Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Run it by me one last time, m’lady. What exactly are we doing here?”

Chat Noir pointed at the five-storey building in front of them, confusion written all over his face. His ears were flat against his skull, too. Just like a real cat.

Their surroundings were nothing out of the ordinary: it was a neighbourhood with some local markets and apartments. The one Chat was pointing at, according to the intercom, had three per storey and a psychologist clinic on the ground floor. Its façade had nothing special to it either; just some plants on the balconies and two French flags waving by the main entrance.

 
It was your typical, everyday Parisian loft block.

The only noteworthy thing about it was, if anything, its closeness to the Jardin des Tuileries.

And yet, despite its low-profile nature, the Ladyblog claimed there was an akuma in the building. It was odd; no loud villainous speeches could be heard and people weren’t screaming or running for their lives.

“I… I’m not sure myself, mon chaton.” Ladybug looked at each balcony and window carefully. They stood undamaged. “We should go inside just in case it’s still in there. Keep an eye out for the akuma.” 

Chat saluted her and walked in, staff at the ready.

The lobby was just as unassuming as the exterior save for an insignificant, little detail that didn’t stand out at all: the door to the psychologist clinic was ajar, a limp hand peeking out through the narrow opening.

Nodding at each other, Chat and Ladybug approached the door with utmost care. The polka-dot heroine’s heart almost stopped beating when the hand moved all of a sudden, grasping at the frame for dear life. 

An ear-splitting screech followed.

“Uh, excusez-moi?” Chat said once it died down, poking the hand with his staff. “Bonjour, whoever you are. Your miraculous duo is here to help.”

The grasp only tightened. The knuckles went white.

“I don’t think they’re listening to you,” Ladybug told him. “Just push the door open. We’ll apologise later.” 

Chat shrugged and raised his leg, using a generous amount of his strength to shove it open. The civilian whimpered and curled in on herself, but seemed perfectly fine otherwise.

“I said push, not kick.”

“The details got lost in translation, I’m afraid.” He bowed. “Ladies first.”

Rolling her eyes, Ladybug entered the clinic and knelt in front of the civilian. She was the receptionist, if the tag with her name and clinic’s logo was anything to go by. There were tears rolling down her cheeks.

“We’re sorry for that,” said Ladybug. “Are you okay?” 

The woman —Amelie Beaufort, her tag read— just whimpered once more, paying them no mind. Then, she began to babble nonsense. It was as if Ladybug and Chat Noir weren’t there in the first place.

Her incoherent ramblings grew quicker and, after a beat, she screamed her lungs out. 

More people joined in.

“Do you think this is the akuma’s doing?” Chat asked, covering his sensitive ears. “Maybe one of the docs got akumatised. This is a psychologist clinic, after all!” 

Ladybug winced. “You think the akuma is messing with her— with everyone’s brains?”

“It makes sense, doesn’t it?” 

Then that would mean that their akuma was one of the psychologists. Come to think about it, it did make sense; their line of work, while necessary, was rather dangerous as well. Perhaps even more than any other. Yes, they were professionals and had to keep their own emotions at bay when working, but they were human, too! 

Their emotions could still be exploited, just like anyone else’s.

“You’re right.” He was and it had to be said. “We need to end this right away!” 

Her stomach churned. The Miraculous Cure healed many things, but the mind wasn’t amongst them as it was too delicate and complicated for her powers to reach. These innocent people could and would be in grave danger if they didn’t purify the akuma fast enough.

With that in mind, Ladybug squeezed the unresponsive woman’s shoulder and headed farther into the clinic. It was a heart-rending sight, patients sobbing or screaming into their hands left and right.

This time, Hawkmoth had gone way too far. 

“You people are so selfish and entitled.” The drawl came from the room at the end of the corridor, as did a quiet whimper that followed the accusation. “None of you understands the pain us therapists go through, having to listen to everyone’s messes and heartbreaks every single day! Instead, you take us for granted—” 

Ladybug and Chat Noir broke into the room, weapons in hand. Their eyes widened upon spotting the Chloé Bourgeois at the far left corner, head in her hands. Tears fell onto her white jeans as quiet sniffles left her mouth.

What in the actual fuck. Why is she here!?

The akuma looked at them then, his attitude one of detached superiority. 

Stylistically speaking, this was one of the most elegant and handsome akumas ever created. Hawkmoth had learnt a thing or two about fashion at long last, it seemed. This akuma wore a burgundy suit with a dried-up rose and a few pens tucked in its chest pocket. His black hair was combed back smoothly and his face was parted in two like those theatre masks used to represent tragedy and comedy. His glove-clad hands held a staff —the caduceus, judging by its design— with which he was pointing at them.

Oh, right. Dangerous foe, impending battle. No time to appreciate his fashionable looks.

It was a shame, really, but oh well.

“Mh… I don’t recall having an appointment with you two,” the akuma said in that same drawl from before, condescending to no end. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. If you give me your Miraculous right now, then I, the great Mastermind, will make some time for you right here and now.”

Chat glanced at Chloé, hands clenched into tight fists by his sides. “Thanks, but no thanks. Your services look more traumatic than helpful.” 

Mastermind’s teeth gnashed as his grip on the caduceus tightened. “How dare you mock me, you brat! So you’re just like her, huh? An inferior and limited being that does not know a single thing about gratefulness or respect.”

