Marinette nodded. “After my failure with Stoneheart, I was convinced that I had been chosen by mistake. Like what was special about me? I was pretty terrible at standing up to others even when I wanted to. But you helped me stand up to… uh, my bully when we didn’t even know each other.”

Chloé crossed her arms, refraining from chiming in. But really, they should both be grateful to her. If it hadn’t been for her, Marinette and Alya might not have hit it off as friends. Really, this whole friend group wouldn’t exist without her because who had brought Alya and Marinette together? Apparently, her! Who had pushed Adrien to come to school and allowed Adrien and Nino to meet? Her! And now, who was healing the rift between Ladybug and Chat Noir?

It was all her!

They should be thanking her instead of talking about her like she was just some bitch.

Which she  was, admittedly.

But Chloé liked that about herself.

Marinette continued, her eyes bright. “And while I was terrified of Stoneheart,  you  were so excited, you wanted to be in the thick of the action. You ran  towards  danger when I wanted to run home and hide!”

Alya’s eyes watered and she covered her mouth under her hands, obviously touched by Marinette’s words.

“Which was the whole problem!” Marinette exclaimed, her hands shooting out. The talking piece was knocked from her lap again. This time Adrien retrieved it silently, handing it back to her with a soft smile. “Because like, you were going to get killed, and I had to put the earrings on again to save you.” She took a breath and then smiled. “My point is, you believed in Ladybug before she had won any battles. And even though I was convinced that you were crazy, I… couldn’t let you down.” Marinette’s eyes were sparkling with unfiltered joy.

Chloé  had caused that.

“And everyone I save,” Marinette said. “I always think of them being an Alya to someone else.”

“Girl!” Alya was crying.

Marinette then turned to Adrien. “And you’re the reason I kept them on. I wanted to give them up, but you trusted me that first day even before I trusted myself. You told me that I could do this, and I don’t know why, but I believed you. You’re always there, Chaton. You’ve been there at every low point, at every moment where I’m convinced we’ve lost or that I can’t keep going. You have always given me hope when I couldn’t find any for myself.”

Adrien took her hand again, their fingers interlacing, his lips stretched into a soft smile. He didn’t say anything, but he might have been fighting back tears, too.

Why was everyone fucking crying?

God!  This  was why Chloé hated circles.

Adrien visibly gripped Marinette’s hands tighter. She brought up the back of his hand and kissed his knuckle as Chat Noir had done to Ladybug so many times.

He choked out a laugh.

Marinette turned back to the group. “And then somehow it became fun. It felt like a game. Every battle was a puzzle. I even had a magical reset button when everything went sideways.”

Then her smile faded and her shoulders dropped.

“I don’t know when it became hard,” Marinette said, her voice suddenly quiet. “I think it was a gradual change. Being a hero bleeds over into every aspect of your life. It’s waking up in the middle of the night because of akumas or just nightmares of previous close calls.”

She looked toward Ms. Bustier. “It’s teachers getting irritated about tardies, or me disappearing from class, or over incomplete homework.

“It’s trying to keep everyone safe by  keeping identities secret  when literally  everyone else on your team wants to do the opposite,” she said, glaring at each of them in turn. Adrien’s face fell in shame. Even Alya looked contrite.

Chloé rolled her eyes. The rules about identities were stupid. Surely, Marientte could see that now. They had only kept her isolated and alone, and created misunderstandings that left Adrien vulnerable. And Marinette, too, probably.

Not that Chloé cared about Marinette.

She didn’t.

She  didn’t.

Gah! Why was that getting harder to believe?

“-and I want that, too,” Marinette continued, “but isn’t it better to follow the wisdom of the person who did this successfully for two hundred plus years?”

Two hundred years?! The old man wasn’t old. He was  ancient!  No  wonder  the rules were stupid!

“My parents want to know about my absences and failed deliveries,” Marinette continued. “They think I’m struggling because I’m clumsy and distracted. And I guess I  am  distracted, but not for the superficial reasons they think,” she said, her gaze falling to the stuffed kitten in her lap. “And it’s just  hard. The whole world thinks I’m a spaz and a flake. And no one really knows how responsible I am, like,  all  of the time – how much pressure I’m under. And how none of the things they think are important are actually that important.

“But I can’t tell anyone that!” Her arms shot out again in her agitation, one of them even ripping from Adrien’s hold. She turned towards him, looking startled.

She took a visible breath, let her arms fall, and let him take her hand again.

“Even if they’d understand,” she said softly. “Every person I tell is a risk. A way for Hawkmoth to find me. To take my family and friends and use them against me as he already has without even realizing how close he’s come.”

Chloé still thought Marinette was exaggerating. Hawkmoth knew who Queen Bee was, and he had gone after her family  three times, and Marinette managed to fix it each time.

“It was better when there was a guardian. When things got to be too much, there was at least  one  person that I could run to. One adult who could help me.”

Okay so, there were apparently some costs. This ancient guardian Chloé supposed, but Marinette hadn’t  lost.

Ladybug never lost. Ladybug always won.

As  annoying  as that was.

“But he’s gone now,” Marinette continued. “And I’m the guardian. I don’t just have the Ladybug miraculous. I have  all  of them. I have to protect them.  Me!  It’s crazy! I’m just a teenager! Who thought this was a good idea? I never asked for this. I never even really volunteered.”

The sudden silence was deafening. Marinette’s gaze was locked on the floor. And no one else said anything.

“We lost once,” Marinette admitted into the quiet. “The whole world was destroyed.”

Chloé blinked.

  What?

Ladybug  had  lost?

“What?!” Adrien breathed next to her, echoing Chloe’s thoughts. Marinette looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

“I guess I didn’t see the  whole world, so I don’t know for sure,” she rambled. “But I figured. Paris was flooded without a soul in sight, human or animal. And the moon was… broken.”

“What do you mean, the moon was broken?” Alya asked.

“It was broken!” Marinette exclaimed, her blue eyes flashing. “Like it had been hit with something huge and shattered into pieces. There was still one big hunk but it wasn’t  whole  anymore.”

It was suddenly hard to breathe, like there was a limousine on her chest. It was so easy to think akumas were no big deal, just minor annoyances. Even if something horrible happened, Ladybug’s powers would just fix it. None of it was permanent. Chloé had never worried about them and she certainly had never cared how many she caused.

From the beginning Chloe had always envied Ladybug, had wanted to  be  her. She had wanted to be respected and admired like that. Even the first time she had been  asked  to be Queen Bee it had seemed fun - like a game.

It had clearly never been a game for Marinette.

“What could even do that?” Nino asked.

Marinette glanced towards Adrien once again, her eyes glassy.

“Me?” he breathed out.

She shook her head violently. “No! It wasn’t you!”

“I was akumatized,” he concluded.

