Day 12 (December 12th) - Traditions

Her alarm chimed at her, and Marinette smiled. She didn't really need it, but it was nice to know that she wasn't running late for once. In fact, with just a little bit of scheming on her part, this should be the best night ever!

She heard a tell-tale thump on her balcony above, followed by a familiar knock.

"Come on in!" she called, and grinned mischievously.

After that horrible night when they'd confided in each other during the Glaciator incident, she and Chat Noir had found themselves meeting more and more. He'd "just happen" to be passing by. She'd "just happen" to have some leftover pastries.

"Hey, would you like to talk?"

It'd gotten more and more regular, and the excuses got fewer and fewer, until they'd finally declared Saturday night to be their own personal movie night (it left Friday night open for sleepovers with Alya, and Sunday she needed to go to bed early for school).

Their own tradition. A close-kept secret that they hid away from the rest of the world.

But this year… well, could she help it if their little tradition overlapped with another family tradition?

Chat Noir dropped into her room with his usual incorrigible smirk.

"Hello, and Mari Christmas!" he said with a bow.

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I forget how much I hate that nickname, and then this time of the year rolls around…."

"Aww, but it's cute! Cute. Little. Mari." He playfully flicked her nose and grinned. Marinette tried to fight her own smile, but it was hard with him around. His easy humor had always made her laugh.

"Well, speaking of Christmas," she said, clearing her throat, "I have a proposition, if you're interested."

"Oh?"

"As you know, my parents run a very successful bakery."

"No, really?" Chat said sarcastically. "I couldn't tell from all the delicious smells wafting up here."

"And, as you may know, the key to being successful is to keep the store open when people need it," Marinette continued, ignoring him. "My parents have found that a large number of people discover last-minute that they need pastries or bread on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Problem? Practically nobody is open, because everyone wants to be with their families."

"I sense you're coming to a point."

"So, my parents decided to capitalize on the business they could get by remaining open, and still have a family get-together for Christmas," she explained. "The trick was… simply choose another night to celebrate. We have a feast, play games, and open presents together. And… tonight's that night!"

Chat Noir blinked in surprise. Then he stepped back, his ears already drooping a bit.

"Oh! Well, I don't wanna intrude on your family time…."

"That's just it, Chat!" Marinette said brightly, scooping up a package from her desk and holding it out to him. "I vaguely asked my parents if I could bring a friend this year."

"Vaguely?" He repeated, slowly taking the package.

"I didn't mention who that friend was, so if you decide you don't want to join us, no pressure." She smiled as the package's wrapping paper fell away to reveal a green Santa hat with a black paw print on the front. Chat gave a choked little laugh. "But I'd really like it if you came," she added.

He looked up at her, his eyes sparkling. "Well, what are we waiting for?!" he said, eagerly jamming the hat on his head. He laughed a bit when his cat ears poked through the little "ear flaps" she'd added.

"You're amazing, princess. But wait! I don't have any presents!"

"I think your 'presence' will be enough, Chat Noir," Marinette giggled, taking his arm and leading him downstairs.

"Christmas puns!" he said, delighted. "You shouldn't challenge the master, princess, or Yule be sorry!"

Marinette laughed. "Icy what you did there!"

"Just wait," he winked. "There's myrrh."

They were both laughing as they came down the stairs. Tom and Sabine looked up at their arrival. They were only surprised for a moment before their faces burst into welcoming smiles.

"I was wondering when Marinette's friend would arrive," Sabine gushed. "I didn't realize he was already here!"

"Err, yeah…" Chat said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He and Marinette were suddenly very much aware of how shady his upstairs entrance was.

"Do you have any allergies, Chat Noir?" Tom called from where he was stirring a sauce, breaking the tension.

"No, sir! At least, not to any foods."

"Great! Then you and Marinette can set the table. We're almost done here." Tom said jovially. "And after supper, I'm challenging both of you to a battle royale in Mecha Strike III. I need to regain my title!"

"Oh, bring it on, Papa!" Marinette called back, passing a stack of plates to Chat. "Chat here took on a real MX-01 when Gamer was akumatized!"

"Ah, that's right!" her father said, an eager glint in his eye. "I heard about that one on the news! You'll have to give us a first-hand account, my boy!"

"Not much to tell," Chat admitted, following Marinette so she could set the plates where they needed to go. "Ladybug did most of the driving; I just followed orders."

"Oh, please! Do you know how many times I died just trying to figure out those controls?"

Marinette shared a wink with her mother as her father continued to banter with Chat. They'd cornered her earlier about having someone over on Saturdays (apparently, their last movie night hadn't been quiet enough) and she'd had to confess. She hadn't told them much about her "friend," just that he didn't have a very good home life and would likely be alone for Christmas. They'd instantly jumped at the chance to invite him over officially.

And honestly, she should've known he'd get along so well with her father. They'd already started gaming puns.

She truly hoped Chat became a permanent fixture in their holiday traditions. And from the big smile growing on his face, he did too.