Archive of Our Own ^beta

Adrien sighed as he trudged dutifully up the stairs to his room and tried not to let the echoes of the empty halls stab too deeply into his heart. 

There were only a few days left until Christmas and his father had yet to even mention the word, let alone make plans for it.

He had allowed Adrien and Natalie to set up a tree again with some help from Adrien’s bodyguard as his mother would have wanted, but with Natalie spending so much time in her room and his father scarcely acknowledging his presence, the house felt more barren and desolate than ever. 

Adrien tried to pretend it didn’t bother him, and for the most part it didn’t, but on nights like this after a long day of fencing practice in an effort to uphold his father’s high expectations to be met with only gloomy silence the moment he walked in the door was…disheartening, to say the least. 

He flipped the light on to his room and pulled his phone from his pocket, glancing fondly over the messages Nino had sent him earlier and gratefully assured his friend he was fine, then tossed his fencing gear inside the closet and plopped wearily backwards onto his bed. 

He absently wondered why Plagg hadn’t revealed himself yet, then suddenly became aware of a faint tapping against his window pane. 

Startled, he leapt to his feet and hurried over to peer out against the dark glass reflecting the brightness of his room. 

He pressed his face closer, straining to see out into the night, then froze as he found himself inches away from a familiar freckled nose and a dazzling pair of bluebell eyes swept beneath the shadow of deep violet blue bangs. 

She stared quietly back at him for a moment, a friendly smile on her face, before raising her eyebrows and placing a tentative hand against the glass between them. 

“So may I come in or…?”

Her voice was slightly muted through the window but Adrien caught every word and felt like smacking his forehead as soon as he did so. 

“Yes, of course! Please do.” 

He undid the latch and offered a hand to help her inside - one Ladybug graciously accepted as she pulled herself in and hopped lightly onto the ground next to him. 

He took a respectful step backwards to give her some space, grateful he had taken the time to shower after practice instead of waiting until he got home as usual. 

His eyes followed hers as she glanced pointedly around the room then turned to him and tilted her head curiously. 

“Not very Christmas-y in here, is it?”

Adrien blinked in surprise then shrugged his shoulders as he felt the former disappointment cloud around him again. 

“My father doesn’t really care about Christmas too much, so we usually just put up a tree in the foyer and don’t have any other decorations.”

“Wanna change that?”

Her eyes flashed with a familiar strength and resolve but there was a twinkle of mischief and merriment in them as well. 

Adrien felt his mouth drop open a bit, then slowly turn into a grin as a new hope and excitement began to grow inside him - after all, if anyone could bring light and wonder into a place like this it was definitely Ladybug. 

“Um, yeah, sure - I’d love that!” 

She smiled back at him and shot him a quick wink as she leapt up onto the window and leaned backwards with a jaunty salute before falling gracefully into the darkness beyond. 

He ran over to the ledge and watched her go, shaking his head with a laughing smile. His partner must be in a really good mood tonight. Normally she wasn’t one for dramatics, but when she wanted to she could show him up any day. 

As if on cue, Plagg popped up from where he’d been hiding and narrowed his eyes slyly. “Well, looks like you weren’t the only one who wanted to give a special thank you to a certain civilian.” 

Adrien felt the heat rise in his cheeks and he turned back to stare out the window. 

Did Ladybug have the same feelings for him as Adrien that he felt for Marinette? Wait, what feelings did he have for Marinette? Where did thought that even come from? 

He shot Plagg a look of annoyance and tried to push aside the flood of smiles and hugs and smells that came to mind at the mention of his sweet, charming classmate. 

“Ladybug is just being nice, Plagg. You know - kind, selfless, giving - something you could be more often.” He gave the kwami a light poke then hurried over to the bedside and began rummaging through his things as a thought came to him. 

“Plagg, where’d we put that last box of cookies Marinette gave me?” 

He glanced around then breathed a sigh of relief as he found it tucked under some books and quickly slid it underneath the bed. Under no circumstances could Ladybug find out he was the one she and Marinette had been supplying cookies to all this time. If she did happen to find it, he could always say Cat Noir had shared some with him, but it was safer if she never saw it to begin with. 

