Adrien pressed his hand against the glass and then placed his forehead against it.

God, he wanted to see Marinette so badly. He needed to see her badly. It was late so he had to leave her the previous night and he hadn't gotten the chance to see the finished product of her drawing. Well she hid most of the process so he didn't see anything.

There was a way. He could've been with her, Alya and Nino. But no, his father was controlling from the other side of the country in Italy. Just wonderful.

Alya and Nino invited both him and Marinette to go with them to the new park that just opened. It wasn't like they knew his father wouldn't let him, but because they wanted him to know they still cared.

"You're missing your girlfriend, aren't you?" Plagg rolled over on his empty plate where he'd just golfed down two wheels of raclette.

Adrien snapped his head to the said kwami immediately, "What‽ Marinette's not my girlfriend."

"Obviously she's not. That's why you go there each night." He sarcastically remarked while Adrien nodded in negation, walking to his desk. "Come on, Plagg, you know I'm in love with Ladybug."

"Marinette is really sweet and I love being around her. But she's just a really good friend." He continued but before Plagg could jute out another sarcastic reply, his phone rang.

Picking it up, it was a Facetime request and it was..."Marinette..." He gushed happily before picking up immediately. The kwami in the other end of the bed quietly murmured, "Yeah, just a friend."

"Hey Adrien." Adrien was disappointed when he answered the call and it was Alya and Nino's face that popped up on the screen. "Hey dude!"

"Hey, where's Marinette?" He didn't want to sound too obvious but he was missing that cute smile of hers.

"Oh, she's here. It was actually her idea to call you. Since you can't come, she thought we could take the phone around and show you the whole place." Alya explained.

His face softened. Of course, that was very typical of her. How did he get so lucky to have such a friend? "That's... amazing."

"Well you have Marinette to thank for that." She turned the phone and he beamed as he caught sight of the bluenette, "Thank you Marinette." He said softly and she waved, a light pink dusting her cheeks. "Oh it was nofin, I mean, nothing. You're welcome." She smiled awkwardly.

It was late evening when they finally decided to call it a day. Adrien loved the view of everything (Marinette being the favorite of all) even if he couldn't be there.

After the call ended, he quickly checked the time. It was almost 7 o'clock. He just couldn't wait to go see Marinette. But he had to show up for dinner or they'd come check up on him. He didn't want that kind of extra surveillance.

So he rushed through dinner and just as he was about to leave, Nathalie walked in.

"Adrien, your father called."

"Is he coming back?" Adrien's eyes lit up in hope. But he should've known better, Gabriel always flaked in the worst ways possible. "No, actually, we'll be joining him there soon."

"What‽" Adrien's eyes widened in horror.

"Ta-da!" Marinette lifted her sketchbook. "Done!"

While the other kwamis played and a few slept, Tikki along with Mullo and Pollen sat next to her while she made the sketches for the dress she wanted to make.

She took his advice and since she technically spent all her time with him, he was her inspiration. He didn't know that, at least not yet. She knew she would most likely die from embarrassment when he found out anyway.

Still, she was excited to show him the turnout. And it didn't even take her that many tries. She already bought the fabric when she was coming home from the park.

"It's pretty." Mullo squeaked.

"You think Catnoir will like it?"

"He'll love it. It's perfect." Tikki encouraged and then a smile came to her lips when she nodded in negation, "No, it's purrfeçt." She giggled to the pun. Catnoir was rubbing off on her already.

"Where is he anyway?" She looked up to the hatch. She'd been expecting him for long and he hadn't come. She frowned lightly.

"I'm sure he'll be here any moment."

"The blizzard seems to be getting serious. I just hope he can still make it on time."

It was late and most of the kwamis already started going to sleep. Marinette lay on her back, her gaze transfixed on the hatch above her. He'd be here any moment then. Just a little longer, she convinced herself.

It wasn't little longer. It was a lot longer. But then she heard that little thump on the hatch above her. She threw the covers off her and sprung up to open the hatch.

"Kitty, you won't believe..." She stopped immediately as she felt harsh cold breeze that blew inti her room. He quickly slid in through the open hatch and she shut the door quickly. "It's freezing out there. You shouldn't come in that blizzard." She frowned, annoyed to see him shaking a little.

