#mlsecretsanta2016

Same routine every morning: lay out her outfit, shower, brush teeth, get dressed, perfume, mirror check. Sometimes she twirls, others she leans in close to check her face for blemishes or makeup mistakes. Deep breath, she rubs her temples, trying to focus on the day at hand. It had taken her weeks to finally convince her dad to let her borrow his credit card (especially after the fiasco involving getting a replacement Ladybug replica yoyo) so she could get a gift for Sabrina. Something simple she couldn't shut up about for the last few weeks but she couldn't afford it (after all Chloe admits she did tell her to buy it herself).

When her birthday came and went, she couldn't hear the end of it. Small whispers of how she wished she could have gotten it. How she's saving up for it but her father needed something or another -- she stopped paying attention when she talked about how she was considering stashing away her savings to buy her father a gift for his birthday.

The first problem she encountered was where on earth was she going to find it?

The internet was no help -- apparently everyone has decided to mark the price up well over the market retail price and she was not about to spend more then retail for it. It was already expensive enough as it is! She wasn't even going to use it for it's intended purpose! Chloe decided that despite the fact she could pay double (even triple) the amount, she was putting her foot down.

She would only pay the retail value -- or less if she could help it!

"Hey Daddy~?" Hands behind her back, she stepped into his office, making sure he wasn't on the phone. Mayor of Paris often had him busy -- and forgetful when he was busy.

Lucky for her, he looked up from his paperwork with a smile. "Yes, Chloe? I'm a little busy..."

"I know." She closes the door behind her, quickly crossing the room to take a seat across from him. "That's why I'll make this quick. I need to go to FNAC so I need the credit card."

"FNAC?"

"Fédération Nationale d’Achats des Cadres."

Hesitant pause, wondering if he caught onto her before he rifled through his wallet as the phone rang, and handed over the card. She took it slowly, trying to contain her excitement. Letting her go to an electronics store with a credit card was likely the worst idea anyone could ever have, but her father gave her a smile, waving her off so he could get back to work, answering the phone simply "Bourgeois". She skipped out quickly before he could change his mind.

Yoyo incident forgotten.

Thirty minutes later she was browsing through the store, phone in hand as she searched for her prize. The perfect present for Sabrina was a must, a mission she must succeed at (proof she pays attention, listening to her when she rambled to her in class). She wouldn't let anyone think of her as spoiled any more (she admits she is. Admits she's spoiled by her father but that doesn't mean she can't change now -- she could be a better person). She pouts, unable to locate what she's looking for as she paces up and down the eyes, eyes scanning shelves for even the slightest glimpse of a display box.

"Excuse me, miss. Can I help you?"

"EEEE!" She practically leaps out of her skin, spinning around to face the employee. "Er, yes! Yes. I need help finding something. I called earlier and someone said you had it."

The last time she said that, she lied just trying to get what she wanted. She winced now.

She wasn't lying this time.

"What is it?"

"The HTC Vive. It's for a friend of mine and I've been looking for it for weeks! I can't believe everyone else is out."

"It's a popular item, miss. I'll see if we have it in stock. I'll be back shortly."

"Good!" Wait, no that wasn't right. Try again, Chloe, you can do this. "Sorry, thank you very much! I'll just wait here."

She was getting better at this being polite business, at least she thought so. Please, thank you, calmly asking for things -- it was difficult to unlearn so many negative behaviours she developed over the years. She just wanted the attention, especially after her mother passed, she didn't care how she got it. Any attention was better then nothing at all. It's been weeks, months as she thought more about her words, her actions, her body language (things she never thought she needed to remember from private education about etiquette and proper manners).

She didn't move from the aisle, pacing back and forth looking at the various electronics along the shelving. Who knew there were so many parts to a computer?  Hard drives, mother boards, fans, inter-coolers -- she never knew how much was involved in building one! Had Sabrina told her before? Likely. Maybe she should really pay attention to what she rambled on about -- it actually looked a lot more intricate in person!

Chloe did her best not to be impatient, tapping away on her phone (foot tapping on the ground. What was taking him so long?) hoping to schedule a lunch date with Sabrina. Hopefully she wasn't busy with her programming homework. She huffs, toying with her hair before she eyes the employee walking back to her.

