Ch 8

Marinette stare into the reflection of her blue-bell eyes. Putting on the last of her mascara she stepped away from the mirror and surveyed herself.

"I think I look great.", she told Tikki.

"Oh course you do!", Tikki chirped in response.

Marinette agreed. She did look great. Especially that shirt. It was the best blue shirt she had, cyan and white. Today was the day she had a date -uh- hang out with Luka. Gods, why was she making this so awkward for herself? Maybe because this was her ex? They never did anything specifically romantic when they dated but…they did kiss each other's cheeks a few times, too uncertain to kiss each other's lips. And every time she'd seen a new text from him she'd blush as red as her Ladybug suit. Did she still blush like that though? A ping sound alerted her to a new text.

Luka

06:24

Hey

You ready yet? I'm on route to your place.

Marinette gave herself a quick glance in the mirror. The blush on her face was still there and so was that grin. Damn it, she had it bad.

Marinette

06:25

Yeah, I'm ready. See you soon!

The blue haired woman gave herself a once over. Everything was great. For once she was on time and her parents were not giving her looks for going on a dat- hang out! It was a hang out.

"You know what? The skirt suddenly feels too short.", she nervously laughed and moved to take it off.

"Marinette.", Tikki's chiding voice made her stop.

"What? It does look too short.", blue bell eyes narrowed in worry and finger poised over the button.

"It doesss not.", Sass said suddenly and alerted her to his presence.

"Keep it on.", Tikki said at the same time.

Cornered by two assertive mini gods, Marinette had no choice but to agree.

"You look wonderful.", Sass said and Tikki nodded her head ferociously.

She looked at the Snake Kwami. His box was out in the open because he would be given to Luka Couffaine soon and she had some things to run by the two eldest Kwamis of her Miracle box.

Luka's own reply had come that morning, the bottom right spot of her earing had glowed to show that he had accepted the task of becoming Viperion once again.

Luka

06:31

I'm here

"Marinette! Your friend is here.", Sabine knocked on her daughter's room's trap door.

"Coming maman!", Marinette said.

She rushed down the stairs a second later. Her father was talking to Luka and the younger man was nodding along. Marinette didn't know if Luka was actually interested in what he was listening to or if he was feigning interest. Marinette blinked as she took in his appearance.

He'd gone with black and deep magenta. It was the first time she'd ever seen him in something aside from blue, white or black. Somehow she'd managed to go as casual as he had.

"H-hey Luka.", Marinette said as she stood next to him.

"Hey, Ma-ma Marinette.", he said with a soft grin.

"Well then, both of you stay safe.", Tom said before turning to Luka. He gave him a smiling face, which Marinnete saw as a good sign, "I'm leaving her in your care, young man."

The bluenette almost choked at her father's words. It somehow sounded like he was saying something more. Luka straightened beside and nodded before giving the man a smile.

"Of course sir."

"Okay then, bye!", Marinette tried to drag the taller man away before her father could embarrass her any further.

"Have fun!", Sabine's voice drifted to the leaving couple. Marinette smoothened her expression and said a nervous 'We will!' as she closed the door behind them .

"They're so embarrassing sometimes!", Marinette whined, her arm still in the crook of Luka's elbow. Luka hadn't asked her to remove it; he was too nice to say that. She wasn't in the mood to remove her hand either, it felt nice. She was sure he didn't mind. But what if he did mind? What if he didn't mind and would be hurt if she removed it? She went spiraling again. Luka's reply pulled her out before she could think about it too much.

"They care about you."

"I know that, but- you're supposed to agree with me!", her eyes found his.

"Am I? Do tell me, I'll be sure to follow your instructions to the T next time.", he said teasingly.

Marinette huffed and pouted, "Anyways, what's your plan for the first half of our….for the first half?", she caught herself before she could either say 'date' or 'hang out'. She didn't know which it was and a small part of her was scared to find out.

Back when she and Luka had dated as teens, one would plan what to do in the first half and the other would plan what to do in the second. Their thought process was usually along the same lines even though they were both not as similar as people would think.

Just because both were helpful and artists most people would think they were alike. They couldn't be further from the truth. Luka was a calm person, Marinette was more uptight. While she got involved in someone's problems and became an example whose lead they could follow, Luka gave advice and support which would help them break out of their shells themselves. The both of them might do the same thing but their methods were totally different.

"You know that fair close to the Arc De Triomphe?"

