Reader's POV

Life in Paris has almost become second nature, almost.  School seems to be getting a good grip on me, I'm finally improving in French with Marinette and Ms. Bustier's help.  The hallways were filled with students holding pink, red and white envelopes filled with letters to their valentines.  Speaking of which, I've been bugging Marinette for the longest time to not chicken out on her promise.  She said that she'll confess her feelings to Adrien today....I bet you dollars to freaking DONUTS she forgot tomorrow was Valentine's Day.  Nonetheless, during our free period before the final bell, I catch her working on a card for him.  Mari's really creative.  I mean extremely creative.  I bet we're on par with it if we'd ever just draw whatever we think of.  Her card was a pink and white folded heart with a.....I shouldn't say long-winded confession, more like heart-felt to me from what I could translate.

Dearest Adrien,

For these past few years, I've been by your side

As I look into your vast green eyes

Talking with you after class

Working on projects, movies, among other things

All while what words leave my lips

Among the stutters and freezes

I hope in my mind

Will eventually make the pass

Your long blonde hair

Kind and reserved

In my heart, hopes this letter seems fair

To confess the way I feel

Without making a big deal

Even if you don't feel this way

My only desire is to say

Three simple love desired words

Adrien Agreste,

Though my body sees no rest at your presence, please know

I love you, not just on this day

But all

With Love,

Marinette Dupain-Cheng

'And this girl said she doesn't understand poetry?  HA!  Even more, how the HELL did I just translate all that!?  Guess the tutoring is really paying off.' I thought

"Do you think he'll like it?" She asked

"Hm?"

"The poem, I-I mean.....I've never written one till today. Is it good?"

"I can't make that decision; it all comes down to the author."

"Just....at least look it, over will you?"

"Sure."

I gave her poem my once-over.

"In my opinion, it seems really well thought out and meaningful.  If he doesn't like it, then he's the dumbest cousin ever." I chuckled

Marinette laughed.

"Thanks (Reader.)"

"And you said you didn't understand poetry." I smirked

"Oh-....s-s-so w-what if I gave it a shot?"

"I think it suits you, with work you'd make a good poet.  Fashion designer-poet, Marinette Dupain-Cheng; quite the pair."

"Yeah." She said turning back to her now completed poem

"You hear anything from Alya?" She asked

"No, why?"

"She said something about meeting up after her next class, seems like she's late."

Marinette began drawing hearts in-between a few of the lines and at the corners of the card.

"Haven't heard a thing."

"Done!" She declared putting it in a black envelope with a red heart sticker

"Black, the last color I'd expect to see during Valentine's Day."

"I guess some of your creativity is rubbing off on me."

"Hey, I at least think pink, white and black are an interesting trio."

"There you guys are!" Alya said

"Happy Valentine's Day!" She declared hugging Marinette

"Same to you (Reader!)" She said hugging me the same

Red envelopes were contained in her hands, giving them to us.

I ripped open the envelope grabbing a pink music note card.

Your music ROCKS my soul, Valentine!

From: Alya

"Aww, that's really sweet of you, thanks!" I said

"I feel bad that I didn't make one for you."

"Don't worry about it (Reader,) it's fine.  I've got more than I know what to do with." She said unzipping her backpack as a few of her cards fell out

"Kidding! Here ya go!" I said giving her the pink envelope

"You sucker!" She said shoving me

Her eyes light up as she read the card.

"Thanks so much!" She said giving me another hug

This time her arms wrapped around me tighter than Marinette.  I won't complain since I've gotten used to these slightly awkward, if not normal-ish hugs between us.

"You're welcome.  Seems like you got some suiters." I said remembering the cards falling from her bag

"Some yeah, but none of them are as sweet as you (Reader.)" She said slipping them back in her bag

"Stop Alya, you're making Mr. Quiet and Sweet blush." I chuckled

"Alright, that's your new nickname!  It's official."

"Mr. Q and S....odd to say the least. Haha."

Adrien was walking towards us, from the way he was walking, I could tell he shifted his weight, favoring one leg over the other.  Guess he's gotten a ton of Valentines too, who can blame him? He's a good-looking cousin.  Seems like he has a lot of girls asking him to be their Valentine.

