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Time #1: Just letting Adrien ramble
Adrien stood still in front of his window, long after his father had left. This was the first time his father had hugged him since his mother disappeared and it left him with an aching feeling, deep within his heart. Adrien left out a shaky laugh to keep the tears that threatened to fall at bay. Today clearly wasn’t his day.
“Hey.”
Adrien looked to the side and saw Plagg back on his shoulder. He took a breath to calm himself before giving Plagg a smile.
“Sorry for making you worry. I’m fine now.”
Plagg only tilted his head and seemed to be thinking about something as Adrien started to walk towards his bed. If he was away from his window, maybe he could get away from his thoughts. “What?”
“Would it make you feel better if you...talked about it?”
Adrien froze.
“Listen, I’m no good with this comforting business,” Plagg quickly said when he saw Adrien freeze. “But even I think that maybe if you talk about it, you’ll feel better? You don’t have to if you don’t want-”
“I’d love to.”
Adrien stared at Plagg as he sat on his bed. “But only if you want to listen, I mean.”
Plagg gave Adrien a smirk and flew off for a moment only to return with his cheese platter. “I don’t mind. Besides, you ramble on and on about Ladybug all the time! I’m used to it.”
Adrien felt his face light up at his Kwami's teasing voice. “I do not!”
“Do too~”
Adrien huffed and turned away.
“Anyway, you going to tell me about her?” Plagg said as he took a bite of Camembert. Adrein rubbed his arm uncomfortably.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind kid?”
“It’s just,” Adrien paused fumbling over his words. “Father always gets angry whenever I talk about it.”
Adrien saw Plagg pause with a piece of Cheddar halfway through his mouth. “What?”
“He used to say to stop talking about her in the past, that she’ll come back someday. And then the topic sorta became...impermissible to talk about.”
Plagg was starting to look angry as he floated upwards. “Why?!”
“I mean,” Adrien raked his mind for something to defend his father’s decision. “She may have been my mother, but my father lost the love of his life. It’s not like he was ever extremely talkative in the first place. Without mom, he just became...a shell of who he used to be. He hasn’t left the house since she left either.”
Adrien thought that would calm Plagg down, but he just looked more furious. “So let me get this straight. Instead of being there for you, your father decides his feelings are more important, leaves you to deal with your grief all alone and fills your schedule up with activities while he stays his sad little self at home? Before I met you, did you even leave the house to do...ANYTHING?!”
“Uh, work and fencing. But now, I go to a real school, and I’ve made tons of friends!”
Plagg seemed to be getting more and more enraged. “But that’s just school. No kid your age should be that excited to go to...” Plagg’s voice trailed off as he turned around.
“Plagg?” Adrien said hesitantly at the silent Kwami. “I’m-I’m sorry.”
Plagg whipped his eyes back at him. “Don’t apologize, you did nothing-never mind.”
Adrien tilted his head in confusion. “Never mind?”
“Yeah,” Plagg floated back down onto the bed and picked up another piece of cheese. “I said you could talk about your mom, so we’re talking about your mom. Go ahead. Tell me everything.”
Adrien did a double take at the sudden conversation change. “R-really?”
“Yeah. We’ll talk about this another time. Right now, tell me everything on your mind kid. I think you need it.”
So, Adrien told Plagg everything about his mother. He started out slow but began opening up more and more when Plagg didn’t interrupt him. He tried to stop when Plagg ran out of cheese, thinking that he’d no longer be interested, but Plagg insisted he continued.
So, he did.
He told him about how she would spend as much time with him as she possibly could, about how she taught him some of his favorite songs on the piano, how she always smelled like roses, how soft her hugs were. Plagg floated up to his shoulder as he showed him the photos of her on his phone and talked about each one, whether they were after a big photoshoot and she wanted a photo of her ‘grown up baby’, or when she just wanted to take a picture with him when they were having a moment together. He told Plagg she was the one who taught him about love, how to treat others, and watched movies or shows with him whenever she could.
Tears began to fall as he admitted he didn’t know what happened to her, how everyone shut him out and never mentioned her those first few weeks, and about the crushing loneliness. Through it all, Plagg listened and showed no indication about being bored or annoyed about how emotional Adrien was being and when Adrien was finally, finally done, the tears were flowing for real. Plagg only zoomed off quickly to grab a napkin before floating in front of Adrien.
“Your mom sounds amazing,” Plagg said in a wistfully quiet voice Adrien never heard him use before.
“She was,” Adrien smiled gently as he wiped away the tears but quickly frowned. “All this time has passed but I can’t help but wonder...is it my fault she’s gone?”
“Kid, no. Never.”
“But Father always says I’m too emotional and clingy-”
“Let’s not talk about your father right now,” Plagg said cutting Adrien off before his voice went soft again. “Your mom raised you to be the amazing, naïve person you are,” Plagg said ignoring Adrien’s ‘Hey!’ “I’m not sure why you weren’t allowed to go to school, but she seems like a good person. I’m sure she had to have a very good reason to leave because... it’s hard not to miss a person like you.”
Adrien let out a shaky breath as tears burned his eyes. “Really?”
