Chapter Thirteen

Nino couldn't help but jump back slightly at the pair of bright eyes watching him from outside his window, and they instantly withdrew slightly at his reaction. He took in the figure that was standing on the fire escape, their bright colors easily standing out, and he let out a sigh of relief.

He was here.

Blue Wing's wings were folded tightly against his back, iridescent blue and greens shimmering in the sun. They blended well with his brightly colored costume, bold and brilliant, yet his demeanor was anything but that. His eyes were hesitant, arms tucked closely to his body as he stood there, shifting from foot to foot, looking ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

Nino pulled the curtains aside, and immediately threw open the window so there was no glass between them– and they both stood there face to face, silent save for the echoing sounds of traffic from the streets.

"I–" Blue Wing began, before falling silent, and his wings shifted uncertainly. "I... I only every told one person that I was Papillon." He said, staring at him with wide, searching eyes. "N-not even Frozer."

Nino couldn't keep himself back, and he threw himself forward, arms wrapping around the Peacock holder as he pulled him into a tight embrace. Blue Wing stiffened under the sudden contact, arms still at his side. Nino could feel feathers under his fingers, sleek and long, and he found himself not sure what to do either as he held Blue Wing.

It was strange, almost as strange as when Blue Wing had first taken to the skies. The person who had once just been a voice in his mind now had a face, and now that person was someone he could actually reach. Touch, hold– something his mind hadn't truly considered for Blue Wing until this very moment.

Nino carefully pulled back, hands lingering on Blue's shoulders for a moment, before letting them fall as well. The relief that he was here had been so much that he hadn't been able to keep himself back, but now he wondered if he should have made contact in the first place. Their time talking together had been so limited, after all.

While Blue Wing seemed surprised, he didn't seem off put at all, just watching Nino in almost awe. "So it was you?" He asked quietly. "...Silver Paw?"

"Heh," Nino said, rubbing the back of his head. "...It's a better name than Bubbler?"

Blue Wing suddenly let out a snort, gloved hand covering his face as he tried to stifle it. A smile flickered up onto Nino's face, a feeling of relief washing over him. He watched Blue Wing for a moment, who seemed to be struggling to keep himself from giggling, but he managed to compose himself after a moment. He watched Nino, before his smile fell.

"Why?"

"Huh?" Nino blinked, startled at the question.

"Why... why did you help me?" Blue Wing asked, looking hesitant and confused. "I... I was so cold to you last time I– last time we–" He looked away. "Why would you help me after that?"

"I told you once before, dude," Nino said quietly. "I wasn't going to leave you alone to deal with Hawk Moth."

Silence settled between them.

"...It was all you, wasn't it?" Blue whispered. "The last few attacks, I've been able to slip away when I shouldn't have. When– When I saw them chasing images of myself that weren't me– those were illusions, weren't they? I– I thought it might have been Father but I didn't know how or why so I was too afraid to ask him–" He paused mid ramble. "It was you though."

"Yeah," Nino said softly.

"So, you're the Blue Wing I've been hearing so much about, hmm?" A new voice said, and Nino looked over to find Trixx landing on his shoulder, their golden eyes fixated on Blue Wing.

He took a step back, eyes flickering between Nino and kwami. He looked nervous, wings sliding open slightly.

"Trixx–" Nino began, but the kwami held up a paw.

"No, I want to talk to him," they said, before drifting forward. "I'm Trixx, the kwami of Deception, and Nino has told me a lot about you."

"Hello," Blue said softly, watching as the kwami drifted about him. "I'm– um– Blue Wing."

"So, you're Hawk Moth's son, and Duusu's current holder," Trixx said, crossing their paws, and Blue Wing pulled back slightly. "And you've been around Nooroo too, correct?"

"Y-yeah–"

"How are they?"

"Huh?"

Trixx's gaze seemed softer than before. "Nooroo and Duusu– it's been nearly two hundred years since I've last seen them. How are they doing?"

He glanced away. "Um... Duusu is doing very well. She's always happy and energetic, always zipping about. She likes to sing. And chocolate." His gaze didn't seem as bright. "I... I can't... I can't say the same thing about Nooroo." His words blurted out in a rush. "He doesn't like Father, and... and Father has him under a lot of orders. I'm– I'm sorry, I–"

"That's what I expected," Trixx said, tone neutral, neither pleased nor accusing. "And Duusu? How many orders do you have her under?"

"I– I don't?" Blue Wing said. "I, um, I mean Father might have given her a few before giving her to me?"

Trixx snorted. "I'm sure he has, or else she wouldn't be hanging about."

Blue Wing's gaze became defensive. "Duusu is happy at home."

