Hey everyone! This is the start of my first story arc! Enjoy and feel free to leave comments and reviews!

**Update note for all chapters as of April.19.2020! : Minor grammatical. And a SPECIAL thank you to JuliaFC who is beta-ing these for me after they have gone so long without being beta'd! You deserve melty camembert hearts!

Also, I do not own the characters, just the plot. :)

Our Hearts

Marinette checked her phone discreetly as it buzzed softly in her pocket, smiling as she read Luka's text, 'Waiting for you my love song. I have a surprise for lunch.' There was a heart at the end of the text, and she typed back quickly while their teacher had her back turned, 'Can't wait! Be out soon!'

Alya nudged her arm with a suspicious smirk, no doubt wanting to know who she had been responding to. Marinette answered her simply in a whisper, "Luka."

Even though Alya was smiling, she shook her head. The second the bell ran for them to be released for lunch, Alya told her teasing, "Girl, that boy just can not get enough of you, can he?"

Marinette giggled, feeling a slight blush hit her cheeks, "Stop it Alya. We've been dating for over a year now you know."

Nino turned as he stood, smiling at her, "Whoa, it's already been a year dudette?"

Marinette nodded, trying not to notice the way Adrien's shoulders tightened slightly as he continued to pack up his things in silence.

Her hand involuntarily twitched in his direction. Adrien had been exceptionally quiet the past few days, and she was worried that something more was going on than his usual excuse of tiredness. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but knew she probably shouldn't.

Ever since she started going out with Luka, Adrien had put up a wall between them. He still talked to her sometimes, but he wasn't the same as before.

The bright, beautiful green of his eyes dimmed when he looked at her now. No matter how hard she had tried not to notice.

She couldn't understand why though. Adrien had made it clear that he was never going to see her as more than a friend. When Alya had pushed her for an answer about whether or not she was going to accept Luka's offer to go to the World Designer Gallery, Adrien had been the first one to speak up and say that she should go with nothing but a smile on his face.

That was the moment Marinette knew that her feelings were never going to be returned. It was always going to be one-sided, and Adrien would never see her as someone he could love.

Not that she could blame him. She wasn't anything special. That realization had struck Marinette hard. After three days of Alya, and Tikki, trying to cheer her up, she had decided to accept Luka's offer. It was one date, after all. But that date led to another, and another.

Marinette really liked Luka. He was sweet and kind, and he cared passionately about the things he loved. His music spoke volumes about who he was inside more than anything he could ever say out loud.

Her hand dropped slowly back to her side in defeat, staring at Adrien's back sadly. It was in moments like these, where she felt like her heart was still his, and was being re-broken all over again.

She tried to collect herself, only a few seconds had passed, but the silence was too long, "W-what are you guys going to do for lunch today?" She asked trying to sound calm.

Alya and Nino exchanged glances before Nino said it lightly, "Whatever my man Adrien wants. It's his turn to pick."

Adrien gave a sheepish grin to Nino with a shrug, "Sushi sounds good. You guys up for it?"

Alya nodded but had a smirk on her face as she teased him slightly, "Someone must be in a gloomy mood after all to want sushi of all things."

Adrien shook his head, managing a brighter smile at Alya, a smile Marinette didn't believe for a second, "I had back to back shoots yesterday without warning Alya. It's called being tired."

Adrien's eyes caught hers, and she felt her heart stutter in her chest. She hated that he still affected her this way. She was dating Luka and was happy. Adrien Agreste was her friend, and that was all. She had accepted it. Right?

He asked her softly, looking away like he already knew her answer, "Were you going to join us Marinette?"

She matched his soft tone, fiddling with her purse strap over her arm, "No, not today. Luka is waiting for me, but thanks for the invite." She grabbed her backpack and Adrien said it somewhat defeated, "Maybe next time."

She nodded, upset that she saw a frown on his face, "Yeah. I'll see you guys later."

Nino and Alya nodded as she headed down the stairs. Unfortunately, thanks to her enhanced senses from being Ladybug, she heard Nino start their whispered conversation, "Dude, you can't keep doing this to yourself."

Alya sounded just as concerned when Adrien sighed, "You can't keep holding it in. That isn't going to solve anything."

Adrien's voice was shaking slightly, "Leave it alone guys, please. I can't do this today."

"But Adrien," Alya tried, but Adrien interrupted her, "I was too late Alya, and it's no one's fault but mine."

She couldn't hear them anymore as she walked out of the room. The pain in her heart returned. Whatever really had Adrien so down made her sigh heavily.

Tikki told her softly from inside her purse, "Adrien is strong Marinette. He'll be himself again in no time."

She smiled down at Tikki, being discreet as she headed towards the main doors, "I know, but I wish there was something I could do. He's my friend. I don't want to see him upset like that."