"Girl, THERE he is!  Go get 'em! We believe in you!" Alya said shoving her to him

Luckily Marinette didn't lose her balance, she just stood by us and waited for him to approach.

"Hey Marinette." He said casually

"Um...u-uh A-Adrien hi! I-I mean hi Adrien.  I-I wanted toooooo....card made give you!  -I-I mean give you a card I made.....i-it is Valentine's Day." She said

Adrien softly smiled, and thanked her; giving Marinette her card.

Dearest Marinette,

I know it seems that most times

When you see me

I'm really shy

A bit reserved

And quiet

Above these things, I want you to know

That I'm a really nice guy

Opening up is something I could work on

Among other things

But with you in my life

You changed and helped me so much,

You've never known

You're cool, nice and sweet

And someone like you

Simply can't be beat

Happy Valentine's Day,

Adrien Agreste

Me and Alya held our breaths as they looked up at the same time.

"This is so sweet.  Yes! I will be your Valentine!" They both said at the same time

Without a nudge, they both ran into each other's arms, embracing tightly.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Adrien."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Marinette."

They separated from their hug as he made his way to me.

"How's your day going (Reader?)"

"Good, congrats." I said

"Thanks." He said handing me 6 more cards

"Some other girls asked me to give you these."

"Thanks." I said blushing

Reading through the cards, I noticed some names I got used to hearing.  Rose, Juleka, Mylene, Sabrina, Alix, and even Chloe.

"Seems like you got some admirers too (Reader.)" Alya said

"Chloe though, I take with a grain of salt." I said

"Amen to that." Marinette said

The last bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

"(Reader,) can you help me with something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Something I need your help with, duh!  You don't mind if I borrow him Adrien?"

"Be my guest, I think we're getting sick of each other." He joked

"Hey!  Can't get rid of me that easily." I smirked

We watched Adrien get in his car as the driver pulled away.

"See ya Alya.  Again, happy Valentine's Day!"

"Same to you Marinette! You too (Reader!)" She said blowing me a kiss

I caught it, tapping my cheek.  From my peripheral vision Marinette grimaced, but only for a split second.

"You alright?"

"Hm? O-Oh, y-yeah. I'm good."

We stopped at a street corner as the cars went by, waiting for the walk sign.

"Seems like it went well with Adrien.  Congrats, you didn't chicken out." I said

"I wasn't gonna chicken out, I was just nervous.  And thank you."

"You're welcome, seems like it'll work out between you two."

"I hope so." She said as we started along the crosswalk

"So what's this thing you needed my help with?"

"Just something in our bakery."

"Bakery?"

"Yeah, didn't I tell you?  My parents and I own a bakeshop in town, you could say we're famous."

"That's really cool!  What else have you been keeping from me?"

"Oh if only you knew." She chuckled

"Oh right!  Dang it, I forgot."

"What?"

"I just forgot to ask Alya something, I'll text her later."

"Um, ok.  Come on." She said just as the walk sign appeared

"Did I tell you I have a sweet tooth?" I asked

"Nope, what for?"

"Cookies, cheesecake, ice cream, stuff."

"Well, I only figured." She said

I raised an eyebrow.

"Cause you're so sweet already."

"Ha......ha.....ha."

"So now you got jokes hm?"

She messed up my brown hair.  I sighed.

"What will I do with you?  Wait, I already know the answer."

"What?"

"Well isn't it obvious?  Adrien will know." I smirked

"Ewww!  Gross, shut up!" She said shoving me

I nearly fell back into the street, but caught myself.

"(Reader!) I'm so so sorry!" She said pulling me back by the arm

We were now a few inches away, I backed up.

"It's alright, don't worry about it."

"O....Ok, if you say so.  We're almost there." She said as I followed her lead

After walking down a few more blocks, we approach a building in the center of a street corner.  The bell rings as she opens the door.

"Mom and Dad are out, shame.  You'd like them."

"Just put your bag next to mine, this won't take long."

"What is it?"

