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There were definitely a lot of positive sides to knowing who her partner was, Marinette had found out. She could call Adrien at any time, when she needed him. She also knew why he sometimes couldn’t show up or was late and didn’t have to worry too much.
She could also invite him into her room when the weather outside was bad and they didn’t want to stay out for long.
Maybe it was too easy in so many ways that it made her careless.
Because she had decided that it would be a good idea to ask him to show her some fighting moves. After all, he was a better fighter than her and sometimes she had to rely on more than her yo-yo and complex plans.
This was also, unbeknownst to him, her way to try to get used to being close to him without combusting on the spot. Because Adrien was her partner and she couldn't risk being distracted around him.
It was amazing to think about how comfortable she felt with him when he was Chat. She was used to being in constant physical contact with him and it didn’t feel weird. She hadn’t really given this much thought in the past because she kind of took it for granted. It was something they were good at. It made their working together easier.
Of course, she still felt this way with him. She trusted him with her life and her heart. But she was also aware of him in ways she hadn’t been before. Or more precisely, in ways she hadn’t allowed herself before. They had been saved for Adrien but he was Adrien and while she had needed some time to align the two ideas in her mind, it was obvious now.
She tried to make sure that to him it didn’t seem any different. She wanted him to stop thinking that she had a reason to act weird around him. And ultimately, this would make telling him how she really felt easier.
Amid all this, making herself hit him as if he was the enemy was not easy. She still did it but wasn’t sure how convincing she was. Then when they tumbled to the ground and rolled around, she felt that he was out of character as well.
“Kitty, you shouldn’t be trying to keep me from hitting my head,” she laughed, a little breathless from the exertion.
“Sorry, m’lady, it’s second nature to me,” he gave her a sheepish smile, making her insides turn to mush. This didn’t last long because Marinette heard something that made her blood run cold.
“Marinette, what was this racket?”
It was her mother’s voice and it was too close. They both froze but at least they had the presence of mind to detransform a second before her trap door opened and they were caught.
“Oh.”
“I know what this looks like,” Marinette mumbled, feeling warmth rise up her face. She was lying on the floor with Adrien on top of her. It didn’t take a lot to imagine this in a very different way, especially without the superhero context.
“Well, isn’t that what it looks like?” Her mother asked, amusement colouring her voice.
Marinette’s eyes shot up to Adrien’s and she could only hope he’d understand her silent plea. It was much easier to play along than to think of some impossible excuse.
“Um, yes, it is,” he said with a nervous smile as he jumped off her and helped her up.
“I’m sorry, mum. I should have told you,” Marinette said, looking at her feet.
“Should have told me what? That you planned to sneak your boyfriend in? Or that you had one in the first place.”
“Both, I guess.”
“She didn’t sneak me in, Mrs. Cheng,” Adrien said, surprising Marinette. “I saw that you were very busy in the bakery so I didn’t want to trouble you.”
Oh no. Now he was taking the blame for her. Could he be any sweeter?
“Oh, Adrien. I appreciate this but we’d always be happy to see you.”
“I’m sorry. I will make sure to make my presence known in the future,” he smiled.
“In that case, we are very happy for you, it was long time coming,” her mother beamed, making Marinette groan internally. There was no way Adrien would miss that. “Wait until Tom hears about this!”
“Oh, mum,” Marinette sighed, very much the daughter who dreaded being teased over her love life.
“Speaking of, I guess you two are hungry?”
Right on cue, Marinette heard her tummy rumble. Yes, they very much needed something to eat after their workout. But there was no way to confirm this without wanting the ground to swallow her.
“Yes, we would love something to eat, thank you,” Adrien said, looking just a little flushed next to her.
“Coming right up!”
“Oh my goodness,” Marinette sat down with a huff once she was gone.
“This was a close call,” Adrien smiled as he joined her on the chaise lounge.
“It’s a disaster. Now they think that you’re my boyfriend! I’m really sorry!”
“Hey, you know that I don’t mind. At all. In fact, you might see me take advantage of this,” he grinned as an arm wound around her waist and pulled her to him. She could only squeak. “But I know that it’s not real, don’t worry,” he said, a hand ruffling her hair.
This reminded her what a terrible state it was in after their scuffle so she tried to put it in order.
“It might be real,” she said, while not looking at him. This was as good a moment as any after all.
“M’lady?”
“Did you notice my mother’s enthusiasm?” She asked after she took a deep breath.
“Yes.”
“It’s because she’s been waiting for this moment for quite some time.”
“So she said. But, wait. Does this mean… “ He looked torn between surprise and delight.
“Yes, Adrien. I couldn’t tell you before and now we’re in this impossible situation and… “
“But you want me to be your boyfriend, right?” Of course he’d ask this.
“Yes,” she said, feeling her cheeks heat up again.
“Well, I see no problem with what your parents think then,” he shrugged. "We're just making it reality as of this moment!"
“You really don’t mind?”
“I’m over the moon! Of course I don’t mind!”
The next moment, he was lifting her in the air and spinning around with her, making her giggle.
“Does this mean that I get to kiss you?” he asked suddenly, almost making her heart stop.
“If you want to,” she said in a small voice. Although she was sure that it was obvious how this suggestion made her feel. Which put her hunger for food to shame.
“Let me show you just how much I want to,” he smiled.
It was so easy to kiss him. Of course it was. He made it easy because it was him. And there was no doubt in her mind that they would have no trouble in the future, distractions be damned.
“Aw!”
“I told you that they are adorable!”
The voices made them spring apart, flushed but smiling.
“In case we weren’t convincing enough before,” Adrien whispered in her ear as her father approached with a tray piled up with food and a happy smile on his face.
Marinette's face was at risk of catching fire but she had to agree that he had a point. That had been very convincing.