Only If I'm With You

Chapter 7

Nathaniel lied on his bed, his leg still throbbing. "What will Paris think if one hero is missing? Won't people at my school obviously know it's me?" He sighed, turning to Ziggy. "Perhaps. But it's a low chance! No one knows your Caprikid yet!" She reassured, floating upwards. He wished he didn't go home today, especially when it was Valentine's Day. Nathaniel sat back up, and grabbed his sketchbook and mini foldable table, which he used more often than his usual desk, due to his leg. He started to draw a picture of himself as Caprikid and Rooster Bold. The other hero seemed somewhat familiar.. And comforting to be around. He reminded him of Marc too, obviously knowing Rooster Bold wasn't his partner.

Just then, Nathaniel got a buzz from his phone. "That's painful to hear, to me especially. I hope the pain goes away, or else we have to cancel our friend group meeting for Valentines Day tonight! Get better! I love you!! ❤️❤️" Marc texted back! Nathaniel smiled. Ziggy flew up to read the text. "Oh wow! You two are so in love!" She cooed. He sighed dreamily. "Yeah, I am so in love" He was in a good mood, despite his leg. "Oh right! The meeting!" He snapped back into reality, forgetting probably the third time this month that he had a broken leg. "Ow!" He winced, after it hit the mini table, then the bed, both hard.

Nathaniel paused for a moment, despite his pain. "..I want to try something" He spoke at last. "Ziggy! Bleat it!" He said, trying to stand up on one leg. "No- Don't-!" Ziggy barely had time before she got sucked into the Miraculous. At last, he felt satisfied. He was in his hero form! "Finally, Caprikid gets a rest!" He sighed, slumping back on his bed. He heard footsteps. He hurriedly transformed back into his civilian form. "I swear I heard something.." Nathaniel's mother raised an eyebrow, eyeing her son suspiciously. She closed the door, slowly. Ziggy came out of nowhere. "Don't do that! You'll hurt yourself even more! You didn't even have the cast on when you were Caprikid!" She warned, alarmed. "Don't worry Ziggy. I was just curious. I won't do it again" He smiled.

Nathaniel barely got permission before meeting up with his friends and at the meeting place that evening. "Nate! You made it! From Marc's text, we thought you weren't coming!" Marinette went up, delighted. Marc hurried over as well, hugging him, not too tightly. "You're here! Don't push yourself though, or else I'll never forgive you" He said. Nathaniel smiled a bit sheepishly. "I can certainly try" He shrugged playfully, hobbling towards the group. He saw Max with the cast and obviously Markov, Kim, Rose, Juleka, Adrian, Nino, Alya, Luka, Mylené, Ivan and Alix. Everyone was really there.

Rose bounded towards the front of the group. "Everyone!" She squealed. "Today is Valentine's Day, right? I didn't invite y'all for nothing!" Everyone just stared at her for a moment. "Hey! What about us single people? Do we have to get called out twice for being single today?!" Kim groaned. Everyone started laughing, while he was still disappointed. "Then you have a drink for yourself!" Rose responded, bouncing back to her friends. Nathaniel was relieved he had someone to share something with. Something special.

The park was buzzing with lovestruck teenagers. While Alya had to save Marinette and Adrian's falling drink instead of focusing on her own, Juleka was trying to give the best parts of the drink to Rose, who kept refusing and insisting her girlfriend should have it instead. But other than the chaotic five, everyone else was having a calm experience. Well, besides Kim who was trying to cause more chaos into the drama. "So.. Did I pick the right drink?" Nathaniel's thoughts were interrupted by Marc's question. "Oh- Right. Yes, it's delicious!" He replied, having another sip through his straw. There was a little float of whipped cream, and strawberry syrup on the top. The drink itself was a raspberry smoothie. Nathaniel suspected Marc was forced into buying this from Rose, but he didn't mind. It was one of the best drinks he ever had.

The evening was already over in a flash. Rose was knocked out cold by a sugar rush, and Juleka had to carry her home. Marinette was also sleeping, perhaps just from exhaustion. She was sleeping on Adrian's shoulder, and he couldn't move or else he'd wake her up. Nathaniel was also asleep, looking probably the most peaceful than the rest. "How are you going to take him home?" Luka asked. Marc fidgeted around. "I.. I don't know! I don't want to wake him, but I don't want his parents to take him home! I want it to be romantic.." He blushed. He tried to be mindful of Nathaniel's leg, wondering how he'd carry him. Marc was the youngest out of everyone here. Would it be awkward for a freshman to carry a sophomore? He hoped not. He was taller after all..