Marin rested his back against the railing of his porch, shivering slightly as he looked up at the cloudy sky, pulling the cat-eared hoodie over his head. Night would fall soon enough, but he savored what little light there was. Suddenly his eyes were covered as he flinched slightly.

"Guess who." A familiar voice asked in a cheeky tone as Marin chuckled to himself.

"Is it my knight in shining armor?" He joked as he pushed the hands away, looking up to see Chat Noir face hovering above his own as the hero was sitting on the railing.

"Of course, one so dedicated must take care of his dear prince." He remarked as Marin stood before him with a knowing smile.

"Then I guess this Knight, doesn't need a basket of treats made special just for him?" Marin asked hiding the goodies behind him.

Chat Noir's heart raced at the mere thought but kept his composure. "Of course not. However, he is weak to all offerings that his generous prince decides to lovingly give him." He remarked, walking towards Marin with his hands folded behind his back until he stood beside the taller boy with a sly smile.

Marin laughed to himself handing over the basket "Merry Christmas." He said with a smile as Chat Noir gratefully accepted the basket. Peeling back the pink handkerchief to reveal specially made camembert bread freshly baked and shortbread cookies shaped like cat paws. He almost drooled on the spot at the sight and aroma of the treats.

"Have I ever told you how much I care for you?" Chat Noir asked seriously as Marin smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his head. Making Chat Noir notice that he was wearing his special Chat Noir themed jacket. The hero smiled slyly as he made sure Marin knew he took notice. "What a nice jacket, is it inspired by anyone in particular?" He asked jumping onto the table to look down at him with a cheeky grin.

"Nope. No one." Marin remarked easily as he walked past him, resting against the railing once more as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "So are you still on hero duty on Christmas?" He asked, taking notice of the frown that took hold on Chat Noir's face for a moment before his normal smiled returned.

"Of course, evil doesn't take breaks any day of the year." He remarked sitting next to his friend on the railing, placing the basket on his lap.

Marin hummed for a moment, "Well, just in case you do get lonely, I'll leave something out for you here. You know, just to let you know that you're being thought of." He said as he didn't notice Chat Noir's expression soften which then grew to surprise as Marin suddenly sneezed. "Excuse me."

"You're not getting sick are you?" He asked worriedly.

"I usually get sick this time each year. But not this time!" Marin said, gripping his fists. " I know I can make it to New Years without getting sick, I've been getting stronger just this year alone." He remarked with bright eyes as Chat Noir sighed with a smile.

Chat Noir chuckled to himself as he took Marin's hand in his, kissing the back of it as he knelt before him. "Until the next time, my prince." He said affectionately as he then jumped off the railing, using his staff to lift him to the rooftops. As Marin watched him leave, he noticed a familiar car parked nearby the bakery as night fell. His heart raced as he quickly ran back into his room.

"Tikki!" He called out, and his Kwami snapped to attention, "Where is it? Where did I put it?!" Marin grimaced looking everywhere around his room as the panic began to set in.

"It's right here, Marin. See?" Tikki said sitting on a pink and white polka-dotted gift tied with a yellow ribbon.

Marin sighed in relief, picking up the first and quickly planting a peck on Tikki's forehead. "Ah! Thank you sugar cube." He said as he then jumped down the stairs towards the bakery, just seeing Adrien's bodyguard leave. He ran after him getting hit with a gust of cold air as he ran towards the bodyguard entering his car. "Excuse me!-" He called out, but suddenly slipped on some ice as he landed face first in the snow just before the towering man. He looked up with a nervous girn, then was placed back on his feet. "Ah, thank you." Marin thanked as the guard turned back to his car. "Wait! If you don't mind, this is.. this is for Adrien."He mumbled as he handed the gift over. "Can you- I mean, if you wouldn't mind..." Marin mumbled folding his hands together. "Please wish him a Merry Christmas from me. Oh and to you as well, thank you for your patronage!" He added to hide his nervousness blowing his head slightly as the bodyguard nodded, patting his head before driving off.

Marin's expression softened as he smiled gently whispering under his breath. "Merry Christmas Adrien." Wishing that he could do it in person, just before he sneezed.

