Whoo! Continuation!
Be aware that this fic isn't planned out, I will be doing a bit more feeling around with the plot and experimenting. Updates will vary.
"You left."
It was a simple statement. And yet it was very effective.
It was like an arrow. It was small, an easily missed projectile; yet when it dove down upon him, Adrien felt that point pierce past his armor with a terrible bite. He flinched at his Père's back, guilty.
"I did," he said. There was no point in denying.
He did leave his post.
He did nothing as a civilian easily outwitted the akuma, and got the possessed item to Ladybug.
It was all his fault that the mission was compromised.
As much as he would like to point out that the akuma was also at fault for allowing himself to get tricked, Adrien was still ultimately to blame.
He was supposed to be damage control.
Help the akumas, secure that Ladybug and all other outside sources were handled.
Yet he left his post.
He didn't help this mission.
All because he had been too awed by a girl.
In the grand scheme of things, it was dumb.
The girl, despite how curious and cute she was, didn't know Ladybug. She had just gotten lucky that night.
He had no reason to see her again, especially when she confirmed that she had no way of contacting Ladybug.
It made him a fool in his father's eyes.
It made him a fool in his own eyes. What idiot got distracted by a girl while on the job?
Apparently this idiot...
"You didn't even see Ladybug."
"No."
He could feel his father's frown.
"How irresponsible."
"I know. It was."
"I was counting on you tonight. As I always do."
"I was tired," Adrien tried to reason. To excuse. It was better than him being distracted by a random girl.
Gabriel turned to his son, frowning. "A bad time for my lead model to be tired."
"We have a lot going on," Adrien bid with a small shrug. "Maybe... maybe something should be cut back?" He did have a lot on his plate. Chinese. Piano. Basketball. Fencing. Modelling. And running around as Chat Noir, helping his father's akumas against a near impossible foe to defeat.
It was a lot.
Gabriel hummed as he eyed his son. Adrien slumped in his seat, gazing back with half lidded eyes. His father closed his eyes and sighed. "I suppose we can ease up on some tasks..."
"Thank you Père."
"Get rested and be ready, we shall rise again soon. Ladybug's earrings shall be ours."
Sensing the dismissal, Adrien stood and left, ignoring the wide purple eyes of the butterfly kwami timidly staring after him. Sighing loudly now that he wasn't in his father's presence, Adrien ran a hand through his hair, grimacing. Well that wasn't fun.
Adrien as just about to depart to his room when he caught sight of a little black creature laying curled up and still on the dining table.
Adrien froze, leery.
It was silly to say, but the small creature left him nervous. Ever since he first opened the box to become Chat Noir and help his father, the little dark being hasn't breathed a word to him. He didn't even tell Adrien what he needed to eat to recharge. It took asking the nervous Nooroo to find out that Plagg needed food, and that he liked cheese best.
Straightening his shoulders, Adrien hurried away to the near kitchen. Grabbing a small block of cheddar, he came back, bearing a weak smile to the little dark god as he offered the cheese.
"Hey," Adrien greeted, letting the kwami know he was there.
Plagg didn't move, keeping his eyes closed and ignoring him.
Trying to fight off the urge to gulp, Adrien urged, "You haven't eaten since yesterday. I got some cheese!"
Still Plagg didn't move.
Not even a twitch.
Adrien sat down near him, setting the cheese down beside the kwami. "That was pretty wild yesterday," he said.
Plagg didn't breathe a word.
"I didn't expect a civilian to flip an akuma into the Seine," he chuckled, "it's actually kinda funny remembering it."
Plagg shifted, moving so his back was to the blond. Adrien drooped. Getting up, he left the room, stopping at the door for only a moment, turning to eye the little creature. Plagg had sat up and was now nibbling on the cheese. His slanted green eyes were locked on Adrien with a fierce glare, heavy with an emotion that made the blond's insides twist. It was something in the gaze he was familiar with, having met it a few times from his father.
He didn't know why it hurt to have this little creature stare at him so, even when he didn't talk to him; but it did.