They looked nervous, bracing themselves for a riot of one as they approached.

"I'm really sorry, miss--"

"Okay?"

"We've actually sold out of the item in store."

Braced, wincing, they waited for her to yell. Don't you know who I am? It didn't come. She held her purse in hand, staring at poor employee for a moment, before shrugging. She'd get her hands on it eventually -- even if it meant importing it from (ugh) America.

"Okay."

"....Okay?"

"Okay."

Sigh of relief, they straightened out, giving her a small smile. "We may be able to order it online?"

"Actually that might be easier." She returns the smile, glancing down to her phone, then back up to the employee. "If we can do that now, we could send it to Grand Paris Hotel. It's supposed to be a surprise, after all."

Showing up to lunch with a large bag from Fnac would get so many questions.

"Great! Follow me. We'll get that taken care of."

An hour later she was running late to her lunch. She runs into the building, clutching a few papers tight as she looks around for her friend. Sabrina sat close to the window, wistfully looking out the window with her hand on her cheek. She looked disappointed. Worried? Her heart sank as she slowly walks over to the table.

"Sabrina?"

"Chloe?!" She turns, smiling. Excited.

Better. "Hey! Sorry I'm late, I was...well. Here." She shoves the paper to her, before taking a seat across from her. "Don't say I didn't get you anything."

She waves her hand as she turns her head to the window, eyes nervously glancing back to her red haired friend as she waited for her to read it. Brows knit, curious, teeth biting lips as she read slowly what exactly it said on the page.  She hoped she would be excited, elated, but she just looked perplexed. How vexing, but she took a deep breath. Calm. It's fine. You haven't done this before. You can explain.

"Chloe...you didn't have to do this." She was floored, her eyes glued to the order confirmation.

"Of course I did." She scoffs, crossing her arms, before relaxing, trying. "I...you're my best friend. I've been kind of a--"

"Awful."

"Yeah and---"

"A bitch."

"Wow." Chloe giggles, unable to control herself. She never knew Sabrina had it in her! "Yeah, I've been a royal one. But this is for all of the birthday's and Christmas gifts I should have gotten. You're trying to design that one game right?"

"You were paying attention?"

"Of course I was! I mean, what kind of friend would I be?" She smiles, softly. "Look I want to start over -- which means no more doing my homework. Got it?"

"Thank you so much." She was tearing up. "Got it. I won't do your homework. Except... didn't you want to get Adrien that jacket?"

"Already done. I swear I've gotten better at dates. I didn't forget his birthday this time. It's not even designed by his father, so hopefully that makes his week." She flags down a waiter, desperate for coffee.

"Good for you, Chloe!"

She was genuinely happy for the step forward. At least, it sounds like she was. She'd take it either way. She smiles again, the weight on her shoulders finally feeling lighter. She could actually have <i>normal</i> conversations with Sabrina without it seeming like she was <i>beneath</i> her. She was equal, and while she knew it would take a while for it to bleed into her school life, she was actually happy for the start.

"So, how long did it take you to make these?"

Marinette couldn't help but grin at her new found friend, chuckling as his cheeks went pink. He taps his claws to his lips, truly putting thought into what he was going to say next instead of letting his words run wild. She likes this side of Chat, she realises. Playful, smart, gentle Chat who doesn't always have a pun for every sentence. The Chat that isn't overly flirtatious because a certain Lady happens to be by his side. She had noticed that he had a tell (she swore the ears on his head twitched, but it was the slight scratch of his claws on the top of his hand that gave him away) when he thought of something truly genius, but this time? This time he simply smiles back at her, setting his hand back down on the roof as he leans back, stretching his legs.

"Honestly? I made three batches of cookies. These were the best of the bunch." He chuckles, inspecting one of the chocolate chip cookies with a careful turn.

He was immensely satisfied.

"You know. My parents run the bakery. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I brought the Chat Noir down to learn how to bake cookies." She couldn't stop giggling at the idea. Heart racing, cheeks flushing -- why did the idea make her a little nervous?

Wide-eyed, he can't help but moving close to her, grabbing her hand in excitement. "That's a great idea!"

"W-What?"

"Yeah! It'd be purrfect, Princess!" He exclaims, leaping to his feet. "I imagine I could impress a few people with my new found baking skills." He winks.

