You're home. [Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction] (Completed)

Chatper 13 - Are you jealous?

Marinette felt herself seeping into the never-ending realm of boredom as she mindlessly typed out business emails. She felt her eyes begin to close.
"Marinette!" Tikki's voice snapped her back to reality. Her eyes opened and she lifted her head off the keyboard. She smiled thankfully at her kwami and scowled when she had to delete 5 rows of h's.

"Marinette, how about you get out of the house for a little while. Maybe go get some coffee to wake you up." She suggested. She gets worried for Marinette when she obviously isn't taking care of herself. Besides, Adrien wasn't available currently anyway. He was at work. The life of an adult is hard, as Tikki has come to realize.

Marinette quickly pulled on a light gray and white striped shirt and a soft pink skirt, put her hair into a pun at the top of her head and before she left, put on white converse. She carried her sketch book in one arm, making sure she kept the purse Tikki hid in close to her. She walked to the nearest coffee place. As soon as she walked in, the familiar scent of coffee beans and the quiet chatter of everyday citizens filled the warm and inviting air.

Marinette strode over to the counter and ordered her drink, a light french roast. She sat down at a corner table with her cup and sketch book. She took in her surroundings before letting creativity overrule her. Flipping open her sketchbook, she took her pencils out of her purse and got to work. Exercising her brain was exactly what she needed. 'Ill thank Tikki later.' She thought to herself as she began to sketch, drawing women's body shapes on one side and men's body shape on the other. She glanced around the coffee shop for inspiration when it came to designing.

She was in the middle of shading a beanie when she was snapped out of her thoughts by a low voice. She looked up, the first thing she noticed was a bright mass of red hair, and dim blue eyes staring at her behind glasses.
"M-Marinette!" The man said, his expression brightening. Marinette almost immediately recognized him as Nathanael. He had a crush on her in Highschool school. She blinked in surprise.
"O-oh- hi." She said shyly.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked. Marinette shrugged.
"I guess." She pulled her sketchbook closer to her side of the table. She took a sip of her coffee and closed her book, setting her pencils aside.

"Those sketches were wonderful." He commented, folding his hands on the table.
"Thanks." She said quietly. Nathanael frowned. She didn't seem as willing to talk to her. He'd change that. He'd just have to take things slow.
"How are things? Did you just get back?" He asked, leaning closer as if to encourage her on. Marinette shrugged.
"Okay I guess. I'm still trying to settle in." She said, not giving up much of anything. She suddenly regretted coming to this cafe specifically. She didn't dislike Nathanael, she just didn't want to give him the wrong idea.
"Have you seen any of your friends yet?" He asked. Nathanael must not have been at the wedding, and if he was he left early. Really early. Or just avoided her all together.
"Yea, actually. I saw everyone again at Alya and Nino's wedding." She said, taking another sip of her coffee.

Their conversations continue in the same kind of pattern. Nathanael would try to learn more and Marinette would give a half hearted answer, and avoid looking up at him. By the time Marinette was almost done with her drink, Nathanael saw his chance slipping away from him. He acted quick.
"Marinette, there is no excuse to be shy with me. I only want to get to know you better. I never really got the chance to when we were in school." He said, reaching across he table to lift her chin up so she would look at him, his touch was gentle. She flinched away from his touch.

Nathanael frowned. "Marinette? Why do you keep doing that?" He asked.
"Doing what?"
"Pushing me away."
"Im not the same girl from school, Nathanael. And I'm not single, either." She hadn't meant to make it sound as harsh as it unfortunately did. She looked up at him. She could see the hurt in his eyes, and disappointment.
"I-I see... who are you seeing?" He asked, obviously trying to hide his hurt. Marinette swallowed and then spoke.
"Adrien." She said simply, putting her pencils away. She was getting ready to leave.
"A-Adrien... huh...?" He asked. "The fashion boy...?" He said through clenched teeth.
"Yea. I've got to go." She picked up her sketch book and pencil pouch, standing up. She started to walk away but Nathanael grabbed her wrist.