Adrien flung himself onto his bed in a heap of dampness and also giddiness. He stayed like that for a few seconds before he started snuggling his pillow like he did whenever he felt happy. (His walk with Luka had ended with more ear rubs and a kind smile. He was still blushing.)
"Geeze, kid," Plagg rasped, but he had a smile as he floated over his Chosen and eyed him. "Had that much fun, huh?" He swallowed a piece of camembert.
"They're amazing," Adrien responded, his voice muffled due to his pillow as he buried his burning face into the cool cloth. His eyes were half-lidded and he squeezed his hand, bunching up a section of the pillow in his fist. "I… really like them, Plagg."
"I can tell," Plagg snorted, and he floated down to sit upon Adrien's hair as he munched on his cheese.
"Oh my god, Plagg, I like them!" Adrien suddenly yelped, raising his head so quickly it nearly threw Plagg across the room. The kwami sneered and flicked bits of camembert at him in retaliation.
"I thought we already established the fact that you're a hopeless kitten." Plagg suddenly smirked and flew in closer to Adrien's face, and he purred obnoxiously as he said, "or a smitten kitten."
"Plagg!" Adrien made a swipe at his kwami, his face red. Plagg dodged and cackled in the air before swallowing the last bit of his camembert. Adrien glared at the tiny god, his cheeks burning and his heart thudding rapidly.
"Don't call me that," Adrien scolded. "I'm not smitten."
Plagg snorted and settled on Adrien's pillow. "Riiiight."
"I'm not!"
"Look, kid." Plagg zoomed up to his face and poked Adrien's nose with his tiny paw - his green eyes were gleaming with wisdom, and his voice was low and serious as he spoke. "Listen to me for once, alright? You may not be in love, but you're on the road to it. Do you really think you can handle moving on so quickly? Your mind may be ready to let go of Ladybug, but your heart might not be. Don't lie to me, kitten. When Ladybug teased you today, I could feel your blood pressure rise and your heartbeat speed up."
Adrien stared at the kwami, and he sighed, cupping his hands up. Plagg floated down and settled in his palms, and the two stared at each other, both thinking. Adrien tipped his head back until it hit the wall. "I forget sometimes that you're a god," he murmured. "Gods, you're right, Plagg. I think I'm… I don't know if I'm still in love with Ladybug, but I still love her."
"She loves you," Plagg immediately interrupted. "She loves you. Just as I'm connected to you, I'm connected to her too."
"I know," Adrien shushed, and he rubbed Plagg gently between the ears with one finger. The kwami purred softly, and the vibrations of it soothed Adrien. "And I'll always love her. But right now, I think I'm ready to stop being in love with her."
"She'll always be your Ladybug to your Chat Noir." Plagg paused and he stared up at Adrien with wide eyes, his expression earnest. "You're soulmates."
"Yeah." Adrien slowly started to grin, and then he chuckled. "But I want to make Marinette and Luka my soulmates, too."
Plagg snorted, and he curled up in Adrien's hands, his tail softly brushing against Adrien's thumb and reminiscent of a mother cat gently reprimanding her litter. "You're not quite there yet, kitten."
"I'm going to try." Adrien determined, and he gently brushed the top of Plagg's head. The kwami purred almost quietly, and in Adrien's chest, a purr of his own began to build up. Plagg was right - he wasn't quite there yet. He was barely at the beginning of the road, but he was traveling his way down, collecting pieces of Luka and Marinette along the way that he hoarded in his heart like the most precious treasures in the world. Hell, he could even admit to himself that a part of him still longed for Ladybug; but he was letting each page of his love for her let loose in the wind. He would always love her - but not like that. Because he didn't want to.
"The most lovesick kitten of all." Plagg murmured drowsily, and he shuffled slightly before saying even more quietly, "but also the most determined."
Adrien beamed, and he carefully placed the now sleeping kwami onto his pillow, at the spot he loved the most. He observed Plagg with fondness, and rubbed him between the ears one last time. "Thanks, buddy."
