*****Sorry about the late posting. It took me a while to get this chapter done. Share your thoughts!Here's a hint for the next chapter: THE REVEAL APPROACHES

Chapter 10

-Luka-

He was going to do it, he'd swore to himself he was. As they grew nearer to the Liberty, close enough to see it, it was like a revelation of the future hitting him in the face. Luka stepped onto the boat first, turning back and holding out his hand to Marinette, Chat's so-called 'Princess'. What was the deal with that? He tried to shake it off and focus on the girl who'd just taken his hand. He led her down into the ship to his room. She seemed to know what to do, she took a seat in a chair next to the chair with Luka's guitar sitting on it. Luka picked up his guitar, sitting in the chair and setting it across his lap. The movements were natural, plucking the strings to warm up. But he was still afraid.

He didn't need the paper with the lyrics scrawled on it, he knew every note. He played the intro that consisted of a few gentle riffs leading into a gentle melody. It was time for him to share his voice. He opened his mouth and sang the first couple lines in his deep, rich voice that he usually kept hidden, "A beautiful girl with a heart of gold. Brings so much color to my world." He glanced up at Marinette who was watching with her classic smile. "Brilliant eyes and a laughing smile. She sets me free, she makes me wild." He finished the first short verse before starting the happier chorus, "She lights up my life with her grin. Each time she smiles I win. I've loved her from the first day, I only wish I knew what to say." He smiled up at her as he sang the last line of the chorus, "I've held my silence for some time, let my doubts keep me in a bind. But I'm ready to begin."

He played a few more tender notes before diving into the second verse, "I've realized a need to see her laugh. I play out my heart on her behalf." He nearly flinched, worrying if he'd exposed himself already but kept singing anyway, "I pray that someday I can win her love, her dear heart's power is a treasure trove." He knew what he sang was true, because Marinette was the kindest person he knew. Luka risked looking up at Marinette who was watching him in wonder. He couldn't help but hope if it was enough. "She lights up my life with her grin. Each time she smiled, I win. I've loved her from the very first day, I only wish I knew what to say." He continued with the chorus finishing it again with, "I've held my silence for some time, let my doubts keep me in a bind. But I'm ready to begin."

He looked up at her glowing face as he started the bridge, more of the rock portion of the song seizing control. Luka came alive as he let everything out on the guitar, more of his persona flowing into the song. He only had a few lyrics for this part, and he poured his need and pain into them, "I love her eyes, her rosy face. She's a precious part I can't replace. There's no way to move on, with how her spirit keeps me drawn." He slowed the beat, turning back to the beginning notes of sweetness and innocence. The notes became farther apart, and Luka opened his mouth to sing the last few lines, "She's not mine, I can't pretend she is. But I'm so captivated by all she does. I wish I had words to tell her how I feel, but nothing has the right zeal." The guitar started to fade as he barely managed to sing the last part, "She has my heart in every way. If she was mine I'd never let her get away. I'd tell her that I loved her. . .every day." He finished, letting out a breath as his fingers left the guitar. He wasn't sure he could even look up.

-Marinette-

Luka's song was beautiful. Not just because of the perfect music and tones, but of the raw emotion Luka had poured into it. She could only look at him, unaware of the streams of tears trickling down her face. After a few minutes of utter silence, Luka looked up from his guitar and saw her tears. "You're crying. . " he worried, but she wiped them away hastily. "They're happy tears," She assured him, "The song is magical." He gave a small smile, but his blue eyes were still trained on her face. "Thank you so much for sharing it with me," She smiled over at him. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket, and pulled it out to see what was the matter. It was her mother asking her if she was coming home for dinner. "Dang it," she muttered under her breath and looked up at Luka. "I have to go, but is there anything else?" He seemed to think for a second before he asked her a question, "Should I share it with her?" Marinette's answer was instantaneous, "Yes. For sure." She stood to leave and he walked her up to the edge of the boat as she stepped across. She started to leave, but he called her back one last time. "Marinette?" and she couldn't help but turn. "I call the song 'His Princess.'" he said and Marinette felt a cloud of confusion swim in her head, but she managed to smile. "It's perfect."

-Chat Noir-

Wow. Even he was impressed. Luka's song made his Valentine's poem look like a children's book. But what bothered him more was that Marinette didn't seem to realize that the song was about her. But it wouldn't take long for Luka to grow restless and tell her outright. Chat didn't have much time. He leapt off the nearby boat he'd been listening from and took off for home. He had some thinking to do. As he landed in his room, he detransformed and Plagg fell into his hands. The kwami looked up at Adrien and for once gave him a completely serious look. "Seriously kid. You've got a choice and you've got to make it fast. It's Marinette or Ladybug." That was all he said before flying up and out of Adrien's hands to get a snack, leaving Adrien to think about his actions.

-Marinette

She sat at dinner with her parents, some of the words of Luka's song still in her head. The meal was pretty normal, but she still excused herself early. She had patrol with Chat tonight and she didn't want to leave him hanging. Besides, she loved watching Paris at night when it was so peaceful. Running up to her room, she found Tiki waiting patiently for her. "Ready to go?" The kwami asked. Marinette nodded calling, "Spots on!" A few seconds later as she bounded across the rooftops, she contemplated her conversation with Tiki. Tiki had reminded her that she had a choice to make, and her piece of paper was immensely too small for all the words she wanted to write about each boy. Tiki had reminded her that hesitation could ruin everything if she wasn't careful, but that she needed to follow her heart. She was so lost in thought that she scarcely realized it when she arrived at the rendezvous point before patrol.

"Good evening, m'lady," Chat's voice startled her back into the present and she turned to face her partner. "Hello, Chat." She said softly, "Ready to get started?" She didn't want to delay their task or allow Chat too much time to ask questions. She didn't need any more questions, she was already short on answers. But he asked anyway.

"Are you okay m'lady? You seem. . .sad. Is everything all right?" There it was again, the kindness and sensitive side of Chat emerging in place of his goofy, playful side that was typically dominant. "I'm fine," she answered stoically, "I've just got a lot on my mind. Big decision to make." Chat nodded solemnly, he seemed lost in thought tonight too.

"I know what you mean. It just hit me in the face today that I have to choose something I've always opposed deciding on." He said, trying to get her to open up some more. She relented a little. "I never thought I would have to choose something like this, I guess I always thought I already knew the answer. Now. . . I'm not so sure." Chat didn't answer right away, they both spent a minute looking out at their beautiful city, all the flickering lights under the beautiful moon.

"Ready to go then?" Chat asked, breaching the silence. She nodded, and the both jumped out onto the rooftops, scanning the streets and sky for any possible dangers. They looped around past the zoo, over the Louvre and across the city hall until they circled back towards the Eiffel Tower. They stood silently, neither of them leaving yet until Chat finally spoke. "Ladybug, I know it's hard to make a choice on where your heart lies, but I hope that I'm at least a contender. I still love you, but I'll understand if you keep going with the other person. You told me I have a chance, but is there a possibility I'm part of this decision?" Ladybug stood quietly for a minute, but couldn't bring herself to look at him as she answered, "You've always been there for me Chat. . . " She didn't finish the sentence, instead turned to look at him and managed a pained smile, "As for being a contender. . you could be." She swung her yo-yo and took off, trying to get the wind in her face to whisk away a few tell-tale tears.