Marinette’s crumpling face and trembling chin were the only confirmation anyone needed.

“How?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Marinette sobbed, tugging at her pigtails. “All I know is that you knew my identity and somehow that led to you being akumatized.”

Every hair on Chloé’s arms shot up straight, every muscle tensed. Had she just screwed up colossally by forcing a reveal between the two of them? Had Chloé just doomed the whole world?!

Chloé did not care about very many people or the future, or really anything, but the whole world?

That was a  lot,  even for her.

Her gaze darted between the two heroes, her body quaking in her seat. Marinette didn’t seem freaked out at the moment even if Adrien very much did.

And Chloé couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t every day you heard that your akuma was responsible for world annihilation.

“The point is,” Marinette continued.

“Wait!” Chloé interrupted. “You can’t just say the world ended because you learned each other’s identities and then just move on right  after  you learned each other’s identities! Did I mess up?”

Marinette winced, and she glanced around taking in the tension and panic in the room. Even Ms. Bustier was staring at Marinette with wide-eyed shock. “Sorry,” Marinette mumbled, her shoulders caving in on herself. “I didn’t mean to scare you all.”

“You’re  apologizing? ” Alya exclaimed, nearly bouncing out of her seat.

Chloé forced a breath. At least she wasn’t the only one freaking out.

“For scaring us,  when you’ve been holding all this in? By yourself?” Alya added.

“It didn’t happen! We made it so it never happened,” Marinette said. “No one should have to be afraid of that timeline!”

But it was clear even to Chloé that Marinette was trying to convince  herself  more than any of them.

“Marinette?” Ms. Bustier asked. “Are you okay?”

Marinette shook her head rapidly. “I’m just a sixteen-year-old girl,” she sobbed. “I’m not supposed to be responsible for protecting timelines or ancient powerful artifacts that hold supernatural beings. I don’t know how to be a leader. I don’t know how to protect my team or plan for the long term. I don’t have a fallback position.” Tear tracks blotched her face, and Adrien had pulled her into his shoulder. “But what choice do I have?” she sniffled. “If I give it up, I lose all my memories.”

And that sealed it for Chloé. Being Ladybug and apparently whatever a guardian was seemed like it totally sucked. Chloé didn’t ever want to take any of that on.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Adrien asked softly.

Marinette turned to him. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want you to feel responsible or guilty for something you hadn’t even done.”

He was already shaking his head. “You don’t need to protect me,” he insisted.

Marinette’s face twisted into self-righteous-pissed-off Marinette mode. “Like hell I don’t! You sacrifice yourself on a dime all the time!”

He wasn’t fazed by her anger. He didn’t even wince. Just rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “That’s not what I meant,” he said. “I meant you don’t have to keep things from me to spare my ego. Because we’re in this together.”

His face was solemn and concerned. He held her, and rubbed her back. “I want to help you,” he said, his gaze never leaving hers. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was share this burden with you. And I’m sorry if my desire to date you, protect you, or to share identities ever added to the pressure on your shoulders.”

Marinette was crying. Hell, even Chloé’s eyes threatened tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Marinette would  not  see her cry over her.

“I will  always help you,” he finished.

“Me too,” Alya chimed in.

“And count me in,” Nino said.

All three of them looked towards Chloé, expectantly.

“What?!”

Alya let out an irritated huff and Adrien had never looked so disappointed with her. But they couldn’t  seriously expect her to volunteer, could they? She wouldn’t mind being Queen Bee again, and some part of her craved it. But they all still hated her, didn’t they? She doubted Marinette wanted  her  help whether the other three thought of it.

But it hadn’t been the worst thing to say apparently because Marinette burst into laughter. Like genuine laughter. Chloé was certain it was at her expense, but whatever.

Chloé supposed at this point she could admit she wasn’t  completely  opposed to making Marinette feel better.

Marinette rubbed the tears off her cheeks. “Thank you. All of you. Like I was saying, there’s a  ton  riding on my shoulders and I don’t always feel adequate to the task. It’s just  so  big! And I’m terrified of messing it up all the time! Even  with  a time traveling failsafe in place.”

Her gaze turned back to Chloé. “To answer your question, I don’t  think you messed up. Because if you had, Bunnyx would have shown up before this circle started. Once I had the whole box, I asked Fluff about it. And I’m pretty sure they said it wasn’t about the reveal itself. Just that particular day.”

“Pretty sure?” Nino echoed.

Marinette shrugged. “Fluff doesn’t seem to perceive time the way we do. Half of what they say makes no sense.”

Chloé shook her head and leaned back into her seat, her head spinning. Marinette lived in a whole different universe as far as Chloé was concerned. Chloé had no hope of understanding it.

Not that she actually wanted to.

The room fell silent.

“Are you feeling better, Marinette?” Ms. Bustier asked. “Is there anything else you’d like to bring up?”

Marinette smiled. Her eyes were still red, but she wasn’t actively crying anymore. “I am feeling a lot better. Thank you. And no, nothing else comes to mind, but if something comes up later I think maybe it’ll be easier to talk about it now even without the benefit of a circle knowing that you’re all in this with me, that I’m not alone anymore.”

“I’m glad,” Ms. Bustier said, smiling.

Marinette passed the talking piece to Nino.

He fidgeted in his seat as he took it. He readjusted his hat and cleared his throat before he spoke. “I don’t know how to follow any of that.”

Ms. Bustier smiled. “You all reminded me that I shouldn’t make comparisons. Just be honest about what you want to talk about.”

Nino nodded, then his gaze turned to Adrien. “So, just to be one hundred percent absolutely clear. You and I are good?”

Adrien nodded, a smile blooming across his face. “Yeah man, we’re good.”

“Just so you know, I try not to spill the beans on anyone. I’m not always good at that.” He glanced at Alya who smirked at him. “I get nervous really easily. I’m a bit nervous right now that someone will take one look at my face after this circle and just know that I know something.”

Marinette smiled. “You’ve done a good job at keeping Carapace a secret until today,” she reassured.

Nino laughed, then jerked his thumb towards Alya. “She figured me out almost immediately, apparently.”

“What?!” Marinette exclaimed, turning towards Alya.

“Nino was gone,” Alya explained. “And Carapace was flirting with me on minute and then trying to take it back a sentence later. Then he kept calling everyone dude. It wasn’t hard to figure out!”

“I think it’ll be okay,” Nino reassured quickly. “I can probably keep a secret from most everyone. She’s the best at wheedling things out of me, and if she already knows-“ he shrugged “-I can probably keep the lid on all this.”

“Probably,” he repeated, not sounding at all confident.

Alya laughed, and Marinette let out a sigh.

Nino readjusted his hat again, looking sheepish. “Anyway. I think for me, the hardest thing about being a superhero is  not being a superhero.”

Chloé hated that she could relate to that. She never thought she would have anything in common with  Nino.  He was so  ordinary.

