alix wasn’t yelling, but the tone in her voice suggested she wanted to be. 

“I’m taking care of Mari. She’s my friend.” 

“Oh what, like you and I were friends?”

“Alix, we weren’t ever friends.” 

Alix gave her hair a particularly harsh tug and stopped her pacing. Like she was trying to get herself to look at Chloe but couldn’t physically move her neck. The blonde knew that the last sentence did not come out right at all. 

“I see nothing has changed with you, always say the worst things you could say to a person. Always go for the throat.” 

“Alix,” but Chloe was interrupted by a folder of papers being dropped unceremoniously on the hardwood floor.

“Always a pleasure to be your punching bag, Bourgeois. If you’ll excuse me, I’m late to being literally anywhere other than here.” 

“Wait, Alix!” Chloe reached for where the other was just standing, but she was back the way she came faster than Chloe could blink. “ Fuck,” 

Chloe flopped back onto the chase and sighed. She honestly didn’t know how long she was staring at the ceiling before someone spoke up. 

“That went well.” Mari deadpanned from her spot in the loft, apparently she was awake. 

“Yeah, fan- fucking -tastic.” Chloe sighed and then realized who she was talking to. “When did you wake?” 

“She was stomping up the ladder.” And then Mari sighed. “But I’ve been awake for about twenty, I need to get in the shower, I’m still covered in Parisian roadway.” 

Chloe laughed, unexpectedly. “Yeah, and you smell like it too.” 

“Ha, ha.” Marinette deadpanned once again, really, when she wasn’t stuttering or in the public eye, sarcasm was her brand. “Want a hug?” That offer seemed to be genuine, though. 

Chloe pretended to turn her nose up. “After your shower, I can smell the pigeon poop and cobblestone from here.”

This time, Marinette’s laughter was genuine. 

— Private Message, 6:09 pm —

Alya: how did it go? 

Alya: was she ok?

Alix: yeah she was fine. her mom said she accidentally took some nyquil this morning instead of dayquil and so she was out out all day 

Alya: yeah, that’s what she said when she texted me 

Alya: it is just weird

Alya: even when accidentally drugged,she never really sleeps that well. Like she'll be groggy but still wake up to her phone alerts. 

Alix: I don’t know Al, she really was sound asleep when I got there.

Alya: and you saw her sleeping?

Alix: snoring and everything.

Alya: huh

Alya: I’ve never heard her snore either. 

—

Chapter Text

— Team Chat, 1:56 am —

Boss Lady has changed their name to  Coma Lady

Coma Lady: I am awake now. 

Coma Lady: Thank you for being so concerned and I am sorry if I worried you. 

Vinegar: shut up we all love you. 

 Cara: She lives

Foxy: yes!! Girl we are so happy to see you

KitKat: lady ! 

KitKat: how do you feel?? 

Coma Lady: Much better. Thanks Miel. 

Vinegar: anytime, stuipd. 

Cara: I’m so glad they’re both back

Cara: Balance is restored to the universe 

— Team Chat, 7:32 am — 

Foxy: I feel like sgot 

Foxy: shut

Foxy: s h i t 

Foxy: I must have gotten that thing that’s going around 

Cara: you deffo gave it to me too

Kitkat: ;) 

Vinegar changed their name to Meal

Meal: ew 

Cara: it do be like that

Coma Lady: You all are insufferable.

Coma Lady: I missed you. 

Meal: ew 

Cara: we’re having a moment with lb over here

Cara: expressing your feelings is not ew

Meal: …ew

Cara: ok

KitKat: I hare my job

KitKat: my co workers are cool but everything else about it suckes 

Meal: I just got my first Job recently

Meal: I know I’m a late booomer

Meal: But it’s fun and it pays well enough

Cara: I do too many gigs so I can’t get a formal job but most of them ar payed so it’s ok

Foxy: My internet presence makes me enough pocket change to get by and help out with household expenses 

Coma Lady: I mostly do commission based work and I love it

KitKat: Damn why do I get the shit job? 

Foxy: Just the way the cat food crumbles I guess

Meal: Floor cookies would have been funnier

Foxy: Fuck yr right

— Team Chat, 1:15 pm — 

Meal: Is anyone good at history? I’m gonna fail my class

Foxy: Cara is pretty damn good

Cara: I’m not bad but I wouldn’t mind to help what kind?

— Private Message, 1:21 pm —

Meal: Early Catholic western civilization 

Meal: Leave it to me to pick electives out of a hat and just have blind faith I’ll be fine

Cara: lol that’s why I stick to music, go with what I actually like

Call started, 1:24 pm

Call ended, 3:02 pm

Meal: Thanks for all your help, you are a good teacher

Meal: Really, I feel like I finally get it a bit

Cara: I love to halp

Cara: really tho, if you need more help ever, I’m here. 

Cara: I feel like you and my girlfriend would get along like a house on fire

Cara: irl, i mean

— Team Chat, 7:02 pm —

Coma Lady: It’s seven in the morning.

Foxy: Babe, it’s seven at night

Foxy: Did you sleep all day? 

Coma Lady: Absolutely not.

Meal: That means yes

KitKat: You gotta take care of yourself my lady

KitKat: And sleeping is one of the best ways to do it so make sure to keep at it!

Meal: Sleeping with your mother is one of the best ways to do it

KitKat: LMAO my mom dead (real) 

Meal: well fuck

Cara: BRO

Foxy: Chat??

