Adrien placed his hand on the glass and stared out to the evening sky. It was already the holidays which meant only one thing. Less going out, more staying in.
It was even worse this year because since his father was releasing his Christmas collection in Geneva and since he wasn't going with them, he wouldn't be the one modelling them. Which meant they wasn't any possibility he'd be going out.
Even Kagami went to her home country with her mother to visit her sick grandmother. And then his father insisted that he put his fencing on hold till she came back. So it was between his language and piano lessons. All within the four walls of the mansion.
It was like the universe was against him. He sighed, leaning further into the glass. He missed the outside. There were even less and less patrols since Ladybug was always busy.
Resting his head against the glass, he let out a small sigh, his breath fogging the glass. The weather had been awfully cold and misty but it hadn't begun to snow yet. It wasn't like it was anything new for snowfall to start late anyway.
He just couldn't understand why he couldn't go out, spend time with his friends, his father wasn't even in Paris. It was Christmas, the time he needed warmth the most but he felt even more cold and empty.
"Are you okay, kid?" Plagg hovered over him when he saw that he'd spent a long time just staring outside.
"No." He whispered, not turning around. He probably didn't deserve what other kids got. It wasn't a holiday for him. "Maybe you should transform and go out for a while."
"I'd still be alone anyway." He gave a sad smile to the kwami as his face fell. Plagg wanted to speak but he interrupted, "But it's not such a bad idea."
"Claws out!"
"And voila!" Marinette placed the last sealed box on the stark. "And k didn't even drop anyone." She dusted her hands proudly and Tom ruffled her hair, "That's my girl."
She smiled and he went on, "Now you can go up and clean up for a while, we'll call you when the next batch is ready for packaging." She pecked his cheeks before leaving them to their baking. It had been unbelievably busy in the bakery with loads and loads of orders since it was the festive season.
Entering her room, she met the kwamis playing around. She quickly made her way to the bathroom and took a shower. After her shower, she went back to sewing. She had a lot of gifts to work on and she didn't want to spend much money. It was much more thoughtful making them with her hands anyway.
Tikki was playing with a marker next to her when she suddenly let out a tiny sneeze. "Are you okay, Tikki?" Marinette immediately stopped her sewing and carried Tikki in her hands.
"It's okay, but I think I might be reacting to the cold weather." Marinette's face fell slightly and she scratched her chin. "It hasn't even started snowing yet. Is it that bad?"
"No, not at all!" Tikki hovered up, "I'm great actually, you could still transform, it's almost patrol time anyway."
"Maybe we should skip patrol today."
"You've been skipping a lot lately, don't you think Catnoir wouldn't be happy?" Marinette brushed it off with a wave, "I doubt. He has his family too, and I'm sure they need him as much as mine need me so I guess he's probably skipping a lot too."
Tikki's face fell. Adrien most definitely did not have a family with him and was probably alone but she couldn't tell Marinette that. She had talked to Plagg the previous night and she promised to help someway. But she couldn't actually push Marinette.
"We'd skip today and we can patrol tomorrow. I don't want you getting worse, okay?" Tikki agreed and Marinette smiled. "I'll go sit at the balcony for a while, you stay here." She tapped her lightly with her finger.
Marinette climbed out to the balcony. She leaned on the railing for a while staring out to the city. It was a cold evening and the night would soon descend. She watched the sun slowly set in soft colours and she let her thoughts drift.
To a certain blonde boy. The holidays began a little too early and Adrien was not happy about it, neither was she, it reduced her chances of seeing him to zero. Which was an unbelievable torture. She wondered if she could even get to give him his Christmas gift.
She heard his father was not in Paris either. He must've been lonely. She sighed and rested on the railing. Unfortunately she couldn't do anything about it. She let her eyes wonder as she scanned the city, taking in the soft evening beauty.
But then she caught a glimpse of something... Or maybe someone. "Catnoir?" She murmured in disbelief. It wasn't even patrol. Why would he be all alone on a random rooftop? Well cat on a roof was extremely plausible but considering the season. He should probably be home with his family.
She thought about transforming to say that to him but dropped the thought. And went for a second option.
