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Tales of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir - Chapter 66 - Common Ground

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Alix arrived at the swimming pool with Adrien and Felix. She and Adrien had blocked out Felix’s ramblings about Kagami and his new plans on winning her heart. She rolled her eyes as they entered the building. They stopped as Chloe and Zoe greeted them. Chloe beamed as she locked eyes with Alix and Adrien.

“There you two are… and the plus one. Well, he can stay out here while we work,” Chloe remarked.

“Excuse me?” Felix retorted.

“I don’t believe I stuttered, and I know I was speaking loud enough. Maybe you should get your head out of your own ass.”

“Unlikely. Let’s get this over with before others start showing up,” Alix butted in.

Felix opened his mouth, but he was ignored as Chloe entered the pool area with Adrien and Alix. The pair transformed into replicas of the swimsuits they got from Audrey.

“Alright, Adrikins, I know you know what to do, so this is more for Alix. I’m going to tell you how to pose and we’ll get the shots. No fighting me on this as we’re aiming to appease a devil in disguise. Make her happy, and all will be well,” Chloe explained.

“Try me,” Bloody Bug hissed.

Chloe sighed and rolled her eyes. She barked instructions at Bloody Bug and Chat Noir as she fought with Bloody Bug over some of the poses. She grumbled and resorted to showing Bloody Bug images of what Audrey wanted instead of trying to coach. Bloody Bug relented with a few, but refused the sexualized poses for herself and with Chat Noir.

Chloe groaned. “Can’t you just do them? Yes, they’re weird, but it’s for Audrey’s magazine.”

“Nope.”

“Bug, please, she-.”

“I don’t care. That hell beast can shove it up her ass.”

“I’m serious. If you don’t do them, she’ll get them herself.”

“Then let her. I won’t do it. End of story. Tikki, spots off.”

Bloody Bug de-transformed into Alix. Tikki spiraled out of the earrings and reformed in her human form wearing a cute one-piece red and black swimsuit. Alix grabbed her bag and headed up to a locker room and changed into the Bloody Bug themed bikini that Audrey forced onto her. She didn’t care for wearing two-pieces, but she was at least grateful that the bottoms were boy-cut shorts than an actual bikini bottom. She stepped out of the changing room and paused when she heard Tikki’s voice.

“I said get in the pool with me!” Tikki roared.

“No,” Plagg retorted.

“I said: Get in the pool with me!” Tikki screeched.

Plagg yowled that was followed by a splash. Alix stepped up to the railing and looked down. Tikki had thrown Plagg into the pool and jumped right in after him. Tikki grabbed him before he could make an escape. He yowled and tried to fight her, but she held onto him and refused to let him go. Alix shook her head as Tikki swam around with Plagg.

“They look like they’re having fun,” Adrien remarked.

Alix glanced over as Adrien joined her dressed in a simple black swimming trunks with a green pawprint on it. “Well, at least one of them is.”

Adrien grunted as he looked towards the entrance. Alix followed his eyes and watched as their team filed in. Amongst them was Marinette with another girl with black hair tied back in pigtails and with glasses on.

“Who do you suppose that is?” Alix asked.

“No idea, but I don’t really care,” Adrien remarked.

“Someone is still moody. Try not to let it sour a day that’s supposed to be relaxation. You know, that thing you’re supposed to be doing to distract yourself?”

“Hard to relax with everything hovering over my head and seeing the girl that assaulted me.”

Alix rolled her eyes. “Look, Nino’s here. Why don’t you just stay with him, alright? And just… try not to think about Marinette being here, alright?”

Alix left before Adrien could answer. She headed down to the pool as everyone else made their ways up to the changing rooms. She paused when she saw Kim enter with a red-haired girl about a few inches shorter than him. The pair paused and gawked at the others up on the second level, then Tikki and Plagg in the pool. She pursed her lips and dove into the water before he could approach her.

Alix stayed underwater as long as she could, but it wasn’t long enough. She surfaced right as Kim and his lady friend approached her. She sighed and looked up at him.

“Can I help you?” Alix asked.

“What the hell? I thought this was supposed to be a date?” Kim demanded.

