Chapter 19: Relaxing

"Once you get to that point when you can just be yourself and relax, I just think that you're so much happier in general."

– Jacqueline Emerson

If there was one thing Luka knew they all needed it was some relaxation. Even with everything going more smoothly now for the teens and heroes, they were still teens and heroes and fun was still needed. So Luka, Marinette, and Adrien had decided to have a standing date night where every Friday- unless there were extenuating circumstances- they would get together and just relax. No homework, no stress, no worries or cares, and only light kissing because if they started kissing for real... they probably wouldn't stop.

Not that Luka objected to not stopping, but Marinette wanted to take it slow.

With Adrien's dad being more accepting and open (and by open that meant not keeping him locked away in a tower like a Disney princess anymore), they rotated between the three of their places and playing host each week while the other two were responsible for refreshments and games or activities. This week it was Marinette's turn to host and Adrien had brought chess while Luka had brought... two bottles of his first ever legally purchased wine. Not the best combination, but they made do.

Luka was well into his fourth cup while Adrien was at three and Marinette at two. His buzzed brain was probably to blame for his quick defeat by Marinette's hand, but as he sat behind them to watch their match, he wasn't complaining. As they focused on the board, Luka moved up behind Marinette and put his chin on her shoulder.

"How's it going?"

Marinette sighed. "It's going. Trying to figure out how to beat this smug, conceited jerk." Adrien laughed and sipped his drink and Luka breathed a kiss on her neck. She was so tense.

"Anyway I can help?" He moved his lips along her neck as his hands smoothed up her side. Marinette giggled and pushed him and his teasing hands away.

"Yes! Stop distracting me!"

Luka chuckled. "Can I at least play with your hair?"

"Sure." She waved him off and moved a piece on the board. He cheered on the inside and set up straight. It was rare for her to let anyone touch her hair and Luka loved having his hands in either of their heads. Adrien was like a kitten- a thought that Luka giggled at whenever he thought about it- and loved the pets and scratches whenever, wherever, but Marinette had to be in a certain mood for it.

Gently he ran his fingers through her hair, removing both elastics that held up her patent ponytails and marveled at how her hair swept past her shoulders as it released. Putting the bands to the side, he ran his fingers through her tresses again, this time lightly scratching and massaging her scalp as he went. He really wanted to help relieve whatever tension she was feeling, so he made sure to also focus on her temples by softly massaging there as well. She sighed after a few minutes and her head leaned into his hands for a moment before she shook him off.

"That feels so nice but you're putting me to sleep!"

He smirked and refilled her almost empty cup. "Sorry."

Changing tactics, he combed his fingers through her hair with more purpose, parting it into sections with the same ease as playing his guitar. Taking his time, he French-braided her hair and used one of her elastics to tie it off. Leaning back, he admired his work. All of the years he'd shared with Juleka, helping her do her hair, really paid off.

"You did really well, Luka! It suits you, Mari." He looked up and Adrien was watching them in awe. Marinette glanced up, saw Adrien's look, and blushed. Luka felt his heart squeeze. It was the same look he'd had on his face when he admitted his feelings to him about some random girl all those weeks ago- who happened to be Marinette. Seeing how far they'd come in less than three months- from close friends to partners- made Luka fill with warmth that he knew wasn't from the alcohol.

"Thanks Adrien." She glanced at the mirror on her desk and smiled. "Thanks Luka, I love it."

"You should wear it out like this some time."

She gave him a shy smile. "Maybe." She pecked his lips before focusing on the game again.

Distracted by the new expanse of skin on her neck, Luka couldn't resist leaning forward and kissing it again and again until he felt her breath hitch and a shiver run up her back.

"Luuukaaa! Stop distracting me! Go bother Adrien." He chuckled again and left her with one last kiss before doing what she said. Draining what was left in his cup, he moved around the board to Adrien's side.

Putting his chin on Adrien's shoulder, he grinned. "How's it going?"

Adrien sighed dramatically. "It's going. Trying to figure out how to win and still get a kiss later from our soon to be upset girlfriend." Hearing Marinette scoff, Luka grinned wider.

One thing he loved about them was their banter. Adrien was a lot 'sassier' than Marinette had thought he'd be - a direct quote from her own mouth- but Marinette usually had some kind of comeback ready, which had startled Adrien at first because he'd been used to only getting word soup from her- another direct quote. Now, two months into their secret relationship, the two sparred verbally quite often and it never failed to put a smile on Luka's face for so many reasons. One was that it added a delightfully playful tone to their collective song. Another was probably that it was so close to how their hero counterparts bantered. It was hard to keep they're secret identities from the other person but Luka found moments like these where he could have his own private inside joke made it easier to bear.

That last cup had him feeling a certain way and Luka winked at Adrien. "That's rough buddy, but you can definitely get one from your slightly intoxicated boyfriend if you want."

"Ooooh. I'll take it." Luka swooped in to capture his lips. Feeling Adrien's hand slip up into his hair at the back of his head, Luka deepened the kiss and relished the taste of wine on his tongue and the moan that came from the back of Adrien's throat. They must have been very lost in the kiss because they only broke away after hearing a frustrated groan.

"No making out on Relax Night, remember?"

"Sorry, babe. It's the alcohol."

Marinette rolled her eyes. "You've been drinking since you were eleven. I know you can hold your alcohol, Luka."

"True." Luka smiled and sat back to watch them play for a few more moments. He took a restroom break- not running into her parents at all- before returning to her room where the two were still locked in battle. He wondered who would win. They were both incredibly smart and while Adrien was more experienced, Marinette was more competitive.