"Heh! No kwami is happy being used for wrong– and don't offer me excuses, what you're doing is wrong–"

"Trixx!" Nino began, but the kwami didn't waver.

"You seem to have a good soul, Blue Wing, but that doesn't mean your choices are right," the kwami said, hovering right in front of Blue's face. "Duusu is Emotion, and as such she experiences them intensely. If something makes her happy, she'll display that very vividly– but just because she's happy in the moment doesn't mean she's happy with her situation."

Blue Wing gritted his teeth. "Duusu likes my family. She's said so herself."

"She likes Hawk Moth?" Trixx asked doubtfully.

"I– she–" Blue Wing faltered, and Trixx seemed to accept this as being right.

"Now, I'm not trying to start any conflict," Trixx said, holding out their paws. "But I want to be very transparent right from the start– I believe all of us need to be. So, I need you to give an order to Duusu as soon as you get back home, Blue Wing."

"What?" Nino and Blue cried at the same time– this not having been what they expected Trixx to say.

"The magic that grants our compliance is there for a reason," Trixx said. "You are going to order Duusu not to tell anyone about me and Nino. Of our possible identity, of us meeting up like this– and you will need to be specific. If your Father ever questions her she'll have to follow orders, both yours and his, but if you word things just right the magic may be able to help her keep such secrets from basic questioning. Ask Duusu, and I'm sure she'll help you word things."

"I– I–"

"Trixx, I think this is a bit much–" Nino began. This was their first time face to face, but Trixx had barely spared time for a greeting.

"Nino and I have a deal," Trixx continued, ignoring Nino. "He wants to help you, Blue Wing– you do not know how worried he has been for you. And I want to help my fellow kwamis, and so we will both be working together towards that goal. We intend to stop Hawk Moth's reign, and then get you, Nooroo, and Duusu out of his hands."

Blue Wing closed his eyes. "...I want to help Father. You aren't going to talk me out of–"

"I understand that!" Nino said swiftly, before steadying his voice. "I... I may not understand why or what you guys are trying to do... but I can tell it's important to you."

"All I want you to do is promise that you won't let Hawk Moth know who Nino is," Trixx said. "Or attempt to take my Miraculous from him– that's all I want to ask of you."

Blue Wing's eyes widened. "Of course I wouldn't take–"

"But would your father?" Trixx asked– and Blue Wing immediately fell silent. "That's what I thought. I've picked Nino as my new holder– and as such I will protect him. Can you promise me that your father will not learn about him or the location of my Miraculous?"

"I promise," Blue Wing said softly.

Trixx watched him for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod– clearly not sensing any kind of deception in Blue Wing's words. "Thank you. I'm sorry for suddenly throwing this onto you– but safety is the most important thing." The Fox smiled softly at them. "I'll leave you two now. Thank you for keeping our secret, Blue Wing."

With that Trixx drifted away from the two boys and back into Nino's room, contently flying towards the bag of dried mangos.

"I'm sorry," Nino said. "He shouldn't have thrown that all on you–"

But Blue Wing had a smile on his face. "I've never seen a kwami like that before."

"He's something alright," Nino said softly, touching the necklace around his neck.

Blue Wing leaned closer, studying the small music note-shaped charm. "Is that...?"

"Um, yeah," Nino said, shifting, and his stomach churned.

He had imagined being able to talk to Papillon again, what he'd do and say– but he had never imagined himself being so awkward. But there was a silence in the air, only broken by Trixx munching on their food. He could feel the kwami's eyes on him, reminding him that the conversation wasn't quite private.

Of course with a kwami in his bag privacy wasn't something he could easily get anymore. Even at school he had to worry about the kwami biting him if they thought he wasn't being subtle enough. And even though kwamis seemed to be known for their magic, they still had a sharp set of fangs.

"How... How did you even...?" Blue Wing trailed off, and Nino's stomach tightened. "You just... bought him? A pawn shop, you said?"

"I thought it would be a fun gift for my little brother," Nino said uncertainly. "He loves heroes, and I thought it was a really good model of the Fox Miraculous... and, um, well, it was only thanks to you that I knew what a kwami was when Trixx came flying out of the necklace."

It was strange for lies and truth to be pouring from his mouth with ease– but that seemed to be what the Fox was. Mirage hid, Reality revealed. Deception wasn't one or the other, but lies and truths carefully woven in a way to craft exactly what you wanted the other to think.

And it was important that no one knew that he knew Ladybug's identity.

"And if you hadn't told him what we were I probably would have been able to scare him away from my Miraculous!" Trixx called.

"I told you that I'd give it back!" Nino snapped, looking back over his shoulder. "You're the one that wanted to stay."

"Yeah, but it's fun to scare off people," Trixx huffed, before diving back into the bag of mangos. At this rate they were going to eat the whole thing!