"Catnoir! Catnoir!" She called out, raising her hands to get his attention. "Catnoir!"
He turned to the direction hearing his name being called, his ears picking up the sound easily. He immediately stood from his sitting position, pulling out his baton. In one vault, he landed effortlessly on her balcony. She moved back giving him enough space to.
He wondered what she might've been calling him but it wasn't the first time she was needing his help. "Marinette Dupain-"
"What is with you and calling my full name everytime you see me?" She interrupted and pinched the bridge of her nose.
He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck out of habit, "Formalities?" He said more as a question.
Marinette rolled her eyes, "And here I thought we were friends." He immediately waved his hands awkwardly, "Of course we are!"
"I'm just messing with you." She chuckled at the look in his face and he released a breath he didn't even know he was holding. "That's a relief. So..um...why did you call? Is something wrong? Need help with something?"
Her smile dropped, "It's none of that actually. I was just wondering why you were alone on a roof." She moved to rest on the railing, "I mean, since Ladybug isn't with you, shouldn't you be at home or something? I mean, it is Christmas."
Catnoir rested on the railing next to her. When she turned to him, she saw that his whole countenance had dropped. Time as superheroes didn't let them talk about personal life. Maybe he had home issues? She vaguely wondered.
"I just needed some air and some time away from home. Nothing serious." Marinette kept looking at him even as he was staring at the city lights, she knew he was lying. But she also couldn't blame him for not wanting to share anything on his personal life.
"Did something happen?"
"No, it's nothing. Just stuff. I don't wanna bother you with all that boring talk."
She wanted to reply and tell him it was okay and that she was ready to listen but then she was interrupted before she got the chance to. "Marinette!" She heard her father call. Well he sure had a bad timing.
"That's your dad!" Catnoir shot up immediately.
"Yeah, they need me at the bakery now." She also straightened up, "I guess I'll see you around?" She asked more like a question and he nodded. "Yeah."
And for the next moment, neither of them moved, just staring at the other. Marinette really didn't want to go. She wanted to stay, and talk to him, and find out what was wrong with him and then console him. Sure he was annoying most of the time but he had a soft sensitive side she wasn't accustomed to. And a part of her wanted to get to know it better.
Reluctantly she finally tore her gaze from him and walked towards the hatch. "Bye." She waved as she squatted below to open the trapdoor. "Bye." He waved back, forcing a smile.
And then his whole face dropped when she was gone. He was hoping to have a conversation with a friend, to at least to shake the edge of that loneliness away but it seemed like the universe always had it in for him. He sighed and turned away to rest on the railings again.
He didn't know how long it was that he spent staring into the sky. He watched the darkness envelope the light and then enjoyed the view of the way the stars and the nightlights illuminated the city. He let his thoughts wonder around.
Two years ago, when his mother was around, things hadn't been so bad. Even if he wasn't allowed out, she was always there for him. And now everything was ruined. He was just a cat alone in the night. Alone as always.
"I know you're a lot of things, but I didn't quite pin you as the lying type." He was startled and nearly fell off the balcony when he heard her voice and found her next to him. He hadn't even heard her coming to him.
"You scared me." He held his hand to his chest still trying to recover from the shock. She chuckled and went to lean on the railings, right next to him. "Sorry, I didn't think you'd still be here."
"I guess I was caught up in my thoughts and all. You weren't that long anyway." He tried to brush it off casually and she furrowed her brows, "Catnoir, I was gone for almost two hours!" His eyes widened in surprise, he didn't know he actually spent that much time just staring into nothing.
He rubbed the back of his neck letting out a small nervous chuckle before moving to lean down as well, "I didn't know it was that long." He muttered subtly.
There was a small silence. It stretched on for a while.
"I know you were lying when you said you were okay." Marinette mumbled, not sparing him a glance. He turned to look at her and for a moment, was actually surprised that she really cared to know what it was that bothered him.
"I...I'm fine really."
"You haven't said a joke since you got here. That's news of the century." She turned to him briefly locking their gazes. For the next moment, she didn't speak. And Catnoir was momentarily stunned at the intensity with which she stared at him. "I didn't mean to make it obvious, I'm sorry."