Sitting behind Adrien, Luka tried to pay attention, he really tried, but Adrien was right there and it was so distracting. Scooting directly behind him, he put a leg on either side of his body and molded himself to Adrien's back, arms wrapped around his middle. Adrien relaxed in his embrace even as his eyes remained focused on the game. Taking another sip from Adrien's glass, Luka felt the urge to be even closer to him.

Running a questioning hand along his arm, he caught the slightly younger boy's attention. "May I?" Adrien gave him the go ahead so Luka slowly slipped his hands down his waist and pulled Adrien's shirt out of his pants. Sliding his hands underneath the shirt, he ran his fingers lightly over the other boy's stomach and felt him relax even further.

Luka had to admit: fencing and superhero-ing really had Adrien fit. The amount of toned muscle Adrien was hiding under his shirts was unreal. Running his fingers over Adrien's abs, Luka leaned forward and smiled as he felt Adrien shiver under his touch.

"You feel amazing."

Adrien turned slightly and gave him a wink that was so hot it had Luka's whole body reacting. "Keep going: maybe you'll find something that feels better." That sentence was full on Chat's flirtatious style, sexual meaning and all, and Luka wondered if there was something hard just waiting for his touch. At the thought, Luka's mind blanked and he just had to kiss him again. After a curious hand smoothed down the hard planes of Adrien's body to see what lurked below, they were separated by Marinette's voice.

"Horny." They looked at her as she quickly downed her mostly full drink. "We can't finish our game because you guys are drunk and horny and kissing and touching and distracting and... all things that aren't relaxing. Ugh!" She swept the chess board to the side and stood. Grabbing Adrien's cup from Luka, Marinette climbed up on her bed and was out her roof door, mumbling about horny boyfriends and horny jail.

Adrien and Luka looked to where their girlfriend had disappeared. "Do you think she's actually upset with us?" Adrien worried.

Luka felt guilty. He wasn't sure what was bothering her, but it seemed to be enough to put her in a bad mood and he had just added to it. "I don't know, but we should definitely go check in and apologize."

They followed her up and found her leaning against the railing, staring out over the city. Luka hadn't seen her look so despondent since Adrien had confessed and he grew really worried.

But before anyone could speak, she sighed. "Sorry guys. I'm not actually mad at you." Her boys bracketed her and each wrapped an arm around her.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." She sighed and leaned into Adrien and intertwined her fingers with Luka. "Just a little stressed with tests coming up and the deadline for Jagged's new cover. The wine didn't help." She laughed as she finished off Adrien's drink. Sighing again, she looked up to the stars. "I'm more mad at myself. Tonight was supposed to be our relaxing night but I couldn't stop thinking about all the things I have to do tomorrow and the next day and it... frustrated me that I couldn't just let go and relax the one night of the week that I'm meant to. And then I see you two relaxing and having a great time while I couldn't and I took out my frustrations on you guys for doing what you normally do when we're together when I should've just mentioned how I was feeling. I'm sorry."

Luka squeezed her hand as Adrien kissed her temple. "We're sorry too. I know that we have a no make-out rule and I broke it, twice. I'm sorry."

"Thank you. It's honestly not what was really bothering me but I appreciate that you came up to check on me." She smiled at both of them. "It means a lot."

Adrien fake gasped and hugged her tighter. "Why wouldn't we come and check on you? Did you think we'd keep making out on your room floor without you there? What kind of boyfriends do you think we are?" Luka barely stopped himself from laughing.

"Well, you are both horn dogs if left alone, so it wouldn't surprise me." She teased.

"That's absolutely true, but we know how you enjoy watching." Adrien winked and she rolled her eyes before smirking.

"I do enjoy watching."

"Now enjoy doing." Luka lifted her chin and kissed her deeply. He loved how her lips felt against his and cherished the feeling. The dazed, breathless look she had when they parted started a conga line of butterflies in his stomach and all he could think about was how much he loved that look and loved this girl.

Adrien spun her into his arms. "And again." They kissed and Luka savored the warmth of their feelings and the alcohol in his system. The second was something he'd gotten used to ages ago- living with a pirate meant there was no shortage in easily accessible alcohol. The first was something he was still getting used to and hoped he never would so that he could experience the beauty and weightlessness of it again and again for the rest of his life.

When they separated, Marinette smiled. Luka noticed it was the first smile to reach all the way up to her eyes all night. "Now let's go finish our game."

The next morning, Luka was surprised to wake up in a cuddle pile in Marinette's bed. They usually didn't sleep over on Relax Night... but they also usually didn't drink and pass out either. Legs and limbs were all tangled together and he found himself on his back with Marinette's head resting on his chest and Adrien's cushioned on his stomach, rendering him immobile unless he wanted to wake them. Seeing all of their differing states of undress and comfort with each other, Luka smiled despite the growing pain in his head and the stiffness in his back. The smile only grew wider but softer when he felt the blond nuzzling his stomach.

It had only been two months but he was sure he was in love with Adrien. The flutters in his stomach just from his smile assured him of it. They matched the feelings he felt whenever he looked into Marinette's beautiful eyes. Brushing golden hair out of the sleeping boy's face, he smiled when his eyes blinked open.

Barely moving his head, Adrien looked up at him, a soft smile on his face. "Morning." He whispered.

"I love you." Luka hadn't meant to just say it like that but the growing thud in his head made it hard to think straight and not immediately say what was on his mind.

His eyes widened and his breath hitched. He didn't seem to breathe for a full minute before he responded. "You do?"

"I do." Adrien's smile was breathtaking and the flutters in Luka's stomach turned into butterflies doing the tango.

"I love you, too." Adrien slowly moved up his body to kiss him. The goofy smiles they shared afterward were interrupted by a trio of pings. Marinette didn't move in her sleep but Adrien and Luka sighed.

"Akuma."

So much for relaxing the rest of the day.