Amongst the chatter of the busy, Christmas-decorated cafe, a bell rings as a blonde model enters. He shivers as he comes in, grateful to be out of the biting cold. Putting his belongings down on a table near the piano, he cheerfully greets the kind Mr. Dupain and Mrs. Cheng and waves off their concerns and offers of sitting near the fireplace to warm up. He smiles as he glances around the full cafe, the place as warm and loving as his idea of a normal household. He loved playing the piano here. His tutor first introduced him to this place as a way to get over any possible stage fright and he quickly came to the love the warm, loving atmosphere. Now, playing here was the highlight of his dull, busy weeks. Here, his playing doesn’t have to be emotionless and perfect. Here, he didn’t have to listen to long instructions that he had to complete to the letter. Here, he didn’t have to starve himself for his father’s criteria. In fact, the owners had made it a habit to gift Adrien with hot chocolate and cookies after he plays a few songs. Here, he could be himself or make mistakes and have no repercussions.

As he rifled through the various music sheets piled on top of the piano, he suddenly heard a soft, feminine that was distinct from the mindless chatter and he had never heard before.

“I’m back!”

Adrien turned to see a blue-haired girl that looked like a smaller Sabine darting through the filled tables whilst shouting out greetings and pleasantries to the regular customers.

“School let us out early because Chloe kept complaining about having to stay for a full day on the day before winter break and the principal relented once she threatened to tell her father,” the girl explained to Mr. Dupain and Mrs. Cheng, her parents, he realized. “I guess she’s good for some things,” she finished, shrugging and grinning cheekily.

Sabine scolded her about bad-mouthing others as Tom tried not to laugh. Sighing, Sabine glanced his way then whispered something to the girl. The girl looked at him, smiled, maybe blushed a little-he couldn't tell from where he was- and turned back to her parents whispering excitedly.

Shrugging it off, he continued rifling through the papers looking for some Christmas songs to get into the holiday spirit. Contemplating his options, he decided to go with the traditional “Deck the Halls”, a song that could be played as either a solo or a duet. Arranging the sheet onto the music stands, he flexed his fingers to loosen them and positioned them to start. As he was preparing, the noise of the cafe had slowly died down and he smiled at the silence of the customers as they waited for him to start. Obliging with their unspoken wish, he pressed a key and started the cheerful melody. One by one, his fingers pressed the keys in a simple yet intricate dance. Every step provided a harmonious note instantly joined by another. This is why he loved playing the piano here. When he played here, the song was full of life and made him wonder how he could produce such an amazing thing rather than an empty, mechanic sound at home that no one ever had or ever will hear.

Suddenly, he felt someone sit next to him and join his playing as he started the second stanza, their fingers producing a medley of notes that the accompaniment would have played. A quick glance told him that it was the Dupain-Cheng’s daughter. The different melodies produced by the two blended together seamlessly, as though they had been partners all their lives when, in reality, he had barely found out about her existence five minutes ago. Yet, they somehow played in harmony.

As they finished, he once again glanced at the unknown girl beside him. Catching his eyes, she smiled at him, before turning back to the large instrument and finishing the piece with a flourish. As the last note died away, it was replaced by large, thunderous applause. Beckoning him to stand up, she grabbed his hand and raised it to the sky, before bringing it back down in a deep bow.

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with pure happiness. Swept up in her contagious joy, he smiled back and followed her as she went back to the counter where her parents were standing.

“That was stupendous!” Mr. Dupain boomed, lightly hitting his daughter on the back with a hearty grin on his face. “Are you sure you two haven’t been practicing behind my back, Marinette?”

“So that’s her name,” silently mused Adrien as he stared at her in curiosity while she laughingly denied the accusation.

“Then it must be fate,” smiled Mrs. Cheng knowingly.

Instantly, Marinette’s face turned red, “I-you-what-MOM!”

Mrs. Cheng laughed and pulled Mr. Dupain away, saying that they needed to go to back to the counter. Adrien was amusedly smiling at the family’s antics. He could never tease his father like that or vice versa. In fact, he couldn’t even imagine it.

“S-sorry about them,” a soft voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see Marinette looking away, her eyes averted as a blush coated her cheeks.

“It’s okay,” Adrien gently responded. “It’s nice seeing such a warm family.” Marinette looked at him curiously. Her eyes were touched by a bit of sadness as she, no doubt, realized that he didn’t have such a caring family at home. He hated seeing that sadness in her eyes.

“I’m Adrien, nice to meet you,” he introduced himself as held out his hand.

Shaking his hand, she replied with, “Marinette! It’s nice to finally talk to you in person.”

“In person?”

“Yep!” she nodded. “My parents told me about you when you first started visiting but since you always came on a Thursday I couldn’t see you as I had school.”

“Oh, that explains why I haven’t seen you before.”

“That’s right,” turning her head away, she glanced at the counter before turning back to him. “Do you want to go up to my room?” she offered. “My parents are eavesdropping.”

He looked over and, indeed, they both met his eyes. Startled, they looked away sheepishly.

“S-sure,” he answered hesitantly; he had never been in a girl’s room before. Smiling, she took his hand and led him up the stairs.With a wave of her hand, she dramatically threw open the door and they entered into, for him, unknown territory. It was a cute, simplistic room. With a main color scheme of pink and black, it also had 2 windows, a desk, a dresser, stairs leading up to a small loft, and an area that led up to a balcony above.

“What do you think?” she asked, grinning shyly.

“It’s nice. Cute, elegant, feminine.”

“Thanks!” she moved forward, only to be pulled back. Suddenly, she realized that she was still holding his hand. Hastily, she pulled her arm away. “S-sorry!”

“It’s okay, “ he smiled. Looking at her desk, he noticed designs scattered around it. “Are you a designer?”

“Huh? Oh!. Yes, yes I am,” she stammered.

“You’re good at it.”

“Really? I’m glad you like them! Lately Ladybug and Chat Noir have been inspiring me so I’ve had a lot of designs, like a cat-eared beanie. Chat seems to like to like puns so I’ve been thinking of making ugly Christmas sweaters with things like “Meowry Christmas” embroidered on them and such.”

“A Chat fangirl, hm?”

“Oh, um,” she blushed lightly, “ I guess…”

Adrien smiled, his confidence bolstered by her confession. “I love Christmas sweaters! May I model them?"

"What?"

"Pleaseeee," he pleaded, big, green babydoll eyes staring up at her hopefully. She gulped.

“S-sure!” Marinette agreed, the now familiar blush covering her cheeks.

"I need to go as I think my driver is waiting for me, but I'll come on Saturday, okay?" he grinned happily.

"O-okay."

He grinned. Turning to the doors, he stopped just before going down the stairs, his Chat Noir side getting the better of him.

“It’s a date!”

“I-wait, what?!” Marinette gaped at him, leaning on her desk for support and trying not to faint. Her mouth opened and closed wordlessly, shocked into silence. Had Adrien Agreste, the famous model, the son of Gabriel Agreste, just asked if he could visit her and called it a-a date?!

Marinette promptly fainted.