Concert – Luka x Marinette
A/N: I'm in a serious Luka mood, you guys. I think he might be joining the ranks of Hatsuharu and Gaara, which means he's becoming an eternal favorite.
Words: 3,269
"You're going to the concert tonight, right?"
Alya's voice shook Marinette from where she'd been lost in thought, her bluebell eyes glued to her phone screen. The news update she'd been reading hadn't really come as a surprise, but it still squeezed her heart in a painful manner.
The blue-haired girl glanced up at her friend, who was standing before her with her hands on her hips. She offered Alya a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, of course I am. You know I wouldn't miss it."
"You'd better not," her best friend warned. "I mean, you are the sole costume designer for Kitty Section, and every member of the band is a close friend of yours. It'd be pretty rude and unexplainable for you not to go."
A light blush danced across Marinette's cheeks. She'd hate herself for even contemplating not attending a Kitty Section concert. She shook her head, stuffing her cell phone into the back pocket of her jeans.
"Don't worry about me, Alya. I'll be there," she promised.
The brunette tilted her head, eyeing her best friend with a sympathetic gaze. "I always worry about you, Marinette. Don't think I don't know what you were reading so intently."
Marinette's blush darkened. "Wha-what are you ta-talking about, Alya? I-I was jus-just checking m-m-messages!"
The tanned girl giggled. "You only stutter when you're trying to hide something. We've been friends for a long time, girl. I know you better than that."
She sat on the bench beside her best friend, wrapping an arm around her and sighing softly. "It's the news article, isn't it? The one about Adrien?"
The blue-haired girl only turned to her with furrowed brows and a frown on her lips. They were all seniors now, and though it had been over a year since she'd confessed her feelings to Adrien and been politely rejected under the claim of him being in love with someone else, visual confirmation of the boy she'd loved for so long in the arms of someone else crushed Marinette's fragile heart.
"You need to get over him, girl."
"I know."
Marinette's phone had long since been set up to receive news updates regarding the city of Paris, in case a new villain emerged or Ladybug's assistance was otherwise required. Unfortunately, she had yet to filter out the non-emergency articles, such as the one she'd received that day.
Adrien Agreste, son of fashion designer Gabriel Agreste, officially betrothed to Kagami Tsurugi.
"I just loved him for so long, Alya," the secret superheroine sighed. "Everyone told me to go for it and tell him how I felt, and when I finally did…"
"He turned you away," Alya finished for her best friend. "I know it hurts, girl. You just need a distraction. I know it's gonna take time for you to get over Adrien, but you're not going to get anywhere sitting at home, reading the news."
"And you think I'll get over him faster by going to concerts?" Marinette smirked, knowing full-well the ulterior motives behind the brunette's insistence of her attendance.
"You might," the occasional superheroine grinned. "You might meet someone – maybe even someone in the band."
Marinette offered her a deadpan stare. "I already know everyone in the band, Alya. Rose and Juleka are a rockstar couple, and Ivan is very happy with Mylene."
"You left someone out." Alya's grin widened.
Marinette's blush returned. "W-well obviously Lu-Luka's in the band, I m-m-mean he founded it a-and he's Juleka's brother and-"
"You're stuttering hard, girl," the brunette giggled.
The blue-haired girl inhaled deeply. "I do not have a crush on Luka."
"Mhmm," Alya hummed in disbelief. "You didn't have a crush on Adrien in the beginning, either."
Marinette's eyes widened as she recalled how she and Adrien had first met. Forget not having a crush on him – she despised him, thinking he was one of Chloe's lackeys. She chewed her lip, dropping her head to rest in her hands.
"I don't have a crush on Luka," she murmured, her words muffled by her palms.
"Who are you trying to convince, girl?" Alya questioned with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "Me, or you?"
On the night of the concert, Marinette and Alya made their way to the venue, arriving early enough to find good seats and survey the concessions stand before the show actually began. The building was small, the entryway lined with merchandise booths. Marinette beamed upon finding Kitty Section's table, littered with CDs and buttons and t-shirts that she'd designed. Mylene sat in a chair behind the table, having become the band's official merchandiser.
