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“That two-timing snake!” Ladybug shouted.
“I’m sorry?” Rena asked, taken aback.
The two were on patrol, bounding across Parisian rooftops. Rena, of course, liked to gossip. Viperion and Chat Noir were supposedly dating, but everyone had been sworn to secrecy not to let Ladybug find out.
Rena hadn’t considered why Ladybug might not be allowed to find out.
“He’s seeing someone else!” Ladybug exclaimed.
That really confused Rena. Viperion certainly didn’t seem like the type to cheat on someone, after all. “Are you sure?” Rena asked cautiously.
Ladybug huffed. “Of course I am,” she said. “As a civilian, he’s seeing someone. When I found out, I spoke to him at length about it.”
Rena struggled to wrap her head around what Ladybug was saying. “Maybe he broke up with the other person?” She ventured, trying to find an explanation for Viperion’s behaviour.
“I happen to know they’re on a date right now ,” Ladybug intoned. “And they’ve been together for months.”
“That…” Rena reeled at the revelation. “That makes no sense. Viperion wouldn’t do that.”
Ladybug snorted. “I thought so too, but if you’re sure he was seeing Chat…”
Rena nodded. “They told me themselves about a week ago.”
“Then he’s cheating on him,” Ladybug announced.
“Hold up,” Rena warned. “Let me look into it before you do anything, okay?”
Ladybug gave Rena a look.
“It’s just- I’m sure there’s more to it,” Rena explained. “Like, an open relationship or something. Some explanation.”
Alya considered her next move.
She had patrol with Chat, having asked him to fill in for Carapace (and explaining the situation to Nino).
The more facts she had before talking to Viperion, the better. So, she would talk to Chat.
About halfway through patrol, Rena made her move.
“So, how are things with Vipey?” she asked cautiously.
Chat grinned. “Couldn’t be better,” he said happily. The damn cat was so giddy about the relationship it was enough to make even cupid sick. Alya couldn’t help but feel a contact high, happy on his behalf, tinged as it was by the knowledge Ladybug had provided the day before.
“Do you,” Rena started to ask. She paused, considering her words. She wanted to be tactful, but there really wasn’t a good way to ask. “Do you have an open relationship?”
Chat smirked at Rena. “Want a piece of me?” he quipped. “Sorry foxxy, but I’m not exactly the vixen type.”
Rena shook her head. Leave it to Chat Noir to be… like that , for lack of a better term. “No, but-” She paused, considering. “What if Carapace does?”
It was open knowledge that Carapace and Rena were dating- Carapace didn’t understand the word ‘subtle,’ after all.
“I’m flattered he would consider me,” Chat purred. “I am a cat ch, after all. But unfortunately I’m a taken man.”
Rena nodded thoughtfully. “What about Viperion? Would you be willing to share?” Silently, she hoped Nino would forgive her for the implications of her questioning. It was out of concern for Chat that she was asking, after all.
Chat shook his head. “Mine,” he said, a mock hiss to his voice. “All mine.”
“Good to know,” Rena muttered.
"What was that?" Chat asked, turning to her.
Rena scowled. "You and your hearing," she accused. "Can't a girl make comments to herself without a stray eavesdropping?"
Chat frowned. "You're upset," he observed. "Because I said I wouldn't share Vipey."
"Maybe," Rena said sharply. If that cat didn't back off, he might learn something that would hurt him.
"But you and Carapace are monogamous, aren't you?" He asked curiously.
Rena narrowed her eyes. "That word implies marriage," she observed. "We're just dating."
"Close enough," Chat said dismissively. "Point is, neither of you are interested in pursuing anyone else. Including me and Viperion."
Rena stayed silent, not wanting to betray anything. She was still holding out hope that Ladybug was wrong about Viperion, somehow. And if Ladybug was indeed wrong, telling Chat of her suspicions could only hurt his relationship.
"So why," Chat asked, "are you asking if we have an open relationship?"
Rena continued her silence, and Chat narrowed his eyes at her.
"You told Ladybug," Chat guessed.
Apparently Rena's ongoing refusal to speak told him what he needed to know. Chat pulled out his baton, calling someone.
"Hey."
"Fine… mostly. Can you join us?"
"I think Rena told Ladybug."
"Just Rena, I think."
"You sure?"
"I don't know."
"In that case I'll do it."
"That works for my excuse, what about Rena?"
"Really?"
"Alright, see you in a few."
"Love you too."
"So?" Rena asked, searching Chat's expression.
"You're meeting us on The Liberty in 15 minutes," Chat replied. "Go detransform, feed Trixx, and give us some time to get organized before you drop by."
