III
“What?” Luka stares, unsure of how to process the information given to him. Adrien avoids his gaze, much too afraid of rejection, of seeing the same look of disgust he had seen so many times directed towards his friends. Many of which were apart of the LGBTQ+ community. Luka has other plans, bringing a hand to his cheek and forcing eye contact.
Adrien's eyes widen just a fraction. Luka was looking at him with such… care and kindness that Adrien couldn’t help the flush that he was sure was showing on his pale cheeks.
“There’s nothing wrong with that Adrien.” He says sternly.
Adrien just looks at him, “That’s not what everybody else says.”
Luka scowls. “Well they are wrong.”
Adrien sighs. “I’m just so lost Luka…”
-_-_-_-
“I think we are lost Kagami.” Marinette looks at Kagami, trying not to laugh at the other’s confused face.
“I swear there was a cafe right here!” She scowls.
Marinette shakes her head, “Let me see the map? I know these streets like the back of my hand.”
Kagami sighs and gives up, passing her phone with the GPS over to Marinette. “Oh! I know where we are.”
“Already?”
Marinette nods, “we are just a street over.” Marinette giggles.
Kagami smiles, “Are you feeling a bit better?”
Marinette sighs, “I don’t know, but… this is nice…”
Kagami nods and squeezes Marinette's hand tighter to comfort her. “I understand.”
Marinette looks at her for a second longer before shaking her head, “Lets go!” She drags Kagami who yelps at the movement, through the streets to the small cafe.
“Oh this place is so cute!” Marinette exclaims as they arrive. She looks to Kagami behind her who’s catching her breath, “Oops…” She rubs the back of her head sheepishly, Kagami just rolls her eyes fondly,
“Yes, it’s very nice, I know your family is like made of super good bakers but this place has the best smoothies.” Kagami grins. It’s a little awkward but genuine.
Marinette smiles back and the two walk into the cafe. The interior is decorated in soft fairy lights, draped over light blue curtains in swoops. There's a cozy corner with couches and a small gray rug. It’s dim and homey. The middle aged woman at the counter greets them. “Hello dears, what can I get for ya?”
Kagami answers for the two of them, “Your best comfort smoothie for my friend here and…” She taps her chin, “A raspberry banana smoothie for me please.”
The woman, Amara, her name tag reads, nods happily, “Gladly! Any pastries?” Marinette shakes her head no.
Amara nods, “Alrighty dears. That’ll be xxx amount.”
Marinette reaches for her purse before Kagami stops her, “I’ll pay okay?”
Marinette shakes her head. “No-! I couldn’t.”
But Kagami is already handing her money over, paying for both their smoothies. Marinette sighs in defeat.
Kagami laughs, “You need to let people take care of you, Marinette. It’s not good for everyone to rely on you all the time.”
“Okay…”
The two find a booth next to the window, Marinette sighs as she sinks into the plush chairs. “Thank you for putting up with me Kagami.”
“I can still beat him up ya know.”
Marinette gives a halfhearted glare, “No.”
Kagami pouts, “But-”
“He’s a friend first and foremost, I’m not going to play off the pain he’s probably going through and I’m not going to get mad at him for not wanting to be with me. You shouldn’t either.”
Kagami frowns, “You know you’re allowed to still be upset right?”
Marinette just stares at her, thankfully the silence is broken by their drinks arriving. Marinette's eyes light up and she groans happily. “So good!” She finds Kagami’s eyes, her face suspiciously red, “You okay?”
“Y-yeah.” Kagami sips on her drink, “Just super good…”
Marinette laughs, “yeah.”