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Beau and the Beetle	By : Cat_Eyes Category: +M through R > Miraculous LadyBug Views: 3721 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. Miraculous Ladybug is the intellectual property of Thomas Astruc and released by Zag studios. No profit was made writing this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Prologue: Alya
- 2-Adrien
- 3-Felix
- 4-Bridgette
- 5-Adrien
- 6-Sabine
- 7-Bridgette
- 8-Alya
- 9-Adrien
- 10-Felix
- 11-Sabine
- 12-Bridgette
- 13-Alya
- 14-Felix
- 15-Adrien
- 16-Alya
- 17-Felix
- 18-Bridgette
- 19-Adrien
- 20-Sabine
- 21-Felix
- 22-Alya
- 23-Bridgette
- 24-Adrien
- 25-Sabine
- 26-Adrien
- 27-Felix
- 28-Alya
- 29-Bridgette
- 30-Adrien
- 31-Sabine
- 32-Bridgette
- 33-Felix
- 34-Alya
- 35-Adrien
- 36-Felix
- 37-Sabine
- 38-Bridgette
- 39-Adrien
- 40-Felix
- 41-Adrien
- 42-Felix
- 43-Adrien
- 44-Adrien
- 45-Adrien
- 46-Epilogue
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Watering her plants, Alya smiled fondly at the memories of Marinette on her balcony, performing the same task. It hurt less and less to remember her now, though it still rankled that there would never be an explanation.
Etta and Ella crashed into the apartment, squealing exuberantly, as a harried Otis trailed in after them. Marlena was working another late shift at the hotel, and was unable to pick the twins up from school. Alya would have offered to do it, but she had homework piling up, and wanted to get as much done as possible before the girls came home. She had completed about three quarters before deciding she needed a break, and the plants wanted a watering.
‘Hey, Dad,’ she greeted Otis with a peck on the cheek. ‘Have a good day?’
He nodded, wearily. ‘The panther gave birth at quarter past five this morning, so we had to give them medicals and observe them closely for the rest of the day. I love those cubs, but I am glad to be home.’
Alya winced in sympathy. ‘That is a long day, but at least you know the breeding program has been a success.’
Otis’ answering smile was small, but satisfied. ‘Yes, it’s a huge relief. Things will go back to normal soon, too.’
Alya patted him on the head, then retreated to her room. She got a little more homework done, then was interrupted by Nora’s boisterous return. Nora had moved out with her “friend” a few months ago, but came back so often, it was like she never left. Between her and the twins, there was no chance of peace, so Alya gave up on her homework to begin preparing dinner.
Otis obediently chopped vegetables while Alya did the rest, apparently grateful for her quiet company and only expected to perform the bare minimum.
‘It’s nice to see you happy again,’ he murmured.
Alya’s shoulders drooped as she let out a breath. ‘I’m still upset, but I think I am finally ready to move on. Don’t tell Bridgette that, though. I think she feels pretty alone in her grief, especially at home.’
Otis’ brows shot up to his hairline. ‘At home?’
Alya shrugged. ‘She’s got it into her head that Madame and Monsieur Dupain-Cheng aren’t mourning enough. She feels like she can’t really talk to them about it, so she confides in me. I’m sorry for her, I really am, and I try to be supportive and empathetic, but I’m ready to begin looking ahead. Am I a bad person for thinking she’s going to drag me down at this rate?’
‘Sometimes, you have to help yourself before you can help others,’ he told her. ‘If you need to, you can put some space between the two of you. You won’t be of any help if you’re as depressed as she is.’
‘But if I distance myself from her, she won’t have anyone.’
‘What about her friends and family back home?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know,’ Alya drawled. ‘It’s weird, but she doesn’t really talk about them much.’
Otis hummed as he thought. ‘I’m no expert, but the best thing I can suggest is to help her move on as best you can. I know they never found a body, but maybe you could hold a memorial service, just for you and your friends. Gather somewhere nice, say a few words, and scatter some flower petals. Almost like what we did with your grandmother’s ashes.’
‘That’s, actually, not a bad idea. I think we could all use the closure, even if it is purely metaphorical. It’s the symbolism that counts, right?’
‘Exactly,’ Otis replied, with a smile.
Immediately, Alya began putting plans together. She would need invitations, an abundance of flower petals, a location, and approval from Tom and Sabine. She was sure they would be ok with it, and Alya would make sure to extend an invitation to them as a courtesy. But she had no idea where she would get enough flower petals. She would have to ask her classmates for a small donation so she could buy the flowers from a florist. She doubted she would be able to get rose petals, but she could use camelias instead.

Later, after Nora had gone home and the rest of her family was abed, she texted Nino, asking what he thought of the idea.
I think that’s really sweet of you, he sent back. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.
You can help me pick out the invitations, and distribute them around school, she replied.
Can do, Babe. No problem. Do you want to invite Adrien, and Madame and Monsieur Dupain-Cheng?
Yeah, it would be rude to exclude Adrien, and inviting Tom and Sabine is just the right thing to do. Can you think of anything else?
Will there be food?
Alya sighed and shook her head. Food means we’ll need a venue, and I don’t have the budget for that.
How about we pitch the idea to Madame and Monsieur Dupain-Cheng? Maybe they’ll offer to provide snacks, and let us come back to the bakery afterwards.
That’s underhanded, but maybe you’re right about approaching them first. If they don’t like the idea, we can scrap it before anyone becomes invested.
What can I say? I’m an unappreciated genius.
Alya’s expression fell. Goodnight, Nino.
Night, Babe.
She shook her head at his blasé attitude. She knew how deeply he’d mourned, so she was a little puzzled by his cavalier approach. However, boys always did go about more sensitive issues as if they didn’t really care. Joking was how many people coped, regardless of gender. With all that in mind, she couldn’t accuse him of being insensitive, instead looking past his outward projections to realise he was only trying to protect himself from further pain.
Alya exhaled a steadying breath, then kissed her phone before leaving it on her desk to charge.
She would hug Nino tight the moment she saw him again, to reassure him she was still there, and that she wasn’t going anywhere.
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