["Marin, come in before you catch a cold!"] His mother called out as he then ran back towards the bakery, careful not to trip.

Adrien hung the final ornament as he Nathalie decorated the Christmas tree. He glanced in her direction as an uneasiness settled in his chest, "He should be down here already. Did you call him?"

Nathalie averted her gaze, "Perhaps we should give him... a few more minutes." She suggested as he looked away in disappointment, hearing the front door open.

"What's the point? He's not coming."Adrien said, about to walk up to his room but he was stopped by his bodyguard. "Hm?" Adrien looked at him curiously as his bodyguard placed his hand on his shoulder, then handed him a gift that just made him even sadder. "Thank you. Merry Christmas both of you." He said then walking up to his room alone.

As he entered, he pocketed the present, looking at his phone; only a few hours until Christmas morning. He sighed heavily, throwing his phone on his bed and then walked towards the window, placing a hand against the cold glass, glancing at the full moon rising in the night sky. "He's still only thinking of himself! It's Christmas and all he wants to do is focus on his work. I just want this terrible day to be over and done with! I hate Christmas!" He declared turning towards his Kwami looking at him in worry.

"But it's almost Christmas, if they find out that you snuck out-" Plagg tried to warn.

"No one's going to care." Adrien said angrily. "Plagg, claws out!"

Chat Noir ran through the city, alone, taking notice of all the families that were together. For a moment, he stopped by Marin's house, longing to reach out, but then hesitated as he saw his friend smiling happily with his family. He didn't need to drag someone as good as him down with his anger, his father proved as much with the past year of isolation he had placed his son in. Chat Noir gritted his teeth together, pushing back his wishes to see comfort, instead deciding to run through the night.

He didn't have a destination in mind only that he needed to get as far away as possible. He looked down on a large Christmas tree within the center of a plaza, eyeing it angrily as he jumped down towards it, thinking about every time his father let him down, ignored him, took him for granted.

"Cataclysm!" He yelled out about to destroy the tree, but then an image flashed into his mind, his mother's smile. The warmth she always provided just by being near, a warmth that had already faded long ago. Even so, he couldn't do it, not to her. Instead, he destroyed a nearby ad, watching as it disintegrated before his eyes. The streets were empty and the snow was slowly building up. His Miraculous beeped as a warning, but he didn't care, he walked for a while letting time run out as he fell to his knees, tears falling from his eyes as now he was subject to the cold.

As he opened them again he saw his Kwami fallen before him. "Plagg? Plagg!?" He said in panic as his friend wasn't usually this tired after detransforming. "What's wrong?"

"So...cold..." Plagg murmured as his stomach grumbled.

Adrien's eyes widened, "What have I done? Wait, I'll help you!" As he patted down his pockets he realized that he wasn't carrying any cheese on him, but found the present he was given earlier. He ripped it open quickly, seeing a beautiful Santa hat and a red card inside. " "Merry Christmas". Signed Marin. He's a lifesaver!" Adrien read out loud as he then sighed in relief. "Come on, we're going to fix you right up, Plagg!" Adrien said gently as he placed his Kwami onto the hat. Walking into the night as he began to feel the winter chill against his skin.

Marin hummed to himself as he iced some cookies in the shapes of various Christmas symbols, but the ones that he was icing were special for the master and the Kwamis. Then he overheard his mother's gasp, lifting his head towards his parents sitting nearby with concerned expressions on their faces.

"Kidnapped? I'm sure there's another explanation." His mother said.

"Let's take a look around the neighborhood, just in case." His father said as they both began putting on their coats.

Marin removed his apron, cleaning his hands, "What's going on?" He asked in concern as his parents exchanged a worried glance.

"Your friend Adrien is missing, everyone's going out to look for him." His mother informed.

"But I'm sure it's nothing." His father added, trying not to worry his son. "We'll probably be out for a while."

"Wait, I'm coming with you guys." Marin said definitely but noticed his mother crossing her arms as his father looked between them in worry.

"Now mio figio piccolo, you know that it's very cold outside-"

"I'm not going to get sick!" Marin retorted as his mother placed her hand on his cheek.

"I know you're worried about Adrien, but you have to worry about yourself as well." She said.

"Mama, please I promise I won't be out too long, please, I want to help." Marin pleaded as his mother then sighed.

