"Pencils down!" Ms. Bustier called out, "Please pass your essays forward, those in the front please bring them to my desk."

The students of the class started to murmur and whisper, some nervously talking about how hard their final exam was, while others began excited chatter about the Christmas vacation. The stack of essays made their way to Marinette, who was smiling in a lovesick way, staring at the back of Adrien's head.

"I wonder what it would be like to spend winter vacation with Adrien...." The girl sighed. She was snapped out of her fantasy as Alya bonked her on the head with the pile of essays that had been passed forward.

"Wait until school's really out before you daydream, girl." Alya smirked, handing Marinette the papers from the back of the class.

Marinette took the papers and rubbed her head as Adrien turned around to take the essays. She fell hard back into the bright green that was his eyes. They weren't like a Christmas tree, no, an ornament maybe? Still no. The green in his eyes was too bright for the cold and rainy world that winter brought.

"Marinette?" Adrien asked, holding his hand out.

Marinette sighed and placed her hand in his, "Yes?"

Adrien chuckled a little, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, "I, uh, was asking for the essays."

Chloe's cackle echoed across the room from the teacher's desk, "Wake up Baker Girl! O bet she was like that all through the test- how ridiculous!" She laughed, her lacky Sabrina following suit along with some other classmates. Marinette quickly corrected herself and collected the papers together, handing them to Adrien who gave her a smiled before adding his own test and walking up to the front desk, handing them to Ms. Bustier.

The teacher smiled as she collected the essays, waiting for her students to return to their seats before standing up herself, "Well, today marks the end of the semester, and you have all completed your final exam, which means I have nothing left to teach! Have a nice and safe winter break everyone, and have fun!"

All of the students cheered, practically jumping out of their seats, scrambling to grab their backpacks and get out of the classroom. Chloe and Sabrina were the first to the door, shamelessly blocking the exit as Chloe called out, "Zoe! Get over here, the limo is outside and I want to go shopping! I need a new coat!"

"Chloe, didn't you just get a new winter coat from daddy?" Zoe asked, still getting her things together in the back of the class.

"First of all, he's my daddy not yours, and second, he did get me one, but the Agreste collection just came out with a new line of coats, and I will be the first one to get it!" Chloe said, flipping her ponytail which hit Sabrina in the face. Not seeming to notice or care, she looked to Adrien, "Isn't that right Adrikins?"

Adrien nodded awkwardly, "Well yes, we finished the photoshoots for them the other day."

Marinette knew this, of course, she had 'completely coincidentally' gone to the park that day to 'take a walk', totally not to watch the photoshoot.

"You should come over to my place for Christmas, Adrikins," Chloe continued, leaning on the desk in a way that blocked Adrien from leaving his seat, "Only the best chefs work for Christmas dinner."

"Thanks but-" Adrien began as he skillfully dodge Chloe's advancement and get out from behind the desk, heading toward the door, "But father will need me, this is a... hard time of year."

Marinette's eyes followed the boy as he walked out the door, followed by the newest classmate, Zoe Lee. Chloe rolled her eyes and grabbed Zoe's shoulder, "Come on, we're going shopping!"

"Actually," Zoe said, taking her half sister's hand off of her shoulder, "I need to go home, my friends from New York are going to call."

"Ugh, fine! Go talk with those losers, I'll be getting the latest fashion trends!" Chloe whined before strutting out of the room, Sabrina in tow.

Zoe waved as Chloe walked out of the school, waiting for her limo to be out of sight before turning to the rest of the classmates, "Okay everyone, who wants to go celebrate finishing the semester?"

"I thought you were going to call your New York friends?" Marinette replied, gathering her things and throwing her bag over her shoulder.

"They're just waking up and going to school, Chloe always forgets about time zones." Zoe giggled mischievously, "I was thinking we could go to the new karaoke place down the street, it's my treat."

Nino stood up, pumping his fist in the air, "Dude, that sounds awesome! Let me go ask Adrien if he can get the old man off of his back for a little!" He said, running out of the classroom calling his friend's name to get his attention.

Zoe smiled to the rest of the class, "Anyone else?" She asked.

The other classmates cheered and nodded, picking up their bags and starting to follow Zoe out of the classroom, talking about songs they'd like to sing. Marinette followed the group, Alya by her side.

"Promise me you sing with me before you get lovestruck singing a duet with Adrien." Alya said, giving her friend a soft shoulder punch.

