Hey everyone!... I think this may count as my actual first sprint fic...Especially since I actually finished this one on time.
So the prompt I chose to write with this week is...
"The healer also needs healing. The planner also needs surprises. The giver also needs to receive. The thoughtful also needs to be thought of. The considerate also needs to be considered."
That is a loaded prompt! But I was inspired.
So anyways enjoy!
Disclaimer: Miraculous Ladybug belongs to Thomas Astruc and ZAGToon. This is just a fanfic written by a fan.
It was another week where Marinette was up to her neck in projects, and Luka was there every step of the way. He brought her coffee from her favorite cafe, encouraged her to take small breaks to relax and breathe, and gave her the sweetest words of encouragement.
He always called her "melody," but Luka himself was a song soothing to her heartstrings.
But today was band practice, and Marinette encouraged Luka to go. He said it wouldn't be the same without her, but she insisted that these projects needed to be finished and the band needed him.
She gave him a sweet kiss and gave him a gentle push out the door before he could object.
It certainly was quiet in her bedroom without Luka though. She needed quiet of course, but Luka was never a burden. Marinette pushed herself to finish the projects on time and promised herself that she would meet up with Luka later and they could go out or something. But then her mind drifted off, and she felt the need to scroll through her phone.
She scrolled through random inspirational images on Pinterest. A place she would go for an artist's inspiration. And then one inspiring quote became a bit too inspiring.
"The healer also needs healing. The planner also needs surprises. The giver also needs to receive. The thoughtful also needs to be thought of. The considerate also needs to be considered."
Marinette paused. The first thing that came to her mind was her boyfriend, with beautiful blue hair and eyes.
He healed her when she felt her heart was beyond repair. He planned the most amazing dates and went above and beyond any boyfriend. He gave her the most sentimental gifts. He is always mindful of her wants and needs.
Marinette was almost blue in the face. She would never not appreciate everything Luka had done for her, but now she was starting to think that Luka gives more than he receives.
And Marinette couldn't just take that sitting down.
Well of course, she had to finish all these projects, but she quickly pulled up the quote on her computer and turned on her printer.
Marinette decided to place this quote on the wall so she would never forget. Even though her boyfriend was low maintenance, she still needed to be considerate of him and give back what he has always given her.
He deserved that much, she believed.
Technically, Marinette didn't finish all the projects yet. Still, she texted Luka to meet him after practice, and Luka said he would.
She took in a breath and hoped this would be surprising enough.
Luka walked into the bakery door like clockwork while taking off his helmet.
"Hey Marinette, has everything been going alright?" He asked.
Marinette quickly took his hand and promptly led him inside the house. Luka looked at her, obviously wanting an explanation.
"Everything is fine!" She said. "Follow me!"
Luka was very confused, but he did not argue.
Marinette giggled when they finally got into her bedroom. She gently pushed Luka so he was sitting on the bed.
"Lay down!" Marinette ordered. "Let's watch a movie together!"
Luka smiled before taking off his shoes and laying himself on her bed. Marinette walked away for a moment and quickly returned with popcorn and blueberry root beer.
Luka was grateful, but he couldn't bring himself to say "Thank you" yet.
"Marinette…"
Marinette quickly set down the popcorn and the rootbeer on the table next to Luka.
"My father also made cookies!" She said as she walked away to grab the plate.
Luka sat up. "Marinette, I really appreciate this but, what is the occasion?"
Marinette winced a bit and nearly dropped some cookies on the floor. She took a breath and placed the plate on the table, and kneeled down to rest herself on Luka's knees.
"I feel bad for shooing you away earlier, Luka," Marinette said as she looked up to him with innocent eyes.
Luka smiled. "It's not a problem Marinette. You were busy, and I couldn't leave my bandmates hanging."
Marinette picked herself up. "Well, you always encouraged me to take breaks! I am almost done with the projects anyway. Let's just watch a movie together."
Luka's eyes sparkled. "Alright Marinette, I would love to."
Marinette's bluebell eyes sparkled as well, and she quickly climbed on the other side of the bed so she could rest her head against her boyfriend's chest.
It was a relaxing afternoon, and Marinette felt a personal victory being the one planning a surprise date and helping Luka relax and take a break for once. Marinette could feel the content energy in Luka as she rested her head on his chest and felt his heartbeat. And when the movie ended, Luka took a moment to stretch his legs.
Marinette was about to grab another DVD, but then she turned to see Luka looking at her mood board.
Marinette walked up next to her boyfriend and saw he was staring intently at the Pinterest quote she posted on her wall.
"I never noticed this quote before," Luka said.
Marinette took a moment to place her hand behind her neck. "Oh...I posted that today."
"Well, it's very inspiring," he said.
Marinette looked down. "It's just something I need to remind myself of every day."
Luka turned to her. "Remind you of what Marinette?"
Marinette paused. She honestly wanted to keep this whole thing hush-hush, but then again, this didn't feel like something worth hiding from her boyfriend. Not that she had any secrets from him.
She took him to her bed again, where they both sat.
"I just felt a bit guilty today, that's all," Marinette said.
Luka looked at her deeply and placed his hand on her cheek, where Marinette found pleasure resting her face against his hand for a moment.
"Why would you feel guilty?" He asked her.
Marinette made a low sigh of guilt.
"Because that quote reminded me of you, Luka."
Luka blinked, but then he smiled at her.
Marinette continued. "That quote just reminded me of everything you have done for me and how sometimes I feel you give too much and I take too much."
Luka chuckled, automatically confusing Marinette.
But before Marinette could ask why he took Marinette into his arms and sat her down between his legs, and he gently wrapped his arms around her.
"You need to give yourself more credit," Luka said gently into her ear.
