It was a rainy day. Everyone had pretty much backed off on the dating thing. Nathanael and Adrien both gave Marinette plenty of space. They made themselves available, but rarely talked to her much if it wasn't necessary. Alya let the topic drop as well. Marinette just figured that after she told her that Nathanael and Adrien asked her out, Alya wanted to let Marinette make her own decision.

If she were being honest, despite the fact that it was constantly on her mind anyway, it was refreshing to go the week she did without much going on at all. No one was stressing over more big secrets, no one was going overboard with trying to play matchmaker. It was a normal week and nothing more.

The only problem was that at that point, there was nothing anyone could say to Marinette to make her decision easier. She already had all the advice and information necessary, she just needed to make a decision.

I think I want to say yes. Because I like them both and they both like me, but can we make it work? I can't step into their relationship and just cause trouble. It's a matter of whether it's worth the risk. For me personally, I'd say yes, but there's risks for Adrien and Nathanael too.

But then they were the ones that asked.

Marinette sighed dramatically. There's only so many times I can repeat the same things in my head. I have my answer. I just said it! I want to say yes. For me, the reward is worth the risk, so what am I waiting for? She frowned to herself as she took out her phone and texted the boys. Yeah. They're smart boys, I'm sure they know what they're doing. If they think it's worth it for them, and I think it's worth it for me, then there's not really even a problem.

M – Hey, can you both do lunch today with me?

She put her phone down and started getting ready for school. Rain. She thought, hearing the pattering of the drops on her roof. I think I made a waterproof coat a while ago… I'll look for it after I shower.

When she got back to her room, feeling refreshed and clean, she checked her phone.

N – I had plans with Alix, but if I didn't drop her after you asked to meet she'd probably suplex me into next Sunday. I'll text her.
A – lol same I'm at ur service, princess ;3

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Predictable," she muttered, shaking her head and smiling as another text came in.

N – Alix said Adrien and I both are definitely going to lunch with you today. We'll be there.
M – Good, I'll see you at school
A – I eagerly await our reunion, my lady!
N – You actually get flirtier in text, you know.
A – :3c
M – omg
N – I agree. That someone gave him access to that emote is terrifying.
A – you love me
N – I do. You're still ridiculous.

Marinette giggled and finished getting ready for school.

The rain was light, almost airy, but it still managed to feel oppressive as Marinette walked to the school, safe under an umbrella. She decided not to mention anything to Alya until after lunch, however that turned out, so when she met her friend in front of the school, they went inside making small talk.

She definitely noticed Adrien look at her hopefully, apprehensively, and Nathanael's nervous smile when they walked into the classroom, but they didn't talk. All of them knew that they'd be doing enough of that at lunch. In the meanwhile, Marinette gave them her nicest smiles in hopes that it would ease their nerves a little if she seemed happy about what was going to happen.

And she was, of course, happy about it. She got to date Adrien, Chat Noir! And Nathanael too? That cute boy who, quite frankly, outside of saving Paris actually had a lot more in common with her than Adrien did? It was wonderful, and Marinette knew she'd mess it up somehow. But I thought the same thing about being Ladybug, and I've succeeded there so far.

It took a long time for lunch to come by. Marinette spent most of that time, when she wasn't working, just listening to the rain, which had become downright torrential at times, and trying to clear her head. Don't think too much, she told herself, just go for it and figure things out together with them.

"So, Princess." Adrien turned in his chair to look at her after the bell rang dismissing them. "Where are we going today?"

"Well, I kind of wanted to go to the park but…" A clap of thunder emphasized her words, and her point, as she shrugged. "It's probably best to hang out here." He did that chuckle that rumbles in his throat while Nathanael made his way down the aisle to them. It made Marinette smile, and put her at ease. Surprisingly, Nathanael's hand on her shoulder a moment later had a similar effect.

The three of them found a nice space safe from the rain and relaxed, since all of them had the foresight to bring something to eat on account of the rain. They all made small talk as they got situated, but once they were comfortable, Nathanael brushed his bangs out of his face and looked seriously at Marinette. "So, am I right in assuming you've decided what you want to do?"

"You are." Marinette nodded to him, glancing between the two carefully. Adrien bit his bottom lip nervously and looked at her with that same expression she'd seen way too many times, like he expected her to leave him all alone without another word. Silly kitten, even if I was going to say no, there's no way I'd let this be what ruins our friendship.

Nathanael let his hand hover over his ear, still giving Marinette an unobstructed view of his face save for a few loose, falling strands. He smiled gently, though she could see the tension in his shoulders and in the way he sat a little more hunched over than usual, like he was trying to curl into himself.

