Miraculous Devilman: Christmas Special
Disclaimer: We Do Not Own Miraculous Ladybug or Devilman. MLB belongs to Thomas Asstruc and Devilman belongs to Go Nagai. Also, this fanfic contains slight mature themes and mild language.
Christmas Special
Master Fu sat by his tea table, hunched over the book of the Miraculous and a sheet with various symbols on them. Now that Adrien has started his journey on becoming strong as an individual hero, the Guardian decided to refresh his memory on combat techniques performed by previous wielders of the cat miraculous, as well as keys to unlocking the miraculous's power at its strongest state.
Ryo sat on the other side on the table, upon which he had laid the demonic warglaive he found under the city. The detective was looking between his book and markings on the handle, trying to decipher the demon runes. "Any luck?" he glanced up at the guardian.
"Yes." The Guardian pointed at a claw-shaped symbol on the sheet, then flipped to the last page of the cat miraculous chapter, drawing a line around a phrase written at the bottom of the page. "There is this incantation that, if done right, will allow the wielder to grow out its claws the length of a sword." Master Fu stroked his beard. "A powerful gift it can be."
The detective grinned with fascination.
"Speaking of gifts," Master Fu reached under the table and pulled out a plain cardboard box, a red ribbon tied around it. He held it out to Ryo. "Merry Christmas."
Ryo stared at the box with suspicion, but took it nonetheless. Untying the ribbon and opening the box, he found two rolled up scrolls tied with braided string.
"What's this?" the detective tossed the scroll lightly from one hand to the other before untying the string.
"Ancient documents." The Guardian explained. "According to my master, when the Guardians first formed, they wrote a series of decrees which served to protect the rights of the miraculous, as well as to prevent abuse of their power." Master Fu lowered his gaze. "When the Order split, each took a decree with them. Some destroyed, others sold. My master, noble and wise, preserved the ones he had written."
Ryo skimmed through the scrolls, raising an eyebrow to bits he found interesting. He soon turned back to the guardian. "Why give this to me? And why now?"
"First, I believe these sacred texts will be safer in your hands than mine." Master Fu replied, holding up three fingers. "Second, I wish for Multi-Mouse to pledge her allegiance to these guidelines, to secure her place in the Miraculous Forces." He gazed at the scroll for a moment, then looked back at Ryo. "Lastly, it's part of a detective's job to familiarize themself with the ways of the law, and in this case, the ways of the miraculous law."
Ryo scoffed, but gave the guardian as genuine a smile as someone like him could. "Well, I certainly appreciate your trust in me. And to be fair…I wish you a happy holiday as well."
(Insert Miraculous Ladybug Theme Music)
"In the daytime, we're Marinette, Adrien, and Akira,
Just normal teenagers with normal lives.
There is something about us only few know,
Because we have a secret,"
"Miraculous and Devilman,
Fight till the end to stop Hawkmoth!
Miraculous and Devilman,
Together as one they'll save us all!
Miraculous Devilman!"
Miraculous Devilman: Holiday Special
Tis a cold and chilly morning in the city of love. What might have been a light drizzle was now a gentle snow.
Along the rooftops, the Devilman leapt across tiles. Akira rushed over the city, a delivery bag strapped across his shoulder. After scaling up onto a vantage point, he spots his target. "Alrighty, here we go," the devilman vaulted himself forward and rolled as he landed, continuing on his way to Marinette's place.
Speaking of which, the blue-haired heroine stood on her balcony, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She wore a red scarf with white threads on the edges and a pink hat with a black pom pom on top, both which she knitted herself. Ticki sat on the balcony railing, peppermint macaron in between her mitts. She too wore a little winter hat, this one purple with a blue pom pom.
"I love winter." The ladybug kwami shared. "The pretty snowflakes, the warm clothes, the sweet treats."
She nibbled on her macaroon with a smile.
"You make good points." Marinette replied. Setting her cup down, she reached into her purse and pulled out a red box tied with a green ribbon. "I hope Miki will like my gift."
"Of course she will." Akira leered over the rooftop suddenly, practically steaming despite the cold and pulling a present out of his bag. "How's it going, fearless leader?"
