Ayyy guess who finally remembered their tumblr password! I’m a bit late but better late than never?
Okay. So this was one of the ideas that gained traction and notes when I originally dove into the different mythologies for potential MerMay prompts a couple years ago. Basically, Luka is sort of a paranormal/mythical investigator, and he hears about a string of disappearances in a little coastal town. When he goes to investigate, he notices a few things in common and ultimately realizes he’s probably dealing with a siren.
But when he meets her, she isn’t cruel or monstrous. She’s kind and sweet. He gets to know her and starts to fall for her. He has to question if what he feels is real, whether she’s manipulating him, and who the monsters really are.
Anyway, here’s a snippet:
Marinette’s eyes narrowed and she lashed her tail angrily in the water.
“But what makes a monster Luka? Is it not in the eye of the beholder? Your people call me a monster because of my abilities. But humans call each other monsters for who they love or what they believe. In my experience, the most monstrous creatures have always worn a human face. After all, nobody is a villain in their own story. Perhaps you should look deeper into your so called victims. Decide who the monsters in their stories really are.”
Before he could respond, or tell her he didn’t view her that way, she slipped beneath the surface and swam quickly away. The hurt that had flashed briefly across her features before she disappeared weighed heavily in his mind.
He waited under the pier, hoping futilely that she would come back. Eventually, he had to accept that she was gone, at least for now.
He sighed in resignation as he began the trek back up the beach. He had some more research to do.
(Reposting because I had to edit audience)
Thank you @rierse and @mystic-myrtille for the tags!
Ok so the rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous and tag as many people as you have WIPs. People send an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then you post a snippet or tell them something about it!
Since I’ve only written for Lukanette (so far), these will all be Lukanette fics.
WIPs that I have posted at least one chapter/part for:
Some Other Me (new chapters are officially back in progress)
By Another Name (I had to pivot on some of the things I originally had worked up for this and have not yet been able to figure out how to fix it)
Shadow…hunters? (Started with a vague idea and am struggling to wrap up the end before I can finish it)
WIPs that have yet to be released for the public:
Christmasland (multi chapter)
Some Call It Luck (multi chapter)
Airport Missed Connection (one shot, for now)
April Fool’s (one shot)
A Story in Ten Slides (one shot)
A Bittersweet Goodbye (one shot)
Clair Obscur (not a final title, multi chapter)
Dread Pirate Ladybug (multi chapter)
Sober Heart (multi chapter)
Foiled Surprise (one shot)
My Friend Thinks You’re Cute (one shot)
Utterly Ridiculous (probably going to be a multi chapter)
Red Strings and Heart Strings (multi chapter)
Paopu Icecream (not a final title, multi chapter)
Luka of Bebbanburg (not a final title, multi chapter)
When Heroes Become Villains (multi chapter)
Siren Seduction (one shot)
Dash and Lily AU (not a final title, multi chapter)
Rebellion Looks Good on You (one shot)
Color My World (multi chapter)
Bartered and Betrothed (multi chapter)
I Don’t Scare Easily (multi chapter)
An Unfair Bounty (multi chapter)
When Magic Leaves Its Mark (multi chapter)
As far as the tagging piece goes, I’m going to have to do an open tag. I spent a good year or more off Tumblr and Discord and am still relearning who I follow or am mutuals with for fanfiction, art, prompts, questions and discussions, which fandoms everyone is in. So, truly, if you haven’t been tagged in one of these and you really want to do one, consider this your tag!
Luka and Marinette aren't quite together. They've been dancing around their feelings for years. When Other Me, an akuma that transports victims to other universes to show them how their counterparts live, strikes both Viperion and Ladybug, those feelings are brought out into the open. As they navigate the alternate universes together, it might just be the push they need to figure things out back in their own.
Notes: This is my (very late) 2025 @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Valentine's Exchange fic for @verfound! The prompt I was working with was: "Some Other Me AU - "Some Other Me" from musical If/Then. Other Me is an akuma that zaps you into an alternate timeline/universe where your life is drastically different (grass is greener/wanting a different life type deal)." Enjoy!
