Marinette and Adrien made it back to the school in time to hear Chloe whining as she skipped down the steps, her arms flailing.

"Ew, ew, ew," she stuck her tongue out, "I cannot believe I was a boy! Wearing boy clothes! Me!"

Sabrina ran after her and into her limo as Alya walked out to meet them. "There you two are! What happened?"

Adrien glanced over to Marinette. "I, uh, was waiting for Marinette. I was worried when she said she was sick, and didn't want to leave her behind."

"Yeah, and I was, uh, relaxing my stomach," Marinette rubbed her tummy, "before coming back to the picnic. How's it going?"

Alya chuckled. "Everything was fine until a bright light shone over the school, and we all changed back to normal. I didn't even realize that I was different! I have a feeling we all owe Ladybug and Chat Noir a big thank-you."

That'd be nice, Marinette rolled her eyes as Nino joined them. "So, Nino, how did it feel to be a girl?"

"Whatever," he shrugged, "but I'd rather stick with my short hair, thank you."

"I don't know," Alya brushed her fingers through her hair, "I sort of liked the short hair for a while. Not permanent, but it was lighter."

"Come on, guys," Rose waved to them beside Juleka, who was still overcoming the shock of returning to normal, "Jude-er, Juleka and I have the napkins out!"

Adrien followed in after Alya and Nino. "You coming, Marinette?"

"Yes," she waved him away, "in just a second. Just…getting used to being back to normal."

He gave her a big smile and entered the school. Opening her satchel she turned around as Tikki flew out. "I still owe you a huge apology, Tikki. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

"It's alright, Marinette, the akuma had you under her control. I'm just glad everything's back to normal."

"Say, have you ever teamed up with a male partner before?"

"No, it's always been a girl."

"Why?"

Tikki winked. "Because you've always been known as the Lady of luck, silly."

"…Not much backing behind that."

"…Go eat your raisin bread, Marley."

~THAT NIGHT~

Marinette checked her mirror twelve times to make sure she hadn't turned back into a boy. She slipped into her comfy pajamas and under the blankets as Tikki settled down on the small ledge beside her.

"Goodnight, Tikki, and thanks for not leaving Marley."

"I wouldn't have ever left you, Marinette."

"Even though I wasn't a girl?"

"You were chosen because of your kindness, and the earrings are something that can't just be taken away because you're suddenly a boy. Things would be different, sure, but you'd still be my best friend."

Marinette laid down on her pillow and closed her eyes. "You too, Tikki…you ever wonder if there's all alternate universe where we really are guys?"

"I think you need some serious sleep, Marinette."

~SOMEWHERE IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE FAR, FAR AWAY~

"You ever wonder if there's an alternate universe where I'm really a girl."

Adrienne chuckled and leaned against Marin's arm. "You're so silly."

They stood on his balcony, overlooking the night sky of Paris as stars sparkled overhead. In their pajamas they felt the cool wind as her hair blew past her ears. "What brought up that idea?"

"I don't know, just…this voice in my head."

"Does this voice know our shared secret?"

Marin wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close. "Sh, don't let the neighbours here, Chat."

"Such a protective monsieur, Ladybug."

She gave him a soft kiss and leaned against him. "I wonder what sort of guy I'd make."

"You? A very pretty one."

"Yeah? Well, you'd…you'd have pigtails!"

"You'd wear stripes!"

"You," she whispered, "would wear super tight spandex."

"…Not that you'd mind."

They shared a laugh and watched a shooting star pass.

To be a girl…Nah. I'm fine the way I am.

END

You ever wonder if there are other universes where different people became Ladybug and Chat Noir? Really keeps me up at night...

And it is finished! This was an interesting story to write, but I enjoyed it. Now I can focus on my main Ladybug fanfic and another one I've been working on for a different fandom. Thanks to the one who suggested it (you know who you are and you deserve many a treat), it was a lot of fun. Whelp, since I'm not really good at wrapping things up...

Raisin bread, goodnight.