The Secret Kept From Yourself

Being secretly in love with your best friend while having to encourage her to pursue the boy she's crazy for is hard even under normal circumstances.
These are not normal circumstances.

Alya knows Ladybug's identity.
Ladybug...doesn't.

Written for ML Rare Pair Month Day 6 Prompt - Lonely

AO3 Link

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For a few months, Alya had been living the dream. She’d dutifully followed the heroes around, recording their efforts, even got personal interviews with them! Oh, they were amazing, especially Ladybug. It was hard not to fall in love with her.

Which of course, was exactly what Alya did. And that was fine, great even! Because Ladybug, as impossible as it might’ve seemed…reciprocated. It was hard to tell, of course, because Ladybug was usually only out when the city was in immediate danger, and when the city was in immediate danger, Ladybug was being professional. But there were the small things – the light blushing, the stumbling of words, the special preference Alya seemed to get when Ladybug was rescuing civilians.

And then Ladybug had kissed her.

It wasn’t much, just a peck, really, as Ladybug told her to stay safe. But at that moment, Alya knew for certain that Ladybug was interested.

It felt wonderful. Alya was giddy for days. The reporter and the superhero…what a classic couple they were! The danger didn’t scare Alya – if anything, it added a thrill to the developing relationship. Even if they couldn’t have “normal” dates, everything was just perfect as far as Alya was concerned. And it might have stayed that way, had Alya never noticed Marinette, eyes glazed-over, walking into a secluded alley. If only Alya had turned away, gone to video the Akuma wreaking havoc. If only Alya hadn’t quietly followed Marinette in concern.

If only she hadn’t seen Marinette transform.

She’d been too shocked to do anything but stay hidden where she was.

How…how could this be? How could Marinette be Ladybug? How could she keep this a secret from Alya for that long? How could she kiss her and then sit next to her the next day like nothing had ever happened?

Had Alya misread the affection entirely? Or was Marinette…toying with her?

No, Alya told herself. Marinette wouldn’t do that. She’s way too nice to…

But…Alya knew all too well how much Marinette was in love with Adrien. She’d never look twice at anyone else as long as Adrien was around.

But then, why would Ladybug kiss her?

There had to be an explanation. Clearly, Alya didn’t know Marinette nearly as well as she thought she had. And the way forward was clear. Alya needed to confront her.

So, with determination fueled by her hurt, confused heart, Alya set out to catch Ladybug alone.

( Continued... )