"Impr-- Who are you trying to impress?" Words she wishes she could take back, sounding too offended, hurt ... jealous? "Er uh..."

"Well Ladybug for one." He didn't seem to notice, gesturing with his hands. "And well? You."

Did she hear him right?

“Me? You don't have to impress me-" She sputters, eyes wide.

"You're like my best friend, Marinette." He moves to sit down beside her. "Of course I want to impress you."

The idea he wanted to impress her, the Marinette her, was shocking. She was nothing like Ladybug (strong, confident, heroic Ladybug) and she understood why he would want to impress her but why would he want to impress her? Ladybug was his partner, someone he loved (very much so. He couldn't stop complimenting her even as he sat next to her alter ego, babbling for hours about how wonderful she was -- putting her on a pedestal much to her hidden displeasure), someone he could feel comforted by and be loyal to. So why her? She couldn't stop dwelling, biting her lip in thought as silence fell between them.

It was an intoxicating feeling.

He looked so pleased with himself over it too, grin plastered on his lips, staring up at the sky. He was confident, content as he eased into comfortable silence with her. He'd been coming to her house nearly every day now, sometimes to just sit and listen to her problems at school ("I am so tired of dealing with Chloe!" "She can be a handful I hear... but if you give her the attention she wants, then you're no better then she is."), sometimes to make sure she was okay after an akuma attack ("You need to be more careful!" "I was careful!" "You were almost a Marinette sandwich!"), but he always found himself drawn to her bright beautiful smile.

Had she ever thought of Chat as anything but a flirt and her friend? As anything but her partner? Hero of Paris who took the the bad luck from his Lady so she could save the day? He was sweet, too sweet some times -- especially when he was concerned. Gentle when he needed to be, ruffled under the collar when he wanted to protect her. She wasn't some damsel in distress and he never treats her as such.

She likes him.

No. Maybe? No.

Yes?

Yes.

Heart beating faster, a dawning realisation: she likes him as more then a friend. More then Adrien? She couldn't tell -- her emotions tangling in a knot in her heart. She likes him. He was always there with her, making her laugh, smile, cheering her up on the bad days -- more then she likes to admit lately. A constant in her life in and out of the hero life and she couldn't think of anyone else she wanted to spend her days with.

"So," He broke the silence, cautious as he moves his hand to nudge against her slightly. "How about those cookies?"

"Cookies?" She snaps out of her daze, staring up into his green eyes. "OH, right. Yeah, well... do you have some time now or...?"

"What time is it?"

"Four?"

"I have time."

His smile! She could met under his smile. "G-great! Come with me then. I guess we could see what my parents have in the kitchen. I mean I am pretty sure we have everything for cookies-- we'd be a terrible bakery if we didn't I-- am I rambling?"

"Yep." He chuckles, before putting an arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry about it, Marinette. Why don't we go downstairs and see what we can do?"

"S-sure! Yep. Downstairs." Chat Noir was going to be in her house, and see all of the photos of Adrien -- all the photos of Adrien!! Her hands rest on her cheeks, suddenly panicking over the idea of Chat seeing the magazine clippings of the hot model from her class. She could handle Chat teasing her about her crush when it was just words. But photos? Not on her life, she'd never live it down!

"B-But give me a moment! I'll have to see if my parents are upstairs. I mean I don't know how they'd react knowing you're here baking cookies, with me. With uh... no heads up! Yeah. I'll be right back!"

She practically falls back into her room as she rushes to deal with the photos on her wall. She trips as she leaps off her bed, barely managing to not fall on her face as she stands sharp looking around. She had fifteen pictures of Adrien, not including the one she framed last year. How could she get them all taken down in record time without Chat wandering into her room? She shakes her head, fists clenched in determination as she plans her next action.

"Tikki!" She waves down her friend from her perch on her desk. "I need your help." She says quietly as her kwami floated nearby.

"I'm sure he won't mind." Tikki smiled, pulling down the photos anyway as Marinette frantically rips a few off the wall.

"Oh yeah, he won't mind HUNDREDS OF PICTURES of <i>Adrien Agreste</i> all over my room! I mean look at this!" She motions to one in particular -- a Vogue portrait from six months earlier. "This isn't normal for a teenage girl who likes fashion! If there were other models--"

"You could say you admire the Agreste line--"

"Nope. No. It wouldn't work! He'll just tease me endlessly! I'll just put them all up again once he's gone." She stuffs them into the drawer of her dresser.

