Chapter 12: Unspoken Desires

The morning light crept softly through the window, casting a warm glow over the suite and gently stirring Marinette from sleep. For a moment, she lay still, her mind foggy as she adjusted to the warmth surrounding her. It was comforting, grounding—almost like being wrapped in a soft, familiar cocoon.

But as she slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the last traces of sleep, she realized something that sent a jolt of awareness through her.

Felix's arm was wrapped around her waist, his hand resting at her hip in a casual but firm hold that kept her close against his chest. His face was inches from hers, his breathing steady and peaceful, his usually sharp features softened in sleep. She could feel his warmth radiating through the thin fabric of her nightdress, her almost completely bare back, except for the thin spaghetti straps that were constantly falling off her shoulders, pressed against his chest.

Marinette's heart skipped a beat, heat rising to her cheeks as she took in the sight of him, his muscular arm around her, his face relaxed and unguarded in a way she'd never seen before. She was overwhelmed by how... natural it felt. For a second, she simply lay there, her mind blank as she struggled to process the closeness, the way her pulse raced in response.

But then reality hit, and she shook herself mentally, carefully reaching down to move his arm. She slid her fingers under his wrist and began to lift, inch by inch, trying to free herself from his hold without waking him. But Felix's grip was stronger than she'd realized, and every gentle attempt to pry herself loose only made him pull her closer.

"Going somewhere?" Felix's voice was low, rough with sleep, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he opened his eyes to look at her.

Marinette's blush deepened instantly, her heart pounding as she realized he was fully awake—and fully aware of the effect he was having on her. She quickly looked away, forcing her voice into a calm, steady tone. "Well, I would... if you'd let go."

But Felix only tightened his hold slightly, his smirk growing as he lifted an eyebrow. "Not sure you really want that, Ladybug. After all, you didn't seem too eager to leave just a moment ago."

Her eyes flashed back to his, a mixture of defiance and something she couldn't quite name. "I was just... letting you sleep," she said, though even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "You were obviously comfortable."

"Comfortable?" He chuckled softly, his green eyes gleaming with amusement as he held her gaze. "Sure, if you mean I was comfortable being kept awake all night with you in my arms."

The warmth flooding her cheeks deepened, her mind reeling as he leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against her cheek. She could tell he was enjoying this far too much, relishing her discomfort, but there was something about his gaze—something warm and unguarded—that made it hard to look away.

"Well," she murmured, summoning a sly smile as she forced herself to keep her composure. "If you think you can fluster me, you might want to think again."

Felix's smirk wavered slightly, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes as her tone shifted. Marinette could see that he hadn't expected her to turn the tables, and the realization sent a surge of confidence through her. She leaned closer, letting her fingers trace a light path down his arm, her smile turning from playful to daring.

"After all," she whispered, her voice dropping to a soft murmur, "you're not the only one who knows how to play this game."

Felix's eyes darkened, his breath hitching just slightly as he watched her, the challenge clear in his gaze. He tilted his head, his smirk fading into something softer, something that made her heart skip a beat. "Is that so?" he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper.

She nodded, her fingers lingering on his hand, her gaze meeting his with a boldness she hadn't felt before. There was a thrill in this moment, a heady excitement that came from knowing she could affect him as much as he affected her. Felix was always so controlled, so unreadable—but now, with her so close, his guard was slipping, and she could see the vulnerability in his gaze.

Slowly, he leaned in, his hand sliding gently up her back, his touch warm and steady against her bare skin. The feel of his fingers against her spine sent a shiver through her, and her breath caught, her heartbeat quickening as he closed the distance between them. She could see the intensity in his eyes, the way his gaze lingered on her lips, and she felt herself drawn to him, the space between them disappearing as they edged closer.

But just as their lips were about to meet, the shrill ring of her phone cut through the silence, piercing the intimate moment like a blade. They both froze, their faces mere inches apart, the spell shattered by the abrupt sound.

Marinette blinked, reality flooding back as she pulled away, quickly scrambling for her phone. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, her mind racing as she tried to regain her composure.

Felix's gaze lingered on her, his expression a mix of frustration and amusement as he leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "Saved by the bell, Ladybug," he murmured, though his voice held a note of regret.

She gave him a sidelong glance, her blush deepening as she answered the call, her voice steady despite the butterflies still fluttering in her chest. "Yes, this is Marinette."

The voice on the other end was brisk, familiar—the agency's coordinator, briefing them on the next phase of their mission. Marinette listened intently, jotting down a few notes as she forced herself to focus, though she could feel Felix's gaze on her the entire time, a silent reminder of the moment they'd shared.

When she finally ended the call, she looked back at him, searching for the words to break the tension. But Felix just gave her a faint smirk, a glint of humor in his eyes as he watched her with that maddening, knowing look.

"Guess we'll have to pick this up later," he said smoothly, his voice holding a teasing edge as he straightened, stretching slightly as though unaffected.

Marinette rolled her eyes, though her lips quirked in a reluctant smile. "In your dreams, Felix."

He chuckled, giving her a quick, amused glance before heading toward the door, his confidence unshaken. "I think you'll find, Ladybug, that my dreams don't compare to reality."

As he disappeared into the hall, Marinette felt her heart race, the thrill of the interrupted moment still lingering in the air. She shook her head, a faint smile playing at her lips as she turned her attention back to the mission. But as she read over her notes, she couldn't shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, Felix was right.

And this was only the beginning.

Yes, I know it's cheesy that Felix calls Marinette by her code name but hey, it's not Ladybug without Bugaboo! (Coming soon!)

ILY! BYEEE-Nattie