Chapter Twenty-Six

Alya had to be honest, a massage shop wasn't exactly what she had in mind for the hiding place of the great mentor of Ladybug, the Guardian of the Miraculous– it was far from the amazing secret hideout she couldn't help but have in mind. Then again, Hawk Moth probably wouldn't suspect such either, so maybe this was the ultimate secret hideout.

"Hmm..." Amber Lǎohǔ– or rather, Master Fu as Marinette called him now that he had detransformed– mused quietly as they finished recounting the events that had taken place during the fight. "I see." He closed his eyes, sighing. "There are several kwamis in the Miracle Box I do not think should be acting on their own– and unfortunately Trixx is one of them."

"I am inclined to agree," Wayzz said, hovering near Roaar, Plagg, and Tikki. "However, Trixx has indeed found themselves in a favorable position."

"You wouldn't trust some of us?" Plagg said in mock offense, eating away at some cheese that Fu had on hand. "We practically raised you, old man!"

Fu opened up another eye. "You're one of those kwamis on that list."

Plagg cackled. "Oh trust me, I know. I'm not sure why, I mean last time I picked out my own holders I think I did pretty good."

Tikki crossed her arms. "You picked pirates, Plagg. You helped terrorized the Caribbian for several decades while me and my holders were trying to get you back!"

The Black Cat grinned. "Oh come on now, Edward wasn't too bad."

"Blackbeard was a nightmare."

"Trixx hasn't always had poor choices in holders," Wayzz remarked. "Robin Hood did plenty of good, in his own ways. What I worry most about Trixx though is their tendency to well, trick and device. They already pulled the curtain over Blue Wing's eyes, and who knows how much they have manipulated Silver Paw."

Alya's heart tightened. "Trixx wouldn't do that, he's a good kwami."

"I would say all but few a kwamis align on the side of good," Roaar remarked. "But Trixx is Deception incarnate– it is naturally in their nature to use trickery and illusions. They are manipulative, not in the sense of causing harm, but they are not afraid to twist their words." The Tiger shrugged. "I am surprised that they came out so openly to tell us all this in the first place– that means they know this is serious."

Wayzz snorted. "Of course you'd wish to keep things hidden."

"That has protected our Miraculouses many a times."

"The question is do we go along with Trixx's plans?" Marinette asked, sitting up straight. "Do we continue to let him, well, play both sides? I... I do think Silver Paw doesn't like Hawk Moth– he's made sure he hasn't won multiple times and, well, after what Trixx said today... I can see why they might have chosen to protect Blue Wing."

"But still Blue Wing has attacked and terrorized the city," Alya said.

"He is a minor like us though, working with his family," Marinette said. "Hawk Moth definitely holds some responsibility for his actions, to some degree at least. And, and if what Trixx said was true, well..."

They all trailed off, sitting in silence.

"I have always suspected that the Peacock was broken," Fu said after a moment, and they all looked at him. "And if Trixx has confirmed such, then I do believe him. Blue Wing's choices have put Paris in danger, but I doubt that he's out trying to conquer or destroy this city." He laced his fingers together. "This tells me two things– whatever wish Hawk Moth is seeking after has to be something that Blue Wing would want as well, something that will make him willing enough to play the role he's been doing. The second is that Hawk Moth is indeed a very dangerous person, and will stop at nothing to get to his goals– even if he means putting his own family in danger."

"Wish?" Alya asked.

Plagg popped the last bit of cheese in his mouth. "Unite Sugar Cube's and mine's Miraculous you get world altering powers. Potential to 'wish' for practically whatever you want– but there will be an act of balance for the price."

"Plagg?!" Tikki said in shock.

He shrugged. "Meh, there's not a bad bone in that girl's body. Too loyal to Ladybug to ever do wrong– I don't see the harm in telling her what's happening."

"I've never heard you be so blase about explaining the wish!"

