"Boring... dull... seen it..." Plagg said, flipping though tv channels until he landed on the eight o'clock news.

He hadn't realized how late it was, looking over at the clock to confirm it was after eight.

"Hey Adrien, aren't you supposed to meet Ladybug for patrol tonight? If you don't hurry you won't get there freakishly early."

Adrien looked up from his homework, giving Plagg a small smile. "Yeah we'll leave in... a few more minutes."

Plagg tilted his head, considering his chosen's odd behavior. Usually Adrien couldn't wait to meet with Ladybug, and would drop everything to transform at exactly eight o'clock. Even though they weren't supposed to meet until nine.

"What's the matter kid?" Plagg asked as he floated over to Adrien's desk.

Adrien sighed, putting down his pencil and leaning back in his chair.

"It's just... it's our first patrol since New York, and I'm kinda nervous."

Adrien sighed, looking out his window.

"Do you think she'll be mad at me?"

"Oh please, you know she can't stay mad at you for long."

Adrien smirked, sitting up and propping his elbows on the table. "Doesn't stop her from trying."

"Just talk to her."

"Yeah but what do I say?"

Adrien put his head in his hands, peeking at Plagg through his fingers.

"How do I explain why I was there without telling her too much? This would be so much easier if Ladybug and I didn't have to have secret identities, like some of the heroes in America. I know why we have to, and they can be nice to have, but it's hard when we can't just explain things like this. We can't tell each other anything."

Adrien frowned, giving Plagg a solemn look. "Now that I think about it there's so much I don't know about her, and so much that she doesn't know about me. How can we completely trust each other or get to know one another like this? Maybe... maybe we just aren't meant to be."

Adrien laid his head down, throwing his arm over his eyes, and Plagg watched silently as Adrien wallowed in self-pity.

It pained Plagg to see his chosen in pain, not that he would ever say it out loud. Usually when these occasions arose, he would make a sarcastic comment or stuff his face with cheese in an attempt to change the subject. But this time was different. This time Adrien hadn't ended his thoughts with a hopeful wish or humble comment; this time it seemed like Adrien was ready to give up. And after his kitten had almost given up his miraculous, Plagg had decided that Adrien deserved more.

Tikki would tell him to stay out of it and allow things to happen on their own, but Adrien had been through so much already. His mother's disappearance and his father's neglect were more than enough heartache. He couldn't stand the thought of adding more when there was something that he could do to help. Plagg had to admit, Chat Noir's love for his lady was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

"Ladybug is... warm."

Adrien moved his arm, looking over as Plagg sat on the edge of the desk.

"What?"

Plagg cleared his throat. "She's always warm. She's shy sometimes, but tries to hide it because she wants everyone to see her as strong. She knows how to cook..."

"Wait, how do you know that she can cook?"

"I've been to her house a few times."

"You what?!"

"Would you just let me finish?" Plagg scolded. He glanced over at Adrien, who now sat Indian style, his elbows propped on his knees and a smile on his face.

"She hates when you take a hit for her." Plagg continued. "I've never seen her so worried or angry than I have when there is a possibility that she could lose you. She's under too much pressure, and it gets to her sometimes. Tikki says she's caught Ladybug crying in the bathroom when she thinks Tikki is asleep."

Adrien frowned, concern in his eyes.

"She's pretty feminine. She likes dresses and accessories, and she draws. Her home life is nice; she's loved and cared for. She has several friends that she can turn to. But most importantly..."

Plagg floated up and stared Adrien down.

"Your lady is so stubborn. She's hard-headed and she overreacts. She works too hard and overthinks everything. Your bug needs you. Ladybug needs Chat Noir to keep her safe; to keep her grounded and calm. Chat makes her laugh and is there to support her when she needs it most. Ladybug keeps you focused. She makes you think before you act and won't lie to you even if it hurts. You may not know everything about her normal life; you may not know her favorite color or favorite food, but Chat Noir knows Ladybug. And Ladybug knows you. "

Adrien's eyes were watering as he wiped at his nose. He smiled widely and pulled Plagg in for a hug.

"Thanks Plagg."

Plagg smiled, curling into Adrien's neck for just a moment before pulling away. "Don't mention it kid."

Adrien laughed, sitting back and looking over at the clock.

"I thought you wanted me to move on from Ladybug?"

Plagg shrugged, looking away and cleaning his whiskers.

"Yeah well that was before I saw how disgustingly perfect you two are for each other. Ya know, your bug can be really unlucky."

"I thought I was supposed to be the unlucky one? Being a black cat and all..."

"Excuuuuse me? Black cats are not unlucky!" Plagg crossed his arms, shaking his little head. "Black cats warn of bad luck. But people don't listen, and chose to believe it's our fault when we're just trying to help."

Adrien laughed at Plagg's irritated expression, looking over just in time to see a red blur fly by his window.

The smile on Adrien's face could have lit the streets of Paris as he turned excitedly to his kwami.

"Was that M'lady?!"

"She's never early. What's gotten into her?" Plagg asked, flying towards his safe to grab a quick slice or two of his beloved Camembert. But before he could make it, Adrien jumped up from his chair.

"Plagg, Claws Out!"

As Plagg felt himself being sucked into the ring, he couldn't be mad at his holder. Because as Tikki had said, one day they'll know everything. And their love will be... miraculous.