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“We’re going to go get food, okay? You and Marc can stay here.” Marinette smiled, her smile tinted with something unrecognizable, as if she knew something he didn't.
“Yeah, just wait for us. We’ll be back in a bit,” Alix agreed, strapping on her skates.
“What, so we don’t get a say in what’s for lunch?” Nathaniel joked, raising an eyebrow at his long time best friend.
“Nope, you don’t. This is a dictatorship.” Alix replied, rolling her eyes playfully, which made Zoe laugh at their interaction.
“Dang.” Nath laughed, before turning to see Marc approaching as the girls were heading out. He looked slightly tired from trying out all the interesting workout equipment at the large park, something Nath had settled on watching and definitely wouldn’t participate in, no matter how much Marc insisted it would be easy and fun.
“You sure you don’t want to join me?” Marc snickered, plopping down next to him on the bench where he sat.
Nathaniel didn’t need to say anything, just the flat look on his face did enough to convey how he felt, even though that much was already obvious.
Marc just laughed. “Well I know you don’t, but I want to look at all the interesting equipment there is. I wish I had these when I was younger…” he sighed wistfully, glancing back at all the intricate and colorful playground structures, somehow devoid of kids at the time, probably because of late school hours.
Something caught his eye, as he whipped around with a new sparkle in his eye. “Look, Nath, a zipline! In a playground!” He exclaimed, getting up from the bench. “Wanna try it?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “I’ll just watch you from here.”
Slight disappointment tinted Marc’s expression for only a second. “You sure?”
“Go ahead, Marc.” he replied, glancing over the bench, noticing that familiar black bound journal. “Can I look at your journal while you do that?”
Without any hesitation, Marc nodded with a smile, showing his complete trust in his best friend. Then without another word, he bounced off towards the zipline, almost in a skipping manner.
Nathaniel picked up the textured black book and began flipping through the pages as he’d done many times before. And it was the same stuff he was used to, although it never got any less interesting. There were the same vivid descriptions of the numerous battles SunHeart and RainPiercer fought, the same random drabbles about alternate universes—those were always super interesting— and the same romantic one shots, his favorite.
They always joked about whether Nath’s fanart or Marc’s fanfiction based on their own creation could be considered canon since it was by their hand, but it never stopped them from imagining hundreds of deviations from their original story.
Nathaniel kept flipping through, finding a particular one shot he always enjoyed, a high school AU friends-to-lovers SunHeart & RainPiercer, one that often had him somewhat envious of the love they shared. The writing was so fluid and colorful, so well-crafted, that even the cringe-worthy oblivious moments were comedic and played an important role in building up to the confession scene. It always left him with a smile on his face—once he asked Marc to write another part, to which he had hastily refused under reasoning that he just wouldn’t be able to.
Finishing his favorite section again, he let out a pleased sigh. He flipped the page, expecting to find nothing but blank pages, but there was something rather odd there instead.
Clearly labeled at the top of the page, was a journal entry titled, ‘Mine,’ in that flourishing cursive Marc so fancies. Surrounding the title were several hearts, giving somewhat of a lovesick image.
Nathaniel couldn’t help but feel guilty at just the sight of it, he knew he was intruding. He didn’t know Marc had a boyfriend—not that he was surprised—so that’s good for him, he supposed. Although, somewhere deep down, he felt a slight pang of jealousy, even if he didn't really recognize that feeling, knowing that Marc would probably have to spend less time making comics with him. He shouldn’t feel so possessive over his best friend, Marc’s allowed to have other friends… and loved ones, he supposed, but he couldn’t help but feel somber anyway.
He tried to turn back to the pages prior, to escape his guilt and building jealousy, but he just couldn’t. His curiosity ate at him, wondering what Marc is like towards his partner, if he’s any different than the Marc he’s so familiar with. His betraying eyes began following the inscribed words, engraved in the paper with a strong intention he couldn’t place.
‘My love, my everything, my boyfriend, was so pretty again today. He always is, his beauty is ever present, but I could tell he tried something new with his look, and I couldn't be more grateful. When he looked at me this morning I thought my heart would burst out my chest and fly out to him. Obviously, that’s excessive, but my heart turns to a drum when he’s around.’