"Look, if Hawk Moth's after our Miraculouses I'd rather the ones we're working with actually know what's at stake," Plagg said, tail curling, and his eyes fell on Alya. "And trust me, if you ever even thought of misusing my powers, Kitten, I'd make you pay."

Alya's eyes were wide at the sudden threat, but Plagg merely started licking crumbs from his paws.

"The question is do Trixx and Silver Paw know of Blue Wing's identity?" Fu said. "If he saw Duusu that must have meant that Blue Wing has detransformed around them."

"We need more information," Wayzz said. "Trixx and potentially even Silver Paw can be an inside ear, but it's not that simple." He took in a deep breath. "I think I should have a full time holder."

"Putting another Miraculous out there has its risks," Fu said.

"Juggling my Miraculous about as we have done with Trixx's and Pollen's has proven to have just as many risks," Wayzz replied. "We found a holder that embodies Protection, and I am sure we will need his powers and insight again."

Fu sighed. "I... I will need to think on all of this." The Guardian finally said. "I think we all should. We must consider everything– from Trixx possibly being under orders to if Blue Wing is possibly manipulating Silver Paw in some form. We shall meet again, but for now I think we should look over what we know before making any final decisions."

Plagg grinned. "Nah, this whole setup has Trixx written all over it– no one is telling her to do anything."

"Still, we should not act rashly," Fu replied.

"We're going to figure this out," Marinette said, swallowing. "Don't worry, Master, I promise you that I'll fix this."

The man smiled at Marinette as the girls pushed themselves to their feet, their kwamis drifting after them. "Remember you're not acting on your own, anymore, Marinette. Don't be afraid to depend on those around you."

"If you dare~" Plagg said ominously, before cackling as several glares were sent his way. He vanished into Marinette's bag, followed by Tikki, the two of them clearly wanting to be together.

Wayzz lowered his head as he was recalled into the Turtle Miraculous, which Master Fu pocketed as they headed towards the door. Roaar followed them out, the kwami lurking in the shadows as if waiting to pounce, and Alya couldn't help but feel intrigued by all the kwamis she had met so far, the creatures so interesting.

She wasn't quite sure how she felt about Silver Paw at the moment– because on one hand she was glad to see that Trixx wasn't being held captive like the others in the wrong hands, but yet seeing the kwami so protective towards one she had embraced as an enemy... Everything that had happened today was dizzying, and she was still trying to take it in.

Her phone beeped, and she pulled the device from her pocket. She looked over the alerts she was getting for the Ladyblog and out news outlets, and her eyes widened slightly. She glanced at Marinette, who was looking up at the sky as they walked down the street, looking overwhelmed and exhausted. This seemed to be the first somewhat moment of peace, and her heart twisted as she looked back down at her phone.

"Whatcha doing?" Marinette asked as she watched Alya furiously typing on her phone.

"Just... just making a post for the Ladyblog," she said quietly, barely double-checking her spelling before hitting post, anger pulsing through her.

Of course Marinette could see right through her. "Alya, what's wrong?"

She hesitated, before pulling up her news app, and handing it over to Marinette. She couldn't bring herself to look at her as she read the titles that were starting to crop up. She risked a glance, but she could see the way her expression fell as she looked over the phone. She slowly handed the phone back towards Alya, staring straight ahead.

"People are stupid sometimes," Alya said. "Don't listen to them."

"They're right though," she whispered. "We... so many got hurt during this attack, Alya, and we couldn't do anything."

"That's exactly what Hawk Moth wanted," Alya growled. "You heard what he said, he wanted to plant doubt in everyone's mind, you can't let this get to you– this is his fault, and no one else's."

She already had an article brewing in her as soon as she got home. She was not going to hold back, because how dare anyone say anything about Marinette. Ladybug had done so much for them, when she had no obligation too. Putting herself at risk, potentially her family and friends, giving herself an enemy when she didn't have to, being on her own for so long.

