Ruffled Feathers

by Mindwriter2000

Summary:

Lila always had an eye for messing up what seemed perfect. That's why she loved the idea of being the thorn in Felix's side. He was so upright, so clean, begging to be broken.

Now that she has him, why does she feel the urge to fix him?

Notes:

Time to upload something TOTALLY OFF THE USUAL, out of NOWHERE, and see how many of my veteran readers thought I was fully and actually dead. I can explain, if I must! In the meantime I've missed this platform and this craft. I have many fics to adjust, adapt, and expand; even more fics to start. I'm officially back, and this very short intro chapter is my comeback.

For what it's worth, I bought a moleskin to overhaul and finish Chat's Cradle, along with others of my favorite fics, don't worry~!

Chapter 1: Glass

“Oh, you’re pissed.”

Lila broke the silence to shards that could rival a fumble of the wine glass she clutched carelessly. Or at least, the silence between them, which nestled comfortably in the delicate murmur of the lobby they waded in.

Felix humored her with a dry glance. Her dark, navy nightgown complimented the hue of sly in her eyes. “I’m not.” He huffed. 

She continued. “It’s because he ignored you, isn’t it?”

Felix scoffed, looking to the side and kissing the rim of his own glass, its contents quickly running dry. “Being ignored is all I could ask for in life. I wish you would, right now.”

“Right, you so hate when I do this,” she said, smiling sweetly as she forcefully took his jaw and turned his gaze back to herself. “No use trying to hide it, My Love. I once gave you all the love and attention you craved and now you can’t get enough of me. Just like that tired, empty drink you won’t put down, except I never run dry.”

Felix snatched her wrist rudely, but, as passerby got within earshot, he added, “Darling,” with a tone that had the same sensation of a pinch to the knee from under the table. “This evening has done enough for me, how about making our way out?”

“You promised we’d stay the whole night!”

“Lila, I realize this is going to take a lot of effort for you…” Felix shamefully surrendered his glass to a server walking by, “but, don’t lie.”

“You’re gaslighting me? I’m gonna scream, Felix, I’ll do it.”

“We’re going.” He carefully brought her wrist down and started pulling her forward, only to be flung back by the pure force of humiliation as a screech erupted from Lila. She now had his full attention, pale green eyes fixed like the peridot in the choker Lila had been asking for.

“Will you buy me the Annoushka Radiance choker already?”

“If I do, can we please go?” Felix’s voice wavered in defeat.

Lila pretended to think it over. “Hmm, that, and…”

“Love Island with a foot massage when we get home? Done.”

“AND.” Lila batted her eyes. “Let me help you with your Adrien problem.”

Felix showed Lila the back of his head as he yearned for the exit. “I don’t have an Adrien problem.” 

“You don’t even like these stuffy events. You agreed to take me when you saw Adrien on the guest list. You miss him and he didn’t even look at you tonight–”

“Alright.” Felix whirled around. Lila’s pretty peridot choker looked tarnished. His expression looked completely out of place, framed by neat hair and rested on sophisticated, Brunello Cucinelli-draped shoulders. 

Lila didn’t like it. She liked breaking him, but this time someone else was. That was surely why she felt a tightness in her chest by the look of him. Covetousness. “It’s settled, then.”

Felix didn’t reply or resist as Lila pulled him through the glass exit doors. His jaw clenched and he swallowed a rock.

Lila rolled her eyes. “You can show me one of your boring Criterion Collection films after my episode, too.”

Chapter 2: Wool

Summary:

Before Lila and Felix can execute any sort of game plan, they must first get their morning routine out of the way.

Notes:

After a lot of planning and fiddling, I have changed the rating to Mature for suggestive content, though it won't be prominent. I don't think. Well, part of my writing process is, we'll find out...

Lila snuck a peek from beneath the throw blanket. She was splayed sideways along the length of the living room sofa; her hair was reaching out in all directions like a cobweb with a predatory, mascara-smeared eye at the center of it.

 

Felix was up to his usual, practiced morning routine. First, he emerges from his bedroom, looking crisp and clean, in the absolute DUMBEST, satin pajama set. The set was a dark blue, full sleeve and pant length, sprinkled with greenery, bright red parrots, and gray elephants. But, of course, his expression is very serious. Then, Felix approaches the beastly mountain of auburn fur, his 50kg dog, Alis, and reaches for something in his breast pocket to offer her.

 

Whatever it is, Alis sniffs it and has let out a variety of responses depending on the day. One day, a whimper, another a growl, today a kiss to Felix’s cheek. Felix smiles to himself and tosses the mystery item into Alis’ mouth. Her jaws clamp down as loudly as an alligator, and she happily shakes the ground as she treads to her water bowl. Felix follows, kneeling by her side and scratching behind her ears.

 

“Good girl,” he muttered, likely thinking he was out of Lila’s earshot. It wasn't, and she doesn’t like it. She doesn’t like that it sent a shiver down her spine.

 

Lila rolled over to face away from Felix and to shake out whatever tickled her nervous system. The rustling caught Felix’s attention.

 

As she heard his footsteps reach the end of the sofa, Lila relaxed her eyes and threw in a timely, but soft, snore. She barely kept her face still as a warm hand squeezed the numb toes she had betrayed from the covers. She missed the sensation as soon as he retracted his touch, but he soon after gave a tug to the blanket and she felt an abrupt shielding over her feet and–she now realized what had also been uncovered–her backside.

 

“You know, the spare bedroom is ready and yours for the taking now, Lila,” Felix spoke normally. He knew she was awake.

 

Lila huffed, eyes shooting open. Felix was already above her, ready to meet her gaze, though it quickly rolled in another direction.

 

“Your preferred decor is set, the paint fumes have dissipated, all that’s missing is you–to dwell in it.”

 

Lila shifted onto her back, lifting her knees and sliding her ankles to her hips, allowing the bottom of the blanket to fall back down onto her stomach and reveal her bare legs. “But the door can be unlocked from the outside.”

 

Felix sighed. “I’d rewrite history for you if I could, but I’m afraid that’s how all doors must work. Functionality aside, if anything, for safety reasons.”

 

She pouted. He braced himself for the next complaint. “But,” Lila threw a lazy pointer finger in the direction of the white door across from Felix’s bedroom, “the keyhole is universal.”

 

“I get it.” Felix nodded, “If I replace the lock and give you the only key, will that make you comfortable?”

 

Lila echoed a nod, eyes shimmering innocently, in spite of herself.

 

Pulling out his phone and tapping away, Felix traced her contours with his eyes. “I’ll have it done today. Feel free to throw those shoes at me if this is terribly rude or inappropriate,” he gestured to Lila’s discarded dress and heels on the floor beside her, “but I never pegged you for the prudish type, especially given your… current state.”

 

“I don’t have to be prudish to want privacy.”

 

“Granted.” Felix leaned down to her. “But what begs privacy that a safe, locked cabinet, or restroom can’t fix? You’d have your own en-suite in there–”

 

As Felix reached to brush her hair out of her face, Lila’s hand snatched his wrist. For a beat, they stared at each other silently.

 

Lila finally tossed his hand to the side. “Don’t touch me this early in the morning.” 

 

“Understood.” Felix fixed his posture and made his way to the kitchen, directly to the left of the sofa.

 

“What’s your gripe about it anyway?” Lila grumbled, feet still planted on the seat cushion in front of her as she sat up facing the kitchen. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders before she could utter a shiver. 

 

“I’m just concerned. If you’d like me to stop prodding, I will.”

 

Lila watched him quietly. He was scooping crushed leaves into a bronze infuser and starting up a kettle. He was so predictable after leaving behind his previous, conniving lifestyle. “Why are you concerned?” 

 

“Well, to put it bluntly,” Felix started, crossing his arms to watch the aromatic, caramel tint spread throughout his cup of hot water, “I’ve encountered as much of you as Agent Provocateur, and beyond, you have fallen asleep in my bed but not without sneaking your way to this sofa, and if you really hated feeling vulnerable or distrusted me that way–you’d have locked yourself into the guest bedroom even before making it your own. Yet, of course, if you simply wanted to spy on my every move, you’d benefit from staying in my bedroom. Now, I don’t know if being in the living room gives you a little bit of peace of mind while still being able to study me, and I know my words can mean nothing in this context, but I assure you that your safety and comfort are of utmost importance to every fiber of my being. I would never behave in any way that wasn’t in your best interest–”

 

“Ok, ok, that’s a whole bunch of words,” Lila groaned. “And you’re clocking my tea, not yours, so why don’t you look at me instead of those fucking leaves.”

 

Felix cleared his throat and snapped his attention to her, though confused. “Clocking your… what?”

 

“So, yeah, you’re right,” Lila ignored him, “I’m not leaving much to the imagination right now, and, yeah, I don’t give a fuck, I mean, you’re already impossible to provoke–”

 

“Are you trying to?”

 

“Not really,” Lila drawled, opening and crossing her legs slowly enough to watch his expression from between her thighs. “I feel like I'm provocative by nature, but I have too much self-respect to try.”

 

He was silent, but attentive. 

 

She smirked for a moment and then sighed, pushing herself forward and resting her elbows on the arm of the sofa, allowing the blanket to slip down to her waist. “Especially with you. You’re a tough nut to crack. Seriously, you didn’t look away just now, but you didn’t react at all. But you had the eye to identify correctly–” Lila paused and snapped the strap of her cream, balconette bra with her thumb, “that this was Agent Provocateur. You’re so… interesting.”

 

“So, you are trying.”

 

“I’m not, I’m just being myself and observing you.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Lila slumped. “You know, you seem awfully unconcerned with the idea I might be keeping a close eye on you. Even going as far as to accuse me of trying to spy behind your back.”

 

“Well, I’m right, aren’t I? I’m right about everything.” Felix smiled, breaking eye contact to pluck his cup by the handle and walk it over to Lila.

 

“I don’t drink that leafy dog water,” Lila snapped, sneaking a peak at Alis, “no offense.” Alis barely opened her eyes, currently snuggled back on her bed. 

 

“You do now.” Felix insisted. “There was a lot of drinking last night. Let me care for you.”

 

“Whatever.” Lila reluctantly took the tea. Alis’ tail started wagging, though she continued to sleep. 

 

Felix turned around to grab his own cup from the small kitchen bar, then leaned back against it as he faced Lila again. “I don’t mind, you know.”

 

She looked up at him, cringing as she took a sip. 

 

“Spy all you want, I don’t have anything to hide from you.” 

 

“Anything you expect me to find, anyway.” 

 

He placed the cup down behind him nonchalantly. “Do your worst, I mean it. Study me like a book.” Felix dropped down to level with her at the armrest, propping one arm up on his lifted knee. “Tear into me, bookmark–” he used his free hand to take hers and press it to the skin between the unbuttoned collar of his shirt, “spread my pages, snap my spine, trace your fingers over the words, I’m yours.”

 

Lila smiled, taking her hand back and sipping her tea with both hands out of mere amusement. “You can’t beat me at my own game. Not while wearing that.”

 

Felix blinked. “Wearing… what?” He looked down at himself. Right. The jungle print pajamas.

 

“Seriously, it’s not your style at all. What possessed you to buy it? I mean I know you have a face that can pull anything off, but you’re honestly too hot to be wearing it.” 