“I’m not the one screwing with people’s minds, mon ami!” 

Hawkmoth’s purple mask appeared.

Whatever he was telling Mastermind must’ve been very interesting, for his minion smirked.

“Yes, I shall do just that, Hawkmoth.” 

Both heroes got into a defensive stance at that, all too aware of the vulnerable civilian in the room. With her there, things were bound to get far more complicated than needed.

Mastermind pointed at Chat. “You shall learn the pain of having to delve into an ungrateful, inconsiderate mind!” 

As he uttered those words, the caduceus’ tip flashed white.

“Chat, watch out!” 

Everything went black.

Ladybug eventually came to with a groan and a throbbing migraine. Her ears were ringing. Raw, unadulterated exhaustion gnawed on her bones like a famished dog. The world began to spin on its axis when she tried to get back up, confused and disorientated.

“C-Chaton?” 

No answer.

Glancing around warily, her jaw fell to the floor. “Oh, you gotta be kidding me...”

If her eyes truly weren’t playing tricks on her, then her surroundings had changed for the absolute worst. The akuma’s office at the clinic was not… an all too familiar imperial suite.

Nope, nope, nope. This has to be a joke. I refuse to believe any of this is actually real.

Turning around to double-check if this place was indeed Chloé’s living space, she unconsciously began to walk backwards into the right room while studying the left one. The two boxy sofas were right there, in front of some chairs with white cushions. The low glass table with a gold rose pattern on it stood beside all that furniture just like usual. Even the thin, pink chaise longue chair was—

“Bonjour,” a childish voice said. “Who are you?” 

Scrambling for her yo-yo and biting down a scream, Ladybug turned around. Her heart was thundering between her ears.

What she saw made her question her sanity.

In the middle of the large bed, hugging a yellow teddy bear with stripes on its tummy and buttons for eyes, sat a younger version of Chloé Bourgeois. It just had to be her. Her blonde hair and cerulean eyes were beyond unmistakable.

And speaking of…

Her eyes shone with curiosity and innocence. It was so disarming and pure that Ladybug forgot how to breathe for a moment or two.

“Uh,” she mumbled intelligently. “C-Chloé?” 

The little child jumped on the bed and smiled widely, revealing her missing front tooth. “You know my name? Oh, oh! Does that mean we’re friends?” The bouncing stopped as she tilted her head. “Your clothes are weird. Maman would fire you if she saw you.” 

Okay, that’s it. I’ve gone nuts.

Someone laughed behind her, the sound nothing but cruel and hollow. She would recognise that cackle anywhere. Goosebumps raised to life beneath her polka-dot suit upon hearing it again after so long.

“No, you’re just as sane as I am. Unfortunately.” 

Great, just great.

“Is there something wrong, Ladybug? You’re all tense. Oh, don’t tell me you’re afraid of little ole moi.” There was something wrong with her voice. It sounded… not distorted, but close enough. “You won’t even turn around to greet your ex-teammate? Harsh.” 

Ladybug, raising to the bait, spun around and found herself staring right into two purple eyes.

“N-No way...” 

Miracle Queen smirked. “Surprise, bug.” 

In the left room, which she had been examining mere seconds ago, Antibug and Queen Bee were idly lounging on the chaise whilst watching the interaction unfold. Their expressions were hard to read because of the masks, but Ladybug recognised them, regardless.

Disappointment, resentment.

Bitterness, hatred.

Pain.

“W-What is going on?” 

How is any of this even possible?

“Those are really good questions,” Miracle Queen said, playing with her spinning top far too smugly for comfort. “But, sadly, I don’t have the time to explain anything to you. Nor do I want to.” Her smirk deepened. “Get the hell out of my room right now or else I’ll kill you this time. Breathing the same air as you is making me sick.” 

Ladybug bristled.

Oh, she was going to teach this bitch a lesson alright.

“Hey, don’t talk to her like that!” Little Chloé yelled, positioning herself between them with her hands on her lips. “She’s my friend!” 

The anger left as quickly as it had come, giving way to confusion and surprise.

None of this made sense at all.

Miracle Queen’s expression fell and her lips curled into a vicious snarl. “Why you… I know you’re a child and all, but not even toddlers are this stupid. Just how many times do I have to tell you that we—” She stepped forward; “do not—” Her hands tugged on the spinning top’s thread harshly; “have—” There was nothing but wrath in her eyes; “friends!?” 

“Adrien is our friend!” 

 
The despair in Little Chloé’s voice made Ladybug’s heart writhe and break in two. A big part of her wanted to scoop her up into her arms and protect her from this older, meaner version of herself.

“I-I saw him yesterday,” the kid went on, tilting her chin up in a way that was so purely Chloé. She was even tapping her foot on the ground. “He asked me if we’ll be friends forever and I said yes! It was a pinky promise…”

“You’re an idiot if you think your friendship will last, kid.” Miracle Queen’s voice was beyond cold. “Open your fucking eyes already. Everybody leaves! Not a single person wants to be near you anymore.” 

“D-Don’t talk to me like that,” Little Chloé gasped, her lower lip quivering as she spoke. “Do you know who my daddy is?”

A groan could be heard from the chaise. “Oh jolly,” said Queen Bee with great distaste. “Here we go again.” 

Beside her, Antibug hummed. “Took them long enough. I think that was a new record.” 