"Heh, looks like you're planning murder," a voice whispered in her ear, and she jumped– Plagg hidden in her hair. She wasn't sure when he had gotten there from the purse. "Count me in."

They walked mostly in silence after that, carefully navigating through the streets, which were far more empty than usual. As if no one wanted to come out after the storm that brewed. Alya knew that it had to have been horrible for those caught up in the worst of it, but the fact that people were now calling in the effectiveness of Ladybug just made her blood boil. She kept looking at her phone, looking over the titles that had popped up, but she couldn't bring herself to read them beyond that.

They all fell along the same lines. Bringing up the recently lost Miraculouses, the more violent akumas and avatars that had been appearing, and how battles were taking longer. None of it was fair, because none of them were blaming the one that was truly at fault: Hawk Moth.

When she saw an article posing the question if it would be better to just give Hawk Moth what he wanted, she had to resist the urge to throw her phone.

"It doesn't matter," Marinette said quietly as Alya let out a growl. "Let's just head home."

"Just give me a name," Plagg muttered in her ear, and Alya was starting to see why Fu didn't trust Plagg on his own.

He was a pretty awesome kwami.

"Nino!" Lucie cried as soon as he walked in through the front door– and he realized he had forgotten to come back home through the fire escape. "Where on earth have you been– you said you were going to be in your room!"

He held up the paper bag from the Dupain-Cheng bakery. "Um... I was craving pastries after the akuma fight?"

"You can't keep going out your window!" Lucie said. "We have a front door for a reason!"

"...I like to chill on the roof?" He tried– but his mother merely crossed her arms.

"There's roof access from the main stairway, there is absolutely no excuse to be using the fire escape. It's dangerous, I don't know where you are, and I'm sure our landlord would not approve!"

He grinned. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him?"

Lucie didn't seem to find this as funny as he did, grabbing Nino's shoulders. "Nino," she said quietly. "How do you think I feel finding your room empty after such a disastrous akuma?"

His throat tightened. "I'm sorry, Mom, I really didn't mean to scare you, I promise."

"Well, if you should be apologizing to anyone it should be Chris– he was in tears when he saw you were gone. He thought the akuma had gotten you."

"I'll go talk to the little dude," Nino said softly, and Lucie gave a small nod. He headed down the hall towards his little brother's room– who ran and gave him the largest hug he could. "Oof, hey Chris, quite a grip you got there."

"I thought the dragon ate you!" Chris cried, clinging to Nino tightly, and his expression fell– so he had learned about the dragon. That was going to cause nightmares for a few weeks... so he just held him tightly.

"Nah, dragons eat fish, remember How to Train Your Dragon?" Nino said lightly, trying to ease his fear. He knelt down, holding the bag of pastries out. "I... I just thought we all deserved a treat for weathering that akuma– I should have told you I was going to go get them instead of making it a surprise– I'm sorry I worried you little dude."

He didn't realize the pun until after he finished speaking, and he silently cursed himself. However Chris was already brightening up, looking at the bag eagerly. Nino had bought everything for Trixx, but he was sure the Fox would survive without one of the treats, and so he carefully pulled out the one he thought Chris would like the most. The young boy wiped away his tears, and immediately bit into the treat.

"Is it good?" He asked with a smile.

"Mmm-hmm!" Chris said, mouth full as he nodded eagerly.

"Awesome, little dude," Nino said, ruffling his hair. "I'll be in my room if you need me, and I promise you I'm not going anywhere this time, okay?"

Chris swallowed. "What if there's another akuma?"

"The heroes will take care of it."

"B-but... but this one... it lasted forever Nino! The whole building was shaking– it's not supposed to do that!"

"It's over now," Nino said softly, kneeling down again– not sure what to say. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Hawk Moth... Hawk Moth is a meanie face; and he wants us to be scared– but we aren't going to let him win, are we?"

"No?"

"We're going to be brave and happy," Nino said, holding out an arm encouragingly. "And there's nothing Hawk Moth can do about it but pout!"

