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The question was annoying. Very annoying. She just wanted to sit back and watch a movie without the constant nagging question of ‘are you two together?’.
If she hears it one more time she’s going to lose it. She wants to watch a movie with him? Suddenly it’s a date. She wants to parkour? Suddenly it's a shared love language. She wants to sit down in peace? It’s a romantic picnic.
She just wants to have the peace of mind that her love life isn’t going to constantly be scrutinized for no reason.
She wants to draw? Nope. None of that. One of her friends tracks her down and accuses her of being flustered around her crush. She wants to sew or knit? Suddenly, everyone thinks it’s a gift for him.
The thought makes her blood boil and her anger flare. She just wants some peace and quiet. Is fate really so cruel?
She scowls and grumbles under her breath, sighing happily when her friend affectionately pats her head and ruffles her hair. His teal eyes blink at her and twinkle with mirth, knowing full well he was distracting her from herself. She can’t help but sigh in appreciation.
She was just grateful he seemed to be unaware of the rumors and jokes. He wasn’t in enough social circles to understand the humor of the situation or the way her friends snickered and threw intimate jokes around like their lives depended on it when he wasn’t around.
The thought made her frown but she was lad he was spared from the embarrassment.
They walked to her next class, Jason alongside her. His wide frame parted the crowds of students away and left them room to walk. His height was abysmal. She seethed in jealousy everytime he straightened his back from its usually hunched form. Usually for her sake of being vertically challenged.
They walked to their class together, side by side. It was silent. It was comforting. It was calming in a way that seemed impossible with the countless scars covering his arms when she thought he wasn’t looking, or the way the makeup on his face smeared to reveal a jagged ‘J’ branding on his cheek. Or the way he always dressed in dark colors and long sleeves to hide his personal wars. He was never unmarked but he was always calm and collected and gentle.
A gentle giant in comparison to her. She felt like she was being held close in a protective embrace whenever he held her cloe. She thought he smelled like safety. He’s protected her so many times, she likely associates him with safety.
Still, the rumors are grating.
Her teeth grind at the baseless rumors. She can’t stand the way Jason laughs them off. And he can’t stand the way she worries about their opinions, not knowing the true gossip.
Most of all, she hates the way she could easily fall asleep in his arms. His heart is both literally and figuratively big. One hug and the way his heartbeat thunders in her ears could lull her to sleep. And he knows it. He knows when she stays up late to work on her projects and he holds her close during their free periods. He seems happy to be of any help to her, a constant need to help anyone. It makes her smile and her heart flutter dangerously.
Most days, like today, she’s happy to be near him. His voice is a deep, smoky rumble and his humor is good natured until he’s absolutely seething.
Still, she’s majoring in fashion. And he’s majoring in English literature. They don’t have time to talk outside of lunch. They barely have time after classes with the constant studying.
At the end of the hall, they part ways. Like they always do. He lingers a few seconds longer than she does. It makes her smile softly. He reaches down to place a coffee cup in her hand. It was a sweet ritual. It made her smile until her face hurt.
Jason was sweet once you looked past his dark appearance and the way he seems to linger and haunt the halls like a martyr. He’s always there whenever she looks. He’s always there to comfort someone or yell at someone if they need it.
By the time the end of the year rolled around, she was exhausted. Her head laid against his thundering chest as they walked to their free period. But unlike usual, her mind raced. She didn’t know what to do over the summer. She didn’t know where to go. She barely knows Gotham. She barely knows the people.
Jason senses her distress and places and hand on her head. His hand alone dwarfs her as he holds her close. She scowls at his low chuckle.
“Meanie.” She sticks her tongue out at Jason. His deep blue eyes are expressions alone. They’re wide and full of amusement. She can’t help but scowl deeply. Jason grins wolfishly at her, his amusement clear for all to see. Jason seems to preen for a second before lifting her off the ground easily. Embarrassingly easy. He holds her tight against his chest and rests his head on top of hers as her legs wrap around his waist that seems more feminine than it should be for a man like him.
His chuckle is deep and kind. He holds her gently against his chest. She less so hears his next words and more so feels them.
“You’re just pissed that I can reach the top shelf.” Jason seems to laugh at his own joke before pulling away from their embrace. Her legs still wrap around him and she panics momentarily, unsure if this is uncomfortable for him. Her worries are dashed away quickly when he holds her tight on his hip like she’s a little kid and picks up both of their bags. He giggles happily and lays her head back against his chest, finally feeling comfortable enough to close her eyes.
She doesn’t sleep, she can’t. Not now when she still needs to get to class, even if it is a free period. She glances up at Jason to tell him to put her down. The halls are empty and she really doesn’t need anyone getting any bright ideas about their relationship. They were friends.
Just friends.
Just normal, if slightly affectionate, friends.
She has to keep telling herself that.
She opens her mouth to speak when suddenly her mouth is devoured in a kiss. She can’t help but gasp and jolt and kiss back. He shifts slightly and pushes her up against the wall and her legs wrap even tighter around his waist. She kisses back feverishly as his mouth and hands wander and caress her sides and waist. She can’t help but gasp as he pulls even closer. He groans into the kiss before pulling away. She grumbles softly when he doesn’t continue. He chuckles at her pure misery before sighing.
“I’ve wanted to do that for months now, Fae. And then you look so soft and comfortable around me…I couldn’t resist a girl like you.” Jason sighs happily and leans his forehead against hers and holds her in place.
“No? You’re very comforting to be around.” Marinette’s heart stutters in her chest as his breath fans over her face.
“Good. Because once I knew about all of those rumors, I knew I wanted you. I wanted them to be true. I wanted you to smile when someone teased and you’d pridefully tell them that they’re true. I want that. I have for a while. I can’t believe you didn’t realize how I feel.”
Marinette blushes at his words. She can’t help but feel herself pull him in for another kiss. Her gaze is shy but firm when she looks at him.
“I want that too. A lot. I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner.” She giggles against his lips. Everything about Jason is a large, warm hug. Even his lips seem to engulf hers comfortingly. It makes her giddy with joy.
He kisses her again and again, hands carding through her hair and messing up her hair. He can’t help but want to touch his own downy hair. It’s soft and messy and she can’t help the way her fingers tangle into the hair at the nape of his neck.
”So…are you two together now?”
Marinette breaks apart from the kiss to gasp at her friend, some girl named Harper. She’s an underclassman. Jason growls at the girl before he breaks into a chuckle.
“I don’t know. Sorta?”