Coma Lady: Hehe that’s my kitty

KitKat: It eis what it eis

— Team Chat, 4:05 am — 

KitKat: Akima on fifth and Preston 

KitKat: Sorry lady, thought I might have stopped it before I needed help

KitKat: But I cant :(

Cara: I’m a block away

KitKat: Turtley awesome 

Meal: Die

— Team Chat, 4:47 am — 

Cara: that was a fast one

Meal: I really hope someone clips that double backflip into the pavement face first that Rena did

Meal: Some funny shit

Cara: My baby is a gymnast

Coma Lady: Speaking of, Miel, you can’t stop mid punch to laugh at one of your team mates. Not if it puts the city in danger.

Meal: Aww mom,

Foxy: It was pretty funny lb

Coma Lady: Not when the akuma can take out a whole city block because of it.

Cara: Fair

Cara: You doing ok b?

Foxy: Even though it rang the shit out of my bell, I’ll be fine. 

Foxy: I don’t get how you all can just do gymnastics in the suit. I didn’t get that power.

Foxy: Im trying to learn but the whole falling thing sucks

Coma Lady: I’ve learned that it actually depends on the Kwami.  

Coma Lady: Foxes are lethe but not known for death defying and instead for tricks (mental) and good deductions.

Coma Lady: Like cats are known for being clumsy but landing on feet.

Coma Lady: And turtles are known for defensive positions. 

Coma Lady: Miel and I are bugs with wings so it would make sense for us to look a bit more effortless. 

Coma Lady: All in all you are a very good fox holder and you don’t need the flair of acro to be there.

Coma Lady: But learn if you’d like, I encourage bettering yourself but maybe in patrols and not during important battles.

Coma Lady: Sorry for the spam.

Cara: Don’t be sorry that was so,,,

KitKat: Nice???

Meal: Lb is nice.

Foxy: More like smart and uplifting 

Foxy: That was a really nice thing to say to me though

Coma Lady: I’m just telling the truth.

Coma Lady: Do not get yourself down, you are an exceptional person as well as fox holder.

Foxy: I learned it from the best

Meal: All these feelings are giving me a migraine

KitKat: Theirs our favorite misanthrope

Cara: Bro I love you but how the fuck you use the wrong “there” but spell misanthrope correct

Meal: Man of mystery 

— Mari Support Squad, 6:38 pm — 

Alya: Anyone wanna visit Mari with me? 

Alya: She seemed off today I just wanna check in

Nins: give me ten and I’m down

Nins: I love Mari time

Adri: I can come if someone picks me up at mine and tells Nat I need to work on a project

Nins: I can but I’m far so you’d have to wait a bit

Alya: i got you

Adri: luv u

Nins: bro rizzn my girl

— Team Chat, 7:13 pm — 

KitKat: do you guys think if I threw myself off the eifel in the suit I’d be fine when I hit the ground?

Meal: good lord

— Marinette’s Loft, 7:15 pm — 

“Did you see what chat just sent?” Chloe flopped over the back of the chase, with her feet stuck in the air. “That man is an enigma.” 

Marinette was sitting on the ground with her back leaning against the chase. Chloe watched her head bob as she caught herself between moments of nodding off. Mari grunted in response but Chloe could tell she was going to be out like a light relatively soon. She got up from the chase and scooped up her friend so she didn’t fall asleep on the floor. Mari frequently complained about her “old man bones” and would certainly regret it if she had fallen asleep on the floor. Just as Chloe was throwing a blanket over the sleeping girl, the trap door clicked open.

“Hey aunty Sab- oh,” Sabina was not at the door. “What’s the deal with people showing up to Mari’s unannounced lately?” 

Alya was staring at her from the crack in the door, jaw having opened with a pop. She said nothing when Chloe approached the door and lifted it out of her hands. 

“Hey look Mari just got to sleep, let’s talk in the kitchen.” Alya just nodded numbly and led the way down the ladder and then the stairs and into the Dupan-Chang family kitchen. When she entered behind Alya, Nino and Adrien were also sitting at the kitchen bar. Great. “So what can I do for you guys?” 

Alya started laughing incredulously before a look of understanding passed over her. “Are you the reason that Alix lied to me a few days ago? Were you here when she got here?” 

The boys looked confused (Adrien) and interested in the conversation (Nino) but declined to say anything. 

“Why would Alix have any reason to lie for me?” 

Alya blustered like she was about to have a sloppy come back, but was interrupted when Sabine poked her head up from the steps that lead down to the bakery.

“Chloe, dear! I must have missed your friends entering the chaos of the afternoon rush. Do you all want anything to eat?” Alya blanched when Sabine addressed Chloe like she belonged there. 

“Sorry Aunty Sab, they only came to borrow my chemistry notes, they can’t stay long.”

“Too bad sweetie. You must come by some other time. All of you, for dinner!” Chloe was going to respond until something loud happened downstairs that led Sabine to run and investigate. 

“What the hell is going on?” Alya looked painfully confused and honestly, Chloe felt for her. 

“Mari hasn’t been feeling so great. Me and her are close so she’s letting me take care of her.” 

“Since when have the two of you been close?” 

Chloe was not sure what to say so she just told the truth. “This summer we were forced to work together under not so amazing circumstances and really got to know each other.” 

Chloe saw the way Nino’s eyebrow kicked up but forgot when Alya spoke again. 

“You got to know each other more than I know her? I don’t believe it.” 

“Okay I hate to get involved in a dick measuring contest but,” Adrien coughed to try and conceal a laugh. “You may know more stupid facts about her, but I know the secrets that matter.” 

“Are you saying our friendship doesn’t matter?” Alya looked like she was close to tears but Chloe tried her best and was not sure of any other ways to talk her down. 

