**A/N: So sorry for the delay on this, guys. I was certain I'd have it up by Thursday, but... well... life. I only managed to write for about an hour or so per day this week, so this chapter took way longer than I had planned. Just the epilogue is left though, so I'm aiming to have this whole story concluded before January's end.**

- ALWAYS WITH YOU -

Chat Noir never showed up.

As Marinette kissed her parents on their cheeks, and made her way to her bedroom to close out her Christmas, it occurred to her that Chat Noir never stopped by to spend the holiday with the Dupain-Chengs.

It's dangerous for a civilian if a superhero spent personal time with them, Marinette reminded herself, He was just looking out for me and my family. Still, her heart ached knowing he was out there somewhere, possibly struggling through the day.

"You think he had a nice Christmas, Tikki?" Marinette pulled out the picnic basket she had packed that morning. She finished her gift by tucking in the thermos of hot cocoa she had made before heading to her bedroom. Her parents thought she was just going to watch the Seine on her balcony; settling in for bed by sipping a warm beverage under a blanket of stars.

"Adrien?" Tikki smiled and nodded. "I think he really appreciated the gift, and I'm sure it brought him happiness today."

"Oh!" Marinette's face warmed. Tikki couldn't read her mind, and had no clue which "he" she was referring to. Marinette forgot that, and of course Tikki would default to Adrien. "No, I- I mean, do you think Chat Noir had a good Christmas. With his family not really celebrating it anymore?"

Tikki's smile softened, and she nuzzled Marinette's cheek. "He didn't come here, which must mean things went well for him. The day is nearly over with anyway, so you can't change it now. You can still have a good evening with him as Ladybug, though. At the Trocadéro you can find out how his day went, and cheer him up if you need to."

"Yeah, you're right." Marinette looked just past Tikki's head, to a small wrapped box on the corner of her desk, sitting next to a thin vase with a feathered rose in it. Shaking her head to re-focus herself, she sifted through her basket one last time. Positive she had everything, she checked the clock next: quarter-to-nine. She would have just enough time to set up before he got there.

"Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette brushed her hand across her left ear, moving her hair out of the way as her kwami got sucked into her earring. A few seconds later, she was clad in her normal red bodysuit with black spots. Picking up her basket, she hopped onto her bed, unlatched her skylight, and lassoed a spire of the Notre-Dame in order to swing herself through Paris.

The Trocadéro was across the city from her home, but Ladybug could make it there in roughly five minutes. She landed on the southwest wing of the Palais de Chaillot with nearly ten minutes to spare. She just hoped Chat Noir wasn't so excited about their meet-up that he would arrive early.

She didn't need to worry. In no time, she had a large Sherpa fleece blanket laid out, two over-sized pillows placed as seats, the covered plastic bowl filled with cookies centered perfectly on their little nest, and two mugs at the ready beside the thermos. All she needed was her partner.

"Well, merry Christmas, M'lady." Chat Noir held tightly to his stick, his thumb pressed against the green paw print used to extend it, and his feet rested against the pole to steady him. He rose to the roof of the Palais like he was riding an elevator, fluidly stepping onto it the moment his toes passed the crowning. His stick instantly shrank to its normal size, and he rolled it across the back of his hand before catching it and attaching his weapon to the small of his back.

"You're late, Kitty." Ladybug feigned annoyance, but she couldn't keep the smile from her lips.

"Sorry. I actually lost track of the time." He crossed his ankles before lowering himself down onto the pillow; his legs folded before him.

"Well, that's good." Cautious relief washed over Ladybug. "That means you had a merry Christmas yourself then, right?" She silently prayed she didn't sound too hopeful; too invested. At the same time, what did it harm? He was her best friend. It would only be natural that she'd hope his tardiness was due to a happy celebration running long.

"Yeah, actually." He leaned back on his hands and stared up at the sky. With all the lights from the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower, no star could be seen, but his eyes scanned the heavens as if he were searching for them anyway. "It's been a long time since my home life was as nice as it was today. I got to spend a lot of time with my-" His eyes darted to Ladybug for a second before returning to the sky. "With a family member I rarely see anymore." He was learning how to better hide details that could give him away. Ladybug was proud. Not revealing themselves was mostly her rule, but she appreciated how firmly he tried to adhere to it.

"I'm so glad." Ladybug watched him study the sky for a few more seconds before she remembered why they were there. "Oh! Here, have a cookie. I also have some cocoa if you'd like."

