Cat Noir hummed a Christmas song under his breath as he walked down the sidewalk. He and Ladybug had just finished evening patrol, and there was a wrinkle in his belly. So, he was off to the Dupain-Cheng bakery for a well deserved snack.
However, the music died on Cat's lips as he spied through the window a cardboard cutout of Ladybug wearing a Santa hat inside the bakery. Oh, sugar plums, did his Lady look cute! And he wanted one. Plus a doughnut.
Mama and Papa must be in the back for Cat was alone in the main room. If he could have this cutout, he could babble and tell cat puns to his heart's content. Hm, would anyone actually notice if she went missing?
Swish, swish. Maybe he could take her home for a little while and bring her back before anyone missed her. Cat picked "Ladybug" up and was heading for the door when he heard Mama Cheng. "Where are going, Cat?"
Cat froze like an ice sculpture, slowly coming to face Tom and Sabine, his face redder then a Santa hat. "Who, me? Oh, I'm going anywhere, I was just straightening your cutout out….oh, cheese and crackers…" he muttered.
Tom winked at Sabine and winked. "Don't feel embarrassed, son. We have more in the back." "Now, that we have that out of the way, would you like a snack, sweetie?" Cat's face suddenly lit up like Christmas morning. "Now your talking!" "You pick a doughnut, and I'll pour you a glass of milk...oh, she looks so happy," Cat looked up from the case out the window to see what looked like a singing and skipping Ladybug.
"My Lady!" Cat said, happily as she walked in the door. "Did you come for a snack too?" "I was just passing by, but I could have a snack." "Tell you what, dears. I have a pan of gingerbread in the oven, so how about you wait in Marinette's room." Ladybug's head shot up. "Marinette's room?" she squeaked. "Yes, she's not home, so she won't mind."
"Come on, her room is so cozy, and I can show you my box," Cat said, proudly as they went upstairs. Ladybug bit her lip as they went upstairs. Cat opened the trapdoor to find himself face to face with...himself? As Adrien, as a cutout? And what was a lipstick smear doing on here? "Cat, maybe we should wait in the kitchen?" Ladybug squeaked. Cat grinned happily. Huh, so his Princess had a little crush on him. Well,as Adrien.
Ladybug was quiet as they munched their gingerbread, not knowing that Cat would have a kiss imprint on her cardboard cutout very soon.