Adrien glanced at his clock - 3:45 blinked at him. He didn't have a shoot today, his father was out of town, and he still had a few hours to kill before he had to leave and meet Marinette.
The boy smiled, and he reached for his phone.
As he was about to start typing out a message to Nino, there was a sudden notification - Adrien blinked at who it was from. Chloe.
He hesitated; he and Chloe haven't spoken in a while. It's been at least a moment since they properly talked, and he had felt mostly relief that she was finally leaving him alone, but as he observed the little pop-up saying she sent a text, he felt worry slowly start to bubble in his chest.
He had known Chloe almost his whole life, and he knew that she could be horrible at times, but she was his first friend. She was kind when she wanted to be, but lately she's been almost… subdued. Chloe wasn't a person to be quiet, and the fact that she hasn't been talking at all lately suddenly popped in his mind.
Acting quickly, he clicked the notification and read Chloe's text.
Chloe:
marinette has honey in her bakery right
Adrien's brows furrowed. What? Last he remembered, Chloe despised Marinette - and didn't she also make fun of her parents' bakery last time? He was hesitant (he was rather protective of Marinette, after all, because of reasons ), but he gave his honest answer.
Me:
She has honey pastries. Why?
Chloe:
k.
Adrien waited impatiently for a more elaborate response, but he didn't get one. He stared at the brief and clipped conversation, and he frowned. Chloe was certainly acting strange… she'd never been the biggest fan of honey, but he supposes tastes can change.
Deciding to dwell on it later, he swiped and called the person he had been meaning to contact in the first place.
"Dude?"
Adrien grinned. "Hi, Nino. Wanna play some video games? I have a good seven hours."
"Bro, do you even have to ask?"
Only a few minutes later, Adrien was opening the door to let his best friend in. They grinned at each other, and they locked the door to Adrien's room before settling in to have a long night of messing around on Adrien's giant tv.
"So," Nino said a few hours later and over the sounds of music and battle. "Adrien. My best bro. My compadre. My favorite model."
"Hm?" Adrien said, trying to somehow stuff a eclair down his throat while also rapidly pressing the buttons on the console. (He had to remember to pay back Nino later - Adrien had the hugest sweet tooth, and the other boy had managed to sneak in junk food in his backpack.)
"When'd your crush on Luka and Marinette start?"
Adrien spewed, coughing hoarsely as he tried to dislodge the piece of pastry and cream stuck in his throat. Nino smirked and patted Adrien on the back until the blond swallowed painfully and gasped for water.
"Well?" Nino hummed, handing a bottle of water over to his best friend. Adrien first gulped down the whole thing before eyeing the other boy wearily.
"How - "
"Did I find out?" Nino shook his head and sighed with both fondness and exasperation. "You're like, the least subtle person on this planet. Well, aside from Marinette."
Adrien's face was burning as he quietly handed back the now empty water bottle. He shrugged and said softly, "I like them. A lot."
Nino smiled, but it wasn't teasing this time. He leaned forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah. I know."
Adrien smiled back, and said, "so, you don't wanna know the details? Alya set you up to this, don't lie to me."
Nino shrugged, obviously not sorry as he rapidly pressed 'A' and successfully killed the monster. "Eh, not really. I love you, bro, but if you're fine with it then I'm fine too."
Adrien resisted the urge to do something sentimental like reach over and pull him into a hug. This was one of the many reasons why Adrien was so fond of Nino - his best friend knew exactly when to push and how much. He stepped back respectfully instead of prodding, and Adrien appreciated that.
"Oh, what?" Nino yelped, his phone dinging rapidly as he pulled it out and started typing furiously. "Dude."
"Nino, kind of busy here," Adrien said, practically smashing the buttons and trying hard to use his special attack.
"Adrien…"
At this, the blond paused, and he hesitated before pausing the game and then turning to face his best friend. "Nino?"
