#25daysofchristmaspropts

[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 18: Warm

Today’s drabble was requested for Ladrien so I went all the way back to Ladrien June to dig up a drabble to continue this one from. :D

“You still have it,” Adrien said softly, reaching up to touch the red and black striped scarf circling Ladybug’s neck.

“Of course I still have it,” she laughed. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He winced, wiggling his finger through a large gap in the woven yarn. “It isn’t very good.”

Ladybug pulled the scarf away defensively, both hands scrunching it up to her cheeks. “You made it for me and I love it,” she pouted, voice muffled in the layers.

“I should get you something better this year now that you’re my, um...” Adrien trailed off, cheeks going red and Ladybug giggled, leaning closer.

“Now that I’m your what, Hot Stuff?”

His blush reached his ears. “You said you weren’t going to call me that anymore!”

“I can’t help it! You turn such a cute shade of pink when I do,” she teased. 

“I’m breaking up with you,” he groaned, covering his face with his hands.

“Aww. Well, in that case, I guess I’ll just take me and my little homemade Christmas gift for you and--” Ladybug erupted into another bout of giggles as Adrien tackled her to his couch, kissing her cheek.

“I take it back,” he said, voice a little breathless as he helped her sit back up.

“Anything for a gift.”

He grinned and held out his hand. Ladybug smirked and reached on the other side of the couch to produce a misshapen package in bright green wrapping with a black bow on top. Adrien felt his heartbeat speed up. “I like the green.”

“I thought you might,” she smiled, an amused twinkle in her eye.

He carefully unwrapped the paper to reveal a soft looking scarf done in bright green and black stripes, the same style as the scarf he had made her but in Chat Noir’s colors. He swallowed thickly and looked up at her but Ladybug only stared back at him, face pleasantly blank. Her eyes, however, were a bit too bright as if she couldn’t hold all of her emotions in.

Adrien lifted the scarf up and wrapped it around his neck, bringing a section up to his nose to smell. “Warm bread and cookies,” he murmured.

“What was that?”

“I said I love it.”

Ladybug smiled widely. “That’s not what you said but I’ll take it. Do you like the colors?”

“They, uh, they look like Chat Noir’s colors.”

“They are,” she nodded, the amusement back in her expression.

Adrien pursed his lips, looking back down at the scarf. “Is he going to mind?”

“I have a hunch that he won’t.” She reached up to readjust the scarf and then leaned it to kiss him. “I’m not the only one who needs to stay warm out there, you know,” she said softly. She then stood and stretched. “I have to go now but I should be able to come by in a couple of days. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Adrien stood with her, frowning. “Tomorrow? But you just said you would come by in a couple of days.”

She winked, balancing on his windowsill. “My mistake. I have patrol tomorrow night. I’ll see Chat Noir then. I must have gotten confused.” She blew him a kiss and lashed out her yoyo, disappearing into the night. 

Adrien went to the window to watch until he couldn’t see her anymore and then turned to Plagg who was now floating by his shoulder. “What do you think that means?”

“That you’re a natural blonde,” the kwami replied with a roll of his eyes.

Buy me a coffee?

[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 14: Secret Santa

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4:

Marinette looked down at the delicate charm bracelet in the gift box on her desk and found it a little hard to breathe. It was silver with pink beads and in the center a green paw was set beside a glittering crown. There were two possibilities. Chat Noir was in her class and had drawn her name for Secret Santa and was now teasing her or somehow someone had found out about their friendship (relationship?) and was holding it over her head. Her eyes darted around the room but her classmates all seemed focused on their own gifts. Nathaniel had wrapped the brightly colored scarf she had knitted around his neck and was smiling happily. Marinette squeaked, hands closing around the box when someone nudged her arm. 

“Easy, girl,” Alya chuckled. “What’d you get?”

“Uh, a bracelet. You?”

Alya held up a large bundle of hair nets. “I have a feeling I know who drew my name.” Both girls looked over at Chloe who smirked at them before turning back to Sabrina.

“She’s such a brat,” Marinette muttered.

Alya waved a hand. “Little does she know that these will be excellent for keeping my hair out of the way when I’m helping my mom over the holiday,” she winked. “And at worst, the twins can use them for slingshots.”

Marinette laughed. “Silver lining.”

“Let me see the bracelet.” Alya grabbed for the box and Marinette reluctantly let her take it. Her eyes sharpened on the paw print. “Do you know who it’s from?”

“It’s Secret Santa, Al,” Marinette said nervously.

Alya tapped her nose and leaned closer. “Except I know the secret.”

Marinette swallowed thickly. “You, uh, you do?”