Chat Noir gladly accepted her treats, munching down on a raspberry thumbprint cookie. He savored the flavor, swooshing it around in his mouth; taking small bites of the second cookie he took.

"I know this flavor." His eyes again searched the empty air; trying to lock down what he was tasting.

"Yeah, it's called raspberry," Ladybug teased.

"No. Not that. It's specific. It's- Are these from the Tom and Sabine Bakery?"

Ladybug blinked a few times. She didn't realize her father's baking was that distinct. "They are the best bakers in all of Paris, after all." Her heart raced, praying that Chat Noir wouldn't figure out her connection to the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

"You bet they are!" He scooped up two more cookies, and shoved one in his mouth. "Anyone getting baked goods anywhere else when they could buy them from that bakery is insane. Although, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed you didn't bake these for me yourself, Bugaboo."

Ladybug nervously laughed. She had baked quite a few of those cookies. These were the ones her family all made together for their own consumption. She was even going to tell Chat Noir she baked them for him, but she knew she couldn't now.

"Trust me," she waved him off, but avoided looking at him. "Tom Dupain's cookies are way better than anything I'd bake."

"I dunno." Chat Noir popped the second cookie in his mouth. "I'm sure you would do really well. You'll have to promise me that you'll bring me some cookies you made at some point."

"Alright. Maybe because it's Christmas and I'm feeling charitable, I'll promise to bring you cookies I baked. Someday."

Chat Noir held up his mug of hot cocoa, and Ladybug clinked it with her own. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, just admiring the beautiful holiday light displays surrounding them. It reminded Ladybug of those quiet evenings when Chat Noir sat on her chaise crocheting while she was doing her own crafting projects. There was a bond strong enough that they no longer had to fill the empty air between them.

"Oh! This picnic was so lovely I nearly forgot!" Chat Noir picked up a package wrapped in red paper, and handed it to Ladybug.

"For me?" Ladybug tried to not seem so bewildered, but the box was way too small for a scarf to fit. There had to have been some sort of mix-up.

"Of course. Merry Christmas, Ladybug. Thank you for being such a good friend to me." His smile was so soft and genuine. Clearly he either didn't notice Ladybug's confusion, or he interpreted it as surprise that he would gift her anything.

Ladybug accepted the gift, but gingerly turned it over in her hands. It was fairly thin, only a few centimeters high, and the box was able to fit in her palm. Granted, it took up her full hand, from the heel of her palm to the tips of her fingers, but it was still entirely too small for a scarf to be folded inside.

"Well, are you going to open it? It's not one of your Lucky Charms; you don't have to try to figure it out, you can just tear off the paper." Chat Noir playfully bumped her arm with his elbow.

"R-right!" She wasn't supposed to know about the scarf, so she couldn't ask about the small packaging. Her only option was to just see what was inside. Tucking a pinkie between the paper and tape, she was able to pop the seam easily. The wrapping job was kind of shoddy, but it did its purpose, and it was that much easier to remove from around the small box hidden inside.

It was a white box, much like the one her feather charm came in, only much larger.

"Kitty, what did you do? You didn't get me jewelry, did you?" She couldn't accept it if it were jewelry. What had happened to the scarf? It was perfect, even if she couldn't wear it in public outside of costume.

"Just open it." He softly laughed as he grabbed another cookie and dunked it in his cocoa.

Gulping, Ladybug lifted the lid. Inside was a small carabiner key ring, with four charms attached to it: little yarn dolls with wooden heads the size of a marble. Each doll was about as long as her finger, and looked lovingly made. A length of yarn was threaded through the marble-sized wooden bead, leaving behind a loop Chat Noir had attached to a simple key ring. A second bit of yarn was intricately knotted around the two strands hanging from the bead, creating the body of the dolls. The tails of the beaded string had small plastic beads dangling off their ends, creating legs and feet. The tails of the knotted string also had small plastic beads at their ends: arms and hands.

One doll had black yarn for the loop and the legs, while a yellow yarn knotted around, ending in a string of black beads: black gloves for the doll. Another doll also had black yarn for the loop and legs, with orange yarn wrapped around as the body and arms. Just like the yellow and black doll, the orange one had small black beads creating long gloves. Dangling from under the knots lining the back of the doll was the thin end of an orange necktie, creating a fox-like tail. The third doll was made of two strips of green yarn, but the knots were more blocky along the back, making it thick and curved. The last doll was entirely black, and had an extra snip of yarn dangling down the back like a tail.

