Alright everyone this is another collab between me and Elijahhedgemond. I had fun writing this! It's still a Lukanette fanfic but this fanfic is more about the sibling bond between Luka and Juleka. It was fun to write siblings fluff. And just to note I am aware Juleka has an official birthday but I don't care! The entire canon is stupid and this is a birthday gift for Elijah's younger sister. Happy birthday young one! I hope you enjoy yourself. Now for a message from Elijah.
elijahhedgemond: Really glad to have been able to collaborate once again with this awesome and amazing author. And to my favorite little sister, love you loads, and I really hope you enjoy this fanfic. Happy belated 19th birthday Jules! Hope you had a great one and may you have many more amazing ones to come! ππππ
Alright now! On with the show! Happy Halloween everyone!
It was October 16th, and Marinette and Luka were eagerly decorating the inside of the Liberty for a very special day. Halloween was a big day for the Couffaines, but first, there was Juleka's birthday. Anarka described it as a beautiful spooky autumn day when the Universe sent her a beautiful baby girl to be Luka's little sister.
Marinette giggled as she decorated the tea table with plastic spiders and silky cobwebs while filling the tea cups with chocolate spiders.
Luka thought she was so adorable, making the entire Liberty look magical. At the same time, she wore a gothic Halloween outfit, but he didn't want to take advantage of her never-ending kindness.
Luka got behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders as he nuzzled his cheek against hers. Marinette relaxed against him and felt his cool breath on her cheek. Luka being dressed up like a zombie made the whole thing cuter.
"You can take a break Melody," Luka said.
Luka was the sweetest boyfriend in the world, but she silently shook her head as she adjusted the cobweb.
Earlier, Rose insisted she wanted to help make the surprise party. Still, Marinette shoehorned the idea of her getting the spooky aesthetic just right while Rose and the others stalled for Juleka.
"No, I would love to give Juleka the best birthday ever. I love her just like you two do!" Marinette said.
To Luka, Marinette was the most beautiful melody in the world, not only in looks but heart. She always tried harder than she needed. Even with little things like making the tiny vase of dried lavender look perfect on the table. Anarka smiled proudly in the background. After taking a moment to adore his girlfriend, Luka returned to placing spooky streamers around the walls.
"Your girlfriend is one of us, son," Ankara said suddenly.
Luka smiled proudly at Marinette she blushed. Honestly, Marinette never knew anyone as kindhearted as the Couffaines, even if the people of Paris thought they were abnormal. And they considered her a part of the family, reminding her how relieved she was when her family accepted Luka.
Anarka took a moment to sit on one of the comforters. "Why, your lovely melody is as fun and always makes sure to give more than enough. Just like I taught you and Juleka."
Anarka giggled as she took a giant plush shark she was carrying and flung it onto the ground before giving it a witch's hat. "And I am very grateful that Marinette is so kind and accepting of us, Couffaines. Juleka has been much happier and more comfortable in her skin."
"Speaking of which, I was hoping to spend her day with her. Get in some well-overdue sibling bonding time," Luka mused. "All my favorite girls in one place."
Marinette blushed hard as she continued to feel comfort in Luka's embrace. "I love all of you too!" She rejoiced.
Suddenly there was the sound of a few phone notifications. Everyone instinctively grabbed their phones, and Anarka gasped. "Juleka and the others say they will be here in half an hour!"
Marinette was determined as she continued with the decorating. "I am almost done decorating for the party." She gave Anarka a smirk before saluting.
Marinette quickly grabbed a pumpkin print sheet, and Luka took the other half to help her. She had to tell him that time was ticking and that Juleka would be here soon, but he gave her such a loving look.
"I can never thank you enough for doing all this for my sister, my dear sweet melody," Luka said.
Marinette moved closer and placed her hands on his chest as she smiled at him. "It's no trouble at all Luka."
The two of them were almost full-on making out at this point, even if Anarka was still in the background.
"Ay! These two lovebirds!"
Juleka couldn't hide her excitement as she, Rose, Ivan, and Mylene headed back to The Liberty. Her brother, mother, and Marinette told her that they had planned a birthday party for her. As much as Juleka enjoyed going out on the town with her friends, she anticipated the birthday party she had dreamt of ever since she was a little girl.
And Juleka wore a beautiful gothic dress that she had dreamed of when she was a little girl. Even if she was turning 15, it felt nice to dress up for her special day and feel like a birthday princess for once.
But when they finally got to the door, Juleka couldn't help but gulp, and her friends stopped to see Juleka hesitate for a moment.
Rose took a moment to take Juleka's hand.
"It's your special day Juleka," Rose grinned. "You deserve a day in the spotlight."
Juleka blushed as Mylene and Ivan smiled at her too.
"I am just a bit nervousβ¦." Juleka muttered as she looked down.
