Chapter Text
Marinette’s heel had scraped down the top of Lila’s foot, drawing blood. Felix was seeing red in more ways than one.
He pulled her toward him protectively and bent down to have a closer look, left hand pulling her left wrist upward, and his right hand on her waist. He snarled and swore under his breath. “Was that really necessary?” He shot at Marinette.
Lila’s pained expression morphed into a smug one. She started relaxing into Felix’s embrace.
Marinette still looked confused. “I-I didn’t…” But she did, didn’t she? Her eyes were glued to Lila’s foot; it was very much a real injury.
The whole thing was receiving attention from the whole room. Even a security guard was heading their way. Marinette was being framed once again, just like years before.
“We both know Lila coordinated that,” Adrien said firmly. He took a step in front of Marinette.
Felix took a deep breath before looking Adrien in the eye while still huddled over Lila. Admittedly, he didn’t want to face him off right now. He could barely find the courage to speak to him just minutes earlier. But if such a line were to be crossed at the expense of his woman, he’d reach in and find some courage.
“Do we know that? Or are you just prejudiced against her?” Felix straightened his back to be at Adrien’s level. “And for what, some petty childhood rivalry? Adrien, I’m…” He briefly let his gaze waver. His voice cracked as he continued, “I’m the one you hate. So hate me.”
Lila looked up at Felix. She suddenly looked pale.
Felix ignored the feeling of Lila’s gaze. She was silently telling him to hush up. “Just don’t project that onto her. Please.”
“Everything okay over here?” The security guard asked as he entered their circle.
“We’re fine,” Marinette answered first, “Lila. I can help you in the women’s restroom.”
Felix looked at her oddly, but Lila obliged. She slowly peeled herself from Felix. Marinette rolled her eyes as Lila limped her way over. She stumbled and let Marinette catch her. As they walked off together, passersby slowly lost interest. The security guard scratched his head, warned Adrien and Felix to be mindful of museum etiquette, and headed back to his spot.
The two men quietly watched Marinette and Lila round the corner. Finally, Felix looked over to Adrien.
“Well–”
“What do you want?” Adrien interrupted.
“Sorry?”
“You two keep showing up wherever Marinette and I are. Why is that?” He turned to face his cousin. Adrien was beyond impatient; he was exasperated.
Felix chuckled nervously. “I mean, I can think of several reasons why it should make sense that you and I would be in similar places at similar times.”
“I can think of three reasons.” Adrien frowned. “Either you’re using Lila to get something from us, Lila’s using you to get something she wants from us, or you’re working together. Lose the facade… You know too much for there not to be a motive. What. Do. You. Want?”
Felix blinked. He couldn’t outright spill his guts now. That would be admitting to intentionally tracking Adrien down. Plus, it would be a little hard to believe after what had just occurred. “We just… wanted to see this exhibit before it closed. I’ve been a little busy until now.”
“And what’s that got to do with Lila harassing Marinette?”
“Look, they’ve got bad blood, so to speak–”
“So do we,” Adrien spoke over Felix again, not shaking his glare for a second. “If it’s really a coincidence, then we’re done here.” He turned and started walking away without looking back.
“Wait, I wanted…” Felix called out to Adrien, then let his voice fall. “...to talk.”
Marinette was positioned very oddly. Her back was to Lila, who was sitting on the counter of the bathroom sink. She was standing between Lila’s legs as she wrapped gauze around the injured foot.
“Interesting method, Marinette…” Lila teased.
“Sorry, but, I know better than to crouch in front of you where you can kick me in the face,” Marinette grumbled.
“I mean, I can still pull your hair from here.” Lila ran a hand down the back of Marinette’s head, fiddling with the intricate hair claw that held her low bun in place.
Marinette jumped away. “You know what, why am I even doing this?” She quickly started to pack away her first aid kit.
“Because you’re too nice, Marinette.” Lila crossed her legs and lifted her jeans as she slipped her heel back on. “Who even carries a first aid kit? You’re desperate to help people.”
“You’re welcome,” Marinette replied flatly. She turned to the sink to wash her hands.
“That’s why… I’m asking you for help.” The words were forced from Lila in such a way that they almost sounded like dry heaving.
Marinette snorted. She didn’t even look over at Lila as she grabbed soap.
“Well?” Lila hopped off the sink and crossed her arms.
Marinette raised an eyebrow. “Is this what you pulled that stunt for?”