Marinette frowned and nodded in disagreement. She didn't know, but even more surprising than that was the fact that Luka had suggested to go somewhere so crowded. From all their years of knowing each other Marinette had gleaned that Luka was an introvert and a private person. It was just her assumption, but she had always thought Luka was someone that liked space.

Luka continued with an explanation, "Well, it's this fair that been going on recently. It'll last for a week or so."

"Wouldn't you rather go somewhere private?", Marinette said and then realised how suggestive it sounded, "I-I mean, a crowded place doesn't seems like your style" she nervously chuckled, "I mean it can be your style. I'm not telling you what to-"

"Calm down.", Luka said and moved his free arm to put it on her shoulder. Their position was a bit awkward now but neither seemed to mind, "I like being around people sometimes. Depends on the crowd. Plus, I know Jules and Rose are busy today so I thought it would be a safe bet to go there."

Marinette laughed, "Couffaines always take their dates to the same place.", she bit her lip when she realised she'd just called herself his date. But date didn't always have to be romantic right? She couldn't bring herself to look into Luka's eyes.

"Yeah..", Luka's incomplete reply was all that told her that he'd heard the 'date' word and singled it out.

She peeked to look at his face but he was turned away and all she could see was his hair and the tips of his ears. Ears red with embarrassment or red with shyness?

He turned back to her and she sucked in a breath. A light pinkness still gathered on his cheeks, so faint she would not have seen it if the Ladybug Miraculous hadn't slightly enhanced her eyesight for dealing with nightly akuma attacks. Maybe he thought she couldn't see it because of the night but she could.

She had never seen his blushing face before, he had always been so calm and collected in front of her.

"I would love to go.", Marinette leaned closer. Her own heart beat really fast for some unknown reason.

"I'm glad.", he smiled and led her to his bike which was parked close to the park in front of her house.

MLBMLBMLB

By the time they made it to the fair the crowd was filled with people. Marinette and Luka walked into the fair.

It was bright and colourful, and even a small ferris wheel had been set up. Food stalls were everywhere. Marinette wondered how she hadn't caught wind of this Fair yet. Was she so deep in fashion and the new threat to Paris?

"How long has this fair been going on?", Marinette asked.

"A while, Three days if you want the exact number of days."

There was nothing judging in Luka's voice. He said it like it wasn't weird that she hadn't heard of such a large scale fair. Marinette relaxed as the both of them went further in.

"What would you like to do first?", the both of them said at the same time before looking each other in the eyes and laughing.

"The ring game.", Marinette said. "You know…the one where you toss a ring and hope it lands on the gift you want?"

"I do.", Luka said with a smile and let Marinette pull him along.

MLBMLBMLB

"Then six year old Rose said, 'You love me don't you?' in her most teasing voice ever. Juleka looked her dead straight in the eye and whispered, 'I do' in the loudest and most serious voice I've ever heard her use. And that's why I say they've been dating for at least decade and a half.", Luka finished as Marinette 'awed' at the sweet interaction of Juleka and Rose as Children.

Marinette took another bite out of her sandwich and Luka took a delicate sip from his bear bottle. The bluenette couldn't help eyeing him and the bottle in his hand. Somehow, beers just seemed like something that went well with Luka. A small part of her pushed away the thought of seeing him with rum. He wasn't a pirate damn it, Marinette.

"You're thinking about why I'm not drinking rum, aren't you?", Luka said noticing her gaze.

She felt her face red and leaned a little back, embarrassed that he had somehow read her like an open book.

"No, you aren't that transparent. You aren't the first one to say or think that.", Luka assured her with a teasing smile.

"Ass."

The word tore out of her mouth before she knew it. Marinette blinked while Luka raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"I don't usually go around cursing.", she said defensively.

"I know.", Luka said.

She coughed to clear her throat, "Last year of law school, right?"

"Sorbonne Law School."

"Parsons.", Marinette gave the name of her university in return.

"I knew you'd make it.", Luka said with his hands around the beer bottle in his hands.

Marinette beamed at him. Parsons was special for having curriculum based on New York City style school system. Though she wouldn't get to see and experience the fashion from its source she would exposed to a wider range of fashions at Parsons.

"Where will you go after you're done?", Marinette already knew that he would leaving for America after he completed this year to further his studies. Juleka had casually brought it up at their last hang out and the blue-bell eyed woman had selectively stored that information in her brain.

"Maybe America.", Luka's eyes caught hers.

America..huh? Marinette wondered how good his English was.

