Dear Journal,

I'm not one to sleep in late, but I was surprised how late I slept in. I feel a bit groggy, but surely some coffee will cure that right? I hope I'm not coming down with a cold. Dressing in jeans and a warm sweater, I sigh as I stare out at the rain sliding down the windowpanes. I love the sound and smell of rain, the earth getting a nice drink. To bad it has to be wasted with sitting in school, but I shouldn't complain.

Just before I reach into the umbrella stand, my phone buzzes and I smile. Marinette has sent a text.

"There's a surprise at gate." Grabbing my umbrella, I hurry out, splashing through the puddles. I gasp with delight as I see Marinette at the gate, grinning under her own umbrella. "Surprise! I thought we could walk to school together. Though I'm sorry its raining." "Where your standing, the sun is shining." I slip my arm through hers, and we head to the coffee shop. The warm liquid soothes my sore throat, but during math I start to cough.

"Ms. B?" I raise my hand, rubbing my forehead. "May I go to the nurse?" "Are you not feeling well, Adrien?" I nod. "All right. Marinette, how about you go with him."

"Marinette?" She pauses as I stand outside the nurse's office. "Could you come with me?" I hold out my hand. "Of course. That's what friends are for." As soon as she says this, I start to cough again.

"Well, that sounds serious. Let's get your temperature taken, Adrien." The kind nurse slips the instrument under my tongue. "Hm. It is a little high. You should go home and rest and make sure to take medicine." I sigh as exit. "What's wrong?" "I don't want to go home. Your home, Marinette. May I go to the bakery?" "Adrien...I.." Marinette is blushing. "Okay. I'll text Mom and let her know your coming." "Thanks, love." "Feel better. And, Adrien?" "Yes?" I cup her cheek. "Feel better."

I nod, heading to the locker room to get my things. "Are you sure your not faking it?" Plagg asks, and I glare at him. "Plagg, please. I may have to cancel patrol tonight."

Mama Cheng is surprised when I arrive at the bakery, wet and shivering. "Adrien! Are you all right, honey?" Before I can respond, she's there with a hug and says she'll make tea as soon as I've changed out of my wet clothes. "Now, lie down on the couch, and I'll take care of calling your father. Just relax." She gives me some old clothes of Marinette's that were way to big for her, but fit me perfectly.

I feel a bit better lying down and listen to the teakettle begin to hum and then boil. I drift on memories as I wait for Mama to bring my tea over….

"Did you put honey in, Mother?" She nods, stroking my cheek. "Get lots of rest, Adrien, and you'll soon be playing again in no time!" I give her a hug, breathing in her lavender scent.

"Adrien? Here's your tea. Now, I have to get back downstairs but Marinette will be home in awhile. Sleep if you can." "Thanks, Mama Cheng." I set the cup aside, surprising her with a hug. She may not smell like lavender, but she smells like ink and yeast. "Think nothing of it."

I open the window after she leaves, and lay back down. Ah, that's better. The fresh breeze carries the scent of rain, and before I know it, I'm asleep.

I wake refreshed when Marinette gets home, but I do have a cold. "Did the rest of school go okay?" I ask, blowing into a tissue. "It went well. It wasn't the same without you though. But I painted something in art I think you'll like."

Digging it out her bag, Marinette hands me her painting. Ladybug and Cat Noir are encased in falling droplets and reach out to each other. Marinette has really captured my essence as Cat Noir, and the same with Ladybug. "You should enter this in the Arts Competition in a few weeks." "Oh, no. I couldn't," Marinette quickly takes the painting back. "It doesn't matter if you win. I'm even thinking of entering. I was going to compose a piano piece." "You know, I know you play, but I've never heard you." I smile at her. "We should remedy that. And you don't have to decide today."

"I'm going to change and do some sewing. You can come…." Mama Cheng interrupts us with a batch of unfrosted cookies. "Marinette, I'm sorry to bother you, but could you frost these cookies? Papa wants them decorated like little rain clouds with smiles." "Ooh, cute idea!"

"I don't want to sneeze all over the cookies, Mama Cheng. But I want to make something for the bakery window." "That sounds wonderful. I'll be back up in about an hour."

