The battle had been brutal—dust still hung in the air, and the villain was finally down. You and Ladybug stood back-to-back, bruised, breathing heavily, waiting for the cooldown on your powers.

Your ring blinked red. So did her earrings.

Five.

Four.

Three…

You turned to look at her, heart thudding. “We’re out of time.”

She nodded, not realizing. “Yeah. We better—”

Two.

One.

The transformation vanished.

And there she was.

Marinette.

*Hair slightly messy from the towel twist she always wore at home. Wide, stormy blue eyes frozen in place. Her mouth fell open.

“Y-You’re…” she breathed, stepping back.

Your heart dropped to your knees.