The yellow and black doll had a matching black mask with yellow accent stripes drawn across the wooden bead. The top and back of the bead had what looked like a yellow ponytail sketched on. A smug smile stretched across the doll's inked-on lips. The orange and black doll had a large mask covering most of its face: orange along the top half of the mask and white along the bottom. Below the mask was a cheeky smile, and copper hair with white tips covered the rest of the head. The green doll's head had a green hood, matching ski goggles, and a shy smile all drawn on. The black doll had a matching mask inked on, and vibrant green eyes shining through; the only doll with eyes drawn onto the mask. The head was covered in yellow scribbles to look like shaggy hair, and its smile was soft and innocent.

"Chat Noir, what is this?" Ladybug gave a playful giggle as she held up her key ring of yarn dolls.

"Worry dolls."

Ladybug's giggling stopped. She just stared wide-eyed at Chat Noir. He scooted closer and held out his hand for her to rest the dolls onto his palm.

"I don't remember where they first came from. Somewhere in Central America, I think? But you're supposed to whisper a fear or worry to them, and then tuck them under your pillow. During the night they will hold onto that worry for you so you can sleep better. They're small, though, and can only hold one bit of anxiety at a time, so I made you the whole team. This way you can always have the rest of us with you wherever you go. A way to remind you that you don't have to carry the burden of saving Paris and stopping Hawk Moth by yourself. You have support."

Ladybug choked down a few sobs as she wiped a stray tear off her cheek. Chat Noir didn't notice; at least, he didn't comment on it.

"I know Paris has asked a lot more of you lately." Chat Noir mindlessly played with the dolls. He didn't look over at Ladybug; he gave her whatever time and space she needed to recover without embarrassment. "I also know that you've had to save Paris by yourself a few times. It's a lot of pressure, and I'm afraid it's going to wear on you. How could it not? So-." He made the little Chat Noir doll wave up at her, making her laugh. "I figured these guys could help at least a little. You could keep the whole team together, or-." He pressed on the release for the carabiner, and slid the Chat Noir doll off. He then held it out to Ladybug by its small key ring. "You could take off whichever one of us you need at the time, and carry them around."

Ladybug delicately cradled the doll in her hand, nudging the face gingerly with her knuckle.

"These are so precious, Chat Noir. Thank you." She pressed the black yarn doll to her chest, and then held her hand out for the rest of them. "I- I'm not sure what to say."

Ladybug's mind bounced between a hundred questions. Was the scarf just a rouse? If so, to what end? Did he want an excuse to hang out with Marinette, and if so, why? If that were truly the case, why did he stop visiting her? When did he think of creating the worry dolls, and when did he have the time to make them? What happened to the scarf? Did he give it to someone else? Did he keep it for himself? Did she have to be on the lookout for a blonde boy wearing a red crocheted scarf with six black stripes on it? Did she seem more stressed than normal, which is why he switched gears and decided on the dolls instead?

More and more questions swirled around in her head until she became dizzy.

"The best part, I think," Chat Noir re-adjusted on his pillow, lounging with his legs spread out in front of him, "Is that I made sure to keep them small enough to hide. If I'm going to be completely honest, I had another gift for you. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if I were to see you wearing it, I would know who you are, as a civilian. I also knew you would realize that, and then never wear it, which would be a shame. I wanted to give you something you could keep with you; to look at, and enjoy every day. That's when I remembered learning about the worry dolls when I was younger. They're actually pretty easy to make, so the hardest part was drawing on the faces."

"What did you do with the original gift?" Ladybug's heart thumped against her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"I'm saving it."

"For?"

"For when it's a good idea to give it to you." Chat Noir winked, then held out his mug. "Is there more cocoa?"

Ladybug tucked her dolls back into their box, and tenderly placed it inside her picnic basket. She then refilled Chat Noir's mug before mischievously smiling.

"Alright, well, now that I have to top those worry dolls, are you ready for your gift?"

Chat Noir's eyes shot up to meet Ladybug's. He then glanced around their picnic, his eyebrows stretched upward, as if he was asking This isn't it?

Ladybug reached into her basket, and pulled out a ball just small enough for her to still palm. She lobbed it over to Chat Noir.

"Dogs play with balls, M'lady." Chat Noir teased as he caught it. "Unless this is secretly made of yarn." It was unmistakably made of plastic, but he still felt the need to joke.

"No yarn, but-." She pointed to the side of the orb.

Chat Noir twisted it in his hands. The plastic had slits throughout the sides, all blocked off by electrical tape lining the inside. The part that Ladybug pointed to was a circular lid that could be twisted off.

