Throw Me Around Like One Of Your French Girls, Chapter 6

Marinette rose from her bed with a warm smile and something of a spring in her step. Tikki looked on with mild surprise.

"Well! Someone got out of the right side of bed today," Tikki noted, pleasantly.

"I only have one way out of my bed, unless you count going up to my balcony. And I don't plan on showing off my pajamas to the neighborhood," giggled Marinette. "Though I suppose that this particular set, I could... it's modest enough."

"You showed off your pajamas to Adrien's fan base the day that you went to the movies with him," countered Tikki.

"That was so not intentional, and you know that!" declared Marinette. "My aikidogi, on the other hand... I could show off a few moves... a couple of katas to greet the morning sun..."

"And who do you think would be looking at you up there?" Tikki grinned.

"Nobody, I would hope," Marinette smiled. "And, no, I'm not going to wear my gi to school today, either."

"I bet that it would get just a little attention if you did. So..." continued Tikki, "What are you going to say to Adrien when you see him today?"

"Honestly?" Marinette paused for a moment. "I'm not completely sure. I've been thinking about it, but my brain may have other ideas once he's in front of me. I mean... we told each other that we like each other last night!"

"And that you're both going to hold back on doing anything about it, right?" Tikki asked. "At least for now."

"Uh-huh," agreed Marinette. "And I'm going to try very hard not to get between him and Kagami. But what we said... so much could change between us! I feel good... but I'm also pretty nervous."

"I think that you said all the right things last night... with both of them," Tikki counseled her. "Do your best to hang onto that unless one of them gives you a reason not to."

"I'll do my best," grinned Marinette, heading into her bathroom.

Downstairs, in the family dining room, Marinette and Sabine compared notes while munching on some breakfast.

"Interesting," Sabine noted, sipping on her tea. "So you found a way to maintain harmony with both of them?"

"I think so. Kagami and I are closer than ever, I think. But I can't believe that I told Adrien that I had... I have feelings for him!" worried Marinette, growing a bit flustered.

"You weren't lying. And neither was he."

Sabine's gaze was steady. "Look at it this way, dear. Why did you spend most of this year barely able to speak when he was near you, hmmm?" she added.

"Because... well... I'm still trying to figure that out," Marinette mused. "I was so afraid that he would say 'no.' I was so afraid that he would say 'yes!' My brain kept jumping back and forth between those, I guess."

"And now, that pressure isn't there, because you're not feeling like either yes or no is possible while he's with Kagami... so you're not so afraid any more," her mother smiled. "Feels pretty good, doesn't it?"

"It does," smiled Marinette. "But now he knows and I don't know what to do next!"

"Oh, I do," suggested Sabine. "You're going to keep being just as comfortable with him, and you're going to show him the real Marinette. The spunky, funny, chatty, wonderful girl that we've raised. The one that he told you last night he can't stop thinking about. And you're going to have such a good time with this."

"I am?" asked Marinette, looking hopeful but not sure if she was fully understanding.

"Of course you are. Now you get to talk and tease and flirt with him without feeling like it's risky!" Sabine grinned. "One of the hard parts is over now. You already know that he likes you, and you like him. You're being honest with each other now. You can really get to know each other properly; build a deeper relationship, and see where that leads you."

A text message distracted Sabine for a moment; she looked up from it with a knowing smile. "Oh, and Marinette? You'll be late for school if you don't get going soon... but when you do, go out through the bakery today, not through the back door."

"Sure, I will," said Marinette. "Does Dad need me for something?"

"Just do that, please. You'll see," Sabine smiled enigmatically, returning to her tea.

Marinette hurried down the stairs, seeing that she was indeed running out of preparation time. As she skidded into the bakery, she noticed her father behind a counter, calmly helping customers.

"H-hi, Dad," she panted. "Did you need me for something?"

"Just a small thing," Tom told her. "There's a customer by the door who's looking for something special."