Marinette and Alya offered her a friendly wave, which she eagerly returned as she watched them saunter further into the building.
Past the merchandise booths to the left side was a small concession stand, offering popcorn and soda and chips. The middle of the venue was spacious, decorated with tables and chairs without being too crowded. Closer to the stage, the floor was empty, and along the righthand side were a few chairs for those who wanted to be close to the stage without fear of being lost in a mosh pit.
On stage, the members of Kitty Section were busy setting up, with the help of Anarka, who'd become the band's roadie. Rose glanced up from where she'd been adjusting her microphone, and her lips split into a grin upon seeing Marinette and Alya just before the stage.
"You made it!" she squealed, gathering the attention of her bandmates.
"Hey," Juleka offered quietly.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Alya grinned.
"You know we'd never miss a show," Marinette smiled, blushing when Luka turned to grin at her.
"Glad you could come," he greeted, his eyes locked on hers. Marinette was frozen for a moment before Alya giggled and nudged her side.
"Come on, let's go get a drink before there's a line."
The blue-haired girl nodded, waving a temporary goodbye to her friends and following the brunette towards the concession stand.
"So, that was cute," Alya commented once they had acquired sodas and bags of popcorn.
"Wha-what was cute? Th-the band? Sure, the band is cute. I m-m-mean their name is Kitty Section, which is super cute, and their masks are cat and unicorn themed, and everyone thinks cats and unicorns are cute!"
Marinette stuffed a handful of popcorn into her mouth in order to cut her rambling, dropping her gaze to the floor to avoid the intense, pointed stare coming from her best friend.
"I haven't heard you ramble like that in a long time," the brunette smirked. "And you know what?"
"Wha?" the blue-eyed girl murmured around her mouthful of butter and salt.
"You used to only ramble like that when you spoke about Adrien."
Heat stained Marinette's cheeks, and her brain spiraled into flashbacks of every encounter she'd ever had with the boy she used to love. Her heart pounded faster as she realized that Alya was right – the way she used to behave around Adrien was exactly the way she was behaving now around Luka.
"Oh, no," she whimpered, staring at a spot in the carpet.
Alya laughed softly. "It's okay, girl. I have it on good authority that this one likes you back."
Marinette's brows shot up to her hairline as she met eyes with her best friend. "What?!"
The brunette simply grinned, leading her stumbling bestie back towards the stage. They took seats in the audience, close to the stage, and waited for the show to start.
Throughout the concert, Marinette and Alya were supportive audience members, screaming the lyrics and cheering after every song. When the show finally ended, they waited patiently (or anxiously, in Marinette's case) for the band to finish taking down their set. They stood beside the merchandise booth, where Luka had promised to meet them when they were free to roam.
Marinette was bouncing on the balls of her feet, her hands closed into fists ready to be shoved into her mouth to prevent her from saying something dumb or embarrassing. Alya had a hand on her shoulder, offering moral support and ready to step in should her best friend dig herself a particularly deep grave.
As they waited, Alya's eyes scanned the audience, and caught sight of a familiar mop of two-toned blue hair. She grinned, nudging Marinette's side with her elbow. The latter whimpered, rubbing her sore rib, quickly straightening her posture and grinding her teeth when Luka's face poked through the crowd. Her heart hammered in her chest as he drew closer, and she wondered why she agreed to talk to him after the show.
"Luka," Alya greeted with a grin, "you guys were amazing tonight! Weren't they, Marinette?"
"Yeah, amazing! The set was amazing, the music was amazing, the instruments were-"
Another nudge from the brunette had Marinette closing her mouth.
Luka simply chuckled, having adjusted to the blue-haired girl's nervous ramblings and finding them endearing rather than annoying. "Thank you both. This is the first official gig we've ever played – we're finally getting recognized."
"That's totally cool. Hey, Luka, a little birdie told me that there was something you wanted to ask Marinette," Alya commented, offering the guitarist a raised brow and a suggestive wink. She felt a twinge of pride at the light pink shade that dusted his cheek's in response.
"Uh, right." The blue-haired boy turned to Marinette, inhaling sharply. "Marinette?"
"That's me!" came Marinette's nervous reply. Alya resisted a facepalm.
