I do not, and never will own miraculous Ladybug.

Cold weather is dangerous for Ladybugs. That's why you never see them in winter. Marinette didn't care much about this fact, until the first day of winter. She felt how unusually vulnerable she was to the cold. So that the first day of winter, when the weather had dropped a few degrees, she felt like she was freezing. Her skin felt thinner than paper. She checked the weather on her phone, and was surprised that it wasn't too much colder than it was the previous day.

I should have known this was coming, She thought to herself. It happens with Chat, so why wouldn't it happen to me. I just…. I wasn't expecting it. It's so cold…. How will I manage this?

"Good Morning Marinette," Tikki said with a yawn, and a usual happy grin. She was still under a few blankets that Marinette made for her.

"G-Good M-Morning," Marinette shivered, pulling her blankets back around herself. "I-It's C-cold."

"It's not that cold…. Oh…. I forgot…. I'm sorry I didn't warn you." Tikki said, freezing in her spot.

"Warn me about what?" Marinette asked, making sure as much of her skin was covered with a blanket, as possible.

"Winter is dangerous for Ladybugs. The bugs hibernate through it, usually. Haven't you ever wondered why you don't see Ladybugs in the dead of winter."

"I have, but haven't really paid much attention to it." Marinette admitted. "Why is that?"

"If they're out in the cold, they freeze. Unfortunately, since you are Ladybug, you will have a few side effects from it."

"How will I fight crime, then, if I'm literally freezing in the cold?"

"The suit will protect you. Since you are covered from head to toe. So that's not what you need to be concerned about. It's your civilian form that will suffer the most."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you will have Ladybug side effects, with, or without your suit. It's a problem with wearing miraculous, they leave you with inconvenient side effects." Tikki explained. "You need to make sure you stay warm this winter, if you get too cold, you will not be able to function."

"That doesn't sound like it would be too difficult…. Especially since it is so important." Marinette said, mostly to herself. "Just….. How am I going to deal with school?"

"It won't be that big of deal, just make sure you always have your coat." Tikki said, "You'll be alright."

Marinette got up, a few minutes later, knowing she should start getting ready for school. Her room was freezing to her paper thin skin. First thing she chose to do, was take a long, HOT shower. Once she was sufficiently warmed by the scalding water, she toweled herself off, and started getting dressed. She chose to wear a pair of fleece lined pink leggings, knee high gray socks, An oversized gray sweater, pink gloves, scarf, and beanie. Just because she was dressing warm, didn't mean she had to lose her style. She looked like she was dressed more for the middle of winter, than just the first day of it. She felt slightly ridiculous having to wear such heavy clothing, but at least she would be safe from the cold. The only part of her skin that was exposed to the cold air, was her face. She knew she would have to deal with it.

She went down for breakfast, thankful that the living room was slightly warmer than her room. She could already feel her nose starting to drain in the cold. She always hated having a runny nose. Her nose was already slightly red, and her mother looked concerned when she arrived at breakfast.

"Honey, are you alright? Won't you be too warm in all of that?" Sabine asked her daughter.

"I'm alright…. I was just…. Feeling a little cold." Marinette answered, and Sabine placed a hand on her daughter's forehead.

"You don't feel warm….. Are you sure you're alright? If you're feeling sick, you should stay home."

"I'm feeling alright, Mama,"

After breakfast, Marinette started on her way to school. She was glad that she had the foresight to pack tissues into her purse. Her nose was running, and she was really glad that she didn't have to walk too far to school. She got to school early, and pulled her scarf around her neck tighter, when she sat down at her seat.

"Girl, I feel under dressed." Alya said, as she entered the classroom, and saw how her best friend was dressed. "What's with that getup?"

"I was…. I was just a little cold." Marinette explained, fretting about how people seem to stare at her heavy clothing. Marinette slumped in her seat, hoping no one else would ask her about her clothing. Having Alya ask was bad enough. She couldn't really tell them the really reason, it wasn't like she could say: Well, since I'm ladybug, if I get too cold, I will freeze and die. So she just hoped she wouldn't get any more questions. She had already got several from her classmates, on her way into the school.

