Hide And Seek

Chapter 3

Hey, Kim!” Marie greeted brightly, Kim himself smiling happily at her.

“Hey short stack,” He teased affectionately as he wrapped her in a big hug. Kim’s hugs were wonderful, like being emerged completely in a giant fluffy blanket. “Move aside and let your favorite brother in.”

She giggled as she complied with his demands, subtly wiping the exhaustion from her eyes as best she could manage as she trailed behind him. “What brings you here, Bananas?”

Sticking his tongue out at her he pulled some eggs from the fridge for them both. “I came for advice actually.”

She paused at his words, studying his frame. After all their years together, Kim, Max, and she could read each other easily. Probably the main reason they realized she was Ladybug so soon. Not that she had done such a good job hiding it since she had given a miraculous to Max. He was nervous that much was obvious, but he also had a lot of affection in him. Probably about Max then. “Oh? Lay it on me then. Decaf today?”

Kim nodded gratefully, caffeine made him feel worse when he was anxious. Marie knew this of course, so she fixed his decaf, and hers strong.

“It’s Max and my two month anniversary next Tuesday. And- I guess I wanna do something special,” He rubbed the back of his neck as he shoved on his obnoxious yellow apron for fun. “Not like engagement special, but like close.”

She smiled at him with understanding. Max wasn’t really one for showboat gestures of affection like Kim, and more then anything loved time spent together. “What if,” She began thoughtfully. “You take him to that museum he’s been talking about, just spend the whole day with him. Take him out for lunch, and then make him dinner at home.”

Kim considered it as he set down their plates and grabbed the offered drink. She smiled into her mug blissfully, she never really would’ve guessed this would be happening a year ago. Sitting in her own apartment kitchen giving Kim relationship advice before she went to work in a library of all places. Speaking of; she glanced at her watch realizing she only had ten minutes before she had to go. And she had to get dressed first.

She couldn’t go to work in a blue camisole and pink sweatpants after all.

“I like it, Max would get a kick out of it for sure. But I do wanna woo him,” Kim declared decisively. “What if; while we’re out you and some of the Bat Boys get our apartment set up a little? White tablecloth, roses, and a nice playlist on speaker?” He blushed a little, hiding it as he scarfed down his eggs. “If it’s not too much trouble and all.”

She just smiled at him, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand in understanding. “Sounds great. Thanks for talking to me Kim, I’m happy to help- but I have to get ready in under six minutes and this place is gonna be a war zone in 30 seconds.”

Kim paled, quickly dumping their dishes in the sink, before dashing off with her mug still in hand. “I’ll return this, love you, bye!”

She chuckled after him as she started her own rushing around. He had never recovered from that one time he’d been present as she had turned into her regular tornado of chaos. Getting ready wasn’t an art- it was a messy science experiment that could blow up in your face at any second.

“Maybe you should skip the library today?” Tikki offered from where she was perched. Marie grabbed cookies, shoving them in her purse, and gesturing toward it as she shoved on some combat boots.

“Have to Tikks, can’t cancel today- I’m running the desk solo for 40 minutes.” Glancing at her watch she felt growing dread. She needed to be on her way a minute ago, it looked like she was gonna have to book it.