It hurt to see the disappointment in his eyes.
Adrien fled the room.
Over all, Marinette has no issues with reptiles.
They weren't her favorite type of animals, she preferred the cuddlier and furrier sort; they could be really cool to see, and sometimes really pretty. And her favorite rockstar showed her just how cool they could be. It was pretty wild to see Fang the crocodile at Jagged Stone's side. It was through the rockstar that she was growing to appreciate reptiles a little more.
Hawk Moth was pretty close to ruining that though.
Ruining it in the form of Adder, a giant snake that was set on swallowing her, miraculous and all.
It did leave the noirette wondering just how the akuma was going to separate the miraculous from her ears, when she had no arms.
Maybe that's what made Chat Noir ideal in this fight.
Though as she raced along the rooftops with a giant snake snapping at her heel, she had yet to see the dark vigilante.
Maybe he was taking a break?
She'd appreciate that.
One less annoyance for her to deal with.
Especially with the akuma she was dealing with, and where the possessed item was.
Ladybug dove right, escaping the loud snap of jaws. The bright blue eye of Adder glared down at her, the pupil a thin slit. Ladybug didn't meet it's gaze, instead glared at the possessed item.
It was small, and easy to miss.
And frustratingly hard to get.
It was a little snake bracelet, and with Adder not having any arms for it, it was wrapped around one of the teeth. One of the smaller teeth. A tooth that would be hard to get to with razor teeth below to guard it, and Adder had fast reflexes. Ladybug could barely stay ahead of her.
A tedious item to grab.
Annoying.
That's the best way she could summarize this akuma.
Very annoying.
Running alongside Adder as she slid along the roofs, Ladybug jumped high, aiming for the amber brown body below. Hitting it with a bit of a kick to her landing, she didn't buffer the snake like she hoped. Adder hissed loudly, jerking and twisting, nearly bucking Ladybug off. She grabbed for the course scales, clutching the rims as she tried to stay on.
She might've stayed on, if Chat hadn't come out of nowhere, slamming his claws into her back and shoving her down on the akuma body. Pressing down after her, he hissed in her ear, "Looks like I caught myself a little bug."
Ladybug gritted her teeth, twisting around to glare at him.
Chat grinned back, one claw moving for an earring.
Unfortunately for Chat, Adder was unaware that her accomplice was on her back.
With a mighty jerk, the snake bucked off the two miraculous users, earning loud squeals from them both as they were suddenly airborne. A few seconds after they hit the roof, Ladybug jumped up and was tearing off. With a hiss, Chat pursued as Adder turned after her. Racing after her on all fours, Chat pounced, grinning as she squeaked in surprised. Hitting a worn roof hard, they both yelped as that roof collapsed under them, dropping them down into a dark attic.
"Good going Chat," Ladybug grumbled with a wince. She got up slowly, trying to blink the dust from her eyes.
She just heard the hiss of sliced air and ducked down, letting those claws fly over her head.
"You couldn't give me a minute?!" she stressed, slamming her fist into Chat's stomach and shoving him away. She felt more than saw him stumble back, only the flare of his eyes glowing the darkness told her where he was.
She could hear the smile in his voice. "This is war, Ladybug; there should be no rest for the wicked."
"I think it's debatable on whose the wicked one here," she returned. She spared a fast glance to the gaping roof when she heard near buildings rattle and shake.
Adder was coming.
And Ladybug was cornered.
Her mind flew into motion, trying to plan out an escape.
A shard of wood was kicked aside as Chat charged, and Ladybug acted, plan set.
Ducking under his swipe, she popped up, startling the black cat as she appeared in his personal space. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she pulled him down with her to the floor, their noses bumping as she clung to him tightly. Chat was stiff and frozen over her, claws digging into the wood with his surprise. His green eyes were comically wide, his ears perked to attention. She could faintly feel the twitch of his nose against hers, his hot breath tickling her lips.
She expected the smell of leather.
