When The Chats Away The Mice Play

Chat and Mouse

It was Friday afternoon, 2:45 pm, about a half an hour or so after school got out. Adrien lay in bed thinking about how later he would have to go see Marinette, for whatever reason Ladybug needed him to. He sighed, pain spread like a thick syrupy liquid and settled in his chest. Sneezing he sat up and watched the clock impatient to get to Marinette's.

By the time it was 3:50 Adrien had gotten up and was ready to go, he called out to his Kwami, "Plagg! Claws out!" With a shimmer of green light he was Chat Noir. He heaved himself upon his windowsill, drinking in the scent of Paris, through all of the different smells he could smell the damp scent of rain. Not wanting to be caught in the storm in this condition he headed out.

"4:15, where's that silly kitty?" Marinette inquired to no one in particular as she set a bowl of steaming soup upon her desk, covering it to keep it warm.

"Maybe he got caught in traffic?" Tikki suggested though it sounded more like a question.

"I hope not," she sighed tapping her mechanical pencil tip against her desk.
"I just wish he'd get here..." As if on queue she heard a rapping in her balcony door, sure enough there stood her green-eyed partner in black. He wore a mischievous grin on his face.
"Oh, hello Chat Noir, Ladybug told me you'd be coming," she grinned.

"Why, good evening, princess," he bowed pecking a kiss on her hand.

"Hmm..." Marinette studied Chat, he looked even worse than yesterday.

As he stood up, Chat noticed Marinette's gaze, "What ever is wrong, princess?" He stifled a cough and replaced it with what sounded like a nervous laugh.

"You don't look so well Chat, come sit," Marinette took his hand guiding him to her small couch.

"Nonsense, I'm fine," he grinned as if trying to reassure her, but he failed ending up sneezing.

"Here kitty, you need to rest," Marinette carefully laid a blanket atop Chat, who seemed to protest at first then deciding it wasn't worth it. She strode over to her desk, picking up the tray she had the soup on, "Here kitty, this should help, I made it myself."
He looked hesitant, as if he wanted to take it but at the same time he didn't.

What is up with him? Why won't he take the soup? Can he not eat or something? Is he allergic to soup? ...wait who's allergic to soup...stop being stupid and see what's up!

"Uhmm," she cleared her throat, placing the tray down she sat next to him, "what's up Chat? Why won't you take it? You're clearly sick."

Clearly sick?! I thought I was hiding it pretty well! What isn't this working? Why is she treating me so kindly? I don't understand, yeah I'm a superhero and all but what did I do to her to deserve this?

He blinked at her a few times then cleared is throat letting his guard down, "It's really that obvious?" She nodded in response. He sighed looking at his hands, "I guess I didn't take it because I'm just not used to being treated this way, where I live no one's really kind but just doing their job," he turned his big green eyes on her, "why are you doing this?"

She stared at him in disbelief, then gathered herself and replied, "Because I want to, you help people all the time. Why not let someone help you for once?"

He looked into her deep blue eyes, "I guess it just never occurred that I'd need someone to take care of me..."

She flashed him a sympathetic smile, "Well avert one needs someone to take care of them at one point," she grinned softly, "I'll take care of you. First of all do this." She got up and took her hands, guiding his body back on the couch so he was lying down. She then pulled the thick blanket over him. His face flushed and his cheeks were searing.

Why do I feel like this? I only feel like this when I'm with Ladybug. Why do I feel like this now?

He payed back looking at her then turning away, he made a move to get up but felt her hand gently push against his chest.

"Rest, Chat, I'll be fine."

"But I'm here to take care of you, not the other way around listen it isn't that-" he was cut off, her finger gently pressed against his lips.

"Shh, I'll be fine, you get some rest okay? Please kitty," she pleaded.

Her blue eyes captured his attention, he enjoyed the beauty of the color, cringing when he noticed the concern. Begrudgingly he promised to get some rest.

Turning away from her he tried to stay awake, but failed to, giving into the soft call of sleep and letting its vast arms drape him in a blanket of comforting darkness.

To be continued...