Archive of Our Own ^beta

Laughter erupts from the class, and Chloé grimaces in annoyance as she faces them. It's just her luck really, that she'd blurted out her exciting bit of news to Sabrina just as the entire class had fallen silent for some unknown reason. Now she waits, as they all double over clutching their sides. Well, all except Marinette, who's raising an amused eyebrow at her, and Adrien, who seems strangely unsurprised, (he's just too nice to laugh at her expense she guesses).

Heat rises to her cheeks and she scowls at her classmates; she refuses to be subjected to such mockery.

"Be quiet!", she exclaims indignantly, crossing her arms in protest, "I wasn't telling any of you anyway"

"You- you....", Alya starts and trails off, too engrossed in her laughter to form proper sentences apparently.

"You're dating Ladybug?!!", Nino shouts, guffawing rudely in disbelief immediately after.

How utterly rude, she thinks as it sets off the class yet again and they dissolve into even more giggles. Even Marinette's lips twitch as she meets her eyes, and it's really just so unfair. The ravenette shrugs at her, 'you got yourself into this' her eyes seem to say, shining with unconcealed humour. Those gorgeous, bluebell eyes that express impossible amounts of emotion clearer than the sky on a beautiful summer day-

Damn it! Now is so not the time for that particular distraction, though she really could stare into those eyes until she gets hopelessly lost. And when had she become some kind of poet?

Marinette seems to catch on to her thoughts because she smiles sweetly at her, and okay it might possibly chase away most of her irritation like drops of water rolling off a leaf. Yes she knows what that looks like, because she has plants at home (and she spares them a glance every now and then).

"What's so funny about that?", she frowns, looking away mainly to regain her composure.

"Well probably that there's no way it's true!", Alix laughs from her seat at the back, "you and Ladybug?! Yeah right"

"If you're really dating then do you even have proof?", Alya asks, ever the annoying journalist.

Chloé rolls her eyes with a huff, okay so she doesn't have any proof. So what? It doesn't automatically mean she's lying, and she really doesn't appreciate all this ridiculous taunting. None of them were even meant to hear her proud announcement to Sabrina in the first place.

"Well no, I didn't exactly ask her for a selfie of the two of us snogging!"

"Yeah dream on Chloé", Kim wheezes, wiping tears from his eyes.

Despite more of the mocking laughter, she can barely keep the smirk off her face when she spies Marinette's wide eyed blush at her reply. She sends her a subtle wink for good measure, and watches the girl's cheeks turn a beautifully darker shade of red.

"Whatever. You're all just jealous anyway", she retorts, facing the front of the class to signal the end of the conversation.

Oh well. Who cares if they don't believe her? Joke's on them because at the end of the day, who gets to fall asleep most nights cuddling a certain super heroine of Paris? Chloé, of course. That's a win in her book. And who's laughing then?

Thankfully, the rest of the day passes without major incident. Though she's subjected to a few taunts now and then, and she suspects she's never living this down now. She's no stranger to being on the receiving end of such attitude, so she can handle it (and she really has no one but herself to blame for all that past experience).

***

Later, she's standing on her terrace, watching as Ladybug darts around the city battling the newest akumatised villain. The theme seems to be monstrous plants, she notes in disgust, as a giant venus flytrap rises from the side of a building and snaps at Catnoir.

Worry eats at her, fingernails tapping anxiously on the ledge as she watches Ladybug dodge and duck various killer plants, and attacks from the villain himself. She's never liked plants all that much, and all this really justifies her distaste. She couldn't wait to rub it in her judgemental girlfriend's face when she gets back.

She also can't ignore the spark of irritation that bubbles in her, watching Rena Rouge and Carapaze at Ladybug's side. Yes, she knows that Hawkmoth knows her identity. She knows that's her own fault. She also knows Ladybug worries about her safety (because she tells her this, a ridiculous number of times a week). And she gets it, she really does. But it doesn't lessen the sting (pun not intended, because she's quite above making puns).

She misses Queen Bee. Misses the feeling of utter freedom. The feeling of weightlessness that comes from soaring over rooftops next to Ladybug, lightheaded with the rush of it all. Not to mention the power she holds in her hands, the purpose it gives her. The ability to protect people who are important to her (she's still getting used to this whole caring thing, but Marinette always assures her she's doing great).

But she only has her own stupid rashness to blame. Now she's stood here on the sidelines, watching, waiting, hoping that her girlfriend makes it out of this unscathed. She has zero doubts in the girl's ability to kick serious ass, of course, but still she can't help the worry. The frustration of being too far away if Ladybug needs her.

"Mademoiselle should come inside!", her butler yells from somewhere behind her worriedly.

