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[Narrator's POV]

It's Saturday and in the morning Chloe had suddenly told Nathaniel that they have somewhere important to go together. He got ready at the speed of light but he also got re-ready a million times before being satisfied with the way he looked so all together it was really a normal amount of time for someone to get ready. Chloe picked Nathaniel up but didn't tell him where they were going or what they were doing. Thinking she was finally going to reveal her plans that originally took place a week ago by the Louvre, Nathaniel could not stop jittering with anticipation. When the car stopped at their destination, his nerves unfortunately did not get settled.

Because their destination was a prison.

"Um, what are we...?" Nathaniel trails off unsurely as he follows Chloe out of the car.

Chloe stops and clasps Nathaniel's hands. "You mean so much to me because you unlocked my heart and because of that I have gotten the chance to meet even more people who now mean something to me. I'm sorry that I entrusted the heart you gave me to the wrong person once before and I'm so sorry that I exposed you to her as well. This time is different. I want to introduce you to someone important to me because you are also important to me, but she is so much different from Audrey, I swear. So please keep an open mind. Her acceptance of you is not the only thing that's important; I want you to accept her too."

"Oh...kay..." Nathaniel says slowly. "This is super ominous but of course I'll do it for you, Chloe. You mean a lot to me too."

Chloe and Nathaniel take a moment to smile sweetly at each other before entering the prison.

"Back again, Miss Bourgeois? Paris appreciates what you did with your mom but this one ain't gonna change so easy." The guard says. "I dunno why you bother talking to her every day."

"The only thing that changed about Audrey was her title as my so-called mother," Chloe retorts. "Now go get her for me, please."

The guard chuckles. "Tell you what, this one may be a psycho but she sure is punctual; she's always ready early for you. She's already in there waiting, go ahead."

Chloe beams happily and grabs Nathaniel's hand to continue on eagerly. She drags him into a room containing a line of cubicles, each with their own pair of telephones separated by a glass barrier. Nathaniel is familiar with this scene, having seen it in many movies, but what does catch him by surprise is the person waiting for them beyond the glass.

Nathaniel's blood runs cold as he looks into that pair of piercing blue eyes and his instincts beg him to take Chloe and run but when he looks to her and sees her face alight with joy and excitement, he chooses to ignore his own feelings. Chloe sits down so hurriedly that she almost falls right off her chair, grinning and waving her hand vigorously. Nathaniel breathes in deeply to try to stop the shaking in his legs as he takes a seat beside her, right in front of Paris' greatest villain.

Chloe takes the phone and holds it between herself and Nathaniel. "Come on Nathan don't be shy. They only have one phone so you'll have to lean in close to hear her."

Nathaniel gulps and nods. Intimidated by the person before him, his eyes linger away as he reluctantly leans in. He flinches slightly when her voice comes to his ear through the phone.

"I was surprised when you brought a guest, though now I see he appears to be more of a captive."

"He likes to think I kidnap him but I swear I've never taken him without consent." Chloe jokes.

"Chloe," Nathalie says seriously. "Did you tell him who you were visiting?"

"Of course!" Chloe replies. "I told him I wanted to introduce him to someone special to me. That's you, Nathalie, and this is Nathaniel. I know I talked lots about him, er, back then...but now I get to tell you you about him!"

"You should've given him some warning darling, he looks like a deer in headlights." Nathalie says. "Young man if you're uncomfortable I completely understand. I apologise for--"

"What are you apologising for? And what reason do I have to warn people before they come into contact with you? This is ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous." Chloe interrupts. "Somehow Nathaniel managed to grow to like me of all people. You will never meet anyone more accepting and kindhearted." She turns to Nathaniel and grips his shoulder firmly so that he will look up at her. "Nathan, this is not Hawkmoth. This is a person with her own life, her own memories, experiences, thoughts and feelings that have unfortunately lead her here. She and I have gone through a lot together, more than anyone will ever know or understand, but even after everything she still sees me as her darling little Chloe and I still see her as Nathalie Sancoeur, a good, strong woman who practically raised Adrien and I-- certainly more of a motherly figure than Audrey."

Nathaniel relaxes as he stares into Chloe's eyes and listens to her words.

"You can trust me." Chloe finishes firmly. "And you can trust Nathalie. She'll change your mind, I'm sure of it!"

Nathaniel feels a sense of deja vu; someone else had told him the same thing just yesterday...

"I-I know, Chloe, I was just shocked is all. I promised I would do this for you." Nathaniel says. "And...if this person means as much to you as you say then of course I'm interested in getting to know her."

Nathalie can't help smiling as she observes the way these two interact.

Chloe turns to Nathalie once more with a proud look about her. "There. How was that for some stupid preparation? I knew this wouldn't be a problem for Nathaniel."