Sabine hummed for a moment as she then held her son's face in her hands forcing him to make eye contact. "You promise that you'll be careful."

"Always." He promised.

His mother then smiled, lifting herself on to her toes as Marin lowered his head so she could hiss kid forehead. ["I love you heart."]

["Love you too mama."] Marin said with a smile. "I'm going to get my coat, I promise I'll stay in the area, you two go on ahead." He said as his parents left before him.

As he walked up to his room he grabbed his grey peacoat and soft pink scarf, earmuffs, and gloves.

"Why did you make a fuss?" Tikki asked as Marin put on his winter clothes, wearing the coat over his kitty hoodie.

"Because I'm not coming back until Adrien's safe at home, and I needed a cover just in case." Marin remarked. He then walked up to his deck, still shivering against the cold air despite his layers.

"Tikki, spots on!"

Ladybug jumped across the rooftops, he recalled stopping by Adrien's house first, narrowing his eyes as he recalled noticing that his window was open, but there were no footprints leading out despite the large footprints and car tracks that were leading away. If Adrien had his phone then there was no way his father would alarm anyone else, so he probably didn't have his phone. Ladybug then sneezed as he noticed the snow thinning out.

Then, he spotted the footprints atop the roofs, surprising him as he recognized the print within the snow. "Chat Noir?" He questioned, kneeling down for a moment as he then followed them.

Eventually, he was led to a plaza where there was a Christmas tree and a destroyed collum that had traces that it was attacked by a Cataclysm. He looked over it before then noticing a red envelope on the ground.

"This is my note to Adrien..." He remarked. There was only one set of footprints, Chat Noirs and then...

Ladybug shook his head. "He must have detransformed after using his attack...but why is the note here? Could Chat Noir have found Adrien?"

He sighed, holding his head in his hand, there were too many variables, he needed to focus on what was in front of him. There was one set of footprints, but no matter what implications there were, one way or another he was going to get Adrien home.

Adrien shivered as he walked through the streets, he had some idea where he was, but he wasn't sure how long he could walk in the snow. Even so, he smiled at Plagg safely hidden in his hat. "Don't worry, Plagg, I'll find you something to eat. I can't promise it'll be Camembert." He chuckled, then noticing a Santa getting bullied by a few kids throwing snowballs at him.

"Hey! What's wrong with you? Even if he's not the real one, what would Santa think of your behavior?" Adrien scolded as he walked up.

"The young man's absolutely right. kids, say sorry right now." A man, someone who Adrien assumed was the kid's father, said.

"Sorry, Santa Claus." The kids apologized, looking sorry for their actions.

"It's no big deal, children. Merry Christmas anyway." Santa said as the family apologized again before walking away.

Adrien turned towards Santa, "I'm sorry Sir, are you okay?"

Santa nodded with a smile. "Fine. Don't worry, I'm a tough old Santa. But, what are you doing out at this time of night? Are you lost? You're not exactly dressed for the cold weather. Maybe you'd like some hot chocolate, I've got some left." He offered as he turned back to his sleigh.

Adrien, hugging his arms. "Yeah, I'd love some Sir, doesn't get much better than that." He said as Plagg popped out of the puffball part of the hat. "Except maybe a slice of Camembert?" He suggested.

"Oh you're in luck!" Santa said as Adrien noticed Plagg smiled hopefully. "I've still got some sandwich leftover. This is some of the smelliest cheese I've ever come across. Hmm, that smells… perfect. To each it's own. So you're not lost then, I hope."

Adrien hesitated for a moment, looking away then heard crunching in the snow as someone landed nearby. Time seemed to slow down as Adrien watched Ladybug land nearby, his scarf flowing in the air as he then stood tall.

"L-Ladybug." Adrien said in surprise as the hero walked up to him.

"Mr. Agrete, a lot of people are out looking for you. Your father is especially worried about you." Ladybug informed sternly as Adrien's stomach sank he turned his head away angrily.

"So?" He said bluntly as Ladybug looked surprised by his tone. "Why does it have to take me running away for him to notice me?"

Ladybug stared at him for a moment before his expression softened. "Your father isn't the only person who cares about you, almost all of your friends are looking for you as well, they think something bad happened."