Chris gave a small smile at this, and Nino knew that he was going to be okay. He was half tempted to tell Chris that he would fight off Hawk Moth if he ever came– that he had punched the man in the face, and even gotten to be a Turtle hero today– but of course he couldn't say anything. Still, his heart was heavy– realizing that if Hawk Moth ever learned who he was... Chris could be in danger. His mother could, and Trixx.

He wasn't allowed to mess up.

Nino held the rest of the pastries tightly as he headed to his room, mind racing, not quite sure of what to do. The other heroes... they knew the truth about Blue Wing. They might even have a reason to trust Silver Paw, though he didn't know if they would or not. That opened up an opportunity to reach out... but what would Blue Wing think? If he saw him with his enemies? He didn't even want to imagine...

"Trixx," Nino said softly as he entered his room, seeing the kwami curled up in her little hamster pet-bed, back to him. "I'm glad to see you made it back alright."

"Hmrp!" Trixx huffed, not turning to face him, sweeping her tail about her.

"That was really cool what you were able to do back there, with your illusions– I couldn't even imagine doing something like that. You just got Mellifera to attack the avatar... that was brilliant."

"Mmm," Trixx said.

"I, um, brought you some pastries from Marinette's bakery," Nino said, holding up the bag. "Grape flavor, your favorite? I figured you'd be tired after all those illusions, and then to just say thank you for telling them about Blue Wing... I doubt they would have ever believed me if I was the one to say it."

He took out a small grape danish, setting it on his desk and nudging it towards the Fox– who still was refusing to look at him. Her leg kicked out, knocking the pastry over, ears flat against her head. Nino narrowed his eyes slightly, pulling the bed around so they were looking at each other, but she simply turned to look away from him again.

"What's that for?" Nino said, Trixx's tail swaying back and forth.

"You put on another Miraculous!" She huffed, breaking the silence.

"What choice did I have?"

Trixx turned towards him, blue eyes burning. "Choice? Your choice was to say 'no'! You're my holder, not Wayzz's– and you just went and put on his Miraculous like it was nothing?"

"Hey, I tried to talk Alya out of it," Nino said. "You were there!"

Trixx grabbed the pastry, eating half of it in a single bite. "Well you didn't try hard enough! Go and merge with another kwami, who thinks they can claim you since you're all matching or whatever– but that's not how this works!"

Her voice was a yip, fur puffed up, looking at Nino as if he had personally betrayed her– and he couldn't help but hold back a small chuckle. "Oh my gosh, you're jealous."

"Am not!"

"Are you worried that I'm going to replace you with the Turtle Miraculous?" Nino asked, sitting at his desk so they were closer to eye level, and Trixx turned away. "I mean, we are a perfect match, so..."

"No!" Trixx cried, zipping up and flying in front of him. "You're my holder! I picked you out, and you picked me! I've been with you longer, I'm the one that trusts you, I'm helping you, you can't just go and–"

She fell silent as Nino pulled her in close.

"Aw, you are jealous," he cooed as he hugged the Fox, smirking as Trixx glared at him. She shoved him away with both paws, but still he reached out and scratched her behind her flattened ears. "Don't worry, Trixx, you're my favorite kwami. I'm not about to replace you so easily."

"Your actions say otherwise," she huffed.

He held her up so they were up at eye level. "We're in this together, little dude, and that's not about to change any time soon." Her ears flicked towards him, and he grinned again. "Besides, you've had other holders aside from me– like Alya."

"I knew I wasn't going to be with her permanently!" She chirped, waving her paws about. "I knew that she was eventually going to get Plagg– Ladybug needed a partner and she chose her!" She crossed her paws. "And I chose you."

"Same, little dude," Nino said. "The turtle dude seems stuffy as it is, you're my little buddy."

Trixx snickered. "Wayzz is stuffy. Always way too direct with things, couldn't be sneaky to save his life." She put a paw on her chest, puffing up. "It's thanks to me, you know, that we've been able to stay this hidden."

