Marinette breathed in and out a lot harder than usual, but it wasn't surprising considering the vigorous workout herself and Alix had just put themselves through. The martial arts class had been a godsend. Not only had it improved her fitness in civilian and hero form, but her mind had never felt clearer. It seemed the mental control of the sport was calming on a whole new level.

"I've never felt so free," Marinette laughed, as she changed back into her normal clothing.

"I told you it would be worth it. I live by it, I swear. How else do you think I put up with Kim and his obnoxious dares?" Both girls laughed, and Marinette looked towards Alix.

Marinette had never been one hundred percent sure on what she looked for in a life partner. She wasn't sure how her romantic feelings played out, after all the only person she'd ever truly fell in love with was Adrien. Sure, she liked Luka when they dated, and Chat flicked across her mind a few times, as did Kagami, but the way she felt when she was with Alix was becoming her new favourite feeling.

It was the boat cruising on a calm ocean, the settled feeling of a mug of warm milk before bed, the sun hitting your face on an ice cold day. It was comfortable and right, and she couldn't help but think Alix felt the same way. The slight hand touches, and the want to grab on tighter and keep the connection, the all day texting and calling, the want to spend as much time as possible together. These feelings felt so wanted and so real, and truth be told, she was falling pretty hard for this, for them.

"You ready?" Alix pulled Marinette out of her train of thought.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

Alix burst out laughing. "Who were you thinking about?" Alix wiggled her eyebrows at Marinette, a stirring started in her gut followed by the temptation on her lips to say 'you'.

"Oh, um, I was just thinking about … the kim … I mean … the race … with Kim."

"Yeah, right." She replied sarcastically, "I know that look, Marinette. That was the 'Adrien look', although I'm guessing it wasn't hinted towards buttercup."

Truth be told, Adrien was no longer first in her mind. Whenever she wanted happy thoughts it was always the time spent with Alix, rather than chasing after Adrien.

"No, not anymore. Someone else … well … I think I might …" Marinette's face flushed a bright red and Alix must have taken the hint to change the conversation, almost as though she could read Marinette's mind.

"Anyway, enough about your complicated love life, are you ready for this?" As the girls exited the collège grounds after their class they headed straight to the Metro. It was time for Marinette to test out her skating skills. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she was pretty damn good now. Alix had been a Miraculous teacher, and Marinette was now at a point where she could sometimes beat Alix.

"Everyone's meeting us there. It seems you have quite a fan club."

Fifteen minutes later, Marinette was tying her laces and preparing to go head-to-head with Kim. Her pink skates had taken a beating, but every scratch, every scuff was a sign of development, of a change in herself which she liked. She really did like herself now, she felt comfortable in her body, well, almost. She looked over to Alix who was standing teasing Kim. A smile stretched over her lips, Alix was everything she needed, and if she won this race, she would confront her feelings and speak to her. For once in her life she couldn't let fear rule her, she couldn't let fear stop her from being happy.

"Hey," Marinette was suddenly engulfed by a dark shadow, causing her to turn around and come face-to-face with someone she hadn't seen in weeks. Someone she thought she would romantically love for the rest of her life, but now that feeling was barely lukewarm.

Adrien stood nervously behind her, a bouquet of flowers in his hands stretched out towards her, his face displaying a nervous twitch. Standing up to her full height, she kept her eyes firmly on his and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I've bought you these, for good luck." Marinette looked between the flowers and Adrien's face as he spoke. "Could we talk please? I'll be quick, I promise."

Marinette turned her head towards Alix and noticed she was looking back at them intently. The look on Alix's face made Marinette feel uncomfortable, was she jealous?

"Make it quick." Marinette turned back to Adrien and led him over to the side, away from everyone else. They sat side-by-side on the bench, Adrien playing with the flowers in his grasp. She wasn't going to start the conversation, if he wanted to speak, he could speak first.

"I'm - sorry." His voice was small, and embarrassed? She turned to look at him, and took him in fully. He looked better than when she saw him last, he looked more alive, he looked undeniably happy. "I spoke to Luka, after you left. He's - um - " Adrien scratched the back of his neck, "he's been good to me. Looking out for me."

Marinette's eyebrows turned in. "Did he make you come here? Is this just some pity apology?" Adrien sprung forward towards Marinette and tried to grab one of her hands, only for her to pull it away.

"No, no, not at all. This wasn't meant to go this way. Just - oh god - I knew I would mess this up." He released hand off the flowers and scratched the back of his neck. He began to spiral and her heart clenched. She stretched a hand out and placed it on the one remaining on the flowers. He looked up into her eyes and she smiled softly at him.

"I handled the situation wrong." He breathed out, "I was harsh and let my emotions control my words. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. You're one of my best friends, Marinette." She smiled in encouragement for him to carry on. "I did some … self discovery … after you left and Luka helped me, in more ways than one. I want us to be friends again, please, I need you in my life."

Marinette bit her lower lip and looked at him. "My feelings aren't the same for you." She said, barely above a hushed whisper.

He let out a breath, one she thought he had probably been holding for a while. "I don't want to sound like a dick again, but I'm really glad. You see, my self-discovery actually went further than just finding myself again, I actually found more than I bargained for." He turned his head in the direction of Luka, and Marinette caught the blue haired boy staring, a shy smile on his face.

"You and Luka?" Marinette asked, no malice in her voice.

"Yeah, it's new, and I haven't exactly come out to anyone yet. We both kind of wanted you to be the first to know, I'm nervous and scared and … I need you, Marinette."

Marinette launched herself forward into Adrien's arms, wrapping him tightly around the neck, tears leaving her eyes. It was then everything clicked into place, like this was the moment she needed for clarity.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his lips next to her ear.

"I'm perfect. I'm really happy for you, Adrien. I'm here for you, always."

"Always?" He questioned, both of them understand the depth behind the meaning of the word.

"Us against the world." She whispered back, only for him to suck in a gasp.

"Thank you."

"I love you, and will be by your side all the way. Also, I want to be your best woman at the wedding." Adrien laughed and moved back out of her iron grip. He wiped under his eyes, and smiled at her.

"What did I do to deserve you?" He kissed her on the cheek, before standing and heading back over to Luka.

Marinette watched him go, Luka catching her eye and smiling. She lifted a hand to wave, only for him to return the sentiment. Once Adrien was with him, she watched them embrace and a flood of warmth spread through her. This was right … this was how it was meant to be, now she needed to be as strong as Adrien.

Using the back of the bench to help her stand, she headed off to find Alix, making sure her bouquet was firmly in her grasp. It was her time to be as strong as her partner. Skating in the general direction she remembered Alix being, she came up short.

"Have you seen Alix?" She asked anyone she bumped into, only to be met by the shake of their head. She continued to skate, knowing the countdown to race time was getting increasingly close. She needed to do this before the race, she needed Alix to know.

Finally, she found her sitting beside a statue hidden away and … crying?

"Everything sorted with you and Adrien then?" Alix's voice was harsh and Marinette flinched back a little. She'd never heard Alix like this before.

"What?"

"Are you getting together then? I mean that hug, wow, everyone felt the vibes off that."

"Alix, you've got this wrong. I need to talk to -" Marinette couldn't get the words out before Alix cut her off again.

"It's fine, just go. It's not like I matter."

"Alix, no, you don't under-"

"Yes I do! You want to be with him so -"

Marinette could only think of one way to stop Alix from talking, and that was to place her own lips solidly against hers.