^ Cute ^

Previously... Ladybug suddenly realises that her parents will be back at home and wondering where she is. She jumps out the open window and swings across the city, making it in through her bedroom window just in time.

[Marinette's POV]

"Marinette!" Mum calls.

She and dad both burst through my bedroom hatchet just as Tiki zooms out of sight.

"Mum! Dad!" I fling my arms around them. "You're okay!"

"Of course we're okay; no one could ever take us from you." Mum says.

"And nothing can stop the Dupain-Cheng's from cooking up a wild pre-Christmas dinner!" My dad adds proudly.

I give my parents a tight squeeze before releasing them from my hug. "I'll come down for dinner in a bit, I've got to finish Ad—ah—this beanie...for my friend."

My mum giggles. "We understand, sweetie."

She and Dad both climb down the ladder and close my bedroom hatchet behind them. I quickly jump into my office chair and pick up where I left off. It doesn't take me long to finish at all—10 minutes max. Just as I lift up the beanie to admire my finished work, I hear a soft tap, tap, tap...

I put the beanie down and swivel my chair round towards the source of the noise. I squeal as my eyes lay upon a black figure with glowing eyes pressed against my window. I get so startled that I freak out and fall backwards off my chair. I can hear muffled chortles from outside. I groan in pain as I slowly lift my head up to see Cat Noir perched outside my window, laughing at me.

"Chat, what's he doing coming to my window?" I mutter as I get up off the ground. "And why is he mocking me when he is the one that scared me off my seat?!"

I frown grumpily as I make my way to the window. Cat Noir notices my expression and instantly stops laughing. I gesture up towards the balcony to signal that I'm coming up to meet him. Cat Noir gives a nod and starts climbing up my roof. I make my way up to the balcony, where he is already waiting.

"Hey, Mari." Cat Noir greets timorously. "I just came to make sure you're alright. It's probably not the best time for me to visit though. I saw you with your parents just before, of course you wouldn't be alone tonight. So, uh, if you're okay then I guess I'll be going. You should get back to your family."

I think back to what Cat Noir said about not having a family Christmas and suddenly watching him turn his back to leave makes me cry out,

"Wait!"

Cat Noir pauses and looks back at me. "What is it?"

I fiddle with my fingers as I debate what I'm about to do in my head.

"Please, wait here for a second." I tell him.

"Okay..." Cat Noir replies, looking unsure.

I rush inside and grab the beanie that I had made for Adrien. I know I worked hard to make it for him but...Cat Noir deserves to be loved too.

"Here, have this." I say as I hand him the beanie. "As a gift from me for saving my parents."

Cat Noir stares at the beanie with wide eyes as he takes it.

"I actually made it for a friend of mine to match the scarf I had given him for his birthday, but..." I smile at Cat Noir. "Superheros deserve Christmas presents too."

"You...You made that scarf?" Cat Noir whispers, still staring down at the beanie.

"What?" I reply.

"I mean—you made this to match that scarf...for someone else." Cat Noir speaks up, tearing his eyes from the beanie. "Is it really okay for me to have it?"

This really does mean a lot to Cat Noir. I know it's weird because now I have nothing to give Adrien but I'm kind of glad. Giving Cat Noir a specially made gift makes me really happy.

"I want you to have it." I answer honestly. "You've done so much for me and you mean so much to me. I wish I could spend Christmas with you but hopefully if you wear this, it'll make you feel warm and you'll think of me."

Cat Noir looks lost for words. Finally, he pulls me into a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Marinette." Cat Noir whispers.

"Merry Christmas Chat." I reply softly as I return his embrace.

.

[Adrien's POV]

I sigh and flop down onto my bed. I hold up the beanie Marinette had given me in one hand and the scarf I got for my birthday in the other. Each and every detail is the same, from the colour and type of fabric to the hand-stitching technique.

"Marinette gave me that scarf...not my father. Why didn't she tell me?" I think aloud.

"I dunno. It's best not to try to understand girls." Plagg replies lazily.

I close my eyes and think of Marinette, confusion swirling in my brain. Maybe Plagg is right because I just can't make sense of it. I've loved this scarf so much but now it turns out it was built on lies...shouldn't I be disappointed?

I snuggle my face into the scarf and inhale deeply. Marinette made this for me. I think...I love it even more now.