Work Text:
Marinette had no plans for Christmas this year.
It wasn't that nobody wanted to spend time with her. The bakery had been doing very well recently, and her parents had decided to go to Shanghai to visit Wang Cheng, Marinette's great-uncle. However, there had only been enough for two plane tickets, so Marinette had offered to stay in Paris in her little apartment and focus on her fashion design business. And it looked like she'd made the right choice. It was, of course, the busiest time of year, and she knew that once Christmas Eve rolled around she'd be grateful for a few days to herself, away from the stress.
'Get this winter over with,' she muttered to herself as the sewing machine whirred.
She was extremely proud of her little company and she wouldn't have it any other way – but doing it all by herself was hard and, honestly, she could use a little support. It was at times like these when she really felt like something was missing. Or rather…someone.
When she'd been fourteen, nearly ten years ago, and mapping out her life, she'd pictured herself married to Adrien by now, with a nice house, and a hamster or two. But that had never happened. They'd grown up, left school, and their busy lives had gotten in the way of them seeing each other. Although…things weren't completely hopeless…
She stopped sewing, took out her phone and flicked back to some messages from January, almost a year ago.
Hi, Marinette. It's Adrien. I wasn't sure if you still had my number. I know it's been a while.
When this had popped up on her screen, teenage Marinette had returned for a visit and the phone had ended up on the other side of the apartment. Looking back now, she just smiled to herself. As if she'd ever delete his number.
Anyway, I just wondered if you wanted to hang out sometime. It would be cool to catch up. Let me know what you think.
Marinette had eventually managed to reply:
Sure, I'd love to. When did you have in mind?
They'd arranged a date and all had seemed fine. Marinette had dared to let herself think that there might be a future for the two of them after all.
But it wasn't to be. The next text had been So sorry, last-minute photoshoot! and she'd ended up in the coffee shop all alone, sipping a solitary gingerbread latte. She knew it wasn't poor Adrien's fault. But it was just as disappointing as it had always been.
The time came for Marinette to pull on her warm boots, her cosiest jumper and her woolly hat and head out to pick a (very small) Christmas tree. Sabine was going to meet her there and they were going to have some mother-daughter time before her parents left for Shanghai. Once the tree was chosen, the three of them were going to go back to her place and decorate it together as they always had done.
'Is this one small enough?' her mother asked, gesturing to a pine tree which was a little taller than Marinette.
'Hmm…maybe a little smaller. We need to be able to carry it up two flights of stairs, remember.'
'Don't worry about that, Marinette. Your father can help. But if you'd prefer a smaller one, that's fine. It's your tree, after all.'
'I also need to be able to reach to put the star on top,' Marinette pointed out. 'And that's not always easy for me.'
Sabine patted her shoulder and nodded understandingly.
'Small tree it is then, my dear.'
After about half an hour spent wandering around in the snow searching for the perfect tree and reminiscing about old times, Sabine asked:
'Have you…seen your friends lately?'
Marinette paused, running her gloved hand along a tree branch and scattering pine needles in the snow.
'Um…yes. I saw Alya and Nino last week. Rose and Juleka the week before. And Ivan and Mylène have kept me busy babysitting little Camille.'
There it was: the truth hanging in the bitter cold air. All her friends were coupled up. Except her. Which meant the next question came as no surprise.
'Dare I ask…how things are going with Adrien?'
Marinette sighed, her breath billowing in a snowy white cloud.
'They're not really going at all, I'm afraid. Every time we try to meet up, things always get in the way.'
'What kind of things?'
'Well…' Marinette cast her mind back. 'Last spring we actually bumped into each other! It was at one of his dad's fashion events. I went along to get some inspiration, you know.'
'Inspiration?' her mother queried with raised eyebrows. 'It's years since you've needed inspiration from Gabriel Agreste.'
'Okay, you got me,' Marinette laughed. 'I went along to try and see Adrien. And it worked! Well…for a few minutes.'
'What went wrong?'
'It was that beastly Lila. Mr. Agreste keeps hiring her to do photoshoots with Adrien, he thinks they look good together or something. Adrien and I were just trying to arrange to go for lunch sometime, when Lila came and dragged him away, saying they were urgently needed in makeup. I just know she was lying.'
