Is There Anybody Out There

Rating: Teen

Fandom: Miraculous LadybugRelationship: Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Characters: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Indirect confession, Endgame Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Lukabug, Hot chocolate as a plot device, chronic white room syndrome, Post-Episode: s03 Miracle Queen (The Battle of the Miraculous Part 2), Pre-Relationship, Podfic Welcome, Blanket Permission, Hurt/Comfort

Summary: Marinette's never understood exactly how she fell in love with Adrien. The feelings were just there, brought to life in a single moment between her taking his umbrella and him turning away. She falls in love hard and fast. She doesn't know why she assumed it would be different with Luka.

But, wrapping the blanket snuggly around her shoulders, she can't find it in herself to be upset.

Status: Complete - 1/1 Words: 2868

Notes: This is a gift for Spikartxx on Tumblr and Instagram as part of the Lovebugs and Snake Charmers Valentine's day exchange. I'm really sorry for it being so late .

All your prompts were amazing and I can't tell you how tempted I was by your magical girl one! Especially since you linked to Tokyo Mew Mew, one of my og hyperfixations. Bro, have you seen the news about the reboot, cuz it's been like 15ish years and I need people to talk to about it.

This is a fill for your third prompt: "Maybe an indirect confession from Luka, maybe him explaining his feelings towards Marinette with Ladybug and her realizing how much this boy loves her and falling for him."

Which! You know is so freaking good, I'm always slipt 50/50 on how Marinette falls in love with Luka. I'm a firm believer that Marinette's the type to fall hard and fast in a single moment, but I always like the idea that what makes her relationship with Luka different is that it doesn't happen that way between them, that she falls in love with him in a hundred small moments that take forever to realize what's actually happening. If it wasn't for getting sick while writing this I absolutely would have gone that route and have had the conversation between Luka and Ladybug be that final tipping point, ahhh, but that would have taken too long to get to so I took this space to give Luka and Marinette their own version of the umbrella scene.

Hopefully, it holds up, both me and Marinette forgot she was Ladybug like three seconds in XD


It's late. The stars are out and Marinette still hasn't managed to get the sound of buzzing out of her ears. The day had been long and awful and despite the newly acquired box of Kwami sitting in the corner of her room, she's never managed to feel quite so lonely before.

Being Ladybug is one thing. It's difficult. It makes her life hard and her relationships strained. The work constantly exhausts her, but at least she has someone to share the burden with. Even if Chat's responsibilities are different than hers—less demanding—there's still someone around who understands. Being the Guardian is a whole other monster. She doubts she would have been ready for it with a whole lifetime of training under her belt and months to mentally prepare.

She hadn't gotten months, though. She barely had a full minute before Master Fu was transferring the magic over from his name to hers. Which was traumatizing enough without the realization that she'd barely gotten any guardian training, to begin with. The scrapts she did have had nothing to do with the miracle box or what the guardian did when there wasn't an immediate threat to deal with, or anything really….

Hell, Marinette hadn't even gotten the chance to meet all the Kwami yet. She only knows a handful of their names and has no clue how she's supposed to be taking care of them now.

And it's all too much. Too much work, too much responsibility, too many expectations and—-

Suddenly Marinette needs to leave, her room is suffocating, too small and trapping her tighter by the second. She doesn't even register transforming. It just happens. One minute she's Marinette and in the span of time between that moment and the next she feels the cool wash of magic cover her skin as Tikki molds her into something old and new at the same time.

Miraculous holders aren't supposed to use their magic for selfish purposes, that goes for the guardian more than anyone, but there's just enough wiggle room between personal gain and immediate necessity for Marinette to get away with this nighttime walk. At least she tells herself that. Over and over and over again as she lets her feet carry her out through Paris, up across buildings and finally, finally to a quiet spot along the Seine where the fatigue she's been feeling steadily grow since mid-afternoon starts to win out over the adrenalin.