Before she could ask him she caught the sight something familiar from the corner of her eye. Brunet hair dyed red at the tips were pulled into a cute bun and familiar hazel eyes held an annoyingly scary glint in them. Marinette sweat and she caught Alya's gaze. Her best friend gave her s million watt smile and made her way to them, dragging Nino along.

Marinette felt sorry for Nino, who was always pulled along with the headfast woman, but felt sorrier for herself and the endless question she would face when Alya would corner her in the near future.

"Marinette! Luka.", Alya acknowledge the two of she reached them with her boyfriend in tow.

"Alya! What a surprise to see you and Nino here!", Marinette said, wishing if she could reverse time. This was supposed to a private affair. Private so she wouldn't have to explain herself to Aanyone and so that she wouldn't feel pressed.

"Hello.", Luka said in front of her and Alya and Nino nodded at him in sync.

"I'm surprised you're here. Thought you'd be buried in your summer project.", Alya said.

Marinette gave a small laugh, "I'm not even half way done."

"Well I need to go to the bathroom.", Nino said and started backing away.

"I'll come along too.", Luka got up.

Marinette pleaded to him in her mind to stay and not leave her alone with an inquisitive Alya. Her telepathy didn't work because all she got was an excusing look from Luka and then both the men were gone.

Everything seemed to be going positive for Alya because she sat herself down in front of Marinette with a knowing smirk. The blunette dreaded the next few minuets.

"So, were you planning to tell me you had a date with Luka?"

Honesty always seemed like the best policy in cases like these, but somehow Marinette felt she was digging her hole deeper, "No."

"Huh…okay then, how did this happen?", Alya gestured to her then the place where Luka had vanished to.

Marinette muttered under her breath then bit into her sandwich. At that moment she would've liked nothing more than to melt into the ground and disappear. Why couldn't she become a part of the pavement and be ignored forever?

"I didn't hear you.", Alya said in a sing song way.

"Ugh! We happened to come across each other, realised we missed each other- or at least I realised I missed him and then decided to meet up."

"So is this a dat-"

"No, it is not!"

"Well do you want it to be?"

Marinette looked away from her empty plate and into Alya's eyes. Did she want this to be a date? Did she want to try again? She wouldn't have time to give to her date. She would have to disappear every time an Akuma or the villains attacked. It wouldn't be fair to expect people to not get upset about her disappearances every time there was some magical problem. Luka would be going as Viperion too so she wouldn't have this problem. So then, wasn't she just using him because she couldn't have anyone else?

"I….I don't know...",she looked away and out towards the crowd close by.

"You could always try.", Alya's voice was soft, "This is the guy you've been pinning for since tenth grade."

"I can't just try with Luka. I have to give him my all and I can't. I'll have to prioritize my studies over him many times. It wouldn't be fair to him."

"The fact that he's infatuated with a mess like you shows me he wouldn't mind.", Alya placed her hand on her best friend's.

"But I would! I would mind! All the time. He deserves better.", Her eyes found a mop of black hair over the sea of faces. Alya turned and saw him too, she whipped around to face the bluenette and firmly placed her arms on the shorter woman's biceps.

"Marinette, listen to me. You will never what could happen if you won't let it. Do you want to regret knowing that you never tried?"

Marinette shock her head as Alya pulled her a little closer.

"I've seen you in your worst and best. Let me tell you that you never shine as much as you do than with the people you love and that people includes Luka Couffaine. So do me a favour and give this a chance. A proper one not interrupted by your commitment fears and thinking you aren't good enough. Because you are. You are good enough, better even. That's why, the next time I see you going one date, it should be with that guitar boy over there.", Alya pointed her thumb behind her back where Luka and Nino were patiently waiting for them to most likely finish their talk.

"Okay.", Marinette said softly.

She could do this. She could give this relationship a chance. She felt the warmth of determination pool up in her stomach. She straightened as Alya pulled back before giving her a hug. She hugged her back.

Alya turned to walk towards Nino. "Good luck, girl."

Marinette watched as Alya and Nino left and Luka made his way to her. He didn't ask her what she and Alya had been talking about and Marinette couldn't be more grateful.

"Ready to go on the Ferris Wheel?", Marinette asked with a light chuckle. The crowd had reduced in their two hours of being there. And being on the Ferris Wheel at this point of time would be a clear insinuation of romantic interest.

She wouldn't have noticed it if her gaze wasn't solely fixed on Luka but his eyes widen and the lightest blush spread on his face, making him look like some kind of cute cherry blossom and she fought to keep hers off her cheeks. The heat she felt on her face told her that she had failed and now looked like a red cherry. Damn it, now the both of them were blushing dorks.

