Chapter 4: Hoping

"Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic."

— Laini Taylor

He'd been akumatized.

His rage at that ass hat's blatant plagiarism of his band's music had started the fire, but, even worse, he'd threatened Marinette and her future which had turned it into an inferno. Before he could breathe, before he could calm himself, that purple butterfly had reached him and Hawkmoth's voice was in his head, multiplying his rage by a thousand.

"Silencer, I am Hawk Moth. This man is the voice of evil. I'm giving you the power to silence him for good."

Luka couldn't remember what happened while he was akumatized, but he did remember the blush on Marinette's face when she approached him afterwards inquiring about his other self's words. Hope filled his heart to know that something he said had affected her so. However, Kitty Section was taking the stage and time was short. Hoping there would be time later to say more, he spoke the words that had been in his heart since the day he met her. Her brilliant blush was answer enough as he turned to join his band.

Hope.

That's what his heart thrummed with as he rocked out with his friends. It was all he could think about as they were interviewed about their song. It was all he could feel as they closed out the show with another performance.

He wanted to ask her out.

Originally, Luka was going to give her space. Marinette deserved time to sort out her feelings and decide who she wanted to be with. But as time passed and they spent more time together- some including Adrien, who seemed to gravitate towards them whenever the three of them were in the same place at the same time- Luka became aware of how the song in her heart was becoming more erratic, unsure, and louder. He wasn't completely sure of what to make of it.

Were things changing? Was there any hope that her heart was leaning towards him? Would it be okay to take a chance? He would make sure to ask her in a way she wouldn't feel pressured and let her know that neither answer would ruin their friendship. He'd be able to just be her friend no matter what, despite the longing in his heart.

But what if she said yes? He'd be able to hold her hand, kiss her, comfort her in his arms, and share his love with her. He knew she had a bunch of responsibilities she struggled with but he hoped she would share those burdens with him.

He decided to take the leap and hoped for the best.

It took a couple of days, but Luka finally caught up with her during one of her few breaks. She'd been designing new costumes for Kitty Section- who had booked another performance- on the deck of The Liberty. The rest of the band had gone downstairs for drinks and snacks while she had decided to keep creating. She was so enthralled in her work that she didn't notice his approach. Quietly, he strummed a few notes on his guitar and she turned to give him a smile. "Luka, hi."

Sitting next to her, he returned her smile. "Hi Marinette. How are the designs coming?" She showed him her sketchpad and he was amazed at what he saw. If drawings could sing, the voices of this art would be angelic. "That's amazing."

"Thanks. I wanted to give you guys something similar but different from your last costumes."

Awe in his eyes, Luka gazed at her. "You're the most extraordinary girl, Marinette."

Her cheeks burned and her eyes dropped to the sketchpad in her lap as she fiddled with her fingers. "Who? Me? Extraordinary? Psh. Nah. That's you with your music and songs. Talk about amazing." Luka smiled at her rambling.

Collecting all of his hope and confidence, he set his guitar to the side and lightly moved the sketchpad from her hands. Confused, Marinette met his eyes. Gently, he took her hand and ran his fingers over her racing pulse. He felt her shudder before her fingers intertwined with his. "Luka?" His name came out like a soft breath and he used it as encouragement.

"I know you have so much going on and it's fine if you say no. But I meant what I said before: you are the music that's been playing inside my head since the day we met. Nothing would make me happier than you considering going on a date with me."

Her breath came faster as she deliberated. Luka could see and hear the war in her heart as it played in her melody and through her eyes. He would stand by what he said if she said no, but he hoped that she wouldn't. His hope waivered for a moment as he felt her tense before she exhaled and smiled at him.

"I would love to go on a date with you, Luka."