Marinette turned... and saw a very familiar blonde head through one of the store's front windows, one that she'd spent many months studying carefully. Its owner seemed to be waiting patiently for her to appear.

"Oh!" she gasped, then broke out in a warm smile. "I suppose that I'd better go see what he would like, then," she told her father.

"That would be perfect," he grinned back.

A small bell on the door jingled as Marinette opened it, drawing Adrien's attention. His smile looked as nervous as she was sure that hers did... and somehow that did more to put butterflies in her stomach than anything else.

"Hi! G-good morning, Marinette," Adrien greeted her. "I was hoping that I'd catch you like this."

"H-hi!" breathed Marinette. "How are you today, Adrien?"

"Better now," he smiled. "Is it all right if we walk and talk?"

"We might have to go faster than a walk," suggested Marinette. "We might be late if we don't."

"Today... I don't really care," said Adrien. "Not if you don't."

Marinette wavered for a moment... then grinned. It's not like I'm not known for late arrivals anyway, she reasoned. "Then let's walk and talk for a little while."

The two of them crossed the street, strolling side by side, wandering somewhat aimlessly around the school grounds.

"You'll have to pardon me if I'm a little wobbly. For some reason, I didn't get much sleep last night," began Adrien. "I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation."

"I hope that I didn't startle you too much, Adrien," Marinette ventured, with some concern. "But I meant what I said. And I wish that I'd found the courage to say it sooner."

"I do, too. Because..." Adrien stammered, struggling for the right words. "If I had known, I... I don't know if..."

He gazed at the blushing Marinette, feeling helpless. "Can I ask why you didn't tell me? All I have to do is look at you now and I can tell that you're sincere about it."

"I don't know. I just..." Marinette shook her head. "You've never had, just, a rush of feelings and not known what you could say or do about them?"

"Sometimes?" sympathized Adrien. "I think everybody does. And I guess we all handle that in our own way."

"And how we handle it now is more important than how we got here," said Marinette. "I mean, I'm willing to talk about it with you, okay? But I don't want to dwell on the past right this minute."

"Y-yeah! I agree," Adrien replied. "I have so many apologies for you, but I guess that they can wait."

"Apologies?" wondered Marinette. "For what?"

"For not noticing how you felt before you told me. For not pushing harder when I saw that you were nervous with me and I wasn't sure why. For not-"

"Adrien..." Marinette tried to interrupt.

"For not telling you every day how amazing you are. For it taking so long for me to realize just how-"

"Adrien!" she emphasized. "My knees are weak, listening to you like this."

"Then let's sit down for a minute." He gestured to a nearby bench, and the two of them moved to it, sitting side by side.

"Adrien... if there's one thing that I don't want, it's for what we have now to get weird because of what we said and we know," Marinette told him, firmly. "I am... you mean too much to me to let that happen, and the way that we've been getting closer lately..."

"I want that too," Adrien insisted. "I mean, I don't want it to get weird. You know what I mean. Don't you?"

"Yeah," she giggled. "Adrien, relax! I'm not going to bite." After a moment's reflection, she added, "Wow, that seems strange, me telling you that."

"I'd like to think that I'm not that fearsome, either," Adrien told her.

"Only for all the right reasons," Marinette blushed. "You can be sure of that."

"Okay. Let's try and focus, you're right. What comes next is more important, and I'm... struggling with that," Adrien replied.

"I don't want you to be. What we've been like this week is... it's been so easy, and so perfect," Marinette consoled him.

"And it's just the beginning. I can feel it," said Adrien, earnestly. "Like how it's been meant to be all along. But I... I can't act on that... the way that I would like to... without hurting Kagami, and I really don't want to do that."

"And neither do I," insisted Marinette. "I talked with her for a while last night. She's a good friend to me and to you. She can be more than that for you. I think that she should get that chance."

"But after what we said to each other last night..."

Think about what you'd told him, Marinette reminded herself. About what your mother just said to you. She made sense. Use that.