Marinette stopped dead in her tracks, "Me?! Singing a duet?! W-With Adrien?" She exclaimed, "No- no way, I mean of course I want to, but there's..." She looked over at Adrien and Nino who were talking at the base of the staircase, "There's no way his father will let him come, you heard him- he said it's a hard time of year for him."

"All the more reason to cheer him up a little."

Nino suddenly called up from the bottom of the stairs, "Adrien's free to come!" which was met with cheers from the other classmates.

Marinette blushed bright red and had to be dragged down the stairs by Alya to meet up with the rest of the group. Zoe had called another one of the Bourgeois limos to pick them all up and take them to the karaoke studio. Piling into the back of the limo, Alya tactfully maneuvered herself so she and Nino were sitting next to each other, leaving a space for Adrien and Marinette in the corner. Adrien smiled and held the door open for Marinette, his small, "After you," making her swoon once again. Climbing into the limo, she sat down and Adrien sat next to her, closing the door behind him. The driver went off down the street towards the new karaoke studio.

- - - - -

The limo came to a stop in front of the studio, and the limo driver opened the door of the car. Adrien climbed out and thanked him, Marinette following suit. Of course, she didn't manage to exit the car as gracefully as Adrien (having not been in many limos), and tripped on the edge of the car, fumbling out onto the sidewalk with a yelp. Lucky for her, Adrien was there to catch her in his arms.

She was in Adrien's arms.

"Are you alright Marinette?" Adrien asked, helping her steady her feet on the ground.

"Y-You- I mean- Yeah! Yeah I'm okay!" Marinette stammered.

Alya smirked at Marinette as she and the rest of the classmates made it out of the limo and walked into the karaoke studio, Zoe leading the way. Marinette quickly caught up with Alya, too nervous to talk to Adrien at the moment.

"Should've asked him to save a duet for you..." Alya said in a singsong voice as Zoe reserved their room.

"I-I can't do that!" Marinette hissed back.

"Okay, what's your excuse this time? You said earlier you couldn't because he wouldn't be able to come. Well-" Alya casually took Marinette's face in her hands and turned it to look at Adrien, "He's here."

Marinette stared for a second, but quickly moved her head back before she could make eye contact with her crush, "M-Maybe another time...."

Alya frowned, but knew she couldn't get any further with the issue, "Alright then, but you should still sing either way."

"Come on guys- the room is this way!" Zoe said, guiding the group to the back of the building, where a deluxe karaoke station awaited them along with snacks and a book full of songs. The students hurried inside and milled about, some plopping on the plush couches, others heading straight for the microphones on the table.

Just as Marinette got her hands on the book of songs, a loud crash was heard from outside, startling everyone. A quiet murmur stirred around the room. Another crash, and the owner of the karaoke studio opened the door.

"Kids, there's an akuma outside. If you need to call your parents, come up front, but stay in the building for now." He said before hurrying back to the front desk.

"I wonder what the villain is this time...." Alya said.

"No- you're not going out there for the Ladyblog." Nino said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I wasn't going to- okay yes I was." Alya admitted.

Marinette bit her lip and looked around at her classmates, trying to think of an excuse to get out of the building without causing suspicion. "Uh- I-I um, have to go to the bathroom!" She called out a little too loud, standing up and quickly walking out. As she left the room she heard Adrien say "I better call my dad... out front."

Marinette went down the hallway, relieved to find a fire escape door. She quickly left the building and entered the alleyway between structures. Opening her purse, she called out, "Tikki, spots on!"

- - - - -

Ladybug swung into action, using her yoyo to get up on top of a nearby lightpost. Looking around, she saw that the akumatized villain was once again Frightningale, the villain who could freeze people if they didn't rhyme or dance.

"Better get your rhyming dictionary My Lady!' Chat Noir said with a cheeky grin, running across the rooftop, "Frightningale's back."

"I noticed. Shadowmoth keeps reusing villains, but this is only the second time we've seen her."

"At least we know how to defeat her," Chat added with a shrug, "Just summon your lucky charm and we'll be in sync with those handcuffs, like the last time we defeated her. She won't be able to get us."

Ladybug watched as Frightningale hopped from roof to roof, shaking her head, "You know my lucky charm doesn't work like that, I can't pick what item I'm going to get. Besides, Shadowmoth must have changed something about her, to make her more powerful. He's not that stupid."

