It seems that getting through the hurdle of posting the introduction of Volpina and Queen Bee has released some pressure and the words are flowing from my brain with little to no control. The climax to this story is right around the corner and I cannot wait to take you on the rest of the ride with me!
Thank you again to everyone who has supported this and shared their own ideas with me. The best part (to me) about fandoms is the freedom to share our own opinions loudly and proudly while patting each other on the backs for any and all contributions. You guys are wonderful!
It was 1AM and the headache throbbing in her temples was causing her to feel nauseous. As Marinette, she had experienced countless hours of playing watch-me-do-this when babysitting Manon, and had playfully acknowledged some of the same behavior in Cat Noir when she was dressed as Ladybug. Neither of those situations compared to the level of her attention required by the two newest miraculous holders. A full hour had passed as Ladybug had worked her way slowly up and down the rafters of the Eiffel Tower, guiding Queen Bee with each step, flinging out a hand or her yo-yo to catch the stripped heroine every time she missed her mark with her trumpo. Although the progress was slow, and hindered by the constant sarcastic input of the new orange heroine, Ladybug had to give credit to Queen Bee for the work she was putting in. Even if Chloe remained insufferable outside of the mask, Ladybug would have a hard time holding the same disdain for her. Volpina on the other was quickly testing Ladybug's nerves to an extent she didn't think possible from Alya.
Swinging quietly away from the other heroines who were deep into some new disagreement, Ladybug landed on the edge of the observation deck. Cat Noir had not shown up this evening and her stomach wouldn't let any of the excuses she was making ease its stormy upset. For what seemed the millionth time she repeated all of the reasons in her head that he could have missed patrol, the most likely of those reasons being the arguing figures below her. Still, her mind and body wouldn't settle. She knew her partner well enough to know that he wouldn't leave her to tackle this job alone and for that reason alone the worry stayed wrapped around her heart and sloshing in her stomach.
"What are you doing up there?" Volpina called, flashing up to the observation deck without waiting for an answer. Queen Bee nervously followed, landing unsteadily on her feet, but making the two story jump all on her own. Ladybug didn't hide her surprise or her joy from her face.
"Ladies, you have both worked hard tonight," Ladybug brought herself to stand in front of them, "let's get some rest. On the chance that there is an akuma attack tomorrow, we need to be well-rested."
Volpina twirled her flute in her dominant hand. "It would nice if we were all prepared too." Her glance to Queen Bee was venomous in nature.
The worry and headache pounded through Ladybug and she wasn't prepared to referee another bickering match. "Everyone learns at their own pace. The best thing we can do is support one another. When Cat Noir and I started out, we were a mess. If you need evidence, look back over the ever-popular Ladyblog." Ladybug knew mentioning the blog would catch Volpina's attention and possibly knock her off her cocky game. "No one is perfect at first." Masked blue eyes met orange masked hazel eyes in an even stare. The message conveyed seemed to land, as Volpina had enough sense to hang her head and nod slightly.
"So do we hug or something?" Queen Bee piped up, looking ready to pounce forward toward her leader.
Ladybug chuckled. "I guess we'll figure something out. For now, let's have each of you practice your transformation powers once. As soon as you have completed your power, head straight home so you can transform there. If there is anything I learned, it is that even Paris can be ugly in the late hours of the night."
"By all means," Volpina waved her hand at Queen Bee, who squeaked in response.
Smiling, Ladybug nodded to Queen Bee to encourage her. She watched as QB swallowed hard and sighed deeply before unleashing her trumpo. The buzzing sound was stunning against the metal of the tower. As three lights exploded into the air, Volpina swung out trying to block herself when rushed. Her efforts were fruitless as the small bright ball struck her in the shoulder. Without hesitation, Ladybug let the light hit her full on in the chest, praying for the relief Cat Noir had described earlier in the day.
Instead, she felt an intense shock and an irresistible pull toward her boyfriend. It was as if her heart was clinging to him from a distance, attempting to absorb whatever pain he was currently feeling. It was impossible to wrap her mind around what she was feeling and she vowed to immediately seek Master Fu for explanation after school the following day. It wasn't until she registered the weight of Queen Bee's arm around her shoulders that Ladybug realized she had doubled over holding her chest.
"I'm sorry! It isn't supposed to hurt! Abeille said it has different effects on everyone, depending on which part of them needs to be healed or protected." Queen Bee was crying onto Ladybug's left shoulder, "I'll never forgive myself if I hurt you!"
For her part, Volpina had yet to move from her position by the wall. Her facial expression was glazed but unharmed. "That's some power, Queen Bee." All of the sarcasm had disappeared from her voice, leaving behind only solemn acceptance of equality. "Maybe hugging wouldn't be so bad." Stepping toward her teammates, Volpina wrapped an arm around Queen Bee's waist and Ladybug's shoulders. It was an awkward group hug, but it broke the mood causing all three of them to laugh nervously.
