"I wish I had a storefront for just a day," I twirl in my desk chair and look at Cat curled up in his box. "At least someone's comfortable," I say, crossing my arms.

Cat sighs and gets up and looks at me. "How about we go for a walk? You need a break anyway," he says. I don't like admitting it, but I always think he will be my voice of reason.

I should explain the situation. There's a opportunity for young fashion designers to have a small pop-up shop the weekend of Valentine's Day. I've submitted the application and now I'm just waiting.

I've even got some Valentine merchandise already to go, that even my two best girlfriends haven't seen yet. A pink sweater with white hearts on it is just one of the items. I know people would buy them.

I've been thinking about if I do get this opportunity and its a pretty big "if" I want to do something special with Cat. Maybe cook him a nice dinner in my cozy apartment and curl up and watch a movie?

I sigh. I need money for a few small kitchen items for it. I'd figured the money I made from the storefront could go to that, while my online sales could go towards my college fund.

I'm still not sure how to be Ladybug and go to college someday, but if I can do it as a high-schooler I'll find a way.

Cat grabs my hand, saving me from banging straight to a pole. "Princess? Where are you?" Cat asks, his green eyes mesmerizing. "Just lost in thought," I say, quietly. The snowflakes twirl around us, making it feel like inside of a snow globe.

"What's one of your favorite meals?" I ask. Cat looks at me curiously. Well, if I am going to make a nice meal for Valentine's Day, I need to know what he likes.

"Really, I like anything. But I would love if someone made salmon and mashed potatoes," he says. I giggle. "And if I made a salad would you like that?" I ask. "Greens are evil, love. But they make us handsome and strong," he teases.

I tuck my arm through his. "I don't know when you've been sneaking veggies, because your the prettiest cat I know," I flirt.

"Well, your right about the handsome part. But I don't know if I'm pretty." he said. "Well, all we need to do is tie a bow in your hair and you'd be set," Marinette giggled. Cat stopped for a second, pulling me in close so he could give me a kiss on the cheek. "Well, I think your purr-fect the way you are."

I take his hands in mine. "You really mean that?" I ask. "Yes. All I've wanted in life is to be loved, and you've given that to me." I turn and looks at a empty shop window, placing my hand on the cool windowpane. "I just want to be a good designer." I whispers. Cat wraps a arm around my waist. "You are. Don't give up."

I turned back to Cat, taking both of his hands in mine. "You have always been my voice of reason, whether I was having a off day, or didn't think I could have fun because I was busy working. Thank you."

"Princess, your family took my in after we became friends and I finally found the family I've been wanting. Just having a hot meal and waking up beside you is all I ask," he told her.

Mari listened, then tapped her fingers to her chin. "Wait...so does that mean I can stop buying tuna if that's all you want?" she smiled, slyly. "Oh, no, Princess. Tuna is great appreciated."

We head home, hand and hand, and I felt much better then when she had first stepped outside.

I looked at Cat in amazement. How did he do it? I'd felt so down earlier, and his gentle kindness had caused the sun to shine, a special ray of light just for me.

Cat crawled into his box when they got home, and I take out her sewing basket. She didn't mind if Cat saw what she was working on, a special Valentine's Day just for him.

I hum to myself, as I watch his head droop, and fell asleep. I'm so lucky to have a best friend like him, I think to myself. I would do the top half of the sweater in pink, which would respentive her, and black for Cat.

It was a pretty combo anyway, I think to myself. And who said that guys couldn't wear pink? I wonder if Adrien Agreste had ever modeled anything pink.

I glance again at Cat, wondering if it was Adrien under the black mask, the boy I've fallen for under the umbrella.

Cat's purring picked up a little, and I set down my things, and slid down to the floor.I gently brush my fingers through Cat's blond hair, calming myself down. I can smell the shampoo smell of green apple that he used this morning. Do I have to make him a card shaped like a heart as always?

Hmm. A slow smile spreads across my face as I get t a idea. I will make a card shaped like a fish a tuna fish. He would love it, and it would make him giggle.

Sure, he loved his Cat puns, but there were days were Cat was quiet and far away, staring out the window.

No doubt he's thinking about his mother in those moments, Mari thought. And if his father will ever been the same again. It took a lot of courage after the things he had gone through to still smile, help others.

Whenever he needs a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. Even if Ladybug can't be "in love"
with Cat Noir, right now, that didn't mean my civilian side couldn't.

It didn't matter whether I'm Ladybug or Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I love Cat Noir with both sides of of my heart.