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Ladybug landed as gracefully as she could considering the overstuffed bag on her shoulders. The frost covered ground crunched beneath her feet, echoing in the relative quiet of the park. Though the moon was full tonight, it’s shine still wasn’t quite strong enough to fight off the shadows of the surrounding trees.
All of them were huge in this part of the park, casting thick darkness and blocking her view of the city-well, all except one. One little tree, which stood almost lamely in a rockier part of the small green space. It was maybe only 5 or 6 feet tall, and it’s branches were thin and lopsided. Compared to the other greenery in the Parc dea Butte Chausmont, it was underwhelming and awkward.
It was also Ladybug’s sole focus for the evening.
Well. She thought as another set of boots landed on the crisp leaves. One of my sole focuses.
Chat Noir had stumbled upon (more so fell on) this little tree nearly a week ago, when they had been dispatched to the park to take down an akuma. Similar to Mr. Ramier, this gentleman was an avid bird watcher who had become enraged when a group of school children on a trip scared away a rare find with their noise. Chat had been battling his allergies the entire fight, and had finally been caught with his guard down. Monsieur Grebe’s birds had thrown Chat halfway across the park, and he had apparently landed in Baby Tree’s branches.
And then named it Baby Tree.
And formed a completely illogical attachment.
And begged Ladybug to help him decorate it for Christmas.
Marinette only sort of regretted showing Chat “A Charlie’s Brown Christmas”. It is y’know, twelve AM on a school night (the week of exams no less!) and instead of studying or sleeping, she’s in the 30 degree wilderness.
Something about the look Chat gives her when he sees just how packed her bag is warms her up just fine, though.
“Ladybug, you got all this together in just a week? This is amazing! I’m sorry I couldn’t bring more than the star but..” Chat’s smile is huge as he takes out the various decorations.
Felt ornaments, a beaded garland, and sequined snowflakes begin to pile up on the sparse grass. She had gone with the only theme which seemed to fit- the team. Each hero had gotten a small felt figurine and then she made a few ornaments in their various colors from the leftover fabric. The garland was a rainbow of old beads she had from previous projects, in all different shapes and colors. It had seemed like too much at first, but just like her team did in real life, everything had come together in the end.
Chat’s “oh”ing and “ah”ing over every little detail, and Ladybug can’t miss the way he cradles the small ladybug ornament in his hand instead of setting it down once he happens upon her. She thinks it must be subconscious, as he doesn’t spare her a glance over the figure-just keeps it tucked in his hand naturally.
Marinette was happy with what she had done considering the time constraints. Still, while she liked the decorations, Chat Noir analyzing everything the way he was made her self conscious.
“I’m just glad you got attached to such a small tree- I don’t think I could have made enough ornaments for one of the larger ones” She joked, eyeing the pile and trying to ignore the uneven glitter on some of her snowflakes, the dropped stitch on the Rena doll.
“What??” Chat gasped, looking up at her. “My lady you made all of these?” He held up the felt version of her, inspecting it with renewed vigor. “I figured they were in a store somewhere and I had missed the release! Bug these are professional looking.”
Ladybug blushed and looked away. Chat complimenting her designs always gets to her, no matter how frequent the event has been lately. From her initial designs to the final product, anything her partner says about her work as they hangout sets her cheeks ablaze. Maybe it’s because he’s now her best friend on both sides of her mask, or maybe it’s because he actually does know a great deal about fashion-whatever the reason Chat Noir’s opinion holds a very high place in Marinette’s mind.
“It wasn’t a big deal kitty, more scraps and glue than anything else” Ladybug stooped to pick up one end of their garland. “C’’mon, let’s put these up, it’s freezing”
“On it” Chat replied, throwing up a mock salute.
They started with the garland. Chat Noir attempted to hold the excess together while she wove the beading in between Baby Tree’s branches. Marinette could tell that she was maybe getting too particular about how it all layed, and every now and then she would catch Chat staring at her as she carefully twined the plastic and glass into the pine trees boughs. Thankfully, her partner never did more than smile warmly at her, seemingly taking no issue with her careful decorating.
“There” she said, stepping back.”I think we can start with the orn-“
Ladybug was cut off by a shout.
“DIBS ON VIPERION” Chat yelled, scrambling back towards the backpack- or trying to. Between the tree needles and the frost on the ground his boots got virtually no traction. Ladybug would have laughed at her partner, if she wasn’t too busy vaulting towards her bag. Why should he get to place viperion?
It went on like that until there were only two ornaments left. Ladybug expected to hear Chat’s thunderous footsteps, or at least his continuous gloating, from where she had finally kneeled over next to BabyTree. It had been a fight nearly to the death over the Rena Rouge ornament, and Marinette was not ashamed to say she had lost. She had lost with honor okay.
Instead of any teasing, there was only the soft crunch of leaves and then the view of her partner. Well, if he was made of felt. Ladybug looked up to see Chat Noir already holding mini-ladybug to his chest.
“Can we call it truce for the last two? He asked, voice remarkably soft. “I really want to pick where little-bug goes. I saved her the best branch.” And wow, if Marinette thought she was weak to babydoll eyes, kitty eyes would be her doom. She nearly cooed out loud.
“Of course, Chaton. Though I think petit-chat deserves the best branch myself”
She turned away before the look on his face could do her in. Chat was a sap, and normally that didn’t affect her, but something about him felt so soft suddenly, his flirty routine melted by genuine tenderness.
As she approached the tree, she was aware of Chat stepping next to her. In sync, they reached to place their ornaments on the same branch.
Ladybug, laughing at their syncrosity, made to step back to let Chat have his spot of choice.
Chat’s hand closed around her wrist before she got far, however. She looked up, finding his face much closer than she had expected. He tilted his head, his brow creasing.
“Where are you taking him?” Chat questioned her, ”You said that he deserved a spot on the best branch.”
“I- I mean-“ Ladybug fumbled for her words as Chat guided her hand back towards where he had strung up mini-bug.
“Besides, it makes sense that they’re together. Just like us in real life- the cat-bug team!”
“Bug-cat team” She replied in ritual, rolling her eyes at the smirk she had caught on his face.
“Last step!” Chat cried, using the hand he still held as leverage against her. Before Ladybug could fight back Chat had hefted her into his arms and extended his staff until they were both leaned over Baby Tree.
It was pure showboating on his part- He could have well reached the top of the tree without assistance. There was no need for him to have her tucked practically into his lap, or to have been so sneaky about grabbing the star when she had first set off to the tree with her last ornament.
Still, as she looked back over her shoulder at him, taking in his smile, the way his eyes, so green in contrast to the heavy blush painted on his face by the cold and joy, danced in the christmas lights...
She had no desire to complain. Instead, not for the first time, she simply enjoyed the swooping feeling in her stomach as Chat held her around the waist so she could place the star.
“Merry christmas, Bug” He breathed in her ear, his arms wrapping more securely around her.
“Merry Christmas, Chaton