in which Christmas truly does bring friendship

Adrien nearly couldn't believe it.

Marinette and Chloe were being nice to each other. 

It was the last week of school before the winter holidays began for the students. Marinette truly had dove straight into the festive feeling, wearing a cute white sweater, swapping her regular pink for red jeans, paired with a red scarf and a white-trimmed red hat, referencing Santa Claus' hat. Chloe, too, had opted for golden and white accessories similar to hers.

Openly, in the beginning of the class, the two walked in laughing and bumping hips. Chloe had thanked Marinette for making her accessories, insisting she pay, while Marinette waved off the offer with an 'anything for a friend.' 

Alya grinned once Marinette slid into her seat. "I didn't know you two were friends!" Ever the reporter, she straight away subtly asked for answers.

Marinette smiled, glancing down at the blonde girl seated beside Sabrina. "We're frenemies, mainly. Different views, different worlds, but we respect each other. Besides, without the constant quarreling, we agree that class would be a whole lot more boring." She shrugged, pulling her equipment out of her new bag, embroidered with holly. "It's a thing we do. Every Christmas, we put aside the differences and... just get along, I guess. No point of Christmas without being kind, eh?"

Adrien was beginning to feel like there was a whole lot more to Marinette, and Christmas, than his experiences. 

"And since it's Christmas..." Marinette's bright smile grew, pulling a box from her bag as well. "I brought some fruit mince pies for my very special friends, still warm!" 

"Aw, sweet!" Nino whooped, swooping in to grab one and stuff it into his face.

"Nino!" Alya scolded, blowing slightly on hers. "Chew with your mouth shut, thank you!"

Nino stuck his tongue out at her, and Adrien smiled at their interactions. 

"Adrien?" Marinette's voice brought his eyes up to meet hers, which seemed to be sparkling with even more joy and light than he'd ever noticed before. "There's one for you too, y'know!"

"Really?" He couldn't help the surprised word, escaping his mouth before he could catch it.

Marinette's smile, ever as warm and inviting as a fireplace on the cold nights that were frequent now, softened. "Of course, silly. You're my friend too!" She paused a moment before placing the pie in his hand. "And you matter to me, too."

You're my friend too! 

You matter to me, too.

His cheeks gained a rosy hue, smiling gently as he accepted the treat. "Thank you, Marinette."

His thanks were closely followed by muffled thank you!'s from Alya and Nino, mainly Nino, around mouthfuls of food. 

He turned back around once the teacher stepped in, but the smile on his face didn't fade. And this time, it wasn't fake.

Yes, there certainly was more to Marinette than he once accepted. 

Perhaps... perhaps...

No. His father would not change. It was futile to hope.

And yet, he hoped.

He hoped for a merry Christmas for once this year.