Ladybug, who had forgotten entirely about those two, yelped and looked at them. “What are you—” 

“Oh, I know very well who he is,” Miracle Queen hissed, poison dripping from each word. “Our daddy is a good-for-nothing, sorry excuse of a father who has never been there for us. Ever since mom left us and went to New York, he’s tried to buy our love instead of earning it.” 

Little Chloé’s breathing grew uneven. “T-That’s because he’s busy!” 

“That’s what he tells you, isn’t it?” Miracle Queen cooed with feigned sweetness. “Wherever have I heard that before? Oh… I remember now… From mom! But of course.”

A sob quiet erupted from Queen Bee at that, who was crying into her hands at the very mention of Audrey Bourgeois. Next to her, Antibug grimaced.

“Maman—” 

Miracle Queen seethed. “Do not call her that ever again.” 

“But why!?”

“You want to know why so damn much? Fine then, I’ll tell you why. Listen up and listen well because I am only going to say this once!” Miracle Queen’s voice broke into a million pieces that gashed Ladybug’s heart without mercy. “It’s because she doesn’t love us! She cannot even remember our goddamn name, for fuck’s sake!” 

Someone wailed.

It wasn’t Little Chloé.

“I just wanted her to acknowledge me,” Queen Bee whispered behind her. “To be proud of me for once.”

Ladybug turned to her. “I— Chloé...” 

“But I’m not special. I’m not exceptional. I’m not worth taking to New York, where she had another daughter far better and nicer than me with that other man...” She dug her fingers into her scalp. “I’m useless and ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.” 

“No, no, no. We’ve been over this already, you’re not either of those things,” said Ladybug while sitting beside her. Antibug looked vaguely offended by that. “Listen… I know you care about your mother’s opinion and look up to her a lot, but you need to let go. She’s a despicable person, Chloé, and trying to please her is hurting you.” 

“Just like how you hurt me that day, hm?” Antibug questioned, offering her a cruel smirk. “I tried to help you out because I looked up to you, but you kept brushing me off all the time.” 

Queen Bee let out a mirthless laugh. “You also wouldn’t give me my— the Bee Miraculous back, either. Or any other, for that matter. But then you went and gave Ryuko hers again even though her identity wasn’t a secret anymore.” Their eyes meet. “If you hated me that much, you should’ve just said so. I know I was unworthy, but still...” 

Miracle Queen and Little Chloé’s argument was growing louder, but she could not make out what they were saying. It was as though her head was seventy feet underwater. 

Ladybug gulped hard, the severity of the situation dawning on her.

She was the cause of this. 

Antibug, Queen Bee, and Miracle Queen were all connected to her. The akumatised ones had been her fault to a certain extent, too.

It was ironic, really. 

In the end, Chloé wasn’t as shallow as she thought. This madness was proof of that and so much more; a heart torn in four, so hurt by those who were supposed to be trustworthy and safe that it was destroying itself without a second thought.

“Listen, I—”

Mastermind’s voice rang in her head loud and clear.

“Do you understand the pain of delving into an ungrateful, inconsiderate mind now? Uncooperative, isn’t she?” He chuckled darkly. “You better tread carefully, Ladybug, or else you’ll fully destroy her mind. A single mistake is all it would take…” 

That certainly didn’t ease her nerves and guilt in the slightest.

Miracle Queen and Little Chloé were still screaming at each other in the other room, their words nothing but static in her ears. Antibug and Queen Bee, on the other hand, were glaring at her with so many questions shimmering in their eyes.

One prevailed among the rest, though.

‘Why?’ 

 
It pained her.

Seeing all of Chloé’s facets —and she was only beginning to realise the implications behind the fact that not one but two of them were akumatisations she had triggered— either heartbroken or tearing each other down, the tensions within the imperial suite that was actually Chloé’s headspace so unbearably high...

How could Chloé live like this while pretending that nothing was wrong?

It was suffocating.

But she was Ladybug, the Guardian of the Miraculous and Paris’ personal polka-dot heroine, and she was not going to let this situation discourage her.

Especially not now that she knew Chloé’s mind was at stake, too.

“Antibug,” she spoke firmly, but not unkindly. “I am so sorry for my behaviour. It was really uncalled for. I know you were just trying to help me and Chat Noir, but I… I was rude and awful to you instead. I shouldn’t have doubted and brushed you off like that. I never realised just how much that had actually affected you, and I apologise for my negligence.” 

Something changed then. Antibug’s body relaxed as her annoyance left more and more with each word Ladybug uttered.

With a sigh, Antibug nodded. “I can work with that.” 

“Queen Bee,” she continued, turning around to give her her full attention. “I… I am truly sorry for everything. You got belittled by your own mother and I just told you to hand the Miraculous back. You confided in me and told me how you, deep down, felt useless… And I never thought of checking in on you much after that.” It was hard to look Chloé head on while admitting her own mistakes, but she would not falter now. “You just wanted to be a hero, to get a second chance and start all over. To be liked for once. And I kept denying you of that time and time again because I never thought about giving you a different Miraculous. You… You were at your happiest when you were out there with Chat and me, weren’t you?”

“I’ve never felt as happy as I did back then, no,” came the tearful reply. “I know I revealed my identity and that I fucked up big time—”

Ladybug reached out for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I understand why you did it. You just wanted your mother to believe that you’re exceptional. Which you are.” 

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” she sniffed before hiding her face on the crook of Ladybug’s neck. “And in doing so I ruined everything!”