“I faced Anansi without any powers at all. And that,” he broke off in a nervous chuckle. “That was a scary day, dudes. I… remember the panic. I wanted to run but she had Alya, and you,” he said, looking at Adrien, “were caught up in her web, too. And you,” he said, turning to Marinette, “were just  gone .”

Marinette winced.

“I don’t mean that as criticism,” Nino told her hastily. “I just… I was terrified out of my mind. Anansi was  huge  and I had  no idea  what I was doing.”

He paused. “I still have nightmares about that day, especially when Nora is in town,” he said, flashing Alya an apologetic smile.

“That day was also awesome,” he said, once again facing the group. “Not because I got powers, though those were definitely beyond cool. But because I didn’t know I could do that. That I could step up in that way when it mattered even without a miraculous?”

“You’ve always been pretty awesome in my book,” Adrien said.

Nino looked down at the floor, but a pleased grin was splitting his face. “Then, ever since, when I don’t have it, I want to help, but I can’t. But I feel tempted anyway. And I just have to hang out in the open, hoping I can be found if I’m needed. And that I won’t be in the way if I’m not?”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Marinette said. “I usually knew where you were because of Alya.”

“It should be easier now, though,” Adrien interjected. Marinette turned to him.

“How?”

“Well, since we all know each other’s identities, we can communicate and coordinate more easily.”

Marinette stared at him for a moment like she had never thought of that. Maybe she hadn’t, but it seemed obvious to Chloé. Adrien had clearly thought about it before. Then Marinette smiled, and turned back to Nino. “That’s true.”

Nino grinned at the exchange. “It’s so cool that the four of us share this.” Then his eyes landed on Chloe and he visibly panicked. “I mean, the five of us,” he rapidly corrected.

Chloé rolled her eyes. “Just stop, Lahiffe! I’m very aware that we’re not friends, and that I’m definitely the black sheep in this group.”

“I dunno, dudette,” he said, smiling at her.

She scoffed.

“You know, the day I met Adrien he told me you were his only friend. That horrified me, and I have never understood why he cared so much about you. But after today, I think I get it.”

She shifted nervously unused to his continued friendly gaze.

“You might fit into our rhythm really well. You seem to have a talent for cutting to the heart of things. Even if sometimes it stings a little bit, it works. You’re a bee.”

Chloé’s throat is tight at his words. Would they really accept her? Even though she was selfish? Even though she didn’t care about other random people? Even if she was a bitch?

Nino passed the talking piece to Alya. She flipped the stuffed animal in her lap once before she started talking.

“Listening to all of you has been eye opening for me,” Alya said, looking at the whole group. “I have always loved superheroes! I have followed their stories both international and local. Getting to be a hero? That was even better! Like a dream come true. Putting on that miraculous and bounding through the city, figuring out how to defeat a villain? Those are the moments where it feels like my life makes sense.

“Being a superhero has never been hard for me,” she continued. “I love being a hero, but I’ve never had to be  the hero either. There was always someone else with the final responsibility” She turned to Marinette. “I never understood the weight of if. And I’m sorry if I’ve ever been dismissive of Ladybug’s struggle. I’m sorry I ever tried to uncover your identity, and I’m sorry I tried to keep the fox that first time you trusted me with it.”

Chloé’s eyebrows rose. Alya tried to keep a miraculous, too? It was one thing to have something superficial in common with Nino, but she didn’t want to have anything  real  in common with Césaire. She just didn’t like it.

“It’s okay,” Marinette said, her lips curved into a small smile. “You  did  give it back in the end.”

Alya continued as if Marinette hadn’t said anything. “And I’m sorry about believing L-Lila,” she choked on the name and her eyes welled with tears.

Chloé shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Why was Césaire  crying?  She was tougher than this. Chloé was so sick of everyone  crying . They all needed to buck up and fucking deal.

But Marinette didn’t seem to mind. Her eyes positively gleamed.

Alya visibly swallowed. “I need you to understand though. It was so easy to believe her-”

Marinette nodded, not arguing at all.  

“I just… you disappear and you’re scattered. I thought you were flakey. And let’s be real, girl.” A fond smile broke through Alya’s tears. “You get into some crazy stuff even  without  a miraculous when you’re scheming.”

Marinette laughed.

“But I didn’t understand what was actually going on. I would get frustrated, and there Lila was filling that space with an explanation. And it fit,” she said. Her voice had dropped to a whisper and her gaze had fallen into her lap. “That you’d be jealous. It was easy to just believe her. I realize that I was an easy target, but I’m still so sorry.” Then she broke into sobs.

Chloé was vibrating in her seat, not understanding why Alya was so upset. So she hurt Marinette! Big deal! Chloé hurt Sabrina all the time. That’s what gifts were for!

Marinette got up from her chair, came to Alya’s side, and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “I understand.”

Alya only cried harder, and clung to Marinette.

Chloé stared at the two girls. If Chloé apologized to Sabrina on occasion, would she wrap Chloé up in a hug like that?

And if she did, would Chloé even like it?

Alya eventually calmed, and Marinette returned to her seat. Adrien was frowning at her.

“What?” she asked.

“Why did you never ask me for corroboration about Lila?” he asked.

Marinette’s eyebrows furrowed together. "You said to take the high road."

Adrien’s frown deepened. "That's when I thought she wasn't harming anyone. That’s what I said. Her lies aren’t hurting anyone."

Marinette opened her mouth to respond.

"Wait!” Alya interjected, her eyes flashing with anger. “You  knew  Lila was lying?"

"I would have backed you up to Alya," Adrien said, ignoring Alya.

Marinette sighed, clearly exasperated. “We've already established that I'm too comfortable with the weight of the world and taking it on all by myself. It didn’t occur to me to ask you for help."

Alya was still glaring daggers at Adrien. “How did you know that Lila was lying?”

Adrien met her gaze. "I was there when Lila and Ladybug met. Let’s just say, they were not friendly.”

"Why did you never say anything?" Alya demanded.

"I did say something the second I realized that she was hurting Marinette!"

"When?"

"During the expulsion hearing. And I may have bribed Lila after that to get her to leave Marinette alone."

Marinette’s eyes bulged from their sockets. "You did what?"

"Bribed Lila?" Adrien repeated, one hand flying to the back of his neck.

"With what?" Marinette asked.

"Industry contacts. We play nice on set. I talk her up to some potentially useful connections."

"Does she deserve that?" Alya asked, her voice tight.

Adrien shrugged. "It doesn’t matter. I doubt she’ll get far. She’s a good liar, but she does it too often. It's only a matter of time before she tells the wrong lie to the wrong person. I've seen it happen."

Alya crossed her arms. "Okay, fine. You're forgiven, Sunshine. I've always thought you were blind. But apparently, I am just as bad."

