in which we see the magic of christmas spreading throughout all citizens... but one

what's Christmas without Michael Bublé? 

White. Red. Green.

Purity. Passion. Harmony.

The laughter of a newborn child as they watch the fireplace dance with flames licking and eating the pine wood. The friendly competitive nature in neighbouring families as they battle for the best decorations, inside and out. Family and friends coming together, enemies putting aside their differences for a month of magic and wonder in sparkling whites and carefully crafted snowflakes.

...Well. Most families.

Adrien, on a rare free day, had taken the time to stroll through the city he called his home. It was very much winter by then, crisp snow crunching underneath the feet of every person of every gender and age while steam from hot chocolate that warms the hands of many whispers to the wind to blow.

He never understood.

To him, Christmas was just a day. Even before his mother left, it would either be spent with his parents constantly arguing or her off with her family, and he would be left in his cold and empty house with a father who didn't care. No 'presents', no tree, not a single festive song would ever be played in that house.

But he could understand how Marinette Dupain-Cheng could so love the holiday.

She had a warm and loving family, who were always there to make her smile. She probably got thoughtful gifts from them too, shared a lovely Christmas meal. Candles lit, she'd probably go caroling with Alya this year, too, in the most adorable winter coat, hat and mittens all red to match the season. 

It was a hopeless wish that he could be a part of that. After all, she was terrified of him. Constantly stuttering, face always heating up, running away and avoiding making conversation with him. 

Shame, really. She seemed like an amazing girl.

With a melancholy sigh, he kicked up a tuft of snow. Eyes on the frozen pavement to avoid slipping, he missed it.

He missed the children laughing and chasing each other with snowballs while their parents smiled and chatted on a park bench while the snowflakes caught in their hair.

He missed the jovial man in the Santa Claus costume ringing his bell, inviting citizens to the Christmas Ball at the Town Hall on Christmas Eve and asking for donations to buy presents for those who cannot afford them.

He missed the reindeer decorations lighting up the horizon, giving the illusion of reindeer grazing on a rooftop. 

He missed the fact that he was the only one without a smile.

He missed the magic and friendship that Christmas brought.