Chat shrugged, "Well we'll have to find another way to stay in sync then." He said, tapping his chin. A smirk grew on his face, and he held out his hand, "I suppose holding hands will keep us together, for now at least."

Ladybug raised an eyebrow at her partner, "...You're just trying to get me to hold your hand."

Chat Noir let out a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest with his free hand, "My Lady, you wound me! I only wish for our success, and if we must hold hands to do so, well I'm willing to make that sacrifice." His words were serious, but his face gave his true feelings away.

Ladybug rolled her eyes and took his hand, "Come on you silly cat." She said, leading them both into a jump across the rooftops towards Frightningale.

Reaching the villain, it was clear what Shadowmoth had changed. The microphone with the akuma inside was now connected to an amplifier, strapped to Frightningale's back like a backpack. The amplifier made the laser from her microphone cast a wider range, able to hit hundreds of people with her song and dance curse at the same time. Seeing Ladybug and Chat Noir approaching, Frightningale called out, "You can cry and you can yell, but you can't dodge my magic spell!" A burst of pink energy exploded out of the amplifier, hitting everyone with the magic, including Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"Get ready My Lady," Chat Noir said, "we must connect arms, get the handcuffs from last time with your-"

"Lucky charm!" Ladybug completed the sentence, the rhyme preventing their freezing. But, much to Chat's surprise, the handcuffs didn't appear. Plummeting out of the air was an electric guitar, which the two heroes caught just in time.

Frightningale laughed, "Fighting music with music? Like fire with fire! I must say your situation is getting dire!"

Ladybug glared at Chat Noir, her eyes saying all she couldn't say with the rhyming spell on her. She looked around, trying to think of what she could do with an electric guitar to fix this situation... The idea she had was crazy, but it just might work.

"I still have courage, I will not flee! I just ask you to follow me!" She said, slinging the guitar strap around herself and grabbing Chat Noir's hand, rushing back down to the streets and into the karaoke studio, followed by Frightningale.

Bursting through the doors, Ladybug completely ignored the stuttering and screaming of the business owner, dragging Chat Noir to the back room where the rest of her classmates were.

"Ladybug! Is the akuma gone?" Alya called out, but jumped back when she saw Frightningale run in after them, "Well that's a no."

Ladybug jumped onto the small stage in the room, plugging the guitar into the amplifiers as Frightningale laughed, "Kitty cat should've warned her- she backed herself into a corner!"

Ladybug stood up, bringing the guitar to her front. She turned up the volume as high as it would go before letting loose a sour note, her hands grazing all of the strings. The feedback made everyone cover their ears. Frightningale especially fell victim, since she was holding the microphone attached to the amplifier on her back. She fell to the ground as that amp exploded, and Chat Noir stomped on the microphone, snapping it in half to release the akuma.

As Frightningale turned back into herself, Ladybug smiled, "No more evil doing for you little akuma," She said, "Time to deevilize!" With a flick of her yoyo, she caught the akuma, purified it, and released it. Throwing the guitar up, she shouted, "Miraculous ladybug!" and soon everything was back to normal.

After many thanks, Clara Nightingale was sent on her way. Ladybug was about to go and transform back into her civilian self, but she was bombarded with questions from her classmates.

"You should sing a song with us!" Zoe said, "It's our treat, a thank you for saving the city again!"

The classmates cheered, chanting, "Sing! Sing! Sing!"

Ladybug blushed a little, but held up her hands in surrender, "L-Look, I really can't stay-"

Chat Noir mumbled something under his breath, making her turn to him, "What was that?" She asked.

"I said..." Chat Noir grinned, picking up a microphone, "Baby it's cold outside." He smirked, "You walked right into it, My Lady. Come on, we still have plenty of time."

Ladybug looked at the eyes of her classmates, all eagerly watching her. She turned to Chat, who raised an eyebrow at her as he held out his hand with the microphone in it, a challenge in his eyes.

She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I've gotta go away." She sang, letting out a small giggle.

"Baby it's cold outside!" Chat sang back, handing her the microphone with a smile.

"This evening has been-"

"Been hoping that you'd dropped in,"

"So very nice...."

"I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice!"

"My mother will start to worry,"

"Beautiful, what's your hurry?"

"My father will be pacing the floor,"

"Listen to the fireplace roar...."

"So really I'd better scurry-"

"Beautiful please don't hurry,"

"Well maybe just a half a drink more!"