Inside? Absolutely not! She's not taking her eyes off the polka dotted hero for a second.

"Please, you might get hurt out-"

He cuts off with an alarmed yell, and Chloé turns to see a sudden stray ball of green light hit him right in the chest. 

"Jean- uhhh something!"

Distantly, she notes she really should learn his name, but the thought is quickly replaced by horror as she stumbles back. Her butler transforms before her eyes into a huge, ugly, people-eating plant, and Chloé screams. Her balance fails her as the ground rumbles beneath her feet, roots of the plant digging into her terrace for support. The ground cracks and her knuckles whiten as she clutches the ledge behind her in a death grip.

This is it. She's going meet her end, because of a stupid, giant flower. The humiliation is laughable really, and if she ever meets Hawkmoth –or Shadowmoth, or whatever his stupid name is– in the afterlife, he'll never escape her wrath. She squeezes her eyes shut as the terrace cracks down the middle, and the plant monster snaps it's teeth at her. Her life doesn't flash before her like she expects, but she does see the image of a certain bluebell-eyed girl at the forefront of her mind; she wouldn't have it any other way.

Then, she's falling. She probably screams but she can't hear much over the roar of the wind in her ears. But she doesn't fall for long, because suddenly there's a strong arm wrapping around her, and then she's flying. She clings to her saviour for dear life, as they swing away to safety. She barely notices her feet touching the ground because she's holding onto Ladybug like a vice, her body still frozen in shock. But it's okay because the other girl is holding her just as tightly, and she's really quite happy to stay in this exact position forever.

But it doesn't last that long, and they're separating. She unhooks her arms and steps back slightly.

"Oh my gosh Chloé are you okay?", Ladybug blurts, frantically checking over her for non-existent injuries.

Chloé breathes out an unsteady laugh and reaches for the ravenette's panicked hands.

"Yeah yeah all good. Nice catch", she replies squeezing the other's hand reassuringly, "Thanks"

"N-no problem. Oh my gosh I thought I- that you-"

"You caught me Mari. I'm okay", she says, tone uncharacteristically gentle in a way that is only reserved for the girl in front of her. 

"Yeah", Ladybug breathes, holding her gaze with such intensity, Chloé is certain she's blushing again, "yeah"

The bubble bursts, as sounds of the ongoing battle reach the little alley they're hidden in. Ladybug turns to leave, yoyo spinning in a flash of red but Chloé grabs her wrist before she has the chance to swing away.

"Wha-"

"I'm coming with you", she says, her voice leaving no room for argument.

She stands her ground in the face of Ladybug's frown, the disapprovement clear in her eyes.

"No", she replies predictably, "it's too dangerous Chloé if Shadowmoth-"

"Well clearly it's no more dangerous than standing on the sidelines", she counters with a pointed glare.

Her stance softens when she sees the indecisive worry in Ladybug's eyes.

"We'll be careful. Don't your trust me?", she asks teasingly.

"You know I do"

Chloé smiles at the sincerity she hears.

"Though what was that in class earlier huh?", Ladybug questions waggling her eyebrows at her, tone more amused than critical.

"Okay I actually didn't mean to tell everyone that time", she huffs defensively, "And even if they did believe me, which they didn't obviously, they don't know that I know your identity"

Ladybug laughs at her rant, and gives her shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

"I know it's alright. I wish I could tell everyone too", she adds wistfully, and something in Chloé's chest swells ridiculously at the words.

'It's okay', she wants to say, 'This is enough. You're enough'

But usually, she's not one to say all that mushy stuff, so instead she flashes her girlfriend a mischievous grin.

"Of course you do! You're dating moi", she drawls, taking a mock bow for good measure and it's completely worth it when she's rewarded with Ladybug's adorable giggles.

They're cut short though, by Chloé's sudden scream when she spots a giant, green, tentacle-shaped thing creeping into the alley. She grabs Ladybug's arm and drags her along as she stumbles back in alarm. The ravenette glares daggers at the utterly hideous plant, as she whips her yoyo and cuts it brutally in half.

"Hold on!", she hears, before she's once again swept off her feet (literally, and yes maybe also in that mushy sort of way).

Once they're safely crouching behind a large chimney on a rooftop, Ladybug meets her gaze and hesitates for a moment. Then, she's reaching inside her yoyo and pulling out the familiar, beautiful hairpin. Chloé's stomach swoops with anticipation, as it's held out to her.

"Chloé Bougeois, here is the miraculous of the bee which grants the power to immobilise your enemy", Ladybug speaks, lips twitching as Chloe rolls her eyes at the formality.

"And I'll use it for the great good?", she can't help the quip.