He scrambled to get back to his feet as he heard Ladybug re-enter the room. He shoved his hands casually into his pockets, cringing inwardly over the fact that it definitely looked like he had been hiding something, but after a curious glance Ladybug gave no mention to it and instead spread some boxes out across his couch, motioning for him to come take a look.

Adrien’s eyes brightened as he caught sight of the boxes brimming with brightly colored items and jumbled strands of Christmas lights. 

Ladybug paused and closed the lids back over them as she turned to him questioningly. “Would you rather I set things up myself so it can be a surprise or would it be more fun for you to help decorate too?” 

Adrien cocked his head as if to think about it, but his mind was already made up. As much fun as it would be to open his eyes to a magically re-decorated room, he was not going to miss this chance to spend time with his partner, and considering how enjoyable it had been working with her on the Christmas project all this time he knew it would be just as fun to help her put things up and look back over all they had accomplished together as it would be to come across it himself. 

“I’d like to help you set things up, if that’s okay. It’s been awhile since I had the chance to decorate anything other than the few ornaments we have to put on our tree.” 

Ladybug nodded with an understanding smile. “I thought so. Plus it’s way more exciting when you get to do it yourself.” 

Or with someone you care about. Adrien added mentally, and he felt a familiar warmth grow in his chest as he glanced at Ladybug who had ventured all the way out here in the snow just to make sure he had a good Christmas, and he hid a grin as he watched the incredible superheroine struggle to pull the long mess of cords from one of the boxes. 

“Allow me.” 

He gently lifted the strand from her fingers and began untangling it from the others. 

Ladybug smiled gratefully then pulled out a long garland, thick with artificial green bristles and decorated with mini gold and silver pinecones, which she began weaving along his upstairs banister. 

It wasn’t long before Adrien had all of the lights untangled, and Ladybug used her yo-yo to string them up even in the highest of corners as they made their way around the room and every bookshelf and wall corner was soon glimmering with the cheerful reflections of brightly colored lights. 

Ladybug hopped back onto the ground as they stepped back to examine their work and Adrien took the remaining thumbtacks he had been passing her and tucked them back into the little box he was holding. 

“I’d say we’ve done a spec-tack-ular job.” He said with a proud grin, then felt a sudden panic as he remembered he wasn’t being Cat Noir at the moment.

To his relief, Ladybug just laughed and glanced back over the room. 

“We do make a pretty pine team.” Ladybug’s eyes widened as the words left her mouth and she clasped her cheeks with an embarrassed chuckle. 

“Sorry, that was awful. Humor is definitely Cat Noir’s department - his jokes are way funnier than mine.” 

Adrien’s heart glowed with the knowledge that Ladybug thought his jokes were funny, though he quickly reached for a leftover strand of lights and held it up with a teasing smile. “ Wire you being so hard on yourself? I thought your joke was pretty punny.” 

Ladybug stared at him then burst into a laugh mixed with a playful groan. “Okay that was pretty corny too.” 

“I think you mean thorny.” He added, lightly tickling a loose pine branch against her shoulder. 

Ladybug shied away from him with a light squeak, and he hoped he hadn’t overstepped her boundaries, but he relaxed when he caught sight of the smile she was hiding and the mischievous twinkle that rose in her eyes. 

“If you keep this up Santa might not grace you with his presents. ” 

Adrien shrugged before replying teasingly, “Don’t you know I’m a little claus-trophobic?” 

Ladybug shook her head and pulled out a long curl of wires and branches from where it had been sitting on the couch and turned to him with a knowing smile. “I be-leaf it’s time to put the tree up?”

Adrien’s eyes widened in delight as he watched the small stack of fir and ribbon stretch out into a decorative tree almost as tall as he was, but quickly smoothed his expression into an easy grin as he added, “Whatever you sleigh, Ladybug. I think that’s a tree-mendous idea.”