"I think the glares you were giving me and Wayzz weren't subtle."

"Says M. I'm-Looking-at-Blue-With-Heart-Eyes," Trixx snapped, and Nino choked.

"Hey dudettes," Nino said quietly as he slipped into his seat the next day, looking back at Marinette and Alya– one of whom was staring at her hands, while the other looked ready to plot murder– and though he already knew why he couldn't let that be known. "What's eating you two up?"

Alya's eyes locked onto him, sharp and dangerous. "You're not listening to all the stupid lies the media is telling, are you?"

I literally fought alongside you yesterday, Alya. Nino thought, but he held up his hands defensively. "I like the heroes, dudette, and I think you know that."

"Still can't believe anyone dared to write a thing," she snarled, arms coiling around Marinette. "Ladybug has been putting her life on the line since all this started– and they have the nerve to say it's not enough?!"

"You can say that again!" Chloe huffed from across the aisle. "Ladybug is the best thing that happened to this city– I told Daddy to make it illegal to say anything horrible about her, but something about 'freedom of the press' or something– it's ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

Nino's eyes landed on Marinette– but of course Chloe's words would be far from reassuring, and she probably saw his and Alya's as biased since they fought alongside her. He glanced around the classroom, sitting up straight. "Ladybug doesn't cause these akumas– the only blame should be on Hawk Moth."

"Yeah!" Kim shouted. "Down with Hawk-Face!"

"Max and I believe that such a destructive akuma was a purposeful tactic on Hawk Moth's part," Markov whirled, hovering between Kim and Max. "With the attacks so widespread it was impossible for Ladybug to be in multiple places at once."

"She was forced to focus on the direct threat to end the fight, which left the city vulnerable," Max agreed. "Interesting to note that Paris had no forces of their own out– the city has become dependent on Ladybug, which means their own actions were lacking."

"I'm going to make an article about that!" Alya suddenly cried. "There was no one out there fighting that dragon, or emergency crews at the fallen buildings– everyone was just waiting for the Miraculous Ladybugs– which did happen!"

Alix crossed her arms. "So basically the city said that Ladybug ain't doing enough when they weren't doing anything themselves?"

Nino grinned. "They can't call her unconfident when they're doing nothing themselves– they have an obligation to protect the city, meanwhile everything Ladybug does is voluntary."

"Not to mention how much money she's saving them in damages," Rose added.

Alya was typing away furiously on her phone. "Everyone, send me everything you got in the class group chat– I'm making an article to show just how selfish and biased everyone's being!"

"If they can't even say thanks to our hero they don't deserve her," Nino said, eyes flickering to Marinette for a moment.

Her gaze was still towards the desk, but her shoulders weren't quite as hunched. She was still, clearly listening, and Nino hoped that would be enough in the moment. He turned back around to face the front of the classroom. It was hard to believe it had only been yesterday since the attack by Stormy Weather, but Paris was still reeling from the impacts. No one knew for sure how many injuries had resulted from the attack, though all were now healed, but she had been the most devastating akuma since Siren.

"I'm glad to see you're all engaging with current events," Miss Bustier said warmly as she came into the classroom, causing the clamor to die down slightly as they looked towards her. "But we do need to get started on class."

"You don't agree with what everyone's saying about Ladybug, do you Miss Bustier?" Sabrina asked.

"Of course not," the teacher replied, pulling out her lesson plans for the day. "These akuma attacks are nothing like they were when they first started– not only is Ladybug outnumbered, but there are now foes that aren't afraid to attack her after the akuma is defeated, she is in a much more difficult spot than before."

"Did you guys hear the rumors about there being a new hero and villain?" Alya asked.

"Someone said they were saved by a turtle dude, right?"

Nino nudged the lump that was Trixx in his pocket as she let out a low hiss.

"Things are definitely not the same as when they started," Mylene said quietly.