'So…you and Adrien never got to go for lunch, I take it?'
'Nope. Next time he got in touch was in August, he wanted to show me this fancy new yacht of his.'
'Adrien owns a yacht?' Sabine smiled and shook her head.
'Apparently so. And I would have loved to see it. But that was when…'
'You tripped over your sewing machine cable and ended up in A&E with a sprained wrist and a nasty bump to your head,' Sabine recalled. 'Of course. Such awful timing.'
'Tell me about it. Although, Adrien did send me a really sweet get-well card. He said he missed me.'
'And you miss him too, don't you?'
'Terribly.' Marinette missed Adrien with all her aching heart. Staring at the back of his head during class, stuttering whenever she was in his presence. Dancing with him at their friends' birthday parties. Nervously handing him presents every year on his birthday, and nearly dying of happiness when he did the same on hers. Trying to find the right moment to tell him how completely and helplessly in love with him she was. If such a moment had existed, it had long since passed them by.
She shook her head. Enough feeling sorry for herself. She kept talking.
'And then at Halloween…he called me and asked if I wanted to go to a party.'
'Well…why didn't you?'
'It was one of Chloe's parties. She'd only invited people who are rich and famous. So, definitely not me. She would have had me thrown out if I'd shown my face.'
'Oh dear. Surely not if you were with Adrien?'
'Oh, she'd find a way,' Marinette replied darkly. 'I don't know why Adrien still bothers with Chloe anyway. She's still the same brat she always was. She wouldn't even look twice at him if it wasn't for the money and the fame.'
Marinette knew this wasn't strictly true – Adrien had been Chloe's first friend. But venting made her feel better about the whole situation. Luckily, her mother seemed to understand.
'Your father and I went through a similar thing. We had to maintain a long-distance relationship while I finished my studies in China. I know it's not quite the same, since we were already together at that point. But you and Adrien will get there. He's reached out to you quite a few times now, so it's clear he cares.'
'If only he'd stop letting other people tell him how to live his life. I know he doesn't enjoy those photoshoots or publicity events. I can see it in his eyes in all those pictures.' She was past the stage of covering her walls with Adrien's face, but there may have been a couple of pictures of him saved on her phone. Okay – a couple of hundred.
'Maybe that's where he needs your help.' They both pondered this for a minute. Could Marinette be the one to convince Adrien to take control? Not likely. She couldn't even get near him long enough to engage in anything beyond small talk.
'Oh, look. This one's about the same height as you.'
Sabine was pointing at a small, cone-shaped tree right on the edge of the lot. Marinette wandered over to it, smiled, and nodded.
'You're right. It's just my height. This is the one!'
'Don't be ridiculous, girl. You can't spend Christmas alone. Come over to our place.'
'I couldn't do that, Alya. This is your first Christmas with Nino since you guys got engaged. It has to be special, just the two of you. I don't want to get in the way. I could never.'
'You wouldn't be in the way. We wouldn't mind. Nino and I will have many more Christmases together.'
'It's fine, really. Things have been crazy with the business. I just need to catch my breath. I think I'll miss this one this year.'
'If you insist. But promise you'll at least think about it, Marinette.'
'Okay, I will.'
Marinette hung up, and she did think about it. She loved Alya and Nino, they were her best friends. But she'd done enough third wheeling with them over the years and although she appreciated the generosity, she would definitely be better off on her own.
She checked her to-do list and decided to get a few things crossed off. While she had her phone in her hand, she decided to call her grandmother, Gina.
'Marinette, my fairy! How are you?'
'I'm fine, Nonna.'
There was a pause.
'Are you sure? You sound a little sad.'
'Uhh…' Family members always had a way of knowing when something was up. 'I'm not sad. Just…a little lonely.'
'Lonely? Whyever would you be lonely at this time of year?'
'Well…this morning my parents set off for Shanghai. They're visiting my great-uncle there.'
'And they left you all alone? Oh, Marinette. If I'd known, I'd have flown you over here with me.'
'Where is 'here'?'
'Hawaii, of course.'
Marinette smiled fondly. Of course.
'Well, never mind. There's always next year. I hope you have a lovely Christmas, anyway. I'm very jealous.' She liked the snow and the warm clothes, but sunbathing on a warm, sandy beach sounded far better.