"I told you, it's something I need your help with."

"That's not telling me much."

"You'll see.  That pan over there with the cover? Just put it in the oven, I'll take care of the rest." She said tossing me the oven mitts

I did as she said, the oven door creaked as I shut it.

"Alright, thanks." She said setting the timer

"It won't be long, like 5 or 10 minutes."

"Alright, guess I can get a start on my homework."

"Hope you're a fast writer then." She joked

Marinette tensed up in shock, quickly stopping the timer.  Without putting her mitts on, she opened the oven, and took the cover off whatever I just put in.

"What I did just now, NEVER do. Got it?" She asked

"Yeah." I replied

"I'm serious." She said

I nodded as I grabbed my assignments.

10 Minutes Later

I got through my Chemistry and most of my French homework when the timer went off.  My pencil still writing in the answers.

"How much do you have left?" Marinette asked

"Only a page of French left."

"How much of that?"

"The last half, Miss Neat and Tidy." I said still writing in my answers

Marinette laughed silently.

"DONE!" I declared letting out an exhausted sigh, leaning back in the chair

"Don't pass out on me yet, you still got that thing to help me with.  You could say it'll be a cure for your sweet tooth."

"Which is?"

"Nope, shut those eyes Mister." Marinette said firmly

I was startled as she took the strap from her apron and began blindfolding me.

"Is this really necessary?"

"It'll be worth it, just wait a bit longer."

I heard her walk away and back, sliding something in front of me.  Sounded like paper.  The oven opened again, and heard something being taken from a pan to what sounded like a stand.

"Alright, it's ready." She said

I started taking the blindfold off.

"I said NO PEEKING!"

"Sorry!" I said re adjusting it

To be fair, I didn't look around even.

Said stand was placed on the table, and I felt Marinette's hands guiding mine to whatever she slide to me earlier.

"Open this, you can figure out where."

I didn't really need to hear that since I literally know how to do this blindfolded.  Her hands guided mine again as I pulled something out.

"Hold this in front of your eyes, I'll keep your hands where they are." She said taking the blindfold off

I slowly opened my eyes and saw what was in my hands.

A Valentine's Day card.

(Reader,)

In the short time we've known each other

We've became great friends

Fun times so far

Getting drinks from bars

Nightlife

Talks

Opening up

Being there for you

When I feel like you've strayed

You haven't,

A New Life

Friends

Family

Side of the globe

Through all of this, I have to ask

Why, and if so?

Does it feel like your heart is still made of glass?

It's shattered, right?

It'll take a long time to slowly rebuild, is that so?

You already know the answer, to your sighs

Amongst all this

I will NEVER let you go!

Tell me what troubles you

And I'll listen

And give you them for you to throw

With Love, Happy Valentine's Day,

Marinette Dupain-Cheng

My eyes kept tearing up even as I finished reading her card.

"Marinette, this card is really sweet.  It's filled with love, kindness and caring.  All the things you are. It's sweeter than.-" I said wiping my tears looking up

In the center was a heart shaped cake with brownie chunks on top, and Marinette right across from me.

"Happy Valentine's Day!" She said reaching over the cake hugging me

"I......I.....I'm at a loss for words!" I said shrugging my shoulders

Marinette did the same.

"Would you say it's sweeter than this cake?" She asked

"I don't know, I'll have to see."

"I kinda went overboard a bit, didn't I?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course not. It's-"

"Perfectly sized for two." She concluded

"No one I'd rather share this with, Marinette."

She dashed back grabbing napkins and silverware.

"Silly me."

"Who gets the first slice?" I asked

"This is your day, you get it." She said

"But you made this masterpiece."

"Yeeesss, but I made it for you (Reader.)"

"Alright, executive decision.  We'll both cut the first slice and split it." She concluded

"Sounds good to me."

And cut the first slice we did.  We chatted as the hours ticked by, the passing of cars, people and sunrise continued as we were lost in our conversations.

Splitting the first slice is what I intended to do already, and I honestly would've been alright with Marinette cutting the first slice.  I'm glad we both cut it though, it felt like a nice moment we shared.