“Really kid,” Plagg gave him a smile. “You’re truly one of a kind.”
“I... thanks Plagg.”
“No problem. We can have these conversations anytime you hear me. I. Don’t. Mind.”
Adrien smiled gently at Plagg, blinking away his tears and scratching him behind his ears. “Thank you, my friend.”
Time #2: Willing to share gifts with Adrien
“What’s this?”
Plagg floated across a box that smelled absolutely wonderful, but Adrien had already ordered his camembert earlier that week, so he wasn’t sure what it was. But he did know that he had never smelled such a pungent aroma before.
“It’s a gift, Plagg,” Adrien said, smiling proudly. “We did just defeat Scarlet Moth and stopped his plan, so I thought you deserved a little something.” His smile turned sheepish as he continued. “And this may or may not be an apology for trying to blackmail you into telling me about Ladybug’s secret.”
Plagg stared at the box in front of him. “And what do you want me to tell you now?”
Adrien’s expression morphed into confusion. “What?”
“You want to know something right? Why else would I get a gift if it’s not my birthday?” It wasn’t even Plagg’s birthday when he told Adrien that, but how could he resist when the boy could buy him some extra scrumptious cheese? “And you know, you guys did all the work. I just gave you my power as per usual.”
“Well, there is another reason,” There we go. No one gives Plagg gifts just because. “It’s actually a thank you.”
...What?
“A... thank you?” Plagg asked confused. “A thank you for what?”
“Well, you did give me some camembert.”
“Oh, that. Adrien, are you saying I can’t be nice to you without a reward? You shouldn’t have!” That was an odd reason but hey! Gifts are nice. And Plagg does like new stuff! As Plagg reached for the box again he heard Adrien say,
“That’s not the only reason.”
Plagg looked back up at Adrien and asked, “Well, what else are you thanking me for?”
“Without you, I wouldn't get to be Cat Noir and I wouldn’t have gotten to meet and know Ladybug!”
“Ah, yes. I did give you freedom, and a lady,” He snickered at Adrien’s flushed face. He supposed he did deserve thanks for that (despite it being so long since someone thanked him for...anything. It was kinda... nice) and he would gladly accept a gift for that reason.
“But I guess this is for being my friend.”
Plagg’s eyes widened, and he floated up to Adrien as he continued.
“Despite you complaining- a lot- about my crush on Ladybug, you never told me to stop talking. You just listen. And honestly, I really like having someone to talk to. My room feels less lonely with you here with me, even if you’re just eating cheese and looking at magazines. And I really enjoy our conversations, even if you tease me most of the time. So, thank you Plagg. For being my friend and sticking around.”
Plagg looked at Adrien as Adrien gave him a wide smile.
“Open it!” he said excitedly.
Plagg looked down at the box. It was wrapped in some very fancy and shiny black wrapping paper with gold stars adorning it. There was even a black and gold bow on top. Adrien probably chose this wrapping paper because he knows just how much Plagg loves shiny stuff. Plagg carefully ripped apart the wrapping paper (if Adrien mentions how careful he was being he’s going to say that he will never let such beautiful, shiny material go to waste) and looked at the content inside. There was a circular container, but a kind similar to the one holding the special cheese Adrien got him for his ‘birthday’. The smell was already far stronger now and Plagg opened the box to see a cheese with an orange rind. This was...
“It’s Fourme de Montbrison .”
“Whoa,” Plagg said in astonishment. This was (according to what Adrien had said) the oldest cheese in the world.
“Yeah,” Adrien said pinching his nose. Plagg will never understand humans lack of ability to enjoy the truly amazing smells in life, but Adrien continued talking. “I figured it was mean of me to say all those cheeses just to bribe you, so I decided to get you the one I thought you’d like the most in the name of friendship! Now, please eat it or put it away, that smells horrible.”
“You got this just because we’re friends?” Plagg said wanting confirmation. No one, in a very very long time, has given him a gift for his companionship. He’s pretty sure the only ones he got were for his actual birthday and even that hasn’t happened in so long now.
“Yes, Plagg,” Adrien said, fondly rolling his eyes. “I’m sure you’ve gotten far better gifts before, but I wanted to give you something you’d like better than a little trinket I can get whenever. I figured even if you didn’t like the cheese, you’d enjoy having fun with the wrapping paper.”
Plagg quickly shot at Adrien and hugged his chest. Adrien didn’t know Plagg never got a better gift than this from his holders. The only ones who truly cared for him for so long now were his fellow kwamis and Plagg had forgotten what it was like for his holder to truly care about him. He always had some sort of bond with them, but Adrien was the first in a long while where Plagg just cared about him, and the same feelings were shared by the holder.
Adrien wasn’t only happy to be Cat Noir. He was also happy he made a friend whenever he wasn’t.
“Thank you, Adrien,” he said letting go again. “Not to let the moment get too cheesy beyond the delicacy I get to enjoy, but” Plagg let the teasing smirk fade as he gazed at Adrien. “You really are the best Cat Noir I’ve ever had.”
Adrien smiled at him, “Thanks Plagg. Enjoy.”
