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soap-lady · 4 months

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A Wild Chapter Appears!

Hey everyone!

So I used to post a chapter every month of Worthy Opponent but eh...I kinda fell in with a bad crowd or a new fandom. I'll finish this story I promise but I don't have the same motivation I used to.

@arylace Is the best co-writer I could ask for and y'all have her to thank for this being finished.

Worthy Opponent 26

All of the crucial “will you go to the ball with me?” scenes were filmed and the crew was galvanized into action. Notre Dame Les Oiseaux was about to start classes again so they couldn’t use the theater. So instead they decided to create their own ballroom on a soundstage.

The set dressers and designers went all out, taking inspiration from an actual castle ballroom and adding a few of their own touches. Blue and gold damask wallpaper decorated the walls and they recreated the look of a marble inlaid floor with vinyl laminate. Statues of Greek maidens stood in little alcoves (they were only plaster, but the audience wouldn’t be able to tell.) and genuine glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Amelie arranged for a tiny stage for a string ensemble to perform live music and a dining area with a buffet table. Mme. Jennings insisted all the chairs be covered with satin slipcovers to prevent damaging the expensive costumes.

The younger cast was very excited to be showing off their dance moves but the crew tried not to groan when they thought of all the building and painting involved. Fortunately they were able to find a discount wedding supply store that had some lovely banquet chairs and already made slipcovers. Some were blue and the rest were gold. That was once less headache, courtesy of the mayor’s daughter, who was now using her connections for good. Or at least convenience. Amelie arranged for on-set massage therapists and chiropractors to help the crew after a few incredibly long and stressful days.

The Wardrobe Department was so busy Marinette had to be excused from filming to help sew and Mme. Jennings recruited a few additional seamstresses. It was rumored she’d recruited her cousins from Scotland but the women rarely spoke so no one really knew. They worked at a furious pace and soon costumes for the principal cast and most of the secondary were done.

Everyone was tired and stressed so Amelie declared the weekend before they shot the ballroom scene to be free time and arranged for a team movie night and a takeaway dinner for everyone who wanted it. Some elected to just catch up on their sleep.

Work wasn’t quite done for Marinette, Felix and Luka. She had two costumes to finish and fit and they had to try on their costumes to see if any adjustments needed to be made.

Luka practically bounced down the hall. Marinette wanted to see him alone! Well, she wanted to see him alone to see how well his ball costume fit and whether or not she needed to make any adjustments but still, any time alone with her lately was precious and hard to find.

He told himself he wasn’t jealous of Marinette’s new friendships with the cast. Being an actress could net her some excellent contacts and he’d eat his Jagged Stone guitar pic if Mme. Amelie and Allegra didn’t contact Marinette after the movie to make dresses for them.

It was also good she got along with Allen and Claude. He loved to hear her laugh and their stories of past movie shoots and pranks they played on each other on-set made Marinette giggle and helped keep her anxiety down. Plus, Luka didn’t get the chance to play with musicians who weren’t friends or family and Allen was as talented as he was smart and good looking.

He hadn’t spent a lot of time with Chloe. She barely spoke to him although he’d caught her looking him over once or twice in appreciation. Most of what he knew about her came from what his sister had told him about and it wasn’t flattering. For the last four years she had been bullying the formerly passive Marinette and his shy sister. She’d used her father’s position as Mayor to avoid punishment. Until this year when she suddenly stopped. Perhaps she was too busy trying to survive lycee without her usual enabling teacher and an education staff who told her “Daddy” had no power over them, only the Ministry of Education.

Felix…on the other hand…well, that was complicated.

Felix’s resemblance to his cousin was eerily similar and Marinette did appear to have a type. While Luka was relatively sure she was over Adrien and moving on, he had no guarantee she would move on to him. That was…fine. He’d told her he’d be happy for her no matter who she chose. He’d meant it; he’d back off and leave her alone to make her own choices, even if the person she chose wasn’t him.

That being said, even if he accepted her decisions, he didn’t have to like or agree with them. He’d smile and congratulate her but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt. He might even be a little bit angry. He was allowed to be jealous, wasn’t he? He was allowed to be frustrated.

Luka couldn’t blame Marinette if she was attracted to Felix, looks aside. Felix was smart, charming, talented and confident. He was good-looking and aware of it, even if he didn’t exploit it. Watching the way Felix interacted with his mother and his friends, Luka felt he’d be loyal and respectful if he ever chose a romantic partner. Luka genuinely liked him and wanted to be friends, to hang out and laugh together. Maybe Felix played an instrument too. He should suggest the three of them spend more time learning about each other.

If Luka was honest with himself, he was getting sick of letting go of people he cared about with a smile and a wish for their happiness. He wanted to fight, to prove he was worthy, the better choice.

He wanted to be selfish, just once in his life. He deserved to be someone’s first choice and he wanted that someone to be Marinette.

Luka shook his head as his thoughts continued in loops: love, jealousy, longing, frustration. He couldn’t think that way, not in Paris.

He stopped outside the dressing room door that Marinette told him she’d be in. He took several deep breaths and mentally reminded himself to do some meditation and mindfulness exercises later.

*****

Luka raised his fist to the door and rapped with his knuckles. He didn’t have to wait long before hearing her call out “come in!” and he smiled before opening the door.

Chloe wasn’t sitting in the corner waiting to take pictures of him in costume and he asked Marinette why.

She just shrugged. “She said she had plans with Allen and told me she would get pictures of you in your Founders’ Ball costume when we shot the scene.”

He closed the door behind him. “So, we’re alone?”

Marinette smiled. “It’s been awhile hasn’t it? It seems all we do lately is work work work with hardly any downtime.” She sighed, sounding tired.

Luka grinned. “It’s worth it, isn’t it?”

She laughed, delighting him when her eyes brightened and cheek flushed. “Are you kidding? I’m going to be able to put ‘Costume Designer’ on my resume and I’m not even eighteen yet!”

He nodded and smiled at her. “And on your university transcripts. ESMOD would be drooling to have you after working on a Graham Films production.”

Marinette giggled and he wished they weren’t working so he could snuggle with her while they watched a movie. Or did nothing at all. Well, the money he earned on this film would keep his family literally afloat for months. The pay was leagues better than working as a delivery driver so he could afford to put some money aside for himself.

“And not only are you acting, but you’re helping create the score for a major film production,” her enthusiasm for his success was even greater than his own and he loved that about her. She grinned up at him and it was all he could do not to hug her. “Jagged Stone himself will be begging you to work with him!”

Luka chuckled at the unlikely but fun mental image of his music idol getting down on his knees and begging Luka to come work on his latest album. “Mom would love that.”

She giggled. “Oh, yeah.” She looked at him, still grinning. “It’s mind blowing that the two of them used to work together.” She frowned, thinking. “I wonder why they stopped. Creative differences?”

He remembered the way they’d argued at the docks. “With those two? Probably. But it’s just as likely if they were working with Bob Roth back then, he probably drove them apart so he could make more money promoting Jagged as a solo artist.”

“And your mom is way too independent to let someone like Bob control her,” Marinette agreed and they shared a laugh, thinking about Anarka Couffaine telling Bob exactly what she thought of his management style.

The laughter gradually died away and they were left staring awkwardly at each other.

Marinette’s eyes darted around the room, clearly looking for something else to say. “Um, yeah! Do you want to try on your ball scene costume now?”

He knew it was wrong to smile but even when she was shy and awkward she was adorable. “It’s what we’re here for.”

“I’ll go get it!”

She rushed to the storage room in the back and raced towards him holding a brown clothing bag over her head. She double-checked the outside tag with the inside tag to make sure she had the right costume and then thrust it into his hands. “Go go go! Change!”

She grabbed his waist, turned him around and all but threw him into the changing room before coming back and making sure the curtain was closed. “Come out when you’re done!”

He laughed. He loved his Ma-ma-Marinette.

*****

Luka slid the curtain back and hoped he’d put on everything correctly. “How’s this?”

“I’m sure it’ll need an adjustment here or there but for the most part it’s probably…whoa!”

Marinette nearly dropped her pincushion as she stared at him, eyes wide. “You look so good! It’s like you just walked right out of my sketch!”

He laughed and fiddled with the tie. “I don’t think I have this quite right.”

“Oh, don’t feel bad. Hardly anyone knows how to tie a tie anymore.” She crossed the room and reached for the tie, untying it as she spoke to him. “How do you like it?”

Luka allowed her to pull the tie off him, then raised and lowered his arms and let the fabric move around him. “It’s pretty stretchy and easy to move in.” He ran a hand down the front of the coat. “This isn’t leather.”

“No, it’s suede. Suede is stretchier than leather. It’ll move easier than leather during a sword duel.”

“Very smart.” He looked down at his feet. “I’m not sure dress shoes are really Watson.”

“Me either,” she didn’t look up from the tie she was trying to get out of the three knots he had somehow tied it in. “I was thinking of combat boots, not the modern kind. Mme. Jennings has some vintage that might have been her father’s. Are you still a size forty-five?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think these will still fit you. We might get them to stretch a centimeter but not as much as two.” She finally finished straightening out the tie and looped it back around his neck. “I think I remember how to do this from helping my papa. I’ll try to tie it for you but sooner or later you should learn to tie your own.” She glared up at him. “I can’t always stop to do this if you win a Cesar or a BAFTA you know.”

He smiled but she couldn’t see it. “I’ll do what I can.”

She didn’t seem to be interested in what he was saying while she re-tied the bit of silk around his neck. “I went with Victorian or Regency inspiration for most of the cast but for you I went Edwardian. Still muted colors but softer, lighter material. Not as stiff. I went with a summer wool which has more cotton but still that rough tweed look. It’s also a little stretchy because the fabric has some spandex in it.”

Luka wasn’t listening, he just let the lecture about sewing and design flow over him as he heard her talk about what she loved. Her eyes were bright and interested and her posture was confident. He let her turn him this way and that while she got his tie properly adjusted.

“I also thought a standard vest or waistcoat wouldn’t suit you or Watson so I went with an asymmetrical vest instead.”

Her small hands left his throat, which was good, because he was worried she could feel his pulse. Instead her hands skimmed over his chest and slid down his waist. He knew her touch was completely innocent but he had to close his eyes and try to meditate so he didn’t knock his hands away or worse, pull her closer and kiss her. Every time he tried to remind himself she was getting over someone and wasn’t ready for anything serious, it sounded like more and more of a lie.

Maybe she needed a rebound, someone like…Felix. He looked like Adrien sure but he would also be gone in a few months. Marinette might get hurt but hell, it would be over soon and he would be there to console-

No.

That would be cruel and manipulative, to both Felix and Marinette. He loved her and liked Felix. He didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize their friendship, especially if Felix could help her with her career. Felix deserved someone who wanted to be with him long term and so did Marinette.

Okay, enough. He had work to do. And was Marinette kneeling in front of him and feeling his legs?

This was his punishment for impure thoughts and nearly succumbing to temptation. Oh, and doing something pretty dirty to Felix too.

“I think your pants need to be hemmed.” She was telling him. “I almost went with white but I thought stark white would look too harsh so I went with cream.”

Really, Marinette?

“Well, they look great.” He looked into the mirror so he wouldn’t be lying.

The black, gray and cream looked fantastic, contrasting without clashing. The straight bottom of the vest betrayed the slightest hint of shirt as he moved but he couldn’t have it too tight. The fingerless gloves were very rock and roll and would help him keep a grip on his sword.

Luka glanced at his hands. “Could the gloves have some metal studs on them?”

“I don’t see why not,” she made a note on her phone and then got back on her knees. “I’m going to hem these pants. Try not to move.”

Oh, this girl was immune to irony. “I’ll do what I can.”

She slid the ankle of the pant’s leg. “How’s this?

He looked down, “how far up can you raise it?”

“About a centimeter and a half. I want the pants cuff to look right.” She adjusted the pants again. “What about now?”

He looked in the mirror. “Perfect.”

Marinette pulled some pins out of her wrist cushion and raised the hem until she was satisfied, then looked at the mirror until the hem was even all around.