Nino shook his head. “That’s not true. You’re not blind. You’re the most insightful person I know,” he said.

Chloé rolled her eyes.

“That’s sweet,” Alya said, shooting him a sad smile, but she clearly wasn’t convinced by his totally  unbiased  and  objective  opinion either.

“You know,” Marinette said. “I was pulling my hair out when Lila first came to class. I just couldn’t figure out how anyone could believe her. Why couldn't they see through her deception.”

“It seems so obvious now,” Alya said.

“But then, I realized that I had knowledge that no one else did,” Marinette continued. “Because her first lie was about Ladybug. After that, everything she said was suspect. But… I think that if I hadn’t known that, I likely would have fallen for her act, too. And after I realized that, it was easy to just… well, I didn’t exactly get over it, but it was easy to forgive the whole class. It was easy to forgive you, too.”

Alya’s smile seemed more genuine, and her eyes were turning glassy once again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Marinette’s answering smile was blinding.

The group fell into silence.

“Is there anything else you want to talk about, Alya?” Ms. Bustier asked after a minute.

Alya stroked the toy cat’s ears as if it was a real animal. “Actually, yeah.” But then she didn’t say anything. And the longer she waited the more Chloé knew she didn’t want to hear whatever this was.

“Like I said earlier,” Alya finally said, her gaze locked on the kitten more than anyone else in the circle,  “being a hero was always something that was amazing, and I obviously have never really been afraid of the akumas either. But… being an  akuma  was a very different experience.”

The room remained silent, waiting for Alya to air out fears that in her shoes,  Chloé would never be willing to admit to anyone.

“Waking up and not knowing what you’ve done is terrible. Watching the footage and recognizing the akuma as yourself, watching it do things that you would never consider. It’s awful. It makes a bad day so much worse because…”

Alya’s eyes were distant as she trailed off. “There’s no footage of Oblivio. But Lady Wifi, she’s me.”

“She isn’t,” Marinette objected, her mouth twisted into a frown.

“No, she  is,” Alya said. “I don’t just mean that she looked like me. She-” Alya broke off and looked towards the ceiling. “She was determined to uncover the truth no matter what it cost. I… I’m like that sometimes. When I go after akumas or a story. I get so obsessed and focused I don’t see anything else.”

Marinette shook her head furiously. “No, you’re not. You might be passionate and determined, but you don’t barrel over people. You have never intentionally hurt anyone in your search for the truth.”

Alya’s eyes turned to Marinette. “But what about accidentally? I feel like it’s not that big of a stretch.”

Nino cleared his throat. “Babe, the difference is, if you  did hurt someone, you would feel bad. You would reflect, and you would try to do better. Rena Rage, Lady Wifi, and Oblivio didn’t care.”

Marinette nodded firmly in agreement.

Alya smiled at her boyfriend. “Thank you. That really does help.”

“I told you. The akumas were never villains. They are people who were lost. People who were saved,” Nino said.

Alya nodded, turning back to Marinette and Adrien. “By Ladybug and Chat Noir.” They both blushed under the praise. “Thank you.”

Marienette’s face turned red, and Adrien’s cheeks were almost as dark.

“You don’t have to thank us for that,” Marinette said, her voice small.

“Yes, I do,” Alya disagreed, but she didn’t argue further. Instead, she turned to Chloé.

Chloé tensed in her seat. Alya was smiling at her.  Smiling. And not in the smug superior way like she was about to share some joke or slight at Chloé’s expense. This smile seemed almost friendly?

Chloé didn’t like it.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t believe you,” Alya said. “Thank you for bullying me into coming.”

Chloé blinked several times at the girl next to her. Alya was  sorry  for not believing her? Alya was  thanking  her for bullying her?

She swallowed, trying to push down the unfamiliar feelings in her gut. Chloé didn’t want their gratitude or kindness. They were all getting  way  too familiar and presumptuous with her.

Chloé shifted her attention to her nails. “I didn’t do it for you,” she snapped, trying for her usual levels of disdain.

Alya shrugged, frustratingly unaffected. “Doesn’t matter. It was still a good thing.” And then she handed Chloé the talking piece.

Chloé glared down at the toy kitten like it was the current source of all her woes. She felt the weight of eyes on her, but she didn’t look up.

It was so tempting to just pass the talking piece on like she had every other circle she had been forced to sit through. She knew the others would be disappointed with her, but every instinct with her was screaming to not give in. Connections were dangerous.

She had done this for Adrien, and if his beaming smile fifteen minutes ago had been anything to go by, her mission was already accomplished.

She had never cared about any of the rest of them.

And she didn’t care now, did she?

She didn’t owe them anything, certainly not any more vulnerability than she had already displayed.

She looked up into the gentle green eyes of her oldest friend.

She had done this for Adrien and she didn’t regret it. And perhaps, they were not as close as they had once been, but she still cared about him and she knew that he would always care about her.

Connections  were  dangerous, but some of them were worth it.

She huffed, praying she wouldn’t regret this. “I never really thought akumas were a big deal,” Chloé started. “Annoying? Sometimes. But Ladybug always fixed everything, so what did it matter? I know that I’ve caused a lot of them.”

Adrien shook his head. “You haven’t caused any. That’s all on Hawkmoth.”

Chloé rolled her eyes, and waved her hands dismissively. “Semantics. I just want to say, I will, like,  try  not to cause so many of them.”

Marinette laughed, and Adrien looked as pleased as the cat that found the cream. Literally. And she liked the feeling that he might be proud of her, but it also made her feel self conscious because for the first time in a long time, it felt like she had something to lose.

It was terrifying.

“I don’t know if I’ll be any good at that,” Chloé said. It’s not like her personality was going to change.

“If it makes you feel better, Chloé, I’ve caused a lot of them, too.” Marinette admitted.

“What?” Adrien objected. “No way! I don’t believe it.”

Marinette’s cheeks bloomed with pink and she looked down. “You might be surprised.”

Chloé cleared her throat dramatically. They both threw startled glances her way.

“We’re supposed to be talking about me,” she snapped, holding up the talking piece.

Adrien’s lips pressed together in what was obviously an attempt to hold back a grin. Ms. Bustier’s sudden wracking cough was definitely not real. And Alya didn’t bother to suppress her chuckles at all.

Chloé scowled at all of them. Here she was trying to participate in this  stupid  circle and they were all  laughing  at her!

She crossed her arms and scoffed. The talking piece tumbled into the center of the circle. Chloé stared at it unhappily.

It was Marinette who plucked up the toy and held it out to Chloé. Chloé blinked at the animal in surprise before looking up at Marinette who’s face showed no sign of amusement or laughter at all. Marinette, the girl who should hate her, the superheorine who had blacklisted her, was once again, creating a space for Chloé to speak.

  It didn’t make sense!