Nino's eyes were wide, and his hand was almost shaky as he presented his phone screen to Adrien. It was opened to the Ladyblog, and Adrien's breath hitched as his eyes raced across the glass and read the simple headline.
New Costumed Identity - Hero or Villain?
Underneath the words was a picture. It was slightly blurry, but leaping from the top of a building was a female. Her body was covered in a sleek, yellow suit with a black patterning that reminded Adrien of a bee. Her face was covered with a black and yellow mask, and her blond curls were pulled back in a ponytail, ending in a severe swirl streaked with black. Antenna like bands held her hair together.
"Oh my god." Adrien breathed.
"Alya saw her only a few minutes ago," Nino said. He took his phone back and started typing once more. "Somewhere near the Eiffel Tower."
Adrien took in those words and he drowned the rest out, his mind clicking fast to try and think of something. A new hero (or villain) with a bee-themed costume, and Adrien knew that the leap she had taken was not humanly possible. Not without the help of a little god, anyway. Adrien's heart beat rapidly, and he resisted the urge to dive for his bed and demand Plagg for answers.
"H-Hey," Adrien croaked. "I just remembered, uh… my father had a dinner party for me planned."
"Oh, that sucks, dude," Nino frowned, having finally put away his phone. "Need me to go?"
Adrien nodded wordlessly. He felt like if he spoke, he'd choke.
"Bummer," Nino said as he packed up his things. "Although it's kind of cool, you know. I hope the new chick's a hero. It'd feel better if we had more protection."
Adrien swallowed thickly before saying, "I hope she's a hero, too. Bye, Nino."
"See ya, dude. I'll catch up with you tomorrow!" And with that, Nino gave a wave goodbye before rushing out with his umbrella into the rain.
Adrien slammed the door shut before sprinting up back to his room. He locked the door and then shouted, "Plagg!"
"So, Pollen's awake." Was Plagg's greeting as he zoomed out from under Adrien's pillow. He made a face of annoyance, sticking out his tongue and then blowing it. "Never liked that fuzzball. She's too serious and then one minute later, she's insisting on how great she is."
"Who is Pollen?" Adrien said, tugging Plagg down by his tail gently. "Plagg… is this person a new Miraculous holder?"
Plagg sighed, and he nestled into Adrien's hand. He stared at Adrien with half-lidded green eyes, and his tail lashed slowly before he goes, "Pollen is the kwami of the Bee Miraculous. It represents dedication, hard work, and the ability to lead. I don't know if this new Chosen is corrupted - but I hope for all our sakes, she isn't."
Plagg frowned and looked off to the side, his pupils slits and his tail lashing almost angrily. "The bee hasn't been awake for almost a century… If this holder is corrupted, then it's going to double your fight as Chat. The butterfly can create Champions by guiding and inspiring them - but Hawk Moth used that power and abused it to instead control and influence. The bee can lead people to greatness, but if used for the wrong cause, they could have the world at their fingertips and have an army."
Adrien took in a few deep breaths, and he cupped Plagg before lifting him up to his eyes. "Is this new holder bad? You said you're connected to Ladybug - are you connected to this bee?"
Plagg bared his fangs and scoffed. "I'm connected to Tikki because she's my other half. I can't help with Pollen - I can feel when she's awake or asleep, but that's as far as it goes."
Adrien stared outside into the rain. He looked at the clock - 8:57.
"Sorry, princess," Adrien muttered. "But I'm going to have to cancel that meeting. I need to see Ladybug."
"You'll be vulnerable if this new bee turns out to be a villain," Plagg grunted.
"It's a chance I have to take," Adrien argued. "Plagg, claws out!"
Chat Noir leapt out of Adrien's bedroom window, the loose black jacket he donned flapping slightly in the rainy wind. His throat rumbled with a growl, and he felt a headache start to form, but he ignored it and started to run across the tops of buildings in the direction of the Eiffel Tower.
