#bee!adrien

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Aristos detransformed as he landed in a nearby alley, hanging back until his friend's arrived. Pollen ooh-ing at the Cesaire's apartment building. Adrien's foot tapping against the concrete.

"You mentioned that Alya runs the preeminent information network on superheroes in all of Paris?" Pollen asked.

Adrien felt a twinge in his chest at the mention of the Ladyblog but Pollen's curious eyes soothed it. "That's a good way to put it. Alya gets the best videos," Adrien smiled fondly, "She's a little too cavalier about rushing into danger though."

"How industrious," Pollen praised. "And Alya is courting Nino, your bond brother, correct?"

Adrien hid a giggle behind his hand. "I wouldn't call it 'courting' but yeah. Nino's the coolest! He always has my back and tries to include me in stuff. Like now, actually."

Catching Adrien's giggles, Pollen smiled. Watching Adrien light up as he spoke about his friends was definitely a highlight to being outside the Box. "And Marinette?"

"Oh, she's so thoughtful and compassionate and I really admire her for standing up for others." Adrien rubbed the back of his head. "I'm, so lucky to have them."

Pollen floated a bit closer to him. "I'm sure they're lucky to have you too, Adrien."

Adrien's smile softened at her words, ducking his head a bit. Eyes flickering to the alley's entrance he spotted an unmistakable red cap. "They're here! C'mon, Pollen!"

Zipping into his pocket Pollen peaked out as Adrien ran towards the entrance.

"Bro, you made it!" Nino offered his fist in greeting.

"Wouldn't miss hanging out with all of you, dude!" Adrien bumped it with a grin.

"Adrien! I'm-" Marinette cleared her throat. "Happy you could come."

"Right!?" Nino wrapped an arm around Adrien's shoulders. "It's been forever, dude."

Pollen felt Adrien lean into the contact as his heart sped up, just a bit.

"Yeah... Missed you guys." Adrien smiled softly.

Nino grinned. "C'mon, I wanna see if we can beat Alya and Mari's high score!"

In the end Adrien and Nino held the top spot just long enough for Alya and Nino to take it back. Adrien may have had more practice at dance games but that was by himself. Playing as a team wasn't the same. It was much more fun!

Sneaking a piece of Mme. Cesaire's cooking to Pollen when no one was looking, Adrien held a finger to his lips.

Giggling silently, Pollen nodded as she accepted the treat.

"They're so in sync," Marinette commented as Alya and Nino mirrored each other's dance moves.

"You're right," Adrien agreed, smiling fondly. "Someday I hope I'll find someone I can share everything with...like they... do..." A pressure bloomed in his chest, expression falling as Adrien gripped his arm with his other hand.

Marinette's brow furrowed as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Adrien, you okay?"

"Big finish, here we go!" Nino flourished his arms over his head and stood on one tiptoe. "Yeah!"

Alya laughed at her boyfriend's pose. Nino grinning at the sound.

"Ah, shoot! Did I miss the ballet?" A mocking voice called from the entryway. Alya's older sister stood there with a bag slung over her shoulder and boxing helmet still on her head.

"Nora? Is your match over already?" Alya asked, surprised.

Adrien tried to shake off his melancholy. It was the first time he met Nora, or, uh, Anansi, after all. But still he could only focus on every other word. Like Nora being a professional boxer. That was cool. Adrien wondered how different that was from being a professional fencer. Besides the level of injury, obviously. Maybe he should ask her-

"-can go with Model Boy if they want but you're staying here! It's way too dangerous!" Nora declared.

Wait, what? Adrien's mind sprang back to the present.

"But Nora, I mean, Anansi. You can't do that!" Marinette protested.

Okay, if Marinette was against the idea it was probably bad.

"Yeah, no way, dude! We're not going without Alya!" Nino crossed his arms.

Oh, they were talking about going to the Place de la Concorde! Adrien smiled to himself for piecing it together. Then frowned as he realized Nora -Anansi- didn't want Alya to go with them.

"Listen, I appreciate you worrying about me and all," Alya began reasonably. "But I'm not a little girl anymore. Besides, Maman and Papa are totally cool with it!"

Nora tsk, tsk, tsk-ed at her sister's argument. "There have been way too many akumatized peeps in Paris these last few weeks. Look how many times you've been in direct danger! So you're staying home, safe and sound, period."

"That's so ridiculous! The twins were akumatized right here at home!" Alya pointed out.