She quickly reached for her blanket and draped it over his shoulders. She came closer to cover him properly. When she locked eyes with him, he gave her a sad smile.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She placed her hand to the side of his face.

"It's nothing." He forced a smile.

Her face twisted up, it was obvious that he was lying. He couldn't fool her. "I thought we agreed on talking it all out."

He didn't want to ruin the mood. And he didn't want to talk about the fact that Gabriel suddenly wanted him to come to the other side of the world, which in case it wasn't obvious, is extremely far from Marinette. He didn't want that. He was finally enjoying the holiday. He didn't want to go back to that lonely feeling.

Not when he'd tasted what true homeliness and warmth felt like.

"It's just...It's just my father."

"Did he do something to you?" She placed her other hand on his face too, cupping his face to look at her. "No, no, not that."

"Then what?" The worry and fear in her face melted to sadness. "I don't- I don't want to talk about it."

He should've probably told her that there was a probability he wouldn't get to see her for a while but he couldn't bring himself to. He just wanted to enjoy the time with her and feel happy again. Besides he didn't even know when his father wanted him to be there. If he was lucky enough, he'd get to spend Christmas with her.

"You know whatever's wrong, I would always be here for you okay? I don't ever want you to forget that." She softly ran her finger down his cheek then moved awfully close and wrapped her hands around his neck. He melted into her embrace. He needed that.

When she withdrew, she stayed close and tilted her head to place a kiss on his cheek.

The poor cat almost had a heart attack, his heart thrown into complete utter chaos a d frenzy the moment her lips touched his skin. It felt like a hot spark of electricity. The cold he felt both inside and outside thawed and he felt warm.

Maybe kinda hot because her lips lingered instead of moving. For some reason, he didn't even breathe, scared to ruin the moment. Why was it suddenly so hot?

She finally pulled away, very very slowly that he took in every expression on her face and he just loved the pink dusting her cheeks.

"Better?"

"Yes, much." He whispered breathlessly.

Her stare lasted an extra long second before she finally tore her gaze from him. There was a small silence while she sat at the other end of the bed dangling her feet. While he sat at the other end watching her.

"So...did you get to finish the sketch for the dress?"

And her excitement was back. She nodded happily and climbed off the bed then gestured him to follow her. "Yes, that's exactly what I've been waiting to show you."

He followed behind her as she climbed down the stairs making a beeline to her desk. She picked the sketch book she'd dropped earlier in her wait for him and then opened to the most current one.

She sensed him trying to look over her shoulder and she snapped it shut.

"I thought you were going to show me." He pouted and she giggled.

"I will. But first I need you to promise that you'll be brutally honest and tell me if it's bad or not."

Like she could ever do something wrong, he smiled to himself. "Definitely." After a slight hesitation, she handed it to him, opening the most current dress she drew.

He stared awestruck. Okay his father was good but he was most definitely not this good. It was too good. Of course, he couldn't tell that it was going to Catnoir themed since it wasn't in colour. But he was still very much in awe at the beauty of it.

Marinette watched him silently stare at him, her expression dropped and she covered her face with her hands. "I knew it was terri-"

"Are you making this for yourself?" He interrupted and she looked up from her hands and nodded subtly.

A wide smile came to his lips as he already begun to picture her with the dress. Gosh, she would be gorgeous in it. "It's perfect. This is wonderful."

Her doubts began to slowly float away, "You think?"

He nodded in negation, holding her hand with his free hand. "No, I know. You would look amazing in this."

She matched his smile, her nerves coming back. "Thank you, kitty. I needed the reassurance." She took the book from him and lay it open on the table.

"That you're awesome? I should probably think of a way to permanently reassure you." He spoke cheekily but he was dead serious. If she could only see herself from his eyes, maybe then she'd probably understand what an incredibly amazing friend she was.

"It's like you have a list of cheesy cliche lines to say and you're just waiting to drop them whenever you get an opening." Marinette groaned as went to retrieve the fabric she'd bought earlier. Catnoir laughed and then feigned hurt, placing his hand on his chest, "That hurt. I really meant that line."