Adrien came into class a few minutes before it started. He let his eyes fall on the girl who sat beside him. She was bundled up in warm clothing, yet he saw a small shiver shake her body. What's up with her? Is she alright? He thought. He took in the temperature of the room, and realized it wasn't that cold. So why would the girl be shivering? He noticed how red her nose was, as well. It actually looks kinda cute. He thought, before he stopped himself. Class started, and he turned his attention to the front. But he couldn't keep his attention from the small girl behind him. He was worried about her, even though he didn't really know her. She was one of his first friends, but she didn't really talk to him. She seemed to be unable to speak whenever he was around. He at least hoped that he could ask her about this, and she would answer him. Maybe she's sick? She sounds like she's sniffing. Maybe she will think I'm kind for asking about her health. Maybe she'll actually start to like me then. She probably will forgive me for that incident when we first met. Adrien was unfocused, only being pulled back into reality when the bell rang. He stood up, and turned around towards Marinette.

"Hey Marinette," He said, flashing a grin.

"H-Hey A-Adrien," She stuttered, surprised.

"I wanted to ask you, what's up with the outfit? Are you…." He started to ask if she was alright, but she cut him off.

"Ugg, not you too," She said, standing up, and leaving. She just wanted to get away from everyone. She wanted to go someplace, snuggle up in her warm clothing, and sleep. Adrien looked to Alya with a questioning look.

"She's been getting that question a lot today." Alya explained. "It upsets her, but I don't know why." She finished, and he sighed. He didn't want to upset Marinette. His trying to… trying to impress her with his kindness, did the exact opposite than what he wanted. He hated that he seemed to make Marinette uncomfortable.

"Really, though, what's up with the outfit? Is she feeling alright?" He asked, still concerned.

"She said she was just a little cold." Alya said, heading off to find Marinette.

"Okay, thank you," He said, as she left. He left the classroom too, having planned to have lunch with Nino in the park. But he was distracted, so he didn't really talk.

"Dude, what's wrong?" Nino asked Adrien, halfway through their lunch.

"I think I upset Marinette." Adrien frowned.

"What did you do?"

"I was just asking if she was okay…. Well, to be exact, I asked her what was up with her outfit."

"Bad idea Dude."

"I know that now. I need to make it up to her somehow."

"Why don't you just apologize?"

"But she probably won't even listen to me."

"I'm sure she would. Go for it Dude."

Marinette had returned to her school desk halfway through lunch. She lay her head on her arms, and fell asleep. The cold made her bones ache. And she hated how it felt. If only she didn't have to deal with winter.

Adrien was still a little distracted when he returned to class. He was surprised when he saw Marinette sleeping on her desk. She seemed so out of it.

"Marinette?" He said softly, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Tikki?" She replied, sleepily.

"It's not Tikki, it's Adrien." He said, wondering about who she was talking to. Her head raised immediately, and she started at the model.

"A-A-Adrien, I'm sorry…. I was just a little tired."

"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry for earlier. I was just concerned for you, that's all." Adrien said, his hand still on Marinette's shoulder.

"Y-You're c-concerned for me?"

"Yes, are you alright?"

"Oh…. I'm… O-Okay…" She said, before class started, and Adrien returned to his seat.

The days got progressively colder, and Marinette started dressing more warmly. Unfortunately the cold got more biting, and cut through even some of her warmest clothing. She was covering up every inch of skin she could, but her face was almost constantly freezing, her nose almost constantly runny, and her throat almost constantly sore.. Her body ached in the cold, and she started layering up her clothing more and more. The colder it was, the harder it was for her to move.

"You're going to have to start picking up the slack this season," Plagg said, as he was sitting on Adrien's bed, eating cheese.

"What?" Adrien was shocked, "What do you mean? What slack?"

"Ladybug is always somewhat off during the winter, you're going to have to keep up. Take over some of the stuff she usually does."

"Why is that?"

"Have you ever seen a Ladybug in winter?"

"No, I don't believe I have."

"That's because they hibernate. If they're out in the winter, they can freeze." Plagg said, taking another bite of cheese. "If she gets too cold, she'll stop functioning. It can be deadly."

"She hasn't been acting different. She seems fine… although…. She has been sniffling a lot recently."

"Her suit protects her. Although, she probably caught a cold in her civilian form. That's when she is most vulnerable, after all."

"How is that?"

"It's like how you get on rainy days. Side effects of the miraculous. It affects your civilian form most, since you don't have the magic to protect you."

