Adrien woke up feeling about as festive as a pumpkin in Easter. The fast approaching holiday was not one he looked forward to each year, and for want of a better word, he hated it!

Christmas was a time that filled him with such immense and overwhelming feelings he never knew which way to turn. Actually, that would be lying. The past four Christmas' had filled him with great joy, but this year ... there was no joy and no excitement. At the moment anyway.

Four years ago Adrien's mother disappeared. Four years ago Christmas as he knew it changed greatly, that was until his father gave him some freedom and allowed him to join the public school system.

He'd made some great friends who all cared and looked out for each other. Every Christmas since his first alone with his father, his group of friends would crowd around him and make sure they gave him a time to remember. Even if last years included an intoxicated Kim skinny dipping in his pool ... the only problem was Adrien didn't have a pool. Just a fountain out in the garden. To say Gabriel was not impressed would be an underestimation to the fuse the old guy blew. Kim was no longer allowed to the Agreste mansion, well that was until earlier this year.

In January, one month after the Kim incident, Chat Noir and Ladybug finally became victorious and defeated their arch nemisis, Hawk Moth. The Peacock and Butterfly Miraculous were back in the safe and beautiful hands of the Guardian. However, it did not come without a price.

Hawk Moth was Adrien's isolated father. His cling on assistant, Nathalie Sancoeur, was his partner in crime, Mayura. Ladybug had managed to hold them both down as Chat called the police and as much as his heart-ached that his family would be no more, he couldn't help feel the hatred towards his father for what he'd put himself and his Lady through as the police pulled him out his basement for a lifetime in prison.

The relationship between Adrien and Gabriel had ended almost a year before they took him down and saved the Miraculous'. Adrien never even batted an eyelid when his father was arrested and plastered all over the news. He held his head high and took over the company. Luckily, the brand wasn't effected too much and with a quick change to the name the sales had maintained their high productivity and the company was still very lucrative. However, instead of 'Gabriel' Adrien is now the CEO of 'Agreste'.

Adrien found that when it came to the business side he was fantastic. He's ability to work and manipulate numbers came in as a great attribute to the company and now he was almost a year in to his new job he couldn't imagine doing anything else. The only issue he had was his zero experience when it came to the designing aspect.

He had no ideas about complementary colours, silks, or patterns ... you know, the main skills you need to run a fashion house. Everyday he wished Marinette would appear and put her amazing skills to use. He wanted Marinette to come and work for him, but unfortunately she'd moved away and no one knew where, including Alya and Nino.

The ten months Marinette had been away had changed the fab foursome dramatically. It seemed Marinette was the glue, she was the bond that held the group together. Adrien had tried to remain in contact with Alya and Nino, but neither were being as social as they had been in the past. He hadn't seen Nino or Alya half as much as he would have liked to, and he had tried, he'd been trying so hard.

Life without Marinette just seemed ... dull! No-one had the optimism and carefree attitude she did. She was kind, caring, funny and, not telling Nino or Ladybug, his best friend. But she wasn't there, she wasn't around and, boy, was she needed.

At nineteen years old, Alya was pregnant, much to her dismay. They all thought that perhaps if Marinette found out she'd come back. Alya needed her. They all did. But it seemed her number was uncontactable. No one knew why.

Alya's pregnancy was a shock ... to everyone. Alya was only a couple of weeks from having the baby and Adrien knew Marinette was not going to be happy that she'd missed out on supporting her best friend. He always felt a smile creep up onto his face whenever he thought of Marinette with a small child. She would make an amazing mother, so caring and understanding.

He missed Marinette more than he ever thought possible. She had become his moon and his sun, and Adrien had to admit absence definitely made the heart grow fonder. There was just so much about her to miss; her smile and her laugh. Her constant positivity and her cute stumbles, along with the constant butt kickings she'd deliver on Ultimate Mega Strike. Each day he'd wonder between Marinette and Ladybug. He never knew he could miss two people so much. With them gone he felt empty, he felt broken.

Both girls had disappeared at the same time ten months ago and not a day passed where they weren't the first thing and last thing he thought of. He'd wake up thinking of Marinette and her bright, pure smile and he would fall asleep looking at the moon and thinking about the wonderful nights spent with his Lady. He hoped they thought about him too, and selfishly, he hoped they were both still single.