Nathaniel looked up for a moment, making sure that Marc was still a fair distance away, before turning back to the writing, his neck and ears burning from the heartfelt descriptions. He knew Marc was somewhat of a romantic, but this… Reading this, hearing it in Marc’s voice in his head, was too much. He knew it wasn’t about him, obviously, but it was embarrassing on its own.
‘My Sunshine…’
‘My Star…’
The pet names, man… Marc must really adore this guy.
Nathaniel bit his lip, feeling a quaking feeling sink in his gut. Good for him, Good for him. I really need to get myself a partner now. His body somehow sunk deeper into the bench, as he flipped through the numerous pages, stopping on the last one, where the entry trailed off halfway.
‘…luckily, the girls decided to go out on Thursday, just to hang out at the park. But just a hangout is everything when I get to see my heart, my boyfriend, again. I’m sure he’ll be just adorable, he always is, but I can just imagine the elated look on his face when Mari says we’ll get ice cream, or the scrunch of his nose when he and Alix bicker. He’s just too cute, no matter how much he doesn’t agree.’
Wait. Wait.
What?
WHAT?
Nathaniel’s eyes trailed over those few sentences over and over, and its meaning never changed—unless there was some other guy hanging out with them that he just hadn’t seen at all, which was most definitely not true—Marc, in his eloquent and adoring speech, was referring to… him?!
Heat washed over his body as the meaning of it all sank in. The absolute shower of compliments, treating this mystery boyfriend like a beauteous work of art, just for that person to be himself? I guess there’s no need for jealousy now, but WAIT— boyfriend???
WE’RE DATING?
His system was having a processing overload at a couple words on a page. He and Marc had been nothing but best of the friends, creating side by side, taking on any and all challenges together. They shared an unspoken bond that no one could take from them, they understood each other like no one else. But— boyfriend?
It was already news that Marc saw him in such an adoring light, but to say in his personal journal that Nathaniel is his boyfriend—something they were definitely not on a consensus about—was overwhelming.He didn’t know how to feel, with a bunch of emotions bubbling up to the surface and a deep embarrassment burning in his core. And yet, a small flicker of light sparkled in his heart, a small hint of joy that he had yet to truly discover. But that was sufficiently smushed under loads of confusion.
“Nath! They’re coming back with food!”
Nathaniel froze, neck creaking as he consequently shut the journal and placed it to his left, keeping his eyes down.
Act natural, act natural…
Willing the vibrant flush on his face back down, he took in a deep breath. He tried to give his most genuine smile, but it was crooked in more ways than usual as he replied, “Cool…!”
Marc paused, a quizzical look washing over his face for only a moment, before he smiled and sat down on the bench with him happily. Looking up, waving at the three girls, he said softly in a fond tone, “Were you reading the high school one again? I know you like that one.”
Nathaniel felt heat rising to his face at just the idea of the journal next to him, carrying a burning presence in his mind, but pinched his thigh to snap himself back into focus.
“Oh, yeah… That one’s my favorite, so…” He trailed off, turning his eyes towards the girls and away from Marc, away from his tenderness, his softened gaze, away from his ‘boyfriend.’
Nathaniel shook his head lightly, hoping to somehow shake the wavering thoughts out through his ear. But still they lingered, giving him a bubbling feeling in his gut—discomfort, uncertainty? He couldn’t place it exactly, but it felt uncomfortable and he wanted to be rid of it as soon as possible. Yet, it also felt exhilarating, like something had just clicked into place. Nervousness and excitement feel the same, after all. How you define it is their only difference.
Thankfully, the girls came over with sandwiches before he could dig his grave any further, making sure to accommodate his dietary needs. He took his portion without any protest, immediately digging in.
Alix snickered, laughing at how ridiculous he looked snarfing down his food like a hungry dog, completely oblivious to his mental plight.
As soon as the sandwich went down, Nath realized just how truly hungry he’d been without realizing it, and let his worries float away as he continued to inhale his food, thoroughly enjoying it.
“Sorry to make you wait so long, Nath! We didn’t know you were so hungry.” Zoe laughed, starting to eat her own sandwich on the rubber playground floor next to Marinette, also giggling at the sight.
“Thafs okay..” Nathaniel managed to say, mouth still full of food, before Marc gave him a light slap to the shoulder, scolding him to not eat and talk at the same time.