Rating: Mature
The bell above the door announced his arrival as Luka stepped into the familiar warmth of the bakery.
“Luka!” Sabine exclaimed from her place at the register. “Oh, you look so handsome dear.”
Luka smiled and gestured at the suit Marinette had insisted on making for him. “Thanks Sabine. Marinette always makes me look my best.”
Sabine beamed at him and came around the counter for a hug. She whispered, “She makes everyone look their best, but I think she likes dressing you just a bit more.”
Luka cleared his throat as heat began to crawl up his neck. He didn't get a chance to respond before they were interrupted.
“Luka!” Tom’s booming voice carried across the bakery. “Good to see you son. Marinette has been so excited to go out with you tonight. It sounds like she made something special for the party.” Tom winked.
Luka felt his face warm but tried to keep his voice level. “She always does. Everything she makes is special.”
Luka, the Son of Santa, and Marinette, the Daughter of Jack Frost are rivals. Their families have been rivals for centuries. Every year, they compete in the Reindeer Games to prove which family is strongest. When Marinette and Luka begin to compete every year, something more than rivalry begins to spark. A take on enemies to lovers in a short, sweet holiday fic.
Notes: This is my contribution for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Santa exchange. A belated Merry Christmas to my giftee, I hope you enjoy!
The prompt I used was: "Enemies to lovers, like he can be the son of Santa and she's the daughter of Jack Frost"
Rating: General Audiences
The first event was the race through the frozen gardens. Marinette took her place at the starting line, calm and focused. A boy with shaggy hair took the place next to her and she inhaled sharply. She didn’t need to be told who he was, his presence radiated the warmth she associated with a cabin hearth. She turned to face him and felt lost for words.
His hair was black like coal, with a warm undertone. The smile he flashed was warm and jolly, dimpling one cheek. Even his blue eyes exuded a warm light, like she was looking at the tropical waters of a beach.
“I’m Luka.” His smile was gentle and he held his hand out politely.
“Ma-ma….uh, Ma-ma-Marinette!” She winced. “My name is Marinette.”
Luka chuckled softly. “Hello, ma-ma-Marinette.”
Marinette’s face fell. Of course he would tease her. They were rivals. She nodded curtly and turned to ready herself again.
Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. spread the self-love ❤
Aw thanks Rierse!
I often struggle a little bit with confidence in my own writing so picking five to love and promote is hard. But I do really love these:
(All of these are Lukanette for MLB, as that's the only fandom I've posted for so far)
Hymn for the Missing: I love this story. I haven't uploaded all of the chapters yet, but it is complete. There would be a little more meat to it if life hadn't gotten in the way, but I'm still really happy with the end product. It started with just this vague idea of "Ladybug is missing and Luka is a mess" that popped in my head one night while I was listening to Hymn for the Missing by Red and I wanted to capture the same emotional tone from that song while playing with the idea. I think I did a decent job of doing that
Mistletoe Matchmaker: This one was so much fun to write. It's a Christmas body swap that I really ended up loving. Although there was a point I had to color code my text to keep who was actually who straight
Turnabout Is Fair Play: This is still one of my personal favorites. The first part was a simple "character A is hot and character B is malfunctioning" but for this second part, I wanted a retaliation that relied a little less on just "oh no they're hot" but still flustered the other. I love how this one turned out.
7 Minutes In Heaven: This is a longer mini fic from a month long mini fic challenge I did last year. It's just a few hundred words of indulgent romantic confession and kissing but I really liked this one.
Never Normal: This is also a mini fic from the challenge, but this one is actually mini. This was one of the rare moments where the idea came from absolutely nowhere and even I didn't know what to do with it. It's different, but it sparked some ideas, and some responses, that may or may not have made it into a notes doc for something longer. I liked that this one was just really different than the other stuff I tend to write. It felt creative even though it was small.
