The rooftops of Paris were silent that night. Post-akuma, post-chaos. The sky still smelled like lightning.
Ladybug had patrolled solo. She needed the air.
But the adrenaline had worn off hours ago.
Now, she was just sitting on a quiet roof near the Seine, legs drawn to her chest, hands trembling, replaying Chat's bloodied smile. The way he'd whispered her name.
Almost.
The name she'd tried to bury beneath red and black.
"Marinette."
Her head snapped up.
Kagami stood behind her — elegant as always, dressed in civilian clothes, her posture perfect, her expression unreadable.
Ladybug opened her mouth. "What—how did—"
"I followed you," Kagami said. "After the akuma. You were shaking."
Ladybug stood quickly. Too quickly. "You shouldn't be here."
"I had a feeling."
Ladybug's breath hitched. "A feeling?"
"That you were Marinette."
Silence.
"I didn't want to believe it," Kagami admitted. "Because you're… so messy. So clumsy. But now I understand. It wasn't clumsiness. You were carrying all of this alone."
Marinette's knees buckled.
She dropped to the rooftop, face in her hands, sobs ripping from her chest. "I can't—Kagami, I'm so tired."
Kagami didn't move for a moment. Then, carefully, she crossed the roof and knelt beside her.
She held her.
Marinette wept into her shoulder. "I lie to everyone. I almost let him die. I don't know who I love. I don't even know who I am."
Kagami held her tighter.
"You are stronger than any of us. And still — you're allowed to falter...it's ok, I guess..."
A quiet hospital room.A single bed.Dim light.
Adrien slept lightly, feverish from the wound. His transformation had dropped hours ago. Plagg hid in the shadows, drained. The painkillers blurred his edges.
The door opened.
Luka stepped in, hesitant, a bag slung over one shoulder. He paused when he saw Adrien's pale face. The bruises. The bandaged side.
"I brought music," he said softly, even though Adrien was half-asleep. "Didn't know if you'd want me here."
Adrien stirred. "Luka…"
He tried to sit up — winced. Luka rushed forward. "Hey, easy."
They were close now. Too close.
"I'm sorry," Adrien whispered.
"For what?"
"I ruined your song."
Luka smiled. "You became the song."
Adrien let out a soft, broken laugh. "I think I'm scared of how much I wanted it to be about me."
Luka didn't move. "It was."
Adrien looked up. Luka's face was inches away.
"I don't know what I am to you," Adrien breathed. "But I want to know."
Luka's fingers brushed his.
"Then ask me when you're not dying."
Two days passed.
Marinette didn't text anyone. Skipped class. Missed rehearsals. She felt like a stain on the fabric of the universe.
And then—bang bang bang.
Her bedroom trapdoor flew open.
Kagami climbed in, flawless as ever.
"I know you're in here."
Marinette didn't move from under her blanket burrito.
"I'm not leaving until you speak."
"Kagami, I can't—"
"No," Kagami said firmly. "You don't get to vanish. Not after everything."
Marinette sat up slowly, eyes red. "What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to be seen. By the people who love you. Adrien's falling apart trying to figure out what he said. Luka's still carrying your silence. And Chat—"
She paused.
"—Chat would've died to protect the boy you're avoiding."
Marinette broke. "I'm scared."
"I know."
Marinette looked at her.
"I don't know who I am without the mask."
Kagami softened. "Then let us help you find out."