“No, no but,” Chloe hesitated. “I just know more.” Alya shook her head No and Chloe knew the conversation was coming to an end. “Please, please believe me. She still loves you so much.” 

“I believe you when you say that because I know her, but I just don’t trust you.” Alya turned to leave and Adrien followed her, seemingly wanting to calm her down. Nino left as well but not before sending Chloe a meaningful glance. Chloe hoped to God it didn’t mean what she thought it did.

— Private Message, 8:05 —

Cara: meet me at the arc at midnight?

Cara: just you, i think we need to have a conversation 

Miel: yeah, I think we do too. 

Miel: just you tho, right?

Cara: unfortunately just me. 

—

Chapter Text

— The Arc, 11:35 pm — 

“I told Ladybug I was meeting you here.”

“I’d assumed you would.” 

They were sitting atop the Arc de Triomphe with their feet dangling off the side. They still had yet to make eye contact. 

“When did you figure it out?” She felt like she looked desperate asking that, but she was desperate. She needed to know.

“I recognized your voice over the phone earlier without the magical filter but I couldn’t place it. Not until you and Alya were talking in Mari’s room and I was expecting Miel to follow Alya down the ladder.” Nino was so matter-of-fact it made her unsettled. 

“She kinda did.” 

“Yeah, I know.” 

Chloe suddenly came to a realization that sent ice water dripping down her spine and had her starting so violently that Nino also jumped from beside her. 

“Alya!” Chloe backtracked when Nino looked confused. “Alya is Rena because you are Cara and together- with her,” Chloe finished the sentence lamely and Nino didn’t look any less confused. 

“Yes? That’s correct?” 

“So, does she like- does she know about me?” Chloe felt like she was going to be sick. “Or Mari?”

Nino looked guilty instantly and Chloe’s heart dropped. “I wanted to tell her. I thought about it. I still feel guilty that I didn’t,” Chloe’s heart was suddenly beating again. “But, when it comes down to it, I have this responsibility now. To the whole of Paris really, and I can’t put the city or my Miraculous buddies in danger no matter how much I love Alya.”

“Even if it falls apart? The relationship?” Chloe backtracked when Ninos face looked pinched. “Not that it will, but she really hates me.” Chloe looked sheepish. “Not for bad reasons but, you know now. You are going to have more responsibility. You are going to have to drop things without explanation. You are going to have to put your life on hold for the city or Ladybug by the drop of a hat. Can the two of you handle it? Are you willing to put the relationship on the line?” 

Nino looked solemn when he replied. “I mean, what else am I going to do?” 

“Leave. Pretend like we never talked. Mari will be upset but in the end, you have a life to protect outside of Carapace, she will understand.” She’d given him an out, she knew that but he still deserved it. 

“And leave the two of you alone? To carry,” Nino did a wild gesture with his hands, “All of this? While I go through the motions of being a normal teenager? No way, I couldn’t do that to you dudettes.” 

“It’s an option.”

“Not a good one. Not the one for me.” Nino looked sure and it broke Chloe’s heart. She knew there was no changing him in the way there was no changing Alya. They both had to come to this decision themselves. 

“Are you saying you’re in?” 

“So, so in bro.”

Chloe couldn’t have helped it if she tried. In a flash, she pulled him up from their sitting position and drew him in for a hug in the same instant. It lasted half a moment before she was flinging herself off the arc and back in the direction of home. 

— Team Chat, 7:09 am —

Buggy: At school and not happy about it. 

Buggy: Looking for someone to share in my pain. 

Cara: I don know lb, my day is looking up already. 

Cara: found ten euro on the train

Foxy: it’s the home made lunch tax gimmie 

Cara: nuh-uh

Foxy: got me there

KitKat: good morning!!!

Meal: someone is peppy

Meal: good for you

KitKat: thanks!! 

Meal: yeah. 

Foxy: my little sibs have a violin concert tonight! I’m so proud and excited for them

Foxy: I’d send vids if it wasn’t so obvious where they go to school lol 

KitKat: awww how cute

Meal: warms my frozen heart

Cara: Lmao ok edgy

Meal: I’m getting assigned a group project today but it’s for my art/design class so I’m actually excited. I like working with people who have similar passion to me

KitKat: woah congrats! That’s how I feel that we have physicss colabs! 

Buggy: So I'm the only one having a rough time? Fair enough.

— Team Chat, 1:16 pm —

Cara: akuma on 3rd

Kitkat: omw 

Meal: On my way! 

Meal: ugh autocorrect. 

— Team Chat, 1:37 am —

Meal: I hate men

Coma Lady changed their name to Buggy

Buggy: Same. 

Buggy: But why?

Meal: you know when they send you pictures of their dicks without asking?

Buggy: Yup.

KitKat: what ??

Foxy: yeahh 

Meal: some dude I literally just met today 

Meal: I mean like I knew of him but we got assigned to a group project together 

Meal: first time I ever spoke to him was today tho

Meal: this man- no warning -sends me a picture of

Cara: his dick?

Meal: i wish

Meal: dude sends me a picture of his butthole

Meal: like what the fuck do I do with this?

Buggy: You are joking.

Meal: nope

Foxy: my god

Foxy: you don’t by any chance have his home address do you? 

Buggy: Rena, you can’t send bombs to every man who sends your friends unsolicited nudes.

Buggy: There would be none left.

Foxy: :(

KitKat: im sorry- he sent you his full bootyhole? No context?? 

Meal: I am very familiar with his chocolate starfish

Cara: I’d like to invite you to never say that shit again

Foxy: post it on Twitter

Meal: maybe

Foxy: post it on Reddit

Meal: possibly

Cara: how old even are you? Could send it to the cops

Meal: unfortunately 18

Meal: oh well won’t be the last time

Foxy: sucks we can’t even get out of it as hero’s tho

Buggy: You know that’s right. 

