Hi all! It is Feb 4th and I am hoping I can get this chapter out this weekend, and immediately start working on the next so that it will be out in time for valentine's day. Fun news about me, my boyfriend and I just bought a house! Now, what that means for this story is my updating might get even more infrequent than it already is. Only because I work Monday-Friday and then most of the weekends will be dedicated to renovating my house. I'll do my best to keep up with it, but if in the next few weeks, you're like man, why isn't this updating? It's probably because I have a lot on my plate. Just a warning.

Also! This chapter focuses primarily on Luka and Marinette, Jagged and Anarka, and Jagged and Juleka. I aiming for your feels, so hopefully I succeed.

Breakups typically were never fun for either party involved. No matter the circumstance. You could both agree it is for the best and still both will be sad it came to that, or you could realize the person your dating isn't one for you and hate that it came to that too. Either way, it's hard. Luka and Marinette's breakup wounded them both, and although assuming things would just automatically go back to normal again would be foolish, Luka couldn't help but wish for just that.

Marinette hadn't spoken to him since she ended their relationship. She had popped by the house boat a few times when their friends came as a group but each time, she had managed to avoid him entirely. At first, it didn't both him much. Luka knew Marinette, and he knew how much of an over thinker she could be, thus he let it go assuming with a little time she would gradually feel comfortable around him again. However, instead, she seemed to stop coming around all together.

He and the rest of Kitty Selection finished their last set when he scanned the group for Marinette much like he had the past few times they all came around only to see she once again was not among them.

"Marinette hasn't come around here for a while. Is she okay?" He asked. A part of him hoped that someone would have some type of explanation for it all. That maybe she just was out of town, or sick.

"Oh, yeah!" Alya answered nervously. "Yeah! She's fine. It's just that she... she... she's got a lot of stuff going on." Luka frowned at Alya's poor attempt at a lie.

"You can be honest with me, you know? She's stopped showing up because she knows I'm in love with her, right?"

It seemed like the only logical explanation. When he had told her that he would be waiting for her when she was ready, he had meant it to be endearing. To say that, while she took care of whatever it was, she needed to take care of, he wasn't going anywhere. Perhaps that wasn't what Marinette had wanted. Maybe she had no plan to get back together with him at any point in time. Maybe...she just didn't love him to the magnitude that he loved her. She knew that, and now planned to simply never see him again.

"Of course not, Luka!" Rose tried to explain. "Marinette stopped coming because the rehearsals are the exact same time as her Aqua Pony classes with Pom-pony, her favorite pony! Pom-pony is so cute, with his golden mane that's so brush-able, but he's also super sensitive and every time Marinette misses Aqua Pony, Pom-pony gets depressed!" She then pouts.

Lucy sighed and brought her hand to her forehead while Luka looked at Rose, unimpressed with her excuse. "I get it Rose, thanks." He said blandly before heading down to his room.

"Wow, Rose." Alya deadpans with a slow calp.

"I know, but we couldn't tell him that Marinette is too embarrassed to see him. It would have broken his heart! We've gotta find a way to patch things up between them so they can see each other and be buddies again! We can all be buddies, right? Oh, I know! Luka could go to Aqua Pony class with Marinette!"

"You know that "aqua pony" is not real, don't you?" Mylene said, placing a hand on Rose's shoulder.

"Oh. Yeah, right!"

"I'm sure we can figure out a way to get Luka and Marinette together!"

"Hey, aren't we all going to see the Rock and Monster Party Parade together this Saturday? What if, instead of going to the movies, we had a party right here on the houseboat!" Alya suggested. "For Juleka's birthday!"

(So, in the show Luka and Juleka are twins but I had already established Luka being older before I knew that so I'm gonna keep it that way. )

"Of course!" Mylene chimed in. "Luka will obviously be at his sister's birthday and Marinette wouldn't seriously miss out on it just to avoid him."

"Wait a sec, Adrien can't come this Saturday! He's got a fashion show." Lucy said with a small frown.

"I think he will understand." Alya said, placing her hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Besides, we are gonna need Marinette to focus, and even though she has been all gung-ho about you and Adrien, it's probably best to just play it safe for this." Lucy crossed her arms and gave a small pout.

"Yeah, I guess." She said, before shifting her gaze to Juleka. "How are you feeling about all this Jules? It is your birthday after all."

Juleka froze a little as suddenly everyone's eyes landed on her. It was true that the idea of spending her birthday trying to get Marinette to talk to her brother wasn't ideal. However, Juleka loved her brother more than anyone. And she knew how much getting Marinette to talk to him would mean. Seeing him out of his funk would be a birthday gift that in itself.

But she also knew Marinette wouldn't come if she knew, and the idea of tricking her friend didn't sit well with her either. Knowing the drama that might come from this plan was the main thing that caused her hesitation, but with all eyes on her, hoping she would be on board, Juleka nodded.

