Anywhoooooo~ I decided to take a tiny break from school duties and I participated in the LBSC Secret Admirer Exchange of this year! Organized by @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers (quite a lovely event, as always!)
I’ve never forgotten my Lukanette roots hehehe so here I am!
*drum rolls* 🥁✨
@trixxiephantomhive … I’m your secret admirer this year! ♪( ´θ｀)ノ✨
I did this piece based on the third prompt you proposed! It was a wonderful time reading the story, so it was a pleasure doing this piece too! I hope you enjoy it~
Also, sorry for the delay, I’ve had quite a busy day, but here it is, yaaaaaay!
"Marinette, are you okay?" She sensed Luka's eyes on her still form, face lifted towards the sky, eyes closed.
"...I'm better, thanks Luka."
"I can play the song another time if you like, it doesn't have to be now, you know." his easygoing and understanding smile was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes again and it oddly tugged at her fragile heartstrings.
She shook her head, yearning to hear the song that she inspired him to write. "No, please play it, it was wonderful when you first played it for me." her own lips lifted into a smile, something she thought she wasn't capable of after everything that had happened today.
Her brows furrowed, but there was a shift in the atmosphere when Luka gently strummed along his guitar.
It hit something within her, a feeling she could only describe having whenever she was at Master Fu's and they drank calming tea together after a series of meditations or whenever she would meditate with her mom and smell the sweet scent of her dad's baking from the kitchen.
The familiar melody filled the air and Marinette could see from over Luka's shoulder how it even affected the others, shoulders slumped and all smiles on their faces as some enjoyed their ice-cream.
Marinette grinned, carefully placing a hand on the older boy's shoulder to not startle him. "Hey Luka?"
Blue eyes met her own curiously. "What is it, Marinette?"
Pink colored her cheeks but she swallowed down her nervousness and strengthened the meekness of her voice. "Do you...would you mind trying something with me?"
His arched brow said he was curious at what that was and he watched how Marinette motioned for him to turn around in the opposite direction while still sitting.
Complying her request with an amused smile, Luka did just that, fingers still playing the soft tune that was Marinette's song, when he suddenly felt a gentle weight settle against his back.
He turned his head, fingers having missed a beat at the unexpected contact, eyes softening when he spied Marinette's back leaned against his, eyes closed and a small but peaceful smile on her face.
Her breathing was calmer, even, he suspected she was asleep.
With warmth at his back and peace in his heart, Luka continued playing her song, soft and mellow on his guitar but oh so loud in his heart.
Marinette peeked one eye open, smiling affectionately at Luka's playing, before subtly moving her head to nuzzle against the soft material of Luka's jacket, closing her eyes again to focus on her meditation.
Word Count: 1,154
Summary:
Marinette had been hurt before, sure, and she knew now what it felt like when being with someone was wrong. But when it felt right, on the other hand...
Well, reeling beneath the stars and the rain with Luka, Marinette knew now what it meant when something was right.
Notes:
Written for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers (LBSC) Sprint Fic Challenge, where participants are allotted three 15-minute sprints with 24 hours for editing, including the ability to write new material for completion and transitions.
Song Prompt: Like A Movie by Cam
Thank you so much @Miraculously_Furious for beta reading!
Before tonight, Marinette had never stopped to think about the way the stars looked as though they were gentle perforations of the night sky — mere pinpricks through a woven curtain of heaven. And before tonight, she certainly would never have considered just how intimate that darkened expanse could feel as she tipped her head upward and rested her chin on Luka’s shoulder.
As his motorcycle sped through the night, Marinette let her eyes go unfocused; let the stars swim overhead in a soothing blur that felt as never-ending as the road before them. Her skin tingled as she relished in the soft warmth of the boy’s worn leather jacket beneath her jaw.
