Roomies | 5 - Impostor
@felinettenovember
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Switching places with his cousin had grown to be a burden on his end as he struggled against rabid fans and a hectic schedule. Adrien was insistent as usual, earning him a piece of freedom away from his overbearing father. Felix wouldn't have indulged him if not with the promise of a special favor if he needed it.
With his hair styled in a model-esque manner and loose-fitting top billowing in the breeze, Felix stretched his legs in the park to take a break from the photos. His lip subconsciously curled. Photos. It was a miracle that they even looked the same during the shoots. Same face. Same product.
"Hey Adrien! Want some water?"
Felix almost fell from the bench seeing Marinette jog up to him while holding a bottle of water. He took a second to stare at her before accepting. Did she know? Did she not know?
"You're lucky to have the sun out today." Marinette smiled, taking a seat beside him. "The weather's nice."
He channeled his 'Adrien' act, not knowing how to feel about his partner not recognizing him. But then again, he was supposed to fool everyone for the façade to be convincing. His grin stretched out into a lopsided one, and his shoulders arched downwards. "Yeah, I've been dying to get out for a while."
She snorted. "But you're still working."
"I'll live."
A pout graced her lips as she stared at the director and cameramen setting up for the next session of the photoshoot. "I wish Felix were here."
"Fe---Felix?"
A sigh. "He's . . . I don't know. I worry about him sometimes."
Worry? Felix felt guilt stir at the bottom of his gut. Was it right to ask about himself while wearing the mask of his cousin? "He can be a bit . . . harsh sometimes."
"Harsh? Felix isn't harsh," said Marinette. "Sure, he can be blunt, but he's kind and sweet and gentle."
His pulse raced.
She tucked a hair behind her ear. "I was just worried that he might be misunderstood or that he feels lonely. Or I'm too bothersome for him."
"You're not bothersome." He bit his tongue instantly afterwards, deeming his reply a tad too hasty. He repeated more slowly. "I mean, he never said anything about you being a bother."
"I don't think a lot of people know but we're close. Really close." A small smile perched on her lips. "But you know him; he tends to keep his feelings to himself you know? And I don't know how to help."
A beat passed. And two. And three.
Felix remained silent. So silent that he thought his heart would take over their shared quietness.
"I can't speak for Fe," he began, "But I'm pretty sure he's happy with just you being around. If he has a problem, I'm sure he'll tell you."
"You think so?"
"I . . ." He mentally winced. How much was Adrien supposed to know about him anyway? "I haven't seen him as comfortable with anyone as he is with you. Which means you're important in his life right now. Knowing him, he'd do anything to keep your relationship from breaking apart."
"Oh," she murmured. "It might not seem like it on the outside but he's special to me too. I don't think I'd ever have the same connection with anyone else."
She looked straight into his eyes with an indecipherable expression. "It's just that we're so comfortable with each other that we don't need words most of the time. But I can't be sure all the time if I'm reading him right."
He sucked in a breath. She knew.
She knew.
He was stupid to believe that his Ladybug, his own partner, his roommate wouldn't recognize him in a heartbeat.
"When the time comes that words matter the most, you'll know how to use them," he told her quietly, reaching to the side to squeeze her hand.
Marinette chuckled shakily. "I hope so. I really don't want to ruin what we already have."
She turned to face him, a subtle gleam shimmering in her eye, and pressed her lips on his cheek. "Thanks for telling me. And good luck with the photoshoot."
Felix found himself in a daze as she left, not even giving him the time to register what had happened. His fingers touched the side of his face whilst heat crawled into his skin.
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“The young Clavigo, interpreted by star dancer Nicolas Le Riche, seduces the passionate Marie, interpreted by first dancer Clairemarie Osta, in a rehearsal late of a performance by the Paris Opera Ballet in Baalbek. The ballet ‘Clavigo’ recounts the story of a lover who favors the pursuit of his career ambitions over the call of his heart.”
Photographed by Suhaila Sahmarani.
19 July 2001.
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