"Perhaps if we can finish our lesson early we can continue this discussion," Miss Bustier said, drawing the attention back to her. "But I'm afraid that we do need to get on with school related subjects. First of all, the school dance's theme has been decided– which is masquerade. It will be held in the ballroom of the Grand Paris Hotel, thanks to our very own Chloe."

Excited whispers broke out throughout the room, except for right behind Nino– Alya and Marinette's focus clearly elsewhere.

"It's coming up very soon, so everyone is encouraged to get a partner for the dance, or just come along solo if that's what you prefer," Miss Bustier added as Alix opened up her mouth. "Now, for class announcements we're going to be having a quiz next time, so make sure you're prepared for that..."

Nino liked Miss Bustier, he really did, but as the topic turned towards school work he couldn't help but tune her out.

It was nearly midnight when Nino heard a knock on his window.

He jumped, having been laying in bed on his phone, and he looked towards his window, where his curtains were drawn shut. He stared, for once not knowing who was at his window. He eyed his phone again, but there was no sign of an akuma attack– but he didn't want to get his hopes up. He glanced at Trixx, who was fast asleep on her little bed.

Nino slowly rolled out of bed, grabbing his jacket as draping it over the Fox just in case, slowly heading to his window. He hesitated, seeing a silhouette outside– but they weren't knocking again. After a few moments he pulled the curtains back, looking at the figure huddling on the fire escape, green eyes hesitantly meeting him through the glass.

He threw the window open– but he didn't know what to say. Blue just stood there, staring down at his feet, wings wrapped around him, just like his arms. Blue Wing didn't say anything either, shivering as he stood there in the night. Finally he met his gaze again, mouth opening, and he could see the red-rimmed eyes before skin met mask, though the tears themselves were long gone.

"Can... can I come in?" He whispered after silence drifted between them. "I... I don't have anywhere else to go and I..." He choked slightly. "I don't want to go home."

"Come on in, my dude," Nino said softly, standing aside, allowing the Peacock holder to climb in through the window. Blue Wing's movements were slow as he climbed in, and Nino closed the window, eyeing the rooftops before he pulled the curtains shut.

"Hey!" Trixx's muffled voice came from under his jacket. "Why is this old smelly thing on me?"

"You looked cold," Nino called back. "Get out here though, Blue's here."

There was a shifting of movement beneath the jacket, and Trixx came flying out. "Hey-a, Bluie!" She chirped, zipping forward. "Long time, no see– well, I did see you at the fight, but I didn't talk to you. My illusions were pretty neat, weren't they?"

"Y-your illusions?" Blue said after a moment, a waver in his voice.

Trixx put a paw on her chest. "Yep! Nino wasn't able to get out because of the storm, so I slunk out instead." She winked. "Don't tell anyone though, don't want anyone getting ideas."

"Oh," Blue whispered, and he seemed to be huddling in on himself. "That... that's why you were so strong, I was wondering..."

"Blue, are you okay?" Nino asked quietly, realizing that he was shaking. He reached out for his shoulder– and Blue Wing pulled back from him. Wide eyes looked up at him, and this time there was tears in his gaze. "Blue?"

"Sorry," he whispered. "I... it just hurts..."

Nino felt a knot in his stomach get tight, and Trixx's ears went back. "What hurts? What happened?"

Blue just shook his head, and this time he couldn't keep his sob back, shoulders shaking as he sunk to the ground. His wings coiled about him, as if he were trying to hold himself. Nino didn't dare touch him, but he knelt on the ground next to him, and he could hear his blood roaring in his ears.

"She isn't stopping him anymore," Blue whispered, taking in a shaking breath. "She– she used to– but she isn't– and I– I shouldn't have run, but I couldn't sleep, and I missed you, and it wouldn't stop, and I–"

He didn't make out any of his other words, Nino's eyes looked across him, but with his suit he couldn't see much of his skin. "Blue, where are you hurt?"

