Author's Note:

I do not own any of these characters.

Alya and Marinette were exiting the locker room at school when they bumped into Lila. Lila immediately noticed Alya's necklace. "I love the new necklace. It looks just like the one my grandmother gave me. Except, hers was extra special." She looked around and then at Marinette before leaning into Alya and whispering. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but my necklace is what lets me change into Rena Rouge."

Alya's eyes widened at Lila and she just held up a finger over her lips like she was asking Alya to keep it a secret. Lila then proceeded into the locker room. Alya turned to Marinette and said, "I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Did I really buy into all her lies?" She looked at Marinette's knowing face. "Of course, I did. How could Ladybug be her best friend, if... well, you know better than I do."

Marinette just patted her on the shoulder and then proceeded to class. She stopped just before the door and turned to Alya. "Just be extra careful around Lila. I can't prove it, but sometimes I could swear she's actively working with Hawk Moth." Alya motioned like she was zipping her lips. Marinette added, "Warn Nino too," before they headed into the classroom and Alya nodded at that.

Marinette decided to change the subject once they were seated behind Adrien and Nino after exchanging greetings. "Luka and I are going to have our first date this weekend. We're going to the movies."

Alya beamed for her friend. "That's awesome, girl. I know Luka's been waiting for you to come around almost as long as you've known each other."

Marinette nodded. "I know. I'm just not sure I'm completely over... well you know. So, we're keeping it open. If either of us feels like it's not working, we're going to stop it."

"Luka is so chill that way. I hope it works out for you two." Alya offered, honestly wanting nothing but happiness for Marinette.

Nino looked over at Adrien who had a perplexed look on his face. "Dude? You okay?"

"Y-Yeah... I was... uh..." Trying to think of a cover story quickly wasn't working so well right now. But he managed to end with, "... trying to remember if I'd finished my homework last night or not." Adrien made a show of looking through his bags and sighing in relief at finding his completed homework. Mentally he kicked himself into model-mode to hide his confusion over Marinette saying she and Luka were just now starting to date and that it was apparently Marinette that had kept them from dating sooner.

He met Kagami during lunch. She could tell he was distracted. "Adrien. What are you thinking about?"

Adrien hummed curiously as his brain processed her question. "I'm just trying to figure something out that I heard earlier."

Kagami thought for a second, trying to figure out if she should get involved or not. "What was it? Maybe I can help talk you through it."

Adrien looked over to Kagami and then back to his lunch. "I overheard Marinette telling Alya that she and Luka were going on their first date. But I thought they were already dating."

Kagami swallowed slightly. "They certainly appeared to be very close to me. Perhaps we read the situation incorrectly?"

Adrien nodded to himself. "She always told me she couldn't return my feelings because she was in love with someone else. After the reveal, I assumed that was Luka. But now, it seems like I was wrong. But if it wasn't Luka, who was it?"

"You'll have to ask her about that. You've known her much longer and on both sides than I have. So, if you don't know, how could I possibly know?" Kagami hoped her deflection was enough to keep Adrien from pressing her for answers to questions she didn't want to answer.

"I suppose you're right." Adrien stated into the void before taking another bite of his food.

It was a few nights later when it was Ladybug and Cat Noir on patrol together. "Just like old times, right My Lady?"

"You're not going to make Ryuko jealous by continuing to call me your lady, are you?" Ladybug smirked at him.

"Oh... I hadn't thought of that. I don't want to make Viperion jealous either." Cat Noir rubbed the back of his neck.

"That'd be nearly impossible." Ladybug laughed as they continued from one roof to another. "He doesn't have a jealous bone in his body as far as I can tell."

Cat Noir chuckled a little. "Speaking of Viperion. How was your date?"

"It was great. We watched Knives Out. It was very well made, with a great twist." Ladybug offered without giving away any spoilers.

"That's great." Cat Noir replied, a bit distantly.

Ladybug noticed, but decided not to press the subject. "How's it going with you and Ryuko?"

"It's going great. We don't get much time because of our schedules, but our parents have scheduled us some time for dating." Cat Noir stated a bit more confidently.

Ladybug winced at that. "I don't know how the two of you do it, Cat. I'd go crazy if my parents were that controlling."

Cat Noir shrugged. "I guess we're just used to it. It's what we know. And we can be sympathetic with each other when one of our parents gets a bit overly controlling."

Ladybug nodded as she realized how empathetic they could be with each other. "That's good. I guess Viperion and I complement each other similarly. We're both artistic and have very laid-back parents."

"You were there when Ryuko and I met, but I'm curious about something. How long have you known Viperion?" Cat Noir prodded.

"I met him during this last music festival, when Captain Hardrock was akumatized." Ladybug answered, not yet realizing he was fishing for information.

Cat Noir nodded and rubbed his chin. "Wow. I always thought you knew each other longer since you've been classmates with his sister for so long."

Ladybug looked over Cat Noir as they passed over another alley. "She's pretty shy, as I'm sure you've noticed. We never really hung out until this year."

