Dabble in Drabbles 44: Of Friends and Christmas Sweaters

So I owe you guys one for leaving off this Dabble in Drabbles series on a sad tone on the previous chapter. To be honest, the past two years were a really dark time for me. That, along with starting music school, there really wasn't anything that I could do to continue this or continue writing. But after two years, I can say that, despite my workload increasing, I've gotten better. Both mentally and musically.

So thank you so much for reading this series, I'm glad you've reached the end! Kudos to you! And Merry Christmas!

Summary: The Christmas season had always been somewhat nostalgically lonely for him. But maybe, this time, things could be different.

10 years ago…

Multi-colored baubles and Christmas lights decked the halls of the Agreste Mansion as soft holiday music floated around the house, smells of cinnamon and hot chocolate filling the air, bringing in the Christmas magic.

Laughter spilled through the crack underneath the door leading to the living room where a large evergreen tree was on the process of being dressed up in traditional and handcrafted decorations by a happy family.

"Mama, look! I'm a Christmas tree!" A young five year old with golden locks called out to his mother through a mouthful of green garlands. His parents looked over to him and burst out laughing. His limbs stuck out at odd angles as he hobbled around, wrapped in the wreath like a present.

His mother reached out to grab a loose end and pulled it. Adrien spun around before slowing down in a drunken stagger, giggling all the way before falling on his mother's lap. He gave them a toothy grin. "I'm a bare tree now!"

Gabriel Agreste chuckled as he ruffled his son's hair. "Just like this tree, eh? C'mon, this one won't get dressed by itself without our help."

"Okay Père!" Adrien piped as he jumped up and grabbed a Santa decoration. Raising his arms up, his father lifted him and Adrien hung it in a bough. Then he paused. Gabriel looked at his son and grew shocked at the tears spilling down his face. He cradled Adrien in his arms. "Son, what's wrong?"

"Santa won't be able to come and give me presents." The child sobbed. His parents exchanged puzzled, worried looks.

"Why is that, ma cherie?" His mother asked gently. Adrien's crying was too hard that his reply was a blubbering mess. Fortunately, his mother deciphered what he was saying. "Is it because we don't have a chimney?"

Adrien nodded miserably. He didn't notice the repressed laughter of his parents as he was too sad with receiving no presents this year.

"Don't worry, mon minou." His mother said as she kissed his forehead. "Santa always finds a way."

And find a way Santa did because on Christmas Day, footprints of snow came from the large window leading to a present-filled Christmas tree.

"Santa came! He came! He even ate my cookies!" Adrien shouted excitedly as he ran in the living room. Gabriel Agreste yawned widely, as he watched his son talk animatedly about his presents. He smiled and kissed his wife lovingly, one arm wrapped around her waist.

"Joyeux Noël, ma amour."

…

It was on nights like this – cold and bitter, outside looking in warmth-filled houses – that Chat Noir wondered how Marinette could stay the optimist that she is when all these akuma attacks happened around her.

It was on nights like these – dark and lonely – that his thoughts were magnified. Especially one particular thought which the object of his affections was.

Ladybug.

He wondered if she was spending this night alone or with her family or with her special someone. Just thinking of the latter one made his chest ache. She wouldn't think of him on this Christmas season. Why would she?

It was on nights like this –

"Chat Noir?"

Chat Noir ws snapped out of his self-deprecating woes as Marinette's voice carried out from the opening in her balcony. She stepped out, a quilt blanket wrapped around, beckoned him. Chat Noir hesitated for a moment and then leaped down from the rooftop and onto the railings, hands and feet gripping the cold steel.

She was quiet as he looked at her. Tension seemed to rise, but he didn't know why. Her steady gaze matched his as she waited for him to break the silence.

"Why're you up so late, Princess?" He finally said. Then he smirked. "You don't want to cut down on your beauty sleep now, do you?"

"I could say the same to you." Marinette snorted. But then her expression turned serious. She looked around. "Why are you out? Is there an akuma attack?"

"Relax. Paris is safe and sound in my paws." Chat Noir said easily. "I'm just out on patrol for possible akuma victims. Y'know, the usual."