Against his lower back, he felt a slight vibration, and he reached behind to grab his baton and watch through the rain as Ladybug's face appeared.
"Chat - " She started, her eyes worried and her voice rushed. Chat squinted, and he could see her leaping across building tops as well.
"I'm on my way," he cut off.
"Be alert, kitty." Ladybug warned, and her gaze was piercing. "We don't want another Volpina incident."
Chat nodded his head, and he slid his baton back into place before racing even faster than before. It was hard to see through the rain, but in the distance, he could see the dark and blurry outline of the tower. His eyes darted around the area, searching for a yellow and black clad figure.
He extended his baton, and he lunged himself off of the final roof and onto a lamp post before taking one last jump and clinging on mid-way up the tower.
His tail lashed as rain pelted him, and he growled in frustration when he couldn't smell or hear any sign of someone nearby. The rain was messing with his senses, and Chat didn't know how far away Ladybug was - he was worried that the new holder would run away before she could get there.
So, he took a chance, and he raced higher up the tower and then shouted, "BEE!"
He waited a few moments, and for every second that passed, his tail lashed and his skin prickled. He crouched, ready to start searching the tower, because he needed to know if -
"Queen Bee."
Chat flipped around, now using his other hand to grab on to the metal of the tower as he stared with wide eyes at the hero currently hovering mid-air a few feet away from him.
Her voice was soft and shy, and her eyes were sincere - they were a soft, baby blue, and Chat eyed her warily. Like Ladybug had said, it wasn't the time for another Volpina incident. He'd be more careful this time.
"My name is Queen Bee," she repeated, and then paused before saying hesitantly, "I… want to learn to be a hero."
Chat stared. And, finally, he said, "there was another girl before. She claimed she was on our side, but she hurt a lot of people. Why should I trust you?" His tone wasn't kind, but it wasn't harsh, either. His eyes were curious yet guarded, and his hand hovered over his baton, ready to wield it if necessary.
Queen Bee's see-through wings fluttered nervously at this, and she fumbled in the air slightly. She was almost unbalanced, just barely able to hold herself aloft.
"I can't prove it," she said. "Of course I can't. But…"
Her nose scrunched up, and her cheeks went pink as she turned her head to the side. "I'm not a good person as a civilian. I did a lot of bad things, and I hurt a lot of people I care about. I think I was chosen because this can redeem me - because it's another chance for me to live differently."
Her eyes were earnest and genuine as she peered at him.
Chat felt himself soften at that, and he sighed a little. She was telling the truth - Chat could feel it in his gut. Plus, Akumas never acted like her. Shy and obviously having trouble controlling her powers. Chat glanced back at his baton, and he hesitated, before saying, "race you to the top?"
Queen Bee blinked at this, and before she could respond, he winked at her and said, "see you soon, Queenie!"
She sputtered from behind him as he started racing up the top, and he could hear her try and catch up while obviously failing.
Chat reached the tip far before she did, and with a glance down the side, he could see her shrieking as she tried to control her wings. Good; he had a minute or two.
"My Lady, where are you?" Chat hissed quietly as he pulled out his baton once more.
Ladybug's face filled the tiny screen, and she looked guilty. "I'm sorry, minou. I got caught up with a mugger. Nothing big, just a teen. I called the police." Her lips pursed tightly, and the camera shook slightly as she leaped across another building. "Is… is she there?"
Chat laughed a little breathlessly at that. "Yeah, she's here. Queen Bee, to be exact."
Ladybug frowned. "Chat, I don't know if - "
"I trust her." Chat interrupted. "Buginette, she's genuine. She's a newbie and is still trying to fly without falling, but she's trying and she talked to me. Queenie's here for a reason. She'll help us with missions, I promise."
"Oh, chaton." Ladybug sighed, but her eyes were caring as she looked at the camera. "Of course we can give it a chance. We just have to be careful, okay?"
