Notes: *Sarah Bettens voice* It's just another day, nothing's really changed. I can see it when you look at me…or maybe it's just the same day again? xP (Later updates starting tomorrow – back to work, and I'm back in class this month so T/R updates will be late-late.)

Marinette's 29 Valentine's Days

Day Two, Loop One: Time

Marinette's head was pounding. She groaned and reached out from the warmth of her blanket, groping blindly for the beeping phone that was not at all helping with her headache. She felt like she had been hit by a truck – like she'd fought off three akumas when she should have been sleeping last night.

…she hadn't. She was pretty sure she hadn't, at least. Had she? The last akuma had been…

She finally found her phone and slammed her thumb onto the snooze button, sighing blissfully at the sudden silence of her room. Or…not silence, not exactly. Paris sounded alive as ever through her bedroom window. She could hear birds chirping happily above her head from her balcony. She could even hear her father shouting a greeting at someone on the street.

Paris was up and ready to face the day, and she just wanted to stay in her bed and sleep.

"Have a great day, M. Ramier!" her father shouted from three stories below. She groaned again and shoved her head under her pillow. "And happy Valentine's Day!"

Valentine's…

Under her pillow, with her eyes still closed, she scrunched her face in confusion. When she pulled her pillow away, she stared at the ceiling above her with pursed lips and a furrowed brow. Today wasn't Valentine's Day. Yesterday had been Valentine's Day, hadn't it? She should know. She had gone with Luka to their café, and…wait. Had she? Hadn't she just been with Luka? Hadn't…

"Marinette!"

She groaned as she sat up, rubbing at her eyes with her arm. She looked towards her door to find her mom watching her expectantly.

…her alarm was going off again.

"Sweetie, you've slept through your alarm three times now," Sabine pointed out kindly as Marinette turned it off. "You're lucky I had to pop upstairs! Now up – you're going to be late!"

"Yeah," she said with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes again, and Sabine frowned. "Sorry, Maman. I'm just…really tired."

"Your father has coffee downstairs," Sabine said, turning to go. "Maybe you should grab a cup before you leave? Big day today!"

If she had been more awake, Marinette was fairly certain she would have blushed at her mom's not-so-subtle cheerleading. As it was, Sabine had already disappeared downstairs and Tikki was hovering before her face, watching her with concerned eyes.

"Marinette, are you all right?" her kwami asked. Marinette gave her the best smile she could manage.

"Yeah, just…tired," she said. She glanced at her phone. It confirmed what her mom had said (and her dad had shouted below): it was Friday, 14 February. Valentine's Day. She looked back up at Tikki, her smile more sincere this time. "It's Valentine's Day, Tikki. Today's the big day."

Tikki giggled, doing a little flip in the air in her excitement.

"You're finally going to tell Luka you like him!" she cheered. She flew forward, nuzzling Marinette's cheek. "Oh, Marinette, I'm so happy for you! You two will be so happy together!"

"He has to accept my confession first, Tikki," Marinette said with a giggle. She was feeling more alive the longer she was up. She stretched and grinned. Her headache was already fading.

"I have every confidence he will – he's been in love with you for over a year now," Tikki reminded her. Marinette felt her face warm as she climbed down from her loft.

"W-we don't know that for sure. Feelings can change," she reminded her calmly. And she would know that better than anyone. She had been crazy-stupid in love with Adrien Agreste when she had first met Luka, after all. Or…at least, she thought she had been.

"I don't think he has, Marinette," Tikki said. There was a knowing glint in her eye that Marinette pointedly ignored as she moved about her room. Now that she was up, a sense of excitement and nervous anticipation was starting to hit her. She moved quickly, gathering her things and picking out her outfit for the day. She hesitated at her wardrobe, frowning as she considered her clothes. Tikki sat on her desk, munching on a cookie as Marinette hesitated. "In fact, I would say he loves you even more now that you two are so close. Feelings can only grow the better you know someone!"

"You would know, Tikki," Marinette laughed. "You've been around a lot longer than me."

Tikki giggled again as Marinette pulled out a pink and white polka-dotted shirt. The capped sleeves were crimped in a peasant style, and a black ribbon ran through a lace trim around the collar, looping in a bow at the center. She had made it special for Valentine's, planning on pairing it with a pair of black skinny jeans and her pink flats. It was cute, different from her usual blazer and white tee shirt combo, and just casual (and themed) enough to look like she had dressed for the holiday without blatantly looking like she was trying for a date.

Because she wasn't.

