Chapter Text
Marinette sat on the front steps of her school with her hands resting on her knees, fingers tapping idly against her pants. She had arrived early, earlier than she’d ever been.
She smiled to herself, a warmth bubbling in her chest at the thought of why she was here so early. Today, she'd see her girlfriend.
The word sent an excited thrill through her, a giddy flutter in her stomach that refused to go away. She had a girlfriend, and that girlfriend was Chloé Bourgeois.
She nearly burst into laughter at how absurd that would have sounded just a few months ago. Chloé, of all people!
“Marinette?”
She snapped out of her thoughts, looking up to see Alya and Tikki standing a few steps away, both staring at her with amused suspicion.
Alya crossed her arms, raising a brow. “Okay, I know you’ve been showing up on time lately, but before us? That’s new.”
Tikki adjusted her bag over her shoulder, tilting her head curiously. “How early did you even get here?”
Marinette grinned. “Early enough.”
Alya stepped forward and plopped down beside her. “Alright, spill. What’s got you so eager that you actually beat me to school?”
Tikki sat on Marinette’s other side, peering at her expectantly.
Marinette practically vibrated with excitement as she leaned toward them, voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m excited to see my girlfriend.”
“Your what?” Alya’s voice shot up an octave.
Tikki’s eyes widened. “Did you just say what I think you did?”
Marinette beamed, rocking back on her hands. “Mhm. My girlfriend.”
Alya’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? You actually asked her out? You asked out Chloé Bourgeois?!”
Tikki gasped, clapping her hands together. “That’s amazing, Marinette! I mean it’s kind of sudden, but I’m happy for you!”
Alya still looked like she had whiplash. “Hold on, hold on. You just developed a crush on her, and you already managed to ask her out?”
Marinette shook her head. “I didn’t ask her out. She asked me out.”
Alya reeled back. “What?!”
Marinette burst out laughing at their stunned expressions. “What, is that so hard to believe?”
Alya gawked at her. “Yes! No! I don’t even know! Marinette, this is Chloé we’re talking about!”
Tikki nudged Alya gently. “To be fair, Chloé has been acting a little differently lately. She hasn’t been nearly as rude, even if she is still full of herself.”
Alya groaned. “I know, and that’s part of what’s freaking me out, but that’s not the important part. Chloé Bourgeois, Miss ‘I’m Better Than Everyone’, actually confessing to someone?” She gave Marinette a dubious look. “Are you sure you’re not hallucinating?”
Marinette smirked. “Oh, I’m very sure.”
The familiar black limousine pulled up in front of the school before Alya could press further. Marinette immediately sprang to her feet. Alya and Tikki exchanged glances, watching as the limo door swung open.
Chloé stepped out, clad in a coordinated designer ensemble. Even without trying, she exuded confidence. The moment Marinette saw her, she ran. She leapt at her, arms outstretched.
With a startled gasp, Chloé instinctively caught her, her hands gripping Marinette’s waist as the girl wrapped her arms tightly around her neck. Alya choked on air, and Tikki’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull.
Chloé went rigid, her face immediately burning. “Dup—Marinette, what the heck?!”
Marinette nuzzled into her shoulder, giggling. “Morning, Chloé.”
Chloé grumbled, but her arms didn’t move. If anything, they tightened around Marinette’s waist. “…Yeah, yeah, good morning, dummy.”
Alya’s and Tikki’s brains fried from everything they had just witnessed. Chloé turned her head, taking in their gaping expressions. She smirked, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“…I think we broke your friends.”
Alya and Tikki had barely begun getting it through their heads that Chloé and Marinette were dating. What they just saw was a dramatic, movie-worthy embrace that had no business existing outside of a rom-com.
They stood there, dumbfounded, as Marinette clung to Chloé like a koala. Chloé had caught her without even stumbling, holding her as if she weighed nothing at all.
Alya leaned toward Tikki and muttered, “Okay, when did Chloé get that strong?”
Tikki, still staring, whispered back, “I guess she works out?”