"A hamster ball? Did you get me a hamster?" Chat Noir sounded a bit too excited by the prospect, and Ladybug feared cat-like instincts had actually kicked in, much like his spontaneous purring.

"Would I have thrown it to you if it had an animal inside? Just open it already."

"Such bizarre wrapping here, Bugaboo," he teased as he unlocked the lid. "Slips of paper?" He pulled one out, and read the words typed across it. "'If you had intro music, what song would it be?' Ladybug, what is this?"

"You wanted to get to know me more, so I figured out a way for you to do that. I came up with about a hundred questions, and then cut them up into strips. You now get to blindly fish out questions for me to answer. I was careful to come up with ones that will let us know each other better, but won't give away anything personal that could reveal ourselves."

"Wait. 'Let us know each other'? 'Reveal ourselves'? Why do I feel like I'm included in this somehow?"

"Clever kitty." Ladybug gave him a delighted half-smile. "I have one rule to this game: any question you decide to ask me you must answer as well. I can't have this being a one-sided get-to-know-your-partner game, can I?"

"Alright. Deal. So let's go with the one I already asked: If you had intro music, what song would it be?"

Ladybug pursed her lips and leaned onto her hand as she thought. "I do have intro music." She winked and started singing Clara Nightingale's song about her. She then transitioned into the song Jagged Stone wrote about her.

"Well, that's just not fair," Chat Noir pouted. "No one wrote a song about me."

"Oh! Kitty, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have included that question. That was rude of me."

"It's okay, I was just teasing." Chat Noir bumped her shoulder with his before pondering his answer. "Me at Night by Moment of Zen. 'The sun sets, that's when I'm most myself. No one to tell me no. No one to shun my way of life. The sun sets, and all that's left is me.'" He then broke into a drum solo, flaring his arms around.

"That's really deep there, Chat Noir." Ladybug bit into one of the sugar cookies.

"I'm more introspective and mysterious than you believe, M'lady." Chat Noir picked up a cookie as well as he reached into the hamster ball. "Alright. Next question: What's the most useful thing you own?" Ladybug simply held up her yo-yo. "No, seriously this time."

"My cellphone then. A little computer right in your pocket? What could be more useful than that? Need to figure out if an akuma is attacking? Phone. Need to contact my friends? Phone. Need a tutorial on something I'm working on? Phone. Need to research for a project? Phone."

Chat Noir laughed and waved for her to stop. "Okay, I get it. Let's see. I think I have to go with the mini-fridge in my bedroom." Ladybug quirked an eyebrow at him. "I'm being serious. My kwami practically refuses to eat anything other than cheese, so I have to stay well-stocked, and having it all stored in my room where I have privacy is kind of a god-send."

"Alright. I accept your answer."

"You had the option of not accepting?" They both laughed as they enjoyed more cookies, unintentionally dunking the biscuits into their hot cocoa in time with each other. "Ooo, here's a good one." Chat Noir popped the rest of his gingerbread man into his mouth as he read the next slip of paper. "If you could have any animal as a pet, what animal would you choose?"

Ladybug leaned over Chat Noir's lap so she could tap on the hamster ball. "I've wanted one for years. Hamsters are just adorable, and they're basically pocket-sized, so it would feel like I had a second kwami covered in fur."

"I was actually going to say pretty much the same thing! See, we're just so in sync, aren't we?"

"That's not one of the approved questions," Ladybug teased. Now understanding Chat Noir's earlier excitement, Ladybug felt a twinge of guilt about using a hamster ball for their game. It was just the easiest way to have a blind-bowl, and they were fairly cheap to buy.

"Fine, fine." Chat Noir pulled out another slip of paper. He didn't seem upset at all as he giddily read the next question aloud. "If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?"

Ladybug let out an abrupt belly laugh. "I forgot about that question. I think I'd catch up on all of my hobbies: crafting, playing video games, reading, watching shows, that kind of stuff. Between school, school work, and superhero work, I don't really have much free time left. The little bit I do have is usually spent with my friends. I love it, but it also means I don't have 'me time' for the stuff I like to do solo. What about you?"

"I'd do as much research as possible to figure out who you are." Chat Noir smirked, and then flinched as Ladybug teasingly smacked him in the chest. "Hey! Alright, fine. I- uh-" Chat Noir's eyes darkened as he slumped a bit. "I can't really answer then. I mean, I'd still be doing research, but what I'd be researching would be personal." He rolled a shortbread cookie across his knuckles like it were a coin.

