Chapter 6: The Secret They Can't Ignore

The adrenaline from their narrow escape hummed through Marinette as she and Felix slipped back into the quieter halls of the estate, ducking into shadowed alcoves as they moved away from Hawkmoth's study. She was still furious about the "test" they'd barely passed, her heart pounding both from the fight and from the moment she'd injected the antidote into Felix's arm. Despite her best attempts, she couldn't shake the lingering tension between them.

Felix shot her a smirk, clearly not feeling the need for any apology about dragging her into yet another high-stakes situation. "See?" he murmured as they made their way down a narrow side corridor, his voice low and still slightly hoarse from the tranquilizer. "We make a perfect team."

Marinette's jaw clenched as she shot him a glare. "A 'team'? If you call almost getting tranquilized by Hawkmoth's thugs teamwork, then sure."

Felix paused, turning to her with an infuriatingly calm smile that only deepened her frustration. "I think you mean almost saving me, Marinette. Which I appreciate, by the way," he added smoothly, though his eyes held a glint of challenge. "Very heroic of you. Though I would have managed."

"Oh, I'm sure," she muttered, crossing her arms. "You'd have managed to ruin the whole mission if I hadn't stepped in."

Felix raised an eyebrow, his gaze flashing with irritation. "And if you'd been more careful back there, maybe we wouldn't have ended up in that situation to begin with."

"More careful?" Marinette hissed, keeping her voice low but every bit as sharp. She took a step closer, her bluebell eyes flashing. "I wouldn't have needed to be careful if you hadn't stepped right into the line of fire!"

Felix's smirk faded, replaced by something darker as he met her glare. "That line of fire was headed for you, Ladybug. Not me."

For a moment, her anger faltered. She opened her mouth, words she hadn't prepared slipping to the edge of her tongue. But just as quickly as the words came, she stopped herself, straightening her shoulders and giving him an unimpressed look. She was too irritated to admit that he'd actually done something admirable.

Felix's eyes narrowed as he tilted his head, studying her carefully. "You can admit it, Marinette. You needed me."

"I needed you as much as a fish needs a bicycle," she replied, her voice dry.

He exhaled a faint, exasperated laugh, his gaze softening. "It's okay to admit you were impressed, Amélie."

She was about to fire off another retort when she caught the sound of voices around the corner. In an instant, she shifted her demeanor, her hand finding Felix's as she turned back to him, her expression softening into an affectionate, intimate look.

"Remember, we're married, darling," she whispered, a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she wrapped her arm around his.

But before he could respond, two guards rounded the corner. Marinette took a breath, putting on her most endearing smile as she leaned into Felix's side. The guards approached, nodding politely as they passed, clearly fooled by the couple's close demeanor.

When they'd gone, Marinette let go of Felix's hand a little too quickly. He watched her, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and suspicion. "You don't have to sound so bitter about pretending to be in love with me," he murmured, smirking.

Marinette rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flushed slightly as she forced a confident smile. "Pretending to tolerate you for the sake of a mission isn't the same as pretending to be in love, Felix."

He gave a slight shrug, his expression a picture of casual indifference. "I suppose if we're going to keep up the act, we might as well put some effort into it. Try to look like you're actually enjoying yourself, Ladybug."

She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, a soft chime sounded in their earpieces, the signal from headquarters that a message had arrived. Felix tapped his ear subtly, keeping his expression neutral.

"Cat Noir and Ladybug," the agency's voice crackled softly through the device. "We've just picked up a security shift near your location. There's been an adjustment in your mission parameters. You'll need to extend your stay and make contact with a new guest—a possible informant. We'll be sending details to your files shortly. Keep up appearances."

Felix exhaled, shooting her a meaningful look as he glanced toward the elevator. "Looks like we're not done here after all," he muttered.

Marinette sighed, biting back a frustrated groan. "Great. Another night of trying to keep my 'loving husband' out of trouble."

"Oh, trust me," Felix replied dryly, his eyes glinting with barely restrained sarcasm. "The feeling is mutual."

The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside, the doors closing them into a small, private space. It was the first moment of silence they'd had since their run-in with Hawkmoth's goons, and Marinette couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and exasperation.

Felix seemed equally frustrated, crossing his arms as he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "If you're done being irritated with me, we need to focus on this informant. If they're a part of Hawkmoth's circle, they could be the missing link we need."

Marinette rolled her eyes, though her expression softened as she considered his words. "Fine. But don't think I'm letting you take control of this just because you think you're the agency's golden boy."

He smirked. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of taking control. Unless you'd rather I take the lead—seeing as I've saved you once already tonight."

Marinette shot him an exasperated look, though the edges of her lips betrayed the faintest hint of a smile. "You're impossible."

They rode the rest of the elevator in silence, though the tension between them lingered, simmering beneath the surface. But Marinette knew she couldn't let herself get distracted. They were still deep in enemy territory, with Hawkmoth's eyes and ears everywhere, and she needed to stay focused.

As they exited the elevator and headed toward their suite, she stole a glance at Felix. For all his arrogance, he'd put himself on the line to protect her. And despite her best efforts, she couldn't deny that he'd earned a measure of her respect.

But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

They reached their suite, closing the door behind them. Felix headed to the small desk to retrieve the files that had been left for them, while Marinette crossed her arms, watching him.

"So," she said finally, breaking the silence. "What's the plan?"

He looked up, his eyes flicking over her thoughtfully before he spoke. "Simple. We play our parts, gather intel on this informant, and keep out of each other's way."

Marinette's lips quirked in a slight smile. "Sounds like a plan. And who knows, maybe you'll actually manage to keep up this time."

Felix chuckled softly, his expression both amused and unimpressed. "Keep dreaming, Ladybug. But feel free to let me know if you need saving again."

She rolled her eyes, though her smile lingered. For now, the mission would come first, and any unresolved tension between them would have to wait.

But as they prepared for the next step in their mission, neither could ignore the growing, undeniable pull that lay just beneath the surface—a pull that neither of them could afford to act on, no matter how hard it was to ignore.

Hey guys, I know, I know my chapter names are extremely cringe, but hey, I tried. Don't worry, hopefully there will be more Felinette coming. Also, I don't own any of the characters except for Director Boucher and Olivier Moreau.

ILY!-Nattie