Chapter Text
It really was ironic.
They'd gone from enemies who couldn't stand each other's existence, to then secretly hanging out, and now fully being in a relationship. It wasn't exactly how Marinette saw herself finding the one for her, but regardless, every moment being with Kagami made her heart feel warm.
Since their relationship began, both girls would make little gifts for the other for the other all the name of love. It had all started with Kagami putting together chocolate treats for Marinette.
----
"What's this for?" Marinette happily questioned at the little box of chocolates before her. "Had I known we were doing gifts I would have brought you something too."
"It's Honmei-choco." Kagami answered while handing Marinette the box of self made chocolates.
"Honmei-choco?" Marinette repeated, this time her question filled with nothing but confusion. Clearly it was something she was not familiar with.
"You see, in Japan, there's this tradition most couples do for Valentine's day in which girls make chocolates for their significant other. I used to think it was silly before. . ." Kagami explained, and then blushed before continuing. "But now that I have my own significant other, I wanted to give this tradition a try."
Marinette smiled. ". . . Even if it's not Valentine's Day?"
"Oh, come on." Kagami now laughed. "Every day I spend with you is far better than the holiday itself.
Marinette pressed a kiss on Kagami's lips.
She felt so lucky already.
----
And that was about a good memory that about summed up how they both were doing. They were just so happy they could shout it to the world.
"Come on, girl." Alya's gleeful voice interrupted Marinette's thoughts. "We're almost there and we can't keep the boys waiting long."
Well . . . they couldn't shout it just yet.
Now on this morning, Marinette found herself accompanying Alya towards the park located at the bottom of the Eiffel tower. They boys they were meeting were none other than Nino and Adrien, and Alya's intentions for making sure Marinette was coming was likely obvious that she was trying to set them both up.
Marinette only let out a quiet sigh as she followed her best friend and tugged at the jacket she brought with her.
'If only she knew. . .'
"Hey! You girls made it!" a familiar voice called to them as they walked up the steps.
"What makes you think we wouldn't?" Alya answered and hugged Nino hello, she made sure not to drop the tray he held.
"Hi Adrien!" Marinette nodded for the blonde.
"Hey Marinette." Adrien greeted back. "How have you been?"
"Oh, you know, the bakery is busy as ever." Marinette answered.
Adrien gave a polite smile. "That only means business is doing well."
"That it does." Alya answered this time as she admired the pair.
"We got us all coffee in advance." Nino finally lifted the tray of coffee he held. "Figured it would suit the weather this morning."
"Thanks!" Marinette gladly took a cup and sat down on the bench near the boys. "I needed this."
"Me too." Adrien took a seat on the same long bench and took a sip from his own cup of coffee.
"Oh, shoot!" Alya suddenly blurted. "I forgot my phone."
That was weird. Marinette knew Alya never went anywhere without her phone.
"Nino can you come get it with me real quick?"
"Oh sure!" Nino set the leftover coffees between Adrien and Marinette. "We'll be right back."
'Oh.' Marinette sighed and set the jacket down where Alya was meant to take a seat soon after. 'She didn't actually forget her phone, did she?'
"Thanks, babe!" Alya snuck a wink at Marinette and then walked away with Nino. "We won't take long!"
'Yup. She didn't forget her phone.'
Adrien and Marinette watched the pair walk off before turning to look at each other.
Now it was just the two of them all alone on a bench.
To Marinette, it was obvious that Alya probably planned to do this. Why else would she push for her to tag along so badly?
"So. . . I overheard Nino mentioning that you love to design clothes in your spare time?" Adrien suddenly broke the silence. "We only talked about my father's work and didn't really get to talk about that last time."
"Yes! Yes I do." Marinette slightly relaxed. Fashion was always a good topic for her. "Of course I don't get to work on many things as much as I would like to but I have recently found some inspiration lately."
"That's wonderful! Maybe you'll be Paris' next top designer one day."
"Oh thanks." Marinette smiled at thought. "Right now however I just focus on helping with he bakery and playing along with Alya's shenanigans."
"Shenanigans?" Adrien laughed. "Like what?"
"Oh. . . well," Marinette hummed. It wouldn't hurt to be honest with him about what Alya was trying to do. "Don't tell Alya, but she's apparently been trying to set us up since day one."