Plagg picked up the cheese and turned around so Adrien wouldn’t see his gentle smile. He looked at the cheese before looking back at his kid.
“How about we share?” Plagg said ripping off a small piece for Adrien.
“Share?”
“Yeah. You and Ladybug did a good job. Here’s a one-time offer for a reward!” Plagg said hovering over to Adrien with the cheese. He was slightly confused when Adrien quickly backpedaled away.
“That’s... oddly generous of you Plagg, but I’m good,” Adrien said plugging his nose again. “Besides, that smells horrible.”
“You really need to learn to appreciate the good things in life kid,” Plagg said, flying closer to Adrien’s nose as he desperately tried to get away. He knows the kid won’t eat, if he does it’ll only be to be polite, but Plagg can’t help but tease him.
“Plagg, no!”
“Yes, Adrien! I’m being nice, aren’t I?”
“Not like this! It’s your gift!”
“That I want to share with you!”
Plagg eventually ends up quitting and Adrien seems to enjoy just watching him eat the cheese. Plagg saved a piece and hid it somewhere the staff won’t find, just so he has a piece of the delicious, gooiest cheese he’s ever had and not because he was keeping a mini souvenir of this whole thing. Absolutely not.
Time #3: Showing Adrien the fun in his mundane life
“Why do you always play such boring songs?”
“They’re not boring Plagg. This is called classical music.”
“Why do you always play such boring songs?”
Adrien sighed in annoyance as he kept playing. Plagg was sitting in his cheese cupboard but clearly, he was bored enough to comment on Adrien’s piano playing.
“I need to practice Plagg,” he said as he kept playing. “I miss out enough as it is.” Being Cat Noir was far better than practicing, but he still had to practice eventually.
“So, practice something else,” Plagg said as he flew out of the cupboard with some camembert. “It doesn’t have to be classical, does it?”
“Okay, I don’t always practice classical music. But fine, what did you have in mind?” Adrien turned around to look at Plagg, who was lazing on his desk.
“I don’t know,” Plagg said with his mouth full. He swallowed and said, “Anything is better than this. You always play the same things.”
Adrien turned back around and touched the keys on the piano. “It’s not like I have sheet music for a wide variety anyway. Father only wants me to practice approved music.”
“You seriously think your father is going to drop by and see what you’re playing? Just search up sheet music for something else.”
“Like what?” Adrien said as he took out his phone. That might not be such a terrible idea. “Are you thinking something more upbeat like the piece we played together?”
“How about something from those animes or video games you like?” Plagg said, finishing his cheese and flying off to grab another.
“Plagg, I’m pretty sure they don’t release sheet music for stuff like that,” Adrien said looking back at Plagg, confused as to why he froze.
“You’re joking right?” Plagg said hovering over the cupboard. “What do you think that song DJ boy remixed last week was?”
“I know they were video game songs Plagg but I’m pretty sure he just mashed the music together. It’s not like he played those songs or anything.”
Plagg facepalmed. “I know that but if he got the songs, chances are, you can get the sheet music.”
Adrien scoffed. “I don’t think so Plagg, but thanks for the suggestion.”
“Search it up then,” Plagg said, crossing his tiny arms.
“Plagg,”
“Just do it.”
Adrien huffed and searched up the sheet music for Sailor Moon’s theme song. “See Plagg, there’s...oh my gosh.”
Plagg huffed happily. “I told you they were there.”
“I can play Sailor Moon on the piano. Oh my gosh, what else can I play ?” Adrien said in awe. He was pretty sure anyone could see the stars in his eyes.
“I’m pretty sure anything with the internet, kid,” Plagg said floating closer.
Adrien opened the link and saw the sheet, and it really did look like he could play anything on the piano now and he was about to start before he abruptly stopped.
“I-I shouldn’t,” he said as he put his phone to the side.
“Why not?” Plagg said as he flew in front of Adrien. “You sounded so excited just a second ago.”
“It’s unbecoming of an Agreste to play such menial music. I’m lucky Father allowed me to play with Kitty Section at all with the way he talks about their songs,” Adrien said, looking down.
“Oh, for the love of-how about if I join in kid? Would that make you more comfortable?”
Adrien froze for a second before looking up at his Kwami. “You want to play with me?”
Plagg shrugged. “Sure. And hey, think of it like this. You’re still practicing the piano; you’re just practicing a wider variety of music than usual.”
Adrien huffed quietly with a smile but made no move to pick up his phone. “You can read sheet music?”
“I thought I told you my talents go way beyond sniffing out cheese young man,” Plagg grabbed his phone and unlocked it before placing the phone in front of the piano with the sheet music. “Now, let’s play some music.”
Adrien still looked hesitant, so Plagg played the first few verses before Adrien joined in, playing with one hand. “We’re only playing one song, got it?”
Plagg looked up at Adrien with a playful smirk. “Sure.”
