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Patrols were a lot chiller than akuma fights. There was still a sense of duty there, but they didn’t feel guilty about finding a comfortable rooftop and just wasting some time in talking about everything and nothing. After the cursory round of the city, of course.
It was their time to decompress at the end of the day. They didn’t feel pressured to make sense or discuss deep philosophical matters. Sometimes they played games, discussing akuma outfits and ranking them or discussing which of their opponents’ powers they would like to have. It was harmless fun mixed with strategy, because knowing one’s enemy always had its positive sides.
Sometimes they took a dig at themselves, making fun of their own mishaps. It was all good-naturedly and also designed to help them understand their mistakes and avoid them.
“So, yeah, I learned pretty quickly to step away while waiting for my Lucky Charm to drop. Because I don’t want to be smashed by a full-sized car or a fighter jet or something,” Marinette laughed.
“Your power has such a mind-boggling range, it’s unreal,” Adrien chuckled. “You have a fully-equipped vehicle on one end and a fork on the other,” he shook with laughter. Remembering all the impossible items she’d made do with. “Like that one time we used ketchup to beat your grandpa. Who could have believed it?”
“That one was among the most absurd ones, I agree. But it worked, right?”
“Of course it did, you always know what to do,” he smiled fondly at her in the darkness. His hand was idly toying with hers and he felt relaxed like he rarely did.
“This doesn’t mean that my Lucky Charms aren’t impossible,” she groaned, no doubt remembering times when she’d had more than one far from successful attempt to figure it out.
“But you’re always amazing,” he reminded her.
“Adrien.” There was just a hint of warning in her voice and he knew that he had to turn it into a joke before she started questioning her abilities for real.
“Don’t stop me from praising my girlfriend. She’s the best,” he said cheerfully, firmly grabbing her hand in his.
“You know what? She is this good only because she has the best partner in the world,” she shot back at him, making him squirm. It was not fair when she threw his praises back at him.
“Noo.”
“Yees.”
“You’re the best,” he leaned in, finding the spot behind her ear that was ticklish.
“No, you are,” she giggled, her arms around him.
When he looked up at her, he felt affection was over him all over again. He wasn’t just saying these things, he really believed them. But knowing that she also meant them, made him feel happier than ever.
Before he could say anything to add to the argument, she silenced him with a kiss, something that had turned into a habit for her. She knew it was the most effective way to shut him up and have the last word.
Did he mind letting her have that? No. As long as it came with kisses, it was the sweetest surrender.