The late-afternoon air was crisp with the scent of pine trees and the sweet smell of hot chocolate wafting from nearby stands. The outdoor ice rink gleamed under the lights, the surface reflecting the twinkling decorations on every corner.

"Ice skating? Are you sure?" Marinette stood by the rink, adjusting her scarf while trying not to seem too nervous. It wasn't that she didn't love skating—it was more the fact that she hadn't been on the ice in years.

Adrien grinned at her, sensing her unease. "You'll be fine." His voice was warm and confident, and despite her initial hesitation, Marinette couldn't help but smile back.

"Okay, but what if I fall and break my arm or something? We're supposed to host a Gala tomorrow, Adrien," she argued but it was half-heartedly.

Adrien's eyes sparkled. "I won't let anything happen to you. Just trust me."

"I'm trusting you," Marinette said, glancing down at her skates. "But you can't blame me if I fall."

"Oh, I'll catch you if you do," Adrien teased, stepping onto the ice with an easy, graceful glide.

Marinette followed suit, her first few steps tentative, trying to match Adrien's fluid movements. But the moment she made a small turn, her feet slipped, and she let out a startled laugh, immediately flailing for balance. Before she could fall, Adrien reached out, pulling her back up.

"That's what I'm here for," he said with a laugh, steadying her.

They began to skate slowly together, gliding in circles. The rink was full of families and couples, but all Marinette could focus on was the warmth radiating from Adrien beside her. They skated in silence for a while, the world around them filled with Christmas carols and the sound of skates cutting through the ice. Adrien occasionally teased her, making her laugh as she stumbled over her own feet.

Marinette felt a rush of happiness, realizing how easy and natural it was to just be here, with him. The worries about the Gala, about everything in her life, seemed to fade for a few moments.

"You're doing great," Adrien said with a grin as she gained more confidence. "I knew you had it in you."

"I don't know about that," she replied, chuckling. "But it's getting better."

They skated in tandem, the world outside fading into the background as they focused solely on each other. At one point, Adrien swirled around and shot a playful look over his shoulder. "Bet you can't catch me!"

Without waiting for her response, he picked up speed, and Marinette laughed as she tried to chase him down. She pushed herself harder, trying to match his pace.

Suddenly, her foot slipped beneath her, and before she could react, she felt herself falling forward. But Adrien was quick. He reached out just in time, catching her mid-fall and pulling her upright.

Marinette caught her breath, looking up at him with wide eyes. "That was close."

Adrien chuckled, holding her steady. "Told you I've got you."

For a moment, they just stood there, close, gazing at each other. The rink glimmered around them, the Christmas lights sparkling in the distance.

"You know," Adrien began, his voice softer, "I used to hate the holidays. My family's traditions... they were always so forced. But now... it feels different."

Marinette tilted her head, curious. "How so?" She already had an idea.

"I don't know." Adrien smiled wistfully. "Maybe it's because I'm here with you."

Her heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice. He smiled down at her, his eyes full of warmth, and for a brief second, it felt like the entire world had stopped.

"Come on," he said, breaking the moment, "let's finish this lap. I think we both deserve some hot chocolate after that."

"But we had some earlier!" Marinette laughed

"Who says you can't have hot cocoa twice in one day?"

After returning their skates, they strolled through the festive streets of Paris, the night air filled with the scent of chestnuts roasting over an open fire. The Christmas lights twinkled in every direction, and the sounds of people laughing and chattering filled the night. Marinette felt light on her feet, her worries for the Gala momentarily forgotten.

"Shall we do some shopping?" Adrien asked, nudging her gently. "We could get a few gifts for everyone."

Marinette smiled brightly. "That sounds perfect."

The two walked side by side, browsing the street lined with booths and vendors selling everything from handcrafted scarves to intricate jewelry. Marinette paused to admire a display of delicate ornaments, her fingers gently grazing the glass baubles.

"What about you?" she asked Adrien as they wandered. "Have you finished your shopping yet?"

He grinned, glancing at her with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, I have most of it done. But I might be buying something special tonight."

Marinette raised an eyebrow, amused. "Special, huh? Who's the lucky recipient?"

Adrien's grin widened. "You'll see."

Marinette laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

The next few stalls were full of options, but every time Marinette picked something out, she found herself second-guessing her choices. A charm for Alya? A new vinyl record for Nino? But what did Adrien want? She was starting to feel overwhelmed, and it showed.

