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  Shortly after that, Marinette had hurried home. She needed to calm down. To process everything some more. ...And hopefully avoid being akumatized.

  She had felt like she ought to attend class, but all those things would be impossible if she had went. Besides, there was NO WAY that she would have been able to focus in school. It would've just been a failure, one way or another.

  She hadn't the slightest idea of what she was going to tell her parents, but she no longer cared. She just really wanted to get into her bedroom.

  She chose to enter through the Bakery. If she could sneak past them, then she could easily admit that she had done so, without having to lie more than was necessary. If she had to lie at all.

  But to her relief, today had turned out to be a busy one for her parents. Her Dad was nowhere in sight, and her mom was distracted with two finicky customers.

  In her room, Marinette collapsed across her chaise.

  The tears she had been holding back dropped onto the chair's cushion, leaving dark spots.
  I can't have Adrien because hes in love with Ladybug... But if I date Chat or Adrien as Ladybug, then Alya and the girls will freak out, because Marinette will suddenly quit chasing Adrien... Because there would be no reason for me -Marinette- to keep chasing Adrien when he would already be dating -me- Ladybug.

Her voice muffled, Marinette said aloud to herself, "I gotta pull it together... I can't be akkumatized..." Saying and realising this, helped her to squeeze past the inner turmoil she felt.

  "Why don't you try putting up those decorations right now? And listen to some Christmas music?", Tikki suggested.

  Marinette shuffled over to the computer and pulled up an online station. Then she glanced wearily over at the four foot tall, pink, tree.

  Although she loved the smell of the real tree that they used in the Living Room, and felt it necessary to have one there; she didn't like one being in her room. The dark green clashed with all the pink, and somehow, just didn't seem right.

  She pulled out the boxes of silver, pink, and white ornaments, ready to give this a try. Even if she didn't feel like it. She knew that sometimes just doing something could help a person deal with stress better. Even if the problem wasn't necessarily being resolved.

  She managed to get the string of beads halfway on, when the song "All I want for Christmas is You" came on.

  The cold came back with a vengeance in her chest. She sunk to the floor, and picked up one of the pink pastel balls. Her thumb following along the intricate design and feeling the scrape of the decorative glitter.

  Her face pinched with grief, she desperately leapt up and ran to the computer. "I can't listen to that!"

  Finding another station, she hit the play button. The song "Underneath the Tree" was on.

  Marinette's jaw dropped at the sound. "What is WITH these people??? Do they LIKE torturing the lonely???"

  She irritably clicked off the internet and pulled up Youtube on her phone. "I'll just pick my OWN songs out, then!!!"

  Finding Chuck Berry, she played the classic "Run Run Rudolph". She sighed and gave a faint smile at the bouncy beat. "That's better."

  But as she and Tikki continued the Christmas traditions, her thoughts kept slipping back to Chat Noir. She had promised to meet him that afternoon. And she didn't want to break that promise. It wouldn't be right, and Chat would probably be devastated. She hardly ever allowed special meet-ups. He would surely be looking forward to it.

  Holding the shiny silver star in her hands, she sighed. "Tikki, how am I going to hold this together?"

  "It doesn't look broken to me."

  "What? Oh! No, not the star, Tikki. I mean all of this with Adrien. I have to meet up with Chat tonight. I know I usually interact easier with Adrien as Ladybug, but how do I interact with Chat, when I can't see past the fact that it's ADRIEN using those puns and flirting?? ...All these emotions... Not knowing what to do, but knowing what I want. I-"

  A memory flashed into her mind.
  She bit her lip, then said, "Tikki, what if I do something rash, like following my heart?"

  "Huh??"

  "I know a good superhero listens to her head, but..."

  "Oooh... Well, if you decide to do that, I can't stop you. But it's not really the best choice. Least ways, not with Hawkmoth still active. But Marinette, this isn't the first time Chat Noirs and Ladybugs have fallen in love. As a matter of fact, it usually ALWAYS happens. ...But then, Hawkmoth's weren't ever the problem in their days..."

  Marinette stared questionably at her kwami. "How is this suppose to be helpful? No wait! Did THOSE heroes get to date and eventually marry?"

  "Everyone's lives are different, Marinette. But yes, most did." She sighed. "I'm so questionable about giving you advice BECAUSE everyone's life is different. There's never been a Hawkmoth before, so I can't be sure how to advise you in this situation."

  Marinette glanced at all her pictures of Adrien. Her computer screen, the pin boards, the magazine on her desk.

  If Tikki couldn't help her, then who could? She couldn't just go TELL someone about these things. That was too dangerous. Who could she-

  Her eyes widened.
  "Tikki, spots on!"

  Marinette had went directly to Master Fu's home. HE knew. If anyone could help, it would surely be him!

  After both sat down with a cup of tea, she admitted knowing who Chat Noir really was. Explaining how she had found out. Although talking like this about her crush, to MASTER FU, was a little embarrassing. Even though he technically knew.

  The old man was fighting to contain his smile. Though he had been living for a long time, young love had never ceased to entertain him. It gave him great joy to see this moment finally happening.

  He kept the cup in both hands and close to his mouth, to help hide his amusement at all of this. He then proceeded to explain a few things.

  "Marinette, I knew this day would eventually come. And yes, keeping your identities a secret is very important. But continuing to keep these things a secret from each other, when you already know so much and are in love with him; will only make for more problems. Problems that could potentially destroy you two's ability to work together, or to focus on the task at hand. So tell him."

  Marinette's jaw had dropped in disbelief. Although this is what she had wanted, it wasn't AT ALL what she had expected to hear.
  "HIM I TELL CAN??"

  Master Fu blinked, then burst out laughing. He couldn't help himself.
  "Yes! You can tell him!"

  She could hardly contain herself, but one question was still stuck in her mind. She had to express this concern.
  "But what about Hawkmoth? THOSE dangers?"

  "Marinette, look at it this way. Hawkmoth could still possibly find out, one way or the other. It's a risk, either way. But there's a BETTER chance of AVOIDING that risk, if you go ahead and SHARE your identity with Adrien. ...Do you REALLY see yourself capable of doing your job, when Chat Noir is flirting and you KNOW who he is? ...And you know BOTH of you want to date each other?"

  Her face was flushed, a broad grin stretching her lips, and her bluebell eyes sparkled with joy. No. No she couldn't. And how wonderful that was! THIS was!

  She didn't wait any longer. She was already out the door, when she heard Master Fu holler, "Merry Christmas, Ladybug!"

  Wayzz, who had been floating quietly nearby, now stated, "This will be their favorite Christmas gift, Master."

  "Indeed."

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