The parcel with cheese arrived. Adrien sighed. Should he pass it to Alya in order to pass to Ladybug to pass to new Black Cat? Should he just leave it somewhere public with note that it was for Plagg? Or for the Black Cat?

Adrien thought he'd decide later. For now, he packed the cheese to school. Maybe he would get an idea there. His father noticed it during breakfast.

'I wish it arrived earlier' Adrien admitted. 'I just... I ordered this cheese as a parting gift for my kwami.'

Gabriel embraced him. Adrien could get used to it. It was pleasant.

'Parting? Did you plan to stop being a hero already?' Gabriel asked. Adrien frowned. He didn't want to admit to his father...

'I... I did' he said quietly. 'But... it's happened already, you know...?'

'I see' Gabriel nodded. 'Good luck. Maybe you'll meet your kwami again.'

Adrien nodded without much hope. He forced himself not to cry. Then he flashed a standard model smile.

'Yes, father... well, time to school. See you at lunch...?' he asked hesitantly.

'Yes, son. I will be here' Gabriel promised. 'Study well.'

Adrien was a bit cheered up. He arrived at school with a few minutes to spare. His classmates greeted him. Even Nathaniel, who mostly kept to himself. He presented Adrien with a detailed sketch of Chat Noir.

'What do you think?' he asked. 'Marc and I... we are making a special issue of our comic, dedicated to Chat Noir's heroic deeds. If it would be okay... could you sign a few copies? You know, as...' Nathaniel nervously looked at his bag. 'As the person voicing Chat in that movie.'

Adrien felt a brief pang of pain in his chest. He would love to sign the comic as Chat Noir as well. But voice actor? It was suiting him too.

'Sure, Nath. Keep me updated' he smiled. When he entered the classroom, he noticed a few cookies and a hot coffee on his desk. Nino was scribbling something on a case of a CD. Alya was keeping her distance from Marinette, who seemed confused, but gazed adoringly when Adrien entered. She held out a box of macaroons to him.

'A-adrien!' she squeaked. 'I know you're having some hard times, so here is... here is something for you! And... and this!' she offered him a wrapped gift. He took it from her hands. There was a new, obviously Marinette-made patchwork pillow cover.

'Thank you, Marinette' he smiled. 'You're awesome.'

Rose offered him a hand-crafted scrapbook. He couldn't help but smile at her, overwhelmed with his classmates' kindness. Suddenly, life seemed much better.

And it turned out much better during a break when something tiny and black zipped right to him and hugged him warmly.

'Plagg?' Adrien asked. 'Shouldn't you be hidden?'

'I had to come and meet you at least for a moment' he said. He tried to say something, which was promptly covered by bubbles. '...my new owner. He allows this, and even encouraged me when he found out that it's you!'

'Oh, Plagg' Adrien hugged the kwami. 'And I have something for you too' he took the pack of cheese out of his bag. Plagg hugged him still, not even looking at the selection.

'I'll miss you' Plagg said. 'But Ladybug entrusted me to a new owner. I'll do my best with him too... but he won't be you.'

'You will come and see me from time to time though' Adrien smiled. 'That's better than nothing.'

'Yes, Adrien.'

'So here. Cheese for you' Adrien nudged Plagg towards the cheesy goodness. Plagg ate, savoring every bite.

'I have to return to my new owner now' Plagg said sadly. Adrien offered him another piece of cheese.

'Have another one for the road' he said. The kwami took the cheese and flew away. Adrien watched him, but didn't follow - he didn't want to know the new Black Cat's identity. It was comforting that Plagg was able to visit. And his friends had his back.

After one more class he went home for lunch. Gabriel was waiting for him, staring at picture of Emilie. Adrien approached him. Gabriel silently embraced him.

Then pressed buttons on the painting.

Adrien looked shocked as they descended down a tube. Gabriel embraced him gently during the ride. Adrien expected many things at the bottom, but definitely not a peaceful garden.

'What is this place, father?'

'Remember what I told you... that Emilie never returned... from one superhero mission?'

'Yes, father... you told me just yesterday.'

'But what I didn't tell you was...' he led him through garden to a glass container at the end. 'I have... recovered her. She is alive... but barely' he stopped in front of the container, allowing Adrien to see his mother. The boy's hand was shaking as he laid his hand on glass. Only when he focused on her he noticed she was indeed breathing. He shivered.

'Is there a way... a way to get her better?' he asked shyly. Gabriel sighed.

'I don't know. I was researching on my own while... while keeping her alive here. But now... now that I know you were using a Miraculous... I came to conclusion that... that maybe the Guardian could help us' he embraced Adrien, who was still processing. The boy couldn't know that it was actually Nathalie that came to this conclusion. But hell. It wouldn't hurt to try.

'I... you know that I'm in class with Ladyblogger, right?' Adrien was shaking. 'If I knew earlier... if I knew earlier... we could have... posted our plea on the Ladyblog... so much time... all wasted... I can't believe... I can't!'

Gabriel looked around, but luckily no butterfly was in sight. He pulled Adrien very close.

And moments later, an akuma alert sounded.

Adrien tried to pull away and transform - and slumped down as he remembered that Plagg had a new holder now.

A/N: thank you for reviews, favorites and follows. Remember to share your worries with ones you trust. And don't forget to share your joys either.