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This wasn't a date.
Maybe if Marinette kept telling herself this, she'd believe it.
It was just two partners having ice cream together. They kept saving the world, they deserved a treat, right?
Besides, if it was a date, she'd feel nervous. She couldn't imagine joking around with Adrien like that, especially on a date!
But then again, why did Chat suddenly look as tempting as the ice cream? She swallowed the gasp at the unexpected thought with the next bite.
Get a grip, Marinette.
She had to get back on track. How to turn this into the least date-like thing, she wondered.
Her hand formed a fist on its own. How about seeing just how distracted he was? She took a swing but with infuriating calmness he intercepted it. Not that she'd wanted to actually hit him but it was almost as if he could predict her moves.
"Not bad, m'lady, but not good enough either," he smirked.
She just rolled her eyes, not wanting to let her irritation show. Was she irritated at him or at her annoyingly persistent thoughts?
Another swipe of her ice cream should have made her feel better. But then she caught the movement in her line of vision and she lifted her hand just before his foot touched her.
"You can't do better than that, eh, kitty?" She heard herself saying.
Their eyes met for a moment, the same challenge in them and then it was game on.
They were on their feet and for a moment she felt sorry for the ice cream she just threw away, but then he took a swing and she acted on instinct.
They weren't careful enough so when his boot kicked a metal chimney and they heard it clatter down to shouts from disturbed people, they laughed a little nervously.
But this didn't stop them.
The truth was that it was almost scarily easy to be silly like this with him. Well, she could always pretend that this was useful training. They needed every advantage. But it was just fun. To parry his moves, to try to get around his defenses, to try out new moves, to just be free.
Marinette couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so carefree. It was a little addictive.
Unfortunately it didn't help much to distract her.
Because when she found herself backed against a brick wall, with Chat's arms on both sides of her as he braced himself against the momentum that hurled him against her, the air felt thick with something she couldn't name.
Their eyes locked with an intensity that stole her breath in a way running and fighting couldn't.
Marinette felt warmth creep up her face as she realised just how close he was. And how she didn't mind this at all.
Where was that ice cream when she needed a deliciously cooling bite?
And then it got worse. She wondered if she could taste the ice cream on his lips if she were to kiss him. Would it taste better?
This was too much. She shouldn't be thinking this, anything but this!
"Maybe I should go home," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
She could feel his reluctance to let her go. It was as if he was having similar troubles as her. And then she saw his eyes dart to her lips and thought that she was going to faint.
"Stay," he all but begged.
But he moved one arm back, giving her the way out she needed. It was a bittersweet relief. She was safe with him, he'd never do anything against her wishes. But also, she wasn't sure if she'd want to stop him if he were to kiss her.
The thought was scary enough to send her fumbling for her yo-yo and on her way.
The cool breeze against the hot skin on her cheeks was so welcome.
This had been a close call. But she'd managed to avoid temptation.
After all, maybe this was just a game to him. He sure looked confident enough when he was flirting with her. She shouldn't be reading too much into it.
But if she had to be completely honest with herself, Marinette would have to admit that she wasn't sure what she would do if what she could feel between them turned out to be genuine, not just friendly teasing.
The thought was frightening but also made her head spin in a delightful way.
She didn't realise that she was smiling until she arrived home. Then she just shrugged it off.
This was just her silly partner. It was ok. She'd overreacted.
Right?