The beep in the middle of the tangle of arms made them all startle. "Oh!" Queen Bee exclaimed, hand flitting to her comb, "I need to go!" Looking wearily over the side of the observation deck, she backed up to the stairwell. "I'm going to run down a few stories before I try to swing away. I'm improving, but I don't need to die on the sidewalk on my first day." The easy joking was out of character for the girl behind the black mask and Ladybug felt her lips twitch into a smile.
Volpina was nervously twirling her flute between her hands, moving to the edge of the observation deck. "What about something more cheerful? If I can get it right." Ladybug saw the pinch of Volpina's tongue between her teeth as flexed arms brought the flute to her lips. The missed notes were still plaguing the song, but within seconds the energy ball had appeared at the end of the flute. Gathering it gingerly, Volpina threw it into the air like an outfielder launching a baseball to home plate. Fireworks exploded in the air, a silent display of colored lights. Frowning, Volpina looked over her shoulder at Ladybug, "I was aiming for a rainbow."
Ladybug let the giggle escape her lips. "I like the fireworks though, you'll get the hang of it. Sometimes magic has a mind of its own. I don't control my lucky charm and I have to deal with whatever it lands in my arms. Once it dropped a spotlight out of the sky." Her giggles increased at the incredulous look on Volpina's face.
"Thanks," Volpina whispered over her shoulder, "for everything. You've been my idol for a long time, I'll make you proud, I promise."
Before Ladybug could respond, Volpina had flashed over the side of the railing. She watched as the orange flashes darted over Paris until they were out of her sight. Mentally kicking herself for being frustrated with Volpina (and Alya), Ladybug was struck with the realization that Volpina would feel the most pressure to be perfect from the very beginning. Alya had spent years observing and studying every superhero, it was no wonder she assumed that being a superhero would be a breeze for her. Ladybug had almost quit under the pressure of becoming the hero of Paris and she never expected to be perfect, the exact opposite in fact. If she wanted Volpina to cut Queen Bee some slack, Ladybug was going to have to cut Volpina some as well.
The tug in her chest brought her back to the cold platform under her feet. Somewhere her love and her partner was hurting. Jumping with purpose from the platform, she pushed herself to her physical limit rushing to the large windows of a familiar room. It pushed open easily, as he never locked the window designed to allow her access to him at any time. It had been this way for as long as she could remember, even before he knew who she was behind the mask. Ladybug could always enter Adrien's room without fear of a locked window.
Her feet sunk into deep lush carpet, eyes adjusting to the dark. The mop of yellow hair was splayed over a white pillow, breath unsteady and a small grimace marking Adrien's perfect face. Stepping toward him, Ladybug almost screamed when a black figure flew into her face. "He had a bad night!" Plagg whispered fiercely in her face, "don't be mad at him for not showing up!" The tightness in her chest eased as she cradled the defensive kwami to her. "Not fair," he pouted into her chest, snuggling in, "I can't resist this." His little head settled near her heart as his whole body sighed against her.
Sympathy washed over her when she realized that he was exhausted from watching over his friend. "What happened?" She placed small kisses on his head, running a singular finger over his little back the way Tikki liked having her back rubbed.
"I don't really know," Plagg winced in frustration, "he went to speak with his father and when he came back, he crawled into bed and didn't say another word. He wouldn't even fight with me." An audible sniffle lifted from the tiny body. Plagg might have a tough, snarky exterior, but his love for Adrien was very real.
Cooing quietly, she continued to stroke the small black back. She began to rock, humming softly to slow her own heartbeat. The tiny body relaxed into her and she held him until she knew Plagg was soundly asleep. Moving carefully, she located Plagg's bed and moved it to the foot of Adrien's bed, carefully placing the sleeping kwami on his pillow. She tucked a small blanket around him and kissed his head. A hand on her wrist startled her and she had to stifle another scream.
"You're here?" Adrien whispered, only one eye open. "That was sweet what you did for him." His voice was soft, conveying so many emotions that Ladybug felt her own heart rip at the seams. Climbing behind him on the bed, she eased down behind his head, welcoming his warm from sleep upper body onto her lap. "I don't want to talk about it," Adrien muttered into her thigh.
"You don't have to," she whispered, running her hand through his hair, "sleep, I'll stay with you until you look peaceful."
"Will you sing?" his voice was heavy with sleep, his muscles in his back relaxing as she ran her free hand over his shoulder blades.
In the dark he missed the fire red blush on her cheeks. Tucking her embarrassment away, determined to put his needs before hers as he had so often done for her, she began to sing. They had kissed and held hands, but nothing felt quite as intimate as the comforting contact between them now. As the weight of his body increased, the weight in her heart lifted. The crease in his forward disappeared as he slipped into dreamless sleep with a hint of a smile on his face.
She slipped away in the early hours of the morning, knowing Tikki would need rest before the day. Leaving a note on his bedside dresser, she pressed a grazing kiss to his temple, whispering I love you as she escaped into the quickly lighting skyline.