Adrien had been persuaded to set up online dating profiles. His friends were worried he was missing out on the whole dating scene. He'd also been set up on numerous blind dates, each as disastrous as the previous. He became that desperate for his friends to stop pressuring him, he'd reunited with Kagami. But again, it didn't work. He knew it wouldn't, there was a reason it didn't work the first time and the same reason hit the second.

He couldn't kiss her on the lips. He'd tried, he really had but every time they got close he pulled away. Cheeks - fine; near the lips - fine, but actually on the lips? That was a no go zone. Kagami swore it was Marinette, and with said girl disappearing she really, truly believed it was her shot with the blonde model. She dumped him after four months and swore that was it. No more chances.

Ladybug, however, had been summoned to the Guardian template two days after the final battle with Hawk Moth, and one day before the two heroes were due to reveal themselves. The whole evening had been planned, it was as romantic as Adrien could have possibly made it. Candles, flowers and delicate pastries were ordered. But the evening before she'd written him a note. She'd had explained that she would be back and that she would miss Chat, he knew it was the guardian's doing, they'd been after her for months. Adrien slept with the note under his pillow every night, dreaming about the day she returned.

Marinette was a different case all together. Only Tom and Sabine knew where she'd gone and neither would say. Everyday Adrien took a trip to the Tom and Sabine Patisserie quizzing them to see if they'd heard off Marinette. Unfortunately they never knew much, but they could give him small updates to go along with his breakfast croissants.

One joy of no longer modelling meant no longer having to watch his eating habits. Not that he needed to worry, he still did regular outings as Chat Noir making sure that Paris knew their heroes were still watching over them along with avid trips to the gym. He'd made an announcement that Ladybug was going into training and not to fear, if they needed her she would be back and ready to attack.

The Dupain's had become Adrien's surrogate family. They'd always got on well due to Adrien spending a hefty amount of time with Marinette. However, with the frequent visits to the bakery they took more of a shine to him and they realised just how much he cared for their daughter. It was every parents dream. He began to go for regular meals with the Dupain's, once or twice a week to be exact.

As for the remainder of Adrien's real family, once his mother had been found in the Agreste basement, she was taken into intensive care. She wasn't dead, but in a coma. A coma that no medical professional knew how to pull her out of. He wasn't giving up hope though. Ladybug would be back and have the answer. He knew she would.

As the sun began to slide through the gaps in Adrien's blackout blinds he sat up in bed and automatically reached for his phone, hoping and praying something would appear from his little blueberry. Even knowing full well there wouldn't be, that didn't stop him from wishing. Every morning he thought the same hope, every morning he woke up with the same need and this had happened everyday, for the past three hundred of them.

"Morning, what's our plans today?" Plagg flew over, hovering with a stinky piece of Camembert cheese in his hand. It was Saturday which meant no work, no stress and a late night run around Paris in December.

As much as he despised Christmas, he must admit the additional lighting made it all seem more special, more magical and more romantic than what the city already was. Adrien pressed a button next to his bed opening up the blinds and revealing what was left of a long winters night.

The sun was beginning to sweep away the blanket of darkness, meaning another day without Ladybug and Marinette. Plagg no longer quizzed him on his depressed morning state. He knew more than anyone how much Adrien was missing his Lady, he was missing one of his own. Since Adrien and Marinette had gotten closer, and she no longer stuttered around him, the two had spent a lot of time together which meant so had Plagg and Tikki.

He missed his sugarcube as much as Adrien missed his pigtails. Plagg hated that they hadn't revealed and he hated not being able to tell Adrien they were the same girl, but in his heart he knew a reveal was coming soon, it just had to be.

Both heroes were now at an age where it was safer and more able to work both professionally and romantically. When they were young the hormones would have taken over making both vulnerable, but now they were ready. They could have a bond like no other.

"Absolutely nothing." Adrien smiled as he looked up at the ceiling. He was still living in the Agreste Mansion and in his old bedroom. Alone. Adrien's first instinct was to sell the house, but it was his home and his mothers. Adrien wanted her to come back here. He wanted her to be able to return to her home. Adrien climbed out the bed and made his way over to the bathroom.

After a long warm shower, he made his way to the walk in wardrobe situated in his room. One positive of Gabriel's demise was he now got to choose his own clothing and it didn't have to be all Gabriel branded. Weekends were to be celebrated. He could wear what he wanted instead of his normal stuffy suit. Yes, he knew he looked good in it but it wasn't him. It wasn't fun.