Lila jutted out her bottom lip and rested a hand over her chest. “I didn’t pull any stunt…”
Marinette tilted her head, popping her hip out to lean on the sink as she scrubbed her hands. “Here I thought you did it because Felix was getting upset with you. I know how you scramble when you feel your allies are slipping out of your grasp…”
Lila snarled on reflex.
“Did I get it?” Marinette smiled.
“Felix isn’t my ally, he’s my boyfriend.”
“Sure, Lila.” Marinette rolled her eyes and turned back to the sink, turning the water on.
Lila huffed. “And he’s who I need help with.”
“Fine.” Marinette deadpanned, rinsing her hands. “What?”
Lila paused. She clasped her hands together and sighed dramatically. “Felix has just been… such a pathetic loser lately…”
For about ten seconds, the only sound in the entire restroom was running water. Marinette was completely still, staring blankly at Lila.
“My… condolences…” Marinette finally mustered up, turning off the faucet.
“And, I can only imagine how much worse it would be for him without me!” Lila whimpered.
“Wow.” Marinette flicked water from her hands before drying them.
“He’s, like, sad about Adrien or whatever.”
This got Marinette’s attention. She turned back slowly toward Lila. “Is that a joke?”
Lila kissed her teeth. “There’s nothing funny about asking you for help.”
“Great… Well, nice talking to you. I’m not playing your games.” Marinette picked up her purse and started toward the door.
Lila hooked onto Marinette’s elbow. She blinked tearfully and Marinette groaned.
“What do you even want me to do about it?!” Marinette snapped impatiently, “I can’t force Adrien to feel any sort of way!”
“Uggh, look.” Lila’s shoulders slumped forward in defeat. “I realize this is rich coming from me; I have to learn to tolerate you, too, but we need to get along. I’m sorry, I was bitchy earlier, ok? It was like a knee-jerk reaction; I couldn’t help myself. It wasn’t what I was supposed to do, and I let Felix down… I’ll try harder to be civil if you can do the same. I just need us to have a truce, to make things easier for… whatever chance Felix has at mending things with Adrien.”
Marinette thought for a moment. She didn’t know what to make of Lila’s proposition; it didn’t feel like the real Lila at all. But then again, what was the real Lila? The one thing consistent about her was her inconsistency. The fact that this was off for her could be just as much a good thing as it could be a bad one. Either way, Marinette couldn’t pass up such a sweet sentiment. Maybe this could do some good. Maybe Lila could do some good.
“Alright, but…” Marinette warned as excitement appeared in Lila’s eyes. “Felix has A LOT of trust to regain, and so do you.”
Lila frowned. “This isn’t about me, Marinette, like I said–”
“It is about you. If I’m supposed to believe you and Felix are a real couple, then you’re a unit. You’re a package deal; we have to trust you both for this to work.”
Lila and Marinette were still linking arms, nestled together nearly chest-to-chest in the middle of the women's restroom. At five feet nine inches, Lila towered over Marinette. From Marinette’s angle, Lila’s almond-brown eyes could almost be seen beneath the green contacts in a sort of iridescence.
“And how should I gain that trust?” Lila asked.
“Well, for starters…” Marinette pulled back. “Be direct from now on. No more of this scheming stuff.”
“Right, coming from one of the biggest schemers I know,” Lila snickered.
“‘Knew’. There’s a time and a place for serious planning. I grew up, Lila.” Marinette reached out her hand. “So, are we in this together, or not?”
Lila pursed her lips. She shook Marinette’s hand. “From the start. Sorry we… got off on the wrong foot,” she smirked.
Marinette blew out a reluctant chuckle, then turned to the exit.
As Marinette’s hand touched the door handle, Lila called out one last time. “Thanks, Marinette.”
Marinette paused without looking back, then quietly stepped out.
Adrien and Felix were already waiting outside the restroom, from a distance so as to not resemble guard dogs. One would think they got their twins mixed up, because the two women walked toward the wrong one.
“Let’s talk, Felix.” Marinette grabbed Felix’s sleeve and dragged him out of earshot of Adrien. “I just want to remind you…”
From the seriousness of Marinette’s tone, Felix knew better than to even breathe too hard, much less open his mouth.
Marinette continued, “...That you’re lucky, as it is, that you’re even roaming free right now. Whatever is going on between you and Lila had better be nothing, because if not, I won’t hesitate like I did before. I don’t know how much you know about Lila, but be careful. You’ve been given a second chance, don’t strike out with her.”