Adrien frowned, he felt guilty, it was almost Christmas and everyone was out looking for him instead of spending it with their families. He really was the worst. He sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, but I don't want to go home yet. I'd rather stay out here."

"If I may interject?" Santa said as the two then looked at him. "So long as this young man gets home, why don't we use my sleigh to get him there? I'm sure it may take a while."

Ladybug glanced away for a moment, he didn't have time for a long trip, if Chat Noir was around an in danger he had to find him quickly.

"I'm alright with that." Adrien said, then glancing up at him.

Ladybug sighed, "I'll let your father know that you're safe." the hero said walking away a few feet, dialing him up.

"Hello?" Nathalie was the one who answered the phone.

"This is Ladybug, Adrien is safe." Ladybug informed as he noticed Adrien getting wrapped up in a blanket. He offered the old man is his hat as his other one was worn down, smiling as he drank some hot chocolate with Santa. His heart couldn't help but swell at the scene, then chiding himself as he spoke on, "But it's unsafe to carry him when there's snow on the rooftops, so we're taking alternate transportation. It will take a while, but he'll get home safely."

"Understood, thank you Ladybug, I'll inform his father." Nathalie sighed in relief as she then hung up.

Ladybug walked back to Adrien and Santa who were seated on the sleigh, "Your father's secretary knows you're coming back. Don't wander away off track." He warned as Adrien nodded. As he walked away he heard Adrien call out to him.

"Wait!" Adrien called, as Ladybug turned back to him. Adrien faltered for a moment but asked, "Shouldn't you come with us, you know, to ensure my safety...?" Adrien asked.

Ladybug drew a conflicted expression, "You're not wrong, I'm supposed to see you home. But, I saw Chat Noir's cataclysm in the plaza where I saw that gift card addressed to you. If my partner is out there in danger, then I have to find him."

"I actually saw Chat Noir earlier, he's the one who convinced by to try and go home," Adrien explained.

"And the Cataclysm?"

Adrien chuckled nervously, "I asked to see it in action..."

Ladybug hummed for a moment, crossing his arms. What Adrien said, it didn't fully match what the evidence said. But, perhaps he needed to turn his head away, trying to dredge up hidden truths could prove to be disastrous. Instead, he walked over as Adrien stood next to the sleigh. "I'll go with you on one condition." He said.

"Anything." Adrien said far too easily as he noticed Ladybug take off his scarf. His heart almost stopped as his partner wrapped it around his neck even though he stood a few feet above him as he was standing on the sleigh. Looking down at his face he could notice the flecks of silver in his eyes under the moonlight, as well as he flushed pink face against the cold. He immediately feeling cozier as his face slightly reddened. "I-is this really okay?"

"It'll disappear as soon as I transform back." Ladybug remarked as Adrien took a step back, giving Ladybug a hand as he stepped onto the sleigh, sitting next to him as Santa moved the sleigh.

Ladybug crossed his arms, watching his white breath disperse before his eyes as the temperature lowered the longer the night lasted. He flinched slightly as Adrien sat closer, wrapping the blanket around his shoulders.

"Thanks." Ladybug said gratefully, thankful for the extra warmth and trying not to think about being far to close to the person he liked.

"I'm sorry you're out here looking after me instead of being with your family..." Adrien remarked with a sullen expression, but Ladybug shook his head.

"I was on patrol anyway, don't worry about it." Ladybug said.

"How did you know I was missing anyway?" Adrien asked curiously.

Ladybug's eyes widened slightly, "Uh, one of your friend's flagged me down," Ladybug explained. "Some kid in a grey jacket."

Adrien looked at him in surprise. "Marin, out here in the snow?" Adrien said in worry, knowing about his friend's poor health.

"Uh, but don't worry about him, I told him to go back home directly." Ladybug remarked hastily, averting his gaze.

Adrien looked at him in concern, wondering if his friend would actually listen to what a superhero would tell him...probably not. "How about you, sir? Where will you be celebrating Christmas?"

"Me? I have all of Paris. The whole world even! Ho, ho, ho!

"All by yourself, huh?" Adrien remarked, he hummed for a moment. "Here's what we're gonna do. Take me back home and have Christmas with us! I need you to bring the Christmas spirit back into our home.

