I've always, always, alwaaaays wanted to do a chapter fic around the kwami swap. The biggest issue? Wtf do I do story wise? I had the ideas, the differences from canon, the interactions, the possibilities; but no solid story to push it along. Nothing solid, except for moments. So this will be my next drabble fic!

This will include random interactions to episode recreations, maybe an actual story will develop later? We'll see, either way, I plan to have fun with this ;3

Notes filled the air, crisp and perfect. A lovely tune Tikki didn't doubt would be pleasing to anyone's ears, would have been melodious and lovely. But a kwami as old as she, she could pick up what was wrong.

There was no passion.

No life or love for the notes.

As crisp and sure as the notes were, they were lifeless copies. Done perfectly by the player, but just… lacking enjoyment.

It bothered Tikki.

It left her sad, watching her chosen pour over the keys, focused on finding the right notes.

That was not the purpose of music she knew. Music was to echo the soul, music had mistakes when played and explored, it was part of the fun, part of the experience.

It appeared Adrien didn't share that, and neither did his father.

Tikki sighed, taking out another mint from the little bin Adrien gave her. This was the struggle with holders like him. To successfully wield her and Plagg's miraculous, there has to be careful consideration of traits. Holders needed a good, healthy mix of yin and yang traits, matching their respective miraculouses and yet still balancing them out. And this before her was the issue.

Adrien matched the desired yang traits of her miraculous. He echoed it's magic, it's nature. He bore the same gentle care, the same passiveness of the ladybug's magic. He was a beacon for the world, a light he didn't mind being so long as he had his shadow there with him.

Tikki perked.

Now that could be a solution.

She hopped closer, calling, "Adrien."

He paused, blinking at her, hands hovering over silent keys.

Grinning, Tikki offered, "How about you create a song for Chat?"

"Create a song for Chat?" he echoed, his eyes going wide.

He had not thought of the possibility! He could! Excitedly, he proclaimed, "She could be my muse!" Just like Mama was for Père! And he was for her!

Tikki beamed, tail wagging eagerly as she echoed, "Yes! Yes! Make a song for her Adrien! Make a song!"

It would put the love for her into his music, respark the passion he used to share with his Maman when they used to play together. This may be the fire he needed for this!

Only then came another issue.

Adrien hovered over the keys, his smile melted away into a dark frown.

"Yes?" Tikki asked.

Adrien glared at the keys, no doubt recalling each and every sound. "It's got to be perfect," he said.

Tikki sighed tiredly. "Adrien."

He spared her a curious glance.

She gently bade, "You do know that a lot of the beauty of art are the mistakes and flaws of the piece. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to echo your passion, your feelings, thoughts, desires. Don't work to make it perfect, just create, express yourself!"

By his baffled stare, she easily reasoned he didn't quite understand. She tried again. "There is a beauty in imperfections."

But in the Agreste household, there was no such thing. Creation was fluid, sound, and sure; it came out perfect, no mistakes or flaws in the development and final production. So for Adrien, doing such an imperfect piece, especially for his love, was alien.

He shook his head, brushing off her words. "It's got to be perfect."

As he mentally rolled over the notes, planning out the song. Tikki sighed and returned to her little tin of mints. If only her chosen could treat his hero duties so. She rather he have fun with music than heroing.

At least his interest in music was sparked anew, putting care and personal feelings into this piece. It was a step in the right direction at least.

Perhaps Chat can help with the fun and charm of creative flaws.