'You look after yourself, my dear. I still can't believe how grown up you are. It seems like yesterday I was taking you to the zoo and on the merry-go-round.'
Marinette laughed at the memory of that disastrous fourteenth birthday.
'Next time you're in Paris, we'll do that. For old times' sake. But I'll pick the candy.'
'I can't wait, Marinette. Merry Christmas.'
'Merry Christmas, Grandma.'
Next, someone who was also on his own – but he had no issue with this. Her grandfather.
'What?' barked the voice of Rolland Dupain. 'Who is it? Who's calling me?'
Marinette stifled a giggle. Of course he didn't have a mobile phone – he didn't know it was her.
'Grandpa, it's me. Marinette.'
'Marinette? Oh. Hello.' An awkward silence. 'Well…what do you want?'
'To wish you a merry Christmas. That's all.'
'Oh, um, well…merry Christmas, Marinette.'
'I'll see you sometime in the new year. When my parents are back.'
'New year. Parents. Back. Yes. Of course.' Another pause. 'Well…I have to go. Bread in the oven.'
'Of course. Happy baking!' Marinette hung up, stretching her legs out on the sofa and wiggling her toes in her fluffy socks. It was hard to believe that those two had ever been a couple; they were both so different. Were she and Adrien too different to make it to their happily ever after? Or…was it just their lives keeping them apart?
Christmas eve came around quicker than expected. Marinette opened the fridge and took out her meal for the evening. At the supermarket a few days ago she'd asked for the smallest turkey they had, and they'd certainly delivered. It would just about provide two meals, so she'd be able to have leftovers as well. She slid it onto the middle shelf of the oven, and began to chop the vegetables. It would be a chill evening, and then a chill day tomorrow. She'd video call her parents, and make her way through some good books and plenty of cheesy romcom movies.
She opened the cupboard and reached for a small, square glass jar. Frowning, she realised as she picked it up that it felt a little too light. She unscrewed the lid and her heart dropped a little as she saw how empty it was inside. It was her mother's own homemade cranberry sauce, and she must have eaten it all. Oh dear. For a moment, she felt a sharp pang of loneliness, and regretted her choice to spend Christmas alone, with her parents in another continent. But there was nothing she could do about that now. Except…
'I'll just go and buy some,' she decided, grabbing her boots and coat. It wouldn't be the same as her mother's, but it would do. A quick search on her phone showed that there was one grocery store still open, just around the corner. The turkey still had half an hour in the oven – she'd be back in no time.
It still seemed like a good idea five minutes later as she made her way down the dimly lit street, snowflakes twirling and dancing in the air all around her. However…
One thing she hadn't accounted for was black ice. And everyone who knew Marinette knew that her co-ordination wasn't great at the best of times. Her heart leapt into her throat as her boot slid sickeningly out from underneath her.
'Aaaah!'
She was falling backwards – her head was going to slam into the freezing concrete pavement any second. She shut her eyes and braced herself, knowing there was nothing she could do. But the pain never came. Instead, she landed safely in a pair of strong, warm arms, and moments later she found herself looking up, not at the starry sky but something even more beautiful – the greenest eyes she'd ever seen.
And she'd know those eyes anywhere.
'Adrien!?' she gasped, breath hitching in her throat.
'Marinette! It is you.'
Her feet slipped on the ice again and she made some very dignified noises while suspended in his clutches. Adrien frowned, and then lifted her fully off the floor, leaving her legs kicking in mid-air. His boots crunched in the snow as he carried her away from the path, hugging her tightly to his chest. Marinette's heart seemed to have stopped beating at some point – or perhaps it was going so fast that she couldn't feel it. Whatever the case – it seemed a miracle that she was still alive and breathing.
He set her down gently on a patch of snow-covered grass.
'There. I…thought it would be best to get you away from the ice. I know how…' His brow scrunched adorably as he searched for the right word choice. 'How…accident prone you can be.'
'Y-Yes. Thank you. So…what are you doing out so late on Christmas Eve?'
'Well…' He scratched the nape of his neck, the way he always had. 'I've been super unorganised and didn't get any food for tonight. What about you?'
'I've got myself the world's smallest turkey. It's in the oven right now. I just forgot the cranberries. It's really not the same without them.'
