"Scrub yourself one more time and you'll be having a skin graft for Christmas."

Plagg was currently floating alongside Adrien whilst the cat Miraculous holder was grooming himself to within an inch of his life. Adrien had showered, shaved, then showered again to get rid of any stray hairs. The second shower was one of Adrien's model showers, long and boring, giving Plagg plenty of time to fly out and see if Marinette was back.

He didn't show a lot of emotion unless it was to do with cheese, but the smile could not be wiped off his face at the moment. She'd come back. She was back and she wanted to see Adrien. The only issue left to contend with was the fact she'd been summoned to Gabriel's office. That could only be bad news, or really bad news.

The temptation to fly over and see what was happening was strong. He couldn't afford anything to happen to Marinette, not when his holder was so close to true happiness. It was time for ...

Date Nine - The Notre Dame carol concert

And for the plan to work, they both needed to be there. The fact Marinette had passed off Tikki hadn't gone unnoticed either. There was something about Gabriel which seemed to be playing on Marinette's mind, playing with her nerves. Marinette was a strong woman so to think he could draw her into a chance of being akumatized terrified him. There's no way his kid would fight his Lady, regardless of the situation.

Plagg had made it back just as Adrien was finishing his Passion Fruit facial and washing the conditioner out of his hair. The model stepped out of the shower in a cloud of steam, unveiling the new pruned and prepped Adrien Agreste, wrapped in no more than a towel hanging low on his hips. He looked nervous, a concerned frown on his face as he looked over himself, again in the mirror.

"Do you think she'll come? I haven't heard off her, or any of the others so I don't know what to expect?"

Oh how Plagg wished he could tell Adrien the truth, that she was already back and had created a new dress just for the final reveal, but at the moment that had to stay quiet.

"After that mushy speech you delivered, I personally would stay well away, but I have a feeling she's into that kind of thing."

Adrien took out his pot of overpriced hair wax and began to position each point of his hair into the perfect place, staring intently into the mirror as his fingers worked through the blonde strands oblivious to the fact that when he transformed it would transform with him into a wild mess. Finally happy with the styling, he took his moisturiser and smothered it over his face and neck, and even a little of his chest, because, well, you never know. His face heated up at the thought.

Next he spritzed himself with his self named fragrance, remembering the fashion show when she reeled off the catchphrase and smiled to himself. Nothing was more dreamy than his Lady.

"What about the whole identity thing? She's always wanted to keep it a secret so do you think she'll freak out over this?" He asked his kwami, grabbing his toothbrush and paste, giving his bright whites an additional polish.

"From what I know of pigtails, it'll most certainly freak her out, but I don't think you need to worry too much about it. I think it was time." Plagg really wanted to say that he knew it was time, that he had been a partial mastermind in this converluded plan, he had to give props to Tikki too, it was very much a team effort.

"I hope so," he spat the fluid out into the sink and dabbed his mouth with his towel. Moving to the bedroom he looked for his outfit, the one he'd worked all day on putting together. Not that it mattered as he'd be wearing his super suit most of the time, but still, in the chance of an indoor meeting he wanted to look his best for her.

He placed on his white linen shirt, rolling the cuff up to just below his elbows and leaving the top two buttons undone, showing off his tanned throat and top of his sternum, before placing on his dark blue Levi jeans. He added on his grey wool waistcoat and black leather Gabriel belt. Smoothing his hands down over the front of his waistcoat, he looked in the mirror and took a deep breath. He was so ready for the day to be over. He wished this was actually a book and he could skip to the last chapter to see if the protagonists got their happily ever after. The fear of the unknown weighed down the back of his mind. The constant fear of rejection.

"You look good, Adrien." Plagg's usual nasally voice was soft as he looked at his holder and Adrien tried to give an equal smile back.

"Thanks."

"It's all going to be okay, you know."