"I'll put some records on while I pour."

"The neighbors might think-"

"Baby it's bad out there!"

"Say what's in this drink?"

"No cabs to be had out there!"

"I wish I knew how-"

"Your eyes are like starlight now...."

"To break this spell!"

"I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell!"

"I ought to say no, no, no sir."

"Mind if I move in closer?"

"At least I'm gonna say that I tried!"

"What's the sense of hurting my pride?"

"I really can't stay-"

"Baby don't hold out!"

"Baby it's cold outside!" Both finished together, Chat bending down on his knee, holding Ladybug's hand in an ending pose that made the classmates squeal with delight.

Ladybug let out a laugh that she had been holding back for a while, relaxing in her superhero form for once. Suddenly her earring beeped, and she set down the microphone, "Okay okay, now I really have to go!"

"Always a pleasure, My Lady." Chat Noir winked and saluted to the students before rushing out of the building himself.

Ladybug went back to the bathrooms of the studio, transforming back into herself before hurrying back to the room her friends were in. Now Marinette once again, she saw Adrien coming down the hallway and smiled at him, opening the door to the karaoke room.

Alya jumped to her feet when she saw the pair walk in, "Where have you been?! You won't believe what just happened here!"

Adrien and Marinette went to stammerings of their different alibis as Alya pulled them back into the small room, plopping them down on the couch next to her.

"Wherever you were, you missed the best thing I've ever seen! Ladybug and Chat Noir were here after they defeated Frightningale, and they sang a duet for us!" Alya squealed, "A love duet! Nino got it all on film for the Ladyblog!"

Marinette kept a smile on her face, but inside she knew she was going to pay for this next patrol.

"Well why don't we actually start using our karaoke time while that video uploads? I got dibs on the first song!" Alya said, rushing up to the microphone and grabbing it off of the table, selecting a song on the karaoke machine and starting to sing along.

Just as the students were getting comfortable in the room once again, someone burst through the doorway.

"HALF OF A SISTER!" Chloe Bourgeois screamed as she entered the room, "You took my daddy's money and spent it on spending time with these... losers?! Ridiculous!"

Zoe shrunk into herself, "H-How did you know we were here?"

Chloe snapped her fingers and Sabrina entered the room, holding up her phone with the Ladyblog homescreen on it, showing the classmates location.

"Now!" Chloe continued, "You are going to leave right now, or you let me stay and show you what real talent looks like! I can't believe you tried to hide this from me, ridiculous!"

The classmates looked at each other, none of them wanting to be around Chloe, but still wanting to hang out and sing.

"We could go to my house, we have instruments...." Juleka muttered quietly.

"What did you say- Goth Girl?" Chloe laughed.

Juleka frowned and stood up, "We're going to go to my place!" She shouted back, "Without you!" She took Rose's hand and started walking towards the door, "Come on everybody, we can play the instruments there."

Chloe was in distress as all of the students nodded, cheering Juleka on as they left the room, leaving her behind.

- - - - -

Marinette was a little nervous to see Luka again, it had been a while since they had broken up and said they would be friends, but her feelings still swirled at the idea of being near him while Adrien was there. Sure there was conflict in her heart, but she knew her heart would always long for Adrien, no matter how much it may hurt her.

The classmates arrived at the houseboat, where Luka and his mom had set up Kitty Section's instruments on the deck. The members of the band happily climbed aboard and went towards the instruments, getting ready to play.

Marinette and the other classmates sat down on the boxes on the deck in a makeshift seating area. She looked curiously up at the stage, where Alya was whispering something to Adrien, who was seated at the piano.

Alya came down and sat next to her friend, a smirk on her face, "I know you said you were too shy to sing with Adrien, but I requested a song that would help you sing for him."

Marinette frantically looked between Adrien and Alya, "What did you do?!" She hissed.

"It's just a holiday song- you know the words, but I'll pull them up for you anyway, in case you get star struck... again."

"Marinette!" Adrien called from the stage, motioning for her to come up onstage as he started playing the opening notes.

Alya pushed Marinette forward and she stumbled up the steps onto the stage, standing there stunned as she locked eyes with Adrien. She gulped before quickly heading for the microphone stand. Looking at Alya, who gave a thumbs up, she sighed before opening her mouth, about to sing when suddenly, a limo pulled up on the street where the houseboat was docked.

