9Updated 9/1/23
August 1, 2015
The red and black Kwami of Creation sat perched on the balcony railing, trying to clear her head. Tikki always looked out for her Ladybugs; it was her job. However, she felt fiercely protective of her current Ladybug, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Tikki cared deeply for the girl and did not want her to get hurt; physically or emotionally. That's why this past week had been so difficult for both of them.
The kwami floated back down into Marinette's room to check on her sleeping charge. The girl squirmed in her sleep, subconsciously reaching for the paw of her massive cat pillow. Tikki's heart broke for her chosen. She knew that the two boys Marinette wrestled with feelings for were one in the same.
Adrien was Chat Noir and he knew that Marinette was Ladybug. It was clear to Tikki that Adrien was doing what he could to stay close to Marinette on both sides of the mask while still honoring her boundary of not being involved with anyone until Hawkmoth was defeated. In the past week since the revelation, Tikki had seen Adrien carrying Marinette's bag, being the one to suggest group hang outs, and letting her doodle on his arm during class. It had only been a week, so Marinette was still flustered; but Tikki could see the effort she was putting in to be Adrien's friend first and foremost.
As for Chat Noir and Ladybug, Chat was still supportive and punny while dialing back his flirting. The boy made his feelings known through his actions rather than just his words. He'd also not visited Marinette as Chat Noir over the past week. Tikki could appreciate the space Chat was giving her girl.
Tikki had yet to speak to Marinette about what had happened within the past week. There was someone else she needed to talk to first.
Confident that Marinette would not be waking up anytime soon, Tikki flew to the window, glancing over her shoulder one more time. Then she was off.
Plagg had almost drifted off to sleep when he heard a rapping sound on the window. He lifted his head from the pillow next to Adrien's bed, blinking sleepily. A small red blur waved. Tikki?
He flew to the window, quickly gesturing for the tiny creature to come in. "Tikki! It's late! What are you doing here?"
She phased through the window and gave him a smile. "I came to see you. Unless you want me to leave…" She pretended to fly out.
"No, no, no! Stay. Here, let's go down to the kitchen. It's warm and keeps some amazing Camembert!"
Tikki rolled her eyes and glanced at Adrien's still body. "What about the boy? Will he stay asleep?"
"Adrien?" Plagg made a snorting sound. "He won't wake up unless you shove Camembert under his nose. Makes my morning, actually…" He grinned mischievously.
Tikki rolled her eyes at Plagg's antics.
Plagg led Tikki down to the Agreste's massive kitchen, phasing through doors and walls until they were both comfortably settled with cookies and cheese. Tikki was sitting quietly, nibbling on her cookie when Plagg arrived with capfuls of warm milk. When she said nothing, he nudged her head affectionately.
"You know I'm always happy to see you, right Sugar Cube?"
She grinned at the nickname he developed for her centuries ago.
"I know that." Tikki set her cookie down. "Plagg, I need to know how the boy found out. He told Marinette that his digging allowed him to see past the concealment magic. If he went digging and came to his own conclusion, fine. But if he had help…"
Plagg waved a fin at her as he stuffed the Camembert in his mouth. "I know the code, Sugar Cube. Adrien worked it out all on his own." He swallowed. "Well, I may have asked a couple questions to steer him in the right direction..."
Tikki groaned. "Oh Plagg!" She floated up and away from him.
Plagg set the rest of his cheese down and rose to meet her at eye level. "Hey! I didn't tell him 'The love of your life, your partner, LADYBUG is Pigtails from the bakery!' I didn't break the Kwami Code. I know how much stronger their bond is when the Reveal happens naturally." He took her fin in his. "We made that mistake once. I'm not about to repeat it."
Tears spilled out of Tikki's eyes as she threw herself into Plagg's embrace.
"Hey, hey, it's okay, Sugar Cube." He soothed. "You don't always have to be strong. That's why I'm here."
"I just miss you so much!" She whimpered, the tears beginning to fade.
Plagg gently pulled her away from himself. "We've been away from each other much longer than this. Remember Egypt? Those fools almost died of old age before their Reveal." Tikki laughed.
"I remember." They sat back down to finish their snacks. "So… he really loves her?"
Plagg nodded, his mouth full. "Mhm! Yep. Kid's got it bad." He swallowed. "What about Pigtails? How does she feel?"
Tikki hesitated. "I can tell that deep down, she cares for both sides of him, but with the rule from the Guardian about new Miraculous wielders knowing each other's identities and her not wanting anything to get back to Hawkmoth…" She cast Plagg a baleful look. "It's not going to be a quick fix."
"Have you told her it was Fu's rule about the identities?"
"No…"
"Have you even told Pigtails about the Guardian?"
Tikki gave him a look. "Have you told your chosen anything about the Guardian?"
"...no." Plagg stuffed a new hunk of cheese into his mouth. "Why did Fu even add that rule about identities? It's common knowledge that the powers of the Miraculous grow when its holder finds their match. With a Ladybug and Chat Noir… that power's insane!"
Tikki sighed. "I don't know, Plagg. Usually the Guardian knows best, but I'm not sure about this…"
"Then maybe we go hash it out with Fu sometime; stand up for our chosens!"
"That sounds like a good idea, Plagg." Tikki finished off the last cookie on the plate. "But not tonight. I best be getting back."
The kwamis cleaned up the evidence of their late night picnic before floating back to Adrien's room. The pair stared at the boy's sleeping form.
"We've had a lot of charges over the years; but these two are different. You can sense it, right?" Plagg whispered.
"I do. Master Fu chose them for a reason. Time will tell what exactly that reason is." Tikki glided to the window. "Their final Reveal will happen soon, and we'll be together again. I believe it." She was optimistic.
Plagg smiled and held her close.
"I hope so, Sugar Cube."
She waved once more before phasing through the window and flew out into the night. Plagg strained to follow her glow until she disappeared from sight. He moved back to his pillow, scooting closer to Adrien's ear.
"Hang in there, kid. I don't know when, but I'm sure you'll be with your lady soon."
Adrien snuggled closer to Plagg in his sleep. "…ssooonnnn…"
Plagg smiled and curled up on his pillow.
"Soon."
FIN
"One little spark, of inspiration/ Is at the heart, of all creation/ Right at the start, of everything that's new/ One little spark, lights up for you" - Journey into Imagination, EPCOT
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."" -Mark 10:27