How Do I Tell You I Love You? A LadyNoir fic

The Help of a Friend

Marinette POV

Luka turned to face me from his seat. "Hey Mari! What's up?" I took the seat across the table from him. Luka had picked the café where we would meet and ordered our drinks already.

"Nothing much. What's up with you?" Luka was a great friend to just shoot the breeze with. He was just easy to talk to, and when I couldn't think of anything to say I'd just sit in the comfortable silences. Just being with him gave me a sense of calm and contentment. We just started talking about the new music we were into and that weird bird I saw last week. Then, suddenly changed the subject.

"So, why did you really text me?" I thought I could bring up my boy troubles naturally, but I guess not.

"Oh come on. Can't I just text a friend to hang out for kicks and giggles?" Luka raised an eyebrow.

"You come on. I know you didn't just invite me to hang out to explain your pineapple theory."

"Hey!" I pointed a finger at his nose. "It makes sense and you know it."

He rolled his eyes. "So, what's the sad song playing in your heart about?"

I sighed. I might as well tell him. I looked around to make sure Tikki or Alya wouldn't possibly be here to overhear. "So, I like this boy, but he only sees me as a friend, and I don't think he likes me, at least not in the way I like him." Luka slammed his fist onto the table in mock anger, rattling our cups.

"Someone not liking Marinette?! This is an outrage! I'll find him and beat him up!"

"By that logic you should get beaten up too." I smirked. About three months ago I asked Luka out in an attempt to get over Adrien, but he turned me down. He said it would be better if we remained friends, and looking back, I'd have to agree.

"Low blow, Mari. Low blow." I shrugged and continued.

"But there's this other boy, really sweet and attentive." Luka gave an approving nod. "The problem is that I've turned him down before, but now I think I love him back."

"Does it seem like he's still into you?"

"Oh, him liking me back isn't the problem." I snickered. Cat's confession today proved that.

Luka looked confused. "Then what is?"

"It feels wrong to like two boys at the same time."

"First of all, you can't control that. The heart wants what it wants. You can't beat yourself up about that."

"Yeah, but shouldn't I focus on the first boy, since I've liked him longer?"

"That brings me to my second point. You two aren't dating. It's only natural for you to go after the person spending time with you and clearly caring about you. You don't owe him extra attention for knowing him longer."

I sighed. "Then who should I pick?"

"In my opinion, there's only one option. You have a great guy throwing himself at your feet, and you like him back? I think that having a loving relationship with him is better than pining endlessly but never confessing to some boy that may see you as 'just a friend' forever."

"Hey! I might tell him... one day."

"Mari, I know you. It won't happen." 

"I know, but you don't have to attack me like that."

"Look, it's your life. Live it however you want, but don't toss aside someone you love just because someone else could possibly look your way." Luka stood up. "I have a gig in an hour and I need to get ready." I stood as well. 

"Thanks for the advice. I think you're right."

"Awesome!" He gave me a fist bump. "Tell me how it goes."

"Of course." We hugged and I heard the bell above the café door ring as he left. I walked back home. "Hey guys. I'm home." That's when I heard the explosion in the distance.