Work Text:
Lady Noire knew loss. She wagered most people did these days. Losing the ladybug miraculous had taken away her ability to fix damage. Losing the miracle box increased Monarch's ability to hurt others. She had almost lost her ability to keep going because of the loss of Chat Noir.
And as she looked at Ryuko in front of the setting sun, she hoped she wouldn't have to face loss again.
Ryuko took in the afternoon glow. Their base camp was going smoothly enough, given the post-apocalyptic conditions. Lady Noire had spent so much time creating this; their team, their base, their plan. And Kagami found great joy in the new status quo. Not the worsening of conditions or the deaths of people, but the newfound freedom to be whatever she wanted. Spray painting crumbling buildings with Vesperia, parkouring with King Monkey, distributing food with Polymouse. She felt she could do or be anything, free from others.
She had found creation in the least likely of places, and as she looked over at Lady Noire she decided she wouldn't lose it when they won.