"B-back," he whispered. "Arms and... and my stomach." He swallowed. "He doesn't touch my face, people can see that, they can see that..."

He slowly reached out, fingers brushing his wings, and while feathers ruffled Blue didn't pull back. Nino slowly rose to his feet, and Blue mimicked him, swaying in place as they stood. Fingers brushed over his feathers, which in the dark didn't have their iridescent gleam.

"I..." Blue whispered. "I feel dizzy, Nino..."

"Lay down," Nino said, making sure not to take his hands from his unhurt wings, carefully guiding Blue towards his bed. "Are you allergic to anything besides feathers?"

"Huh?"

"I'm going to go grab you some pain medicine," Nino said, as Blue slowly sat down on the bed. "Are you allergic to any kind?" Nino asked, and Blue slowly shook his head. "Okay, I'll be right back then, just rest. Send Trixx if something happens, okay?"

He slowly retreated towards the door, flicking on the light. Blue winced in the sudden brightness, and Nino stared out at him. His throat tightened as he looked at those wings, realizing that the lack of iridescence wasn't from the lack of light– they had truly lost their shine. Blue feathers no longer glimmered in the light, dull and flat. Nino slowly turned the light back off, mouth dry as he slipped into the hallway.

He carried several things in his arms when he returned; pain medicine and a glass of water, and a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel– as he hadn't been able to find an ice pack. The pills and water were pressed into Blue's hands. Blue Wing was in the same position that he had left him in, sitting on the edge of his bed, wings sagged– not spread nor folded. Feathers were ruffled slightly, his body hunched forward.

He swallowed the pills without hesitation, chugging the water, before resuming his hunched position. His hands clasped the glass, staring into the few droplets at the bottom.

"Thank you."

Nino nodded. "Can… can I look at where you're hurt? See how bad it is? I have some ice…"

He shifted slightly, so his back was towards Nino. He carefully pushed his wings aside, but the large wings took up a majority of his back. Fingers traced the edge of his suit, but the cloth was firmly pressed against skin.

"Could… could you detransform?" Nino asked, and Blue instantly tensed up. "I won't look at your face, I promise, I just…" He trailed off, glancing at Trixx, before grabbing the Miraculous, pulling it off his neck. "Just you and me."

Trixx vanished in a flash of orange light, letting out a slight yelp as she was drawn back into the Miraculous. He felt bad for suddenly doing such, but he didn't want to push Blue anymore than he had been.

He swallowed. "Y-you can't look."

"I won't, I wouldn't" Nino whispered. "Not until you're ready."

Blue's hand crept towards his chest, fingers slowly wrapped around his brooch. He held it at first, but he didn't pull it from him. Wings twitched and ruffled, feathers brushing by Nino, before he pulled the Miraculous away. Blue light danced about him, the transformation falling. His kwami was drawn into his brooch, and his wings seemed to melt away, leaving a boy in front of Nino.

Pajamas hung loosely on him, and without his wings he looked so small. His blond hair looked as if it had been combed back, but still it more closely resembled his wind-swept hair when transformed. He didn't move from where he sat, as if frozen in front of Nino. He reached forward once more, touching Blue's shoulders, who shifted, but didn't pull away. Blue slowly pulled up his shirt so it was settled around his shoulders, allowing Nino to see his back.

He forced himself to stay quiet, already knowing that it would be bad, but still his stomach churned at the sight. Bruises mottled the pale skin, some bright red and swollen, showing the marks were young and fresh. There were several yellowish bruises as well, old and fading, and others edged with purple rings. Nino kept blinking back tears, trying to stay focused.

No blood. No broken skin. This wasn't reassuring, however, far from it, and he carefully pulled the shirt back down, and he struggled to find his voice.

"...Do you want to lay down?" Nino whispered. "And I can put some ice on it?"

