You Change

Chapter VII

Later

After advising her parents that she had already arrived home and wishing them good night, Marinette went up to her room and closed the door. Tikki watched her wearer change into her pajamas and absent-mindedly let her hair down. It was as if Luka's kiss had left her on autopilot.

-Marinette? -

-Uh? -

-You've been very quiet since we entered your house. You only said goodbye to your parents ... - Tikki said in a low voice floating behind her- Do you feel good? -

"No!" She said nervously, "of course I'm not fine." How am I going to be well? If Luka just kissed me! -

Tikki rolled his eyes with a frustrated expression.

"Is that what you call a kiss?" If it was just a touch- Tikki said in a mocking tone- I have seen sneezes that last longer than that supposed kiss-

"Tikki!" She said, apparently coming out of her automatic state induced by Luka's kiss. "How can you say that?"

The kwami ​​laughed again. It felt strange that her bearer was in love this time with a boy other than Plagg's bearer, but she knew it was best for Marinette in such circumstances. If Adrien had been corrupted by his desire to possess the power of the Miraculous, at least he knew that Marinette's heart would be safe with Luka.

-Well, uh ... let's put that aside for a moment- said Marinette, shaking her head as if she wanted to shake the blush from her cheeks and her expression became more serious- there is something I want to talk to you about-

-Oh? -

"From my partner," said Marinette, looking askance at the place where the Miraclebox was hidden, "I can't continue fighting alone." Between the akuma on duty and Cha ... Papillon Noir, I am always at a disadvantage. Yesterday I almost lost my Miraculous, if it wasn't for Luka's intervention. You know I need help-

"I agree that you need a partner, and I'm sure that Master Fu would let you choose a Miraculous to deliver in this situation," Tikki said, nodding, "who do you have in mind? Luka?"

Marinette considered this for a few moments. Would you like to have Luka by your side in the fights against Papillon Noir and the akumas? Of course yes. He was strong and brave, as Chat Noir had been before him. He knew that he would not betray her and that he would not let anyone harm her. But the idea of ​​an Akuma wounding him, or worse, of Luka sacrificing himself for her as Chat Noir had done countless times in the past seemed unbearable to him.

"No, Tikki, I don't think I can give him that role," said Marinette.

"Why not?" Tikki said, surprised that her bearer doubted Luka, "he is strong and kind-hearted, and obviously cares about you."

-Just for that! Because he knows who I am, and... he loves me- the girl said in a low voice.

"Is that bad?" Said the kwami ​​without understanding, "she knows very well that Chat Noir also loved you, and you didn't seem to mind fighting alongside her-

-It was different- said Marinette shaking her head- because ... -

"Why didn't you love him?" Tikki said quietly, "maybe not romantically, but I know that Chat Noir had, and still has, a very important place in your heart-

Marinette closed her eyes, putting a hand to her chest, knowing that her kwami ​​was right. He wanted Chat Noir much more than he wanted to admit, despite everything. Tikki regretted the last thing he said. She knew how much it hurt Marinette that the boy had betrayed her even if she didn't want to admit it out loud.