Miraculous Ladybug and the Valiant Annuler By: Haphira
Chapter 45. "More Allies"
Marinette was back at school, waiting for Ms. Bustier to start class, idly fidgeting with her phone. When Marinette looked down at her phone she smiled at the text Luka sent her.
Rock star <3: hope you have a good day! :)
Melody <3: thanks, i hope you do too! :D
Rock star <3: <3
Marinette checked when she heard the door open to the classroom, seeing that it was just Rose, Marinette went back to looking at her phone. Rose made her way to Marinette with a determined look.
Marinette looked up to see Rose standing in front of her with a serious look on her face.
"Rose? Is something the matter?" Marinette asked, a little hesitant at the look on the blonde's face.
"Can we meet up after school to talk? With Juleka, Ivan, Mylene, and Nino?" Rose questioned.
Marinette thought for a moment, then replied, "Yeah I've got time, we can meet at the park across the street?"
Rose nodded and smiled then went back to her seat. Marinette watched her walk away wondering what that was about. She fidgeted in her seat as class started, suddenly hit with a wave of nervousness. What did they want to talk to her about? It wasn't another adrienette scheme was it? But Marinette thought about what people Rose wanted to bring, Nino and Juleka knew that Lila was a liar, did that mean Ivan, Mylene and Rose knew too? Marinette cautiously let herself hope that maybe she had more allies than previously thought.
The day dragged on and went by fast depending on if Marinette was staring at the clock or not. Although, she felt more secure in her feelings that this afternoon would turn out well; after texting Luka on and off throughout the day, and rereading the text that said he would meet Marinette at the park so she could have moral support, Marinette felt better having Luka there.
Lila was quiet through the day but Marinette still kept an eye on her considering what she tried to do last night. As the last bell rang for the day, the teacher called out pages to read for homework and Marinette was packing up quickly to meet up with Luka on the steps outside.
Rushing out Marinette missed the look Rose and Juleka gave each other, as they walked a more normal pace to the park.
When Marinette reached the steps and saw Luka waiting for her at the bottom, Marinette ran at him and Luka opened his arms to catch her. A grin overtook Marinette's face as Luka caught her and swung her around before finally setting her down and grabbed her hand to hold.
"Ready, Melody?" Luka asked. Marinette nodded and walked with Luka to the park. Rose, Juleka, Ivan and Mylene watched Marinette and Luka walk to the park holding hands, Rose gave a squeak and started shaking in place with a wide grin on her face.
Luka and Marinette reached a picnic bench, they sat and waited for the rest to get there. Juleka and Rose reached the bench first and sat next to Marinette and Luka and waiting for Ivan, Mylene, and Nino.
Ivan and Mylene sat across from Marinette and Luka and left space for Nino to sit next to them. Then Nino reached them, a uncharacteristically serious look on his face.
"First off, thank you for meeting with us, Marinette, and second," Nino started then everyone spoke at once.
"We're sorry!"
Marinette was speechless for a moment then smiled at them.
"Thank you, I appreciate the apology." Marinette said, and nodded for Nino to continue.
"Ok, so everyone here now knows that Lila is a liar, and what she has done to you and the class is unjust. So we did some digging." Nino stated, then turned and pulled out some papers from his backpack and laid them out.
Curious, Marinette picked up one of the sheets and read it over, Luka did the same next to her. The more Marinette read the wider her eyes became. It was details of Lila's last school and how she ostracized the kind popular girl and turned everyone against her then caused the girl to move to another school. It also mentioned how some of the people bullied the girl before she moved and cited as Lila the cause for everything before Lila moved and skipped out on consequences.
"Luka-" Marinette started then stopped, this information was exactly what she needed to enact her plans.
Luka grabbed her hand and squeezed, "I know." He whispered to her. Gathering herself, Marinette looked up at Nino, Ivan and Mylene.
"Do you want to help me take Lila down?" Marinette asked, her expression serious as she looked at each of them.