Because it wasn't a date.

It was coffee – and it wasn't even coffee yet.

She still had to ask him, and he still had to say yes. And then they'd be getting coffee – as friends, so not a date – and then…

She grabbed the jeans before she could spiral. It was just coffee. It was just Luka. She could probably show up in a burlap sack and he'd be happy. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd worn that exact outfit the day before (she even found herself checking the jeans for a stain, certain she had spilled tea on them at some point) – which was ridiculous, because the shirt was her special, handmade, brand-new Valentine's Shirt, and how could she have worn it yesterday if today was Valentine's Day?

She groaned and rubbed at her eyes. Maybe she should grab that coffee her dad had made…

Her dad was singing along (loudly and off-key) to an old Hall and Oates song and dancing with her mother as she came down the stairs to the bakery. He was just dropping Sabine in a low dip, crooning about how she made his dreams come true, when he noticed Marinette. He grinned at her as he righted Sabine and grabbed Marinette's hand, spinning her in a twirl that had her laughing and dizzy.

"And I'll never be the same, oh yeah!" Tom sang out as he spun her towards her mother. He threw his arms out and belted for all of Paris (or at least the three patrons gathered behind the counter) to hear: "Cause you make my dreams come true!"

"Papa, please!" Marinette laughed, her face burning as hoots and cheers came from the customers. He chuckled and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"It's Valentine's Day, Marinette! A day for love and happiness! Enjoy it, sweetheart," he said fondly, winking at her as he handed her a candy apple. She hesitated as she took it, frowning as that niggling sense of déjà vu hit her again. His smile slipped slightly as she stood there staring at the apple. "Marinette?"

"Let her be, Tom – she's going to be late!" Sabine called. Marinette shook her head and smiled.

"Actually, Papa, can I have two?" she asked. His grin was back in force, a mischievous twinkle lighting his eye as he handed her a second one.

"Oh? A gift for a secret paramour, perhaps?" he asked slyly. Marinette rolled her eyes and placed the apples atop the box of macaroons she'd made the night before. He wasn't as slick as he thought.

"I just…have a feeling," she said, shrugging. She stood on her tiptoes as he bent down again and kissed his cheek. It wasn't like Luka was a secret anything, at least not to her parents. "But maybe. Bye, Papa – happy Valentine's Day!"

"Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart," he said. She kissed her mom's cheek as she ran past, calling out her farewell as she raced out the door. Once outside, she paused again. She barely registered Tikki's quiet voice asking if she was all right as she stared at the empty street corner before her. She would have sworn Luka would be there, waiting for her, but she couldn't for the life of her imagine why. It wasn't like he normally took her to school. Why would he have any reason to today?

"Marinette?" Tikki pressed. "We should get going. We'll be…"

Tikki squeaked and ducked out of sight as Luka came to a sudden stop on his bike in front of them. He looked a little winded and frazzled, as if he had rushed the entire way over. Or as if he was having an off morning, too. She bit her lip and tried not to giggle at the startled look on his face when he saw her standing there, but the surprise quickly faded into a pleased smile.

"I was afraid I'd miss you," he said, hopping off the bike and propping it up with its kickstand. He took the box of macaroons from her without prompting. "You said that you'd be bringing these, and I thought you might like a ride."

"It's the strangest thing," she said as she took the candy apples from the top of the box.

"My offering to give you a ride?" he asked, amused, as he secured the box to the back of his bike. She shook her head and held out an apple for him. He grinned as he took it. "Maybe I should worry about my reputation as a gentleman, if you wouldn't expect me to give you a ride."

"No, not that," she hummed. She shook her head and smiled at him. "It's just…this morning's been a little weird. It's like…anyway. I just had this feeling that you'd be out here? Or maybe I was just hoping you'd be out here. Maybe I just wanted to see you."

"You'd see me at school," he said, hopping back onto his bike once the macarons were secure and the apple was in the basket. He patted the seat behind him, and she shook her head as she climbed on. She wrapped her arms around him without prompting, holding him close as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. It all felt so familiar, which shouldn't be surprising. It wasn't the first time he'd offered her a ride somewhere. She glanced up to find he was still watching her, and she smiled as she nudged her nose against his shoulder.

"We're gonna be late," she said, and he chuckled before taking off. She hummed and squeezed his middle. "No, it's just…I don't know. I've felt off all morning. Can you believe I woke up thinking it was Saturday?"

"Can you believe I did, too?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder to grin at her. "That's why I was afraid I'd missed you. It's definitely been a weird morning."