She and Luka had spent the evening together, swapping stories from school and collaborating on the details of Kitty Section’s newest number before they finally noticed just how many hours had passed by. And so, now, they were trying to beat the incoming rain, hoping to speed their way back to the Dupain-Cheng Bakery before the storm claimed the sky for its own and crowded out the star’s gentle company.
“I think we’ll make it,” Luka called over one shoulder.
Marinette simply turned her head to lean the opposite cheek against his back in response, tightening her arms contentedly around his torso. She reveled in the intermingling scents of the impending rain with cologne and leather.
“I don’t care if we do or don’t,” she eventually called back, knowing her voice would reach Luka’s ears despite it mostly being stolen away by the greedy press of the wind. “I don’t want this night to end.”
Sure, she and Luka hadn’t made anything between them official — not yet, anyway — But Marinette knew where she stood and what she chose.
She knew who she chose.
After all, when Luka called her name, all Marinette could see was red.
Not the bright red of Ladybug, of course — not the insistent crimson of responsibility, nor the rubescent glow of alarm or anxiety. Rather, she saw shifting shades of red that invoked warmth. That spoke of home and hearth and sunsets and all of the peace she had long-sought.
When he called her name, it was all warm colors on a paper backdrop; it was Luka alone who saw every shade she had to offer and never once made her feel as though she had to choose or compromise.
With Luka, she was simply… Marinette.
The more immediate hues of blue, black, and white pulled her back from her reverie, however, when the sky finally split open with a resounding crack. The woven curtain that had held the rain at bay swept back and away from Paris, releasing a heavy downpour.
Luka immediately pulled over.
“Over there!” He pointed toward a closed cafe down the road and the two hoisted themselves off his bike, running toward the nearby awning. But once they reached the shelter and caught their breath, Marinette couldn’t help but notice the way the boy’s brows had remained furrowed.
“I’m so sorry, Marinette.” Luka’s stare was fixed on the slick sheets of water that dragged themselves down and over the awning. “I thought the storm was farther out. I didn’t mean to ruin our night.”
But the girl merely smiled, brushing away her damp bangs with one hand as the remaining droplets on her face helped to cool her flaming cheeks. After all, a few extra minutes alone with the boy had been all she really wanted.
“It’s fine, Luka,” she assured him, trying unsuccessfully to catch his eye. “I’m really enjoying our night together. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure! Really, Luka. I promise — I’ve had so much fun with you tonight. A little rain wouldn’t ruin that.”
Marinette edged closer, her body vibrating both with nerves and the physical rumble of the passing cars on the oil-slicked streets. As she stepped in front of him, she hesitantly reached her fingers out to brush against the back of his hand.
Luka froze, his eyes widening but still fixed on some point beyond her.
“Marinette?”
He swallowed as she stepped closer still, nearly toe-to-toe with him.
“Yes?”
She slipped her fingers between his, leaning in.
Luka wet his lips nervously. “What about Adrien?”
That made her pause, and she cocked her head in careful contemplation before tightening her grip on his. Her gaze never wavered.
“I have been hurt before,” she admitted. “By Adrien. By his rejection. And I know you know that, but… don’t you see how much it meant to me to have you there while I put myself back together? To feel safe with you, even with everything that’s been on my shoulders for the last two years? Haven’t you felt how this is right? And when it’s right…”
She sighed wistfully. Luka continued to watch the rain spill onto the pavement.
“In the end, Adrien was wrong for me, Luka. And when it’s wrong, it’s wrong.” Summoning the remainder of her courage, she raised her free hand to tilt his head downward and trail her fingertips across his jawline in invitation. “But when it’s right…”
The moment hung suspended between them, all dim lights and slow motion. Marinette held her breath, waiting to see how he’d react. All she could do was focus on the way the blue-tipped hairs hanging over Luka’s eyes were framed with beads of water.
Until finally—
Finally, Luka slowly raised his eyes to hers. Finally, he caught the laughter, the warmth, and the permission behind her gaze. Finally, tenderly — as though giving Marinette one final moment to change her mind — he leaned in. Grazed his thumb over her cheek. Bent forward to close the gap between them.