"Adrien?" Marinette ventured, with something of a twinkle in her eye. "I think that maybe we've been looking at this the wrong way. Yes, we know now that I adore you and you adore me. That we're something far closer than just friends already. Buuuut... who says that we have to act on that right now?"

Adrien looked startled. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Just what I said," Marinette smiled. "I know that there's this wonderful, caring, sweet, incredibly handsome, did I ever mention that part before? Perfect boy in my life. And that I am so incredibly blessed that he feels strongly about me, and that I'm very important to him. And that just spending time with him makes me glow, now that I'm not letting my romantic daydreams run away with me."

She gave him a look that nearly melted him on the spot. "I've wanted that from the day I met you. So if I'm your best friend, your closest friend, but just not your girlfriend, what am I missing out on?"

Adrien scratched his head. "The, um... kissing parts? The romance, the dating, the toe-curling kinds of things?"

"Which I do believe that Kagami is more than willing to provide. And a lot more than that," grinned Marinette. "I, uh... mean girlfriendy stuff by that, not... you know."

"I hadn't even considered... other stuff," boggled Adrien.

"Good. Because she's as new to this as you are, but you knew that," she smiled. "If I thought that you and Kagami were just about... physical things... this might be a very different conversation! But I know better than that. She feels just as strongly for you as I do. There's something real between you two; you have a connection just like we do. She could be really good for you, and you for her."

"You could be really good for me," he countered, "and vice versa."

"Oh, I plan to be!" Marinette grinned. "Just in a different way. And if you and I ever get to a point where we're both unattached... well... who knows what could happen then? And if it's meant to be then... it'll happen. But given the circumstances... I don't want to rush it if it's not the right time."

"Part of me... gets that. And you're right," Adrien said, slowly. "And if it means that this perfect girl next to me... and have I ever mentioned that before, Marinette? That you are beautiful, and brave, and so intelligent and creative, so special, so ..."

Marinette felt her resistance wavering as he continued, leaning towards her very, very slowly. "If it means that I get to keep that incredible girl close to me, and we can get even closer... I can do that. I know I can. But part of me... wants to take a chance. To just lean over... right now... and kiss you. Long, and slow, and with every bit of feeling I have behind it. And see what happens then."

Thwa-BOOM.

Thwa-BOOM.

THWA-BOOM.

THWA-BOOOOOOM.

Marinette's heart felt like thunderclaps inside her chest.

"You could do that, Adrien. That's your choice, and I won't stop you," Marinette managed, in a small voice. "And if you do... I don't... no, I do know what I'd do. I would kiss you back. With everything I have in me. And if that happens... everything changes. Because nothing on this earth could make me stop kissing you."

Adrien froze in place, his eyes huge, his slow lean halting momentarily.

"But we're only going to get one chance at a first kiss. A real first kiss, where we both completely mean it and nothing's the same after it happens. Maybe it'll never happen. Maybe it'll happen months or years from now. Maybe it'll happen right here on this bench today," she gulped.

"So... would you rather do that here and now? Or would you rather know how I feel, and I'll know how you feel, and we can really get to know each other... and have so much more of what's gotten us this close, and keep you and me and Kagami from getting hurt?"

Adrien's face was full of emotion... and Marinette, viewing it, had no idea what would come next.

And, all at once, he leaned forward...

...and swept Marinette up in a deep and firm hug.

"When you're right... you're right," Adrien whispered.

"I hope I am," Marinette whispered back. "No, I know I am."

Part of me is a little disappointed that he didn't just... go for it, she thought to herself, but I'll yell at that part later. The rest of me knows that this is where we need to be now.

"Hey. We probably ought to make an appearance in class, don't you think?" she added a moment later, in a teasing tone. "Before everyone thinks that we're out here making out in the bushes?"

"Or... we could just do that first. That way they won't be disappointed."

Marinette stared at Adrien... who kept a straight face for about two seconds before they both started laughing.