"Yes." Nino said first, then Ivan, Rose, and Juleka confirmed after him. Marinette's eyes traveled to Mylene who looked like she was thinking deeply.
"If it makes you uncomfortable you don't have to," Marinette said gently to her. Mylene looked up and spoke softly.
"I'm not apposed, just a bit nervous, do you have a plan?"
Marinette grinned and glanced at Luka who was already looking at her.
"Yes, we do. Ok, so here's what we have for now." Marinette explained her plans and how the new information played into them. After going over things, Mylene added her agreement to help take down Lila.
Marinette started to divide up the plan into parts that they could help with, things would be easier to do with help now, and Marinette could help but smile brilliantly at Luka, happy that she wasn't alone and that people were starting to see reason.
After cleaning up and saying their goodbyes, Luka and Marinette walked back to the bakery together, hands clasped and enjoying the afternoon air. When Luka reached the back door to Marinette's place, Luka leaned against the door frame and smiled at Marinette.
"What?" Marinette asked.
"You are so amazing, Melody, and I'm so proud of you." Luka said with a smile, his eyes shinned with joy.
"Thank you for being here with me, I don't know if I could have done it without your support." Marinette replied, as she tugged on his hand to bring it up to her cheek and laid her face into his hand. Luka's breath hitched at the look on Marinette's face. Blue eyes full of joy and love kept Luka spell bound.
Marinette turned her face to kiss the palm of Luka's hand. Luka's eyes widened and a blush bloomed on his cheeks. Marinette smiled and let go of him.
"See you later Rock star," Marinette said and walked into the building. Luka stood still for a moment before his heart started double time after the pause.
That girl was going to be the death of him and Luka couldn't be happier for it.
Chapter 46
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
With the unknowing love of her life dosed with a love potion and now accidentally obsessed with her, the only ethical thing Usagi can do is reverse it ā if she could just get the darn antidote to work!
Characters/Pairings: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Rating: Teen and Up
Summary: Luka should be sleeping.Ā Itās a big day tomorrow, after all.Ā Except his sisterās banging on his door after midnight with a special deliveryā¦
Authorās Notes/Warnings: I was watching a clip from Fjord & Jesterās wedding, and it got me kicking something stupid around, and I was bored on hold entirely too long today.Ā Oops?Ā š
āBig Day Tomorrowā
Luka was not expecting the knock on his door atā¦nearly one oāclock in the morning.
He was supposed to be asleep, for one.Ā Tomorrow was a big day, after all, and he had to be over at the boat early to help finish setting everything up.Ā It was going to be an amazing day, but it was also going to be a long one, and he wasnāt sure when heād actually get another chance to sleep.Ā He needed his rest.Ā Anyone that would be knocking on his door would be in the same boat, actually, which brought him back to: who the hell was knocking at this time of night?
It had taken a long time to find the perfect bell. Nothing too high-pitched, but strong enough to carry through the little shop. Marinette glanced up at the low peal and cursed the placement of the new garment rack. She couldn't see the door from her sewing stool behind the counter anymore. Thankfully, she had a stellar employee in one of her best friends.
"Rose?"
"I got it, Marinette! Don't you worry. You make the customers happy with that needle, and I'll take care of sales."
It had been terrifying going into business with her best friend. There was no shortage of horror stories about ruined friendships because of business drama. But Rose had been absolutely confident that not only would their friendship be fine, but that Marinette's boutique would thrive. And while the fledgling business hadn't yet stood the test of time, working alongside Rose had been fun. Regret had no power atĀ A Rose-Tinted WardrobeĀ by MDC.
"Welcome in! Let me know if you have any questions." Rose's cheerful voice floated across the shop while Marinette focused on finishing the last couple of inches of hand-sewing. Since they were new, she did want to greet their customers if at all possible. Once this seam was sorted, she would find their customer. After all, she wanted the shop to be memorable. Maybe one day she wouldn't feel the need to meet everyone who walked into her shop, but today was not that day.