"Oh Marinette! Just be yourself." She flies over, snuggling against her face. "I'm sure he'll understand! I mean he's been in here before."

HE'S BEEN IN HERE BEFORE. HE'S PROBABLY SEEN THEM. OH MY--

"Princess?"

"ER- uh Yes? Right! Come on. We should be good, Chat!"

"Great!" He slides down, missing her bed completely so he wouldn't get his boots on her sheets. How thoughtful. "I was starting to think you forgot about me."

That grin! How dare he. "How can I forget someone like you?"

Hands behind her back, she can't believe she just said that, smirk across her lips as he steps closer to her, bending down to her eye level. He can't stop grinning, leaning close, closer than he's been before. She could feel his gaze on her face, her lips, back to her eyes are she admires his for a little longer. Her heart was racing, wondering what he was going to do. Had he always been this handsome? Why hadn't she noticed it before? How would this change their relationship when she ran across roof tops with him as Ladybug?

What would this change?

"Well I don't know Princess. They do say I'm the cat's meow." He says with a grin, leaning forward to kiss her, eyes closed.

She pushes his face to the side, a mess of giggles spilling from her lips How dare he! "I can't believe you ruined the moment! Come on, kitty. Let's go make cookies."

Run. She gasps, leaping across buildings, desperate to stop another attack. No more destruction, she thinks, no more hurt or pain -- she wishes she could reach them with words. Wait. Stop! Please I just want to help. Too late. Too late they scream, clutching the book tight, pages falling from the spine in waves. Sharp movements, jilted love -- it was love, it was love it was love! She clutches her yoyo tight, eyes ahead as she swings it out, catching them by the foot to topple them over. Pages scattered across the pavement, her eyes only on one as she bends down and lifts it. A story, so simple, dedicated to a love lost - it broke her heart. She sighed, ripping the page.

Then? It was done.

Silent. Tears streaming down their face -- It was love. I'm sorry.

Akuma caught, destruction fixed, but her mind heavy with thought.

When night settled across Paris, she was alone on the rooftop of her home. Arms crossed over the railing, cheek pressed against her forearm, wondering what she could have done better to prevent what happened. Words to calm down another one of Hawkmoth's victims might have worked. Inhale. Breath. Exhale. Think. Maybe she could talk to Master Fu about what more they could do. Could she and Chat really continue forward without help? It took all of their skill and cunning to catch up to the Page Master, facing their creative force head on when all other options ran out. She taps her fingers on the side of her mug, another deep breath as she lifts her blue eyes to the night sky.

At least she can have a moment of calm in it all. As long as tomorrow was a good day. That Chloe wouldn't cause trouble. That Hawkmoth wouldn't find another victim, as long as--

"Princess? You look a little down tonight."

Startled she looks up towards the chimney stack behind her, then sighs.

"I'm fine, alley cat. Thanks." She looks back towards the street below. "What are you doing out so late?"

They never stayed out so late.

"Couldn't sleep." She didn't turn to the sound of leather sliding against metal as he made his way down to her. "Thought some fresh air might help me out - running across roof tops takes a lot out of you." He grins at her, Cheshire grin as he leans against the railing with her, elbows propped up against the cool metal.

A mask over a mask. He looked tired, lucky that his mask covered his face enough to keep from looking too dead. Unlucky that his posture betrayed him, practically slumped against the railing, looking as though he was finally relaxed. He shifted, rolling his head across his shoulders while looking up at the night sky.

"But, fresh air doesn't beat good company." He finally breaks the silence, taking a deep breath.

Exhale.

"Well, I don't know what kind of company I'll make." Smile. A quizzical expression crosses her face, before she looks at his lips. "Aren't you cold?"

"Not really."

"Not really? That means you might be kind of cold." She rolls her eyes, before tapping his nose. "Stay right here, I'll be right back."