“A date? But, Kim, I thought this would be a date for us?” the girl pointed out.

“Not now, Ondine. What the hell, Alix?”

Ondine frowned and looked away.

Alix’s stare narrowed into a glare. “Don’t turn this around on me, Kim. You played this girl and for what? To have a chance with someone that would never consider you just like when you pursued Chloe?”

Kim scoffed and crossed his arms. “Well, fine. If you’re going to be that way, I don’t want you anymore anyway. Good luck getting any guy to-.”

“Surprise, Alix!” Rose cheered.

Alix turned as Rose cannonballed into the pool, splashing Kim and Ondine. Rose laughed and threw her arms around Alix. Tikki’s eyes lit up as she approached Rose.

“What was that you did? It looked fun!” Tikki asked.

“A cannonball. Wanna try it?” Rose asked.

“Do I!” Tikki exclaimed.

Alix and Rose watched as Tikki scrambled out of the water just to do a cannonball back into it. Tikki laughed as she repeated that cycle. Alix chuckled before she turned back to Kim and Ondine, but they were gone.

“Thank goodness they’re gone,” Alix remarked.

“Is it true this was supposed to be date with Kim? How come you didn’t tell me or ask permission?” Rose asked.

“Because it wasn’t really. Chloe and her bitch mother wanted swimsuit shots of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir, Kim wanted to take me to the pool, and Adrien needs to relax. Thought I could take care of the queen bitch, give Kim back what he’s owed, and help Adrien out. Two out of three ain’t bad so far.”

“Oh? What’s wrong with Adrien?”

“He’s stressed out. A lot of frustration from a lot of different sources. Gabriel, Nathalie, the kwamis, Sabrina, himself.”

“Himself? I mean, the others I get from what you told me, but what’s wrong with him?”

“Mayura stole away his trauma related to the fondling he received from Heart’s Design and Volpina. Well, the emotions tied to it. He clearly still remembers, but that fear is long gone. I’m assuming without that fear attached to those memories, it’s allowing him to have more… suggestive thoughts that he’s not too fond of because of the frustration it causes him.”

“Oh! And he doesn’t have anyone?”

“Only himself.”

“Well, I mean, there’s one sure fire way for him to alleviate himself of those frustrations.”

“Do you honestly think that would have crossed him mind? He barely understands any of it as is and it’s none of my business to explain that shit to him. That should be Gabriel’s, or, at the very least, Dad’s now. The best I can do is just throw distractions at him.”

“Well, you could also tell Alim too. I doubt Adrien will. And, yes, it is embarrassing, but he does need help, right?”

Alix sighed. “Yeah, he does. I’ll be sure to tell Dad.”

“Excellent. Now, let’s swim!”

Rose dragged Alix further into the water where they swam around. Tikki snuck an opportunity and created pool floaties and other pool toys along the wall. Alix watched as Tikki made Plagg a custom floatie for him to curl up in and nap on. Tikki tossed Plagg onto it as the others finished changing and got into the pool.

Alix paused as she watched the others. Marinette sat along the edge with her friend she brought in the shallow end. The pair kept to themselves away from everyone save for Mylene and Ivan who settled in the shallow end too. Nino and Adrien barreled down the stairs as they roughhoused before jumping into the pool. Chloe strutted down and picked a lounger to sit in while Zoe sat next to her. Kagami flew down the steps and into the water with Felix shortly behind her. Alix grimaced at the sight.

“Kagami didn’t seem too happy there,” Alix pointed out.

“No. What do you think is wrong?” Rose asked.

“I think it’s Felix. He’s been trying to win her back after Mayura took away her love for him. I’m getting the impression she’s not liking the advances.”

“I can’t imagine she would. That is incredibly frustrating when someone can’t take a hint. Oh! Think she likes girls?”

“I’ve no idea, but you have my blessing.”

Rose grinned, kissed Alix on the cheek, and then swam over to Kagami and Felix.

