"Adrien, can you take a look at Plagg?" Marinette said, as she set down her sewing needles. "Yeah," Adrien said from her chaise where he had been playing with Tikki. "What's wrong with him?" "He's just lying there," Marinette looked up at him with worry in her eyes.
Adrien may be Plagg's owner, but as Guardian, Marinette was responsible for Plagg. Tikki flew over and cuddled on Marinette's shoulder. "I think Plagg is feeling neglected," Tikki said, fumbling with her palms. "Neglected? But I give him cheese every day. Are you sure he's not faking it…." Adrien's voice cut off as Plagg let out a small mournful meow. He'd never heard his Kwami do that before.
"I don't think cheese is the problem," Marinette said. "We've both been so busy, Plagg hasn't gotten to do anything fun with you lately. He misses you."
"Then I'm going to make it up to him," Adrien said, determination in his voice. Plagg was Adrien's little buddy after all. "Can you keep an eye on him? I need to run a few errands," Adrien said. Marinette stroked the sleeping Kwami. "Okay, but be back soon."
Adrien shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked to Leo's Cheese Store. It was a cloudy day, matching Adrien's mood.
"Adrien! Welcome!" Leo said, always with a warm smile on his face, and Adrien felt slightly better. "Something's the matter," Leo said, seeing the look on Adrien's face. "Its Plagg," Adrien whispered. "He's sad. I haven't been around much lately and I want to make it up to him." Leo placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Adrien. Your doing the best you can. And I think I can help cheer him up. Follow me."
Adrien was so glad he and Marinette had told Leo about their Kwamis. Leo was a mentor to the two of them, and now that Master Fu was gone, they needed someone to turn to. Following the kind man back into the kitchen, Adrien gasped as at the pumpkin on Leo's workstation counter.
"Its a pumpkin cheesecake," Leo said, proudly. "Or, at least it will be when I get the frosting done. I want it to look like vines." "I can help," Adrien said. "Good. Because when we're done, we'll save a piece for Plagg."
Leo was as good as his word, and he and Adrien even went to the pet shop after, and bought Plagg a new toy.
"Plagg, I'm back!" Adrien said, sitting down at Marinette's desk. Plagg looked up from his blanket. "Hey, got any cheese?" he whispered. "Yes, but Plagg, I'm sorry I haven't been around. I guess I got up in helping Mama and Papa, I forgot to take care of you."
"Kid, I've been caring for myself for thousands of years. But even Kwami's need love, even if it isn't easy for some of to admit it."
Adrien opened the container, containing the cheesecake. "Will this help?" The green gleam came back into Plagg's eyes. "Is that cheesecake?"
Adrien laughed, but felt tears welling up in his eyes as Plagg dove into his snack. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the new toys.
Taking a nap together on Marinette's bed, Adrien cuddled Plagg close. "You taken care of me by making me laugh on some hard days," he said, as they cuddled. "Now, let me take care of you."