 

Felix cleared his throat, picking himself up and grabbing a swig of his lemongrass ginger tea. “I didn’t buy it.” 

 

“A gift? From who?!” Lila frowned.

 

He looked away, hand on his hip to anchor what was left of his dignity. “My mother…” 

 

Lila’s entire mood shifted, her face lighting up. “Awwww!”

 

Felix bit his bottom lip and hung his head.

 

“You need to finally introduce me to her; it’s way overdue!”

 

He peered at her. “You think so?”

 

“Absolutely! Or aren’t you proud to parade me and keep me around?” Lila pouted.

 

“I’d like that,” Felix pondered for a moment. “How would you like to come with me to London tomorrow? It’ll be her 55th birthday, and I planned to take a short trip to celebrate with her.” 

 

“You were planning to leave me alone for a whole night?!” Lila whined.

 

“Well, I would’ve been there and back the same day to avoid that. But if you accompany me, I’m sure she’d be happy to have us stay the night.” 

 

“In the same room?”

 

“There are plenty of rooms, whatever you want.”

 

Lila looked back at the dress she had left on the floor. “I guess I should wear my best garments for the occasion.” 

 

“Oh, hardly,” Felix waved off the idea, “that is to say, that’s hardly the best in your heart. The fact that you’ve let it crumple on the floor instead of treating it with care speaks volumes about how you feel toward it. I’ll take care of it. I’m going out today to find a gift for my mother anyway.”

 

“You wouldn’t go shopping without me…”

 

“I just wanted to–”

 

“And choose what I’m going to wear without me.” 

 

“You can trust my taste–”

 

“And leave me alone with the locksmith…” 

 

“Get dressed.”

 

Lila jumped up, shrugging the blanket off and skipping to her bedroom. “I’ll be right out!”

 

“Oh, and Lila,” Felix called, only looking at her when she turned around. “I’m not concerned about your spying, but the only thing left for your privacy is that you’re keeping something from me.” 

 

Lila stared, then turned around quickly and entered the bedroom. “I guess you aren’t always right, Felix.”

 

Alis jumped up suddenly, whimpering. Lila slammed the door. 

Chapter 3: Plastic

Summary:

Lila is a dangerous person to drive with.

Felix was scared. It wasn’t something he could readily admit, even to himself. He was a self-acclaimed ‘Lone Wolf’ to the extent that he was almost trapped by the identity. In secondary school, his own name was used against him in the form of light teasing.

 

Girls and boys alike rejected without a second thought; he couldn’t even be teased the normal way with accusations of being ‘gay', though classmates did try ‘Felix F****t’ on for size prior to any boys giving him a shot. Instead, his romance was deemed ‘UnFATHOMable’, and everyone thought they were so clever for uttering it. At that age, Felix didn’t have much reason to mind it. He had too many of his own interests to attend to–one of them being graduating Year 13 at the age of 12–and romance with such low-hanging fruit would be a waste.

 

Into adulthood, friendless and baring an estranged close cousin, the lone in ‘Lone Wolf’ outweighed the wolf. Though his then 7-year-old Tibetan Mastiff was covered a world of hurt, even with her, he was still… bitchless. So, he tried dating. The market, for him, was endless. It was a little too easy to find potential dates. But, no matter how deep his pocket, how silky his hair, how slutty his waist, his personality wasn’t worth pursuing. He was painfully unlikeable. And, while he stressed his dates out, they bored him. 

 

When this fine woman comes along, one unwilling to accept defeat, well, he doesn’t give her as hard a time as he could have. She’s impossible, stubborn, shameless, and drop-dead gorgeous. Finally, a partner that could stress him out. On the surface, anyone would find themselves unable to conclude reasons for the two of them to be together, short of shallowness. But he liked her. She was irresistible.

 

When Lila moved in a few months ago, things started to seem strange. She was so blunt and unapologetic. Why was there so much Felix didn’t know about her? He was curious, but the more he grew attached, the less he wanted to know. Still, he knew he had to, and he just wanted her to ease his conscience that there was nothing to worry about. 

 

In severity, it could be similar to something as simple as refusing to check the nutritional label of a newly favored snack, for fear of discovering it was terrible for you. Or, it could be as dire as avoiding the dentist, risking terrible consequences. But he couldn’t stand the idea that the person he was slowly falling in love with... was a lie.

 

“That’s not really all you eat for breakfast every day, is it?” These days, Felix was growing restless and impatient. He’d done everything to make Lila feel safe enough to open up. Questioning and prodding here and there in ways he felt were gentle enough was his only strategy at the moment. Maybe the answer really was simple.

 

“Trying to dig into me again?” Lila didn’t look up from her packet of mixed nuts.

 

Felix kept his eyes on the road, both hands on the wheel. “Look, what I said earlier, Lila, I was just trying to say: there’s nothing for you to feel obligated to do to maintain my approval–”

“You think I’m performatively eating nuts?” Lila burned a look into him that she knew he could see in his peripheral.

 

“It’s not about the nuts, it’s just… the little things, Lila, you’re… odd.”

 

Lila scoffed. “Wow.”

 

“No…”

 

“Woowww.”

 

“No, don’t. What I mean is, for instance, your hair is always down. I’ve never seen it tied up or, really, styled much differently–”

 

“And?!” Lila self-consciously ran her fingers through a lock of her hair. “God, I didn’t realize you got off on seeing the nape of my neck. Or is it that you’re into hair-pulling? Jesus, are you in love with Ladybug?!” 

 

“None of the above. But, you know, I don’t think I’ve even seen you get a haircut.” Felix started stealing peeks at Lila’s hairline. 

 

Lila brushed out her bangs. “Ok, forget the hair, go ahead and assume I’m secretly bald, now what? Would it be such an earth-shattering deal breaker?!”

 

“It’s not that, it’s the principle. And I’m not assuming anything in particular, the things I’m saying right now could be completely idiotic–”

 

“The principle of my fucking scalp?!” Lila’s breathing quickened.

 

Felix saw this; her defensiveness felt like a sign. “Of hiding your general appearances from your partner, who you’ve been with for two years!”

 

“UGGHH,” Lila looked out the passenger window. “I can’t STAND you!”

 

He could see her tense expression in the reflection of the window, and it tore at him. But he was still confused, and emotions were heightened. “Is it always going to be too much to ask for you to tell me the truth?” His voice cracked.

 

Lila shuddered at the sound of him. She wanted to scratch her ears out; nothing had gotten under her skin like this in a long time. She screeched. “I SHOULD CHOKE YOU OUT!” 

 

“Not until I’ve parked.”

 

Felix calmly pulled over to the side of the road, near bustling shops where he planned to gift-hunt. Felix undid his seatbelt; Lila never had hers on. The car rocked from how violently she jumped him, reaching for his tie. Before she even touched the fabric, Felix was lifting and offering it to her. She took his tie and stared at it in disbelief, then sighed and fell back in her seat–still holding onto his tie. 

 

He studied her. “Would you like to choke me out in the back, where the windows are more tinted?” 

 

Lila’s jaw tightened, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Suddenly, she pulled on him again and leaned in to devour his face. Felix closed his eyes, melting into it. She bit down on his bottom lip. He traced his hand from her collar to her jaw. Just in the spirit of things, she grabbed a fistful of his hair. They kept clawing at each other, and just when they were starting to look stuck together, Lila came up for air first, with intention. 

 

“I’m real, Felix,” Lila exaggerated her breaths over Felix’s face, in his gaping mouth, almost as if to resuscitate him after choking him like that. “Just as real as you are. I’m everything you think I am and more, and I know I’m a lot to take in after miles of basic bitches, but that doesn’t mean I’m too good to be true.”

 

“But, you certainly are too good.” Felix wiped his thumb across his bottom lip, flashing a smile. “I’m sorry, Lila, I hurt and agitated you so terribly. Know that, while this is a conversation I’d like to continue in the future, I don’t want you to feel cornered or interrogated either. I’ll do better.” 

 

Lila smoothed her hair down and sighed dramatically. “I thought you were breaking up with me, so I nearly killed you.” 

 

“Good, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Felix said seriously. “If it’s between those options, I’d rather you kill me.”

 

Lila looked away. “God, you’re obsessed.” 

 

“Yes. I am. I’d just like to know more about with whom…” Felix looked at her softly.

 

Lila tugged at the neck scarf of her halter top and looked down. She smiled shyly. “With me. Thee, Lila Rossi.” 

 

“Tell me more…” 

 

“Like…?”

 

“Where is your hometown?”

 

“...Milan,” Lila said slowly.

 

“Hmm,” Felix tilted his head. “Yes, I hear it a bit when you speak French, you’ve nearly covered your accent and sound local, but there’s something else there. Say something in Italian.” 

 

Lila looked at him without turning her head. “Why?”

 

“Humor me.”

 

Lila breathed, pausing. “Sei proprio una persona di infimo livello.” 

 

“Sicilian.”

 

Her head snapped up. “What?”

 

“You disguised it very well; it definitely sounds Northern Italian to the average person, but it isn’t perfect. You have a Sicilian accent.”

 

“Hmm!” Lila feigned disinterest. She unlocked her door. “Are we shopping or what?”

 

“Yes,” Felix agreed silently to drop the subject. “I’ll go look for something for my mother, you shop wherever you’d like. Here.”

 

Lila turned to see the black card between his index and middle finger. She plucked it daintily.

 

“Go crazy.” He said, turning to open his door. When he got around to opening her side, he added, “I’m going to regret saying that, aren’t I?”

 

“Oh yes, you still need to be punished,” Lila smirked, tapping the plastic card with her acrylic nails. 

 

Felix chuckled. “Alright. I’ll meet you back here in two hours.”

 

She winked. “Yes, sir.”

Chapter 4: Kettle

Summary:

Lila gets to meet an SO's mother for the first time

Notes:

Just for the record, I placed a--possibly badly--translated conversation at the end, English to Sicilian. Firstly, if it's inaccurate lmk, but also I decided to do this because I liked the feel of it being incomprehensible to most readers.

But, if you'd like the translation they'll be in the end notes <3 enjoy

Lila was nowhere to be found. 

 

Felix was standing alone outside his black Mercedes-Benz Coupe with two golden gift bags, looking like a car show model every time he glanced at his watch. Five minutes in, he was relaxed; not everyone could be as timely and sharp as he was, and certainly not Lila. Ten minutes in, he threw the bags in the car and continued to wait by leaning on the hood. By the twenty-minute count, he got impatient, but it was his fault for not finding Lila himself.

 

He grabbed his phone from the inside of his blazer and called her. It went straight to voicemail. He wiped the sweat from his palms and started to run, looking in any shop that had her name written all over it.

 

“Lila?!” It wasn’t until he heard his own outburst that he realized he was panicking and not at all thinking straight. 

 

He stopped, wiped his brow, and pulled his phone out again. The card. If he hadn’t been running around like a madman, he would’ve checked the locations it had been charged at. If there were no charges on it today, he’d fear the worst: Lila ran away. A brief wave of determined anger washed over him at the thought. She could run, but she couldn’t hide. Especially not so long as she had his card and ever decided to use it. If she thought for a second he wouldn’t track her down upon the first transaction, no matter what lengths he had to go to find her, she’d gravely underestimated him.