"Right now?", Luka asked.

"Right now.", she affirmed.

The both of them made their way to the Ferris wheel and stood in line, surrounded by couples buzzing with excitement. Marinette had her arm in the crook of his hands again and the both seemed as much like a couple as the rest of them but she couldn't help but feel that someone would shout out 'imposters' and point fingers at them. There was also the fact that Luka was adamant to look anywhere but at her and she started to fear that maybe he wasn't interested in her anymore.

When the previous batch got off, she spotted Alya who noticed her immediately. As Nino pulled her along, the brunette turned to her and mouthed 'go for it girl'. Marinette nodded.

When their turn came, Luka helped her in and sat down in front of her. She blinked as the both of them were enveloped in partial darkness. Now she just had to summon the courage to kiss him.

As they slowly ascended she and Luka began to talk, but she couldn't help but feel it wasn't the right time to kiss him.

"It's pretty.", Luka said from beside her.

"It is.", Marinette agreed.

"You are prettier.", Luka said with a teasing grin. Marinette subconsciously turned her gaze to his lips before blushing and looking back out the window. How did he manage to play her heart strings so well? He wasn't even doing anything!

"Yeah. It would have been nice to be able to share this view with others with cared about."

"Like Adrien?", Luka's quiet voice came to her. It wasn't judging, it wasn't even angry or jealous. It just sounded…sad.

Marinette felt her breath hitch in her throat. Of all the conclusions he could have come to, Luka had mistakenly thought she wanted to spend time on the Ferris Wheel with Adrien Agreste. Luka Couffaine had made a mistake! An error. For the first time in all the while she had known him. And now he thought she was playing with his feelings again.

"No…I-I said that wrong. I don't even like him anymore! I..", she leaned forward. Now, she had to kiss him now, before he got any more wrong ideas.

The bluenette leaned forward to kiss him, stretching to cut the distance across them. They were less than a feet apart.

"Don't do that.", Luka said suddenly, his eyes trained on her.

Her heart stuttered and she leaned back like she'd been shocked by electricity. His eyes softened as he leaned towards her.

"Don't force yourself.", he whispered.

Marinette took in a deep breath. Why was he like this? Caring for her feelings above his own. She wasn't forcing herself.

"I want to.", she said it softer than she intended to but she was sure he heard her.

"Give yourself some time.", Luka said. "You don't owe me anything for caring about you."

Marinette blinked. She didn't have time for this. But no matter how lonely she felt she couldn't force her feelings onto him. "Okay."

If he didn't like her anymore then what could she do?

"I don't think you get what I'm trying to say Marinette.", he said, making her look at him, "I can see you're not ready. There are too many things happening in your life right now. I can see it in the dark circles beneath your eyes. You didn't need to come if you were so tired, it wouldn't have taken anything to reschedule." Luka's fingers softly rubbed the skin beneath her eyes, her make up must have faded at some point. "I know what happened. I was there. You're doing good. Lila Rossi may have brought you down back then, but look at you now. You're stronger than ever, all you need to do is relax."

She had been so tired. The recent attacks had sapped away her strength faster than her summer projects and horrible time management.

"It's hard. Ever since College it's been hard. They never left, and I was never abandoned but I couldn't help but feel alone. Lila had put this idea in everyone's mind and I couldn't help but feel that they were judging me. And then F-", Marinette stopped herself before she could tell about her Fu had made her the guardian and reveal her superhero identity to Luka, "A-and then my friends slowly weren't as close to me as they once had been. I'm not ungrateful because Alya was by my side, Nino always played songs I liked when we hung out. Adrien slowly became a better friend and I grew closer to Kagami. One day, even Chloe started acting nice…. Is it wrong that when Lila suddenly left I felt happy while all my friends were sad?"

"No. She was a liar that fooled a lot of people. You tried to warn them, but they didn't listen. This isn't the best ending to your battle but with how miserable you were I think it's good enough that she left."

"A part of me is scared she'll come back and turn the few people I have against me..", Marinette closed her eyes and leaned against the window. How did it come down to this? She was supposed to have a good time and maybe end up with Luka if he wanted to. She'd just ruined the mood.

"She won't. She couldn't before, she won't be able to if she ever comes back. If she does, I'll chase her away with my guitar."

"What will you do, sing so bad her ears bleed?", Marinette cracked a smile and looked at him.