Notes: This year I was @quickspinner's secret admirer for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Valentine's exchange! I went with the prompt for a Flower Shop/Tattoo Shop AU. I hope you enjoy the set up and stick around for the journey.
Details: Rated teen, mostly for any language or themes that might pop up as this fic continues. This is a mostly planned multi chapter fic that I have roughly 5-7ish chapters outlined for, depending on how long some scenes end up.
Summary: Marinette has opened a flower shop as a front while she does fashion design in secret. The owner of the tattoo shop next door, Luka, introduces himself like any good neighbor. Will their fast friendship lead to more?
Chapter 1 | AO3
Marinette stood at the register, tapping her fingers impatiently on the countertop. She sighed and readjusted the flower display at the end of her counter for the fifth time in the last forty minutes. What was taking Alix so long?
She took a deep breath, trying to ground her racing mind before the doom spiral could take over. Normally, her little flower shop gave her peace. With the sun filtering in through the storefront windows, the earthy floral smell, and the vivid colors from the flowers, it was a happy place. Her little oasis of calm in the midst of busy, chaotic Paris.
But right now, Marinette was about the furthest thing she could be from calm. She was an anxious, paranoid mess and it felt like she was going to pass out. Alix was setting up a security system so Marinette could work on fashion design in her office in secret. All because she had upset one of the fashion industry giants and gotten herself blacklisted before she had even finished her degree. She wondered, not for the first time, if this was a bad idea and fought the urge to berate herself again.
Breathe Marinette. She needed a distraction and decided to busy herself with sweeping the floors while she waited for Alix. It was a quiet day for the flower shop, but Marinette couldn't help feeling frazzled. She hated waiting. She felt compelled to do something when things were stressful or falling apart. Sometimes without thinking those actions through, she mused.
She had just finished putting away the broom when a familiar head of bright red hair finally poked around the curtain to the back. Alix took a quick look around to make sure nobody was in the shop, before coming out to join Marinette. “Alright, I think you're set.”
“That took a while. Are you sure everything went okay?” Marinette bit her lip nervously.
Alix rolled her eyes. “Yes, Marinette, I'm sure. I followed Max's instructions to the letter. And let me tell you, he was precise.”
Marinette sighed in relief and walked back to the register. “Sorry. I know you were careful. It's just…still scary. I still can't believe I'm doing this.”
“I can.” Alix scoffed and leaned against the countertop. “Marinette, you're kind, and maybe a little too forgiving, but you aren't meek. You have rebel bones under that sugar cookie exterior.” Marinette snorted and Alix gave her a pointed look. “I know it isn't quite the way you used to picture it, but you're still chasing your dreams. Ladybug is going to be one of the greatest fashion designers Paris has ever seen, Gabriel Agreste be damned.”
“Thanks Alix.” Marinette attempted a smile but it felt strained. “I hope you're right. I’m not sure I deserve the confidence you and Jagged have in my hair brained scheme.”
“I'm always right.” Alix winked. “But if I'm wrong, then you'll still have this place.” She gestured out to the shop with a smile. “I know you're tired of hearing it, but I really do think running a flower shop as a front while you defy industry gatekeeping is one of the coolest things anyone we know has ever done.”
Marinette laughed and her smile shifted into something more genuine. “So you keep saying.”
Alix shrugged and opened her mouth to continue arguing when she was cut off by the notification sound of her phone. She pulled it out to see who had texted her and smiled mischievously. She sent a quick reply before turning her attention back to Marinette.
“Well, not everyone can be this cool.” Alix playfully popped the front of her jacket for emphasis, earning a small laugh from Marinette.
A few moments later, the girls were interrupted by the rattling of the welcome bell as the shop door opened. Marinette turned on instinct to greet the customer and could practically feel her tongue tie in a knot.
The man standing in the entryway was…gorgeous. He had what she would describe as a modern grunge rock style that really suited him. A band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and accessories that showed off a simple style preference and colorful sneakers that hinted at a playful or artistic side. He had dark shaggy hair with blue dyed tips that was cut to frame his face, softening some of his features and striking aqua blue eyes that seemed to complement the color in his hair. Marinette felt the sudden urge to sketch the imagery swirling in her head: Gradient blue, open water, clear sky, dark edges.
