12Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your Yuletide cheer isn't too marred by the MLB S2/ Netflix delay. That just gives you more time to read more awesome fanfics (hint hint wink wink)!
It is my pleasure to present to you the first chapter in the last installment of the Holidaze series. I hope you enjoy! (Please note, it would be helpful if you have previously read 'Imitation is The Highest Form of Flattery' and/or 'In the Dark of the Night', both available and completed.)
Chapter 1: Comfort and Joy
"You said what?"
"When we hung up last night, Adrien and I said, 'I love you'." Marinette got up from her workspace at her desk to hand Alya her phone she had dropped. "It didn't mean anything. It was late, we were both tired, and ended the call as we do out of habit." Try as she might, Marinette couldn't keep the heat from her face. Outside, the snow softly swirled and blanketed the streets of Paris with an early Christmas gift.
"Okay, recap." Alya began listing, using her fingers. "You and Adrien basically confess your true feelings to each other months ago and nothing happens. You two have been hanging out a lot outside of the group, but you're not dating. You have a nightmare involving Adrien and call him at 3 am. He answers right away. He comforts you. He tells you you're important to him and that he loves you. Then you say that you love him?" She threw her hands in the air. "Girl, I almost don't have enough fingers. You like him, he likes you. Why is nothing happening?"
Marinette hesitated. She hadn't told Alya the full truth about what happened Halloween night or what really happened during the nightmare. She was quite perceptive; Alya knew Marinette was hiding something. Her head cocked expectantly.
"Marinette! Alya! Hurry up or you'll be late for school!"
Both girls jumped at Sabine's voice then looked at the clock. Yikes! They grabbed their book-bags and ran down the stairs. Tom was waiting with two steaming to-go cups of hot chocolate as the girls rushed to throw on their warm things.
"Thanks. Papa." Marinette rose onto her tiptoes to kiss her father's cheek. She waved as she and Alya walked out the front door. "See you guys tonight!"
Alya sipped her coco and made an appreciative sound before resuming her interrogation. "Mari, you told me Adrien is basically in love with you. What's going on? Have you lost your interest in him?"
Marinette sighed. "No, Alya. It's just complicated. I've enjoyed being his friend and getting to know him that way. I had put him up on such a pedestal, there was no way I could have known the true Adrien. I needed time to see him for who he really is." And who he really is is someone I can never tell you about.
After the Reveal of each other's secret identities, it didn't take much time for Marinette and Adrien to get used to each other again. Adrien might crack a bad pun during lunch amid the groans of his friends; but Marinette would always smile, no matter how bad it was. Lately during akuma attacks, Ladybug had become clumsier, but Chat Noir would always catch her and set her right with an encouraging grin. With the bombshell of last night's conversation, things were about to change again.
A cold blast of wind ruffled Marinette's hair as she shivered, making her grip her cup tighter. Looking up, she saw Adrien emerge from his driver's car. He waved to the girls as Nino came up to high five him. He had a smile she knew was for her and her alone. Marinette's heart swelled with joy as it did of late whenever she saw him. Marinette had tried to dismiss the feeling, insisting that she wasn't ready yet. Her joy did not dissipate. Marinette had her answer.
"Alright Alya. You win. I think I'm ready now." The poor girl was almost tackled into the snow as her friend threw her arms around her. They laughed as snow continued to dust their heads. "The only question is, how do I tell him I'm ready?"
Alya grinned widely. "I know just the thing."
"An open mic coffee house?" Nino squinted skeptically. "That's a bit low-key for a Friday night, isn't it Al?" School had just let out for the day, the snow becoming heavier by the minute.
Alya slapped his arm with the coffee house flyer. "It's called becoming cultured, Nino. It'll be fun! It's open to poetry and acoustic musical performances." She read off the paper. "Juleka told me that she was doing something special. It would be nice to go and support her. Plus, you never know who'll show up." She pointedly stared at Marinette. Adrien placed a hand on her shoulder.
"This sounds great! I've been wanting a laid-back night lately. You're coming too, right Mari?" He grinned.
She shakily returned the gesture. "Uh… yeah. Wouldn't miss it." Marinette felt herself suddenly steered away from the boys towards her house. Alya propelled her down the street.
"We'll see you boys tomorrow!" Alya could already feel the protests rising within her friend.
"Bye ladies." Nino and Adrien waved goodbye and moved to Adrien's waiting car.
Marinette knew it would be no good to argue with Alya until they were safe in her room. Even then, Alya rooted around Marinette's desk looking for something. The designer threw her bag onto her lounge chair.
"Alya! What are you looking for? And how on earth is going to an open mic night going to help me tell Adrien that I'm ready for a relationship?"
"You're going to tell him," Alya triumphantly held up what she was looking for. "With this."
Marinette took the paper from her, quickly scanning it. Her eyes widened and her head began to shake. "Oh no. Nonononono. Alya, no!"
"Come on, girl! This is the perfect way!" Marinette continued to shake her head as she sunk onto her chaise.
"I wrote this before our… before I really became friends with Adrien, when it was still just a stupid crush."
Alya knelt before her, clasping her hands. "Marinette, if you don't want to tell him directly, this is the best way. Just tweak the song so it matches how you feel now. It'll sound great with your ukulele." Marinette became unusually silent. Alya tried to look her in the eyes. "What is it?"
Tears threatened to spill over. "What if this messes everything up?"
Alya smirked. "Like a certain super-duo chemistry?" Marinette's eyes turned cold, her mouth forming a straight, firm line.
"What are you ta…" Alya waved her hand dismissively.
"Girl, I figured it out a while ago. I didn't report it because you are my best friend, Adrien is Nino's and Adrien is… well… important to you." Alya pulled Marinette down onto the floor with her. "I figured you would tell me, if you could, when you were ready." She was not prepared for the massive bear hug that came from this tiny girl. Marinette sobbed into her shoulder.
"You have no idea how much I wanted you to know. I just couldn't…" Alya just held her friend as she cried.
"I know." She whispered. A few tears escaped her eyes as well.
After several minutes of comfortable silence, the young women pulled apart wiping their eyes.
"Whoo! I sure do feel better. How about you, girl?" Marinette managed a laugh.
"Yeah, I guess so." She looked to the piece of paper left on the chaise. "I guess I have some work to do, huh?" Alya gave her shoulder a final squeeze.
"I'll head out then. Let me know if you need anything?" Marinette nodded. They waved as Alya descended the stairs to bid goodnight to Marinette's parents. Once the coast was clear, Tikki flew out from her hiding spot.
"Marinette?" Her squeaky voice hesitated. "Are you alright?"
The girl took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. "I'm fine, Tikki." She glanced up at her kwami. "I'm glad that Alya finally knows, but…"
Tikki nodded. "Yes. First Adrien, now Alya? We need to be more careful in the future so no one else finds out." Marinette nodded. The kwami nuzzled her charge. They both smiled. "Come on! You've got a song to finish."
WOW! I've been looking to write an "Alya Knows" segment for quite sometime now... and this is the best I could do :) Maybe someday I'll get the inspiration to write how she actually came to know about our heroes' identities, but I guess we'll leave it up to the imagination for now.
Chapter 2 should be upcoming. The rest of the story is still in progress, I just wanted to get something you y'all now. If you want to be notified when Chapter 2 is available, subscribe to the story. You won't be sorry.
Until the next chapter, Miraculers!