Felix’s mouth twitched. She wasn’t wrong. He was lucky enough to be given a chance, and he was pushing it by bringing Lila into the equation. Though he didn’t know the details, he could only assume having her on his arm was about as subtle and reassuring as a white van parked by a playground. Still, he was irritated.
“Are you quite done?” He tested. “I may not know much about Lila, but neither do you. Lila has done wonders for me. I would appreciate it if you didn’t threaten me for finding happiness amidst one of the worst periods of my life.”
“That’s just where she gets you, Felix, when you’re at your lowest. I’m just giving you a fair warning and… maybe things would be different if you hadn’t gone to her in the first place.” Marinette hinted, looking over to Adrien.
Felix smiled bitterly. “Would it? I appreciate the way you both covered for me when it mattered, but if you really had any concern for me when I was struggling, you would have been there. I wouldn’t have even been trying right now, if it weren’t for her…”
Marinette looked stunned. Lila hadn’t been exaggerating. Either that, or Felix was losing out on a successful acting career. “I’m sorry, but how could anyone have known you weren’t doing well? It’s not like we cut you off, remember that. You’re just too calculating and avoidant… and you try to find shortcuts… instead of just reaching out. It’s a big problem of yours. That’s why people have trouble trusting you again, far beyond everything you’ve done.”
With that, Marinette left Felix with his thoughts. She approached Adrien and took his hand while Lila made the trade-off. As Lila and Felix made their exit, Marinette turned to Adrien.
“What was she talking to you about?”
Adrien shook his head. “She was trying to figure out the details between me and Felix. I guess it’s possible he hasn’t spilled anything to her?” He shrugged hopefully. “Which is good. Obviously, I couldn’t tell her anything, really, but I did say one thing… sort of by mistake because she caught me off guard. I hope I didn’t start anything between them, but she didn’t look too happy.”
When Lila slid into the car, Felix was leaning against the window with his hand propped up and pinching the bridge of his nose. Evidently, not a good time to stir the pot.
“Did you kiss Marinette?!” Lila slammed her door.
“What?!” Felix turned to her in bewilderment. “No? Who…” his voice trailed off. Could she be referring to–
“Adrien told me. I asked him if you’d ever done anything to harm Marinette.”
“Why on earth would you ask him that?!”
“Don’t change the subject!”
“And that is the answer he gave you?” Felix urged.
Lila threw a fit. She threw her head back against the chair, kicked her feet, and screamed.
Felix sighed. “Look, it’s not technically true–”
“Technically?!” Lila mocked.
“If he’s referring to what I think, I didn’t actually kiss her, but I nearly did. And neither of us wanted it, I… was pretending to be Adrien. It was terrible, and I regret it, though I never got around to apologizing, I–” He shut his eyes in embarrassment. “It’s complicated. And it was a very long time ago, so, please, can we not do this?”
“Fuck…” Lila sighed, “Is this what their beef with you is?”
Felix almost laughed. “Would that it were so simple…”
“Talk like a normal person, please?”
“Of course, it isn’t about that. When it comes to the list of things I’ve done against them, there’s a lot. It’s difficult to explain.” Felix leaned back in his seat, sadness in his eyes.
Lila thought for a moment, daring to share how much of a snoop she was. “I mean, I know there’s more to it. I know that you ruined the Diamond Dance back then.” Lila licked her lips in anticipation. “I know that… you were Argos.”
Felix’s breath hitched. Neither of them looked at each other; they continued to stare at the ceiling of the car.
“But I don’t know what happened after that.”
Silence.
Felix finally looked over to Lila. “Is it alright if I say, maybe it’s best you didn’t?”
Lila sucked on her bottom lip and rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I have much room to talk.”
“So, you won’t tell me what happened between the three of you, then?”
Lila shrugged absently. “A lot. Which is why I asked Adrien that question. I know he takes the people who have wronged Marinette more seriously than the people who have wronged him. I wanted to know if I was the only one who had a history of hurting Marinette, and if…” Lila trailed off.
“You aren’t an obstacle,” Felix stated. “You’re helping me, Lila. And, I can promise you this, there’s nothing you can tell me that you’ve done that even scratches the surface of what I have. Adrien is disgusted with me as it is; would you believe if I told you there are things he doesn’t know? I’m grateful we’re in this together. I’m sorry that my burdens are heavy.”
Lila furrowed her eyebrows, swallowing hard. She then surprised herself by reaching for Felix’s hand and giving it a squeeze. Neither of them did nor said anything for a while after. They sat in silence, enjoying the warmth of the other’s hand.