Harbored

Confrontation

Not knowing just how it happened, Nino emerged into the living room to find Adrien clinging to Marinette, as if he was cuddling her. He wondered why they were splayed out on the floor and not in a bed. It was possible that they stayed up too late talking and decided to crash.

Through the duration of learning about all that had happened last night, Nino steadily grew increasingly angered and appalled at the fact that Adrien would go along with such a scheme. He was always the more calculated one, never taking unnecessary risks, forever playing it safe. 

However, Nino showed no face, waiting for the right moment to have an in depth discussion at a later time. He always had to manipulate Adrien into doing anything their whole life, but this girl shows up and magically he does anything she says without question.

Wait. Holy shit. No. Not again.

Picking up a pillow from the makeshift pallet, Nino hit Adrien in the head, making him shoot up in alertness. "Kitchen. Now. We need to talk," Nino harshly whispered. 

Untangling himself from a lovely warmth, he was slightly confused. Adrien was still massively groggy but conscious enough to process his words. He skidded behind Nino, hardly terrified as to what he needed.

Once the two had made it to the kitchen, Nino slid the door shut and turned his full attention on Adrien. "How hard did you fall this time?" Nino asked. "Excuse me?" Adrien said. "Marinette. How much in love are you with her?" Nino questioned, offering Adrien a cup of juice and a muffin. "I am not, really. Just infatuated I guess," he mumbled. 

"That is an understatement," Nino stated.

"Come again?"

"Bud, getting you to sneak out last night required me to pull four of your teeth. But Marinette literally pulls you along, making you an accessory to whatever she has done and you are okay with it? Just like that?"

"Do you not think I have thought this through? Sure, Marinette is beautiful and I might slightly be in love with her, but I am not stupid," Adrien exclaimed, mouth half full of mushy muffin crumbs.

They both paused, Nino allowing time for Adrien to eat, knowing how he can get when he is hungry. The encompassing air around them felt tight and nearly unbreathable. Nino inhaled and sighed out, asking, "Have you at least made a move on her yet?"

Adrien sputtered, spewing out apple juice everywhere. "Dude! That is private!" he blushed crimson. "Not really. I have told you everything about my love life. It is your turn to 'fess up," he said, shrugging his shoulders. 

He felt as though this was different, Nino was generally more of an open book than he was. Adrien's frame seized up slightly, deciding how much Nino actually needed to know, and how much was meant to be kept private between him and Marinette.

"She kissed me, but only to keep me quiet because a guard was near us and I did not realize," Adrien appeared to be embarrassed and dreamy, thinking of her sweet lips, longing to savor them once more.

"Bud, you are beyond screwed," Nino shook his head, wondering how Adrien ended up in a similar place again. "I know," Adrien mumbled behind his palms.

"Especially since she already has a boyfriend, or fiancé or... something. Marinette has not really told me much about him, just that he exists. But I know she felt something when she kissed me. At least I would like to think it was the best kiss she has ever had. Damn it! It is Chloe all over again, right?" Adrien asked, clearly a mental pile of cooked, squirmy noodles.

"Only this time, she has done more than look your way. Marinette is the one who has been initiating everything, since you are too much of a chicken. This makes me wonder how much she actually values this other guy, though. That and if she will treat you the same way she is treating him right now," Nino said.