As the sun began to set, we had 4 slices left.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm full." I said

"Same here." Marinette nodded

She raised her milk glass as I did the same.

"To our best Valentine's Day yet."

"I'll toast to that."

We clinked our glasses, finishing our drinks.

"Ahhh.  I'm really glad you had such a great Valentine's Day, (Reader.)"

"It's been really great, amazing in-fact. ....One of the best ones I've had in a long time."

"Glad I could make it memorable for you." She smiled

"That card you made me deserves a place in an art gallery, or a gallery for poetry if there's such a thing for it."

"Thanks, (Reader.)  I wrote it from the heart, and I wanted to tell you that I'm here for ya.  Ya know?"

"Yeah.  Thank you, Marinette.  I mean it."

"Call me Mari, Quiet and Sweet." She chuckled

Suddenly she grabbed my hands.

"Call me Mari.  It's fine, alright?"

"Alright."

Her fingers brushed against my callus-ridden fingers again, I winced in pain.

"Sorry!  You ok?"

"My fingers are still tender; I have a nasty habit of picking off the calluses."

"Ya know they're gonna bleed, right?"

"I learned that the hard way."

"You're still gonna teach me guitar?"

"Yep, but I gotta get you back into playing piano too ya know."

Marinette looked at the clock with semi-wide and unsurprised eyes.

"10PM already?  Looks like you're out after curfew mister.  You figure Adrien would at least call and see what his favorite cousin's up to." She smirked

My phone vibrated.

"Speak of the devil." I said seeing an incoming call

"Yello?"

Marinette laughed at the way I answered.

"What was that?"

"Yeah, hey Adrien.  I'm still over at Marinette's."

"You help her with that thing she needed?" He asked

"Yeah.  It went well, hope you didn't mind I stayed out this late."

"It's fine man.  So, how was the rest of your Valentine's Day?"

"Amazing.  One of the best I've had in a long time."

"Great to hear dude, I'll be heading by in a few to pick you up.  Ok? How much homework you have left?"

"Already taken care of, even the French."

"Look at you straight A.  Seems like you're getting better."

"For now, yeah."

"What did Marinette need your help with?"

"I'll......I'll tell you when we get home."

"Oh....alright.  See you in 10?"

"10."

I hung up ending the call.  In front of me is the last of my cake sealed up with a glass cover and a white sheet covering it.

"Wait, what's this?"

"You didn't think you'd leave this world's most delicious cake, here did you? If you think I'm gonna finish this, you got another thing coming."

"As weird as this sounds, I think a cake that good needs to be frozen and saved forever." I joked

"Ok, quit sugar coating my skills.  You're taking this cake home whether you like it or not." She smirked

"I can't help it if the cake was that good."

"Seriously Mari, thanks again so much; for everything today." I continued

"Someone as nice as you deserving this doesn't need to be said (Reader.)  But I did anyway."

"It's not everyday someone you've known for a short time does something this sweet."

I got up from the table and Marinette turned around and walked back to me, the moon's rays shined through the window illuminating her like a painting.

We embraced in a tender hug, her right hand rested on my left shoulder, and the other felt my thick brown waves.

Her warm breath grazed my neck. As soon as it hit me, she brought her head back; now once again face to face.

"Happy Valentine's Day (Reader.)"

A loud horn jolted us away from our hug.  I looked outside seeing Adrien leaning against the back door.

"You as well Marinette, and good luck with Adrien.  I hope it goes well with him."

"Shhhh." She whispered in my ear

"It's fine, don't worry about it." She continued

"Here, I'll get the door for ya."

Her fast hands slipped my card back in the envelope, zipping it up in my bag; all while holding the door open in one motion.

Talk about multi-tasking.

I slipped my backpack on my shoulders, and went back to grab the masterpiece that is my Valentine's Day cake.

"See you tomorrow."

"See ya tomorrow (Reader.)  Good night."

"Night." I replied

"What cha got there?"

"I'll tell ya at home."

Adrien took my bag off me while I put the cake on my lap as I got in.  We waved goodbye as the limo started the drive back.

