Marinette had just returned to her room after school on October 4th when she got a text message from her girlfriend. They had just seen each other twenty minutes ago, so she was surprised to see one so soon. She smiled when she remembered their little trip to the boiler room today. They had mainly kissed but there had been some tender touches as well. Marinette had been worried this was all a dream, and the moment she touched Zoe as she had longed to, it would end. Fate had set them in each other's paths, that day when she crashed into the blonde with her burden of apples.

Marinette opened the text and found the message said.

'Chloe called me today. It was really nasty.'

Marinette felt her heart sink. Despite what she felt about her long time enemy, she was Zoe's sister. She could not even image the heartbreak her girlfriend must be going through to be rejected by your own family. Her mother, her biological father, and her half-sister all renounced her. Well, she was not about to let her hurt like that.

'Why don't you come over? We can have treats from the bakery and cuddle on the chaise with some hot cocoa.'

The message went to read right away and the three dots appeared. The response came quickly.

'Thank you, Mari. This is just the distraction I need right now. I'll change into something more fit for cuddling and I'll be over soon. I love you.'

'I love you too, Zo. I'll get your favorites from downstairs and start fixing the Cocoa. See you soon.'

It would not be the first time they got cozy together in her room, though last time they were still just friends. Tikki popped out of her bag and patted her on the head.

"What was that for, Tikki?"

"You just invited your girlfriend over to cuddle with you and did not freak out about it. I'm very proud of you."

Marinette froze and felt the blood rush to her face. "Oh my Kwami! I just asked Zoe Lee to come and cuddle with me! In my bedroom! On my chaise! She will break up with me for being too fast and I'll have to raise our future hamster as a single mother!" She flopped onto her bed with a loud wail.

"There it is." Tikki sighed. "Best to get it out now, before she arrives. I'll go and start the water for the cocoa. Get changed, Marinette."

***

Marinette had calmed down, changed into sweat pants and a tank top, and finished laying out the treats and mugs of cocoa on the desk. Her parents were out today at a catering event, though they knew she was now dating Zoe. They were fine with her continuing to come over, with the understanding that they trusted her. She frowned at the thought that her parents actually would not mind if they did go all the way so soon. Her dad had already started designing the wedding cake after all.

There was a knock on the trapdoor and then it opened as Zoe walked in. She was wearing black sweats with a yellow tee shirt and looked amazing. Marinette sighed at the angel before her. From the first moment she had seen Zoe in her Vesperia costume, she was sure that yellow and black were her colors. Though she had to be careful how she gave the clothes she made to Zoe, not wanting to tip her off that she knew she was the bee heroine. Marinette rushed to envelope the blonde in a hug, and felt Zoe wrap her arms around her in return. Zoe buried her face into the crook of Marinette's neck.

"Recharging my batteries. Please stand by." The actress said in her best Markov impression.

Marinette giggled and picked her up, easily cradling Zoe as she moved her to the Chaise. Her girlfriend squeaked in surprised before giggling herself.

"Should have guessed all those years of lifting flour sacks would pay off. Still, you got a lot of strength, Mari."

The two girls cuddled down on the chaise as Marinette pressed play on a remote, causing her repositioned computer to come on with a movie. Marinette was the base with Zoe cuddling on top of her. She kept the sound low in case Zoe wanted to talk. A few minutes later, she heard a sniffle from her partner and reached over to run her hand through the long blonde hair.

"Want to talk about it, love?"

Zoe nodded her head. "If you don't mind. I know Chloe is a sore subject for you."

Marinette kissed her forehead. "She's your sister, Zo. I'll never love her, but I'll try to keep an open mind for your sake."

Zoe gave her a radiant smile. "That's more than I could hope for, given the way she treated you for so long. Thank you, for never holding that against me."

Marinette nuzzled her girlfriend. "You're not Chloe. You are a separate person. Disliking you because you have the same mother is wrong. Plus I would miss out on what we are building together."

Zoe nodded and paused before she continued. Marinette was patient and just let her partner get her thoughts in order. "I just, wanted to make sure Chloe knew that despite all she did, I would not abandon her. She's my family, even if she never treated me as such. I sent her a text letting her know that when she was ready to try to change, I would be waiting. She called me right as I left school today and said the usual hurtful things."

Marinette grimaced in memory of such insults such as 'half a sister'. Chloe had plenty of experience finding the thing that reduced her victims below her. She could not have picked a more effective jab to use on Zoe. All her partner wanted was to be accepted by her family.

"I'm really sorry, love. I'm proud of you for reaching out an olive branch to her, even if I personally would have poked her in the eye with it."

Zoe chuckled. "I would pay money to see that, right now. Maybe tomorrow I would not. I know she is mean, she is crass, and she is a brat. Still, I am not ready to give up on her. Maybe someday, she'll be ready to talk."

Marinette leaned and gently kissed Zoe on the lips. "And you will help her, even though she will make it so hard. Cause that is the sort of person you are, Zo. I'll support you in any way I can."

Zoe leaned closer to Marinette and she could smell the cocoa on her breath. "That's good, though I don't expect you to become best friends."

Marinette winked as she started to close the distance again. "Miracles have happened."

Zoe parted her lips and got out one more line before they were lost to their kisses. "That's true, look at us."

The lovers stayed like that until nearly ten at night. Marinette made Zoe stay over, making up the chaise for her. Marinette looked over at the sleeping image of her girlfriend and sighed as she lay back to sleep. It was too soon, but Marinette looked forward to the day they could share a bed together.

Next time: Kitty Section