Plagg seemed so sure and Adrien wanted to believe him, but something just kept tugging at him. Telling him something wasn't right. That, once again, this was not the right time. He moved to his dresser and took hold of his watch, placing it on his wrist and snapping the buckle to hold it in place. It was a twenty-first birthday gift from her, from his Ladybug. It wasn't anything expensive, it wasn't anything grand like an Omega, or a Rolex, but she'd told him it was the best thing she could afford. He remembered joking with her that he should be the one buying her a watch considering she was always late.

Thousands of memories flooded into his head as he remembered times spent with Ladybug, no ... with Marinette. It had always been her. He remembered ice cream patrols, and being thrown from Montparnasse tower. He remembered renouncing Plagg in New York and kissing her against Oblivio. He remembered the sorrow he felt when she'd given someone else her Miraculous and he thought he'd never see her, Marinette, again, and he remembered the pride he felt when she'd gained her courage in that first battle.

It had all been the girl who'd once again jumped in and made a home in his heart over the past three weeks. He understood now why he fell in love so quickly. It was quite simple really ... he already loved her. From the top of her raven haired head, to the tip of her pink 'foot muppet' toes. Her eyes, her smile. He sighed out and he knew his Iris' had turned into hearts. There's no way they're still circular. They couldn't be when he thought about her.

He checked his watch and noticed it was time to leave. His heart ramped up speed in his chest. Chat Noir was going to see Ladybug very soon and he didn't know if he could handle it. For the first time, since receiving his Miraculous all those years ago, he was glad there was a mask between them.

That self made wall would be the only thing stopping Adrien from self combusting as he met up with his lady. When the mask was on he could slip back into his act, his over exaggerated ways, but with the mask off he was vulnerable. This was real now. His heart was being offered on a plate and if she declined he didn't know how he would deal with the hurt. Chat Noir could hide it and brush it off, he didn't know her, but now Adrien did. He knew every tiny little detail which made his heart swoon and want for more. Every beat was for her, and without her he didn't know if it would continue to go on.

"We need to go, Kid. Are you ready?"

Adrien nodded to his kwami, giving himself one last check in the mirror. It was now or never. "I'm ready. Plagg, claws out."

In a flash of green light, Adrien no longer stood in front of the mirror. His perfect, pristine model boy style was taken over by his edgy alter ego. The one she'd fallen in love with too. He knew that now. He knew the desire in both forms wasn't just one of lust, but one of love.

He made his way to the window and climbed onto his small terrace. It was time to face the music.

•••••

O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
O come, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

They were nearing the end of the concert, heading quickly towards Chat's performance on the cathedral's organ. He had always wanted to perform on it, and luckily they'd agreed as long as he'd been instructed by their own organist. He'd been practising since the previous Christmas, determined that this year was his year.

Ladybug would come sit with him some nights and listen as he played. He loved having her there, using the additional support to move forward, and show off a little if he was being honest. She didn't believe he'd do it at first, but as time moved on she began to get more interested in his playing, so much so she agreed that she'd sing with him this Christmas Eve. They'd been working on it for months, but somewhere towards the end of October the rehearsals stopped. She'd claimed she was too busy, that she had something big going on that she needed to prepare for. He knew now what that was ... Paris Fashion Expo. They day they'd officially been introduced to each other. The second day that changed his life.

She'd sit beside him on the organ and rest her head on his shoulder. He used to think things would never get any better, warmer or more fuzzy than having his Lady's head on his shoulder, well that was blown out the water as soon as she'd kissed him.

He pressed his fingers to his lips mid way through singing 'Oh come all ye faithful' as he remembered the hungry touch of her mouth on his. He thought it might be similar to a 'Spidey sense' and looked around the room to see if she'd appeared. Unfortunately though, he was mere mortal and there was still no signs of Ladybug.

His heart ached, and if he wasn't suited as Chat Noir with many, many television cameras pointed at him at this very moment, he'd be at home now, sulking into a pint sized tub of cookies and cream Ladybug ice cream.

Two songs until they'd be taking centre stage.