'Well, I consider myself lucky you forgot those cranberries. I've been hoping to catch you all year, Marinette. But I must say,' he remarked with a chuckle, 'I didn't expect to literally catch you. Just like old times, eh?'
'Yes, well. I'm still as clumsy as ever.'
His gorgeous eyes narrowed.
'Hang on a minute…world's smallest turkey? Don't tell me you're spending Christmas alone?'
'Well, yes, actually.' Marinette explained the situation with her parents. 'I couldn't afford to go with them. What about you? Who are you spending it with?'
Adrien mumbled something.
'Umm…what was that?'
'My cat,' he admitted. 'It's just me and Plagg.'
'Just your cat? What about your dad?'
'I moved out and got my own place, hence the cat. I was tired of him controlling my life, so I decided enough was enough. That's why I have no decent food in. I'm still working on moving all my stuff over from the mansion.'
'Really?' Marinette was impressed. So Adrien had taken charge after all. 'So…you've given up modelling?'
'Well, that depends. I hear there's an up-and-coming fashion brand in Paris,' he told her with a wink. 'And I know for a fact the girl who runs it is very talented.'
Marinette felt her cheeks heating up against the cold.
'You…really mean it?'
'Of course I do. That's actually one of the reasons I wanted to get back in touch. It would be my pleasure. Just give me a call anytime. And I promise not to let you down. I'm free to do whatever I want now.'
Marinette's heart leapt at the thought of Adrien wearing her designs, which meant they'd be spending a lot of time together. Also, having him as her model would give her the publicity she needed to get her business off the ground.
'Wow…that would be wonderful. Thank you.'
Suddenly they found themselves in awkward silence. Snowflakes were settling in their hair and clinging to their clothes. What happens now? was the question that lingered in the frosty air.
'Well, um…' Adrien began.
'Er…'
Memories flashed through her mind of many a ridiculous plan to get herself a date with Adrien. All year long, they'd been trying, and failing, to get together. And now here they were. What were the odds that they had both found themselves alone at Christmas? She had just about enough food for two back at her place. Alya's voice spoke up in her head:
Do it or forever wish you had!
Adrien opened his mouth and began to speak.
'I should probably…'
'COME TO MY PLACE!' she yelled. His mouth fell slightly open. 'Er, I mean, if you want. Obviously if you'd rather stay home with your cat, that's fine, I totally understand, I just thought you might want to…'
'Marinette.' His gloved hands landed on her shoulders. 'I'd love to.'
Before she could reply, she was in his arms, wrapped up in his warm snuggly winter coat. Her face ended up buried in his chest. Wow, he'd really gotten taller. She could get used to that.
'Thank you,' came his voice from somewhere above her. He released her from his embrace. 'You're…sure?'
'I've never been surer of anything. We're both spending Christmas alone. Now we can spend it alone…together.'
Alone together. An excited shiver ran through both of them as their eyes locked. Something passed between them. Anticipation. Years of longing. Confessions they'd never made, just waiting to come to light.
Adrien cleared his throat.
'To the grocery store, then? I still need Plagg's cat food. I don't think he cares much about Christmas, being, you know, a cat, but he gets really grumpy when I'm late feeding him. And we can pick up a few extra things. I'd feel terrible eating all your food.'
'You saved me from another trip to A&E, or worse. I could have really hurt myself falling on that ice. I think the least I can do is feed you.' Then she remembered the look on his face when her parents had offered him pastries all those years ago. The way he'd devoured her father's salmon and spinach pie. And since he no longer had a strict model diet… 'Maybe a few extra things wouldn't hurt, though.'
'Excellent. It's all on me. And you don't owe me anything for saving you. Nothing at all. You hear me?'
She smiled, and nodded. He offered her his arm.
'You definitely shouldn't walk alone, m'lady,' he said with a teasing twinkle in his eyes. She pouted, trying to ignore the effect that being called his lady was having on her heart.
'Okay, but if I fall, this time you're going down with me.'
'Nah. I can still catch you. But just to be safe, let's avoid any icy paths.'
'Good idea.'
She laced her arm through his and together, they set off into the night. Christmas hadn't come early - it had arrived right on time. They had both got the only gift they had truly wanted - each other.