"Can I use your art supplies upstairs?" "Sure. Just let me know if you need help." After shutting the trapdoor I sit down in Marinette's desk chair. "So, what are planning?" Plagg asks, flying out. "Ooh, please tell me its something to do with cheese!" "Nope, sorry, buddy."

I start to draw storm clouds and two people are caught out in the storm. However, they're under an umbrella and are smiling.

Even on a rainy day when the sun's not shining,

Spread a little love and sunshine to a friend.

Yes, Dear Journal, I make them look like Marinette and I. I'm surprised to find a hour has passed, and scamper back downstairs.

"Aw, Marinette, those are adorable! Look at the happy rain clouds!" "Maybe when your cold's better we can go jump in some puddles. I love your picture too."

Papa compliments both of us at supper. "Now, go home and get plenty of rest," Marinette gently scolds me as she gives me our goodnight hug. I lean down to kiss her cheek. "Your love is the best medicine."

I do end up patrolling with Ladybug, but luckily its a short patrol, since we already took care of a akuma attack. Or so I thought….

A akuma villain with wild gray hair is shooting lighting bolts at the people. "Let's go!" Ladybug says. "Ladybug, Cat Noir! So, have you come for the light show?" "The only light show I want to see is the lights of the Eiffel Tower!" Ladybug snaps.

We dodge the lighting bolts, and the air smells smoky. "Where do think the akuma could be, M'lady! Look out!"

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a deluge of water plunges from the sky, and we're trapped in giant raindrops. "Cat, we're going to….slide!"

Ladybug's voice fades away as we drop in frefall towards the city streets. We reach out but these raindrops keep us trapped. If we hit the ground, we'll surely be knocked unconsciousness. I have to think fast. "Ladybug! Aim for a big puddle!" Ladybug looks up at me with surprise. "Its not really the time for splashing…" the light dawns on her face and we drop into the puddles.

"See his necklace? That's where the akuma must be!" "M'lady, I have an idea to distract him. Just follow my lead!"

"Hey, Rain Man! Betcha don't like puddles!" I run towards a emorus puddle and start kicking water in the direction of the akuma villain. "Nice work, Kitty! Hey!" I grin as I accidentally soak Ladybug but she snaps the necklace. "Bye-bye butterfly!"

After a very wet pound it, we say goodbye and head off to head home and clean up. I took a long shower and am now sitting at my desk with some hot chocolate. Marinette's hot chocolate is best, but I don't make a bad cup, if I do say so myself.

Later….

Dear Journal,

I was about to crawl in bed, but I have to get these thoughts down before I forget. The painting Marinette did, did she know that would happen to Ladybug and I? And how did she capture us with such great detail?

Its as if she's…..No, Adrien. Even if she were, she can't share her identity with you. But maybe someday, when this is all over. Over. We won't have to give up being Ladybug and Cat Noir once this all done, right? That thought constricts my throat even more then this blasted cold.

I'll close these pages for now, Journal. I must try and get some rest.

Dear Journal,

Guess who's back and no longer sick. Me! Marinette was delighted, and though there were no more puddles, we decided to take a rain check. Ha-ha, get it? Rain check? Okay, I tried.

I'm beginning to slowly work on a piece for the Arts Competition. Writing music is harder then making puns. But I've got time.

Plagg has been begging me to head over to Leo's Cheese Store soon. I keep reminding him, we have plenty of cheese right here, but I think we'll go there soon.

I think he's feeling a little cooped up, and maybe feeling left out, for I have been spending a lot of time with Marinette recently.

If you would have asked me last year if that was possible, I would have told you no. Besides, I was still uncovering from Mother's disappearance. But slowly, Mama Cheng and Papa Dupain are becoming more and more like family.

Family, what a beautiful word, and it gives me an idea. I make a drawing of Marinette, myself and Mama and Papa. I think I'll surprise them with this at the next family dinner. I'll have to thank them for their kindness taking care of me when I was sick.

Alas, the next few days are filled with photo shoots and lessons, so no time for Marinette. But I text her when I can, which is almost as good. Almost.

As I pose for the camera, my smile isn't fake as I think of next time at the bakery where its not just the doughnuts that are sweet.