Work Text:
Monday - 9:23pm
nathcomics: hey marc we didn’t talk about this before but
nathcomics: now that we’re official, do we tell everyone?
marc.writes.stuff: That depends. Are you okay with everyone knowing?
nathcomics: maybe not everyone…
marc.writes.stuff: Do you want to keep us a secret?
nathcomics: no, i want to tell people. just not everyone at once
marc.writes.stuff: How about we start by telling Alix?
marc.writes.stuff: She probably thinks we’re already together anyway.
nathcomics: ofc she does. but it would be nice to tell her myself
nathcomics: and marinette too, since she helped
marc.writes.stuff: We’ll work it out. I know how hard it is.
marc.writes.stuff: But we can tell people when we’re ready. When you’re ready.
nathcomics: i love you so much
marc.writes.stuff: Love you too. I’ll see you tomorrow. ❤
nathcomics: ❤
“So, what’s this ‘super serious thing’ you wanted to tell me about?” Alix leaned back on her hands, crossing her legs on the bright blue bench in Salle Mollien. It was always the room they went to for feelings jams, especially on Tuesdays when the Louvre was closed to the public.
Having personal access to an entire art gallery was just one of the reasons Alix was his best friend.
Nathaniel fidgeted with his hands a little. He didn’t know why he was nervous about this; it was Alix, and she definitely knew already. And even if she didn’t then there was no way she’d react badly to this. But it was still so hard to say the words out loud.
“I… I’m…um… I’m…”
“...Would it help if I hid around the corner while you tell Napoleon?” Alix chuckled, jabbing her thumb at the painting behind her.
“No. I… I want to tell you.” He took a deep breath and clenched his fists before just blurting it out in one go.
“I’mgoingoutwithMarc.”
“What? I didn’t get that.”
“I’m going out with Marc.” Nathaniel repeated, hugging his jacket around himself.
“Alright, I don’t know why that’s so serious. You two go out and do stuff all the time.”
“No! I mean, we’re… we’re dating!” Nathaniel looked up, and immediately noticed the wry little smirk on Alix’ face. He searched his pockets for something to throw at her, settling on a putty eraser that bounced harmlessly along the ground as Alix swatted it to the side with a laugh.
“Was that really so hard to say? You two were practically attached at the hip for weeks anyway. And you were the one that called me at 10pm when your macarons weren’t working out right because you wanted your confession to be perfect. And that was after all the weeks you spent daydreaming and telling me how cute he was and drawing him in your sketchbook and-”
“Shut up!” Nathaniel laughed, nervously glancing around just in case anyone had decided to break in today and heard them. “And, yeah. It was.”
Alix’s smile dropped, and she patted the space next to her so Nathaniel could sit down. He flopped onto his back across the seat, staring up at the skylights.
“It’s… I dunno. Scary?”
“Telling me about Marc?”
“... A little bit. It’s more like I’m scared that people will think of me differently,” Nathaniel sighed, looking over when Alix laid down on her back as well.
“It’s hard enough for me to be around people as it is… if they knew I was bi… that I liked guys as well as girls…”
“You don’t want to give them another reason to tease you.”
Nathaniel nodded.
“But I also want to tell them, because… Marc’s just so amazing. And I don’t want to have to sneak around and pretend, like I’m ashamed of him or something. Because I’m not. I love him so much. And if people are going to find out, then I’d rather they hear it on my terms.”
There was a moment of comfortable silence between them; a sense of peace that nothing had changed. Nathaniel always knew it would work out… it felt bad to say he was using Alix as a practice run, but she was definitely the easiest one to talk to about this.
Eventually they got bored of laying on the benches and got up to go watch a movie in Alix’ room. As they were leaving the galleries, Alix reached out to hold Nathaniel’s shoulder.
“Hey, you don’t have to be scared about telling me anything. You’re no different to me, Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel smiled as he remembered those words: ‘You’re no different to me.’
Because he’d said those exact words to Alix last year when she confided in him about a super serious thing. She had been so confused and scared and had trouble just saying the word ‘ace’. But she trusted him enough to tell him, which is why Nathaniel knew he could trust her with this.
That was a much bigger reason why she was his best friend.
Tuesday - 7:42pm
nathcomics: i told alix
marc.writes.stuff: That’s great! How did it go?
nathcomics: she wants to be the flower girl at our wedding
marc.writes.stuff: 😂
nathcomics: i’m thinking about telling marinette tomorrow after school
nathcomics: could you come with me for moral support?
marc.writes.stuff: Of course. I was already going for some modelling.
nathcomics: ooh, i get to see you in something fancy?
marc.writes.stuff: It’s a secret until tomorrow. 😉
nathcomics: then i can’t wait to see you tomorrow ❤
marc.writes.stuff: ❤
“Hello Mrs Cheng,” Marc waved as he entered the bakery, holding Nathaniel’s hand behind him as subtly as he could. Nathaniel’s face was starting to flush red and he was trying to avoid looking at anyone.
“Is Marinette here?”
