in which adrien's father leaves for christmas but marinette refuses to see him alone

Adrien truly was having the time of his life. Marinette's sweet smile and mellifluous voice had truly lifted his spirits, so much so that he almost forgot about his past Christmases and just focused on this one. This one with her. 

The two of them were laughing and joking and dancing all at the same time when he got a phone call. 

"Hello?" He had stepped outside, on the front stairs. 

"Adrien. Your father asked me to inform you that he is going overseas over the next two weeks." Nathalie's cold, monotonous tone immediately wiped the pleasant smile from his face.

"W...what? But it's Christmas."

"I'm sorry Adrien, but there's nothing more I can do. He's already left the mansion." The coldness melted slightly, actual regret and anger seeping in. "I tried, Adrien, I really did, but he just... he's not a father."

Adrien sighed, this time so much more tired. "Thanks Nathalie." And he hung up.

And he dropped to the stairs and held his head in his hands. A tear escaped his eye, making the iridescent emerald shimmer with the lights strung up outside in a most melancholy way.

"...Adrien?"

Footsteps, light and delicate, like her.

"Adrien, what's wrong?"

A comforting arm around his shoulders.

"Is... is it all too much? We can leave if you want, talk somewhere else?"

"No, no... actually, can we just go to the park?"

The silent companionship was so much more than that of Nathalie, who was cold and menacing, or the Gorilla, bulky and refusing to speak, or even Nino, loud and fun Nino who helped him forget.

He guessed, sometimes, you need someone who doesn't help you forget but let you remember.

"This is about the phone call, isn't it?" Her blue eyes shimmered with care and worry, genuine and true.

He chuckled half-heartedly. "Your ability to read me astounds me, Marinette." Pushing a hand through his hair, he looked up at the stars, partly muffled by clouds but some still shining bright. "My father... he left. While I was here, he left for the airport. Apparently he has business overseas for the next couple of weeks."

She gasped softly, eyes wider with sympathy. "But it's Christmas!"

Adrien scoffed. "I don't think he remembers what Christmas is anymore. I certainly don't."

"Stay with me."

Three words that snapped his eyes towards her as if she were pulling on a string attached to his chin. Her eyes, no longer worried or sympathetic, were determined and compassionate.

"Stay with me for Christmas."

"I-I don't want to intrude-"

"Nonsense! We always have enough food and enough room." She glanced over at her bakery. "Nobody deserves to be alone, not on Christmas."

The familiar words reminded him of her similar offer to Chat Noir.

He smiled. Did her heart know no bounds?

"Okay."