"Preferably yes", the other girl laughs, placing the pin in her waiting hands.

Carefully, she slides it into her hair and waits excitedly as the glowing ball of light whizzes around her head before materialising into her gorgeous, adorable, little flying genie (which she knows is not the correct term, but whatever).

"My queen!", the tiny creature greets with a contagious enthusiasm.

"Pollen! Awww I missed you", she croons, grinning widely.

What? She can express actual happiness when she wants to. And it's true. Chloé had missed her bite-sized friend, who never fails to make her glow with the genuine compliments she gives. A thing she had cherished, back when such things had been so rare in her life.

"As did I! You brighten my day, my queen"

"Ready to kick some serious villain ass in style?"

"With you? Always", pollen grins, giving her a wink full of mischief.

She speaks her transformation, and the familiar feeling of power washes over her. With it, of course, comes her usual gorgeous costume. If only she could wear this through most of her daily activities (not that her wardrobe isn't already the epitomy of style).

"Alright come on", Ladybug sighs from above her, offering her hand up.

She takes it with a grin, and they're off. Sprinting across the rooftop so fast her feet barely feel like they're touching the ground. She flies from building to building, wind whips through her hair and oh wow she feels so free. Though her joy is cut short, as they approach the on-going battle.

The newest akumatised villain (dressed in a frankly hideous shade of green), is wreaking havoc in the middle of the city.  Streets have been transformed into wild, dangerous greenhouses, and the people who haven't been turned into flora are being held hostage by it.

"Ladybug there you are!", Rena Rouge greets, while fighting off a handsy death-flower.

Then she spots Chloe.

"Chl- uhh Queen Bee?!", comes the surprised exclamation, as the fox hero lands on the roof in front of them.

Carapaze whips around and blinks in shock, and Catnoir welcomes her with a grin and a small wave. She waves back, pushing down a laugh at the others' reactions. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Ladybug shrug in reply at the questioning glances Rena throws her.

No one has much time to question her, because they're thrown back into battle. She vaults and kicks and punches her way through it; electricity coursing through her blood, she feels utterly invincible.

She's just left another plant in a twist of it's own stupid vines, when suddenly, there's a panicked shout from somewhere to her left. She whips around, to see a thick tentacle lift Ladybug off the ground, wrapping tightly around her middle. The raventte gasps as it squeezes, and Chloé feels something clawing at her insides as she clenches her fists. A growl leaves her throat, as the idiot who looks like a fucking plant-stem laughs triumphantly.

"Try anything and your precious Ladybug will be snapped in half by my beautiful plants!", he crows gleefully.

His warning gaze sweeps over her to the others; he underestimates her. What a dumb mistake, she thinks, eyes dark as she grips her spinning top tightly.

"Venom", she mutters discreetly, waiting for her weapon to charge up.

Another pained groan from Ladybug is all she can take before she's charging towards the ugly, overgrown weed with an unforgiving speed. She stabs it (the strength behind it wasn't really necessary, but it's the principle of the thing, so who cares?), freezing it instantly. Thankfully, Catnoir is right behind her to turn it into a pile of dust, and she lands back safely on the roof with Ladybug in her arms.

"You okay? Ma- Ladybug? Ladybug!"

"Woah hey, I'm fine I'm fine", she croaks, laughing a little in response, "Thanks Queen Bee"

And Chloé doesn't know what to do with the way those eyes shine with gratitude (Though she silently admits that the sun should be really quite jealous, because she's not ignorant thank-you-very-much). She averts her eyes and blushes, stepping back once she's sure the other girl is steady enough on her feet.

"It was nothing"

"Everyone okay?", Catnoir pops up at their side, looking between them with that infernal, mischievous knowing look of his.

"Yeah, thanks kitty", Ladybug grins while Chloé simply waves her hand in agreement.

They rejoin the fight, where the other two heroes had been engaging their opponent, distracting him. The rest of the fight goes on without much of a hitch, and once Ladybug pulls out her lucky charm, of course, it's quick to wrap up.

The magic ladybugs dance around Paris, almost as if they're turning back time; erasing all traces of damage. Chloé even joins the fist bump, even returns a wide smile when the red-clad heroine grins joyfully at her; cheeks flushed beautifully with the rush of victory.

Then, Ladybug leans in, and presses a feather-light kiss to her face just below her mask, and she's left spluttering in shock. She tries to fight the feeling of her face matching the other girl's outfit in colour, but it's useless. Thankfully, she's saved from having to stutter out an appropriate response to that, by the beep of Ladybug's earings.

"Bug out!", Ladybug says cheerfully, before once again flying off with Chloe who's yet to say a word.