"The holidays seem to keep the akumas at bay, so I'm not complaining." Marinette said. She eyes the box in the Devilman's hands. "Is that for Miki?"
"Hm?" Akira looked down at his box before hopping down. "No, this is for you. A little 'Devil-delivery' from me to you," He hands her the box.
"Oh, thank you," Marinette smiled gratefully. She placed her gift back in her purse and slowly tore the wrapping paper, opening the box. Within was a pair of oven mitts, with the letters "M" and "DC" embroidered on them respectively.
"Ooh," Marinette's eyes shimmered in excitement. putting the box down, she put the mitts and felt around inside. They were just the right size.
"They suit you," Ticki complimented.
"I love them." Marinette concluded. She turned to Akira. "Do thank my Secret Santa for me when you see them."
"Sure thing," the Devilman winked, "Don't suppose you need some devil-delivery service too?"
"Actually, I was about to offer to make a miraculous delivery, should you need one." Marinette responded. "Who's Secret Santa are you?"
"Yellow-top," Akira grins, "I mean Adrien. I've actually got his here." The devilman reaches into his delivery bag and pulls out another box. "Could ya hand this to him when you get the chance?"
"Sure." Marinette nodded, taking the box. "And one more thing." She reaches into her purse again and pulls out a container with three peppermint macaroons inside. She held them out to her friend. "Holiday treats, on the house."
"Ooh," Akira licked his teeth at the sight before shaking his head. He puts the container in his bag. "Mighty thanks. I've got a few more stops to make, so I'm hitting the road." The Devilman starts climbing up the roof.
"Stay warm." Marinette called after him. "And stay out of trouble."
"Heh, same to you." Akira gives a thumbs up before dashing over the roof line and speeding off.
(Meanwhile)
Chat Noir leaped from rooftop to rooftop, heading for the apartment Ryo shared with his other two friends and allies. He carried a sack with his present inside, a Santa hat on his head. Soon he arrived on the roof of the apartment. Extending his staff, he slowly slid down, counting the windows and stopping at the window to Ryo's room. He tapped on the window.
"Ho Ho Ho, anybody home?"
Inside, Miki turns to see and quickly goes to open the window. Mullo peers up from under the sill. "My, what brings Chat Noir to my apartment?" the heroine asks with a cheeky grin.
"I've got a gift for a certain Devilman." Chat Noir held up the sack. "I was hoping a certain detective could deliver this for me."
Miki tilted her head. "The boys are out today, but I'm sure they'll be around at some point."
Mullo eyed the sack in curiosity. "Is that a Christmas thing?" the kwami asked, to which Miki nodded.
"You can either leave it here with me, or you could go looking for Ryo. I'm all done with my gifts so maybe I could join you?" She tapped the small pendant around her neck.
Chat Noir grinned. "Sure can, Miss Claus." he winked and pulled out his present from the sack, along with a Santa hat identical to his. "Here."
With a grin, Miki put the hat on and took the present. She hid the box under one of the beds, then turned to her kwami. "Mullo, Get Squeaky!"
(Elsewhere)
Ryo walked down the street, indulging himself in a cigarette, the scrolls inside his bag slung over his shoulder. He looked over at some of the houses, decorated from top to bottom with holiday lights and inflatables.
"Why do the holidays gotta be so damn colorful?" the detective mumbled to himself.
He then paused. The feeling of being watched washed over him. The blonde wrapped his fingers around his gun inside his coat.
"Happy Holidays!"
Ryo turned around, pulling out his gun and holding it out in front of him. His cold glare quickly snapped to a dismayed confusion as it was Akira before him, toting his bag.
"Akira? The hell are you doing?" the detective pulled his gun away as Akira chuckled.
"I brought a little something for ya. Courtesy of 'Devil deliveries'." He pulled out a wrapped gift box, to which Ryo warily took it.
"You really are enjoying this," The blonde gave him a grin, hefting the box under his arm. "I take it you're having fun running around."
"Yeah, well that was my last delivery of the day." Akira strode beside his best friend and wrapped his arm around Ryo's shoulder. "How about we get that to the apartment and go for a stroll?"
Ryos' brow raised in surprise. "You're not going to take Miki out somewhere?"