KitKat: wait 

KitKat: we don’t know how old we are! 

Foxy: I know how old I am

KitKat: i mean we don’t know how old each other are!

Cara: im 17

KitKat: same!

Buggy: I am eighteen. 

Foxy: ^^

Meal: so the non-women in here are babies

Meal: also Rena is a total cogar

Foxy: and proud 

Cara: babe.

Buggy: Good Lord.

Buggy: Go to sleep. All of you. 

— Team Chat, 5:57 am —

Buggy started a call.

Buggy started a call. 

Buggy started a call.

Buggy: Someone get over here I’m running around the Louvre at six am by myself. 

Buggy: Akuma related. Not just for fun. 

Foxy: on my way. 

Cara: we know lb wouldn’t be awake before noon to have fun

KitKat: meowch

Buggy: Stop talking and get over here.

Cara: yes ma’am

— Private Message 10:47 am —

Chlo: Come have lunch with us at the bakery today

Nins: shit ok I have to find an excuse for Alya and adrien tho. 

Nins: I’ll lyk but I’m pretty sure Ittl be fine

Chlo: cool see you there

Chapter Text

— Cafe of Collège Françoise Dupont, 12:47 pm —

Today was totally weird. 

Alix was sitting where she usually sat, with Kim and Max at their little table in the corner. The table had a perfect view through the open double doors of the school onto the steps that lead to the street. Kim and Max were having two separate conversations together, like they usually were, so Alix was doing her best to tune them out as she looked out those great big doors at Chloe. 

Chloe, who was standing at the top of the cement stairs, smiling at her phone. Chloe, who broke her heart every time they made eye contact. Chloe, who she never thought in a million years would have had her feeling like this but she felt it all the same. Chloe was on her mind more than not the last few months and it felt like a splash of boiling water every time she spoke. Even in her fall from grace, Chloe was still the lioness. She was still aggressive for her and her own and she still snapped back fiercely when challenged, she was just called upon less and less recently. 

It used to be that her peers isolated her on their own but after this summer? She backed into herself on her own accord, choosing to be the glorious loner she’s grown into. 

It’s January cold but Chloe still has a strip of her navel exposed from her fashionable mini tee. She couldn’t see it now but she’d seen it earlier when it arose obscenely with her when she raised her hand in their art and design class. Alix knew she must have been freezing out there though and desperately wanted to shove her coat over the blonds shoulders. 

“A meeting? What kind of meeting?” Alya wasn’t yelling but her voice carried. Especially when she was upset. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier I was caught up,” and Alix recognized his face and that shitty excuse as what you come up with when you’ve got nothing. 

“Caught up in what? Whoever you’ve been texting all morning?” Nino flushed pink at her words and wow this boy was a shitty liar. “My god I’m right!” Then Alya whispered something to him from across their table and her lips looked like she was saying no secrets. 

Before Nino could stumble through another response he was saved by a knight in a too-tight mini tee. 

“God, hurry up already!” Chloe’s cheeks were touched pink from being out in the cold and it severely undermined her attempt to sound upset. “We are going to be late. She’s not going to be happy if we’re late!” 

Everyone in the room went silent when they figured out that yeah, Chloe was talking to Nino and yeah, Chloe and Nino had lunch plans. 

Weird. 

Before anyone could make any sudden moves Chloe was tired of waiting it seemed so she just grabbed Nino’s wrist and hauled him out into the concrete stairs and made him link arms with her as they left at faster than a walk. 

By the time they made it down to the sidewalk, they were small enough that Alix couldn’t see their exact facial expressions but she was able to see as Chloe tipped her head back and laughed. She looked like she did this summer, when life was easy and all Chloe wanted to do was laugh at her dry jokes. 

Alix wanted nothing more than to be over it. To be able to say that someone else was occupying all of her errant thoughts but it just wasn’t true. She wanted to be able to go out and pick up girls the way she used to. She had a system, ok? A careful intricate system that consisted of meeting a girl, charming her with wit, getting her out of her clothes and never calling again. 

Chloe ruined everything. Not for the usual reasons either. She was aware that Chloe had a reputation for being not so good but Alix knew her better. Alix knew that she was just a brick wall of defense-cruelty with a smart, caring center. She was funny. She was sharp and she always had a come-back. She was the one who charmed Alix out of her clothes and then slowly made her fall in love with the rest of her. 

So, every time Alix was almost there, had almost sealed the deal, Chloe pops up in her mind and she feels the compulsive disgust that comes with what Alix presumes is cheating. She’s never cheated before and wasn’t cheating now, Chloe had made that very clear, but it still felt that way. 

Alix tried and failed to fool herself that feeling this way was normal but she knew the truth of it in the end. Chloe has ruined her, to her fundamental core. Alix never really understood when people said they would love someone for the rest of their life but she got it now. Even if she found a good woman, got married, and adopted kids; if Chloe showed up at her doorstep after all of this and asked for another chance, she may not destroy her family for it but she would certainly think about it. 

Chloe was a condition ingrained in her DNA, picking the smallest hairpin triggers to make the genes ignite and take over her life again. It was really pathetic of her, honestly and it was never going to get any better. She’d just come to terms with the fact that no matter where she was or what she was doing for the rest of her life that there would always be a part of her that wanted Chloe. That was so intensely lame of her. She felt like a man. 

But yeah, today was weird.

— Team Chat, 1:23 pm—

Meal: whose patrol is it tonight?