"Why did you help me?" Blue Wing asked, and Nino was surprised to hear this question again. He looked back at the Miraculous holder, and even with a mask on his face the confusion in his expression was so clear.

He truly didn't seem to understand why someone would help him.

"That's what friends do," Nino finally said after a moment.

"Friends?"

Nino smiled at him. "Of course." Yet just as quickly he found himself hesitating. "I mean... I'd like to consider us friends, if that's okay..."

Blue Wing just stood there, silent. He swayed side to side slightly, making Nino instantly wonder if he had said the wrong things. Blue Wing's eyes were indeed wide, but they didn't seem unhappy in any way, just staring at him as they stood there. It took the Peacock a moment to speak again, voice quiet and carrying an awe that made Nino's heart ache.

"Friends..." He whispered softly. "I... I've never made a friend before."

"You haven't?"

He shook his head. "I... I mean me and my friend– another friend–" His voice seemed so warm as he said 'another'. "Have been friends since we were babies. We... we just grew up together, our parents wanted us to be friends. And Duusu... she was given to me, and Nooroo just seems to prefer me, but I... I never made a friend. No one's ever wanted to just be my friend before."

"Never?"

He shifted. "W-well, not unless they wanted something..."

Blue Wing glanced at Nino, eyes almost questioning.

"The only thing I want is to help you," Nino promised, and after a moment he reached out, hand on Blue Wing's shoulder. "I want to be your friend, Blue, I promise."

"Why?"

"...Do I need a reason?" Nino asked softly, but as Blue Wing kept watching him he knew he needed to give more. If every friend he had was something arranged by his father, if others were only seeking something... having that expectation was natural. "I... I know we've only gotten to talk a few times, but I feel like I got to know you. I want to get to know you more, I want to help you. I care about you, dude."

Blue Wing's gloved hand fell over Nino's, which was still on his shoulder. "Friends," he said softly, and there was a smile flickering on his face. "I like that... friends. I wanted to go to school to make friends, but Father thought it wouldn't be safe..."

Wouldn't be safe? Wouldn't be safe?

School was dangerous, but akuma attacks weren't?

He didn't get a chance to voice his thoughts, as Blue Wing smiled at him, as if this were all well. "I can't stay for much longer," he said softly. "But... but is it okay if I come back?"

"Anytime," Nino promised.

Blue Wing didn't say anything else to him, but the smile stayed on his face. He pulled away, Nino's hand falling from his shoulder, heading towards the edge of the fire escape. His wings unfurled, shining in the light as he jumped. Several large flaps sent a small breeze as he caught the air, pulling himself up into the sky with startling speed.

And like that, he was gone.

Nino sagged against the open window, staring out at where Blue Wing had been moments before. He... he knew. Blue Wing knew that he had a Miraculous, Blue Wing had been here, actually had been here in person. This... this was happening.

He felt a weight land on his shoulder, and he turned to see Trixx there, still munching away on the dried mangos.

"Something's not right," they said.

"What do you mean?"

"What he said about Duusu," Trixx mused. "She's happy at his home? She likes his family? That doesn't add up. Duusu liking the kid... I could see that easily. She gets attached to holders, and I'm sure she has the same view as him as you do– 'must protect' and all that."

"Maybe they're just putting on an act?" Nino said after a moment. "If she's protective... maybe she doesn't want him to worry about her? Have Blue feel guilty that she can't leave?"

Trixx crinkled their nose. "It's possible... but Duusu is Emotion. She doesn't hide how she feels, she experiences feelings very intensely, it makes her seem sporadic at times, but she's a smart kwami. Insightful, sassy, vocal. He would know if she was unhappy," Trixx shifted. "And the kid wasn't lying when he talked about her. Blue Wing fully believes that Duusu is happy at home and with his family."

"'Family'," Nino muttered. "He said that, but the only family he's ever mentioned is his father. When I was akumatized he mentioned that he didn't have siblings either..."

"And he faltered when I asked if Duusu liked Hawk Moth," Trixx agreed. "We need to learn more about his family situation."

"I'm not going to force him to tell me anything."

"I'm not saying to force him, I'm saying to ask," Trixx said. "Besides, learning more about family will give more insight into what exactly is going on in that home and how you can help him." The kwami took in a deep breath. "For now though, I need to find a way to talk to Duusu. I doubt that he's going to detransform anytime soon... but if I could just meet up with her..."

"We'll see what we can do," Nino finished softly, before pulling back and shutting the window.

"Where have you been?"

Blue Wing winced as he slipped into his room through the window, hesitantly looking up at his father, who stood in the doorway, clearly waiting for him. "I–"

"The battle ended over a half hour ago," Gabriel said sharply. "Yet you just arrived home now?"

