Marinette's Secret Santa

5: Gingerbread Wonderland

In a dark room filled with bright butterflies an angry Shadowmoth clutches his fists.

"Damn you Ladybug."

A view of the battle is shown through a magical projector-like thing. Ladybug gives Aundre a new ladybug charm while Chat Noir rubs his face with both scarves to get warm.

"I guess I was just so upset that nobody wanted any more ice cream in the winter. I've lost a lot of good business because of the weather." Aundre sighed.

"Well, then how about selling hot cocoa during the winter? I'm sure people would love that. Especially with all your fun flavors."

"Hot- c-co-cocoa s-sounds gr-great." Chat shivers.

"That just goes to show you, you'll have to learn and adapt throughout the years. Everything will change. You've got to be ready for it."

The three's laughter cuts off as the projector goes dark. Shadowmoth slams his fists down on the small table next to him. "NO!"

"I know my future, Ladybug. It's when I finally have those Miraculous!" He pauses to catch his breath. "Nothing will change till then."

That next morning the Agreste house was cold and quiet. Adrien put on his shoes somberly, the anxiety of showing up to school empty-handed grew in his stomach.

Natalie stopped Adrien at the stairs. "Your father would like to speak with you before you leave for school."

Adrien stuck his head in the door of his father's office. "Father?"

He gestured for him to enter.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes." Gabriel invited Adrien to sit as he stood at the head of his desk.

Adrien followed the invite and sat. He began to clinch his fists and rub the knees of his pants nervously. He looked around the room, nothing had noticeably changed. He glanced at his father's desk which was always neat and clear.

However this morning there was something new on his desk. A small black velvet box tied with a blue satin ribbon.

Adrien became confused. Was this the box he had last night? Could his father be serious?
He didn't want to jump to conclusions and patiently waited for him to speak.

"I understand when you find a special person you want to gift that person with all the beauties of the world." Gabriel started.

Adrien's back stiffened.

"I was that way with your mother. She was so one-of-a-kind that all I ever wanted to give her was one-of-a-kind pieces." He turned to face his son. "Marinette is that special to you?"

"More than anything." The words came out like a spring-loaded can of snakes. Even Adrien was surprised at his response.

"If that's the case," Gabriel returned to his desk and gently pushed the box toward Adrien. "Please."

Adrien slowly took the box and inspected it.

"Please know this," Gabriel continued "This piece was not only your mother's but one-of-a -kind to her. All I ask is that you respect it that way."

Adrien tried holding back tears as he shook his head in understanding.

Natalie entered the room with a reminder that Adrien had to get to school.

Adrien met his father's eyes in thankfulness, taking the box into his arms carefully.

Gabriel gave a reassuring grin as the boy set off to school.

The classroom was absolutely beautiful with all the decorations. Everyone was so excited to see how it all turned out.

Everyone that entered the classroom set their secret Santa presents under the candy Christmas tree in anticipation of the afternoon.

Marinette and Alya entered the room together and place their gifts under the tree.

"Excited for secret Santa?" Alya teased Marinette who laughed it off.

"Everything turned out so great," Alya said as the two took their seats.

"I just hope Adrien likes it." Marinette sighed.

Adrien's car pulls up to the school and Nino greets him as he exits.

"So?" Nino asks.

"Check it out!" Adrien shows his friend the gift.

"Heck yeah man! I knew you could do it!"

"Yeah, I got it~" Adrien jokes.

The two walk to the classroom and Adrien is stopped in the doorway with his jaw on the floor. Everything looked so amazing to him. It's completely turned into a Christmas Treats Wonderland.

Gingerbread structures made out of cardboard and paint lined the walls and desks, and foam icing dressed each edge with candies and glitter tossed throughout. The life-sized gingerbread man looked as though you could hug him and the class's Christmas tree was decked out in colorful lights, candy ornaments, and twinkling garlands.

It was beautiful.

Adrien saw all the gifts placed under the tree and delicately places his too.

He dazedly walked to his desk, continuing to admire the decorations.

Marinette and Alya giggled at him and his amazement as he bumped his hip into his desk. Adrien looks up at the girls and laughs a bit himself.

"This is all so amazing!" He said as he took his seat.

"Yeah, it is. Marinette did a great job making the gingerbread pieces didn't she?" Marinette nudged Alya at her remark.

"Tell me about it! That life-sized gingerbread man is my second favorite. First is the Christmas tree of course."

Marinette blushed at his compliments.

"I wouldn't expect anything different from the best class rep." He winks at her.

Marinette goes into a blushing fever and lays her head down to reduce the dizziness.

Miss Bustier enters the class and grabs everyone's attention. "Alright, class let's get through these lessons quickly so we have time for the party."