It was the day of the Christmas Ball. Marinette had just finished her dress, and was ready to go. All she needed to do was make sure her parents wouldn't come wake her up.

Marinette situated some of her pillows underneath her covers, and she added a wig to the top. Tikki sat next to her, grinning.

"I can't wait to go to the ball. It'll be so fun." She whispered. Marinette nodded excitedly.

"Alright. Tikki. Spots on." She transformed into the strong winged fighter she was. All she had to do was get out of the suit.

She didn't see any type of zipper, so she tried prying it off. It must have been made from some incredibly stretchy fabric because Marinette was able to take everything off just by peeling it off. Although underneath it was nothing.

Marinette put some underwear and a backless bra, and climbed into her dress.

She let her hair down, and brushed it out a little.

She sat in the vanity and put on some light eye makeup, then looked at herself in the mirror.

The dress she made was backless with a halter neck. It was tight on the top and the waist, and then it flared out loosely. It was slightly high-low, and did not have much detail. It was red all over, with varying sized black dots. She paired this with some black heels and red nail polish.

'You look amazing Marinette!' Tikki told her in her mind.

"Thank you." She moved around in the mirror some more, and felt satisfied. She opened her hatch, and peeked down.

It was about 8pm, and Marinette faked going to bed early. She climbed out onto the balcony, and started flying to the school.

Marinette hovered in the air, and flew fast to the school. The cold air nipped at her bare skin, but the powers from Tikki still kept her body at a safe temperature.

She saw the school, and touched down. The school lights were on, and it advertised the dance. The night life had started to fade since Hawkmoth started his terror. Only a couple people walked around at night, but they walked quickly.

Marinette walked up the stairs, pushed the door open, and walked into the gym.

The lights were dimmed and flashing, people were gathering, and some noticed her.

"It's Ladybug." She heard someone say. It made Marinette feel a lot better knowing they didn't immediately recognize her. The room was decorated with festive décor, and there were mistletoe hanging in the middle of the floor. Most likely that was why no one was standing there.

She nervously walked around the crowd, and headed towards the principal who was on the stage getting ready.

"Ladybug! You made it. Chat hasn't arrived yet, but feel free to do whatever. We'll start once he gets here. I'll give the first speech in the begging, and you can dance with the others or speak with some of our other guests. I'm not sure which group you prefer since you are a little unknown. But towards the end before the last slow dance, is when you'll give your speech. Also I made sure the students wouldn't ask for autographs." He told to her. She looked around, and saw some other lights on, and some teachers and parents who gathered together who were talking.

"Thank you. Chat should be here soon. And I think I'll dance. I haven't spoken to the students yet, and it seems like it could be fun." She told him. While she waited for Chat to arrive, she helped him set up the sound equipment.

Some more students arrived, and Marinette was able to look around. Everyone had more red, black, green, and gold colors. Alya showed up in a black puffy dress with no detailing. Chloe, of course, wore a blinding gold colored tight dress that puffed at the bottom. Jukela didn't get the memo, and wore a pink short dress. Pretty much everyone wore something festive. Marinette felt a little out of place in her soap opera inspired polka dot dress.

She looked to the doors, and the one person she had been waiting for finally arrived. Chat walked in wearing a black tuxedo with a green silk button up, and a gold bowtie. He had the mask that went down his nose, and the pointier ears on his head. He did have a glove on only one hand where the ring was, but the other hand was gloveless.

He looked around, and then looked to Marinette.

He visibly opened his mouth and smiled. Marinette walked to him, and he walked to her.

"You look great Chat." She said. Chat went straight in for a hug.

"You look beautiful Mi'Lady." He said sincerely. It almost made her blush.

"Well we can tell the principal you are here. I have just one thing the say tonight, and everything else is free for us." She told him. She went to the raised stage, and got his attention.

"We're all set." She told him.

The principal nodded and check his microphone. He motioned for them both to stand up on the stage, which they did. They stood to the side.

"Can I get your attention please? The ball can now start, but first I would like to formally introduce two special people to the occasion. The famed superheroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir are here to have fun with you guys and talk. No autographs, again. At the end they will present a little speech for you, there will be one more dance, and the night will be done." He finished quickly. Ladybug and Chat hopped off the stage, and joined the crowd while the music played. Nino sat at the dj, having more fun providing the music than dancing to it.

"Hello Ladybug!" Someone said to her. Marinette waved back awkwardly. She felt so alienated. None of the people knew who she was. Chat seemed to notice this, so he grabbed her hands.

He turned her to face her, and then started to dance. It made Marinette chuckle, but she soon joined in. The two danced together, and some single people joined in. Marinette grabbed onto anyone on the sides who weren't dancing, and dragged them onto the floor. Chat danced with any of the single female, which many of them enjoyed, and they had a lot of fun.

Before they knew it, the night was nearing, and the music started to diminish. Marinette took that as her queue, and both she and Chat walked to the stage.