He stepped forward, glowering down at Blue, and he was grateful that he was still transformed, feeling just a bit safer. His wings pressed close to him, as if they could shelter him from any potential blows.

"I– I was seeing if I could see any sign of that Silver Paw–" Blue Wing stuttered out, looking away, and Gabriel grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at him. "I– I had no idea what was going on with them, and I was so confused–"

"And did you find anything?" Gabriel asked, his hand gripping his face tightly.

"N-no sir," Blue whispered. "I didn't see Silver Paw again."

That wasn't a lie. He didn't see Silver Paw again– he saw Nino instead. His father's eyes bored into him, and he felt his fear rising. After a moment Gabriel let go of his chin, and Blue Wing instantly stumbled back a few steps, pressing up against the wall for shelter.

"Come with me," Gabriel ordered, before turning and heading towards the door.

Blue Wing hesitated for a moment, before scrambling to catch up with him as they headed out into the hall. His eyes flickered about, but there was no sign of his bodyguard or any of the staff, which was to be expected if his father hadn't told him to detransform. He followed in Gabriel's wake, who led him down the steps and towards his atelier.

His heart started thumping in fear as they entered it– because it was empty. No sign of Nathalie– she was always the one that stopped things from going too far. The one that would make Father stop when he got angry.

And he had just failed another attempt at getting a Miraculous. And he was late. Nor did he give him any worthwhile information. "F-father?"

"In front of the painting, now," Gabriel snapped, not looking at him. Blue Wing swallowed, before slowly moving towards the large image of his mother, hoping he wasn't shaking too much.

Gabriel stood next to him, pressing the buttons hidden within. Blue Wing could hear the machinery within the walls and the floor whirling. He couldn't help but jump slightly as the floor started to move beneath them, even though he knew it had been coming, the hidden elevator whisking them away.

Blue Wing felt his father's hand settle on the back of his neck, holding him in a tense grip as they descended down into the lower floors. Blue Wing's gut twisted, not wanting to have to see his mother's body again, and he hoped that the casket was closed.

"I believe you have been getting off focus in our mission," Gabriel said as the elevator took them down into the cavernous room, the doors sliding open, and with his hand still on his neck he guided them onto the first platform. "So, I've decided that you will spend the rest of the day here to remind you of why we're doing this."

"Wh-what?" Blue Wing choked out, stumbling slightly as his father led him forward, where the large white coffin holding his mother stood. Even with the enhanced strength that came with the Miraculous he did not fight his father's grasp. "Wait– Father– I–"

"Be quiet," Gabriel snapped, and instantly he fell silent, trying to keep up with his father's broad steps.

His vision blurred slightly as he was shoved in front of the casket, his hands reaching out to stabilize himself. He could hear the whirling of the top opening, revealing his mother's form resting under the glass. Blue Wing swiftly looked away, tears stinging his eyes.

His father's hand grabbed his hair, forcing him to look back at his mother's body.

"You will stay right here until I come and get you," Gabriel muttered in his ear. "You will not look away. You will not walk away. You will not close your eyes. Every moment we waste is another day your mother rots away down here. Every time you fail to claim the Ladybug Miraculous you fail your mother."

"I– I–"

"I said to be quiet," Gabriel hissed. "This is not about you– this is about Emilie. Or have you forgotten that? Have these powers just become a game to you? Do you not want to bring your mother home?"

"I do!" Blue Wing cried. "I do, Father, I–!"

"Quiet!" Gabriel snarled again, and instantly he fell silent, trembling in his father's grasp. "I don't want excuses. You will stay here and think about how you failed your mother today. How you've disappointed her every time you've gone out to fight Ladybug. She's the one stuck in this condition, yet you go about your day every day as if it weren't a privilege, uncaring that she's suffering down here."

Tears were pouring down his face, a sob being held back in his throat. There was so much he wanted to say, but he just kept choking them down as to not disobey.

"I'll be back," Gabriel muttered. "And hopefully by then you'll realize how selfish you've been. Maybe you'll actually care about your mother and start actually trying to bring her home. Or perhaps you'll remain pathetic and crying as if this is all about you."

With that Gabriel let go of his hair, turning and walking back towards the elevator. Blue Wing trembled, too afraid to look back when his orders were to watch his mother. He was grateful for the tears that blurred his sight, because seeing her brought nothing but aching.

He heard the elevator rising, and he broke down, the sobs escaping him as he tried to take in a ragged breath. What kind of son couldn't bear to look at his mother? What kind of child wanted to flee from her presence rather than acknowledge the pain of her being gone?

His father was right. He was being selfish.

He would have to be better. Try harder.

But his thoughts flashed to Nino. To his friend.

...Would it be wrong to be selfish about one thing?