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It’s already after eleven when Nino feels the faint buzzing in his ears.
It’s been a long day — turns out interviewing people about Gabriel Agreste is a lot of work, and while he loves making a film with his best friends, he’d prefer any other topic over this. But Adrien asked, and how could Nino say No when faced with these sad, mossy green eyes? The guy always makes him a little softer, especially now that both his parents are gone. So they spent the day going back and forth around the city and Marinette acted weird in new and exciting (and unprofessional) ways only Marinette could invent, but in the end, Nino is as close to satisfied in his directorial spirit as possible.
Oh, and there’d been an Akuma battle, too. No biggie. That’s just Nino’s life now, apparently.
He did go home after, and had dinner with his parents and Noel, and then called Alya who was strangely vague about how she spent the afternoon before the battle, but Nino knew better than to pry. He worked a little on a compilation video of his favourite scenes from music biopics while they were talking, and after that he read a chapter in a textbook for scriptwriting class tomorrow and refined his outline. He even tried programming some new beats for a while, but at that point, the events of the day started to take their toll, and there is only so much you can do on a school night anyway.
Alya had once joked to Adrien that they were both cursed with loving headless creative with too many projects. As if the both of them were much better with a blog, and running, and learning new languages.
But now, the gentle vibrations near the bottom of his skull indicate a new message, and Nino groans. Not another Akuma, today, please, I’m begging you, our overlord (or lady!) Butterfly Miraculous Holder. He sits up and gently strokes Wayzz’s forehead until the Kwami opens his eyes.
"Sorry to wake you, buddy. I think there’s an incoming message."
Wayzz yawns -mostly for show- and zips into Nino’s bracelet without a word, and then there’s Carapace sitting on the edge of the bed. His communicator shows one new message.
But it’s not from Ladybug. It’s from Chat Noir.
Nino frowns. Sometimes, Chat Noir contacts other holders during battles if Ladybug is too busy. But texting? That’s new.
He clicks on the envelope icon.
hey are you still awake? can you meet me here?
And there’s a location attached. No reason, no explanation. It doesn’t sound urgent, though. Nino snorts. Very much like Chat Noir to send a "u up?" message, but Nino had never dreamed that he’d be a recipient.
It had almost surprised him to find that teaming up again hadn’t been awkward at all. Chat Noir had profoundly thanked him for the support of the Resistance during Monarch’s reign, and Nino is sure that the catboy now tries to keep a respectful distance to Alya as to not open up any old wounds. But it’s not like they’re best buddies, either. And if it’s professional, whatever Chat Noir feels the need to tell him probably had to go through Ladybug first, and thus can’t be breaking news.
Right?
Nino hears the siren song of his warm blanket calling to him, and he has half a mind to just mumble his detransformation phase and sink back into his pillows, but there is a tiny nagging voice in the back of his head he can’t quite shut up.
Why me? Why now?
He taps his phone once to look at the clock, sighs and gets up to lock his bedroom door. He looks at a picture they took at a Resistance meeting back in late spring that Alya framed and hung up above his desk for him, and then he opens the windows to the late summer night air. It’s starting to get cold at night. Nino sighs once more.
Comrade Ketchup, at your service.
A figure with cat ears is perched on a roof right across from the Agreste Mansion, and Nino spots him from half a kilometre away. He slows down a little. An odd place to meet, and he’s starting to get suspicious. Is this about them meeting with Ladybug in the afternoon? Has she complained about him using his powers to her second in command, and this is the reproach?
He crosses the final gap that separates him from the roof Chat Noir is on, and by the time he lands, his team mate has gotten up and turned toward him.
There’s a smile on Chat Noir’s face, albeit a little tense. Is this a good cop, bad cop situation? Or did Nino misjudge the situation?
He considers the possibility of a trap for a second — if Chat Noir is under mind control and ordered him here, he has to be careful not to let slip anything important or get ambushed.
But then Chat Noir’s smile turns a little sheepish, and he starts rubbing the back of his neck. For some reason, that makes Nino relax on the spot.