He looked really vulnerable, and Ladybug didn't know what to do with that information. This game was supposed to be fun. She quickly reached into the ball to pull out a question; ignoring Chat Noir's protest.

"How often do you play sports?" She laughed like the question was ridiculous. "This," she gestured to her superhero outfit, "is the most athletic I get, actually. I will play a sport now and again to stay active and have fun, but I don't do it regularly. Not unless you count phys. ed.?"

"I am shocked, L.B.!" Chat Noir rested his hand on his chest, and gasped overly dramatically. Whatever his mysterious research would be about, the darkness that descended upon him just as quickly vaporized. "And here I play sports at least twice a week."

"What sports?"

Chat Noir waved his finger and smirked. "Now, Ladybug, I don't believe that is one of the approved questions. Although, I could sift through here to see if I can find it." He started rummaging about in the ball.

Ladybug giggled. "Touché. I didn't put that question in there, and you're right, answering it might have given me a clue to your true identity."

"Alright, well, since I'm here anyway," he pulled out a slip of paper. "What do you do to improve your mood when you're in a bad one? Oh, nice, anti-akumatization tips!"

"I look for the positive. It helps that I have my kwami to help cheer me up, but even before her, I had my parents or my friends. So surrounding myself with good and positive people is what really helps me. I just remind myself that I'm amazing, and I can solve any problem. Whatever trouble I'm dealing with isn't going to be permanent. I can find a way to get back to a good place. You?"

"I become Chat Noir. Running around Paris, being out of the house, and just experiencing true freedom really helps me clear my mind. I can also imagine you being somewhere in the city, and that helps cheer me up." Chat Noir leaned close, and Ladybug pushed him back upright, ringing the bell at his collar as she pulled away from him.

"Alright. Enough of that." She tapped the hamster ball, and Chat Noir pulled out the next question.

"How often do you people watch?"

"Quite a bit, actually." Ladybug didn't even hesitate when she answered.

"Ladybug! I didn't realize you were such a voyeur!" Chat Noir again melodramatically gasped.

Ladybug gently shoved him. "Not like that! But I want to make sure people aren't going to be akumatized, so if I'm not supposed to be paying attention to other things, I'll sit and watch people. It also helps inspire me when I need to tap into my Spring of Inspiration. People are just so fascinating, and it's fun to observe how they act when they aren't thinking about people watching them." She scrunched her whole face into an exaggerated pout. "Don't judge."

"I'm not! I'm totally not." Chat Noir waved his hands defensively as he chuckled. "I get it. I do the same thing. I don't really do it all that frequently, though. I don't have the free-time to do so as much as I'd like. But when I do find a random lull in my day, I really enjoy people watching."

"It's fun, isn't it? To kind of get a window into someone else's life? To imagine what the rest of their day-to-day looks like? Is it what you are watching right then, or is that a special occasion you're spying on? It's so fascinating."

The two continued talking and answering questions from the hamster ball until a nearby clock chimed midnight. Startled by the time, Chat Noir helped Ladybug clean up their picnic; the cookies and cocoa long gone. He pointed out that he still had questions left in the ball to ask, and Ladybug agreed that he was allowed to ask her any and all of them whenever he wanted, as long as they weren't in the middle of an akuma attack.

"Thank you for this, Ladybug."

"It was actually my pleasure, Kitty Cat."

Ladybug wasn't sure what she was thinking, only that she clearly wasn't. She was moving on impulse. She gave him an abrupt peck on the cheek before quickly stepping away from him. Hanging her head to try to hide her blush, and glanced up through her bangs at him. "Merry Christmas."

Chat Noir's mouth hung open as he rubbed where she kissed him. He then smiled and gave her a simple nod. "Merry Christmas, M'lady. I hope yours was even half as amazing as mine was."

They stood there. Silent. Basking in the glow of the Eiffel Tower and the Place de Trocadéro, both beautifully lit up for Christmas. Each superhero had a million more things to talk about, and yet nothing that needed to be said. Ladybug moved first, as she scooped up her basket, waved to Chat Noir, and lassoed her yo-yo around a nearby flagpole. A second later, she was swinging her way around Paris as she traveled home.

As she landed on her balcony, she de-transformed, and quietly snuck into her bedroom. The place was dark, quiet, and warm, but it also felt lonely for the first time. Using only the little bit of light that shone across the Seine from the Notre-Dame, Marinette climbed down her ladder, tucked her picnic basket away, and pulled out her new set of worry dolls.