Ladybug rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide an exasperated smile as she handed him a box of ornaments and they began placing them around the small tree. 

Adrien met her gaze as he added another one and said, “I think I’m getting the hang of this, don’t you?”

Ladybug’s head tilted back in disbelief, though her eyes still twinkled merrily. 

“You’re still going on with that?” She reached into one of the containers of ornaments and pulled out a small red one decorated to look like a fireplace. 

“ Yule be sorry when you don’t have any dignity left.”

Adrien was dying of laughter inwardly, because he knew the puns were starting to drive her crazy but her natural competitiveness kept her from ending it herself and only caused her to spur him on. 

He admired a little red and green ornamental figure before carefully placing it on the tree beside hers. “What can I say? I have very high elf-esteem.” 

Ladybug groaned with a look of mock dismay, which was quickly overcome by a fit of snickering giggles and she took a few steps away from him to collect herself. She glanced at a nearby bookshelf and picked up a book about forests then walked back, holding it up in front of him. “Wood you please stop?”

Adrien laughed as he leaned closer and dangled a glittering white ornament out between them which he had been saving for just this occasion. 

“There’s snow way I’m stopping now.” 

Ladybug pushed him away as she fought to contain her giggles. “Please do - you’re almost as bad as Cat!” 

“Are you sure that’s pawsible?”

Ladybug’s eyes widened as she stared at him with a mixture of annoyance and admiration. “Well I never thought so before but now I definitely do.” 

She paused then added, “You really need to give it Agreste though.”

Ladybug triumphantly sent him a smug look as Adrien gaped at her then touched the back of his neck and grinned sheepishly. “As you wish, m-uh-Ladybug.”

He chuckled softly as they made their way back to the tree and resumed putting up ornaments. 

“I’m not really sure where I get that from. My mom loved puns but she was terrible at coming up with them herself, and I can’t imagine my dad even cracking a smile, much less a joke, though I always wondered if he had a bunch of pent up humor locked up somewhere just waiting to be released.” 

Ladybug raised her eyebrows skeptically at that but listened quietly as he continued, “Sometimes my mom and I would be telling each other jokes at the table and then my dad would say something random, usually on a phone call or for Natalie to write down, and it always fit the conversation perfectly, putting our puns to shame, but he would say it with such a straight face and flat tone that we could never figure out if he was doing it on purpose or if it was a crazy coincidence. Mom always tried to bait him into admitting it but he never would.” 

He had said it with a smile, but felt a tightness grow in his throat as his vision blurred slightly at the thought of his mother and a familiar wistfulness gnawed away at his heart. 

He was dimly aware of Ladybug standing beside him and saw her hand slowly reach up toward his arm from the corner of his eye, but she pulled it back as if uncertain and looked away instead. 

He felt his heart sink even more, and he wished he hadn’t brought it up, for his sake and hers, since he knew it was probably making her uncomfortable. 

“Sorry, this was supposed to be fun and I didn’t mean to dampen the mood.” 

Ladybug looked up in surprise and grabbed his arms with a fierceness that was both strong and gentle. “Don’t be sorry, Adrien. That sounds like a very special memory and I really appreciate you telling me about it. You have every right to talk about your mother and should always be able to express what you are feeling. 

I only wish I knew of something better to say.” She smiled sympathetically and let her hand fall as her gaze wandered back to the floor. “It must be so hard for you to spend this Christmas with someone so special missing from it, and I wish with all my heart that I could take that pain away for you.” 

Adrien didn’t miss the small teardrops that glistened in the corners of her eyes as she shyly stared up at him. “Adrien you are…you are so kind and brave and generous - always thinking of and giving to others even in the midst of such hardship. Despite all the coldness and darkness surrounding you from your father and your life, you still manage to be a ray of warmth and light which you enthusiastically share with others and you inspire me all the time. Cat Noir was right to ask for your help with the lights project, and I just wanted to let you know that you’ve donated more than just lights to the people of Paris - you gave them hope and joy and made them feel special and I just wish there was more I could do for you.” 