“I kept you off the team because I wanted you to be safe,” Ladybug explained while running her free hand down Queen Bee’s back. It felt… nice. “What I didn’t realise was that you would be targeted regardless because you are so… so unhappy all the time. And in refusing to give you a Miraculous, I left you defenceless against Hawkmoth and Mayura. I’m sorry I didn’t think things through a bit more.”

The chaise shifted, but Ladybug paid it no mind until she saw Antibug walking towards the balcony. 

It was cloudy outside, she idly noticed as Queen Bee whimpered against her, but the sun was beginning to shine through the grey clouds a little. It filled her with hope.

“As for me bringing Ryuko back,” she continued in a quiet voice, drawing soothing circles on the girl’s shoulders. “I wasn’t really thinking. We needed an experienced fighter and my mind could only think of her. It must’ve felt so unfair to you, right?”

“Y-Yeah...”

“I’m sorry, Chloé.”

Queen Bee held on tighter to her. Ladybug let her.

“Can I tell you a secret?” she whispered into her ear, smiling thinly once Queen Bee nodded. “I always thought you were a shallow brat, but I see now that I was wrong. And I know that none of this excuses your behaviour outside the mask… but it certainly explains it.” 

“I want to change and be better,” was what Queen Bee sobbed next. “I don’t think I can, though.”

“Don’t give up,” Ladybug told her. “It won’t be easy, especially at first, but I know you can do it. If anyone can, it’s you, Queenie.”

They sat like that until Queen Bee stopped crying. It felt like an eternity, but Ladybug didn’t mind at all. When the other girl pulled back, there was a small yet dazzling smile on her face which took her breath away.

“Thank you.”

“Anyti—” 

Ladybug stopped, feeling Queen Bee’s lips on her right cheek. Blood rushed to her face as the girl pulled away too quickly for her liking. 

“A word of advice, if you’ll let me.” Her eyes drifted back to Miracle Queen and Little Chloé, who were glaring at each other in silence. The dark-haired facet was breathing heavily. “Don’t take anything she says too personally and be patient. With the two of them.” 

“I’ll see what I can do. Thank you, Queenie.”

Offering her one last smile, Queen Bee got up from the chaise and went outside with Antibug. The clouds had scattered a bit more during their conversation.

She took a deep breath.

“I hate you!” Little Chloé yelled, catching her attention right away. Her face was all blotchy from crying. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you so much! You’re a monster!” 

Miracle Queen knelt in front of her and, wordlessly, pulled her into a hug. “...I know.”

Ladybug’s heart broke for her.

“Why did you become a monster?” Little Chloé cried, half-heartedly trying to push her away. “W-Why? I thought we were happy… Daddy said we would always be—” 

“A princess. Yes, I know.” Miracle Queen let out that cruel, hollow laugh. “We were never happy, kid. You’re just too young to realise that.”

“I’m not young! I’m five!”

“Ew, a child.” 

Ladybug tried to stifle a chuckle with her hand, but she wasn’t quick enough. The sound echoed through the suite like a gunshot, earning her a glare from Miracle Queen, who got up and pushed Little Chloé behind her without wasting a single second.

They glared at each other until Miracle Queen huffed. “And here I thought I told you to leave.” Her expression became one of wry amusement as she looked around the living space. “I see you got rid of the other two, how wonderful. They were starting to get on my last nerve.”

“I didn’t do such a thing.”

“What did you do, then? Did you listen to their incessant babbling until they began to feel better about themselves? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.”

“As a matter of fact, yes, that is exactly what I did.”

Miracle Queen looked surprised, but she quickly got a hold of herself and went back to snarling. “Not only are they annoying, but also predictable. How lame. I cannot believe we’re all one and the same.” 

Ladybug smiled patiently at her. “Does that mean you want to be listened to as well, then?” 

 
“You little...” Her hands reached for her spinning top. “I don’t need your fucking sympathy, Ladybug. You’d just make a fool of me again and I refuse to—”

With utmost care, Ladybug pushed the spinning top to the side before hugging her tightly. Miracle Queen gasped and tried to shove her away, but she would not budge. Even if each push was more and more painful than the last, she would not let go of her ever again.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Miracle Queen screeched, jabbing her ribs. “How dare you touch me!? Get off me, you self-righteous piece of shit!” 

“Is that what you really want, Chloé?” 

“Yes!” 

“No!” 

Miracle Queen froze as Little Chloé joined the hug as best as possible. Their eyes met, cerulean blue colliding against an unnatural amethyst purple, and Ladybug could see the gears shifting in the teenager’s head.

Her glove-clad fingers were twitching by her sides.

“Chloé,” she whispered, tears welling up in her own eyes. “I’m sorry I let you down so many times. You didn’t need a hero. You never did. Not really. All you needed was an actual friend, and I didn’t notice it until now. I’m sorry.” 

“If you think I’m going to stand here and listen to your sentimental bullshit—”

Miracle Queen was cut off by Little Chloé, who was tugging on her hand with a small pout. God, it now made absolute sense why Chloé had grown up so spoiled; that face was just so freaking adorable. Who wouldn’t want to spoil her rotten?

“Monsters don’t listen to the heroes,” Miracle Queen forced out. “And I’m a monster, aren’t I? The worst kind...”