"I... yeah...sure." She agreed. The group seemed pleased, as Rose gave her a hug, thanking her for letting them use her birthday as a plot device.

OoOoOooOoOoOoOo

That same day, Alya paid a visit to Marinette who sat in her room, taking some time to catch up on some sewing projects she had fallen behind on.

"A party on the house boat for Juleka's birthday? Okay." Marinette agreed easily as Alya and Trixx high-five behind her. However, Marinette paused her sewing after Alya's words processed in her brain.

"Oh! Wait a minute, Alya Cesaire. We were supposed to go to the movies for Juleka's birthday, but now we're having a party on the houseboat and since Luka is Juleka's brother, he'll be there! But you thought I'd never figure that out and would end up on the houseboat with him, and since the houseboat is on the river, I'd have no way of leaving, and I'd be forced to talk to him! It's a trap!"

"Okay, girl. You're really good. No wonder you're Ladybug." Alya said, trying to sweet talk her friend.

"Alya, you can't do this to me!"

"No, you can't do this to Luka!" Alya argued. "You've been avoiding him for too long. You have to talk him. Just because you're not together doesn't mean you can't still be friends."

"But it'll be so awkward!" Marinette whined. "You know that Luka's in love with me, but I can't be with him, and every time we see each other, he just ends up getting hurt all over again because he knows there might be a chance that will never change!

"Overdoing it a little?" Alya mused, crossing her arms.

"He got akumatized twice because of me." Marinette clarified.

"Yeah, but things are different this time! If that happens, once you— I mean, Ladybug, saves him and gives him the magical charm, he'll never get akumatized again! And then you guys can try to be friends again! You can't say no to that. It's your duty!"

Marinette reluctantly agreed, knowing Alya wasn't going to let her off the hook, making the taller girl smile in triumph.

"Great, besides, if you tried to get out of it Lucy told me to tell you, and I quote:" She said, pulling out her phone to read the text left by Lucy. "If she tries to get out of it, tell her it's not a request, and if she does not show up that I will leave the party, speed over to her house and drag her back by her pigtails." Unquote."

Marinette smiled nervously at Alya who then draped an arm around Marinette's shoulders. "So, it's a good thing you're being agreeable."

OoOoOoOoO

She didn't want to do this. She really, really, didn't want to do this. Marinette had weighed her options. Not going to the party was her preferred plan, but it was evident that if she tried, Lucy would drag her out anyway. If she hid away so Lucy couldn't find her, she was sure she would have even bigger problems with the blonde the next time they saw one another. Avoiding Lucy would be nowhere as easy as avoiding Luka.

Talking to Luka...she wasn't ready yet. She knew that he was holding out for her. Hoping that whatever it was that was keeping them apart would blow over eventually and that they could pick up where they left off but things were never so simple. How was she supposed to face him? I love you, but I still can't be with you and I can't tell you why. No. She couldn't do it.

So now, she had only one option left. One she didn't want to go through with. The next day at school, during their lunch hour, Marinette used a trashcan for cover as she slid over to Juleka who stood alone in the court yard while waiting for Rose.

"Psst! Psst! Psssst! Juleka!"

"Talking garbage can? Awesome!" Juleka commented. After all, it wouldn't be the strangest thing she had ever seen.

"No, Juleka, it's me!" Marinette said, peeking from over it. "I'm really sorry. I told Alya I'd come to your birthday and I thought there'll be no problems with Luka but... I really hate to ask this; but do you think you could arrange for Luka to, like, not go?"

She felt like a jerk for even asking. And the uncomfortable look on Juleka's face didn't help.

"I know, he is your brother and would want to celebrate with you, but it wouldn't exactly be a great time if the girl who broke his heart were there, right? I'd totally miss it if I could but Alya just won't drop it. You know, I feel terrible that I make Luka unhappy and that he got akumatized because of me. I don't think I could ever look him in the eyes again, and... and..."

"I'll see what I can do." Juleka muttered. Marinette sighed in relief, thanking her over and over before scurrying off before anyone noticed.

This was what Juleka had been afraid of. After school she made her way down toward her and Luka's cabin space with a heavy heart. Her birthday was meant to be a happy day celebrating with the people that meant the most to her. Marinette was one of her dear friends, but Luka was her brother. She had no desire to make Luka hide way during her birthday, but she also knew if Marinette showed up and saw him, she would freak out and what was supposed to be a fun happy day would turn into something much less.

"Hey," She spoke to Luka, who sat in his bed, strumming his guitar. "I'd like to have a party here with the gang on Saturday after all."

Luka stops his playing and smiles. "Great idea!"

"And actually, um... well... Marinette..."