They didn’t just play one song. They played some of the theme songs from Naruto, Boruto and Fairy Tail, before they expanded to a few video game music from Pokémon, Sonic, and Final Fantasy. When they were done that, they wrapped it up with the song they played together that first time and Adrien could say in all honesty that he has never had this much fun playing the piano before. He doesn’t think he’s ever laughed this much while playing the piano before, to be honest. When they were finally done and Plagg floated off the piano, Adrien gave him a wide smile.
“That was fun!”
“Of course, it was fun,” Plagg said, twirling in the air. “I’m the king of having fun!”
Plagg turned around, probably to grab more cheese when Adrien called him.
“Hey Plagg?”
“Hmm?”
“Can we... do that again sometime?” Adrien said with a sheepish grin.
“Sure. Just say the word and we’ll do it,” Plagg said.
Adrien’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Really,” Plagg said. “But you buy me extra cheese afterwards. Deal?”
Adrien laughed happily. “Deal.”
Time #4: Having fun and playing pranks on Adrien
“Plagg. Get out of the bathroom please.”
Adrien was about to start a bath (he had a long day and wasn’t feeling like taking a shower) and Plagg had decided he wanted to stop lounging around and followed Adrien.
“But I’m bored,” Plagg drawled as he sat at the edge of the sink. “Besides, it’s not like it’s anything new.”
Adrien sighed and started the bath, plugging the bathtub. Plagg has done this numerous times, and honestly it wasn’t worth the effort in fighting anymore.
“All right,” he said when the bathtub was filled up to his satisfaction. “But don’t eat the soap.”
“One time, Adrien. One time! And why isn’t it edible anyway?” Plagg huffed.
“Why’d you think soap wouldn’t taste bad? Besides, that’s why there’s food. You eat that,” Adrien said as he slipped into the water and started to use his shampoo. He used a lot more than he usually did and enjoyed looking at the bubbles that floated around him.
“It’s called experimenting, Adrien. It shouldn’t smell like strawberries if it doesn’t taste like that. But I don’t expect you to get it. You barely eat food that counts as edible,” Plagg said, but he did float closer and popped a couple of bubbles.
“That was a one-week thing Plagg. And it’s called a diet.”
“Why do you need a diet? You’re already skinny,” Plagg said tilting his head in confusion even though Adrien knew he knew the answer.
“I’m not going over this again Plagg,” Adrien said ending the topic. Plagg had been very vocal about Adrien’s diet and how it was never a one-week thing, (how it was almost always longer) but Adrien was in no mood to discuss this. “I learned a new trick if you want to see it.”
Adrien tried to make his voice sound bored so Plagg wouldn’t get suspicious. Plagg had woken him up by placing one of his smelliest cheeses on his nose that morning, and Adrien was determined to have his revenge.
Luckily, it worked. Plagg floated closer in curiosity and crossed his legs as he hovered directly in front of Adrien. “Oh? Show me,” he said.
Adrien had to hide his smirk as he positioned his hands in just the right place. “Look down.”
Plagg looked down just as a squirt of water squeezed out of Adrien's’ fists and hit Plagg. Since he was so small, the burst of water thoroughly soaked him leaving Adrien laughing as Plagg spluttered.
“HEY!” Plagg cried as he tried to shake the water off. “What was that for?!”
“It’s called payback Plagg,” Adrien said with a smirk as he settled lower into the bath. “Never wake me with your disgusting cheese again.”
Plagg seemed to short circuit for a second as he seemed to try to think of a comeback but came up with nothing as Adrien laughed at his baffled face. Plagg stared angrily at his holder before suddenly smiling at him with a Cheshire grin. Adrien felt a sudden chill as he looked at Plagg’s smiling face.
“H-hey, buddy? You, okay? It was just a joke,” Adrien said, slightly nervous.
“No, no I get it. You just splashed me with a bit of water. It’s no big deal,” Plagg said but Adrien didn’t feel any better with his grin becoming wider. “I was just wondering, how much do you like swimming?”
Adrien froze for a moment. “Swimming? What does that have to do with-AHHHH!”
Plagg had suddenly taken a deep breath and blew the water gently, creating a mini tsunami that towered over Adrien and completely drenched him. As Adrien rubbed the water out of his eyes, Plagg burst into laughter.
“Oh, you should have seen your face!” Plagg said as he laughed.
“You can’t use your powers to drench me!” Adrien said glaring at Plagg.
“Oh, come on Adrien. You were taking a bath anywaAAY!” Plagg suddenly screeched as Adrien splashed more water at him. Plagg looked at his dripping body before glaring at Adrien. “This means WAR.”
Adrien glared back at Plagg. “Bring it on.”
Half an hour and a thoroughly drenched bathroom later, Adrien was drying Plagg off with his hairdryer after he gave himself a quick dry. Plagg’s fur had started to puff up as Adrien was desperately trying to hold in laughter.
“We never do this again, agreed?”
“Oh definitely. I’m going to die if I don’t start drying the bathroom floor. The cleaners will think I had a water fight,” Adrien said as he finished drying Plagg off letting out a small chuckle at Plagg’s fur as he gazed into the bathroom. Plagg quickly opened the tap water and wet his paw just enough to bring his fur back to normal as Adrien put several towels on the floor.