Marinette shook the kitten, trying to get her to take it. “Well, go on then,” she said.

Chloé slowly gripped the kitten, and Marinette went back to her seat. Everyone’s eyes were on her once again.

She cleared her throat. “When I figured you out,” Chloé began, looking directly across the circle at Marinette, “it actually made a lot of sense. I can’t say I was  thrilled, but it wasn’t surprising. Of course  you  would be Ladybug.” She spat out the words as if they were poison.

Ms Bustier arched an eyebrow. Chloé made herself take a breath and continue with a more even tone. “It made so much sense except for one thing. Why were you ever willing to give me a chance?”

Marinette’s eyes widened. “I–”

“No wait,” Chloé interrupted. She needed to get everything out first. If Marinette spoke before it was all out, Chloé was never sure if she would ever manage to say it all. “Let me finish. I just – I’ve gone over it in my head a million times, and I just… I know I probably never deserved the miraculous,  especially  if we’re going by Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s self righteous moral code. But you trusted me with it  twice.” She paused, searching Marinette’s expression, but she found herself unable to read it. “And then, you told me I couldn’t ever have it again. What did I do wrong?”

Marinette considered her carefully like she was a skittish deer Marinette was afraid of frightening off. “I don’t know that you’re going to like my answer.”

“I can handle the truth, Dupain-Cheng.” she bit out.

Marinette sighed. “The truth is it has nothing to do with you. The first time your father was akumatized, you were uniquely motivated to reach him. It was a strategic decision more than anything. You had what I needed. I didn’t actually trust you.”

Chloé absorbed this bald truth stoically. “And Hero’s Day?” she made herself ask.

“I needed someone with experience. I knew we couldn’t go up against Hawkmoth with someone wearing a miraculous for the very first time.”

Chloé nodded.

“After that day was over, I  did think that maybe Queen Bee could help you be a better version of yourself the way being Ladybug has helped me. But then, at the Ladybug and Chat Noir movie premier, you and I teamed up. But at the end of it, I didn’t like myself very much. Kagami didn’t deserve that. I… I didn’t think I should be around you all the time.”

Chloé had been so proud of herself that day for being able to drag Marinette into the mud. Marinette had always thought she was better than Chloé. But that day, Chloé had been able to prove that Marinette was just as selfish as she was.

Except she wasn’t.

Marinette had felt bad.

Chloé had only been frustrated that they hadn’t managed to scare Kagami away permanently.

“Before Miraculer, I was probably just mad at you,” Marinette continued. “But after Miraculer, it became more clear than ever how dangerous it was to give the miraculous to someone Hawkmoth knew to watch. My kwami and the old Guardian had warned me of the danger so many times, but it didn’t really feel real until that day. Does that make sense?”

Chloé nodded. It had been another strategic decision. Chloe didn’t like it, but she understood it.

“So you didn’t really do anything wrong,” Marinette said. “At least, not more than you usually do. I just… I was learning to be a better leader and make better decisions.”

Better decisions that did not involve Chloé using the bee miraculous, or really, and miraculous at all.

And Chloé understood. She  did.

Ladybug had never been invested in her. Had never seen a heroine in her. She had only done what was pragmatic in the moment.

Well, whatever.

Chloé had never needed Marinette’s approval before, and she certainly didn’t need it now.

“Thank you,” Chloé said, surprising even herself that she meant it. “For telling me the truth.”

Marinette nodded.

Chloé didn’t need Ladybug to believe in her.

Because she believed in herself.

She handed the talking piece back to Ms. Bustier.

“Well, of course I am,” Chloé agreed, lifting her chin and placing her clasped fingers on top of her knee. 

 Which earned another chuckle from her classmates. 

 Chloé frowned. “Did I say something funny?” she bit out, her eyes narrowed at the others. 

 “No,” Nino assured. 

 “Yes,” Alya said at the same time.  

 Adrien held up his hands in surrender, while Marinette just rolled her eyes, some of her blush fading.

 Chloé crossed her arms defensively across her chest. “Are we going to continue, or not?” she demanded. 

 “Right,” Mrs. Bustier looked like she wanted to laugh. She turned her gaze to the whole group. “Chloé invited us all here today, and she admitted to me that she had betrayed you, Marinette. So, before I give Chloé the floor, I want to encourage you all to think about a time when you betrayed someone. And I want you to think about why you did it.” 

 She handed the stuffed striped kitten named Dottie to Adrien.

 He fiddled with it for a long moment, his gaze distant. “I betray my bodyguard’s trust a lot,” he said finally. “Sometimes, he gets into trouble for it. A lot of the time it’s so I can save the city from akumas, but a big chunk of the time it’s not that at all. It’s just… I want to be able to get away. I feel bad when he gets yelled at, but… I keep doing it anyway.” 

 It was so like Adrien that he would feel for the hired help. He was too sweet for his own good.

 He handed the kitten to Marinette. 

 “I… I betrayed the Guardian,” she said, her lower lip quivering. Chloé didn’t know who this guardian was, but Adrien clearly did based on how he already had a hand on her shoulder. That meant it had to do with the miraculous. “I didn’t mean to,” she continued. “I was… distracted,” and she glanced up at Adrien, “and I didn’t follow his safety rules. I messed up only once, and Hawkmoth found him, and now… he doesn’t remember me, and I’m on my own,” she finished, her voice shaking.

 Chloé’s heart jumped up into her throat. She clutched the edge of her chair. Marinette was talking about the old man. The old man that had been there when Chloé’s most recent akumatization had fallen away. That old man hadn’t even known his own name. Had Chloé been the one to take him from Marinette? She didn’t know.

 She didn’t remember what she had done while akumatized.

 But she did remember accepting the akuma willingly.

 Chloé started as Nino cleared his throat. She hadn’t noticed Marinette passing the talking piece but there the kitten was, cradled in Nino’s hands.

 “I… honestly can’t remember a time when I betrayed someone?” Nino’s voice oozed with uncertainty. “Maybe little things like throwing my little brother under the bus when our mom wanted to know who ate her chocolate or pawning off babysitting duties because Noël is definitely annoying in large doses. But…” He shrugged. “Nothing big that sticks out to me.”

 Then he turned to Marinette, “But Marinette? You should know, I don’t know that much about the miraculous or being a hero, let alone the hero of all of Paris, but you’re not on your own. Not anymore.” 

 God, the boy was as sweet as Adrien! If somehow even more awkward.

 He passed the talking piece to Alya. She stared at it unhappily for several seconds before speaking.

 “I didn’t believe my best friend. I thought she was jealous. I… ” Alya buried her head into the kitten. “I don’t know why I didn’t believe her,” her voice quaked, and she shoved the kitten away. 

 Chloé accepted it, but she didn’t know what to say. Anyone Chloé betrayed likely deserved it. She thought about passing the piece like she always did at every circle she had been forced to sit through. But she glanced across the circle. 