Realizing she was just staring, Marinette scrambled to greet him. “Welcome to M-Meihua Floral! My name is Mama…uh, Ma-ma-Marinette! What can I do you for?” Marinette could feel the blush erupting across her face and Alix was shaking with silent laughter beside her. She silently hoped the floor would swallow her before she could say anything worse.
The man fought to contain an amused grin, causing light to bounce off the silver piercings in his lip. “Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt. I own the tattoo shop next door and wanted to introduce myself. Alix said now was okay?”
“Oh, no, you're fine. Now is fine.” Marinette turned to glare at Alix, who had already started walking toward the man. She greeted the newcomer with a fist bump before she turned back to meet Marinette's gaze, sporting a cheshire grin.
“Marinette, meet Luka, my boss. Luka, this is my friend Marinette.” Alix gestured between the two, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
Marinette made a mental note to strangle Alix later when she finally registered the introduction. “I'm so sorry. I'm a bit frazzled today. I'm Marinette, nice to meet you.” She stuck her hand out and hoped she hadn't made him uncomfortable.
Luka shook her hand and Marinette tried not to openly ogle the tattoos on his forearms. He gave her a friendly grin. “Luka. It's fine, I get it. It's nice to meet you too. If you're friends with Alix, you must be pretty cool.”
How he could possibly think she was any kind of cool after THAT introduction, she wasn't sure. “Well, I don't know how cool I am. We've been friends since we were kids so I'm pretty sure I'm just grandfathered in.” Marinette joked.
“What was I just saying?” Alix raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Marinette raised her hands in surrender and laughed. “Fine. I apparently pass the Alix Kubdel coolness test.”
Luka smiled at the girls and turned to look around the shop. “I've seen some of the displays you put outside last week when the weather was nice. You create some really stunning arrangements, Marinette.”
She blushed at the compliment. “Thanks. I like flower language and color theory so I try to make unique things. I can do traditional bouquets but it's more fun to be creative.”
He nodded. “Totally. An artist can tell a story or make a cool end product no matter what the medium.”
“You do good work too.” Marinette smiled and shrugged. “Alix has shown me the tattoos you did for her and I have seen people coming out of your shop with absolutely beautiful pieces.”
“Speaking of,” Alix interrupted, “Do you have clients this afternoon?”
“Yeah, I've got an appointment soon so I can't stay long but I thought I would at least introduce myself since we're neighbors.” He smiled at Marinette and then looked back at Alix. “Do you have room for a walk in today?”
Alix thought for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I can make time. Piercing or tattoo?”
“Piercing.” Luka answered.
“Cool.” Alix nodded. “Let me finish up here and I'll pop over for details.”
“No problem.” Luka turned and waved at Marinette with a bright smile as he left. “See you around, neighbor.”
Marinette waved long after he disappeared from view before whirling on Alix. “That was Luka?!” She hissed.
Alix just smirked. “I told you he's hot.”
Marinette groaned and slid a hand down her face. “You could have warned me he was coming over.”
“What would be the fun in that?” Alix laughed at the glare Marinette shot her. “Aw, come on ‘Nette. He's a sweetheart. He probably thought your little meltdown was cute.”
Marinette let out a defeated little sigh. “Here's hoping. You're evil, you know that?”
Alix made a noncommittal noise. “I keep things interesting. So, what did you think?”
“He seems nice enough.” Marinette shrugged. “And yes, he is attractive.”
Alix smiled triumphantly and Marinette rolled her eyes. They were interrupted by another customer and Marinette shooed Alix so she could work.
When Marinette closed that evening, she realized Alix had effectively distracted her so much that she hadn't thought about her anxious thoughts for several hours. With a fond smile, she began her walk home and planned what kind of treat she could bake her friend as thanks. If her thoughts kept wandering to what flavors Luka would like too, well, then she was just being a friendly neighbor.
