Y'know before the Volpina episode came out, Ladybug and Vixen were actually going to have a decent relationship. They weren't going to best friends or anything, but it would have been a lot different from the relationship they have now.

"You should really be resting."

I rolled my eyes, finishing my current set of sit-ups and ignoring my kwami for the time being. 44, 45, 46, 47, 48… Pain shot up my side and I froze momentarily, breathing deeply to ease said pain before continuing. 49, 50. "Done." I got up and grabbed my water, swallowing a few mouthfuls.

"Great. Are you going to rest now?"

I shook my head, draining the last of my water. "Can't Rhys. I haven't finished my workout."

Her eyes bored into me. "What else could you possibly have to do?"

"...mountain climbers," I replied after a moment of thought. "But first, water." I moved towards the kitchen and refilled my glass. "Besides, I need to stay in shape."

"You wouldn't have to worry about working out every day if you'd just transform and be vixen again." Came the snappish reply.

I stopped, sending my kwami a cold look. She simply crossed her arms and glared back at me. "It's not happening, Rhys. You said that I needed to just be normal for at least a month to heal properly."

"It's been three." She hissed, her eyes narrowing at me. "I know what this is really about."

"Do you?" I asked, refusing to look her in the eye. There's no way she could know.

"You're scared."

I froze. How the hell did she- I shook my head and sent her a glare. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

Rhys raised an eyebrow at me, skeptically. "Alright. Tell me then."

"Tell you..?"

"Tell me you're not afraid. Right now. Say it."

Are you serious? I crossed my arms. "I don't see what that would prove."

"You're proving my point right now."

"I-" I stopped, a sort of dread forming in my stomach. I wasn't afraid. I didn't have anything to be scared of. "I'm not-" A lump formed in my throat and I forced myself to breathe. Why is this so hard?

"Nydra?" I Felt her tiny paw on my cheek. "Nydra, it's okay to be afraid. You can't have courage without fear."

I snickered. "That's the most cliche thing I've ever heard."

"You are afraid. Why?"

I bit my lip, hoping my kwami wouldn't notice that my indifferent facade was crumbling. "I needed their help."

Rhys stayed silent while I gathered my thoughts.

"I needed help when I went to face Hawkmoth. I-" My breath caught in my throat and I took a few deep breaths before continuing. "I couldn't do it on my own."

"And that scares you?"

I nodded, some sort of helplessness blooming in my chest. "I hate relying on others, Rhys, but how am I supposed to do everything on my own if I genuinely lack the ability to?"

She didn't reply for a minute. "Maybe it's time to go back? Let people help you?"

I grit my teeth, feeling tears start to slip down my face. "Ladybug probably had a field day when I didn't show up after going after Hawkmoth."

"I don't think you've given her a fair chance. Of course, she didn't give you one either, but you should be the bigger person."

"I can't just show up after disappearing for three months. Plus," My shoulders slumped and I wrapped my arms around my stomach. "What if something happens again?"

"Bad things happen. You can't just sit on the sidelines in the hopes of avoiding them, that's not how life works."

"I know," I replied quietly. "I just-"

"Refuse to rely on anyone other than yourself." Rhys finished.

I nodded slowly, wondering when I'd started feeling so unsure of myself. "It makes it kind of hard to work with others."

She snickered at me. "Yes, and your wonderful personality has nothing to do with that."

"Rhys... what do you say we go on patrol?" This earned me an excited nod from my kwami and I smiled slightly. "Alright, fangs out." Once the transformation was complete, I made my way outside and jumped onto the roof. Stay calm. You can handle this. There's no akuma to fight and you're not trying to run away from someone. You're fine.

Taking a few deep breaths, I ninja-ed my way across town, finally making it to the tower. I stayed put for a minute, catching my breath and looking around.

I don't see anyone other than the tourists. That's a good thing, right?

Chills went up my spine and I looked around again. Pushing my intrusive thoughts to the back of my mind, I began my climb. It wasn't long before I was at the top of the tower and I glanced down, taking in the scenery and how small everyone seemed. They look like ants.

"And here I thought you were gone for good."

I flinched at the voice, then turned to face her, heaving a dramatic sigh. "It's good to see you too, Ladybug."

She didn't reply for a while, simply staring at me. I couldn't tell if it was hate or surprise on her face. "Chat was really worried about you, y'know."

"I... didn't mean for that to... happen," I replied, deciding not to comment on how she hadn't mentioned how she'd felt about my disappearing. You didn't honestly expect her to worry, did you?

No, I hadn't. Why would she care about what happened to me?

Give her the benefit of the doubt.

I grit my teeth to keep any snide comments in.

"I'm sorry!" I blurted out.

Ladybug looked shocked. "For what?"

Ah yes, because that was so much better than sarcastic comments. "For…" I wrung my hands, knowing I couldn't backtrack now. "For not giving you a chance."

Now she just looked uncomfortable. "Well... I wasn't any better. It was wrong of me to judge you based on what Volpina did. I- I should have given you a chance."

That was surprising. I hadn't been expecting an apology. "It probably would've helped if I hadn't been quite so…" I paused, searching for the right word. "Dark and conniving."

"Just a little."

We fell into silence and I fiddled with my hands, unsure of what to do now. "Hey, can I try something?"

"How do you manage to do this?"

"You have to hold the string tightly."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious."

Ladybug didn't reply beyond an eye roll for a minute. "Don't fall again."

"It's not my fault Spider-man made it look so easy," I grumbled, trying desperately to cling to the string of Ladybug's yo-yo. She'd agreed to let me try hanging upside down from it, but now I was beginning to feel like a fool for trying in the first place. After a few more tries and painful falls, I sat up, pouting. "Stupid comics."

"It takes some practice."

I continued to pout, only partially ignoring her.

"Vixen-"

I sighed. "Yes, I suppose you're right."