Chapter Text
Plagg could be called a lot of things; A loose canon, childish, mean, chaotic..all of those things that would be expected from a god of destruction.
But what he wasn't was disloyal. Never in all his years of having holders did he once think of abandoning them..leaving them in the dust as soon as he got the chance- in fact he was happy to form bonds with his holders..meant they'd wield his power more efficiently, meant they'd have someone in their corner if no one else was.
This didn't change when he met Adrien, not even a little bit..because he was the youngest holder hes had, the kindest soul to own the ring- Plagg was his and he was Plagg’s and he cared for the kid more than he cared to admit. Maybe thats why it hurt him every time Adrien felt as if Chat Noir wasn't needed or wanted..it devastated him to see his holder so defeated and downcast, that he'd willingly give up the one freedom he had just because he didn't think he was making a difference.
Plagg hated seeing him like that..maybe the breaking point was something he deemed as the..Cat Walker incident.
He regretted encouraging Adrien to act like anyone but himself but..it was the only way he'd get the kid to willingly take the miraculous back..it was no surprise Ladybug was so head over heels for that version- completely fumbling at every turn because she loved Adrien..well, loved the perfect version anyways, the one everyone saw with rose colored glasses and nothing more..the version everyone seemed to prefer.
That left a nasty taste in the kwami’s mouth whenever he came to that conclusion- like processed cheese it left his face scrunching up in sheer disgust, whiskers twitching and curling.. Plagg didn't like it one little bit, but he'd keep those thoughts to himself for the most part- he could offer Marinette some grace..she was the same age as his holder after all, he could swallow down his annoyance whenever she brushed off Chat just to hand out a kwami like a cheese on a fire sale..he could brush past her fumbling over herself whenever she put Adrien on this pedestal that showed she liked him as he was on the commercials..maybe there was something more to her feelings, maybe she did genuinely love his holder in some way shape or form- maybe he was beginning to see that, so he never opened his mouth.
Which is why it was so staggering and angering when Ladybug broke his and Tikki's unification in order to give Gabriel Agreste the benefit of doubt- after everything, after that man constantly dismissed and brushed off Adriens feelings until only recently- he couldn't yell fast enough.
“No! Don't trust him!”
Plagg practically screamed in objection just as he was pulled from the ring because no matter the sob story that Gabriel uttered out, he was still the same man that neglected his holder..still the same man that terrorized all of Paris and the kwami- his friends.
And Ladybug let her guard slip, allowed him to make that wish.
Ladybug found out Adrien's father was Hawkmoth or Monarch..whatever name that fiend gave himself, she found out..and she agreed to lie to Adrien about it- agreed to keep him in the dark like everyone else, agreed to keep that monster's secret.
Plagg could only flash back to Cat Walker..could only think back to the times Adrien wanted to give him up because he was kept in the dark one too many times because he felt replaceable..as if what he thought didn't mean anything..as if he wasn't important and this? This would destroy him.
Ladybug agreed to lie about his father and Natalie
Lie to all of Paris and claim Gabriel as a hero..the same man that refused to spend time with Adrien until he was practically on his death bed.
The same man that locked Adrien away at the slightest hint of disobedience.
The same man that didn't take Adrien's needs into consideration until the very last moment.
She and that secretary woman couldn't say they loved Adrien after this and wanted what was best for him!
They just couldn't!
“Sugar cube..this isn't right.”
Plaggs mumble was uncharacteristically quiet- staring down at the black ring on Marinettes desk, his whiskers twitching. The young girl was fast asleep along side the other kwami but him and Tikki remained wide awake.
“I..know but-”
Bright green eyes quickly flicked towards Tikki who seemed just as perplexed as him, “But? But what? Adrien's dad is -was- Hawkmoth! And we're gonna just lie? This..this has bad idea written all over it!” He exclaimed, his little arms flailing as he gestured around.
“This is hard for Marinette too but she's trying to do what she thinks is right..it's a really hard choice.”
Tikki's response caused him to huff pointedly- eyes squinting.