"Really?" there was a look of surprise on Adrien's face.
"Really." Marinette confirmed in disbelief. "Sorry if it that's why it seems that things get weird when Alya brings us together. She only means well."
"I see." A half smile formed on Adrien's face, yet it wasn't one that seemed genuine.
"It must annoy you." Marinette sighed. "I'll tell her to stop."
"No, no it doesn't!" Adrien quickly reassured the girl. "I'm just happy that we can all be friends. I mean that."
"That's good." This time the sigh Marinette let out was one of relief. "Here I thought it would make things awkward."
"It's fine." Adrien looked over at Marinette and smiled. "Even if it the circumstances would have been different, I wouldn't have been against the idea of being set up with you."
Marinette lightly gasped. ". . . Really?"
"Definitely." Adrien looked down at the coffee in his hands. "You seem like an amazing girl, Marinette. Anyone would be lucky just to be with you."
Those words were enough to clarify to her what he really meant, and suddenly she regretted ever mentioning the real reason why Alya was so eager around them.
Marinette took a deep breath.
This wasn't going to be easy, but if she didn't clarify her feelings now, it would only get worse from there on.
"Adrien, look. I know Alya keeps trying to push us closer together in hopes that we become something. . ." Marinette set her coffee on her lap and stared down at it. "But I just can't return any feelings like that. I hope you can understand."
Although she did feel a lot lighter now that she admitted it, she still couldn't make herself to see his face. Would he be hurt?
"Don't sweat it, Marinette." Adrien's voice spoke up, not sounding at all hurt as Marinette expected.
Marinette still wouldn't lift her gaze. "You're not upset?"
"Of course not!" Adrien's replied with a tone of sincerity. "Please don't feel like you need to apologize over it."
Marinette sighed in relief and took a sip from her coffee. Now that she set that record straight with him, she could see things no longer being awkward between the two. It was something she definitely looked forward to. Now there was just the problem with making sure her real relationship was kept secret an--
"Besides you and Kagami are together, it's only common sense you're already committed to someone else."
Blue eyes opened wide and Marinette could not hold back the spit of coffee that went all over the pavement. Not caring that she just spat coffee, she looked at Adrien, who was just as surprised as her.
"H-- h--how? . . ." was all she managed to let out. The shock was still fresh.
"How did I know?" Adrien finished for her, but the look on his face also displayed confusion, like if he just spoke a fact that was already well known and couldn't understand why it was so shocking.
Marinette nodded.
"Well. . ." Adrien now looked unsure. What he thought was already public knowledge was most definitely not public if her reaction told him anything. "I have fencing practice with Kagami Tsurugi, as I'm sure you already know by now, and one time when practice finished I caught a glimpse of the inside of her locker and noticed pictures of the two of you together. More together than just friends."
'So she did put them up there?'
Marinette felt her face get warm, and not because she just spat out coffee a few minutes prior.
Adrien kept going. "From that point I just figured it all made sense."
This was, as much of a shock as it was, very much impressing to Marinette to hear. A boy she only just met up with for the second time, already pieced together her real relationship status with Kagami? She took a long gulp of her coffee. She had to drink to that.
Yet, there was still more to how he knew that bugged her.
"Wait," Marinette finally spoke. "What exactly made sense?"
"Kagami's questions about us being together after that dance at Chloe's party?" Adrien kept answering, still surprised at how new this information was to Marinette. "Wait, are you telling me that this isn't it?"
"Well, it is. . ." Marinette confirmed. "But the thing is that no one else can know."
"Oh?" This answer was not something Adrien was expecting. "Why is that?"
It was then that Marinette began explaining their families' "hostile" histories, the rivalry that came with it, their sudden lock in with the freezer, how they found out they liked each other, and how if it all suddenly came to light that the two girls were now far closer than secret friends, it could only cause a lot of trouble.
". . . I know it sounds very complicated," Marinette finished. "But that's why we're asking you to please keep it to yourself now that you know."
"No worries, your secret is safe with me." The blonde gave his friend an understanding smile, but then it fell and replaced itself with another look of confusion. ". . . So then why can't Alya know?"
"I--" Marinette cut herself off. The moment of realization about that hit her.
'Why can't Alya know, exactly?'
