"Thanks for helping out, Zoe," Adrien smiled, as the friends laced up their skates. "Marinette is helping to take the pictures, but we needed one more elf to hand out the treat bags." "No problem, Adrien. You and Marinette are my friends, and helping is what friends do."
Adrien's photo shoot team had put together a skating party for kids to skate with Adrien, and his friends were helping out. The money they raised would go to the Children's Hospital.
"Sorry I'm late!" Marinette dashed in, panting and out of breath. "The line at Starbucks was terrible!" "Oh, the horror," Adrien giggled. "Hey, you don't want a cranky elf, and we're known for pinching misbehaving boys and girls." "I might be a problem then, but I'll do my best. Back in a minute."
Adrien strode away to talk to his team, and Zoe came to sit by her friend. "How you doing, Marinette?" "Besides gift shopping, sewing, patrol, I'm doing just fine!" Zoe placed a hand on her friend's arm. "Make sure your taking time to breathe. I love that you want to help others, but you need to take care of yourself too." "Thanks. Your going to have to help me make sure I don't have a clumsy moment out there on the ice. I mean, Adrien will look adorable as a elf, won't he?" "Don't worry, this elf is here for both of you."
At ten, Adrien, Zoe and Marinette had their skates and costumes on, and skating begin. Music played over the speakers.
He's so good with kids, Marinette thought, as she aimed the camera at a little boy bogeying away. "Having fun?" Adrien asked, skating up to her. "Yeah, its not often I get to come here, and its for a great cause. You look adorable as an elf by the way."
Feeling shy, she skated away quickly. Oh, Kwamis, she cute! Adrien thought, as he did another lap, watching Marinette help a young one onto the ice while holding the girls hand.
Thump! Adrien landed on his bottom, feeling embarrassed. He had been admiring Marinette he'd lost his balance. "You okay, Adrien?" Zoe skated over. "Only my dignity's hurt," Adrien joked. "Thanks for the hand up. Marinette looks so cute." "Then ask her to dance." Adrien gulped. "D-Dance? In front of the kids?" "Yeah, sure! The kids will love it, and Marinette would enjoy it too." "Okay. Will you cue us?" Zoe gave him a light push in Marinette's direction. "Go on, I'll take care of everything!"
"Would you like to dance, Marinette?" Adrien asked, as he skated over to her. Suddenly, the upbeat music turned slow. "Okay."
Slowly, Adrien and Marinette lapped around the arena. The more they grew comfortable, they begin a skater's dance. "You may not be a Ladybug today, but an elf, but so beautiful all the same." The music slowed then faded, and Marinette's hands were on Adrien's shoulders.
"Kiss! Kiss!" the boys and girls chanted. "Will you kiss me, O Noble Elf?" Marinette giggled. "Why, of course," Adrien grinned.
The crowd cheered, and Marinette and Adrien couldn't be happier. After the event was over, both thanked Zoe. "I only came to be an elf," Zoe giggled, "but it looks I was a elf matchmaker!"