Miraculous One-shots

Midnight (Marichat)

Christmas Eve.

The day before the peak excitement of Christmas Day.

"It looks perfect. I don't know what you're talking about," Tikki shook her head.

Marinette huffed. She scrutinized the gift in front of her. It was carefully enclosed with green wrapping paper with little snowman all over. "It's missing something, though... Oh!" Marinette leapt over to her desk and grabbed a shiny silver bow from the pile of present paraphernalia. She neatly pressed it on top of the box. "There! Now it's perfect."

"Who is this one for again?" Tikki wondered.

"Chat Noir, of course. I couldn't forget my partner in crime."

"What if he didn't get you anything?"

"That wouldn't matter to me. I prefer giving than receiving, and Christmas isn't all about presents anyway."

Before Tikki could respond, a light thump sounded from Marinette's roof. Marinette scrambled to stand up and peeked up at the roof hatch. Why she even did that she had no idea. The hatch was completely solid, so she could see nothing. She chided herself as she climbed the ladder to the top.

She threw open the trapdoor and hauled herself onto the balcony. Before she could fully stand up, Marinette was greeted by a pair of bright green eyes. "Hey, Marinette," Chat Noir waved.

"Chat! Hey! I knew it was you."

Chat tilted his head. "I guess my boots are kind of a giveaway."

"Yeah, for sure. What's up?"

"I just thought I'd drop by to visit my favorite civilian on Christmas Eve," he smiled.

"Civilian? Is that all I am to you?" Marinette faked pain, throwing a hand to her forehead.

"Of course not, silly," Chat poked her in the ribs. "You're my friend."

Marinette grinned. She was glad she was able to be friends with Chat as both versions of herself. To her, it showed that one day if she was to reveal her identity to him, he would accept her for who she was, despite however different Marinette and Ladybug seemed. The thought comforted her.

"Hey, it's almost midnight..."

"So?" Chat looked at her quizzically.

"So that means it's almost Christmas! And it also makes you look a little creepy, you weirdo. Who visits people at midnight?"

"People who need someone to talk to," Chat deadpanned.

"A-Are you okay?"

The black-clad hero avoided her gaze, staring off into the dimly-lit streets. "I shouldn't have brought it up," he murmured.

"Brought what up? Chat, you can talk to me."

Chat Noir glanced up at Marinette's face. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her features conveyed nothing but genuine concern. At least someone cared about him. He could always count on her, though, right? She had been there for him when she needed him. Whether she knew it or not, she had become a pillar in his life. A shoulder to lean on.

"I just felt lonely, really."

Marinette stepped closer to Chat. "You don't have to tell me more. Sorry for prying. I understand some things can be hard to share. Please don't stress yourself. You'll be able to talk about it someday, and when that day comes, I'll still be here for you.

"Pain is only normal. Nobody's life is perfect, no matter how great it looks. We are all human. We all experience hurt."

At that last sentence, tears sprang to Chat's eyes. He supposed she was right. Everyone suffered, and that was the horrible truth. What had he done to deserve someone as wonderful as Marinette? She was so understanding.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, Chat. Everything I just said I mean wholeheartedly," she assured him. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what time does to us. I also hope we can grow closer in the future. You're a great guy."

"I hope we can be closer, too. You helped me without hesitation. You have a good heart... Hey! Look!" Chat pointed at the clock tower in the distance. He quickly wiped away his tears.

"It's midnight. Merry Christmas, kitty."

"Merry Christmas, Marinette."