She didn't expect the scent of expensive cologne, or the smell of freshly made new clothes; hosted in stores she dreamed of selling her designs in.
A dark shadow fell over the hole in the roof, and Ladybug smiled.
"Thanks Minou," she purred out, immediately withdrawing her grip on his shoulders.
Chat only blinked at her dumbly for a minute before something hot and slick wrapped around his torso. With a loud mew, Chat was reeled up into the waiting jaws of Adder.
Hefting her legs high, Ladybug slammed the heel of her boots into the weary floor, forcing out a hole big enough for her and slid down it before Adder was aware she had the wrong miraculous.
The building shook as Adder moved, roaring loudly. Ladybug dropped her transformation just as she hopped out, pressing against the wall in slight alarm as she watched the huge snake slide over her head, continuing the hunt for her.
Marinette held her breath, trying to will her beating heart still.
But Adder didn't notice her.
Didn't spare a glance down into that alley as she slid away, hissing and rumbling.
Marinette crept out into the street, grimacing as she eyed after the snake.
This was a really frustrating akuma.
Sounds of displeasure drew her ears, and Marinette looked up to see Chat sitting on a roof, his face contorted as he jerked his hands about, trying to fling off the akuma's saliva that coated over him.
She almost felt sorry.
Almost.
Turning to glare at the building he fell into, his green eyes caught hers, and Marinette stiffened when they met.
For a moment, she was scared.
She appeared around akumas before, she knows Chat has seen her there untransformed a few times.
But this was the second time that he saw and recognized her around an akuma attack.
Would he make the connection?
Would he realize who she was?
Thankfully not.
His face went red and he turned away, bouncing after the akuma.
Marinette sighed heavily, slumping against the wall. "That was close," she murmured.
Tikki hummed in agreement in her purse, peeking out as peering up at Marinette. Quietly she asked, "Cookies please?"
"I figured out that my senses are heightened," Adrien bid as he sat down near the still kwami. "But I didn't realize how much more sensitive my nose was."
Plagg didn't move an inch, not acknowledging him in the slightest. Even as Adrien set some mozzarella down beside him. The black kwami didn't even turn to it. Adrien continued, unbothered. "She smelled like sugar, and sweets, and spices... Kinda? Like chocolate, and vanilla, and sugar, and flour, and butter, and bread, and..." he trailed, eyeing the kwami.
Plagg wouldn't even look at him.
Adrien slid the cheese closer.
Plagg still didn't move.
"She also smelled like flowers," he piped in.
Still nothing.
He opened his mouth to ask, only to close it after a second, grimacing. Plagg wouldn't answer anyway. The kwami just refused to acknowledge or work with him. He wouldn't even eat around him.
Nooroo would quiver before Père, but even he would eat around his master.
Sighing, Adrien got up and left the kwami alone, knowing he'd only start eating when he was sure Adrien was gone.
It was a waste of breath to ask the kwami. Ask him why that smell clung to his nose, even when detransformed and his senses largely weaker. Why did he want to bury himself in that smell, why he wanted to let a purr bubble out of his chest, and why his fingers twitch to curl and knead.
Plagg wouldn't answer him.
But maybe there was another that could.
Approaching the door to his office, Adrien paused beside it, listening.
He didn't hear his father in it.
Boldly, he cracked the door open, meeting the wide nervous eyes of the butterfly kwami. One his father always kept far and separated from the brooch. He only came for Nooroo when it was time to hunt for promising akumas.
For now, no Père in sight.
"Y-young master," Nooroo hastily greeted, rubbing his little paws together and withdrawing deeper into the room, sinking towards the desk.
Trying to offer the kwami a reassuring smile, Adrien greeted, "Hey Nooroo."
"I-i-is there som-something I can he-help with?"
"Yes please," Adrien bid, taking the seat across the desk. "Plagg probably wouldn't help-"
"P-Plagg's always been a di-difficult kwami to work with," Nooroo cuts in. "I-I've known many chosen that had m-many complaints about him."
"He talked to them?"
"Th-they always grumbled that he doesn't shut up."
