Chapter Text
"Hmm..."
"You can choose slowly, boy. Take your time."
"Ah, thank you."
Nathaniel was in a flower shop.
He kept thinking.
What kind of flowers would Marc like?
"I didn't expect choosing some flowers would be this hard."
The red hair said with an awkward smile.
"Right. All the flowers are beautiful. And each flower has its own beautiful language."
The florist said.
"That make us feel hard to choose any flower. Let me recommend one kind for you."
She picked some red and yellow, white flowers.
"These are lilies. Red lilies mean love and passion."
She started explaining.
Passion. Right. Marc is very passionate about Nath. Always.
"Yellow ones symbolize thankfulness and friendship."
She continued.
Thankfulness. Great! That perfectly fits with the purposes of his gift.
"And white ones mean-"
"Purity. I already know, but… not about red and yellow ones. Thanks for the good information. Can I get a bunch of these, please?"
"Of course! Are you going to present these?"
"Yes. To my friend."
Nath answered. His face turned a bit red.
"Oh~ it seems like you are in love~"
"Wh- What? No! I'm…"
"Don't be shy~"
Nathaniel headed to school.
He put the special, colorful bouquet in his locker before entering the classroom.
"Are you going to present it later? The flowers will wilt..."
Ziggy talked, inside Nath's bag, as soon as he sat down.
"You're right, Ziggy. But I have no choice. The flower shop closes even earlier than here."
Her partner murmured.
He was a bit nervous.
But imagining his friend smile after having the present, the tension had gone away.
Few hours later, the after-school time has come.
Nath was so excited that he almost forgot to get the flowers before heading to Marc's class.
The red hair rushed, and opened the door.
"Marc! Huh…?"
The class was empty. There wasn't anyone, including Marc.
"Where is everyone? Um… Marc?"
Nath is confused.
"Marc… No… It can't be..."
Now he's sorrowful. VERY.
And there is a reason; Marc, has been avoiding him lately, and suddenly.
Every students, especially Nath, didn't know why.
There were nothing, but some rumors. Rumors saying, Marc actually doesn't like him, and is trying to leave his side.
Nath, of course, didn't believe them.
However, the more Marc avoided him, the more his heart wavered.
And eventually, it completely broken.
Tears flowed from his eyes.
Who could dare ignore this broken heart?
"Hello, please forgive my interruption."
He heard a voice. An unfamiliar, but sweet voice.
"I heard a sadness of a heartbroken boy. You're betrayed by the friend you trusted and relied on. And you're just sad, not mad at him, aren't you? Everyone goes through that."
"I… I'm..."
"Let me give you a power. A power to make him come back to your side."
The red hair tried to shake off the echo.
"With your power, you can turn him back. Maybe… forever?"
"…"
Right.
Marc is the source of who Nath is now.
As Alix is not by his side, Marc is the only support.
"You're right... He is the only way I feel better. Free, and peaceful…!"
"Good. Then… what should I call you?"
"...Carpiel."
"No, Nathaniel, you have to refuse it!"
"..."
"Na-"
"Ziggy. Bleat it."
"No… Ahhhh!"
Nath's words sucked Ziggy in his hair clips, making a pair of goat horns right before he akumatized.
Next day.
"Sweetheart, are you sure you will be okay? You still don't look well."
Mrs. Anciel asked, being worried.
"Don't worry, mom! I'm really okay now! See you later!"
Holding something, Marc left home in hurry. And then sighed.
"Seems like somebody is very nervous~"
"Orikko, no joke now. I have to apologize to Nath."
Marc frowned, sniffing.
"You should rest more. You suddenly got a cold yesterday morning and go to school right now? Look at you. You will make him lose all heart to accept your apology."
"I know. But not now, no chance forever. Let us just head to school..."
Marc arrived at school, in a hurry.
But suddenly, someone pulled him, with his arm, to a corner of the pillar.
"I was thinking of going to your home to see you. But now, there's no need for that."
That was a familiar voice.
That made Marc to look who said that.
"Huh? Nath, is it you?"
"Yes. And?"
Yes. It was Nathaniel.
But he looks… so different.
He was wearing not his usual orange shirt and paint-stain overalls, but a flowy black-and-white clothes decorated with lace.
Also, he was wearing a choker with a triangular-shaped loop, and earrings of the same shape.
His outfit reminded Marc of his hero form.
"I mean… I love your new look. Oh! I'm… I'm so sorry, Nath..."
"For what? Trying to leave me?"
"What? Who said that?"
"You, avoided me, for a while! Isn't that enough to be a clue?"
Nathaniel jerked out.
"Um… Right. I've been avoiding you. For this."
Marc presented two things; a horn-shaped earring and a white choker.
"… What are they?"
"I made them for you, Nath."
"… For me?"
"Of course! Who would I make something for? There's no one but you."
He said, and extended-
"Sorry if my surprise plan disgusted you, Nath. And sorry for not showing yesterday. I got a cold."
"..."
Nath looked at Marc with a sad face. And grabbed the taller boy's hand.
"You're right. I'm so sorry, Marc. I… misunderstood you."
"No. I should apologize. Not you."
Marc smiled.
And Nath smiled.
"You're right. There's no way you would dislike me."
The freckly-faced boy put strength into his hand, making Marc feel pain.
"N- Nath…?"
"Marc… I think I'm in love with you."
"Woah… Suddenly?"
"You don't love me?"
Nath asked, making a serious expression.
"N- No! I..."
Marc froze before finishing his words.
He's scared now.
That smile was very creepy.
And his eyes are empty.
"I don't care if you don't like me. I will give my own to you."
The red hair said soothingly, cupping the blue hair's face.
"Let's go to my home, Marc. To our own heaven."
Marc, now, panicked.
Nath's face was melting down.
His whole body was melting down.
"Nath..."
Marc called his friend, feeling his watery, boggy hands.
That was all he could do. He was so scared that he couldn't have his voice.
"Shh... Do not be afraid..."
Two voices, Nath's and his Kwami's, were heard at the same time.