“Yes, she should be up in her room. I can bring some cookies up for the three of you if you want,” Sabine responded cheerily.
“No thanks, Nath’s just going to be here for a bit.”
Nathaniel offered a quick wave as they walked through the back door and started climbing the stairs.
“...Why am I having second thoughts now?” Nathaniel grumbled as he started to ascend the stairs.
“I already told her I wanted to be your boyfriend when she helped me with the macarons.”
“Do you still want to do this?” Marc stopped on the first floor landing, seeing Nathaniel hugging his arms around himself.
“She probably already knows.” He paused to lean his back against the wall with a sigh.
“And she wouldn’t make fun of me for this...”
“We don’t have to tell her today,” Marc leaned his side against the wall, gently holding Nathaniel’s forearm.
“We can always go with our backup news and try again some other time.”
Nathaniel turned his head, and a smile naturally appeared on his face as he looked into Marc’s eyes. He let his arms relax by his sides.
“See, this is why I want to tell people about us. You’re so kind and considerate and cute and confident…”
“I don’t know about that last one…” Marc chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed from all the compliments.
“But it’s true. You’re amazing, Marc. And I want people to know how much I love you.”
Nathaniel reached up to rest a hand over Marc’s. Just looking at his face; his soft pink lips and sparkling eyes and blushing cheeks… Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to tell people.
“I’m so happy for you guys!” Marinette was grinning ear to ear and had her hands clasped together. She was practically buzzing with anticipation from the second she let them into her room and saw them holding hands.
“Ooh, we should do something to celebrate! Like a big party!” She turned and started gesturing in the air with her hands.
”I’ll make those couple macarons we were selling for Valentine’s Day, we can get Kitty Section to put on a little concert and we’ll hang up streamers and balloons and-”
She cut herself off as she turned back around and saw Marc trying to subtly shake his head while Nathaniel was looking down at the ground and starting to hug himself again.
“We’re… I’m not ready for… everyone to know about this…” Nathaniel mumbled slowly. He caught a glimpse of the class photo taped up to Marinette’s wall, and for a brief second he saw half of them looking at him with disgust or disdain. He flinched and immediately turned his head away, taking a slow reassuring breath.
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be scared but…”
“...no. I’m the one who should be apologising,” Marinette quickly stepped forward to place her hands on Nathaniel’s shoulders.
“This is very personal to you, and I… I got too excited. It’s not about me. I’m sorry, Nathaniel.”
She pulled him into a quick hug, then shuffled over to let Marc join the embrace.
“I am really happy for you two. Thank you for trusting me with this. I won’t tell anyone.”
Nathaniel sighed with some relief. He didn’t know why it felt like his heart stopped every time someone new found out, but he was feeling better about telling Marinette again.
He had originally planned to just tell her and leave, but he decided to stay a bit longer while Marc was modelling a new coat that Marinette made. And it felt more relaxing now, like he wasn’t hiding a secret identity and he could just be himself.
Seeing Marc looking incredibly cute also made him feel better.
Nathaniel looked across at the class photo again. They didn’t shift in his imagination this time. In fact, he found himself focusing on the faces of the two classmates who knew. Their smiles seemed more genuine to him now; more heartfelt. And he wondered what it would feel like to have everyone look like that...
“Hey Marinette… did you still want to make those couple macarons?”
Wednesday - 8:12pm
marc.writes.stuff: Okay, Marinette just sent the group message. Are you sure about this?
nathcomics: yeah. i’m sure. if we’re going to make this announcement anywhere it’s in the art room
nathcomics: officially, it’s going to be a party about our publishers renewing our contract
nathcomics: but i know we can tell them about us safely. they love us too
marc.writes.stuff: We’re lucky to have them
nathcomics: we really are
nathcomics: marc, i love you. have i told you that today?
marc.writes.stuff: A few times. I always love hearing it though.
nathcomics: i love you ❤
marc.writes.stuff: ❤
“Congratulations!”
Nathaniel forced an awkward smile as the entire art club cheered. Room 33 had been decorated quickly, since Marinette had only sent the message last night. But they managed to hang up some balloons, and Alix made a quick street art banner that read ‘Congrats Nath and Marc’, which was taped up over her mural space.
Marinette also provided a platter of the couple macarons; the two shells were different colours and flavours so a couple could pull them apart and share. She came up with the idea to make use of all the mismatched halves.
“I’m so proud of you, boys,” Mr Monlataing praised, once the clapping had died down a little.
“A renewed comic contract means that everyone must love the stories you made.”
“Thank you, Mr Monlataing. That means a lot, and we’re glad they wanted to continue working with us.” Nathaniel paused, looking around at everyone celebrating the work they made together. All the joy and love in their faces… He could do this.
“It’s… it’s not the only reason why we’re here though.”
Alix and Marinette shared a quick glance, as some confused murmurs spread through the group.
“I… I wanted to tell you all that… well…” he felt his voice threatening to stop in his throat, and he instinctively reached to hold Marc’s hand. Marc gave him a gentle look; one that seemed to say ‘you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to’.