"So, you gonna tell me what you're holding?" He asked as the limo pulled up to the front door

I silently acknowledged his question as we walked inside stopping in the center of the ground floor.

"Marinette made me a Valentine's Day cake." I said

Surprise plastered its self on his features, then disappeared in an instant.

"That's really sweet of her."

"Yeah, it's amazing....the cake! The cake was amazing."

I don't want to tell him about the card, at least not yet; I'm not sure how he'll take it.

"She is quite the baker, everything she makes is beyond delicious."

"You wouldn't happen to have any spare room in your freezer for this would ya?"

"Of course." He said taking me back to the kitchen

"Let me see the cake at least."

"Not much left, only 4 slices." I said taking the sheet off

"Brownie bits on the top with chocolate spread, something tells me she didn't get this from some book."

"Hey, it doesn't matter where she got the idea from.  It's great and that's what matters."

"You gonna share some?"

"Maybe." I smirked nudging him

Adrien opened the freezer, and I slide it to the back.  The cold air sent a sharp pain in my fingertips, I almost dropped the cake before I even got it in there.

"You alright their man?"

I shook my hands, cupping and blowing into them.

"Calluses are doing a number on my hands, I'll be fine when they heal."

The freezer shut as we walked back up the stairs.

"Overall, ya have a nice day?"

"Even just saying 'yes' won't be enough of an answer."

"Sweet, no pun intended. See ya tomorrow (Reader,) good night."

"Night."

The guest bed was calling back to me. I'm so tired, all I took off was my shoes and just plopped back on my bed.

"Finally, I can get some sleep after a long day."

Bzzzzzzzt

Bzzzzzzzt

Bzzzzzzzt

Incoming text

From: Alya

Alya: 1 New Message

Alya: 2 New Messages

Alya: 3 New Messages

'Do I really gotta reply to these?' I asked letting my phone vibrate in my pocket

I unlocked the phone and skimmed the texts.

Alya: Hey (Reader,) how's that thing going with Marinette?

Alya: Still helping her?

Alya: You home yet? Have a nice time?

I typed up a quick reply.

Reader: Hey Alya, I just got home.  I was with Marinette longer than I thought.  It went well, but I'm exhausted; I'll tell ya about it tomorrow.  Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Message Sent

Marinette: 1 New Message

Marinette: Make it home alright (Reader?)

Reader: To tired to even change

Marinette is typing...

Marinette: Guess eating that cake really tuckered you out huh?

Reader: I bet you it's a sugar low.  I've never had one till now; I mean I like what I like but this is way different.

Marinette is typing...

Marinette: It'll go away during the night, trust me.

Reader: Thanks

Marinette is typing...

Marinette: I'm glad you had a great Valentine's Day!

Reader: And I'm glad you got to confess to Adrien! :)

Reader: Thanks again for the card, it has a place of pride on my dresser.

Marinette is typing...

Marinette: Glad to hear that. Goodnight (Reader,) sleep well <3

With that, I plugged my phone in, put it on silent; and finally fell asleep. I didn't even bother turning off the lights.

No One's POV

A well-known Heroine of Paris swung from building to building, jumping from rooftop to rooftop dead set on reaching her target.

From afar, said target caught her eye.  She couldn't see much, except for a light that was left on.  All the other lights in the mansion were off.  She swung past the window catching a glimpse of a person lying face down in their bed, in a deep sleep.  Paris's heroine found an open skylight from the ceiling above the bedroom and landed on the floor with perfect grace, not making a sound.  She slowly walked to the light switch, capturing the sleeping young man as if this is the last time she'd see him before flipping the switch.  In being controlled in a spell of some kind, she lingered at the side of his bed, just watching him sleep before a deafening sound broke her focus.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"Sorry, gotta go. Bug out!" She said softly swinging out the bedroom window into the night plastered sky

Hey! I know, it's been a long time since I worked on this.  Had a scare with thinking this chapter was gone forever, but I restored it and completed it.  Life has been happening, but I'm making due with the time I have to write.  I'm not abandoning my other fanfictions either, I will work on those again ASAP.  Till then, this is CreativeWriter96, signing off!