48Author's Note: As I started this story before Frozer was aired I had to make some assumptions about Kagami, Luka and everyone's skating skills. I was wrong in some aspects, like Kagami's personality and ways of expression, so keep in mind that in this fic she might be OOC.
That doesn't mean I don't like what the creators did in the show! I really enjoyed their idea for Kagami, but I feel that what Adrien needs in his life is not another strict and up to the point person, with clearly set goals and determination (in other words a teenage female version of his father), so my Kagami won't follow that pattern. I hope this clears up a few things.
Up To Date
Chapter 6. Bending over backwards
'Bend your knees and keep them lax,' Marinette instructed as Kagami bobbed unsteadily on her skates. 'That way you'll be ready to react faster for any shifts in your balance.'
The fencer nodded and obediently took the stance Marinette asked for. She slid once, twice, pushing her blades experimentally, then turned around and came to a halt next to her self-proclaimed instructor. 'You're a really good teacher,' she praised with a smile.
'Thank you,' the pigtailed girl smiled. 'I hope you're having a good time, despite the…not so fortunate choice of activity,' she ventured.
Kagami waved her hand dismissively. 'Yeah, don't worry about that.' She pointed to the skates. 'The only blades I haven't had the time to master,' she smirked.
'Give yourself some credit,' Marinette nudged her with her elbow. 'You're doing great!'
'Me?' the fencer snorted out a laugh. 'You are doing fantastic!' She gestured to Marinette's figure. 'I saw you at the fencing session once so I knew you were not a total klutz, like some people seem to think, but I am genuinely impressed with what I've seen today.'
'Thanks,' Marinette brushed her bangs out of her eyes to hide her embarrassment. 'Maman likes skating so I've had plenty of practice.'
'Honey, practising with your Maman is one thing,' Kagami shot a glance in the boys direction. 'But the tricks you've pulled off with Luka,' she whistled appreciatively. 'I can't believe this is the first time you two have met on the ice. You look amazing!'
'We do?' Marinette flushed.
She peeked at her date talking to Adrien by the railing. Luka caught her eye and sent her a sweet smile, full of dimples and rainbows.
'Luka is nice,' Marinette said, more to herself than to the other girl.
'But?' Kagami frowned.
'But?' she echoed. 'There's no "but". I was… just having second thoughts about this double date idea. Plus I was scared you won't have fun, and then that you can't skate as good as Adrien thought…' she started to ramble, knitting her brows.
The fencer put a hand on her shoulder. 'I really don't mind,' Kagami said softly. 'At least I have time to chat with Adrien,' she explained. 'It's nice to be able to do just that, without all the sports stuff in the way.'
Marinette perked up. 'That's great!' she sighed in relief.
Kagami turned out to be quite a pleasant company once she dropped her ice queen act. Marinette felt flattered that she was one of the few people included in that inner circle beyond the ice walls of Tsurugi castle. For the first time she was genuinely pleased she had helped Adrien with his dating plan. He deserved to be happy and, as much as it hurt not to be his choice, Marinette had to admit that Kagami and him had a lot in common, and the fencer was a good match for her classmate.
As to Marinette's match, Luka left Adrien by the rink balustrade and in a few languid glides he was at her side. He wrapped his hand around her shoulder hesitantly, a silent plea for permission. Marinette didn't shy away, but leaned into his touch. This was such a pleasant sensation, to be so close to someone and to feel comfortable with that closeness. She felt welcomed in his personal space just as she didn't mind his presence in hers. Maybe that ease was the key to their effortless skating?
'Hey, you,' she pushed her shoulder into him.
'Hey yourself,' he pushed back catching her hand and twirling her around. 'If you girls are done here, I'd love to skate some more with my charming date before they close the rink,' he murmured gazing at her softly.
Marinette felt warmth spilling over her limbs as she melted under his gaze. 'I'd love to,' she murmured, but then remembered her friend. 'You don't mind, do you?'
'Nah,' Kagami smirked at the pair. 'I'm gonna show Adrien what you've taught me.' With that she moved to the railing where the blond was waving at her. Her strides were much more confident now than when she first entered the rink.
'You're a really good teacher, Marinette,' Luka smiled offering her his hand. 'Maybe you could teach me something, too?'
All in all, Adrien thought, the date turned out not to be such a disaster. True, Kagami couldn't skate very well, but it had been nice to just talk and laugh, and even flirt a little. Her cheeks and nose were red from the cold, but her eyes sparkled with mirth.
'Oh, I can't feel my legs,' she groaned, slipping her feet into her trainers.
'May I offer you a lift then?' Adrien half-crouched with his back to her. 'Hop on!' he encouraged shooting her a bright smile over his shoulder.
Kagami hesitated for a moment, mouth agape and limbs frozen, so Adrien started to worry he overdid it, but then she giggled and did as he asked.
'First time piggybacking?' he murmured when her hands crossed over his chest.
'Mhmm,' came an amused reply. 'If my mother saw me now…' she added with a scandalized gasp that made Adrien chuckle himself.
Steadily he made his way to the main entrance to the accompaniment of soft giggles from his passenger. He could already see Marinette's and Luka's silhouettes outside, but then his eyes registered his own reflection in the glass door. Ruffled hair, reddened cheeks, slightly disheveled clothes and of course four additional limbs and girl's head peeking from behind his shoulder.