"Thanks for coming! And sorry for keeping you up. Or waking you up! But I wanted to talk to you and I couldn’t sleep. Sorry, again." Chat Noir keeps rubbing his neck, and Nino can’t help but smile, too.
"It’s fine, dude. What kept you up? You got lead on the butterfly holder? Or did you just want to talk?"
Chat Noir’s smile fades. He turns to face the Agreste Mansion, and he’s quiet. Nino can practically see the gears in his head turning. He’s working up to something, and is silent for a long few seconds, but then he finally speaks, his eyes still fixed on the house in front of them.
"I heard you’re making a documentary. About Gabriel Agreste. How come?"
This is why Chat Noir lured him here? To talk about Gabriel?
Nino clears his throat. "Uhm. My best friend is… was his son, you know? And he kinda wants to find out more about his Dad," he says. "You see, old Gabriel was not exactly a hands-on parental figure, and I guess Adrien feels like he has to know more about his dad’s heroism to understand him better. Something like that?"
Nino could say a lot more about why he thinks Adrien wanted to make this movie. He could say how he sees Adrien frown whenever someone mentions his father’s sacrifice, or he could talk about how detached Adrien seems to be from the fact that his father won’t ever come back. Almost as if he’s relieved, at times. But that’s none of Chat Noir’s business.
"So, what did you find out? Was Gabriel Agreste a hero?"
Ninos laughs. "Man, I’m the wrong person to ask. It’s no secret that I always hated that man’s guts. I’m really sorry for Adrien, but even if Gabriel did one good thing, he was a bastard in every other aspect of his life." When he sees Chat Noir’s confused expression, he adds, "I’m kinda jealous of whoever got to that statue first. I would’ve loved to decorate it, if you know what I mean. "
Chat Noir gives a tiny smile at that, but he still looks preoccupied. Nino takes this as a sign to keep talking.
"I mean, if you watched the documentary we worked on today, there would be some interviewees who praise Gabriel Agreste. Fair enough, if that’s their experience," he says. "But if you ask me? Bullshit. That man wouldn’t let my best friend have a birthday party, he kept him from seeing his friends and beefed with his girlfriend… He’d do nice things, from time to time, but only if we all collectively begged him to. It’s like… he constantly needed us to be at his mercy. Like it was all a big powertrip for him."
"That really doesn’t sound very heroic," Chat Noir says quietly. Nino sees how he’s tapping his staff with his index finger, then his thumb, then index finger again. A nervous rhythm.
"No, not heroic at all," Nino agrees, and adds, "and remember you fought him, the night before, you know, everyone turned into faceless minions? He might have been akumatized, but it felt like he had it out for you in particular. Didn’t seem like he liked you or Ladybug all that much."
"I nearly forgot about that," Chat Noir murmurs. He’s still looking at the mansion. Nino does the same, then, takes in the grand exterior, the big windows on the first few floors, the intricate stained glass windows on the upper floors, the walls surrounding the place, the lush gardens. A palace. A prison. Somewhere in there, his best friend lies in bed and is either sleeping soundly or tossing and turning after the eventful day they had. Nino hopes it’s the first. He fears it’s the second.
Next to him, Chat Noir hums, and Nino’s attention snaps back to his team mate and the chilly roof on which they’re still standing.
"You know, we’ve only ever had one real suspect for Hawk Moth’s identity. Ladybug had a theory, about eight months ago, I think. She was pretty sure back then." Chat Noir twirls his baton in his hand and looks out at the night sky. He suddenly extends the staff, and it reaches the surface of the roof with a loud tonk. Chat Noir turns to face Nino, and bright green eyes meet Nino’s brown ones. Somehow, he knows what Chat Noir will say before the words leave his mouth.
"She said that Gabriel Agreste might be Hawk Moth."
Nino feels as if someone dropped an icicle on his head. A freezing feeling of fear trickles down the back of his neck. It would make too much sense. It doesn’t make sense at all. It’s impossible, and yet, it seems entirely probable.
"How would Ladybug know Hawk Moth’s identity?" Nino is surprised at how hoarse his voice sounds. All he can think about is Adrien, Adrien under Gabriel’s thumb, Adrien in that house.
