"Adrien? You okay?" Plagg asks with concern. I blow my nose loudly. "Um, I'm not feeling well. Good thing school's over for the day." "Aren't you going to let Marinette know?" "Oh, yeah."
When I'm Cat Noir and not with Ladybug, I spend most of my time with Marinette.
Cat: Hey, Princess. Going home to rest. Not feline the best.
Mari: At least you can still make puns. I love you and let me know if you need anything.
Cat: Love you too. And I'll let you know.
I'm pretty sure its just a cold, but I wrap my blue scarf around me tightly. Its snowing lightly as I trudge out to my bodyguard's car. I see Marinette walking home by herself. I feel guilty, but I don't want her to get sick.
At home, Father surprises me by asking how school was. Normally, I'd be thrilled, but I end up coughing. "I'm sorry, Father. I need to go lay down," I whisper.
I change into a Agreste brand hoodie and sweatpants and crawl into bed, just leaving one lamp on. For awhile, I just stare at the falling snow. It relaxes me, and soon I'm asleep.
A movement wakes me, hours later. Its still snowing. Did I imagine it? No, Ladybug's here. "Hey, Little Bug," I whisper.
"Are you under the weather?" Ladybug walks over to my bed. She puts a cool hand to my forehead. "Hmm, you are a little warm. Do you have a thermometer?" she asks. "In the bathroom cabinet." I close my eyes.
"Just keep your eyes shut. I'll pop it under your tongue," she says, in the soothing way of hers. She's very special, my M'lady. "Well, you do have a bit of temperature, Adrien. But I think its just a cold," she says.
"Will you take care of me?" I open my eyes. "Of course. I'm going to get you some tea and be back soon," she stands up. She kisses my forehead.
I watch her swing away to the snow. "Be safe," I whisper. I fall asleep again. I must have caught this cold from running around fighting akumas. Which is to bad, because its almost Christmas. Every year I wish for the same thing, to be in Mother's loving arms again.
Ladybug comes back, finding me awake. "I'll get a mug and then you can have your tea," she says. I can smell the steaming hot liquid. "I want you to take this before tea," she says. She hands me a white vitamin C. I pop it in my mouth, swallowing down with the water.
"As promised, your tea." she hands me the mug, and I love the sweetness, the warmth from the tea. I feel sleepy now, the tea was really soothing. "I'm going back to sleep," I mumble. Ladybug nods from her chair.
Marinette felt a little empty not seeing Adrien that day at school, even if she knew he was sick. They were making Christmas cards today. "If you had a Christmas wish, Mari, what would it be?" her friend Alya asked.
"For Adrien to feel better." She lined up with the other students to get her card. That was it! She could make Adrien a card, wishing him to feel better. As soon as she sat down at her desk, Mari felt better.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Ladybug is back. "A little better." I still have to talk with a soft voice though, my throat still hurts.
"I brought you a couple of things," she said. "First, some tomato soup." I sit up as she she hands me a small bowl. But my hands shake badly. "Could you help me?" I ask. She nods, climbing onto the bed to sit besides me. "Open up," she sings, grinning.
She spoons in the sweet, savory soup. Our eyes lock once or twice, and I can't tell if its the heat from the soup, but I think we both blush. She dabs my lips with a napkin. "How did you know tomato's my favorite?" I ask.
"I didn't. Its red and almost Christmas so…" "Thank you." I lean forward, softly kissing her cheek. She pulls out a card. "Marinette asked me to give this to you," she says. I open the card, and its Marinette and I.
Its snowing in the scence, and she wrote, "Hope you feel better so we can play in the snow!"
I smile. That's just like Princess, ever so playful. "I'll thank her when I'm better," I tell Ladybug.
"I could read some stories," she says. "I would love that," I tell her. I settle down into the blanket as Ladybug selects some books from the shelf.
I love it when she reads to me. Its like we're in our own little world, the snow, Ladybug and me.
Ladybug comes everyday to take care of me, and day by day I start to feel better. I can't wait to run on rooftops with M'lady.
I come back to school a week after my illness. "Hey, Marinette! Thanks for the card, it really cheered me up!" "Your welcome." "And I'd love to play in the snow. How about after school?" Her face lights up as she nods.
Even though I don't like being sick, it was nice to have Ladybug take care of me. I know she doesn't know I'm Cat Noir, but I do know she loves me.
I would do the same for her anyday. As Mari and I throw snowballs and chase each other through the snow, this is a Christmas I'll remember.
Marinette sews as does Ladybug. And I still need to get there presents. And I know the perfect gift. A tomato pincushion to store there pins.
Gifts are nice, but I'd rather have friends. Spending time with Ladybug is the best gift of all. I hope we all have a good holiday. No akuma fights, just love and warmth. Spending time with loved ones, the best gift of all.