Needless to say, the lunch went by smoothly, and Nathaniel could be normal around his friend for just another hour. The five of them laughed easily, and he was able to pretend things were normal enough for him to be comfortable, and no one else, not even Marc, would know just what had happened prior.
***
Conversation flowed smoothly, and now Nathaniel sat looking off into the distance as Marc and the girls debated which member of the Miraculers was the best—Ladybug and Chat Noir excluded—and were currently in heated discussion over whether Bunnix could be considered top three. Alix seemed to be the loudest, as per usual, but for any reason was very knowledgeable on the subject. Who knew she was such a hero fan?
Nath was just about to look for his sketchbook to absently doodle, when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.
“Zoning out?” Marc asked quietly, a soft smile on his face, the one reserved for him, when he’d separate himself from the group just to speak to Nathaniel one on one. “Wanna get ice cream?” He whispered in his ear, ringing an immediate bell in his mind.
Nathaniel nodded eagerly, a smile forming on his face. Marc chuckled, before getting up from the park floor and lending his hand to Nath, to which he was hesitant to take. The girls stopped their discussion for a moment, unsurprised of their getaway.
“Where’ya going?” Alix asked, narrowing her eyes at the two of them.
“We’re going to buy ice creams, what do you guys want?” Marc quickly replied, pulling Nathaniel up from the ground.
“Ooh, yay! Anything fruit-flavored for me.” Zoe chirped, turning into her pouch to grab some money.
“You know what to get me.” Alix said.
“I’ll take anything.” Marinette smiled, standing up and handing Marc a few bills.
Marc shook his hand, giving a small laugh. “No, it’s okay, Nath’s got the bill. Right, Nath?” He teased, poking him in his side with his elbow.
Nathaniel yelped, shaking awake after being zoned out for the past few moments. “What? Why am I paying-“
“Im just kidding, I’ll pay. I just wanted to mess with you.” Marc shushed him, smiling a bright smile, one that took joy in Nathaniel’s flustered reactions.
He felt a slight burn in his face coming, so he turned away in the direction of the street to start walking and avoid getting caught looking so flustered. He heard Marc’s light and bubbly giggle a few steps behind and his heart gave a squeeze, but he kept walking, voice filled with fake frustration when he said, “Yeah, yeah… Let's go.”
“Okay!” Marc chirped, his expression immediately melting into something horribly fond. His overjoyed smile never left him, even as he turned to wave to the girls before following an exasperated Nath out of the park.
“Hey, so… those two…” Zoe started, freezing up at getting both Marinette and Alix whipping their heads around to her immediately. “Uhm, are they…?”
“NO!”
“Mm-mm.”
Zoe’s eyebrow continued to raise. “What? But they- they’re so… I mean, Marc hasn’t said anything to me, so I assumed not, but there’s just no way…”
Marinette took Zoe’s hand in a sad, theatrical gesture, not noticing how she froze up at the touch. “Zoe dearest, those two… they’re a hard case. I wouldn’t worry your poor little heart over it.” She said, like some wise old grandmother trying to give advice to her grandchildren.
She soon let go of her hand to expressively gesture to explain. “Marc’s impossibly in love with him, infatuated. Not that he’s officially said that to me, but the way he looks at him, and the countless times he’s just been offhandedly mentioned in everything says… The last couple times he’s come to the bakery were strictly to grab the same couple of treats for him.”
Marinette smiled, loving how adorable her cousin was when it came to his crush. “But I’m pretty sure he thinks Nath doesn’t see him that way at all. And I think he’s…okay with that.”
Zoe sat, wide eyed as she began to mentally file all of Marc’s oddly affectionate gestures towards a particular redhead. “But, wait— Nath’s Bi, right?”
Alix let out a particularly frustrated sigh. “Yes. Yes, he is, and he’s a disaster. I thought he genuinely didn’t like Marc like that. That he just wanted to be friends. And honestly, he might still think that, which is crazy, ‘cause I guess he can’t tell that he likes Marc too. I mean, he hasn’t told me, but let’s be real. He’s oblivious to Marc’s flirting, and worse, oblivious to his own feelings.”
She grasped fistfuls of hair in her hands, voice raising in volume. “Like Dude. That is not how friends are! Friends don’t do all that- eugh- touchy stuff you guys do.” She sighed, showing she’d definitely been thinking about this for some time now.