'I wish I could see the look on Father's face!' he snorted.
'That can be arranged,' Kagami said decisively and before he could protest, she called. 'Hey, Marinette! Can you take a picture of us?'
Their friend froze at the sight of Kagami being carried by Adrien. 'A-are you hurt?' she frowned.
Luka wiggled his eyebrows at them in what Adrien thought of as appreciative way. And suddenly the blond felt more self-conscious than just a moment before, when all this seemed like a good joke, with a pinch of wooing for good measure.
Kagami only laughed in reply. 'Was I really that bad?' she asked with mock hurt.
'No!' Marinette flushed. 'I just thought… ah sorry… just give me a second!' She fished the phone out of her purse, the task difficult because for some reason her hands were shaking. 'Now smile for me!' she announced taking a few shots.
Kagami untangled herself from him, her lips stretched in a delighted smile. She smoothed out her skirt and leaned on his shoulder.
A series of beeps in his pocket told Adrien that Marinette already sent him the pictures. 'Thanks!' he patted his phone. 'My driver should be her any minute, do you guys want a lift home?' he offered.
Something flashed in Marinette's eyes as she hesitantly opened her mouth to reply, but Luka beat her to it. 'Actually,' he took her hand entwining his fingers with hers. 'I had a great time tonight but I don't want this evening to end yet. Can I walk you home, Marinette?' he ventured, almost shyly. 'It's nice and warm and the bakery is not that far,' he added.
Adrien felt Kagami squeezing his shoulder. She hummed excitedly, clearly reacting enthusiastically to Luka's gesture. Now the blond regretted he hadn't come up with a similar idea himself.
Marinette looked to her date, then to Adrien and Kagami, biting her lip and knitting her brows. Then a soft smile lit her face. 'That'd be lovely,' she murmured eliciting a delighted exhale from Luka and quite unexpectedly sending shivers down Adrien's spine.
She broke from Luka's grip and came to the two of them. 'I had a great time,' she said to Adrien. 'Thank you-' she trailed off, but the blond nodded, letting her know he understood. Her presence here and her date were the result of his persuasion skills after all.
And Adrien was glad he succeeded. He was genuinely happy to see Marinette in a good mood, though the feeling had a bitter edge to it, something that he couldn't put his finger to, but that was making him a bit uneasy. He stomped hard on that emotion, laying on his charm thick.
'I'm glad,' he smiled. 'Maybe we can repeat it sometime,' he turned to Kagami who nodded vigorously.
Marinette pecked the girl lightly on the cheek and then climbed to her toes to give him a kiss as well when she swayed. His hand was faster than his landed on her back before he could even blink. Marinette stiffened, but he thought nothing of it, just leaned down to kiss her cheek instead. 'Have fun,' he whispered teasingly in her ear, hearing Kagami giggle beside him.
His classmate squeaked something incoherently in reply and blushed fiercely as she retreated to her date's side.
Luka gave them a nod and offered his arm to Marinette. Adrien watched as the two of them disappeared around the corner, submerged in silence that was anything but awkward. Kagami nudged him with her elbow.
'Our ride is here,' she pointed to the silver car.
'Oh, right,' he snapped out of his transe. 'Come on, let's get you home.'
'This is nice.' Luka gestured between them as they entered the park next to the bakery. 'I don't mind Adrien and Kagami, but I was getting a bit jealous.'
'Excuse me?' Marinette looked at him in surprise. She had a lot to think about on her first date, but she was sure she hadn't done anything that could make him jealous. She also kept away from Adrien as much as she could, considering it was a double date he had been attending as well.
'Of your attention, Marinette,' the boy chuckled. 'You think I haven't noticed how you had been bending over backwards to make all of us feel special and for us to have a good time?'
She ducked her head. Luka was much more perceptive than she had given him credit for.
'And I'm happy I finally have you to myself,' he drawled. 'You're a really great company, you know that?'
'You too,' Marinette replied shyly. The downpour of compliments was doing funny things with her blood pressure.
'The ice rink was fun, but I enjoy this much more,' he squeezed her fingers.
She didn't know what to say, so she only offered him a warm smile. They fell into step again, enveloped in silence until Luka caught her eye. He smirked and started humming under his breath. A soft, slow melody, a little bit hopeful, a little bit melancholic, that seemed to flow straight from her heart. She allowed herself to drown in the sounds and before she noticed they were at her house's door.
'Thank you for a lovely evening, Marinette,' Luka murmured, taking both of her hands in his.
'You too!' she assured him hotly. 'I had a really great time tonight!'
His smile widened. 'Then… maybe I could take you out again sometime?' he asked ducking his head. He watched her expectantly from under his blue bangs. 'Just the two of us?'
AN: I'm grateful for all the positive feedback this story got so far! As you can see I'm trying to continue. Of course time is the main issue here. But know that I appreciate your reviews, favs and follows greatly!
Let me know what you think of this new chapter.
As usual many thanks to Remasa for polishing this chapter for you. Check out her fic "Hidden Agendas". It's awesome and has cool murder mystery!
For more miraculous content visit my profile or tumblr blog. Useful tags: "perdita writes" for my fics and "perdita draws" for my art. My askbox is open too! Hopefully see you soon in the next chapter!