Rose wound her way through the clothing stands, looking for whomever she had greeted. She caught sight of a dark head a couple of racks over, but they were quiet as they browsed. Marinette made ready-to-wear stuff that filled the boutique in addition to the bespoke and custom pieces that she worked on for the kinds of clients who didn't usually do their shopping in public.
Carefully straightening dresses and angling hatsĀ just soĀ as she went, Rose made sure every corner of the shop shone. Finally, she caught sight of their customer. She was tall, with purple-accented black hair and the kind of gothic elegance that always made Rose's heart beat a little faster.
She froze, one hand still clinging to the hanger she'd adjusted.Ā Chill. She had to be cool. Smooth like the cerulean silk skirt of that dress Mari had just finished.
The woman turned towards her, browsing the clothes with one free elbow to make up for her full hands. A coffee mug in one hand, a phone in the other, and a cute casket-shaped handbag dangled from her other elbow. All attempts at calm or cool dissipated like water on a hot skillet the moment Rose caught sight of her black ruffled blouse. Several buttons had escaped the confines of their holes, leaving a gap in the material to reveal a corset bra that left her breathless where she stood. She sucked in a deep breath to pull herself together. It worked. Barely.
Chill. Casual. "Hey, dude. You've got your shit unbuttoned."Ā No, no no! Not that casual! Was this how Marinette felt all the time?!
The woman glanced down and frowned. Her voice was soft, like the whisper of fabric, "Could you help me out? My hands are full."
"Yeah, I got you!" Rose answered promptly, diving for the buttons. In two shakes, she had her done up and resituated. Once she was finished, there was considerably more heat in her cheeks than was warranted for the cool afternoon. Maybe she should have skipped readjusting her cleavage for her.Ā Casual. She smiled, meeting the woman's stunning amber eyes once more.Ā Stay cool. "There you are, brother." If not for her natural enthusiasm and boundless confidence, she would have cried at the words that kept escaping her in the face of true beauty.
The whispered "thanks" was all but lost as the girl slipped around the corner. Rose stared longingly after her until she heard Marinette clear her throat behind her. Rose turned, on the verge of gushing about their gorgeous customer, but the look in Marinette's eyes froze her.
"What the hā was that?"
Marinette never cursed during business hours. Not out loud, at least. It was kind of funny.
"Customer service?" Rose answered. The golden haze of longing was slowly dissipating under the reality of Marinette's shocked expression, and a new thought slid through Rose's mind. Maybe, just maybe, she should have offered to hold her drink or bag instead of buttoning her shirtā¦
Marinette's eyes darted between her and the counter where the gorgeous goth girl had paused. She heaved a sigh that let Rose know she wasn't done with her yet. "Oh, my gosh. Rose. I'm going to meet her at the counterā¦ butā¦ Ugh! I can't believe she hasn't fled yet."
Shaking with shock at what she'd just witnessed, Marinette made her way up to the counter where their customer had come to a stop near the jewelry display.
Her voice floated softly across the space, "You do custom stuff?"
Marinette plastered on a smile, biting back the urge to apologize for Rose's handsiness. What's done was done, and there was no way she would be able to get the right words out without swallowing her foot whole. "Yes! If you want a specific style in a specific color palette, I can make it happen. I've even incorporated personal effects or momentos into some pieces. That goes for the clothes too."
"Cool." She held out a plum-colored velvet patterned skirt and a black chiffon blouse. "I'll take these for now, but I'll definitely be back."
Nodding, Marinette rang her up, wrapping the clothes carefully before handing them over in one of her signature pink bags. She watched as she left, glancing nervously in Rose's direction on her way out. Probably wary of being assaulted. Again.
Rose all but appeared at her elbow the moment the low chiming of the bell ceased. "I've never seen anyone more composed or beautiful in my life. Did you see her eyes?" She sighed, long and breathy. "And her voice? O.m.g. Like the whisper of drifting leaves or falling satin, inviting me closer to hear her better," she swooned dramatically, draping herself over the counter.