“Wow… um… well…”
“Point is, Zoe… Just don’t get involved. They’ll drive you nuts.”
Marinette just nodded affirmatively.
***
Nathaniel watched as Marc marched through the store in front of him, a skip in his step. He hoped they’d get to the ice cream chest soon, he couldn’t bear to sit in his thoughts any longer. And worse, he was alone with the one person he kept trying to stop thinking about, the guy who’s apparently in love with him. Man, that’s still—
“Nath? You alright?”
Marc’s sweet voice, paired with his genuine concern, the way his forest eyes glimmered—his walls couldn’t help but fall. He is his best friend, after all.
“Im…fine. Don’t worry about me, I’m okay.” Nathaniel managed to reply, totally unconvincing. He tried to mold his expression into something he’d usually wear, but he knew it was useless to pretend in front of Marc. He always knew. That fact was typically a comfort, knowing that he understood him so well and cared enough to notice even the slightest change in his wellbeing. But this time, this was the one time he hoped Marc wouldn’t say what he always does.
Marc drew closer to him, taking a hand. He gave him a comforting squeeze and began pulling him further in towards the ice cream chest. Now, what used to just be a friendly, comforting gesture carried so much more meaning. Nathaniel found his heart starting to thrum in his chest, hand sweating in Marc’s grip. He almost held resentment to his own reaction, wishing he could just be normal again.
Suddenly a cold sensation zapped him on the back of his neck, causing him to yelp. He brought his hand to the back of his neck, where Marc had pressed a popsicle against it. “That’s cold!”
Putting the pop back in the chest, Marc laughed, bearing that dopey smile he always wore around him—one that he thought was just how he smiled but it’s actually because—Marc squeezed his hand again, bringing the present back into focus.
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” He said, like he always does, voice so horribly warm, so inviting, so loving, so—
Before he knew it, his face went up in flames, no matter how hard he thought to change that. His heart was now beating so strongly, he was sure Marc could hear it thumping out of his chest. He looked into the glass doors of the chest at the numerous colorful treats, eyes wanting to look anywhere but the problem in front of him, even if it felt like Marc was a magnet and his eyes were made of metal.
“Nath...?”
Nathaniel took in a deep breath. Even if his emotions were still a tangled mess of cords, ones he knew he’d eventually have to untangle, it wasn’t fair to be silent, nor was it possible with Marc’s observant nature. Wishing it away wouldn’t actually erase the memories of the journal, and especially not when a worried Marc was right here in front of him, someone he knew deep down wouldn’t let anything ruin their friendship.
And it’s true—no matter Marc’s romantic feelings, Nathaniel didn’t want to lose him. Friend or something more, he knew he needed him. Rather than wishing Marc didn’t love him, he was praying that Marc wouldn’t leave him after his discovery, that would be so much worse. And that was something else to unpack entirely, but he’d leave it in the pile of cords for later.
“Marc.”
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“Marc, I…” His voice got terribly small. “…I looked through your journal…!” He pulled his hand out of Marc’s grip, using them to shield his eyes from Marc’s reaction.
“I know, Nath. I gave you permission, remember?” Marc replied, voice steady as ever. He’s not getting it.
“No! You dont— I saw more than that…! T-the— the back of it!” He sputtered, muffled by his hands, body burning in embarrassment. He curled in on himself, backing away a few steps.
Marc instinctively raised his hand back towards him, beckoning him to come back to a comfortable distance, instead of drawing a line between them with his displacement. Come back. Come back to me. Please. His eyes said, their consistent glitter beginning to fade at Nath’s withdrawal.
“W-what about it? Nath, I don’t know what you mean.” He said, voice now wavering.
Nathaniel wouldn’t take another step back, but kept himself at a distance. “What you… What you wrote i-in the back…” Voice lowered to a strained whisper, he said, “…about me.”
Oh.
It finally dawned on Marc then, why Nathaniel had been so awkward, squirming in his hand, keeping himself three steps away, not being able to meet his eyes. Why he’d suddenly become aware of him. He knows. And yet, he’s not running away. It’s almost like he’s trying to and failing—he won’t let himself.
That might be good news.