 

Relief hit him like a brick when he saw there had already been a purchase, just half an hour ago. As soon as he saw the name of the store, he tracked down the location and saw that it was close by.

 

But, of course, she’d played him. Clearly, she knew he would track her down, and she allowed a transaction to throw him off her scent. She was not in Balmain. He stepped back out, dragging his feet. He prepared to check his transaction history once more, but didn’t have to.

 

Felix felt a hand creep up his back from beneath his blazer, a finger hooking onto the cinch of his vest to stop him in his tracks. 

 

“Lose something?” 

 

Felix whipped around and snatched Lila’s hand from his back, tugging her wrist upward and bringing her closer. “GOT YOU, you little brat!”

 

Lila stumbled from his strength. She was as light and easy to manhandle as a ragdoll. She looked up at him with big, sparkling eyes and a flushed face. 

 

Still, she threw her head back helplessly and let her bottom lip quiver. “Aim for my neck next time, the audience will like it better.” 

 

Felix blinked and took a step back, glancing at the concerned passerby. 

 

“Uh…” He dropped her hand and pointed harshly in her face. “Where have you been?” He hissed.

 

“Oooh, is it my turn to be in trouble now?” Lila took his pointed hand, curling her first two fingers and a thumb around his pointer finger and sliding down to his knuckles as she kissed the tip of his finger. 

 

Felix sucked his teeth, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t you know you were meant to be in the car an hour ago?” 

 

Lila sighed, dropping the act. “Well, you aren’t by the car right now, are you?” 

 

“I was, for about half an hour.”

 

“And I was there ten minutes ago.”

 

Felix grumbled. “Ugh, I should’ve just stayed there. I must be out of my mind… and what of your phone?”

 

“Dead,” Lila lifted her smartphone, the black screen reflecting Felix’s exasperated and deranged expression. She continued, “So… you pin Sicily, and suddenly you’re accusing me of running off with your money?” 

 

Felix looked her dead in the eye. “Don’t you get it, Lila? I don’t care about the money.”

 

Lila stared at him. The corner of her mouth twitched in a funny way, and she started walking. 

 

Felix followed suit. “Lila, you only have three bags. What happened?”

 

As Felix caught up with her, Lila slipped his card back to him. “Nothing, Felix. I only needed one outfit…” 

 

“‘Need’? I was insisting you splurge today–”

 

“It’s fine,” Lila said dryly. “Maybe next time. It’s better you be there to see me try them on anyway.” 

 

“I’d love to, it’s just that, you usually buy more when you’re upset with me.” 

 

As they approached Felix’s car, Lila stopped and turned to him. “Worried I haven’t forgiven you? Relying on shopping therapy to deal with me?”

 

“I’m worried you’re more than just upset this time, this isn’t like you.”

 

“Make up your mind, Felix. Do you or do you not know me?” Lila slipped into the passenger side and closed the door herself. 

 

Felix got in. “Don’t forget, regardless, there’s one thing I do know.” He reached behind his seat and grabbed one of the golden gift bags. Lila humored him with a glance.

 

He placed it on her lap, and she used all of her self-control not to show excitement. She extracted a golden box, tied with a black ribbon. She hadn’t even paid mind to what name was on the bag, but it didn’t take long after lifting the lid to recognize the piece of jewelry.

 

“The Annoushka choker?”

 

Felix smiled softly. “That’s why I was trying to go shopping alone. I found another piece from Annoushka that I liked for my mother, so… I decided to get it, finally.” 

 

Then Lila said something Felix never expected. “Thank you, Felix.”

 

“...You’re welcome.” Felix reached for the choker, carefully lifted it to her neck, and put it on. “I hope it goes with your outfit.”

 

Lila reached for one of her own bags. “I’ll make it work… also, um, I got something for your mom.” 

 

She was full of surprises today. Felix was thrown off, but he hoped this was her way of accepting his desire to get to know more of her.

 

But on the drive back home, it didn’t matter what had been running through Lila’s mind before. Now, she was thinking about how there weren’t any Annoushka boutiques in Paris.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

“Do you have everything, Lila?”

 

It was the next morning, Felix was waiting by the door with his Grams(28) Voyager duffle, and a gift bag, Lila was sitting on a suitcase trying to zip it shut, and they had a train to catch. 

 

Felix was being sarcastic.

 

“It’s a one-night trip, for God’s sake, Lila.”

 

Lila leaned down to stuff a sloppily hanging piece of fabric back in as she tugged on the zipper once more. She looked up at Felix. “Do you want me to be ugly in front of your mother?!” 

 

Felix looked unimpressed. “The word ‘ugly’ doesn’t belong in a sentence describing you.”

 

“Ugh, you don’t get it.” 

 

“I’m going, with or without you.” Felix started opening the door.

 

“Wait!” Lila called, stalling. “What about your dog?”

 

“Alis has a caretaker; she’ll be just fine,” Felix replied frankly, backing out of the door.

 

Lila started panting as she wrestled her suitcase. 

 

Felix sighed. “Oh, give it here.” 

 

He knelt down and, while she was still sitting on it, pressed down on the top of the suitcase. He jerked the sides of the zipper into alignment and pulled it up smoothly. “There, let’s go.” 

 

Lila jumped up and followed him. “Wow, that was weirdly hot!”

 

“Remind me to get you a vacuum seal suitcase,” Felix grumbled.

 

“Kay!~”

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

By the time they were settled on the train, Felix was at ease. So much so that, in the absence of nighttime cuddles and a blaring television, his mind was racing again. He went back to the conversation they had had the day before.

 

“What you said yesterday…” he started, carefully, “about thinking I was going to break up with you… Was it that I had triggered you from a past breakup?”

 

Lila didn’t look up from her magazine. “No one initiates a breakup but me.”

 

“Right. Are we… ok?” 

 

“You were on thin ice, but,” Lila crossed her legs and looked up at him. They were sitting exactly across from each other; she stretched her leg out and rubbed his ankle with her foot. “I guess you’ve lasted the longest out of everyone else I’ve been with.”

 

Felix nodded. “It’s the same for me. I was lucky to get past two dates, much less as long as the two of us have been together.”

 

“Oh… that too, yeah.” Lila cleared her throat. “So, by the way, there’s a reason I was late to the car yesterday.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“I stopped by a florist, got caught up asking questions and stuff, and they’re part of some international delivery franchise, so there should be something waiting at your mother’s penthouse.” Lila looked to the side. Felix was staring at her. Not in a mean way, but she knew she was being studied, again.

 

“It’s your late aunt’s birthday too, right? They’re twins?” Lila ignored his silence.

 

“That’s right,” Felix replied softly. “Thank you, Lila, that’s very thoughtful of you. What was it you got my mother from Balmain? I’ve seen what you got yourself, of course. You wear it very nicely, I might add.”

 

Lila was dressed in an outfit almost entirely new from yesterday’s Balmain trip. A short-sleeve, black blazer jacket with structured shoulders, and a deep, open V-neckline that exposed the glowing skin from the center of her chest down to her naval, a large golden buckle cinching at the waist. The openness of her neck and collarbone was perfect for her new choker from Felix. 

 

She was also clutching the Balmain Anthem bag, a belted black leather purse with a monogram jacquard design, with black leather Balmain stilettos to tie it all together. That was the entirety of what she had purchased that day, and she had decided to style everything with a previously purchased black, belted mini skirt from Pucci and some sheer tights she already owned. That degree of restraint confused Felix, but if he pressed the matter any further, it was going to start looking like he had a thing for his money being spent. 

 

Felix was wearing a muted brown color palette to complement the golden accents on Lila’s outfit. A taupe, plaid, wool blazer, with a brown knit polo, a white undershirt, untucked. The rest, a simple pair of cream chinos and brown oxfords, all from Brunello Cucinelli. 

 

“You’ll see it when she opens it,” Lila said, smiling as someone who had bought it with her own money.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

The One Hyde Park lobby was certainly for royals. Windows stretching from the dark marble floors all the way to the 30-foot ceiling, leather furniture, and a chandelier the size of a small car, right at the center. It should have felt like an amazing sight to Lila, but, well, with the way she and Felix entered, arms linked and frankly, matching the interior color palette perfectly, they didn’t just belong there, they owned the place.

 

 

Felix was quickly recognized by the concierge, and the front desk was ringing him up before he even got to it. 

 

“Ms. Graham de Vanily is ready for you,” said the man at the front desk. 

 

“Thank you,” Felix replied. Before he could head toward the elevator, Lila tugged on his arm.

 

“Oh, right.” Felix turned back to the front desk. “There should be a delivery waiting for her. I’d like to bring it up.”

 

“Ah, yes, a parcel, isn’t it?” The front desk worker prepared to retrieve it from the lockers.

 

“No–” Lila started, but cut herself off. “Ehh, a flower…” she stuttered with a thick, French accent. Felix raised an eyebrow.

 

“Oh?” The worker looked confused, but soon his face changed, looking beyond Lila. “I see, a bouquet?”

 

Lila turned around to see the concierge approaching with a bouquet of lilies, forget-me-nots, gladiolus, and chrysanthemums.

 

“Is this what you’re looking for?” He called. 

 

Lila nodded.

 

As she took it, Felix looked to the front desk again. “We’ll take the parcel, as well.” 

 

The elevator ride up was quiet. Even when Lila turned to ask him what he thought of the bouquet, he didn’t even look at her.

 

“Felix, sweetheart!” Amelie sang in English, waiting on the other side of the elevator. She threw her arms around his neck and looked on the verge of tears. “Oh, how I missed you!” 

 

Amelie turned to Lila. Gray hairs were starting to overtake her blonde locks, now trimmed into a wavy bob; smile lines were carved into her cheeks like she was made of stone, and her figure was thinner than Lila saw in photos. She was an energetic and amorous woman, but none of this took away from her level of class. She was like a cross between Miranda Priestly and Mrs. Claus. Ah… right, that would be Martha Stewart. 

 

“And you must be the lovely girl Felix has been telling me about all this time!” Amelie stopped when Lila threw Felix a look. “Oh, I know, the last time he insisted you meet me a while back, you told him to hold off on mentioning you for fear I’d disapprove, I know all about it.”

 

Lila stared at Amelie blankly.

 

“Ohhh,” Amelie gasped. “Vous préférez que je parle français?” 

 

Lila smiled with relief, but before she could respond, Felix cut in.

 

“No, mother, it’s alright. She’s fluent in English.” He said flatly, shoving the package in Lila’s arms, kicking his shoes off, and grabbing her suitcase. “I’ll settle the luggage into our rooms.”

 

Lila barely disguised the horrified disbelief in her eyes as she locked eyes with Felix, and he walked away. “Um,” Lila giggled nervously, clutching the box and bouquet to her chest and holding a gift bag with her other hand. “Yes, that’s me! Here…” Lila offered her the Balmain gift bag. “Happy Birthday, Ms. Graham de Vanily.”

 

“Oh, you’re too sweet, thank you so much– Lila, right?” Amelie took the bag gently. 

 

Lila was still distracted by Felix’s demeanor, and with everything happening, she felt flustered. “...N… yes! I’m sorry. Lila Rossi! It’s so wonderful to finally meet you, and,” Lila offered the bouquet, “this is for your twin sister, Emilie.”

 

Amelie clutched her chest. “Oh, my.” She immediately brought Lila into a hug. “Thank you.”