Chat Noir shrugs. "She said she had proof, and say what you will about my lady, but her instincts are very good." With a vague gesture towards the mansion, he adds, "I was on the fence about it back then, but let’s think it through. Eccentric artist, very secretive. Doesn’t leave the house in the first year after his wife’s disappearance. The logo of his company even is a butterfly." Chat Noir starts pacing. "Ladybug said she was sure. She couldn’t tell me why, for identity reasons I guess, but she was sure. The same day she tells me about her theory, Gabriel Agreste is akumatized. As if he knew and wanted to throw us off the trail. And he did throw me off!" He comes to a halt, right before Nino. While the look on his face is wild, it’s also almost hopeful.
"A strange man with an interest in the Miraculous, hiding in plain sight", Chat Noir whispers. "Am I crazy, Carapace? Do you think this is crazy? Was Gabriel Agreste Hawk Moth, and Shadow Moth, and Monarch?"
He puts his hands on Nino’s shoulders, their eyes still locked.
He doesn’t sound crazy.
But saying this outright would contradict so much of what they found out today. It would even contradict Ladybug’s own words.
"I just… I don’t know,“ Nino begins, "like, dude, I just told you that I disliked that man so much that I would trash a statue erected in his honor. I might not be the best person to answer that question."
"I think that’s precisely why you’re the perfect person to answer that question," Chat Noir replies, and the earnestness in his voice nearly kills Nino.
"No," Nino says. "I don’t think you’re crazy." As soon as he has said it, Chat Noir deflates; with a long exhale, he drops his hands from Nino’s shoulders and downright collapses on the roof. Nino gets down next to him and watches the rise and fall of Chat Noir’s chest, rapid at first, but slowing down after a minute or so.
But what about what Ladybug told them? Nino almost doesn’t dare to ask, not while Chat Noir is still processing. Must be weird to figure out the guy you were trying to find was very likely already on your radar, and you let him off the hook.
Nino is still in thoughts when he hears Chat Noir start to laugh, of all things.
"Oh, what an idiot," Chat Noir barely gets out, "he lived under the same roof as Hawk Moth for almost a year, gets all the clues served on a silver platter, and never suspects him? Adrien Agreste really is an idiot."
He’s still laughing, looking at Nino like he wants him to join in. But Nino almost can’t make out Chat Noir’s face in the dark; blinding, scorching rage fills him from head to toe.
With a single move, he tackles Chat Noir and pins him to the zinc tiles.
"Listen, dude," Nino growls, "don’t you ever, ever talk about Adrien like that. He’s not an idiot, is that clear?"
"But if it’s true? If he really didn’t see? Or didn’t want to see?" Chat Noir presses out, baring his teeth just centimetres from Nino’s face.
Nino grips Chat Noir by the collar. "Adrien loved his father. Gabriel might have not deserved it, but Adrien loved him, and he just… swallowed it all, even though it killed him sometimes. I could see it in school, when he sat down and put a smile on his face when he was miserable. And you know what really sucks? Seeing your best friend suffer." His grip on the leather collar tightens for a second, and then he releases the soft fabric entirely. Nino’s focus changes; the grotesque close-up of Chat Noir’s features is replaced by a stunted expression on his team mate’s face. Nino takes a deep breath. "So, yeah, Adrien wanted to believe that his father was a good man. So what! He’s not an idiot. He just loved his undeserving disappointment of a father. Sue him, then."
"Okay." That’s all that Chat Noir says in turn. He’s still looking at Nino with wide eyes. Nino sits up again. He could say more, explain better. But he thinks he got his point across.
Great, now it’s awkward. Maybe he should bring up Ladybug, after all. Change the subject.
"Uhm," he begins, "not sure if you already know that, but we talked to Ladybug today, and her story doesn’t really match our theory. If she suspected Gabriel way back when, whatever happened would’ve made sense to her, right?" He frowns and tries to remember what Ladybug had said. "She doesn’t remember what happened. Which could mean anything, right? Maybe he messed with her memory?"