"We can sit outside for a moment and tell your mother we need a few minutes," Mylene suggested.
"No! No!" Juleka cried. "I'm really happy. I just need a moment to prepare."
Rose quickly placed her hands on Juleka's shoulders from behind. "Exactly! You need to make the best entrance!"
Juleka nodded as she and the others got ready to go like they were heading to a Hollywood premiere. After a few minutes, they all walked onto the Liberty. Juleka smiled from ear to ear when she saw it all.
A spooky tune played on the violin as the boat's lower deck was dimly lit with led lights. And Juleka noticed all the cute spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts decorations. Suddenly Marinette and Anarka showed up with a ghost cake topped with candles.
"Surprise!"
Luka was out of sight playing his guitar as he turned on the lights, and tiny confetti bats fell from the ceiling. Juleka placed her hands over her mouth as Rose, Mylene, and Ivan clapped for the birthday.
"Ohmigosh!" Juleka cried.
Rose grinned as she placed her hand on Juleka's shoulder. "Happy birthday Juleka."
The birthday girl was so excited that she started shaking, and the tears in her eyes caused her black eyeliner to run.
"Oh no!" Rose quickly wiped some tears with her hand. "We wouldn't want to ruin your makeup!"
Marinette quickly came over with an adorable round ghost cake with 15 candles. A cake Juleka had only dreamed of having as a child.
"Yes, don't cry Juleka," Marinette said with a smile. "Blow out your candles and make a wish."
Juleka sniffed before pondering her wish, and then she smiled and blew out each candle. Of course, her wish will go unspoken, but right now, Juleka felt more gratitude than desire.
"Thank you everyone!" She said before she felt herself being lifted by her big brother.
"Nothing is too good for my little sister!" Luka said as he nuzzled her cheek, causing Juleka to laugh.
"She's becoming such a big girl too!" Luka added as he cuddled and held Juleka like a teddy bear.
"Ok! Ok! Big brother!" Juleka cried.
Marinette placed the cake down on the table. And everyone gathered around when they saw the cake.
"Yes everyone, let's start the tea party," Marinette said.
Everyone enjoyed the adorable ghost cake made by Mr. Dupain. The cake was dark chocolate, and the middle was filled with green buttercream. Juleka couldn't be happier eating the best birthday cake ever.
Juleka almost forgot to show her gratitude, but she remembered on her next mouthful of chocolate cake.
"Thank you Marinette!" Juleka said.
Marinette grinned as Luka wrapped his arm around her. "It's no problem," she said.
Ivan shoveled another piece of cake into his mouth. He certainly made enthusiastic eating noises.
"Yes! This cake is amazing!" He cried.
"It's simply divine," Mylene commented as she ate her cake more slowly and savored each bite.
Rose started clapping her hands. "Let's give up for Mr. Dupain!"
Everyone gave a round of applause, and then Juleka lifted her teacup.
"To the best birthday ever," Juleka said.
Everyone else lifted their teacups with pinkies out, and Juleka took in the fragrance of the tea before taking a sip. It was chocolate orange tea that was dark as nightshade. She wished she could always have this tea on hand so it could feel like Halloween all year. The chocolate spiders were also a great complement. She could honestly eat twenty of them, but there were also gummy worms to eat.
"Hey Jule," Luka said. "Think fast!"
Luka flung a little gummy worm in Juleka's direction, and it fell inside the teacup in a small splash. Juleka smiled and continued to sip her tea until she retrieved the gummy worm with her mouth.
Rose, Ivan, and Mylene clapped, but Marinette was confused.
"What was that for?" Marinette asked.
Luka grabbed a few more gummy worms. "It's just something me and Juleka used to do when we were kids."
Juleka grabbed a few gummy worms herself and threw them in Luka's direction, almost spilling his entire cup of tea.
Marinette quickly picked up on the Couffaine tradition and tried a few gummy worms that fell in her chocolate tea. It was certainly interesting.
Mylene and Ivan were busy sharing gummy worms as if they were spaghetti noodles. Luka and Juleka had a few intense rounds of tug o war with the gummy worms. Juleka was becoming a young woman since she nearly outdid her brother a few times.
Rose finally sighed as she found peace to sip her tea again.
"Never a dull moment with the Couffaines," she said while looking toward Marinette.
Marinette chewed on the gummy worm in her mouth before picking up her teacup again.
"Never a dull moment at all," Marinette said.
Less than half a cake was left over, but Juleka took her fork and broke another big piece to fit in her mouth. Sure she could save the cake for later, but it was her birthday, and she would eat all the sweets she wanted.
After they finished drinking tea, Luka and Marinette revealed a giant pinata that the birthday girl would defeat. But Luka already told Marinette about how he and Juleka have a big sword fight every birthday, and the winner gets to win the pinata.
