Felix knew that. He knew that just because hormones cause a certain feeling to go through him ever time she passes, she was only human.
Humans have flaws. This was fact. Every student in his class had flaws that he picked out instantly.
Alya was trusting. Nino was naive. Chloe was selfish. Sabrina was a pushover. Juleka was quiet. Rose was too loving. Kim was impulsive. Alix was too lax. Mylene was jumpy. Ivan was defensive. Nathaniel needed anger management. Max was insensitive. Lila was a liar. Adrien was superior.
Felix himself was not blind to his own faults either. He was cold, extremely introverted, cynical, and untrusting.
But Marinette? Marinette was perfect. She was caring, determined, creative, social, and patient. A gift to all of Paris. But still human.
So why couldn’t he see her faults?
Felix thought to himself and devised a strategy. He would observe Marinette and pinpoint every flaw, matter how small in order to prove her humanity.
He opened a notebook to a fresh page and began to wait.
Just as the teacher came in and it seemed like Marinette was t going to come. A flash of blue skidded in.
“I’m so sorry I’m late! I slept in, and got distracted.” She ran up to her seat next to Felix and almost fell in, pulling out her tablet.
“I’m fine Marinette, and you?”
“I’m great! Also,” she began rifling through her bag, “I got those records you asked for. Apparently the Dupains have been making bread for centuries.”
“Interesting, thank you. This will certainly help me with my project.”
Unpunctual. (But is so because she works all throughout the day.)
Later on, while they were working on algebra sheets, he heard a growl beside him.
Marinette erased her paper furiously, and let her head fall upon the desk. She let out a sigh.
Short temper with school work.
He reached out to offer help, but she lifted her head and began looking over the examples and explainations they went over in class. Satisfied, she turned in the sheet and began working in her sketchbook.
(But she recognizes her struggles and amends them without giving up.)
Finally, lunch. As Felix collected his things and began his walk down the hall, Marinette sidled up to him and linked his arm with her own.
Felix immediately stopped walking and stiffened.
“Felix? Is everything okay?”
“I… do not like touching.” He drawled, staring straight ahead.
“Oh! Oh, I am so sorry!” She unhooked her arm with his and stepped back, sheepish. “Sorry, I forget sometimes that people don’t like that like I do.” She looked down and pressed her fingers together. “Sorry.”
“It’s… it’s okay. Just ask, if you’re going to do that.”
She brightened and Felix felt his heart begin to pound against his chest. “Sure! I can do that.” She stepped closer and began to fill the silence with chatter.
When they got to a table, Marinette left to grab some napkins and Felix took the opportunity to write another entry in his notebook.
When she returned, she pulled out a book and began to read, evidently noticing Felix’s preference for silence.
“Yes?” She shut her book, devoting full attention to what he was going to say.
“When you brought in those raisin cookies, it reminded me of a tea I like. And… well, I wanted to give you some, to repay you.”
“Felix,” she said, accepting the bag, “you didn’t need to do that!” She looked at the bag then at Felix, placing the tea gingerly into her bag. “I’ll try it tonight. Can… can I hug you?”
She squealed and pounced on him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
He felt his cheeks heat up and he gulped, swallowing the hum of contentment building up. He allowed himself to hug her back, patting the spot right between her shoulders.
Soon, they parted and looked at him, uncertainty in her eyes. “Was that okay?”
Felix chuckled. “Marinette, it was just fine.”
“Oh, good. I was worried.”
He turned away and added another phrase to his notebook.
(Respects others’ boundaries, once learned and abides by them.)
After eating lunch, there was some time left, so Marinette left to grab something from her home. Felix left for the library, immersing himself in the quiet, serene, environment.
“Whatcha reading?” A brown ponytail flipped over his shoulder. Lila Rossi.
“A Stitch in Space. By Jeremy Howard.” It was one of his favorites.
“Jeremy Howard? It just so happens, my uncle is best friends with Jeremy. I call him Uncle Jay.”
“Really?” He had to pinch himself to keep from rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, he adores me. I’m sure I could introduce you if you like...” She slid a hand up his arm and over his shoulder.
“What. Are. You. Doing. Here.” Marinette was standing in the doorway, clutching a cardboard box with white knuckled fingers.
“Oh, Marinette!” Lila squealed, tormenting Felix’s eardrums. “Felix and I were just talking.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face to his.
Felix stared at Marinette, making eye contact. He widened his eyes as much as he could and mouthed “I don’t want this.”
Soon a steely determination overcame the surpise and Marinette’s shoulders squared.
“Well, Lila,” She crooned, walking forward, “I would suggest you stop talking with Felix like this, he doesn’t seem to like it much. Though, who would?”
Lila snarled and her arms loosened. “What are you going to do about it, Marinette? I have the school wrapped around my finger, nothing you could say will stop me.”
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to send this document of every lie you’ve told over the school year, to everyone in school. Complete with sources to sites debunking each lie.” She displayed her phone, message primed to send.
As Lila left with her tail between her legs, Felix made a mental note to add to his book.
Vengeful. (But on the behalf of others.)
It was the end of the last period of the day, Felix had finished writing down every flaw of Marinette. As the rest of the class exited, he read over his list.
Every single flaw had an alteration to it. Every problem included a “but…” except one.
Felix glanced up in exasperation just in time to see Marinette topple out of the classroom, shouting in surprise.
He rolled his eyes and crossed it out, following Marinette out the door.
Maybe Marinette was human, but to Felix? To Felix she might as well be a angel.