'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the flat,

Not a creature was stirring, except a black cat.

He snuck 'round the home, with a parcel in hand,

In hopes when she woke, she'd find something grand.

Ladybug was nestled all snug in their bed.

As she prepared for the first Christmas, as Chat's newlywed.

No wigs were in sight, just a magical garment,

That would help if they woke from the Christmas excitement.

Adrien was excited... wait no! Excited was such a mediocre word. He was thrilled, exhilarated, elevated, delighted, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of beans and what any other synonym Google could tell him for the word.

He was here for three days, three whole days, only having to head back the day after Christmas when he'd return for the last of his work-related galas. He was almost home free... almost. The weeks were ticking down until he would be calling this place his own, getting to sleep beside his wife every night and enjoy the time with her, going on dates, watching movies and being on the same bodyclock. The toing and froing between two different continents; two different time zones was beginning to screw him up a little, so being in just one was going to be a welcome change.

Ladybug had gone to bed early. She'd been tired a lot recently and he knew she was working herself to the core. She was continuously tired, and barely eating, and truth be told he was worried about her. He'd begged her to see a doctor, but she was brushing him off telling him it was just her workload. However, with everything going on, he was a little worried it was something more. He couldn't help but think back to his mother; the headaches, the tiredness, the lack of appetite, and seeing his Lady displaying the same symptoms panicked him. A lot.

He'd spent the last couple of hours wrapping her presents and positioning them just right under the tree, her main now stored away with a big bow in her office; his pièce de résistance. For the first time in years he was actually excited for Christmas Day, the day jam packed with love, family and friends.

Adrien pulled out his phone with a sigh, maybe he'd gone a little overboard this year, the love of his Lady speering him on to make all kinds of crazy plans. It had all seemed quite simple when he'd written it in his phone's calendar app, but now the day was practically here, and he had to actually go through with it; he wondered if he'd bitten off more than he could chew.

He looked at the list of events he had planned for that day:

1. Wake up and open presents with his Lady

2. Ladybug's parents were coming around for Christmas brunch

3. Spent time together as a family / Christmas dinner

And this is where things began to get a little tricky. Nino had caught wind of him coming back to Paris, he wasn't sure how or who had spilled the beans? Maybe he'd mistakenly mentioned it during one of their last conversations, but he had zero recollection. Anyway:

    4. Go and see Nino and Alya

    5. Meet the rest of the gang on 'The Liberty' for Christmas evening

He'd already mentioned to Ladybug that he would be going to see 'some friends' and she was surprisingly fine with it stating she always saw her best friend on Christmas evening and went to a regular party. He didn't know whether he was upset by the fact she agreed so readily, or if he was envious he wasn't going with her.

Her?

After seeing her bright blue orbs, a twinge in the back of his head was continuously asking him to open his eyes, telling him to really look, and he was...he really was really trying to figure out who his lady was; but everytime he thought he was a little closer, the mist faded away — slipping through his fingers just as he tried to grab hold of it.

He could picture her face so clearly in his mind now, the bluebell eyes he saw were a prominent feature on her face, striking out at him as she connected herself together in his dreams. But the name would never come. He'd considered everything; a medium, a therapist, dream experts...anything to stop him feeling like he was flitting between an episode of Stranger Things and Inception. Adrien knew he sounded mental, and both Kaalki and Plagg refused to amuse him by listening to what they called his vivid imagination. Plagg even went as far as saying he was projecting her into someone else; someone else the damn kwami wouldn't name.

Adrien sat looking at the two rings on his fingers twisting and turning them as he considered what life would be like if they were to reveal.

He was sure it would be perfect, but something was holding him back.

Who knows? Maybe Vecna had broken through the Upside Down divide and ventured onto planet Earth, stopping Chat Noir from risking the life of everyone on the planet by hiding his real face from his Lady. Worst of all though, he had a nice face and he wanted to show it off side by side with Ladybug's wonderful, true beauty. The time would come though, he just needed to continue being patient, but it was starting to get truly difficult.