Curiously Adrien tilts his head at the fact. Plagg a chatterbox. He couldn't see it. Not with how he was right now. "He doesn't talk to me," Adrien murmured.
Nooroo sat quietly across from him, not offering an answer.
"Can you help me?" Adrien asked, causing the kwami to jerk in surprise.
"I-I can try young master!"
"Why am I attracted to Ladybug?" he flat out asked.
Nooroo blinked at him.
"N-Not romantically!" Adrien quickly reassures, "I'm not in love with her! I..."
"Want to be close to her," Nooroo finished for him, a rare, small smile on his lips. He peered up at Adrien knowingly. Sort of like how his mother used too, when she knew something he didn't, something he was going to find out soon.
Eyeing the kwami strangely, he confirmed, "Yeah."
That was a good way of summing it up.
Far better than wanting to press at her side and rub against her.
"It's an adopted second nature," Nooroo explained.
Adrien blinked at the little creature. "Second nature?" he echoed.
"The ladybug and black cat miraculous are tied together," Nooroo explained, "they balance each other and users are always drawn to each other because of this. You want to be near her because your miraculous wants to be near ladybug. It's far more prominent with you fighting against her."
"I-is it the same for her?" Adrien asked.
Tilting his head, Nooroo confirmed, "It would be, if she insists on viewing you as an enemy like you do with her. If it's a thought you cling too, that urge you feel to be near her is your miraculous rebelling against you, and trying to shape you."
"Sh-shape me?!" The miraculous was shaping him?! He turned to the pale ring on his finger in alarm, eyeing it. Shaking, he plucked it off his finger, twisting it about as he stared at it. "Could, could it turn me against Père?"
Nooroo didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Adrien dropped the ring, leaning far away like it was some poisonous creature.
No longer timid, Nooroo stared at him, eyes knowing and aware. "Plagg is still around," he told Adrien. "You still want it."
"Not if it's going to turn me against Père!" Adrie proclaimed. He wanted to help him! Help get Ladybug's earrings, help him bring her back! He couldn't do that if the miraculous swayed his view, brought him to devious red heroine's side. He would not become her cat, licking after her boots!
How would his father even react?
Would he tell him to put the miraculous away and leave it all to him?
Would he still want Chat Noir fighting at his side?
Nooroo eyed him and calmly warns, "Confusion bodes ill to the mind and body. You'll exhaust yourself."
"What do you expect when you tell me that?!" Adrien snapped, leaning back in his seat and running a hand through his hair. What did the kwami think he'd feel hearing that his miraculous may brainwash him into turning against his father?
To helping Ladybug?
Ladybug who would not listen.
Ladybug who swore to never willingly give up her earrings.
That she would fight to keep them to herself.
Ladybug that sparked a frustration in him that made him want to lash out.
Ladybug who was now compelling his miraculous to rebel and brainwash him.
"I expected the hardship," Nooroo voices, drawing Adrein's attention to the little creature. He could read the kwami's expression as it stared at him. He couldn't tell the emotions or thoughts the little being had as it spoke. "The miraculous are items that are meant to be used for good. They're not meant for personal gain. Personal growth, yes. But not gain. Especially not at the expense of others. To use a miraculous as such, a punishment always comes. None know what, and it's never the same each time around." Nooroo tilted his head, eyeing the wide eyed blond. "Maybe this is yours."
If Plagg was like Nooroo, he was fine with not talking to the kwami.
The little butterfly god just left Adrien confused, scared, and very miffed.
And very agitated with his miraculous. He kept glaring down at the pale ring on his finger, leery of how much it could shape him. It was a frightening thought. This little magical item had the power to turn him against his own family.
All because it wanted to be close to ladybug's; to help her.
And it sounded like there was very little he could do to avoid the outcome.
"Very few fight against that bond between miraculouses," Nooroo told him, "for the very, very few successful... it's not ideal."
The best he could take from that, work with Ladybug or die.
