Falling for a Villain (Miraculous Ladybug)

Marinette

Marinette

~~~

Marinette de-transformed in a nearby alleyway and made her way toward the hotel where Felix should be exiting from any moment now.

Just as she finished her thought, the door swung open, the door jingling the bell as it opened. There he was, straightening his suit vest and tucking his hair back with his hand as if he looked any less immaculate than usual.

Marinette found herself smiling as she watched him, she began to run toward him, waving, "Felix!" she shouted.

His gaze flickered up at the sound and his eyes met hers. She could've sworn she saw a smile on his face right before she met him with a hug-- nearly knocking him over. His eyes widened and she felt his arms wrap around her waist to keep them from falling over.

He smirked, "You're quite the handful, Miss Dupain-Cheng."

She didn't realize how much she enjoyed hearing his voice like this until just now... the tone he reserved just for her. She pulled out of the hug momentarily to huff and bang her hand on his chest-- not enough to hurt him but enough to get her point across, "You! Big! idiot!"

Felix's brows raised in question, his smirk still plastered on his face as he looked down at her. She only just realized how close they were, his arms wrapped securely around her waist, holding her against him. She could feel the slight brush of his breath tickling the hair on her forehead. She desperately tried to suppress the blush rising to her cheeks, why was she thinking and feeling this way? She had to get ahold of herself.

"Don't ever take an Akuma for me again, you hear me?" She huffed and crossed her arms.

Felix chuckled, brushing some of her hair out of her eyes. His gaze was as intense as it was when he was Tracker, but also a bit different. "I'm flattered you think so highly of me..." He released his hold of her waist and stepped back, he glanced away, "but the truth is that I didn't want Hawkmoth possibly finding out our plans through you being akumatized."

His comment was like a blow to the gut... although it felt like it was in her chest. Right, they were just business partners-- she had to remind herself of that fact more often than she cared to admit. Since when had she gotten so attached to Felix?

She thought about it more... his reasoning makes no sense-- if he was worried she would reveal the plan through her akumatiziation, then shouldn't he have been afraid of getting akumatized for the same reason? She looked up at him, noticing how he was averting his gaze like he didn't want to lie right to her face... or like he was trying to lie to himself. Her eyes narrowed-- either way, he was hiding something from her.

Felix sighed and ran a hand through his hair, seemingly a nervous habit of his. It looked good a bit messy, "I'm glad to see you're alright, Miss Dupain-Cheng"

"Marinette," she said.

"Hm?" Felix tilted his head a bit.

"Call me Marinette..." She said, softer this time.

Felix nods softly, "Alright... Marinette." He smiled a little, the softness of his gaze making her cheeks warm again.

~~~

Felix

He was almost certain now. He wished he hadn't figured it out. Now he definitely couldn't get akumatized again. From how she is acting, he didn't figure it out as Tracker-- so at least a little bit of luck is on his side... or in this case beside him.

Felix and Marinette were walking together back toward the bakery. After the revelation of Hawkmoth in fact being Scarlet Moth, they had much to discuss but only in privacy.

They walked in silence, although Felix couldn't decipher if it was a comfortable or awkward silence. He's not sure why he even cared which one it was, the confusion after being de-akumatized followed by the sudden hug must have him all out of sorts. He wondered if Marinette could see right through him-- he must be an absolute mess. He usually controlled every situation with ease but now he was as jumbled as a drunk doing a crossword puzzle.

He straightened his tie, then his suit vest, then he fidgeted with his cufflinks.

"You look immaculate, as always," Marinette giggled.

Felix frowned, "I'm afraid I have to disagree, my vest is all wrinkled and my tie is dirty-- I'd hate to see what my hair looks like."

"I might be able to help with that... although I kind of like the disheveled look on you." She smirked mischievously.

"Disheveled? It's worse than I thought... and unless you have a steam press in your room--which I would've noticed-- I doubt there is a proper fix until I get back to the Agreste mansion."

"I think you'll be surprised."

"Pleasantly so, I'd hope."

"I suppose that depends." She smiled.

"Being quite mysterious today, aren't you?" Felix raised an eyebrow at her. She simply shrugged back so he changed the topic to something he's been wondering about... although he's pretty sure he knows the answer, "What made you so upset earlier?"

He noticed her look away, a relaxed but solemn expression on her features, "I've had a lot of pressure surrounding school and Lila recently and it all just... came crashing down at once."

If Felix hadn't known better, he'd believe her wholeheartedly. She was a quick learner indeed-- this being one of her best lies yet. School was definitely part of the issue, Lila even more so. Her features conveyed sadness without a hint of insincerity, meaning she was using the truth but choosing selectively. Honestly, this lie was masterfully done.

Felix would've brushed over it if he hadn't just figured out that Marinette is Ladybug.

~~~

(A/N: Gosh I had so much fun writing this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it too! I will say that writing the social deception aspects are pretty tough so if you guys have any tips, please let me know! Love you all.)

- Ali