“It’s possible that someone else had your name originally and I know for a fact that another person begged for them to switch.”

Marinette’s eyes darted around the room again. “Really?” She saw Nino turn around to glare at Alya. He saw Marinette watching him and quickly engaged Adrien in conversation.

Alya chuckled and nodded her head towards the young men at the desk in front of them. “Well, I can promise you it wasn’t my boyfriend, so...”

“Adrien?” Marinette breathed.

The other girl winked.

_______________________

“Hi, Marinette. Did you have a good day?”

Marinette jumped to find Alya had vanished from her side and somehow Adrien had taken her place on the steps outside the school. “Adrien! Uh, hi!” She waved awkwardly, the pink pom-poms hanging off her mittens swinging out. “How are you?”

“Good,” he nodded, looking around. “A little cold.”

“This snow kind of came out of nowhere, huh?”

“Yeah.” He shifted his weight, eyeing the silver car that had pulled up to the curb for him, Gorilla sitting patiently behind the wheel. “Hey, so, um, what did you get from your Secret Santa?”

Marinette lifted her left hand and pulled her mitten up to reveal the charm bracelet, the paw print and crown charm knocking together with a soft sound. “It’s really pretty, isn’t it?”

Adrien watched the charms sway for a moment before looking back up at her. “Do you like it, Princess?” he asked, voice soft.

“I love it,” she whispered back, a fierce blush flowing over her cheeks. “Adrien, I--”

A horn honked and Adrien looked back at the car in frustration before turning back to her. “I have to go to tutoring now, but can I come over tonight so we can talk?”

She nodded. “I’ll leave the skylight unlocked.”

A warm smile spread across his face and he leaned in quickly to kiss her on the cheek before darting off towards the car. Marinette brought her mitten-covered hand to her cheek in a daze as she watched him drive away.

“Well,” Alya drawled from behind, “looks like someone figured out their Secret Santa after all.”

“Funny how that happened,” Marinette replied, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

“Sure is since I originally pulled your name,” Alya grinned. “I do have one question though.” Marinette stiffened as Alya hugged her close. “Wanna explain the green paw print, M?”

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 19: Pretend Girlfriend for Family Dinner

Today’s drabble was requested for Chlonath by @auroralynne. I decided to write this story in the same universe as this drabble so Chloe and Nathaniel are long-time friends. :D

“What if someone asks me if I’m Jewish?” Chloe twisted her hair up in an elegant bun and Nathaniel handed her a clip to secure it.

“Believe me, no one is going to think you’re Jewish.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she frowned, messing with a few flyaway hairs.

Nathaniel shook his head with a grin. “Nevermind. Thanks for doing this. It’ll be nice not to be asked a million times in a two-hour span when I’m going to find a nice girl and settle down.”

“At least they care.”

He shifted uneasily. “Yeah, I guess.”

“I mean, I would invite you to dinner with my family as my pretend boyfriend, but that would mean there would actually have to be a family dinner,” she continued, picking up her mascara for a refresh. 

“Sorry, Chlo.”

“Don’t be. I’m not,” she sniffed, turning to him. “How do I look?”

“Gorgeous as always.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” she winked, sauntering past him. Nathaniel inhaled sharply. It was going to be a long night.

___________________________

“I don’t see a ring. Where’s the ring?” Nathaniel’s aunt demanded. “Look at these cheekbones and that pretty blonde hair! We need these genes in our family, Mouse.”

Nathaniel flushed and his arm tightened slightly around Chloe’s middle as he tried to pull her back. “This is still pretty new, Auntie.”

“Well, don’t let her get away.” She patted both of their cheeks and moved into the living room.

“Sorry,” he sighed. “That was what, the fifth time your genes have been brought up tonight? I think everyone’s tired of a bunch of redheads running around. My uncle Matthew claims we have a ginger curse on our line.”

Chloe laughed. “At least they aren’t stupid. We would make beautiful children.”

A blush raced across Nathaniel’s face and he coughed to clear his throat. “Thanks again for doing this. I think it makes them happy to believe there’s hope for me.”

“Oh, please. Stop being so self-deprecating.” Chloe pinched his cheek with a sly grin. “Mouse.”

“I knew I would regret this.”

“You have no idea. Can we step outside for a minute though? I’d really like to get some fresh air.”

“Sure, let’s go in the backyard.” They grabbed their coats and worked through the crowd of Kurtzbergs and Goldfelds to the back door.

“Man, it’s freezing,” Chloe complained, pulling her coat tighter around her.

“That happens in winter,” Nathaniel teased but wrapped his arm around her as they settled down on the bench of the picnic table.

