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“Uh-” Nooroo coughed. “Guys…”
They didn’t move, the kwami shifted nervously in mid-air.
Then, “Nooroo…”
A lamp switched on, and there was a rustle of blankets.
“Nooroo…” the voice repeated, “it’s 4am… why are you here…?”
“Oh, sorry Gabriel!” came the chirped reply. “I just- I didn’t realise the time- I just finished something and wanted to show you both…”
“Alright,” Gabriel Agreste pushed himself up into a sitting position against the pillows. He gently shook the covers next to him. “Wake up, dear,” he murmured.
“Mm,” was his reply. Nathalie Sancoeur shifted and rubbed her eyes. “What is it…?”
He pressed a kiss into her hair. “Nooroo has something for us.”
“Hngh… okay,” she mumbled. “Does it have to be right now?” Yawning, she moved up into a sitting position.
“I guess… Nooroo?”
“Sorry for the timing!” he squeaked. “I just finished it and its magic is most special soon after...”
“Magic?”
“Oh! Yes, here it is, you’ll see. Hold out your hand, please.” Nooroo began to hum in a low voice, spinning around in the air. His body began to glow, brighter and brighter purple, and then something shot from him towards Gabriel; it landed in his outstretched hand. Shocked, he looked at it in confusion.
At first, it looked like a glowing pool in his palm, then it solidified and settled into a small object.
It was lilac and stone-like with a small hole in the corner, threaded with darker violet veins. It was smooth, like a tiny butterfly’s wing. It was beautiful.
“Nooroo… what is this?” Nathalie breathed, entranced.
“This is a kwagatama.” Nooroo beamed.
The couple looked at each other, then back at the floating purple creature.
Upon seeing their uncomprehending faces, Nooroo sheepishly fluttered his wings. “A kwagatama is a charm that a kwami can create for their holder; it is normally gifted on special occasions and provides a blessing! You two have been together for a month, so I made you this!!”
“Oh, Nooroo, that’s so sweet of you! It’s gorgeous.” Nathalie put a hand on her heart and rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder. He leaned into her, looking at his kwami with grateful eyes. “Thank you so much, Nooroo, really,” he said in a choked voice. “I appreciate this. You’re one of my closest friends, and I’m so lucky to have you.”
Nooroo gazed back at him, smiling. Then, “Sorry that Duusu couldn’t make one for you, bluejay.” He nodded to Nathalie. “You see, the resin takes several months to form, and you haven’t held her for long enough. To create this token a kwami must combine a hair from the holder with the hairs of the past holders of the miraculous—” Nooroo took a breath, not used to talking for this long— “which we have stored inside ourselves. And then from this resin there’s a sequence to release it and create the kwagatama token.” He bobbed his head shyly.
“Oh, I see,” Nathalie nodded. “There’s no rush, of course.”
“How did you know you would come to make one for me, all those months ago?” Gabriel murmured. “Until recently I treated you like- I treated you like dirt.” A regretful tear formed in his eye; Nooroo moved forwards and cupped it as it reached his cheek.
“I- I felt it…” Nooroo trailed off, eyes distant as if he were remembering the day they had first met. “I knew you would change.” He shrugged, lip quivering.
“And you had faith in me,” Gabriel whispered.
“Of course,” Nooroo assured. “It was difficult… but look at you now. You realised what was most important to you, and you fixed your mistakes. You’re a better man.”
Gabriel brought a hand to his face and tenderly stroked Nooroo’s head; his kwami nuzzled into his cheek. The other hand held Nathalie’s, the kwagatama safely within their grip.
“I don’t deserve you, Nooroo,” Gabriel said quietly.
“But you have me,” he replied softly. And after a moment, “I love you guys.”