A Few Notes

Distraction

Marinette was hyperventilating. No, she was having a panic attack. Tikki was flying circles around her head, desperately trying to get the girl's attention, but to no avail. The girl had made it safely home, but she had not been able to get that green flash out of her head all day.

"Chat Noir goes to my school," she wheezed, her eyes wide.

Her kwami squeaked. "You don't know that, Marinette! It was probably just a coincidence."

Clutching the edge of her desk, Marinette sucked in a breath, then closed her eyes. "No, no! You're right, Tikki. Besides, even if he does go to Francois-Dupont, there's tons of other students in different classes! I probably don't even know him!" She barked out a laugh. "It's fine. Totally fine. Absolutely-"

Marinette's phone lit up, sounding a familiar ringtone. She scooped up the device, seeing Luka's face glowing from the screen as a song from Kitty Section, their band, blared from the speaker. It was a video call.

She swiped accept inhumanly fast, a smile on her face. "Hello?"

"Hey!" Luka grinned. "We haven't talked in a while, and I saw there was another akuma attack today. How're you doing?"

Marinette giggled. "I'm fine. You?"

"Fine." Then he appeared sheepish. "I'm actually in front of the bakery. Wanna take a walk with me?"

Immediately, she hopped up from her chair. "I'll be right down!"

Hovering in midair, Tikki grumbled to herself before following Marinette down the stairs, having to rush to phase through the girl's purse before she made it down the flight.

Sabine looked up. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Luka's invited me for a walk," Marinette explained, already running for the door, "I'll just be a few minutes!"

Her mother sighed as she watched the door slam behind her daughter, seeing the boy in question through the window. By the glowing look on his face, it was obvious he liked Marinette.

"Out for all the hearts, she is," Sabine pursed her lips. "I much preferred the blond." She watched as Marinette and Luka turned down the sidewalk, talking animatedly, and sighed.

As they walked side-by-side, Luka kept glancing over at Marinette, admiring the way the lowing sun lit her hair and made her eyes sparkle. She was talking, smiling, shining. His heart pattered and his fingers itched to reach for her hand.

"...Luka? Did you hear me?" Marinette was staring at him.

He startled. "Sorry! What were you saying?"

And then she laughed, and he would swear the sound rivaled the tinkling of bells.

"I was asking what your favorite flower was."

Luka quirked a brow, saying, "Huh?"

"Your favorite flower!" Marinette giggled, "Boys can like flowers, too. And since you got me those peonies the other day..." She trailed off, looking up at him, her expression curious.

"I don't know," Luka murmured, tilting his head and glancing at the sky in wonder. "I've never had to think about it."

"Hmph." And then Marinette was grabbing his arm, leading him further down the street until the stopped in front of a small shop. Fleur Jardin, the sign read. The building was set back from the street to make room for the numerous wooden shelves, racked with flowers and fruit plants and vegetables. The sight was an extravaganza of color, a rainbow of hues and scents that made the mouth water and the mind go numb.

Marinette gave Luka a gentle push. "Go on. Take your pick."

The poor boy was quite out of his element. His stumbled along the shelves, recognizing the blossoms but not able to rate one as prettier than the others. Daffodils, lilies, roses, peonies... was he a rose kind of guy? Was that even a thing?

Marinette trailed behind Luka, stifling her giggles as she watched his face contort from contemplation to wonder to confusion. They passed by a large, plastic container of fresh bouquets, and she couldn't help but run her fingers along the soft petals of a cluster of peonies.

Then Luka spotted a small, peeking burst of blue. The flowers were oddly shaped, with a spark of bright yellow above one long, weeping petal. He thumbed a single, long stem from the bunch and twirled it in his hand. An iris.

"Ooh, is that the one?" Marinette came to stand beside him, brushing a finger against the bloom.

No. You're the one.

Luka grinned down at her, forcing his intruding thoughts away. "I think so." He held the iris up to her head. "It's almost the same color as your hair when the light hits just right."

Roses blossomed on Marinette's cheeks, and she smiled.