Chapter 22 – Return of the Wingman

What had Adrien been thinking? Stating he was her partner in front of Alya, the Ladyblogger, of all people. What if she pieced together that they were Ladybug and Chat Noir? It wasn't like they could claim they were seeing each other, everyone assumed that Adrien wasn't interested in her. Though he had kissed her, twice. But not as Adrien kissing Marinette, it had been Chat Noir kissing Ladybug. Gah, they were the same people yet this made everything so damn complicated.

Alya was eyeing her with blatant curiosity. No doubt wondering why Adrien had been so protective. Oh wait, he was her friend. Every time in the past when things seems to get exciting on the feelings front, Adrien whipped out the friendship card. Yet Marinette couldn't pay attention to Adrien now. She needed to defuse the potential bomb that was Alya's curiosity.

Already she could see the cogs turning in the other girl's mind. Probably wondering why Adrien had referred to Marinette as his partner. Perhaps she could say they were doing a project together, but what subject could she use as an excuse that Alya wasn't part of but Adrien was?

However, when her best friend's eyes met hers, Marinette was miffed at the mischief dancing there. "Should you really be walking up the stairs?"

The dark-haired girl baulked in surprise. "I-"

Alya cut her off as she looked pointedly at Adrien. "Maybe you could carry her again? We wouldn't want to cause further damage to her knees."

Before Marinette could utter a word of protest, she was swept off her feet. Shocked blue eyes darted from Adrien's focussed features to Alya's satisfied smirk and the colluding wink thrown her way. What was her best friend doing? Wasn't she meant to be shielding her from Adrien's presence, given recent events? Yet here she was finding an excuse for Marinette to be close to the model once more.

"I've got you," Adrien stated, drawing her attention back to his face. Those gorgeous green eyes flicked between studying her face and concentrating on where he was going. Each glance her way had his head moving just a little closer to hers before he turned away. The proximity of all that glorious hotness was mesmerising. Her arm pressed against his chest impulsively shifted to loop around his shoulders, bringing her into further contact with his body.

In that moment Marinette swore she felt his heartbeat rapidly increase as the side of her boob fused against his chest. His lips parted as he sucked in air a little faster. And his emerald gaze seemed more focussed on her now instead of where he was going.

"I hope I'm not too heavy," she uttered before wetting her dry bottom lip with her tongue.

Adrien's head remained turned to her. "Not at all. I could hold you all day." Hungry eyes dropped to stare at her mouth and were only torn away as the model made a misstep on the stairs and had to quickly correct his balance to stop from tumbling forward.

There was the faintest snigger from Alya who quickly looked away as if the clouds in the sky were extremely interesting.

A dark blush stole over the model's entire face as he diverted his gaze to the well-trodden path to their next classroom. A sheepish, "Sorry," fell from his lips as he reached the closed door. Only then did he ease Marinette to her feet, her body sliding down his torso with her arm loosening from his shoulders until her hand rested at his nape.

The words from her lips were a breathless whisper, "It's okay. Um, thanks."

"Anytime," he replied, staying firmly in place. Inclining his face closer to hers before seeming to catch himself. A crooked yet unsure smile lit his features as he reached for the doorhandle. "Ladies first."

Alya held up the late note as she walked in beside Marinette, placing it quickly on the teacher's desk as they hurried to their seats. Only then did the budding reporter throw her best friend a sly eyebrow wiggle and a smirk in Adrien's direction. "I think someone is finally seeing you as more than a friend, partner."

Gotta love a determined bestie set on matchmaking!

Thanks for reading :) - I'd comment more but it's late and I need to go to bed. Feel free to feed the review box below ;)