Adrien noticed immediately. "Something wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Marinette sighed, a small frown on her face. "I don't know. I just... I feel like everyone already has everything they need, and I don't want to get them something they already have."

"Well, that's part of the fun, right? Finding something unique," Adrien said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And the thought counts. Just take your time."

Marinette smiled at him gratefully, feeling comforted by his presence. He was right. The thought behind a gift was far more important than the object itself.

As they walked past a stall filled with sparkling jewelry, Adrien's eyes caught on something. It was a delicate bracelet, silver with tiny charms dangling from it—a small Eiffel Tower, a little heart, and a few other meaningful symbols.

"I think I'll take this," he said, grabbing the bracelet with a knowing smile. He made his way to the cashier, leaving Marinette standing there, a bit confused.

"What are you getting that for?" she called out, walking over.

"Someone very special," Adrien replied cryptically.

He returned to her side, holding the little bag with the bracelet inside. "You'll see," he said with a wink.

Marinette couldn't help but feel touched by his thoughtfulness, and she smiled, though she was still a bit confused. Why buy it right in front of her?

They continued to shop, picking up a few last-minute gifts. When they were done, they stood in front of a hot chocolate stall, both clutching steaming cups.

"So," Adrien asked, his voice soft, "what about you? Have you figured out what you want for Christmas?"

Marinette's lips curved into a small, shy smile. "I really don't need anything, Adrien. I'm just happy to be spending time with you."

Adrien smiled back, his eyes lighting up with something tender. "You know, I might be able to make that happen."

Marinette's heart skipped at his words, and she looked away, unsure how to respond.

"And now," Adrien sighed dramatically. "For the grand finale of this wondrous night."

"Hmm. Let me guess: Christmas lights?"

"Christmas lights."

When they were together in lycee, Marinette had shown Adrien the dazzling Christmas lights around Paris, ones her parents would take her too every year when she was younger. She was surprised—and saddened—when she had discovered no ever took him to see the lights, so she took him herself and vowed to make it the most wonderful evening. But things were so different back then. Then, they were two infatuated teens. Now, they were adults with real lives and goals. Her heart flutters at the thought of Adrien doing the same that she did for him.

The night had settled fully around them, blanketing Paris in a soft, sparkling glow. The streets were alive with the twinkling of Christmas lights, strung up across balconies, wrapped around trees, and dancing in windows. Every building seemed to shine with festive spirit. The night air had grown colder, but the warmth from the lights and the closeness of Adrien beside her made it feel like the world was glowing just for them.

Adrien's hand brushed against hers, and she looked up, surprised to find that he had reached out, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't pull away. She let their fingers linger together for a moment, a quiet but undeniable connection.

"Come on," he said softly, nudging her forward. "There's more down this way."

She followed him, their footsteps crunching against the light dusting of snow that had settled on the cobblestones. Paris, with its usual grandeur, felt different tonight—more magical, somehow. It wasn't just the lights, though they were spectacular, or the shimmering decorations. It was the way the air felt, crisp but not biting, and the way the evening seemed to stretch endlessly before them, a promise of something special, something rare.

They passed under arches of fairy lights, the soft glow illuminating their faces as they walked deeper into the heart of the city. Marinette couldn't help but glance at each new display, awe filling her as the streets came alive in a riot of color and warmth. There was something about Christmas that made everything look better, brighter, even if it was just the same street she walked down every day. The twinkling lights made everything feel fresh, as though the season had imbued the city with a new, impossible kind of beauty.

But more than the beauty of the lights, it was the way Adrien looked at her that made her heart flutter. Every glance, every moment he caught her eye, made her wonder if he felt it too—that unspoken connection between them that seemed to grow stronger each time they were together. He was smiling at the lights, but she couldn't help but wonder if his thoughts were with her, just as hers were with him.

They reached a plaza where an enormous Christmas tree stood, towering above the crowds. The tree was a cascade of silver and gold, adorned with hundreds of sparkling ornaments and strings of tiny lights that blinked rhythmically, casting a warm golden glow across the entire square. It was breathtaking, and for a moment, Marinette forgot to breathe, her eyes drawn to the display.

"Wow," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is... incredible."

"I know," Adrien agreed, his voice full of admiration. "I love how all these little lights make everything look so much bigger and brighter."

Marinette smiled, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over her. "It's like the lights are making everything more... magical. Like... the whole world's glowing."

Adrien turned toward her, his expression unreadable at first, but then his lips curved into a soft, knowing smile. "Yeah. I think that's the point of Christmas. To make things brighter, even when it's dark outside."