[Scene Break]
Luka sat at the counter, idly working on a tattoo sketch and humming a tune that had been stuck in his head all morning. He kept glancing at the window, wondering if Marinette would be bringing pastries today.
She had been stopping in pretty regularly since their first meeting and he had to admit that he looked forward to her visits. She would bring in flowers or pastries and her enthusiasm was infectious. He found she fed his creative spark and both his designs and his music benefitted from her presence.
Luka felt something make contact with his head and turned in time to watch the ball of paper roll back towards the salon area. Alix picked up her makeshift projectile and Luka raised an eyebrow at her. “What was that for?”
“For looking like a lost puppy.” Alix tossed the paper ball back towards him and Luka caught it. “She isn't going to be by today. She's at her mom's painting class.”
“What are you talking about?” Luka feigned ignorance but he could feel his face go warm from being caught.
Alix looked unimpressed. “Oh sure. You don't keep checking out the window for my friend. Just like you haven't been doodling plum blossoms and you haven't been humming the same tune for days.”
Luka looked down, feeling a little guilty. “I…she just has creative energy. And I like her pastries.” He shrugged.
“Uh huh.” Alix walked over and took the paper ball from him. She unwrinkled the paper and set it on the counter in front of him. “You tossed this on Monday. You look me in the face and tell me that isn't her flower.” She challenged him.
He ducked his head. “It's just her shop logo.”
“And the signature design she uses when she makes all of her clothes, and the pin she puts her hair up with. You know you're allowed to like her, right?” Alix laughed when that made him blush.
“I don't like her, she's just…inspiring.” He argued.
“Yeah, well, those things seem to go hand in hand with you. I haven't heard you stuck on a song like that in a long time. Is it her?” All traces of teasing seemed to be gone from Alix’s tone now.
Luka hummed without really answering and decided to change the subject. “We have Sepultombed coming in soon. Are the tables wiped down?”
Alix nodded. “I set up multiple chairs, I wasn't sure if we had the whole band coming.”
“That was a good call, I imagine it will be all of them. It sounded like they were looking for help working through a block.” Luka tapped his pencil against the counter.
“Is anyone actually getting ink this time?” Alix smirked. “They do know your day job is as a tattoo artist, right?”
Luka waved his hand at her. “Shush. Of course they do. Leon is getting line work done for a new piece. I like talking shop with the musicians, you know that. It's why we have the clientele we do.”
“Yes, but you should at least be paid for all your expertise.” Alix frowned. “Even if it's a one time thing to buy your lyrics.”
“I'm just some guy.” Luka shrugged. “Besides, it isn't about the money to me. It's about sharing the music in my heart with as many people as I can.”
Alix snorted. “Okay, that was cheesy.”
“Shut up. You know what I mean.” Luka rolled his eyes. “I like sharing music for the sake of sharing it, not for profiting.”
Alix held her hands up in surrender. “Alright, I yield. You just deserve credit for your ideas, is all I'm saying.”
Luka looked around his shop and smiled. “Yeah, but a lot of my ideas are here too.” He looked at the mural Alix had helped him paint on the wall, the album art on the walls, and the displays of his own artwork for clients to look at. It may not be music, but this place was very much a part of his soul. Even his guitars had a space in one corner. This was his hard work and heart on full display.
“Don't get too lost on me.” Alix waved a hand in front of him. “We need to make sure everything is ready for my week off so you don't drown without me.”
Luka was about to snark back when a question crossed his mind. “Hey, do you think Marinette will still stop by while you're out? I know she's really your friend but…”
“You'll miss her pastries?” Alix asked sarcastically. “No, I think she likes you well enough to still feed the starving artist next door.”
Luka laughed and shook his head. “Let's get the shop prepped. Maybe we can order in to feed ourselves before we waste away to nothing.”
As Alix looked up delivery menus, Luka couldn't help one last look out the shop front. He really hoped Marinette would stop by.
