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A/N: This one is kinda small...

Synopsis: After a particularly tough Akuma, Alya is recovering slowly. She reflects on recent events and interactions, leading to meaningful conversations and realisations.

Note that:

The squad knows each others identities.

Alya and Nino are not dating but like eachother.

Adrien and Marinette are dating.

Happy Reading!

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Carapace, Ladybug, and Cat Noir had been searching tirelessly for Rena Rouge. They combed through the city. Eventually, their combined effort led them to an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city.

"This place gives me the creeps," muttered Cat Noir, his eyes scanning the dark interior.

"Stay focused," Ladybug replied, her voice steady. "Rena Rouge is counting on us."

Carapace nodded, his shield ready. "I've got your back, Ladybug. Let's find Rena."

They moved silently through the factory, alert for any signs of trouble. Suddenly, Chat Noir's keen senses detected a faint noise from behind a stack of crates. "Over here," he whispered. They approached cautiously, and there, tied to a chair, was Rena Rouge, her eyes barely open, groaning in pain from the bruises she sustained.

"Rena!" Carapace cried in relief as he rushed forward to untie her.

"Leaving so soon?" A hooded figure sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.

Carapace took a protective stance near Rena, keeping his eyes on the figure.

"You're the one behind this," Cat Noir growled, his staff at the ready. "Why did you take Rena?"

"Who are you?!" Ladybug asked angrily, her Lucky Charm poised to attack.

The figure laughed, a cold, menacing sound. "She was the key part of my plan to lure you here and now that you're all here, I can take you down."

"Never!" Ladybug yelled as she ran to attack the hooded figure with Chat Noir behind.

The figure snatched the Lucky Charm from Ladybug and pushed her across the room but Chat Noir caught her before she could fall.

"Ladybug, Chat Noir! Rena is loosing consciousness! We must hurry." Carapace yelled panicking, as the mysterious figure disappeared into the shadows.

"Let's go." 

~~~~~

Alya slept all day after returning from the Akuma Battle. Thanks to her Miraculous, she was safe but her injuries were a bit too severe and still had to rest alot. She was vaguely aware of Marinette, Adrien, and Nino checking in on her during the few times she was able to keep herself awake longer than a few minutes, and, despite her protests, Tikki and Trixx insisted to stay by her side. 

By the time Marinette and Adrien recruited her and Nino to talk with Alix, her body was still covered in cuts she sustained from the battle. She knew the deeper cut along her neck would likely never disappear completely, but she felt stronger. 

Mentally, at least. 

Although she had enough energy to walk and brainstorm ways to uncover the hooded figure's identity, she was still in enough pain that Marinette had to help her with the simplest tasks, including changing and washing. She felt helpless, but at least she wasn't confined to her bed.

 "Nino seemed very reluctant to leave you," Marinette commented as she was giving Alya a bath, running the soap over her cuts carefully so as not to sting her. 

She glanced slyly at Alya from under her waterfall of dark-raven hair. "Yes, well, he's just concerned but so are you, Adrien, and the Kwamis." she explained, ducking her head so Marinette couldn't see her blushing. 

"So there is nothing between the two of you?" Marinette prodded, though she seemed to have already made up her mind about the answer. 

"We're. . . friends," Alya replied hesitantly as if she didn't believe what she was saying. 

"Sure. 'Friends'." 

Marinette didn't say anything else; she just looked at Alya, an amused and mildly smug glint in her eyes. 

Alya shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "We can't afford to be anything more than friends," she admitted reluctantly after a few moments. "With all this going on," she added. 

"When you love each other that much, even war cannot stop the inevitable." 

"Love? I never said anything ab—" 

"For someone who is the Mistress of Illusion, I didn't expect you to be living in one." 

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Alya asked defensively. 

But Marinette ignored her. 

"Get up, let us get you changed." 

Alya looked at Marinette with suspicious, narrowed, eyes but she accepted her to help. 

"Nino used to have a crush on me, did he not?" 

Marinette asked abruptly as Alya was about to leave the bathroom. 

"Well—I—yes, I suppose—but that was—" Alya stammered, taken aback.

 "Oh, leave it." Marinette continued, "But have you not noticed that, whenever we are in a room together, his eyes never leave you? Not even for a second?" She cocked her head to the side. 

"It makes you wonder, does it not, what has changed? I think you know the answer to that question too. Just think about it"

Marinette brushed past Alya, shooting her a knowing smile as she closed the bathroom door behind her. 

Alya stood speechless, staring at the floor for who knows how long. A smile teased at her lips and she pulled the door open, nearly colliding into Nino as she turned down the hallway. 

 "Hey, Al" he murmured. 

 "Hi," she whispered, biting back a smile.

"Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes," Marinette sang as she floated past them. 

But Nino's eyes didn't leave Alya's. 

Not even for a second.

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A/N: Idk what's wrong with me 😭 This is so bad.

Anyways, Happy New Year! There are alot of stories I have planned for this year, hopefully they will be better than this...

Love you guys! Have a pawsome year ahead!