For her own part, despite her constant reassurances to herself, she was nervous as well. "Are you both sure you want this? Especially you, Adrien, it could turn into a scandal."

"I don't care. I want this." Adrien assured her, the uncertainty in his eyes disappearing momentarily as he spoke with absolute conviction and determination.

Nathanael smiled at him. "She is right though; you do need to consider how this will work when people literally recognize you on the street. If people see us together and then you with Marinette, they'll go crazy."

Adrien shrugged. "Let them. If they ask me about it, I'll just tell them the truth. It's not as if I haven't already caused commotion with coming out as bi. As long as you two don't mind, I don't."

"I don't mind at all." Nathanael laughed. "People already know about us, and they tend to leave me alone so I'm not even all that worried to be honest. You'll be getting most of it."

Marinette watched the two carefully. They both really want to do this. Then… "Okay then," she said, "If you two still want me to, I'd be glad to jump in on your relationship."

"Y-you would?" Adrien gaped at her, and had to have Nathanael jokingly push up on his chin so that his jaw wasn't through the floor.

Marinette grinned. "I would."

"Then welcome aboard!" Nathanael said cheerfully, his eyes shining as he beamed at her. "I'm so relieved."

Adrien was elated, to put it mildly. He was so far past cloud nine that he may as well have been in the sun.

Marinette said yes. He still thought on repeat even as he felt Nathanael lightly push his mouth closed again. She said yes. She's going to give this a chance.

"I'm so relieved," Nathanael said. Tell me about it. "I think you broke Adrien though."

"Sorry," Adrien said quickly. He touched Nathanael's shoulder before scooting closer to Marinette and nudging her with his own shoulder. "I'm just really happy."

She reached up and ruffled his hair, making him only smile even more, but she addressed Nathanael when she spoke. "Please. Did you see his face after you kissed him the first time? If I wanted to break him I'd cash in on that free kiss."

Fricking break me, Adrien thought immediately, captivated by how even in the rain, which greyed the world and muted colors, she shone brilliantly. He was sure his own face lit up with a blush when he realized what just went through his mind. ...Uh, wow, good thing I didn't actually say that. "Offer still valid until next Tuesday, Princess."

"As someone who has already cashed in that ticket," Nathanael said, smirking, "let me warn you. It's not free; he's still going to beg for another one later."

Marinette laughed, looking sideways at Adrien. "Oh, is that the fair exchange rate of kisses? I take one, you take one?"

Nathanael interjected while Adrien was still trying to think of a response. "And the first to a hundred gets the grand prize."

"Oh? What would that be?"

"You get to choose the category in the great pun championships of twenty-sixteen." He winked. "Remember that Adrien's arsenal is diverse, but he specializes in cat puns. I've gotten the upper hand on him with space puns before."

"Oh, fun. I guess I'll have to win that advantage, won't I? But with a one-to-one ratio of kisses it's not the best method of scoring."

"Well with two people it's not the best. With three, anything could happen."

Adrien chuckled. "Nathanael, your Alix is showing."

"Fine," he whined, rolling his eyes, "I guess it doesn't have to be a competition." He stuck his tongue out playfully for just a moment before devolving into laughter along with Marinette and Adrien.

Adrien sucked in a deep breath, looked at the two, and forgot that he could purr when he wasn't transformed. The others just took half a second to stare at him before bursting into a new fit of giggles, which drew Adrien in again as well.

And that's the way it was. The three of them sat together, all on some kind of high. From relief, from elation, from knowing that even though things were new and scary, they could handle them together.

Adrien knew that they had the trust and the genuine respect for each other that would let them make it work, even if it didn't always seem like it could. He was optimistic because for all the things that had happened, and all the things that he knew would inevitably happen at some point (No relationship is perfect, after all. He reminded himself.), he completely, totally, insistently wanted everything to work out. He believed that that was enough. He trusted that the two people in front of him, the stars in his sky, wanted it as much as he did, and that meant that they'd be fine.

All of them would have their trials. Sometimes related, sometimes not related to the relationship. Sometimes it would be something that they had no idea how to handle, but no matter what, they went through them together.

All of them would have their demons. The things that terrified them and things they desperately wished to hide. The things that they couldn't handle together. But they could still support each other while they went through them.

It was new, and despite the intensity of their feelings it was inevitably shaky. But the things it entailed, the important things, all of that was just a constant. And it was one that hadn't shaken, and wouldn't shake, no matter how much they trembled.

But then, at that moment in time, it was three people who loved each other telling each other just how much. It was three people moving through time, caring for the frayed, painted ropes that were their lives, and letting themselves place each rope next to each other. Not braiding them, not yet, maybe not ever, but sitting back and admiring how their colors complimented each other, and brought out the best in all of them.