Marinette's good mood from the day was still holding strong the next day despite not getting as much sleep the night before. There was just something about waking up to a fluffy pink cat holding a stupid pun by your head that leaves a smile on your face.

She hummed the entire time she got ready for school and cheerfully conversed with Alya about the lack of Akumas (there hadn't been one for almost three weeks! Sheer bliss!) and then found herself having to reassure her slightly irritable best friend that that doesn't mean her blog was about to die from lack activity.

"Oh look," Alya changed the subject as she halted to a stop, "you've got another one. And it's small this time."

Marinette sighed in relief at that.

As much as she liked the many stuffed toys it was incredibly embarrassing to carry them from class to class. Chloe had made one snide remark too many.

And, of course, she was ready and waiting with another one as soon as she spotted Marinette.

"Just a silly CD by the looks of it," Chloe said with false sweetness, "not even seven CDS. Perhaps your admirer has gotten bored and decided to move on. I don't blame him."

Marinette gritted her teeth but didn't give Chloe the satisfaction of even acknowledging her. Alya, however, wasn't so restrained. "You're just jealous," she snapped as she placed her hands on her hips, "because Marinette has a secret admirer that adores her while you can't even bully people into pretending you're likable."

"Oh please!" Chloe huffed. "I'm the most beloved girl in Paris. Boys beg me to be their girlfriend," several snorts could be heard from their fellow classmates but as always Chloe ignored them in order to admire her own reflection, "as I'm beautiful, rich, and oh so talented. What's is stupid Marinette other than plain, clumsy, baker's daughter?"

Alya opened her mouth to argue but fortunately that was when their teacher stepped in. "Settle down girls," Ms Mendeleiev said sternly, "we have a long day ahead of us and I don't think Mr Damocles would appreciate a visit this early in the morning." Alya and Chloe obeyed but not without shooting one another disgusted glares. "Ah," Ms Mendeleiev said appreciatively, "I'm glad your admirer has not gone overboard today Miss Dupain-Cheng. You hardly need the distraction."

Marinette flushed in embarrassment and mumbled something in reply as she hurriedly sat down beside Alya. While Ms Mendeleiev was distracted with the roll call, Marinette fumbled with the note to see what the plain, white, CD in the clear plastic case actually was.

On the seventh day of Valentine, the note read, my true love gave to me, seven songs of love.

Marinette pushed away any self-doubts that Chloe hit upon mere moments ago in order to soak in just how lovely and nice and sweet the gesture was. Seven songs carefully picked out with her in mind and put on a CD. It must have taken ages, and the thought and effort was definitely something to cherish.

In fact, so eager to find out exactly what songs Chat Noir chose, Marinette dashed home as soon as she could at lunch time and shakily (from all the excitement) injected the CD into her CD player the moment she entered her bedroom.

Unsurprisingly the first song was All I Ask of You, only this time it was from an actual show and had people singing the lyrics and Marinette had to agree with Rose. It was utterly beautiful. She as touched by Saturday's gesture all over again.

Then, even more unsurprisingly, Jagged Stone's Ladybug song came on next. She knew almost immediately it would pop up at some point because there was no way Chat Noir couldn't make a CD of songs for her without putting the song actually written about her and dedicated to her on it.

He was corny like that.

The third song was one of those universally recognised loved songs that the whole world knew. (Everything I do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. It was one of the most beautiful, cheesy, clichéd love songs Marinette had ever heard and it fitted Chat Noir to the letter.

And then I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith played and Marinette closed her eyes to the beautiful, slow, loving tune that she knew so well despite not really knowing the language it was swung in.

The next was a jazzy rock song in English that Marinette didn't know but some help from Google translate followed by an actual Google on the lyrics told her that the song was called Easier Said Than Done by a band called Whitesnake which, from some further research on Google, was an awesome rock band that was definitely up her street. She was definitely going to find more their music online to listen to another date.

The rock kept coming and the sixth song was a Nickleback single called I'd Come for You. Marinette was confused at first as the opening lyrics suggested a broken relationship but as soon as the chorus hit her (and went through Google translate) she knew exactly why Chat had chosen a song. It was very much like the Bryan Adams song in which it matched Chat Noir perfectly.

And just when she was convinced that Chat Noir was actually rather cool and had awesome taste in music You'll Be in My Heart from the Disney Movie Tarzan blared out of her CD player and Marinette felt out of her chair from the shock of the sudden change in tone.