"Oh."

It was absolutely freezing in Paris that day. And Marinette could feel it from her head to her toes. She wore the warmest clothes she could think of. Long black pants, a heavy red and black polka dotted sweater, and her thickest black coat. She smiled in the mirror, she looked like a ladybug. Even with her many layers, she felt the cold down to her bones. She was sluggish all day, barely moving at all. And most of her day was spent sleeping on her school desk, snuggling into her own clothing to try and keep herself warm.

At the end of classes, Adrien woke her up, being the last person left in the classroom with her. She was still sleepy, but she did agree that she should go home. It was warm at home, and she could cuddle up in her blankets, cocooning herself in warmth. Once Adrien had Marinette's promise that she was okay, and that she would go home. She took about a minute to get up her courage to leave the school. At least the school had a heater. She didn't want to brave the cold weather.

She started walking home, very, very slowly. She could hardly move with the cold. And she was so, so tired. On her way home, she passed by a bus stop, and decided to sit down. Wanting to get her energy back up so she could make it the rest of the way home.

"Excuse me miss, do you have any spare change?" A homeless woman asked, coming up to Marinette. "Just enough to buy a hot drink?"

"Of course," Marinette said, pulling a few dollars out of her purse. While doing so, she saw the woman shiver, and noticed she was not wearing a coat. "And here, have my coat. You need it more than I do." She took off her own coat, and handed it to the woman, as well as the few dollars for a hot drink.

"Thank you," The woman said, with a tear in her eye.

"No problem, Now go get yourself something warm to drink." Marinette told the woman, and she nodded, heading to the closest cafe.

"And I better get home." She said to herself, shivering at the lack of her coat. She started walking, hoping to make it home before she collapsed. But the more she moved, the slower she was. All she wanted to do was curl up, and sleep. Her limbs weren't functioning like they should. She just…. Had to…. Lay down… For a moment.

She lay down, and curled up in the snow. Drifting off into sleep. It was too cold for her to move. And she was just so tired. Tikki left her purse, wanting to see why they stopped moving, and she started worrying. This shouldn't have been happening. This was dangerous.

"Marinette, you have to wake up. You have to get up. It's not safe here. You're too cold." But there was no response from the sleeping girl.

Adrien had returned to his room after school, pondering why Marinette was so sleepy. She seemed…. Different in winter. Always bundling up, like she was afraid of the cold. But even though, he heard her complaining about how cold it was. She also seemed to be moving slower, her entire body slowing down in the cold. He didn't know when he had started paying so much attention to her, but he was really worried for her. Especially with how he always saw her sleeping at her desk. It was like she was trying to hibernate. Just like a Ladybug…. Like Ladybug….. Ladybug.

Wait, did I just think Marinette is Ladybug? Could she really… Maybe… Mon Dieu, Marinette is Ladybug. They look identical. Why haven't I seen it before? Adrien thought. That's why she's been so off…. I hope she made it home safe. Maybe I should call her, to make sure she got home okay. Adrien decided, picking up his phone. He scrolled through the phone, looking for her number, before he remembered he didn't have her number.

"Alya will probably have it." He said to himself, thinking out loud.

"Have what?" Plagg asked, looking up from his cheese.

"Marinette's phone number." Adrien said, "I need to make sure she's okay." He opened up Alya's contact information, and texted her. 'Hey, Alya, What's Marinette's phone number, It's important.' Alya responded with the number, and he called it.

He called, again and again. But she didn't pick up. Maybe she didn't make it home… Maybe…. I have to go find her.

"Plagg, Claws out." Adrien shouted, transforming into Chat Noir. He vaulted out the window, and towards the school. He made sure to take the route past Marinette's house, just to make sure that's not where she was. She looked in her window, and didn't see her anywhere, so he headed off to find her. He was looking everywhere along her route to school. Hoping to find a sign of her. His heart stopped when a bit of red cloth caught his eye. Wasn't Marinette wearing a red and black sweater to school? He dropped down next to the red fabric, and dusted the snow away from around it. His heart gave another uncomfortable lurch when he saw that it was Marinette. Her skin was so cold, like ice. He scooped her up in his arms, and started vaulting back to the bakery. He landed in the alley next to the bakery with a soft thud. He let out his transformation, and headed into the bakery.