Nathaniel finally brings himself to face Nathalie and as soon as he does so, his initial image of her shatters. It seems he no longer feels intimidated or afraid to look at her because now he just can't stop gaping. Her gaze is tender and loving as she looks upon Chloe and the corners of her mouth are upturned slightly into a soft smile that she doesn't appear to even realise is there. This woman, whoever she really is, is positively radiating warmth.

Having noticed him staring, Nathalie looks to Nathaniel. "Hello Nathaniel, I am Nathalie. I've heard a lot about you, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am extremely grateful for your relationship with Chloe."

Nathaniel scratches his head awkwardly, his ears turning red. "Thanks, uh...R-Relationship?"

"Your friendship, of course." Nathalie says.

"Oh, right, of course," Nathaniel chuckles nervously. "I'm grateful too."

Nathalie smirks. "So, do you like superheros?"

Nathaniel lights up. "I love them, they're so inspiring!" He quickly retracts himself after his outburst and adds, "I-I mean, they're okay sometimes maybe-- but super-villains are also cool too sometimes..."

Chloe places a hand on her face and shakes her head.

"Well I like our superheroes. Who is your favourite, Nathaniel?" Nathalie questions.

Chloe drops her hand to gawk at Nathalie.

Nathaniel's eyes flicker to Chloe, a blush rising to his cheeks. "I...I don't really have one."

"Don't be shy," Nathalie says mischievously. "We're interested in knowing."

Nathaniel averts his eyes and mumbles sheepishly, "Q-Queen Bee..."

Nathalie grins cheekily. "What a coincidence, me too! Hear that, Chloe?"

Chloe's face is burning with embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah." She grumbles.

"So, by any chance is this what you had planned for me that day?" Nathaniel asks Chloe, keen to change the subject.

"Huh? Oh, no, no not at all." Chloe answers.

"But you remember what it was then?" Nathaniel says.

"No so stop trying to weasel it into every conversation," Chloe replies. "It's as if that day never happened, kay."

"What day?" Nathalie chimes in.

"Nothing!" Chloe exclaims immediately.

Nathaniel laughs. "Oh I'll tell you all about it, you have to hear this!"

.

*time skip*

.

Nathaniel and Nathalie's first meeting went pleasantly but as much as she wanted it, this also makes Chloe feel sad because now she is sitting on her bed fidgeting with a particular item that unburries her insecurities. A white gold, heart shaped lock with a glistening rose-gold key-- the gift she had intended to give Nathaniel that day but that now has a permanent spot in the deepest pocket of her purse.

"I wanted us to lock it on the Pont des Arts together. Is it too much? I mean, it's one thing to admit to liking someone and it's another to make them do something that symbolises pledging to be with you forever." Chloe slips the lock back into its silk bag which she then puts in her purse.

"Why do you even carry it around in your purse if you're not going to use it?" Pollen asks bluntly.

"Because it's special to me and I haven't given up hope yet! I will tell Nathaniel, I will. I just...I put my heart and soul into this so I need a little, I dunno, preparation." Chloe answers. "I do want to tell him what he means to me no matter what but I have to be prepared if he doesn't feel the same way. I need to know how he thinks of me."

"Well, see, that's kind of the objective of confessing to someone." Pollen says.

Chloe huffs grumpily. "Why can't someone else just ask him?"

"Because he will probably dodge the question." Pollen says.

Chloe gasps sharply, startling Pollen into dropping her honeycomb snack. "Yes, I'll just have to ask him then!"

"Why are you acting like that's a sudden revelation?!" Pollen snaps.

Chloe looks at Pollen devilishly. "Heh heh heh..."

.

Nino practically sparkles with happiness as he prances toward Lila. "My son, I'm here!"

Lila slaps a hand on Nino's face and shoves him away. "Gross get away from me! People are staring..."

"Let me see my beautiful baby bunny boy!" Nino begs.

"Shut up! Honestly, you're not even trying to hide that you're more excited to see a rodent over your real friend," Lila tisks as she retrieves the rabbit from her bag. "And stop making that gross goo-goo face at him you're freaking me out!"

Nino takes the rabbit into his arms and snuggles it blissfully. "Bunny!"

"Come on, I'm hungry." Lila grabs Nino's shirt and hauls him through the door of her favourite crepe cafe.

The waitress groans in annoyance. "Seriously? You're not even going to pretend to sneak the stupid rabbit in anymore? No animals allowed!"

"Then why'd they let you work here?" Lila scoffs.

The waitress pinches her nose bridge. "Just put the rabbit away before I get fired."

Nino pouts in disappointment as he puts the rabbit back in Lila's bag.