Luka admired himself in the mirror again. He loved it. He’d have to be careful not to get anything on it but Mme. Jennings told him they usually had a spare, just don’t take it for granted.

He looked inside the coat and found a long inner pocket roughly the length of a sword. She really did plan for everything. That would save them from having to stop filming to grab them.

She noticed his satisfaction and grinned. “I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”

“You certainly are,” he bowed and found it very easy in his costume, “Your Highness.”

She giggled and curtsied. “Please. We’re friends.” She made an elaborate show of offering him her hand to kiss. “Princess Marinette will do.”

*****

When had he stopped?

When had he stopped thinking of Marinette Dupain-Cheng as an opponent? Worthy or otherwise, he no longer thought of her as an obstacle or an antagonist.

That was not to say he’d stopped enjoying their verbal sparring matches. She was quick-witted and easily matched his intellect, matching every barb he threw at her with an adeptness that was as impressive as it was playful.

She no longer scowled at him when he needled her and took his criticisms of her acting with good grace and used them to improve her performance without taking offense. And to his surprise, he longer wanted to offend her.

He could admit to himself (and perhaps his mother) that he didn’t like her when he first saw her. She was lovely, with beautiful blue eyes and soft pink lips. Unfortunately she had been crushing on his oblivious cousin, who at the time had been pining for a superhero. It was pathetic and sad because anyone deserved better than to be someone’s second choice.

Now Adrien was dating Kagami and she seemed good for his cousin; strong-willed and fiercely independent. She could teach him how to stand up for himself; he brought out a gentler side of the fencer. They balanced each other rather well.

And for him? Well, he wasn’t really interested in relationships or romance in general but he thought he’d be a good partner for someone like Marinette. She needed more confidence in herself and someone to teach her how to be selfish every now and then and say no. He supposed she could teach him how to better express his emotions and challenge him and bring his ego down to size when he needed it. Which, if he listened to Allen or Chloe, was often.

Then again, there was Luka.

It would be easy but cowardly to dislike Luka. He was level-headed and mature and when Felix was being difficult or demanding, the older boy would just smile knowingly at him and Felix would feel like a nursery schooler having a tantrum. And he’d be good for Marinette. He knew how to calm her through her anxiety attacks and quelled her self-doubt. He was strong enough for her to lean on and teach her how to relax; that she was good enough.

He was growing fond of both of them and that surprised and worried him.

It was easier, simpler to be alone.No one could hurt, judge, or use you. He’d been through that before and swore he’d never allow himself to be that naive or vulnerable again. Yet, now he was thinking of the Quantic Kids and even Chloe as friends he could confide in. They had fun, whether it was acting, breaking a room full of garbage or a tabletop game. It would hurt to lose them now. He could, and he would survive, but it would hurt.

He’d rather not think of what it would be like to lose Marinette either. She was sweet and bubbly and optimistic but also had a snarky side he appreciated. She wasn’t tempted or intimidated by wealth, she was good at planning and strategy. Sometimes Felix wondered what his life would have been like if he’d met her when they were both younger. They might have hated each other, or been best friends.

But when had he begun to change his mind about her?

Perhaps it was when she pinpointed Lila Rossi as the person sabotaging the film and why. She immediately began to plan and even had contingencies in case her original plan failed. He appreciated someone who could plan almost as well as himself.

Oh, she was heavily flawed as well. She was humble to the point of being self-effacing, she gave so much of herself she sometimes forgot to save something for herself. She was independent and refused to accept help from him unless absolutely necessary. He found her persistence and tenacity annoying when she turned it against him.

Marinette became hyper fixated when something interested her but it was a pain in the ass to motivate her if something didn’t appeal to her. Then he had to fall back on his old habit of annoying her until she lost her temper and did what he wanted without her realizing it. And oh, it made her even angrier when she realized she’d been had!

She didn’t take his behavior lying down. More than once he’d found himself tangled in some homemade trap she’d made and then there was the time he found everything in his office that wasn’t in the safe on the roof. Including most of the clothing he’d been wearing. While taking a nap. He never knew how she’d done it and when he demanded to know she’d just smiled and said, “That’s too easy. Where’s the fun?”

She hadn’t attended a private school and lacked a pedigree but he’d much rather have her in his life than some thoroughbred social climber. Or his superficial uncle who insisted on keeping up appearances and hiding his middle-class background. Marinette’s lack of pretense showed more integrity and, to be honest; class.

She wouldn’t be bought or sold and she wouldn’t be talked down to. She just needed a bit more self-confidence. More of a spine, but not to the extent Adrien did. She needed a bit of polish to show her for the precious pearl she was. That and someone who could protect themselves and her. Well, perhaps not protect her, probably someone to fight beside her.

Felix shook his head to clear it. He didn’t have time to muse about anyone. He still had a movie to film, a supervillain to expose, and a city to protect. His conflicting feelings could wait. He put the girl out of his brain.

He stood up and took a few deep cleansing breaths to clear his mind of wayward thoughts and focus on the scene he was about to act in. Later he would go to the Wardrobe Department to be fitted for his ball ensemble. He wondered what Marinette had designed for him…

…

Dammit.

*****

When Felix was reaching for the door it burst open and Luka nearly ran into him.

“Sorry!” Luka backed up a step and apologized. “I wasn’t paying attention, just trying to get away.”

Felix’s brow furrowed. “From who?” Was Chloe hitting on him? Was Lila? He didn’t think either of them were near the dressing rooms today.

“From a very cute girl who was running her hands all over me and kneeling in front of me-” Luka broke off and frowned. “I’m sure she was being incredibly innocent but my mind didn’t take it that way and I had to get away before I could stop myself from touching her back.”

Felix looked all over the other boy. His cheeks were flushed and his breathing was a little heavier. “Why didn’t you tell her to stop?”

Luka just shrugged. “I kinda didn’t want her to.” He gave Felix a similar look; examining him without being too intrusive. “I understand if that’s not your thing but I was in a bit of a difficult situation.”

He pointed to the hallway and Felix slid away to let him by. “No judgment,” he told the other boy, “but you’ll have to understand if I think you’re missing something.”

He winked and left and Felix was just confused. He heard Marinette’s voice from deeper within the dressing room. “Felix? Is that you?”

“Yes,” he answered. “Apparently I’m here for you to put your hands all over me,” he muttered before he could stop himself.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I’m here to get my costume fitted,” he amended and she didn’t seem to hear what he said the first time.

“Okay. Come on in.”

He walked in the room and closed the door behind him.

Marinette was waiting for him, looking crisp and competent. She wore gray houndstooth dress shorts and a black turtleneck. Her hair was up in a bun and she looked professional and adorable.

Stop it.

She beamed at him. “Thank you for coming so quickly. Your costume is done but I want to make some adjustments if something is too long or too tight. And I want you to be happy with what I’ve designed for your character.”

He couldn’t help smiling just a little back. “I’m just an actor. I don’t get pissed off and moan about uncomfortable costuming. It’s not my place or right to complain.”

She gave him a flat look. “In a Graham Films Production? I’m pretty sure the co-director does have the right to speak up.”

Marinette went to the back to get him a costume to try on. After verifying the tags matched, she handed it to him.

“Hope you like it.”

Some mischievous part of him prompted him to ask. “Are you sure you shouldn’t help me change?

He thought she would get flustered. Maybe she’d be angry and yell at him. Then they would argue like their characters always did and he’d feel like everything was normal and there was no need to feel awkward.

Instead she smiled at him, lips curved. Her eyes looked him up and down, almost sultry. “My dear. You should be so lucky.”

She pushed him into the dressing room and closed the curtain.

*****

Felix was rather proud of himself for being able to tie a cravat on his first try and looked at what he could see of himself. Unfortunately the dressing room didn’t have a mirror so he would have to leave the room to see his reflection. A ploy of the Wardrobe Department, no doubt. It cut down the number of actors who damaged valuable costumes after realizing how unflattering they were. Well, he wasn’t vain. He didn’t care.

He slid back the dressing room curtain and looked at the mirror.

Okay, he did care.

The long black dress coat was a strange hybrid between a Regency and a Victorian cut and he liked it better, historical accuracy aside. The white shirt contrasted with the black and he thought the gray trousers tied them together.

He looked at the dark gold waistcoat. Another excellent choice that would bring attention to his hair color.

Running his hands over the vest he felt a side pocket. He looked from his reflection to Marinette. She looked satisfied, even pleased with herself. He liked the confident look on her face.

“It’s just big enough for a watch and chain,” he told her.

She smiled widely. “I bet you already have one.”

“Helen’s granddad. It’s supposed to go to the eldest but she’ll let me borrow it.”

She nodded. “Raise your arms. I want to see how easily you can move in it.”

He did so.

“Hold them out, shoulder height.”

He paused. “T-pose?”

“Sure.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to say she enjoyed giving him orders and ask if she had any dominating tendencies. That would have been incredibly unprofessional and could have gotten him and his Mother’s production company sued.

But what if she’d said yes?

You’re an idiot, me.

Marinette watched him pose. Her teeth worried her lower lip slightly and he found himself staring at her mouth before he forced his gaze away from her face. He looked straight ahead and tried to focus on…anything else.

“So, how was filming? I’ve been in the dressing room most of the day so I don’t know how scenes I’m not in are going.”

Ah, a neutral topic, something he would be confident talking about. It would relax him. Very smart.

“First, I did a scene with Barrington and Headmaster Doyle. They were discussing security for the ball and whether or not they should hire a private company.” The company would be owned by Jayden’s relatives and he would hack the school’s mainframe to make sure they got hired instead of the school’s original security company. That would give the heroes more eyes on any suspicious people. “Then Doyle and Professor Burnham-Hui discuss old times at school and how they miss Professor Akunin.” It was a great way to humanize the adult characters and give them nuance.

“Fleshing out characters beside our mains? Awesome.” Marinette took a step towards him then hesitated. “Um, Felix? I need to check the seams and the fit. That means I need to touch you.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “I’d like permission to touch you, if that’s all right.”

Felix stiffened, but only for a moment. He knew Marinette and was confident she wouldn’t take advantage to be inappropriate. Plus, she was his friend now. To his surprise, he trusted her to be respectful.

“It’s fine,” he told her, “I trust you not to…I don’t know…throw me down and ravish me.”

He meant it as a joke and wanted to needle her but she disappointed him. All she did was give him a flat look and say, “again, you’re not that lucky.”

Marinette got closer to him and reached up, touching his neck and then hooking a finger between his skin and the cravat. “Is it too tight? Can you breathe comfortably?”

He inhaled and then exhaled to show her. “Just fine.”

She nodded and then ran her hands from his underarms down his sides. “The seams look good. Plenty of room I hope? You don’t look like you have any trouble moving.”

Her hands moved lower then stopped. She looked into his eyes and her expression looked professional. Hell, she almost looked clinical as if she was giving him a medical exam. It left him feeling oddly disappointed.

“Hey, Felix?” She frowned and the skin between her brows wrinkled. “I want to check the waistband. I’ll just pull on the belt loops, I promise.”

What was it about her that made him want to make snarky comments and purposely pick fights with her when they were alone? A small part of him was worried he was blending his character with himself, something he hadn’t done since he was a child until this part. Sure, sometimes he had trouble breaking character but that was only for an instant and never when away from set.

Perhaps there was something about Marinette.

At first he thought she was just another bubble-headed fangirl obsessed with his cousin. She might have had a little talent but not much substance. As he got to know her he became impressed by her drive and ambition, her refusal to be intimidated by him. He liked her humor and wit most of all.

She was creative and had a knack for planning. She could be insightful and had integrity and leadership abilities.

It was a shame there wasn’t another Heraldry Miraculous for her to wield. He would have named her Nimue or something similar.

He felt her hands checking the seams along his calves and then stopped at his pants cuffs. He blinked back into awareness. “So uh…how’s the fit so far?”

“I was just about to ask you. The waist feels loose without being baggy. Better than Luka’s; his seemed a little tight.”

