Marc paced nervously near the bakery, running a hand through his hair as Marinette looked on with patient curiosity. He wasn’t one to easily admit when something was messing with his head, but this time was different.

—“I don’t get it,” Marc said, voice low but tense. “Every time I’m around them, my brain goes haywire. Like, my heart’s pounding, but also… calm? And I keep noticing the little things — like how they laugh at the dumbest jokes or how focused they get when they’re working on something.”

Marinette nodded, smiling softly.

—“Sounds like someone’s got a crush.”

Marc rolled his eyes, but his cheeks flushed a little.

—“No, I’m serious. It’s confusing. Because I don’t just like liking them. I want to know everything — what makes them happy, what annoys them, what they dream about. And I don’t know if that’s just friendship or something more.”

He paused, biting his lip.

—“And the worst part? I get jealous. Not like ‘I want to possess them’ jealous, but… jealous in a way that makes me want to be better. For them.”

Marinette gave him a look full of understanding.

—“That’s definitely more than friendship.”

Marc groaned.

—“I don’t even know if I should say anything. What if I mess things up?”

Just then, a faint sound caught their attention — a quiet shuffle nearby.

Both turned sharply.

There, leaning against the wall behind the bakery, you stood with wide eyes and a shy smile.