"We better not tell Rose," she giggled. "She'd be so mad if she thought we forgot Valentine's Day."

"Oh, I didn't forget," he said, stopping at a corner to wait for the light. He looked back at her as they waited. "In fact, I wanted to talk to you about that. Still no plans, I hope?"

She blinked up at him, that strange niggling back in her mind. Wasn't she supposed to be asking him that?

"I…um…no?" she answered, hating how uncertain she sounded. She cleared her throat and shook her head. "No. I don't have plans…yet. I actually wanted to ask you about that, too."

His smile warmed, and her breath caught as he tipped his head forward. She hated the helmets they were wearing, thinking she'd much rather his forehead be touching her own. He looked up at her from under his lashes, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Have coffee with me?" he asked, his voice low. "After school? I have a feeling we'll both need it, and there's no one else I'd rather spend Valentine's Day with."

"L-Luka…?" she breathed, an uncertain question remaining unspoken between them. He continued to watch her, patiently waiting for an answer, and she nodded. A hesitant smile curled her lips. "I wanted to spend Valentine's with you, too. Yes. I'd love to get coffee with you."

He didn't say anything, but his smile was answer enough as he looked back to the street and crossed, maybe pedaling a bit faster to make up for the lost time. The bell was already ringing by the time they pulled up, students rushing inside to avoid being late. She waited as he locked his bike up, a little smile on her face when he laid his arm across her shoulders and walked with her into the building. He actually walked her to her first class, bidding her farewell with a kiss to her cheek by the open door that had Rose screaming. He winked at her before jogging off to his own class, whistling the entire way. She entered the room in a daze, sinking into her seat beside Rose with a stupid grin on her face. Rose pounced as soon as she was seated, shaking her excitedly as she asked what was that, what did that mean, are you together now, what about the plan, oh my God Mari he kissed you!

Their teacher cleared his throat, and Rose squeaked out an apology as class began. Rose made a mental note to let Marinette borrow her notes later, as she was ninety percent sure she didn't hear any of the lesson that morning.

– V –

Marinette felt like she was floating on a cloud the rest of the day, but she supposed – given it was Valentine's Day – that was appropriate. Luka couldn't make lunch because of a group project, but she left the canteen a little early to find him. He was in the library, quietly arguing with his two groupmates over the best way to proceed with the presentation (well, they were arguing – he was mediating), and his entire face lit up when he saw her.

"You're an angel," he breathed when she handed him his macarons.

"If I didn't bring them to you I'm pretty sure Dingo was going to inhale them all," she giggled. She fished out an apple Juleka had given her and gave that to him as well. "We were all pretty sure you weren't going to eat. This is from Juleka."

He kissed her cheek again as the bell rang, and he quickly gathered his things – promising to e-mail the others his share of the project over the weekend – so he could walk her to her next class. She rolled her eyes and told him it wasn't necessary, but he just smiled and squeezed the hand he hadn't stopped holding.

"It's Valentine's Day," he said, as if that was answer enough. She gave him a look as she paused outside her next class. He squeezed her hand again and let go, moving past her to continue on to his own class. When she sat down behind Juleka and Rose, she leaned forward and tapped their shoulders.

"Hey, guys…" she began as they turned around. "Luka and I aren't…we didn't get together already, did we? I mean we're not dating, right?"

Juleka and Rose shared a confused look.

"I didn't think so? But he did kiss you this morning…" Rose said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Juleka shrugged.

"I mean, you've been dancing around each other for a year now," she said. "But wasn't that the point of coffee today? Your confession? Making things official?"

"It's just been a weird day," Marinette sighed. "Like…I feel like it's already happened? And he keeps acting like…I dunno, like he knew I was going to confess and beat me to it? But I don't remember actually telling him, or him telling me, or…ugh. I'm so tired."

"It's a good thing you're getting coffee later, then," Rose said with a giggle. Marinette slumped forward on her desk with a groan, and Rose patted her head sympathetically.

Yeah, she supposed it was…

– V –

She didn't see him again until school was over. Her last class let out a bit early (the teacher also claiming she was just tired, and it was Friday, and Valentine's, so "Get out of here and have fun already."), so at the end of the day she found herself waiting by his bike. She didn't feel anxious, though, which...surprised her. She was normally a nervous wreck with things like love confessions and feelings, and even though she'd always had an easy relationship with Luka that fact hadn't changed as she became more aware of her feelings for him. And yet…with how he had been acting earlier that day…

She wasn't nervous.