Felix clenched his teeth to keep from laughing. Really, she was either innocent or oblivious when it came to teenage boys.

Marinette raised the fabric near his ankles and he felt her hand on his bare skin. Her touch was light and gentle, barely there and even soothing. “I think your pant hem needs to come down about a centimeter. What do you think?”

He looked down and saw what she meant. Yes, the pants were slightly too short. He wasn’t sure how that happened. “I guess you didn’t take my measurements correctly.”

She glared up at him and he felt oddly vindicated. “You really shouldn’t insult me when I have access to sharp objects,” she reminded him and made a note on her phone. “We’re done here. I’ll shut the curtain and you can change.”

She was gone before he could make another smartarse remark.

As he was changing he saw Griff looking at him from his vest pocket. He had the feeling his kwami didn’t approve of his behavior towards Marinette. It wasn’t their business.

“Really, chick? That’s no way to speak to a lady like that.”

Felix paused as he buttoned his shirt. “A lady like what? My co-star? A collaborator? An ally?”

Griff made a huffing sound. “A possible future duchess.”

Felix couldn’t help it. He laughed. “I have no plans to ever marry.”

The kwami looked alarmed. “What of the family line?”

“In vitro and a surrogate.”

Griff ruffled his feathers. He sensed something exceptional about this girl, just as he had that blue-haired rival of his. Chicks these days, still wet from the shell and thought they knew everything.

*****

After Felix had left Marinette could finally let Tikki out of her purse. “Ugh. I thought he’d never leave,” the kwami complained.

“Same,” Marinette sighed and rubbed her hands together as if to remove the sensation of Felix’s body from her fingers. “What was with all the insults? Here I am trying to be professional and he’s acting like an ass.”

“Maybe it was because you had your hands all over him and he was…uncomfortable?” Tikki nearly said “enjoying himself too much” or “flustered” but she didn’t want to risk her charge developing any feelings beyond friendship for the boy. His past behavior aside, there was something unusual about Felix she couldn’t quite put her paw on. That, and even though she once would have paired Marinette and Adrien, she now thought they were better off as partners.

Besides, there was Luka and he was clearly better for Marinette, at least for now. She could relax and be herself around him and Longg and Sass sang his praises when they weren’t fighting over who was the better kwami for the musician.

Marinette shrugged then grinned, looking a little sly. “He’s put on some muscle lately but I like Luka’s body better.”

Tikki giggled. Yes, Lukanette! “Is that why you took an extra long time checking the fit on his costume?”

The girl blushed as she thought of feeling the boy’s pulse under her fingertips and the warmth of his skin. He always smelled really good from the bay rum shaving soap his mom had gotten him for his birthday. “Maybe. What can I say? I’m a normal teenage girl.”

“You’re a pervert,” Tikki accused but without malice. Her mischievous grin ruined her attempts to scold her charge.

“Like I said. Normal teenager.”

*****

"Why am I a little spoon?" Felix asked with a pout as he was spooned by Chloe, clutching Mr. Cuddly to his chest.

The beanbag they shared was soft and plush, like those squishmallow toys Allegra loved. It was brought in by Allegra, an odd chunky lavender colored dragon plush made bean bag, with some pillows that were made of the same material but with a pink cow pattern Claude found. It would fit two comfortably, maybe three pushing it. Often, most of the Quantic Kids fought over who got the bean bag, and this time Felix and Chloe were lucky to be there the fastest. Last time Felix tried he was tackled by Claude while Allegra took the bean bag as her prize. He was so miffed he didn't heal her D&D character when they managed to play.

The lights of their chill room were dimmed, there was a tablet playing an old western film; Griff and Milvii were watching. Eyes dilated and raptured at the so-called modern knights of the Wild West as the kwami declared. To anyone watching it was as if the blondes would have undoubtedly fallen asleep watching a movie. A great cover story for any unsuspecting staff.

"You're holding Mr. Cuddly," Chloe supplied as if the most natural answer in the world.

Felix tightened his grip lightly on the teddy bear that smelled of the essential oils Chloe generously sprayed on it. It was meant to be relaxing, and the refreshing scent of mint and lavender did soothe him. The soft fur was nice under his palms and it was super cuddly as his namesake. Everything perfect for a nap, Felix still didn't sleep. His mind still raced, so much was going on that it seemed so easy to fail. Maybe he should have done paperwork as he told Luka and Marinette?

It seemed wrong somehow to take a nap, the idea of guilt had him frown and tense. To just not give 100 percent in everything. It wasn't his style, Felix was nothing if not tenacious and driven. He worked hard to fulfill his goals. He would succeed in everything. Whether it be acting, directing, or this new superhero thing. Maybe, somewhere on the bottom of the responsibility pole, he could have a social life and new friendships. The image of Marinette and Luka flashed in his mind and he felt guilty. He’d turned down a chance to nap with them in order to spend time with a neglected Chloe.

"Stop thinking, you're not being a good pillow." Chloe grumbled at his ear, tightening her hold on Felix until he whined in protest. "Naps are bandaids to the soul, or Claude claims. That means no thinking."

"I can't just turn it off, Bitchoise." Felix grumbled, a bit helpless, which had the girl sigh and move.

Felix felt a bit off kilter as he suddenly felt the loss of Chloe's body pressed against his back. It was quite sudden and he turned back looking over his shoulder to see that the girl had adjusted herself propping herself up. The strawberry cow print pillow now supported her elbow as she rested her chin on her hand.

She dragged him over and Felix went from looking over his shoulder to on his back looking at the ceiling. Felix felt his hands tighten on Mr. Cuddly defensively, keeping it close to the chest because Chloe was less likely to pinch or tickle him if he had one of her most prized possessions at hand. If the kwami noticed or not Felix was unsure. As far as he could tell, the two stayed glued to Clint Eastwood and whatever movie he was in that they watched.

"Talk it out." Chloe spoke, gesturing with her free hand that Felix should continue and do that. Talk it out, it being the closest either blonde would readily admit to feelings. Felix made a face filled with his distaste and he snarked back at her.

"I must tell Claude he's doing wonderful in your empathy program, Allen also for writing the code."

"Stop it." Chloe snarked, flicking his nose with her free hand. "No deflecting, you don't let me do it so pay up."

Felix groaned, pressing his face to the soft fur of Mr. Cuddly if only to avoid Chloe's knowing gaze. It felt ever since she was bonded with Milvii she saw everything. As if the perception of the kwami bled into the holder; which was unfair. Felix wasn't feeling particularly courageous. He was feeling so weird and confused. Oddly bereft and he wasn't sure if it was one specific thing or a combination of anything.

"I don't know what it is." He confessed. "But I feel like a rope fraying on the ends a bit."

"Hmm…" Chloe hummed thoughtfully as she took into consideration his words. "I'm going to say stuff and you'll listen."

"When you put it like that it means I won't like it." Felix groaned, sinking deeper into the bean bag.

"Don't care, stop fussing." Chloe flicked him again if only to catch his attention, and it wasn't often she could. "You're not a crocodile."

"Your observations are astounding, madam." Felix snarked, he couldn't help it. "What next? I'm not a bear?"

"You're not, maybe an English badger if we’re lucky. Sadly you're a certified bastard with pedigree to match" Chloe followed him easily. "But as I was saying, Crocodiles don't need to chew their food, they bite off and swallow; you’ve been doing that too lately, and you keep on biting off more than you can handle. You're running yourself ragged trying to do a lot and looking cool the entire time.”

“I am prepared and capable with all of my tasks. I'm Felix Graham de Vanilly, we’re very resourceful.” Felix defended himself, but the words sounded weak and hollow even to himself.

She gave him a “you’re not fooling anyone” look which reminded him of his mother. “Fe, we both know that is a lot of bs. I mean, actor and director, ok, both high intensity but in the same wheelhouse. I am willing to admit you’re very capable, resourceful and good with the networking to have brought an outstanding team to back you up. You're reminding Gabriel Agreste that he's nothing but a Boomer and you will defeat him.”

Chloe could tell she didn’t have him convinced just yet and sighed, throwing her hand in the air. “That plan is fun and isn't constant. We get our opportunities and have a field day. I mean it took you days to ride off the high you got showing his little secretary who’s boss which was very nice. The hero gig? Yeah that's taking a lot of our time, I mean--" Chloe paused to yawn as if proving her point. "We're tired, and you focus on what more you can do than learning to juggle what you got. So shut up and nap, you need beauty sleep. If only to make your personality more tolerable to the nice folk."

Felix wanted to protest. Say something, anything to prove her wrong. Sadly there wasn’t much to counter her offers. He was running himself ragged, a rope overused and beginning to fray. He didn’t like it but it was the truth. Dissatisfied with his mortal limitations which were showing up more and more since he’s been in France, Felix sighed, defeated. He needed a massage, a nap, and a nice hour or two of absolutely nothing. Now was sadly not the time, so wasting the precious minutes they all grabbed to sleep felt wrong.

“I might concede…for now, but I’m tired so let’s try to nap.” Felix spoke quickly, turning and resting his cheek on the pillow once again ignoring the satisfied smirk Chloe had as she hugged him once again. It seems the little talk worked in untangling a part of his head for now as he felt himself slipping off into slumber. The low noise of the tablet was soothing like any lullaby, the soft and plush beanbag and pillows were grand, and the weight of another person made him feel less lonely.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Sleep, while difficult to achieve at first, was welcomed eagerly by overworked, tired heroes that basically had their lives divided by two or three different directions. Four if the overachievers were asked, which were sadly most of the heaviest hitters.

While exhausted teens took the fleeting moments to nap with relish; momentarily disconnecting from all responsibilities in their dreams, relaxed and deep in slumber, somewhere in Paris a certain man was making plans to ultimately disrupt momentary serenity. He didn't know that the outcome of this particular plan would backfire spectacularly on his face. With this instance he will gain even more enemies. Not that they knew about it, but this is how it happened.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Hidden from the prying eyes of Paris there was a man. Sunlight shone through an ornate window illuminating the room. Butterflies began to flutter about as it has happened every time he stepped in with ill intent. Hawkmoth thought it was time for a new plot to enact his schemes. Take the miracle jewels of Paris's favorite crime fighting duo and do with it his ultimate evil plan.

"A new day, a new opportunity." Hawkmoth spoke to his butterflies. “Let’s go find one, shall we?”

Hawkmoth tapped into the intrinsic value of the butterfly. Yet for transformation there needed to be a catalyst. Caterpillars had a catalyst that encouraged them to transform and with the miraculous Hawkmoth could manipulate humans to do the same. Yet it was difficult if the circumstances weren't in his favor. 'Twas a delicate balance that Hawkmoth employed, finding the best scenarios to awaken.

He focused and felt himself connect. A network of all living beings lighting up like a map in his mind. Pulsating and illuminated with the colors of emotion. It always felt overwhelming when he stretched his consciousness so far, so he began to refine it. Remove his connection from plants and animals, while they could be good for distractions it wasn't his intent at this time.

Now Hawkmoth looked at the silken strands of so many potential akuma. Eager to see one who was ready for a little nudge to become a beautiful and terrifying butterfly. Colors sparked in his mind's eye, the network pulsing akin to a heartbeat and in an array of colors. He looked out for specific feelings. Anger, sadness, heartbreak, righteous fury, hatred; anything that would birth a worthy Akuma to further his goal.

Oh, longing. The emotion enticed the villain from where he stood and he delved deeper. Ignoring most of the city until the faintest tendrils of his power connected him to the emotion that piqued his interest.

Looking at that sad graying red of a once vibrant love. A young teenage girl was in love. Aren't they always? She was in love with a classmate who didn't know her, one-sided love at that.

Hawkmoth focused on sending his consciousness further into seeing the reasoning behind the emotions. Memories filtered through his mind.

The young girl was in love with this boy since they were young children. For so long she had been in a friend group and she helplessly pined because she had no courage. She was working hard on building her confidence, experimenting with make up and fashion. Joining the same music club, working hard to learn her instrument so she could spend time with him.

