Chapter Text
Marinette, as scatterbrained as she could be sometimes, was observant. Observant enough to know what the perfect gift for everybody’s birthday would be, even if she forgot to make it and had to pull an all nighter to have it in time. She stored small details mentioned in passing conversation deep in her brain, watched gestures to never forget, kept charts for some people. She knew how her friends liked to be hugged, what type of encouragement her team best responded to, who was more of a waving-greeting type and who was more of a bisou one, even if she messed up in practice from time to time, plagued with the stress from her daily life to properly react.
Thus, when Ryuko began leaning into fleeting touch, it didn’t go unnoticed by her.
It began quickly and almost imperceptible, a little more pressure on her Ladybug-patterned hand from Ryuko’s side during an end-of-fight fist bump, a little less distance between the girl and her partner of the day. A little unusual coming from Kagami, but entirely harmless. Marinette could use an update on her tabs for the girl.
”Add a little more physical contact”, mentally noted.
Handshakes, leaning on her and allowing it back, maybe even a quick greeting or goodbye hug. A little more warmth poured into her life.
Admittedly, Marinette was more than happy her friend was finally allowing herself to search for others; the last few months had been tough for everyone. Between Kagami learning of her secret and how she had massively screwed up when it came to the situation –as she called Monarch’s win in her thoughts to avoid tears prickling at her eyes whenever she remembered–, Marinette constantly worried their bond would never be the same. Or worse, completely shatter. It was nice to know she wasn’t hopeless, at least in one thing.
Maybe that little piece of information could be the clue to ensuring she never lost her friend.