Tikki patted her hand, "Sometimes, there is nothing you can do."

Marinette frowned but conceded. She wanted to do something for Adrien, to see him really smile again in the way that made her heart melt, the way that brightened his eyes again.

She shook her head quickly; trying not to let those old thoughts creep in and bring those feelings back with it. Tikki was right. Alya and Nino would make sure Adrien went back to being himself in no time. There was no reason for her to have to get involved.

Nodding once to herself, she walked outside, finding Luka's blue streaks right away talking to Rose and Juleka with a smile.

Marinette had barely made it down the steps when Luka saw her, walking up to her right away with a smile that was just for her, "Having a good day so far my love song?"

"Yeah, it's been pretty normal. How about you?" She asked, giving his cheek a quick kiss.

Luka took her hand, telling her with a suspicious look in his eyes she couldn't quite place, "It's been pleasantly surprising, actually. Rose, Juleka, see you later."

The girls waved goodbye to them as she and Luka walked off. She was glad it was such a nice day out. There was a gentle cool breeze that kept it from being too hot, and the sun was bright enough to keep her warm inside. It made her smile, this simple moment of happiness.

Luka chuckled suddenly, "Enjoying the sun again huh?"

Marinette smiled up at him, "Every chance I get."

They laughed together before she asked, wondering why they were heading towards the river, "So what is the big surprise?"

He pulled her down a flight of stairs that led to the river, her eyes widening in shock as she saw the picnic set out in front of them.

Luka squeezed her hand gently, "I feel like I haven't been able to really spend time with you in weeks. Between gigs and school, I wanted to take a chance to show you how much you've been on my mind."

Heat rushed her face as joy filled her heart. She hugged Luka tightly, catching him off guard by the sudden move. It only took a second for him to recover and hug her back as she told him happily, "You are the best Luka."

She smiled more, seeing the slight blush on his cheeks as he told her, "Well, I have the most amazing girlfriend to contend with. I have to try and keep up somehow."

They sat down on the soft blanket and enjoyed their lunch together, catching each other up on everything they had been doing that they hadn't talked about over the phone. Luka was telling her in particular about a new song he had written as she took a bite from the strawberries he had brought for her.

"So, because of that, if Jagged likes it, I'll be opening for him at this weekend's concert." Luka said casually, taking a sip of his tea as he eyed her, waiting for her to respond.

She nearly choked on the strawberry as the name registered, "Jagged, as in Jagged Stone and the sold-out concert he has this weekend?" She asked in a near shriek.

Luka smiled with a nod, telling her trying to hold in his laugh, "Breathe Marinette."

She took a deep breath before squealing in excitement, throwing her arms around his neck again, "Luka that's amazing! I'm sure Jagged will love it!"

Luka laughed softly, "Let's hope so. I'll hear back either tonight or tomorrow morning with the decision."

Her excitement had her babbling on, giving Luka words of encouragement and praise as the smile never left his face. Even as he walked her back to school, she couldn't help but tell him again, "I have nothing but confidence in you Luka. I know Jagged's style, and he will love it, I know it."

They stopped in front of the school, Luka putting his arms around her waist as he smiled at her, "I wish everyone had even a fraction of the amount of positivity that you do. The world would be a better place for it."

He kissed her lightly, making her smile as she pulled away, "If you hear something tonight let me know okay?"

He nodded, "Without a doubt. I'll talk to you later." She saw Luka's face fall slightly, and she turned automatically, startled slightly to see Adrien looking at them in mild shock.

Luka addressed him politely, "Hey Adrien."

Adrien's demeanor instantly changed, and though he was just as polite, it sounded like he was holding back a growl, "Hello Luka. You look well. The bell is going to ring soon Marinette," he reminded her before walking inside without a backwards glance. A worried looking Nino and Alya were waiting for him by the doors.

She told Luka softly, "I'm sorry about him."

Luka touched her face, "Don't be. I know he doesn't like me. You can't get into a serious fight with someone and expect them to treat you the same way after that."

She asked again, knowing she really didn't have time, "If you would tell me what you guys were arguing about at the Gallery that day maybe,"

"There is nothing you can do my love song. Some people," he sighed slightly, "they ignore the music in their hearts until it bursts out of them without warning, and more times than not, it is too late for them to act on it. Adrien didn't really like me being so upfront about it in his case, but I don't take back anything I said to him that day. He needed to hear it, whether he wanted to or not."

She frowned at him slightly, "What did you say to him?"

Luka rubbed his thumb over her cheek, "The truth." He said simply.

She sighed heavily, knowing he wasn't going to go into any more detail than that. She told him goodbye one more time before heading inside, thinking back on it all.

Even now as she stared at the back of Adrien's head, not hearing a word of what was going on in the lecture, she wished things had turned out differently.