 Everyone was looking at her. 

 Chloé’s eyes landed on Marinette. Marinette who has come to this circle at Chloé’s request. Marinette who admitted that Chloé had hurt her over and over. Marinette who admitted her identity in front of Chloé - the person who had hurt her over and over. And Chloé knew she had to do the same. 

 “I let Hawkmoth akumatize me,” she admitted softly.  “When Ladybug didn’t select me to be Queen Bee again,” Chloé paused and looked up. Their faces hadn’t changed. They were all looking at her, patiently. “I didn’t have to let him. I’ve said no to him before. I… I was angry. I… If I couldn’t be the hero, if Ladybug already hated me, what did it matter if I became the villain?” 

 Silence hung in the room.

 Chloe handed Dottie back to Ms Bustier. Their teacher held it for several moments. “I once hacked into my college roommate’s email because I thought she was lying to me about something stupid. I discovered something far more private, and I felt very guilty.” She looked at them, a small blush blooming across her nose. “But honestly, it feels very insignificant now, hearing all your stories.” 

 “Aren’t you the one who always says you have to speak your truth?” Marinette asked.

 Adrien nodded in agreement. “And in our second circle in class, you said we shouldn’t compare our struggles. That someone else struggling with something huge, didn’t diminish our own struggles?”

 Ms. Bustier’s smile was wider than Chloé had ever seen it. “You’re all such wonderful students,” she said. “And apparently superheroes. Thank you all for everything you’ve done to protect all of us, and our class in particular from Papillion. And for vulnerability in sharing some of your less than stellar moments just now.” She beamed around the circle smiling at all of them for a moment before she glanced down at her clipboard. She cleared her voice and started speaking again. “As Chloé speaks, I want you to keep that experience where you betrayed someone in the back of your head. Chloé, would you please explain why you brought us all together today?”

 “Honestly, there’s not a lot to say that I haven’t already said,” Chloé said dismissively. “I figured out your identities, but I wasn’t going to do anything. Then, at our last circle you both said things where you were struggling about your double life. And nobody understood how big those things were. You didn’t even hear each other!” she accused acidly.

 Both of their gazes dropped, eyes downcast. Chloé took satisfaction from the sign of shame. She still didn’t understand how they hadn’t figured it out way before she did. Idiots. 

 Then she caught Ms Bustier’s disapproving glare. Chloé glanced down at her white flats feeling her own shame. She just… wasn’t very good at speaking with respect.

 Chloé cleared her throat and continued. “I probably still wouldn’t have done anything because I know I’ve been blacklisted. But,”- her hand gripped tightly around the chair’s edge again- “Adrien is my oldest friend. And I didn’t want him…” She looked up at her childhood friend. “I didn’t want you to keep hurting.” 

 She turned back to the whole group, and was pleased that they all gave her their attention. “So, I went against my better judgement and tried to help. I figured you knowing each other’s identities would help a lot. And I knew that would piss you off, Dupain-Cheng, but well, you already hate me, so what did it matter? I tried to talk to you first, but you shut me down.”

 Marinette opened her mouth to object. 

 “When that didn’t work,” Chloé barreled forward, not wanting to discuss her failed attempts to talk. “I tried the bee signal. I staged conversations with Sabrina about why I wanted to talk to Ladybug and Chat Noir. And neither of you showed up,” it was hard to keep the bitterness out of her voice. 

 “I started planning a ton of different schemes, but none of it was going to work! Ms. Bustier caught me in a low moment and asked if I needed help. I realized that she was someone you both liked and respected. Someone you both trusted. Unlike me.” 

 “Chloé,” Adrien whispered. 

 She ignored him, directing her glare at Marinette. “She was someone that could get you all in the same room with me whether you wanted to be there or not. And now that she knows, I don’t know,” she shrugged, glancing at her white flats. “Maybe you can talk to an actual adult about these things.”

 Adults hadn’t really helped her, but unlike Chloé, adults tended to like Marinette and Adrien. 

 “Thank you, Chloé,” Ms. Bustier took the stuffed animal back. “As we pass the talking piece around, I would like to redefine how we’re going to use it a bit. When you have the talking piece, you are invited to respond to Chloé and to add anything that you think is relevant. But instead of passing it so others can respond, you will hold onto it while we as a small group talk out the issue that you have brought up. Pass it on when you feel satisfied that the things you have shared have been heard and acknowledged. Please give me a thumbs up if you understand and agree to this change.” 

 They all immediately gave a thumbs up. 

 Ms. Bustier smiled. “This change will make our conversation a little more naturally flowing hopefully, but it will also ensure each of you get a chance to bring up anything you would like to talk about with each other. If it gets too heated or crazy, we will go back to the old structure.” 

 They all nodded, and she handed Dottie to Adrien. “Adrien, would you like to respond to anything Chloé said?” 

 He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “I guess the first thing is I want to apologize for not responding to your bee signal as Chat Noir.” 

 Marinette rolled her eyes and immediately snatched the kitten from his lap. He made a half hearted attempt at reclaiming the talking piece, but a glare from Marinette had him leaning back into his seat. 

 She then turned her gaze to Chloé. "Just so you know, he, as Chat, told me to go talk to you, and I promised that I would and that I would do it soon. I just...  procrastinated on it a lot because... well, you know." Chloé did know. Marinette hated her, which meant Ladybug hated her and was not open to hearing her out.

 Chloé dug her nails into her leg. Maybe she was being unfair. Marinette had reason to hate her. A lot of them. And she had literally just made a point of hearing Chloé out not ten minutes ago. And she had admitted her identity at Chloé’s prodding. And now, she was making a point of making sure Chloé wasn’t mad at Adrien.

 So, Chloé could do the same.

 Marinette shrugged and offered the kitten back to Adrien. “Don’t you dare apologize for my actions and choices,” she growled at him.

 He grinned at her and nodded before plucking Dottie from her grip. He glanced to their teacher. “What exactly am I supposed to be talking about?” 

 “Whatever you need to say. I imagine you haven’t had many opportunities to share your stress without a filter. Do you remember what you said at the last circle that Chloé thought needed to be addressed?”

 His smile was gone, and his gaze dropped into his lap. “I said everyone in my life expected blind trust.”

 And once again, silence filled the space between the five of them as they all processed the double meaning of those words. Adrien’s gaze flickered towards Marinette clearly gauging her reaction before he moved on.

 “You were talking about your father,” Marinette spoked softly.

 Adrien nodded, his eyes never leaving the floor. 

 Ms. Bustier really should have set up that centerpiece!

 “And you were talking about... me?” Marinette asked, but amazingly her voice held no judgement at all. No defensiveness.

 Adrien’s whole body flinched, and his eyes squeezed shut.