His words hung in the air between them, and for a heartbeat, Marinette couldn't help but feel as if he were speaking to something deeper than just the decorations. It was as if he understood that sometimes, when everything seemed overwhelming or hard, there was always a light shining somewhere, even if it was faint. A light that could guide you through the darkness.

Her heart swelled with emotion, and she couldn't quite explain it. It was like there was a thread between them, a pull that had always been there, but tonight—tonight it felt like it was undeniable.

"You know," she said, her voice a little quieter than usual, "when I was little, I used to come here with my parents, and we'd walk through the Christmas markets and look at the lights just like this. It was my favorite part of the season, just being here, seeing everything so bright and beautiful. It made everything feel so... peaceful."

Adrien smiled softly, his eyes shining with something that felt like understanding. "That sounds nice."

Marinette glanced at him, noticing the way his gaze lingered on her, his smile a little more knowing now. But then, almost as if on cue, they both turned back to the display of lights, watching the soft glow of the tree as it shimmered in the night.

There was a quiet between them now, the sounds of the market fading as they both took in the peaceful atmosphere. Marinette felt like she could stand here forever, just watching the lights, with Adrien by her side. There was something so comforting in the simplicity of the moment. It wasn't the grandeur of the decorations, the splendor of the lights. It was something deeper, something simpler. Just being here with him, feeling like this moment was theirs alone.

As they continued their walk through the glowing streets, the crowd seemed to fade away. The lights blurred together, and Marinette's thoughts drifted. It was almost surreal, how everything in her life had led up to this. The friendship, the laughs, the moments of doubt and confusion—it all seemed to make sense now, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.

She felt a warmth inside her, not just from the hot chocolate they'd shared earlier or the soft glow of the lights, but from the way Adrien made her feel. Like she was seen. Like she mattered. He'd always had this way of making her feel special without even trying, and it was so much more than she'd ever thought she could want.

They reached the end of the street, and Adrien stopped, turning toward her. "I think this might be my favorite part of the night," he said softly, his gaze meeting hers. "Just... walking here with you."

Marinette's heart thudded in her chest, and she found herself smiling shyly, her cheeks flushed. "Me too," she whispered.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, but they didn't need to. The lights glowed around them, and the world felt like it had paused, just for them. All the chaos, all the planning for the Gala, seemed so far away. Right now, there was only this moment, and the quiet understanding between them. It was perfect.

Sadly for both our lovebirds and beloved readers, the moment was interrupted as Marinette's phone buzzed, pulling her back to reality.

The phone call had come through from the fashion house. Marinette's heart dropped as she checked the screen—her pulse quickened.

"What's wrong?" Adrien asked, noticing her change in demeanor.

Marinette's hand trembled as she answered the call. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was frantic. "Marinette, it's... it's bad. The entire line... it's ruined."

Marinette's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"

"We don't know how, but everything's damaged. Except for the finale piece... it's intact, but everything else... it's all gone." The panic in the seamstress's voice sent a chill through her.

Adrien's grip tightened on her shoulder. "What happened?"

"I don't know," she replied, feeling a wave of panic rise in her chest. "I need to call Gabriel."

She quickly dialed his number, trying to steady her breathing. Gabriel picked up, his voice tight with tension.

"Mr. Agreste, someone broke into—" She tried to take a deep breath and catch her nerve.

"What's the damage, Marinette?" he demanded.

"The entire line... except for the finale piece. It's all ruined," she said, her voice shaking.

There was a pause before Gabriel's cold response. "I'll be there soon. Don't touch anything. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir," she whispered, and the line clicked off.

Adrien stepped closer, his concern evident in his eyes. "What happened? How bad is it?"

"The whole collection..." Marinette said softly, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "It's all ruined."

Adrien's face softened, and without saying another word, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "We'll get through this. Don't worry. You're not alone in this, Marinette."

For a moment, Marinette leaned into him, taking comfort in his steady presence. Despite the situation, the feeling of his warmth, his strength, was enough to ground her.

"We worked too hard on all of this for it to fall apart the night before, Adrein. My name is on the line here, we must hurry back and beat your father to the office. Maybe the damage isn't as bad as we think?"

Marinette would soon discover that it would take a Christmas miracle to repair what had been done and save both the Gala and her good name.

But she knew with Adrien by her side, anything was possible.

(You know, except for escaping bad luck. That always seems to follow her)