But he did want to.
“Marc and I… we’re dating.”
It was like time stopped for a moment. Everyone was just staring at them. He squeezed Marc’s hand to ground himself, mentally saying that things would still be okay.
Rose was the one to finally break the silence, squealing and racing over to wrap both of them in a big hug.
“Aww, thanks for telling us! I’m so happy, you two are so cute together!”
Juleka walked over and joined them, quietly whispering ‘Thank you’ to Nathaniel. Then Ivan bounded over and nearly knocked everyone over in the group hug, making everyone laugh.
As everyone stepped back, Mr Monlataing approached Nathaniel and rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Nathaniel, that was very brave of you to tell us. And I feel honoured that you trusted me with this.”
Alix and Marinette joined the rest of the class in another group hug, and Nathaniel squeezed Marc’s hand again, having never let go.
Thursday - 5:53pm
nathcomics: i. am. exhausted.
marc.writes.stuff: I’m proud of you. You came out to a lot of our friends.
nathcomics: i don’t know why it’s so tough…
nathcomics: was it hard for you when you told people?
marc.writes.stuff: It was at first. I wasn’t sure how people would react.
marc.writes.stuff: Every time it didn’t go perfectly, it felt like I was about to lose someone forever.
marc.writes.stuff: It felt like they hated me even when they said they were fine.
marc.writes.stuff: And there were so many people that I thought I had to tell.
marc.writes.stuff: As if I owed it to everyone to know that about me.
marc.writes.stuff: But we don’t need to come out to absolutely everyone. Just the people we want to.
marc.writes.stuff: I told people because I wanted them to know, just like you.
marc.writes.stuff: What I’m saying here is it gets easier.
marc.writes.stuff: Hehe, sorry for the block of text.
nathcomics: no, that was really helpful. thank you marc
marc.writes.stuff: Are you still up for our date tomorrow?
nathcomics: is it okay if we swap it for our movie night? we can go out for something on saturday.
marc.writes.stuff: Yeah, of course. I love you. ❤
nathcomics: see you tomorrow. ❤
Nathaniel stared down at his phone, at the post that was waiting to be published for what felt like a lifetime. The screen had dimmed several times, and each time he tapped a place on the screen that was nowhere near the word Share.
He had been so excited to do this; taking a nice selfie of the two of them, tapping out a quick message, tagging Marc’s account. He wanted everyone to see this, to know that he was dating the most incredible person in the world.
But every time his thumb approached the Share button, it trembled and retreated towards his palm.
“Nath…”
With a defeated sigh, Nathaniel moved his thumb across to the back arrow and saved the post as a draft.
“I really wanted to do it,” he whispered, dropping his phone next to him on Marc’s bed.
“Nath, it’s okay,” Marc draped his arm around Nathaniel, pulling him in a bit closer.
“Sorry…” Nathaniel rested his head on Marc’s shoulder.
“No, don’t apologise. This is a big step. It was daunting for me too.”
“I just wish I had the confidence to tell everyone about how wonderful my boyfriend is.”
Nathaniel laced his fingers with Marc’s, holding their hands on his lap. He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt Marc kiss his temple softly.
“But you do. You’ve told a lot of our friends. So don’t worry about this. You can say it when you’re ready.”
“...Why are you so great?”
Nathaniel lifted his head again, seeing that gentle smile that would always calm down any spiralling thoughts he had. He started to lean in closer, and his nose brushed lightly against Marc’s
“Just great? I thought I was wonderful,” he whispered jokingly. Nathaniel tilted his head back and rolled his eyes.
“Wow. You couldn’t pick a better moment for that, could you?”
“Nope.” Marc pulled a smug little smirk. Nathaniel laughed, before he reached a hand into Marc’s hair and pulled him into a loving kiss.
When they pulled back for breath, Nathaniel took a moment to just gaze at Marc’s face. The vibrant green of his eyes under the smoky black of his mascara, the soft pink blush on his cheeks that matched the tint on his lips…
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too. Do you want to set up the movie while I grab the snacks?”
“Sure. What did you want to watch tonight?”
“Surprise me.”
He blushed as Marc kissed his forehead before going to get some food.
As Nathaniel stood up to set up the movie on Marc’s computer, he picked up his phone and opened up the draft post again.
He looked at the sparkle in his eyes
[We’ll work it out. I know how hard it is.]
He looked at his soft, fluffy hair
[I’m proud of you.]
He looked at his cute, lopsided grin
[I told people because I wanted them to know, just like you.]
He moved his thumb towards the upper right corner of his phone once more. It shakily drew closer and closer to the tempered glass surface.
[I love you. ❤ ]
He blinked, and he tapped the screen.
That was it. There was no taking it back now. He told the world. Soon everyone would know.
Everyone that followed him at least.
And he felt… relieved. Not scared, not anxious, maybe a little nervous, but all in all, relieved. He did it. And now… well…
Marc’s phone alert went off in the next room.
Art provided by kiwibon