“That’s not true,” Ladybug breathed, struggling to not break underneath Miracle Queen’s incredulous glare. “Your attitude could use some serious improvement most of the time, yes, but you are not evil. You’ve never been evil, Chloé, and I’m sorry if I ever made you think otherwise.”

“I’ve hurt people,” Miracle Queen hissed with a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. “I made you fight against your precious teammates. I revealed their identities to Hawkmoth and the public out of spite. I bullied a girl because I was jealous of her and her life and her friends.” 

Ladybug almost couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You… You did what?” 

The cruel, hollow laugh returned at full force. Miracle Queen was beginning to shake in her arms. “Ridiculous, isn’t it? Me, the daughter of Paris’ mayor and the Queen of Fashion, stupidly jealous of some bakers’ daughter because she has everything I could’ve ever asked for and more. Loving parents who are involved in her life, an actual house instead of a fucking hotel where snobby bitches come to flaunt their stupid money, tons of friends who like her for who she is...” 

Her voice finally caved in. “Enough, Chloé.”

“What, can’t stand the truth?” She was gasping for air now. “I tried to make her life hell countless times, Ladybug. Not even your holier-than-thou attitude could ever forgive—”

“God, just shut up!” Ladybug cried, tears falling atop Miracle Queen’s suit. “You’re not a monster, alright?  You just keep lashing out at everyone because you’re hurt! You were abandoned as a child by the one person who was supposed to be there for you and see you grow up. You were left with a father who prioritised his work over you, a father who bought you pretty gifts to keep you happy and by his side.” Her distaste for Mayor Bourgeois’ parenting skills was palpable in the air around them, but she didn’t care. “Growing up in the world of politics as you did… Surrounded by all these fake people who only care about themselves and their wallets...” 

As she spoke, Miracle Queen slowly began to hug back. Little Chloé had, at some point, run off to the balcony with the other two.

The sky was almost clear.

“You needed someone to guide you, to teach you what was right and wrong, but you had no such person in your life. You were left alone to your own devices.” Ladybug couldn’t imagine what living that kind of life would be like. She didn’t want to, either. “So you protected yourself. You wouldn’t let anyone in except for the ones you truly wanted by your side, the ones you thought never abandon you like how your mother did. You didn’t want to get hurt, so you hurt everyone else first. It wasn’t alright, but I can now see where you were coming from. You had your reasons...” 

She took a deep breath to steady herself and uttered the next words with as much confidence as humanly possible;

“You, Chloé Bourgeois, are not a monster.” 

Miracle Queen’s fingers dug into her shoulders hard enough to bruise and make her hiss in pain. It was a desperate and vulnerable gesture that made her heart flutter. 

Then, she wailed at the top of her lungs.

Ladybug cried with her.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay,” she whispered, smiling oh so widely despite the tears. “I’ve got you, Chloé. I’m not letting go of you this time... Not anymore. You’ve got my word.” 

The last thing she saw before everything went black again was a blonde ponytail swaying with each heart-wrenching sob that rocked Chloé’s body.

Ladybug would never, ever, get used to the feeling of getting shoved in and out of someone’s mind. Especially not after going through such an emotional roller coaster in the span of— 

“M’lady!” 

Chat hugged her so enthusiastically that they fell to the floor. His happy purring made her giggle, the sound hoarse even to her own ears. It felt good to be back.

“I was so worried about you,” he wept. “You disappeared all of a sudden and Mastermind wouldn’t tell me where you’d been sent off to. Something about client confidentiality or whatever. I was so scared!” 

Oh, right, Mastermind was still a thing. Oops.

“I’m here now, mon chaton, don’t worry.” His sniffling face was cute, but nowhere near as cute as a certain small blonde’s. “Where is he?” 

Jerking a thumb, he pointed at the tied up man that was sitting moodily on the corner. His mouth was taped shut.

He didn’t look happy to see her, that was for sure. If anything, he started wiggling and letting out muffled sounds. What a welcome party that was.

Then, she remembered something of great importance.

“What about Chloé?” Fear settled in the pit of her stomach. “Is she alright?” 

“Oh! She, uh, passed out after you disappeared.” Chat’s face was serious and worried as he pointed at the girl in question, who was sleeping on the sofa opposite Mastermind. “I tried to wake her up so many times, but I just couldn’t. Mastermind kept talking nonsense about how her mind would be broken soon enough, so I shut him up. Hope you don’t mind.” 

Seeing Chloé so peaceful after that mess of emotions made Ladybug feel infinitely better. 

“No, not at all. Let’s see what he has to say for himself,” she told him, walking over to the tied-up man. “By the way, do you know where the akuma is?” 

Chat offered her the caduceus. “I think it’s in here. It’s the only thing in this office that screams ‘I have an akuma in me’. I didn’t want to break it alone, though. Just in case.” 

Ladybug smiled at him, then carelessly yanked the tape off Mastermind’s mouth. “Talk. You have one minute before I bring everything back to how it’s supposed to be.” 

“H-How did you do that!?” Mastermind yelled. “Her mind is uncooperative, not even I could navigate through it! What do you have that I don’t!?” 

“Insight,” she said, breaking the weapon and setting the butterfly free. “No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. Gotcha!” As soon as it was purified, it flew off whilst the victim went back to his normal state. “Miraculous Ladybug!”

Chat squeezed her shoulders gently. “I’ll go check on the civvies. Pound it.” 

“Pound it.” 