Adrien blinked at her in awe for a moment, then felt his cheeks grow warm as a slow smile spread across his face. “Thank you, Ladybug. You - just being here - means the world to me, and I’m really glad I could help.” 

He wished he could give her a hug, but he didn’t know if that would make things weird, so he decided to just enjoy her presence instead. 

Ladybug smiled back at him, then her face brightened as she turned excitedly back to the couch. “Oh, I know what I forgot! The snowflakes!” 

“Snowflakes?” Adrien repeated curiously, following her back to the couch as her sudden enthusiasm chased away the last bits of sadness from his mind. 

“Yeah! You know how stores sometimes hang paper snowflakes from the ceiling to make things more festive? I have a bunch set up in my room and it makes everything look so magical and I thought it might be fun to put some up here - if you want to, that is.” 

Adrien’s eyes lit up as he remembered seeing some at the Dupain-Cheng Bakery when he had gone to visit Marinette and he could see why Ladybug wanted to add them to the decorations. “Sure, I’d love that! Where are they?”

“Well, that’s the thing, I was able to bring a few I had already made, but I didn’t have time to cut them all up myself, so I thought maybe it would be a fun thing to…work on together.” 

“That sounds like a great idea to me, though I don’t really know what I’m supposed to do.” 

Ladybug’s shoulders relaxed and she smiled encouragingly, “Don’t worry, I’ll show you how.” 

She took some scissors and sheets of paper from the box and spread them out on the low table along with a few pencils. 

Adrien sat cross-legged with his back to the couch while Ladybug took a seat to his left in front of the shorter end of the table, slightly off to his side.

He smiled as he realized she was sitting on her knees to reach the table more comfortably and he was reminded of how adorably small his heroic partner was. 

He tried to focus as she showed him how to fold up the paper and trace intricate designs on the side before cutting them out with scissors, and soon he was genuinely enjoying himself, but he couldn’t help sneaking small glances at her as the air filled with the quiet snips of scissors amidst the gentle calm echoed by the snow falling softly past the windows. 

Ladybug’s face had grown thoughtful as she worked and Adrien admired the way she swiftly and deliberately cut neat little shapes into the folded sheets of paper and expertly strung them along into a wide chain. 

She was so creative and good at, well, pretty much everything, making her seem as magical and superhuman as the earrings she wore. But over the past few months Adrien had begun to see more of the normal girl behind them and he knew she struggled with things a lot more than she let on. 

“Hey Ladybug, are you okay? I mean, this year must’ve been crazy for you - suddenly given superpowers and expected to protect and watch over the city of Paris, that must be pretty stressful.” 

Ladybug paused and looked up in surprise then glanced back to the table. “Well it is a little stressful.” 

Adrien raised his eyebrow skeptically and Ladybug laughed as she caught sight of it. “Okay, a lot. But I think I’m getting the hang of it. Or I thought I was until…everything that happened with Felix. I thought he was you and…I’d trust you with anything Adrien.” 

Adrien looked down remorsefully. “I’m sorry.”

Ladybug dropped the papers she’d been holding and waved her hands emphatically. “No, no! Don’t be sorry!” She pulled her hands back and tilted her head sheepishly. “I meant it as a compliment.” 

“I know, and thanks, I just wish I had never put you in that position in the first place. If it wasn’t for me none of this would’ve ever happened.” 

Ladybug leaned closer and put her hand on his shoulder, causing him to face her. Her eyes were filled with deep sympathy and understanding, followed by an intensity and conviction that made his heart catch in his chest. 

“It’s not your fault, Adrien. You can’t blame yourself. There was no way you could’ve known. No way anyone could’ve known. Felix betrayed us all.”

She looked down then gave his shoulder a light squeeze and smiled as she slipped her hand away. 

“Besides, I have Cat Noir to help me, and with the two of us working together Monarch will meet his end soon enough.” 

Adrien felt his heart warm at the confidence and trust his partner placed in him, and he felt his cheerfulness return as her hopeful words chased away the guilt that had been shadowing over him. 

