Felix had to take a moment to be sure of himself.
Was he really going to do this?
Marinette suggested it, and told about who all was coming by. She did leave it open for him to refuse. She made it clear that he didn't have to show if he didn't want too. It could end up very loud. It could end up crowded. He did not have to come if he didn't feel up for it.
He was thankful that she made that clear, and understood.
But it left Felix a torn mess; and the cat tendencies certainly weren't helping him.
Personally, with no cat influence to him; Felix just in general didn't want to deal with the small crowd.
The cat in him backed this, wanting to wait it out and not show at all. The house had to be empty when he visisted, and the people he liked and tolerated enough would be remaining, plus his favorite person, can't ever forget her. That's ideal for him.
But the cat also wanted to settle in her lap and watch the rivals and intruders. Make it clear what was his space, his sanctuary, and comfort was. It was his, he was there first, and they had no right to be. It was a strong urge to watch over the event with his sharp eyes.
It was a very strong urge.
...It couldn't be helped.
His own ticking tendencies and insecurities won out, and he was here, stiffly accepting a ruffle of hair and then a bone breaking hug from Tom Dupain-Cheng; the large man eagerly informing him that everyone was upstairs and Marientte would be so excited to see that he was here. She evidently didn't think he'd come.
He almost didn't.
"I'll be joining you soon," Tom reassured, heading back to the kitchen, content that he greeted his future son-in-law.
Felix was surprisingly slippery.
Smoothing out his hair, Felix slipped upstairs, wrinkling his nose as he caught the huge mix of scents in the stairwells.
Not as bad as attending galas, where the perfume and colognes were put on too strong; but it was a definite annoyance to Felix and his poor nose.
Wrinkling it, he came into the apartment, wincing as he stepped into an explosion of noise.
His Queen jumped up with proud hoots, rolling with a victory dance.
Max had his lips pursed, considering the screen.
Kim was bellowing complaints and boos and calling out that she was cheating.
Nino was gaping at the screen, his hat down as he rubbed his head skeptically.
Nathanael looked surprised, jaw dropped as he stared at the screen.
Juleka just stared at the tv, her head tilted slightly as she peered at it. She didn't look too surprised, but still unsettled.
Rose sat beside her, reaching over and giving the dark haired girl a comforting pat.
Alya wasn't playing and recording all their reactions, a proud, evil smile on her lips.
Mylene sat beside her, giggling as she munched on a cookie.
Felix caught sight of Ivan hanging in the back, snickering as he watched their interactions.
Alix was beside him, far more vocal in her amusement and glee. "Way to go Mari!" she called out, pumping her fist. She pointed savagely at Kim, calling, "You owe me now!"
"She was totally cheating though!"
"She did not!"
"I saw nothing to suggest that she did."
"Shut up Max!"
Marinette just cackled where she stood, eagerly joining the fray and sparking a new challenge with Kim.
Felix eyed the commotion, contemplating. He wasn't noticed yet, he could still slip away. And Marinette wasn't kidding when she said that she invited a lot. She practically invited the whole class.
Well, Felix was relieved to see that he didn't have to play video games since quite a few here didn't appear to be.
"You cheated!" Kim insisted with a bellow, pointing a finger at Marinette. "There's no way you can beat five players at the same time!"
"It's not that unlikely depending on level of experience," Max stated.
Kim jerked that pointing finger to Max. "You're not helping!"
Humorously Marinette stuck her tongue out at him. "I'll have you know I play on hardest mode. Up to seven opponents at their highest difficulty," she bragged.
"Shit Mari," Nino swore, gaping at her.
"Language," Sabine called from the kitchen.
"Sorry Madame Dupain-Cheng!"
"Felix!" Rose greeted, spotting him standing awkwardly at the door.
Ah, so he was finally noticed.
That decided his fate then.
Marinette beamed as she turned him, bouncing over. "You made it!" she exclaimed excitedly, tacking his middle and nearly sending them both down the stairs if he didn't grab the frame.
Felix raised a brow. "There was doubt?"
She raised a brow back to him, a teasing smirk playing over her lips. She played along, "Well…"
"Oh don't tease him," Sabine chided as she came up to greet the towering blond with a warm smile. "Glad you could make it."
"I'm glad as well," he returned with a nod.
"Now the whole gang's here!" Kim declared, wrapping one arm around Marinette, then the other around Felix, dragging them both back to the lounge chair, Felix biting his lip to keep from growling. He was appeased when both were dumped in said chair, Marinette easily fitting into his lap.
Nino and Max waved from where they were on the couch.
Felix nodded in greeting, letting Marinette shuffle about and get comfortable, already starting up the next game, sharing jabs with Kim and sparking a new challenge.
He met Alya's stare, and saw her nervous flinch.
She still had yet to approach Felix since the Davy Joe incident.
He offered her a small nod in greeting.
She gave him a relieved smile, quickly resettling to record the game.
"Refreshments?" Rose offered, coming around and offering him a platter full of chips and fruits and little tarts. Felix accepted a tart, murmuring a quiet thanks to the bubbly blonde.
Marientte settled back against him comfortably, cutely sticking her tongue out as she smiled at the screen, her fingers skillfully sliding over the controls.
Nibbling on it, he closed his eyes and tried to block out the surrounding noise, focusing only on near partner, and letting her scent wash over him.
He was very content now with his spot secured.