[Scene Break]
As it turned out, Luka didn't have anything to worry about. Marinette had stopped by most days during the week Alix was absent and the conversation felt as natural as it had before.
Marinette had laughed at him when he told her he was worried he wouldn't get pastries during Alix's week off. She said she considered him a friend, and friends got pastries. He tried not to read too much into the fact that she kept using his favorite flavors in her baking.
Luka, Marinette found, was surprisingly easy to talk to. He let her dominate the conversation but never seemed bored or irritated. He genuinely seemed interested in everything she had to say and she tried not to read into the way he devoted his full attention to her. She had to admit that it was really nice to feel heard.
They found common ground in their creative passions and swapped sketches, both gushing over the other’s work. Luka was surprised to find out her first passion was fashion design and Marinette was intrigued by Luka's love of music. It didn't take long to find they both love Jagged Stone’s music and a mutual distaste for XY.
By the time Alix came back from her vacation, Luka and Marinette got along like old friends. If they sat a little closer together on the couches than friends usually did, Alix wasn't going to point it out. It wasn't every day you got a front row seat to watch your friends fall in love.
Notes: I honestly don't know what this is. I read the prompt, thought "growing antennas" or "growing fangs" and we ended up here.
For the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers October Minific Challenge. I tried to hold myself to the word limit of 250 as a personal challenge to develop a couple skills.
Prompt 24 from the Dystober 2023 List:
Growth
Summary: The miraculous holders grow or gain physical traits after years of wielding a miraculous. It's not usually a problem. It's mostly mild, undetectable. But Marinette and Luka find an overlap in their new traits that poses a problem for their young relationship.
Read on AO3 or read below:
Marinette was horrified. She was sixteen and it was hard enough to be comfortable in her body at times already. The growth of small antennas had been upsetting to say the least.
Tikki assured her it was normal. She would gain a few traits, as all miraculous wielders did, but nothing she couldn't hide. Tikki helped her hide the antennas in her hair and nobody was any the wiser.
She wasn't the only one to struggle.
The first time she really encountered Luka's fangs, they were both a little surprised.
Ladybug holders would put off pheromones two days a month, coinciding with the human ovulation cycle. Undetectable to anyone normal Tikki had assured.
But snakes can taste scent, pheromones included.
What should have been an innocent session of kissing between normal teenagers had taken an unexpected turn.
They had finally found happiness together. Happiness that included kissing and making out. It wasn't usually a problem.
But this time, when Luka's kisses trailed down her neck, he tasted something more than just her regular scent. His fangs had become pronounced and before he had registered anything, he had nipped her with the sharp points.
They both froze.
Marinette looked up into Luka's eyes, his pupils blown wide. "Are you okay?"
Luka took a steadying breath. "I'm not sure. You taste…I can't even describe it. So good. Mari, I-I don't think I can kiss you right now."
Marinette smiled reassuringly. "It's okay. We can just snuggle."
Notes: This is my secret Santa fic for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Santa exchange! My secret Santa gift is for @chocolatedragonempathfire, I hope you like it!
I went with the prompt: Marinette and Luka have to deal with a body swap/ or miraculous swap while fighting an akuma at Christmas time
Summary: Luka is trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for Marinette when an akuma attacks. When he wakes up in Marinette's body, he has bigger worries than Christmas presents.
Rating: Teen+
Luka shoved his hands roughly into his pockets and let his breath out in an icy puff. The December air was chilly and the skies were an unfriendly gray. He continued walking down the street, hoping one of the store fronts would catch his eye.
He still needed to get Marinette a Christmas gift and he was running out of time. Sure, she would love anything he got. And maybe there were plenty of things she would find useful. But what did you get for the woman you loved and never got over? Especially when that love was unrequited? Friendly gifts didn't feel special enough. Romantic gifts weren't appropriate.
He shook his head at himself. He was being stupid. Marinette was his friend. She knew how he felt. That ship had sailed long ago. He was overthinking it again.