Though she's not the only one, because Rena and Carapaze's facial expressions match the fish she had when she was eight. And she's still present enough to flash them a small smirk (because yeah that's right! Ladybug just kissed her on the cheek. No, she's not childish; much).

They land on her restored terrace, and she buzzes off her powers. Smiling, she hands the hairpin back to Ladybug who stashes it in her yoyo.

"I've gotta go and get the others back. But your place later?", the ravenette asks, and Chloé nods in reply, quietly marvelling at the turn her life had taken lately.

She watches as the super heroine swings gracefully away from her, and what a sight it makes against the backdrop of a mesmerising Paris sunset.

***

She's sprawled on her bed, scrolling aimlessly through her phone when she hears the knock. She hurries over to open her large glass balcony doors, grinning when she comes face to face with a certain polka-dotted super heroine.

Chloé closes the doors behind her and Ladybug murmers a quick "spots off", lighting up her room as she detransforms. 

"There's cookies on the coffee table", she points, addressing the kwami perched delicately on Marinette's shoulder.

She shares a laugh with Marinette, as Tikki does a small flip in excitement and whizzes off towards said cookies.

"I uhhh...I hope we weren't gonna go anywhere because I put my pyjamas on sooo...", Marinette trails off sheepishly, apparently just now realising Chloé might have had other plans.

"What? No it's fine, perfect actually. Besides they always look so cute on you", she says, watching the girl blush at her compliment.

She takes Marinette's hand and drags her towards the bed, catching her a little as she trips over her feet on the way. Really it's no wonder no one can figure out Ladybug's identity, she thinks fondly.

A minute later, Chloé feels like she's floating, buried under a mountain of blankets with her head on Marinette's chest and arms wrapped around her, radiating a warmth that sinks into her bones.

"What are you thinking so hard about?", she scrutinises, breaking through the far away look in her girlfriend's eyes.

"Oh nothing, just that if someone told me a year ago that all this would happen, I probably would've suggested they get admitted to a mental hospital", she replies, grinning down at her.

"Yeah, no offence but I hated everything you did back then", Chloé laughs, then winces a little and glances at Marinette cautiously.

Though her worry isn't needed, because the other girl is chuckling in response, eyes full of humour. Chloé settles further into her arms and tightens her own that are wrapped around Marinette's mid-section; content to bask in the tinkling sound of her laugh and the safety of her hold.

"None taken, and the feeling was mutual. I can't believe what we almost missed out on"

"Yeah I know what you mean. I'm sorry-"

"Hey no none of that", Marinette chastises, "You've said that before, and we've moved on Chloé. The past is in the past"

"Yeah yeah okay", Chloé relents easily, not wanting to dwell much on her past horrid actions either. "I'm happy things changed"

"Yeah", Ladybug breathes, "me too"

Then she's leaning in and Chloé absolutely melts when their lips touch; so soft, so light, but it sends sparks shooting all the way down to her toes all the same. She's drawn in like a moth to a bonfire, and for a girl who likes being in control of things, she really can't stop herself turning to putty in Marinette's hands. She runs her fingers through dark, silk-like hair and marvels at how easy it is. Once upon a time she might have even been jealous. Now here she is, stealing the gasps that escape the other girl straight from her lips; drinking them in like she's drowning and it's her oxygen.

Marinette pulls back breathlessly, her face adorably flushed and her bluebell eyes sparkling blindingly. Chloé brushes a thumb against Marinette's cheek and watches her lean in to it. It's moments like this she has half a mind to ask for the time miraculous, just to go back and knock some sense into her past, cruel self. 'You have no clue what you're missing!' she wants to scream in her own face.

"So was that a declaration earlier then?", she asks teasingly, after a moment of catching their breath.

Marinette rubs the back of her neck sheepishly at the memory, smiling at her.

"Spur of the moment thing actually, but yeah I guess it was", she says lightly, and she doesn't hear Chloé's heart racing in her chest but oh it is.

"So we can be a couple in front of the other superheroes?"

"Yep", Marinette nods fondly, leaning forward to brush their noses together.

She grins, and pecks her girlfriend on the lips.

"Awww I knew you couldn't resist me", she quips, throws in a wink for the fun of it.

"Chloé", Marinette complains, pushing her lightly but pulling her back in straight after to steal another kiss.

Chloé laughs again, because she really does that a lot now, and lays back down comfortably, half on top of the ravenette. Soon, she's drifting off to the sound of Marinette's heartbeat and the feel of fingers running gently through her hair.

She distantly hears when the other girl murmers a quiet 'sweet dreams', voice heavy with sleep. She mutters her own goodnight into Marinette's chest, just seconds before she falls into a welcoming blanket of darkness.