"Well, that would've never happened on my watch! I won't let anybody mess with my family!" Nora boasted, slamming a fist into her palm.

Alya gave her a look. "You mean like the other day at the square?"

Adrien remembered hearing about the M. Banana incident. Oh, he'd needed that laugh!

"Uh, er, how was I supposed to know it was just some stupid costume? And besides," Nora deflected, "what would happen if the Ferris wheel stopped working 'cause some akumatized dude refused to pay his fare? Once you flyweights can actually defend yourselves like me-" Nora released a rapid series of attacks to her hypothetical opponent, "-we'll talk about it." 

"It doesn't matter because Ladybug and Ch- Ladybug would save us if there were any problems!" Marinette piped up.

"And she'd have Aristos' help!" Adrien felt pink tinting his cheeks for including himself but he wasn't wrong.

"Oh, yeah? And what are you gonna do if that pair of bugs gets hit with bug spray? What'll you do then?" Nora challenged.

Nino stepped up. "I can protect Alya if I have to!"

Nora laughed. "Yeah? And how exactly are you planning to defeat the villain? A dance off?"

"I-" Nino's brow furrowed, eyes downcast. "I'd do anything to protect Alya."

Alya looked at her boyfriend. Not quite able to place the feeling Nino's statement inspired in her chest.

Adrien placed a hand on Nino's shoulder. "And besides, he's got me backing him up!"

"You?" Nora scoffed. "What's a baby handed pretty boy like you gonna do?"

"Thank you," Adrien was oddly pleased Alya's sister thought he was pretty.

Nora's brow furrowed for some reason.

Pressing on, Adrien squared his shoulders and pointed a thumb at his chest. "I've been fencing since I was three and I'm the number one-" Number two but Nora didn't need to know that. "-fencer at the best school in Paris."

"Oh, really?" Nora leaned down so her nose was mere centimeters from Adrien's.

Suddenly very aware of his own heartbeat Adrien refused to break eye contact.

"...Heh. Alright, Alya can go with you."

Adrien blinked, a smile blooming on his face. "Really? That's-"

"But I'm going with you."

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Alya smiled tightly as Nora scanned the Ferris wheel for threats.

"Are you sure it's okay that she came along?" Adrien asked with a frown.

"Yup! No problem. Why would it bother me that my older sister feels like she has to chaperone me?"

Adrien patted her on the back in sympathy.

Alya sighed. "Still, thank you. It's not easy changing Nora's mind, believe me."

Rubbing the back of his head, Adrien's smile softened. "I had to back up my bro."

They glanced behind them were Marinette was making progress with a slightly sulky Nino.

"Besides, I... know what it's like not being allowed out."

Alya bumped shoulders with Adrien and gave him a grin. "Good thing we have you then."

Eyes widening, Adrien averted his gaze. Suddenly warm and fuzzy all over. "Yeah-" he grinned, "-guess so."

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"I can't believe you got akumatized over this!" Alya exclaimed, masking the tremor in her voice with annoyance. Anansi, currently a badass looking spider, unfortunately webbed up the Ferris wheel's workings so she could more easily grab the glass bubble they were trapped in.

"Told ya it was dangerous, little sis!" Anansi leapt from the wheel to the ground-

"WHOA!"

-and grabbed Alya from inside.

"Alya!" Nino grabbed for her but his hand closed around empty air.

"Thought you said you could protect everybody, Blondie!" Anansi called down from her perch. "Come and get her if y'all aren't flyweights!"

"No no no no!" Nino bolted after the akuma, dodging the webs she shot back.

"Nino!" Adrien and Marinette called in unison.

"I'm not a flyweight and I don't need your help to prove it!"

Adrien stared after him as Nino crawled over cars to avoid the webs. Hand outstretched...

"Adrien we should find somewhere to hide!"

Shaking his head, Adrien looked at Marinette. "Right... Probably better if we go separately."

"We don't have to- I mean! Yes, absolutely! It's... safer that way."

I don't need your help.

Shut up! Adrien ran as his heart was squeezed in a vice. He didn't mean it like that!

I don't need your help.

Finding a secluded corner, Adrien paused and took deep breaths.

I don't need your help.

Pollen flew out of his pocket and hovered uncertainly.

Exhaling shakily, Adrien glanced up at her. "That is the upteenth time... Hawkmoth has ruined my day."

"... Then we should educate him on how valuable a king's time can be, Adrien."

Adrien wiped at his eyes, which narrowed dangerously. "Hell, yeah. Pollen, transforme-moi!"