She gave him a skeptical look and he wondered if she saw through his lie. Seems like she did because she shrugged and with a smile, she said, "Would you like to come in?"

Chat Noir gaped at her. He peeked in her bedroom, all Christmas lights and pink, and said, "But your parents-"

"Oh they're asleep. As long as we stay quiet, no one will be the wiser." Marinette said with a wink. Chat felt his heart skip a beat. He knew Marinette was filled with brilliant ideas, but this one didn't feel brilliant at all.

"Are you sure? I mean, what if I try to do something to you?" Chat called out from behind her.

Marinette climbed down, saying easily, "Oh you wouldn't do that."

"How do you know?" Chat said, peeking down from the opening.

She looked up at him and grinned. "Because I know you, Chat Noir."

He was taken aback. For a moment, a fleeting thought of 'did she discover my identity' passed through his brain. But then he shook his head and jumped inside her room.

The smell was what first hit him. He had been in her room before, but that was on a summer day with the smell of leaves and sunshine. Right now, the scent of cinnamon, chocolate, and peppermint filled his nose.

Chat Noir watched as she pulled out two large beanbags and laid them in the middle of the room. Marinette grabbed her laptop and put it on the floor. With an 'I'll be back', she ducked downstairs. Once she came back up, she was balancing a tray of Christmas cookies in one hand and two mugs filled with hot spiced cocoa and marshmallows topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on the other.

He helped her set them down. Once again, she was a flurry of activity as she opened her drawers and pulled out small candles. There was a smile on his face as he watched her light them up and arranged the candles around them.

"What's wrong?" Chat Noir tilted his head. Marinette was standing in front of him, her brows furrowed.

"I feel like I'm forgetting something," Marinette mumbled. Then she brightened up. "Oh right!"

His eyes widened as Marinette pulled out a large red box from her closet. She handed it to him. Chat Noir was speechless. He looked from the box and back up to her blushing face. "I-Is this for me?"

She nodded her head. Chat Noir cradled the box in his hands, as if it was something incredibly fragile. Marinette pushed him down on the beanbag and flopped down beside him. She said excitedly, "What are you waiting for? Open it!"

Chat Noir pulled the green ribbon. It fluttered on his lap. He looked hesitantly at Marinette who just gave him a grin. Ever so slowly, he took off the lid and looked inside.

A wide smile grew on his face as his eyes lit up in delight. Marinette's smile echoed his as he pulled out the present. It was a large red sweater with green paw prints distributed around. On the front were the words 'The Chat's Meow'.

"I – It's amazing! You made this for me?!" Chat Noir looked inside. He took out a red Christmas hat with two peaks meant for his cat ears.

Marinette rested her chin on her hands. "Do you like it?"

Chat's face popped out the hole of the sweater. "Are you kitten mew? This is the meowst pawsome present I've ever received!"

Marinette groaned, but there was a hint of a smile on her face as she watched Chat Noir inhale the scent, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. Her smile dropped when a solemn expression took over his face.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I don't have a present for you." Chat said guiltily.

Her eyes widened. But then she gave him a soft smile and scooted a little closer. Bringing her laptop on her lap, Marinette said to him, "Your company is a good enough gift for me."

"Are you sure?" Chat Noir gave her a skeptical look. "I mean, you must've spent hours making these-"

"And you've spent a thousand more keeping me safe from akumas." Marinette interjected, stopping his tirade. "So trust me when I say that you really are the best present. You've kept me and all of Paris safe. And what's more, you're one of the bestest friends I ever had."

Chat Noir stared at her, agape and touched. Slowly, his small smile turned into a full out grateful grin and he couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Wow, you're really not pulling any punches on the compliments, huh, princess."

Marinette shrugged as she played their favorite anime series. "Well, they are true. So don't ever second-guess yourself, Chat Noir."

He smiled as he settled down beside her. "I wouldn't dream of it."

A few episodes later, Chat Noir gently laid down a sleeping Marinette on her bed. Pulling up the covers, he took a moment to commit her peaceful face to memory before leaning down and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

And with a "Joyeux Noël, Marinette," he bid farewell.