Blue Wing moved slowly, carefully laying down on the bed. One arm was raised to cover his face, whole body tense as he laid on his stomach. Nino wrapped up the peas in the towel, before carefully placing them on where he knew the fresh bruises were. Blue took in a sharp breath at the contact, but didn't move.

This wasn't right. This wasn't enough. He needed to call someone, he couldn't just leave Blue like this, but he couldn't drive him away by bringing others into this. He wouldn't know where to find him, where to begin. Even if he could get a glimpse of that covered face... that might not be enough, not with two million people in Paris, not with nowhere to begin.

Nino slowly laid down next to him, forcing the thoughts of his mind– tomorrow. These would be things he would focus on tomorrow– but right now Blue just needed him here. He needed the quiet, the support, to know he was safe. And when the morning came, he could worry about everything else.

Nino's fingers slowly wove themselves into Blue's hair, not wanting to put any pressure on where he was hurt, but wanting to be close. He only pulled them away to shift the ice on his back, and the tension around Blue slowly seemed to lessen, bit by bit. Not vanishing, not leaving, simply easing into something that was hopefully better.

"Can you take it off?" Blue asked after some time, breaking the silence. "It feels good, but it's really cold..."

He picked up the bag of peas, setting them on his desk, right next to where their Miraculouses lay. Nino paused for a moment, looking at the Peacock Miraculous, before turning back to Blue. He had shifted, now laying on his side, head still facing away from Nino. His breathing seemed to have tensed up once more, and he slowly laid next to him again, running his fingers through his hair as he had before.

"I can stay?" Blue muttered.

"As long as you need to," Nino promised.

He slowly wrapped his arms around him, careful to avoid his bruises as he brought him into a gentle embrace, pulling Blue against his chest. A part of him wanted to hold him so tightly, as if to tell him not to ever leave, but instead he buried his head into his hair, more tears stinging his eyes.

Nino felt nothing but guilt– knowing that this wasn't enough. Knowing that he should be doing more, that none of this was right until he knew that Blue was safe. Pull him away from the life that he knew, and somehow make it alright.

"It will be okay," Blue Wing whispered– comforting him when he was the one that needed the comfort. "I... I know it's... extreme, but it will be okay, I promise."

"Huh?" Nino whispered.

"My father," Blue said. "I... he's getting worse, I know he is, but– but he just misses Mom. He's hurting. Once we get her back he'll... he won't go this far, it will go back to normal and... and you won't have to worry about me."

"I'm not going to stop worrying," Nino muttered, pressing a soft kiss to the back of his head. "Not until I know that you're safe."

Nino didn't realize what he had done until he had pulled back– instantly going still. Silence filled the room, yet there was not an inch of tension. Still, his heart hammered, and he didn't dare move.

"It's okay," Blue Wing whispered. "I know."

"Kn-know?"

"I..." Blue Wing swallowed. "I've... I've felt your Emotions before. I know you love me."

Nino didn't say a word, completely still, his arms still wrapped around Blue Wing, who let out a soft sigh.

"I... I know I shouldn't have done that, but I did, and I... I didn't know what to do. You didn't know I was there, and I ran... but, but I've been thinking about it. What you said to that illusion of me, what you were feeling and I... tonight..." Blue swallowed. "I realized there was nowhere else I wanted to be, Nino. When I'm with you I... I feel happy. I feel safe. I... I feel like I'm not about to make a mistake."

Love...? Was that... was that what he was–?

"I guess..." Blue muttered. "I guess I'm trying to say I love you too, Nino."

Oh. Oh.

"I love you," Nino blurted out, the realization seeming to hit him at once.

"I know," Blue Wing said, the smallest hint of a smile in his voice.

And now he knew as well.

"I love you," Nino said again, voice quiet. "Kwamis, I love you."

Blue Wing's hand wrapped around one of Nino's, carefully pulling it towards him. A warmth was pressed against the back of his hand, light and soft. Blue turned his hand over, before pressing another kiss into his palm.

Nino closed his eyes, and for a moment, everything felt alright.