"All right then. But I can't stay for too long, you do know that Santa's very busy at Christmas time."

"Thank you!" Adrien smiled at him, then shyly turned to Ladybug, "Um, you're welcome to stay we well if you want of course." He swore he almost saw Ladybug blush as he turned towards him.

"You're sweet, but I shouldn't impose." He said, still wanting to track down Chat Noir before the night was over. But for now, was content in remaining next Adrien as the bell's on the horses rang throughout the night.

Outside of the Agreste mansion, Santa rang the doorbell while Ladybug jumped off the sleigh.

"Adrien, is that you?!" Nathalie said over the intercom as Adrien jumped off of the sled. "Who are you?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm Santa Claus!" Santa informed.

"Really now?" Nathalie remarked as Adrien immediately recognized that tone. "Sir, please remove yourself from the premises or you will be removed."

"No, you're wrong!" Adrien called out, trying to reason as Ladybug then stood forward before him.

"I believe I spoke earlier with you?" He said defensively. There was a brief silence as the gate began to open, Nathalie ran out the door as Adrien's bodyguard walked behind.

"I'm sorry." He apologized as he clutched the blanket around him turning back towards Santa and Ladybug. "My offer still stands." He said as Nathalie then hugged him tightly.

"Adrien, you're a kind lad, but I think wither of us going in would only make the night worse," Santa remarked sighing heavily.

"But..." Adrien said, about to argue back, but he faltered as he realized that Santa was right. His father had a knack of turning on anyone who he brought into his home. "Merry Christmas." He murmured, allowing himself to be guided by Nathalie back into the house.

Santa sighed heavily as he realized he still had the hat from before. "Oh, I guess I should've returned this."

"I think he would've wanted you to keep it." Ladybug remarked as Santa chuckled.

"I mean what I said before, he is a good lad. Perhaps someone should go check up on him?" He suggested.

"It would be improper to enter someone's house without permission." Ladybug remarked, hugging himself as he felt the winter chill get to him.

Santa hummed for a moment as he sat back on his sled. "As I recall, you did have permission." He said cheekily. "Merry Christmas Ladybug." He said as Ladybug nodded.

"Merry Christmas sir." He said, waving as Santa drove off, his horses' bells jingling until the sound faded. Ladybug looked back at the Agreste mansion, sighing for a moment as he realized that the window from before was still open.

As soon as he entered he noticed the light on within his father's study, still locked inside. Adrien bit his bottom lip in frustration, had his father even left the house? Worried about him his as-

"Where are you going, Adrien?" Nathalie asked.

"To my room, of course, since my father isn't celebrating Christmas." He said coldly.

"Of course he is Adrien." Nathalie said gently, "Your father came to see earlier, but you'd gone out. I'll tell him that you're waiting for him. Just making sure you'll stay in your room this time.

Adrien sighed heavily. "Tell him not to bother. I think I'll just go to bed." He said, not waiting for an answer as he walked back to his room, back to where this all began. His expression softened as he saw Plagg was already asleep, he placed his Kwami within his cheese cabinet, on the basket that Marin had gifted him earlier. He smiled warmly at his partner, "Merry Christmas Plagg." Adrien whispered fondly as he closed the door, then heard a bang behind him. He turned to see someone jumping through the window, his eyes widened as he recognized his partner.

"Ladybug?" Adrien asked in surprise. He kept the lights off in order to make Nathalie believe he was asleep. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check on you." The Hero said simply.

"Oh, you don't have to, I'm fine..." Adrien said as he sat down at the edge of his bed, but as soon as he said that his heart felt heavy.

"Alright," Ladybug said as he knelt before him, looking up at him with an understanding expression drawn. "How are you actually?"

Adrien chuckled to himself, tears welling up. "It's my first Christmas without my mom and my father…" His voice hitched as every part of his being tried to prevent him from speaking further. "He thinks he's the only one who's been hurt, ever since she disappeared it feels like he's just seen me as some kind of annoyance..."

Ladybug's expression softened as he placed a hand over Adrien's. "Grief like that can change anyone. But any father cares, they show it in their own way, yours probably still needs time."

