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Adrien was buzzing in excitement as he ushered his friends from school into the Agreste mansion. He was so excited that his father had finally allowed him to have a small party with his friends. Sure, it was just a quiet watch party where they’d watch TV, but it was still a party!
Still progress!
His friends, at least the ones who’d never been inside of his home, ‘ooh’ed and ‘aww’ed at the incredibly big house as he led them up into his room where the screen was already pulled down in front of the couches.
“Wow.” Alya breathed as she took in his massive room. “I can’t believe that this is your room! My whole apartment could fit in here… and there’s six of us in it!”
Adrien blushed. “Oh.”
She was quick to pat him on the shoulder. “No need to feel embarrassed or sorry about it. I’m just amazed at how big it is.”
“That’s what she said.” Kim snickered before Alix rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder. “What?”
The group settled down, some on the couches and some lounging on the floor, as Nathalie and a few wait staff brought in trays and trays of snacks and drinks.
Before leaving, Nathalie pulled him to the side. “Remember, your father said-”
“They can only stay for a few hours. We can’t be too loud. And watch how much junk food I eat because I have a shoot in a few days.” Adrien rolled his eyes. “I know, Nathalie.”
Her eyes softened. “I know. It’s just my responsibility to remind you.”
Adrien smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Patting his shoulder, she looked back at the room full of kids and a small smile that Adrien had never seen graced her face. “Have fun.”
He beamed. “I will!”
Adrien went back to his friends and noticed a spot left for him on the couch between Marinette and Nino. Sliding in next to her, he noticed Marinette jump.
Concern filled him. “Are you okay?”
Her blue eyes widened and she nodded. “Of course! Why would I be? I’m just so happy that I’m going watch you- I mean! Watch a movie with you!”
Adrien nodded. “I’m happy you’re here too. All of you!”
Nino nodded and threw his arm around Alya’s shoulder. “So what are we gonna watch?”
“We can watch anything you guys are interested in!”
“Oh. Spiderman!” Alix said.
“How about Spongebob?” Kim offered.
“That new Barbie movie just came out!” Rose squealed.
“The Lorax.” Mylene suggested.
The rest of their friends kept throwing out suggestions and Adrien was having a hard time deciding when he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Marinette biting her lip.
“What about My Hero Academia?”
Adrien’s eyebrows lifted. “You like My Hero?”
“Oh yeah. I just got caught up on the latest season so it would be a lot of fun to watch it from the start again.”
Adrien’s face lit up and happiness soared through him. MHA was one of his obsessions at the moment and it would be super amazing to share that with the rest of his friends.
Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged Marinette. “What a great idea! We’re gonna watch My Hero, you guys!”
Everyone cheered and, so excited that he was fumbling to find the right app in the menu on his projector, Adrien missed the thumbs up Marinette received from Nino and Alya.
As the opening of the first season played, Ivan smiled. “This show is so amazing!”
Rose looked at him. “Is it? I’ve never seen it before. Do you think I’ll like it?”
He thought for a long second. “I’m not sure, but I think there are a lot of characters you’ll love. Like Uraraka.”
Juleka nodded. “Yeah, you’ll love her.”
Rose beamed. “Okay!” She turned towards everyone else. “Who’s everyone’s favorite character then?”
“Iida is my guy!” Alix shouted. “He’s fast and he’s smart. A little too high strung, but you gotta love him!”
“Mirko is mine. She’s got huge-” Alix punched him in the shoulder again and he held up his hands. “Ow! Let me finish! She’s got huge feet! I love that she’s a rabbit.” When Alix rolled her eyes and turned away, he winked at Adrien. “I also love that she’s got huge boobs.”
“I like Fat Gum. He’s big, but also soft.” Ivan said as he pulled Mylene closer to him.
She smiled. “I’ve only seen a few episodes but I like Bakugo. He can be a little mean, but his passion is so explosive!”
Alya tapped her chin. “I’m between Jiro and Momo. They’re both so amazing!”
Nino nodded. “I gotta go with Jiro and Present Mic. She’s got her music down to a tee and he’s loud about it.”
Adrien turned to Marinette. “Who’s your favorite?”
Smiling, she showed everyone her little purse where two pins were.
Alya rolled her eyes. “I should’ve known you’d like Deku and Todoroki.”
Marinette shrugged. “What can I say? Their battle during the festival left its mark. And so did the fight against Stain. I just love them: they’re perfect for each other!”
“You’re such a shipper!” Alya groaned and Marinette just smiled.
“You gotta learn to love it.” She turned back to Adrien. “Who’s your favorite?”
Adrien laughed awkwardly before rubbing his neck. “I don’t know… it may be weird.”
This drew everyone’s attention.
“Weird?” Nino questioned. “Is it Monoma? He’s annoying but funny as heck.”
“No.”
“The mushroom girl or… oh! Dabi or Toga? Those aren’t too bad.” Ivan said..
“Nooo.”
Marinette frowned. “Is it Mineta?”
The room went awfully quiet as Adrien didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “No.”
“The suspense is killing me.” Alay laughed. “Just tell us. There’s too many characters in this show to guess!”
Sighing, he nodded. “My favorite character is… Recovery Girl.”
There was a beat of silence before everyone broke out into laughter. Adrien wasn’t sure what to make of it until Nino patted his shoulder.
“That’s not weird at all! She’s an awesome hero and she has a lot of great one liners!”
“Really?”
Marinette nodded and patted him on his knee. “Yeah. I like her a lot too!”
Relief flooded his chest and he found his hand curled around hers where rested against his knee. “She is really great.”
The group calmed and they continued watching the show.
It wasn’t until Nathalie came to inform them that their time was up that Adrien realized he’d been holding Marinette’s hand the whole time. It felt nice and natural and he immediately missed her warmth when she stood and pulled away.
When all his friends were gone and he was left in his slightly messy room, he smiled. “That was fun.”
Plagg zoomed out from his hiding spot. “It looked like it! I’m glad you got to have fun with your friends, Kid. And did I spot you holding hands with Pigtails?”
“Yeah! I didn’t even know we’d been holding hands the whole time.”
Plagg grinned. “Does that mean you too are in love?”
Adrien laughed and waved him off. “Of course not. Friends hold hands.”
“Not while they’re watching a show and not like that. You two were basically cuddling.”
“No we weren’t, Plagg. You’re mistaken.” Adrien began cleaning his room.
Plagg rolled his eyes. “Sure Kid. Whatever you say. I’ve only been around since the beginning of time. What do I know? Tell you what: next time you hold hands with your ‘friend’ make sure you give her a little peck on the cheek just to be extra friendly.”
Not hearing the sarcasm, Adrien agreed. “Okay I will.”
And the next time his father permitted him to have a party with his friends, he did just that… only to have Marinette confess her feelings for him right then and there.
“I ship you and me like I ship Todoroki and Deku!” Were her exact words.
He was even more surprised to find that he felt exactly the same way.
They kissed, to the cheers of their friends, and held hands for the rest of the night.
Adrien guessed Plagg was right: friends really didn’t hold hands like that.