Marinette nearly tripped in shock at his response. Her eyes widened, "Are you apologizing for being sad?"
"I.. just...I don't wanna inconvenience you. I don't deserve to burden you with my problems." He looked away.
"What‽" Marinette muttered almost in disbelief. He just said he didn't deserve to be listened to. Was that what he thought? That he wasn't worth it? For someone who behaved quite egoistical, it was strange to see him look down on himself. To see him forget that he was important.
She placed her hand on his, it was clear as day that he needed a friend. And she could be that. With or without the costume. "Hey.." She whispered making him turn back to her, "We're friends right. True friends are always meant to be there for each other. So let me be one to you."
Catnoir's heart swelled at her care when it felt like it'd been ages since he actually felt any. "Thank you, Marinette."
"You shouldn't thank me. Just take your time, know that I'll always be there to listen." Somehow it made her heart hurt at the thought that her partner felt alone, she couldn't let that, not while she was there. What were friends for anyway?
Catnoir kept his gaze locked with hers. Something felt different, almost like he'd never shared a moment like that with her and it still felt like he'd done it tons of times. She smiled softly at him and he let himself feel lighter and smiled back.
But then his smile dropped and he turned away.
"I just hate Christmas." He finally murmured, shocking her for a moment. "What‽" She blinked at him.
"Not like that. I mean..." He paused for a moment then swallowed and continued, "I don't remember what it feels like to enjoy Christmas. The past years have just...they've been different. Ever since I lost...ever since I lost someone important to me, my home became empty. It's not even a home anymore. It's just a house. I always feel alone. Even if I was allowed to see my friends, which I'm not, they would be with their family too. I just wish I had that. But I don't." His voice broke sadly and the strain in his voice told how much it hurt, "I'm just alone."
Marinette felt her chest tighten. She could hear the pain in his voice and her heart broke at the sight of him. It was no wonder he tried to be his happiest at times. He was hiding how broken he was. Somehow it reminded her of Adrien. And somehow it filled her with so much emotion.
She straightened up and stepped closer to him. In a blink, she wrapped him up in a hug. It was short, but so full of warmth that Adrien was sure he couldn't breathe for those few seconds. "You won't be alone anymore. You would never be alone anymore." She looked up at him softly.
And suddenly something shifted in him and this time he wrapped his hand around her pulling her in for a tight hug. He didn't let go and made sure that this one lasted. It was a cold and chilly night but Catnoir felt warm. Selfishly trying to feel more of it, he tightened his arms around her.
"Kitty, I'm not breathing!" She nearly choked and he immediately let her go.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so really sorry." He immediately became apologetic and then fiddled with his fingers, shifting his gaze, "I just...I don't really get that a lot."
Her face softened and she moved to place her hand on the side of his face so he was looking at her. "Hugs are free here, you can get one anytime you like."
Catnoir didn't respond. Her hands were on his face and the feel of her bare skin made him stop for a minute. Finally getting himself back, he nodded, "Can I get another one now?"
"If you promise not to kill me." She lowered her hands to wrap around him. He melted into her touch and didn't even bother hugging back. She pulled back and locked gazes with him. "You deserve all the love in this world and I'll offer you the best I can. Don't forget you're precious and Paris wouldn't be okay if it weren't for you. You matter, okay?"
Caught up in her gaze, he could only nod. His head felt light and there was a tight nub in his chest. Everything he was feeling at the moment was strange.
Then she giggled, startling him again. Standing on her toes, she reached forward to bop his nose, "Look..." She showed him the tiny snowflake she'd just removed from his nose. "It's snow."
It started small but then more and more snow began to fall. "It's snowing!" She beamed. And something about her being excited was contagious because he suddenly felt great. "Amazing!" She opened her hands out to catch the snow and she giggled.
He smiled watching her. She was too cute for words to describe.
"It's great! That means we can make snow angels. Have you ever made a snow angel?" She squeaked in excitement and he smiled even wider, "Not actually, I didn't get to as a kid. Or now even."
Marinette's face dropped for a moment and then she smiled again. "Wanna make new Christmas memories?"