"Marinette will be there? Woah, I'm so relieved. I really thought she was ghosting me." Juleka watched with a frown as the thought of Marinette joining them lifted her brother's mood. "That's cool, really! Super cool!"

Noticing the conflicted look on his sister's face, Luka knits his brows together. "Was there something else?"

She couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him how Marinette only agreed to come if he wouldn't be there.

Getting up from his bed, Luka puts down his guitar and walks over to Juleka in concern. He may not know much in this life be he did know when something was bothering his little sister. "Juleka, I know that look. You're holding back something in there. That needs to come out." He said, gesturing to his heart.

Before Juleka could even attempt to answer a knock on the window startled them both.

"Dad?" Luka called out, opening the window allowing Jagged to slip inside. Since Luka had found out about his dad, Jagged had tried to make a point of coming around from time to time. At first it was awkward for all of them. And in all honesty, Anarka wasn't a big fan of Jagged suddenly thrusting himself into their lives. They argued often, which was why Jagged had started to try and be more discreet about his visits, attempting to avoid the mother of his children all together.

"Luka! Hey, son! How's it strumming?" He asks, fist bumping Luka. As they finished their little hand shake, Juleka attempts to say hello, but her timidness doesn't allow her voice to carry loud enough to be noticed by her father.

It wasn't that Jagged ignored Juleka when he visited, but Juleka wasn't like most of her family. She was quiet and reserved. A wallflower in comparison to them. Because of it, Jagged bonded faster with Luka than he had her.

"Ready for the chord of the day, my boy? The diminished D7. I use it in all my tear-jerking ballads." Jagged spoke as Anarka stormed into the room.

"Jagged Stone, you scallywag! No stowaways on my ship! Disembark my house right this instant!"

"Hey, Anarka!" Jagged greeted nervously. "Rock and roll! How'd you know I was here? I was being so sneaky!"

"Sneaky? Your tour bus is parked on the dock, you one-hit wonder!"

"Nanarky, you can't keep me from teaching the diminished D7 to my son!"

Anarka sighed. "I appreciate you trying to create a bond with your children, Jagged. But no one sets foot on my houseboat without the captain's permission, and that captain is me!"

"Well then, Mom," Luka interrupted. "uh, with your permission, could Dad come to Juleka's birthday on Saturday? Juleka wants to throw a party."

Gesturing to his sister, Jagged becomes aware of Juleka's presence and jumps back in surprise, not having had noticed her there. He brought back his nervous smile. Juleka was the wild card in Jagged's eyes between his two children. Luka, after learning about him, had been so forthcoming and open to building a relationship with him. Juleka had was always a little harder to read. She kept her distance most of the time and Jagged wasn't sure if she was just taking longer to adjust to him being in her life, or if she simply didn't want him there.

"Hey, Juleka! Rock and roll! I didn't see you there."

"Juleka, you really want this old pirate to be at your birthday?"

Pulling the window closer to her, as if it would somehow hide her from the prying eyes of her family, Juleka stutters out an answer. "I— um...Yes."

Jagged laughs triumphantly at Anarka who rolls her eyes at him. "Awesome! See you on Saturday then!" He leaps out the window only to hit the wall, letting out a whimper. "Rock and roll..." before falling into the river.

Anarka shakes her head and exits the room, leaving Luka and Juleka. Juleka's phone buzzes and Alya's face appears on the screen, hitting the answer button she is immediately questioned about the plan. Unfortunately, Marinette started calling a moment later for the exact same reason.

All Juleka could do was give the green light to both parties and pray that it all worked out. Luka looked so pleased to know Marinette was coming. She couldn't take that away from him. Maybe her friends were right. If Marinette came, she wouldn't have much of a choice but to talk to Luka. They needed this. He needed this. Still, even as she tried to be hopeful, tension built in Juleka's stomach, anxious for what Saturday would bring.

OOoOoOoOo

When Saturday finally came, Lucy arrived early to the house boat with a birthday cake in her hands. She had spent the better half of her morning putting on the finishing touches and hoped to god that everyone liked it. The cake was red velvet, per the request of the birthday girl. The inner frosting was classic cream cheese while the outside, while also cream cheese frosting, had purple food coloring added to it, being that it was Juleka's favorite color. The top was covered in black and red frosting flowers with the words Happy Birthday Juleka written in cursive. Lucy didn't trust herself to make frosting handwriting look good, but was fortunate enough to have a mother who was willing to lend a hand.

"You did a great job, Lucy." Luka commented, peeking inside the box when she placed it on a table on the main deck. "She'll love it."

Lucy beamed at the compliment. "Thanks! I don't have a reason to bake much, so I was happy for the opportunity. I kind of thought you guys would want to get something from Marinette or her parents to be honest."

"Marinette's family are a group of exceptional bakers, there is no doubt, but they aren't the only bakers in Paris. It's good to switch it up sometimes, especially when you looked so excited to do it." Lucy smiled as Luka gave her a side hug, patting her shoulder supportively.