Pushing himself from his seated position he headed to their bedroom, looking at the body resting comfortably under the bed sheets and he couldn't help but smile, she really was something else. Climbing in beside his red and black coated partner, he turned towards her, placing his back in the direction of the window.

Ladybug rolled to face him, and pressed a kiss on his chin before curling up on his chest. Everything might not be perfect at the moment, but he was sure (in the long run) everything was going to be worth it.

•••••

"Chaton, what are you doing?"

"I don't know!" he laughed, grabbing a basting brush and spreading turkey juice all over the turkey. It had been a confusing morning in the kitchen, and although the present swapping had been wonderful, right now Chat wondered if he'd bit off more than he could chew.

"Will you let me help you? Please! We're all going to end up with food poisoning." She wandered over to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and stretching on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss against his neck.

"Distracting the chef is a punishable offence, M'Lady."

"Oh yeah, and how is that?" her sultry words whispered in his ear and he almost basted himself.

"Bugaboo, your parents are right over there?" He nodded his head towards the sofas where Oxen was battling Naga in the newest UMS game, one which he'd managed to get pre-released. Chat was Oxen's hero for the day.

"Boo-yeah! Oxen style!" The big guy stood up, and Chat pushed Ladybug away from him, just in case he turned around and spotted them canoodling.

"Oh come on Minou, we're married, I'm sure they expect us to cuddle and kiss. Don't be such a prude."

"A prude!" he exclaimed, grabbing the tea towel and winding it up, smacking her in the butt and making her squeal.

"Rude," she laughed, moving to the sink and beginning to wash up the numerous pots and pans he'd already battled through.

"Do you need some help, love?" Naga had made her way over to her daughter, indicating towards the tea towel and the wet kitchen utensils.

"You want me to relinquish my weapon?" Chat gasped, handing the tea towel over to his mother in law, before opening the oven and sliding the turkey back inside. "I knew she was your favourite." He nodded a head towards his wife, who was currently scrubbing a pan trying to get the remnants of burnt potatoes from the bottom.

Naga laughed, reaching up and pinching Chat's cheek, giving it a little shake. "You know you're my favourite, kitty."

"No!" Ladybug shouted, turning around and sending soap subs flying off her hand. "No, Maman! That's wrong on so many levels! Calling him Kitty, please, I beg! Don't do it!"

"You're such a spoilsport sometimes." She rolled her eyes at her daughter and right there and then he could clearly see the similarities between the two.

Chat laughed, moving to the cutlery draw and pulling out the knives and forks before moving them to the table and placing them next to the crackers.

He couldn't stop smiling, and he doubted he would for the rest of the day.

•••••

Ladybug was struggling to keep the smile on her face. Not because she wasn't having fun, god no, she was having the greatest time ever, but she was completely exhausted.

She'd worked herself to the bone in the run up to Christmas, making presents for everyone, including something truly special for her husband. She'd created a scrapbook; pictures, news clippings and articles, plus receipts and other mementos from different occasions they'd shared. She'd loved the outcome, even to the point of shedding a tear or two as she put their life together right in that very book; from their first appearance to the hotel bill from the 'Bellagio'.

In return, he'd had a special sewing table made for her. Everything she could ever want or need was contained in the beautifully crafted piece of wood that was now homed in her studio. For someone who hated fashion the table was perfect in every single way.

But she was exhausted and could really do with a nap, especially with tonight's shenanigans on 'The Liberty'. When Chat had come to her with the question of leaving for the evening; she'd been relieved, after all it meant less time having to make an effort, but at the same time she was gutted. She wanted to be with him, and although she would never begrudge him time with his own friends, she wanted to be part of the gang and spend time with him in his natural habitat. She bet he was the life and soul of a party, the one everyone wanted to talk to and dance with. She was so goddamn envious she might as well have been green.