"Remember the last time I was here with this guy and he ditched me so I had to call over a little ginger nerd to pay for our food?" Lila says to the waitress, gesturing to Nino.

"How could I forget? My boss forced me to stay next to you and keep watch until you paid. It was, and will always be, the longest amount of time we have been in such close proximity. " The waitress replies dully. "It was the worst time of my life."

"Yeah, it was horrible for me too that's why he's here to pay for it." Lila says. "So bring us double of whatever we ordered last time."

Lila continues ahead to the booth furthest from the door just to make sure that if Nino does run for some reason he can be caught before reaching escape.

"Speaking of the last time we were here," Lila says as they sit down. "You told me that you cheated on Alya and then you suddenly freaked out and bolted. What the hell happened and how did you fix it?"

"Well..." Nino taps his fingers together as he thinks of a response. "This girl who is in love with me kissed me and I know that I didn't intend for that to happen but I still felt so disgusting and guilty. It had nothing to do with the other girl, she definitely isn't a bad person, but the fact that I didn't hate her made me feel even worse about it at the time. I didn't know if I could ever stop feeling guilty and it made me think that Alya deserved better than the miserable scum I was being."

"But?" Lila presses.

"But then something happened that forced us to talk about it and we got over it together." Nino says. "It was just a misunderstanding but I was running away like an idiot. I still think Alya deserves better than me, I always have. She deserves the world! But that just means I gotta work hard to improve myself and become a man worthy of her."

"She already has the entire world," Lila says. "Because you're her world."

Nino stares at Lila in shock. "That was so sweet, what the hell?"

Lila smiles. "You shouldn't have run away the first time; you could've used some sweet talk back then. And you scared the shit out of me, idiot."

"Sorry, I--" Nino stops abruptly, his eyes widening. He just remembered the reason he had run away last time was because Lila mentioned Rena Rouge so he got freaked out.

"What?" Lila says.

"I forgot what I was gonna say, mind blank." Nino replies. "Anyways, last time you mentioned coming here with Rena Rouge. Is that true? That's pretty awesome."

"Yeah, right after that gas explosion by my house." Lila says. "I came out and saw her all delirious while some jerk was yelling at her so I just took her away."

Nino's heart feels heavy. "Was she okay...?" He asks sadly.

"Nope, real messed up." Lila says, practically crushing Nino's heart without even knowing. "She was having some serious issues..."

Lila trails off and clicks her tongue, twinging at the weird feeling in her gut. Her eyes narrow as she begins to ponder and, sensing this, Nino quickly continues the conversation.

"I dunno, you have lied about knowing Ladybug before." Nino teases.

"Mehehe aren't you funny." Lila says childishly before kicking Nino under the table.

"Ow!" He yelps.

Lila crosses her arms. "That was then, this is now."

"You--You don't...know who Rena Rouge is? Right?" Nino stammers.

"Her? No." Lila smirks.

Nino subtly sighs in relief. Though his relaxation quickly ceases once the waitress burries their table in food he has to pay for.

"I know I offered to buy you a meal to make up for last time but are you seriously going to force yourself to eat all of this just to make me suffer?"

"Don't underestimate my capabilities." Lila whips out a napkin and tucks it into the neckline of her shirt. "Besides, eating and making people suffer are my two favorite things."

.

Nathaniel is strolling along the Pont des Arts, running his fingers over the many locks rusting away on the railings, when all of a sudden Queen Bee drops by.

"I knew you'd be here!" She congratulates herself.

Nathaniel raises a brow in confusion. "Erm, how exactly?"

"I have many talents," Queen Bee says simply. She then steps up to Nathaniel, her eyes bright. "Do you like this bridge and its locks?"

Nathaniel flushes pink. "I've never really thought about it but I guess so. The vibe here is nice, and...I think one of my friends likes it. Oh! Speaking of her," He says. "You were right about what you said yesterday. Today Chloe took me to meet Nathalie and she did change my mind. I still don't know her motives or understand her character but I get the feeling that I can't judge her until I do."

Queen Bee smiles broadly and elbows Nathaniel. "I did swear on it didn't I?"

"Yeah...it's quite the coincidence actually." Nathaniel says. "Are you close with Nathalie too?"

"Huh? No, no not really. I just got that vibe when we fought her," Queen Bee lies. "Her motives were selfish but not self-centered. She was doing something reckless without thinking about everyone else because she was blinded by her love for another. For their sake and no one elses, cold yet simultaneously compassionate-- that's her character.

Nathaniel nods. "Complex."

"Yeah..." Queen Bee taps her fingers together aloofly. "So...what kind of person would you share a lock with?"

"I dunno. Someone worth it?" Nathaniel laughs nervously. "Where'd that question come from?"

