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Their sparring had become a thing Kagami thoroughly enjoyed since becoming his partner. They'd grown so used to the other that they could almost read what the other would do before they did. That both frustrated and fascinated her when it came to him, thrilling when she managed to one-up him as she did then.
His back slammed into the wall behind him, a soft grunt slipping past his masked lips.
Bringing her saber up, she jabbed, ready to claim the winning point. A triumphant shout built within her, ready to let itself loose upon winning this close match.
He parried her with ease, stopping her saber mere centimeters from claiming victory.
She moved in closer, not willing to give up just yet.
"Fin," M. D'Argencourt called out. "Clean up and head home, my champions."
Lowering her saber to her side, Kagami bit back a curse, saying instead, "I almost had you this time."
A deep chuckle followed her words. His hand slid between them and lifted his mask, revealing amused grey eyes as they stared at her.
Oh, she thought, never having heard him laugh like that before. It was quite endearing and sent a rush of warmth through her, tinging her cheeks in the process.
It took her a moment to realize how close they were and quickly stepped back, breaking the contact between them.
"Good match," Felix said, holding out his hand to shake hers, "You provided me with some valuable feedback."
"Anytime," she mumbled and shook his hand, dropping it quicker than she'd stepped back. "We should get out of here and head home before M. D'Argencourt finds us still here. Mama will be expecting me anyway."
Get out of there. Get out of there, her mind screamed at her.
No way could he ever know her feelings had begun to change around him. It would be beyond mortifying if he found out.
No, it would best if she left and got herself back under control. While she had plans to reveal her feelings, she knew then wasn't the time to do so. Her blush was bad enough. No sense in making it worse for herself yet, she thought as she hightailed it toward the women's locker rooms.
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Felix made it to his assigned locker, a rare smile gracing his features. He'd been excited by the challenge Kagami had given him that practice, finding her a wonderful opponent. She never failed to keep him on his toes, especially when she'd so skillfully maneuvered him into that wall earlier.
Thank goodness for his mask, he thought, because she'd sent a rush of heat through him. He'd known without being told that his face would've been lit up like a Christmas tree as Adrien would say. She made him feel things he hadn't expected to feel for anyone, making this both a blessing and a curse. Mostly a curse, but he found his growing attraction to her less distasteful the longer he remained in her presence.
Not ready to deal with his feelings, he hurried to change and collect his things. His limo should be waiting, he knew, and he'd rather get home before he could potentially embarrass himself in front of Kagami.
"Hey, Fe, you and Kagami looked good out there," Adrien said, poking his head around Felix's locker.
The smug smirk he wore irritated Felix, but he refused to lower himself to being teased by his meddling younger brother.
So, he nodded. "She's improving well. She'll be a master fencer, completing her family's legacy."
"You should ask her out. I know she likes you." Adrien slung his bag over his shoulder, slamming his locker door shut.
He didn't see the shock as it slammed through Felix's system, threatening to short-circuit him and render him useless.
When Adrien did look back at him, Felix applauded himself on appearing normal, even if he couldn't get himself to move. He would have to work on that, he knew, but he couldn't get himself to do anything yet.
"If you hurry, you might get your chance before she leaves." With that, Adrien walked out of the locker room.
That did the trick, much to Felix's chagrin. His body moved on autopilot as he finished changing, closed his locker, and collected his bag before walking out the door and right into Kagami.
She made a small noise as she stepped back to avoid a collision, only to end up backing into a corner.
He reached out to steady her, asking, "Are you alright?"
She nodded, a bit of color leaking onto her cheeks.
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They walked side-by-side in silence, neither sure what to say to the other.
Kagami almost thanked her luck when she caught sight of her limo, waiting in line behind his. Almost home-free, she thought, wanting the awkwardness to ease between them. It made the insufferable blushing she'd been experiencing that day with him worse.
Before she could take a step from his side, a hand stopped her.
"Kagami, wait," his voice sounded low, almost uncertain while his hand remained on her arm. A tell-tell coloring streaked across his cheeks, not that he'd ever admit it to her or anyone else. "Would you consider going on a date sometime? With me?"
Heat suffused her cheeks and sent her heart beating double time at his words.
She glanced over his shoulder and caught Adrien giving them a couple of thumbs-up in encouragement. She frowned at him, sensing a setup by her supposed friend and ally. If she had any say, she'd be bringing him down the next chance she had for doing this to her.
"Why are you asking me exactly?" She applauded her ability to sound firm despite the color surely streaking her own cheeks to match his.
He swallowed, his hand falling away as though recalling the contact they'd been sharing. His voice grew softer than she thought possible as he said, "Because I like you, and I might've heard you liked me, too. If that's not the case, then say no and I'll never bring up this subject again."
Ignoring the second wave of heat blooming, she nodded, satisfied by the truth she heard in his words.
She reached out and caught his hand with hers. Giving him her best smile, she said, "I think I'd like that. Call me later and we'll set something up. I shouldn't keep Mama waiting."
He nodded, smiling down at her.
Dashing toward her limo, she thought about the bright pink on Felix's cheeks and wondered how she might make it happen more often.
Unknown to her, Felix was thinking the same about her.
Their new match had begun, and neither intended to lose.
Let the endless blushing begin.