“I mean, that’s not that far from the truth,” Plagg said, shaking off any excess water.
“True, but I’ll never be able to explain it,” Adrien said as he dropped the final towel on the floor.
“I can’t believe how badly you lost though,” Plagg suddenly said.
“What?”
“I mean, clearly I was the winner in our little war,” Plagg said as he zoomed towards Adrien’s face. “You barely stood a chance.”
“Oh really?” Adrien said as he glared at Plagg. “I’m pretty sure I was the winner.”
The two glared at each other.
“Next to pull a prank wins?”
“Oh, it’s on kid.”
Time #5: Letting Adrien know his worth
It had been a particularly long day (and an even longer Akuma) when Adrien said,
"Maybe I should give up being Cat Noir.”
“What?!”
Plagg had been enjoying some cheese on Adrien’s table, looking through some magazines when he said that. But his attention snapped at his holder. Adrien was lying down in bed facing upwards and seemed so casual about talking about giving up his favorite thing.
Plagg flew towards Adrien but tried to take the casual route, just as the kid seemed to be taking. “Well, I’m pretty sure she needs you. After all, the Black Cat is just as important as the Ladybug.”
Adrien’s face changed for a split second before going casual again, but Plagg knew he hit a nerve. His kid has been feeling more and more like a sidekick ever since Ladybug became guardian and honestly, he couldn’t blame him. Ladybug had to be under a lot of pressure but that doesn’t excuse how hypocritical she’s been lately. She’s let other holders know their identities without letting him know about it and she’s told her own identity to someone else. Adrien’s been out of the loop about what’s going on for a while now that it’s honestly a miracle that he hasn’t accidentally ruined a plan he didn’t know about.
Plagg kept going, “I get that it doesn’t feel that way now, but you can’t give up being Cat Noir just because she can bring in new heroes whenever she feels like it. Even you know that they’re needed sometime.”
“I know that Plagg,” Adrien said in a monotone voice. Plagg looked at Adrien expecting him to continue but was surprised when Adrien kept quiet. Plagg looked around nervously. Was that not what was bothering him? Plagg was really terrible at the whole feelings department, but he can at least say he tries, sometimes. Plagg decided to wait for Adrien to say something instead of playing a guessing game. Whatever is going on, he really thinks Adrien should talk it out with Ladybug. But they’ve been talking to each other less and less lately, with Adrien being a good actor and clinging to any good moment the two seem to share. Plagg was genuinely surprised that Adrien wasn’t mad at Ladybug for getting a replacement without telling him. From her point of view, she probably thought telling Cat Noir every detail of her life was unnecessary but if she was leaving Paris, she could have taken a minute to transform and leave a message. He wasn’t surprised that the kid tried to Cataclysm Scarabella. They’ve dealt with Copycat and SentiBug now, Ladybug should’ve honestly known better. Plagg’s thoughts were interrupted by Adrien quietly whispering,
“Maybe I should give Ladybug back my miraculous back.”
“What.” Plagg said as dread and anger started to sink in. “Why?!”
Adrien flinched at Plagg’s anger but explained anyway. “She needs a partner she can trust. She doesn’t trust me anymore.”
“What do you mean she doesn't trust you anymore?” Plagg snarled angrily. “Who else could she possibly trust that’s NOT YOU?!”
“Rena Rouge.”
Plagg actually paused at that. “Why would you think she’ll trust that fox with your miraculous?” Plagg emphasized the word ‘your’, because Plagg and this kid were a team, and he didn’t want it to end just yet.
“She trusts her with the fox miraculous all the time,” Adrien said in that damn monotone voice- as if he’d thought about all this and accepted it, but Plagg was never going to.
“Rena hasn’t even been in the last few fights-” Plagg began but was cut off by Adrien.
“She watches the fights from a distance.”
“...What? Since when?”
“I’m not sure,” Adrien said as he finally sat up. Plagg hovered back a bit but still stayed close. “But probably a while. Her costume changed. I don’t know how she thought being silver and covered in sequins makes her harder to see but I’ve spotted her a while ago. There’s no way Ladybug would have enough time to give her the miraculous before every fight because I only notice her after Ladybug shows up. Never before.”
“You’ve... put a lot of thought into this huh?” Plagg said. With how naïve the kid was, it’s easy to forget how smart he can be. “That doesn’t matter. I don’t want her as my holder and I’m sure Ladybug prefers her as Rena anyway,” Plagg said dismissively, hoping that would be the end of the matter.
But he wouldn’t be the Kwami of bad luck if things went his way now, would it? Because Adrien kept talking. “Ladybug needs someone she relies on. That’s whoever Scarabella is, not me.”
“She’s just stressed,” Plagg said, trying desperately to keep his voice calm and lazy. “She’ll come to you and open up when she’s ready.”
“And when will that be?” Adrien suddenly snapped, standing up quickly.