"See? Now we're getting it," she grinned once her giggle fit passed. "We are going to have so much fun together like this. I promise."

Adrien smiled back... then reached his hand out. She took it - feeling something of a rush inside her, but more fulfillment than pink clouds - and the two of them took off running.

"All right, class. Next, we will be looking at the works of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry," Ms. Bustier continued. "Most of you will know him from Le Petit Prince, but today our focus will be on-"

The door opened, squeaking slightly, causing many heads to turn. In her mind, Marinette reminded herself to sneak back sometime with a small can of oil.

"...our late arrivals, it seems," said Ms. Bustier, not skipping a beat. "All is well with you two, I hope?"

"Very, actually. I'm sorry for interrupting," murmured Marinette, hustling up to her seat quickly.

"M-me, too. Please continue," Adrien managed, cherry red in the face.

A low undercurrent filtered through the class rapidly. What were they doing out there together? Were they HOLDING HANDS when they first came in? Did he... did she... did THEY FINALLY...

"Ahem!" their teacher intoned, tapping a pen on her desk to regain the class's attention. "While I am sure that theirs is an interesting story, their story will not be on your next quiz. This one will," she smiled. "May we continue?"

Once class had ended, Marinette and Adrien circled around their eager friends and approached Ms. Bustier's desk, a bit sheepishly.

"We just wanted to apologize for being late," Marinette ventured, "and interrupting you earlier..."

"And to promise that it won't happen again..." added Adrien.

"Well, at least not with Adrien. I know that I have a habit of this, and..." admitted Marinette.

"...And you would like me to not write the two of you up for tardiness, I am sure," Ms. Bustier noted, evenly. "Can you give me a good reason for what happened this morning, at least?"

The teens looked at each other, as if asking Do you want to try? with their eyes. Marinette turned back to their teacher and took a deep breath.

"You see... Okay. Adrien and I have been... he's been teaching me some martial arts, because someone I know was harassed lately, and he's really good at it, and every girl ought to know some things, and we've been getting a lot closer lately while we've..."

She trailed off, seeing Ms. Bustier's eyebrow raise. "Okay, I'll get to the point," she winced. "I'm babbling."

"I'm not angry at either of you. I would just like to know that things are all right between you," Ms. Bustier sympathized. "But can you draw your story closer to what happened this morning, before my next class begins?"

"Ma'am... Marinette and I... kind of had a breakthrough last night, talking things over. Talking out what we... well... are to each other," volunteered Adrien. "And we hadn't seen each other in person since then, and we..."

"...We really needed to talk it out, face-to-face," Marinette finished his sentence. "So that either of us could think for the rest of the day."

"I see! That is of some import," smiled Ms. Bustier. "And you reached a satisfactory conclusion between you?"

"You could say that," smiled Marinette, trying not to turn red. "The best of friends... and maybe more than that, someday."

"It's a little bit complicated," stammered Adrien. "There are other people involved, and we're being cautious about their feelings first, and... well... we'll see what happens before either of us does anything... big."

They squirmed under their teacher's silent gaze for a moment... feeling some relief when a smile broke out on her face.

"I suppose that I shouldn't fret too much," she mused. "Honesty is always something to be encouraged, I feel... and I admire that the two of you are being fully honest with each other." The It's about time at the end of that was silent, and perhaps only in the listeners' imaginations.

Marinette wanted to ask "...What were we being before?", but yanked it back before vocalizing it.

"You're off the hook. Just don't do it again, please?" Ms. Bustier told them. As they thanked her and headed for the door, she added, "Marinette? At least not again this week. I can hope for that much."

Out in the hallway, Marinette and Adrien faced each other, silly grins on both faces.

"That went better than I'd expected," Adrien said.

"Yeah. She's kind of used to it from me, but if I'm corrupting you now, that's a bigger deal. It might be criminal," smiled Marinette. "Turning such a gentle soul to delinquency!"

"Corrupting me?" pondered Adrien. "I should be so lucky as to be more like you."