Cat Noir nodded with a smile, as if he was putting together a puzzle and had finally found a piece he thought was missing. "Oh. That explains what I overhead you telling Rena Rouge the other day. I had no idea your relationship with Viperion was as new as my relationship with Ryuko."

Ladybug stopped on the next roof and Cat Noir had to double back because his own momentum propelled him past her and onto the next roof. She looked at him. "What are you really trying to figure out, Cat?"

Cat Noir rubbed the back of his neck. "Busted, huh?" Ladybug nodded. "You always said you couldn't return my feelings because you loved someone else. After the reveal, I figured that was Viperion. But you were telling me that before you even met him. So... were you just saying that, or was there someone else?"

Ladybug looked sadly at Cat Noir. "There really was someone else, Cat. I'd never make up someone just to rebuff your feelings. But he never saw me as anything more than a friend for the longest time. And then something happened that told me you and I could never risk becoming involved even though I was starting to contemplate moving on with you. So, I never got him, and I can't be with you... not knowing what I know now."

Cat Noir's mask furrowed. "What happened?"

Ladybug shook her head. "I can't do that to you, Cat. Just trust me. The mistake I made was so bad that Bunnyx had to come from her future to fix it."

"Oh... that bad, huh?" Cat Noir deflated a little.

"You have no idea." Ladybug turned away from him. "I can still see it. Crystal clear. Just like it was yesterday." Tears began to stream down her face.

Cat Noir placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked over to him. "It's okay. I know you don't want to hurt me. But you shouldn't bear this burden alone. If you won't tell me, then promise me you'll tell Viperion. Let him share your load if I can't."

Ladybug wiped a tear away and nodded. "Thanks for not pressuring me. Maybe one day we'll be able to look back and remanence about all of this and I'll tell you his name. But today is not the day. It's all still too fresh."

Cat Noir nodded. "I understand. I won't bring it up again. Not anytime soon at least."

Ladybug smiled genuinely. "Thanks. I don't know what the future holds. But I'm sure I don't want to lose our friendship."

"Neither do I." Cat Noir confirmed.

A few nights later and Ryuko was patrolling with Viperion. "I kind of like pairing everyone with everyone else. I've learned quite a bit by talking to some of the other team members. It's been very refreshing. And now... I'm here with you, Viperion. How are things going with Ladybug?"

"Slowly. But that's what she needs right now. I'm sure you're aware who her crush was?" Viperion stated unemotionally.

Ryuko nodded. "Yes. Although, he apparently still doesn't know."

Viperion thought for a few seconds about what was and wasn't safe to discuss. "It's even more complicated than I'm sure you thought. She told me about a fight she had to do without Cat Noir that took place in the future. A future that no longer exists. It was there that she learned she couldn't be in a relationship with Cat Noir, that the potential for it to end very, very badly was too great."

"Oh. And then the reveal happened and blew up her feelings on both sides." Ryuko looked sad for her friend. "So... even if I wasn't in a relationship with him... she feels she couldn't be?"

Viperion nodded. "Whatever happened probably wouldn't happen now... but she's too scared that there's still a possibility. She's still having nightmares about what she saw."

Ryuko covered her mouth with her hand in surprise. "That bad?" Viperion just nodded and Ryuko could tell it was very serious based on the expression he wore. "What can I do to help?"

Viperion looked Ryuko directly in the eyes. "Make sure he's happy. She gave him up so he could be happy with you. She doesn't need to find out he's not happy. That seems to be the only thing giving her the strength she needs right now."

Ryuko nodded. "That's my goal too. I want him to be happy with me also. Just like I'm sure you want her to be happy with you."

Viperion nodded in reply. "The secret identities thing really caused quite a big mess for them. That's part of the reason she did away with them. I'm sure they would have gotten together long before they met us if it wasn't for them falling for opposite sides and not realizing it."

Ryuko looked away and then back to Viperion. "Cat Noir's curious about who she liked before... but said he'd honor her desire for him not to know until later. I'm not sure how he'd take it if he were to find out."

"It's a sad fact of life that most first crushes don't work out. Sometimes they do... but not usually." Viperion added.

Ryuko frowned. "Do you think they'll end up together eventually? No matter how much we try to make them happy?"

Viperion took a deep breath. "I don't know. Regardless, they'll both be okay in the long run. Together, with us, or with other people. I have faith that love will prevail."

Ryuko changed the subject after that and finished the patrol without saying anything else about her friends or her part in their current situation.

It was the last day of January and since there wasn't a scheduled pairing for patrol, Ladybug suggested they all get together after doing a shorter patrol where every group took a section of the city. Once they were done with patrol, they met back at the balcony over the bakery. Once everyone was inside, they all dropped their transformations and sat down.

Marinette disappeared downstairs and then reappeared with a plate full of pastries to the delight of the others. After getting comfortable, Marinette asked the question that was burning in her mind. "So, how's the everyone-patrols-with-everyone-else thing going for everyone? Any issues?"