Marinette's mouth fell open. "We're lucky she didn't accuse us of harassment! You can't grope customers, Rose!"
Rose turned wide blue eyes on her. "I didn'tĀ gropeĀ her! It's calledĀ customer service."
"She said she'd be back. Let's hope she doesn't bring the police."
Rose moaned, exasperated. "Don't be ridiculous. She asked for help with her buttons. She isn't going to come after us for helping her out."
Marinette huffed. "Rose! You touched more than her buttons!"
Rose caught her lip between her teeth in an attempt not to smile. She had done that, hadn't she? The bustier had shifted, and Rose had made sure the girls were situated properly once she was done-up. She was definitely enamored with more than her eyes. "āI"
Marinette was glaring at her. Rose swallowed. "Okay, maybe I did grope her a littleābut I didn't mean to! I just wanted to beĀ helpful. It's on me, okay. If she complains, I'll take full responsibility. The shop will be safe."
Black hair swished around her neck as Marinette shook her head. "No. We're a team. Justādon't grab anyone else's boobs on the job, okay?"
Juleka walked home in a daze, barely registering the world around her. She knew she'd bought something from the cute new shop, but couldn't for the life of her remember what was in the bag. All she could think about was the shopgirl. Golden hair, the brightest smile she'd ever seen, and quick, deft hands. And sitting just below the scooped neckline of her pink top was a nametag that readĀ Rose. It was a perfect name for a girl like that. A girl made of sunshine with a face more welcoming than a garden full of flowers.
Music greeted her as she boarded the Liberty. That was life as a Couffaine. Music and a touch of madness. She wouldn't have it any other way. Except now she wondered what her life would be like if she brought Rose into the hold. The music shifted, mirroring her moodāa tangled, wistful sort of sound that came with Luka's concerned eyes. Rose had blue eyes too. It was a comforting color. A color that cared.
"What's up, Jules?"
"I found a new shop. Custom jewelry and clothesā¦" She remembered that much. Ma's birthday was coming up, and she and Luka had been looking for a place that could do something out of the box. "Someone grabbed my boobs, and I can't stop thinking about it."
"What?!" The music stopped, and Luka stood, a storm in his eyes.
Juleka shook her head. "Not like thatāI mean. Kind of like that, but not."
Luka dragged a hand down his face. "What the hell, Jules?"
"My buttons came undone. The salesgirl told me, but my hands were full, so I asked for her help, and she justā" Juleka stopped, grinning as she relived the moment.
"She?" Luka prompted, a note of relief in his voice.
"I thought maybe she would hold my stuff." The adorable blonde had only held herĀ stuffĀ for a second. Juleka whimpered.
Luka groaned, dropping back into his seat. "I take it she buttoned your top?"
"Mmhmm. And then she made sure everything was sitting right. God, herĀ hands."
Her brother grabbed his guitar again, plucking at the strings in a way that reminded her of buttons popping out of holesā¦ "I think I've heard enoughāunless you actually do want me to beat her up."
"Fuck, no." She hoped nothing bad happened to Rose, ever, but a dangerous idea settled over herā¦ "I need you to be my wingman."
"What? No. C'mon." Luka sounded exasperated. Not that she could blame him. If the tables had been turnedā¦ ew. The idea of helping her brother hook up with someone made her shudder. But she had social anxiety, and Rose's eyes were still dancing above that perfect smile in her mind. Luka had always helped her and would always help her. She trusted that more than she trusted the sun to rise in the mornings. He had visited every flat and been there at each tenant interview when she wanted to move out, had been there when she signed her first lease, and had already taken time off to help her move in at the start of the next month, when her place would really be hers. Luka was her rock.
"Please? I need to see her again. I only know where she works. I don't know how to do this. I don't want to beĀ creepy."