She quickly turns to run over to the ladder leading back down into her bedroom. She bounds to the main floor of her room, moving too fast, falling, rolling -- staring at her ceiling with a sigh. Of all the times to not stick the landing is when her stray cat was visiting. At least he (hopefully) didn't see her completely miss her footing. Once on her feet she rubs her lower back, the slight aches fading while she approaches her desk. The black scarf sat upon her desk, knit together with care. A Secret Santa gift originally meant for Chloe (the idea that it was reversible. One side to represent her alter-ego Antibug, the other to show her Ladybug love) but with time still left, she figured she could start over.

It was a wonder why she was putting so much time into her mystery gift to Chloe who likely wouldn't appreciate it -- and she figured starting over and knitting the spots on would be a better idea.

Back up the ladder, she peeks up to make sure that he's still there waiting.

He twirls the end of his tail, looking up at the stars lost in thought. His expression obvious that he couldn't stop thinking - on a constant loop. She watched, curious as he tilts his head back, sighing, fingers tapping against the railing never at peace. He seemed tense, ready to leap at the first sound.

"Hey! Sorry it took me so long." She climbs up, trying her best not to startle him. "Found it."

He smiles, cautious, drained of the energy he had before she had left. She tries her best to read his expression (unfortunately gone before she had the chance) knowing full well he was lost in thought. She walks over, caressing the knitted scarf carefully, before draping it over his shoulders. She stood slightly on the tips of her toes as she pulls it around his neck carefully, not even daring to look up at him. She knows her kitty all too well, and wasn't going to let him see her flustered.

"Got a lot on your mind?" He must have. "You can talk, you know."

Who was she going to tell?

"I don't know. I mean how do I know it's not going to end up on the Ladyblog as a secret source." He winks, admiring the scarf.

Marinette rolls her eyes. "I promise I won't tell Alya any super hero secrets you tell me." She holds her hand up, shaking her head at the very idea. He eyes her, looking her up and down. Did he really think she would lie to him? She pouts, before she spots the flash of a smile.

"All right, Princess. I trust you."

She held her breath, waiting.

"Do you wonder if sometimes...what we do is not enough?"

"We?"

"Ladybug and I." He leans over the railing again, looking across the city. "I feel like I could do more to help her, that sometimes I'm just...dragging her down."

Chaton...

"I don't think you're dragging Ladybug down."

He scoffs. "I think you're too focused on the Ladyblog." A slight tease, hiding what he really wanted to say.

"No! Really, Chat, I don't think you drag her down." Sometimes she feels she holds him back. He has so much potential.

"I don't know." He sighs again, ears seeming to flatten against his head. "But seriously. She does so much good for Paris. I wonder if I'm not doing enough to help her and support her."

"Shush." How much doubt can one person hold? She rests her hand on his shoulder "Ladybug is lucky to have you. You're partners right? I don't think she could do this without you."

They both had their doubts. Worries and dreams that barely in reach - hands extended trying to hold on to fraying threads despite Hawkmoth's constant barrage of villains. What would be left in the wake of the war? Would their scars heal?

"And how would you know that?" He tries to tease, it falling flat on his tongue as he leans close to her.

"I uh..." She blushes, hesitating to explain herself. "I just know! I mean come on, you two are a team, right?" She shoves him back, palm against his face. Stop changing the subject. Stop doubting yourself. You're important, Minou.

"Yeah, yeah." He actually laughs. "We're a team. A team where I am just weight on her shoulders holding her bac-- HEY."

"Okay kitty, no more of that. You're important. You're part of that team. It's not just Ladybug who is a hero, you are too." She releases his ear, stubbornly looking up at him. "So....why don't you come inside, warm up, eat a few cookies and watch cartoons with me."

"Wait- what? Mari I don't know."

She presses her hands to his face. "You. Me. Cookies. Cartoons. Blankets. Warmth -- you have four ears kitty keep up." She teases, tugging on the cat ears. "So...come on. You don't want to freeze, do you?"

He watches as she heads back down into her room, motioning for him to follow. A small chuckle leaves his lips, before he goes to follow. He could feel the warmth of her room as he knelt by the skylight  before he hopped down onto her bed, then to the floor. Little things he noticed about her room took him by surprise, things he supposed he should have expected (pictures of friends, family -- she looked so happy and natural). It was the photo of himself sitting on her desk that made him smile. Maybe he'll give her a better one, one that wasn't ridged or scripted - something warm.

Something that made him feel like home.

"All right, Princess. I guess you're right."