He exited the office quietly, leaving her with a sleeping Chloé and a groaning psychologist. Her curiosity flared back to life upon realising that.

“Bonjour, Dr. Renaud,” she said once the man seemed lucid enough, reading the name tag on his white coat. “You were akumatised by Hawkmoth earlier today. If it’s okay with you, may I know why? I don’t need you to go into details or anything.” 

The man sat on his desk, running his hands through his hair tiredly. “Akumatised… Moi? Well, I guess it makes sense.” He looked at her with a small, defeated smile. “I haven’t been myself lately. Not since I found out that my little girl isn’t mine, at least. I couldn’t keep my emotions at bay during work and… Let’s just say that my latest therapy session did not go too well.” His kind face palled considerably. “I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?” 

Ladybug glanced at Chloé, eyes going soft. “No, but you almost did. I assume she...” 

“Indeed.” 

“Oh.” 

Queen Bee did say she wanted to change and be better. It was a very pleasant surprise to see that she’d already reached for some much-needed help

“Mademoiselle Bourgeois has been uncooperative so far,” Dr. Renaud whispered. “It is not necessarily a bad thing, but her snappy behaviour got under my skin today because of… because of what I told you. Mon Dieu, and I call myself a psychologist? I should just quit while I’m ahead...” 

“Do you like your job?”  

He looked up in shock. “Yes, of course. Helping people has always been my passion.” 

“Don’t quit, then,” Ladybug said matter-of-factly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “What about taking some vacations instead? Until you get everything sorted out, that is. There are people here who need you, monsieur, and you would be very miserable if you gave up on your passion.” 

He seemed quite taken aback by her sagacity.

And her audacity, most likely.

“As for your daughter… You will always be her father, monsieur, regardless of what a DNA test says. If you love her and want to be there for her, then that’s more than enough.” 

After mulling over her words, he laughed. “I suppose you’re right. Maybe you should become a psychologist in the future once Hawkmoth is no longer a threat.” 

Ladybug shook her head vehemently. “Oh no, I’m too sensitive for that. I’d just start crying my eyes out.” 

“If I may...” Dr. Renaud started, sighing. “What did I do, exactly?” 

“You—” She looked at Chloé again and smiled; “You sent me into Mademoiselle Bourgeois’ mind. I cannot tell you what I saw and heard there, though, my apologies. Client confidentiality and whatnot.” 

He waved a hand dismissively, but not unkindly. “Are you sure you don’t want to be a psychologist in the future? You already talk like one.” He laughed at her expression. “I was merely joking, don’t worry. I am glad everything turned out for the best, though.” 

“Yeah… So am I.” 

Her earrings beeped.

“I’m going to go now if you don’t mind.” Stopping in front of the door, her gaze went back to Chloé. “I, uh— There is something important I need to tell the reporters. Umm...” 

“Go; as for me, I’ll make sure to explain the situation to Mademoiselle Bourgeois once she wakes up.”

Ladybug beamed, relieved. “Thank you, Dr. Renaud, I appreciate that.” 

The clinic was lifeless, but a steady mutter could be heard outside. No screams, just chatter. Good, that was really good.

As expected, Nadja Chamack and her crew were interviewing Chat and some of Mastermind’s victims. They were pallid and shaken up, but otherwise? As good as new.

Ladybug took a steadying breath.

“Nadja Chamack, there is something I need to say.” The reporter scrambled over and, behind her, Chat gave her a confused thumbs up. “Today, Hawkmoth has akumatised a psychologist during a session gone awry. He has gone too far this time and I swear on my name and honour that I will make him pay for this.”

Chat swooped in. “I agree with her. Exploiting people’s negative feelings is already low as is, but harming people who need help? That’s just awful and unforgivable.” 

“Don’t be afraid to reach for help,” Ladybug continued, smiling at the cameras one by one. “Your feelings are valid; your problems are valid. I know it is hard to be open about your feelings in Paris because of Hawkmoth, but it is best to get help from professionals or even friends and family before things start getting out of control.” 

Her Miraculous beeped again.

“Take care, Paris. Bug out!” 

Once they were out of earshot, Chat sighed. “Talk about delicate topics… You handled that pretty well, m’lady, but are you sure you’re alright?” 

Ladybug nodded. “I’ll manage. No need to worry about me, mon chaton. I’ll catch some sleep tonight to make up for today’s madness.”

“Sounds like a plan to me! I could really use a nap right now.”

“Oh, so you’re one of those lazy alley cats, I see.” 

“I resent that comparison. Ever heard of beauty sleep?”

“Is that a jibe I hear?”

“N-No, m’lady, of course not!”

What she didn’t tell him, though, was that she actually intended on visiting a certain Chloé Bourgeois later that night.

Chat didn’t need to know, anyway.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure about this, Marinette?” 

“Not really, but I have to do it.” Marinette gave her Kwami a cookie with chocolate chips and smiled. “I’m sorry to ask this of you again so soon. Tikki, spots off.” 

In a flash of pink, Ladybug jumped off the bakery’s rooftop and began to swing her way across Paris in the middle of the night.

Despite knowing full well where her wandering would take her sooner or later, she still spent about an hour patrolling the streets to ensure no crime was going on anywhere in the city. Hawkmoth may have been the main source of concern for years now because of his daily terrorist activities, but vandalism and theft never really went away, sadly.

No illegal activity caught her eye that night.

