“So... she made you a permanent member of the team.” Chat Noir’s voice was flat; he gave no indication of her welcome.

“Is that a problem?” Rena had thought Chat liked her — they’d instantly been thick as thieves fighting Sapotis, bantering like they were old friends. He’d even kissed her hand the way he usually did with Ladybug. In all honesty, she’d originally felt more camaraderie with him than with Ladybug on that first day — ironic, given that Ladybug had been her actual best friend all along, but Marinette took her job as a hero very seriously.

So why was he being hostile now?

“Ladybug and I, we’ve always been a duo,” he said, finally turning to face her. His eyes glinted sharply, but the rest of his face gave nothing away. Bizarrely, Alya was reminded of Gabriel Agreste. “Why would we need a third person? We don’t. Three’s a crowd, after all.”

His voice was calm. Even. Steady.

Rena felt goosebumps forming under the material of her suit. Like bugs crawling up and down her arms.

But Alya had never been easily intimidated. And she wasn’t going to let a pun-enthusiast cat boy who ran around on all fours make her feel that way now, no matter how much she admired him usually.

Putting one hand on her hip, she stared him down. “Well, Ladybug chose me, so obviously she disagrees.”

Chat Noir actually flinched. For a second, she wondered if she’d gone too far — she’d meant to show him her mettle, not upset him.

And then he spoke, and she realized she had.

“Exactly,” his voice sounded like someone had unplugged his drain and emptied him completely out. Of what, Rena wasn’t sure. “She chose you.”

“Chat—“ Rena started, desperate to salvage this situation.

But then Ladybug arrived, and Rena watched with dawning horror as Chat’s eyes lit up and his lips curled into a grin.