Marinette sighed. "I am trying to admit that sometimes I am neglectful. I want to be self-aware."
Luka took a moment to nuzzle her, a welcome gesture for Marinette.
"That quote on the wall reminded me of something," Luka said.
Marinette rested her head on his chest and stayed silent for a moment.
"It reminded me of when you were there for Ivan and Juleka when they were hurting, sort of like a healer," Luka said.
Marinette thought to herself that that was nothing special.
"And you're always there to plan great events. I've been to a lot of parties, but you're always there to make sure parties go without a hitch, Marinette. All those Halloween parties really got everyone in the spirit thanks to you," Luka continued.
Marinette gently placed her hands on his.
"And you always give the most creative gifts. I still have all the gifts you gave me. The guitar pick necklace, the bracelet, the beanie. And when you made the band all those baked treats," Luka sighed happily. "It was the best band practice ever. Juleka and Rose said all those treats were made with love and dedication."
Marinette was about to give Luka a light slap. Not for offending her but for smothering her with compliments.
"And whenever there is conflict in our group of friends, you are always there to think about everyone's side. We would probably never work out our differences without you Marinette. Not everyone can be as cool-headed and thoughtful as you."
This time Marinette did sigh and lightly moved her head on his chest, trying to get him to stop, but Luka's positive energy did not waver. She honestly wondered if Luka was blinded by his love for her to give her so many compliments in one sitting.
Luka took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "And there are so many people in the world who do not think about how their actions could hurt others."
Marinette paused.
"But you always make sure to never hurt anyone," Luka said. "And that is amazing."
"Basically, that quote on the wall reminds me of you, Marinette."
"Luka!" Marinette cried.
She could feel Luka wince a bit as she tried to get all her thoughts in order. This was a lot for her to take in, with Luka turning the table on her.
"Luka Couffaine, you are smothering me!" She cried.
With that, Marinette let her body fall limp. She and Luka fell backward on the bed, where they moved in a position where Luka was lying down with Marinette resting her head on his chest. He stroked her hair, comforting her as she drew lazy patterns on his chest.
"Luka, you always make me feel worthy," Marinette started. "But I still feel selfish sometimes, like I am not giving enough. Like you are always there to listen to me complain and…." She trailed off.
Luka took a moment to gently lift her head, so she was looking him in the eye. Her bluebell eyes were wide as he smiled down on her.
"I meant what I said Marinette. All of it." You are the healer, and the giver, the thoughtful and the considerate," he paused to feel her hair between his fingers again.
"You're everything," he said simply.
Marinette blushed. She ended up looking away and burying her face in his chest, almost as if she was about to cry.
"Luka, I love you!" She exclaimed.
Luka gently stroked her back as a returning gesture.
But their soft moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Marinette!" Tom cried from the other side.
Marinette lifted her head up. "Coming papa!" She cried. Marinette gently climbed over Luka and off the bed.
"I'll be right back, Luka!" She said as she opened the door and climbed down the ladder.
Luka sat up when she left, smiling about the girl he loved, and he turned back to her wall.
He walked up at the wall and wondered how he could make it so her wall wasn't guilt-tripping her. Then his phone rang and he saw his mother messaged him, notifying him to come home soon.
He had to work quickly, but for Marinette, he would work in a heartbeat.
He took a scrap of paper and a marker from her desk and started writing.
Writing a simple note wasn't the same as writing song lyrics, but he would still try his hardest.
Eventually, Marinette came back into her room with another plate.
"My father insisted on making blueberry scones as well," Marinette said as she walked in.
Luka hid the note behind him and placed it on her desk before gently taking Marinette's arms while she was still holding the plate. "My mom asked me to come home soon," Luka said.
"Oh," Marinette said with disappointment evident in her voice. "Well, at least bring some scones home."
Luka took the plate from her to relieve the load she was carrying. "I will. They smell amazing."
Marinette did take care to wrap up scones for Luka, and she gave him an energetic kiss on the cheek before he left. He responded with a soft kiss on her cheek as well.
They smiled and waved before Luka rode his bike into the twilight.
Marinette felt refreshed after spending an afternoon alone with her boyfriend. She felt so good that she was ready to burn the midnight oil trying to finish the last of the projects.
But she noticed a note on her desk that wasn't there before. A note that was obviously from Luka.
She took the note in her hands and was surprised by how poetic her boyfriend was. Every word just made her feel worthy again.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng always gives from her heart and is passionate. She surprises me every day. She heals in her touch and in her words and in her everlasting compassion and empathy for others. She healed me, even if she cannot see it. She is always thoughtful and considerate of others, but she must also remember to think about how amazing she is and consider that she must put herself first so she will never have to sacrifice herself to make others feel good. And I hope she never forgets that.
~From Luka
That's all he wrote.
This boy was going to drive her absolutely crazy. She read the note a second time and then a third.
She felt over the moon after reading Luka's words.
Then she saw the stars were out and she picked up her phone to send Luka a message.
"Luka!" She texted.
After a few moments, Luka texted back.
"What is it Marinette?" He texted.
Marinette replied with a string of periods, with which Luka responded with a question mark. Then after leaving her boyfriend in suspense, she finally let her message be known to him.
"Luka…... Remind me to lightly punch you in the chest tomorrow!" She texted.
Luka responded with his own string of periods and then sent a smile emoji.
"I will be available for that, I promise!" He replied.
Marinette then responded with multiple heart emojis.
She knew that Luka wrote that for her in response to the quote, so she pinned his love note to her wall to keep her spirits up.
And the next day, when Marinette was hard at work with more projects, she looked at her wall and saw Luka's love note. And she remembered every word that proved to her that she was enough.