Alya squinted. “Does she? I’ve never seen her do anything remotely athletic.”
Chloé shifted her hold on Marinette and sighed. “Okay, okay, you’ve had your moment, Marinette. You can let go now.”
Marinette grinned against her shoulder but made no move to release her. “Hmm… nah. Too comfy.”
Alya nearly had an aneurysm. What was happening right now?
Chloé let out an exaggerated groan but didn’t actually try to pry Marinette off. Instead, she made sure Marinette was secure in her arms. If anything, she seemed weirdly comfortable with holding her like this.
Alya cleared her throat loudly. “Alright, lovebirds, break it up.”
Marinette giggled before finally unwinding herself and dropping back onto her feet. Chloé let her go but didn’t step away, lingering close enough that their arms brushed.
Tikki, still trying to wrap her head around everything, gave them a hesitant smile. “Sooo… you two are really dating, huh?”
Marinette beamed, rocking on her heels. “Yep!”
Alya crossed her arms. “And you,” she said, turning her gaze to Chloé, “actually asked her out?”
Chloé huffed, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder. “Yes, Césaire, I did. What, is that so shocking?”
Alya gave her a look. “Yes. Yes, it is.”
Chloé rolled her eyes. “Wow. Rude much?”
Alya didn’t flinch. “Listen, you don’t have the best track record when it comes to being nice to people.”
Tikki frowned. “And Marinette falls hard when she likes someone.”
Chloé glanced at Marinette. “You? Fall hard for people? I had nooo idea.”
Marinette turned red and smacked her arm lightly. “Ignore them.”
Alya sighed, rubbing her temples. “Look, we just want to make sure Marinette isn’t gonna get her heart broken. This crush came out of nowhere, and now you’re dating. Forgive me if I have questions.”
Chloé raised a brow. “So this is an interrogation now?”
Alya smirked. “Think of it as a protective best friend screening.”
Chloé gave a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up. “Fine. Go ahead, interrogate me. But make it quick. We don’t have all day.”
Alya and Tikki exchanged glances before turning their full focus on her.
Tikki smiled politely. “When did you start liking Marinette?”
Chloé paused. She obviously couldn’t say when they spent so much time together as vampires, so she had to think fast.
She waved a hand vaguely. “Oh, you know. Just… over time. She’s interesting, and I finally realized that about her.”
Alya narrowed her eyes. “You think she’s interesting?”
Chloé clicked her tongue. “Duh. I mean, look at her.” She gestured to Marinette, smirking. “She’s cute, and she’s fun to be around. How could I not like that?”
Marinette covered her face with her hands. “Oh my gosh.”
Tikki giggled. “That’s… oddly nice?”
Alya wasn’t convinced yet. “So, what made you actually ask her out?”
Chloé shrugged. “It just felt right. Why wait?”
Alya crossed her arms. “Do you actually see this relationship lasting?”
Chloé hesitated. She couldn’t promise forever. Not because she didn’t care, but because she literally had no idea what their future would look like. So instead, she gave the most honest answer she could.
“I can’t guarantee anything,” she said seriously. “But I do know that I like spending time with Marinette, and I have no intention of hurting her.”
Marinette blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in Chloé’s voice.
Tikki softened. “That’s actually really sweet.”
Alya studied her, lips pursed. “Alright, I guess I believe you.”
Chloé scoffed. “Guess? Wow, Césaire, what an honour.”
Alya sighed. “I’m not done.” She stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Chloé. “I will be watching you, Bourgeois. If I see even the tiniest sign that you’re messing with Marinette, I will come for you.”
Tikki nodded firmly. “Same here. Marinette’s important to us.”
Chloé didn’t seem offended. “Noted. But don’t hold your breath. I’m very fond of my girlfriend.”
Alya shook her head. “Fine. You pass.”
Tikki clapped her hands together. “I’m happy for you both!”
Marinette grinned, linking her fingers with Chloé’s.
Alya groaned. “Ugh. You two are gonna be that kind of couple, aren’t you?”
Chloé smirked. “Oh, absolutely.”