"Do you think I would be worth it?" Queen Bee asks.

Nathaniel shudders. "W-W-What? What?!"

Queen Bee blushes and waves her hands frantically. "H-Hypothetically! Completely hypothetically from an un-opinionated third-party perspective, would you consider me as a person to be someone worthy of sharing a lock with someone else-- someone amazing?"

Nathaniel averts his eyes bashfully. "W-Well, everyone is allowed to love. Why should I tell you what to do? This is just some tourist attraction..."

Queen Bee frowns. "Maybe some people think the practice is stupid but the feelings behind it are still real! I'm asking you if you would be happy about someone like me holding those feelings for you."

Nathaniel's heartbeat quickens. "O-Of course...I would be flattered, really. I-I mean, you seem like an awesome girl." Nathaniel swallows the dryness in his throat and lifts his head with a serious expression, looking deep into Queen Bee's blue eyes. "If...If I knew you in real life...I think I would know who you are, and...and I think I would love that person!"

Queen Bee's eyelids flutter in shock. "What?"

"You asked him what he thought of you as a person and he told you he loves you." Someone says monotonously.

"I said hypothetically! Hypothetically!" Queen Bee argues shrilly. She then screeches and jumps in alarm. "Wait what are you doing here?!"

Nathaniel grows hot with embarrassment when he turns to see Lila sitting on a bench by them.

"I just ate a huge meal so I had to stop and take a break to digest on my way home." Lila says nonchalantly, patting her stomach.

"How long were you there?" Nathaniel asks shakily.

"Mmm...Twenty minutes maybe?" Lila answers.

"This is a private conversation!" Queen Bee rages.

"I was here first," Lila says. "It's not my fault you didn't check your surroundings."

"I can't believe this. I can't!" Queen Bee mutters, clasping her hands over her face. "This is...this is not..."

Without any warning, Queen Bee runs off. Nathaniel reaches out a hand miserably but doesn't chase her.

"Yikes." Lila says. "I would offer you some consolation and counseling at my famous heart-healing crepe place but I am super full right now."

.

Unable to process her situation, Queen Bee just keeps running away. Running and running until she reaches the top of the Eifel tower and can run no more. Then, she stops and throws a fit. She screams and swears at the top of her lungs into the thin air until she gets tired and plops down.

"Frustrated?" Says a calm voice.

Queen Bee looks up to see Ladybug sitting beside her. "I haven't seen you out in a while."

"Yeah, that's why I thought I should get some fresh air and exercise. Plagg is keeping Adrien company, I trust him." Ladybug says. "I always come up here to relax or think. Cat Noir too. It was always our meeting spot for patrols so whenever we needed company we would come here in the hopes of finding each other."

"Oh, sorry for disturbing your special place. I just figured no one would bother me up here." Queen Bee replies solemnly.

Ladybug wraps a comforting arm around her friend. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Queen Bee tells Ladybug about her plan to ask Nathaniel what he thought about her without exposing Chloe's feelings for him and about how it went awry when Nathaniel confessed that he loved her.

"What are you upset about?" Ladybug questions.

"Well, if he loved Chloe then Queen Bee would be like a cherry on top. But the fact that it is Queen Bee who he fell for first makes it daunting to introduce Chloe." Queen Bee explains.

"I understand, trust me, been there done that. Honestly, you should not have complicated this by bringing in the alter ego." Ladybug says. "But you asked him what he thought about you as a person. Queen Bee and Chloe are the same person so his answer should apply to both don't you think?"

"Nathaniel spends almost every day with Chloe but he has only met Queen Bee a few times. I thought that if he considered me a basically decent person then he wouldn't mind the idea of dating Chloe, who he knows even better. I thought it would give me some comfort in confessing. But apparently he would be prepared to love someone who he has only met a few times, which makes me think that the reason must be something that Chloe does not have." Queen Bee says.

"Nathaniel knows that Queen Bee has a secret identity. He knows that there is another part of her that he might not be so familiar with," Ladybug replies. "But he said that he would love it all."

"He also said if he knew me in real life he thinks he would love who I am," Queen Bee says. "That convinces me that whatever type of person Nathaniel is imaging my secret identity to be, it's not Chloe."

Ladybug sighs. "I used to undermine myself all the time, thinking I was completely different without my miraculous and that it would be a burden for anyone to find out who I really was. But I was wrong. Totally, utterly, wrong. And I learnt that through a long, long, very long and very painful journey. Like, if someone wrote a book about it there would be at least 65 bloody chapters! But it's not too late for you to save yourself from that existential crisis."

"Maybe..." Queen Bee smiles weakly. "So even you and Adrien had a tough time?"

Ladybug laughs. "Honey you have no idea."