Alix smiled and shook her head as she watched the rest of the team join the party. Marc slinked off towards the shallow end and kept to himself. Max didn’t change and sat near the door, away from everyone. Luka sat in a lounger with a girl with tan skin, brown hair, and big brown eyes taking the lounger next to him. She talked about something music related while Luka shot nasty glares at Alix. Alix snorted and returned the glare as she heard someone yell at her to watch out.

Alix turned as she was pushed underwater. Pain shot through her head, neck, shoulders, and upper back. She fought through it and scrambled out from under the weight to the pool’s edge. She gasped for air as she breeched the surface and clung to the side of the pool. Ondine, Rose, Adrien, Marinette, and Chloe crowded around her as they checked on her. She took slow, deep breaths when she heard Kim laugh.

“Sorry, Alix. Didn’t see you there,” Kim jeered.

“Kim! That’s not funny. You could have seriously hurt her!” Ondine chastised.

Kim shrugged. “I don’t see what the big deal is. Probably the closest she’d ever get to having someone piledrive her fat ass.”

“Excuse me?” Rose, Chloe, and Luka yelled.

Alix grumbled under her breath as her anger tore through her. Her every impulse screamed at her to turn around and sock him in his face. She gritted her teeth and fought against the impulse. She pulled herself out of the water and headed to the second floor. She threw a towel over her head and sat on a bench. She listened to what sounded like Kim getting his ass kicked.

Alix sighed and leaned forward as she stared blankly at the floor. She zoned out until she saw a pair of legs walk by her. She glanced up and saw Kagami stare down at her. She sighed and looked at Kagami properly.

“What do you want?” Alix asked.

“Are you ok?” Kagami asked.

“Why do you care?”

“You took on the weight of someone twice your everything. Water or no, the impact would have hurt.”

“And? You still haven’t told me why you care. Last I checked, you didn’t like me. I was an obstacle that got in your way. Am I still not that?”

“That was… different. You’re still an obstacle, but one that could benefit me.”

“So, Felix is bothering you.”

“Is it obvious?”

“Very.”

Kagami tsked. “If you can see it, why can’t he?”

“Because he’s in love with you. He wants to be with you.”

Kagami shook her head. “His love is misguided. My love for him is gone and I’ve no intention of letting myself fall for him again. It was a mere momentarily lapse in judgement, but never again.”

“I’m not one for all that lovey dovey nonsense, but why do you hate him so much? Sure, he’s no prince charming and is an insecure little bitch, but he was just being himself. It’s not his fault that you fell for who he was.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Then sit and explain.”

Kagami considered, then took a seat. “Very well. I’ll explain, but you are not to cast any judgements on me for how me and my family are.”

“I’ll keep them to myself, mostly.”

Kagami shot Alix a side eye, then looked out into the distance. “I come from a long line of female samurai, one of the onna-musha. The mantra of the Tsurugi clan all their onna-musha is that we follow orders because we want to, not because we’re told to. One of my orders was to settle into a life with the Agreste heir, as was my right by noble birth to marry other nobility.”

“Then what’s the issue with Felix? He’s more nobility than Adrien,” Alix remarked.

“But not the noble I was meant to marry. It wasn’t with his family my mother had an alliance with. It wasn’t the Graham de Vanily family Mother worked with, but the Agrestes. It was my duty to secure that alliance for the security and betterment of our futures. That was until you and Felix came along. You and all your friends kept Adrien from me while Felix distracted me.”

“Sounds like a you problem then,” Alix retorted.

“Regardless, I was desperate. I felt everything slipping and at my peak vulnerability, Felix swept me away with his theatrics and sweet nothings. I allowed myself to be weak and it nearly cost my mother dearly. So much that she was willing to make a deal with the devil herself just to ensure my future wasn’t jeopardized. So, Mayura took away my love for Felix and created a perfect being of no emotion to be my betrothed. Until it vanished and we thought we upset her, only to discover she had gone mad.”

“Right. So, what obligation is stopping you from being with him now?”

“Because Mother doesn’t want me being with him. Hero, nobility, or nothing, Felix nearly cost her greatly. Nearly cost me greatly. With Serow, Mother has been able to find a new security. As have I, so long as I’m a hero. Adrien may have given me the jewel, but you are as much our leader as he is. I surmised that it would be beneficial that I make peace with you to maintain my hero status. To maintain my security for the future. And perhaps being close to you will keep Felix away.”