Meal: jw

KitKat: mine!

Cara: chat is putting the work in fr

— Team Chat, 3:46 pm — 

Meal: akuma on fifth

Foxy: gotcha

Cara: otw 

— Private Message, 4:56 pm —

Foxy: hey lb? Can I chat to you about something?

Buggy: Always.

Foxy: thank you so much

Foxy: i lnow this is so far from what you care about 

Foxy: but I was just wondering if you could keep an eye on Cara? They’ve just been acting weird in our personal life 

Foxy: I don’t want to to follow us into our hero work

Buggy: I will keep an eye , but I have to ask. 

Buggy: is there anything really concerning that I need to watch out for? 

Rena: just hanging with the wrong crowd. Keeping things from allies.

Buggy: when you say allies do you mean yourself? 

Buggy: I am all aboard the fuck men train but I can’t take a miraculous away because someone is a bad boyfriend.

Buggy: Cara is an exemplary hero. 

Rena: I’d sooner give up my powers before he got his taken 

Rena: but sometimes you don’t know the wrong crowd until it’s too late 

Rena: just keep an eye on him is all

Rena: please

Buggy: I always have my eye on all of you, don’t worry.

— Near the Dupain-Chang Patisserie, 10:23 pm— 

Marinette was frustrated. 

All this Nino and Alya nonsense was so beneath what she cared about right now. Not when she was so close to finding and being able to take down Hawkmoth. She was unable to think earlier, and decided to go to her usual boxing gym to let off some pent up steam. The owner knew her by now, let her stay until she was ready to leave as well. 

So that's where she found herself, walking in a not so great neighborhood in practically the middle of the night. Her knuckles were bruised and bloody because she realized very soon into her training session that her gloves or her wraps just couldn’t capture the sting that was what she needed to clear her foggy brain. 

There's been someone following her for a few blocks. She should have been concerned, but honestly the bit of rage she’d been feeling over her team and friends, she’d been gearing up to a fight all day. There was no one to spar with at the gym today so she was left to unsatisfyingly beat on a sandbag for an hour and a half. 

She could feel the person trailing her get closer as she was about to turn a corner and she had to stifle a laugh. It was probably that guy's first time trying to mug someone, poor baby, not knowing what he was in for.

Just as Marinette suspected, he reached out to grab her shoulder just as she was turning the corner but she was ready. She quickly grabbed his offending wrist with both hands and used her momentum to swing him around the corner and into the brick wall of the building. She had her forearm levered over his windpipe before she was even able to take in his face. When she did she was not amused.

“What are you doing following girls around in the middle of the night and touching them without announcing yourself, Chat?”

Even though Marinette has removed her forearm from his throat, he’s still a little pink and blurry around the edges. He was just standing there, staring at her like he couldn’t possibly look away and leaning against the wall like it was holding him up. Marinette didn’t have the brain power to think about what any of that meant.

“I’m leaving.” She didn’t even look back as she started walking away. She bit back a groan when she heard him fall back into step with her less than twenty meters away. 

“Marinette, wait,” Chat looked desperate. “You seem… off. I’ve heard you’ve been sick lately… and I was wondering if you were. Well, if you were alright.” 

“I’m tired Chat, I just need to go home.” He looked like he wanted to talk more but Marinette just turned away.

“But are you sure you don’t need anything? We used to tell each other things.” Chat was always the master at playing on her emotions. 

“I just, I really need a good night's rest and then I’ll be right as rain, don’t worry about me kitty, you have a city to save.”

“At least let me take you home, at this rate you’ll be lucky if you get there before eleven.” 

“I could if I weren’t stopped by every mangy alley cat that crossed my path.” She heard the footsteps behind her stop and realized she said that meaner than she was intending. “That was harsh, I'm sorry. I’m just having a bad day. You don’t have mange, you are just a regular cat.” 

“Gee thanks,” but he was laughing and it made her giggle too. 

“I’m fine, really,” she faced him again. “Close to home. But thanks kitty.”

This time, he left her alone.

Chapter Text

Alix: Hey, I saw you missed the second half of the day

Alix: Do you need the notes from physics?

Mari: No but thank you, that’s so considerate.

Mari: You should come over and hang with me and my friends at the bakery if you have the time. 

Mari: You have been doing so much for me recently, some free pastry is the least I can do.

Alix: Wow I mean, 

Alix: If you want me too I definitely would not say no

Mari: That’s why I invited you babe.

Alix: Then I’ll totally be there! 

Alix: Ittl be about fifteen minutes but expect me!

Mari: Amazing.

“Hey Nette, was there an akuma that I missed? Why’d you skip out after lunch?” They were sitting at a little table in the cafe that they commandeered months ago. Sure, it still gets taken by the newbies but all the regulars know it’s Mari and Chloe’s table. She guessed, now it was Nino’s too. 

Chloe just rolled her eyes. “She had to take a ladybug official nap this afternoon. More important than school.”

Marinette resented how right she was so she just ignored her. “I invited Alix over. She’ll be here in fifteen minutes.

Nino responded cool! At the same time Chloe choked on her ice tea. As Nino started thumping Chloe’s back he seemed to have noticed a smirk from Marinette to match Chloe’s glare. Marinette was impressed with how easy it was for Nino to fall into their circle. It seemed sometimes like he’d always belonged there. 

“Woah, I didn’t realize that Chlo and Alix had beef.” Nino looked genuinely amazed whereas weeks ago he could not have expected less of Chloe. His capacity for change was impressive. 

“More like history.” Marinette raised her eyebrows twice at Nino. 