But she would enjoy this time with him now, even if they were wearing paper hats and eating some rather questionable food. At least he'd tried, she supposed, mentally placing cooking on her list of things to teach him. He could now do the washing unsupervised so there was at least some kind of hope.

"What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claustrophobia." Her father's laugh echoed around the room, doing no good for her already pounding head. Seriously, she really needed a nap.

"That ones good Oxen, but what about this?" Chat Noir coughed, pulling the attention to him before spewing out what Ladybug would say was the worst Christmas joke in the history of bad Christmas jokes. She would battle anyone who differed in opinion. "How does Christmas Day end? With the letter Y!"

As her father almost fell off the chair laughing, her mother hid the smirk behind her hand and Marinette only had one statement to make for her husband.

"I want a divorce."

Oxen burst out laughing once more, the roaring turning into a coughing fit as he attempted to have a drink.

"Oh come on, Bugaboo. You love our jokes."

"Yep," Oxen agreed, slamming a hand onto his son-in-law's shoulder and giving it a quick shake. "This kid is going to take over from me one day, and when you finally have kittens of your own...the world better watch out because they'll be funnier than Harry Clown."

"It wouldn't take much," Chat replied, setting the big man off again.

"Maman, please get them to stop." Ladybug whined, turning to her mother and hopeful support.

"They're having fun, cherie, leave them alone, and by the way, we've started sorting your old room out."

"Why?" Her eyebrows clenched together as she looked at her mother in disbelief.

"Well, we need to have somewhere for our grandchildren after all."

This time Chat Noir was the one to do the choking, Ladybug sitting smug as he seemed to be rendered speechless for the remainder of the afternoon. Oh yes, now this was a good Christmas Day.

•••••

The day had been amazing so far, and when it came time to part ways Adrien not only felt guilty but also didn't want to. Ladybug wasn't feeling too well though, and said she was just going to sleep. He made sure she had water and her phone close, demanding if she felt any worse she would call him and he would be right back.

Adrien straightened up his leather jacket as he jogged out of the alleyway he'd chosen to detransform in, Plagg making his way into Adrien's pocket and out of sight, he quickly checked his phone before continuing on his way. As he rounded the corner he was greeted with a scream and then an impact of a wild banshee, or Alya for those who knew her by name.

"You're here! You're actually here!" Alya launched herself forward taking Adrien aback as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Hey dude, you look great." Nino followed behind his girlfriend, taking Adrien out of Alya's arms and wrapping him tight in his own 'bro' hug. "I take it America's treating you well?"

Before he could answer he left his left hand being lifted and Alya's gasp echoing against the faint beeping of car horns. "Or is it your wife?"

Adrien realised right there and then that he'd made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. Not only had he revealed his biggest (well, second biggest) secret, but he was quite sure he was dead meat - as soon as his Lady found out that was. He grabbed hold of his hand, attempting to hide the ring, but it was too late, she'd seen it and the jig was well and truly up.

"Adrien?" Alya glared at him, her eyes telling him to fill her in or she was going to take things further, and one thing was for sure, he didn't want Alya to 'take things further'.

"I got married five months ago," he announced to his friend, taking his hand to his neck in an uncomfortable gesture.

"Five months!" she shrieked. "Five months! You and - and - M - her! What the hell am I going to do with you bo -" Alya froze her ramble midway, Adrien holding on with tender hooks to find out what she was going to say. "That proves everything."

The face of 'M' drifted into view again before interference hit and her face was distorted once again. This is not what he needed to contend with today.

"You know what," Alya continued, "I'm not doing this right now, it's Christmas Day and I don't think it's an ideal time to kill anyone." She turned on her heel and stalked away, down the sidewalk and towards 'The Liberty'.

"What was that all about?" Nino asked, Adrien removing his ring and placing it in his pocket.

"You're the one dating her, shouldn't you know?"

"Dude, I'm sure if I knew I wouldn't be dating her." The two guys laughed, striding towards Alya and scooping her arms one each between them.