They chatted happily for a while, mostly sticking to lighter topics and safer things to avoid risking Ladybug’s identity (or his own for that matter) and it wasn’t long before they were half buried in puffy white ornaments heaped in piles around them. 

“Um, Adrien?” 

Adrien paused mid-cut. “Yeah?” 

“I think we might’ve gone overboard on the snowflakes.”

Adrien glanced around them and let out a light laugh. “Yeah I think you’re right. I had no idea making snowflakes would be -” 

“Don’t.” Ladybug narrowed her eyes and Adrien peered back at her innocently. 

“Don’t what?”

“After all the time I spend with Cat Noir do you really think I can’t hear a pun coming a mile away?” 

Adrien chuckled guiltily and shook his head with a fond smile. “Fine, I had no idea it would be sooo much fun.” 

Ladybug nodded with approval though her eyes still twinkled teasingly as she turned back to the jumbled mess in front of them. 

“What should we do with all this? I was thinking of hanging a few here and there but if we put all these up it will look like a snowstorm blew in.” 

Adrien tilted his head thoughtfully then his eyes lit up with an idea. 

“Hey I know what we should do! We could use it to decorate the room for my father’s assistant Natalie. She hasn’t been feeling well lately and has to spend a lot of time in her room, so this could definitely help cheer her up.” 

Ladybug looked doubtful. “Are you sure? I’ve run into her occasionally and she never struck me as the type to enjoy frilly things and homemade decorations. I wouldn’t want her to feel we invaded her space.” 

“You’d be surprised. Natalie actually cares about a lot of things and I think everyone needs a little extra attention now and then. Trust me, it’ll be perfect.” 

Ladybug’s face relaxed and soon brightened with an enthusiastic smile. “In that case, let’s do it!” 

They carefully filled the snowflakes into one of the empty boxes and added some tape, tacks, and string to help set them up. 

Ladybug fingered one of the extra light strands. “Do you think we should add some lights to her room too?” 

“Do we have any of the white ones left? I don’t think she’d like the colored ones as much, but white is pretty classy and the soft yellow glow will really make the snowflakes stand out and the whole place feel more cozy.” 

Ladybug dug around until she had pulled out the remaining strands of white lights and added them to the box, then the two slipped carefully out the door and onto the landing outside Adrien’s bedroom. 

Ladybug hesitated. “Are you sure you won’t get in trouble for this? And what if your father catches us?” 

Adrien shot her a mischievous look. “We’ll just make sure no one finds out.” 

Ladybug giggled softly and tip-toed after Adrien as he led her through the dimly lit walkways. 

A loud sound caused them both to halt sharply and Adrien almost dropped the small box he’d been carrying. They stood frozen outside the nearest doorway, each trying to still their breathing as much as possible. It came again, this time a distinctive mix between a pig in a hurricane and a lion choking on a sneeze. 

Adrien fought to contain a grin and made the mistake of looking over at Ladybug who was equally taken aback by it and as soon as their eyes met the two doubled over in silent laughter, smothering snorts and gasping for air behind their elbows while Gabriel continued to snore blissfully from beyond the door frame. 

Adrien tried to get a hold of himself as he felt a light tapping on his shoulder from Ladybug who was motioning him to go forwards and they quickly made their way past the slumbering menace.

Adrien turned to Ladybug with a shrewd grin. “That was close.” 

“Tell me about it.” Ladybug said, her hands still clutched around her stomach as she struggled to control her breathing before shaking her head and straightening slightly. “My dad snores too but it’s nowhere near as loud as that - and that’s really saying something.” 

Adrien snickered. “Yeah, he’s tried all kinds of treatments for it but he still snores on anyway. He would hate for it to get out to the public that the esteemed Gabriel Agreste could ever make such an undignified sound and made us all promise not to tell anyone so - welcome to the family secret.” 

Ladybug bit back another laugh, then solemnly schooled her facial expression and moved a hand across her mouth. “My lips are sealed.” 