“Master Fu was supposed to teach me somethings too, but I only ever saw him like four times before he forgot everything. I thought with Ladybug, I might learn a bit more about the miraculous or how to expand my power, but no one’s told me anything. As usual, the cat is left in the dark and maybe I’m tired of that!” Adrien yelled glaring at Plagg who stared astonished at Adrien. “No one tells me anything at home. No one tells me anything as a superhero. Shadow Moth and Ladybug have both been able to expand their powers, but no one’s told me how to do that. What if I don’t want to be the distraction EVERY SINGLE TIME Ladybug leaves to get help, while I have to deal with the Akuma by myself and get overpowered. She says she trusts me, but NEVER, EVER SHOWS IT!” Adrien ended his heartfelt speech with a scream as he glared at Plagg.
“So, if she doesn’t trust me? Fine. But I get lied to enough here, I don’t need it from her either,” Adrien said in a whisper. “It’s supposed to be us against the world, but it hasn’t felt like that since Miracle Queen.”
So, that was what was bothering him.
Plagg couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed sooner. He never thought about how upset Adrien would be from Master Fu’s obvious favoritism, but he should have known he would eventually get upset with all the secrets. Being Cat Noir is possibly Adrien’s only time to act like the goofball and simp he is, but even he would have a limit to how long he could blindly follow Ladybug. She’s been keeping secrets upon secrets from him, leaving him behind as those in the fight learn to get stronger. Plagg should have known having Ladybug be the guardian would throw off the balance between them even more, because now she can’t say their partners. They really aren’t anymore. She gets to call all the shots now and doesn’t seem to notice how that’s ruining what they have. He knows his kid can be too much in his affections, but Plagg honestly can’t blame him. The only romantic relationships he’s fully seen are between his friends and in TV shows where being a flirt always makes the lady fall for him.
But despite all that, Ladybug was still his best friend.
And she hasn’t been treating him like the partner she claims him to be.
“Kid...” Plagg says, floating closer. Adrien looks back at him and he sees tears in his eyes.
“What’s the point, anymore?” Adrien whispers as he sits back on the bed and hugs himself. “She needs a Cat Noir she can trust and that’s not me anymore.”
“But I told you I would always be here for you Adrien,” Plagg says quietly. “I get it. You’re really hurt now. But why should you have to give up your freedom?” He hoped above anything else Adrien would keep the miraculous (and him) for that. Adrien’s terrible excuse of a father has been more and more reclusive lately, with Plagg even making a big deal out of the three sentences he said back during the Couple of the Year problem, but he knew how much freedom meant to Adrien.
Sadly, the kid was too morally sound to give in to that. “My freedom should not be a factor in this. At the end of the day, that doesn’t matter. What matters is the greater good and maybe, giving up my miraculous is that greater good.”
No, no, no, no, no, no. Plagg’s pretty sure he’s accidentally solidifying Adrien’s mindset that he should give him up.
So Plagg turned to the last tactic he had, and he sincerely hoped that it would be enough.
“What about me?” Adrien looked up as Plagg floated closer slowly, his voice still soft. “What if I don’t want a new holder?”
Adrien let out a little laugh that Plagg was sure was self-deprecating as he said, “There’s lots of people who can give you camembert Plagg. You’ll be fine with someone else.”
Plagg’s eyes widened. Adrien, he, has he made up his mind already?
Plagg felt rage fill his body. “I DON’T WANT SOMEONE ELSE!” Adrien flinched back at his voice and Plagg lowered his voice slightly (he’s pretty sure he wasn’t yelling but he was still loud). “Anyone can give me cheese, but I told you, you’re the best Cat Noir I’ve ever had! What part of that don’t you get?!”
“Why, then?” Adrien snapped back. “What makes me so different that you can’t have someone else?! And everyone calls me their ‘favorite’ or ‘the best’ but no one ever means it! You’ll be fine! It’s not like anyone will care.”
“I CARE!”
“WHY?!”
Plagg glared harshly at Adrien and irrationally said “BECAUSE YOU’RE THE FIRST PERSON IN SO LONG THAT UNDERSTANDS ME!”
A harsh silence filled the air as Plagg slowly realized in horror what he said.
“Plagg?” Adrien says, confused and in a voice that holds so much sympathy. “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing,” Plagg says as he turns around quickly. “Just forget about it. It’s nothing.”
“Plagg, please,” Plagg hesitantly turns to face Adrien, as he sees his eyes that were still shiny from crying and Adrien quietly whispers, “Please, please tell me what you mean.”
Plagg looked into Adrien’s eyes and saw a child tired of being protected and shielding. A boy who was just as hurt as Plagg about his previous decision but was finally tired of being in the dark for his entire life. A boy who could only remember being in a cage (just like him) and Plagg finally, finally told the truth.
“I know why Master Fu never told you anything,” That was a good place to start right? Adrien was looking at him with the utmost attention and Plagg knew there was no going back. He may be kissing his own freedom goodbye but at least this kid will be able to continue with it (even if it’s been centuries since Plagg has been as free as he is with Adrien). “It has nothing to do with you. You’re an amazing Cat Noir, it has to do with...me.”
Adrien tilted his head in confusion and Plagg went on.
“I... I know where he lives. I knew he wasn’t planning to ever let you know more or do more and I’m sorry.”