 

Lila brought her arms lightly around Amelie, lifting the box she had brought up from the lobby to Amelie’s upper back. She looked down at the writing on it and frowned. “Of course.” She replied absently. “I'll be right back.” 

 

She found Felix bent over the luggage he had placed on his bed, looking through his belongings in the bedroom right next to the one with her suitcase in it. She tossed the package onto her bed and shuffled into his bedroom.

 

“So,” Lila uttered in French. “Is this your childhood bedroom?”

 

“No.” Felix didn’t look up. “Mother moved out of that horrible home a long time ago.”

 

“You know… I was thinking. Maybe we could share a room–”

 

“You know what, Lila? I don’t think I want to right now.” 

 

Lila was quiet.

 

As Felix stood up with a small bag of toiletries, Lila worked up some waterworks. “So, you’re mad at me because I can speak English?”

 

Felix scoffed. “Oh, don’t start…” He whooshed past her and closed the door. “You know I’m angry because you tried lying about it.”

 

“Stuff like that never bothered you so much before…” Lila fixed her tone and looked to the side. “How long have you known?”

 

“Just now.” Felix sneered. “You slipped. Twice. First, by answering the front desk when you shouldn’t have understood, and second, by throwing on a fake French accent, really? Not even your natural accent?”

 

Lila paused again.

 

Felix started again. “Me matri un parra sicilianu…” Felix switched to Sicilian to avoid the chance of his mother overhearing, especially as he felt his voice rising. 

 

Lila tilted her head in annoyance. “Ah sì?” 

 

 

Felix started walking toward Lila. “Quannu la finisci cu stu teatrinu, Lila? Quannu è ca diventerò cchiù di ’na co-protagonista comparsa pi’ fari scena nta’ to’ vita?!”

 

“E cu dissi ca già nun si cchiù di così?”

 

“SMETTILA! Stu modu nun mi pigghia cchiù, è assai ca nun funziona.” 

 

Lila jumped as Felix’s voice got louder. She started backing away. “Ma chi stai diriannu?”

 

“Li to’ bugie.”

 

“E comu poi accuminciari a fari tuttu stu scandalu pi’ ‘i me bugie, quannu tu, d’un tratto, scuppi accussì? Tu continui a diri ca dumandavi cosi sulu pi’ curiosità… e ora è colpa mia si nun vitti ca ti stava accumulannu tuttu stu veleno?!” 

 

Finally, Felix pointed at her accusingly. “Ah, nun fari finta ca nun t’arricivisti—” he stopped himself. Behind Lila, he could see his reflection in the mirror. He looked down at Lila’s cowering frame. He deflated. “I-I'm sorry.”

 

Felix quickly went and got the door. “Please, just go meet my mother back at the table for brunch. I’ll be right there.”

 

Lila stood still for a moment longer, staring at her hands as she picked at her cuticles. Finally, she motivated herself to speed past him.

Notes:

translation for the heated Sicilian argument:

Felix started again. “My mother doesn’t speak Sicilian…” Felix switched to Sicilian to avoid the chance of his mother overhearing, especially as he felt his voice rising.

Lila tilted her head in annoyance. “Ok?”

Felix began walking toward Lila. “When are you going to stop this little act, Lila? When will I become more than a fun little co-star in your play?!”

“And who said you’re not already more than that?”

“STOP! That won't work on me anymore, it hasn’t for a long time.”

Lila jumped as Felix’s voice got louder. She started backing away. “What are you even talking about?”

“Your lies.”

“And how can you start making all this fuss about my lies when you’re the one suddenly exploding like this? You kept saying you were asking all those questions just out of curiosity… so now it’s my fault that I didn’t see all that anger building up in you?!”

Finally, Felix pointed at her accusingly. “Oh, don’t pretend you didn’t notice—”
He stopped himself. Behind Lila, he could see his reflection in the mirror.

Chapter 5: Tea

Summary:

Lila gets to know a little more about Felix.

Notes:

I try to make my chapters no shorter than 1500 words, but I'm impatient and going to bed... so here.

The home kitchen staff had brought out an array of self-serve dishes. Sausages, boiled eggs, pastries, and fruits, it was like a dream. Unless you were Lila, she was smiling quietly as her stomach churned. 

 

Just as a staff member was about to pour her some tea, Felix held out his hand. Lila looked up at him. He was right beside her, across from Amelie, and he didn’t even glance at her.

 

“Get her a cappuccino, please. And some assorted nuts.” After Felix said this, he served her a pastry and a serving of fruit, still without looking at her.

 

Because of the way he continued to frown and avoid her gaze, she knew he wasn’t just trying to win her forgiveness. Lila felt a bit angry with herself now that she suddenly had an urge to grab his hand under the table, something she wasn’t even known for when they were on good terms. God, what was happening to her?

 

“So,” Amelie cut the tension between them, “You two sleep in separate rooms?” And then re-tightened it. 

 

“Oh, yeah, but,” Lila peppered in a giggle, “that didn’t stop me from seeing that jungle pajama set.”

 

Felix twitched.

 

Amelie lit up. “Yes! Isn’t it the sweetest thing?!” She pouted cutely toward Felix, “Aww, my little baby elephant...” 

 

“Mum!” Felix hissed.

 

Lila’s eyes widened with curiosity; she prompted Amelie with a smile. 

 

“Well, I used to call him that when he was a newborn, and it sort of stuck. I saw the design on those pjs, and I thought of him, I couldn’t help it! See, when he was born, his ears stuck out; it reminded me of a baby elephant!”

 

Lila covered her smile with one hand and looked at Felix. Felix’s ears were bright red.

 

“It would’ve been the dead giveaway when discerning from Adrien, too,” Amelie continued. “Only we put Felix onto one of those ear molds as a baby, so they don’t stick out anymore. But, if you look closely, you can still tell them apart by the ears… and slightly different eye colors.” 

 

“That’s too bad, Ms. Graham de Vanily! It sounds adorable… if only you had pictures.” Lila held her chest.

 

Felix finally looked at her, horrified, but only briefly.

 

“Oh, I absolutely do!” Amelie sang. She turned to one of her maids, “I’m sorry, do you mind getting Felix’s first photo album for me?”

 

“That’s really not necessary, mother, and it’s terribly boring–” Felix shifted in his seat.

 

“It’s your mother’s birthday, Felix,” Lila said, “you should give her anything she wants!”

 

Felix huffed.

 

“Now that’s a girl who knows how to treat a mother!” Amelie batted her hand.

 

Lila’s smile wavered.

 

As someone retrieved the photo album, Amelie went on to say, “Anyway, but as you can tell, it’s a very private little memory between me and Felix. Of course, I know he doesn’t tend to dress so loudly, but a little fun in the bedroom never hurt anyone–oh!” Amelie giggled as she realized.

 

“So true, Ms. Graham de Vanily!” Lila laughed.

 

“‘Amelie’ is fine, Love,” Amelie assured. “Until you feel ready to call me ‘mother’.”

 

Lila blinked. “Oh, alright… Amelie.” 

 

Just then, the long-awaited album was handed to Amelie. 

 

“Here we are,” Amelie flipped it open excitedly. “Look familiar?” She turned the book over to Lila, who greedily snatched it and took a closer look.

 

Lila could not contain herself; she was more engrossed than when a new Love Island episode aired. Newborn Felix, right there in front of her. He was so small, had rosy cheeks, and, yes, his ears were HUGE and flat, just like an elephant. Lila placed her hand over one of the photos, Felix couldn’t help but notice.

 

“Why try to change such a cute feature? If anything, he’s only been encouraged now to trick a bunch of people who are close to Adrien…” Lila smirked.

 

Amelie shrugged. “His father wasn’t too fond of it like I was. It didn’t help that Gabriel took just about any minor thing as a way to one-up. Adrien hadn’t been born that way, and his eyes were more vibrant, all that and then some as to why he was more ‘perfect’.”

 

Felix poked at his plate, evidently wanting to change the subject.

 

Lila frowned. “Felix is the one who graduated super early while Adrien was busy posing in skinny jeans.”

 

This made Felix chuckle softly, but bitterly.

 

“That’s just it,” Amelie nodded, “Everything Gabriel would say, fired Colt up, in turn Felix felt all this pressure to prove himself, but Gabriel would shoot back that he was just trying to catch up with Adrien’s ‘effortless perfection’. It’s so odd and uncomfortable, the way this family has been with their children–”

 

“What a prick!” Lila blurted.

 

Felix and Amelie stared at her.

 

“I mean,” Lila scrambled for words. “That’s just appalling…”

 

“No worries,” Amelie shook her head, “your choice of words was completely justified.” Amelie took a bite of her food. “I’ll tell you what… that’s why they’re both dead.”

 

Felix spat out his tea and started choking.

 

Lila smiled more comfortably. “I like you, Amelie…”

Chapter 6: Rosebud

Summary:

Felix sits back and watches Lila and Amelie become closer and closer.

Notes:

I was intending to wrap up the London trip this chapter, but pacing said otherwise

we'll have to see if I miscalculated the chapter count and I'll make some adjustments. But at least this chapter is over 2k! Enjoy :)

“Well,” Lila closed the album and handed it back to Amelie, “Baby elephant Felix still lives on in our hearts.”

 

Felix was pinching the bridge of his nose; mentally, he was elsewhere. This entire visit had so far been completely off, but it was his fault; he hadn’t thought of the childhood photos coming into play. At least it was finally over.

 

“Not really,” Amelie hugged the album to her chest. “It really was a perfect comparison because it matches him even now. He’s so smart like one… oh, and HOLDS GRUDGES!” Amelie gaped like she’d just dropped the most shocking detail.

 

Felix looked up, pleading. “Muumm.”

 

Lila pursed her lips, “I guess it does suit him. I should start calling him Babar.”

 

Amelie doubled over, wheezing with laughter. She’d moved on to sipping on wine.

 

“He even dresses like Babar!” Lila laughed along with her.

 

Felix turned his head away from the laughter. “Well, glad to see you two are getting along…”

 

And hold a grudge he did, within minutes, he would be unfolding the reminder of why he was angry in the first place. He placed the golden Annoushka bag on the table for his mother and leaned back to wait.

 

Amelie looked at it and commented before taking it. “Is this a gift or a peace offering? Pfffft–” she giggled as she glanced at Lila again. “Alright, alright, I’m done, let me have a look…”

 

It was the Sweetie Olive Quartz choker. Very simple compared to Lila’s. A gold band with one olive quartz pendant.

 

“Oh, it’s lovely… say, I match with Lila a bit now,” Amelie pointed out the color of the pendant. “Is it to match your eyes, Felix? Your two favorite ladies, matching your eyes?” She teased.

 

Felix shook his head, unimpressed. “I think you’ll find that you, too, have green eyes, Mother. And Lila has been asking for that choker for a while; it has nothing to do with my eye color.” 

 

“Ah, so it does…” Amelie looked over to Lila. “Your eyes are green, too! So that’s why you wanted it.”

 

Felix scoffed. “That isn’t her real eye color.” 

 

It hadn’t been long after starting a relationship with Lila that he had realized this. At first, in instances where he had felt her iris looked odd, and he would try to take a closer look, she would take a step back and avoid his gaze. Eventually, her contact lens rolled out of place, and the truth was out. But she chalked it up to be purely cosmetic, and he thought nothing of it. Now, however, he wasn’t so sure.

