HIATUS//Becoming Lila Rossi

Chapter 35: Midnight Visit

Chat Noir darted through the quiet streets of Paris, his heart still racing from the intense battle with Prime Queen. The city was calm now, the chaos of the recent fight fading into memory, but his mind was anything but settled. He needed to check on Lila, to see if she was alright after everything that had happened.

The moonlight cast long, eerie shadows on the cobblestone streets, and the only sounds were the faint rustling of leaves in the evening breeze and the distant hum of the city winding down for the night. Chat Noir's thoughts were a whirlwind of concern and uncertainty, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a sense of urgency. He couldn't shake the image of Lila's frightened face from his mind, and the need to ensure her safety consumed him.

He spotted a secluded alleyway, its narrow walls providing the privacy he needed. With a final glance around to confirm he was alone, Chat Noir landed lightly on the pavement, his boots barely making a sound. He took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline slowly dissipate, and murmured, "Plagg, claws in."

In a flash of green and black, the transformation dissolved, leaving Adrien standing in the dimly lit alley. The weight of his responsibilities as Chat Noir always felt heavier once the magic faded, but tonight, it was the worry for Lila that pressed down on him. Plagg emerged from his ring, floating lazily in front of Adrien with a wide yawn, his tiny body stretching as if he hadn't a care in the world.

"Finally, some fresh air!" Plagg grumbled, stretching his tiny limbs with a satisfied sigh. His nose twitched as he inhaled deeply, savoring the cool night air. "And you know what that means, right? Cheese!" His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his paws rubbed together in eager anticipation.

Adrien couldn't help but chuckle softly at Plagg's singular focus. Despite everything that had happened, Plagg's obsession with cheese was a constant that never failed to bring a smile to Adrien's face. Reaching into his pocket, Adrien pulled out a small, carefully wrapped piece of camembert—the one thing he always made sure to carry for moments like this.

"Here you go, buddy," Adrien said, holding the cheese out to Plagg. "Eat up, because we need to retransform soon. We've still got a lot to do tonight."

Plagg's eyes gleamed with pure delight as he snatched the cheese from Adrien's hand, his tiny mouth watering at the sight of his favorite treat. Without hesitation, he devoured the camembert in a single bite, his small body practically vibrating with satisfaction.

"You really know how to treat a kwami, Adrien," Plagg said, his voice muffled as he licked the last traces of cheese from his paws. His expression was one of pure bliss, a contented grin spreading across his face. "This is the good stuff. You must've been saving this for a special occasion."

Adrien smiled, his heart warming at the sight of Plagg's happiness. "I knew you'd appreciate it," he replied. "But remember, we can't take too long. I still need to check on Lila, and who knows what could happen if we're not prepared."

Plagg nodded, though his contented expression didn't waver. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Duty calls and all that. But you gotta admit, a little break for some cheese is worth it."

Adrien's smile widened as he watched Plagg float lazily in the air, a satisfied glow emanating from the tiny kwami. Moments like these, where they could share a quiet laugh and a piece of cheese, were rare and precious. It was a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there were still small joys to be found.

"Alright, Plagg," Adrien said, a new sense of determination in his voice. "Let's get back to work."

"Plagg, claws out," he said, his voice firm with a hint of urgency. With another flash of green and black, Chat Noir emerged, his familiar suit and feline features taking shape as he resumed his superhero persona. The weight of his responsibilities settled back onto his shoulders, but there was a resolute determination in his stance.