He could hear the gossiping around him as he stood with some of Paris' biggest stars. Clara Nightingale, Jagged Stone, XY, even Chloé and Kagami were here. Every now and then he'd catch their eyes, and he could see the support shining through to him. He'd fake a smile before giving them a small nod to show his appreciation.

Two songs.

Two songs to know if she'd accept his apology, his small declaration of love, because it was small. It was tiny compared to what he actually wanted to say, what he needed to say.

The organ piped it's next tune and they began to sing. Another song began ... and only one left to go. He took a deep breath and began to sing with the large crowd.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light,
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

This is a short one, he thought. There really was not much time left for her to appear, or much hope remaining in his heart. His Christmas wish wouldn't come true, he wouldn't get the girl.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love,
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

One verse left. That's all there was. One verse.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,

The singing gave way to screams of excitement as the song was interrupted by something or someone. Adrien looked around and noticed how people were pointing up towards the roof. His heart stilled, could it be? Was she here? He was too scared to look. Instead, he kept his eyes low and concentrated on the song. He couldn't allow himself to build up his hopes, he was sure they'd only to be squished when he looked up to see a giant spider or something, not a red bug he held so dear in his heart.

His attention remained firmly on the floor as the next song started up, but the soft, sweet sound next to him melted every bone in his body. He'd know that wonderful melodic voice anywhere.

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, and all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

A hand reached out and took his own. A red and black spotted glove. She was here. Ladybug, no, Marinette was here. He threaded his clawed fingers through hers, still not daring to look up.

"We need to talk," she whispered in his ear and he knew straight away she was on her tiptoes. He turned his head to look at her and couldn't help the nervous tingles coursing down his spine.

There she was. There was the most wonderful person he'd ever met. Her face was serious and he couldn't help but worry, his face fading of its vibrant colour. As always, she knew what he needed, squeezing his hand with warmth to let him know she was there for him. That she wasn't going to let him go.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

They continued to look at each other as the song came to a close. One more song to get through and they could talk, but for now both heroes needed to do what they did best and perform to the crowd.

"After this," she continued, "I promise."

The sound system echoed around the cathedral as the Mayor approached the plinth. He positioned some paper in front of him and couched into the microphone.

"That noise is annoying isn't it," the crowd laughed along with the mayor as Chat and Ladybug made their way down to the stage area.

Adrien knew he had to let go of her hand, after all they couldn't create any publicity of themselves as heroes, so reluctantly he relaxed his grip and allowed her to manoeuvre herself using her yo-yo.

"Now for the past year it's been teased about Chat Noir, here, leading us all in the final hymn. I've got to say this young man has put in immense time and effort to make sure it is done to the highest of standards, and not only has Chat Noir done his part, the lovely Ladybug here is going to be leading us in the vocals. So without further ado, please welcome Chat Noir and Ladybug."

Adrien made his way to the organ and cracked his knuckles before moving his tail and sitting upright on the bench. Even though his mind wanted to purely be on his partner, the adrenaline was circulating around his body at a pretty human speed. This had been a dream of his for a few years and to finally have it happen was thrilling.

"You're going to be amazing," Ladybug slid into the bench next to him and he couldn't help flushing her praise.

"Only because you're here with me," his response was instant and he knew it was completely true. Without Ladybug being beside him he was nothing, and he was beginning to understand she felt that way too.

"I always will be."

He smiled at her and his heart was oh so full of love and devotion. He would do anything and everything for this woman beside him. He'd died multiple times just for her and he would do it again in a heartbeat. She was his everything.

She took the microphone off the stand next to the organ, and cosied up next to her partner as she started singing. The two heroes so close to each other would look like an everyday normal occurrence, however, they both knew it was different. They both knew they were walking on a thin line, one that if crossed would open a world of new opportunities and feelings.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;

Adrien prepared his feet on the pedal keyboard and his hands placed themselves on the keys hitting the first few notes of the song alongside his partner.

