Chapter Text
Chloe got exactly 25 minutes of sleep that night. Everytime she tried to fall asleep the images of Marinette and Ladybug popped into her head. Chloe decided that she would confront Marinette in the morning. Maybe she could even convince her to give her back her miraculous! When Chloe finally fell asleep she only had a little bit until she had to go to school.
On a normal day when Chloe was tired she would refuse to go to school and she didn’t have to. But today was different. Chloe was a woman on a mission. She hopped out of her bed and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
She looked like a hot mess. Her hair was disheveled, she had forgotten to take off her mascara last night, and she had huge bags under her eyes. It would take a lot of makeup to fix her face. But for once Chloe didn’t care as much. She still neatened herself up but not as much as she usually did. Chloe felt oddly energized considering the past night. She still felt like she could use an extra boost though. She rushed to the elevator pressing the button to the kitchen.
She located her butler in the kitchen “Jean-Luc get me some coffee!” She ordered the butler. The man nodded and returned with a cup in less than a minute. Chloe greedily slurped down the coffee. “Jean-something I need to get to school early today so step on it!” She said to the butler. The two headed to Chloe’s limo and sat down. “Miss Chloe may I ask why you want to get to school so early?” The butler asked.
“None of your business Jean-Pascal!” Chloe snapped at the man. The man muttered apologies and the two arrived at Francois Dupont High School. Chloe quickly hopped out of the car.
“See you later Jeannie” Chloe shouted to Butler Jean. Chloe rushed inside the school searching for the heroine. The girl probably wouldn’t even be at school yet. Chloe checked in a few classrooms but had no luck. Dejected, she decided to go to her homeroom.
As usual, Lila had a crowd of classmates begging for her attention. Chloe wondered what her lies were today. Lila was actually the daughter of the Queen of England? Chloe almost laughed out loud. The funny part was her classmates would believe. Chloe suddenly saw a head full of dark raven hair. Chloe had been so busy staring at the peasants that she missed the girl who caused her exhaustion. She was about to march over but she realized Marinette was in the middle of a conversation with Alya-actually more like an argument. Marinette’s eyes were filled with tears.
“-st don’t get why you don’t believe me!” Marinette cried.
“You’re so selfish Marinette! Just because your jealous doesn’t mean you have to bully Lila!” Marinette was about to respond but Chloe interfered.
“Excuse me, sorry Alya I need to talk to my FRIEND Marinette!” Chloe hissed emphasizing the word friend. With that, she grabbed on to Marinette’s arm. Chloe was hoping for a reaction from the heroine’s best friend but the girl just shrugged and walked over to Lila’s crowd of oblivious idiots. Chloe dragged the blunette out of the classroom. The heroine waited for the two to be out of the classroom before she talked.
“Chloe what gives?” She asked annoyed.
“Marinette-I know your secret.” Marinette’s eyes went wide for a second before she regained her calm composure.
“What secret?” She asked obviously fidgeting.
“That your Ladybug!” Chloe exclaimed louder than she should have. Marinette jumped and covered Chloe’s mouth with her hand.
“Not so loud! I mean- haha who me? Never!” Marinette stuttered. Chloe removed the girl’s hand from her mouth.
“Marinette. I know!” Marinette sighed dejected than she nervously looked up visibly confused.
“How did-” Just then the bell rang signaling the start of class. “Meet me outside after class.” Marinette said acting calm and composed but on the inside Marinette was dying inside. How did Chloe out of all people figure it out? Marinette thought she did a great job of keeping her identity a secret.
Marinette had a hard time staying focused in class and to make matters worse the class was staring daggers at her including her best friend. The only people who were acting normal around her were Adrien and Chloe. Of course Chloe knew she was the beloved heroine of Paris but it still counted as someone.
At the end of class Marinette hurried outside waiting for the mean girl. Chloe arrived and the two walked in silence to the family bakery.
“Maman I have a friend over!” Both Marinette and Chloe over the use of the word friend.
“Alright! Let me know if you need anything!” Sabine called back to her daughter.
The two enemies made it upstairs and Marinette shut her trapdoor. The two girls sat there for a minute before Marinette spoke.
“How did you find out?” She asked the blonde.
“Remember that time I found your toy?” Chloe asked, making air quotes. Marinette nodded. “Well, I was thinking and I thought of Pollen and how much they looked alike and I just figured it out from there.” Chloe shrugged as if it was an unimportant topic. Marinette grabbed Chloe’s shoulders.
“You can’t tell anyone! Got it?” Chloe nodded feeling unusually intimidated by the heroine out of costume. Chloe watched as Marinette opened her purse and a little red thing flew out. The thing looked at Chloe suspiciously.
“You can’t tell anyone about this!” Huffed the kwami sounding tougher than she looked. Marinette giggled at her kwami and turned her attention to Chloe.
“Sooo, what else is up?” Marinette asked awkwardly. Chloe was shocked. Chloe had just discovered the girl’s deepest secret and still wanted to talk.
“Can I see Pollen?” She half begged half asked. Marinette hesitated then nodded. She went over to her bed and crawled under it. She came back with a red a black dotted sphere. She pressed a few buttons and the bee miraculous came out.
“Here. Don’t do anything stupid.” Marinette said to the girl. Chloe nodded but hesitated when she felt the ladybug kwami glaring at her. Marinette nodded for her to go on and Chloe put the miraculous on.
“My queen!” Pollen gasped and she latched onto the former heroine.
“Pollen!” Chloe greeted and returned the affection. Chloe caught Marinette and the little kwami smiling. Chloe suddenly felt guilty. Why had she been mean to this girl? She never did anything to Chloe.
“I’m sorry!” She burst out. Marinette looked startled but then raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you as Marinette and Ladybug. You don’t deserve it! I don’t believe Lila at all and I just don’t think you deserve what she does to you!” Chloe waited for a response but was surprised when Marinette launched herself at the girl embracing her. Chloe hesitated but hugged back.
“Thank you Chloe.” She whispered. The two let go and Chloe coughed.
“This doesn’t mean we’re friends yet though Dupain-Cheng!” She exclaimed. Marinette laughed and then put her hands on her hips.
“Oh yeah, well how about now? Chloe Bourgeois I recruit you as a holder for the bee miraculous. You will use it for the greater good!” Chloe gasped and hugged Marinette again. The hug was soon broken by a certain kwami though.
“Aren’t you forgetting something Marinette? She betrayed you and your team. Why should you trust her?” The kwami asked.
“You know what Tikki I trust her. She’s my friend!”
“Very well! I’m pleased to make your acquaintance Chloe! I’m Tikki!” Exclaimed Tikki. Chloe shook her tiny hand. Then she turned to Marinette.
“Wait, do I get to carry Pollen wherever I go?” Questioned the newfound heroine.
“Not quite.” Replied Marinette. “I’ll carry your Miraculous and give it to you before battles. Keep in mind that I won’t use you for everyone though.” Chloe nodded. “Now, how about some croissants?” Chloe laughed and the girls hung out all night.
For the first time in a while, Chloe actually felt loved.