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Marinette could imagine tens of different and to an extent better ways to spend her Saturday afternoon, but yet again she found herself in the mostly empty audience stands at the indoor basketball court.
The rest of the people there were like her - girlfriends, family members, friends. Barely anyone could qualify as a fan of the teams that were currently playing if they weren’t somehow related to the players.
It was a local amateur league and their games were mostly for fun, although they did take pride in every victory. The main goal was still to do what they enjoyed. And they definitely looked as if they were enjoying themselves, Marinette thought with a smile as another whoop from Adrien reached her ears. She tried not to let her mind wander and focus on the game.
It was almost a miracle but by now she had a pretty good grasp of the rules. The first few games she’d watched, she had been confused by the players running around, the referees’ blowing their whistles and someone always shouting about fouls. Basketball was a dynamic game but at the same time could take ages to finish with the endless pauses.
She was much better now. She was used to the shoes squeaking on the floor. She knew that three steps could be too many. And while she still couldn’t fathom how anyone could sink a three-pointer, she certainly enjoyed watching others do it and cheered along with everyone else.
Of course, most, if not all, of the time, her eyes were on Adrien.
She could remember watching him fencing years ago. He had been great at it and she’d always admired his skills. Basketball was different. He was still very good, in fact he was the team’s proud captain. It wasn’t about it being a team sport as opposed to each player to their own. It was mostly about his visible enjoyment of the sport.
He never treated training sessions as an obligation because they were something he’d chosen for himself. He could blow off steam and empty his head for an hour. His teammates were his friends, they loved hanging out together and none of them was doing this for trophies or titles. And this was why Marinette was there in spite of the fact that she was not interested in basketball. Well, she hadn’t been in the past. Now, she knew more than she’d ever expected to know but she didn’t mind.
She did it for Adrien. Because seeing him enjoy himself like that was enough to convince her to leave her designs for a few hours.
In fact, seeing him score the winning two points had her on her feet, shouting louder than anyone else there as serotonin flooded her brain. She was genuinely happy as if she’d shot the ball into the hoop herself.
“You came!” He exclaimed as he ran to her after the team was done congratulating each other.
It didn’t matter that she never missed a game. He was always surprised to see her there, to know that she wanted to be there, and it was strangely endearing. It was just another reason why she had to be there. She loved him and he needed to be reminded of every day.
“Of course, kitty,” she grinned. “I wouldn’t miss cheering for my favourite basketball player for the world. I even made a sign.”
She picked the cardboard rectangle on which she’d drawn earlier that day - “Go, Black Cats!” with a bunch of paws. Of course, she was still giddy that they had chosen the name she had suggested for the team. Not that anyone else knew why, only Adrien, but this was enough for her.
“I saw,” Adrien beamed at her. She had been holding it earlier, before she got lost in her head. But he knew her well and didn’t even ask why it had been abandoned.
“You were awesome, as usual,” she said proudly.
“Only because you were here watching me,” he replied, the same thing he said every time. It implied that he wouldn’t be that good if no one was watching, which she knew was wrong. The more accurate interpretation was that he had a reason to show off when she was there. This much was true to form.
“I’m your biggest fan after all. You better be,” she teased him. His answering grin told her that he believed her. And this was all that mattered.
“Are you going somewhere for a celebratory drink?” Marinette asked as she gathered her things. She wouldn't mind going home and seeing him later.
“Nope. I told the guys that I’m busy,” he winked at her.
“Is that so?” She giggled.
“I have a date with the most amazing girl in the world. It’s the best celebration for me, m'lady,” he said softly, pulling her into his arms. When he kissed her, it didn’t matter that they weren’t alone or that he was all sweaty from the exertion. She let herself get lost in the feeling because it was still the best thing even after all this time. This was her reward for being there as much as it was his for the great performance.
"Adrien, don't suffocate the poor girl!" Someone shouted, effectively breaking the magic. But they just laughed.
“I really need a shower. I won’t be long,” Adrien said as he ran backwards to the locker room, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I’ll be waiting,” she sighed happily.
It was always worth it after all. This was why she wouldn’t miss a game.