“Ah. Y-yeah, um. You… You saw it, huh. I mean, you were bound to eventually...” Marc said softly, letting his hand fall to his side, a knowing but tentative smile on his face. His fingers came together as he fidgeted, a telling crack in his otherwise perfect poise he put up around him. “You know, Nath… If you really did read it… Everything I said was true.”
“W-what?” Nathaniel squeaked, as if he was expecting Marc to just suddenly deny everything he so passionately wrote and described in numerous pages in his most personal journal. A ridiculous assumption, really.
“Yeah… I love you, Nath. Everything I said about you, I meant.” He said seriously, intensely locking eyes with him and letting the sentence sit in the air for a few moments, only the hum of the freezer filling the heavy atmosphere around them.
Nathaniel couldn’t bring himself to look at him, not when he was at risk of a heart attack. His heart seemed to beat impossibly fast in his chest, his ears burning. He knew Marc felt this way, but to hear it… To hear those three words, something he was sure he’d never hear from anyone in his life, was everything. Even if he didn’t know if he could fully reciprocate it, just knowing that Marc loved him filled him with an embarrassing amount of joy. He almost felt a smile rising on his face before he bit it back down.
“I don’t expect anything from you, just so you know. A-and I don’t need you to treat me any different.” Marc said, leaning back against the chest. “I just wanted you to know.”
“No, it’s… I just— I— I don’t know!” Nath stuttered, brain short circuiting. “I don’t— I didn’t— But you… AGH! I can’t talk!”
Marc giggled, the atmosphere lightening at the sound. Even Nath loosened up a little, reminded that this is his long time best friend he’s talking to, he has nothing to be afraid of. Marc always gave him space to talk, and always listened attentively.
“Take your time. I want to know what you have to say.”
Nathaniel looked up, seeing Marc smile down at him, an assuring, comforting thing. “I… I didn’t know you felt that way. A-about me. And I… I feel like… I just— I can’t explain it…” He gripped the fabric of his shirt around his wrists, trying to ground himself. “It’s not… bad? But I don’t think… I don’t think it’s the same… as you.”
“So you don’t know how it makes you feel?”
Nathaniel nodded, face still pretty flushed and body language terribly nervous, but that definition seemed to fit the smattering of colors that swirled in his mind. Not one color sticks out.
Marc stepped closer to him, just close enough to be intimate, but not uncomfortable. “Well… How about we try something. If you hate it, then we’ll know. But if you don’t… Hmm. Then we’ll figure it out from there.” He said slowly, thinking about every word as he said it. He had to be careful not to shatter an already cracking Nath.
“O-okay.” Nathaniel mumbled in response, finally taking steady breaths. His ocean blue eyes peeked up at Marc in nervous curiosity, an unbelievably cute gesture.
A hand came around his, Marc gently pulling him back towards himself. His other hand trailed up his neck to cup his cheek, sending electricity down his spine. His breath caught—the warmth in those forest eyes evolved, like the trees became the wildfire that once consumed them. He couldn’t look for long.
He drew closer, warmth radiating off his body and filling Nathaniel’s space. Every shuddering breath echoed in their shared few inches. He found himself waiting, waiting, waiting— for something to happen. What, he wasn’t sure. But something.
“Y-You can say no… But can I kiss you?”
Kissing.
Nathaniel had never been kissed before, and definitely wasn’t planning on having his first in the back aisles of some random corner store, with a boy he swore he knew was his best friend. But things don’t always go to plan, do they? And this kiss, however it might feel, was immensely enticing. His gaze moved to Marc’s soft lips, wondering their feel, before he quickly looked back up to meet equally alluring eyes. His decision was already made.
“Okay.”
He wanted it, but his heart was pounding in urgency. As Marc subtracted a few centimeters of their distance, he let his eyes flutter shut.
And suddenly, lips came up against his, brushing against them in the gentlest and most intense thing he’d ever felt. It felt wonderfully imperfect, but exactly what he wanted from a first kiss. And those lips felt exactly like they looked, plush and warm, with slight stickiness from Marc’s tinted lip balm. It only lasted for a moment, before the warmth left him and Marc sunk back, looking down at his hands, smiling but inevitably burning up in embarrassment. Nath couldn’t help but feel disappointed, unfamiliar but unwilling to stop it.
His hand hesitantly reached out to Marc, unsure what to do or what to say but needing that touch again. A piece had just clicked into his puzzle, and he wasn’t going to let it go.