The guitarist smiled. "Would you like to go on a date with me? We could have a picnic in the park, maybe? I could bring my acoustic."
The blue-haired heroine was quiet, staring at Luka with wide eyes. Luka, though not easily swayed by Marinette's nervous habits, couldn't help but glance at Alya from the corner of his eye, silently asking if he'd done something wrong.
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Marinette would love to go – wouldn't you, Marinette?"
She narrowed her eyes at her best friend, who hesitantly met her gaze.
Marinette turned back to Luka with a vigorous nod. "Yeah! She totally would!"
Luka smiled, nodding his thanks to Alya. "Cool. I'll pick you up on Saturday, around noon?"
"Sounds great!"
The guitarist disappeared into the crowd, looking for his bandmates. Marinette stood frozen by the merchandise booth, unable to breathe until Alya was shaking her shoulders.
"You have a date on Saturday!"
The blue-haired girl nodded slowly until she finally came to her senses, staring at her best friend with wide eyes. "I have a date on Saturday!"
When Saturday morning arrived, the blue-haired heroine found herself in a state of panic. Alya had come over to assist her in assembling an outfit – something that the seamstress would normally be confident in accomplishing herself. But the fact that she was spending the day with Luka was igniting the butterflies in her belly, and she couldn't think clearly.
"You're having a picnic in the park," Alya reminded her best friend as Marinette insisted upon a thick sweater and winter boots. "As cute as you look in that outfit, you'll die in the heat."
The blue-haired girl deflated, sitting on her bed and allowing the brunette to rummage through her closet. Once Alya was done, she turned back to Marinette with an armful of clothing. Her eyes caught sight of the unusually empty wall, and she gasped loudly.
"Oh my God, girl!"
"What?" Marinette replied, confused, turning to follow Alya's gaze. She blushed upon reminding herself that she had taken down Adrien's posters, and the only one that remained was the photo of him wearing the feathered derby hat she'd made.
"I can't believe you took them down," the brunette breathed. "I didn't think that would ever happen. Not that I minded them."
Her friend shrugged, staring down at her lap. "I just… I thought it was time, you know? There's clearly no chance for me with Adrien, and now that I've agreed to go out with Luka… it felt wrong to keep the posters up."
Alya smiled, patting her shoulder sympathetically. "I'm proud of you, girl. Now you can fill up all that empty space with photos of a certain guitarist." She offered her friend a wink, giggling when Marinette's face flushed the color of her favorite jeans.
"What am I wearing?" she inquired, desperate to change the subject, though in the back of her mind she'd already envisioned a dozen print outs and official band posters taking Adrien's place on her walls.
Proud of her decision, Alya stood, holding a pale pink off-shoulder peasant top in one hand and a pair of black high waist denim shorts in the other. Marinette took them, and the brunette turned around to let her friend change. While she waited, Alya sorted through Marinette's shoes, settling on a pair of white gladiator sandals.
Feeling self-conscious, the blue-haired girl toyed with her fingers. "Alya? Are you sure this isn't… too revealing?"
The brunette rolled her eyes. "You're almost eighteen, Marinette. You're the most modest dresser I've ever met. Besides – you have great legs. Show them off once in a while."
Marinette blushed softly, but nodded along with her friend's words. "Alright," she sighed, slipping on her shoes. "How do I look?"
"Luka is going to die," Alya grinned. A knock sounded on the trap door to her room, and it opened to reveal the grinning face of her father.
"Marinette, there's a boy here to see you."
"Thanks, Dad. I'll be right down."
Tom disappeared, and Marinette inhaled deeply. Alya patted her back, kneeling down to open the door.
"Come on, girl. Go get your man!"
The park was close, prompting Luka and Marinette to walk. On the guitarist's left arm was a picnic basket, and his right hand occasionally brushed against Marinette's left. He wanted so badly to intertwine their fingers, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
In Marinette's right arm, she carried a tray of macarons that she'd made the day before. She knew her date had a whole picnic planned, but she was a skilled baker – she wanted to contribute as well.
They reached the park, and Luka found a clear space in a grassy field for the two to sit down in. He lowered himself first, setting the basket down and beginning to rummage through it. Marinette hesitantly followed suit, placing the container of cookies down beside everything else.