It brought a shaky resolution to him. They needed to get those earrings. They needed to get them fast. Just before the miraculous did brainwash, just before the possibility arose that he and his father could end up on opposing sides.
Would either of them be able to make it loosing another family member?
...Would Adrien even end up caring if the miraculous warped his view?
The possibility scared him.
Adrien jerked when a squeak drew his ears, catching sight of a smaller body surging towards the hard ground, arms out stretched to catch themselves. He moved on instinct, drawing back and catching them, letting them fall into his chest, his arms framing around them.
The girl he caught was breathing in a startled panic, trembling lightly in his grip. Adrien instinctively tightened his grip, his head bending down to nuzzle the top of her head.
He stopped himself before he made contact, his mind screaming.
What was that?!
Why did he want to do that?!
To a stranger no less...
A stranger that smelled familiar.
That smelled of sweets and flowers and home and...
She stood up in his grip, staring up at him with wide light blue eyes that he's seen before.
Her.
The civilian that threw an akuma into the Seine and tore off with the possessed item.
The civilian he saw in the shadow of Adder's body, wide eyed as she stared up at him.
Again his mind flitted to Ladybug before he shoved it away. They weren't the same people. He was sure of it.
Naturally his lips curled up, grinning down at her. "You ok?" he asked, giving her arms a light squeeze.
Blinking in surprise, she flashed him a relieved smile. "Yeah thanks. Wasn't looking forward to hitting the ground again." She straightened in his grip, withdrawing her hands from his chest and taking the pleasing pressure away.
He released her, but didn't draw away. "Again?" he echoed, eyes locked on her.
She gave a sheepish nod, tugging at one of her pigtails. "Got two left feet," she admitted, then beamed at him once more. "Thanks again!" And just like that, she slid around him and continued on her way. Adrien followed after her, his eyes locked on her being. He snapped out of it when he felt Plagg move in his jacket pocket.
Alarmed, he cracked it open, for once meeting the slanted green eyes of the kwami.
Plagg spared him a blink, before twisting around and burying his face in the pocket, tired of looking up at the blond.
Sighing, Adrien let the jacket fall to his body, and continued his way. Rounding a corner, he came to his destination.
"Adrihoney!"
And his objective.
Grinning, all he could get out was, "Hey Chlo-" before he was tackled by the giggly blonde.
And nearly shoved her away.
Fire flared up in his nose from the strength of her perfume, and it took all his willpower not to shove her to the ground. Struggling to keep his grip light, he withdrew from her, forcing a smile and closing his eyes to hide the water gathering up in them. Too strong too strongtoostrongtoostrong...
"How are you?" he forced out pleasantly, slowly easing her away so he could breath easier.
That was too much.
His nose wasn't this sensitive before...
His smile twitched to stiffness as the reason clicked in his head.
The miraculous.
His damn miraculous.
"I've been great, Adrikins," Chloe reassured, thankfully unaware of him. Gripping his wrists, she dragged him to the closest table, admitting, "but it's been sooo annoying. I can't tell you how many akumas have come after me lately!"
You do cause them, Adrien thinks silently, breathing in deeply now that there was a bit of distance between them.
That was too much.
"That must be hard," he offered, leaning back and turning his head just so he could breath in the fragrance of near bread.
It reminded him of Ladybug.
And the princess that could flip him.
And she lived in a bakery. He wondered if the food there was good.
"It has been," Chloe sniffed, then brightened, leaning forward and gushing, "but my best friend keeps coming to save me thankfully!"
"...Best friend?" Did she mean Sabrina? Recalling the many attacks for Chloe, he couldn't recall too many times that Sabrina saved her.
"Ladybug!" Chloe gushed out, bouncing in her seat as she cooed over the red heroine.
Adrien's mood immediately turned sour. "You really like Ladybug?" he asked, keeping his voice light and neutral.
Ladybug.
The city loved Ladybug.
His only friend of the past loved Ladybug.
Hell even his miraculous loved Ladybug.