The girl was sincere and tried so hard. She even worked a part time job to buy him a present on becoming the first chair in their club. She had just bought the present and was heading home when she saw something. It was the boy, looking shy and sweet. Laughing with a pretty girl both holding hands when a breeze dropped some leaves onto their hair and taking the opportunity of 'removing the leaf' from each other's hair they stole a kiss. It was romantic and beautiful, a young love’s date and the girl felt despair.

Prodding further it seems that the other girl knew of her feelings, and assured him that she would support her. What betrayal! Such longing! The girl believed if she had the chance, if he would give her a chance, she would prove how much better she was. Hawkmoth couldn't really resist. One of his little purple butterflies fluttered down on her and landed on something starting a direct connection between the two.

"Cry not, sweet child." Hawkmoth crooned, his voice soft and delicate to not startle the girl. He imagined a younger Emilie crying and the tenderness was easy to convey. "Your tears are precious."

"Wh--who's there?" The girl gasped looking around for the origin of his voice. She was in her room, she had run home and was crying on her bed. The opened window showed a beautiful parisian scene but no one there to speak to her.

"I am a friend, and one who's seen your plight." Hawkmoth spoke in the form of a greeting. "I saw the depths of your pure love and the pain of your betrayal. It is so awful that a friend would betray us that way."

"Marie isn't my friend;" The girl spat hotly standing up in fury, the pulse of anger was a wonderful spark. She would be a good akuma. "Or else, she isn't anymore, maybe she was never a friend to begin with." The girl muttered deflated staring at a picture framed on her wall. Of her and that so-called friend Marie, they looked happy. The girl was sad all over again. The ember of her anger was extinguishing, and Hawkmoth couldn't have that.

"Of that I am sorry, child." Hawkmoth soothed, softening the girl's sadness with his limited power connected to this temporary champion, and subtly fanning her anger. "I know not who to pity more. You for the betrayal of a so-called friend, or for poor Laurent. He's innocent and being manipulated by Marie. If she couldn't be a friend to you, obviously she cannot be left with Laurent's heart. She will destroy him."

The honeyed words once spoken, seemed to plant themselves deep into the girl. Flashes of emotions pulsated. Shock, pity, love, betrayal, sadness…all culminating in one perfect emotion. Rage so potent that the light seemed blinding in their connection. Hawkmoth couldn't help the smile, he has her where he wants her.

"We have to save Laurent." Hawkmoth spoke urgently, keeping his kind facade.

"We do, I have to. How didn't I think of this before? Oh mon dieu." The girl gasped, pressing a fist to her chest.

"I can't do much by myself; but together we can save Laurent." Hawkmoth proposed. "All I ask is that you also help me; you see some people betrayed me too. They stole something important and everyone praises the thieves. I so do want the miraculous back."

"Of course!" The girl agreed, not noticing how she began to change. Where there was once a sad teenage girl, was the new dark champion of the villain; with a new mission.

"Let's help Laurent, Miss Cupid." The hopeful voice of Hawkmoth whispered with a far more sinister edge. Yet Miss Cupid did not notice the exhilarating feeling of power coursing through her drowned out things she should have noticed.

"Yes Hawkmoth, and don't worry I'll help you, too. The miraculous will be returned." Miss Cupid agreed as she took off.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Forty-five minutes.

Only forty-five minutes have passed.

FORTY.

FIVE.

MINUTES?!

Three quarters to an hour, fifteen minutes away from a glorious 60 minutes. The universe couldn’t even try to give them the full 60 minutes of extra sleep until all hell broke loose. The sick bastard who was responsible: Hawk Moth. The reason? He just had to create a new akuma. The siren and semi-distant screams filled the questions that filled Felix as he awoke with a start.

Insult to injury was the guitar riff that was Claude’s ringtone in Felix’s ear as he picked up the call.

"LARP." The singular word was code to the group. That they would go and transform, fighting the akuma. It was the first time the code was used, and for it to be Claude was alarming. His tone held no room for argument. It was less of a suggestion, or a question. No, Claude was transforming and was simply telling Felix, as Felix was the leader of the Knights.

"Claude," Felix sighed, understanding his friend was mad. Secretly relieved it wasn't his fault, or any staff's. He wouldn't need to plan contingencies. "We agreed not to involve ourselves with pest control."

"Sorry, Boss," Claude didn't sound sorry at all. "Taking a part time job."

"Not alone," Felix was quick to remark.

"Lady-love is talking to the big guy." Claude explained, he had Allegra talk to Allen. No doubt repeating the same code to Allen.

"What does the heart say?' Felix asked, trying to reign them in.

"Giving understanding support."

Shite.

"Griff, are we cleared to Larp?" Felix asked, noticing that Chloe had jumped into motion. The lethargy of sleep clung like a stubborn lover, but she was moving. She had been feeding both Milvii and Griff, and was grabbing a snack bag for both kwami.

"Not up to the best circumstances." Griff spoke up before turning to Milvii.

"You'll do, Percival has already been awakened." Milvii nodded.

"At least we're taking a back seat." Felix proposed as a compromise, they needed to sneak out of here also. "Stay low, don't be seen if you can help it."

“Nah boss, we’re out for blood.”

Click.

“Bitchoise, we’re fighting an akuma.” Felix spoke a bit absently trying to wake up.

"Already texted your mom, and I memorized possible escape routes D-Marinette gave dealing with our other problem. Ready when you are." Chloe chirped.

Once again Felix wondered what he did to piss off the universe this time.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Akuma Alarm blasted loudly, waking two other teens who scrambled. Both needed secrecy to go and help the city. Luka made a quick lie about helping secure the music equipment because Allen was working mostly alone. Marinette agreed and saw as the boy sped off vaguely running to the music room. She opened the window of her trailer as it faced a rarely traveled path and looked at her kwami.

"It feels mean, having Luka run away to transform." Marinette mumbled.

"Well the Guardian did say that your identities couldn't be exposed." Tikki reminded her holder, not really sure if it should even stay true now after everything. "It's for your safety."

Her little bug was running ragged, a friend who knew what she was going through would have been so helpful. It wasn't as noticeable because the make up team was doing wonders making her not look as tired as Marinette was, and the concealer did a great help on covering the shadows that had been steadily growing. Tikki knew that Marinette was enjoying herself, the designing was fun and it was a breath of fresh air to see creativity in motion.

The acting, while a hurdle at first, was growing on Marinette and Tikki was sure that part of it was how she interacted with everyone, especially Luka and Felix. With Felix Marinette was confident, like Ladybug but without the burden of responsibility. With Luka she was grounded and at peace. Which meant that when she had to stand as the leader and guardian of the miraculous alone, it was harder for Tikki to stomach. The Guardians were a network back in the temple and not one person held all the burden, not even the Grand Guardian. For such responsibility on her young holder, Tikki felt bubbling questions pop in her mind. Maybe it was time for a change, for all their sakes.

At least we have Luka helping out as a hero again, and Miss Kagami. I hope it helps remove her burdens. Tikki thought while she looked at her holder. The teen was psyching herself up and looked so alone and tired.

"Tikki, spots on." Marinette spoke the words, losing her usual youthful enthusiasm. She appeared more battle worn and tired, a general rejoining a never ending fight. Scarlet light wrapped around her body and no longer was the girl Marinette standing there. Now she was Ladybug, hero and protector of Paris.

#felix graham de vanily #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #chloe bourgeois #quantic kids #original characters #worthy opponent au

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soap-lady · 1 year

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I was sick and this is why I’m late, don’t @ me

Hello, everyone!

Thank you all for waiting. I’m shocked anyone is still reading this fic but @arylace and I are incredibly grateful to those who like this story. I was ill which is why this was late. Not the flu or Covid, just a virus that kicked my butt.

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Worthy Opponent Chapter 20

Jack Watson allowed himself to be tugged along by Felicity Dupin. “So what’s this thing I have to see without Holmes around?”

She stopped so fast he nearly ran into her. Looking over her shoulder she asked him, “Do you really want to be around Barry when he’s being a colossal horse’s ass?”

He needed less than a second to think about it. “No.”

“Well, come along then.”

She grabbed his hand again and pulled him with her. He smiled at the back of her head. He wondered if she knew how pretty she was when she was taking charge.

Felicity guided him past study rooms and a tea parlor (some of the students were British after all) to a small closet whose door knob was on the wrong side. Jack watched as she turned the knob counterclockwise and the knob slid away to reveal a keypad. She grinned up at his surprised face. “Secret clubhouse. It’s only available to members of the Founding Families. What I want to show you is here.”

Jack smiled at the idea of generations of Holmes, Watsons, Dupains, Marples and Poirots having meetings in a hidden room. “Cool, but why?”

She shrugged then punched in the code. “Secrecy. Protection.” She glanced up at him. “I’m sure the Nazis or the Central Powers would have loved to have taken the world’s most famous detectives prisoner. Or just kill them.”

He nodded and the door slid open. Felicity glanced down the hall in both directions, grabbed his arm and pulled him in before the door slid closed.

Jack’s eyes widened as LED wall sconces lit up as they passed and turned towards Felicity. “Wow. This is…a lot.”

She laughed. “What? Did you just now realize you belonged to a secret society?” She continued to walk down the hall while he followed behind her, feeling like a hick. “There’s all sorts of secret tunnels and hidden rooms in here. It’s how we survived the Nazi occupation. There’s probably secret places in all three schools.” She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. “Don’t feel bad. Even Barry only knows about half of them.”

“So that’s yet another thing he can hold over my head. Goody,” Jack muttered as they approached an ornate oaken door with the school’s crest carved into it.

She paused as she was turning the knight’s helmet in the Holmes family crest upside down. “Do you really care? That he knows stuff you don’t?”

He thought for a moment. “Nah. Despite what he thinks, my life doesn't have to revolve around him.”

“Mais non,” she replied with a saucy wink and turned the pine tree in the Dupin family crest right side up. The door opened and they stepped inside.

Jack paused. “Aren’t we going to shut the door?”

Felicity shook her head. “Why bother? No one knows to get in here if they’re not one of the founding members. Not even the Headmaster.” She grinned and he was struck once again by her confidence. Playful, where Holmes was arrogant.

“Besides,” she began to flip switches and lights and an unseen fan whirred to life, “it’s always stuffy in here until the fan’s been on awhile. Come on and sit down.”

Jack looked around, surprised at the size of the room. It was easily three times what he was expecting and light and bright where the Headmaster’s office was all dark wood and Turkish rugs, this room had blond parquet flooring with matching recessed bookcases. The walls were eggshell blue with silver fleur-de-lis stenciled on top of the paint, very French. This room was more Dupin’s style while the Headmaster’s office was very Holmes. Jack wondered if there was a Watson room somewhere.

The furniture was a mishmash of styles, clearly scrounged from other parts of the school. The chairs and the couch were no doubt vintage but they had been reupholstered and were lovingly polished. Some Dupin family retainer probably maintained the place, no doubt someone trusted by the school and Felicity’s relatives; someone who could keep a secret. Jack wondered if there were any Watson family retainers running around. He made a mental note to ask Felicity later.

There were a few modern touches too; sleek black metal desks with ergonomic chairs and desk or laptops lovingly built by Jayden. A Cola Style Machine took up one corner while a small kitchenette with a microwave, steel refrigerator with a matching stove filled up another. There was another door that led to what Jack assumed was a bathroom.

“Cozy, huh?” Felicity spoke up after he was done looking around. She smiled, eyes going soft. “Barry suggested having a professional redo the room but he would have done something grand and posh and boring. I wanted something simple and Seabert and Elinor voted with me while Jayden abstained. Welcome to the Founders Room, Jack Watson.” She motioned in the general direction of the soda machine. “Fix us something to drink, please. I want to show you something but I have to find it first.”

“Sure,” Jack crossed the room. The drink machine had a built-in ice maker with cup dispensers underneath. He was beginning to feel a little grubby when he thought about the kind of life of luxury the other kids must have taken for granted while his mom struggled. Fortunately none of them were snobs; except maybe for Barry. He had vague recollections of his former life but everyone but “Filly” was a blur. He mostly remembered his parents fighting, when his father was home at all.