And finally, finally, they got a taste of what they had both craved for so long.
… But when it’s right, it’s like a movie.
After a heartbeat, Marinette untangled her fingers from Luka’s, bringing them up to instead entwine them in his hair and deepen the kiss.
At that moment, the world around them faded to stillness — the streets gray with the storm and the white noise of the rain muting any other sounds or voices that might have otherwise distracted them.
To Marinette, it was blissful placidity.
To Luka, it was the long-anticipated climax of a song he’d longed to hear.
To both of them, it was nothing short of perfect.
When they eventually pulled back, the world once again returned to press in against them in the form of pattering rain on an awning. The thunder’s roll from above blended into the muted whispers now shared between the two as they rested their foreheads against one another.
Smiling, Marinette caressed the back of Luka’s neck, marveling at how the red of this moment was so light, so gentle — so right — that it had slipped its way into a joyous pink hue.
She knew this was only the beginning of their story.
This is my gift to @verfound for the LBSC Secret Santa 2020 -Extravaganza!
This it a Teen rated fic for some implied thoughts, and the ability to keep up with vague clues!
---
Here’s the thing-
When he’d woken up this morning, he had every intention of celebrating a short work day and another successful year of endless toy making. After all, it was Christmas Eve. Work. Watch the sleigh launch. Rock out in one of the Jingle Halls. Join the rest of the elves in bringing in the Christmas Dawn. Then sleep the entirety of Christmas Day.
As he had the last seventy odd years.
But as of five seconds ago, he was pretty sure he didn’t even remember his own name, let alone what he was doing later tonight, or even what he needed help with-
“What?” Luka blinked rapidly, before clearing his voice. Bright blue eyes blinked back.
“Do you need help with those?” Liquid sugar rolled off her tongue, he was certain of it. There was no other feasible way for her voice to be so sweet and melodic. Liquid sugar from pink glossed lips.
Those?
It took him a moment before his mind snapped back into action. Those.
Those were a pallet of last minute dolls that had been assembled and programmed incorrectly. Which, in reality wasn’t even in his department of toy making. They were his green haired absentee best friend’s. A certain friend who had slapped his ass, clocked off early, and dashed, leaving him to try to figure out how to get an entire pallet of singing ice queen dolls fixed, wrapped, and loaded onto the sleigh before launch.
Except, he really didn’t mind all of a sudden.
“I’m, uh, looking to drop these off with the doll repair department. Except I don’t even remotely know where that is,” he tried to drop his best grin at the end, and bit back a goofy grin when her face lit up red.
“Oh,” bright blue eyes blinked again, “this is the art department.” He watched as a small frown turned down her sweet lips, a furrow forming between her soft dark brows. His heart pounded in his chest painfully as a full pout took over the elf’s face. Then just as quickly, her face was lighting up, eyes wide. “Hold on one second! Stay right there! I think I can help.” The raven haired girl disappeared behind the door he had just knocked on, door shutting with a loud click in his face before his attention was drawn to the loud whirring around the corner.
Pulling the pallet of dolls along, he followed the sound to see a large bay door opening, as well as a sight he’d never let his mind forget.
Back lit by the shop lights behind her, the elf stood before him, hands triumphantly placed on her hips as she grinned at him. Curvy. Petite. And dressed in something he was pretty sure wasn’t the usual uniform. Because if it was, he was switching departments immediately.
Red and white striped stockings ran the length of her legs, a hint of creamy skin revealed where garters kept them in place, before disappearing beneath a red tutu flared out just enough to test the boundaries of cute and oh. A black vest trimmed in glitter wrapped her frame like a second skin, dipping dangerously low in the front. A view he knew would become increasingly distracting the closer he stood to her. He could just make out the twin coat tails attached in the back to round out her look.
Oh, sweet candy canes.
A sculpted arm waved him forward, “Come on in. I’m Marinette by the way.”