 Marinette’s hands were on his shoulder and knee, and Chloé envied how natural it was for her to reach out to him physically like that. And envied even more, how his tension melted at her touch. 

 “Chaton, it’s okay. You’re allowed to be hurt. You’re allowed to be angry with me. That doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere.”

 “What if it’s not just you?” he asked, his green eyes flitted around the circle.

 “Dude!” Nino interjected, his golden eyes staring at Adrien across the small circle. “You’re killing me. If you’re mad at us… If you’re mad at me, I need to know what I did. Like Marinette said, we’re not going anywhere.”

 Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. “I… I don’t know where to begin.” 

 “Adrien, I want to remind you that there is no pressure here,” Ms. Bustier interjected with a gentle smile. “This is an invitation to share only. Not a requirement.”

 “I want to!” he insisted. “You all deserve to know. I just… it’s… complicated.” 

 Ms. Bustier smiled. “Take your time.”

 “I don’t know what happened to my mom,” the pronouncement hung heavy in the air. 

 Chloé straightened in her seat. Adrien caught her eye and she nodded at him. He had offered her support and confidence at the beginning of this, he had believed she could do this. She could do the same for him. She knew he could do this, too. And it would be easier for him because everyone here already liked him. Of course they all did.

 Because he was Adrien. Everyone liked Adrien. 

 If only he knew that. 

 “She was sick,” he continued. “And getting worse all the time. I asked her about it. I asked my father. They told me not to worry about it. Then she disappeared.” His voice was flat, his eyes were distant as if he was looking through all of them.

 “Then, one day she was just gone,” he shrugged, the toe of his left foot tapped on the floor arhythmically. “I wondered if she had run away. She didn’t seem unhappy. It seemed more likely that she just fell into a coughing fit somewhere and stopped breathing. But I don’t know.”

 He sighed heavily, and his eyes ran through the group briefly again. “I know there was an investigation. There were police at our house, and private investigators, too. And a whole slew of experts in… I don’t know what. But when I asked father what they had found he always told me it wasn’t my concern. That I was a child that didn’t need to worry because he would take care of our family and we would be happy again.” 

 His fists clenched on his knee. “But I worried anyway. She’s my mother, and despite his promises, she never came back. Even as the years have gone by and I’ve gotten older, as I’ve proven myself to be more and more responsible - he’s never told me anything. He will barely talk to me at all, and he absolutely will not talk to me about mom.” 

 He trailed off, and the room was so silent Chloé could hear her own racing heart. She knew most of this story already, but it had been delivered over bits and pieces across months and years. His retelling all of it at once felt more raw somehow.

 “And now, Nathalie has been sick. It feels the same…” he said, his voice soft and his eyes downcast. “And he says the same thing - that I’m a child and don’t need to concern myself with adult matters. I’m terrified that one day she’s just going to disappear the same way my mother did.” 

 Chloé regretted for the first time, not allowing Adrien to sit next to her at the beginning of the circle because she wanted nothing more than to bolt across the space between them and wrap him in her arms. 

 Not that she was remotely good at that sort of thing. Certainly not as good as Marinette, who had peeled away one of his hands from the death grip he had had on his knee, to interlace it with her own. 

 “It’s like he doesn’t believe I’m capable of handling it. But he does think I’m capable of perfect marks, professional level photoshoots, national fencing competitions. But no matter how successful I am in reaching those expectations, no matter how perfectly I do everything, he still tells me nothing. He doesn’t trust me,” he laughed bitterly.

 Marinette put her free hand on the top of his hand that she had already captured. He smiled weakly at her, but his gaze was soft, gentle, and focused solely on Marinette.

 “I need you to understand, LB-”

 Marinette blushed at the casual nickname, but she didn’t fidget or look away. She held his gaze steadily, and Chloé felt another flood of satisfaction through her form. This would definitely be good for Adrien.

 “-I always understood why we had to keep our identities a secret, but I always struggled with it. I wanted to tell you who I was almost the first day! I hate secrets. I wanted to respect your wishes.  I… I just… I try so hard to do everything you need me to, and more. I never ever want you to have to do this alone. 

 He paused, and bit his lip before continuing. “And then you started showing up with more heroes. With Rena Rouge and Carapace. And… you knew who they were. It was clear that you did. And you were talking to the Guardian before I even knew there was a Guardian. And it just felt like…” he shrugged. “Once again, Adrien has to behave, be perfect, jump through every hoop known to man, but he can’t know anything. No matter how good of a job I do, I’m still not trusted.” 

 Marinette’s eyes squeezed closed against the tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. 

 “It’s okay,” he reassured immediately. 

 Chloé very much disagreed. It was not okay. Marinette had hurt him. 

 “I’m sorry, too,” he said. 

 “What for?” Marinette demanded.

 “I didn’t mean to make you cry. Do you want me to stop?” 

 Her glassy blue eyes glared at him. “Don’t you dare.” 

 He laughed. And Chloé grinned in satisfaction. This had definitely been the right thing to do. 

 “Okay. Well, I know I’m sensitive about this and that you weren’t trying to hurt me,” he said. His free hand - the one Marinette wasn’t clinging to - rubbed the back of his neck. “And it’s not like Chat Noir could share his own baggage with you. Not without giving away too many personal details that have featured prominently in the public media for years.”

 He paused in thought. Then he turned back to Marinette. 

 “I think the only thing in the end that bothered me was that you wouldn’t let me tell you who I was. You knew everyone else, so what did it matter if you knew who I was, too, even if you couldn’t reciprocate? But you didn’t know me. I think… I think I was scared you didn’t want to know me.” 

 The sob that fell from Marinette’s throat was deeply satisfying. And for once, it wasn’t because Chloé took pleasure from her pain, it was because it was a sign she understood what she had been doing to Adrien all this time. And Chloé hopes she wouldn’t do it again. She would hold her partner close, she would see him, shower him in appreciation and affection, and Adrien wouldn’t have to hurt anymore. 

 “Then after a rough night of being brushed off by Ladybug,” he glanced towards Nino and Alya. “I came to class, and my three best friends were laughing about something. But when I asked what was so funny, you all dodged the question. And it was like… all over again, no one trusts Adrien!” And this time he was visibly agitated. “Am I not deserving of trust? Like what did I do wrong?” 

 His words brought all of Chloé’s indignation and anger on his behalf to the surface. She turned her cold glare at Marinette and Nino, but it was completely wasted as they were both staring at Adrien. 

 Marinette looked like she had been hit by a bus, and Nino like he might actually cry. 

 “It doesn’t feel like anyone trusts me,” Adrien said, having regained most of his composure, but his gaze was locked onto the tiled floor as he spoke. “Not completely. You’re all keeping secrets, specifically from me. And I know you’re not required to tell me everything. I mean, I’ve kept a lot of my own secrets obviously. I just… I feel like no one trusts me completely. Not anyone.” 

