Yeah, so it's midnight. I should really work on breaking this habit of writing at stupid times, but it's fine. I'm in a bad mood- not really sure why- and I just wanted to write fan fiction, and here I am. I'm just gonna sit her, eat chocolate, listen to angsty music and write some miserable sadness.

Ugh, I'm bored of being mopey. It probably has something to do with having to spend extended periods of time with my family, specifically my sister. I mean, I love her, but she's much younger than me, and she can be so annoying. OH, and then there's the prospect of getting some new siblings in the next couple of weeks… Two (they're twins) brothers to be exact.

Thought I'd let you all know in case I randomly disappear for weeks. God, I hope not. Not that I'm the most consistent at posting…

Enjoy this while it lasts ;)

Alya sighed, feeling heavy. At the same time, she felt tension she'd refused to acknowledge falling away; apparently, the weight of her classmates' stares had bothered her more than she cared to admit. Despite that, she almost wished she was back in that classroom- well, it was less the classroom, and more Nino that she wanted to be with. He always made it better, even when he didn't actually know what was wrong. He'd seen everything happening in there, and he'd chosen to pretend not to notice to spare his friend's dignity.

The little that was left…

Nino Lahiffe was, perhaps, the most decent, kind, brilliant person she knew. Alya was sure she loved him- she'd loved him from the day they'd been locked in that cage at the zoo, even if she hadn't realised it yet. Alya hadn't really wanted to admit it to herself until she realised he was Carapace. Not because he was a superhero, but because she'd been in danger and that was when he appeared. There hadn't been a Carapace until she'd been in danger, until she'd needed him. Just another thing they'd both have to thank Marinette for.

"Alya…" Marinette whispered as she turned around, "What's happening? Why is Adrien upset?" Adrien sent her a pleading look, but Alya chuckled and shook her head. "You said it yourself, Adrien. She'll have to see you eventually." She poked his chest, and he pouted at her, "And I mean all of you, Sunshine."

Adrien rubbed a hand over his eyes, letting his fingers run through his hair. Marinette shuffled, a mixture of confusion, nerves and concern. Mainly concern… Alya felt like she shouldn't be watching, but she could hardly leave them out here, so Adrien could chicken out and Marinette could end up even more of a mess than she was before.

No, this needed to happen, and Alya was going to do everything in her power to make sure it did.

"I messed up, Marinette," Adrien groaned, sinking to the floor against the wall, "I did something really stupid, and then I dragged Alya into it." Alya shoved Marinette closer, and she glanced over her shoulder doubtfully. She shot Marinette a thumbs up, trying to seem much more confident that she actually felt… which was not very.

Marinette deadpanned, easily seeing through her deceit, and Alya smiled softly, "Go on, Marinette. You can do this."

Marinette nodded determinately, crouching next to Adrien, who didn't react. Marinette put a hand on his arm, startling him. "I can't believe I that," Adrien told the wall across form him, "I'm awful." Marinette moved her hand down to his, squeezing. Alya grinned at her sudden boldness, seeing no hesitation in her best friends movements. Marinette used her other hand to move his face so he was looking at her, and Alya was sure her cheeks would fall off if she smiled any wider.

"Whatever you did, Adrien, it's not going to make me hate you," Marinette told him, "I could never hate you." Adrien shook his head, tearing away from her hand so he could stand up to pace. "I'm not lying, I can promise you that." Marinette added, unwavering.

Alya had to give her credit for that- she wasn't sure she would've been able to say that to someone who seemed so sure he had ruined everything. "You don't get it!" He shouted, and Alya took a step away as Marinette stood her ground, "I put Alya in so much danger!" His voice grew quiet, fading into a tiny mumble, "I'm unforgivable."

"I really doubt that, Adrien." Marinette replied, her stance reminding Alya of Ladybug. It was unnerving how similar they looked when Marinette was in conflict resolution mode.

"Oh yeah?" Adrien laughed bitterly, "And what if I told you I'm Chat Noir." Marinette gaped, arms falling limp at her sides. "Bugaboo." He added with a nod, bowing with less bravado, and more sarcasm. Alya didn't even have enough time to process how hilarious that nickname was before Marinette turned to look at her, and Alya didn't even try to feign shock, "You knew?"

Alya nodded, looking at her feet, feeling guilt rise in her again.

It burned.

"It was the night you revealed your identity to me. Everything that happened that night was an accident," Alya explained, "Including me half-revealing your identity to Chat Noir, and him transforming in front of me." Marinette closed her eyes, and Alya could see a tear fall down her cheek.

Alya reached out a hand towards her, but Marinette turned away, attention back to Adrien. "I still made you a promise," Marinette stated blankly, "I don't break my promises."

That voice.

Alya had never heard Marinette so devoid of emotion before. Adrien just stared at her in shock, and Alya couldn't find any words. They stuck in her throat, slowly choking her. "I need time to process this." Marinette said eventually, "Are you two coming back to class?" Adrien shook his head, still silent, and Alya blinked away the blur in her vision. "No." Marinette nodded, and moved to open the door,

"Wait, Marinette…" Marinette froze, her hand against the door. "We can't just ignore this." Adrien insisted, a frightening note of desperation in his voice. Marinette smiled coldly, snorting with contempt, "It's been days, Adrien. You could have said something anytime." She looked at Alya, expression carefully hidden, "Either of you."