"I . . . I guess I haven't really given it much thought?" Marinette began again, and then dropped her gaze to her almost finished beverage. "That or maybe I feel like I'd disappoint her somehow. . ."
Adrien furrowed his brow. "How so?"
"Well, she's always so supportive of everything I do. Even in the past where things haven't worked out for me, she's been there. . . But how will she react when she finds out that I've found happiness in the girl who I used to see as my worst enemy?"
"I don't think that'll be the case." Adrien reassured her. "I'm sure she'll still consider you her best friend even though her dating suggestions haven't exactly been spot on for you."
"You think so?"
"I know so." Adrien nodded. "Don't feel like you have to keep this a secret from just your parents. You do have friends you can rely on, and I'm one of them."
"Thank you, Adrien."
With Adrien's words of encouragement, Marinette finished her coffee and now felt a lot lighter. It's true that Marinette feared about what would happen once she told Alya the truth about Kagami and herself, but with Adrien's assurance, she could at least start making the effort. Now she just needed to tell Kagami her thoughts.
Marinette's phone began to buzz, and knowing that her parents were busy prepping that day for another catering event, it only meant they needed her help. She glanced at the screen she received from her dad only to confirm they indeed needer her help.
"Sorry! I've got to run. The bakery needs my help." Marinette apologized and started to quickly rise from her seat as she typed a quick reply to her dad. "Tell Alya business called."
"Will do." Adrien stood to see her off. "See you around!"
"See ya!"
Green eyes watched the girl run off into the distance and although he could now admit that he had at one point possibly felt something more for her, it at least made him happy that he could support her as her friend. Specially when she needed one the most. Before Adrien could take his seat again, he noticed Marinette had forgotten something. Her jacket.
"Huh?" He grabbed for it as if intended to run after her to return it, but she was too far gone by that point.
"We're back!" Alya jumped from behind him, expecting to see Marinette close by, but then realized she wasn't there. "Where's Marinette?"
"Oh, her dad called her needing her help at the bakery today." Adrien answered while holding up her coat. "But she left this behind.
"Classic Marinette. She can be so forgetful sometimes."Alya let a knowing smile and grabbed the jacket from the tall blonde. "Thank you. I'll return this to her next time I see her."
With that, the three carried on with their morning. Marinette being the only one that was absent.
By the time Marinette arrived at the bakery, her parents were mostly done packing up the boxes for catering, and by that point, only needed her to watch over the closed business while they were away for that morning.
Although her hangout was cut short, it did give Marinette plenty of time to keep on with her sewing project. She was bout done with her own dress, but all that she needed to do was finish up the other dress in the set she envisioned.
Marinette sighed at the unfinished piece that currently hung from her mannequin. It was so frustrating to try and design a dress for someone whose exact measurements you didn't have. . .
Then a thought came to her.
She quickly grabbed her phone and began texting away. Her parents were gonna be busy at an event the entire first half of the day, and that only left time for Marinette to be able to have over someone without their knowledge.
"Oh?" was all Kagami let out as she read the message she received from Marinette.
M: My parents are away this morning and won't be back until lunch time. Would you be interested in helping me to with something?
Kagami looked up from her bench to see if anyone was around. Fortunately, everyone was busy in their own tasks for the day. She proceeded to type out a reply.
K: Sure! I can probably say I'm gonna go practice some more today. Where am I meeting you?
. . .
M: Actually. It's my place?
'Her . . . place?' Kagami thought over.
She did dream of one day being able to go visit her at her own place without having to hide from her parents. A day in which their family feud was hopefully over and done with. Now sneaking in while her parents were away? Not exactly something she thought of doing.
K: Then I'm on my way!
Though it was at least something, she had to admit.
Kagami quickly finished away the bonbons on her work bench and began to make her way out of the Chocolatier.
"Fencing practice again?" Her mother's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Yes, okaasan." Kagami turned to her mother, who hadn't turned to face her daughter from her work.
Her mother hummed. "Be back before lunch time."
With that, Kagami thanked her mother and quickly exited the Chocolatier. Once the door shut, Tomoe Tsurugi stopped working and turned her head to her left.
"I'm beginning to get a feeling that Kagami isn't always practicing." was all she said.
Keiji nodded in understanding. "I've checked by where classes are held as you've asked. . .and I don't see her there."