Marc looked up, eyes wide and filled with anxious anticipation.
“…can you do that again?”
And that once concerned tint to Marc’s eyes softened, replaced by his typical fondness. A smile began to stretch across his face as Nath’s acceptance set in. He let himself get tangled in the other again, a hand resting on his waist and the other caressing his cheek.
Breathing in the other’s presence, he pressed a short peck to a burning cheek, taking in the surprised noise Nath let out. Pulling back, they locked eyes, deep forest green meeting swirling ocean blue in realization, understanding. Marc couldn’t help his smile from growing, and even Nathaniel’s lips were quirking into one of their own.
“Of course I can, Nath.”
And when Marc’s lips came up on his again, he didn’t let them go. Did he know what he was doing? Not at all. But did he want to keep kissing his best-friend-not-really-more-like-first-kiss-friend? Absolutely. And so that’s what they did, completely oblivious of the world around them, taking in everything the other would give while miscellaneous candies and treats on shelves watched. They had long since forgotten the ice cream behind them, and the girls patiently waiting for said ice cream.
***
“Hey, so when do you think they’re going to come back with ice cream? I was actually looking forward to that.” Zoe asked, sadly looking towards the street.
“Fifteen bucks on ‘never!’” Alix said, snickering. “They’re probably making out somewhere. Yuck.”
“But you said they weren’t together??” Zoe asked, confused, Alix unintentionally pulling her further down the rabbit hole.
“Yeah, like that would stop them. I don’t know about Marc, but Nath? He might not look it, but he’s actually one of the most thirsty—“
“WELL! If they are doing something, I hope they’re at least being honest about their feelings…” Marinette sighed, bearing the unfortunate responsibility as an older cousin to listen to all of Marc’s hopelessly romantic rants.
“You’re one to talk, Mari.”
All three girls whipped around to see the two boys coming from the opposite direction they left from. Marc held several ice creams in his arm, the other hand tightly wrapped around a certain artist’s. Nathaniel walked in step with him, absently licking a cherry popsicle. And although he had hoped the treat would take off any attention from his person, the popsicle didn’t do much to hide the slight tint of his cheeks and ears and worse, his obviously kiss swollen lips. Marc, on the other hand, still held his perfect, practiced expression and perfectly lined lips, there being no signs of anything happening between them besides the obvious hand holding—but they did that even before all this— and the unstoppable grin across his face.
Marinette blushed in embarrassment of being caught, eagerly getting up to help Marc with the ice creams. “T-Thanks for getting these!”
Marc giggled at his cousin's plight, distributing the treats while never letting go of Nathaniel’s hand.
Zoe quickly shot a confused look to Alix, pointing with her eyes to all obvious signs of the two dating. Alix simply rolled her eyes, clearly not surprised and obviously right about her—albeit a bit uncalled for—predictions.
Zoe couldn’t keep her eyes off the two of them, connecting the dots in her head, eventually covering her mouth in surprise. All the while, Marc kept up his cheery look, Nath choosing to stay silent, as if when he opened his mouth he’d spill all their secrets.
Once they were all about halfway through their icy treats and Marc and Nath were no longer attached at the hip, someone decided it was time to address the elephant in the room. Despite the warning looks the other two gave, she was going to make her statement. Plus, when has she ever not been blunt?
“So. You two together now, or what?”
“Alix..!” Zoe whisper-shouted.
Nathaniel flushed, giving his first real reaction since returning. “S-Shut up, Alix.” He reached for something to throw at her, finding a stray wrapper on the ground. He flung it at her, to which she dodged deftly.
“What? You were obviously at the market making—“
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Are we?” Marc cut her off, turning towards Nath, unfortunately putting him on the spot. At the panicked look he found in his eyes, blue depths screaming, don’t do this to me, he immediately turned back to the girls. “W-We’re going to talk about it.”
Marinette smiled, reaching a hand to rub her cousin’s back. “Well I’m glad you’re talking about things. I’m happy for you.”
Marinette's affirmations and affection were always appreciated; she'd seen Marc go through the trenches and come out on top, after all. She was also just a great friend to anyone, Nathaniel included. So any news of a relationship between them, she’d take with loving hands and constant support.
“Thanks, Mari. I appreciate it.”