It was almost a shame; it meant that Ladybug was all alone with her thoughts and feelings while she tried to postpone the inevitable.

Her conscience was particularly heavy tonight.

Guilt gnawed on it like a famished, neglected hound who was devouring its very first meal in months. It left little to no room to breathe; its hold on her was just that suffocating. Its sharp, saw-like claws dug into her heart until she was bleeding out from within. 

Talking to Chloé felt like her only hope.

Funnily enough, nothing scared her more at the moment than to face Chloé Bourgeois all alone. 

It made her sick.

“And you call yourself a hero?” a mixture of voices deep inside her brain laughed. “No, Ladybug, you’re anything but that. Heroes don’t run innocent people into the ground like how you did.” 

“I know,” Ladybug breathed out. “I know, I know, I know...”

“Really now?” It sounded like everyone and no-one at the same time, a cacophony of voices that drove her insane with their cold laugh. “That just makes it so much worse, wouldn’t you agree? Ignoring a civilian’s cries for help and love… Crushing her hopes without any remorse… You’re no better than the people you’ve fought against.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “I know.” 

Le Grand Paris came to view, growing nearer and nearer with each swing of her yo-yo. Fortunately, almost all lights were out, which meant that the guests were either fast asleep already or halfway there.

Chloé’s windows, however, were lit up.

Swallowing past the knot in her throat, Ladybug got to her balcony as quietly as possible. The doors were open —Seriously, Chloé? Leaving your balcony doors wide open when Hawkmoth’s been after you in the past? Sheesh...— so slipping inside the suite wasn’t difficult at all.

The sight of Chloé hugging a yellow teddy bear with buttons for eyes made her freeze mid-step. It was so similar to what Little Chloé had done earlier that it just hurt. 

Ladybug, feeling as though she was intruding on a very personal moment, cleared her throat. “Uh… Hi there, Chloé.” 

“What do you want?” 

Cold and straight to the point.

It stung.

“I’d like to talk, if that’s okay with you.”

“Here to scold me for this morning’s akuma?” Chloé hissed, her hold on the teddy bear tightening almost imperceptibly. “Save it, I don’t wanna hear it.” 

Ladybug opened her mouth, but Chloé beat her to it.

“I already feel like shit enough as is.”

The guilt gnawing on her conscience drove its teeth further into her heart, ripping it open with ease. Its steady drip drip drip would not end, not even as she took a seat next to Chloé whilst sighing.

The situation felt so familiar yet so foreign it was dizzying.

“Sorry to hear that,” Ladybug whispered. “I didn’t come here to scold you though. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” 

Chloé laughed dryly. “And since when do you care?” 

By all means, it was a perfectly valid question.

It was also an ugly remainder of her faults, negligence, and shallowness. 

“What do you remember about this morning?” the polka-dot heroine asked with rising urgency. “I need you to answer, please. It’s… It’s important.” 

With a frown, Chloé tutted. “Way to ignore my question, but fine, I’ll humour you.” Her eyes fell to the ground. “I had an appointment with Dr. Renaud at 10a.m., like every Tuesday and Friday since I almost helped… Never mind. He was acting differently today; his questions were more abrasive than usual. I got angry and told him to fuck off. Then, he got akumatised.”

Ladybug nodded along, storing that first piece of information for later. 

“He used that staff of his against me, and I...” Chloé winced, her eyes growing tearful. “I got stuck in a loop or something; it made my head hurt so much. Nothing happened at first, but then I heard my mom calling me unexceptional over and over.”

Disgust towards Audrey Bourgeois had her blood boiling and her fists clenching into tight fists.

“I also saw her… leaving.” Chloé inhaled sharply. “No goodbyes, no hugs, no nothing. Mom just grabbed her suitcase one morning and left without a word.” A sob tore through her lips. “I saw everyone else looking at me like I’m this… this chore they don’t want to deal with because they all hate me. Their smiles fall when I’m around and they get this expression of disgust and scorn— I know I deserve it, but it still hurts. It hurts so much...” 

Chloé glanced away from her, tears streaming down her face like rivulets. Her left hand flew to her mouth in a last and desperate attempt at self-preservation.

It was useless, of course. A lost cause. No matter how hard she tried to stifle them, her sobs kept slipping past the gaps of her fingers like fine sand, each a hundred times more heart-rending than the previous one.

Ladybug let her cry, unsure of what to do or say.

“Am I really that evil?” Chloé’s eyes found hers, desperate and broken. “Be honest with me; am I really worse than… than Hawkmoth?” 

There it was again; that look of raw vulnerability and unending pain from before. 

The expression on her face together with the words that Chloé had uttered so fearfully reminded her of two things: “I want to change and be better… I don’t think I can, though” and “I’m a monster, aren’t I? The worst kind...” 

With utmost care, Ladybug reached out for Chloé’s hands and held them on her lap. 

“No, you’re not.” Running her thumbs across Chloé’s knuckles, she sighed. “You’ve made a lot of mistakes, but that doesn’t make you evil or worse than a damn terrorist who won’t let anyone be. You’re only sixteen, please. Nothing’s set in stone for you just yet.”

“Others at sixteen are off doing great things,” came the quiet reply. “I never learn, I never change.” 