"You didn't have to bring anything," Luka smiled as he finished unpacking. "Though I do have a weakness for your cookies."
She giggled softly. "I know I didn't need to, but you were doing so much just planning today. I wanted to help."
The guitarist picked up the plate of sandwich pieces and offered it to Marinette. She smiled softly and picked up a triangle, nibbling nervously on the edge. Luka plucked up his own piece, taking a bite, and sighing softly as a cool breeze swept past them.
"You look beautiful, by the way," he commented, watching her out of the corner of his eye.
True to her character, she blushed, gaze dropping to her lap. "Thank you. So do you – er, handsome, I mean."
Luka chuckled, picking up his guitar from where he had set it on the grass beside him. "Would a song help to relax your nerves?"
Marinette met his eyes, about to protest that she wasn't nervous, but the guitarist knew her better than that. Plus, she loved listening to his guitar. She nodded softly, reaching for a macaron to nibble on before she made a fool of herself.
The blue-haired boy's skilled fingers gently plucked at the strings, a soft and sweet melody coming to life under his hands. Marinette closed her eyes, letting the music flow through her as she listened. There was a calming nature to Luka's playing, and if Marinette was honest, it was the first thing that attracted her to him.
Too soon, the song ended, and Luka turned to face his companion. Her eyes were closed, and she was sitting close enough that her head was about to drop onto his shoulder.
"How was that?" he whispered softly against her ear. Something about his voice calmed her, and instead of jumping away like she would have if it were Adrien, she simply hummed and snuggled closer.
"Beautiful," she complimented. "You're so talented, Luka."
"So are you," he grinned, reaching for a macaron and eating half of it in one bite. Marinette opened her eyes to catch him stuffing the other half into his mouth, and she giggled.
"I'm so comfortable with you," she murmured, gazing shyly up at him. "With Adrien, I was always so flustered… I could hardly speak a proper sentence."
"Why do you think that is?" Luka inquired, meeting her eyes. He had an idea himself, but he wanted it to be her words, not his own.
Marinette glanced down at her lap, and her date worried that he'd upset her. Before he could question it, she spoke. "I know that I had a crazy crush on Adrien. I know it wasn't just a celebrity crush, because I didn't know he was a model until after I decided I liked him. I didn't even like him when I first met him; I thought he was one of Chloe's friends. But as much as I used to think I did… I didn't love him. We weren't close enough for what I felt to develop into love. But with you…"
She lifted her head, watching Luka's face, his gentle features and soft eyes. "With you, I think there could be something deeper. I don't want to lead you on, Luka, or make any promises. But I feel something for you, a connection with you. It makes me happy; it makes me feel safe."
Luka smiled softly at her words, leaning in until his lips brushed gently against hers. "I really like you, Marinette. I feel a connection with you, too. I admit, watching you drool over Adrien hurt, but I wasn't going to insert myself into the mix. I was happy to wait until you had gotten over him to even make a move, but Alya insisted that now was the time."
A shiver crawled up Marinette's spine at the feeling of Luka's breath tickling her mouth. "It still hurts, but I'm not interested anymore. I know he doesn't want me, and I can live with that. And I don't want you to think you're just some sort of rebound, either."
"I know you wouldn't do that to someone," the blue-haired boy murmured. "I trust you with my whole heart, Marinette. You're my song. And I would be honored to be your song as well."
Heart hammering in her chest, all Marinette could manage in response was a nod.
"You can stop me at any time," Luka informed her, one hand lifting to caress the side of her face. She leaned into the touch, and the guitarist slowly leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. Marinette gasped at the contact, melting into his touch and shyly returning the kiss. Luka sighed against her lips, the feeling of her mouth against his filling him with a sense of euphoria.
He pulled back, not wanting to overwhelm her on their first date, and offered her a smile. "Another song while we eat?"
Matching his smile, Marinette grinned. As Luka began to pluck a new tune, she lifted a sandwich from the box and held it to his lips. With a chuckle, he opened his mouth, allowing the beautiful girl beside him to feed him while he played a special melody just for her.