"Mr. Agreste?" I call out softly, and Gabriel swivels around in his desk chair. A rush of sympathy washes over me, and I step deeper into the office, walking over to the desk.

"Oh, Marinette, here you are right on time and here I am a blubbering mess. Now…." I feel like I'm wearing a mask of a superhero when I place a hand on his shoulder. "No, Let's focus on you for a minute. What do you need right now?" A slow smile spreads across his face and places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I might just be in competition with your designs, Marinette. But the fact that you show kindness above all, makes you stand out in front of the crowd. And to answer your question, I love a cup of tea and I think we have a packages of cookies around here somewhere."

With a sigh, he sets down the photo and now I can see its a very pretty woman in a purple shimmery dress. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know that must be Emile Agreste.

The break room is small and quiet, and I tell Gabriel I'll make the tea. "Now how did a young lady like yourself know how to make tea? Most young people these days including my Adrien only seem to drink coffee." "It was my mother's cure for everything back in China. Still is, actually. My favorite was the honey tea when I was sick. Care for me to make a cup?" "I'd love one. Your a long ways from home, Marinette." I sigh, wondering where home is this days. "Papa's dream was always to open a bakery, and when I accepted into school, the pieces just fell into place. Before this, I worked at a ink and craft shop. I even know how to write in calligraphy." "Most impressive. My Emile would have loved you." "How did you two meet?" I ask, finding the cookies and setting a few on the plates while Gabriel pours the fragrant tea. We sit down at one of the oak tables. "We meet at college. We we're both teaching, and she was doing modeling on the side. I actually crashed into her in the hall one day, and the papers I was carrying flew everywhere, including my glasses. Emile bent down to help, and once our eyes met, I've never looked elsewhere.

Once we saved enough, I was ready to take the fashion world by storm, Emile at my side. But first we traveled the world, looking for ancient artifacts." Ancient artifacts? Like in Miraculous? I have to be subtle. "Did you find anything? Buried treasure?" Gabriel laughs. "If sifting through countless piles of sand is treasure. No, my treasure is my son, Adrien. Though these days, I seem to be more a nightmare then a father to him." I bite my lip. If I tell Gabriel what Adrien told me, would I be tattle-telling? But then, if it would make even the smallest difference, I would speak up in a second, so that's what I do.

"Adrien doesn't like modeling because your to busy working. If you gave him some freedom, maybe things would change." "I'll take that under consideration. Now, let's get you to work."

I sleep well after I get home, especially after Papa surprises me with a cake for my first day. Its back to school in the morning, but I do a silent cheer, for that means seeing Adrien.

I walk into my classroom, coffee in hand and a confused look on my face. Mannequins line the floor, but there isn't a scrap of clothing to be seen. However, a table set out with craft supplies stand in a corner.

As the students trickle in, confused whispers fill the classroom. The bell rings and Adrien dashes him, sliding into the seat beside me.

"Good morning, students!" "Good morning!" we chorus back. "I bet your wondering what you'll be doing with the mannequins." Adrien raises his hand, a goofy grin on his face. "Posing like one?" "Not quite. You'll be using your talents of sketching and art and crafts to cover your mannequin in a fab new outfit!"

Adrien and I are assigned Number Four and I open my workbook to a blank page. However, my mind is like the page. Blank. Think, Marinette, think! I look around the room for inspiration, watching as a girl sitting above us, crumples a sheet of paper into a ball and starts again. And just like that, my mind is blank no more. "That's it!" I whisper my idea in Adrien's ear, and he gives me a soft smile. "I always knew you were brilliant," he whispers.

We walk up to the supply closet to gather the paper that we need. "We'll make a pink paper dress," I instruct him. "Do you want one color or should we have different shades?" Adrien asks. "Different shades, of course," I tell him as I go for a darker shade of pink. I lift my bundle and turn, finding myself chest to chest with Adrien. Since when did this closet get so small? "I don't know what changed overnight, but Father had breakfast with me this morning. And he enjoyed it." "I'm happy for you," I say, and I don't know why I'm feeling shy. "Things have changed for the better since I met you, Marinette. You make me so happy I could kiss you, so I shall."

Papers flutter like autumn leaves to the floor as I place my hands around Adrien's neck, kissing him back. But it has to be a short kiss since were at school.

I show Adrien how to crumple the paper so that it will hang well, and stay on the dress. We both get work, and enjoy it.

That is until Chloe wanders over to us, carrying a can of glitter. "What would you do if it rained, Marinette? Your dress would a be a soggy mess before it even made it to the red carpet," she says, laughing nastily. Taking a deep breath, I defend my work. "I'd make sure it had an umbrella to carry," I smirk, holding out a fist to Adrien. Chloe, on the other hand, splutters with rage. "You think your so glittery and cute, but what do you do with real glitter?"

Before I react, Chloe whips off the cap and sends glitter into my eyes. I stumble, and I find hands catching me…..

"Stay still, Princess. You still have glitter in your eye." I stay perfectly still and sigh. "Well, one things for sure, I'll never look at glitter the same way again." Finally, I am allowed to open my eyes to find Claw's staring at me in the darkness. "Claw? What are you doing here?" "You passed out after you hit the floor and Adrien saw me passing through and I was willing to give a helping paw. This time, you really were a damsel in distress, Princess."

"Yeah," I scoot into his arms. "Where are we anyway?" "Secret closet. I should probably let you get back to class though." I find his hand in the darkness, scooting closer. "Thanks for helping…" His lips are so close, I could touch them and I do. But I don't stop there, I give him a couple of butterfly kisses.

"My best friend is a Cockroach, and I'm getting butterfly kisses from a Princess," Claw sighs, but I can hear the grin in his voice. "What's next?" "Oh, I don't know, a flying Cockroach?" Our eyes met and we burst into giggles.

My dress is voted best in class, and Adrien even invites his dad to come take a look. Talk about pride and pressure!

"A dress entirely made out of paper and stitches. Marinette?" Gabriel clears his throat. "Yes?" "I'd like one of my models to wear this at the fashion show coming up. Of course you would take the credit, but may I use your creative design in my show?" Its hard to not jump up and down. "Yes, of course its alright. Thank you, Mr. Agreste." "Will you walk out with me?" he asks, and I nod.

"The color pink truly suits you, Marinette," he says when we're alone. "For its your pink heart that allows love for others above herself, and a creative mind creating this fabulous pink dress."

Back at home, I take my cup of coffee and a blanket, heading up to the balcony. Its still a few hours before patrol, and I want to catch the sunset.

Pink seems to be everywhere today, even among the clouds. "Reminds me of cotton candy at a fun fair," a familiar voice says. Though I can't see my partner, I know instantly who that is. "Hi, Claw." "Good evening, Princess," he jumps down in front of me with a bow. "What's up?" "Just wanted to see how you were doing?" "Great. Come on, come under the blanket where its warmer."

Claw takes full advantage, resting his head on my shoulder. "I meant to tell you, Princess, I really liked the dress you made with Adrien." I smile, resting my head against his. "Thanks. Gabriel Agreste was so impressed, he's letting me take credit for it in his next show." Claw's eyes widen. "What is it?"

Claw nestles his head back down on my shoulder and I put my arms around him. "Did I ever tell you one of my mother's first runway dresses was a paper dress?" I don't answer, because words aren't needed. What is needed however, is hugs and I hug him close.

We sit there until the sky grows dark, and its time for him to go. With a kiss on the cheek, he leaves without a word.

But he won't be alone for long. Right now though, I watch the City of Light grow dark, waiting for the moon to rise.

Then I stand and transform, for another night of patrol is about to begin.