Superheroes & Sweethearts

17

Somehow, we've managed to keep our relationship a secret for about a month now, both as Ladybug and Chat noir, and Adrien and Marinette; which is a pretty impressive feat, considering how touchy Adrien is. Alya has been suspicious, to say the least, but she hasn't asked any questions.

Until now, that is.

"What's going on with you and Adrien?"

Her question makes me nearly choke on my sandwich. At least Adrien isn't here now, because I'm sure he'd be far too happy to brag about our relationship.

"What do you mean?" I ask, deciding to play dumb.

She gives me an incredulous look, "Girl." She deadpans, "There's obviously something going on! You think I haven't noticed you two together? Adrien's been all over you!"

She thinks that's all over me? That's Adrien tamed, hiding our relationship. She has no idea how he is when it's just us. I take a few sips of my drink, stalling to buy time, but she raises her brows expectantly. I try to think of an excuse, I really do, but I come up with nothing.

"Umm," I start, "We've just gotten closer, is all." I say, but I know she won't buy it, so instead, I stuff as much food as possible into my mouth.

"Mari!" She shouts, as I hold up my index finger, telling her to wait for me to finish chewing, only to stuff more into my mouth. "You're ridiculous! Tell me what's going on!"

"Going on with what?" Adrien asks, sliding into the seat next to me, Nino by his side and moving to sit beside Alya.

"You and Mari!" She groans.

Adrien turns to look at me, stifling a laugh as I chew my mouth full. "What did you tell her?" He asks, calmly. Oh, how I wish I could be as calm as him right now.

I swallow my food and sigh, about to spew more excuses, when Alya cuts in, "Are you two dating?"

"Umm.." I open my mouth to continue, but nothing forms, and even as I look to Adrien for help, he proves to be of no use, because he's just sitting there, grinning, amused in my discomfort. "Well, you see..", I try.

"Spill it Mari!" Alya shouts, throwing a fry at me. I throw it right back.

"This is painful to watch." Adrien mumbles beside me, then he straightens, turning to Alya, and a small surge of panic flows through me. I know he's about to confirm her suspicions, and the thought of our relationship being semi-public, open to paparazzi, not having to sneak our touches, Adrien not holding back his PDA, fills me with both fear and excitement. "Yeah, we're dating." He takes a quick sip of his water, staring at Alya and waiting for a reaction.

"And how long has this been going on?" She narrows her eyes at me, and I look away. I feel like a toddler about to be scolded.

Adrien answers for me, "A month." he shrugs, leaning back in his chair and throwing his arm over the back of mine. I look anywhere else. Suddenly the specks on the ceiling are very interesting.

"How did it happen?! What finally happened between you two?"

"Uh," Adrien chuckles a bit, pausing to think of something, because he obviously can't say I figured out his identity as Chat Noir. "We were talking when I was on my modeling tour, one thing lead to another." He lies.