"Okay!" Chat grinned, and he almost started bouncing on his feet. "You're amazing, my Lady."
Ladybug's face went red at this (?), and the camera shook as she stumbled over something. Chat watched, confused, as his partner squeaked, "s-see you in a bit, Chat."
The call ended, and the hero tucked away his baton while his brain tried to understand what the heck just happened. Ladybug had looked particularly red, maybe she was getting a cold from all this rain? Oh , maybe he should ask Marinette to make Ladybug a coat as well! (He went pink at the voice inside his mind that whispered how along with that he could spend more time with Marinette.)
There was a thud behind him, and Chat grinned as he turned to see a slightly dazed Queen Bee clutching on to the metal beam with both arms and her wings sluttering lazily behind her. She shook her head to pull herself out of her phase, and she growled, "dumb wings."
"Having trouble, fuzzy?" Chat purred, leaning against a metal pole as he observed her with amusement. "By the way, Ladybug's coming soon."
"What? Ladybug?! A… already?" Queen Bee squealed, and her neck flushed as she struggled to pull herself fully onto the metal beam. "I don't know if I'm ready to see her… I can barely fly." At this, her wings physically drooped, as if reflecting her mood.
Chat sighed, but his voice was gentle as he walked over and grasped her wrist. "You aren't the only one who messed up when they first got their Miraculous."
She looked at him with curious blue eyes as he pulled her up onto the beam. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Chat laughed. "I can't even count the amount of times I banged my head during that mess with Stoneheart. And if you want to get better at flying, why not learn some physics?"
Queen Bee's nose scrunched at this, both in mild disgust and confusion. "Physics?"
"Cross winds and things," Chat grinned, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a bright red figure dart across rooftops, and his smile only grew wider. A few seconds later, there was a gentle thud, and Queen Bee's eyes grew wide while her wings fluttered nervously.
"Nice to meet you, Queen Bee." Ladybug smiled.
XxXxXxXxXxX
"Did you have to insist on coming?" He asked, his ton lightly scolding as Juleka once again reached out to catch a few drops of water that fell off the points of the umbrella. She rubbed the drops between her fingers, seemingly fascinated by the water, and he sighed fondly. "You know that you don't do good in weather like this."
"You said you wanted to bring Adrien his umbrella," Juleka countered. "You know as well as I do that then you'd be coming home in the rain - you should be grateful I'm here, Luka."
Luka laughed, and he gently pinched her elbow, like he did ever since they were little kids. "You could've just given me my umbrella."
"No, you would have done something dumb, like lose it or give it to a box of kittens again," Juleka retorted, and she reached up to tug on one blue-tipped lock of hair gently.
"You just wanted to make sure I was okay," Luka said, his smile growing wider.
Juleka glared at him, and she huffed, a smile of her own forming slowly. "Whatever - whoa. Is that Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
The siblings paused, and Luka raised his eyes to squint up at the Eiffel Tower they had been passing. Indeed, at the very top, there were three distinct blobs - one a bright scarlet, another with blond hair and a blue jacket, and the other a… yellow and black figure.
Luka sighed once more, but his eyes were twinkling as he stared at them. Affection grew in his heart, and he hummed in thought before suddenly turning and heading back towards where they had come from. He wasn't needed here - he knew they were fine.
"Where are we going?" Juleka asked, forced to move so she could still be protected from the rain by the umbrella. "I thought you wanted to give this back to Adrien." She pointed to the black umbrella.
Luka looked out at the pouring rain, at the puddles that splashed underneath their shoes, and at the grey skies whose clouds were heavy with water. He laughed gently.
"I just remembered, but he isn't home."
"How do you know?" Juleka questioned, half-distracted as she once again reached out and caught a few drops of cold water in her hand.
Luka smiled.
"Just a hunch."
XxXxXxXxXxX
My AO3 and tumblr are redyarns. I'm far more consistent there than here.