Chapter 21 – Making it Better

Where was the school nurse? Adrien was scowling as he glared from one side of the room to the other. He knew Marinette was in no real danger of anything worse than infection but still, he wanted his lady attended to. Blonde eyebrows shot upward as he realised where his own mind had gone. Turning his head, he looked at Marinette, those enchanting baby blues were studying at him in return. Instinct had him edging his face closer to hers.

The attraction between them was palpable. It explained his reaction when Marinette blew in his ear. His body had recognised the girl beneath the mask. Even now, as his eyes raked over the place where her mask would sit when transformed, he wondered how he'd been so blind. Not only in seeing her physically but also in identifying her as a person he already knew. Both Ladybug and Marinette exhibited the same traits. Though Ladybug seemed much more confident.

Adrien supposed that he too behaved differently as Chat Noir. When transformed he was much more open about his cockiness and looks. The composure of the perfect son fell away and the playful side of Adrien emerged when he was wearing the cat suit. While Ladybug was much more serious than Marinette. When it came down to it, he felt unshackled from his regular level of responsibilities while she was suddenly underpinned by them.

"The antiseptic spray is over here," Alya stated, bringing Adrien back from his own thoughts.

"Is there gauze and strapping tape?" Damn, his voice was a decided octave lower. He hoped neither of the girls noticed.

"Probably," Alya answered as she rifled through the first aid box on the wall.

Turning to the gurney opposite, Adrien lowered Marinette down. As much as he enjoyed holding her, she was getting heavy.

"Adrien, how about you see if you can find the nurse?" Alya suggested.

"I am not leaving my partner."

Alya blinked, then nodded while trying to conceal her grin. "That's okay, I'll see if I can find the nurse."

As soon as she was gone, Marinette yanked his sleeve. "Adrien, you can't say that!"

"Say what?"

"That we're partners."

"But we are."

"They don't know that. They can't know that!"

"Why?" He asked as he leaned an elbow on the gurney, resting his chin on his palm.

"You know why."

At that Adrien threw her a smirk. "Don't you worry, I'll make sure everyone is clear on the status of our relationship."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see," he grinned then reached for her hands, uncurling her fingers to see how badly grazed her palms were. The fleshy base of both were finely abraded, deep enough to draw blood but not much. "How are your knees," he asked as he turned his head in the direction of her legs.

Marinette winced as she looked at her hands. "My knees are a little sore but I think the material of my shorts took the brunt of my fall. As well as my hands."

"That nurse is taking forever," Adrien grumbled as he cleaned up her hands with water and cotton wool balls, then began using the antiseptic spray.

Finally, the nurse arrived with Alya and took over. Adrien shuffled out of the way, standing with his hands in his pockets as he watched the nurse quickly finish the job he'd started. The three students were given late notes to take to class explaining their absence. On their way out, Alya explained that Nino had taken Marinette's textbooks with him. To Adrien's annoyance, Marinette seemed to fixate on her best friend and barely shot him a glance. He didn't know what she was playing at, but he intended to clear that up as soon as he got the chance.

Seems the cat has his back up about being ignored. Oh what will he do I wonder ;)

Until next time, stay beautiful :)