"Adrien!" Gabriel's assistant, Nathalie, called out as she climbed out of the limo, holding a tablet with Gabriel's face showing on facetime, "Your father wants to speak to you."

The playing stopped as Adrien suddenly stood up, shocked, "I'll be right back." He said to everyone before walking over to Nathalie.

The students murmured, wondering what would be so urgent for his father to feel the need to track him down. Marinette looked over at the limo, frowning as she saw Chloe Bourgeois walking by, waving to her with an evil grin. This was her doing, she believed she had to have Adrien or no one else could!

Adrien soon came back onto the boat, shoulders slumped, "I'm sorry guys, I have to go."

Nino stood up, "What the heck dude? I thought your dad said you could hang!"

Adrien nodded, "He did, but Chloe told him we left the karaoke studio without telling him, and after that akuma attack he says he's 'concerned for my safety'. He wants me home right away...."

"No offense, but that's so mean!" Rose said, "Even in the Christmas season he won't let you be with your loved ones."

The classmates surrounded Adrien to give him a hug goodbye, except for Marinette. She sat down, chin in her hands. She felt so bad for Adrien. Looking down at her phone, she realized she hadn't told her parents she was okay after the akuma attack, and they wanted her home too. Standing up with a sigh, she followed Adrien and Nathalie off of the boat.

"Are you leaving too Marinette?" Adrien asked.

Marinette looked up, surprised, "Oh- um, yeah. I have to go."

"Your place is close to mine, would you like a ride?" He asked. He held out his hand, looking up, "Or, it's a nice night, we could walk?"

Marinette's eyes went wide, "I-Um-I-Yes! Yes of course I'd walk with you!"

Adrien smiled and looked at his father's face on the tablet, who, with a frown, said, "No detours. Be home quick."

Nathalie nodded to Adrien before getting in the limo and riding off.

Adrien smiled at Marinette and started to walk, "Shall we?"

Marinette grinned back and walked beside him.

As they walked along the streets of Paris, Adrien asked, "So, I saw the song you were going to sing with the piano... It's nice."

"R-Really?" Marinette stammered, "You think so? I mean Alya suggested it."

"I like it, I actually practiced it a little during my lessons when it came out. I like the melody."

The pair both looked at the ground, smiling. Adrien began to hum the beginning of the song they spoke of, before starting to sing quietly:

"I want you to know that I'm never leaving-"

Marinette softly continued the song, "'Cause I'm Mrs. Snow, 'til death we'll be freezing-"

Soon, the two were singing together, "Yeah, you are my home, my home for all seasons, so come on, let's go. Let's go below zero and hide from the sun, I love you forever where we'll have some fun. Yes, let's hit the North Pole and live happily, please don't cry no tears now, it's Christmas, baby ...."

"My snowman and me...." Adrien sang, taking Marinette's hand and spinning her around with a laugh.

"My snowman and me!" Marinette giggled, catching herself in Adrien's arms as she spun.

"Adrien!" Nathalie called out from the front door. They hadn't realized they had walked so far already.

"Oh!" Marinette steadied herself on her own two feet, her mind going rampant with the thought that she had just sung a duet with Adrien Agreste, "I-Y-You have to go...."

Adrien nodded slightly solemnly. He looked up, feeling a drop on his head, "Oh hey- it's snowing...." He said, a smile starting to grow, "I'm sorry, you still have to get home, would you like an umbrella?"

"Really? You're- You're so sweet...." Marinette swooned.

Adrien took her hand and ran with her up to the front door of the mansion as the snowfall started to grow heavier. He ran inside and grabbed a black umbrella, opening it and handing it to her. "Thanks for the duet," He said with a smile, giving her a small kiss on the hand, "I'll see you soon?"

Marinette stood there in awe, watching as he waved before going inside. Marinette walked off of the property, heading back to her own house and placing the umbrella in the stand before practically dancing up to her bedroom with a sigh. Looking over at a picture of Adrien, she smiled and giggled with glee.

"Merry Christmas, Adrien...." She said with a grin.

-----

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Yeah... It has been a while? I have lots of spare time now (Like an absurd amount of free time) so if anyone has story ideas throw them my way I guess lmao, no I will not be able to write every single one. Also if you're interested in seeing what I'm up to outside of this, follow my social media, my username is cinderspeare on instagram and tiktok. 

Until next time!

~The Author