The New Year has started for Marinette, who have started the spring term of college. Actually, it's been a good five and a half weeks into the semester, and somehow, she has managed a great appearance on campus. She had made friends within her dorm hall and some in class who she trusts with study nights and going out in the town. She had trusted the school and faculty that she believes she will never be in harm. Possibly her Ladybug instincts are kicking in.

She missed being Ladybug for Paris, but that was one of the first things she done once she was home for the holidays. After she had caught up with her parents, Adrien had begged to go run around as Ladybug and Chat Noir on a snowy Paris night.

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"Tag! You're it!" Chat shouted, taking off out of Marinette's bedroom window of the building.

Ladybug turned around and laughed. "Time for Cat and Mouse, isn't it?" she said before jumping out of the window and swinging upwards with her yoyo. She had to admit, the Paris atmosphere while flying around as Ladybug is what she had missed the most while she was away at college. She had wondered if her partner in crime had gone after akumas alone or if the attacks had stopped for a while. Strange, Chat haven't been sharing much information about the attacks for a while. Maybe Hawkmoth had stopped attacking them for a while. But it's only been six months since she's been away from Paris.

Once she had caught up with Chat, She issued a race to the Eiffel Tower just so she can fly around some more. Chat was amused to see his lady act like this again—as carefree and full of smiles and laughter as she pass him. He let her get ahead so he could admire her from a far since the weather felt perfect just for tonight. He knew Marinette had so much on her plate at the moment that he was surprised to see a smile across her face when she stepped into her parent's warm home. Even though she wasn't far away, video chatting didn't feel like enough for him. He missed being really close to her and holding her by the waist again.

The two caught up at a rooftop that had the perfect view of the glowing Eiffel Tower. Ladybug was speechless, as if it's been forever since the last time she saw the tower from her bedroom window. She has only been up in the tower a few times, and they had their fights with akumas on said tower, but she enjoyed sitting and admiring the giant sculpture.

"My lady, aren't you getting cold?" Chat broke the silence once he saw his lady starting to shiver.

"I'm not cold." She lied. She hugged her knees and leaned on her partner, who just smiled and wrapped his arm around her. "I miss home." She mumbled.

"I know, my lady." He said softly. He looked at her bright blue eyes and laughed a bit to himself. "Welcome home, Marinette."

She snuggled up to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Paris will always be a girl's home." She said softly, watching the lights. She was cold, but she had missed her boyfriend for so long that cuddling was overdue for both of them.

"You don't have to go back, do you?" he pouted, which made her laugh.

"You know I do, silly kitty." She said. "I want to spend this winter break with many people as I can. I don't want them to think I walked out of their lives."

"I'm sure they understand." He said, kissing her forehead. "I do. Your parents do. I'm sure Alya does too."

"I'm doing my best to make them happy. Everyone knows my dreams. I just haven't told them about me as Ladybug and you as Chat Noir."

He let out a slow sigh and put a hand on her head, brushing back her navy blue bangs with his gloved fingers. "The only person you should please first is you, my lady..." he said

She looked up in shock for a moment. "I...I don't understand-"

"Don't be bothered by what people think about what you have and don't have. You are happy with your choices just as much as I am happy with mine. Traveling may not sound fun, but your heart will always lead you back home, as well to the people you trust your entire life with." He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head again and lowered his hand to hold hers. "I gave you the promise ring because I knew you were going to be homesick and lonely. You are not alone because...you know." He let out a smile and tapped a spot on her chest where her heart was.

She laughed at his silly cliché that it made tears come to her eyes. She wasn't crying over her joke, but she felt closer to Adrien than before she went off to college. They wouldn't be talking intimately in front of the tower without letting out their true feelings once again. The two had learned many qualities about each other, that it would be no surprised how close Marinette's plans of a happy future would come true.

"I love you...with all of my heart, Marinette."

---

Marinette looked down at her promise ring as she remembered one of the best conversations she had during that winter break while lying on the blanket in the lawn. She thought about home so much that she texted Alya about what's on her mind.

Alya: "Remember how much you wanted to live happily ever after with Adrien with three kids and a hamster? Lol"

Marinette: "Shush! I was young at the time and...oh forget it."

Alya: "So specking of the dork, have you heard from Adrien in the last couple days?"

Marinette: "No, I've only texted him once that I was too busy to video chat after my shift the other day. Is he okay?"

Alya: "I'm sure he is, but he's been acting strange. Like, talking to your parents more."

Marinette: "Maybe he's being a wonderful boyfriend and make sure they are okay and well!"

With that, Marinette went back to the textbook that has been laying out in the grass for twenty minutes. She fidgeted with the sweatshirt under her, thinking what Adrien could be up to at home more than focusing on her chapter reading of the week.

Just as she pushed Adrien to the back of her mind for now to focus on her textbook, she heard squeals from behind her. Her Ladybug instincts came in and she turned around to the sudden sound. What she didn't expect to find was blonde with light green eyes walking up to her.

"A-Adrien!" Marinette gasped, putting down her textbook and standing up from her spot in the grass.

Adrien smiled and held up a bouquet of red roses. "Hey Bugaboo." He greeted with a smile. He embarrassed her hug and kissed her before she could pull away.

"W-What are you doing here?! I just asked Alya what you were up to." Marinette said, still in shock.

"I was out of town for business and I thought I would come visit you on my way back." He said and held up the flowers. "These are for you, my lady." He smiled kindly.

She picked up the flowers and adored the roses. "You didn't have to, Adrien, but thank you. You're so sweet." She kissed his cheek and looked at the roses. From the corner of her eye, here nearby classmates were staring at them.

"I figured you could use new flowers for your room. We should go put them in water before they start to whither." He suggested

Marinette nodded and gave the bouquet back to Adrien to hold while she packed up her belongings and fold up the blanket. She reached for the bouquet, but Adrien kept them away from her.

"No! You didn't want them!" he said sarcastically that it made them laugh.

"I didn't say that!" Marinette shouted, trying to run to each side to grab the arrangement.

"No! You rejected my love!"

"No I didn't! You said it was a gift!" She went to jump on his back for it, but with one arm, he wrap his arm around her leg when she jumped on him.

"I have captured the princess!" Adrien cheered, raising the flowers high.

Marinette rolled her eyes and laughed. "Onwards, then!" she shouted while pointing forward.