“Lovely. So, you plan on using me just to ensure you don’t lose your little jewel. Is that it?”

Fear broke through Kagami’s stoic expression before she collected herself. “No. No, that’s not it. I… I have to trust you. I have to rely on you. You are my leader along with Adrien. But, more than that, I want companionship.”

“Pardon?”

Kagami sighed. “Ever since moving here, everything has been a shock for me. The way that you carry yourselves, treat others, language, everything. I’ve tried to push away negative influences and corruption, but there are moments I find myself slipping. Always when I see our peers hanging out, chatting about nothings, and wasting away the days. It seems so frivolous, but oddly intoxicating. Even now, seeing everyone having fun down there, I feel that longing for companionship more than ever. It is in that feeling that I also feel… alone.”

Alix hung her head as she closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and pulled the towel off her head. She opened her eyes as she looked up at the glass ceiling.

“I know all too well that feeling, Kagami. And it sucks. You’re so used to being alone that when you see others happy and enjoying each other’s company, you can’t just feel like you want to be part of it. However, you also know that no one would like who you are, so you don’t bother. You just… bottle and isolate until there’s nothing left of you,” Alix said.

“Did you overcome it by making friends?” Kagami asked.

Alix laughed. “More like the friends found me. It was them that dragged me out of that self-isolation. Well, them and me wanting to at least pretend I listen to my old man’s advice. However, your situation is different. So, what would mommy dearest want of you?”

“Win the love of the people, win the favor of you all, and stay away from Felix,” Kagami answered.

“Ok. Now what do you want?”

Kagami paused. “What I want?”

“Yeah. Your mom’s orders are very basic and straightforward, so what do you want to do?”

“I… that doesn’t matter. My own desires don’t factor into the equation, as they shouldn’t.”

“And there you are a hypocrite to your own family’s mantra.”

“Excuse me? Who are you to-?”

“You follow orders because you want to, not because you’re told. Immediately, your wants matter if you want to follow orders. So, what do you want?”

Kagami’s jaw dropped before she pursed her lips and knotted her brows in thought. “I… I don’t want to be here right now. I want to be somewhere quiet.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. Everyone is having their fun, I don’t want to go back down there, and you don’t want to be here. So, let’s bail.”

“Where would we go?”

�� “We do have a whole realm to ourselves that we can escape to for heroes only.”

“What would the others think?”

“Who cares right now. I took half a ton of moron to the head and don’t want to head back down there. So, regardless if you join me or not, I’m leaving.”

Kagami considered, then nodded. “Very well. Let’s go, but first we change. I do not wish to remain in this.”

“That makes two of us. Alright, meet me there.”

Alix slipped into the changing room and changed out of the swimsuit back to her street clothes. She tossed it into a plastic bag and packed up everything. She unlocked the door and then touched the gem on her bracelet. She was teleported to the heroes’ realm. She headed into the keep up to her and Adrien’s office. She tossed her bag in there before she headed back to the plaza where Kagami stood staring up at the statues of the fallen heroes.

“These are new,” Kagami remarked.

“Yeah. Tikki made them to honor those we lost.”

Kagami hummed. “And how are you adjusting to their absences?”

“It’s been difficult. They were all good friends, though Gallic Chick, Chat Noir, and Pom Pom took it the hardest. They did lose loved ones after all.”

“Who… who did Adrien lose?”

“Porcelet, his late girlfriend.”

Kagami fell silent. “Do you think if I was a hero back then, Adrien would have wanted me instead?”

“Nah. Porcelet was sweet to a fault, always ready to help anyone in need, and an all-around loveable girl. It’s a terrible that she’s gone. Adrien would still be mourning her if his kwami didn’t destroy that love like how Mayura took your love for Felix away.”

“That is… unfortunate to hear.”

“Really? Because you don’t sound too upset. If I didn’t know any better, I’d figure you were almost happy she’s gone.”

“Please. Adrien and I were nothing like that, but he was still my first friend. At least, he considered me friend. Since he reminded me, I’ve thought more on it, and I’ve been a poor friend. I just hope that I can do right by him and be worthy of calling him friend.”