 

Amelie frowned, but moved on. “Oh, then why did you want this particular piece?” She asked Lila.

 

Lila hadn’t even had the chance to react to Felix’s comment, let alone Amelie brushing it off. This was the second time Felix threw her under the bus today, and the second time she couldn’t read Amelie’s subtle reaction. She wasn’t sure how to respond. “I…”

 

“They do remind you of Felix’s eyes, don’t they?” Amelie smiled, glancing between the two of them. Even Felix was starting to get convinced. He stared at Lila, intrigued.

 

Lila touched her necklace and chuckled. “You can’t just let him know that, it’ll go to his head.” 

 

Lila would have preferred to chew on a suicide pill and collapse right there on the table than to volunteer that she had even noticed the correlation in the color of the gems on her choker and Felix, but she didn’t have one, so she was left with no choice. The best she could do was make a joke of it.

 

Felix looked away, confused. 

 

Amelie swooned. “Aww, and he got you the more expensive one between the two of us, too.”

 

Lila jumped. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Amelie!” She was ecstatic. “You should see what I picked out for you.”

 

“I’d be delighted,” Amelie grabbed the gift she had set aside earlier. A Balmain gift bag, it was small, likely another piece of jewelry. Amelie extracted a small box, and from the moment she lifted the lid, the bronze shimmer was impossible to miss.

 

It was a set of earrings in the shape of bronze cherubs, each carrying a pearl-like bead on their shoulders, with a small chain and bead dangling from the wing. The Anges Baroque earrings.

 

Amelie looked stunned, but not because they were particularly show-stoppers or even pricey. She suddenly looked completely sober, stealing a sharp glance toward Felix. Felix shook his head subtly, but Lila still caught it. Lila’s confidence took a hit again, she was becoming exhausted.

 

“These are beautiful, Lila, I can see how much care you put into picking these out for me…” Amelie lifted a box, just about the right size to have come out of the package that had come in that morning. “And, what’s this?”

 

Lila clenched her jaw. “I couldn’t help myself,” she flashed a smile, “I also brought you some chocolates. I made them myself.” 

 

Felix slammed his hand on the table, causing everything to shake–including Lila. “Sorry.” He mumbled, “There was a fruit fly.” 

 

His eyes burned holes into the side of Lila’s head as Amelie went ahead and opened the box of chocolates.

 

“They smell delicious, you really didn’t have to do all this…” Amelie plucked one and popped it into her mouth. “Mmm, I didn’t know you were so talented!” 

 

Lila opened her mouth to speak, but Amelie’s phone started ringing.

 

“Adrien is calling! Sweet thing…”

 

Felix swiftly got up and prepared to step away. “I’m not here…” 

 

Lila caught his blazer, prompting Felix to bend down to her.

 

“What’s the matter? Scared you’ll be caught?” Felix whispered in Lila’s ear. “That was a risky lie, sloppier than usual. Don’t look to me to save you.”

 

“That’s not why I’m asking you to stay, Dumbass,” Lila whispered back.

 

Amelie picked up the phone, not another second to think it over. Felix sat down reluctantly, practically bowing at the sound of his cousin’s voice. It was surreal, watching things be completely fine between his mother and Adrien. He had to endure the whole conversation, however long, painfully reminded of his failures and regrets.

 

As did Lila. They sat in silence and watched Amelie chat away in French on the video call; simultaneously enraged with each other and engrossed in their own anxieties. In a way, in wanting nothing to do with each other at the moment, they were united.

 

“Have any plans to celebrate?” Adrien asked, completely unaware of who was on the other side of the camera.

 

“As a matter of fact…” Amelie peered up at Felix. “The plans were made for me by a surprise visit.” 

 

Felix made a cutting motion across his neck. He wasn’t ready to converse with Adrien right now. Lila rolled her eyes, jutting forward and snatching Amelie’s phone. She then turned the phone to face Felix. It all happened so fast that Felix could only freeze.

 

“Ah…” Felix’s face twitched into an awkward smile. “Ha.” 

 

“Hi, Felix,” Adrien replied flatly. 

 

“Uh–” Felix tried again. 

 

“Good to see you have company on your birthday, Aunt Amelie.” 

 

Felix wilted. Completely unable to blame Adrien for the way he felt, Felix didn’t even bother striking up a conversation, letting Lila throw a hand up in bafflement and hand the phone back to Amelie. 

 

As Amelie slowly got back into talking with Adrien, Lila continued to look at Felix. Where had the pride in his shoulders gone? Where was the obnoxiously confident arch of his eyebrow? And why, when compared to Lila’s necklace, did his eyes suddenly look gray? This was not the person she painted him out to be. This was not her man. But even if she were to reach her hands out to him as she desired, she’d probably go right into strangling him. This was the same man who had just been repeatedly criticizing and harassing her. She could not begin to pinpoint what her mood toward him, or in general, was. There was just too much going on.

 

“Fuck.” Lila mouthed. She brought her thumb up to her lips and started biting down on her cuticles from the side. When looking closely at either of her hands, anyone would notice how torn up the cuticles of her thumbs were, although, as of right now, Felix wasn’t attentive to it.

 

“–But, we really need to get together sometime, the three of us. It’s important that we stick together as a family…” Amelie batted her eyes tearfully. “I’m always so touched you even think of me on a day like today.”

 

“Of course, it isn’t just Maman’s birthday, and that’s important to me. Especially since Maman would want today to be about celebration, not regret. You’re my family, and I love and appreciate you.” Adrien, as per usual, poured his heart out. Just seconds after speaking to Felix so… plainly. 

 

“Both of your names will always be marked under June 1st on my calendar, Amelie!” Marinette jumped in. “Oh, and Marilyn Monroe, it’s a fashion calendar, ha ha!”

 

Lila’s eyes would have rolled right out of her head had she not trained her face to behave in front of Amelie. 

 

“Aw, thank you, sweet Marinette.”

 

“I sent you a box of chocolates for your birthday!”

 

Lila stiffened. Felix snapped back to attention.

 

Marinette continued. “Did you get it? It’s marked as delivered.”  

 

“I’m not sure, I’ll have to check. My, so much chocolate today…” Amelie mused innocently. 

 

“They’re here.” Lila blurted, surprising even herself. She shoved the box that was already next to Amelie.

 

Amelie stopped. The world moved in slow motion as Amelie’s eyes traced from the box and up to Lila. Lila’s breath hitched. She could feel every ounce of her efforts get flushed away. Suddenly, she felt an arm wrap tightly around her shoulders. Felix was holding her, breaking his own word of staying out of it.

 

“Ah, here they are!” Amelie finally said. 

 

“Was that LILA?!” Marinette didn’t hide her disdain.

 

“Yes…” Amelie picked up another chocolate. “Felix brought home this lovely girl for me to meet. Do you know her? Would you like to say hi?” 

 

“Oh, I know her alright,” Marinette grumbled.

 

“Uh,” Adrien cut in. “Actually, I think we have to go now. We won’t take any more of your time spent with Felix and– getting to know Lila.” 

 

“Do the chocolates taste ok…?” Marinette squeezed one last, concerned question in.

 

“They’re perfect, Marinette, thank you,” Amelie said, chewing. “Talk to you soon!”

 

Amelie put the phone down right after hanging up. The energy in the room shifted to something that would make Wednesday Adams wet herself. “Lila…” Lila tensed up, ducking her head.

 

“Mum–” Felix tried interrupting.

 

“Marinette has been a valuable part of this family for years. She and Adrien are even getting married soon.”

 

Lila started picking at her cuticles again, but Felix grabbed her hand and held it warmly. It was reminiscent of a knight standing in front of a princess to face off a dragon. Whatever was about to happen, they would face it together.

 

“So, you panicked.” Amelie smiled knowingly.

 

Lila’s head shot up. “Huh?” Even Felix looked surprised.

 

“I see what’s happening here, so let me be perfectly clear.” Amelie leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “I don’t believe in comparing anyone to the other in this family. And everyone will be loved as they are. I completely understand why you might feel threatened by someone I’ve known for longer.”

 

Amelie gestured toward the gift Lila had brought. “This is lovely, Lila, truly. But, please, don’t feel pressured to impress me with something flashy or by copying someone else’s idea. These flowers, however,” she pointed to the bouquet Lila had brought, now sitting in a vase on the table, “they stood out to me. They are a very special gift, and they came from you, from your own heart. They’re absolutely the most meaningful out of the gifts you brought me. With it, I feel more connected to you already…”

 

Both Lila and Felix were listening intently, practically at the edge of their seats, awaiting Amelie’s every word.

 

“Whoever you are, the doors to my home are wide open. Felix has chosen to bring you through them, so I’ll take you under my wing, and you’re here to stay unless you choose not to. Lila, dear, you’re safe here.” Amelie’s eyes were warm and genuine. Her hands were stretched across the table as though to reach for Lila.

 

Lila sat in silence for what felt like ages. She stopped looking at Amelie and glanced at Felix’s hand placement, one grasping her right arm and the other cradling her left hand. Lila shrugged him off and shot up out of her seat. “Excuse me…”

 

With that, Lila ran off and vanished around the corner.

Chapter 7: Clay

Summary:

Amelie schools Felix and he dutifully puts his lessons into practice.

Amelie sighed. “So, she isn’t from a rich family, then, is she?” 

 

Felix sat still for a moment, staring off at the wall Lila had disappeared behind. He threw himself onto the backrest of his chair, slouching a little, and responded without looking at his mother. “I’d say she isn’t. Though I don’t know anything about her family.”

 

“Well, that’s fine. She didn’t know much about yours until recently, either.”

 

Felix was quiet. 

 

“What’s going on, Felix?” Amelie tilted her head like she had been waiting to have a talk with him. “Lila was already going to be nervous to meet me; you aren’t helping that at all.” 

 

“You’re saying she stole Marinette’s gift because of me?!” Felix looked offended.

 

“I’m saying you’ve been criticizing her nonstop. Are you really trying to present her to me, or just humiliate her?” She reached for a reusable napkin and wiped her hands of melted chocolate. “And don’t think I didn’t hear all that fuss in your bedroom. You may have been far, and speaking a language I couldn’t understand, but I could tell it was serious.”

 

Felix lowered his head and quieted his voice. “I’m ashamed of that… I briefly saw father in my behavior and–”

 

“You snapped at her, Felix, that’s normal. Colt was senseless, violent, and evil. You still know control and boundaries, and you still cared for her needs… don’t ever compare yourself to him, don’t give him that.” 

 

Felix nodded slowly, swallowing hard.

 

“But,” Amelie leaned forward, “you should feel ashamed. Of how far things went, of how you humiliated her, and how poorly you’ve been communicating…”

 

“I have been communicating! I feel like a broken record with how much I’ve been insisting…” Felix’s voice died down as he took in his mother’s stare. 

 

Amelie clasped her hands together. She realized she had a crucial conversation on her hands. “And it took you two years to decide you had a problem? Or hasn’t she always been a pathological liar?”

 

“She…always has,” Felix scratched the back of his head, “It was tons of small things at first, but as she realized nothing could get past me, it slowed down. I just don’t understand why there are some things she still won’t give up. Either she doesn’t trust me, or there’s something terrible she’s hiding.” 