Adrien looked so, so hurt at that. “ But why? ” he whispered quietly, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice.
“There- remember Master Su-Han?” At Adrien’s nod Plagg continued, “He’s part of an entire group of guardians that were all gone because of Feast. When you and Ladybug defeated it and she used her Miraculous Charm, the damage Feast had done was reversed, bringing them, the temple, and all the other Miraculous, back.”
“There are more Miraculous?” Even when he was hurt, Adrien was always still so curious and still had that drive to learn more.
“Yes. The box Ladybug has is actually called the ‘Mother Box’ and it contains the most powerful Miraculous, like the ring of the Black Cat and the earrings of the Ladybug.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m getting there kid,” Plagg said, taking a deep breath. At least with Adrien, he knows the kid will never be cruel enough to not give him cheese, but he’ll probably still lose the freedom of being able to fly across the city and do what he wants. He’ll...he’ll be fine. “All Miraculous holders are supposed to be trained at the temple, so they’ll be able to properly harness their power. Haven’t you noticed that since Ladybug became guardian, more and more Kwamis have been using their power without a holder?”
“Yeah,” Adrien thought back to the last few battles. “There was Trixx, Sass, and Kalkii. And Tikki that one time.”
“And you know how something bad has always happened?”
“Is that really a big deal? It always gets reversed at the end,” Adrien said, clearly confused.
Plagg took a deep breath. Time to tell him the truth.
“That’s not supposed to happen at all. You and Ladybug are just far more lenient to what us Kwamis can and can’t do. Especially... you.”
“How?”
“I’m not supposed to be your friend. I’m... a dangerous tool and I’m what the Guardians believe to be the most dangerous Kwami. If they ever find out you let me use my powers or go wherever I want, whenever I want, they’ll probably drop dead again at your lack of care.”
Plagg chuckled darkly at that image before he kept talking, “Master Fu never knew how lenient you truly were, otherwise he would have hunted you down and taught you how to properly handle me. That was something he knew anyway.”
Adrien cupped his hands and Plagg gently landed on them. “I never took you there because I never wanted you to learn how you were supposed to treat me.”
And that was the biggest part of it. Oh, there was so much more to it than that, but Plagg was already being far more open than he usually was.
He didn’t feel like ripping open any more wounds that had barely started to heal.
“But you were able to control your Cataclysm,” Adrien said, and why didn’t he sound angry? “You saved me from Gorizilla during Scarlet Moth’s Attack on Hero’s Day.”
“Oh, they would never forgive you for that if they ever found out about that. Or the fact that we practiced how to control my Cataclysm.” It sure was interesting when Adrien detransformed in an abandoned warehouse one night just to let Plagg practice his Cataclysm through controlled breathing (he learned that through yoga and wanted Plagg to try it) and an even bigger surprise when it worked.
“The balance between the Ladybug and Black Cat has been imbalanced for a long time now. The guardians always looked at Tikki as a savior, I guess. I’m always the destroyer, the one who causes the biggest issues. The evil to her good.”
“But that makes no sense. I’ve met Tikki and she just seems like a nice, responsible Kwami. She didn’t seem all too different from you, except for your personalities.”
This kid was so pure it was unbelievable. Plagg hoped he never lost that.
“You’re not mad at me?” Plagg said looking at Adrien in confusion. He was sure Adrien would’ve loved it if he had someone to blame but now, he just seemed... sad?
“Plagg,” Adrien said, gently rubbing his thumb against Plagg’s cheek. “If Master Fu never told me anything because of some vendetta against you, that’s not your fault. He could have fixed the imbalance; he just chose not to. Besides he knows where I live. If he ever intended for me to learn anything, he could have simply come over again, or left me his address so I could go to him. Not of that was your fault.”
Plagg looked up at Adrien, disbelief in his eyes. “Really?”
Adrien smiled sadly at Plagg. “Really. But how does that make me understand you?”
Plagg looked at his paws and he felt his ears droop. “You let me leave the house almost whenever I want. I was always held with a chain and even being far away from my holders almost never happens without permission.”
Adrien looked at Plagg in horror. “You were CHAINED?”
“No, kid! It was a metaphor. I couldn’t leave just like Nooroo and Dussu can’t leave Shadow Moth.”
“Nooroo and Dussu?” Right, Plagg never said their names before.
“Yeah, they're the Kwamis of the Butterfly and the Peacock Miraculous. They’re stuck with Shadow Moth, whether they like it or not, remember?”
The horror returned to Adrien’s eyes. “So, you were stuck with bad people just like them?”
“No! Well, kinda,” Plagg said staring at Adrien. This conversation was taking a far different route than he had originally thought. “Good or bad, the guardians always taught them how to control me.”
Adrien looked at Plagg with something he couldn’t tell in his eyes, (he knows it’s not pity but it sure feels like it) so Plagg looked down at Adrien’s hands.
“You barely get any freedom either and you let me do what I want. You treat me like an equal. That’s what I meant.”
Silence filled the air. Plagg refused to make eye contact with Adrien, not after all that, but Adrien gently put his thumb under Plagg’s chin and carefully made sure their eyes were meeting.