"Let the birthday ritual begin!" Anarka said as she raised her sword.
Marinette, Mylene, Rose, and Ivan sat in a row, eager for what would come. After preparing herself in the other room, Juleka came out with her toy sword.
"This time, I will beat my big brother!" Juleka said.
Luka smiled proudly at her. "Well, my little sister is growing up," he grabbed his sword. "But I am still your older brother."
"Start the battle!" Rose cried.
Anarka laughed as she looked at her two children. "May the best sibling win."
"En garde!" Juleka cried as she lunged her sword. But Luka smiled and parried with his sword.
"Nice shot sis!" Luka said.
Juleka waved her sword more furiously as Luka chuckled and parried. "I got more!" She cried.
Luka fell on some cushions, and Juleka rushed over to the pinata, ready to pierce it with her sword. Holding her sword tightly, she hit the pinata a few times, only knocking it around a bit.
"Wait!" Luka cried as he picked himself up and ran to guard the pinata. "I won't let you win that easily Sis!"
Juleka gave her brother a few more furious swipes with her sword, and Luka was sweating for the first time. His sister truly was growing up.
"No way! This is my day!" Juleka cried.
She lunged her sword under Luka's arm the sword cut cleanly through the pinata. A whole bunch of candy spilled out, and Luka smiled before falling into the candy pile. Juleka wasn't going to allow her brother to take all the candy, so she jumped on him before he could. All their friends cheered as they rummaged through the giant pile of candy.
The party went on for three hours from that moment on. Everyone ate, played games, and danced to the music. Luka surprisingly even got Juleka to dance a little bit. Observing everyone, Luka saw Juleka dancing happily with Rose and his melody. Setting everything up was exhausting, but it was all worth seeing Juleka's face light up with the largest smile he had ever seen.
Between dancing with her friends and everything else, this had been the best birthday ever. She truly felt alive and sincerely happy, thanks to her loved ones.
"Having fun Juleka?" Luka asked.
"Yeah, I am," Juleka held her stuffed purple bat close. Even at 15, she was still his adorable younger sister.
"I'm glad, you truly deserve nothing but the very best," Luka said as he hugged his sister from behind.
"This is awesome, but you didn't have to do all this," Juleka said.
"Nonsense Juleka," Rose said as she quickly put her hand on Juleka's shoulder. "Of course we did! After all, you deserve it."
"Rose is right," Luka took a moment to pat his sister on the head. "We know we didn't have to, but we wanted to."
Juleka was suddenly close to tears again. "Thanks guys. I'll never forget this!"
"Then it looks like our mission to give you the best, most unforgettable birthday is complete!" Marinette said triumphantly.
Juleka took a moment to practically tackle hug Marinette as if claiming her as her own sister.
"Thank you so much Marinette! I won't forget this!" Juleka cried as she nuzzled Marinette.
Marinette smiled as she stroked Juleka's beautiful dark hair.
An hour later, all the guests went home. Luka, however, still had one more surprise up his sleeve for his little sister. After cleaning up for the night, Luka and Juleka went to her room, where Luka had his last surprise. Laying down and cuddling Juleka close, he smiled softly. "Did you have a good time today?"
"Yeah, thanks for that Luka. It really means a lot," Juleka said.
Luka held his sister closer. "Anything for my favorite little sister."
"I'm your only little sister Luka," Juleka retorted.
Luka poked his sister's cheek. "Which is exactly why you're my favorite."
Juleka felt she would die of happiness from all the love she received from her mother, friends, and brother. Her brother was the best brother in the world and gave her all his love ever since she was born.
"Thanks Luka."
Luka moved away a little, putting his guitar between himself and Juleka.
"Luka? What are you doing?"
"Still have one more surprise for you."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember when you were younger? You would sometimes get these really horrible nightmares."
"Yeah, why?"
"How did I help you?" Luka said as he tuned his guitar.
"You would stay with me like this, playing music until I fell asleep," Juleka held her plush bat close.
"Exactly!" Luka beamed. "I made you a special song for your birthday."
"Ooh, ok," Juleka said with sparkles in her brown eyes.
It was like when she was a little girl, and she and the stuffed animals would sit in an audience as they watched a young Luka play the guitar.
"Yeah, so close your eyes and calm your mind," Luka said softly.
Nodding with a smile, Juleka closed her eyes as Luka hugged her close once more while playing her birthday lullaby. Having one last thought before sleep fully claimed her, she sighed happily.
"Best birthday ever."
Luka saw that Juleka had fallen asleep happily and peacefully from his music. He stopped playing and softly tucked in his little sister. Kissing her forehead, he spoke one last time to his sleeping sister.
"Goodnight Jule. I'm glad you had a great birthday today. Love you little sis, and sweet dreams."
He then walked out, quietly closing the door, and retired to his room, where he fell asleep smiling.