She was happy. Excited, even. And maybe that was a good sign? That maybe things would work out, and they might actually be ok as a couple, and…

She jumped as a pair of arms wrapped around her. Before she could scream, Luka's head was resting on her shoulder and he was pulling her back against his chest. He sighed, his eyes closed, and leaned his head against hers.

"Today was so long," he breathed. "I'm exhausted."

"Good thing we're getting coffee, then," she laughed, echoing Rose's earlier sentiment. She wondered if he heard how breathy she sounded. He stood a bit straighter and smiled down at her, and when she tipped her head back he kissed her forehead. Her cheeks warmed. "You've…you've been doing that a lot today."

"What?" he asked, frowning. Her face grew warmer as she looked away, her arms coming up to rest on his.

"K-kissing me," she said. He chuckled again, nudging her cheek with his nose.

"Oh, I haven't kissed you yet," he whispered by her ear, and she was sure her blush had spread clear to her toes. He pressed his lips against her cheek, and she could feel his smirk. "You'll know when I kiss you, Marinette."

Her brain exploded. She was ninety percent sure her brain just exploded. He pecked one last teasing kiss against her cheek before he let her go, and the smile on his face was entirely too relaxed to call smug, but there was definitely a smug look about it. She swallowed and took a steadying breath, trying to still her racing heart as she watched him kneel down to unchain his bike. She wanted to scream at him. To let him know that it wasn't fair, that he was cheating, that she was supposed to be flustering him…but then he was handing her his spare helmet – her helmet, as she was starting to think of it – and giving her that encouraging smile, and she thought maybe she just wanted to kiss him instead.

Properly kiss him. So he could know when she kissed him, too.

"Marinette?" he called, and she jumped as she realized she had spaced out on him. She smiled and took the helmet, climbing onto the bike behind him. Before he could take off, she leaned up and pressed a kiss against his cheek. He turned startled – pleased – eyes on her, and she ducked her head against his shoulder.

"Y'know…" she said, peeking up at him, "…this wasn't how I planned today. I was supposed to ask you out."

"As long as the end result is us together, does it really matter who asked who?" he asked. She laughed, shaking her head. She wondered if her face would ever return to its normal color.

"Are you sure I'm not dreaming? It can't be this easy. It was never this easy before," she said, her voice muffled against his coat.

"Maybe that's how you know it's right," he said. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Maybe it's easy when it's right."

"…Juleka told you, didn't she?" she asked, raising her head. His eyebrows rose at that, and she frowned. "She told you what I was planning. Not planning. Or…I didn't already tell you I like you, did I? This day has felt so weird, and I've been so off, and when I woke up this morning I would have sworn that I'd already just blurted out I love you yesterday and…"

He cut her off with a kiss.

An actual kiss.

On the mouth and everything.

And it was kind of awkward, because she was still behind him, and he had to crane his neck funny, and their helmets bumped together a bit, but it was still a kiss. A quick press of the lips, just enough to stop her rambling, and just enough to make her want more when he pulled back. She blinked at him, dazed, and there was something about his expression…a knowing look to his smile, a light in his eyes…but he just pressed his helmet to her own and closed his eyes, taking a moment to breathe.

"Juleka didn't tell me anything," he said. He took a moment, one she recognized as him gathering his words. "You did. Yesterday, when you told me you were over Adrien. And this morning, when you agreed to get coffee with me. Unless I was reading too much into this and getting coffee together on Valentine's Day doesn't count as a date?"

"D-do you want it to be a date?" she asked. He opened his eyes and grinned at her, darting in for another quick kiss. She thought she could get used to those kisses.

"I really want it to be a date," he said. She laid her head back on his shoulder, squeezing his middle as a happy thrill ran through her.

"Ok, then," she said. "It's a date. We're going on a date."

She felt and heard his chuckle as he started pedaling, and she pressed herself closer to his back. She glanced down at her purse to see Tikki beaming at her, and she couldn't stop the giggle as she smiled back at her kwami.

She was going on a date.

With Luka Couffaine.

Before she knew it, he was pulling up outside a café they had started frequenting the previous summer. She frowned when she saw how crowded it was. The line was long, and it looked like every table was taken – even the ones outside, with couples bundled up in coats and scarves but still enjoying time together over warm drinks. She tightened her arms around his middle, and he looked back to see why she wasn't getting off.

"Marinette? Are you ok?" he asked. She sighed and laid her head against his back.

"I should have expected it to be this packed, but…" she said, frowning as she looked back at the crowd. He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, and her frown vanished as he kissed her cheek.

