It isn't often Plagg cuddles with me, but when it happens its pretty cute. And then his stomach growls. "Adrien, how do I summon for cheese?" He asks, and I roll over, putting my head under the pillow. "That's easy, Plagg. You ask nicely…" Bye-bye world, Adrien's time in Dreamland is not over.

When the alarm blares a couple of hours later, I've well rested and ready to get out of bed. I dress for school and gather my things, my own stomach now beginning to growl.

"Father?" I open the kitchen door, but the lights are off. "Nathalie?" I sigh, shrugging. Its not I would be having breakfast with Father anyway. I flip on the kitchen light and scribble a note, telling them I've left for school early.

Its a short walk to the Dupain-Cheng bakery, and already the smell of sugar and yeast is heavy in the air. I have to make sure I'm not drooling as I step inside.

"Hello, Adrien!" Sabine steps out from behind the counter. "Its been awhile!" Awhile since you've seen me without the mask you mean, I want to say but don't. "I've been meaning to come sooner. But school and activities keep me busy. I was hoping to get something for breakfast…"

"Come on, I'll make you some scrambled eggs and toast you and Marinette can walk to school together." "Oh, you have lots of things to do…" "Adrien, I don't mind. Besides, a doughnut won't keep you full for long!" I laugh. "You've got me there!"

"Adrien!" Marinette shrieks as she walks into the bakery. "I'll bring breakfast out to you on the back patio," Sabine says. "I know you'll be wanting to catch up."

Marinette takes my hand, babbling as she talks. "How's modeling and fencing?" "Good, though I wish I could see you more often." "I joined a sewing class. And Cat Noir and I hang out a lot," she tells me. Do I detect a faint blush on her cheeks? "Sounds like your keeping busy yourself." "I'd always make time for you, Adrien," she says, softly. "Hm. Would you have time for a hug?" "I always have time for hugs."

I hear her sigh happily as I put my arms around her. "Your such a special girl, Marinette." "Who wants breakfast?" Mama Cheng sings out, and we spring apart. "Oh, go ahead and hug." Marinette and I look at each other and giggle.

Breakfast is eaten quickly so we're not late for school, but we catch up on each other news. Its nice to be here without the mask for once.

The school day drags, but that's okay. I just can't believe how homework we're given and I'll be tempted to ask Ladybug if I can do homework on patrol tonight. But I'll worry about that later, as I wait for Marinette to come out.

"Hey, Kitty!" she gives me a hug. "I like your outfit." I don't know why I didn't say anything this morning. Maybe we we're so focused on each other, I forget. Marinette is wearing a navy blue fuzzy sweater and a pleated skirt. "Thanks." "So, what are we up to today?" Marinette sighs. "Homework, at least for an hour. The teachers gave us piles today." "No worries, there's always plenty a cat can do."

Marinette changes when we get home and then comes back down to the kitchen, homework books in hand. "Oh," my face falls as she sits down at the table. "I thought we could have a snack first." "If you can wait an hour, I have to pick up some cheese from Leo's." "Okay."

A hour isn't long, right? The eggs and toast Mama Cheng made feel like a distant memory, and I had a salad for lunch. Then I get an idea.

I plop down in front of the fridge door, staring hard at it. If I summon all my powers will it open? "Cat, the fridge door won't open by itself. No matter how long you stare at it." Swish, swish. There goes my tail.

Suddenly, I see a flutter in the window and dash over, looking out. "What did you see?" "A bird. Also known as a snack." Marinette starts to laugh as I begin to chatter at it.

Who does this bird think he is anyway? Stuffing his beak with birdseed right in front of my face? Then I realize Marinette is filming me. "Your not going to show anyone right?" "Oh, I don't know," Marinette says, airily. "Maybe if your naughty, Ladybug." "Ladybug?" No, not happening. "Princess, give me the phone," I walk over to her and hold out my hand. "Nope. Not happening." I tug gently on it, and she gets up from the table. "Oh, look, Ladybug's number. Should I press send?"

For the next few minutes, we chase each other around the table, until I dive Marinette gently to the ground, making sure my arm is around her so she doesn't get injured. "I give! I give!" she wipes tears of laughter from her eyes as I tickle her. "Here's the phone!" "Thank you." I pull her to my lap as we catch our breath, and I scroll through her contacts. "You little stinker. Ladybug's number isn't here." "Yeah, but playing keep away sure was fun!"

I hand her back her phone and help her stand, giving her a hug. "Anything with you is fun, love."

Soon, we're out of the house, holding hands and off to Leo's Cheese Shop. "Leo, I have a poor starving cat that's begging to fed!" Marinette calls as we walk in. "Cat Noir! Always a pleasure!" "I didn't know you two we're friends," I tell Leo after I shake his hand. "Don't tell Starbucks but Leo sells the best mochas in town." "Yum, we'll take two, but what should we get for a snack, Marinette?"

Leo clears his throat softly. "If I may make a suggestion…." "Please do," Marinette tells him. "The cracker, sausage and cheese platter is always a good snack for two." "We'll take it."

We find a table to sit at, and I watch Marinette dig in a scrap of paper out of her bag with curiously. She scribbles something on it, and slides the paper over.

"Your cute and I like you very much. But I'm not so sure about your naughty tail!"

Marinette

I respond with a message of my own. "I meow you very much. Cat"

Expect I didn't put Cat, rather I drew a smiley face with whiskers. Leo brings our food over, and we cannot stop smiling at each other. For awhile, we put together a puzzle until we jump when Leo's weather radio goes off. "Sounds like we're in for some bad weather," Leo says.

"We'd better get home," Marinette says, suddenly all business. "Come on, Cat. Cat?" I have to stop my shaking hands. I hate storms. When I was younger and Mother had headaches I would shiver under the blankets at night, for I didn't want to bother her.

"You okay?" "Yep, everything's good. I'll see you tomorrow?" "Yeah, tomorrow. And Cat?" "Yes?" "I haven't had this much in a really long time. Thanks." Before I know what's happening, Marinette pecks me on the cheek and scurries away.

Me too, love. Me too.