Adrien winked back at her then continued down the hallway, slowing as they reached the next door, a growing apprehension filling his chest. “This is it.” He said in a hushed voice. “Natalie is a pretty deep sleeper so setting up without her noticing should be pretty easy, but we still need to be really careful ‘cause if she does wake up she might literally try to kill us.” 

Ladybug’s eyes widened before shifting into a confident smirk and she tapped her yo-yo meaningfully.

Adrien felt himself relax, not that he thought Natalie would actually do him any harm - permanently at least - but it was reassuring to know his trusted partner had his back just like always, and he loved seeing this more protective and assured side to her. 

He pushed the door open slightly, wincing as it gave a sharp creak, but all appeared to be peaceful inside. 

He was about to step into the semi-darkness when a thought occurred to him and he gestured Ladybug forward. “Maybe you should go first since, you’re a girl and all.”

Ladybug sent him an appreciative glance then nodded understandingly and slipped quietly into the room. After a moment she motioned for him to follow and he carefully made his way inside. 

Adrien felt along the wall for an outlet and cautiously plugged in one of the white light strands. They both stiffened and glanced warily at the pile of blankets hunched up on the low bed, but when they were not immediately assaulted with a barrage of karate kicks and vigorous punches they breathed a collective sigh of relief and continued to string up the decorations. 

The two worked silently, hiding a smile here and smothering a giggle there as the room began to be transformed into a delicately arranged winter wonderland. 

They stepped back to survey their work and Adrien took great satisfaction in knowing he had been able to put up his full share even without the use of his super suit, thanks to his expertise built up from years spent on climbing things and his natural height, which was definitively an advantage to Ladybug’s though she still managed to hang up most of hers too.

The snowflakes were tastefully scattered about, some in chains, some dangling in mini clusters while the larger ones stood on their own, and they had even added a few to her door hangers and dresser drawers. Adrien grinned to himself. It would certainly be a bit much after awhile and he’d have to help her take it down, but it’d be worth it to give her something magical to wake up to. 

They almost seemed to dance, twisting softly against the strings supporting them, and there was something wondrous and captivating about the warm glow and shadows from the Christmas lights that reflected cheerily off the cool white from the paper.

“It looks beautiful.” Ladybug whispered from behind his shoulder. 

“Yeah.” 

“It was a good idea to make it for her - I’m sure she’ll like it.”

Ladybug turned to leave, but Adrien couldn’t resist creeping closer to take a look at Natalie from where she slept. His heart ached at the sight of her leg contraption that was placed by the side of her bed, but his eyes were drawn to her face - usually so solemn and careworn yet now peaceful and almost childlike. She was so efficient and sensible, coming across as almost cold sometimes, yet he knew she truly cared for him deeply and in many ways was the closest thing to a mother he had. 

He gently tucked the blankets closer around her and smoothed her hair from her forehead before slipping quietly from the room. 

Ladybug had been watching him from the doorway and her eyes shone with sympathy and a hint of admiration. “She’s really important to you, isn’t she?”

Adrien blushed slightly and felt suddenly awkward about having Paris’ greatest superhero see him “going soft” as his father would say, and he was pretty sure he would never see Kim or even Nino tending to their mom like that, let alone someone who works for the family.

“Yeah, though I guess it must seem a little strange of me to be so attached to my dad’s assistant.” 

Ladybug furrowed her brow, as she often did when she was skeptical of something. “I don’t think it’s strange at all. She’s been with you for so long I’m sure she feels like part of the family, and besides, that’s one of the things I lo-like about you: you love with your whole heart and you always take time for others even when they give you very little in return. You’re one of the sweetest, kindest, most considerate boys I know and I’m sure Natalie appreciates how much you care about her.”

Adrien stared at her blankly, his mind trying to wrap his head around the fact that Ladybug had just complimented him on more accounts then one, and Ladybug seemed a bit surprised by what she had said too since she turned abruptly and he was almost certain he saw the color rising in her cheeks. “Come on, let’s get back upstairs.” 

They made it to Adrien’s room without incident, only pausing for a quick chuckle outside Gabriel’s door before hurrying back to the safety of the spacious bedroom and stood before the window where it all began. 

