Chapter Text
Marinette sat on the stairs, chin in her hand, gazing about the courtyard happily. Peeking out from her bag, Tikki was surveying too. Together, they smiled at the view before them.
Love.
It was everywhere, that wonderful, almost tangible thing.
Below her, couples milled about, bring a shine to the world. Marinette was not ashamed to say she was basking in it. Everything was just so wonderful when love was around.
She was especially ecstatic that so many of her friends were together, enjoying their time together. Looking over the courtyard, she searched for them.
Alya and Nino were talking together, their eyes soft and bright.
Rose and Juleka, holding hands, leaning against the other.
Ivan and Mylene, cuddling on a bench, soaking up the sun.
Marc and Nathaniel, huddled over their comic, smiling bashfully.
And all the other couples, people she had known for years, together at last. Marinette had watched, had cheered them on, had offered help, advice and a shoulder to lean on when needed.
And, when necessary, when asked, given them a little outside help. Marinette had always said; all love took was a little encouragement. And she would always be glad to encourage what made people happy.
Even if her ventures for Adrien’s heart hadn’t worked out—even if she found her eyes on… someone else—she could still be happy for her friends.
Marinette let out a contented sigh, watching her friends.
Someone came to sit beside her, and Tikki slipped back into the bag.
Marinette turned to look up at Félix, her smile growing wide.
“Hey,” she greeted, titling her head to look up at him.
“Enjoying looking at your clients?” He replied in lieu of greeting.
Marinette cocked her head. After knowing him for a few months, she could tell he was teasing, but she didn’t know what he was taking about.
He nodded at their classmates in the yard, many holding hands. “You’re quite the matchmaker, Marinette.”
Oh. She laughed a little. “I guess you could say that. I just like helping people find love. I never thought of myself as a matchmaker.”
Félix didn’t crack a smile. He just gazed ahead with icy focus. “I have a client for you.”
Marinette blinked, surprised. Félix had always been very aloof about the subject of relationships; she couldn’t think of anyone that he would want to set up. Why would he even care?
“Who?” She asked, leaning closer to him.
A hint of pink crossed his cheeks. “Myself.”
Marinette reeled back, ignoring the sudden burst in her chest. “Wha—what?”
He continued in a factual tone, “You have the highest success rate I’ve ever seen. 100%.”
“I’m not—I mean—”
“Everyone you have set up is still together. Your methods, while… questionable, always work. And even when it appears that one has no interest in the other, the pairing is made in the end with everyone happy.”
Marinette didn’t know what she was feeling, so she settled for flattered. “Thank you? I’ve never put much thought into it before.”
“Yes, well.” Félix seemed to falter for a moment. “I would like your help in my romantic endeavours. As a favour, though I am happy to compensate you for any expenses needed.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she replied on instinct. “I would be—” her tongue felt thick “—happy to help you.”
He finally looked at her, a trace of a smile on his lips. “Thank you, Marinette.”
“It’s not a problem.” Then why does it feel that way? “Anything for a friend.”
Félix’s eyes snapped forward again, something changing in the air. “Of course.”
Marinette tried to keep her emotions steady.
Why do I feel this way? She wondered. Am I just worried Félix won’t spend as much time with me once he’s in a relationship? Or…
“Do you…” she struggled to get the words out. “Have anyone in mind?”
“Yes."
“Oh.” Marinette looked down at her hands. “Well, I can start drawing up some plans—”
“You.”
Me?
“Me?”
Félix’s cheeks were red now. “Yes. I find you quite pleasant to be around, and I would like to spend more time with you. In a romantic way.”
Marinette squeaked. What is happening.
“You have many characteristics that I find admirable. You are kind, clever, and creative. Confident, strong, skilful.”
Félix liked her. Félix liked her.
“Also… very cute.”
Félix think’s I’m cute. Marinette’s mind was in a flurry of shock, surprise, and internal screaming. He think I’m cute.
“So I would like to ask that you consider me for a possible match.” Félix never rushed his words, but this was the closest he had ever gotten. This was the closest Marinette had ever seen him to flustered.
“I have taken some time to make this decision, but I am confident in my capabilities to make you happy,” he continued, sounding more and more like he was about to bolt. “We already have a pre-existing friendship, which according to research is one of the best indicators of a good relationship.”
Marinette could only stare at him in wonder.
I like him, she realised. In the months they had known each other, her heart had found Félix. It had been her waning crush on Adrien that blinded her, stopped her from realising that she had moved on long ago. But not anymore, not when Félix was here, beside her, offering her joy and support that she wanted to return tenfold.
Her heart burst open, and warmth filled her whole body.
Félix was looking down at his hands now, rambling away, unaware of her realization.
“You bring such light to my world, Marinette. Your friendship alone has changed everything for me, making me see life in a different way. No one has ever done that before.”
His grey eyes were big as they met hers. She wanted to smile, to tell him yes, but he kept talking.
“I want to hold your hand,” he confessed. “And take you on dates, and go on walks, and talk to you. I want to spend time with you. I want to make you happy.”
Her breath disappeared. “Félix—”
Turning back to the courtyard, he closed his eyes. “I understand that you have liked Agreste for some time, and I know I can’t expect you to just let go of those feelings. But I also know that you have not tried to confess for a few months, and that you have stopped seeing him in quite the same way.”
He bounced his knee, just slightly. “So, I— I would like to request that you consider me for a relationship. As a boyfriend. You don’t need to answer right away,” he added hurriedly.
“Félix—”
“I don’t want to make you feel pressured if you do not wish to pursue a relationship with me, please do not try and spare my feelings. I can only ask that we remain friends—”
“Félix.”
“—but please know that…” he took a deep breath, and turned his whole body to her, expression open and sincere. “I do like you Marinette. Very, very much.”
He closed his eyes, standing up fluidly.
“Thank you for your time,” he said quietly. “I will see you in class.” He turned to walk down to the courtyard, chin up, shoulders back.
“Félix,” she called, standing up as well. She ignored her rapid heartbeat. She had to do this now, had to tell him.
He looked at her, eyes wide. “Please,” he whispered hoarsely. “Give me some time.”
Oh, Félix, she thought fondly, heart aching for just a moment, I’m not waiting one moment more.
She grabbed his hand, stepping closer, angling her face up.
“I like you,” she told him. “Very, very much.”
Marinette only caught a glimpse of his surprised joy before she brushed her lips against his.
She could taste his smile in their kiss, and when she pulled back, he was smiling.
“Another successful match then?” He said, leaning down, breath brushing her mouth.
Below them, there were murmurs and hushed gasps, but Marinette didn’t care.
“Like you said,” she murmured. “I have a 100% success rate.”
And then she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again.