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Ladybug swung down and transformed back into Marinette. Practically running towards Master Fu's door. Worry Nino might do something foolish gnawing at her insides. Aristos would come, Marinette knew he would, but he couldn't purify the akuma without her.

And that meant, she knocked loudly on the door, that she had to hurry!

The Miracle Box was barely open before she was reaching for his ring again.

"Marinette."

Something in Master Fu's voice made her hesitate.

Clearing his throat, the Guardian continued. "This is the fifth time in a row you've chosen the Black Cat Miraculous."

"I know, Master. But it's the only one that stands out! All the other Miraculous blur together but Chat's- I mean, the ring, calls to me... Because I know that he should still be by my side." Marinette gave him a pleading look.

Master Fu sighed, looking away. "Be careful, Ladybug."

Face falling, Marinette nodded. "I will, Master." And took her partner's ring from the Miracle Box for the last time.

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Nino was being an idiot. He knew that. Letting an akumatized villain bait him into confronting her head on? Total noob move.

Still. Turning back never crossed his mind. Nino had always been the protective type... Granted his protection generally took the form of staving off Adrien's loneliness as much as he could or reminding his little brother to share his toys.

But still! Nora wasn't wrong. Nino did feel like he could be doing... more.

Hence him 'fighting' Anansi with a random pipe he found lying around.

"Babe, your doing great but I really think you should let the heroes handle this one!" Alya called down from the web Anansi had spun between the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe.

Nino swung again as Anansi easily evaded his attacks. "Everything's fine!"

"Psh! You haven't even landed a hit!"

As soon as the taunt left Anansi's lips Nino connected with her face. His pleased expression fading as she turned her glare on him.

"... Heh."

Nino was sure his screams could be heard in the next arrondissement as he sailed through the air.

"Gotcha!"

The sound of whirring preceded Nino's sudden shift in direction. Looking up from the strong arms keeping him from going splat he saw yellow. "Aristos!"

"Sorry I'm late!" The Bee grinned. "A naughty spider trapped a buncha people on a Ferris wheel!"

"You're not going anywhere!" Anansi launched a strand of webbing at the Bee; latching onto his ankle.

"Whoa!" Aristos curled around Nino as Anansi pulled them to the ground. Taking the brunt of the impact.

"You're just a little bug trapped in my web!" Anansi leapt forward with her right arms cocked back.

Without thinking, Aristos rolled over his best friend, back to Anansi. Nino's eyes widening as he realized what was about to happen.

"NO!"

Anansi was yanked backwards mid leap. Landing awkwardly as Ladybug reeled in her yo-yo, which was tied around two of Anansi's right arms.

"Not this time!" Ladybug called.

Turning on the ball of her feet Anansi rushed towards the hero. "Finally! You show up!" Her fists crack the asphalt where Ladybug was just standing.

Leaping over her opponent's long limbs Ladybug set her foot against Anansi's back. Taking the opportunity to tie her yo-yo around a left arm she pulled tight.

"Hey! Let go!" Anansi struggled against her restraints, muscles straining.

Ladybug's grip slipping. "Aristos now!"

"Venom!" Aristos launched himself forward.

Right as Anansi wrenched Ladybug off her feet.

Aristos had just enough time to twist his top away from Ladybug as they collided in midair. Top spinning away from him as a black blur did the same from her. Landing roughly in a tangle of limbs.

Anansi loomed over them with a triumphant grin. "Ha! Got ya now you flywei-"

There was a clanging sound as Nino got his second swing in. The metal pipe bending in the middle where he struck Anansi. Who slowly turned to face him. Glaring murder. An I'm-totally-gonna-die grin on his face.

But before Anansi could literally tear him apart Ladybug leapt onto the tall supervillain's back and wrapped her arms around Anansi's head. "Get him outa here!"

The breath was knocked out of Nino as Aristos tackled him over his shoulder none too gently and bolted.

"Get off!" Anansi pulled Ladybug off and hurled her away.

Only for Ladybug to wrap her yo-yo onto a nearby lamp post and use her momentum to swing herself into a flying kick.

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"Um, dude, I think we're safe now."

"Right!"

"... You can put me down now, dude."

"R-right!" Adrien put Nino back on his own two feet and awkwardly gave him a once over. There was a beeping sound from his comb. "You seem okay..."

Brow furrowing slightly, Nino pulled out a small, octagonal, black box. "Yeah, but Ladybug dropped this when Anansi sent you two crashin' into each other. IDK what it is but..."

