Hope took off her magic necklace, turning back into a monkey, as she walk in the halls to look for Apetrully. She knew the commander likes to talk to her better when she's in her normal form. First, she enter his room, where she found the commander laying on his bed, covering himself with his blanket. When Hope approach the bed, Apetrully tried to hide in his blanket.
"Apetrully, you're acting kind of childish." Hope said, walking towards him.
"I'm sorry, Hope." Apetrully said, sitting up.
"That's alright."
Hope sat down at the edge of the bed. Apetrully blushed and said, "I'm sorry about what happen yesterday."
"You don't have to apologize." Hope said with a chuckle. "You didn't know that would happen."
"Still... It was very awkward and why did you do that?" Apetrully said. "I've never seen a monkey do that when their tails gotten petted. Then again, I never petted another monkey's tail before."
"Well, you know I'm different from other monkeys." Hope said. "Anyway, you shouldn't feel awkward about that. It just a one time deal."
"But what if I accidentally pet your tail?"
"How could you accidentally pet a tail?"
"I don't know."
Then the commander suddenly felt Hope hugging him tightly, and thought, Please tell me I didn't pet her tail by accident.
"You know..." Hope slowly said. "I still haven't given your gift. Close your eyes."
Apetrully close his eyes and gulped, wondering what is it. He felt something on his lap and heard Hope said, "Open them."
When he open his eyes, he could see a plate on his lap. On the plate was a small, round milk chocolate cake with a white chocolate and dark chocolate version of his umbrella signal on it that have a cherry on top of the chocolate signal. Surrounding it was some chocolate sauce in the shape of a heart and some whipped cream, a few berries, and a bit of mint at the side of it.
"It's a chocolate cake in the shape of your signal." Hope said. "I worked real hard on it, and Pinkie help me on most of it, but I still worked hard on it. So... Happy Valentine's Day, Apetrully!"
"This is really sweet, Hope." Apetrully said, touched by the gift.
"I want to spread the love."
Love... Maybe it's best to tell it her now. It is Valentine's Day, so it might be fine. Apetrully thought, feeling a bit confidence to finally to it.
"H-Hope, I would you like to tell you something." Apetrully said, blushing.
"What is it?" Hope ask with a big smile on her face.
"H-Hope, I-I l-"
Apetrully was interrupted by the loud sound of an opening door. At the front door was Sonia.
"Hope, we need your help in the cafeteria." Sonia said.
"Why?" Hope ask.
"Some of the members are fighting over the chocolates you made, and if they got more or little than the other."
"Really? Sorry, Apetrully. Have to go." Hope said, then gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
Once Hope and Sonia left, Apetrully ball up his hands into fists and slam them on the bed, avoiding the cake. A sad look appear on his face with a few small tears in his eyes as he thought, I think I'm just not meant to be with her, but I don't know that. I'll just try to keep on trying, if I could do it. I don't want to be such a chicken anymore, but I can't help it. I'm afraid she will reject me.
The commander pick up the plate and smiled behind his mask. In his head, he thought, I can't believe she actually made this for me. She's too sweet for her own good sometimes, but that's what I love about her. She's usually filled with so much love. I wish she could give me some of that love, more than a friend. I wish she's my valentine, but I guess she's Big Green's valentine right now.