“Is there someone, anyone, in your life who’s taught you what is right and what is wrong?” Ladybug knew the answer to that already, but she waited for Chloé’s response anyway. It came in the shape of a shrug. “There wasn’t. Your father was too busy with work and your mother left. The people who were supposed to teach you good morals didn’t do their job at all, which is why you’re like this. Their negligence isn’t your fault.” 

Chloé’s hands tensed underneath hers.

“And… Well, I admit I wasn’t any better.” Ladybug ran her thumbs across Chloé’s knuckles, trying to ignore the guilt that hung snugly around her neck like a noose. “That’s why I’m here tonight, actually. I wanted to apologise to you.”

The incredulous look Chloé gave her broke her heart.

It was a mixture of disbelief and wariness.

“I’m… I’m truly sorry for everything, Chloé. I was a complete idiot and you suffered the consequences of my actions. You always did.” But that apology was not enough. It would never be. “I kept brushing you off and hurting your feelings all the time, which is why Hawkmoth went after you so much.” 

Years of demonising Chloé for causing akumas left and right had boiled down to this. A heart-to-heart in the girl’s suite where both were victims and executioners at the same time.

Deep down, they weren’t all that different.

“I took the Bee Miraculous from you and left you to your own devices. I didn’t even think of giving you a different one—” Her own tears began to fall, landing atop their interwoven hands with a quiet and steady drip drip drip that was almost muffled by her sniffles. “You know everyone is put off by your attitude— I let that cloud my judgment, too, instead of trying to understand where you were coming from— which is why you needed the Bee so much. You wanted to be a hero, to help, to be liked… And I took it all away from you because of a reckless mistake you made.” 

Memories of Queen Bee crying in her arms came rushing back to her mind. How she held on to her, desperate, as countless tears kept streaming down her face.

A lost girl with a burden too heavy wearing her down until nothing but pain and bitterness remained.

Chloé pulled her hands away without uttering a single word.

“I should’ve been there for—” Ladybug’s voice died off when Chloé wrapped her arms around her. The gesture only made her cry harder. “I’m so, so sorry. God, I really am...” 

“So you’ve said,” Chloé said shakily. “I’m sorry, too.”

Ladybug leaned into her embrace, craving the support and warmth Chloé was offering her. There, tucked snugly in her rival’s arms, she felt much safer than ever before. It was as if her own guilt was loosening its merciless grip on her heart and mind, nowhere near as suffocating as it had been before coming to Le Grand Paris for yet another heart-to-heart with the blonde.

“You’re not worse than Hawkmoth, I promise. Whoever told you or made you believe that is wrong, so goddamn wrong.” 

Hawkmoth was an adult to exploited people’s negative emotions for his own gain. Babies, children, teenagers, adults… Nobody in Paris was safe from him.

Chloé, on the other hand, was a neglected girl with some awful and extremely unhealthy coping mechanisms.

They were not the same.

“Thank you,” Chloé whispered, “for everything you’ve said. It… It means a lot to me.” 

“I don’t deserve your gratitude; I’m the one who has hurt you the most.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Chloé let out a tired sigh. “My mom left when I was young and my father never really tried to be there for me. He just… got me pretty gifts. That’s all he ever did, if I’m being honest.”

“I—” 

Chloé huffed, pulling away. “Apologise one more time and I will throw you off my balcony with my own two hands. I can only handle so much sentimentality at a time.” 

Ladybug’s lips were pressed into a thin line.

“That’s better,” Chloé said with a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes entirely. “You’ve hurt me, yeah, but you’re not the one who’s done it the most. It’s okay.” 

A sliver of relief rushed through her veins.

“Besides, I’ve also hurt people… a lot.” Grimness crossed her face. “It feels wrong to sit here, hearing you apologise and cry, when I am—” 

“You’re not evil or a monster,” Ladybug interrupted her, remembering what Miracle Queen had said. Trying to ignore Chloé’s shocked expression, she barreled on, “You just wanted people to feel like you did; vulnerable and broken. It wasn’t okay, but that’s what unhealthy coping mechanisms are all about. You do bad stuff to feel better about yourself. It’s not okay, but we can work on it later on… I-If that’s alright with you, I mean.” 

Chloé winced. “I’m sure you have better things to do.” 

“Maybe, maybe not.” Ladybug smiled at her, and it somehow looked brighter than usual despite the fresh tears on her cheeks. “That’s not important. Your happiness and wellbeing matter a lot to me, too, so I’d be more than happy to help you out with this if you’ll let me.” 

“Be my guest,” Chloé said with a roll of her eyes, sighing in resignation. “Just don’t come crying to me if you start having regrets.”

Her acceptance set Ladybug finally free from the chains of her own guilt. 

“I won’t.” Still beaming, Ladybug got up. “That said, I should head back now. Today’s been one hell of a ride and I’m sure we both need to rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Chloé’s retort died at the tip of her tongue, a blush warming up her face upon feeling Ladybug’s lips on her cheeks. It was painfully short-lived, and they were both flustered to no end when Ladybug pulled away.

They blinked slowly at the same time.

Ladybug yelped and made a run for the balcony as if her life depended on it.

“Goodtoknowwe’reokaygoodnightbye!”

How on earth Queen Bee had done that so casually and without dying of embarrassment in the process, Ladybug would never know.

Regardless, it felt good, and that was all that mattered to her. 

Well… 

That and getting back home as soon as possible to scream into her pillows for, say, one hour straight whilst regretting her poor life choices.

Yeah, that sounded perfect.