She grabbed a microphone and got it ready. Chat stood next to her as she tried getting ready. Although suddenly she blanked out. She forgot her speech.

"How am I going to say the speech if I don't remember it?" She told Chat, making sure the mic was far away.

"Just speak from the heart." He encouraged her. She nodded, and got their attention.

"Ladies, gentlemen. Thank you for coming to this dance, and having fun with us. We can't tell you how much this would mean to us since we don't get much free time or fun time. But I'm glad you guys all came here to have fun and celebrate the season. I had a whole speech planned out, but I don't really remember." She laughed nervously. "Chat. Is there anything you'd like to say?" She asked. Chat nodded confidently, and took the microphone.

"Christmas is the season were we gather with our family and friends and show each other how much you care for them. You don't even have to buy them presents. Just having them in your presence sharing memories and laughing is an amazing thing. And I can promise you that that is what you did this night. But I hope you spent this night with the people you love. Doesn't have to be romantic, of course, but friends that you love, or partners that you love. I know I spent the night with someone that I love dearly, and I'm glad to have spent it with her." Chat took a pause, and noticed the smile on Ladybug's face.

"You all are going to graduate after the year is over. And then you'll go on to college or an apprenticeship, or maybe even leave the city or country. But I do know that you will do great. This school is amazing, and the people I have met tonight have everything going for them. But if you do leave, or even if you just split to different universities, just keep in heart the memories you have. The memories of your first best friend, your first relationship, your first love. I know that all my wonderful memories, I have made at school. Although I cannot disclose my true age, I can tell you that in your high school years, you find those that you love. I found many that I love, and I'm positive you all have found someone else you love as well. Some you love more than others, and others you love differently. There is one thing I can fully disclose to you all, and it is no secret for me or you. I have found the one I truly love, and she's standing by my side. Like she has always done." Everyone smiled, and Marinette blushed as the crowd looked to her. She knew Chat was talking about her.

"I know she has always been by my side, and I know she always will. I learned how to open up to people in the past two years, and I can tell you that only positive events have occurred because of it. Take this time the you spend the most with those you love, and open up to them. Don't be afraid to laugh weirdly, or tell awful jokes. Heck, I haven't said a cat pun all night and it's been killing me." He laughed, making the crowd giggle as well.

"I'm paw-sitive that you all are probably a bit tired of hearing me drone on and on about sappy stuff, so we can now conclude the final slow dance of the night." He turned to Ladybug. "Mi'Lady. Will you dance with me?" He held his hand out. She smiled and grasped it.

"Of course." Chat laid the microphone down, and some slow music started to play. Chat dragged her off the stage and onto the floor.

He placed a hand on Ladybug's waist, and held her hand with the other. She placed her free hand on his shoulder, and Chat pulled her closer.

The two slow danced with the crowd, and danced around. Marinette knew she didn't have much time left, but she didn't care. She danced with Chat, and found herself enjoying it immensely.

Chat smiled softly down to her, and Marinette looked up. They danced, and then someone called to them.

"Ladybug. Chat. Look up." Someone told them. They both looked up, and saw mistletoe. Directly above them. Chat grinned and looked down to Marinette.

"May I finally have a kiss?" He asked. Marinette smiled softly.

"Only if you meet me halfway." She went onto her tiptoes, and Chat bent down slightly. Their lips touched and the song finished. People clapped and whistled to them.

They separated and blushed profusely.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that." Chat said.

"But Chat. We've done this once before already." She grinned. They let go, and everyone started to file out of the gym.

Ladybug and Chat were the last ones out, and they started to walk down the steps.

"You spoke wonderfully up there, Chatton." Marinette told him.

"Thank you. I spoke from the heart." He promised, touching his chest. He checked his ring, and knew he was going to scrape for time.

"I've got to go. It was already a risk to sneak out this late at night, and if anyone were to see me, that would end catastrophically." He told her.

"Goodnight Chat. I'll see you soon." Marinette waved.

"Goodnight Mi'Lady. See you soon." Chat broke into a sprint in one direction, and Marinette started flying fast in another. Both needed to get home before they timed out.

Marinette raced home, and she made it on time. As soon as her feet touched down on the ground, her wings disappeared and the mask faded. Tikki appeared, and laid on the couch, exhausted from keeping the form the entire night.

Marinette got dressed into pajamas and hid the dress in her closet. She looked to where she left the suit, and it was gone.

"Tikki? Where's the suit?" She asked, concerned.

"The suit disappears no matter what. It'll return on your body next time, don't worry." She assured. Marinette washed her face and placed Tikki in her own bed. Then she herself climbed into bed, and got comfortable.

"Hey Marinette?" Tikki called quietly.

"Yes Tikki?"

"Are you falling in love with Chat?" She asked so quietly, afraid to even ask. Marinette's back was to her. She didn't move. She couldn't think.

"I-I don't know." Marinette answered so quietly, she had no idea if Tikki had even heard her. She pulled the covers over her head, and curled into a ball. She held onto her head, tucking them into her knees.

"What if I am..."