He was fairly certain he’d left his jaw on the floor, a good meter behind him, when he tried to respond, “Luka. Luka Couffaine.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Luka Couffaine,” she giggled, leading him further into the shop. Smooth, Couffaine.
Most of the machines and monitor screens were quiet, though some of the holo displays still had their most recent projects lit up and rotating. Lights were slowly kicking back on as they moved towards what looked like a small carpeted studio area, sectioned off from the immense space with a curved control panel. Then there was the color. It was everywhere, on everything. The control panel itself looked as if someone had gone crazy with spray paint and glitter glue. An extreme contrast to his department, where most of the spaces were walled off and smaller, but cozy and themed.
Two different ways to keep inspiration high.
“Go ahead and bring them over here so I can see what we’re dealing with,” Marinette pointed towards an empty space near a work table. As he powered the hover units down on the hand truck, effectively parking the dolls, he became aware of one very specific thing:
The Couffaines definitely had a pixie kink.
Marinette stepped out of heels he hadn't even been aware she was wearing, until she went from chin height to his chest.
And just as she had dropped in height, so did his eyes. Beaming blue eyes, determined pink lips, and --ffff the swell of her chest, emphasized by the matching red bra he could just barely see peeking from beneath. Being tall was both a blessing and a curse. When it came to which one it was right now, he was fairly certain his name was dropping rapidly from the Nice List.
Tearing his eyes away, Luka shifted his attention back to the original problem at hand.
“The doll is dressed in her sister’s attire, and to top it off the music department loaded it with the wrong song. This is the first movie’s song, and not the recent release.” He lifted the platinum haired doll, easily sliding her from the plastic twists they’d been forced to switch too. A small hand reached out to take the doll from his hand, before it was meticulously examining the fabrics. He would’ve expected the petite elf’s hands to be soft and smooth, but they were nearly as strong and callused as his own.
“I think we can fix this. How long do we have before launch?” She swivelled away quickly, setting a few things into motion as she took control. A holoscreen popped up from the control panel, before she flicked it up into the air to hover a few meters off the ground. The countdown to launch was displayed in bright red numbers. “Oh good, we’ve got five minutes until launch. Plenty of time.”
“Plenty of time?” He questioned, a bit disbelieving. Granted, it was a decent amount of time, but how in the world were they going to get it done. “I don’t know anything about dolls. I work in sound effects.”
“They essentially just need their outfits updated, which I can do. And the correct song recorded over their music chip, which you can do.” She was already pulling the dolls free from their boxes, while simultaneously preparing the work space before her.
“Amazing,” he breathed to himself. “I don’t know how to record songs onto these, though.”
“Don’t worry! We used to fix stuff all the time in my old department. You know those toys where the voice doesn’t sound like the actual character? That’s because it’s an elf,” she whispered, even though it was just the two of them. “They’ve got a small recording studio in here, we just need to get the right song track set up and you’ll sing over it. And don’t worry, the program will alter your voice, no talent needed!”
She made it all seem so simple.
He stood there for a moment watching her move about, removing clothes from the dolls, sourcing different fabrics, and selecting different re-hue pens.
All he had planned on doing was dropping them off, and now here he was, fixing them.
But there was definitely nowhere else he’d rather be than where he was right now.
Wandering over to the recording studio on the other side of the control panel, he flicked through a few of the screens that hummed to life, but found it hard to keep his eyes from drifting.
“Your outfit is pretty cute. Were you going to one of the parties or a date?” He watched out of the corner of his eye to avoid facing her directly. But he wished he had when he saw the beautiful rosy color from earlier spread across her cheeks and bloom all the way to the tips of her elegantly pointed ears. “I hope I didn’t ruin any of your plans.”
A tiny squeaked, “Thank you,” came long before the rest of her response. “No date. A celebration actually. I don’t normally dress sooo…..” she waved her hands at her body.