The devilman looked up to the sky. "She's gonna be out today, going to practice around the city with Mullo. Besides, it's been a long time just the two of us did something not involving peril."
The detective slowly smiled to match his partners sawtooth grin. "You wanna go for a drive?"
"Sure, at least to the apartment. Then we can walk."
"Is the devilman not wanting the fast lane?" Ryo raised an eyebrow, to which Akira chuckled. "Nah, I just don't want you to hit someone on the holidays."
Ryo chuckled, for the first time in a long time. Akira's grin deepens at the sight, "Oh I just remembered." he reached into his bag and pulled out a macaroon, presenting it to Ryo.
"Marinette made these for us. Try it."
The detective took it, observing it in his fingers for a few moments before taking a small bite out of it. It was good. Slightly embarrassed as Akira eagerly watched him, Ryo silently but slowly ate the rest of it.
"Good, huh?" the devilman goaded his friend, but simply continued walking with him as Ryo faked a cough to save face.
('maybe a bit of color isn't so bad') Ryo thought, glancing at his friend. Something about the cheer was infectious in a way he couldn't quite describe. ('and I guess Ladybug has more than one kind of power too,') he thinks, the taste of the treat still lingering in his mouth.
He felt rather silly, letting himself indulge in these thoughts. Walking with Akira like they did as elementary students, and savoring the taste of something nice.
Then again, he thought, when would he get a chance to be like this again?
Akira glanced at Ryo to find the detective staring at him. "What is it?" the devilman asked.
"...thank you, Akira. For sticking with me. I've quite literally dragged you through hell with me and still. You're so…upbeat."
The devilman nudged him. "Aw, c'mon Ryo. We're best friends . I'm here with you to the end. I promised you before I became devilman, and I still mean it now."
Akira gripped Ryos hand, in the same way a little kid grabs their friend's hand. Ryo now had the faintest flush across his face. If he hadn't felt silly before, he sure did now. But more than that, he was happy. And for Ryo, in that moment walking alone with just Akira on that chilly day, that was the only thing that seemed to matter for some reason. Swallowing his pride, the detective let out a flustered sigh as Akira led him down the sidewalk with a wide smile.
(Over at the Agreste Residence)
Ladybug ran across fences and jumped from tree to tree till she got up to the window of Adrien's bedroom. She quietly pushed the glass window open and slipped inside. Everything seemed more or less the same since the last time she was here, minus some socks on the floor and the Adrien perfume poster nowhere to be seen.
Ladybug reached into her yoyo and pulled out the present, setting it on the bed. She swung her leg over the window, before looking back at the empty room. With a sigh, she walked over to the desk, took out a pen and sticky note from a drawer, and wrote up a holiday greeting. She stuck the note on the present, hands on her hips.
"Merry Christmas, Adrien." She said out loud. With that said and done, she slipped back out the window into the winter air.
(Later at the Dupain-Cheng Bakery)
It was sundown when Adrien and Miki reverted to civilian mode, deciding to take it easy for the rest of the evening. After deliveries were done, the two had gone Christmas caroling, which gave the Parisians an opportunity to get to know Muti-Mouse better as well as hear Chat Noir's "sweet" singing voice.
"If being a hero doesn't work out, maybe I should go into show business." Adrien quipped with a knowing grin.
"I don't know about the singing, but you sure can dance." Miki chuckled. "Must be fun going around and putting smiles on people's faces."
"It's refreshing to hear them laughing with joy rather than screaming in panic." Adrien said.
"Oh hey, it's the bakery," Miki spotted the shop down the street. "How about we go say hi to Marinette?"
Adrien bit his lip for a moment, but nodded and began to quicken his pace. "Last one there is a stale croissant!" to which Miki took chase. The two burst through the door in short order.
"I win!" They exclaimed at the same time, followed by a couple chuckles.
"Oh, hey guys," Marinette stood by the counter, a tray of fresh macaroons in front of her. "Happy holidays."
"Great to see ya," Miki waved, "Adrien and I were out caroling and figured we'd head in. You doing alright?"