Sagging under the weight of everything—Mayura, Hawkmoth, Paris's safety, all the exciting new secrets she gets to keep from the people she cares about, the wonderful roommates she has to try and hide, and her fifth-period math test just for good measure—well…she can't help but bury her face in her hands and groan.

There's just so much.

She'll be lucky if she's able to schedule a nap sometime before she graduates college.

Fuck, she already knows she'll still be stuck as an active Ladybug when she's an adult. Marinette will be dead before she gets the chance to sleep for more than four hours at a time, she just knows it.

"Maybe if I give up on my love life I can manage a thirty-minute power nap twice a week, yeah. Yeah! That's what I'm going to do. Who needs boys when you have a bed, with blankets," Marinette says mostly to herself, partially to the universe, and unexpectedly to the half choked-half swallowed chuckle that makes her body go rigid the second she processes that evidently, she's not alone.

Clearly, she needs to work on her observation skills. Distantly, that's something she's been aware of for a while. If the amount of times she's let someone sneak up on her is anything to go by. And after the seventh time she's dropped everything in her hands because Adrien, who walks like he's wearing lead shoes, had tapped the back of her shoulder, she really thinks it is.

No.

Oh no.

Because clearly the universe is not done proving just how messy her life can become in a handful of hours, sitting two feet away from her on the bench she'd all but melted into a couple of seconds ago is Luka Couffaine, wrapped up in a blanket with a warm cup of something clutched in his hands and grin that looks like he's trying extremely hard to not to laugh at her misery.

It's sweet of him, really.

Futile. But sweet.

"You're right you know," he says, despite what his face might be trying to do, there's absolutely no hiding the amusement in his voice, "boy's are stupid, clearly blankets are the superior choice."

The sound that leaves Marinette's mouth can only be generously called a whine. "This is a sign. A sign from the universe that I'm doomed. I don't even have to invest in a herd of cats. Kwami's have to count. They just got to."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," he says, distantly, she can feel the weight of his hand through the material of her suit. The magic protects her from things like the cold and heat, but it's easy to imagine the warmth of it. "I'm sure you'll find someone happy to come in second to your mattress."

"You're cruel, Couffaine," She bites out before she can stop herself. It's easy with Luka—to forget what mask she's wearing and how she's supposed to act. He always makes it so easy for her to be herself, to let the parts of her that are Ladybug bleed up around the parts of her that are Marinette. It's awful. "Who's going to take care of my cats if I'm out on the town dating. They'll be so lonely."

"Hmm," he hums, a light sound that carries up around them and echoes off the empty street, "I thought they were Kwami."

"Even worse. I'll leave for an hour and have to rush home because one of them set my couch on fire and another teleported half the rainforest into my bathroom."

This time Luka doesn't try to hold in his laughter, even if it's still a small quiet thing. "Here," he says, holding his cup out toward her, "you need this more than I do."

Twirling the contents of the half-empty cup around, she takes a precursory sniff. It's rich and chocolatey with just a hint of something extra thrown in. It's not off-putting, but she can't place it. "Thanks?"

Luka snorts, "It's hot chocolate with a tiny bit of cayenne pepper mixed in. I figured since we're past the age to catch cooties you'd appreciate something to warm you up."

And she does.

Marinette can't remember exactly when she'd last eaten. It hadn't been today, she'd hadn't had the time, and she can't honestly say it was yesterday either. She'd been doing that a lot lately, forgetting to eat. It was just…in the grand scheme of things, extremely easy to forget.

"I do," she says, taking a small sip and melting around the rich flavor and sharp tang. Oh. "Oh, did you make this?"

"There's a surprising lack of coffee shops open at one in the morning," he says in way of answering.

"I've changed my mind, I'm going to have to marry you," Marinette says, finishing the cup in two big gulps, "forget being a single cat lady. You can help me with the Kwami's and make hot chocolate and I'll let you choose which side of the bed you want. has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"God, no. is awful. Where's the creativity?"