“Oh?” The audio track he needed began to play loudly in the speakers around him, blaring out high notes neither of them were prepared for. Marinette nearly fell from the stool she’d placed herself on, naked doll and hue-pens flying, as he scrambled to turn it down. “Sorry!”
“I’m okay! I’m okay!” Her hands were waving him off as she went in search of her things, dropping onto her hands and knees. He could see her crawling around underneath the control panel, skirt bobbing dangerously. Pale skin flashed, and the bare curve of her rear came into view for a moment’s breath, before her skirt dipped to cover her once more.
“I’m definitely on the naughty list,” he muttered. Taking a moment to himself, Luka closed his eyes and dropped into the swivel chair behind him, swivelling slowly. Think about something else. Anything else.
“Are you kidding me? After we fix this fiasco right before launch, we are going on the Nice list for sure. I would know!” Luka stopped spinning to find Marinette settled on her stool and working on the dolls once more.
“There’s no way you’ve ever been on the Naughty List.”
Mischievous blue eyes looked over at him, sending his heart fluttering once more, before she grinned. “I’ve been on the Naughty List.”
He sat up in his seat, intrigue pulling him to full attention. With an impatient flick of his wrist, the screen between them flew off to the right, taking the lyrics with it.
“Do tell.”
“Wellll, I got in trouble for a little breaking and entering and theft of personal property,” he watched her lips roll between her teeth as she tried to keep up her nonchalant facade. He blinked, surprised none the less.
“Hardcore,” he grinned, thoroughly satisfied when her face flamed up again.
“I didn’t keep it!” She squeaked out and he couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of his chest.
“I believe you,” he winked. Her blush deepened, and she swivelled away to hide the way she bit into her lip. Damn did that feel good.
Pulling the lyrics back in front of him, he set about analyzing the song and tune, easily working silently in the space with her. He took a quick glance at the countdown, and breathed a sigh of relief when it read five minutes ‘til launch still.
Positioning the microphone in front of his face, he lost himself in the song. Testing out his ability to reach with his vocals, muscles he didn’t get the chance to use as frequently as his other band members.
“Wow.”
Luka looked up to find Marinette only a few paces away, clutching a full arms worth of redesigned dolls. The amazement on her face, brought blood rushing to his own cheeks. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and poured more focus than necessary into saving the music file.
“You’re beautiful-- I-- I mean your voice is beautiful! I didn’t know you could actually sing,” she was setting the dolls down and moving closer, the smell of sweet baked goods surrounding her and intoxicating his senses.
“Well, these dolls look like they should be on collector’s shelves.” He lifted one of the ice queens up, marvelling at Marinette’s ability to not only change the entire outfit but make it better than the original. He followed her lead as she sent the dolls through a reprogramming shoot, catching them at the end to repackage them. “You didn’t learn those skills from the mass production team.”
The smile on her face caught his attention. The way it lifted her cheeks, set light to her eyes. She pulled the doll from his fingers, and he realized he’d been staring.
“No. I actually learned on my own. It’s a hobby of mine- making clothes. So doing it in miniature wasn’t too hard.” The machines around him were shutting down as he realized she had already finished packing everything away. Not to be the worst helper around, he carried most of the boxes back to the pallet. “Your voice. It really is amazing, you know.” She turned to him brightly as he powered the hover units back on, and the hand truck lifted from the ground. “You remind me of one of my favorite performers! Jolly Stone!”
“I love Jolly Stone! I’m actually in a band, we’re performing later tonight. If you’d like, you could come watch us perform. We’re not famous or anything. Just my sister and two of our friends.”
“Oh. That sounds fun, but I’ve got my party right after this! Which actually-” she glanced at the countdown- ”I’m late for! It’s five minutes ‘til launch!” He watched her devolve into panic, frantically searching for her things. She looped a scarf around her neck, slipping her arms into a long coat that fell past her skirt. Standing on one leg, she attempted to put her heels on, before tipping forward. With speed he wasn’t aware he’d possessed, he leapt forward catching her in his arms before she could take a spill onto the floor.