“We need to talk.”

“Yikes.”

She leaned against him. “Stop. It’s not really bad.”

“What’s up?”

Chloe began to trace the wool edging on his gloves with her own gloved finger. “Why haven’t you ever brought anyone here before? You’ve dated.”

“Never anyone serious.”

“Then what made you decide that this was the year you needed to bring someone?”

“I don’t know. We’re graduating and I knew the marriage thing would come up and thought it would be nice not to be the awkward, single guy in the family for once,” he mumbled. 

“You don’t have to be single.”

“Yeah, they’re just lining up.”

Chloe pulled back. “Are you freaking kidding me, Red?”

He blinked in surprise. “What?”

“Girls are flirting with you constantly!”

“What?! No, they aren’t.”

“You’re either stubborn or oblivious. I know girls have even offered to model nude for you to draw.”

“Well, that was for art class.”

“They didn’t care about the class, you dense ginger.”

Nathaniel frowned. “None of them were right for me.”

“Why?” she demanded.

He shrunk in on himself. “Please, can we not do this?” he asked quietly.

Chloe snapped her mouth shut, irritation easing away at the look of discomfort on his face. She gave him a stiff nod and they looked over the dark backyard.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “i just can’t talk about it.”

“You know you can tell me anything.”

“Not this.”

She linked their fingers together, the action bulky and alien with the gloves. “You’re my best friend, Nath.”

“You’re my best friend too.” The other things he wanted to say to her sat on the tip of his tongue but Nathaniel kept his lips sealed tight. She was his best friend and pretend girlfriend for the night. He convinced himself once again that he could be content with that.

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 11: The Tree

Today’s prompt was requested for Tikki and Plagg by @talvin-muircastle. Season 2 spoilers from Dark Owl.

Plagg zipped into the Christmas tree and followed the sound of a tinkling giggle. “You look like an ornament in here,” he complained when he finally found Tikki resting against the metal pole of the artificial tree.

“Don’t be jealous. How’d you know I was in here?”

“I think I can sense you now. As soon as we walked in the door, I knew you were in the tree,” he answered, casually batting at one of the blinking lights. 

Tikki’s eyes sharpened. “You haven’t said anything to Adrien, have you?”

He made a crossing gesture over his heart. “I know how you feel about it, Tik. I’m not going to betray your trust. Although you should know that he is beyond curious now. If I have to hear one more time about how he and Ladybug touched hands skin to skin, I’m going to revolt.”

She laughed softly. “It’s funny. Usually everything is Adrien this and Adrien that, but the past week all Marinette has been able to talk about is the trust Chat Noir has in her and how important it is and how much he means to her.”

“And round and round we go,” he grimaced. “Don’t you think they can know by now?”

The kwamis moved closer to the edge of the tree and peered out. Marinette was throwing a holiday party for her friends and almost the entire class had shown up. Tom and Sabine had hidden away in their bedroom for the most part and Marinette was smiling and laughing and bustling around as the host. Adrien was watching her with a small smile.

Tikki turned on Plagg. “He knows!”

“He does not know,” he huffed.

“He hasn’t ever watched her like this and you know it!”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Tik. I haven’t said a word.”

The ladybug kwami glared at him before returning her attention to the young man. Adrien scratched at the back of his neck and his long shirt sleeve rode up, revealing the lucky charm bracelet Marinette had given him. “Oh,” Tikki said softly.

“Figures,” Plagg grinned. “Marinette decides to fancy Chat and Adrien is all smitten with Marinette now.”

Tikki put a paw to her forehead. “And all of this is supposed to be about taking down Hawkmoth.”

“Aww, don’t be so hard on them.” Plagg floated back to the where the branches met the pole and settled down. “They deserve a little happiness.”

She joined him and curled up beside him. “I guess you’re right. Something bad is coming.”

“I can feel it too.”

“We’ll let them enjoy what they can for now.”

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 5: Shopping

“Why are you wearing that scruffy old thing?” Chloe asked, lip curled.

Nathaniel adjusted the strap on his backpack. “Survival.”

“Excuse me?”

“Last night you said we were going to do all of our Christmas shopping today. That means we’re going to be out for hours. I want to be prepared.”

“We’re not going out into the wilderness, Red; we’re going to the mall.”

“Same thing in December,” he shrugged.

“And you say I’m the dramatic one.”

________________________

“My feet,” Chloe groaned. “My pretty but in agony feet.”

Nathaniel led her to a bench and dropped his backpack to the ground, kneeling down to unzip it. WIthout a word, he pulled out a pair of black ballet flats and began to unbuckle her heels.