"Well sorry," Marinette says, looking over to meet Luka's eye. To his credit, he doesn't flinch, which is impressive when considering he's facing the hero of Paris even if the teasing lit of her grin destroys any hope she'd had of coming off truly aggravated. She's not, of course, but Luka's fun to tease. "Clearly, not everyone's as good as you are at naming things, Viperion."

It's dangerous, she knows, to bring up identities so casually, but—it's not like Hawkmoth doesn't already know who Luka is.

"Okay, okay. I get it, Ladybug. Sorry for doubting your skills. Clearly, you're the professional here."

"Clearly."

The moments broken by both their giggles. Twin smiles breaking out across their faces. Luka's is noticeably softer.

"Name choice aside, I'm afraid I still won't be able to marry you. I've already got a melody stuck in my head." There's a wistful quality to Luka's voice. One that makes Marinette pause and really focuses on him.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Luka sighs, "I've been hung up on her for a while. Almost a year now, I think."

"She must be some girl," Marinette says, "if she can make you look like that."

"Oh, she is," Luka says, his words coming out in a rush. Sharp and fast and excited. Like he's been waiting forever to get the chance to talk about her. And maybe he has, or maybe it's that dubiously magical quality that always comes out during sleepovers once the clock turns over to the a.m. The one that makes people vulnerable and willing to bare their hearts, tell all their secrets, and admit to at least one crime. "She's absolutely amazing. Every time I see her I'm a little more blown away, she's just one of those people, you know? The kind that sweep you up in how good they are."

"I know."And she does. She likes to think that all of her chosen—with the notable exception of Chloe who she never actually gave a miraculous to—are that way.

"I guess you would," Luka says, "you know it's always kinda bugged me that you've never given Marinette a Miraculous. I'm not saying you have to, or you should of—I mean…Oh, shit. I kinda am, aren't I? It's just—Marinette's amazing, and I can't think of anyone more suited for the job."

Marinette can't quite breathe for a second. "Marinette—the girl you like—it's Marinette?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, yeah." Luka says, squinting at her, "you've met Marinette before, right? You've had to by now."

"Oh, I've met her," she says, incredulous. She's known about Luka's crush on her since they'd first met. He wasn't subtle about it, or shy. He'd told her, but—she didn't think he'd still liked her after the many Adrien-induced disasters she'd dragged him along for. "I just don't know why you think anyone in their right mind would give her a Miraculous. You've seen her trip on air right?"

She never understood why Master Fu hadn't found a better Ladybug. Why he didn't watch her fumble and barely get her footing after months of trying and decide to move on. And with him gone she knows she never will.

Unlike Alya, or Nino, or any one of her other friends would, Luka doesn't agree with her right away. He doesn't jokingly point out her faults and shake his head at her just being like that. He doesn't laugh. He looks angry on her behalf.

"Don't," he says. Voice quiet and deadly. "Don't be like that. Don't make me regret giving you my hot chocolate."

"I'm just being honest," Marinette says, "she's clumsy and messy and disorganized and flakes constantly. I wouldn't be able to trust her not to get lost on the way, or forget to come completely."

She can feel the way Luka's gaze cuts through her from the corner of his eye. She tries her best not to stiffen up more than hearing her name come out of his mouth already made her.

"You sure seem to know a lot about her."

Yeah, because I am her, and I'm very aware of every single one of my faults.

"I like to watch my potential holders," Marinette says, like a liar. She's never had to study a candidate, it's the benefit that comes with selecting heroes from her already established pool of friends. "I don't just give out a miraculous to the first random stranger on the street I see."

"So you did consider giving her one."

It's reassuring, that no one had seen no Multimouse.

Marinette bites her lip, "You're asking things you shouldn't."

Luka huffs, turning away. "And you're seeing things you shouldn't. Marinette has her faults just like anyone else, but she's not unreliable, not with things that matter."

The silence between them is thick. And this might actually be the first awkward silence she's ever experienced because of Luka.