“Right. And it just happens to be a coincidence that he’s single again.”

“You’re imagining things. The alliance between the Agrestes and Tsurugis was terminated when Gabriel backed out of the arranged marriage agreement. Mother would not want me fraternizing with either boy, and I won’t.”

“So, are you looking then? Thinking it will get Felix off your back?” Alix teased.

“It is… not an awful idea. I’m sure Mother would agree to it if it meant getting rid of Felix.”

“Good, cause I know a little puppy that is interested.”

Kagami considered, then shook her head. “It must be a boy. Mother would not accept a woman. How would I carry on the Tsurugi line then?”

“Does it matter right now? You’re, what, fifteen like the rest of us? Maybe sixteen like some of us are going to be soon. Point is, how often do you meet the love of your life in high school?”

“Love is not a factor. It should never be a factor.”

“And you say that, but you fell for Felix.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Is it really, or are you just making it more complicated than it needs to be?”

“It is complicated. While I did desire to be around him and enjoyed his theatrics, it was just… different.”

Alix’s eyes widened slightly. “Would you say, I don’t know, you cared deeply for him, wanted his companionship, but weren’t romantically in love with him.”

“I… there’s difference?”

“Yes. People can feel romantic and sexual attraction. They are two very different things. However, just because you don’t feel romantic love for someone, you can still love them.”

“That sounds… almost right? Things are a little fuzzy since Mayura took those emotions. There are lingering, vague remains, but I remember he was different. I was enamored more by his words and having someone want me. It was like a dream. A dream that soon became a nightmare as I grew frantic and wanted more of that. To feel wanted, needed, accepted by the strange world I found myself in. So much that it threatened my duty and loyalty to the Tsurugi clan, and why Mother stepped in.”

“Hey, do you speak English.”

“Of course I do. Why do you ask?”

“The little sister that tails Chloe. She’s American, dragged here in the past year. She’s facing some similar problems and perhaps it would help her if she had someone to relate to.”

“Zoe, right?”

“Yes.”

Kagami hummed. “I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you. I’m sure she’d appreciate a friend like you.”

Kagami’s eyes widened slightly with a slight smile, before she returned to her stoic demeanor. “Think nothing of it until I do something.”

“Fair enough. Well, I’m heading back inside. Just came out here to make sure you made it just fine. This is your, what, first time using the bracelet since we got it to you?”

“Yes.”

“Figured as much. Well, I’ll be in the-.”

“Wait. I request a tour of the place.”

“Hmm, sure. Follow me.”

Alix escorted Kagami around the keep. She showed off the different wings from the north that contained the meeting room and other little offices, the south wing with the main entrance hall and kitchens, the west wing with all custom bedrooms and hospital, and the east wing with different training rooms. She ended the tour back in the main entrance hall.

“That’s about it. You can go anywhere. Training rooms will adapt to what you want. Same with the rooms, but once you pick one, that’s all you get, so choose carefully. There’s also the gardens that we enter from and the plaza, so, yeah. Feel free to do whatever you want,” Alix said.

“What are you going to do?” Kagami asked.

“I’m heading down to the hospital. Sabrina had created these fairy creatures to tend to any illness or wound we have. Gonna have all this looked at where the oaf landed on me.”

“And then what?”

“I don’t know. We’ll see. Might just head up to my room and take a power nap.”

“Would you maybe pose for me while I draw?”

“You’re an artist?”

“Yes, but not like some others. I cannot create from my imagination, but I excel at drawing what I see. I love to draw people and locations. I don’t get to draw much at home, but I do get moments when at school. And I would like to draw you, as well as this place. If that would be allowed.”

“Sure.”

Kagami’s eyes lit up before they dulled to her usual stoic. “Thank you.”

“Ah, don’t mention it. It’s what friends do for each other, right?”

“We’re friends?”

“We can be, and this is where it starts. You wanted to be friends with me, right? Well, let’s see how this goes, yeah?”

“Yes. Come, let’s us not waste any time. We have a day of nothings to get to.”

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