"Yet, she sounds. . . happier. Something else is obviously happening here. . ." Tomoe gave a nod at the information and returned to working on the chocolates before her. " . . . And given that it's not fencing, could it be my daughter is seeing someone?"
"I'm not quite certain, okusama." Keiji now gave a thoughtful look. Now that she brought it up, it would only make sense the sudden rise in outings the girl has made. "I will look into this matter for you."
"Please do, Keiji." Tomoe replied. "I can't have my daughter get too distracted now."
"Of course, okusama." Keiji bowed before the woman. "I will see to it."
"It's a real shame that Marinette had to leave so early." Nino sighed and stood from his seat at the bench. "Having to help out in a family business really is demanding."
"You're telling me." Alya sighed while still sitting. "My mom has a whole team behind her, but I can only imagine if she didn't have the whole team how me and my sisters would probably help out."
"Stressful as it sounds, I'm sure it would be lots of fun." Adrien now stood from the bench too. "It'd be spending time with family, anyway."
Alya smiled. "Yup, there would at least be that."
"Alright, dudes. This morning was fun but now I gotta go pick up the little dude from his friend's place." Nino checked the time over his phone and then hugged Alya farewell. "I'll see you guys around!"
"See you around, Nino!" both Alya and Adrien said as they saw Nino leave the area.
Adrien then turned to Alya. "You ready to head out, too?"
"Well. . ." Alya hummed. "Actually I've had some Marinette related questions for you."
Had he not known about Marinette's real love life, Adrien would have been excited about talking about her, but now that he knew everything, including Alya's intentions, he only gave her a look of thoughtfulness. "What about Marinette?"
"I was just wondering what you thought of my best friend." Alya stood up from the bench and looked down at the forgotten coat in her arms from earlier. "I know she didn't get to stick around for long, but would you be interested in possibly hanging out with just her sometime?"
'She means a date.' Adrien would have liked the idea before, but now that wouldn't be a possibility, and he knew that. "I think she would only want to hang out as friends, Alya."
"Oh?" Alya's face looked puzzled. "I thought there would of at least been some sparks between you two. That's how it seemed at Chloe's party."
'Sparks may have been coming from me, but. . .' Adrien smiled and finally spoke. "I think she sparked fireworks with someone else that night."
"Someone else?" Alya was taken aback at the answer. "Who else would that be? I didn't see her with any other guys?"
'Because it wasn't a guy. . . but instead another beautiful girl. . .'
A honking sounds caught their attention. Adrien looked over and confirmed that his bodyguard was already there to pick him up.
"I've gotta go now." Adrien began walking towards the black car waiting for him. "Let me know next time we can all hang out!"
Alya stood there, not really sure what to make of that new piece of information.
'Did I miss something that night?'
Alya shook her head and began exciting the public park. She clearly had a lot of piecing together to do. . . and answers to seek.
"So. . . this is fully on." Kagami spoke up from behind a green room divider. "Do I just come out now?"
"If you don't then I won't know what it looks like on a person." Marinette joked. "Come on!"
Being inside of Marinette's room was something Kagami never really ever expected to be possible given their circumstances. Yet, here she stood, helping out her beloved girlfriend with her designs.
Kagami stepped out from behind the green divider to reveal a half worked red dress. It came down under knees and the sleeves came down to the elbows. The top half was a stained with red fabric while the bottom was a different fabric in white. It was easy to see the dress she wore was nothing but a base, but already the dress spoke that this was a design meant for a formal event. She didn't really know what the design was for and why Marinette was so insistent that she tried it on for her, but still, Kagami was enjoying being her personal model.
"How do I look?" Kagami asked while giving a confident twirl. "I see you noticed that red is just one of my colors?"
Marinette laughed and grabbed for her pin cushion.
"Oh, it is." Marinette agreed and started securing away fit imperfections only she could detect of the dress. "But this is just for me to see how this is looking for fit. I'm sure the finished design will look even better, trust me."
"Then I trust your word." Kagami nodded and glanced over at a nearby body mirror in her room. "So what's this dress for? Is there some big event or inspiration hit you?"
"Something like that last one." Marinette admitted with a smile. "But I'll reveal the reason when I'm done. For now I'll just say that this is half of my project."
The brown-eyed girl was impressed, and although only grew more curious as to what she event meant by that, respected the answer and hummed to herself in thought.