Alya, as usual, noticed her change of mood almost instantly. When school let out, Adrien left quickly for another photo shoot, and that was when Alya caught her, "All right girl, fess up. What is going on with you?"

She had been genuinely surprised by the sudden question, "What do you mean?"

Alya put a hand on her hip, "You stared at Adrien all afternoon. I thought you were over him?"

She felt herself blush, "I'm just worried about him Alya. He doesn't seem like himself lately."

Alya sighed, resting her head on her hand, "He's not, but he'll be fine. I have Nino working on him. You on the other hand are a different story. I promised myself I wouldn't ask this once you started dating Luka but I just can't stand it anymore."

Alya grabbed her by her shoulder's staring into her eyes like she would see the answer herself even if Marinette stayed silent, "Do you love Luka the way you love Adrien?"

She went completely silent, stunned by her best friend's question. She knew Alya was a master at reading people. It came from the reporter in her, and she tried to play it off, "I'm dating Luka. He is nice and thoughtful, and he makes me happy, and he likes me for me. Adrien has never seen me Alya, even now. What I feel for Luka, and what I feel for Adrien," she shook her head, "it's so different that there is no comparison."

Alya sighed heavily, letting go of her shoulder's before telling her gently, "A simple yes or no is the best way to actually answer that question Marinette."

She grabbed her bag, telling Alya sadly, "I can't love Adrien anymore Alya, my heart can't take it." She felt the tears in her eyes starting and told her quickly, "I have to go. I'm supposed to be helping at the bakery."

Alya caught her in a quick hug, holding her there longer than she normally would have. Marinette knew Alya was only looking out for her, and wanted her to be happy. They had been best friends for three years now. Alya was one of the only people who knew her, even better than she knew herself sometimes.

"Call me later if you need to talk." Alya told her. She nodded, managing a smile before taking off for home.

The bakery was busy already when she walked in. Marinette went straight to work, helping her mom at the register and getting people's order's together for them. By the time the rush wind down she was so tired she could barely stand.

Her parents let her go upstairs to shower and relax. The shower was definitely needed, but the second she tried to start on some homework, she shut everything down and decided to work on it later. Nothing was due until Friday anyways.

Tikki sat on the small, fuzzy pink pillow she had made for her, nibbling on a macaroon before asking, "Marinette?"

She stopped working on the design she was doodling. It was a men's outfit. There was a light coat, onyx black inside and out, but mint green, clawed paw prints studded the lower collar. The same mint green was mirrored in the V-neck shirt underneath. The shirt had the same clawed paw print stylized on the front in onyx black with what looked like black lightning coming out of it. The same way Chat Noir's Cataclysm looked like in his hand.

"Yes Tikki?" She asked.

Tikki flew up from her pillow and touched her face softly, "Are you thinking about what Alya said at school today?"

Marinette sighed. Tikki could read her like an open book.

"Yeah. I do like Luka, a lot, and even though I've learned to ignore them, my feelings for Adrien have never really gone away. It's like, the second he walked into my life, he took half of my heart." She admitted, letting her head fall into her arms on the desk.

Tikki asked her curious, "If you still love Adrien,"

"Adrien is never going to love me back Tikki." She whimpered, feeling the tears in her eyes start up again, "Alya knew what she was doing that day, asking me about the date with Luka in front of him. She was trying to get Adrien to react, to show that he felt anything for me at all and instead," her lip trembled as the tears fell, "instead he goes and basically pushes me out of the door with a smile on his face. Now, he won't even look at me half the time, and when he does, I can see how much he hates me."

Tikki said it immediately, trying to console her still heartbroken holder, "Adrien doesn't hate you Marinette."

"Yes he does. He hates me for choosing to be with Luka, especially after their fight, I know that, but I couldn't keep waiting for him to notice me. The longer it dragged out, the worse I felt. I can't live like that Tikki. I just can't." She nearly sobbed.

Tikki hugged her neck, trying to soothe her, "You are an amazing person Marinette. Adrien knows that. You said you couldn't keep waiting for him to notice you, and I know you like Luka, but maybe you should really think about where your heart is. I don't like seeing you so torn like this."

She hugged Tikki back gently, still trying to control her tears, "I'll be okay Tikki. I promise."

Tikki smiled slightly as she flew up away from her, "I have no doubt."

She glanced back at the design, but was too upset to finish it now. She started the climb on her ladder, going up to her balcony to try and calm down.

It only took a few minutes for the tears and crying to really set in as the thoughts over Adrien came back in full force, consuming her faster than a wave as it breaks over the sand. She hadn't cried like this over Adrien in a long time.

There was a nearly silent thud at her left, and she didn't have to lift her head from her knees to know who it was.

Thanks for reading! Chapter 2, Moving Forward, is coming soon don't worry!

Au Revoir for now!