Alya's heart stopped, and she had to clutch the hem of her shirt to keep silent. She wanted to speak, to shout and scream and get rid of all her guilt, but Marinette didn't want that. Maybe- just maybe- if Alya let her think about, she might come back to them. But at that moment, Alya was sure that they'd lost her.

Marinette was gone.

The girl in front of her was hard steel, rigid rock; unmoving. Marinette, to her, was everything warm and safe and comforting. Now, she seemed almost… dead. Empty. "What's a few more hours?" Alya shivered at her mocking tone, watching, incapable of stopping her, as Marinette left.

Alya fell to her knees, one hand gripping her hair as the other held her up. "What've we done?" She whispered, voice hoarse, "I thought it would be okay. I thought she loved you far too much, I thought she loved me far too much, I can't- I-" Alya's choked out a breathe, feeling it scorch her throat. Adrien sat beside her, and Alya noticed how his fear made his eyes wide like a child's.

He was silent, putting an arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer like she'd done for him earlier. She buried her face in his shirt, clutching at his back as she tried to control her tears. "What've we done, Adrien?" She repeated, ignoring the way he trembled slightly. He shook his head, leaning his cheek against the top of her head, "This was all me. You didn't ask for this."

Alya pushed him away, shaking him by the shoulders roughly, "What are you talking about?" She slapped his forehead lightly, putting a little more force in than was necessary, "You asked me to keep it a secret, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't have told her."

"You wanted to give me a chance, I didn't take it." Adrien admitted with a small smile, "Marinette has every right to be upset with both of us- not just me, not just you."

Alya nodded, but she avoided his eyes. "Hey," Adrien called, gently lifting her chin, "She'll come around. We both know how important being herself is to her- she doesn't change for anyone, including us, and we both know that wasn't our Marinette, or our Ladybug."

"This isn't going to be easy- Adrien, I broke her trust and didn't even tell her." Alya told him, brow furrowed as she regained some of her usual strength. She took a deep breathe and was relieved to find that her chest had stopped aching from all the sobbing she held back.

"Come on, Alya," Adrien smirked, winking at her, "Don't make me think up another physics metaphor!" She groaned, his hopeful joking far too contagious to ignore. Alya rolled her eyes as he pretended to be hurt. "You didn't like it, Rena?" He teased, "I tried really hard to get that right… just for you." Alya giggled and he pouted, his kitten eyes sparkling like some strange cartoon character.

"God, it's like you're dating," a grumpy voice moaned from within Adrien's jacket, a tiny black head poking out to scowl at them, "I can't stand all this soppy friendship stuff." Alya reached out a curious hand, but the kwami hissed at her, and swiped a clawed hand at her fingers.

"Oh whatever, Plagg," Adrien muttered, brightening after a moment of thought, "I won't mention how much you constantly moon over your Sugarcube." Plagg gasped at his holder, darting out of the jacket to perch on Alya's shoulder. "On second thoughts, you can pet me all you want as long as you keep me away from him." Adrien tilted his head to the side, reaching out to scratch under Plagg's chin.

He stifled a purr, and Adrien chuckled, moving up to his ears. Alya watched as Adrien stroked Plagg with unconcealed affection, the kwami finally relenting and pushing up against his holder's hand. She wished she got to be this close with Trixx, but she doubted that would ever happen now. Maybe Marinette wouldn't put their problems before Paris, but it was unlikely that there would be anymore weekends with her miraculous in the future.

Alya sighed, and Plagg nuzzled her neck, looking up at her with glowing, green eyes. They were uncanny to Adrien's, so close that she wouldn't be able to distinguish them from Chat Noir's. She wondered if that was just a coincidence, or his transformation making them appear that way. "Pigtails will come back, kid." Plagg closed his eyes briefly, "I really, really hope she does." The kwami hesitated for a moment, and Adrien seemed surprised before Plagg added, "I would give anything to be with Tikki again- she's… she's my other half." Alya nodded down at him, unable to keep the smile off her lips.

"Awww!" Adrien grinned, "Plagg misses his girlfriend!" Plagg growled, baring his tiny teeth at him. "Shut up, Sunshine." Alya added, flicking his noise. Adrien laughed despite rubbing his noise from the pain. The bell for the end of the lesson rang, and the class came rushing out, most not noticing the pair on the floor. Marinette walked straight past them, and Alya had to stop herself from instinctively calling out her name, as she would usually do before they went home.

Last to leave was Nino, who glared down at them, no trace of the cool, collected boy who had made her laugh an hour ago. "Hey, Nino, what-" Nino slammed a hand against the wall, silencing Adrien's greeting.

"What. The hell. Is happening?"

Oooo Nino maaadddd ;) Mmmm… yes, this has greatly improved my mood!