Sugar plum fairies were going to be dancing in his dreams tonight.
Delectably sweet smelling, and tantalizingly light in his arms. He found himself molding her small frame to his body as he lifted her to her feet. Those bright blues caught him again, and parted lips begged for him to lean in. Painfully he let his hands drift away from her body once he was sure she was steady, and immediately he wished he hadn’t.
Her next attempt was far more successful, and even still he offered his arm to her as they left the art department. When her hand slipped around his elbow to secure herself, he let the smile show on his face. Then let the grin take over, when Marinette dipped her face down, blush rising up her ear tips.
“I don’t wear heels often. I’m a total klutz, I should’ve known better.” He frowned at her self admonishment, but kept any comments to himself. “I just thought they went so well with my outfit. Plus I wanted to look cute for my party.”
“Right, this party. You said it was a celebration and you’re late?”
“Oh, yes! My old coworkers and friends are throwing me a party for my promotion. I’m actually from district South 12th. I was, um, going through some things. Naughty List and all,” an embarrassed giggle slipped free, but she continued on. “So, when I saw a management position pop up in South 10th’s Art Department, I applied for it. Today was my first day.”
“First of all, congratulations on the promotion. Second, I’m sorry to hear you were going through some things, but I’m not sorry that it led you here. Otherwise I’m not sure I would’ve met you.” He gave her a small bump with his arm, but made sure to keep a tight grip on her hand just in case.
“Me too.” And when he glanced down she was smiling brightly to herself.
“So after we drop these off at Wrappings, I could walk you to your party if you’d like? I have to meet my sister in South 12th anyways.”
“Does your sister work in South 12th?”
“Yeah, she’s in the music department though. Not art, so not sure you’d know her.” As they came around the corner, they found themselves in line with the other last minute toy deliverers.
“I actually have friends in music!” Luka watched as her face scrunched up in thought, nose wiggling adorably. “Hmmm, Couffaine.... Wait a second!” She turned to him, eyes searching his face, furrow finding her brows. “Juleka’s last name used to be Couffaine. Are you related to her?”
And this was the moment when Luka realized that the whole Christmas-Magic-works-in-mysterious-ways thing his mother always claimed, was in fact, real.
“That’s my sister,” he chuckled, watching the excited surprise on her face.
“She never mentioned having a hot brother!” The loud gasp, before she slapped a pale hand over her mouth made him laugh harder. “I mean… she never mentioned having a brother,” she sputtered.
“Of course she wouldn’t. I’m lame in her book.” Externally he was playing it cool, but internally he was pretty sure his insides were about ready to burst. The most amazingly adorable and badass elf he had ever met thought he was hot.
A Wrappings coordinator waved them towards a platform to leave their pallet on, and Luka took the opportunity to calm his excitement, so that he didn’t look like a giddy cherub when he sauntered back to her side.
“You know, Jueka was going to my party. And I’m not sure if you had any other plans, but if you have time before your performance… you could come celebrate with us. It’s not just a coworkers thing. But if you don’t want to or don’t have time, I totally understand. It is last second after all, and you barely know me-”
“Marinette.” Her lips clamped closed suddenly, and those eyes he was beginning to truly lose himself too, watched him.
“I would love to go to your party with you. My performance isn’t until right before the Christmas Dawn. I’ve got all night.” He slid his hands into his pockets, to keep them from reaching out to hold her again. The expressions crossing her face were a mixture of excitement and worry, but he kept his thoughts and limbs to himself while she worked out whatever was on her mind.
“Do.. do you have a date for Christmas Dawn?” So quiet, hesitant.
“Not unless my Ma counts,” he winked, heart beginning to pound again.
“Would you like to be mine?” YES. “I- I mean my date?” That too.
“I would love to be yours, Marinette- your date.” Pulling his hand free from his pocket, he offered it to her. She slipped her small hand into his without hesitation, smile setting her face aglow.