LadybugLadybugLadybugLadybug-
"Of course! She's amazing, and saved my life so many times! We're like, best friends Adrien! Oooh! Maybe I can introduce you sometime! Would you like that?"
Thanking a waiter that brought them water, Adrien downed his, reveling in the icy sensation of cold water going down his throat. Bringing the glass down and licking his lips, he said, "Sounds like a great idea."
It could be.
She'd have her defense lowered for a civilian.
He could make a grab for the earrings then.
He just wasn't in the mood to see her now.
He did not know why he was back here.
He shouldn't be.
This place held no purpose to him.
This person was of no importance to him.
They were nothing.
They didn't help him in his goal.
Yet here he was, on her balcony, sitting in her bright pink and white lounge chair and just staring out into Paris, doing nothing productive in the break his father provided.
What does one do with free time?
He's already had a nap, found a nice warm patch in his room.
He's already raced along the roofs of Paris, partly hoping that he would catch sight of the lady in red. Partly just to be on the move and to have something to do.
And he had stopped when he spotted that familiar bakery, with a nice artistically designed balcony, and an open lounge chair that was waiting to be sat in.
This was a poor idea.
He shouldn't be here.
But he just sunk deeper into the comfortable chair. He breathed in the familiar, pleasing scents of sweets and breads. And enjoyed the cool breeze kissed at his cheeks.
This is a really nice spot.
It was quiet.
Smelled nice.
And visually interesting to look at.
It felt safe.
A bit like... home.
It felt like a home.
He let out a big yawn, stretching out as far as he could and sinking down the lounge chair, his boots kissing the floor of the balcony. This was really nice.
Maybe he should have his naps here.
Before he could get resettled to sleep, Chat jumped when the trapdoor beside the lounge chair burst open. He turned his wide eyes to Princess as she flopped her upper body out, proclaiming with a loud whine, "I'm tired!" For a minute she laid still, half her body on the floor, the other half hanging freely in the room below. Then she started to wiggle and squirm on the floor, using her arms to help haul her out.
Chat leaned back, watching the display before him, amusement bubbling off him in waves.
Successfully, she flopped onto her back, her whole body here and lying in the sun. Just like a cat, she stretched out with a happy hum. She dropped her stretch with a happy sigh, then absently repeats to the air, "I'm tired."
"So I heard," he returned. Stupidly, but he just couldn't help himself.
Even more so at her reaction. Her eyes snapped open and she jerked up, hitting her head on the table above.
Chat exploded, claws coming to rest on his stomach.
She gritted her teeth, rubbing her head and glaring at him with watering eyes. "Chat Noir," she growled.
"Princess," he returned with a big grin. "Missed me?"
He had to hand it to Princess, she could be real fast when she wanted to be. He didn't have time to react or get away when she grabbed her spray water and fired, hitting him right in the head.
He jerked in the lounge chair, nearly toppling it in his need to get away.
Clamoring up the railing and shaking his head to rid the water, he sent her a pout.
She shot him a dark glare. "What are you doing here," she growled.
He shrugged, wincing as water slid down his brow. "I was bored," he said, adjusting his crouch so that he was sitting on the railing. Grinning, he leaned forward and promised, "I missed you."
She fired at him again, and Chat ducked out of range.
Flatly, she stated, "I don't want a cat."
"I didn't ask if you did."
Growling, she crawled out from under the table and got up. She quickly reclaimed her lounge chair, gripping her spray bottle tightly as she glared at him.
He just grinned back, enjoying the sight of the steam rolling off of her. "You are cute," he comments, tail flicking up, coy and playful.
"What do you want Chat?" she demanded.
His smile dropped, and he turned and stared absently at the Parisian horizon. What did he want? He stared long enough for her frown to drop, raising a brow in slight curious, concern for the black cat. "Chat?" she asked.
"I don't know," he confessed, turning to her. "I don't know."
He left before she could comment, ignoring her odd stare after him.
What did he want?
He wanted her back, and his family whole.
He didn't want to wake up one day fighting against his father, being Ladybug's loyal shadow.