Marinette nodded. "Business is always blooming during the holidays. Gives me the opportunity to practice." She gestures to the tray of macaroons. "Peppermint and hazelnut ginger. Help yourself." She reached under the counter and pulled out two DVDs. "Elf or How the Grinch Stole Christmas?"
"Eh?" Miki tilted her head in confusion, turning away from the tray. "Oh, movie night?"
"Yep." Marinette replied. "Got lights over the TV for the occasion and I'm popping caramel popcorn as we speak." Her eyes widened. "The popcorn!" She dropped the DVDs and dashed into the kitchen.
Adrien picked up the DVD that read How the Grinch Stole Christmas. "I saw this once as a kid." His face fell to a frown for a moment, but quickly smiled again and turned to Miki. "I think you'll enjoy it."
"Alright then," Miki returned the smile. "I'll call Akira and Ryo. They ought to see it too."
The door above the bakery door jingled, and Luka stepped inside. "Merry Christmas- Oh, hey you two." The blue-haired musician greeted.
"Hey Luka. Great to see ya," Miki turned in surprise. She then looks to Adrien and at herself. "I hope we're not intruding on anything you had planned?"
"Marinette is setting up a movie night, right?" Luka said with a smile. "I brought a speaker." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small speaker.
"You watch movies with a speaker?" Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"It adds to the experience." Luka answered with a shrug. "How have you been, Adrien?"
"Alright, I guess." The blonde replied. "Miki and I went Christmas caroling." He looked at Miki as he added, "She could be the new Mariah Carey."
"Oh come on now," Miki waved it off with a grin as she rang up Akira and Ryo.
Luka gave a light chuckle, "Sounds like you had fun then. Maybe we could get the band together next time. I'm sure curious to hear you two in action."
"Yeah, maybe." Adrien responded, rubbing the back of his head.
"I got it!" Marinette burst out of the kitchen, pot of caramel popcorn in her hands. She wore the new oven mitts she got earlier. "The caramel popcorn is saved!" She paused as she noticed her boyfriend. "Luka, you're early." She put the popcorn pot on the counter and walked over to the three.
"Early is on time." Luka said with a smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little green box with a red bow. "Also, I got you this."
With curiosity in her eyes, Marinette took the box and opened it. A mixed look crossed her face as she pulled out a necklace with a ladybug pendant.
"It's..lovely." Marinette replied, though her eyes didn't match her smile.
Adrien looked back and forth between the two, wondering why he felt tension.
Miki's smile drew thin as she saw the gift, tensing up as she hung up her phone.
"Here, allow me." Luka grabbed the jewelry and fastened it around his girlfriend's neck. "It suits you."
The quiet attitude was thrown off as Akira burst through the door. "Heard there was a party?" Ryo walked in behind him, raising an eyebrow at his partner. "Happy holidays," the detective puts on his slight smile.
Ryo makes his way to Adrien as Akira shakes hands with Luka then shifts his focus to Miki.
"So, I heard we were watching a movie?"
"Yeah, it's one Marinette wanted to show us." Miki responds, her smile still a bit uneasy. Akira notices this, rubs her shoulder gently, and turns to Mari. "Alright then, fearless leader. Whatcha got for us?" his sawtooth grin radiates an eagerness that cuts through the tension.
How the Grinch stole Christmas." Marinette picked up the DVD and held it up for everyone to see. "A holiday classic." She gestured to the cushions and chairs in the corner of the shop. "Make yourselves comfortable."
With that, the five of them made their way towards said comfy corner and sat down.
"Should I take off my shoes?" Akira asked.
"I don't give a shit." Ryo rolled his eyes.
Adrien adjusts his position on a cushion. Although he was with friends, this awkward feeling was still eating at him. He wiped his forehead, though he wasn't sweaty. He looked at his ring, trying to steady his breathing
.…
As the movie ran its course, it went from slower moments where the two couples unintentionally grew closer to waves of laughter where Akira reared back and even Luka lost his usual cool. Ryo sat silent throughout the whole thing, only glancing when Akira made a joke about him being a Grinch.
In slower scenes or soft musical numbers, Miki did her best to stay awake, which had her resting her head on Akira's shoulder.