"Fine... except for by boyfriend not being able to keep his hands off of Rena Rouge," Alya said with a smirk, causing Nino to blush. "He's turned into a real furry."

Marinette and Luka laughed while Adrien and Kagami looked at each other and shrugged. Kagami suggested, "Perhaps we should google it?"

"NO!" came the chorus from the other three, while Nino was still too embarrassed to speak.

"You two really don't want your parents seeing that search on your phones," Marinette added in a calmer voice. "Let me see if I can get something safe up for you on my computer. Marinette frowned and adjusted her search a few times until she got an acceptable hit with furry fetish definition. "Okay, this definition is probably the safest for the two of you."

Marinette rolled her chair away and the two teens leaned in to read the definition Marinette had found. They both turned beet red and retook their seats quietly. After clearing her throat, Kagami simply stated, "Thank you for stopping us from using our own phones."

With half of the group thoroughly embarrassed, Marinette decided to refocus on the original subject. "Besides being distracted in certain pairings, are there any other issues?"

Luka spoke up this time. "As with any group of friends, I've noticed the subject of each other comes up often. Whatever might've happened or had been the status quo before the reveal, might no longer be the case. Just because things are different than some people wanted or expected, doesn't mean what we have now is worse than that. It's okay to vent about these things, just be sure you continue to be aware of who you're venting to and where they fit into the current set of relationships."

Alya now looked like the guilty party. She had, after all, been shipping Marinette and Adrien along with Ladybug and Cat Noir before the reveal. But now, it looked like her friends might not ever get together even though her two ships turned out to be the same ship. Kagami also looked guilty, more for trying to figure out if anyone was going to say anything to Adrien than for actually wanting anything to change. Nino just looked around the room wide-eyed and with tight lips. Adrien wasn't sure what Luka was referring to and wore a perplexed look on his face.

Marinette looked at the others and her confidence stirred. "Alright. It's been a few months. I think it's time. I'm sure this all about me and the secret about who I kept rejecting Cat Noir for. I'm sorry Adrien. I didn't know you were Cat Noir and that it was you I was rejecting." Adrien gave her a sweet smile as if to say it was okay. "But what everyone else here knows, is that I was rejecting Cat Noir for Adrien Agreste."

Marinette's head sunk down as Adrien's whole body stiffened. "I... I don't understand. You said you were only into fashion."

Marinette tapped her fingers together. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to find out like that. I wanted to have the courage to tell you myself. I almost did a few times... like after the Grevin or on the video that Felix deleted."

Adrien looked around the room at the guilty expressions, landing on Kagami. "You knew too, didn't you?"

Kagami nodded guiltily. "I knew Marinette liked you, yes. And I thought you liked her because of how you were acting at the ice-skating rink... but you kept saying she was just a friend. It wasn't until the reveal that I realized you were in love with Ladybug. By then, we had just started dating."

Adrien looked back over to Marinette. "And by then, whatever it is that made you think Ladybug and Cat Noir could never be together had already happened also." Marinette nodded. "So, I guess the universe really is saying we should just be friends."

"I'm sorry I kept it from you this long," Marinette acquiesced. "I was afraid of breaking up you and Kagami after I'd learned you were Cat Noir. Master Fu had written a letter talking about how loss was a normal part of life. He ended it by saying... well, I'll just read it to you." Marinette pulled out a folded sheet of paper and began reading aloud to the group.

Experiencing loss is a part of life. Some people lose their first love. Some lose the harmony in their relationship. Some people lose hope. Others lose patience. While others lose their soul. Some lose their certainties. And some have nothing to lose.

Experiencing loss is a part of life. But good things come too, expect the unexpected and embrace it. Each first time is an adventure. And who knows how far these adventures will lead you. You find people who you entrust your heart as much as they entrust theirs to you. That trust is sometimes broken, but it can always be restored. Yes, sometimes the road can be winding. You might even get lost along the way. But with the help from the right people, you'll always find your destination.

As we grow old, we realize life doesn't always give us all the gifts we hoped it would. I would have loved to tell you all this in person, Marinette. But if you're reading this, it means I've already lost my memory. But you mustn't be scared, and you mustn't be sad. As I was telling you at the beginning of this letter, experiencing loss is part of life. But it doesn't define it. Because what really matters, isn't whether you win or lose. It's the ability to accept changes in ourselves. It's accepting that, even if life doesn't give us the gifts we were hoping for, the real gift is life itself.

She looked up from the paper to see everyone's somber expressions. "Dude... that was deep." Nino finally whispered.

"I think Master Fu was right. The gift life is giving us, at this point in our lives, is the right gift. We are where we're meant to be, right now." Marinette laid her head on Luka's shoulder, Adrien pulled Kagami into a warm embrace, and Alya and Nino looked deeply into each other's eyes with soft smiles.

This was enough of a gift for them at this moment.