But she really shouldn't be surprised because that sort of sweet, cheesy, ridiculous song was definitely up Chat Noir's street.

She ended up laying the CD a second time over and would have gone for a third if she hadn't noticed the time on her alarm clock and tripped over her schoolbag in her haste to get back to class.

She hoped Chat Noir didn't mind a bruised Valentine because at the rate she was going she was definitely going to be a walking bruise before the week was out.

MLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLB

Nino shifted awkwardly on his feet. Now that he had finished his free croissant that Mr and Mrs Dupain-Cheng had given him, he felt out of place standing in the bakery while Adrien went to speak privately with the two bakers.

Fortunately he didn't have to wait long as Adrien stepped back into the shop with a chuffed grin on his face and Mr and Mrs Dupain-Cheng smiling radiantly not far behind him.

"Sorted it all out, dude?" Nino asked.

"They said yes!" Adrien said excitedly he then turned to Marinette's parents and bowed his head respectfully towards them. "Thank you!" he said gratefully. "Thank you so much!"

"No, thank you son," Mr Dupain replied with a big grin, "not many boys your age are as respectful or as thoughtful as you are."

Nino smiled sheepishly as that. He certainly wasn't respectful or thoughtful. He kinda wanted to just get out of here now he had his frees pastry.

"Do come again, Adrien," Mrs Dupain-Cheng urged softly, "no matter what happens you are always welcome here."

Adrien flushed slightly as his smile took a much softer, sweeter, quality. "Thank you," he murmured again.

There was a loud clatter upstairs and a shriek that was instantly followed by a thump. Adrien immediately looked up at the ceiling worriedly but Nino and Mr and Mrs Dupain-Cheng just shared a fond look.

Marinette had only just tripped.

Again.

The girl, herself, turned up mere moments later rubbing her arm. "I'm going back to school," she said to her parents, "I will be back soo-!" she cut herself off with a squeak. "Nino! A-A-A-Adrien!" she stammered out. "What are you doing here?!"

"We had a craving," Nino lied easily, "for your parents' awesome baked goods."

"Oh!" Mrs Dupain-Cheng said flattered. "Here!" she hastily scooped up a few more and placed them in a pink paper bag with the bakery logo on it. "Take some more, on the house!"

"Oh!" Adrien blinked. "That's not necessary I can pa- ouch!"

Nino elbowed Adrien, hard. "Dude!" he hissed. "It's free pastries. You don't say no." he then accepted the bag with a pleasant smile. "Thank you Mrs Dupain-Cheng."

"You know better than that, Nino!" Mrs Dupain-Cheng said sternly. "It's Sabine to you."

Nino nodded and thanked her again, this time using her first name. He then turned to face Adrien and Marinette who were both bright pink in the face but hadn't noticed because neither of them were looking at each other directly in the face.

God, Nino rolled his eyes, these idiots….

"Wanna walk with us, Marinette?" Nino said instead.

"Yes!" Marinette squeaked in reply.

Nino left first and he turned to wait for his friends to see Adrien being a complete gentleman (and making the rest of mankind looking bad) as he held the door out for the stammering and blushing Marinette. As soon as both of them left the shop they stood side to side and Nino looked on amused as Adrien reached out to grasp Marinette's hand only to snap his hand back and clench it in a fist by his side.

Marinette was completely oblivious to it.

Nino decided to throw his best friend a bone. "So," he said casually as he stuffed is own hands in his pockets, "did you like your CD?" he asked.

"Y-y-yeah," Marinette said as she tucked some hair behind her ear and smiled softly at the ground, "the music was great."

"What?" Nino wrinkled his nose. "Even with the Phil Collins at the end?"

Marinette's head snapped up to look at him while Adrien shot Nino a warning look from behind her. "Y-y-y-you know what's on the CD?!" Marinette cried out.

"I made it," Nino bragged, "mate of mine spent all of lunch yesterday making the list of songs for me to put on it. He has terrible taste in music, apart from the rock."

"I like his taste in music!" Marinette glared in the defence of her secret admirer, completely unaware that he stood behind her. "The rock is awesome but it was sweet to include things from musicals and Disney."

"It was sappy!"

"He is sappy!" Marinette snapped. "It's one of his most endearing qualities."

Adrien was now bright red with embarrassment as he gazed at the back of Marinette's head adoringly and Nino couldn't fight off a grin at that. "You're right," he caved, "it is. Dude is an awesome guy."