"You keep talking like that," Marinette blushed, "and you will get that kiss we talked about."

"Is that a promise?" Adrien grinned.

"No, it's a threat," she retorted with a bigger grin. "Because I'm not sure that you could handle it right now."

"Hah! We'll see," said Adrien. After a moment, his face softened and he added, "You're so right, by the way. We are going to have so much fun like this."

"I sure hope so."

"You're sure that you've got no regrets about us... holding back?" Adrien asked in a soft voice, watching her face carefully.

I do, Marinette thought. Of course I do. You're offering me what I've dreamed about all this time - you. All of you. Giving me your heart to take care of, in exchange for mine. The heart of mine that I've been trying to give you all year.

And looking at your face right now... I don't even have to ask if you do, too. Oh, God, you WANT this just like I do!

But...

"I know that we're doing the right thing," she smiled.

Which is as much of answer to that as I can give right now, thought Marinette, holding her smile.

A short time later, Marinette took two steps into the cafeteria and burst into giggles. Her usual table had one seat obviously reserved for her, with five young women mentally willing her to fill it this instant and explain just what in the world had just happened.

"Hello, everyone. I suppose that you're wondering..." she began.

"What color our bridesmaids' dresses should be? Yes! That is absolutely vital information so we can get started," Alya blurted, drawing laughter from all.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but..." smiled Marinette. "Before I get married, I would probably want to have a romantic relationship first. And maybe, I don't know, start by being old enough?"

"But..." Mylène jumped in, "We all saw what we thought we saw this morning, didn't we?"

"And what was that?" asked Marinette.

"That would be you and Adrien... making a stylishly late entrance together... with the emphasis on together!" cooed Rose. "Looking so perfect as a couple. Holding hands, even!"

"Wait. Were we?" Marinette puzzled, thinking back.

"Okay. We can stop right there," proclaimed Alya. "Marinette, if Adrien brushed against your hand accidentally, that used to send you on a three-day bender. And now he was holding your hand right there in front of all of us and you didn't even notice?"

"If he's not falling for you, I'm going blind," agreed Juleka. "So what is going on, then?"

Marinette took a deep breath. "Juleka... don't make too much of this..."

Five girls caught their breath as Marinette continued, "...but you're not going completely blind."

Jaws went slack around the table as Marinette relayed her story, from the aikido lesson and the couch upstairs to the phone conversations and the morning's walk-and-talk. Alix kept some food moving between her plate and mouth as she listened, but the others were transfixed, peppering her with questions as she spoke.

"I just don't understand," Rose murmured as Marinette wound down her tale. "Marinette... you've been wanting him... you've been needing him all year long. And now he's yours for the asking..."

"And you're not going to ASK HIM?" blurted Mylène, flabbergasted.

"I don't think that I should! Not now," declared Marinette. "If I make a move, I'll hurt Kagami, and that'll hurt him. If he makes a move, he'll hurt Kagami, and that'll hurt him, and that'll hurt me. And everything with Adrien is going so well right now that I don't want to rock the boat..."

"Kagami, schalami," Alix noted, dryly. "You've got him but you don't want to fight for him."

Marinette looked a little hurt by that, but nodded. "That's right; I don't want a fight. If Adrien and I are meant to be, it'll happen. But I'm not going to break up a couple, and maybe both of our friendships with her to do it!"

She looked around the table and saw uncertainty. "Rose... what would you think if I decided that you were whom I wanted all along, and I pursued you even though I knew about Juleka?"

"I'd... um... have you grow your hair out? That's more my type," Rose smiled in Juleka's direction, but grew more serious as she turned back to Marinette. "And I'd ask you to stop."

"Exactly. Right now I've got Adrien; everything but the kissing. And I-"

"Want that," quipped Alya. "Trust me. You've got to try it; you'll like it. And that might make all the difference for you two."

"Annnnd those lips are spoken for right now. And I am all right with that," insisted Marinette.