The crowds gathered around began to join in with them. Adrien and Marinette knew full well that most of Paris would be joining in with the live broadcast, spreading their Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear.

The song came to a close and Adrien watched as Marinette closed her eyes, singing the last remaining bars in perfect harmonisation with his instrument. He sat smiling at her, mesmerised by her features and her expression. She looked at bliss, and he felt it too.

"That was wonderful," she opened her bluebell eyes and looked directly into his emeralds.

"Us against the world?" He whispered, almost void of keeping his emotions in check.

"As always," she agreed.

He stretched out and threaded his fingers between hers before bringing the back of her hand up to his lips and placing a soft kiss against the knuckles. The same action he'd been doing for five years, but now with so much more feeling. The cameras wouldn't know, and the audience wouldn't know but they did. They knew everything.

Adrien dropped her hand from his lips but kept his fingers firmly hooked with hers. He didn't ever want to let go. Not for a single second.

"Come with me," she placed one hand on his shoulder as she moved her lips to his ear. He turned his head to look at her and noticed the somber face she was currently displaying. His stomach did that weird flip again and he didn't know if this was going to be good or bad for them.

Nodding in agreement, he finally let go of her and reached for the baton held at his lower back. She repeated the action but this time for her trusty yo-yo. They waved their goodbyes before launching into the sky, Ladybug, as always, taking on the lead.

They vaulted through the sky silently. The weight of what was about to happen seemed to oppress their moods and soften their spirits. He followed her and realised they were headed for the bakery. Taking it as a good sign, he sprinted fast to become level, landing beside her on the balcony.

"Do you need me to transform?" He asked, looking over to where she was opening her skylight.

"Not yet. I have things I need to tell you, but it needs to be from Ladybug to Chat Noir."

She disappeared into the hole in the roof, and tilted her head for him to follow. Walking over, Adrien quickly looked down before sending his body into the window and landing on something squashy.

"What the -" he looked around and noticed he'd fallen onto her bed, complete with giant cuddly cat pillow. He'd never seen anything like this. It made his bedroom look cold and heartless as he came to terms with the bright decor and lights surrounding the upper area he was in.

Looking to the left he noticed a corkboard with many, many pictures on there. As he perused it, he noticed just how loved she was not only by him but by everyone in her life. It kind of made him feel like a gatecrasher. What right did he have to become part of this? Part of her life?

He noticed Alya was in many of the pictures as were Luka and Nino. He saw a couple of the others from the night on 'The Liberty', and a collège picture with Chloé. Then he saw two pictures which made his insides turn to spaghetti. A picture of him modelling and a picture of Chat Noir. Even though she didn't know him, he was still involved and he'd never felt more loved.

"Down here, Kitty."

The nickname she'd used hundreds of times before suddenly made the fluttering in his stomach turn into a stampede of wildebeest. She had a nickname for him. He may not have been a prominent feature of her picture display board but he was there in her heart and he knew it.

He jumped down, landing silently next to her in the main part of the room, looking around at the chaos of many, many Kwami's running free, and if he was being completely honest, feral.

"Are they allowed to run around like this?" He asked, watching Fluff and Barkk pulling on one of Marinette's soft toys.

"Su-Han wasn't too impressed when he first saw it, but I think our skill level talked him around. He tends to follow my lead now."

Adrien continued to watch the wildness around him as he nodded in understanding to Marinette. Su-Han was not a good time in their history, to be honest it was probably the worst. He was a scary man, but Ladybug being her assertive self managed to get her own way.

"They're nuts," Adrien said, eyes wide watching Xuppu try to fit in a thimble, Plagg had nothing on these. He turned his attention back to Marinette who seemed to be playing with her fingers - a tell tale sign she was nervous. "Do you want me to release Plagg?"

"No, not yet!" She suddenly came back to life, holding her hands out to stop him from going any further. "It's not that I don't want to see you, you, it's just I need you, Chat Noir you." She took a deep breath and let it out. "I need my partner."

