Marc ended up carrying his partner with Alix beside him for two reasons. One, he needed her to break the awkwardness. Two? This was literally her way home. "So.. I wanna know! Nate never told me so.. How did you guys meet?" She asked smugly. Marc blushed a little. "It's.. Complicated. To make things simpler, we became friends because I got akumatized, then saved by Ladybug, which she made us friends" He explained, recalling memories. "Oh wow. I guess we do owe Ladybug something" He blinked, still cautious not to drop Nathaniel. Alix didn't say anything at first, then she laughed. "We all do! We all got akumatized, remember? But.. You two do owe her more than all of us do" She shrugged, then stopped. "Isn't this Nate's apartment?" She asked, gesturing towards the giant building. "Oh, right. It is" Marc nodded, then said his goodbyes with Alix.
He nervously went up the elevator after Nathaniel's parents let him in the apartments. "You're.. Marc. Right?" Nathaniel's father asked after opening the door. "Yup.. That's me" Marc responded awkwardly, still visibly blushing. The last time he was here was because he had to pick up something he left while getting help with a science project with Nath. That was before they started dating, let alone, best friends. "Ah, come on in. Nathaniel's mother is out late doing her work" His partner's father let him inside the house.
Marc went into Nathaniel's bedroom, and gently laid him there. He didn't want to wake him, but he didn't want to startle him when he woke up and saw his partner wasn't there. "Nath? Nath! Wake up! You're in your bed now!" He said, shoving him gently. Maybe too gently. "Mmph.. 5 more minutes.." His partner mumbled, lying on his side before bumping into his mini foldable table he hadn't packed up from earlier. He jolted awake, almost as if he had something to hide (yes, you do. Your Caprikid and Rooster Bold sketches). "O-oh! It's only you Marc..!" He sighed in relief, then sat up. "You.. Didn't see any drawings on this mini table, right?" He asked embarrassedly. "Nope! None! I actually just realised there are papers on here!" Marc responded.
Nathaniel glanced at Marc sincerely. Ladybug would've taken away his Miraculous for being too risky but.. "Can I.. Show you something?" He asked quietly. He took a deep breath. He knew he was putting the entirety of Paris in danger right now, but this felt too right. Before he could do anything- "Nathaniel! Your mother is home! And.. Marc" His father interrupted the silence. Marc glanced at Nathaniel awkwardly. The two stared at each other, then started laughing quietly. "Well, there goes my shot.." Nathaniel grumbled, grabbing his crutches (don't ask how it got there) and limping back out, frustrated. He made an excuse to go to the bathroom first.
"Were you seriously about to do that?!" Ziggy snapped. "You cannot show or tell your secret identity! How do you think Ladybug and Cat Noir was successful for this long? No one knew their secret identity!" She fluttered around like an angry bird. "I-I don't know Ziggy! My heart just forced me, and everyone I know kept telling me to "follow my heart"!" He sighed, blushing and shrugging at the same time. "You're the kwami of passion! And I'm passionate about.. About not keeping secrets from Marc!" He said determinedly. Before Ziggy could answer, he opened the door and went out to greet his mum. Well, limp out.
Nathaniel greeted his mum, who was already painting, getting ready for her piece to be framed tomorrow at the art gallery. "Hi mum" He mumbled, sitting down beside Marc on the couch. "Hello Nathaniel. How was school today?" She responded. There was no coldness to it, but no warmth either. "It was good. Especially this evening-!" He tried to speak, but his mother stopped him. "Did you seriously go somewhere? Haven't I told you it's dangerous?" She narrowed her eyes. Nathaniel flinched, then Marc patted him on the back for reassurance. "Shirel, I allowed him. He didn't sneak out," his father explained, then gestured to the boys to go back to the bedroom.
YOU ARE READING
Only If I'm With You
Fanfiction(Credits to Kiwibon for the art!) Nathaniel Kurtzburg, a 16 year old boy who is very talented at art. Has a few friends with one best friend that he crushes on, a strict family, and a normal high school life. Simple. What more could you ever ask any...