"Are you sure?" asked Juleka. "Turn around slowly before you answer."

Marinette turned around... and saw Adrien gazing in her direction, evidently conducting as thorough a study of the back of her head as she had of his. She shot him a warm smile; realizing he'd been caught, Adrien gave her a little wave before turning around.

Turning back to her table, Marinette told herself, "I'm sure," loud enough for her friends to hear it as well.

As the school day ended, Marinette headed for the front door as usual. Adrien and Nino fell into step with her and Alya, and the four of them discussed their day out on the front steps.

About five minutes later, the Agreste sedan pulled up to the curb. Adrien's face lit up with anticipation.

"Hey, Marinette? I have that thing I was telling you about in the car. C'mon!" he told her, and with that the two of them were off and running together.

"Hmmph! No more pulling her by the hand," marveled Alya. "She's side-by-side with him, and she's loving it." She turned to Nino with a questioning look.

"Hey, I'm just as surprised," Nino told her. "Not that they like each other; we've known that for months. That the light switch flipped and now they're so comfortable together, I mean. Right when he was getting hot with Kagami, too."

"Think she can pry him away?" asked Alya.

"Do you think that she wants to?" wondered Nino. "Don't give me that look. You told me what she told you; she's thrilled just being super close friends with him for now, and she doesn't want to bust up him and Kagami."

"I know. She's being very consistent, saying that," Alya agreed. "But it can't be all that she wants."

"Babe?" Nino asked, very cautiously. "You're going to let them figure it out, right?"

"Yeah. I am," sighed Alya. "But I can still worry that it won't go how it ought to."

Down at the car, Adrien headed right for the back seat. Marinette gave the Gorilla a warm smile and a wave, getting a smile and nod from him in return. Nathalie appeared to be in the passenger seat, but had her head down, likely buried in her tablet.

Emerging once more, Adrien pulled out a brown bag and handed it to Marinette. "This should be everything you need. Just hook it to your TV, plug it in and flip the switch on the back. The controllers should connect automatically, the Select button is Insert Coin for arcade games... it's all menu-driven."

"I got it. If I have questions, I'll ping you," she replied. "This is so cool! I promise to show Kagami a great time tomorrow."

"Of that I have no doubt."

Adrien stood still, his hands tucked behind him, grinning at her.

"We're still on for Thursday, right?" he asked, eagerly. "I've got a couple of new techniques picked out for us to work on."

"Of course we are, Adrien. I'm up for whatever you'd like to teach me," smiled Marinette.

"Careful what you wish for," he grinned.

"Stop," Marinette laughed. "Or I'll start wishing again."

"I know, I know," Adrien said, a little sheepishly. "Text me tonight?"

"Sure, I'd like that," she replied.

A small cough from inside the car indicated that Nathalie was beginning to feel restless.

"Okay! I'll, um... see you tomorrow?" asked Adrien.

"Of course you will. Have a good night, Adrien," Marinette beamed.

"You too."

He came to a rapid decision... then leaned forward.

Marinette caught her breath. He's giving me a cheek kiss? We don't usually do la bise... but maybe now that we've broken the ice, he-

Her eyes flew open wide when two soft lips made full contact with her cheek. It was quick, it was gentle, and it was simple. And it was all Marinette could do to remain standing.

"H-hey!" gasped Marinette. "I thought we were... you know, saving that!"

"Come on, that one doesn't count!" shrugged Adrien, smiling devilishly. "That was just how good friends do that, I hear. Like a certain cheek kiss at a picnic."

"You..." Marinette began, then trailed off, burning inside. "Fair enough," she smiled. "I'll text you later."

Marinette stood and watched the car pull away, Adrien watching her until it rounded the corner... then remained still, processing the fact that her cheek still felt like it was on fire.

Looking up at the school, she saw Alya and Nino staring at her, clearly having seen Adrien's kiss. She wondered how to explain that to them...

...then shrugged, exaggerated to the point that they could see the gesture from a distance, and headed for her house with a wave in their direction.