While the cousins continued to chat, lovingly caring for each other, the other two girls crowded around Nathaniel, Alix pestering him with questions while Zoe intently listened.
“I thought you didn’t like him…?!”
“When did I tell you that?!”
“Well, I don’t know, but I already knew you were lying.”
“What are you talking about??”
“You know, Nath, you should at least tell him you like him before spending half an hour eating each other's faces.”
“Al! We were not eating—“
“Uhm, guys…” Zoe interrupted hesitantly, like a child interrupting their parents fighting.
The bickering two looked up to see the cousins standing, hovering over them with equally amused smiles on their faces. “It’s getting dark, do you guys want to hang out at my house?” Marinette offered, still giggling.
Zoe gave her a look of relief, taking her hand and standing up with her. “Yeah, let’s.”
The other two embarrassedly got up, putting a pause in their ‘discussion’ and following the small crowd out to the street. Marinette was right, the sun was beginning to set over the tall buildings, street lamps lighting up slowly. Off to the Dupain-Chengs they go, to continue hanging out at least until someone inevitably gets called home. (Most likely Nath.)
As they walked down the streets, conversation freely flowing again, Marc sank to the back of the group, choosing to stick back to Nathaniel’s side. The girls paid no mind, even more so now.
He gently brushed the back of his hand against Nath’s, who immediately turned to look at him. He leaned in and whispered softly, “Can I hold your hand?”
Nathaniel looked away, doing a horrible job at hiding the smile that was forming on his face. “Yeah.”
Marc gently grasped his hand, to which Nathaniel, in a small moment of boldness, twisted his hand to interlock their fingers. Marc just smiled brighter at Nathaniel growing into how their relationship was changing. He continued to whisper to him, keeping things intimate between the two of them and sparing the girls any details they didn’t want to know.
“Nath.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you… Did you want to be boyfriends? It’s okay if not.”
“Um…” Thoughts swirled in his mind—whether he wanted to, whether he even should, how that would change things and how people see him, what would he tell his parents… Too many questions and not enough answers. There’s too many technicalities to consider, and still so much he doesn’t even know about dating. But if it’s anything like what he has now… he wants to keep it. There’s been a fundamental change in their relationship, one he didn’t even consider before today, but his eyes had been opened.
And in Marc’s eyes, and his shining smile, he could see the future, seeing him in an entirely new light, maybe waking up to him one day—well, maybe that’s a bit much… Regardless, there was no way he was going to let this beautiful boy slip from his fingers after he so bravely and openly shared his overwhelmingly strong but beautiful love with him.
“Marc, if… If dating you means we get to do the same stuff, and kiss and hold hands… a little… then… I think I'd like to try.”
Marc squeezed his hand in surprise, letting out a quiet gasp. “R-Really? I mean, I didn’t think…”
Nathaniel nodded shyly, squeezing his hand in response. He gave a small smile, a smile now reserved for Marc, one that sent arrows right through his heart.
Marc couldn’t help but squeal a little, giving Nath a short kiss to his temple. He had a skip in his step now, as they walked hand in hand. And they would continue to walk hand in hand on many days to come—to and from school, to the park, throughout school. Marc was very physically affectionate, Nathaniel found, but realized that if it was Marc, he didn’t really mind. He showed his love in other, less loud ways, like gifts and small acts of service, like carrying Marc’s bag, even if his shoulder hurt afterward.
And dating your best friend was really the best possible outcome; they already knew so much about each other, and would continue to spend crazy amounts of time together. They would still be the best of friends, just friends who kiss occasionally, and they definitely didn’t mind that part.
***
‘Why he agreed is beyond me. I’ll admit, these have been a bit obsessive and excessive, but this journal was key to winning over his heart, so for that I give my thanks. I don’t think I'll need to continue these pining entries seeing as we are finally together. In fact, he’s curled into my side as I write this, happily sleeping. It’s very cute.
Everyday is new with him, more so than before. To think I'd keep myself from this and never take a step of courage, never see this side of him I wished I could daily, and let us just keep dancing around each other, peacefully oblivious. Well, at least he was. Point is, it’s over now. The war’s won. I love him with all my heart and soul, and will continue to make that known until he, for some forsaken reason, pushes me away. Even so, I'll love him till the end of time. And Nath, if you are reading this: Believe my words. I love you! <3’