"I was thinking of beating her to death with Juleka's old electric guitar.", He said with a smile of his own.

The idea of Luka running around after Lila, threatening to beat her up with Juleka's old purple and black guitar with unicorn stickers on it seemed hilarious enough for Marinette to start laughing. Peels of laughter came out of her before she could stop them.

Once she was done she breathed in deep. Gods, it had been so long since she'd told someone her fears. She couldn't tell Alya, and she didn't want to bother her parents with something unrelated to them. Chat Noir was out of the question and she wasn't quite close enough to Adrien to tell him that. Kagami had been busy and Chloe had a few bad memories about Lila and she didn't want to stir up muddy water.

Luka's eyes twinkled and he sat back in silence. "Want to tell me your more recent troubles."

"You sure you don't want to go into therapy Luka?", Mairnette teased.

"I just don't want to see you suffer."

Sometimes Luka did things without knowing how much they affected her. Or maybe he did know…

Marinette was tempted to spill, to rant, to get rid of the burden on her chest, but she couldn't.

"Just stress from University. There are soo many deadlines and…"

"And you feel lonely."

"Not exactly…", She had Tikki and Chat, Alya, Kagami, Chloe, Nino and even Luka, "I just need a break. I've been having nightmares recently."

Lies, but believable lies.

Luka looked at her and she was convinced he didn't believe her. "Want to tell me about those?"

"…no.", She hoped he didn't take offence.

If he did, he didn't show it. Luka had always had one of the best poker faces Marinetet had ever seen. He rarely expressed himself. Only in the right company and place. "Understandable. But, if it bothers you so much you should talk to someone about it. It helps."

Marinette nodded and they sat in silence for a few moments.

"Why do you like me?", she asked. It was something she always wondered about. She's fallen for Adrien and his kind heart, Chat Noir's undying loyalty and Luka's selflessness. What had Luka found in her?

Luka's response took a minute. Like he was pondering what exactly to say. Marinette envied him for being confident enough to breathe in and decide before speaking, unlike her who always spoke too fast and messed up.

"At first I was just grateful to the girl that helped my sister with her photo curse. Then I respected the girl and her dedication to help her friends, even help her crush get together with his crush. After that, I fell for her bravery. Over time...I forgot what made me like me like her in the first place because I kept finding new things that just completed her. Her messy flaws, her cute smile: both her good and bad had my heart racing like a race car. At one point there stopped being reasoned and only feelings."

Marinette felt her heart skip a beat. She smiled and looked up at him. Her heart felt like it was burning and she was sure she was near tears, but for one moment it felt like she could finally see what was hurting her all along.

MLBMLBMLB

The ride ended soon after and then the two of them made their way home. Luka parked his bike at the park near her house. Marinette got off and stood next to him a for a few seconds. She didn't want this night to end

"Stay safe.", Marinette whispered and let her hand linger on his shoulder. "Good night."

"Don't let the bed bugs bite.", he said with a smile of his own.

"You dork!", she laughed and walked away. There was a new lightness in her heart.

She was halfway to the street when Luka called out, she turned to see him with a rather frantic look on his face jogging to her.

"Yeah?"

Luka looked at her for a few seconds before softly putting his hand around hers and pulling it to his lips. He laughed awkwardly as she blushed to the roots of her hair. "Almost forgot to be a gentleman.", he explained as he winked and walked back to his motorbike.

"Oh please, you're anything but a gentleman!", Marinette finally said after stuttering for a bit.

Luka gave her a wave of the hand before disappearing down the street.

Tikki chuckled next to her ear and she grumbled. Marinette walked into her house, greeting her parents before claiming she wanted to sleep. She changed and lay down on her bed.

"I don't envy you for the call you'll be getting from Alya tomorrow.", Tikki sighed softly.

"I don't envy me either, Tikki.", Marinette said and stuffed her face in her pillow.

"Oh she's calling right now.", Tikki said and hovered over Marinette's phone, which was vibrating soundlessly.

"No.", Marinette weakly groaned before hiding under her blanket.

"I don't understand humans. Does the blanket have magic properties to protect them?", Kaalki asked and sat down.

"Beats me.", Xuppu said and shrugged. The both of them tensed when Marinette shrieked.

"Damn it, I have a meeting with Chat Noir right now!"

The woman transformed and jumped out of her window. Kaalki and Xuppu waited in the silence. One day, they'd understand human kind, but not tonight.

A/N: If you love me you'll like this.

If you don't you'll leave a review.

Hehe

Tan Legend

over and out~