'Good things come to those who wait' was a good saying, after all.
". . . And that's about what I see needs work." Marinette finally spoke and stepped back to admire the placement of pins all over the dress. "Now it's time for the rest from here."
"Great!" Kagami looked over the pins from the mirror. "Do you want me to change back now? You can't really finish it with me wearing it."
"Well, not yet." Marinette grabbed for another box and pulled more fabrics. "I wanna try pinning down a few pieces I plan to add later real quick. So just stand tight."
Kagami smiled and lightly extended her arms. "Then pin away."
The phrase caused Marinette to giggle as she came closer with the extra fabric pieces. "What's this? The unbeatable Kagami Tsurugi is unstoppable against other fencers, yet surrenders to a simple girl with sewing pins?"
"Oh, please. I only surrender to a cute girl who knows how to handle her needles and sewing pins." Kagami smirked as she corrected. "Get it right."
"Good to know I have such a beauty under my spell then. . ." Marinette felt a blush but then the topic alone only brought a conversation she planned to have with the other girl.
"Speaking of fencing. . ." Her flirty smile suddenly faded into a look of concern. "Adrien apparently found out about. . . us."
"What?" Kagami stopped smiling. ". . . Why do you think that?"
"Well, he casually brought it up today when we hung out waiting for Alya and Nino." Marinette recounted and then raised a brow at Kagami. "Apparently what gave us away was our first "couple pictures" we took at the booth stood out from your locker?"
". . . Oh." Kagami wasn't expecting that to be their big lesbian reveal. "I'm surprised he even noticed that."
"I was too actually." Marinette shifted over to pin away black fabric along the waist part of the dress. "Although I guess questioning if he had any feelings for me prior to us dating probably would have been a big giveaway too?"
"Well . ." Kagami smirked down at Marinette. "Can you blame me for wanting to make sure nobody gets any funny ideas about my girl?"
"Okay, okay! You win that match." The blue eyed girl blushed and then stopped her pinning. "I'm done with the extra pins."
Kagami nodded and looked back at the mirror. The dress was beginning to take shape into a unique and modernized spin of traditional Japanese dresses. It gave her the feeling that whatever project Marinette was working on was meant for her, which is why she was using her for the fit. For now, Kagami agreed to keep it to herself that she figured this much already. It made her excited to see the final project.
"So far. . " Marinette got serious again and put away her supplies. "It looks like it's just him that knows, though."
Now that at least one person besides them knew about their relationship, it got Kagami thinking. "Do you think we'll have to get more secretive from now on?"
"Actually," Marinette shut her supply box. "I've been thinking about possibly telling Aya about us? She is my best friend, after all."
"Oh, sure." Kagami nodded at the thought. "Do you think she'll take it well?"
"I. . ." Marinette closed her eyes. "I don't know."
Kagami frowned. ". . . Is it because . . ?"
"No, no, I know she wouldn't have a problem with me liking girls. It's just the whole 'keeping this a big secret from her' thing that could go south with her." Marinette explained, and then let her thoughts wander back to their bigger issues. "Then if that didn't go well, I can't imagine what would happen if our parents found out."
That too had been something Kagami worried about often. She only knew her mother would probably ban her from leaving the Chocolatier without Keiji. She hoped things never got that way.
Marinette sat down on her sofa, it pained her that they had to even hide their relationship.
"If it all came to light all at once," she began. ". . . Do you think it'd just be us against the world?"
Kagami looked over at the sad girl, and walked over to take a seat. She softly cupped her face to turn and face hers.
"I know we've said that our parents problems may not suddenly vanish, but if it comes down to it. . ." Kagami spoke with warmth in her voice. "I promise that no matter what happens, I'll never let you go."
That got Marinette to smile again. She touched Kagami's on her face. "And I won't either."
It was a promise.
With true feelings spoken, both girls came together for a soft kiss.
Right now, it all seemed like the odds were fully against them more than ever, but all of that didn't matter.
They may be going through a tough time, and their love was next to forbidden pretty much. . . but they weren't alone, because they knew they always had each other.
Lost in this sweet passionate trance is where both girls wanted to remain.
And nothing could interrupt them.
The trap door in front of them quickly opened. Out came a distraught Alya holding Marinette's forgotten jacket.