Pulling on his extremely worn dark blue jeans and a black jumper edged in a wonderful bright green he felt like he was paying homage to his alter-ego. Chat Noir days were the best days.

As he placed his watch on his wrist he checked the time. Eight am. Time to go to check in with Tom and Sabine. Once Adrien walked downstairs and put on his usual disguise. Black woollen trench coat, leather gloves, black beanie hat and sunglasses. Not only did it keep the fans away, with snow imminent, it also helped with keeping him warm and toasty.

"Morning Adrikins." A voice spoke out from the dining hall.

Even though Adrien lived in the mansion, he didn't live alone. When everything happened with Gabriel, Chloe had been worried about her oldest friend and invited herself and her boyfriend to live with him. Nothing surprised Adrien more than seeing his cousin appear alongside his socialite buddy.

"Morning guys."

"You going to the bakery again?" Felix asked. There was no malice there, just curiosity.

"Yup. The usual Saturday stroll. I'll see you both later."

With that Adrien was out the front door and making his short journey towards the Dupain-Cheng bakery. It was still quite early so the streets had minimum people out on them. The wind was hitting its peak and flowing down the back of his coat. Lifting his collar for extra protection, he cursed himself for not wearing his scarf.

After a fifteen minute walk he was level with his old high school. He stopped and looked over reminiscing about his past experiences there. His first day when he helped Master Fu, the second day when he actually made it into the building and the misunderstanding with Marinette. The fencing classes, the laughter, the fun. The amount of times he skipped class for an akuma.

Finally prying his eyes from his old sanctuary, he turned the corner and stood in front of the Dupain-Cheng bakery. He loved this place. It really felt like a second home. If only a certain bluenette was about to welcome him into its warmth.

"Morning Adrien." Tom was at the counter. This was unusual for a Saturday morning. It was usually Sabine out front and Tom baking fresh loaves of bread in the back.

"Morning Tom, how are you?"

"We're really good, thank you son." The look on Tom's face said more, but he wasn't giving it up. Casually, Adrien walked up to the counter and leant on it. Resting a hip bone on the edge.

"You've heard from her again, haven't you?" Adrien pulled his sunglasses off and knew his eyes were sparkling.

"We may have." Adrien began to bounce from one foot to the other.

"And?"

"You know I can't tell you anything, Adrien. But this is the greatest news we've heard so far."

"I so hope she's on her way home. I miss her so much."

"We've missed her too, Son." Tom bent down and pulled out Adrien's usual order of croissants and cheese bread, along with a post it note from Sabine.

Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Taking the note off the top of the packaged he let himself smile, a full Chat Noir smile. Perhaps Marinette would be back and he could see her on those days. This was the greatest news Adrien had heard in a while.

"Tell Sabine, thank you and I'll definitely be here."

"I will do. Oh, and errrrmmm... you might want to make sure you look good." Tom gave a wink as Adrien said his goodbyes and left the bakery. That had to mean she was finally coming home. Tom was never good at hiding secrets.

Walking over the road, Adrien settled on a bench in the park. Parents with young children were already together on the merry go round. The thought struck hard that it would be Alya soon, and hopefully Nino too. His friend really needed to buck up and stop being an idiot. Pulling out his phone with a sigh, Adrien tried to call him ... no answer again.

When Alya had announced the pregnancy Nino didn't take it too well. Alya was struggling herself with the news and his reaction just caused her more reason to be anxious than she already was. But Marinette will be back and save the day as always. She really was an everyday Ladybug.

Finishing his third croissant he gave the bakery one last smile before heading towards the city centre. Perhaps it was time for him to stop being a Grinch and do some Christmas shopping.

As he walked out the park he pulled his phone from his pocket sending Nino a text. If he won't answer his best friends call then perhaps he'll respond to a text.

Meet me tomorrow morning, I'm booking a table at Chez Casimir. I'll wait for you at the Gare du Nord exit at 9am. We need to talk.

Adrien sighed, a trail of breath leaving his mouth. He better turn up or Adrien was seriously going to have to hunt him down. With a slight spring in his step, Adrien made his way into the city. The spring had been missing for three hundred days, but he was overjoyed that it was back.