“What kind?”

Felicity stopped searching for a moment. “Surprise me.”

He nodded to himself and fixed two drinks; lemon cola for himself and Orangina for Felicity. The coffee table had an inlaid marble top so he looked in the drawers in the kitchenette for coasters. Finding two he put them on the table and set the drinks down.

Felicity found what she was looking for on the top shelf of the third bookcase and padded over to the couch where she sat down and patted the seat beside her.

Jack took a seat and looked over at what Felicity had in her lap. “Is that an actual photo album? Like pictures taken using actual film and developed?”

She nodded. “Yup. The staff’s a little old-fashioned around here, in case you didn’t notice. So…yeah. Real pictures developed from actual film. She opened the album and slid it so it was balanced on both of their legs. “Take a look.”

He did and saw a miniature version of himself in the class uniform posing with a group of kids of similar size. There were around twelve children sitting in two rows with six children in each row. The taller children sat behind the shorter children. He recognized himself, Barry, Jayden and Seabert. Jayden wore his hair plaited and Seabert hadn’t quite grown into his ears. One of the others might have been Nick Charles IV but he wasn’t sure. The last boy reminded him of Marlowe. He was seated by Jayden Spade and looked angry. Jack sat next to Barry and looked bored while Barry looked annoyed. He was probably upset that Watson didn’t immediately fall down and worship him on the first day of school. He grinned at the thought.

He looked for Elinor and Felicity next. He smiled at Felicity when he spotted her. She’d worn her hair short back then after Barry had “accidentally” gotten gum in her hair. Elinor had wanted to cut her own hair to show support but her parents hadn’t let her. Instead she started braiding it and having it pinned up to look like it was short. Aubrey had done the same but with microbraids. He was sure Felicity had appreciated the effort. Elinore sat in front of Seabert while Felicity claimed the spot in front of him. He grinned. Even back then, the battle lines had been drawn. Flick and Jack versus Barry.

Felicity nudged him with her shoulder and also smiled at the pictures. “We were pretty cute, huh?”

Jack looked over at her. He could still see the mischievous girl she’d been and felt sorry he’d been yanked away to America by his mom. “Yeah,” he finally answered. “But we’re damn hot now.”

She laughed and looked over his side at the album. “How could we not be?” She peered down at his younger self. “Your cheekbones were unfairly sharp, even back then.”

He chuckled. “True. Then again, even with a bowl cut, you were still the prettiest girl in the class.”

“I know.” She pretended to preen and they laughed together again.

Looking at these photos made him recall other things. Like the time they’d build a detective’s office out of cardboard at Jayden’s house. The sleepover at Seabert’s where he’d confided to Doctor Poirot about his parents’ arguing. All of them getting their butts kicked at Operation by Aubrey.

He also remembered how Felicity and Elinor used to share their lunches with him when his parents had stayed up the whole night fighting and neither remembered to make him one. He and Felicity would sneak off to have secret “best friend” picnics when Jack needed to talk. Barry would follow them and give Jack half of his lunch because “his cook always made too much anyway.” Barry later confided he deliberately asked his cook for extra for an excuse to get away from all the people who chased him and tried to kiss him during recess. At the time Jack and Felicity thought he was just trying to brag about how popular he was but now he wondered if Barry sometimes wanted a break from the spotlight.

He flipped through the photos, smiling at some and outright laughing at others. They had all gotten into trouble together and pulled each other out of it as well. They’d stuck together, even when fighting each other.

Jack turned to the last page and the smile fell off his face.

The last picture had to be of his last day. The entire class was sitting around a table. There was a cake in front of his younger self, but he wouldn’t even look at it. One arm was around a crying Felicity who was clinging to him and the other was patting Barry on the shoulder. The blond boy looked like he was at a wake, not a party. His haunted eyes were better equipped to be in a painting of a dying Victorian child, not a living, breathing boy. Hazy memories of that day flashed in his mind, of how everyone seemed to give space to the three: Felicity, Barrington, and Jack sharing their final moments.

How the lunch ladies made berry cookies because Barrington thought it was funny, for Flick and Jack had black-blue hair like rich and sweet blackberries. How Barrington was called Barry by friends, a berry cookie stained in purple-pink and white chocolate, for Barry was the palest of the three, that filled their mouths in sweetness that wasn’t so saccharine. A little tin filled with recipes of all of Jack’s favorite foods from Barry, meticulously organized by category, season, and then alphabetically; so his new school could cook the best for his Watson.

Flick had made charm bracelets for the three of them; a silver girl in between two silver boys with beads of pink, teal, and purple. How Jack’s charm was a music note, as he always showed how better he was in music than Barry. How Barry had a little crown because Flick said “your royal pain in the butt” one time he won in chess. Flick's charm was a little horseshoe because she took to equestrian sports like a duck to water. There were some smaller charms for other things, a little Eiffel Tower and Big Ben; green, yellow, and cyan beads for their other friends.

There was a banner behind him that read “We’ll miss you, Jack!”. Only the adults in the room were smiling and even those were strained. It was incredibly depressing to look at the picture so he closed the book and handed it back to Felicity without a word.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly as she took the book back. “It’s been years since I remembered we even had this album. I’d forgotten that picture was in there.”

She stood up and put the album back where she found it then sat back down.

She sat at the end of the couch, as far as she could get from him, almost pressing herself into the couch. His chest tightened when he noticed how upset with herself she was. She hadn’t done this on purpose, he realized. She just wanted to share what she thought were happy childhood memories.

Jack slid cautiously and slowly to her side of the couch. He spoke gently to her as if to a scared fawn. “It was an accident. Besides,” he tried to give her a reassuring smile but wasn’t sure how successful he was, “it’s stupid to be mad at you for showing me an old photo. I barely remember what happened last year, much less eight years ago.”

She smiled again, small but sincere. “Thanks for that.” She stood up and grabbed their cups to throw away. He just sat there, feeling like an idiot for not being able to make her feel better but afraid of just making her feel worse. Finally he said, “Are you hungry?”

Felicity came back and grabbed the coasters. “I could eat. Besides, we haven’t stocked the pantry in weeks.”

Jack twisted so he could see her over the back of the couch. “Would you like to have dinner in the student cafe with me?”

She put the coasters back in the kitchen drawer then turned around to stare at him. “This isn’t a date, is it?”

“Nah.” It was hardly the time. They were investigating a murder.

“Oh.” She didn’t look the least bit disappointed. “No problem.” She walked past the couch and to the door without waiting for him. “I’m not sure if you could keep up with me anyway.”

“What?!” Jack stood up and saw she was laughing at him. He grinned and said, “Well, Barry can’t either.”

“Not by himself anyway,” she inclined her head towards the door. “Come on.”

*****

It’s not odd to hear the advice, “put yourself into the character’s shoes” if you’re an actor. The concept of being the very person you are meant to portray bleeds a sincerity that the audience can resonate with. The very idea isn’t odd for Felix, he was aware of its existence; his father had told him once. He’s tried to mold his acting to be like that, not a puppeteer moving a character along, but to be the character when performing. How peculiar were these feelings? The bitter taste of jealousy and envy coexisting in watching the scene being played before him. When did Barrington Holmes begin and Felix end? There were shining lights and people scrutinizing his every move but all of that washed away. Unimportant, and unnecessary variables that didn’t pertain to what he felt. Why was the feeling sad and bittersweet? Felix couldn’t understand. His brow furrowed as he peered into the room from a window.

*-*-*-*

Barrington Holmes felt silly and unsure standing outside his dorm building, at night, and peering in from the window. No different from a poor pauper who’s peering into a window of a middle class family and seeing a tender moment while struggling in the cold. Their smiles were so bright, easily shared and given to one another as they sat huddled to one another. Twin plates filled with food and sparkling glasses clinking in toast as they sat to eat and chat.

A book was on the table and both of them were talking about its pages. Why did this scene feel closer to a distant dream? The rival, the distant friend; a part of fate that elected to move together in tandem leaving him behind. It was strange, he wanted to break that tranquility. March in and force the two who sat with such warmth to each other in harmony to acknowledge him. He wanted their attention, their time, anything they could grant. He would gladly take a miniscule fraction of what they shared equally, for they obviously saw him as a lesser member. After all they always were happy to exclude Barry at every turn. Try as he might to integrate everyone in the Spades as equals, Flick and Jack always kept more of a distance. If he walked in…. stepped into that light. Would he be welcomed? Or would he be regaled by the shadow that followed him firmly?

Fear pierced him, what if he were shunned? For someone like Barrington Holmes who was nothing without his name, his family, that precious legacy; would two who cared not for those things look at him favorably? He already felt like a failure every hour that passed without granting justice to Professor Akunin. Did they notice that failure? Did they both rejoice in the times they were alone without them? Barry wasn’t an idiot, as much as everyone has been whispering as of late. It felt as if there was slowly a noose circling around him. The rope slowly ever so slightly tightening more and more around his neck. He was nothing without victory, a wash up Holmes who can’t do one case. They were all looking at Barry to come up with a plan to find the villains. All they’ve seen is a member of the Holmes family who loses his cool more often. What whispers are spoken about him? A cold shiver left Barry as he tried to breathe but he couldn’t. Why was it so hard to breathe?

“I got you.” A voice cut off and Barry felt himself floating for a moment, before it registered, he was picked up. Quite literally when he realized his face was within inches of Eleanor Marple’s. To Barry’s shock, she was carrying him in her arms and walking away from the window.

“What happened?” Barry asked, surprised his voice was hoarse.

“You fainted, Barry.” Seabert sounded off, stepping around so Barry could see him easily. “We’re getting worried, man.”

“When did you last eat?” Elinor asked, concerned. “You’re shaking.”

“Eat?” Barry asked, confused, they had a case to do. When on earth can someone expect him to eat?

“Yes Barry, eat food and not chug energy drinks like no tomorrow.” Seabert chastised. “You also don’t look like you’ve slept in days.”

“Pot, meet kettle.” Barry deadpanned, knowing it was a weak deflection of the conversation. Yet quick to bring up the dark bags of both Seabert and Elinor. They weren't getting enough sleep either. “Where are we going?”

“The kitchens. You’re going to eat what we put in front of you.” Elinor answered, increasing her strides. “It’s 30 minutes to curfew so the area’s practically deserted. Then you’re going to take a nap, I know nothing I can say will convince you to sleep the entire night away. We’re compromising on a nice nap. Effective immediately, Seabert and I are starting operation BB.”

“I hate Operation BB; Babysit Barry. It’s not a good plan, Elinor.” Barry pouted, resting his head on her shoulder.

“I may not be a Holmes in levels of planning, but Operation BB has kept you alive so far. Or do we want a repeat of two years ago when you almost developed a heart murmur from all that excessive caffeine?” Elinor reminded Barry as Seabert went ahead and opened the kitchen’s side door for the two of them.

“As your best friends, it’s imperative that we keep our illustrious leader alive.” Seabert quipped with a smile locking the door behind them.

“That was only until Watson would join us again.” Barry reminded the duo, sinking further into Elinor. He started noticing how hungry he was. If he really has been neglecting himself; they're going to be insufferable.

“He hasn’t.” Seabert pointed out. “Not really, Jack is still an outsider to us. He might be considered a Watson by blood, and that's it. A Watson, but he isn’t ours yet. He doesn’t understand the pressure and expectations we deal with. He doesn't understand the history or importance; he's riding coat tails without thinking what got him here, thinking he's above all of it and reaping the privilege. He doesn't get that our privilege is also a responsibility and work; work that he should be sharing in. Work that he’s been adding onto your plate instead.”

“He really hasn’t.” Barry attempted to defend. It sounded weak to his ears.

“You’re the planner, Barry,” Seabert reminded Barry Holmes as he dove into fixing a plate for the three of them from the remnants of the night’s dinner. “I’m the profiler, you lay down the tracks for us to run in; and I see the obstacles we make for others and ourselves. Jack Watson is adding to your plate when he should be sharing our burden.”