The bakery was warm, and smelled of vanilla and cinnamon. He could hear a small sigh come from the girl in his arms. Mrs. Cheng came up to them, placing her hand on her daughter's forehead.

"Is she alright? What happened to her? Is she ill?" Mrs. Cheng said, worried.

"She fell asleep in school, so I carried her home. She was too tired to walk home herself." He said, only half lying. He knew if he was too honest, he would worry her parents.

"Thank you,"

"Can I take her up to her room?"

"You don't have to do that. We can wake her up. I don't want you to have to bother anymore."

"It's not a bother. I would be glad to do it. Also, I don't want to wake her up." Adrien said, and Mrs. Cheng nodded, ushering him up towards Marinette's room. "Besides, she is cute while she's sleeping." He said, once he was sure he was out of earshot of her.

Marinette started feeling warmer, although she was still freezing. As warmth entered her body, she felt like she could start moving again. She felt the warm body she was drawn close to, and the warm arms that carried her. She was starting to slowly become aware of the world around her, enough to hear her mother talking to…. Someone…. Probably the person carrying her. The warm body started moving again. It was only a few minutes before the person placed her down on something soft. She moved her hands, to cling on to the warm body.

"I'll be back, I promise. You need to warm up. You're safe here." The voice said to her. Who's voice was that again? She felt a blanket being pulled over her, and she gravitated to the warmth. Wrapping herself up until she was a tangle of blankets, arms, and legs. Although she was warmer, she was still tired, to tired to wake up. Too tired to move. She dozed off to sleep again.

Adrien looked around Marinette's room one more time, before returning to the bakery. He was surprised when he saw so many pictures of him. He was confused at why, until he remembered that she was a fashion designer, and he had heard her say many times before how much she admired his father's company. Since he was the most common model for his father's company, that was probably the reason she had so many pictures of him around.

He returned to the bakery, to receive a warm thank you from Marinette's parents. A warm welcome accompanied by hot chocolate, and warm, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. After spending thirty minutes with her parents, ending up having an ultimate mecha strike three tournament with her father, where he mostly lost, he finally returned home. But he didn't stay there long. After Plagg charged up, he headed back out, as Chat Noir, to check on Marinette.

When Marinette woke up, it was dark. She looked at her clock, and noticed that it was a quarter past midnight. Marinette stretched into the warm air surrounding her. Yawning into the darkness. She blinked her eyes, looking around. There was something a bit off, a bit different about her room.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Marinette called out into her supposedly empty room. She flicked on the lamp next to her bed, feeling uncomfortable. When she did, she saw a leather clad figure staring at her. "Chat?"

"Don't you ever do that to me again," Chat said, looking angry. "You scared me half to death."

"Do what?" Marinette asked, sounding confused.

"Fall asleep in the snow. You could have frozen to death. Don't you do that again, don't you know how dangerous it can be?"

"I didn't mean to."

"And where is your coat? You were wearing one at school." Chat said, still irritated. Marinette was surprised that he was so upset.

"There was someone who needed it more than me." Marinette explained, and Chat's eyes softened.

"Still, it was very dangerous. I don't know what I would do without you, My Lady." Chat said, and Marinette gasped.

"How…. How did you know?"

"Plagg told me about how dangerous winter is for Ladybugs. That Ladybugs either hibernate, or die in the winter. Since you can't hibernate, and it's your civilian form that gets the worst of it, I could tell by how you were acting in school."

"In school….. That means that you must be in the same school as me….. But still…. How…. How did I end up here?" Marinette asked, giving him a smile. There was no reason to deny his knowledge at this point.

"I brought you back." Chat said, sitting on the bed next to her. She could feel his warmth, and snuggled close to it.

"How did you know where I was?"

"I was worried about you, I wanted to make sure you got home safe, so I called you. But you didn't answer. You seemed in such a daze during class, so tired, that I was worried that you wouldn't make it home. I guess I was right."

"How did you get my phone number?"

"Alya gave it to me."

"Wait… How…. Who…. Who are you?" Marinette asked, wondering for the first time who her masked partner was. To the question, Chat let out his transformation, and Marinette froze. Placing her hand over her mouth.

"A-A-Adrien," She stuttered.

"Yes, My Lady?" Adrien smiled at the blushing girl.