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Plagg was the kwami of destruction, a living representation of Yin, and the one who would grant his chosen ones the ability to transform into the legendary Chat Noir, whose legacy would pass through generations.
The bearers of Yin had a pattern, people with good hearts who desperately longed for freedom and to help others. Those who had the purest hearts, so they wouldn't succumb to the destructive powers. And yet, people who led a difficult life, as these spirited individuals, who had the strength to rise independently from all the blows they took, were rare and precious. Adrien met all the requirements.
As soon as the ring reached its new bearer, Plagg allowed himself to internally question Master Fu's decision to entrust such power into the hands of a teenager. He had never had such a young Chat Noir before, but it didn't matter, as long as he limited himself to feeding on him like all the others, the kwami wouldn't complain.
He was a strange boy too, perhaps even a bit crazy. Who in their right mind would want to go to school when they could stay home all day?
Plagg took a while to understand how lonely the boy was, until he realized that the first thing the blond saw when he looked at him wasn't a source of power, but a companion. No one had ever wanted to be with Plagg.
Another thing the little creature couldn't comprehend was how Adrien was bothered by being considered perfect—sure, it demanded a lot from him, but weren't such praises a good outcome?
Several times, Plagg found himself empathizing with the boy: when he saw him practice for hours to play a song accurately on the piano; when he buried his face in Mandarin books; when he trained three times harder in fencing tournaments; when he studied, summarized, and reviewed all the class content to get the best grades. He was always the epitome of dedication and did so much for others without getting anything in return.
The kwami wanted to tell him not to put so much pressure on himself, to embrace his cheek and say that he already liked him just the way he was. However, he didn't want to, he couldn't. One day, like everyone else, Adrien would leave, and it would be much simpler if they weren't attached to each other.
Damn boy! Plagg had tried everything, he was as irritating as only he could be, and the blond would just roll his eyes and smile! Where did he find such patience?
He was an idiot, for sure, Plagg couldn't think of any other answer. Couldn't he see that the kwami just wanted to make things simpler for him?
The little magical being hadn't noticed that the blond really cared for him until he began to notice some details in the way he was treated. Adrien acted and dealt with him the same way he did with Nino, his best friend, and as much as Plagg always teased him, he still listened. No, that was definitely wrong!
Was he... already a friend to Adrien? As important as his best friend? Did Agreste treat him like a human because that's how he saw him? Not just a talking accessory of his miraculous, but a companion?
With time, Plagg realized that his efforts had been in vain. He had grown fond of Adrien, loved the boy like a younger brother, someone to protect.
The kwami surrendered to the friendship, even though he didn't know how to act properly in one. Damn it! What would his Ladybug do? She was so friendly, he didn't know how to be like her. However, he tried, in his own way, showing concern for the boy, trying to make him smile and playing piano with him. Yeah, he was doing well. He wasn't such a bad friend, after all.
In the end, he would never admit it out loud, but he thanked Adrien Agreste, that damn boy, for showing him that he could be loved and cared for by a human and for teaching him the meaning of friendship. Adrien didn't know, though, he would never have to worry about loneliness again, because Plagg would be there with him forever, even if no one else was. It was a promise.