Adrien stared at the Miraculous box in his hands, mouth parting in a silent exclamation. He- He knew those symbols.

"Uh, dude?"

Reverently taking the box Adrien took a deep breath and opened the lid.

A blinding flash of green light shot out and materialized into a familiar face.

"Well, it's about time!" Plagg said.

"Plagg!" Adrien reached out and cradled the tiny god in his palms. "I- Um..." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm glad to see you again."

"Me too, kid." Plagg zoomed to Adrien's chest to give him a hug.

Nino gapped at them as the realization that Aristos was Chat Noir clicked.

"... Ahem, well enough of that mushy stuff. We've got an akuma to catch!"

Wiping at his eyes, Adrien nodded. "You said it!" A spark of mischief lit up his face. "Hey. Hey! Let's have Nino use the ring!"

Nino shook his head to clear it. "Say what now?"

"Someone has to use it and it can't be me! We have to give you back after." This last part Adrien directed at Plagg.

"... Well, we don't have to."

Aristos snorted. "Tempting as that is, Ladybug has enough on her plate without losing half of the most powerful Miraculous."

"Bit late for that," Plagg snickered.

"Be nice."

"I'm always nice!"

"Sure you are." Adrien pet Plagg's head with a fond smile.

"Wait... You mean... I'm going to be Chat Noir!?" Nino pointed at himself in disbelief. "He's- I mean, you're, my favorite hero dude! It sucked when you disappeared. Man, I- Hey, you alright?"

"Yup!" Aristos squeaked, blinking back tears that had no business coming this easily damnit! "Totally fine!" Clearing his throat, Adrien straightened his shoulders and offered the Black Cat Miraculous to his best friend. Another beep sounding from his Miraculous. "What about it? Wanna help us kick some butterfly butt?"

Nino grinned as he accepted the ring. "Hell yeah!"

---------------

"Oh, Teacher's Pet has some backbone!" Anansi shot out webs in rapid succession.

Ladybug sidestepping them as she retreated. Anansi was too strong to take on directly; she really hoped Aristos would get there soon so she could tag out.

"Is that all you got?" Ladybug bluffed.

Smirking, Anansi grabbed a nearby car and threw it at the Bug.

Sliding underneath it Ladybug hooked her yo-yo around the vehicle and spun it back at Anansi.

The supervillain easily dodging as she raced toward Ladybug.

Bringing her yo-yo up as a shield Ladybug used her smaller size and greater maneuverability to evade Anansi's punches. Even with all the arms she had.

"Hold still!" Anansi demanded as her swings got more precise.

Taking a risk, Ladybug leapt back. "Lucky Charm!"

Anansi aimed three fists downward and struck the ground. Concrete cracking as the force of impact knocked Ladybug off her feet.

"Ugh, ow. Hey!" Ladybug protested as she was hoisted by her ankle. The world turning upside down as her Lucky Charm was kicked away.

"I said-" Anansi pulled her arm back. "Hold-" Aimed up. "Still!" And pitched Ladybug into her web next to Alya.

Squeezing her eyes shut as the web shook with the impact, Alya popped one eye open. "... This can't be good."

"Ha! Gotcha! Now there's only one left!" Anansi hit her fists into her palms in anticipation.

"Well aren't you buzzing with confidence," Aristos called from atop a lamppost.

Head whirling to the sound of his voice the supervillain zeroed in on the hero. "If Teacher's Pet over there didn't stand a chance against me what makes you think you do, Bumblebee?"

"What's the matter? Scared?"

Taking the bait Anansi charged at him.

"At least he's got his top again," Alya noted.

Just as a new face showed up.

"Uh, hey girls." The new guy balanced on a staff that extended all the way to the ground. Wearing a mostly black costume with green gauntlets and boots that went up to his elbows and knees. A hoody with cat ears framing a face covered by green tinted goggles. The Black Cat symbol emblazoned on his chest.

Ladybug's face drained of color as her eyes widened. Unable to pull her gaze away as her fingers clenched into fists.

"Alright dude- er, Ladybug."

Alya gave the cat an inquisitive look.

"Get ready to drop!" Wrapping an arm around Alya's shoulders he held the other above Anansi's web. "Cataclysm!"

Ladybug fell on her feet as the web turned to dust. The unknown Black Cat descending with a tight grip on Alya. Forcing her thoughts to move, Ladybug shook her head. "We have to help Aristos."

