"Okay, kids. Have fun!" Dad tells Adrien and I. Its pizza night, and Dad invited Adrien over to make pizzas. Adrien helps out a couple of days a week in the bakery. Its so good for him. Adrien's always been a happy person, but lately his green eyes have been sparkling and wears a constant smile.

His dad only allows him out of the house for certain activities, so I was thrilled he let Adrien work here.

I gently spread the sauce on. "Time to decorate!" Adrien smiles at me. "This is so cool, Mari. I've never gotten to decorate a pizza before."

I set the spoon down gently. "Never? Even when your Mother was around?" Adrien shakes his head. "I was modeling at a very early age, and pizza was not one of the approved foods." "Don't worry. We'll make one of them a healthy pizza," I grin.

"Mari, I hope you not planning on putting broccoli on it," Adrien grins. "There are other veggies other than broccoli to put on pizza." I search among the "veggie section." "Green peppers, for starters."

Adrien holds one up, looking at the pizza. "The peppers could be his hair," Adrien says, and starts carefully arranging the peppers. "Oh, that's cute. It has a little curlicue in the middle," I giggle.

Carefully, we build the pizza, and soon its time for the eyes. "Pepperoni?" I ask. Adrien nods. We giggle as we carefully place to pepperoni slices in the middle to look like eyes. "Its a little derpy," Adrien laughs. "Or slightly crossed eyed. Hold on! I got a idea!" I take out the kitchen scissors, and carefully cut one of slices to look like a tongue.

Adrien nudges me, imating the face on the pizza. I crack up. "Just make sure you don't do that at your next photo shoot," I tell him. "I will try very hard not to think about it," Adrien says, takes another look at our creation and laughs again.

My hand connects with his as we reach for the cheddar cheese. I blush and smile at the same time. "Is cheddar your favorite too?" I ask. "It sure is. I have a friend who thinks Camembert should be the only cheese, but I disagree with him."

We make a salad with lettuce, red grapes, and other yummy things. "Even a rabbit would like this," he says, setting a bowl on the table.

We divide the silverware, Adrien on forks and glasses, me on spoon and knife duty. I can hear Adrien sigh happily, and I look at him from across the table.

"Its so peaceful here, Mari. You sure are lucky," he says. "Your welcome anytime. Its nice having a friend over because sometimes I get lonesome."

Chores done and pizza in the oven, we walk over to the couch. "Does your sewing take up a lot of time?" Adrien asks. He's right, of course. And there's the duties of being Ladybug, which I always have to be on alert for. "That doesn't mean I just want to be alone all the time. Its so nice I get to see you," I say, leaning my head on his shoulder.

Adrien is one of those people I can tell anything to, and he won't judge or laugh at me. I'm not sure there's such a thing as a "perfect friend" but Adrien Agreste comes close.

He interlaces our fingers. "Today was good. I love spending time with you and your family. They make me happy," he says. His eyes look far away, and I know he's thinking of his father.

Talk about being lonesome. After Adrien's mother disappeared, Adrien's father changed, and not for the better. Instead of being there for his son with love and support, his father pushed him away and retreated into himself.

"I've started to tell your Dad a little bit what's going on at home," Adrien says, quietly. "At first, it was hard and I felt shy, but the more I told him the better I felt."

I sigh. I wish I could tell Cat Noir my secret identity, but I have to keep him safe, so even if I don't like keeping the secret, I have to be firm on it.

"Mom and Dad are great listeners. I know my dad can be jokey, but he has a kind heart." I look at Adrien. "When I was little, I thought my dad was like my teddy bear. Warm and cuddly and gave great hugs," I say. Adrien pulls me closer, and I snuggle into his embrace. "If you ever need a hug here, just ask," I say. Adrien silently pulls me into hug, and suddenly I feel warm and safe.

"Your the best friend a guy could ask for, Marinette," Adrien says, brushing a lock of my black hair away. "I love you."

Those three little words are so powerful. Somehow I think when Cat Noir and I defeat Hawkmoth love will be on our side. "I love you, too, Adrien. Its nice not being alone."

Yes, being Ladybug is fantastic, but sometimes its a very big world for this little bug. Adrien strokes my hair gently. "If you ever need anything, I'm here." I take his hand again, holding it tightly.

"Just love me and support me," I say. My bluebell eyes meet his emerald green, and for a moment I am pulled into a ocean of calmness.

"We should check the pizza," Adrien mummers. I jump up, and hurry over to the oven. I'm hungry, and burnt pizza smells terrible.

The door opens and my Mom and Dad walk in, carrying another pizza...shaped like a heart? "Is it Valentine's Day?" Adrien jokes. Mom and Dad look at each other. "Well, you two it is."

Adrien and I look at each other and laugh. We don't need cards (although they are nice) to express the love we have for each other.

I hope Adrien being happy last a long time, he deserves it. If he ever feels down, he's welcome here, home of a family who loves Adrien like family.