 Marinette’s forehead fell to Adrien’s shoulder for a second before she looked up with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry, Adrien. This is all - all of it - all my fault. Not the part about your mom, obviously. I didn’t realize I was hurting you.” 

 She whirled around to Nino. 

 “Nino, I’m so sorry!” she cried. 

 Nino immediately nodded acknowledgement with a small smile. 

 She immediately turned back to Adrien. “Adrien, Nino trusts you! I promise you, he does! It’s me! I’m the secretive one. And Nino and Alya… they were just keeping my secret. I just get stuck in my own head and I was scared.  And embarrassed and nervous. I never meant to hurt you, and I definitely never meant to damage your relationship with Nino. Or Alya either,” she rambled like a runaway train. 

 “Marinette, breathe,” Alya interjected. 

 Marinette flashed a quick smile at Alya as she took in an obvious breath. 

 “What would you have to be embarrassed about?” Adrien asked like he couldn’t believe Marinette could be embarrassed. Oh, did Chloé have stories for him! That would be a fun sleepover! “You’re amazing!” he gushed. 

 Chloé sighed. God, they were so annoying! Like in a disgustingly cute way. But definitely so annoying. She was going to have to put up with this all the time now. She was definitely going to regret getting everything out in the open, wasn’t she?

 “Ummm…” Marinette said, her cheeks flaming red. She was the absolute picture of eloquence. “Alya was helping me with a plan!” Marinette told him, her voice thrown an octave too high. “A plan to… uh… surprise you!”

 “Dupain-Cheng!” Chloé growled. “ If you don’t tell him, I will!”

“Chloé,” Ms. Bustier warned.

 Chloé waved dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, talking piece. Whatever.” She crossed her legs and her arms emphatically.

“Chloé knows?” Adrien said at the same time, sounding like nothing more than a strangled cat. 

 Marinette threw a glare at Chloé.

 “Please, just tell him, Mari,” Nino begged, his golden eyes swirling with emotion. “I know you’ve always wanted him to know.”

 And then Alya hit him on the arm. “You are not allowed to pressure her!”

 “Like you don’t every day!” he countered.

 “I do not! I encourage her! There’s a difference!”

 “Everyone!” Bustier interrupted, and immediately the room fell quiet. “Take in a deep breath and then let it out.” 

 The room hung with silence for a second as they all just breathed in and out for several seconds. 

 “She doesn’t have to tell me,” Adrien said, his voice soft, but firm. He turned to Marinette. “I mean it. You don’t have to tell me.”

 “But it’s hurting you,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. 

 He smiled, both his hands folded over hers. “Maybe it hurts less now just knowing that it’s you. I don’t need you to be embarrassed just to make me feel better.”

 She shook her head. “I’ve already hurt you so much already as Ladybug. I don’t want to keep hurting you as Marinette.” She took a deep breath and glanced around the room and smiled awkwardly. “This is definitely not the scenario I had pictured in my mind. The t-truth is you’ve never been j-just... a friend to me. I’ve… I’ve always wanted you… to be more.” 

 His eyes widened. “But… you’ve told me… no… so many times.” 

 Marinette shook her head. “I told Chat Noir no because there was someone else.” 

 “Me?” he choked out, like he could barely breathe. His vibrant green eyes instantly flooded with tears. “And everyone knew?” 

 Nino laughed. “Yeah. Like everyone. Mari’s super obvious. I’d be shocked if your dad didn’t know to be honest, dude.” 

 “Nino!” Marinette hissed.

He ducked his head under the bill of his hat sheepishly. “Sorry.” 

 “So that day,” Marinette continued, her voice only slightly more steady. “Alya was coming up with ridiculous ways to get me to confess to you. She was trying to make me laugh so I wouldn’t be so nervous. And it was dumb, but when you walked in, I panicked at what you might have overheard. And Nino…” 

 Alya waved her hands. “Nino’s awesome,” she filled in for her. 

 Adrien is laughing and tearing up. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to pressure you! I didn’t mean to force your hand before you were ready. Especially in front of… others. I never thought it could be something good.” 

 “No, I’m sorry,” Marinette insisted. “I was so wrapped up in my own head, I never thought I would be hurting you.”

 “Oh my god! We get it! You’re both sorry!” Chloé exploded.  

 Adrien flashed her a grin. 

 “You guys are going to be so ridiculous. And ugh!”

 “Chloé,” Ms. Bustier warned.

 “They’re ridiculous!” Chloe defended, her arm jutting out over at the pair of them. “Like they were stuck in a love square with only two people in it!”

 Chloé took sadistic pleasure in the bark of laughter that Exploded from Ms. Bustier’s lips before she brought herself back to her normal, and seemingly unflappable demeanor. 

 And then Alya and Nino both lost it, while Marinette buries her face in Adrien’s shoulder and Adrien himself had turned tomato-red. 

 “Don’t forget how hurtful ill-timed laughter can be,” Chloé taunted them all, arms crossed. 

 “Chloé is right,” Ms. Bustier said, turning toward Marientte and Adrien. “My apologies to you both. I meant no disrespect.”

 Adrien looked towards Marinette who had yet to show her face, still buried on Adrien’s shoulder. 

 “M’lady?” he prompted. “Are you okay?” 

 She nodded into his shoulder. “Just embarrassed.” 

 His smile was as bright as the sun. He kissed the top of her head. “I still don’t think you have anything to be embarrassed about,” he said softly. 

 Her head inched upwards, and she looked into his eyes. 

 “I love you so much.” 

 He burst into tears. But he was also smiling. 

 “Chaton? Are you okay?” Marinette asked. 

 He nodded rapidly through his tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry. It’s just so much. So much that is good. I’m… not used to having this much,” he choked out. 

 Marinette’s arms were around him and they hugged each other tightly. 

 He pulled away slowly, kissed her hand dramatically before he stood up, gently placed Dottie on his seat. 

 Then he seized Nino and Alya in a hug as well. He came to her next, and Chloé hugged him back fiercely. 

 “Thank you,” he mumbled into her ear. 

 She nodded and smiled, unable to put together any words in response. 

 He then returned to his seat. Marinette and him quickly joined hands once again, but this time, their fingers interlaced. 

 Chloé couldn’t help the smile that bloomed across her face at the sight. They had such a strong connection - stronger now, that they knew each other. 

 She might have been a little envious, which was galling to admit even to herself. She hated being jealous of Marinette.

 Chloé wanted a connection like that. But Chloe had no idea how to go about forming that kind of a connection with a person. 

 Connections were dangerous.

 “Did you have anything else you wanted to talk about, Adrien?” Ms. Bustier prompted, her eyes suspiciously glassy. 

 He shook his head. “I’m really good.” And he passed the talking piece to Marinette. 

 …