Nino looked confused for a split second before it dawned on him. “No way, Alix is the chick? You guys should actually make the cutest couple.”

“I can’t believe you invited her here, what were you thinking? I’m assuming you didn’t tell her I am here with you.” Chloe was obviously upset. 

“I invited her because she’s been kind to me recently and of course I told her you would be here!”

“You’re a liar.” Chloe concluded. 

“Yeah, I didn’t tell her. But I wanted her to actually show up and maybe you two can talk? Is that so terrible?”

“ Yes! ”

“I’m lost, why would that be bad?” Nino made himself known again. 

“Chloe is scared.” 

Chloe glowered at the accusation. “Chloe is not scared. Chloe is a realist and knows she’ll say something to fuck it up!”

“Don’t talk about my friend like that, dude. You have, like, grown so much since your falling out, you’d like the Chloe I see.”

Alix: ETA five minutes 

Mari: <3

“Thank you Nino. That was a very nice thing to say.”

“I’ve been saying that for months. Maybe not exactly that but the sentiment for sure, remains the same.” Mari finally felt vindicated, if even a little bit. 

“Alright, fine. ”

“Fine what?” Nino, confused. 

“Fine you’ll talk to her?” 

“I’ll talk to her. But not right away, at the end.”

“Fine.” It was already more than what Marinette was hoping for. 

When she smiled at Chloe, Chloe kind of smiled back. 

—

Alix was not going to ask Marinette about Chloe. She had made her mind up about that around the same time she even decided she was going to the cafe in the first place. She really wanted to be strong on this, but god the idea of being weak? She wanted weakness so, so dearly. She so desperately wanted to fall into Marinette’s lap, be vulnerable, and beg for any scrap of information on Chloe. Is she well? Is she eating enough? She always struggled with that, you know?

She can’t though, she can’t bend to that will because if she did? She’d never be able to school herself back to normal. Alix could see the sign for the patisserie down the block and had to pause on the street. It was so abrupt that a man that was following behind her in the school of other commuters, had to swerve around her at the last second to avoid hitting her. Oh god, she was going to ask about Chloe. No! No she wasn’t. All she had to do was remember to not talk about her. Continue walking and not think about her. Reach for the door and not think about her. Push in the door and-

“Alix! Over here!”

Oh, shit. 

“Hi,” Alix paused awkwardly then, “…guys.” Nestled in a bay window at a table for four, was Marinette, Nino, and Chloe . 

“Nice to see you dude.” Nino was always so pleasant. 

Chloe just nodded along with Nino and didn’t make eye contact. She felt a swell of anger at anything Chloe related to be honest, but it was dispersed when Marinette spoke up. 

“So, physics wasn’t too bad right? I got my notes from Adrien but you know how he is,” Alix knew exactly how he was, he was a fucking physics wiz. He only took notes on the concepts he didn’t already know so sometimes there were gaps in the material. 

“No, it was fine. His notes should be totally fine.” 

“Thank goodness, I appreciate him but I was a bit worried.” 

“Trust me, he’s my best bro but I know not to get him started on anything physics. He’s one of those guys who's gonna change the world one day.” 

Chloe chuffed before she cut in. “Oh god don’t tell him that. Not because he won’t, I’m as confident as the next guy. He’ll just spend an hour trying to argue with you on it. As if that doesn’t already prove the point.” 

“He’s really something isn’t he?” Marinette sounded like Alix’s internal monologue about Chloe. 

Instead of the offended tone she thought Chloe was going to take next, she didn’t even speak, she just sent Mari and impish leer. Nino laughed.

Now, Alix was not the best with social interaction, but she understood what this friend-to-friend ribbing was. “Wait, you like him?”

“Déjà vu, dudes.” 

“That is supposed to be in confidence!” Marinette looked actually upset and Alix’s throat felt tight. Were they being mean to Mari?

“Number one,” Chloe ticked off the items on her fingers as she went. “You do not get to speak to me on that right now. And two, basically everyone knows but Adrien. Alix just doesn’t pay attention to that stuff so much”

“That’s fair,” Is what she said but what she wanted to say was something akin to I love you so much; thank you for remembering my idiosyncrasies. 

“Still mean.”

“That’s fair, but I don’t feel bad.” Maybe she didn’t change. “Besides, Adrien would be lucky to have you. You seem to bring him back to the ground, even as friends. You guys would be good together, people deserve to know.”

Wow . Alix can’t think of anything but wow . Nino said something, but Alix didn’t hear it, she was too busy thinking. Besides all that crap with Lila (that she didn’t really believe in the first place), Marinette was the most moral person Alix had ever met. She can’t have accepted Chloe back into her life without some kind of evidence that she had changed. There was just no way. 

“Stop being so nice to me, I think I might be sick.” The two looked at each other dead-pan across the table for all of five seconds before they burst out laughing. They were clutching at the other’s arms, breathing in and out heavily, and Alix had literally never seen Chloe so happy. It was everything. Even Nino was sending the girls a fondly exasperated look. 

God, they looked like family. 

Chapter Text

Meal: I have update

Meal: on butthole man

Foxy: spill

Cara: I don’t wanna hear about this :/

Meal: well, I didn’t wanna see it so sucks

Meal: anyway

Meal: today at school he made a show about how his phone wasn’t ‘working properly’ to me and the other group member

Meal: whined that it had been not correctly calibrated, that it was shutting down randomly, and texting random people 

Meal: I looked at the other girl in my group so fast my neck cracked

Meal: and BITCH SHE WAS ALREADY LOOKING AT ME

Meal: so, we’re friends now

Buggy: now that’s a trauma bond

Foxy: you know that’s right

Meal: she’s actually so funny

Meal: we started a gc with the other girls in the class so we could warn them right?

