A/N: I would like it to be noted that I am doing my best to represent Marinette and the other characters true to the show. It might seem like Marinette is getting slandered in this story, but a great deal of the dialogue is lifted straight from the show and this is exactly how she behaves towards girls who like Adrien and who Adrien likes. Also, Ladybug often doesn't like to take advice/give up lead. I might be playing it up a bit, but I don't think it's that unrealistic🤷🏼‍♀️

You tugged your your scarf upwards to cover your nose. You adjusted your earmuffs over your ears. You cast a quick glance over to Adrien and smiled. Though he couldn't see it, he could tell by the wrinkles that formed around your eyes. His father had let you go through his casual fashion line and choose some pieces for winter. When you had picked a few things, he was even generous to give you and Adrien a large budget to fill your winter wardrobe.

"Warm?" he asked. You nodded your head. You had been on winter break for several days, and it was Christmas Eve.

Apparently it was rare for it to snow this early in the winter, but you and Adrien decided to take advantage of it and take a slow walk through Paris. The destination eventually being the Dupain-Cheng Bakery to pick up some Christmas cookies, croissants, and a specialty cinnamon walnut cake.

You looped your arm through his and got closer to him, because in reality, you were a bit cold. You were surprised to feel how large the muscles in his arm had gotten.

You and Chat Noir had had a conversation about Adrien before, where he told you he didn't feel jealous when you interacted with Adrien. You assumed it was because he saw you and Adrien as brother and sister, but regardless, you and Adrien kept your interactions platonic.

The two of you had already taken a walk to the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triumph, and now you were headed to the bakery. "While we're there, can we also get some macarons?" you asked.

"Of course," Adrien chuckled. He had been in a bit of a low mood, so you wanted to get him out of the house. You had tried to talk with him, but he just wanted to get his mind off of his first Christmas without his mom.

When you arrived at the bakery, Thomas, Sabine, and Marinette greeted both of you with a, "Merry Christmas." You hadn't mentioned anything to anyone about your suspicion that Marinette was Ladybug, and you couldn't accuse her of anything without revealing you were Batwing. In addition, since you had put a great deal of space between yourself and Ladybug, there wasn't much investigating you could do. But, eventually, you planned to get the bottom of it.

"Merry Christmas," you and Adrien responded.

"Wait right here!" Marinette told Adrien as she ran back upstairs.

While you both waited for Marinette to come back downstairs, Thomas and Sabine began packaging your order. They handed you and Adrien your pastries just as Marinette bounded back down the stairs.

"Here, Adrien! Merry Christmas!" She held out a floppy package wrapped in blue paper with a perfect yellow bow. Adrien smiled awkwardly and thanked her as he took the package from her hands.

"I'll save it for Christmas," he gave her an authentic smile. She stepped in awkwardly, as if wanting a hug. Adrien, clearly not wanting to seem like a jerk, stepped forward as well and gave her a quick hug.

You thanked Thomas and Sabine and left the bakery with Adrien walking behind you. You didn't get far from the bakery before Adrien sat down on the bench, setting down the gift and the pastries before holding his head in his hands.

You sat down and wrapped your arm around him, and pulled him close to you. "Want to talk about it?" He shook his head, and instead turned to face you completely. He wrapped both of his arms tightly around your waist. He buried his face in the crook of your neck and just let out a shaky breath.

You hugged him tighter with your one arm, reaching to grab your phone from your pocket with the other. You discreetly texted Gorilla to come pick you up outside of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery. When he confirmed he was on his way, you wrapped both arms around Adrien and squeezed him.

"I think you should talk to your dad about how much you're struggling," you whispered. "You deserve to spend Christmas with your dad." He just held you tighter in response.

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When the car arrived, you and Adrien slid into the backseat. Gorilla turned around and handed each of you a hot chocolate that he had in the cupholders next to him. You took a long sip and immediately felt yourself becoming warmer.

Adrien seemed to relax when he drank his hot chocolate and thought about going home.

When you arrived home Gabriel came out to greet you. He went up to Adrien and helped him take his coat off. "I want to have Christmas Eve dinner," he told Adrien. Adrien's eyes lit up enthusiastically.

"You two should definitely enjoy Christmas Eve dinner together. Could you have a plate sent up to my room?" you asked, genuinely excited for Adrien.

"You don't have to do that, (Y/N)," Adrien insisted.

You shook your head. "You two have plenty to talk about, I'll just video chat with some friends and family back home." You gave Adrien a hug. "We'll open gifts together in the morning."

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"(Y/N)! Wake up! Wake up!" You jolted out of your bed, letting out a scared scream. You recognized Gabriel looking down at you with a panicked expression. You clutched your chest, breathing heavily. "Where's Adrien?"

"What?!"

"If you know where my son is, I need you to tell me, please." His voice was desperate. "If you helped him sneak out, I won't be upset if you just tell me where he is."

You gaped uselessly for a moment before shaking your head. "I-I-I... I don't know where he is."