Adrien nodded in understanding and allowed Marinette to lead him to the chaise on the edge of her room. They both sat down and she opened her yo-yo, pulling out two objects.

Cupping his hand, she turned it to face palm up and put the objects there for him to see.

"What?" He looked down and noticed the butterfly and peacock Miraculous. Both sitting there in all their glory. "You better not have gone into battle alone."

"The battle came to me," she said, closing her yo-yo and turning to face him. "I want you to listen to me calmly, any questions I will answer but I need you to promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"Ouch! I thought you thought higher of me than that."

"Chaton, I'm not joking. Please give me your word that you'll listen to this level headed."

He sat and thought, his eyebrows creased tightly together. Why would he need to be level headed and calm? What would happen if he didn't? It's not like he'd go and kill someone. It's not like it was someone he knew; like Felix, or Chloé or ...

His eyes widened and he looked at his partner shocked to the core.

"Let us discuss it as Ladybug and Chat Noir; then I promise I'll discuss it as Marinette and Adrien."

If the impact of everything hadn't been so hard he was quite sure he would have reacted to their civilian names, but this ... this was beyond anything he could imagine.

"He's Gabriel." Was all Adrien could muster out.

"Yes," she responded and took one of his hands in hers. It was all he could focus on. Looking at her tiny hand in his monster of one. Monster ... What a choice of word.

"Damn."

"Can you remember all those years ago when I was Multimouse?" Adrien nodded.

"Yeah, I thought I'd discovered who you were that day. I found out you were in my lycée. A couple of years below. I was ready to come and search for you."

Marinette smiled and Adrien found the heavy weight of his father's revelation to lighten a little.

"We bumped into each other on the way to the bathrooms."

Adrien chuckled. "Yeah, it was interesting."

"Anyway, when I put the Miraculous on to combine them, Fu warned me of great damage from wearing multiple Miraculous' at once. I've been reading up on it, and it's kind of like Green Goblin in Spider-Man where it can drive you insane."

"So, Gabriel Agreste is insane?" He couldn't bring himself to use the word father. It was too much.

Marinette nodded. "He's ill, kitty. Really ill, and it seems it happened to your mother too, but from a broken Miraculous." Adrien gasped but Marinette continued, it was all so much to take in. "He's losing his mind and your mother is in a coma. He's been hiding her in your basement for all these years. He set up a trap to catch me out, it seems my brand identity led him straight to me." She huffed out a laugh, and placed her second hand with her other and his. Never letting go. He looked down at them and noticed the calm it gave him. "He wants my help."

"Why did he go to you and not me? Does he know who I am?"

Marinette nodded again. "Yes he knows who you are, but it seems you're a trigger for him. He sees you as a soldier to akumatise, and believe me I've seen it. You're incredibly powerful when you're out of control."

Adrien flinched. He knew all about Chat Blanc, she'd eventually told him after a couple of rather heated arguments, however he wished he'd never found out.

"So what happens now?"

"I'm taking them both to Tibet. Su-Han is going to see if anything can be done for them, but -" she let out a sigh, "I really don't know."

They sat in silence for a while, both staring at their hands and rubbing circles with their thumbs, round and around.

"He's been hiding my mother ... huh - why am I not more surprised?" He used his free hand to rub his forehead. "That's that then I suppose, a bit anticlimactic and I'm not actually sure how I feel at the moment but - yeah?"

"Yeah," she repeated.

This was nothing like the way he thought it would go. He thought there would be a big battle and a big unveiling ... not this. But would he have wanted to fight his father, could he have actually done it? In a way he was glad he never had to find out, and glad that maybe, just maybe, they could work things out.

"Claws in,"

"Spots off,"

The two sat there hands remaining linked together as they smiled at the other. As bad as that news was he was glad he was here with her support, because with her he knew he could survive anything.

"Hi," he said.

"Hey." Was her response. They both looked at each other and then laughed.