Luka and Adrien shared an uncomfortable laugh at a rather raunchy scene in the middle, both feeling a bit of sweat as the devilman chuckles and nudges Miki. That only got him a pinch in the ear, to which the other two boys had a genuine laugh.
Adrien offered a dry chuckle at the scene where the Grinch read off his schedule, though in truth it all hit too close to home. Adrien tugged at the collar of his shirt, feeling hot all of a sudden. He felt his breath shortening, and without warning, stood up and hurried into the kitchen, the doors slamming shut behind him.
Ryo grabbed the remote and paused the movie, Akira and Miki rising and looking back in concern. "Adrien?" Miki called out to the shut door.
"I've got it." Marinette stood up and headed for the kitchen door. "Keep watching." She rushed inside without hesitation.
Luka stood as though he wanted to say something, but drew back with a simple "Good luck."
"Geez, you folks and your drama," Akira scratched his head with a slight grumble.
"Akira," Miki chided him before turning to Luka. "You going to…keep an eye out?"
The musician shook his head. "No, spying on them will make it worse. Marinette can handle him…" Luka wanted to say more, but he didn't quite have the words. "You three go on without me, I'm going to get some air." And with that he headed for the stairs.
Inside the kitchen, Adrien crawled under the sink, bringing his knees up to his chest. He tried to focus on his breathing, .. his mind was racing with unpleasant thoughts.
"Stupid.." he muttered to himself. "You're supposed to be getting better. Stop being like this." He felt tears forming, but he pushed them down.
"Adrien?"
The blonde boy heard Marinette's footsteps approaching, but he refused to look at her. He can't handle anyone else seeing him in such a weak state.
"Please, don't look at me." Adrien whispered.
Marinette rounded a corner, and quickly spotted him. "Adrien, what happened?" she knelt down to get a look at him, but then decided to sit with her back to the cabinets. She tried to find the right words, and eventually settled with, "Look, the others are worried about you. I told them to give you some space…but I'm here to keep you company if you need it."
"I don't want to talk about it." Adrien tried to keep his voice firm, but some hesitation can be heard in his words. "All I ever do is talk. It doesn't change the fact that I screwed up." His hand tightened into a fist. "I've got to stop being a baby and grow up."
Marinette shifted her feet. "You don't have to tell me. I can…understand what you're probably going through. Everything feels out of control, like no matter what you do there's always something you should have been more careful about…" she shook her head. "But for the record, you've got plenty of "grown up" in you."
Adrien paused, processing what Marinette just said. He wasn't expecting this response, much less the fact that she described it so accurately. "Do you…also find it hard to see your own identity? That you've been serving everyone else for so long, you don't know what you are outside of it?"
Marinette paused, taking a deep breath. With something between a sigh and a dry laugh, she answered him. "Sometimes. A lot of times really. You actually caught me at the worst of it a few weeks back. Someone was spreading lies about me, my best friend wouldn't believe me no matter what I said, and…" she held back her final point, but continued. "Let's just say I felt like I'd been stranded. It's better now, but some things just stick with you."
Shaking off her bad memories, Marinette turned to give him a grin. "Look at me now though, and look at you. Me and Alya are making up, and I don't think I've seen you and Nino get that close before. I can tell you two have each other's backs."
Adrien offered a small smile. "Yeah, you're right. I suppose all the negatives in our lives come for a reason." He scratched his head. "It doesn't make it less painful, but I guess it's all part of our growth." He shook his head. "Sorry, I must sound like an old man right now."
Marinette chuckles. "No, you're fine. Trust me, I know what an old man's advice sounds like." She scoots around to face him. "And I know we haven't talked much as of late, but I hope that I can still be a friend you can turn to."
Adrien's green eyes meet Marinette's blue irises. "You still consider us friends?"
Marinette nodded, "I do. We've shared the odd adventure, enough for me to get to know you beyond just a classmate." she raised an eyebrow with a grin. "Do you consider us friends?"
Adrien's smile grew with genuine relief. "I do."
He extended a hand. "To friendship."
Marinette shook his hand, "To just a friendship."
At that moment, the door nearby opened with a loud creak and Akira poked his head through. "Everything okay?"
Adrien looked up and waved a hand. "Yeah, no akumas in here."