“You can’t argue with us Barry, we know all your ticks.” Elinor reminded Barry, setting him down on a chair.

It was a well-practiced routine. Elinor and Seabert whisked Barry away when things got too overwhelming. The kitchen staff was well aware of their escapades and tended to leave some things out with chairs on a little table when Seabert would alert them of a late dinner. As long as everything was cleaned afterwards and the trio had always done so.

*****

“And…cut!” Amelie called out. She clapped happily. “Brilliant work, darlings.” She smiled at Luka and Marinette. “I could feel the melancholy and nostalgia as Felicity and Jack grew closer.” The two blushed and looked at each other, then blushed harder.

She turned to her son and two of his closest friends. “And you three!” She clasped her hands together and beamed a wide, loving smile tinged with pride. "Wonderful! You were perfect! Lifelong friends, looking out for one another. Seabert, who seems silly, actually being observant. Elinor, a kind soul with both physical and emotional strength. Barry might be conflicted over his feelings towards Jack and Felicity for the moment but he knows there are at least two people in his life he can always lean on when he needs to.”

“Even if he grumbles about it,” Claude pointed out.

“Even so,” Amelie began and stopped when she saw the look on Marinette’s face. She gave the girl a gentle, reassuring smile. “Did you have something to add about the scene, dear?”

Marinette frowned, then began to speak; hesitant and first and then with more confidence. “It’s just…all the characters are supposed to be friends, right?” She looked unsure.

Allegra found herself nodding. “Right, and?”

Marinette’s brows knitted together in confusion. “But…it also seems like Elinor and Seabert are more on Barry’s side than Felicity’s. I mean…” she bit her lip and both Felix and Luka found themselves staring at her mouth. “They’ve all known each for the same amount of time, minus Jack of course. Shouldn’t they care about Felicity’s feelings as much as Barry’s?”

“Marinette has a good point,” Luka was quick to take her side. “Felicity is a direct descendant of Auguste Dupin, the man who founded this society they all belong to. His heir should be the one with the most prestige, the one everyone listens to. She should be the leader.”

Luka looked around. No one’s heart music seemed upset. Some of them even harmonized with his, like Marinette, and to his surprise, Claude’s. He went on. “But because the adventures of Sherlock Holmes became more famous because the original Watson wrote more of his down, he’s more famous. And in the eyes of the world, famous means better.”

“Hence why Felicity resents Holmes,” Marinette spoke up.

Allegra looked at Felix. His eyes seemed unfocused, his lips pressed together. He was still in-character. If he were to speak up, it would be Barry who spoke, not Felix. She decided to speak up for him.

“And the Holmes and Watson from each generation have been partners, working together. This generation’s Watson,” she pointed at Luka, “dropped out of sight eight years ago so it’s been up to Seabert and Elinor to take care of him instead. Felicity is Holmes’ rival so having to care for him would just make her resent him more.”

“And being a profiler with psychologist parents, Seabert has to be able to get into the heads of criminals and victims, so he’s probably high in empathy.” Claude joined Allegra.

“And Elinor has a strong protective streak and a black belt in several forms of martial arts,” Allegra continued as she gave her boyfriend a wink and a grin. “She likes Felicity and considers her a friend but because she’s so used to taking care of Barry in Jack’s absence,” she pretended to scowl at Luka, who smiled back. “She’s naturally closer to him.”

“Both Elinor and Seabert take care of Barry but also resent Jack because they have to do what they consider to be his job.” Marinette offered.

“Yep.”

“And Jack, who hasn’t been around any of you for eight years, who’s been raised with a lot of resentment towards the Holmes family chafes at the idea of being forced into a role he never asked for,” Luka deftly summarized the main character’s backstories and was rewarded with a smile and a fist bump from Marinette.

“Exactly!” Amelie stood up and twirled around. “Conflict within the group while trying to solve the murder of a man most of them considered a mentor! Years of bitterness! Jealousy! Perhaps a budding romance?” She winked at Luka, who looked amused. Marinette pretended she hadn’t seen. “It adds drama and tension, just as much as car chases and sword fights!” She kissed her fingers. “Magnifique!”

She was looking at Felix, who still seemed in his own little world. She remembered how she used to get so caught up in a character and dear Geralt had to coax her back to herself. Usually it involved a cup of tea. Smell was the closest sense to memory after all. She left the group after giving Claude and Allegra a look they recognized as Felix is stuck in his role. Look after him until I come back. They nodded while their two co-stars just looked confused. She walked up to an assistant and requested some tea and snacks for her son. They nodded and walked away.

“Hey, Felix?”

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up into Luka’s gentle blue eyes. They gazed down at him with concern as they looked him over. The logical part of his mind knew the other boy was only trying to help and just wanted to show his concern. Luka was a good guy; he was kind and cared about people. He also had a sharp sense of humor and a wicked wit. He was beginning to think of Luka as a friend.

But Felix was also Barrington Holmes right now and Barry resented how close Jack was to Felicity. How the person who was supposed to be his partner and equal barely tolerated him. Jack and Luka merged together and suddenly Felix didn’t want either of them putting their hands on him.

“Don’t touch me!” Felix snarled, knocking the gentle hand away and causing Luka to hit himself in the face. The sound of flesh hitting flesh brought him back to himself as his co-stars gasped. The crew tensed. They’d seen Felix and his mother struggle to pull themselves out of a character’s mindset but it never resulted in a fight. They waited to see if they needed to intervene.

Felix blinked, seeing the shock on Luka’s face. Marinette froze for a moment before turning red. She looked like she very much wanted to throw hands and had to be restrained by both Allegra and Claude.

The shock faded from the older boy and Luka looked disappointed, then angry.

Well, shite.

Felix wanted to apologize or explain, whichever was the least embarrassing and wouldn’t break the fragile relationship he’d formed with Luka and Marinette. He could tell Luka understood what he wanted to say but by the time his voice returned Luka just shook his head and glared at him.

“We’ll talk more when you’re more like yourself again,” was all Luka said as he turned away. Marinette had shaken off both the people holding her back and followed him but not before throwing a nasty glare at him over her shoulder.

“Excuse me, FeFe.”

Felix was just about to try and call them back but before he could say a word Chloe calmly strolled up to him. He was just about to speak to her when she reached out and flicked him hard on the nose.

“Ow!”

“Chloe!” Claude squawked, “he was just lost in character!”

“I know,” she replied, “that’s why I did it.” She looked up at Felix. She wasn’t upset or surprised, just calm and matter of fact. “So are we talking to Felix now?”

“Yes,” he rubbed his nose and looked in the direction Marinette and Luka retreated. “Thanks, Bitchois.”

“No problem,” she told him, a little bit of her old snobby self coming out, “I’ll use any excuse to hit you.”

Claude opened his mouth to speak but Allegra wisely put her hand over his mouth. “We should clear the set and get ready for the next scene before Felix alienates anyone else.”

*****

Amelie had had her set designers (paid extra, naturally) create several lounges for the cast and crew to use. Each department had their own and there were several set aside for cast members based on hierarchy. Even the plainest was nicer than most “green rooms” on other productions but no one denied the main cast was nicer. This was mostly because the Quantic Kids had brought a few luxury items from home. Most of the time Marinette and Luka spent their free time with their friends in the music room but today by unspoken agreement they wanted to be alone.

They wandered around and found themselves in an unused private room. Marinette quickly texted Amelie to let her know where they were and for her permission to use it. The director quickly answered in the affirmative; she seemed to understand there was a bit of tension on-set and some time apart was probably the best way to diffuse it.

The room wasn’t as luxurious as the Quantic Kids room but it still had a well-stocked refrigerator, an entertainment center with a television that took up half a wall, as well as several movies and probably a dozen streaming services. There were also three overstuffed sofas and a recliner in shades of blue and teal only a few shades darker than the walls. Marinette noticed (to her amusement) the room also had a tea-making station and a four person dining table made of blond wood and matching chairs.

Luka hadn’t thought to grab his guitar before coming into the room. He mostly wanted to get away from Felix before he said or did anything he’d regret or get him fired. He wasn’t ashamed of being a delivery driver but he couldn’t deny the salary was incredible and he was finally able to pay for some renovations for the ship his family lived on. His mother insisted he put most of what he earned away but she couldn’t deny that two teenagers needed privacy and therefore their own rooms.

He unlocked his phone and scrolled through his apps until he found one that allowed him to play guitar on mobile. Strolling over to the couch he sat down and patted the seat beside him and smiled at Marinette. She sat down beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder to peer at his phone. Luka smiled and began to play the electronic strings. She listened quietly, recognizing the tune as the one he’d written. There was something gentle and almost thoughtful about it. She closed her eyes and listened in silence for a few minutes.

Luka looked away from his phone and towards the lovely girl on his shoulder. He barely contained the urge to stroke her cheek or brush the hair off her forehead. She was so sweet and kind; incredibly smart and talented. He watched as shoulders eased a bit then stiffened. The poor girl couldn’t let herself completely relax, even when it was just the two of them. It made him want to…

“You can lie down if you want,” he offered.

Her eyes popped open and she looked at him in shock. Marinette blinked up at him. He smiled back and the two of them had a completely silent conversation. She understood that he was inviting her to lay down and relax for a few minutes or longer if she needed to. He was offering to look out for her, even though he knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

“You do a lot for everyone around you,” he told her. “You’re more than welcome to let me be strong for you. Just for a little while.”

She smiled gratefully as she took off her shoes then laid down on her back with her head in his lap. She gave his waist a grateful squeeze then closed her eyes.

Luka continued to play for her, watching as she began to allow herself to relax. She clasped her hands across her stomach and sighed in contentment.

She lay still and he continued to play what he was beginning to think of as “their” song, adding notes and little flourishes as he continued. New notes danced into his head as he played. She smiled as she listened and he became bold, adding an allegro piece, then a pianissimo, anything to see her smile like that.

“Filming today was…intense,” she said so quietly he barely heard her.

He stopped, pausing the app. “Um…yeah. I didn’t know Felix got so lost in character he forgot who he was.”

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her face had gone from relaxed to troubled and he wondered what was on her mind. “Not just him.” She frowned a bit. “That was the closest I’ve ever seen you to actual anger. Not since…”

She stopped and he didn’t have to listen to the music in her heart to know she was worried about him.

Luka didn’t respond at first. He was thinking to himself, trying to decide how to explain his thoughts to her. “Let’s just say…” he began, not sure how much he wanted to tell her. It wasn’t something he wanted to talk about, least of all with her. ..I used to have anger issues and leave it at that for now.”

She nodded in understanding and he began to play again but the mood was ruined.

He waited until he could stand the silence any more. Her good opinion mattered more to him than he cared to admit. He’d rather drop his guitar in the Seine than lose it. Then again, he hated keeping secrets from people he…loved.

“Hey,” he said finally, “tomorrow is Reshoot Day but as far as I know we don’t have any.”

Marinette’s eyes opened again and she gazed up at him, looking curious.

She waited for him to speak and he cleared his throat. “So…would you like to come over and hang out? On the Liberty? Mom will be in and out so we’ll be…you know…chaperoned. Kind of.”

She smiled at the earnest look of concern. “I’m pretty sure I could fight you off if you tried anything.”

Marinette tried not to laugh at the relieved look on his face. With all the movie training and private training she’d done with her Mom, she could probably wipe the floor with Luka if she had to.

She poked him in the stomach. “Besides. I trust you.”

He chuckled, the sound rumbling pleasantly in his chest. “What if I wasn’t worried about you but myself?” He clasped his hands to his chest in mock concern. “What if you’re after my virtue?”

Marinette blinked at him then burst out laughing. He laughed back.

*****

Felix heard the two laughing before he even opened the door. Their two voices blended so pleasantly it was almost as if they were made for each other and he had to push away the sudden stab of jealousy.

He stopped his thoughts before they could continue down their strange path. That was counterproductive. The three of them were only temporarily friends for the sake of the production and if he didn’t stop confusing his feelings as his character and his feelings as a person it would be difficult to extract himself after filming was over.