"Am I just suppose to wait for him?!" Adrien snapped as he pulled his hand back angrily. All he did was wait, obey, did what his father thought was best. It was always hard, but his mother always softened his father's harshness, now...he just felt cold.

"Of course not, if you don't want to." Ladybug said gently, with so much kindness in his tone, surprising Adrien as he didn't try again to grab attention. "He has you to care about him, but it's not all on your shoulders. You have other people who care about you, ones that will definitely look your way if you reach out, until your own father can do so himself." The hero said, as a wry smile drew on Adrien's face as he hugged himself.

"Yeah...I just wish..." Adrien murmured for a moment, hesitating until Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder. "I could hug my mom at least one more time, or at least say good-bye..." He admitted as he wiped away the tears but were just replaced with more tears until he suddenly felt Ladybug hug him, allowing him to sob in his arms. "I knew, everyone knew it was coming...she just kept getting sicker and sicker. Dad said...that I shouldn't worry about her, that she would be okay. So I didn't, I listened to him. I thought she was going to get better, I believed him- but she still..." He cried out, his heart aching from the rush of memories, and Ladybug let him. Not saying a single word as Adrien released all the tears he held back for a year.

He wasn't certain how long he cried, not realizing that even so long after her disappearance he still mourned over his mother. Yet, with all these vulnerable feelings, he felt safe within his partner's arms, the person who he knew he was deeply in love with. Yet, Ladybug would never find out who he held. For a moment Adrien wondered if Ladybug would ever treat him this kindly if he ever found who he really was...

He pushed away the thoughts as he pulled back, wiping away the few remaining tears. "I'm sor-"

"Don't apologize." Ladybug remarked, "Never apologize for how you feel." He said placing a hand against his arm. Adrien stared at him for a moment, unable to fathom how beautiful he looked under the moonlight, practically glowing under its shine against his face. Adrien placed his own hand against Ladybug's, his heart racing.

"Ladybug... I lo-"

Then someone knocked on his door. Both of tensed up as someone would possibly walk through that door in a few seconds. Adrien reflexively grabbed his bedsheets, quickly covering himself and Ladybug as he feared what would happen if he was caught with a superhero in the dark at almost midnight. He wasn't exactly sure why it translated into fear, but he just went with it.

"Adrien, your father wants to talk to you." Nathalie's muffled voice said from the other side.

"I-I'm coming! Just give me a moment please!" He called out, not moving an inch until he heard Nathalie walk away, her heels tapping away down the stairs until he sighed in relief. Then, he could feel his cheeks heat up as he realized he had Ladybug, the person who he adored most in the world, pinned to his bed. For a moment he could hear his heartbeat in his ears, eye level for once as he noticed Ladybug averted his gaze shyly. The only light came from his phone as a cheery alarm was set off, breaking the tension for a moment.

"Merry Christmas Ladybug." He whispered with a smile as Ladybug's expression softened.

"Merry Christmas Adrien." Ladybug whispered in return as Adrien pushed himself back, allowing the hero to sweep his feet off the bed, heading for the window. Adrien hesitated for a moment, his face running red as he suddenly slapped his cheeks.

Ladybug stopped for a moment as he heard the sound, he turned around for a moment, he was surprised as Adrien walked up to him, placing his hand against his mouth as he kissed the back of his hand. The moment lasted only for a second as Adrien then stepped back looking incredibly guilty.

"I'm sorry," He apologized, "I..." He was about to explain himself, apologize more for his impulsiveness, but then noticed Ladybug's expression. Covering his mouth as he had never seen his partner look so...off balance.

Ladybug stammered, trying to cover his face. "You should only do that with someone you like..." He advised, then he jumped up to the window and then using his yo-yo to jump onto the rooftops.

Adrien begged his heart to stop beating so fast, taking a deep breath as he tried to regain his composure. He took off Ladybug's scarf, placing it on his bed, still smelling the scent of macaroons as he walked towards the door. Just as he placed his hand on the handle, he looked back for a moment, noticing that Ladybug did the same, his silhouette against the full moon, the two smiling for a moment before their two went their separate ways.

Adrien stood in his father's study, both of them looking up at his mother's portrait.