 

“That’s where you’ve got it wrong. She didn’t ‘slow down’ because you were onto her…” Amelie sighed. “Even you can be dense…” she muttered.

 

“Huh?!” Felix looked genuinely hurt. Lila calls him all sorts of names, but God forbid his own mother.

 

She continued. “You’ve been with her for, honestly, a surprising amount of time. She slowed down because she saw how tolerant and patient you were. She pushes you constantly, but it isn’t only out of habit; it’s a test. As you continue to pass tests, you become her comfort zone, and rather than it being that she’s hiding more and more of herself, she’s actually revealing herself to you. Without that, well, you may not have started to notice these oddities, because she wouldn’t have let you.” 

 

“It’s just…” Felix looked to Lila’s empty chair, noticing her purse hanging from it. “I shudder to think she’s saved the biggest, worst secret for last. Suppose she’s up to something horrible? I’ve never even taken a look at her ID or passport–” He started reaching for the purse.

 

“Felix Graham de Vanily Fathom!”

 

Felix jumped.

 

“A gentleman never goes through a lady’s purse!”

 

He turned to his mother, bewildered. “And if her ID has her colored contacts? She’d be committing a criminal offense!”

 

“Oh, please, like you don’t have a track record.” Amelie then decided that, yes, she would pour herself another glass of wine.

 

Felix flushed. “I haven’t… quite… committed a crime, necessarily…”

 

“Right…”

 

Felix and Amelie sat in silence for a couple more minutes. Felix had a lot to take in. On one hand, Amelie wasn’t taking his side on anything. On the other hand, she was making some excellent points. But Felix’s past was just that, the past! He certainly couldn’t afford to be wrapped up in some mess now, even less when he was trying to convince Adrien he was clean.

 

“Felix,” Amelie put her glass down. “Do you recall any other pathological liars in this family?”

 

Felix, having been mentally preparing his rebuttal, still raised a shameful index finger to his chest. At this rate, he was going to assume everything out of her mouth was at his expense, whether he would’ve otherwise agreed or not. 

 

“Well, no. Try again.” Amelie stifled a giggle. 

 

He really thought about it this time. Only one, despicable, irritating person came to mind. “Gabriel Agreste.”

 

“There! Your uncle, rest in pieces, he was once the odd one out. It was extremely difficult for him to join this family, albeit against anyone’s wishes.” 

 

Felix shifted uncomfortably. “But, Lila is nothing like him.”

 

“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t go as far as to say nothing. There was a side of your uncle that you never got to see…” Amelie pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “I truly believe his downfall had everything to do with trying to live up to this family. And that’s why we have to end that.”

 

“Alright, I see where you’re headed, but I’m not encouraging her to change herself for you or anyone in this family.”

 

“But you are coddling her natural instinct to. Being a pathological liar is a telltale sign of someone who was raised to believe they must change in every way to get approval, and must get approval to be loved. Does that reflect in the behavior you’ve seen from her?” Without letting Felix answer, because she already knew the answer, Amelie switched gears. “Now, with regards to your sudden urge to pry… You are not afraid that she’s up to something.”

 

“Great, I suppose you know better than I do–”

 

“Of course, you know yourself best. Just answer me this. Did you begin to view her differently before or after you started taking note of her bigger mysteries?”

 

Felix stared at Amelie. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“I’ll spell it out for you. You found yourself growing attached to her, much more than you’ve ever experienced before. If you were really so concerned about her morals, why haven’t you left her by now? You aren’t afraid she’s secretly evil, or even a different person entirely. You’ll take her, however which way she presents herself to you, you want all of her. You might even be in love with her… but you’re afraid she’ll suddenly leave you.”

 

He continued to stare silently, stubbornly. He broke eye contact and looked to the side. “So? Isn’t that all normal?”

 

“So,” Amelie straightened her back, feeling successful in her lecture. “Stop making it her problem.”

 

“...Sorry?”

 

“Give her space and time; she is actively trying to open up to you. Stop pressuring her to pick up the pace. Every time you suddenly turn on her is a time you’ve shot yourself in the foot. This is all because of your anxiety; deal with it yourself like a big boy. She can’t help you with it right now. You can tell her about it, you can talk together about it, but don’t expect an immediate resolution. Leave her be! God, you’re too old for this, Felix.”

 

“I–” Felix’s voice broke just a bit, “then, what if she doesn’t love me?”

 

“Then, I’m sorry. You clean yourself up, and you move on. I’m afraid that’s a part of life. You can’t meticulously control everything in hopes of cushioning your life; you of all people should know that.” 

 

“You don’t understand…” Felix crumpled. “I can’t handle that possibility.” He could barely handle being cut off from the rest of his family, mainly being Adrien. How many people did he have to lose before God decided he’d paid for his sins?

 

Amelie watched her heart break right in front of her. “Oh, Sweetheart…” She got up and hurried to the other side of the table. She cradled his face to her chest and then crouched down to look him in his dampened eyes. “Well, I for one know you can and have handled anything that comes your way, but don’t forget I’ll always be here to make sure you do. That said, I have a little inkling, I just don’t want you to take my word for it.”

 

Felix quietly accepted.

 

“Those earrings she got me, I’m well aware she didn’t afford them.”

 

“I… technically bought them, but I wasn’t there with her.” Felix sniffled.

 

“That’s all good and fine, but those…” Amelie pointed to the vase of flowers. “Those are from her. I know it.”

 

“What are you…” Felix trailed off. The charges. His card. He’d been keeping track and hit a dead end. There was only one transaction because– “She bought them herself!”

 

“Didn’t she?” Amelie snapped her fingers. “I figured!”

 

“But, why would she do that? Bouquets aren’t even cheap!” Felix’s mind started racing. It just didn’t make any sense. She had all the money in the world right in her hands, yet she picked up her coin purse for this?

 

“I’d tell you why, but I don’t want to assume too much. I’m just saying, I think she might like you a lot more than she lets on. Maybe even more than she’s ready to realize.” Amelie stood up, pressing the wrinkles out from her dress skirt, and wandered over to her side of the table without sitting, teasing that she wouldn’t be sticking around.

 

Felix shot up. “I need to speak with her.” He turned to Amelie, who feigned surprise at his sudden vigor. “Thank you, mother… and sorry your birthday turned out this way.” He stepped closer to her as he prepared to chase Lila down.

 

“Aw. You’re one of the few I have left to celebrate it with. You’re my son. And Lila may as well be my daughter. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than by being a mother.” Amelie squeezed his face between her hands. She promptly turned, grabbed her box of chocolates, and started toward the home theatre. “I’ll just be relaxing over here.”

 

Felix smiled shyly, then ran off to find Lila.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Felix found her lying face down on her guest bed, head in her arms like a Disney princess in despair. Suddenly, he was hit with the weight of guilt that rivaled the time he nearly killed billions of people. He sat down beside her, and if he didn’t know any better, he’d think she’d been there a while, but the bedding around her was cool to the touch. 

 

“Eavesdropping, were you?” He asked in French. He cleared his throat, “How, uh, much did you hear?”

 

Lila lifted her head, still facing away from Felix. “Don’t you have something to say to me?”

 

Felix looked down at his lap. “Yes. I’m sorry. The truth is, when you offered to help me, I think I allowed it to get my hopes up rather than realize you might have been pushing yourself just to win more of my affection the minute I seemed less attentive to you.” 

He reached his right hand over to the small of Lila’s back, tracing his middle fingers along to her waist and giving an affectionate squeeze. 

“It’s only natural you would dislike how distracted I’ve been lately. Adrien has just… been moving forward in life without me, getting engaged this year and– well, what of it? You do so much for me, and you’re really trying. I have everything I need with you alone. And it’s already so difficult for you with the tension between you and Marinette. Let’s just let the deal go, I’ve asked too much of you–”

 

“That’s what you got from everything your mother said?” Lila whipped her head around. 

 

Felix leaned back, startled. “I, well, you never brought up your ideas to help me again, so–”

 

“Ugghh,” Lila quickly sat up, “You’re such an annoying shithead! Just because I didn’t bring it up doesn’t mean I forgot! You thought I said it just to bait you?”

 

Felix made a face. He shrugged. “It… wouldn’t be out of character?”

 

Lila rolled her eyes. “I guess today was a total waste of time.”

 

“You only tagged along in the interest of Adrien? How does that even work–”

 

“Ok, I didn’t only want to visit because of your deal with Adrien…” Lila crossed her arms and looked to the side. “But, I couldn’t help without getting a feel for the inner workings of your family, and it was perfect that he called while we were all together–you just totally fumbled your end.”

 

He raised an eyebrow. “I did? Are you sure it was perfect? All it did was shine a bad light on you.” 

 

“Marinette doesn’t know what happened.”

 

“She was onto you, though–”

 

“And anyway, this is about you. You didn’t even talk to Adrien,” Lila clenched her jaw and muttered through her teeth, “you’re making this difficult.” 

 

“Fine, I’ll try to be more cooperative. I’m not used to such a lack of strict planning, though. I didn’t even realize the plan was in motion.” Felix got up, almost as if to get away after saying something he knew would irritate Lila. He hadn’t considered he’d primed himself for a shin-kick to the rear. “Ouch!”

 

“I have my methods. Deal with it.”

 

Felix turned to her while rubbing his backside. “Alright, you're short with me, understandably so. What can I do so we can be good again?” 

 

“Weelll…” Lila drawled. 

 

Felix shifted impatiently. 

 

She laid back down on her stomach. “What you were doing earlier was feeling nice…”

 

“A back rub?” Felix paused. “You know, we have a private spa here.”

 

Lila was out the bedroom door. “Say less~”

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Felix switched on the light in the spa room. It had everything. A massage table, a sauna, a hot tub, counters supplied with towels, face masks, and bathrobes, and a mini fridge stocked with ice-cold fresh juices.

 

Lila couldn’t wait. She grabbed a heated towel and started stripping. “How do I call someone over?!”

 

Felix removed his blazer and rolled up his sleeves. “What for? No one’s putting their hands on you but me.”

 

She gasped like he’d said something scandalous. 

 

“Well? Get on the table.”

 

Lila couldn’t oblige any faster. 

 

To say Felix was good with his hands would be an understatement. He had attention to detail, he was careful, and thorough. He worked oil across Lila’s skin and placed pressure with such precision and patience as if he were sculpting a replica of her out of clay. He would press his full palms into her back, slide both thumbs down the arch of her foot, bend her knee when working on her thighs… It was all perfectly choreographed. Felix put extra care when massaging Lila’s hands, even caressing her torn cuticles. By the time he was wiping his hands with a towelette, Lila looked just about fused to the table.

 

Muffled from lying on the face pillow, Lila finally said, “How long have you been hiding this talent from me, and where did you learn it?”

 

Felix chuckled proudly. “I mean, I’ve given you your fair share of foot massages, you didn’t realize it then?” He walked over and grabbed a towel soaked in hot water, draping it over Lila’s back. “I’ve been massaged professionally, it wasn’t difficult to pick up the steps. I’m a fast learner.”

 

“Mmmf,” Lila replied sleepily. “Wha’d ya say?” 

 

“Would you still like to soak in the hot tub, or are you at risk of passing out and drowning right now?” Felix checked his watch. The night was still young, but Lila was a breath away from snoring.