"This is weird isn't it?" Adrien commented, taking in her beautifully made up face.

"Oh yes, it really, really is. I kissed you last night."

"You did,"

"And?"

"I quite liked it." He quirked one side of his mouth and she slapped his upper arm in jest. "Okay, okay, I more than liked it." He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "Is this alright?" He asked, all amusement wiped from his face.

"It's more than alright." She smiled before laying her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with Shadowmoth alone," he said, pressing his lips into her hair, before freezing and pulling away a little.

"It's okay. He was surprisingly calm. When he called me Ladybug, though, I thought he was going to kill me."

Gabriel Agreste was scary at the most normal of times, add in supervillain powers and he was terrifying.

"He offered me the brand," Adrien pulled away to look at her, shocked by what she'd just revealed.

"And?"

"I told him where to shove it. That I didn't want anything associated with the man who killed the love of my life fortnightly."

"Love of your life, eh?"

"Did you not get the memo?" She shoved her shoulder into his and he couldn't help smiling.

"I can't believe how much has changed in twenty four days. It's amazing! Well apart from finding out my father is a terrorist that was out to kill me and my mothers been hidden in a magical coma, but I'm going to ignore that until after the Christmas holiday. Nothing's spoiling me finding you."

He wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her in closer to him, he needed to be bold. He needed to let her know exactly how he felt. No more beating around the bush. They were here, they both wanted this, there was nothing to lose ... well apart from his nerves.

"So do I get a boyfriend for Christmas?" She looked at him in the most adorable way he'd ever seen, and he just wanted to take her and run away into the night.

"Well ... all I want for Christmas is you, so I'm pretty certain you have a good chance. You look amazing, by the way, your dress is gorgeous." He looked her over and couldn't help but smirk at what she'd created. To the average eye, it was a beautiful purple Greek inspired dress. To his eye it was Meg ... his Meg.

"You know," he stroked down her face and pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips, "people do crazy things when they're in love."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a deep passionate kiss.

A kiss of true love.

She pulled her chest into his, kissing him and kissing him and kissing him. He never ever wanted her to stop.

"Marinette, are you back? Is Adrien here with you?" Tom's voice sounded through the trapdoor and Adrien unlocked their lips. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, before pecking her on the lips once more.

"I think your parents like me," he whispered.

"More than me," she said with a laugh.

He felt her let go of his neck and slide her hand down and into his.

"Do you want to stay?" She stood up pulling him along with her.

"Well, I have zero will to go and see my father, so I would love it if I could."

"As much as you love me?"

"Never," he smiled down at her and kissed her again.

"Marinette!" Tom shouted once more, causing the raven haired hero to roll her eyes.

"Come on, you're about to experience Christmas Eve with the Dupain-Chengs."

"And what does that consist of?" He asked.

"The Muppets Christmas Carol and hot chocolate."

"Sounds perfect." They made their way downstairs and into the lounge area, hands still connected and hearts still recovering from their last kiss.

"You can stay the night too, if you want?"

He looked over at Marinette, jaw on the floor. "Are you propositioning me?"

"Never say never." She burst out laughing as Adrien's head was ready to explode. A night with Ladybug and Marinette, he couldn't deny that that was a dream come true. "I've got clothes that will fit you that you can wear in the morning."

"What kind of partner would I be if I denied you kitty cuddles?" He joked, only for Marinette to stop and push him back into the wall.

"The worst," she stretched up and kissed him again only to be interrupted by a wolf whistle from in the kitchen.

They separated and both turned away blushing. Tom had well and truly caught them in action and neither knew what to do with themselves. Even in their twenties being caught making out by parents was a cringeworthy experience.

"So when can we expect grandkids?"

And with that comment Adrien was quite sure his head exploded.

Meanwhile, the kwami's who'd managed to remain silent during the whole exchange cuddled together and smiled. The Ladybug and Cat were together and once again all was right in the Miraculous world.