Chapter Three

Marinette squealed and fell backwards behind her lounge chair, as though hiding now would erase what just happened. She had completely forgotten Alya was staying the night, with everything on her mind. "You know that isn't going to work...right?"

Marinette peeked over the edge of the chair to see Alya still sitting with her brow cocked, giving her a knowing look. She forced a laugh standing quickly and fluffing her hair with her fingers. "Oh, Alya! Uh. Ha ha. I was just...um...trying out this new cosplay?" It didn't sound convincing, even to her own ears, and the last word lilted as though it was a question.

"Really?" Alya's other brow perked up. "You're going to lie to me? Now?" Her voice was calm, but Marinette could hear the masked hurt and the touch of anger, and her shoulders slumped in defeat. Tikki had disappeared the moment the lamp clicked on, hiding from Alya's sharp gaze.

"No, you're right. I'm sorry. I just—can we just—is it possible you could ignore what you just saw?" Marinette asked the question, but she already knew the answer.

"Ignore it?" Alya was incredulous, her voice steadily rising. "How in the hell am I supposed to ignore this, Marinette?"

Marinette's eyes darted to the trap door leading down into her parents' apartment. "Alya, shhhh. They can't know anything!" She fell over the back of her armchair with a groan. "I'll tell you everything, just don't let my parents find out."

"So you haven't told them, either? Is there anyone who knows? Anyone you haven't been lying to?"

"Now, stop right there," Marinette started, looking up to see Tikki dart out of hiding. "I understand you may be upset that your friend hid this big secret, but you shouldn't talk to her like that." Marinette had never seen the Kwami show any real signs of anger, but she was displaying it now, acting like a mother bear, hovering between Alya and her charge. "I made her keep the secret, to protect you, and her family, and everyone she loves, and herself. She has saved you a hundred times over. She even trusted you enough that you almost became Ladybug in her stead. So, don't you take that tone with her."

The two girls sat frozen, stunned, staring at the Kwami, who blinked as though just realizing what she did. "Tikki," Marinette whispered with affection. She brought Tikki to her and nuzzled her against her cheek. The Kwami moved to sit on her shoulder as Marinette sat properly in the chair. She cleared her throat and straightened her spine, getting herself into her Ladybug mindset. It was…a little difficult, knowing that Alya sat only a few feet away from her. "So…now you know. I am…I'm Ladybug. And, as Tikki said, it was necessary to hide my identity from you and from everyone else."

Alya was silent, but Marinette didn't push her. She let her friend wrap her mind around what was happening. Finally, she sat forward. "Like I said, I shouldn't be surprised. And, I guess…if I stop to think about it, I'm really not." It was Marinette's turn to be at a loss for words. "I mean, it was staring me right in the face. Your voice, your hair, your courage, your laugh. I'm with you so much—I'm your best friend—I guess I started putting the pieces together a while ago, but I wouldn't let myself actually think it. Knowing this…means confronting it."

"Does it?" Marinette said quietly. "I'm still your best friend. And I'm still Paris' hero. Marinette, Ladybug—they're both just me."

"Just you?" Alya laughed, and the tension in the room eased. "In and out of the mask, you're remarkable, girl, you know that right? I mean, you're already getting to be a pretty famous young artist and designer, you're friends with some powerful people, and at night you use your super powers to stop a super villain who has been terrorizing the citizens of Paris for, what, two years now?" Marinette blushed, and Alya sighed. "I'm not mad."

"You're not?" Marinette felt something squeezing her heart as she searched her best friend's face for proof of her feelings.

"I'm…confused. I'm disappointed that you didn't think you could trust me with this—" She held up a hand as Marinette opened her mouth to speak. "I know, it was for my safety. Still. Plus, I have a million questions." She paused. "But the only question that matters is this: Now that I know, we're still best friends, right?"

There was a vulnerability in Alya's eyes and voice that Marinette had never seen before, and it urged her forward. She moved to wrap Alya in a hug. "Of course we are. That's never going to change, Alya."

They stayed like that for a moment, before Alya laughed and pushed Marinette to arms' length. "So, Ms. Bug, where exactly have you been all night?" Marinette instantly blushed beet-red, and Alya's smile grew into an evil grin. "Has my innocent Marinette been corrupted by our favorite leather-clad cat-boy, perhaps?" Marinette couldn't help her squeak of surprise, or her deepening blush, and Alya's jaw dropped. "I was kidding but—seriously?"

"No! Nothing happened!" Marinette said shrilly.

At that moment, there was a knock at the trap door, a second before it opened, Sabine's head poking through. "Are you girls okay up here? I thought I heard a scream."

"We're fine mom!" Marinette said, maybe a little too quickly. Her mother was perceptive as always, but did not question them.

"Alright, then. I was just coming up to let you know that I'm headed downstairs to help your father in the bakery. There are pancakes in the kitchen. Let us know if you need anything." With that, she disappeared again.

"Yum," Marinette said, stepping into her closet to put on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt—the perfect comfy study outfit. "Pancakes. Let's go—"

"Not so fast, missy," Alya grabbed her arm as she reached for the trap door, blocking her escape. "You are not getting out of telling me everything." Her eyes promised vengeance if Marinette held back any minute details.

She sighed. "Okay. But breakfast first. I'm starving."

Author's Note: Wow, I am so sorry guys. I just kind of...fell off the face of the earth, I guess? There is no excuse. I'm just sorry. Here is the next chapter, with a sincere promise for more to come soon. I love you all so much. Thank you for your continued support. I hope you enjoy!