Plus, it would hurt like hell. He remembered how he would confuse his part with his true self as a child and nearly cried when he realized his castmates didn’t actually care about him. He told himself he didn’t care, that he’d grown callouses over his feelings to prevent feeling vulnerable and that was that.

Felix took two large deep breaths to calm himself and composed his face to look as contrite and regretful. After he was sure he was ready he rapped on the door and waited politely for someone to answer.

“Who is it?”

Marinette. Of course it would be Marinette who spoke first. She was the leader of her little friend group, the one they looked for to give them everything from advice to pep talks to protection.

“It’s Felix. May I come in, please?”

“Are you here to apologize?”

Now it was Luka who spoke, Her Majesty’s Lord Protector, even if he was redundant. Marinette didn’t need a knight nor a representative but he could appreciate the other boy’s concern. It was clearly one of the ways he shows affection. That and playing music and understanding everyone’s “heart song”.

He rolled his eyes because he knew they couldn’t see him and answered, “Of course.”

“Come in then.”

He turned the knob and walked inside, closing the door after him. He forced himself to relax his posture. After all, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Not on purpose anyway.

Marinette and Luka were sitting together; not quite cuddling but still very close. She looked receptive to hearing him out but there was a sharpness in her eyes that told him she wouldn’t be fooled by lies or acting. He respected how perceptive she was, even when it worked against his interests.

Luka looked like his usual self; mild and gentle, doing his best to put everyone around him at ease. Felix had been fooled like everyone else into underestimating Luka because the older boy seemed so harmless. But now that he knew him better Felix could see a tiny glint deep in the other boy's ocean blue eyes that warned him. If Felix did anything to harm or upset Marinette he’d probably get his arse handed to him.

Felix took a deep breath as if he were about to undergo an unpleasant task and said, “I’m sorry.”

Marinette raised an eyebrow, looking regal in a pleated black skirt and pink blouse with black horizontal stripes. Luka had ditched his usual distressed jeans for gray denim shorts and a loose-fitting gray shirt with broad black horizontal stripes. Separately they would have looked good but together they looked…like a matched set.

“For?” Luka spoke up.

Felix pointed to a chair across from the couch they were sitting on. It might have been presumptuous of him to ask to join them. “Do either of you mind if I sit down?”

They looked at each other and then back at him, shaking their heads. “Thank you,” he said a bit dryly. They were making him feel as if he were having an audience with the Queen, except he wasn’t seven and his collar wasn’t itchy.

He sat and crossed his ankle over his other knee. He sighed and began to speak. “For being rude and disrespectful while still in character.” He sighed. “It was unprofessional and neither of you deserved it.”

“We know that-” Marinette began but Luka laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and whispered something in her ear. She smiled and apologized. “Sorry. That was rude. I’ll let you speak first and then tell you what I think when you’re done.”

Felix nodded his thanks at her and Luka and began to explain. “You see, I’ve been acting since I could learn lines. Usually for my father. Small parts at first but then larger and more complicated as I got older.” They nodded but didn’t interrupt.

He continued. “Any I’m sure by now you two have noticed that when an actor is in character sometimes they forget who they are. Especially if a scene is very long or emotionally intensive.” He shrugged and looked a little sheepish. “Usually Mom or one of my friends can pull me out of it but I, as Barry, was feeling jealous because I was being left out of the Jack and Felicity bonding. That boiled over into my ‘true’ self,” he made air quotes, “and I lashed out at you before I, or anyone else, could bring me back to myself.”

Felix stopped and looked at them expectantly, waiting for them to speak. A part of him nagged at him, it sounded strangely of his fathers voice caressing his ear. Telling Felix to truly explain. Followed by Griff in his posh 'a knight of virtue would be honest. To obfuscate with half truths is unbecoming of the very notion of courage.'

"I….Also…." Felix tried to begin. his throat closing in on him. Emotions rampant within him: anger, jealousy, resentment even coursed high. It was hard to show vulnerabilities to most. The select few being done so after careful consideration and the years of loyalty to prove it. But he felt compelled by something to actually tell the truth without a gimmick.

"There's a little bit more to it really." Felix managed to say one thumb tracing his signet ring as if trying to invoke courage to spill into him at this very moment.

"As you know…this project means a lot to us here at Graham Films." Felix began once again bolstered by seeing Luka giving an encouraging nod at Felix. "It is my father's last script. That alone makes his project worthwhile. But on a personal note, to me, this is both an honor and a punishment to play. My father wrote this for me, as his son, and not for me as an actor."

"The genre and themes are personal favorites of mine. Yet the characters…most of the Spades were written by our influences. Barrington Holmes is both a character to play, and also my fathers inspiration using me as the source material." Felix gave a dry chuckle at the thought although he knew it to be true. "It's easy playing as Barrington because I am Barrington Holmes in many aspects. This part was written for me by my father. So much that half of my improvisation is more me playing moments where I get to change my word for once." Felix added, worrying his ring.

"We reminded you of something." Marinette concluded which caused Felix to color shamefully.

"Yes." Felix confessed.

"You were seeing Adrien….weren't you?" Marinette asked curiously. Memories of that fateful day of Felix impersonating his cousin popping into her head. Luka almost heard the halting screech of a cello from Felix's heartsong as the blond froze.

"Correct as always Fl-Marinette." Felix nodded when he unfreeze some thirty seconds later.

"This wasn't about you, please believe me that the last thing I'd want is to disrespect you both. Not only as actors, helping me live up to the thought of doing my father's work justice. But with our tentative friendship on the line it is a horrible happenstance that things aligned where acting pulled my true emotions freely. Especially when you two are not the object of my ire. I really do apologize about this."

"Chloe flicked you?" Luka asked curiously.

"I was an arse, it's well deserved." Felix nodded. Now having confessed everything and leaving the choice in their hands.

“We’re not going to say it’s okay-” Marinette told him.

“-because it’s not.” Luka added.

“But you weren’t being deliberately rude or unkind.” Marinette kept on, “I didn’t notice that you were still thinking like Barry and weren’t yourself. I’ll try to be more observant next time.”

“But it’s still up to you to let us know if you need space and we’ll back off.” Luka smiled at him. “But yeah, I’ll try to read you better next time we film an emotionally tense scene like that again.”

Despite himself Felix was a little relieved. He’d apologized, explained his actions, and they’d forgiven him. “Thank you both for understanding. I’ll work harder to be less…’up my own arse’ as Allegra would say, during filming.”

As he stood up they also stood with him. His shoulders ease as tension he didn’t even know he was feeling dissolved. “Well…thank you…” he offered Marinette his hand. “I’d like to say it’ll never happen again but I’d be lying. It just might but I’ll do what I can not to let it.”

“See that you do.” Marinette’s smile was kind as she took his hand. He gave her a tentative smile back and then she used his hand to pull him towards her and into a hug. He squawked in protest but she was warm and soft and smelled of vanilla sugar and cinnamon. He tried to breathe her in without being obvious about it.

Felix heard movement and suddenly Luka’s long arms were surrounding them both, pulling them both towards him and hugging them both gently but tightly. Bay rum suited the tall boy more than lavender. Felix hoped neither of them could smell his sweat. He was feeling a bit awkward but still enjoyed the hug. It was comforting and he didn’t want it to end just yet.

“Fair warning, Felix. If you do this again, we reserve the right to beat you up.” Marinette pulled away just enough to give him a wicked grin. “I hope I don’t have to remind you I’m a martial artist with fencing experience now.”

“I’m not a martial artist but I was raised by a pirate so I know how to street and knife fight. And sometimes I fight dirty.” Luka’s smile wasn’t as sharp as Marinette’s but Felix had no doubt Luka would hurt him if pushed, friend or costar be damned. Especially for Marinette’s sake.

Felix gave in to the urge to roll his eyes. “Right. It’s hardly fair of you two to threaten to double team me.”

“Yes it is!”

He just sighed and pretended to grumble under his breath. These two were perfect for each other.

*****

Meanwhile, Adrien and Kagami sat alone in an abandoned corner of the set, wondering what the hell was going on.

An hour ago they had been watching quietly as their friends, Adrien’s cousin, and his cousin’s friends had been filming a scene together. It seemed to go well, or that was what Aunt Amelie said. Then suddenly Felix was arguing with Luka and Marinette, even snapping at the tall boy when he asked if Felix was all right. Then everyone disappeared and left the two of them there, forgotten.

Adrien was quiet as he cuddled into Kagami’s side. Normally she enjoyed it when her boyfriend was physically affectionate with her but she was certain his closeness was more about seeking comfort than it was about showing her how much he cared. As much as she cared for him, it occasionally irritated her that she was the only emotional support Adrien had. Well, perhaps besides that hulking bodyguard but the man would not or could not speak. She sighed inwardly. Kagami might not be any more in touch with her emotions than Adrien but she would try to understand.

“That was…intense,” she said to her boyfriend and winced. Intense? That was the best she could do? She wished she had Marinette’s tact or Luka’s emotional awareness but she didn’t and her blunt way of expressing her thoughts would have to do.

Brusque or not, Adrien recognized her words as an opening and invitation to talk. “That’s putting it mildly.” He sighed but didn’t elaborate.

Kagami was silent until she began to feel awkward again. “You know, my mother was an actress once.”

He perked up. “I remember! She was in ‘Solitude’ with my mom.” He smiled but it faded quickly. “She and my mom acted together only once though. It’s a shame. I thought they were both good.” He sat quietly before realizing it was his turn to keep the conversation going. “I didn’t know my mom and your mom had been friends for so long. She looked a lot like you when you were younger.”

“Yes,” she agreed. It was strange to see her own face staring at her from the film her mother and Mme. Agreste had been in. It made her wonder if she would grow up to be as strict as her mother was. “According to my mother, she had to make the movie in secret. Her grandparents were born shortly after World War II and did not want her associating with Americans.” She chuckled. “They saw all people of European descent as Americans, or at least just as barbaric.”

Kagami didn’t want to dwell on the similarities between her mother and the grandparents she’d barely known so she hurried on. “She did tell me once she struggled to ‘get into character’ because pretending to be someone she wasn’t didn’t come naturally.” She frowned as she continued. “She also said it was equally difficult to get out of character because she found herself able to see the world from her character’s perspective; it wasn't easy to return to her own.”

Adrien huffed a laugh. “So, your mother had a rebellious phase too, huh?” He grinned at his girlfriend. Tomoe-san was more complex than he gave her credit for. “So now I know where you get it.”

She mock-glared at him but he gave her innocent kitten eyes until she gave up and laughed at him. He laughed back.

They were silent for a minute until Kagami suggested. “Perhaps…your cousin has the same problem my mother had? It’s possible he was simply stuck in the mindset of his character when he lashed out at Luka.”

Adrien considered her words and then said, “maybe I should have said something. Tried to draw him out.”

Kagami shook her head. “No,” her words were blunt and she explained, “it’s possible you could have helped him but it’s equally possible his hostility towards you would have come out instead.”

He nodded. “Yeah. You’re probably right.” “It’s just…” he sighed and put his arm around her to draw her closer. “I know. I get it. I did a lot of stupid shit, even though it was inadvertent, and hurt my relationship with Felix.” He frowned, managing to look handsome even when he was miserable. “But he won’t let me mend things! He won’t accept my apology, he doesn’t want to spend time with me. I couldn’t get him to come over for dinner even if Father would let him inside.” He sighed and pressed his face into her shoulder. “What should I do, ‘Gami?”

Several responses came to mind but the one she decided on was; “Nothing.”

That surprised him so much he took his arm from around her shoulders and pulled away. “Nothing?”

She affirmed. “Let him approach you when ready. Don’t force him to be around you if he doesn’t want to. Be polite and professional if you have any more fencing lessons with him and don’t pressure him to spend time with you.”

Part of Adrien thought she had a point. “But-”

“You’re backing Felix into a corner, constantly putting him on the defensive,” Kagami pointed out. “That’s why he lashes out; he feels as if he has no choice.”