"Nino?" asked Alya. "Did life used to make sense?"

"I think so," he replied, quietly.

Damn him anyway, Marinette grinned to herself much later that night, stretched out in her pajamas. Now all I can think about is what that kiss felt like!

And it felt gooood.

She smiled to herself as she picked up her phone. I know that if Adrien and I are going to stay in this state... where we're dancing right on the edge, but refusing to go over it... he'll flirt and play just as hard as I will. Maybe harder. He will NOT make it easy to resist.

And I don't WANT to resist! Not entirely!

But for now... it's the best thing for all three of us. Adrien and I are so... entranced with each other right now because this is all so new to us. We'll settle into this and be the best of friends... and if things grow from there, they'll happen naturally.

If my will is strong enough to wait.

It had better be.

She sent a text:

[Marinette] Hey. How's it going?

The response came quickly:

[Adrien] Pretty good. Getting ready for bed. How'd the game system work out?

[Marinette] It's amazing! I put it on our living room TV and my dad and I played it half the night.

[Marinette] So many games on it that are older than I am!

[Adrien] Older than us combined.

[Marinette] Where did you get that gadget, again?

[Adrien] A place online sells them pre-assembled. Max helped me with some of the ROM images for it.

[Marinette] Cool! I'll have to ask him about that.

[Adrien] You can borrow that one as long as you like.

[Marinette] You're sure?

[Adrien] Sure, I'm sure.

[Marinette] We'll see. It IS a lot of fun. It'll be perfect for Kagami's visit.

[Adrien] So... what else are you up to?

Marinette thought for a moment before replying.

[Marinette] Also getting ready for bed. Feeling tingly!

[Marinette] A handsome boy kissed me today.

[Adrien] Oh? Who was it?

[Marinette] *raspberry emoji*

[Adrien] ...Should he do it again?

[Marinette] I won't say that I didn't like it.

[Marinette] Just remember... there are little playful, friendly kisses and then there are KISSES.

[Marinette] The second kind, you'll want to be careful with.

[Adrien] Oh, I know. Can I admit something?

[Adrien] You're only the third girl I've ever kissed. I don't just throw them around.

[Marinette] And you're only the third boy I have.

[Marinette] ...Wait. There's me, there's Kagami. Who was the third one?

[Adrien] ...

[Adrien] Who were the other two boys?

[Marinette] Um...

[Marinette] Maybe we can both not answer that yet.

[Adrien] Agreed. :)

A gentle knock at the door broke Marinette's concentration. "Come in!" she called.

The door opened, and she saw her mother enter in a simple nightgown.

"Would you please tell your father to go to bed?" Sabine grumbled. "He's still down there playing games."

"Still?" boggled Marinette. "At this time of night?"

"I've tried to pry him away three times now. But he keeps saying things like 'I'm on Level 39, I've never gotten this far before' and 'I haven't played this one in years' and 'Just five more minutes, this one doesn't pause.' You speak game language better than I do," sighed Sabine.

"No problem," giggled Marinette. "I'll go check on him in a minute, so that the bakery can actually open tomorrow."

"Thank you," smiled Sabine. "Talking to your honey?"

"...Texting him," Marinette blushed, "and he's not 'mine,' necessarily... not like that."

"Not yet," Sabine grinned as she left.

Marinette returned to her phone...

[Marinette] I have to go. Apparently my father won't stop playing your game system. Mom just handed me a crowbar.

[Adrien] I can't say that I've never been hooked like that.

[Adrien] I'll leave you to it, then.

[Marinette] Sweet dreams!

[Adrien] You know it. You, too.

She laid back on her pillow for a moment, sighing with a heartfelt smile, before climbing down to go and restore domestic tranquility.

Next time:

* Lesson Three begins properly.

* A crash course in crashing.

* "...I do remember you."

* "It's amazing what you can find on YouTube."

* "She'd better be worth it."

And more!