 

Lila lifted her head. “I’ll have a lifeguard if I do drown…”

 

“That you will.” Felix smiled.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

A hot soak, clay mask, and a shower later, Lila was in a bathrobe and hair wrap, sitting on Felix’s bed. Felix hadn’t changed or showered yet, but now that Lila was fully pampered, he was preparing to.

 

As he arranged his toiletries, Lila spoke up. “So, you aren’t even gonna say anything?”

 

“What?” Felix threw her a glance. “You mean that your face is bare?”

 

“Well, I’ve been fooling you with what my ‘bare face’ looks like for a long time…”

 

Felix laughed. “You thought you had me fooled? That I wouldn’t know the difference between natural skin and, what, ‘Tears of Icarus Bronzer’?” Felix guessed sarcastically. “Seriously, how long has it been since you’ve allowed yourself a full day with your natural face?”

 

“Whatever.” Lila tried to look bored and pulled out her phone.

 

Felix looked at her thoughtfully. Her cheeks appeared a lot rounder without the contouring, and the skin of her eyelids was slightly hyperpigmented. “I like it. I like seeing you. You don’t need makeup…”

 

Lila’s eyes darted up to Felix. “What.”

 

His face fell. He raised his hand defensively. “In the sense that–”

 

“You know what? I’m ordering the pan after all–” Lila tapped away at her phone.

 

“I just mean, I can tell you’re utilizing makeup as part of your… I don’t know what it is you live by, but it’s clearly effective at changing your appearance so that you get away with seeming like an entirely different person.” Felix said as quickly as he could, then breathed. “Whenever… you’re ready… to tell me what it is that causes you to live like this, or to let me offer my help, even if it’s just changing your makeup to be more like yourself, I think you deserve to live more freely.”

 

Lila lowered her phone, catching her reflection on the glass screen. “It’s not really about anyone else.” She sounded unnervingly sincere. “I don’t really care to see the face that brings me back to my childhood. That little girl… is dead.”

 

Felix frowned. He wanted to say and ask so many things, but not necessarily for the same reasons as before. Still, he dropped the subject. That was clearly the long and the short of what Lila was willing to offer up. He turned around quietly and continued gathering his things.

 

Lila didn’t let the silence linger much. “Is it true? Do you feel like the inferior one between you and Adrien? Because your father criticized you?”

 

Felix scoffed, not turning back around. “‘Criticized’? Please. My mother was just being decorous. My father beat me.”

 

The air chilled, though it was June. Lila was at a loss for words, less from what he’d said and more from how he’d said it. 

 

“Oh, um.” She started. “Sorry, I tried choking you before… that was like, insensitive to your culture, or whatever.”

 

Felix was caught so off guard that he burst into laughter.

 

“But seriously.” Lila shifted. “Don’t believe it for a second, you aren’t any less than Adrien.”

 

“Well…” Felix quieted. “I’ve never been anyone’s favorite of us two, besides my own mother.” 

 

Lila stared at the back of his head, which was lowered solemnly. Instead of answering, Lila got up and stepped behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his back. “I can think of another person.”

 

Felix hung his head further, biting his lower lip and resting one hand on the dresser in front of him while bringing the other over Lila's grasp. 

 

“It’s a bunch of bullshit anyway,” Lila added. “What about your mother and your aunt? They’re twins, too! They’re the reason you and Adrien even look like twins. Was there any contest between them?”

 

“There wasn’t…” He answered with a drop of hope in his voice.

 

“So what’s the difference?! God…” Lila sighed. “I guess I should cancel the order for the frying pan…”

 

Felix snorted. “And what’s this about the frying pan anyway?”

 

Lila stepped back abruptly. “You haven’t seen Tangled? I learned all about how innovative pans are from my true idol, Rapunzel. You should watch it sometime, then you’ll see how Flynn Rider found out what frying pans are used for.”

 

Felix nodded when he heard the name ‘Rapunzel’. “Ah, that mouse bastardization of the Brothers Grimm fairytale?”

 

“Oh, shut up.” Lila shuffled away, slipping out of her bathrobe and revealing her silk shorts and tank top sleep set. She wrapped herself into the right side of the bed and got back to scrolling on her phone.

 

Felix couldn’t help but smile as he watched her. He felt like things were right again, though they were ever-changing. Mother knew best.

Chapter 8: Box of Chocolates

Summary:

Lila is so kind.

[Paris, the afternoon of Amelie’s birthday]

 

Moments after they had hung up with Amelie, another phone number was being dialed. This time, it was Alya being dialed, on Marinette’s phone. Adrien was still sitting beside her, growing increasingly anxious as he chewed on the possibilities. 

 

A couple nights ago, he and Marinette had seen Felix and Lila together at the fashion event, that much was established. Now she was meeting Felix’s mother? Clearly, they were either out of the loop on just how long they’d been together, or something sinister was amidst. 

 

As the phone started ringing, Marinette turned to Adrien. “You heard that, too, right? Lila was the one handing the chocolates over to Amelie. What did she do to them?”

 

“We can’t assume too much though, Buginette.” Adrien cautioned, tapping his chin. 

 

Tikki, who was sitting on the coffee table along with Plagg, nodded. Her enormous head practically tipping her over with each shake. “I agree with Adrien, Marinette. It’s been over a decade since the last time you even interacted with Lila, and that’s quite a while for you humans. She might have changed by now, especially since all that childish behavior was, well, when she was a child!”

 

“I dunno,” Plagg sided with Marinette, “that girl wasn’t just childish, she was straight up evil!” 

 

Tikki rolled her eyes. “In what sense?”

 

“She nearly got me expelled!” Marinette spread her arms out dramatically, nearly concussing Adrien with her phone, but–as though practiced–he dodged it swiftly. 

 

“She smelled like oranges, which are evil.” Plagg chimed in.

 

“She was super gross around Adrien. She constantly assaulted and harassed him!” Marinette returned.

 

Marinette and Plagg were now playing a game of verbal ping-pong. Throwing different accusations back and forth.

 

Plagg got a little excited. “She likes dogs, which are evil!”

 

“She weasled her way into Adrien’s home, technically without Adrien’s permission, and just to use him!”

 

“She lied to everyone!” Marinette blurted.

 

The room got quiet.

 

“Ok…” Tikki sighed, “So, a lot of that list isn’t exclusive from your adolescence, Marinette.”

 

Marinette shrunk. “I mean, I didn’t want to lie to everyone, and…”

 

Adrien squeezed her hand gently. “It’s alright, Marinette, you didn’t have a choice.” He looked at Tikki disapprovingly. “That wasn’t very nice to say. Lila lied for personal gain, not out of duty, they’re miles apart!”

 

“I wasn’t referring to that. Obviously, if a fellow guardian demanded Hawkmoth’s identity be hidden from the public, you oblige, end of story.” Tikki said, cringing as she added, “More people know the truth about Gabriel Agreste than really should… but for good reason. The general public, though, can’t know about the Celestial Law and what really happened to Gabriel Agreste.” 

 

Marinette frowned. “Then, what were you referring to?”

 

“You snuck into several events held in the Agreste Mansion and you ended up getting Lila expelled!” 

 

Adrien looked tempted to cover Tikki with an upside down mug, even if it wouldn’t have worked. “Marinette was always welcome and Lila deserved that!”

 

“Not the point.” Tikki shook her head.

 

Plagg interrupted, “Sugarcube, you know how you asked me to let you know when you were being annoying?” 

 

“Anyway,” Tikki grumbled, “The point was that it’s unlikely she did anything to those chocolates and you’re being unfair!”

 

“Still.” she raised the phone to her ear. “Keep tabs with your aunt, Adrien. See if she gets suspiciously ill.”

 

Plagg smirked cheekily. “Could be your fault if she does get sick. I tried one and it did not sit well with me…”  

 

As Marinette stared Plagg down silently, mouth agape, she was finally able to notice that the phone had stopped ringing. 

 

“Ahem,” Alya’s voice pierced through the phone.

 

“Alya!” Marinette jumped as she turned to see her best friend on the screen, she hadn’t even remembered it was a video call.

 

“Girl.” Alya tilted her head down. “Like, I’m sorry I took so long to pick up, but don’t act surprised when you called me! I’ve been here trying to get your attention for a good three minutes.”

 

“So, you heard everything I was getting ready to tell you anyway?” 

 

“I heard you dragging Lila, and I wanna know why that girl’s name is in your mouth again–” Alya paused, bracing herself as Marinette got herself wound up all over again.

 

“Lila and Felix are together!” Marinette shrieked.

 

“Bro, no way?!” Nino popped in behind Alya, mouth full of popcorn. They were walking together outside. Evidently, they’d just left the theatre, and Nino had asked for his usual post-movie refill. He lifted a buttery hand to greet Marinette.

 

Marinette waved back sweetly. “Yeah, we saw them a couple days ago at the fundraiser, and then again today at Amelie’s place!”

 

“She’s already at in-laws status?” Alya gasped.

 

“That’s if they’re actually together. This could be a Code Red, be on the look out both in and out of suit!” Marinette lifted a fist to her chest. Truthfully she looked a little ridiculous. It was starting to look like she was hungry for some action, and maybe an excuse to give Lila a long-overdue smackdown, since there wasn’t currently a big baddie on the loose. Sure, they had their jobs cut out for them in general, far from being on a sabbatical, but to Marinette this smelled of impending doom.

 

“I’m still stuck on Felix having a girl,” Nino remarked, “Mind you he has beef even with you, Marinette. For some reason. Bro has negative tolerance, how is he dealing with Lila?” 

 

“Maybe that’s just it!” Marinette practically growled, starting to look crazy. “You take the most intolerant guy you know, and you put him with the most UNLIKEABLE BI–”

---

[London, the morning after Amelie’s birthday]

Lila stirred in her sleep, finally opening her eyes when she felt hot breath on her neck. She looked back and saw Felix, laid up against her and propped up on one arm. He was leaning down, lips near the nape of her neck, and a hand on her hip.

 

“Sorry,” he whispered. “This is the first time we wake up beside each other and the curve of your neck was calling to me.”

 

“What are you, a vampire?” She slurred, blinking slowly.

 

“Anyway.” He started to pull back. “I nearly forgot you didn’t like physical contact too early in the morning, I’ll just–”

 

Lila grunted and rolled onto her back, catching Felix’s collar and pulling him back down. “That was just a joke, dummy.” 

 

Felix didn’t waste any time. He drank her up. When his lips weren’t on hers, they were on her jawline, her neck, her sternum, her breast. Lila’s nails raked his messy hair. She arched her back to lean into him. He slid a hand underneath her shirt from the waist and brushed her stomach. She wrapped her leg around his waist.

 

He drew back.

 

“I’m not doing this in my mother’s penthouse,” he muttered desperately.

 

He stood up and went to the en-suite to brush his teeth while Lila stared daggers into his back. 

 

“Are you baiting me into sharing a room with you at your place?” She asked, snarkily.

 

Felix applied paste to his toothbrush. “I’m not implying or forcing anything onto you, I simply made a statement.” 

 

“Well, it was still mean.” 

 

“I know.” He paused as he lifted the brush to his mouth. “You can go ahead and clobber me with that frying pan like you promised.”