He's the type that lends himself to quiet moments and long silences. It's not an unpleasant quality. If anything it's refreshing to have a soft place where Marinette doesn't have to do anything. She can just sit with him, they can do their own thing and every now and then check in.

Usually.

She'd definitely been taking this particular skill of his for granted.

For someone who makes an effort to go out of his way to be understanding, he sure knows how to level his judgment. And oh, god, oh god no, she can not give in to the urge to overcompensate that's bubbling in the back of her mind.

No!

That never works out.

"I shouldn't be arguing with you about this," she sighs, breaking the silence before it can grow claws and tear them both up. "You've had a stressful day, I can't imagine how awful it is to be under Hawkmoth's control. I'm sorry."

Carefully, she doesn't apologize for what she's said about herself. She knows Luka notices that part too and is extremely grateful that he decides to let it go.

"No. You're fine," Luka says, the anger sagging out of him with his exhale. Marinette can't help but focus on how he's really bad at being angry at her, even though she knows he has no problem being angry for her. "I don't..actually remember any of it. It's just blank, like I took a nap and woke up four blocks from my house."

Slowly, she reaches down and grasps his hand. Loose and relaxed. She gives it a gentle squeeze and Luka lets their fingers linger together for a minute before he pulls away.

"Why'd you come out here then?"

"Same reason as you. Probably?" Luka says, getting up and brushing his pants off. They're black, fleece things and Marinette reminds herself very pointedly that staring is creepy. It doesn't matter that this is the first time she's seen him outside of ripped jeans. Aggressive eye contact with his legs will always be weird. "I needed a minute to think and the river's as good a place as any."

"It must be pretty important."

"I'm just," Luka starts, taking a moment to think through his words, to collect himself, "I'm just worried. About Marinette. She's been different lately, I know she's got a lot on her plate right now, and I don't know what to do to help her. If it's even something I can do anything about. I don't want to make things worse. I know she's strong and capable of handling whatever's going on on her own, but…she shouldn't have to. Not when she has people who care about her. She's not alone. She thinks she is, I can see that, but it's not true.."

"You really love her, don't you?" Marinette asks, his words ringing in her ears. Over and over and over again.

"What can say," Luka breathes, a humorless chuckle leaving him, "She's hard not to."

"No," Marinette says, quick to clamp down on the bubbling something making its way up her throat. "You love her."

"There's lots of ways to love someone, Ladybug."

Marinette doesn't recognize the person who forces her next words out of her mouth. "You should tell her."

She half expects Luka to get flustered. He doesn't. The same way he never seems to. Instead of embarrassed stuttering, he takes a sure step back towards her, taking the blanket that's been wrapped around his shoulders and bundling her up tight.

"No," he says, words sure, confident, "I already told her how I feel. She knows, that's enough for me. I don't want to become another stressor in her life. My feelings aren't going anywhere, not for a while at least. When she's ready, I'll be here. She knows where to find me."

"Luka—"

"It was nice talking to you, Ladybug," he says, cutting her off. "I'm sorry I have to go, but I've got school in the morning and it's after two."

The grin he gives her as he turns away makes something flutter in her chest. It's warm, exciting, and bubbly in a way that her feelings for Adrien hadn't managed in all the months she's nursed a crush for him.

Oh.

Oh.

Marinette's never understood exactly how she fell in love with Adrien. The feelings were just there, brought to life in a single moment between her taking his umbrella and him turning away. She falls in love hard and fast. She doesn't know why she assumed it would be different with Luka.

But, wrapping the blanket snuggly around her shoulders, she can't find it in herself to be upset.


Notes: Listen, I can't drink hot chocolate, I don't even really like it, but so help me god will I make it a recurring theme in my lukanette works. They deserve it.

Anyway, hope you liked this, bonus points to anyone who knows which band's song title I ripped off. I didn't pick it for any real reason aside from it sounding deep, but I gave it a listen and you know it kinda fits the vibes.