Prompt: Dark Nights and Christmas Lights

Adrien could have ripped the console from the centre of the van and threw it out the window.

Though Adrien didn't know the true definition, he was quite sure he and Marinette were having a conversation which would classify as 'a moment'. One you would see in romance films just before the lead and his lady locked lips and declared their unwavering love for one another, love hidden because of situation and responsibility. However, the damn lady with the robotic voice just had to spoil it — taking away the moment and the opportunity for Adrien to bare his soul.

The atmosphere of the journey had been the perfect set up. The snow, the romantic town lit by fairy lights and magical atmosphere conjured up from her joyous face; the village, the music... everything was perfect — until he had to take the next left. As much as he wanted to get to where they were staying for the evening, he couldn't help the slight rebel in him wanting to turn right, just to prove a point.

He let go of Marinette's hand and went back to placing both of his firmly on the wheel, gripping it tightly when gritting his teeth. If he clamped them any harder together he was quite sure they'd shatter.

He turned the wheel and took the car down another narrow pathway leading them out to the abyss of the dark night once more, the magical town long forgotten as he once again navigated tight lanes and bare twigged canopies.

Why had their journey turned from a Disney holiday classic to one from the Twilight Zone?

They'd just been through the most beautiful town and now they were back in the nothingness, a scarily accurate metaphor for the ups and downs of their relationship.

Just when things were getting good and looking brighter, a sudden turn took them down the rabbit hole once more. Uncertainty adding to the fear of the unknown.

"Only a couple of kilometres left to go Kitty, we're almost there."

He flicked the high beams on again, the thick flakes on snow once again blinding him as they reflected the light. This wasn't working. Instead of trying anymore, Adrien settled for a ridiculously slow speed (even by his standards) and just his normal headlights. He was tempted to send Plagg out and use him as a guide, allowing the glowing green eyes of his kwami to lead the way.

"I don't know what I'm going to do first," Adrien announced. "Run to the toilet, kiss the ground or fall asleep?"

A soft sigh left Marinette's lips before she spoke. "I'm really proud of you doing this, you know."

Her praise was like an adrenaline kick, keeping him focused and filling his heart with joy. Suddenly he felt fully awake again and as though he could take on the world. A smile stretched over his lips with his renewed sense to keep going. Her words of encouragement and endearment meant everything to him, if she believed he could do it, then he was positive that he could.

"That means a lot, thank you Marinette."

He continued driving, a glowing light in the distance pulling him in like a siren and he couldn't help but hope this was their destination. All he wanted to do was get his feet placed on solid ground.

"I don't know if I've asked you, but what are you doing for Christmas this year?" He knew she was trying to keep his motivation high and his thoughts away from the increasingly severe weather outside.

"Not sure," Adrien replied, his eyes keeping track of the bright lights in the distance, very much like a moth to a flame. "I'm guessing it'll be the first normal Christmas in a while, father's trying hard to make up for the past years and I'm quite sure he's dating Nathalie now."

"Really?" He felt Marinette shuffle around in her seat, obviously trying to get more comfortable. They'd been cooped up in here for hours and he was quite sure her legs would be cramping as much as his. "Since when?" she continued obviously eager to get more information.

Adrien turned quickly towards her and dropped her a small smile, turning back to the road within seconds as he filled his partner in on the latest instalment of life at the Agrestes. Sometimes he thought his family was worthy of its own tv show... if you liked a twisted family drama that was.

"I went into the kitchen to grab a drink the other night and they were rather close, and whispering in each other's ears. As soon as I walked in they jumped apart and pretended to be busy cleaning."

"No way!" Marinette shrieked. "They don't clean!"

"Exactly. My father was using a dish cloth to wipe the table down. I didn't know whether to applaud the effort or mourn the dish cloth." They started laughing, Plagg turning away from the windscreen to address them both.

"Apparently, the man has finally persuaded the Wizard to give him a heart." Plagg added, amusement glistening in his eyes.

Marinette snickered, the joyous noise making Adrien smile even wider.

"If my father is the Tinman, what does that make me?" asked Adrien.

"Obviously you're the Scarecrow, we've just got to hope the Wizard comes through with that brain."

Adrien grabbed the closest thing to him,

— the hot chocolate cup — and launched it at his kwami. The paper cup bounced off the windscreen, rebounding back and into Marinette's lap — and that's when he realised it still had a liquid in it.

"Adrien!" she squealed, bouncing a little in the seat and causing him to swerve the car.

"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry Marinette." Patting around, he attempted to find a napkin to help mop up the wet patch, only to grab her thigh by mistake and quickly retract his hand.

"It's okay," she said, her voice containing a slight shake.

He could hear her shuffling around, obviously trying to complete the mission of saving her jeans better than he'd tried to do. This trip was slowly turning from an epic romance to a blockbuster disaster movie.

"It's only a little chocolate," she said. "It's just a shame I have nothing else to wear for the next couple of days."

"Maybe the bed and breakfast can wash them for you, or you can wear mine?"

A slow applause sounded in his head. Bravo Agreste! You idiot!

"Then what would you wear?" she asked with a chuckle. As she continued to clean the stain from her jeans, her elbow collided with Adrien's arm; only to be repeated with each additional wipe, the van swerving with the response to the impact.

"Can you stop hitting me please?" he said exasperatedly.

"I'm not hitting you."

He snorted in response. "You are so oblivious to everyone around you."