"Hey Marinette. You forgot this today. I called out for you down there and you didn't answer. What gi--" and as soon as Alya looked up to the two girls that were previously making out on the sofa, her eyes went wide and the jacket fell to the floor. Forgotten about once more.
Marinette and Kagami quickly pulled away mid kiss, but they were too late. Alya had clearly seen them, and clearly in the act this time.
"Oh my god. . ." was all Alya let out.
"Alya, please." Marinette stood up from the sofa and felt herself breaking. This was not how she wanted to lose her best friend. "Let me explain."
Alya could only repeat her shocked phrase and then held her hands up to her head as if finally piecing together all the moments in which Marinette made excuses that she was busy all originating to the moment she found them both in the freezer. Adrien wasn't lying when he said there was someone else for Marinette that night. She just didn't expect that other person to be the very same girl Marinette couldn't stand. "Oh my god. . ."
"Please, Alya. I mean to tell you . . ." Marinette began and felt tears building up. ". . . but I just didn't know how."
Kagami stood up and held Marinette's hand. She would try to help explain but she knew that this was something between them two.
Alya was silent. Still playing back all the moments she pushed off as Marinette being "classic Marinette" always being busy even though she knew she didn't always need to help her parents with catering.
"Alya. . . " Marinette pleaded with almost a whimper. ". . . Please say something."
"I can't believe this. . ." Alya finally spoke up and shook her head.
"Look, Alya." Kagami finally spoke. "I know this is shocking to you but I care a lot more than I can say for Marinette. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Marinette thanked Kagami with her eyes, but then shut them in pain. Even though she wanted Kagami to stay by her, she couldn't bare the pain that would come when Alya finally let out her rage about Marinette's lies.
'Please. . . not like this. . .'
Suddenly, Alya started laughing. "I can't believe this!"
Both Kagami and Marinette looked at Alya with complete shock. Marinette could have sworn she would have at least started voicing how upset she was.
"Are you not upset that I hid this from you?" Marinette questioned as tears finally rolled down her face.
"Are you kidding me?!" Alya finally fully stepped up to the room to walk closer to the girls. "Marinette, you finally found someone you're happy with! Why would that upset me?"
Marinette couldn't hold back anymore and started sobbing. Not in shame, but in complete relief. "I thought you'd storm out as soon as you found out."
"Oh, stop that, girl." Alya hugged her crying best friend. "I'm just sorry I didn't take notice of what you really want."
Kagami exhaled in relief to see that this was going well and gave them a little space for the hug. At least they now had friends they could rely on.
"Okay, then let me start over." Marinette finally pulled away from Alya and wiped her tears. She pulled Kagami closer to her and properly, introduced her. "Alya, this is Kagami."
Kagami squeezed Marinette's hand as she kept speaking.
"You used to know her as my worst enemy, the ice queen," Kagami let out a little laugh. That name seemed so ancient to her now. ". . .In reality, she's really an amazing girl whom I've come to feel more for than any other guy I've met. . . and now she's my girlfriend."
Alya obviously already knew who Kagami was, but it still made her happy that Marinette was properly introducing her. She held out her hand to shake Kagami's right hand. "Pleasure to finally actually meet you, Kagami."
Kagami reached out to shake Alya's hand. "The pleasure is all mine too, Alya."
"But! I just gotta say that as Marinette's best friend, that I trust you won't ever let anyone hurt her?" Alya crossed her arms.
"Anyone who wants to hurt Marinette will have to get through me." Kagami answered with full honesty in her voice.
Marinette finally laughed. She was so happy to see that her best friend and girlfriend were getting along so well.
Suddenly Alya's phone buzzed and with that Alya had to make her exit.
"Great, Nora is asking my whereabouts. I gotta dash." Alya sighed as she put her phone away and then turned for the opened trap door, only to take notice of the main reason she even stopped by. "Sorry I dropped your jacket."
"Trust me, it's fine." Marinette assured. After coming clean about one of her biggest secrets, the jacket was the last thing on her mind. "Text me?"
"Oh, trust me." Alya nodded and made her way for the stairs. She already unexpectedly walked in on them kissing, she really didn't need to barge in on anything else unexpected. "I will."
That was the day Alya took note that texting or calling ahead of time always goes a long way.