He wanted his empty life filled.
What did he want with her?
He didn't know.
It was in the dark of night when Plagg rose up into the room. He turned his bright, narrowed eyes down to the bed, where the blond chosen slept, oblivious to the little being. He floated closer, glaring down. There was the ring. Right below him, laying on the floor. His chosen has been too scared to sleep with it on, set that he was going to wake up brainwashed one morning.
Not that it actually worked like that.
The mere thought left the kwami scoffing.
If it did, he'd already be her shadow, helping her bring down this threat.
It was a foolish move.
So easy it would be.
So easy to grab it and disappear. He could return to the Guardian, wait for a more promising Black Cat. If they were lucky, one could be found soon.
Plagg floated down, his paw coming to rest right on the pale ring when a nervous voice called, "Are you sure?"
Plagg paused, turning to the butterfly kwami, watching him from the door; a big frown on his face. Nooroo left the room. Plagg glanced at the ring, then floated after Nooroo, hovering with him in the hallway. "Are you sure?" Nooroo repeated, once they were out of earshot.
Plagg didn't answer. He crossed his arms stubbornly and glared down the hall.
"Is there another promising Black Cat out there?" Nooroo pressed.
Plagg's whiskers twitched.
Nooroo sighed, drooping a little. "I'm not too sure if that's a good idea then."
"Oh and this is?" Plagg finally snaps, rounding on the soft spoken god.
Nooroo didn't flinch at the growl, but did frown. "If there was another Black Cat, I say go all the way. But there isn't, and Ladybug-"
"Ladybugs have been on their own before."
"But it' not ideal!"
"Bug's been lucky so far Nooroo," Plagg snapped, baring his teeth as he jerked closer. Nooroo drew away, wary. "Luck runs out. It always does."
"That's what Black Cat is for," Nooroo reasoned.
"Not this Black Cat."
"Are you so sure?" Nooroo asked. "That this Cat would ignore his call?"
Plagg wrinkled his face at the kwami.
Nooroo offered a small smile. "He's not a malicious boy, not by heart. But he is frustrated, and lost, and desperate. He needs guidance Plagg. You should do what we're meant too."
Plagg turned away in displeasure.
"He is a child," Nooroo reminded, "still young. He still looks to his father, he still gets scared, he's still unsure. He's just following what his father thinks is best." Plagg didn't reply. "Tikki would be sad that you allowed him the same fate as those corrupted."
"Why do you think I was trying to take the ring?!"
"Would that help him?"
"It would help Ladybug. That's who I'm more worried about! That luck is gong to run dry soon Nooroo! She doesn't need Chat Noir and an akuma on her!"
Nooroo clasped his paws together, thoughtful. "I'm not so sure," he comments, ignoring Plagg's vocal groan. He jumped when Plagg gave him a hard poke in the chest.
"You need a reality check! Your nature is blinding you Nooroo!"
"As is yours," Nooroo chided gently, rubbing the spot. "It's not impossible Plagg."
"So is the chance of him taking those earrings."
Nooroo frowned at him.
Plagg returned.
Both gave a start when they heard a shuffle in the room behind them, before it went quiet again.
"It's not impossible," Nooroo repeated, "and he is still a child. A hopeful, scared, desperate child. He's not like the others."
"I know."
Nooroo smiled encouragingly.
Plagg grimaced. "Kit's got one chance." He cuts in before the butterfly could pipe in, "I'm getting impatient Nooroo. I don't like this. I never like this. He's got one chance. Or me and that ring are gone."
Nooroo droops as the agitated black god flew back into the room. That could've gone better if Tikki was here, she always did a better job at handling Plagg than any other kwami. Drifting closer, Nooroo peeked into the room, eyeing the young sleeping chosen, oblivious to the test laid out before him.
Nooroo hopes he chooses the right choice.
Fun tidbit! Adder was originally an akuma that was going to appear in Trouble in White, which was originally more of an Enemy AU set up like this. Only Chat Blanc didn't work with Hawk Moth.