I didn't do a Christmas special because I honestly had no idea what to do. But now the new year is around the corner, and I felt the need to make an end-of-the-year fic overflowing with fluff and cheesy love. Also, I'm making predictions on future Season 2 episodes based on the fan wiki. So here it is!
When Marinette first fell in love, it was with a gentle soul. He didn't make the best first impression on her, even though it was all a misunderstanding. She defined him by his status as a model and as Chloe's friend, not even considering what was on the inside. But then the unexpected happened.
She remembered the day well. Rain drizzled down for the sky, the slow start to what would be a passing storm. She stood outside of the school where it was dry. Believing it wouldn't rain was a mistake on her part, thus leading her to leave her umbrella and needing to wait out the rain. When he approached her, she turned away. But he wasn't deterred by her behavior and went on to explain himself and the situation that caused her coldness towards him. She was impressed by his maturity and his desire to clear the air with her. But when he turned and offered his umbrella, something within in shook. It was a good kind of shaking, though.
And from then on, she was hooked. She was addicted to the butterflies he caused in her chest. Just saying his name was enough to send her into happy giggles. One would assume from once glance that it was all just an infatuation caused by his gorgeous looks and a single act of kindness. But Marinette knew it went much deeper than that. Every day, she saw more reasons why her heart was right to pick Adrien. He was loyal to his friends, even if that included Chloe. But he was far too good to throw anyone under the bus or give the cold shoulder. There weren't a lot of people like that in the world anymore. He was selfless; always giving to others when he could've took the time for himself. He lent a hand to anyone in need, no matter what. He was caring, cheering her up whenever she felt blue.
Adrien was an amazing person down to his core. Marinette knew that was a difficult thing to achieve considering his home life. He was lonely and sad. His father was rarely made time for him and left him to his own devices—okay, he had Nathalie, but personal assistants don't really count—almost always. When she first stepped into the Agreste mansion, she could feel the chill. It was a cold place to be. So, she offered for him to stay as long as he wanted in her nice warm bakery, giving him the warmth his house lacked.
The second time she fell in love, it was with a flirty yet witty individual who made it his mission to keep the smile on her face. Chat Noir started coming around and visiting in the evening just after Luka, Juleka's brother, was akumatized and went after, which in turn forced Chat to protect her for most of the day. He tried hiding her away at the Louvre—she felt the sense of déjà vu since that's the exact place she hid Adrien—but that plan flopped, and Marinette was left with a low chance of being alone to transform. She admits now that she acted rashly when she dove in to take a hit for Chat Noir when an akumatized Luka had attacked him.
When Chat Noir had first visited, she predicted it was to make sure her injuries were okay. She was a little touched by his concerned, her perception of him being nothing but a flirt slowly dissipating over the years of working with him as Ladybug. He stayed and comforted her, listened to her, and joked around with her for a while. As the days went by, Marinette showed more of her true colors unlike the fangirl façade she put up when they first met. They would drink hot cocoa and tell funny stories. They would play video game; she clobbered him every time. They would even sit on her balcony and do some stargazing with whatever they could make out from years of city smog permeating the sky.
She never felt freer. Marinette was more able to let loose around Chat Noir; no acts to put up. She could crack her sassy jokes and Chat never judged her if she let herself be vulnerable in his presence. It was quite the opposite. He seemed to treasure those moments, seeing her so willingly putting her trust in him where she allowed him to see her at her lowest moments without fear. Chat was like a second home to her. He was admittedly funny when he told more than just puns. He was warm literally and metaphorically. He was able to melt her exterior and see what really lay within.
When Marinette learned she actually fell in love with two halves of a whole, she was shocked to say the least. It was Chat Noir that first discovered her secret identity as Ladybug. He looked so overjoyed about the fact. She learned later on that it was because he fell in love with both sides of her too. And when she learned Chat Noir was also Adrien, they both started laughing at how stupid they've been, never realizing the one they loved most was by their side all along. They constantly rejected each other for, well, each other!
Marinette and Adrien officially started dating a few days after this major revelation. Everyone liked to make gagging noises at what a sickeningly cute couple they were. This, of course, was after the whole school cheered about "their otp" finally happening. Even Chloe gave up pursuing Adrien, which absolutely no one expected. She even threatened Marinette that she'd go after her if she didn't take good care of Adrien. After shaking out of her initial shock, Marinette offered a sunny smile and nodded. They sat together—shoulder to shoulder—every class they both had, partnering up for any partner work and the like. Alya still liked to take photos of them from her seat behind them.
Everything has led to now, on New Year's Eve. Marinette and Adrien were cuddling with a big blanket wrapped around them as they gazed out at the city from her balcony. As they waited for midnight, Adrien decided to ask a serious question.
"What made you fall in love with me?" he asked, curious for an answer.
Marinette giggled softly and snuggled closer to him. "Well, I fell in love with Adrien Agreste for his kindness and compassion. He makes me feel instant butterflies in my stomach when he offered a smile that was filled with genuine warmth. He is patient with silly old me when I'd stumble over my words rather than get annoyed. He showed such passion for a number of things that it made me want to stand by his side through it all. I fell in love with Chat Noir for the same reasons and more. He makes me laugh so freely, that I don't care if it wakes up the neighborhood. He comforts me when I'm down, giving his full attention to me and my problems, even if he can't give an answer on how to fix them. He is selfless, always protecting me from harm even though I can't stand seeing him get hurt. And finally, he treats me with respect and care. That's what made me fall in love with you."
Adrien just gazed at her, his mouth agape. The blunette couldn't help but giggle and placed his hands on his tan cheeks, closing his mouth and placing a tender kiss on his lips. "Now I feel obligated to ask. What made you fall in love with me?"
There you go. My final work of 2017. Part 2 of this will come out tomorrow, on New Year's Day. See you all in 2018!