She quickly dressed for bed, and then scooped her dolls back up. Turning to her ladder, Marinette pressed the dolls tightly against her chest, as if she could sense the love Chat Noir poured into them if she hugged them close enough. She just about did, too.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the silhouette of her feathered rose. The faint moonlight cast silver highlights along the pedals, draping it in soft spotlight. The small, wrapped box still rested beside the vase, taunting Marinette slightly.

She unclipped the Chat Noir worry doll, and held it up to her face. The green eyes were far more intense then they deserved to be; more than they probably looked to anyone else. She already missed looking into those eyes for real. She had just spent hours with him, but she now felt empty knowing he was again lost within Paris; mysteriously disappeared to wherever it was he came from. Wherever home was for him.

She was ecstatic that he had such a great day, but it also meant Marinette's last chance for him to stop by to spend time with her civilian self had probably come and gone. At least she had the new worry doll now. He wouldn't know it was Marinette carrying it; whispering her troubles to it, but he'd now always be with her regardless. She would have both best friends whenever she needed them.

Heck, Marinette mused as she glanced at the Rena Rouge doll, I could carry both of my besties around in my pocket now, if I wanted.

"Marinette?" Tikki chirped from her chosen's loft, the blankets already untucked, "Are you coming to bed? It's late, and you should get some rest."

"Yeah, I'm coming up." Marinette placed the Chat Noir worry doll against the small package on her desk. She rubbed the top of its head with her index finger, like she were petting a cat. Leaning in close, she decided to give her worry doll its first try.

"I'm sorry I couldn't figure out a reason Ladybug would have this gift from me to you, Chat Noir," she told the doll, "And now I'm not sure I'll ever get a chance to give it to you."

The doll slumped slightly, its head resting against the package. The little smile drawn on was so sincere looking, as if it could indeed feel, and was re-assuring her that it was alright. He knew she cared for him, and that was all that mattered.

"Wow! These dolls really do work!" Marinette no longer felt saddened about her ungifted present, or about the fact that Chat Noir never visited her. She just felt at peace with the idea that he had a great day, and a lovely evening with her superhero half. That was all that mattered; not some physical possession. "Merry Christmas, Chat Noir. Until I see you again." She then whispered as if she were telling the worry doll a deep secret. "You're always welcome to invade my roof-top sanctuary. Whenever you need it."

She stood up, cupped the bloom of her rose, and climbed into bed. As she snuggled under her covers, she tucked the other worry dolls under her pillow, and pressed her hand against a picture of Adrien she had pinned to the cork-board on her wall.

"Good night to you as well, Adrien. I hope your Christmas was just as amazing as Chat Noir's, and mine." She gave the picture a quick kiss, and then relaxed her head on her pillow. She was fast asleep within minutes, knowing it was one of the greatest Christmas weeks she had ever experienced.

**A/N: Thus ends the main story of "Woven Heartstrings." Just have the epilogue to go, which should not be the 5000+ word beasts these past few chapters have been. What does everyone think of the gifts LadyNoir gave to each other? Just a simple picnic didn't feel like enough for the partners, but a game of questions seemed fitting: give the gift of a memorable experience.

Fun factoid: Moment of Zen was the name of my husband's stupidly short-lived 2-man band in college. The other guy just didn't feel like committing, so they broke up. As for the song? I just pulled that one out of my butt. :D It was partially inspired by the song "Live At Night" by Different Heaven ft Sophie Simmons. If you like soft electronic dance music, give it a listen.

As for the worry dolls? A co-worker of mine was actually reading an article about them last week, and it just seemed perfect for Chat Noir's gift. Especially with the fandom becoming more and more nervous for Marinette's safety after nearly becoming akumatized twice. I had always known that CN wasn't going to actually give the scarf to Ladybug – originally giving it to Gabriel instead – but that meant I needed a different idea for his lady. I remembered making my own worry dolls in elementary school: sometimes out of yarn-woven or marker-colored wooden clothes pins; sometimes out of pipe cleaners. When I was in middle school, my Spanish class even made some worry dolls out of decorative cocktail toothpicks and embroidery floss. I had never attempted to make them the way Adrien did, but after hitting up Pinterest, I thought they would be the best ones for him to make, and now I really want to make some myself. I might have to hit up the craft store sometime this week...

Anyway, thank you for reading. Just a little bit more to go before I can officially close out this story. You guys are amazing for sticking with me and giving me so much love. Mwah!**