"...as myself?" Rena questioned, unsure what to think.
Chat sighed. "Yes, Rena. As yourself."
Alya slowly approached The Liberty. It was docked in the usual place, with the glow of sunset reflecting off the Seine behind it.
Anarka was the only person on deck, and Alya had no idea what she should say.
Before she could make a decision, Anarka spotted her. "Alya!" Anarka roared. "Good to see you, lass. The boys downstairs."
Alya had no idea how to react to that, so she didn't. Giving Anarka a polite nod, Alya made her way belowdecks.
Whatever, or whoever, Alya had been expecting, it certainly wasn’t Adrien Agreste and Luka Couffaine. They were sitting at what passed for a kitchen table on The Liberty, looking expectantly at Alya. Adrien even motioned for her to sit.
“Where’s…” Alya started to ask.
Adrien gave her a look, then turned to Luka. “Really?” he asked. “I didn’t think the magic was that strong.”
Luka smiled warmly at Alya, before glancing to Adrien. “You forget how long it took me to notice you,” he said quietly.
“Can I play with her?” Adrien asked, the smirk clear in his voice even if his back was to Alya. “See how many clues I can drop before she realizes?”
With a chuckle, Luka shook his head. “Silly kitty,” he mumbled. “That would be mean.”
Adrien turned to Alya, making a show of pouting. “We don’t know when we’ll get an opportunity like this again,” he moaned.
Luka shot Alya a sympathetic look. “Adrien,” he said flatly, not breaking eye contact with Alya. “We already know Ladybug finds it easier to believe I’m cheating on you, than to believe you are you.”
Alya could tell she was supposed to understand something when he said that, but try as she might it refused to come to her. She slowly made her way over to join the boys at the ‘table’ (read: ping pong table), looking back and forth between them.
“If you want to rip the bandaid off,” Adrien said playfully, “then just do it. Until then I’m content to play.”
“Sass,” Luka called quietly, “Scales, slither.”
With a blinding flash of light, Alya understood why Ladybug thought Viperion was cheating on Chat Noir. Because he was . With Adrien Agreste, of all people!
“Adrien,” Alya whispered, “he’s double-timing you.”
Adrien just laughed. “Gods, really?” he asked, amused. “I guess I don’t mind, as long as it isn’t with Chat Noir.”
Alya stared in disbelief. “You know he’s seeing Chat,” she muttered. “But that isn’t fair to Chat!” she exclaimed, louder. “He said he doesn’t want to share!”
Adrien smirked, clearly enjoying Alya’s frustration- or perhaps Chat’s predicament. “I suppose I did say that,” Adrien observed.
Luka slapped him. Or, Viperion slapped him. Either way, Adrien spun to face the snake. It was a fitting animal, Alya realized, for someone who was being deceitful.
“Stop playing,” Luka scolded. “Get your claws out.”
Alya’s eyes went wide. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, nearly shouting.
“But she’s not-” Adrien tried to object.
“Whatever your mind is telling you, dear boy,” Luka said calmly, “I’m sure it allows for the idea that Alya already knows about you?”
Now what on earth could that mean? Knows what about him?
“Plagg,” Adrien sighed, “Claws out.”
Oh. So Luka isn’t cheating on Chat.
“It’s okay, Alya,” Luka said kindly.
But it wasn’t okay- somehow, Alya had been blind to what had been right in front of her. Maybe before, it had been forgivable- but on the boat, just now, she should have realized.
“It’s the magic,” Luka continued. “I’ve experienced it more than anyone. As long as there’s any other explanation, it won’t let you realize the truth.”
Alya swallowed, trying to let the words resonate. She hadn’t been blind, so much as blind folded .
“Actually,” Adrien said quietly, “I’d appreciate if you could transform too.” When Alya turned to him, he continued. “I’m still fighting the idea that you and Luka are pranking me.”
Luka gave a smirk. “I was wondering,” he said. “What are you thinking, that we’ll be caught when she can’t transform?”
Adrien gave a shy nod. “Lila had a fake fox miraculous,” he mumbled. “Just like what Alya’s wearing.”
Alya almost felt bad for him. Almost. “What if I prove it isn’t fake another way?” she asked playfully. “I could have Trixx show himself.”
Adrien shook his head. “Rena’s nearby,” he said. “Trixx is in on it. Maybe Rena is too. Trixx definitely loves pranks. Besides, why would Ladybug trust the ladyblogger with a miraculous?”
“I ask myself that every time I transform,” Alya admitted. “Open your eyes, blondie. You’re going to want to see this.”