It started with a sandwich.
No big declarations, no battle music—just Marinette showing up beside Kagami at lunch, holding out half a tomato-mozzarella panini like it was an olive branch.
"You didn't have to defend me," Marinette said, breaking the silence. "But thank you."
Kagami took the sandwich. "You deserved it."
They sat in quiet for a minute. Then Marinette asked, carefully:
"Why do you keep your walls up so high?"
Kagami stared ahead, chewing slowly.
"Because when people know how you feel, they know where to hit you."
Marinette blinked. "That's… a lot."
Kagami's voice was calm. "Truth usually is."
Pause.
"You know," Marinette said, nudging her gently, "you're allowed to let people in."
Kagami didn't answer. Not for a while.
Then, quietly:
"I don't dislike being your friend."
Marinette smiled like it was a sunrise. "You're getting soft."
"Don't ruin it."
Backstage, the next day.
Marc found Marinette first, looking like he'd barely slept.
"I'm sorry," he said immediately. "What I said—about you, about Adrien—it wasn't fair. I was… jealous. And I let it rot."
Marinette looked at him, then nodded. "You hurt me."
"I know."
She smiled, small but genuine. "You also make the best set designs in all of Paris. And I want my lighting guy back."
Marc teared up. "You're not allowed to be this nice."
Luka appeared not long after. He didn't speak—just held out a can of iced tea.
Marc took it. "Still friends?"
Luka smiled. "Still friends."
Later, Adrien found Marinette and apologized too.
Not for leaving.
But for forgetting she wasn't made of glass.
She forgave him with a joke and a hug.
Rehearsal ended late. Adrien stayed back, hands jammed in his pockets.
Luka was packing up his guitar when Adrien finally asked:
"That song… the one by the river. Was it about me?"
Luka's fingers froze on a string.
Silence stretched.
Then, softly:
"It wasn't only about you. But yes. You're in it."
Adrien's breath hitched.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"You had someone else. You always seemed... untouchable."
Adrien stepped closer.
"I'm not."
He looked like he was standing at the edge of a high dive. Pale. Scared. Sure.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Adrien said, voice raw. "But I know I think about you. Too much. I want to know what this is. With you."
Luka's smile was soft. Safe.
"Then let's find out."