Warped Reality

Chapter Eighteen

Marinette

Hours had passed since dinner and she was pacing back and forth in his room, debating on whether or not this was a sound plan. Felix knew she liked Adrien. Would he even fall for it now? She couldn't just wait for him to pass out. Maybe she could find Plagg and get him to steal the ring? What if he didn't remember? No, that didn't even make sense. Tiki remembered, Plagg should too. She glanced in the mirror again, her nerves sending her shivering. No one even dressed like that in winter. She took a deep breath, taking on her alter ego's confidence once again. She was going to strut in there like the godess she was. She started for the door, when suddenly it was pulled open and Adrien slipped through, quickly closing it behind him. Not quite the dramatic entrance she was going for. He leaned back against the door, his gaze darting over her outfit. She was wearing a pajama set, a tight thin tank top with matching shorts that were also just a couple sizes too small.

"Wow... you look-" He stopped in his tracks, before scowling at her.

"Absolutely not. You are not about to go in there and seduce Felix just so you can steal from him."

"Who says I was going to?" She retorted lamely, though that had been her plan.

She figured if she could pretend long enough to get him restrained, stealing the ring would be a piece of cake.

"Well good. Glad we've got that settled." He muttered, and she looked away, her face getting about ten degrees hotter.

"Marinette?"

"I know what you're going to say."

"Do you now?" He asked with a smirk, taking a small step in her direction.

"That you want to stay. That I need to move on. But we both know that I can't. I have to do this."

Another step towards her, and her stomach formed in knots, causing her to step back.

"An-and I'm sorry. I really wish things were different. I do. But I'm doing this. With or without you."

He moved forward again, not saying a word to her. She copied his movement, keeping the same amount of distance between them.

"I still love and care for you. I promise. But I know, I know things won't be the same between us. I know that I'll be hurting you in a way that could never be forgiven."

He raised an eyebrow as he took another step, and she bumped against his dresser, her heart starting to pound.

"I hope after everything, when we're home, that you'll eventually want to be friends again."

He rolled his eyes at that, and it felt as if he had stabbed her straight through her chest. Here she was pouring her heart out, and he was acting like she was over-exaggerating everything. He stepped close enough to her that she had to lean her head back to look him in the eye, and he smiled. Actually smiled. At a time like this.

"I love you. I don't want to be just a friend to you."

She blushed furiously, but she knew deep down that he was lying to her. They didn't have a future anymore. She was taking everything from him. He cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers, making her mind melt into a puddle. He could always manage to do that to her. She was hesitant at first, confused by his actions. Was he trying to distract her from Felix? It wouldn't work. Even if he was, she considered this to be their last kiss. Because after they got back, he would want nothing to do with her. She kissed back with as much fevor as she could, trying to pour all her love, all her feelings and pining from the last several years into one kiss. One that they would both remember. He groaned softly, his hands gripping her hips and picking her up, placing her on top of the dresser. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her hands darting up to tangle her fingers in his hair. By the time he pulled away her lungs were on fire, and by the way he was breathing she knew it was the same for him.