Chapter Text
Nathaniel watched quietly as Marc was writing the ideas they came up with in his notebook. While he worked, Nathaniel would have to draw the finished designs for the characters, but he found it hard to do so since he felt like he and Marc still had some things to talk about.
"Hey, Marc," Nathan said and the other boy raised his eyes to him in confusion.
"What is it? Did you change your mind about how you wanted to write the akuma possession? I have some other ideas if you don't like it."
"No, it's perfect. We don't need to change anything."
"Then, what is it?" Marc asked with a puzzled expression on his face. He looked at Nathaniel who felt his cheeks heating up under his gaze. He felt embarrassed that he waited this long to apologize.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"For what?" Marc asked as he put his pen down.
"Everything that happened at the park," Nathaniel began. "I know it isn't an excuse, but I genuinely believed that you guys were pranking me. Your writing was so good I thought it was Ladybug. And when I showed up at the park and it was you waiting for me and Marinette with her phone, I thought that you were making fun of me. But even so I went too far. I know how it feels like to have your art ripped to pieces by those who make fun of you and that's exactly what I did."
Marc smiled softly at him and Nathaniel felt his heart beating faster. What was happening to him, he wondered. He only ever felt that way about Marinette and Ladybug. No, that wasn't right. Nathaniel was reading too much into it. He was just anticipating the reply to his apology. He was just nervous, that's all.
"I forgive you," Marc said and Nathaniel let out a breath of relief he didn't even know he was holding in. He knew Marc would be cool with it. He wouldn't have agreed to make a comic book with him otherwise.
"Although, it's not entirely your fault. I shouldn't have asked Marinette to talk to you for me in the first place," Marc said as he averted his gaze and scratched the back of his neck.
"The reason I didn't do it myself was because I was scared that you wouldn't like my writing and in extension, me. I know, it's stupid," Marc said and Nathaniel widened his eyes in surprise. He knew Marc was a bit anxious over interacting with other people, Nathaniel was too, but he never thought the other boy would be afraid of his rejection. They didn't even know each other until a few days ago.
"Ever since I found out how much I enjoy writing, I have been struggling to find inspiration. Until I saw your drawings. That's when I began writing the Journal of Ladybug. And over time I started waiting every day for you to post new art. I always looked up at you as an artist who isn't afraid to show who he is through his art and I aspired to be like you." By the time he was done, Marc's eyes shone with enthusiasm and Nathaniel was left speechless.
Marc seemed to be suddenly snapped out of his daze as he looked at Nathaniel who didn't say anything. He couldn't believe someone thought that way about him.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Marc averted the other boy's gaze as he started picking up the papers from the table and placing them inside his notebook in a hurry. "I made you uncomfortable. I will leave now."
Marc shoved everything in his bag and put it over his shoulder before he stood up and walked straight towards the door. Nathaniel, realizing what was happening, stood up and grabbed Marc's hand to make him stop. Marc turned his head to look at him in confusion. For a moment, no one said anything until Nathaniel gazed at their hands and quickly moved his hand away from Marc's.
"Sorry," he said and he felt his cheeks heating up. "You didn't make uncomfortable, I just didn't know what to say."
Marc nodded and relaxed his posture.
"I never had anyone tell me that I inspired them before," Nathaniel said. "I just didn't know how to react for a second there. I am flattered that you liked my art so much, but you are wrong about one thing.
"I am not the kind of confident guy, who isn't afraid of sharing his creations with other. Quite the contrary actually. Over time, I realized that if I never showed anyone what I could do, then I would end up regretting it and I decided that I wouldn't be ashamed of my works anymore. And look at me now. I am creating a comic book with the best writer in the school."
Marc blushed slightly and averted his gaze. No one had ever praised his writing like this before. He wasn't surprised though. He never shared his work with anyone before so no one could have given him an opinion.
"Thank you for saying that," Marc said.
"I mean it," Nath replied with a smile before he went back at the table to sit down. He took his phone and looked at the time before he jumped to his feet again.
"Crap, I'm late," he said and then he turned to Marc. "I promised mom I would have dinner with her." Nathan quickly put his things in his bag, but before he could leave, an idea popped up in his head.
"Hey, do you want to have dinner with us?"
Marc widened his eyes. "Uhm, thanks for asking, but I couldn't."
Nathan looked at him puzzled. "Why not?"
"I wouldn't want to intrude," Marc replied. "I should probably finish the story anyway and-"
"Don't be silly, Marc," Nathan said with a soft smile. "You would never intrude. Besides, mom loves it when I bring friends home."
"Friends?" Mars asked as if the word was foreign to him.
"Well, duh, what did you think we are?"
"Working partners?" Marc said as he let his gaze fall to the floor. "I didn't think we were friends."
"Don't you want us to be?" Nathaniel asked confused. Maybe he read too much into it. Maybe Marc was still upset with him. He wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Marc who was erratically shaking his head. "No! I mean, I want us to be friends. I would love that."
Nathan sighed in relief and smiled. "Okay then, let's go."
"What? Where?" Marc asked.
"To my place. We'll have dinner and work on the comic book afterwards. If you want of course."
Marc hesitantly nodded and Nathaniel smiled brightly at him. After they said goodbye to the rest of the people in the art room, the two of them began walking to Nathan's house having casual conversations.