8Alright everybody! Here is the last chapter of our tale. But fear not! The story continues!
Chapter 6: What Now?
General POV
"You're Ladybug? You are Ladybug?" Adrien couldn't wrap his head around this new information. The two women he had fallen for were one and the same. "Ladybug." He whispered.
"Took you long enough, Romeo!" Plagg snickered, still embracing Tikki.
"Are you disappointed?" Marinette gripped her arms tighter, waiting for the possible rejection. Even though Adrien had basically confessed his feelings to her, he might still be upset that she led him on as Ladybug and almost rejected him as Marinette as well. Instead, she felt herself lifted off the ground and twirled. Adrien was laughing like a giddy child. The broken moonlight acted as their personal spotlight.
"Disappointed? NO WAY! The two ladies I've been in love with are the same beautiful person. This has been the best night ever!" He set her back on solid ground and leaned down to kiss her. He was ecstatic. Nothing could bring him down tonight.
Marinette backed away from his encroaching lips. "Adrien, stop. This is all moving way too fast. Just because I Revealed myself to you doesn't mean I want to be with you… at least not yet."
Adrien visibly deflated. "But we feel the same way about each other." He took her hand and placed it against his heart. "We finally know our identities. This can work now. Please, Mi'Lady!"
"Can it?" Marinette withdrew her hand and went to lean against the tree trunk again. "We've each put each other up on such pedestals that we can't possibly live up to those standards." Marinette's voice was clear, her eyes firm. "Adrien, I can't do anything until I get to know the real you." Adrien moved to lean against the trunk next to her.
"So just friends for now?" Marinette nodded, the ears of her beanie flopping in agreement. He could see how much this meant to her. "I can't pretend to fully understand your reasoning, but I'll always be here for you, Purrinncess." Marinette's laughter filled the night air at Adrien Agreste making a cat pun.
"Careful Adrien, your Chat Noir is showing." She punched him lightly in the arm. "But thanks, Kitty."
"'Just friends' can still hug, right?"
"Yes, they can."
"Oh thank goodness." Adrien pulled Marinette into a loose, friendly embrace, placing his chin on the top of her head. They stayed that way for several minutes, comfortable just being in each other's presence.
"We really need to get you home, Marinette. Alya and your parents will be worried sick; it's late." She sighed as she pulled away and nodded. "If they ask any questions about tonight, what will you tell them?"
She shrugged and smiled. "I'll tell them the truth. I needed some time alone and a great friend came to see if I was alright."
Adrien pushed aside the willow vines to reveal how bright the full moon had become. It was almost blinding after being inside the weeping willow for so long. A mischevious smile played on the edge of his lips.
"Race you to the bakery?" Marinette returned his grin with a cocky smile of her own.
"Oh it is on!"
The teens transformed and raced across the Paris rooftops, laughing and enjoying the newfound balance of true friendship. While everything might change one day, they would embrace what they had for now.
FIN
I hope you have all enjoyed the first installment of Holidaze. If you have not read it already, the next story in the series is "In the Dark of the Night", which is up and completed. It was originally meant as a oneshot, but this story here evolved from that one. It's a fun read, though. Shortly to come, the third and final Holidaze story will be coming out sometime before or around Dec 25. Yes, it is another Miraculous Christmas tale. We need another one of those, right? ;) Subscribe to my author feed to be informed when it is finally uploaded. 'Tis the Season everyone! Merry Christmas!
"One little spark, of inspiration/ Is at the heart, of all creation/ Right at the start, of everything that's new/ One little spark, lights up for you" - Journey into Imagination, EPCOT
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."" -Mark 10:27