"Adrien. You understand I can't have you disappearing like that. I couldn't bare the thought of losing you." Gabriel said.

For a moment Adrien looked away, wondering how true that statement was. But even so, he turned towards his father with a sure expression. "I miss her too." He said, noticing his father lowering his head slightly.

Then his attention was grabbed as he heard the doorbell ringing. He looked at the source in confusion, "I believe it's for you." His father said, surprising Adrien as he walked to the foyer where Nathalie was waiting with a smiling expression, nodding to him supportively. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw all of his friends were standing there with smiles on their faces.

"You father personally informed everyone that you were home, safe and sound," Nathalie explained as she gestured everyone to come in.

Adrien was stunned with happiness as Nino was the first to hug him. He smiled at his best friend, then walked back into the study where his father was still looking up towards the portrait of his mother. "Please, father. It's Christmas." Adrien pleaded as Gabriel adjusted his glasses, turning towards him.

"Of course." He said simply as he walked towards him, giving him a hug for a moment before he walked into the dining hall with Nathalie.

For a moment, Adrien turned back to the portrait of his mother with a bittersweet smile, "Merry Christmas, mom." He said before turning off the lights to his father's study.

Walking into the dining room his chest swelled with joy seeing a usually empty table fill up with familiar faces. All of his friends were...

"Huh?" Adrien's eyes widened for a moment as he then walked up to Alya. "Hey, where's Marin?" He asked curiously.

"He got in trouble with his parents, didn't say what but he's grounded until New Years." Alya explained helping to set up the table. "

Adrien glanced out into the night at the falling snow.

Marin sighed as he watched his breath disappear before him, wearing his peacoat over his hoodie as he was looking up at the stars on this cold clear night. Tikki was already asleep, curled up cutely in a little basket he had made for her within his diary box. He was wrapped in a blanket, already ready with hot cocoa in a thermos as he decided to stay up until midnight. His head was little fuzzy, but he swore he'd make it to the end this time. He had to...

"Hi."

His eyes widened in surprise as he suddenly turned to see Chat Noir sitting in the chair behind him holding the same basket from before in his hands. He sighed in relief as he adjusted his banket and hoof resting on his head. "I was worried. I left out a Yuletide log for you, but it was untouched." He informed as he noticed Chat Noir's ears flattened.

"Yeah...I'm sorry about that." Chat Noir remarked averting his gaze, but Marin suddenly backtracked his words.

"No no- I didn't mean, I mean, mean, uh- UGh." He groaned in frustration stuttering through his words, taking a breath. "I mean, I hope you were safe enjoying yourself. I don't mind that you didn't take it so long as you were enjoying yourself...Did you?" He said as Chat Noir smile.

"Yeah, best Christmas ever." He murmured as Marin sighed in relief, walking towards him.

"That was good, I'm really happy for you..." He murmured as the deck began to spin for a moment.

"Hey!" Chat Noir called out in warning, quickly catching his friend before he hit the ground, cradling him in his arms. Chat Noir sighed in relief for a moment before his pushed Marin's bangs back, pressing his forehead to his as his hands were covered. His eyes widened in shock, "You have a fever, and you're standing out here in the cold?!" He scolded as Marin had the audacity to smile cutely at him with a toothy grin.

"I almost made it." He remarked as Chat Noir contemplated locking him away for the rest of winter.

"What happened?" Chat Noir asked absentmindedly but then realized that he already knew the answer as he helped Marin sit up.

"My friend went missing, so I had to look for him. My parents got mad because I stayed out for more than an hour, so then I got grounded." He chuckled.

"Maybe they had the right idea. Why would you stay out for so long?"

"He's one of my best friends." Marin said easily, "There's no way anyone could enjoy themselves if someone they cared about wasn't safe at home." He said, but then was surprised as Chat Noir held his face in his hands.

"If this kid knew how far you went for him, there is no way he would be okay with it." Chat Noir scolded.

"But he doesn't, so it's alright." Marin reasoned, but then giggled as Chat Noir clearly grew more annoyed.

"You think this is a joke?!" He asked but Marin only laughed more, just before coughing. Chat Noir groaned, "That's it, you're going back inside." He said standing up.

"No way." Marin said, rejecting him. "I'm almost there, I can make it to midnight, I just need a little more time."