Adrien grinned in delight as he tilted his head back and examined the room that had been so desolate hours before but was now brimming with holiday cheer and the sparkle of colors that testified of a lasting friendship.

It was perfect. 

“Almost.” 

Adrien looked back at her in surprise, realizing he had said that last bit out loud, and noticed she was holding a small box out to him wrapped in light blue paper. 

“What’s a tree without presents?”

Adrien stared at the package in awe then took it reverently in his hands. 

“You got a present…for me?” 

Ladybug tilted her shoulder and glanced down with a shy smile. “I made it actually. You don’t have to open it now if you want to save it for Christmas.” 

“I don’t think I can wait that long. Plus this way I can re-open it every day!” 

Ladybug laughed and watched as he carefully removed the wrapping paper and lifted the lid.

His eyes lit up as soon as he saw it and he pulled it out excitedly. “It’s a hamster ornament! And he’s got a little sword and musketeer outfit and everything!” 

“I heard you like hamsters and since you’re into fencing I thought I’d put the two together, plus…you’ve always come to my aid when I needed you and you have a heart as noble and brave as the most famous of knights. So um, thank you - for everything - and I hope you enjoy it.” 

Adrien had been listening attentively and his heart swelled with every word, and his eyes fell back on the little hand-sewn creature, as if hoping those careful handmade stitches would capture all of her words and tie them up into it for good. 

“I think he’s awesome. Thank you, Ladybug I love it! Only…” His voice trailed off as he touched the back of his neck hesitantly. “I don’t have anything to give to you.” 

He thought about giving her the gift he had planned to give as Cat Noir, but that would be way too obvious who it was from and besides then it would look like her partner didn’t have anything and he’d be stuck without a gift for her again.

“But you already gave me one. The best gift is just…knowing you’re happy.” 

Adrien felt his heart quiver slightly as the truth in her eyes and warmth in her smile showed she really meant it, and he felt a reassuring calm wash over him. “That’s really kind of you, Ladybug, and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me, though…” He trailed off and glanced pointedly around the room. “I think there is one thing we forgot.” 

Ladybug’s face grew worried as she scanned the room for something out of place. “What is it?”

“C’mere, I’ll show you.” Adrien took her by the hand and led her to the middle of the room, then placed her hands in front of her eyes. “Keep ‘em closed, just for a moment.” He hurried over to a nearby corner and spun a ball between his hands before tossing it up and landing it squarely in the hoop across the room. 

Ladybug tilted her head curiously as there was a slight whirring sound and the floor seemed to tremble beneath them. 

“Okay, you can look now.” 

Adrien grinned as Ladybug peeled her hands away and stared in amazement at the glistening grand piano that had emerged from beneath the floorboards. 

“All this time and we forgot to add a little Christmas music.” Adrien strode up to the impressive instrument and turned to Ladybug with a slight bow. “It might not be much, Ladybug, but I’d like to play a play a little something for you as a gift and a thank you for bringing light to a dark and cold wintery night. If you have time before you have to get home, that is.” 

Ladybug had grown still and her mouth was slightly parted in shock but she quickly shook herself and a beaming smile spread across her face. “Thank you, Adrien, I would love that.” 

Adrien smiled and took a seat on the bench. “Is there any particular Christmas song you’d like me to play?” 

“Anything, you’re wonderful. Be wonderful! I mean I’m sure anything you choose will be wonderful. Please fry - I mean - surprise me.” 

Adrien raised his eyebrows then chuckled softly to himself. It wasn’t often he saw Ladybug so flustered. Hopefully that meant she liked her surprise. 

His hands hovered above the keys for a moment as he debated on what song would be fitting before he finally thought of the perfect one and began steadily moving his fingers along the keys. 

It was an old favorite of his mother’s and perfect for someone who had been visited by the likeness of an angel bringing sweetness and joy into a broken abandoned heart. 

He wove his fingers expertly across the keys, not hindered by his father’s condemning stare but strengthened by the gentle smile and shining blue eyes that followed his every move. 