"Come on, Al. Let's go party."

•••••

Adrien had been doing his rounds for what seemed like a year, when actually it couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. He'd been questioned, hugged, kissed, slapped (thanks Kim) and mumbled to. It was a lot, but it was home. He hadn't been back since his father had been imprisoned, scared of what everyone would think of him, but here he was, feeling loved and cared for by his friends. He couldn't wait to return permanently.

He decided to make his way downstairs and into the kitchen, dead set on getting another drink and checking his phone for about the thousandth time. He'd promised Ladybug he wouldn't drink too much, making sure he could get home and look after her properly, after all he was starting to wonder if it was his Christmas turkey.

As he made his way past the toilet, he heard two voices inside, his curiosity pulling him closer to the door.

"Stop!" A female voice said, her tone assertive and demanding of whoever was in there with her. The hero in him started to surface, the need to break down the door and save whoever was inside, made the hairs on his arms stand upon edge. He stepped closer listening to what was said next.

"How can I stop? You're throwing up in my toilet! Let me at least get you some water." The male replied, his voice soft and not at all affected by the tone of the woman.

"I don't need to be babied, Luka."

Okay, there was the answer to one question.

"Well, I don't care, I'm going to get -" the door flung open and Adrien stood eye to eye with Luka. "Adrien."

"Why are you going to get Adrien?"

Looking behind the tall blue tipped male, Adrien noticed Marinette huddled over the toilet before she wretched rather unattractively into the basin. Luka pushed Adrien towards her before scurrying out of the bathroom and towards the kitchen.

"Look after her, I'll be back." He stalked off leaving a rather confused and dazed Adrien towering over Marinette's back as she threw up in the toilet bowl. A sudden kick to the backside moved him closer to her (thanks Plagg), grabbing her wavy hair and pulling it back off her face, his other hand carefully stroking circles on her back.

"Well, I've got to say Marinette, this wins for most unique welcome home."

She tried to laugh, only to heave again instead.

"Geez, Mari, how much have you drunk?"

"She literally just arrived and came straight to greet my toilet." Luka appeared back, handing the glass of cold water over to Adrien before he handed it to Marinette, her hair still in his hand.

"Thanks," she said, wiping her mouth with the toilet paper she'd managed to reach. Her eyes closed and released liquid to add to the already formed tear streaks that had washed away some of the makeup from her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, letting her hair go and stroking a hand down her back. He felt her shiver underneath his touch, instinctively taking off his jacket and slinging it over her shoulders, rubbing a hand on her arm to warm her up. "I'm not going to leave you."

She took a deep breath, covering her mouth with her hand. "I think it was bad turkey."

"Yeah, you believe that." Luka huffed, turning and walking away, leaving both Adrien and Marinette cuddled near the toilet.

"Welcome home," she whispered, turning to him and finally opening her eyes.

He gasped looking deep into her eyes he was sure he knew, but it couldn't be could it? Before he could study them more, looking for every imprinted memory of her darker flicks and lighter streaks she turned around and threw up again in the toilet. Moving him into action and pulling her hair away from her face once again.

"Don't worry, Marinette, I'm here," he soothed, the girl turning back towards him and resting a head on his shoulder, her eyes closed and painful groans leaving her lips. This was going to be a long evening. "I'm not going to leave you."

He kept the promise right up to the moment Alya came to help her home. He noticed the fox pendant hanging around her neck and prayed that 'taking Marinette' home was meant in a superway, it felt at a complete loss without her by his side; almost like losing a part of himself as she moved further away. He prayed she would be feeling better in the morning.

Later that night, when he returned home from 'The Liberty' he looked at his lady's body covered over by their thick winter duvet, complete with reindeers and stars, but he couldn't stop his mind drifting back to Marinette.

Was it possible she was his Lady/Marinette right her with him now? The thought was strong, almost clear...so, so close, until the mist covered it again. Her face and eyes disappearing into the distance.