Miraculous: Tales of Love From Paris' Sweetheart Matchmaker

Jean Part 6: A Good Couple

For the next few weeks, Jean had lunch with Claudette every day that their schedules allowed them to and they each opened up to the other about everything on their minds, from the loneliness they each felt to their respective teenagers-in-their-lives stories. Jean was the happiest he could remember being in a long time. He loved spending time with Claudette and he thought she felt the same about him, but he didn't know whether it was too soon to discuss their relationship. He was falling in love with her and he really wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, but he didn't want to scare her off. He didn't know what to do.

The previous night Jean had been desperate enough to ask Flare for his advice, but his fish only stared at him blankly- no help there. Now he was distractedly straightening the lobby pillows for the fourth time when he heard someone flop down into the chair next to him. He glanced at the intruder out of the corner of his eye and was surprised to see Sébastien, since the teenager had mentioned to his mom this morning that he was planning to stay after school to attend an introductory meeting of his school's art club. Jean straightened and turned toward the boy, a questioning look on his face.

"Yeah, the meeting was canceled," said Sébastien in response to Jean's expression. "Apparently, yesterday's akumatized supervillain was the club's advisor and he wasn't up to going to work today. This was never a problem in any of the other places we've lived- kind of hard to get used to. I'm super disappointed. I'm sure they'll reschedule, but I was really looking forward to meeting some other art people. I don't know where they are, but they don't seem to be in any of my classes."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Jean. He paused as his heart and brain struggled with his questions about Claudette, wondering if it would be too weird to ask Sébastien about it. Jean watched Sébastien pull his drawing book out of his bag and then open it to a blank page.

Sébastien felt Jean's eyes watching him and he studied Jean in return for a moment before asking "Is there something you want to ask me?".

Jean stopped himself from agonizing over whether he should bring Sébastien into this or not and sat down on a couch he had just tidied, sending one of the pillows onto the floor. When the meticulous Jean didn't re-tidy the pillow, Sébastien knew something big must be on Jean's mind. He set his book on his lap and gave Jean his attention and raised his eyebrows in interest.

"Has . . . has your mom said anything about me?" asked Jean tentatively.

"That's kind of a broad question. She talks about you all the time. Could you narrow it down a bit for me?" said Sébastien, trying his best not to crack a smile at how nervous Jean seemed to be. It was true- his mom did talk about Jean a lot and it was basically all good. Hearing his mom talk about Jean always made Sébastien happy.

Jean stood up abruptly and started to pace. "I'm not sure that I should be talking about this with you, but you do know her better than anyone else. And, I respect your opinions and advice." He stopped and faced Sébastien.

"Thank you," said Sébastien. "But, I'm kind of getting the feeling you're going to ask me something I'm not going to really know about. Remember, she's never dated anyone else but you in my lifetime. I don't really know how she's going to react to what I think you're wanting to tell her."

Jean blushed slightly. Either Jean had his heart on his sleeve for all the world to see- he really hoped not- or this young man was some kind of mind reader. How did he know?

"I appreciate your disclaimer, but I never the less need your advice. I do not want to embarrass you, either, but I think you would be most able to give me the advice I need. I would like to tell your mother how I feel about her, though I'm worried about scaring her away. I don't want to push her. Is there some kind of balance that you would suggest?" After getting his thoughts off his chest, he felt a lot lighter and his brain quickly noticed the fallen pillow. He bent to retrieve it and put it back on the couch before sitting down and looking at Sébastien expectantly.