The song was simple yet had an elegant quality to it, just like Ladybug. Never seeking to draw attention to herself yet gladly bringing joy and peace to others and glowing all the more brightly because of it. 

And okay, maybe he added something fancy in there just to impress her, but it wasn’t everyday he got to play a song for the city’s talented and beloved superhero. 

As he neared the end he put more care into every note, drawing them out and letting his hands flow to the rhythm as he tried to express all of the admiration and thankfulness he felt for this amazing girl beside him, and if he was completely honest it carried a touch of love also. 

She was so kind and brave and good, and he wished this night with her could last forever. 

But surprisingly the more he played the more his thoughts turned to Marinette and the kindness she had always shown towards him, and as his fingers danced across the final notes before letting them gently rest, it didn’t feel like a piece of him was about to be missing. Instead it felt like the broken parts of him had been almost made whole. 

He was loved and cared for, and this was going to be one of the best Christmases ever.

A soft clapping from behind him brought him back to reality and he turned back to Ladybug with a smile. 

“Wow, that was beautiful, Adrien. Thank you so much! That was a really wonderful present and I’m so touched that you would do that for me.” 

“It was my pleasure, Ladybug.” 

He walked her back to the window where they both hesitated for a moment, neither wanting to be the first to say goodbye. 

He didn’t know if it would make her uncomfortable, but he thought it’d be more strange if they just stood there awkwardly so Adrien stepped forward to give her a hug and was surprised to find she had already moved to do the same. 

“Merry Christmas, Adrien.” Ladybug said softly, her voice slightly muffled against his shirt. 

“Merry Christmas, Ladybug. Thank you for making it a happy one.” 

She pulled away with a warm smile then gave a slight wave before hopping out the window and fading away into the snow filled night. 

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Spots off.” 

“Well, that went really well, though you’re going to be really tired tomorrow since you stayed out so late.” 

“No later than I do with akumas and this was way more relaxing than the nights dealing with those are. Besides,” Marinette stifled a yawn as she playfully poked Tikki on the nose. “We don’t have school tomorrow, which is why we decided to do it today, remember?” 

Tikki shook her head knowingly. “Just make sure you actually sleep in this time.” 

Marinette rolled her eyes with a guilty smile. “I’ll try.” 

She cuddled the small kwami to her cheek. “Goodnight Tikki. Thanks for always looking out for me.” 

“Goodnight Marinette.” 

Marinette rolled over and tried to concentrate on falling asleep, but it seemed as if she was instead becoming more and more awake. 

She was really glad she’d been able to brighten up Adrien’s room and his mood, and they had had a lot of fun together and it was almost like the times when she played around with Cat Noir. Her heart clenched at the thought as its never-ending battle seemed to be starting all over again. 

Just when she thought she could finally get past Adrien and be happy just as friends, he would look at her like she was his whole universe and show a new side to himself that would draw her in all the more. The same with Cat Noir for that matter. As much as she hated to admit it, and scarcely dared to think, it would be humanly impossible not to catch feels for that horribly good-looking and good natured gentle-cat, especially when he was always so selfless and devoted to her. 

But Adrien…Adrien was selfless too and the way he cared for Natalie and even his father was a constant proof of how loyal and devoted he was, as well as considerate, patient, and generous. He was so perfect and yet, when she closed her eyes all she could see were frisky black cat ears, a teasing smirk, and hands that felt more certain the ground itself. 

“Tikkiiii, this is horrible, just horrible!” She moaned, burying her face in her hands as it stung with an unbearably thrilling heat. 

Tikki flew up with a start. “What is it Marinette? An akuma?”

Marinette froze guiltily and held a consoling hand out to her kwami. “Oh, sorry Tikki, I got so lost in my thoughts I forgot what time it was. It’s just Marinette being silly Marinette over love problems again. Why don’t you go back to sleep, we can talk about this in the morning.” 

Tikki's eyes twinkled as her tiny face relaxed into a smile. “You know we kwamis don’t need half as much sleep as you humans do. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”