She giggled, placing the fabric on the table, "I know, I'm just messing with you."

"It's pretty." He gestured to the fabric as she spread as best she could. It was a spontaneous green and black pattern, flowered like tiny checkered patterns. "Really really pretty."

"Thanks. I really liked the colors so I bought it immediately." She casually blew up the fact that she personally scampered the whole store for the perfect colours till she found it. "Well green and black is a great choice." He gestured to himself.

She smiled, "I guess it's just another reason to think of you."

"You'll probably be thinking about me a lot then." He wiggled his brows as he also leaned over the table, admiring the fabric. "You're too much, gosh." She bopped his nose, pushing his face lightly back.

"What's the dress for? Any special occasions?" He asked as she brought out a tape along with a book and a pen.

"Not actually. I just really love the concept of the New year's masked gala. So I just wanted to make an evening gown that could suit it even if I'm not attending. And i also haven't made anything for myself in a while." She placed the other things she needed to start the dress on the other side of the table.

"And you're also going to help me." She continued. "You do know, I've never made a dress before." He stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world, which it should've been.

"Well then you're going to learn. I'll go get some snacks then we can start."

A few minutes later, she was back with a tray of croissants. They, well he did most of the work, but they finished up the snacks. And then they got to work.

"Basically the first step is taking the measurements. I can do that myself. But it's more accurate when someone else does it." She handed him the tape. They were both standing in the middle of her room and he was hell confused.

"You want me to do it?"

"Yeah I can." He observed the measuring tape in his hands. "At least I think I can try." He'd been measured several times for several fashion shows but that didn't mean he knew a thing about it.

She giggled seeing his confused state, "Come on, I'll guide you through it." She stepped closer to him. Then she lifted her arms, giving him more room. "Just put the tape around me." She explained.

"How do I...?" He trailed off and hesitated. She smiled at him, "Hey, it's okay, you can touch me."

"Touch you‽" His heart raced and his eyes widened hearing her words. Not getting his drift, she looked at him confused, tilting her head to the side, "Yeah that's what I said. You can touch me." She repeated to sound clearer.

His eyes moved everywhere but on her and rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, "I don't know if...Not that I..I mean, it's totally not...what I mean is...I don't know if we should..."

She was confused at his reaction for a moment before the gears in her head clicked. Her eyes widened and she nearly choked on air. Her face exploded pale crimson and she buried her face in her hands, her body growing hot red.

"Oh my gosh, Catnoir that's not what I meant." She muffled her words into her palms.

Embarrassed was too little a word to explain them. He blushed fiercely as he realized he'd read the meaning wrong. "I'm so sorry, Princess. Really sorry."

"No, it's okay." She assured him, her face still buried in her palms. There was just no way she could meet his eyes after that.

Feeling a bit relieved, he let out a breath. Then moved to remove her hands on her face, "Wow, Princess, you're beet red."

"This is all your fault." She whined and tried to cover her face again but he held on to her wrists. He chuckled seeing her struggle. "I made you blush." He said almost like a victory remark than a statement.

Desperate to hide her flushed face, she buried her face into his chest.

Well that was a mistake. Because it drew an unintentional rumble from the blonde. Marinette's eyes shot open and she straightened up to look him in the eye. "You just purred." She giggled feeling her own embarrassment die down.

Despite trying to deny, she laughed even more, "You purred." She paused, "I made you purr."

The blonde thought he would die from the embarrassment. "And look at that." She stood on her toes to see his red cheeks, "I made you blush too." She whispered somewhat too close to him that he gulped. If only she knew the kind of chaos she'd erupted in his nervous system.

And it got worse when she didn't withdraw. Something about being able to make him blush even when she wasn't her alter ego felt so good. She leaned further and ever so slowly tilted her head to place her lips on his cheek.

He closed his eyes to savor the very very sweet warmth, heat crawling his skin. That felt wonderful.

Her lips lingered longer and then she pulled away, her eyes trailing the soft red pigment on his cheeks.

"I like that." She whispered.

(A/N- You're probably why Nathalie is not bedridden. This story is two years into the original story plot, I assume she would be better by then. So they are 16 too. Thought I'd clarify that.)