“But my outfit...”

He quirked an eyebrow and Chloe waved a hand. “Carry on.”

________________________

“Are they serious with these lines?” Chloe huffed. “I’m starving. It’s going to be half an hour before we even get to order. Do they have any idea who I am?”

Nathaniel reached behind his back and produced a bar. “Granola?” he offered.

Chloe grumbled under her breath, snatching the snack out of his hand and primly tearing it open.

________________________

Chloe put a check next to Marinette’s name on her list and dropped her phone back in her purse. “We’re done! We did it! All the Christmas shopping is finished.”

“Almost.” 

Chloe stomped her foot. “No, Red. We made this list together and we’ve gotten everything and I’m tired and my hair is flat and my makeup is mostly gone and I just want to go home.”

He chuckled. “I have to pick up one last thing.”

“Na-than-nielllllll,” she whined. “I don’t want to.”

“Fine, you sit here and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Chloe watched him make his way to a jewelry store and quickly got up on her sore feet and hobbled over to him. He shook his head in amusement when he saw her.

“Order for Kurtzberg, please. First name is Nathaniel.”

“Yes, sir.” The jeweler went behind the counter and returned with a box. He eyed Chloe. “Did you want to see it, sir?”

Nathaniel pursed his lips. “Yes, please.”

The man lifted the lid to reveal a glittering necklace with a bee charm done in white and yellow diamonds. Chloe inhaled sharply and Nathaniel nodded. “Looks wonderful. Thank you.” He took the offered bag with the necklace box and turned to Chloe. “Ready?”

“Is that for me?”

He grinned. “What makes you think that?”

“I happen to love bees.”

“You don’t say.”

“And diamonds.”

“That’s shocking.”

“And that necklace would look wonderful on me,” she finished.

“I guess you’ll just have to wait until Christmas and find out,” he winked.

“But you don’t celebrate Christmas! Hey! Don’t walk away from me!”

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 23: Mistletoe

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3:

“I think she knows,” Adrien said as soon as his transformation dropped. “She asked me if I was cold. She’s never asked that before. It felt like she was hinting at the scarf.”

“It is freezing outside,” Plagg shivered, going straight for his mini-fridge. “Maybe she was just being a good friend.”

“So yesterday you tell me I’m dumb for not picking up on signals and today you try to dismiss them?”

The kwami glanced back at him with a smug expression before stuffing a large slice of cheese in his mouth.

Adrien touched the green and black scarf at his neck. “At least I had it on under the suit.”

“Kid, you weren’t wearing anything under that suit if it wasn’t already abundantly clear.”

“You know what I mean.” Adrien rolled his eyes and dropped down on the couch. “I don’t know what to do. If Ladybug knows that I’m Chat and she’s just teasing me, then I should just tell her I know that she knows. But what if I’m just reading into this wrong and I think she knows but she doesn’t actually know but then I tell her and then she knows for sure and is upset that I knew I was Chat but she didn’t know I was Chat?”

Plagg blinked at him, mouth opening in reply before he snapped it shut again and returned his attention to his cheese.

“You’re less than helpful,” Adrien groaned, covering his face.

A tap at the glass got his attention and he froze when he saw Ladybug crouched outside his window. He looked back at Plagg who blinked at him, cheeks full. Ladybug followed his gaze and nodded.

“Hi,” she smiled once he let her in, helping her down to the floor.

“I can explain,” Adrien said quickly, glancing back at Plagg again.

“No need, Chaton. I’ve known for a while.”

“I’m so sorry, my Lady. I promise I wasn’t trying to lie to you. Everything happened so fast between us and then I--”

She cut him off with a gloved finger to his lips, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Why in the world are you apologizing?”

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m supposed to?”

She laughed and pulled him over to the couch. “You don’t owe me an apology. Sure, I was a little surprised at first when I found out, but then it all made sense. Of course you’re my Kitty.”

“You’re not upset?”

“You don’t know my real name, Adrien. Are you upset with me?”

He frowned. “No. Your name doesn’t change who you are.”

“Exactly. I was having fun teasing you but I don’t want you to be anxious about the situation.”

“So you’re really okay with the fact that I’ve been living a double life with you? Because I’ve got to tell you, it was taking every bit of strength I had not to kiss you on patrols. And I was having a hard time keeping stories straight.”

“You weren’t always great at that. It’s actually how I found out.” She laughed again and Adrien felt the sound like actual warmth rushing through his body. “And I know that feeling well, believe it or not.”

“I know you too, don’t I?”