“So, when you said I was the best Cat Noir you ever had,”
“I meant it kid. Please, please, don’t give up the miraculous or being Cat Noir,” Plagg pleaded at him gently, hoping he’ll finally understand.
“But why did the guardians dislike you so much?” Adrien asked.
“I destroyed a lot of stuff. Atlantis, the dragons, dinosaurs, they don’t care how long ago those were. They just never want it to happen again.”
“I thought the dinosaurs were an accident?”
“Oh, they were,” Plagg said. “I didn’t know how strong my powers were back then.”
“I’m so sorry, Plagg,” Adrien said, raising his hands so Plagg was closer. “I wasn’t thinking about how you would feel. I guess I thought you hated me too.”
Plagg sighed at that. He was surprised the kid was apologizing but, “Kid, Nino doesn’t hate you and you know it.”
“But he hates Cat Noir! And Cat Noir is when I’m the most free and true to myself-” Plagg cut him off before Adrien could continue.
“Cat Noir isn’t your true self Adrien.”
“I enjoy being me far more when I’m Cat Noir though,” Adrien said with a sad glint in his eyes. “Being Adrien isn’t really me.”
“Yes, it is,” Plagg sighed and decided to explain it differently. “Let’s say Adrien is when you have too much restraint on your behavior and Cat Noir is when you have no restraint. Your real self is when you have fun with your friends and me. There’s a balance between your personalities and that’s when you’re happiest.”
“He still hates Cat Noir though,” Adrien said with sadness in his eyes.
“He was just jealous. You do weird things when you’re jealous too,” Plagg said.
“I do not!”
“Kid, Frozer.”
Adrien froze at the mention of that Akuma and Plagg continued. “He was just being irrational. You know Nino’s a good person.”
“But I’m still sorry. I really shouldn't have thought you wouldn’t care. I’m just so used to people lying to me to get what they want or need from me. I shouldn’t have thought you would be like that.” Adrien said sadly. “I’m just so tired of the way Ladybug is treating me.”
Plagg felt a lot better knowing Adrien wasn’t going to give him up, though he felt weird that Adrien seemed to be more hurt than angry now. How long has he felt like this? “I know it sucks kid, but I’m sure she thinks if she relies on you, she’s failing Master Fu. You’re still the one who brings her out of funks. You just need to wait for her to come to you. Or better yet, talk about it.”
“I know,” Adrien said as he sighed. “But she rarely shows up for patrol anymore and we can never talk during an Akuma. If I’m even needed during an Akuma.”
“Adrien...” The kid was right though. If he was only a few minutes late, Ladybug usually had a team assembled and Cat Noir was barely needed. But... “You have more time to talk to the victims now,” Adrien looked back at Plagg as he kept talking, “Didn’t you talk to Andre after he was akumatized again?”
Adrien thought back at that memory. “Yeah. But I just told him that his ice cream still has that incredible touch it always does, it just doesn’t always link people together.”
Plagg had to hide the smirk at the thought that it did, but not technically. “Didn’t that make him feel a bit better?”
“Yeah,” Adrien said, deep in thought. “I told him Ladybug does love me, just not romantically. That seemed to cheer him up.”
“Exactly. Adrien, Cat Noir helps destress fights. Without you, Ladybug would be stuck within her own head with worry, or she would have quit a long time ago. Remember Stoneheart and Miracle Queen?”
The happy glint in Adrien’s eyes started to return. “I told her she wasn’t a failure and that she just needed to keep trying.”
Plagg smiled at him as he floated upwards. “Exactly! Without you, Ladybug would’ve gotten stuck in her own head and never would have been able to be the Ladybug she is today.”
“But why won’t she tell me how to become stronger?” Adrien raised a valid question that even Plagg wasn’t sure he knew the answer to. But he tried anyway.
“You haven’t asked, have you?” At Adrien’s confused blink, Plagg continued. “You don’t seem bothered when you’re with Ladybug, so she probably assumes you don’t care.” That was the only logical reason Plagg could think of, and he really hoped it was the only reason.
“But Adrien,” Adrien looked up at Plagg as he talked. “You do matter. To Ladybug and... to me alright?”
Adrien looked down at the ground before smiling at Plagg. “Thank you.” Adrien cupped Plagg in his hands and gently nuzzled Plagg’s tiny cheek against his own. And against Plagg’s will, a rusty purr echoed through the air.
“Did you just purr?”
“N-no! Adrien let me go!” The purr did not stop but only continued to get louder as Adrien started to giggle.
“But I like when you do that! Pleeaase.”
“Adrien, I have a reputation!”
“But it’s nice!”
Plagg grumbled but kept purring anyway. Purrs were usually saved for special occasions or to keep Adrien grounded. And Plagg honestly didn’t care if the kid understood something.
“You’re important to me, Adrien. You know that right?” Plagg whispered as Adrien kept nuzzling him.
“I-I know Plagg. Thank you. And you know you’re very important to me too, right? You’re one of my best friends.”
“I know, kid. Thanks.”
That was their way of saying they loved each other.
And Plagg wouldn’t want it any other way.