Chat Noir landed on Marinette's balcony and knocked on the hatch. After a minute, she opened it up and invited him inside.

"So, I see that you're here to distract me again," she said teasingly once they were in her room.

"It's what I do best Princess," he replied, winking at her.

"Well I thought of the perfect activity for us. Come on, sit over here with me." She gestured over to her chaise lounge. He followed her and sat down next to her.

She held up a piece of yarn. "Have you ever done Cat's Cradle?" she asked smiling.

He looked at the yarn, which was tied up into a loop. "I have no idea what that is, but I have a feeling that I'll like it. You know cats and their affinity for yarn."

"I thought as much," she giggled. "Here, I'll show you." Marinette took the yarn, wrapped it around the palms of her hands and pulled it tight. Then she put her middle finger under the loop on the opposite hand, then did the same with the other. She pulled the string tight again by moving her hands apart.

"Okay, see how there's two x shapes?" she asked.

"Yeah I see them," Chat Noir said.

"You're going to pinch those two spots between your pointer finger and your thumbs. Then pull them up and around the outside string and then move them up through the middle."

"This seems complicated," he said skeptically.

"It's really not, it's just hard to explain with words. Once you see it, you'll get it. Don't forget, you have an advantage. You know, being a cat and all."

"Now the pressure's on," he joked. He followed her instructions and moved the yarn.

"Okay, now I'm going to let go, and you tighten the yarn by moving your hands apart from each other."

He watched her remove her hands and pulled the yarn. It formed a diamond shape. "Was that supposed to happen?"

"Yes, you did it!" she exclaimed. "Now I do this." She pinched the two x shapes and did the same move.

He removed his hands. "Hey, it's a new pattern," he said, smiling.

"Yup. Now this move is a bit trickier but I'll walk you through it," Marinette said.

They continued playing, with Marinette guiding him through the steps. Chat Noir's grin got wider as they kept playing. He couldn't help but glance up at Marinette every chance that he got.

The way her hair would dance around her face as she moved. The delicate way her fingers moved through the yarn. It was mesmerizing. How is it possible that he never noticed it before?

And then there were those eyes of hers. Big blue eyes that pierced into his soul every time she looked at him. They were just like Ladybug's. He couldn't help but notice how similar they were.

They ended the game in a fit of laughter. "That was awesome Princess," Chat Noir said, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"I thought you'd enjoy it. You can even bring the string home and play it there. I mean, you're an expert now."

"Oh, there's no point in bringing it home. There's no one who will play it with me. I'll just have to keep visiting you."

"You don't have any brothers or sisters?" Marinette asked. "Actually, don't tell me," she added quickly, putting her hands up. "I shouldn't know anything about your real life."

"I don't mind telling you."

"Well, I mind. I need you to be safe."

He stared into her eyes. "You do?"

She looked at him, confused. "Of course I do. All of Paris needs you to be safe. What would we do if anything happens to you?"

He shrugged. "You'd still have Ladybug. If I'm being honest, she does most of the work anyway."

"Are you crazy?" Marinette demanded, leaning towards him. "She would never be able to do half of what she does if you weren't there. I mean, how many times did you sacrifice yourself for her?" she asked, pointing her finger into his chest. "She would have been defeated a long time ago without you."

Chat Noir blinked at her. He couldn't believe how worked up she was getting. About him.

"Don't you ever think that you're not as important as Ladybug," Marinette finished, glaring at him.

"I, er... okay," he muttered out.

After a second her face softened, and she lowered her hand back down. "I'm sorry, it just drives me crazy when I see people not appreciating all your hard work," she said quietly.

"No, it's okay. That really means a lot to me, to hear you say that." He reached up and put his hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she responded, smiling at him. "Do you have to leave soon or can you stay for a while?"

"I can stay," he said.

"Yay," she said, clapping her hands. "So... do you like playing video games?"