"See if you can find us a table," he said. "I'll get it line."

She nodded and hopped off, that feeling of uncertainty – of strange familiarity – that had been plaguing her all day niggling at her again. She paused as she looked back at the café, the helmet half off her head as Luka chained up his bike. When he turned back to her, reaching for the helmet, she asked, "Hey…can I get an iced coffee?"

He blinked in surprise.

"An iced coffee?" he repeated, sounding maybe a little amused. He took her helmet, his lips quirking slightly. "Are you sure? I mean…it's freezing out here."

She rolled her eyes.

"Can you just humor me?" she asked. She looked down and fiddled with the end of her scarf. "Besides, it won't be freezing in there. And…I don't know. You know it's been a weird day. I just…I have this feeling. Like I'm gonna have a klutz attack and spill it all over me."

When she looked back up at him, he had that look in his eyes again. Her lower lip jutted out in a slight pout, and he shook his head and chuckled. After putting the helmets back in the basket, he bent down and kissed her forehead. She was still trying to pout when he pulled back, and after a moment of watching her with a contemplative grin he tipped her chin up and leaned back in, kissing her mouth this time. Her hands left her scarf to grip onto his coat, and she felt him smile against her mouth before he pulled away.

"That was much better," he said softly, looking down at her through half-lidded eyes. She bit down on her smile, and he thumbed her lip out from between her teeth before kissing her again. "Easier on my neck, too. Ok, darning. One iced coffee coming up."

"…darning?" she asked, snorting slightly. He grinned.

"What? I thought it was cute," he said. "Like darling, but better, because you sew."

"…oh my God," she laughed, pressing her face into his coat. "You…you are such a dork! How long have you been sitting on that one?"

"A while," he chuckled. She glanced back up at him, and he grinned. "Too much?"

"…I love you," she admitted in a rushed whisper. Her eyes widened as his grin turned into a full-blown smile, and she squeaked. "It! I love it! I…oh geeze."

"Go find us a table," he said with a laugh. He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear before she could run off, "I love you, too, darning."

Marinette couldn't wipe the grin off her face as they entered the café. She didn't care how weird the day had been: it was turning out to be the best day ever.

Once inside, the only table she could find was in the back corner by the restrooms. There was barely enough room for her to slide in, as the tables around it were crowded with couples and groups of friends all out to enjoy the holiday. She frowned as she considered it, and she turned to catch Luka's eye as he waited in line. When he raised a brow in silent question, she pointed to the restroom sign and pulled a face. He chuckled and shrugged, the gesture screaming what can you do?, and she rolled her eyes. Well, as long as he wasn't bothered by it, she supposed. She went to slide in on the side of the table away from the restrooms when he called her name and gestured to the other chair. She frowned, but he gave her a thumbs up before the barista called him to the counter.

She leaned against the table, her arms folded across her chest like a pouting child. That was how he found her a few minutes later when he came up with their drinks. He laughed as he put their order on the table.

"What?" he asked. "Aren't you going to sit? I did ask for takeaway cups, just in case you wanted to find somewhere quieter."

"This is fine," she said. "Really. It kinda feels like our spot, you know? It's fine."

"Then…?" he stood behind the chair by the restrooms and pulled it out, dipping his head towards her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Luka, no!" she said. "I'm smaller – you should sit there! You'll have more room!"

"It's fine, Mari," he said. When she continued to stand there – when she went to sit in the other chair again – he caught her wrist and looked at the chairs, considering. "Or…"

She yelped when he grabbed her middle, tugging her towards him as he sat in the chair by the restrooms. She settled in his lap, her entire face red, and he grinned at her as he set his chin on her shoulder. She jumped as their table wobbled, and they looked over to the group at the table beside theirs. They were leaving, and one of them had knocked his chair into the one Marinette had been planning on sitting in. Marinette frowned, that feeling coming over her again, but she quickly dismissed it when Luka squeezed her middle.

"Looks like you were right about spilling the coffee," he hummed. She turned slightly, trying to see him better, and he smiled as he leaned his head against hers. "See? This is better."

She couldn't even pretend to be annoyed with him. She laid her arms over his own, smiling as she relaxed against him. She barely registered another couple grabbing the table next to them.

"Ok, maybe it is better," she sighed. She squirmed slightly, nudging him to move, and he leaned back as she shifted. She swung her legs around and turned so that her back was against the wall instead of his chest. His arms were still around her middle, and she looped one of hers around his shoulders with a grin. "There. This is better – now I can look at you."

