A Miraculous Christmas

A Hollow Heart

Cat Noir let the victim down gently and fist bumped Ladybug as they said, "Pound it!"

They sat next to Victor. "What happened to me?" He asked.

"You were akumatized." Ladybug answered. "But now everything is alright, so you can go and enjoy the holiday." She added. Victor frowned. Cat Noir noticed his expression, and put a hand around his shoulder. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I hate Christmas." He whispered.

"But why?" Ladybug questioned. "Well it's just that," He let out a sigh and continued. "I'm alone, I have lived alone for quite sometime but Christmas usually feels more hollow, when you see everyone spending time with their family and friends and realizing that your loved ones don't even care about you."

"I know." Cat Noir spoke. Victor turned to him," You do?"

He nodded. "I don't exactly have the best Christmas, alone in a room, watching celebrations on my television, empty dinners, the list doesn't end." He chuckled bitterly. "But just because of this, I don't think that my family doesn't love me or care about me, sure there are times when we have to face such solitude and disappointment, sometimes they're busy or maybe some misunderstanding." Victor's eyes lit up. "You haven't been home for long right?" He asked Victor who nodded in agreement.

"Go then, visit you family, be with them, I'm sure they'll be welcoming." Cat Noir gave him a smile, his own chest felt hollow as he spoke because he was not just saying this to Victor but himself.

"You're- what you are saying is really nice, but I don't know if I should visit them, I mean it's been a long while." He said nervously. "Where does you family live?" Ladybug asked.

"Dijon." He replied.

'THE TRAIN TO DIJON LEAVES IN THREE MINUTES, PASSENGERS ARE REQUESTED TO HURRY UP AND TAKE THEIR SEATS' The announcement was made and the citizens hurried to the train.

Victor looked at them in shock. "If this is not a sign, I don't know what is." Ladybug said and smiled.

Victor got up. "Thank you so much!" He said and hugged Cat Noir. "Specially to you!"

Cat Noir hugged him back, "Now go!"

Victor nodded and rushed into the train just before the doors closed. He waved to them as the train started to move and they waved back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Felt pretty great talking to him." Cat Noir said.

Ladybug put a hand on his shoulder. Cat Noir gave her a sad smile. "Your plans got cancelled?" She asked.

"Unfortunately yes, he had work, as always." Cat Noir's head drooped low, his eyes gazing at the floor. Silence hung around them, suffocating Ladybug. "But don't worry m'lady, I won't get akumatized." He tried to lighten the mood.

She rubbed his shoulder. I wish I could do something for him, no one deserves to spend this holiday alone, especially this guy, he works relentlessly for the protection of this city with me, but thinking that there is no one waiting for him after the long day, to hug him, to talk, it's- it's just so-

Her earrings started beeping, bringing her back to reality. "Well, guess we should be leaving, I'm sure you would not want our revelation as the Christmas present this year." He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. "See you around my lady, and Merry Christmas." Cat Noir ran up the stairs, leaping through the buildings.

Ladybug stood there and looked at him go. "Merry...Christmas Cat." She turned away and walked slowly back to the restroom of the station to de-transform. She went straight home after feeding Tikki. 

As she walked down the street all she could think about was Cat Noir, she wanted to make him happy, after all he was the one to cheer her up when she felt like a total disaster during missions. Marinette entered the bakery, the ring of the bell grabbed her parents' attention. 

"Marinette, where were you?" Sabine asked.

"Just a small walk, thought I should go and see the Christmas tree and the decorations." She answered. "Do you want help with anything? The macarons? Or icing the cookies? Or maybe baking some cookies?"

"No dear, we were about to close now." Tom said. "It's almost time for closing, can you help us by setting the table? I think we may have a few more customers. Everyone thought that the blizzard would ruin Christmas, but thanks to our city's famous heroes, we can still enjoy the holiday!"

"Yes dear." Sabine said. Marinette nodded. "I'll set the table." She was walking upstairs when an idea strike her head. "Mom, do you think we might close late? Because the blizzard caused a curfew in the city and people could not out to buy their desserts, many of the orders are left for delivery too right?" She questioned.

Sabine and Tom realized that she was right. "Yes Marinette, I guess you're right." She looked at her husband. 

"It's all okay, we can celebrate a bit later." Marinette said, "I'll just be in my room, finish a little of sewing work." She grinned as she walked up. Tikki flew out from her purse once they were in the room. "You have something in mine, don't you?" She asked.

"Well, since Marinette's Christmas is delayed, Ladybug can celebrate Christmas with Cat Noir, I'll just write him a quick message, hopefully he checks it."

Tikki spoke up. "I'll help you, your plan is not foolproof, I can just go there and-"

"Tikki no! You cannot travel like that in the city, it's dangerous." Marinette said.

"It'll be fine Marinette, I promise, I have done this once when I wanted to go to Master Fu's house for the birthday party. You remember that right? "

"Yeah, but- " Marinette was hesitant, she knew it was a dangerous idea but she had none other, so she agreed reluctantly. "Be careful, make sure no one sees you or follows you, it could-" Tikki interrupted. "I know, it can lead someone to either you or Cat Noir, I'll be careful, promise. Now go make the preparations, I'll tell  him to meet you at the Eiffel Tower." 

"Okay, see you in a minute." Marinette said as Tikki went outside through the walls of her room. She was still unsure about it but now was no time to waste, she had to save another Christmas tonight.