Ladybug and Chat Noir were on patrol Christmas night before stopping to sit down on a building by the river. Their legs dangled over the edge of the roof, and it had been quiet as they went there. Chat Noir could tell that something was still bothering Ladybug.

"I don't think she'll change."

"Who?"

"Lila?"

"What? How could you give her really good advice and then turn around and say that it won't matter?"

"You didn't see the look in her eyes, Chat."

"Ladybug?"

The heroine turned away slightly, still able to vividly see the look on Lila's face when she was akumatized despite the battle being several days prior to that night. Chat's frown dipped further, and he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, regretting talking to her with an accusatory tone.

"When we first became superheroes and Hawkmoth made an appearance by all those black moths, I wasn't afraid then; I was confident. When I was first turned invisible and I could see Lila, I was afraid."

"M'lady…"

"The akumas want our miraculouses to hold up their end of their deals with Hawkmoth. He just wanted our miraculouses so that he can make some sort of grand, costly wish. But Lila, Lila just wanted me gone."

"She was under Hawkmoth's control-"

"No, they were coexisting. He changed nothing other than her ability to make things invisible. The pure hatred in her eyes was all hers."

"I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you from that," Chat said solemnly.

"No, I needed you to stay visible. I didn't know it at the time, but Hawkmoth's powers have no effect on my lucky charm or your cataclysm. That's why you could touch the paint can but not me, the lucky charm's spray paint worked, and your cataclysm worked on Lila's wristbands despite her being invisible."

"You never cease to amaze me, m'lady," Chat cooed, scooting closer and dipping his head to rest under her chin.

Ladybug, in turn, begins lightly scratching under one of his leather ears, not knowing whether he could actually feel it or not. In short, he could, and a low rumble began building up in his chest. He sighed and leaned into Ladybug, bliss bubbling up inside of him. But, Ladybug was still conflicted. Her ease, she knew, would not settle anytime soon, and the proof was how she spent the days leading up to New Year's Eve.

It had been a long, long, long week; Ladybug and Chat Noir never really both got to relax. One or both was always on patrol, watching over Lila. Thankfully, they had each other for company. Unthankfully, inches of snow covered the ground, keeping the air well below freezing.

Chat wore the hat that Marinette had made him along with a him-themed onesie that he only somewhat wore ironically, and Ladybug wore the ladybug-themed duffle coat that Adrien had bought her as an extra Christmas present in order to fight the cold.

The weather was grueling, and daylight hours dwindled with every passing day. When both heroes were on watch, Ladybug would bring coffee and croissants while Chat Noir would bring a large blanket.

Sometimes they talked; sometimes they didn't. There was focus in silence and in conversation, but peace was only found in the latter. Ladybug would talk about fashion for hours, and Chat would relax as he listened to his love gush about something she was so passionate about. When it was his turn to talk, he would talk about his own hobbies: fencing, chinese tutoring, modeling, and piano lessons. He wasn't as enthusiastic as Ladybug when talking about them, but it made him happy nonetheless to have someone around and that that someone is actually listening to him.

On that last night of the year in particular, Ladybug hadn't made it but a few rooftops away from her balcony when her yo-yo chimed.

'I need to switch out so that I can get ready for the party.'

Ladybug read Chat Noir's text, having already been on her way to the park to discreetly watch over Lila's apartment. Both of them were paranoid of another akuma, and thus had been taking turns watching over the place just in case a little, black butterfly started fluttering towards Lila's room.

As soon as the two locked eyes and nodded towards each other, Chat sprinted off towards his house.

Ladybug perched herself on the edge of a roof adjacent to Lila's apartment. The sun was already setting, providing perfectly-shaped shadows for the heroine to fall into. It didn't matter that it was New Year's Eve and she had to be at the Agreste manor for a party in two hours; it didn't matter that Lila had been invited and stated that she wasn't coming. What mattered was that, until she felt safe about it, Ladybug would not leave Lila alone to be akumatized.

She was grateful for the party and how it was planned. The fact that Gabriel, Mr. Hermit himself, had greenlit the party was a step that Marinette hadn't found completely inconspicuous when Adrien had told her about it. But, what she was more grateful for than her boyfriend's flowering social life was the mass of the party. With the amount of people in attendance, it wouldn't be difficult to slip away if the need arose for Ladybug to be called in to deal with an akuma.

Finally, at nine o'clock, Ladybug resigned and returned home. Opting for a pale grey dress with black leggings and brown boots that matched her winter coat, she put her hair up in her formal bun and walked out the door just in time to catch up with Luka, Juleka, and Rose. The four exchanged pleasant greetings before heading to the mansion for the last two hours of the year.

Nathalie buzzed them in, and Gorilla opened the door to let them inside. They were led upstairs, where they could hear Nino DJing before the door was even opened. Entering Adrien's room, most of the class was already there along with a few other students from school.

Luka, Juleka, and Rose broke off to talk with Ivan about an upcoming Kitty Section gig, leaving Marinette alone. She found Kagami in the crowd by a table of refreshments set up against the large windows. She smiled before heading over to the fellow raven-haired girl.

"Marinette, I'm happy to see you again," Kagami greeted over the music.

"Me too! I heard about your recent fencing competition. Congratulations," Marinette replied as she poured herself a cup of sparkling cider.

"Thank you, though my mother was not happy that I only got second place while Adrien got first."

"Pff, 'only second place.' You're amazing, Kagami. I'm sure that you could win against your mom someday, what with your dedication and all!"

The fencer blushed at the praise, and the two girls clinked their plastic cups before giggling.