Meal: she started calling him bb or butthole bandit for long

Buggy: pfttttt

Foxy: BUTTHOLE BANDIT

Cara: that’s crazy

KitKat: the plot continues to thivken 

—

KitKat: hey bud, are you okay?

KitKat: you and rwna have been weird the last few times I’ve seen you

KitKat: I might be reading into things but I usually don’t notice stuff like this. 

KitKat: soooo,

Cara: yeah

Cara: our relationship is strained right now to put it lightly, dude

Cara: it’s civi stuff tho

KitKat: do you wnna talk about ut? You can be vauge 

Cara: I’m keeping something from her and she knows that I am. It’s my fault we are having problems but it’s not my secret to tell it’s too important

Cara: I’m not sure I can say anything else. 

KitKat: thats not great

Cara: yeah I’m certainly not going to win boyfriend of the year any time soon

KitKat: no no it just sounds like a bad situation

Cara: see that’s where it sucks 

Cara: because I’m doing the right thing and I’m keeping her safe 

Cara: I’m also hurting her while doing it. 

KitKat: now I’m not sure what to say

KitKat: I’m sorry that’s it’s hurting you to protect the people you love

Cara: yeah

Cara: hey thanks for chatting I think I’m gonna turn in though

KitKat: goodnight

—

Foxy: I think we need to talk

Cara: yeah

Foxy: can you meet me somewhere?

Cara: can we do this tomorrow? I’m beat dude

Foxy: fine but know I’m not happy about that

Cara: I didn’t think you would be. 

Foxy: did you really just say that to me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Cara: I’m not trying to start a fight 

Foxy: doesn’t seem like that

Cara: I’m sorry. I’m just tired.

Foxy: right. Gn 

Cara: gn I love you

—

Chloe was not surprised when she was yanked into the empty classroom but did it have to be so early? Seven thirty in the morning?

Alya looked furious and Chloe was honestly relieved when she felt that increasingly more common twinge of guilt at making someone upset. It was a shame that Chloe didn’t have another coping mechanism; besides being a major bitch.

“Good morning Cesaire.” Chloe feigned innocence in the beginning. “What can I do for you?” 

“What are you doing hanging around my boyfriend?”

Chloe scoffed and felt guilty immediately afterward. “Is he not allowed to have friends now?” 

“Not when it leads to him keeping secrets from me.” 

“How possessive of you,” Chloe was smiling and Alya was not. Acting this way felt like trying to force a square into a round hole. “Or are you just feeling left out?”

“Stop answering all my questions with another question!” That actually made Chloe take a pause. Not that she thought Alya was stupid or anything, but she certainly thought Alya was too upset to notice Chloe’s tactics. “What? Are you like, into him or something?” 

Chloe actually started to cackle.  She had to keep up this attitude now, she was in too deep. “He is absolutely not my type and considering I'm not you, I don’t seem to be his type either. Trust me, be mad but you have nothing like that to worry about.” 

“And Marinette too, what are you doing hanging around her? I thought you two hated each other and now suddenly you’re buddy-buddy?” Alya must have felt like the conversation was coming to an end much quicker than she wanted it to. She seemed to be grasping at anything she could to keep it going. 

“I contain multitudes Cesaire,” Chloe was still smiling that feline smile at her and could tell it just made her madder. “There is just so much more than meets the eye with me.” 

“Are you just doing this to mess with me? I don’t particularly remember doing anything to get on your bad side recently.”

Chloe made a whole show of fake thinking. She needed to be all in. “Not that I can remember either.” 

“So why?” Alya resisted the urge to tug at her own hair. “Why are you doing this to me? Why are you trying to ruin my life?” 

“Oh Alya, I can tell you but you aren’t gonna like it.” All in. All in. All in. 

“I’m waiting.” 

“The real answer is,” Chloe almost didn’t remember to hold a pregnant pause for dramatic effect. “This isn’t about you at all. Unfortunately, the disruption of your life is entirely accidental.” Chloe checked her phone and was so nauseous she had to pretended to read the time. “I’m going to be late so, bye now.” 

Once she was out in the hall, Chloe heard a clatter from inside the classroom. She started hacking up a lung outside of the door so the teachers walking by were distracted from the sound Alya was making inside. When she could catch her breath enough to actually check the time, she realized she was actually going to be late. 

Chloe couldn’t help but think that the way Alya saw her now was the same way Alix saw her in Marinette's bedroom all those weeks ago. When they had talked for the first time in months. 

She knew that she didn’t yet deserve to be seen any other way.

—

Alya: hey babe,,

Alya: we haven’t gotten lunch together in a while, wanna meet up today?

Mari: oh I’m sorry! It has been way too long but I’m just swamped today 

Mari: for the rest of the week, too

Mari: but I’ll let you know when I’m free and we can totally meet up then!

Alya: no pressure! I’m sure I’ll see you soon!

Alya: ily

Mari: ily2!!!

—

Foxy: meet me at the end of my patrol

Cara: yeah, I’ll be waiting for you

—

Mari: everyone still good on the plans this evening?

Chlo: translation, everyone ready to get your asses beat tonight under the guise of training? 

Chlo: is it believable to say I have plans?

Nins: plans with who? the wall? 

Nins: you only hang out with us

Mari: I know yr not doing homework either

Chlo: I was joking damn

Nins: lmao rip

Mari: no backing out, I’m using my lunch break to walk across town and ask the gym owner if she has a ring for me to rent tonight 

Chlo: why bother, 

Chlo: she’d kick out professional boxers for you to have a ring.