Ladybug bit her lip and nodded, watching him through her eyelashes. “To be honest, I was feeling all brave and was going to come here tonight to tell you I knew about you and reveal myself but I think my courage went for a stroll.”

He took her hand. “Your name doesn’t change who you are, remember?” he smiled softly.

“Right.” She took a deep breath. “Spots off.” Marinette looked up at Adrien hesitantly and his smile widened. 

“Hi, my Lady.”

She flushed. “Hi, Chaton.”

From behind them there was a put-upon sigh and a high giggle and Plagg and Tikki appeared above them, holding up a sprig of mistletoe Adrien had been keeping on his desk. “Well, what are you waiting for, Kid?”

Adrien grinned and leaned forward. “Merry Christmas, Marinette,” he said before pressing his lips to hers.

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 1: Santa ‘Claws’

Today’s drabble is for the amazing @ktwesterna. Thanks for the request for Ladynoir, sweets!

“What are you wearing?” Ladybug giggled when Chat Noir landed beside her with a wide grin.

“I’m Santa Claws,” he said proudly, curling his fingers to show her his claws. A bright red Santa hat was set precariously on his head. 

“How in the world did you get over here without that falling off, Chaton?”

“Very carefully,”  he frowned, pulling the hat off. “My ears don’t seem to want to cooperate.”

“Maybe your kwami isn’t a fan of Christmas,” she teased. “Let me see it.”

Chat Noir handed her the hat and watched her gloved hands run over the material turning it inside out with a look of pure concentration. “I think I could fix it for you,” she finally said. “I could open holes for your ears to fit through. I’d have to bring a couple of things with me to measure so there’s enough room, but it should be easy enough.”

“Really?”

“Sure.”

“Because I was hoping to wear it all month. I thought it would be good for publicity.”

“And because you love Christmas?” she asked, brows rising behind her mask.

He laughed softly. “Some years more than others, but yeah, I have a good feeling about Christmas this year.”

She handed the hat back to him. “I’m really glad, Chat. I think it’ll be a good Christmas this year too.”

“Anyone you’re hoping to catch under the mistletoe, my Lady?” he smirked, leaning in.

She tapped his nose. “That’s just something you’re going to have to wait and find out, Kitty.” 

Chat Noir blinked in surprise, cheeks warming under his mask. “Merry Christmas to us all then.”

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[seasonofthegeek]

25 Days of a Miraculous Christmas, Day 16: Family

“What do you think?” Adrien beamed, proudly putting a hand on the soccer goal taking up half of their living room. “I got it put together all on my own.”

Nino took in the large metal framework and netting and then looked back at the entryway to their living room. “It’s a little bigger than I imagined.”

“I know! I was surprised when I was assembling everything but that just makes it better! Vic is going to have a lot of room to practice now.”

“Sweetheart?”

“Yeah?”

“I think this is great,” he said gently, “but how do you plan to get it outside?”

Adrien’s smile drooped as he looked at the large goal and the smaller door. His shoulders slumped, hand falling away from their son’s gift. “Oh.”

Nino laughed softly, moving further into the room. “You precious man.” He kissed his husband’s forehead. “Victor is going to love it. We can just take it apart and put it back together outside tomorrow afternoon.”

“I was so excited to put it together on my own that I didn’t even pay attention,” Adrien sighed, picking up the screwdrive. “We can take it apart now if--”

Nino plucked the tool from his hand and dropped it to the floor, pulling Adrien close with his other arm. “Don’t you dare, Mr. Agreste. Our son is lucky to have a father who spent most of his Christmas Eve evening putting together a gift he knows he will enjoy.”

Adrien flushed and leaned against Nino. “We’re the lucky ones to have him.”

“We really are.”

The couple stood in front of the large soccer goal and twinkling Christmas tree, arms wrapped around each other. “Do you ever think of wanting another?” Adrien finally asked, voice soft.

“Sometimes,” Nino nodded, “but we went through so much to get Victor that it’s exhausting to think about doing it again.”

“I know, but...” Adrien trailed off and Nino squeezed him.

“That isn’t to say I wouldn’t be willing to try though.”

Adrien relaxed into his touch. “I don’t ever want him to feel lonely. I know we love him more than anything, but I think there’s a part of me that still mourns never having a sibling. i don’t want him to ever feel that.”

“They aren’t all that great,” Nino teased. “They take your stuff and break your toys.”

“You love your brother.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Adrien laughed and turned in his arms. “So we can start talking to adoption agencies again?”

“I love you and Victor more than anyone in the whole world. How could I ever say no to adding to that love?”

Adrien kissed his husband. “Merry Christmas, Nino.”

“Merry Christmas, my Adrien.”

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