"Uh, I think he's done du- Ladybug." The Black Cat pointed at Anansi in a frozen position on the ground.

She blinked. "Aristos?"

"Here!"

Ladybug spotted his hand waving from beneath the akuma villain.

"A little help?"

Ladybug rolled the frozen Anansi over and gave Aristos a hand up.

"Thanks. That was a close call-"

Ladybug's grip tightened involuntarily. "W-why does he have that?"

Aristos followed Ladybug's gaze to see Alya asking for Nino's superhero name. Who was puzzling out how to break Anansi's helmet without Cataclysm.

"That's Chat's ring!"

Cruel warmth panged in Adrien's chest. Chat's ring... "Easy, Ladybug." Aristos placed a gentle hand over her own. "He's gonna hand it over-"

Ladybug's earrings beeped. "Like you did?"

Aristos stepped back, breaking contact, as he scowled. "Lucky for you he's not me then."

Wincing, Ladybug tried to backtrack. "I didn't mean-"

"Sure, sure."

"It's just... The Black Cat Miraculous is the most dangerous one of all. If the wrong person is chosen to wield it..."

"I think I know my Miraculous better than you, tha-" Adrien snapped his jaw shut.

A vice gripped Marinette's heart. "... Your Miraculous?"

Aristos backed away as blood drained from his face. "Slip of the tongue." He pulled out his top, ready to launch himself away.

"Chat wait!" Ladybug reached for him but her fingers stopped just shy of his suit. Her earrings giving out another beep.

Chat Noir stood stock still as his Miraculous echoed hers.

"Wait! Just... wait."

Adrien's shoulders hunched as he kept his eyes on his shoes.

Ladybug's chest felt like it would choke the words down. But she swallowed down the lump in her throat instead and forced them out. "Are- Are you okay?"

Hand going to the back of his neck Adrien glanced up at her. "I'm... doing better."

"Come back."

He jerked ramrod straight.

"Please, come back."

The beeping became more insistent.

"I'll... Think about it."

And then he was gone and Marinette had to catch a quickly tossed Lucky Charm, a Bee comb, so she could call down Miraculous Ladybug.

-----------------

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Adrien shoved the voice down as he made his way to Nino's. A question turning in Adrien's head. Aristos landed at his open window silently.

"Okay, so how is this gonna work, little dude?" Nino watched in fascination as the kwami ate triple it's size in cheese without gaining an once.

"Eh, beats me. Don't know what she's thinking but Ladybug always has a plan," Plagg said before swallowing another wedge.

"O-kay?" Nino didn't quite follow but it looked like Plagg was going to stay a while. "Make yourself at home?"

"Trust me, he'll do that whether you like it or not," Aristos announced himself.

Nino jerked as he spun around. "Holy sh- You can't sneak up on a dude like that!"

"Sorry." Adrien gave a rueful smile as he rubbed the back of his neck.

The movement drawing Nino's attention for reasons he couldn't quite place.

"So she left the Miraculous with you?"

"Yeah, how did-"

Aristos pointed at the Miraculous on Nino's finger.

He blinked. "Oh yeah." Nino pulled it off and offered it to Adrien. "Dudette said to give this back to ya. Said it belonged to you anyway."

Adrien stared, eyes wide, as his heart hammered against his chest. Uncomprehending despite the simplicity of Nino's statement. Just like that? Ladybug wasn't one to put something like this in another's hands. Wasn't one to bend the rules more than necessary. She was too stubborn for that. But she had. For him. For him Ladybug had said fuck the rules.

Nino shifted awkwardly on his feet as Aristos just stood there.

"A-" Plagg hiccupped green bubbles. "Chat Noir?"

"...Fuck the rules." Aristos pulled his comb out, letting his transformation drop to reveal Adrien once the light faded.

Nino's jaw dropped.

Adrien's hand going back to rubbing his neck. Not quite looking at his best friend.

Pollen gave an encouraging nod which Plagg quickly copied.

"Um, hi?"

"...Bro." Nino's shock melted as his lips began to tremble. "Bro." Stepping forward, Nino placed a hand on both of Adrien's shoulders. Squeezing hard as his red eyes watered. "Bro." Nino pulled Adrien into a tight hug.

Adrien's arms returning the embrace, his surprise at the contact fading. Burying his head into Nino's shoulder as his face burned with it's own tears. Adrien's legs giving out as he sagged against his best friend. Body trembling as he took slow, shaky breaths.