“You know this decision sucks worse than..than Casu Marzu!- Dont give me that look, trust me, that cheese is super rancid! Believe me!” Plagg exclaimed- only to quickly quiet himself down when he realized it wasn't just the two of them in a secluded area but an entire room full of Kwami and one sleeping girl. Tikki on the other hand just gave him a sideways glance..buzzing around- even after all these centuries of being by her side he still found it hard to read her thoughts every now and again but he knew she was just as conflicted but..like him, she was protective and loyal to her holder.
“Well even if it..sucks like whatever that is, Marinette made the call..and its not our job to overstep. Trust me, it'll only do more harm to tell him.”
“And what if he finds out from someone else?”
“Who?”
“I dunno! Ladybugs been super careless lately!”
“Watch it.”
Bright green eyes narrowed into slits upon hearing Tikki's warning tone which just caused Plagg to scoff in response..small arms crossing over his chest as he glanced around. “Adrien must be confused..angry, upset..and..and alone..” He mumbled, voice dropping low as his ears slowly flattened to his round head.
“I can't let him be lied to like this..not after almost losing him so many times! This? If the kid found out by some third party..he'd- well I can't even say what'll happen cuz thats not a future I wanna live through, its not right.”
Plagg continued, putting emphasize on the last word..he knew Marinette loved Adrien, that was obvious but..she didn't love him enough to break the news and maybe the course of action he was planning on taking would only complicate things further but his holder came first and he'd do his best to enforce that.
“..I have to tell him.”
Plagg stated- voice far more level and firm than usual..steadfast in his decision and he watched as the red and black polka dotted kwami whirled on him in shock. “You can't-!”
Her shrill shriek caused a small chorus of 'Shhh's to be mumbled from various corners in the pink room while Marinette just mumbled in protest to herself on her bed above them..the mattress creaking as she turned over.
Tikki froze for a moment, blinking repeatedly before in a quieter tone, she spoke; “You can't tell Adrien about another holders identity.” She hissed out which just caused him to huff, rolling his eyes.
“Well duh! I can't say a name..but I can say exactly what happened. If Marinette won't, I will.” The black kwami stated, “You didn't see how that guy treated the kid, Tikki! Always brushing him off as if hes some expired, processed cheese! Him and that assistant of his! They kept Nooroo and Dusuu for who knows how long, using them to terrorize Paris and for nothing! They never put his or their needs before their own..especially Gabriel!..I..”
This is probably the most serious Plagg has spoken in ages and by all the gods did he hate it but the mistreatment of his holder had him fired up because Adrien didn't deserve this! Tikki's brow furrowed as she watched him, trying to a talk him out of this but Plagg paid no heed as he continued.
“If I don't tell Adrien..and he ever found out by some other person who won't bother giving him a shoulder to cry on..I don't think he'll be able to move on from that.” He continued with a solemn shake of his head.
“Thats if he ever found out! You could..what if this wrecks the balance of our holders?”
Tikki pressed, gesturing towards Marinettes sleeping form.
“The balance has been wrecked for a while, sugar cube.” He stated, floating towards the ring that sat on Marinette's desk, scooping it up in his tiny paws as he lifted it from the wooden surface while Tikki just watched with growing frustration.
“What if he gets akumatized!?”
“My kids a lot stronger than you or Ladybug give him credit for. I'm gonna tell him and if you or any other Kwami tries to stop me, I'll be on you like holes in swiss cheese.”
His statement was final, daring her to challenge him on this as he wasn't backing down from this and Tikki could only scowl..he knew she wasn't exactly mad at him, as he wasn't exhibiting new behavior and he knew this was just as difficult for her to disagree with him..but he wasn't backing down.
“If you do this..you'll divide them like never before..” Tikki pointed out as if it was a warning and Plagg's ear just twitched in acknowledgement as he floated towards the sun roof.
“It won't be me that did it.”
Was the only sentence he uttered before he whisked away into the night- not bothering to give Marinette a farewell..he was sure Tikki would relay the message back to her anyway but he couldn't be worried about that now.
He had a holder to reunit with.