"So," Marinette blinked, "you know who he is?"

"One of my closest friends," Nino nodded, "it feels like I've known him for years." Marinette looked like she wanted to ask more but uncertainty, for some reason, kept her lips pressed together in a thoughtful line. Nino decided to throw in more, after all – what sort of wingman would he be if he didn't press his best mate's case? "I can tell you this," he said loudly, "he's a great guy and I know without a single doubt he'll make you happy."

Marinette flushed so deeply that she almost matched Adrien's red blush exactly.

Nino really wished he could take a photo for Alya so he could show her exactly how ridiculous their friends are.

MLBMLBMLBMLBMLBMLB

Marinette was doing her homework when Chat Noir arrived to visit her that night. He was pleased to see through her window that she was still listening to his CD and was evening singing along under her breath as she scribbled out answers on their homework sheet.

She had such a lovely sweet voice.

He knocked on her trapdoor and she cut herself off abruptly to answer. "Good evening Princess," he purred out when she opened the door, "may I entice you away from your homework for a little break?"

"You may," Marinette beamed, "I could use a break from Maths."

And with that she stepped aside so he could jump in and within mere minutes there was a plate of cookies and two hot chocolates before them. The CD he had Nino make was still playing on in the background on replay.

"Do you like it?"

He already knew the answer having heard her says as much to Nino but it would have been suspicious if he didn't ask for himself. That, and he just wanted to hear her say it again.

"I do," Marinette said, "I like all the rock."

He nodded, feeling greatly satisfied at a job well done. "I'm glad," he said aloud.

"So…." Marinette twiddled her thumbs nervously, "you know Nino?"

He stiffened for a moment but resolved himself to stay strong. He knows if he asks nicely, Marinette would drop the subject. "I do," he said cautiously.

"So….does that mean I know you?" Marinette asked hesitatingly as she peered up at him shyly beneath her fringe. "Have we spent time together as civilians?"

"We have," he replied quietly, "but not as frequently enough as I would have liked."

Marinette nodded but she didn't press for further details. "Nino says you're a great guy," she said, "which is high praise from Nino."

"I know," he flushed, unable to help but feel pleased at that, "Nino says you're great too."

They shared a fond smile for the friend who used few words but always meant them. Then they fell into an almost unbearable silence as Marinette fidgeted beside him obviously wanting to say something but not quite able to drum up the courage. Chat Noir leaned back uneasily on the chase as he waited patiently for Marinette to finally say what was on her mind.

"….Nino….Nino thinks you'll make me happy," she said eventually.

"And what do you think," He asked quietly, "Princess?"

"I think…..I think he's right."

Chat Noir was pretty certain his heart was going to burst with joy at that proclamation as Marinette's face quickly resembled a strawberry she was blushing so hard. Instead of jumping up and down while cheering (as he was so tempted to do) Chat kept himself restrained as he merely pulled Marinette close to him so that her back was pressed against his chest and her head rested on his shoulder. He slid his hands down her arms until he could tightly entwined his leather gloved fingers between her soft, milky, dainty ones.

He wished desperately that he could touch her bare skin with his own actual skin but instead he breathed in deeply and took in her sweet scent and breathed out reverently.

"I will do my best," he whispered, "I will do my very best to make you happy."

"I know you will."

They spent the rest of the evening sitting there in a contented silence as they remained entwined one another. The seven songs he had chosen with care played over and over again until they finally accompanied by a soft, snuffy, sound of Marinette's heavy breathing as she fell asleep on top of Chat Noir.

He grinned as he nuzzled her hair one last night and then, carefully so he would not wake her, he picked her up and carried her to her bed. "You're everything I'm waiting for," he sang quietly as the lead singer of Whitesnake crooned on Marinette's CD player, "now I don't have to look no more," he pulled Marinette's duvet up to her chin and made sure she was as snug as a bug (and snickered silently as his cleverness). "Take me as I am, I'll do the best I can for your love-"

He then cut himself off as he realised that he was swooping down for a kiss on Marinette's sweet, pink, lips even though he promised both himself and her not to until he had succeeded in wooing.

And although it was beginning to look like he was succeeding he hadn't actually finished wooing her yet.

Regretfully he pressed his lips against her forehead and left quickly before he gave into temptation and broke his promise.

He could feel Tiki's amused gaze on his back until he finally left the building.