Luka laughed through a sigh, gesturing at her. Looking down, she couldn't help but understand. Creepy was kind of her whole thing. "Good luck with that."
"Okay, Jerk. I don't want to be an asshole, then."
Luka shook his head as the music changed under his fingertipsāsomething that sounded like it belonged in a spy movie. "Alright. I'll go to look at the jewelry for Ma. And if your handsy salesgirl is there, I'll see what I can do to help you flirt."
"She wasn't handsyānot really. She wasĀ helpful."
Luka grunted. "Only because you liked it. This would be a very different story if you hadn't."
Juleka sighed. "I know, I know. But I did, soā¦"
"So we'll go back. But you know you can't push, right?"
"Of course!" Juleka stamped a foot, rolling her eyes when Luka raised a brow at her. "She's probably not interested. She called meĀ brother,Ā andĀ dude." She'd been trying not to think about that part, but Luka was right; she needed to be prepared for rejection.
"Ouch," Luka winced, empathetic to his core.
"Yeah. Not exactly flirty."
Luka's head bobbed to the music for a second. Juleka waited, knowing it took him time to sort out his words. "Unless she was trying to make you more comfortable while sheĀ gropedāhelpedĀ you."
Juleka pulled her new ensemble from the bag. It was super cute and looked well-made. Those buttons would probably stay closed until she was good and ready for them to open. "Either way, it was the best customer service I've ever received."
-----
When a few days passed without angry police, lawyers, or mafia hitmen showing up atĀ A Rose-Tinted Wardrobe, Marinette finally relaxed. It had been silly to let one little event stress her out so much. If Rose had been the kind of person to go around groping people, she might not have been so appalledābut the whole thing had been extremely out of character, and she hadn't known how to handle it or what kind of fallout to expect. But everything had been fine.
There was only an hour left of the workday when the little bell pealed out a cheerful welcome. Marinette smiled, ready to greet their guests, when she caught sight of the girl Rose had accosted. The blood drained from her face, leaving chilled flesh in its wake. The girl wasn't alone. A tall man with blue-tipped hair and noticeable tattoos followed her closely. Her heart sped up. He was here to avenge his friend. She and Rose were small.Ā There would be blood. The carefully constructed garments that surrounded her would never recover.Ā Marinette sucked in a breath. This was her shop, and Rose was her friend. She wouldn't go down without a fight. She straightened her spine, even as she swayed. There was something she needed to rememberā¦
"Hey." A hand landed gently on her shoulder. "You need to bend your knees."
Right. She was always forgetting that. But first things first. "You can't have her. She's mine." Then the world went fuzzy and faded to black.
Juleka turned the corner and stopped dead. Luka was holding the other girl, the one who wasn't Rose, in an awkward sort of bridal carry with a panicked look on his face.
"What haā"
"No! Don't hurt her!" Rose shrieked, running from the other side of the shop and vaulting over a display to skid to a stop in front of them. She turned pleading eyes on Juleka. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. Please don't blame Marinette. I shouldn't have grabbed your boobs even though it was the greatest experience of my life. I should have asked or held your drink or something. I didn't mean to be a cad! I promise I was only trying to help. Take me instead."
"Greatest experienceā¦?" Juleka mumbled the words in shock, her face heating rapidly.
"Woah," Luka tried to comfort the panicked shopgirl, but was hampered by the unconscious woman in his arms. "We didn't come here to blame anyone for anything."
"We wanted to talk about a custom piece of jewelry for our mom," Juleka added, unsure of how to help.
Rose looked between them before glancing at Marinette as she stirred with a groan. "What happened?"
Their voices came out in stereoāeven if the inflection was drastically different.
Luka shrugged. "She looked pale, stiff. So I told her to bend her knees. She didn't." He glanced down at Marinette. She was beautiful. Soft in his arms, but the vision of her standing defiantly to protect her coworker (friend, lover?) was etched in his mind.