 

“Huh? So you do get it then.” Lila scoffed. She briefly waited for him while he brushed his teeth, but grew impatient and got out of bed. She crouched in front of her back on the side of the bed opposite to the bathroom and gathered her things. Peering over the top of the bed to check that Felix wasn’t looking, she unraveled the scarf on her head.

 

Her wig was still on, but it needed some shaping. Lila quickly ran a brush through to at least get it to a natural-looking state before Felix was out of the bathroom. She then slipped out of her tank top and started to get dressed. 

 

She heard Felix step out. 

 

“Yes, I know what you were referring to now,” he finally replied, “though my extensive research suggests the practice far predates the movie ‘Tangled’, I did watch it while you were asleep.” 

 

Lila emerged from the other side of the bed, lifting her jeans over hips as she rose. She had noticed him wearing headphones and using the bedroom television while she was half-asleep, she couldn’t have been bothered to check out what he was watching. 

 

“Seriously?”

 

“Yes, it was actually not half bad. Oh, and… Eugene Fitzherbert.” 

 

 “What?”

 

“You referred to him as Flynn Rider. His real name is Eugene Fitzherbert.” He paused thoughtfully as he unbuttoned his pajama shirt. “I believe he announced that around the time he and Rapunzel were growing close. And she fell for him right after he shared his true history…” 

 

Felix trailed off and Lila just side-eyed him before they continued to get ready. They finished getting dressed and packed in silence. It wasn’t until they were walking down the hallway to the breakfast table together that Lila spoke again.

 

“I don’t want anything except a smoothie,” she mumbled.

 

Felix frowned. “All you had for dinner last night was that wrap while wearing your face mask and watching Love Island. I’m hungry and I ate–”

 

“You’ll eat my fist if you don’t… oh God. Let me stop appropriating your family tradition.” Lila sighed dramatically.

 

“Not tradition.” Felix lifted a finger. “Not one being carried out past my father’s death anyway. He’s gone, I don’t give a damn about anything regarding him anymore. Speak freely, restraint doesn’t suit you.”

 

Lila snorted. “You’re so right. That’s how you know I’m not restraining my appetite either. I hate eating in the morning, everything looks and tastes gross. Just take me somewhere nice and filling tonight.”

 

“And for lunch?”

 

“Whatever you want.”

 

“Whatever I want?!” 

 

Before Lila could address his befuddlement, Amelie greeted them at the table. 

 

“Good morning! Did you both sleep well?”

 

“Perfectly, Mother, thank you.” Felix sat himself down in sync with Amelie.

 

Lila stood awkwardly to the side with her and Felix’s luggage. 

 

Amelie smiled. “Someone will take those down for you. I’ll have my driver take you to the train station.”

 

Lila inched forward but was still unsure of how to speak to Amelie. She’d bolted right after Amelie shared such kind words. Now, Amelie was smiling and not pressing a single question.

 

“Oh, I get it,” Amelie said, causing Lila to perk up. “You don’t want to go home. It’s much more lavish here than the apartment Felix picked, isn’t it?”

 

Felix shrugged. “I like to live more humbly.”

 

“Your life is far from humble, Felix, how much is your rent again?” Amelie chuckled. “Lila, you can spend the night whenever you’d like. Even without Felix. Both are your home.”

 

“Well, your private spa is really nice…” Lila replied.

 

“That’s right! Come here, Lila girl, ask the kitchen staff for whatever you’d like.”

---

Felix and Lila were getting ready to go down the elevator, saying their goodbyes. Amelie was focused on Lila. 

 

“Aww, seriously I miss you already.” Amelie pulled Lila into a tight embrace. Though Lila was stiff, she raised a hand to Amelie’s upper back.

 

Lila opened her mouth, then closed it again. 

 

“You know what? Drop by whenever Felix drives you crazy,” Amelie added.

 

“I’ll practically live here, then,” Lila giggled.

 

“Sounds good to me!” Amelie pulled away, turning to her son. “But you need to treat her better!” 

 

Felix started to complain, but gave up, rolling his eyes.

 

Amelie brushed hair from the sides of Lila’s face. “If he fumbles you can I still adopt you and take you shopping and all?”

 

Lila was speechless. She couldn’t understand it. This woman must’ve had poor judgement. In no way could Lila figure out why Amelie would mean any of that. But she couldn’t accuse Amelie of lying either, because she’d heard everything during the conversation with Felix. Lila figured that Amelie must have had her beat in the Crazy Olympics. She nodded slowly.

 

“Promise?” Amelie laughed. “You hear that, Felix? Make her my daughter or I will.”

 

“Alright, I think you’re scaring her. Go on and let her go,” Felix sighed.

 

Amelie slid her hands down from Lila’s shoulders, tracing along Lila’s arms until she was holding her wrists. Amelie's eyes were sparkling with tears. Lila looked away.

 

Even once she finally let Felix and Lila step into the elevator, Amelie reminded Lila that they’d exchanged phone numbers, and that Lila could call any time.

---

Lila pointed out the car window. “That’s where the Annoushka boutique is! Let’s stop there real quick!”

 

“I was just there– that is, I just got you something of theirs!” Felix whined. “Say, you know this area?”

 

“Sure,” Lila drawled. There was an odd energy to her now. “I know where all the Annoushka locations are by heart.”

 

Felix paused. Suddenly he looked uncomfortable. “Well, anyway, Mother’s driver is dropping us off at the station and heading straight back. No detours.”

 

Lila was past that. “Where did you manage to find Annoushka in Paris, anyway?”

 

“Some jeweler known for bringing in exclusive items, the name escapes me…” Felix turned his head straight forward, avoiding Lila.

 

“Hmm!” Lila sighed.

 

Felix cleared his throat and checked his watch. “When we arrive in Paris, it’ll be an hour past noon. Anything you’d like to do?”

 

 Lila crossed her arms. “I need to speak with Marinette.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“She’s definitely gonna be a problem. We already go way back, and now I’m back on her radar.” 

 

Lila looked serious. Her mind was clearly swirling with ideas.

 

“Sure. So how do you plan on talking with her?” Felix studied Lila’s expression. There was something else on her mind, but Felix couldn’t make it out.

 

“What, don’t tell me you don’t constantly know their whereabouts? You expect me to believe that?” Lila squinted at him.

 

Felix sighed, biting his lip. “Adrien and Marinette will be at the Louvre this afternoon… to see the new exhibit.”

Lila smirked. “Let’s go to the Louvre, Felix.”

---

Felix was sweating. Profusely. Lila kept having to let go of his grasp and would wipe her hand against her jeans. It was not that warm out. In fact, he and Lila were indoors. They were standing inside the Louvre, looking at a painting at the start of the new exhibit. But Felix wasn’t quite focused on the painting. He was throwing looks over his shoulder, eyeing a couple across the way.

 

Adrien and Marinette were seen arms linked and laughing together. Marinette was pointing up at something and Adrien was watching intently. That’s when Felix had messed up. He looked back right when Adrien was turned toward Marinette. A small glance up, and Adrien had caught his gaze. Adrien’s smile dropped. 

 

“Oh, damn.” Felix hissed.

 

Lila had seen the whole thing. She didn’t bother disguising the amusement in her voice. “The way you drain all the joy out of his eyes… it’s kinda hot.”

 

Felix grumbled to himself before looking to Lila in a panic. “What now?”

 

“What do you mean ‘what now’?” Lila started pulling Felix by the arm. “What’s done is done. They saw us. It’ll be more suspicious if we pretend not to see them…”

 

“Wait…” Felix whispered, “we aren’t going straight to them!”

 

“Duh, we are!” Lila lifted her hand and waved. “Marinette!” 

 

Marinette whirled around like a dog responding to a distant howl. Adrien was already staring. Together they looked like they were posing for the cover of a Mission Impossible movie.

“It’s been soooo long.” Lila clasped her hands together as she closed the distance between the two couples with one final step. “I heard you two will be getting married later this year!”

 

“Did you now?” Marinette said through a clenched jaw.

 

“No worries, Marinette, I totally get that I’m the odd one out here. I’ll just be over here while you three catch up!” Lila, like she was following a script–one completely imaginary to Felix–waltzed away and threw a look back at Felix. It was as if to say ‘here’s your shot, so take it.’

 

Marinette watched Lila’s every move. She wasn’t gonna let Lila slip away, so she followed after her. Both couples were throwing coded glances at each other.

 

Lila was pretending to be entranced by the painting in front of her when Marinette came up behind her. 

 

A smile crept onto Lila’s face. “So, you finally started digging into Adrien’s wallet?”

 

Marinette already looked disgusted. It was impossibly easy to get under her skin. “What?! No! I’m not like that–”

 

“Isn’t that Chanel?”

Lila was referring to Marinette’s outfit. She was all dolled up in a beige and pink two-piece dress set, beige heels, and a pink purse, all from Chanel. 

 

Marinette looked down at herself. “Adrien didn’t get this for me. Amelie did.”

 

Lila’s smile was wiped from her face.

 

Marinette continued. “Amelie is just generous like that. She loves Chanel and said she thought of me when she saw this set.”

 

Lila hummed indifferently, scanning her eyes up and down. “Maybe you should ask her to get you a new engagement ring, too…” 

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“It’s just, she might’ve saved you the embarrassment from that tiny thing!” Lila laughed.

 

Marinette cradled her left hand to her chest. “Size doesn’t matter!”

 

“Oh, I’m sure.”

 

“YOU-” Marinette stopped herself. Not only was she getting too loud, she’d almost been baited into sharing details that were none of Lila’s business. “This is the exact kind of ring I wanted, Adrien just got me what he knew I would like!”

 

“You chose it? Engagement rings are supposed to be a surprise, to impress you with.”

 

Marinette took a step toward Lila. “An attitude like that will leave you unmarried for the rest of your life!”

 

“Not everyone cares about marriage, Marinette, so… whatever?”

 

“Well, you sure as hell seem invested in mine. Do you still want Adrien or something?!”

 

“Pleeaasse.” Lila threw her head back. “Why would I want Adrien? I already have the better twin…”

 

Marinette scoffed.

 

“What?” Lila suddenly looked irritated. “Or don’t you believe Felix could be better than Adrien?”

 

“What are you talking about?!” Marinette’s voice raised again. “Why are you even comparing them, who does that?” 

 

“Ask Adrien…” Lila muttered.

 

Just then, Felix was running to her side; Adrien was by Marinette. 

 

“Lila, how is everything over here? What have you two been talking about?” Felix looked desperate. He and Adrien had heard some of the ruckus.

 

Marinette answered first, crossing her arms as she stared Lila down. “Lila was just mocking my engagement ring.” 

 

“Oh, dear God.” Felix muttered.

 

All three of them were staring at Lila, clearly expecting an apology. Lila glanced between them. She let her eyes rest on Felix, who looked embarrassed and disappointed. She froze.

 

“You know what?” Marinette started. “Forget it, nice seeing you…” 

 

As Marinette started to turn away, Lila felt herself leap forward. She placed her foot right underneath Marinette’s, primed to be crushed by Marinette’s heel.

 

Lila let out a shriek.

Chapter 9: Elephant in the Room

Summary:

With so much beef between Felila and Adrienette, there's lots at 'steak'.

Notes:

I have no clue what the women's restroom in the louvre look like... i saw a video of the leak in the men's one but, just work with me here

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.