He opened his mouth but she gently laid a finger on his lips. “Stop treating him like an opponent and return to the en garde position until your cousin makes a move.”

Adrien smiled, appreciating the fencing metaphor. “I’m so lucky to have a girlfriend as wise as you.”

She smiled back. “Yes. You are.”

She leaned forward and he closed his eyes, meeting her halfway for the kiss.

Their lips met just before someone cleared their throat and interrupted them.

*****

The production company had updated its security procedures. Nathalie not only had to leave her bag, tablet and phone behind but received a pat down by a female security guard. The woman wouldn’t let Adrien’s bodyguard accompany her (she claimed Amelie had only left one pass) but Nathalie could swear she heard the woman flirt with the man as she walked on in search of Adrien.

She was met by a red-haired man who said he was her escort. Shit. There went her chance to snoop or contact Mlle. Rossi. She couldn’t stand the girl anyway; she wanted to climb the ladder by sycophancy or social advancement rather than hard work.

Her musings about Rossi were interrupted as the man talked into a radio and received some sort of response. He looked at Nathalie. “Mrs. Graham de Vanily and her son would like to see you off if you don’t mind waiting for them.”

“Not at all,” she replied. Felix and his mother probably wanted to make sure she left without stealing anything or causing trouble. Ironic, considering what the boy had done during his last visit to his uncle’s home. Nathalie wisely kept her opinion to herself.

As they reached the current set she spied Adrien and Kagami in a tender kiss. Although her face remained impassive she felt her heart melt just a little bit. He was growing up so fast! She knew Gabriel had approved of his son’s relationship with Mlle. Tsurugi for business reasons but the girl clearly adored the boy and Adrien reciprocated. Nathalie secretly loved seeing her charge happy. She hated to break them up but unfortunately she had a schedule to keep and romance was a low priority to Gabriel if it didn’t involve his wife.

She cleared her throat and the two broke apart; Adrien guiltily, the Tsurugi girl with reluctance. Nathalie didn’t miss the way the young woman glared at her. She didn’t care.

“Adrien, Mlle. Tsurugi, it’s time we were away.” She adjusted her glasses. “We’ll have a few minutes to say goodbye to your aunt and cousin and then the two of you have a practice match before dinner with your father.”

Adrien perked up, just as Nathalie hoped he would. “Father?! Really?” His face shone in a way it rarely did if he wasn’t around his girlfriend.

“I’m very happy for you, Adrien.” Kagami’s face didn’t look happy to anyone who didn’t know her well but her eyes shone.

Nathalie gave in to the urge to smile at the boy she’d known most of his life. She didn’t have the heart to tell him it was an interrogation disguised as dinner. Let him be happy for now.

*****

After Felix left Marinette and Luka, pleased that their relationship had been repaired, a hand grabbed his shoulder and jerked him into the shadows.

He twisted, trying to get away until a voice spoke up; “It’s just me, Houdini.”

He stopped struggling and looked up at her. “A little less cloak and dagger next time, Hel.”

Helen rolled her eyes and dug a small box out of her pocket. “I had to switch materials but I think you’ll be pleased with the results.” She opened it and showed him its contents.

It was a perfect reproduction of the brooch Marinette had thought she was making for his mom, down to the matched pearls and lapis lazuli. Yet again Helen had impressed him.

What he was thinking must have shown on his face because his favorite cousin had grinned, looking incredibly pleased with herself. “It’s something, right?” she bragged. “It’s diecast metal because what I wanted to use wouldn’t cure for a few days and you said this was a rush.”

Felix held out his hand and she placed the box in it. “Diecast metal?”

She just shrugged. “Eh, it’s a lost art.”

He took it out of the box and examined it, turning it over and looking for flaws. He found none. It was indistinguishable from what Marinette had created and had the proper heft and color.

“It’s perfect, Helen.”

Helen smirked. “I’m so very pleased you’re satisfied.”

All he needed now was two things; for Ms. Sancoeur to wear the peacock brooch today and an opportunity to make the switch.

*****

This set was hot.

Nathalie willed herself not to sweat but that didn’t stop her stomach from feeling a bit queasy. She tried to focus on Adrien’s question about dinner; what he should wear, what they were having, should he stop by the Dupain-Cheng bakery for a light dessert. She tried not to snap at him when he asked if Kagami could attend as well but his face was beginning to blur.

No! Not now! She had to hold it together and appear calm and self-assured. She could not embarrass herself in front of Graham de Vanilys. Besides, Gabriel depended on her, as did Adrien. She would not falter.

“Why, Ms. Sancoeur! How very good to see you again!” Amelie swept in with her usual aplomb, her son and his friends trailing behind her. The woman’s smile was wide and welcoming but her son looked smug and superior as usual. The boy’s friends looked more curious than friendly but at least they weren’t hostile.

Nathalie’s eyes darted quickly, not seeing Chloe Bourgeois nor Lila Rossi. Neither girl was shaping up to be a particularly good pawn and she would advise Gabriel to cut his losses. Paris was sure to have its fair share of entitled yet stupid young people he could use instead. Someone more reliable.

The ever perceptive Felix noticed her attention was diverted. “Something wrong, Ms. Sancoeur?”

“I don’t see Mlle. Dupain-Cheng anywhere,” Nathalie lied smoothly. “M. Agreste wanted me to pass along his congratulations on securing her first internship and a starring role at the same time.” Only Adrien and his girlfriend seemed to believe her.

Amelie seemed content to play along. “Yes, isn’t she wonderful?” She beamed as if she’d given Marinette her talent personally. “So very talented. We were lucky to get her.”

Nathalie gave a nod, even as it made her dizzy. “M. Agreste says he’ll be watching her fashion career very closely from now on. He’s a big believer in nurturing talent.” She wondered what Amelie would say to that.

The woman didn’t react as Nathalie had hoped. She just smiled and replied, “Well, I hope he won’t be too disappointed when we snap her up. Really, Gabriel should have offered a contract as soon as she won his little contest.”

Adrien picked the wrong time to speak up. “I’m sure he was worried about putting too much pressure on her. Father has always praised Marinette’s talents, even to the Style Queen herself.”

The mood of the room shifted as Chloe’s neglectful, impossible to please mother was brought up. Felix’s companions went from neutral towards Adrien to disdainful when Audrey was introduced as a topic.

Nathalie wondered if she should try and add to the conversation when Amelie looked over her shoulder and beamed. “And what perfect timing! Here is the young woman herself. Hello, Marinette, dear. Are you ready for the next scene?”

For a nanosecond Nathalie swore the girl looked uncomfortable but then the tall blue haired boy (his name escaped her but he looked very familiar) laid a hand on her shoulder. The girl blinked and then smiled. “You bet!”

“Ms. Sancoeur was just saying that Gabriel sent along his congratulations on your triumphant designing and acting debut!” Amelie spoke up. “Apparently he’s very impressed.”

“As he should be,” the blue haired boy squeezed Marinette’s shoulder and the girl blushed.

The three teens with Amelie began to sing Mlle. Dupain-Cheng’s praises. “Marinette designed the school uniforms for all the school characters,” a blonde with long braided hair put in. Her blue eyes narrowed at Nathalie and she felt even less welcome.

“Not to mention some of the fancy ball gowns for a very pivotal scene!” A blue eyed brown-haired boy smiled but didn’t seem to want her there either.

“And her performance is some of the best acting I’ve ever seen for someone with no experience.” A very handsome brown skinned young man praised his co-star. His face was neutral but Nathalie still felt watched and judged.

Suddenly everyone but Felix and Marinette herself were talking over each other, giving the young designer one glowing compliment after another. The girl just stammered and blushed and tried to get everyone to stop. Felix looked…

Concerned?

For her?

He cocked his head to one side, then the other. His brow furrowed he asked, “Ms. Sancoeur? Are you all right?”

Nathalie felt sweat drip down her face and the small of her back. She felt hot and the room began to tilt. She dimly heard Adrien call her name and suddenly she was dropping.

Most of the room cried out in alarm as the usually unflappable woman began to droop.

“Catch her!” Felix called out abruptly as he and Luka stopped the woman from hitting the ground. Once they were sure they had her they gently lowered her to the floor.

Adrien just stood there, rooted to the spot, staring at the woman who helped raise him. He began to shake as his face went pale. Kagami grabbed his arm and dragged him to a chair before he could also faint.

“I’m calling one-one-two!” Allen pulled out his phone and began to dial. Amelie, Claude and Allegra stepped back to give the others room.

Felix kept his head and removed Nathalie's jacket and used it to cushion her head. He looked over at Luka. “Can you help me roll her so she’s on her side? Please.”

Luka nodded then removed the jacket of his uniform costume. Together he and Felix turned the woman on her side to keep her airway free and then Luka used his jacket to cover the woman to prevent shock.

Felix checked her vitals. “She’s breathing and has a pulse” He opened her mouth. “It looks like her mouth and throat are clear.” He looked over at his cousin. “Does Ms. Sancoeur have a history of fainting spells, Adr-”

He stopped. Adrien clearly wasn’t going to be of use to anyone.

Adrien was spiraling, completely unaware of his surroundings or what was happening a few feet from him. Nathalie fainted again, just like his mom used to do. She was having dizzy spells and even though his father would tell him it was no big deal and she just needed rest, he didn’t believe it. It was just like when Mom disappeared. Nathalie was sick too and soon she’d disappear and he’d never know what really happened to her-

Kagami’s hand hit his cheek with a sharp crack.

Amelie gasped but Kagami ignored her.

“Adrien,” she commanded, “I understand this must be upsetting for you but your caregiver is ill and staring into nothing is incredibly unhelpful.” Her voice was stern, not a trace of compassion or empathy left. “She needs help and sitting here useless does nothing to aid her.”

Amelie huffed in indignation at the treatment of her nephew and even Claude and Allegra looked sorry for him. Felix and Luka were too busy trying to treat the woman and Allen was giving the emergency service operator directions.

Marinette was more than used to handling crises, even medical ones, so she came to Kagami’s side and smoothly intervened.

“Kagami? I know you’re just trying to bring him around with some tough love but is it alright if I try something too?” Her expression didn’t plead but she would respectfully back off if asked.

Kagami thought about the request before nodding. She knew she could trust her.

Marinette slowly and carefully crouched in front of Adrien, who had barely registered the slap. “Adrien? Look at me.” He met her gaze without thinking. “Listen to me.” Her blue eyes were calm and serious but still kind. “Breathe. Slowly. In through your mouth and out through your nose.” He obeyed.

She gently took Kagami’s hand and laid it over Adrien’s. “We’re here for you. Feel her hand on yours. Listen to my voice. Remember to breathe.” She watched as Adrien’s pupils contracted. She relaxed her shoulders and then asked, “Do you remember what happened?”

He nodded and then his face fell. Nathalie had collapsed. He was useless. Again.

Marinette did her best to give him a reassuring smile. “Adrien. Help is on the way. We’re going to get Ms. Sancoeur to the hospital.”

“Will-” his voice cracked. Yet another person who raised him was fading and he’d done nothing. “Will she be okay?” He whispered.

He sounded so forlorn, like a lost child. She felt sorry for him despite his past enabling.

Marinette couldn’t answer and looked to Kagami.

Kagami took her boyfriend’s hand and caressed the cheek she had just slapped. “We’ll follow her to the hospital. Then we’ll see.”

He gulped and nodded before pulling both girls into a hug.

*****

Felix was rather proud of himself. He hadn’t predicted Ms. Sancoeur would give him such a dramatic opportunity but everything had turned out just as he wanted so he couldn’t complain. The switch was made and the original peacock brooch was resting comfortably in his pocket with no one the wiser. He'll ask Chloe to see if she can catch anything on the cameras and alter it; just to cover all his bases.

He couldn’t wait to find out what was so special about this brooch.

Aaaand that’s it!

See you soon!

#worthy opponent au #marinette dupain cheng #felix graham de vanily #luka couffaine #quantic kids #amelie graham de vanily #adrien agreste #kagami tsurugi

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