There had been strength behind the pallor, and a song of righteous protection bled from her soul even as she struggled to get her bearings. He found himself inexplicably jealous of the kind of customer service Juleka had received earlier in the week.
"I canāyou can put me down now." The girl in his arms met his eyes, and the pallor had been replaced by rosy cheeks and trepidation that showed in a trembling lip.
"Right." He set her down carefully, keeping a hand within a few inches of her just in case.
"Thank you for your assistance. Now, like I was saying beforeāRose is my employee, and I take full responsibility for her actions."
"We don't ā" Luka began.
"Dinner," Juleka stated, eyes flying to Rose. "If you're going to feel a girl up, you should buy her dinner first."
"Right," Luka added. "Juleka just came to give you her number. That, and we wanted to see the jewelry." His eyes flitted to Marinette. "My sister mentioned that she experienced the best customer service here."
"Oh." Marinette still seemed confused.
Rose beamed and bounced lightly on her toes. "I'd be happy to take you to dinner, but before you start sharing stories of our customer service, you should know that the level you received is reserved for you alone."
Juleka flushed at the insinuation, but she couldn't hold back a smile at the admission. "Good to know. I guess I can keep it in the family."
Rose frowned slightly. "In theā" she glanced at Luka and Marinette, her eyes widening in understanding. "Oh. Yes.Ā Perfect. Thank you."
Juleka reached out towards Luka. "I'm going to have a look around before we ask Marinette about the jewelry." Her hand caught the edge of the leather vest he wore over an old band tee, snapping two of the buttons off and sending them skittering across the wood floors.
Rose snorted, covering it with a cough. "Oh, nooo."
"Rose?" Marinette looked at her coworker. She was looking better, but apparently fainting took a lot out of her.
Rose grinned. "Well, you know me. We've beenĀ bestiesĀ forever. I can't sew worth a lick. And you made all of this." She gestured around the shop like a proud mama. "So, uh, I'll let you help Juleka's brotherā¦
"Luka," Juleka answered quickly. Her brother had been willing to help her with her crush; the least she could do was admit he had a name.
"ā¦Luka, with his buttons. Seeing as he caught you when you fainted and all.Ā Customer serviceĀ is important to us."
Marinette nodded slowly. "Right. Of course. I have sewing supplies behind the counterā"
Luka jumped in as she bent over to retrieve a button, snagging it off the ground before Marinette could go heels over head. "How about I get you to a chair and then find the buttons myself? Don't want you passing out on me again."
Marinette flushed pink as she looked up at him. "Sorry about that. I don't usuallyā"
"Nope. No worries. I'm glad I could help." Luka assured her in that low, comforting voice of his. She'd woken up to that low rumble with his arms around her, and it would be a lie to say she hadn't enjoyed it.
In seconds, she was back on her stool, and a minute later, Luka was there, two buttons in hand. "So, how do you want me? Your coworker helped Jules with her buttons while she was still in the shirt. Is that a store policy?"
"What?!" Marinette's head snapped up, the confusion burning away. Her eyes met the ocean-blue depths of the man who had been holding her only moments before. Waves of heat and cold washed over her. He was hot and sweet, and she was a mess, and did he really want her to sew his vest while he was wearing it?
"Sorry. That was out of line. I'm not very good with words." Luka said grimly.
"You're fine." Marinette blurted. She shook her head. "So fine. But considering the needle, maybe you could take it off for me."
"Sure thing," Luka said with a slow smile.
Rose looked at Juleka, putting Marinette out of mind for the moment. Her girl was slow, but deep. She'd get there, but in the meantime, she had her own customer to service. "Was there anything you wanted me to help you find?"
Juleka smiled at her. "I like purple. And the blouse I bought earlier this week fits perfectly."
Rose eyed her with a wink. "I bet it did. I know just the thing. Marinette made this incredible deep violet gothic-styled top with the coolest asymmetrical peplum."
Juleka inclined her head, ready to follow the blonde pixie just about anywhere. "Okay. Sounds like a good start."