Mari: yeah but I like to be polite and ask

Nins: im down but I have to be out of there by 9:45 Ayla is done patrol at ten and she wants to talk

Nins: I have a bad feeling about this talk

Mari: she wouldn’t do anything drastic, right?

Nins: the fact that you are her best friend and have to ask me that does not make me feel better

Nins: truth is I have no idea what to expect and it’s wigging me out

Chlo: she’s mad mad

Chlo: we had a little chat this morning

Chlo: she pulled me into an empty classroom before I could wiggle away

Chlo: she asked about both of you

Chlo: I don’t think I did it right

Nins: oh no

Mari: what do you mean by didn't do it right?

Chlo: I wasn’t ready

Chlo: i just

Chlo: I felt like she was attacking me and it was so early and I think I was too mean for her to actually listen to what I said

Chlo: let alone believe me

Chlo: I felt like shit the entire time,, I still feel like shit

Chlo: I don’t know any other way to talk to these people

Chlo: that makes them seem like I’m right and they’re wrong and I know that

Chlo: I just don’t know what to do

Nins: Chlo, dude, you are nice to us?

Chlo: right but it’s so different with you and mari ! 

Chlo: the two of you listened when I needed to talk about something important

Chlo: I know I can’t ask that of them because they have only ever known the evil Chloe but I can’t control it

Chlo: when I know I’m right and people don’t believe me my brain tells me I have to get mean. 

Chlo: its counterproductive but I don’t know any other way. 

Mari: thank you for telling us this Chloe.

Nins: I feel like I can taste your trauma

Nins: but seriously 

Nins: telling others who know what actually should be done in these situations is one of the steps towards learning what actually should be done. 

Mari: we are more than willing, or insist, to teach you. We love you and you deserve others that love you as well

Chlo: alright guys don’t get all queer on me

Nins: you are literally lesbian?

—

Alya could smell him before she could see him. When she was Rena, her senses were all heightened and Nino had an amazing smell. Alya can tell he showered before coming over because the scent of his minty deep conditioner and the vanilla of his body butter were particularly strong. They only got worse as she opened the window that led into her bedroom. 

“Hey,” he looked awful. Not disheveled necessarily, but he was pale and his eyes were red rimmed and sporting heavy dark circles. 

“Hi.” Alya was set to come in guns blazing, but she wasn’t prepared for this. She wasn’t prepared for a Nino that looked so, remorseful? Beaten down? Like he had yelled at himself. “I talked to Chloe this morning.” 

“How did that go?” He asked it like he already knew the answer. 

“I walked away with more questions than answers.”

“Yeah,” Nino took a deep, shuddering breath. “She’s like that.” 

“See, that’s one of my biggest issues. When did you get to a point with Chloe that you know what she’s like?” Alya dropped her transformation and sat next to him on her bed. “And why do you feel like you have to keep it a secret?” 

“I do have to keep it a secret.” Nino looked sick to his stomach but Alya’s anger overtook her concern.

“Whatever this thing with Chloe is; is that more important than our relationship? Than the promise you made to me not to keep any secrets?” Alya’s dad up and walked out on the family a few years ago. Her mom had no idea he was planning it and he didn’t even leave a note after he was gone. They didn’t even know he was alive until they saw him in public with another woman. Alya can’t deal with someone who keeps secrets. 

“Objectively, yes. I’m sorry.” Alya wanted to feel bad, she really did. Nino looked like he was seconds from throwing up but she had to ask herself: what could possibly be so important? She came up empty.

“Wow. I was expecting at least a little pushback on that.” Alya felt that big green monster of jealousy pounding on her chest.

“I don’t have it in me to lie. Not to you.”

“That’s fucking rich.” 

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you, I really do.” Nino looked like he was begging. Maybe he was. 

“Well you have an interesting way of showing that.” Alya rolled her eyes in Ninos sad faced look. “So, no compromise? No information for me at all?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Then I need some time to, think about this relationship. We need to take a break.” 

“If that’s what you need, I understand.”

“Yeah.” Alya had no idea how to finish this interaction. “I’ll see you on missions.” Alya wanted to beg herself. To scream. To tell him to knock it off and they could be together. To at least give her a reason that he had to keep a secret so big. 

Nino just got up from the bed and moved towards her door to leave before turning back around one more time. “I’m not going to stop loving you. I know you can’t be with me but you have to know that you always have someone that loves you.” 

Nino leaves before she can get a word in to respond. She wouldn’t have had anything to say anyway. Although she feels robbed of the opportunity. 

—

KitKat: do you guys think bugs have feelings?

Buggy: I don’t have feelings. 

Meal: alright, emo

Meal: but they have been recorded feeling fear and aggression at the very least

Meal: I don’t think they have complex emotions tho

KitKat: I killed a spider in the shower because I was naked and I panicked

Meal: you shower naked? Slut.

KitKat: what if it had a family?? 

Buggy: I am currently feeling aggression.

Buggy: go to sleep it’s three in the morning. 

KitKat: sorry lb

Meal: yes ma’am

—

Cara: am I a slut if I shower in my boxers?

Meal: yes.

Meal: civilized people take coat and tie showers only. 

KitKat: I never denied the slut aligations

KitKat: i mean it’s not true but I wouldn deny it because itd make me look cool

Meal: u rite

Cara: for some reason, chat looks so cool rn

KitKat: :)

Buggy: what would the public say if they saw the group chat of the saviors of Paris I wonder 

Foxy: based on this I think they’d think we were all sluts

Meal: except for me

Foxy: of course 

—