By then, Chat Noir has positioned himself crosslegged next to Nino. If he’s upset about their argument, he doesn’t show it.
"Well, when we first met up after her battle with Monarch, she said that she couldn’t tell me what happened," Chat Noir says. He looks pensive. "It sounded as if she were trying to protect someone. Maybe it has something to do with that." A tiny smile appears on his face. "I’m not sure she’ll tell me more than that if I asked. If she wants to look after someone close to her, I don’t think she’d do or say anything that could endanger them. My lady can be stubborn like that."
That sounds a little too familiar. Nino laughs. "Dude, I know. My girlfriend can be the same!" With horror, he realizes his mistake, and scrambles to add, "I mean, that’s, that’s not what I meant, you know what I mean, right? She’s not your girlfriend!"
Chat Noir chuckles. "Thanks, Nino," he says, and puts one arm around Nino’s shoulder. "I know exactly what you mean. And for the record, my girlfriend in real life is pretty headstrong, too. Maybe that’s just my type."
He smiles at Nino, but Nino’s thoughts still dance around the way Chat Noir said his name. Nino. He was aware that Chat Noir knows his identity, but to have it confirmed like that… strange, but not in a bad way.
"You never called me by my real name before."
Chat Noir flinches. "Did I do that? I’m sorry, that was careless of me. Won’t happen again."
"No, I liked it." Nino smiles, and gently pushes his elbow into Chat Noir’s side. "Maybe someday I can call you by your name, too."
"I’d like that," Chat Noir replies, and his the joy in his face is brighter than the city lights in the near distance.
They’re both silent for a while, and Nino once more looks at the house. Prison. Palace. Possibly an evil lair. Probably not dangerous anymore, but still profoundly depressing in a way.
"You really care about your friend, don’t you?"
Chat Noir sounds surprised, and it makes Nino wonder if the guy has a best friend he loves as much as Nino loves Adrien.
"Sure. He’s just…" Nino trails off, unsure how to explain. "Adrien is so good, Chat Noir. He’s one of the kindest, best people I know. And if what you say about his father is true, it will crush him, but he needs to know. I owe him that."
Chat Noir has turned his face away, but Nino thinks he spots a tiny smile in the corner of his mouth. "Yeah," Chat Noir replies, "I think I agree with you on that."
"Good."
"Good."
It must be getting late. Nino thinks about his scriptwriting class first thing in the morning and band practice and lunch with his friends, and how he’d rather not be half-dead for all of that. He’s just not sure how to wrap things up after this kind of talk.
He settles on the obvious. "So.. what are you gonna do about it now?"
Chat Noir shrugs. "Well, it was me who cataclysmed his statue. So there’s nothing too urgent on my to do list." Nino whoops and cheers at that, and Chat Noir shushes him, but to no avail. This is great. Nino can’t wait to tell Adrien one day.
"I’ll talk to Ladybug again and see what I can find out," Chat Noir says once Nino has quieted down his praise. "Maybe your documentary will help, too. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see."
"Yeah man, we’ll see." Nino takes a peek at his communicator. "Dude, I’m so sorry, I really gotta go now. I might just fall asleep on this roof, and I don’t think that’s a good idea. You good to be on your own for now?"
Chat Noir nods. "Yup. And you’re right, it’s gotten really late."
For a second, it looks like Chat Noir is ready to extend the staff in his hand and take off without further goodbye. But Nino sees him hesitate, and then Chat Noir does indeed turn around once more.
"Hey," he says. If Nino didn’t know better, he’d say that Chat Noir sounds a little shy. "Would it be okay if I texted you again? Just to talk? About this and… maybe other things?"
Nino’s heart clenches painfully.
"Of course," he replies, and pats Chat Noir on the shoulder. "That’s what friends are for, right?"
And to his surprise, Chat Noir pulls him into a hug so hard it almost knocks the air out of his lungs.
Some mumbled, slightly embarrassed goodbyes and a quick trip over the rooftops of the 4th arrondissement later, Nino sinks back into his pillows.
He needs to talk to Adrien about the documentary. But that’ll have to wait until tomorrow.