Rose led the way through the shop, calling back as Juleka followed. "My favorite detail is the keyhole neckline. It looks like it was made for you."
Juleka watched Rose as she talked animatedly about the perfect blouse. She had a feeling that the clothes weren't the only things in the shop that were made for her. As subtly as she could, she undid one of her buttons. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words.
FIC: "That Time Luke Stone Picked the Wrong Traffic Cone" (MLB, Lukanette)
Characters/Pairings: Dingo King (OC), Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Dingo King (OC)/Brielle Girard (OC)
Rating: Teen & Up
Summary: It was supposed to be a quick stop.Ā In and out and on their way.Ā But when Marinette suggests they split up to make it even quickerā¦well, Lukaās pretty sure his wife doesnāt have a radioactive mohawk, but what are the chances someone else would have the same radioactive coat?
Authorās Notes/Warnings: There was an Insta, something something Dammit Quick-Rierse-All The Usual Parties šĀ Itās a Alternate Meeting for Dingo?Ā Now with 100% more groping?Ā šĀ (ā¦I feel like I was picking at this for a month trying to figure it out, and then I didnāt even realize it was apparently done?)
āThat Time Luke Stone Picked the Wrong Traffic Coneā
āOk,ā Marinette said as he turned the car off, turning to him.Ā It was a little hard to focus on her with the glare from bright orange, damn near radioactive puffy coat she was wearing ā something she normally would never choose for herself, partly because of what it was (she wasnāt a fan of puffy coats, generally speaking) and partly because she claimed the color clashed so bad with her skin, but it was a themed party they were on their way to, and Marinette was nothing if not a stickler for a theme.
Even if she had groaned and complained nearly every day since getting the invite to Roseās 80s Ski Chalet birthday bash, it was still the theme their sister-in-law had picked out, and Marinette would be damned if she didnāt follow it to the puffed neon letter.
It was one of the things that made her and Rose such kindred spirits, which made married life for the Couffaine siblings simultaneously worlds better and worlds worse.Ā It might have been nicer if their Pink People werenāt so good at conspiring together, but hey.Ā They wouldnāt be Them then, and Luka was pretty happy with his Them.
āLuka,ā she called, snapping her fingers in front of his face and pulling him out of his thoughts.Ā āFocus!ā
Characters/Pairings: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Summary: Itās been four years since Luka left Paris to protect Marinetteās secret, and while he wasnāt expecting the warmest reception after everythingā¦he hadnāt expected a frying pan to the head.
(Or: the one where Marinette mistakes Luka for a burglar, he ends up in the hospital, she ends up in jail, and Roseās craft room is the real victim here.)
Authorās Notes/Warnings: Yāall.Ā Yāall.Ā This has been sitting in the Hoard for about a year (the earliest date I can find associated with it is last August), where it was pretty much just the opening scene and a first draft of the āassaultā.Ā And then I opened it yesterday, like āHey isnāt that the frying pan one???ā, and manic!wrote just about the whole thing in a day.Ā Oops?
āWhen the Past Hits Youā
Luka Couffaine was exhausted.
Thatā¦wasnāt entirely anything new.
Heād had a bad habit ofā¦well.Ā Not sleeping the best the past few years.Ā Pushing himself too hard, staying up too late, giving a bit more of himself than was probably in his reserves to the hundreds ā sometimes thousands ā of people who showed up every night.
He was living the dream.Ā At least thatās what his dad, manager, and dozens of reporters world over told him.Ā What the friends and family back home who had spent too long supporting him from afar reminded him, every time he started to feel guilty about the time and space between.
Four years, a handful of world tours, and a solo record laterā¦he wasnāt so sure.
It didnāt really feel like a dream anymore.Ā He didnāt think heād call it a nightmare, either, butā¦
I finished my first book bind! I made two copies, one to keep and one for the author, because that's how it should be whenever possible. I learned a lot about the process on the way. There are things I know work, and things that I will change going forward.