"If they do, they'll have to get through me first." Marinette chimes in.
"Ah, that's swell. There's still some of the movie left if you two are up." the devilman walked in, twirling the remote in his hand.
"His heart grew three sizes that day" scene?" Marinette and Adrien asked at the same time. The two looked at each other and chuckled.
The devilman grinned, "About there. Maybe there is hope for Ryo."
"I heard that!" yelled the detective from the other room.
"Say, where's Luka?" Marinette asked Akira.
The devilman gestured his thumb to the ceiling. "He went up to the top, said something about getting fresh air."
"Ah." Marinette replied and nodded. "I'm gonna go get some myself."
"Don't get too fancy up there," Akira gave a sawtooth grin.
Adrien visibly shuddered as he said that.
Marinette rolled her eyes. "Okay, dad."
With that, the blue-pigtailed heroine made her way out of the kitchen.
Akira nudged Adrien, "That's what Miki called me back then." The devilman held in his laughter as best he could.
The blonde only gave him a confused look, to which Akira burst out laughing before they went back to watch the movie.
(up on the roof)
Luka stood up by the edge railing, looking up at the moon. He took comfort in its dim blue light and whistled out a tune. He started motioning his hands as if playing his guitar, wishing he had brought it so he could practice.
"Hey."
Luka turned to Marinette in surprise. "Mari…is he alright?"
"I think so." Marinette replied. "He will be. He feels lonely after recent events." She approached her partner with a smile. "But I assured him that he has friends to reach out to when he needs them."
Luka smiled, "That's great. I could imagine it's been rough after the ink akuma…" The musician grimaced a bit, wondering what Kagami was dealing with, but shook it off with a plan to do something later if he could. "You do have a way of reaching people though, in and out of costume." He puts a hand on Marinette's shoulder, a smile still across his face.
"I suppose it's a natural gift." Marinette replied with her own smile. "Though you read me better than I read you."
That got a light chuckle out of Luka, who scratched his head. "I hope the necklace wasn't…too much? Sorry if I put you on the spot there."
"I really do appreciate the gesture." Marinette said. "Though maybe next time something less 'Ladybug', like a flower."
"That'd suit you just as well," Luka mused, tilting his head. "Something for the brightest flower in the city."
Marinette's smirk grew slightly bashful, and Luka returned a grin of satisfaction. "This really has been a busy day," she said, drawing closer to him, "I'm glad you're here with me at the end of it."
Luka wrapped his arms around her, and Marinette returned the embrace with a cheeky grin. All the chill of night washed away in their warmth.
As the two pull away from the hug, Luka looks to the moon again only to see Ticki holding a mistletoe above them.
"Ticki." Marinette protested.
"I couldn't resist." The ladybug kwami replied with a giggle.
Luka couldn't help but chuckle some with a bashful grin. "Seems we have a bit of holiday luck to end the night. Just the two of us under the moon. Shall we?"
"Indeed, we shall." Marinette replied, bringing herself closer til they were nose to nose.
With that, the heroine and the musician shared some holiday love, wrapping their arms around each other's necks as they sat in that kiss.
The moon shines bright in the night sky, bringing a luminous conclusion to this holiday.
End of Christmas Special
Authors' Notes:
Dancecat25: Happy holidays, beautiful readers. Yes, I know this is very, very late, but adult responsibilities have been taking away our time. Sorry for going M.I.A. for a couple months.
We also had some difficulty with the whole Secret Santa system, but we got it alright in the end. Better than the Christmas musical junk. No cringy carols, just friendship and feelings.
Aladar Caval: This started off rather simple, but became a lot more than we had planned real fast. That said, it was fun as always to write this up. It only now dawns on me that I didn't really write any AkiraxMiki stuff for this chapter, but I think Ryo and Akira having a moment covers my "christmas cheer" quota for the devilman side of things.
Dancecat25: As always, our next cooldown is coming up. We are bringing in a new villain and a new hero this time, which should give future events an interesting turn. Until then, Cat Out!
Aladar Caval: It's nice to have these positive moments. Primus know's with how chaotic things are getting we need some calm before the storm. See you again soon. Until then, peace be with you.
'Til all are one'