"Do you like looking at me?" he teased. He laughed as she pressed her face against his neck, groaning at the blush she felt returning. "It's ok if you do. I like looking at you."

"Stoooop," she whined, her other hand coming up to toy with the string from his hoodie. He nudged her cheek with his nose, and when she glanced up at him he kissed her. She whined again when he pulled away, but that time it wasn't because she was annoyed or flustered.

"I like doing that, too," he said softly. She smiled and laid her head against his shoulder, sighing as she cuddled closer to him. Yeah, she liked that, too.

"Me –" she started, but a strangled yelp at the table beside them made them both look up.

"Mine!" the girl sitting with her back to them cried. The guy that was with her was staring at her with wide green eyes. Marinette bit her lip as the guy glanced back at them, noticing they were watching. "That is, be mine! I mean, not mine-mine, but…y'know, conversation hearts! The candy? Like…"

Luka's chuckle brought her attention back to him. He was watching the couple with a sympathetic smile, and when Marinette turned back to him he dropped a kiss against her forehead.

"Man, brutal," he said quietly. He smiled at her when she nudged him. "I can't imagine confessing to someone on Valentine's Day. There's so much pressure, and you'd be a nervous wreck all day. And if then if they said no? It would take an incredibly brave person to go through with that. I don't think I could do it."

"You asked me out on Valentine's Day," she said. She tugged on his hoodie string again. "You told me you liked me. And kissed me."

"A lot," he teased, and she smiled before leaning up to kiss him. His smile got a bit bigger at that. "It's not the same, though. I already knew you liked me."

"…oh?" she asked. She sat up a bit straighter and raised an eyebrow. He shook his head, fidgeting slightly.

"You told me you loved me first," he said absently, reaching for his coffee. She poked his shoulder as he took a sip, frowning.

"I did not," she said. He frowned as he went to put his coffee back on the table, but the table wobbled as the girl behind them suddenly sprang up and raced out of the café. He waited a moment for the table to settle before putting the coffee down. The guy was already up and running after her, but Marinette wasn't really paying attention to them anymore. "Luka. I did not."

He tipped his head back, his eyes darting back and forth as if he was replaying the day in his mind. After a moment, his lips pursed and he nodded. He looked back at her and shrugged.

"It was a slip, but you definitely said it first," he said. When she continued to pout, he chuckled and shrugged. "…or maybe I did. Ok. But the point still stands. I wasn't nervous about asking you out. Or telling you I like you."

He reached for her hand, threading their fingers together and rubbing his thumb against her hand.

"You don't make me nervous, Marinette," he said. She sighed and leaned her head back on his shoulder, smiling as she watched his thumb brush against her skin.

"It's so strange…normally, all of this does make me nervous," she said. She turned her head slightly, kissing at the bit of skin above his collar, and squeezed his hand. "It makes me so nervous. But…you don't really make me nervous, either. It seems kind of silly now, though, because I was nervous about today…but now it seems silly. I had this whole big…not a plan, but plan enough."

She reached into her bag, and Tikki pressed the box of chocolates into her hand. She held it up for him and smiled.

"I was going to give you this and tell you I like you," she said with a little laugh. He grinned as he took the box, tracing his thumb over the heart by his name on the card. "But you're right. It's easy, and I shouldn't have been so nervous."

She looked up at him, feeling butterflies – the good kind, not the purple kind – fluttering in her stomach at the look on his face. He opened the box and popped a chocolate into his mouth, and when he caught her looking at him he darted forward again and kissed her. He tasted like coffee and chocolate, and Marinette loved it.

"Thank you," she said after a moment. He hummed, and she sighed as she relaxed against him. "This is the best Valentine's Day I've ever had."

"Any day with you is the best I've ever had," he said softly. She snorted, pressing her face against his shirt to muffle her laughter.

"Oh my God, Luka," she gasped. "Did you really just…?"

"I'm an artist," he sniffed. "I'm being poetic."

"You're being a dork," she giggled.

"You love it," he said, and she grinned up at him.

"I really do," she said. She opened her mouth, another taunt on her lips, but a scream echoed above the crowded café from the street outside. They both sat up straighter, craning their necks to see through the windows to the street beyond. Something was glowing, the light seeping into the café. Marinette jumped to her feet without thinking, already a step away from Luka before he grabbed her wrist. She turned, her eyes still peering into the street beyond, but she caught one glance at his worried face before he disappeared in a blinding flash.