Miraclebound | Miraculous Guardians Book 2

Chapter 13: We Interrupt This Program

Foghorns echoed throughout the harbor as the two heroes slunk through the shadows, keeping their heads low and their movements quick. Their footsteps were almost inaudible and Max took a moment to breathe deeply as he knelt behind a stack of shipping crates and Nicholas pressed his back against the boxes beside him. In his hand, he held a small phone which was flashing in a series of red and white blips Max recognized as a form of morse code. Griffon had not yet found it necessary to explain the origins of the device or the messages and Max's curiosity was beyond peaked.

"Where are we going?" Pegasus inquired once they were on the move again, being sure to keep his face hidden from the cameras, just as Nicholas had instructed. He felt awfully like a thief. It was not exactly a...pleasant feeling.

Nicholas only glanced back for the briefest of moments, just to make sure Max was following. "There is an outpost for the Guardians," he explained. "There I can get in contact with the other holders in the city and they can assist in the search for my brother."

"And Ladybug and Chat Noir," Max added.

"Yes. And Ladybug and Chat Noir," Nicholas amended slowly.

"What's your story, then?" the teen genius inquired, pretending not to notice the older man's hesitation. "Why leave for so many years without so much as a word only to come back now after all this time?"

"It's rather complicated." The phone began to vibrate and flash at a higher frequency. They were getting close.

"So simplify it," Max suggested. "Nino has the right to know why you abandoned him and he will ask you. I know I am not him and you are not required to tell me anything. But he's not the six-year-old you remember him to be. He's sixteen now. What are you going to say to him? He's not going to let you just walk back into his life without a good reason. Forgiveness and healing take time."

"I know," Nicholas said, and Max noted how sincere he sounded. "And I don't expect him to. I don't deserve his forgiveness. I told him I would be there to protect him. I failed. He has every right to hate me."

"Yes, well," Max said uncomfortably, hearing the pain in the man's words and knowing they were genuine. "If there's one thing I've learned about Nino over all these years, it's his firm belief in second chances. Even third and fourth if it becomes necessary. And he loves you. Why else would he come halfway across the world to find you?"

Nicholas snorted in disbelief, though his eyes shone with hope. "I never got a chance to tell him goodbye, Pegasus. And I never even got to meet Chris. What kind of brother am I?"

"You have a good heart, Nicholas. You were trying to protect your family. Your method of execution was just a little...skewed."

"Understatement of the century."

"It's not as bad as you think."

Nicholas rolled his eyes. "No, I'm pretty sure it is."

Max hesitated, searching his brain for something he could say to comfort the Guardian. Startled, and realizing that he was coming up empty, he hastily tried to change the topic, letting his attention fall solely on the phone.

Nicholas followed his action, seemingly relieved to have switched subjects also. "We're almost there," he said slowly and deliberately. "It should be safe to drop your transformation. According to these readings, the security measures have already been disabled. The team must already be here. I bet Louve foresaw us coming." He smiled slightly.