"Pot calling the kettle black," she retorted, her voice low and barely audible.

"You know what? I'm going back to Tikki. The snoring she's omitting is more riveting than the conversation up here." With that, Plagg flew back into Marinette's bag, Adrien shaking his head at his kwami's antics.

"How about you?" Adrien asked about the holidays, knowing full well what the answer was. He may have been eavesdropping when Alya and Marinette were making their Christmas plans, a part of him hoping Marinette had included him in her own. "What are you doing for Christmas?"

"Just the normal, but my parents did say to ask you if you would like to come and join us. We have our game evening Christmas Day and they seemed to think it would be better if we could play in pairs. It seems my parents think there's something going on between us." Her giggle was strained and it felt like a punch in the gut. Did the thought of being with him embarrass her that much?

"If it makes you feel any better my father and Nathalie both think we're more than just friends."

"Oh."

He felt the ice travel through his veins. Was that it? A measly Oh? The answer was so hard hitting he thought he was going to cry.

They sat in silence, the only noises being the sound of the windscreen wipers as they attempted to clear the snow which had found a renewed sense of strength. The only thing keeping him going was the beacon of light in the distance, that and getting out of the van.

He could feel his breath stuttering as they moved forward, his hopes and dreams getting lost outside in the storm.

What more did he need to do to get her to love him? He'd tried and tried and tried, and he was almost out of ideas but he was desperate to keep fighting.

Plagg had told him to give it a break, to let himself settle into life where he didn't bounce from one woman to the next (FYI, it was only one woman. Anyone would think he was some kind of lothario), and Nino had told him to give it time, that Marinette was going through somethings but she would get there in the end. But Adrien wanted her now? He wanted to be with her now! There was no one else in the entire world for him. She was it!

He continued to keep moving the car forward, the blue arrow on the navigation system getting closer to the red dot and their evening's sanctuary. Once they were there, he could take a break for a while; have a chance to recuperate before having to sleep in the same room as Marinette.

Oh God, he prayed there was some sort of area he could have a break from her. It had been hard enough just spending time in a van with her, her and her wonderful floral smell, and that was when he had something to distract himself, having to deal with her with no distractions... he wasn't so sure he'd make it out of this alive.

In 1km turn right.

His best friend, Miss Robotic Voice Lady, called out the next command. A quick glance at the screen showed him they were within touching distance now, the light he'd been following getting closer and closer, brightening the darkness and giving him something to aim for.

"Do - do you mind that they think that? You know, that there's more between us?" she asked shyly, Adrien shaking his head in response only to realise she couldn't see him.

"Technically there is more between us. I wouldn't exactly call this normal, would you?"

"You know what I mean Kitty." The use of his nickname brought something to the front of his mind.

"Did you know you only call me that when I'm transformed or you think I can't see you?"

A humming noise came from beside him and he was pretty certain Marinette was replaying many conversations between the two of them in her head.

"That's interesting now you've said it. Would you like me to call you Kitty more often?"

"I don't mind," Adrien responded, trying to stop his mouth from screaming the word 'yes'. He adored the nickname, especially when it was joined by 'my' or she called him her 'minou' — any nickname from Marinette was a nickname worth cherishing.

"Ok, I'll use it more often then, Kitty." She emphasised the last word over dramatically and she couldn't stop the little laugh leaving her mouth only for Adrien to join in alongside her.

"Sure thing, Bugaboo."

"I still don't like that one." He was sure if he could see her that her nose would be all scrunched up in the most endearing way. Cute and stroppy — so Ladybug.

You have reached your destination.

Adrien leaned forward once more, looking through the windscreen to see a house that looked like something out of National Lampoons. It was covered in bright lights with a whole array of different statutes and light up items scattered around the gardens. The Griswolds would be impressed.

"This is..." Adrien began.

"Yeah," Marinette agreed without needing to hear the end of Adrien's sentence.

He pulled the vehicle into the courtyard, glad the van was playing ball and the weight was stopping it from skidding. Looking for a space, Adrien was finally able to bring them to a safe stop. The snow quickly coating the windows and blocking out the light from the house and enclosing them in darkness.

"How's your trousers?" Adrien asked, turning off the ignition and twisting in his seat to face Marinette.

"They're fine, nothing a little wash in the sink won't help."

"Good."

Adrien watched as Marinette grabbed her bag and opened it wide. He moved forward and peered over her to look in the bag and at a now pinky coloured kwami. They needed to get Tikki into the warmth and allow her to rest. She looked so poorly, he couldn't help but wish he could do more for her.

Adrien moved backwards, settling back into the driving seat, his eyes looking over at Marinette. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she reached for the boots and slotted her feet inside, hooking the laces up to under her knees and tying them in neat, little bows. He never thought something so mundane could be so fascinating to watch.

"Let's get inside so Tikki can eat and get warmed up. Are you okay walking in your boots?" He meant it caringly, no malice in his words at all, but the look on her face told him she hadn't exactly taken it that way. To be honest if they were transformed he'd most likely be getting a rather spectacular Birds Eye view as he sailed over the skyline that's to his Lady's rather tremendous throwing ability.

"There's nothing wrong with my boots!" Reaching into the back, she grabbed both their coats and flung Adrien's into his face.

Continuing her storm of anger, Marinette threw open the door unaware of the snow balancing on top of the car and the results being dumped on her head.

Her growl was accompanied by his laughter as they exited the car and made their way up towards the building.