"Why is this so important to you?"

"Because I've done more this year than I've done in all my life, and I'm going to end it the best way I can. By doing something that the past would never be able to do!" He said with conviction, his eyes shining with determination. Chat Noir was stunned for a moment, his heart slightly racing at his friend's resolve. The two stared at each other for few moments until Chat Noir groaned.

"Ugh- alright!"

Marin blinked at him for a moment in confusion. "Huh? What do you-WOAH!" Marin asked questioningly at first but then was swept off his feet as Chat Noir sat down in the chair. The two curled up with each other as Marin sat in Chat Noir's lap, his head resting against Chat Noir's shoulder.

"If you're going to be stubborn, then you can't complain about this." The Hero remarked as he poked Marin's forehead. Then wrapped the blanket around the two of them as they both looked up at the stars.

"Don't you want to be with your family?" Marin asked as Chat Noir shrugged his shoulders. He already planned ahead, telling Nathalie that he would be going to bed instead of staying up, knowing that no one would mind.

"I wanted to check up on you, and I'm very glad I did." He remarked. "What about your parents?"

"Sleeping." He said. "Early to bread, early to rise. Uh, that's what my dad said." Marin said, blushing slightly as Chat Noir laughed.

"Sounds like a funny guy."

"Yeah, he and my mom are pretty great, a little overprotective, but they mean well." Marin said. Chat Noir nodded, he couldn't really think of this father as overprotective, giving off the feeling of desiring control more than anything. But he knew that at least Marin's parents were true to his word, at least they hadn't tried to lock their frail son away.

"So what were you planning on doing here all night?" Chat Noir asked.

Marin chuckled, "Snacking and drawing constellations."

"You know I'm a fan of one of those hobbies very much so, my prince. But what's the other one?"

Marin pointed towards the night sky, "It's just making up star constellations. I used to this all the time when my school had an astronomy club, all you do is pick out a shape and then name it. Like," Marin explained as he pointed out a small group of stars. "Those six, make cat ears, and there's the whiskers and the rest of the body."

Chat Noir narrowed his eyes, trying to trace what his friend was pointing out. "I...don't think I'm seeing it." He admitted.

"You kinda have to use your imagination to fill out a few parts, but the basic shapes are there." Marin explained, "You try."

Chat Noir shrugged his shoulders as Marin rested on him. He hummed for a moment, he tried to do what Marin did, trying to trace a few small groups of stars. Even narrowing his eyes to try and focus, but nothing stood out. Suddenly, he saw a white streak across the sky in a blink of an eye before fading away, a shooting star. His eyes widened in excitement.

"Hey! Marin did you see-" Chat Noir asked as he realized Marin had fallen asleep shivering against the cold night despite being curled up against a heat source. Chat Noir sighed in exasperation as he picked him up. He opened the sunroof with his foot jumping down onto the bed. He gently placed his friend on the bed tucking him in under the three blankets he had on his bed. He lingered for a moment, he had been in Marin's room a few times before, but never on his bed. He couldn't help but chuckle at the grossly large amount of pillows and blankets that were practically formed into a nest, it was fitting.

He took notice as Marin moaned in his asleep, slightly opening his eyes as he smiled at his friend.

"Hey."

"Hey." Chat Noir smiled as he cupped Marin's cheek, gently whispering in his ear. "Happy New Year." He congratulated as his heart couldn't help but melt at the sight of his friend's smile.

"Happy New year..." Marin mumbled, half asleep as he placed his hand over Chat Noir's, quickly drifting off into a deep slumber. Chat Noir's expression softened as glanced at the clock that read 11:40. He gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind Marin's ear, kissing his cheek. Part of him wanted to stay a little longer, he knew Marin wouldn't mind, but he couldn't impose. Instead, he allowed himself another glance at his slumbering friend as he jumped back onto the deck and into the cold night.

He took a deep breath as a cloud of warm air disappeared before his eyes. Even though he was going home, for once he was doing so with a warm feeling in his heart.

Notes:

- They're just friends. Calm down.

-Merry Christmas Eve ya'll, I hope you'll continue to follow this series into the next year. Thank you for all your support.

- Also please review, it really helps.