"I'm sorry Adrien couldn't make it." Luka said as he pulled away.

Lucy shrug. "Yeah, he was bummed enough for the both of us, but having to skip out on doing stuff with his friends is something Adrien is pretty used to by now."

The pair wandered over to the far-right side of the boat house, leaning on its edge. Luka picked up his guitar and put it around him, strumming a few cords.

"Hey, Lucy?" Lucy hummed as she looked at him. "Can I ask you something...about Marinette?" Lucy didn't answer, instead opting to simply wait for Luka to ask whatever it was he wanted to ask.

"Everybody keeps trying to make up excuses for her, but I feel like you are the one person that won't. The reason Marinette hasn't been around...it's because she can't return my feelings, isn't it?" Lucy frowned. "You don't have to lie. It's okay if that's the reason. I just want to know. I was trying to give her space. Time to figure out what she wanted. Maybe she just realized what she wants isn't me. If that's the case. I need to know."

"Luka...I..." Lucy sighed. She hated knowing her friend was hurting this way, but she wasn't sure there was much she could say to make it better.

"She hasn't spoken to me in almost a moth Lu." Luka added, his eyes piercing hers. "She is supposed to be coming today and I still don't know if it will make a difference. There is an ocean of silence between us… and I am drowning in it."

Luka flicked his guitar chords absently. His and Marinette's relationship ended in a kind of stalemate…. Neither of them won. Yet both of them lost. And worse still that unshakable feeling that nothing was ever really finished.

"Marinette is..." Lucy began, trying to find some sort of comfort for her friend. "Marinette. She thinks about every possible negative outcome that can happen in a singular situation, and then convinces herself that the only way to avoid those outcomes is to avoid the situation completely. But, hey," she said, patting his back. "She's coming to the party so I'm sure you'll both have time to chat and get the clarity you both need."

At those words, the sound of distant chatter was heard as Alya, Marinette, and the others made their way down the steps toward the dock with presents in hand.

"See how brave Marinette's being Juleka." Alya complimented as the got on the house boat and began placing gifts of the nearby table.

"It's nothing! You gotta get over things in life. Grow up a bit." Marinette said casually, before leaning over to Juleka. "Sorry again. We're asking to do this but thanks for getting Luka out of here, Juleka. I couldn't handle this otherwise. Is he okay, by the way? I hope he didn't take it too hard— AHHH!" She shouted, seeing Lucy and Luka smiling over at her.

"Hey Marinette!" The said together. Marinette automatically goes into panic mode and heads to the other side of the boat.

"Excuse me! Sorry! I've got something to do! It's super urgent! Yep! Bye!" She shouted, falling down the steps to the lower level of the houseboat. "I'm okay!" She said weakly from the bottom.

Lucy's look turned sour as she made her way over with Luka. He and the others automatically began questioning Juleka, being that she was the one just talking to Marinette they figured she might have a clue as t what spooked her. After all, she seemed so calm and collected a minute ago.

Juleka felt her nerves break as she realized how quickly this whole plan went south. Now Marinette was upset, and Luka was upset, and everyone else would be upset because they were both upset. This was not how she wanted her birthday to go at all. Needing to escape everyone's questions, Juleka raced down the steps much like Marinette had, leaving everyone even more confused than they were before.

"I knew it. Marinette doesn't want to have anything to do with me, and Juleka didn't have the heart to tell me." Luka stated, walking off sadly. Lucy groaned, clenching her fists in front of her face.

"You guys' deal with little boy blue over there." She told her friends. "I'll handle birthday girl and the drama queen." She said, power walking her way to the stairs and heading down to the lower level in search of Marinette and Juleka.

From a far, ShadowMoth released an Akuma so that it may go to the party with a smile on his face. "The cruel disillusion of a young man who hoped that a friendship with a faded love could be rekindled. Fly away, my little Akuma! Go evilize that heart!

"Luka, come on. It's not like that!" Alya insisted.

"You know how she gets around awkward situations." Nino added, patting his shoulder.

"She doesn't hate you. She's just... Marinette." Zoe spoke from the back.

Rose bent down and smiled sweetly. "And Juleka wouldn't say anything because she didn't want to hurt you."

"She was trying to protect you." Ivan clarified.

"Everyone loves you here!" Alix declared. The group hugged Luka, making him smile.

"Thanks, guys, for everything."

"How strange. The negative feelings have disappeared. But stay where you are, my little Akuma. The party with teenagers always makes for a party of strong emotions." ShadowMoth spoke from his lair.

Below deck, Lucy had caught up to Juleka rather quickly, calling out her name and making her stop.

"Hey, Jules, what is wrong?" Lucy asked, taking hold of her by the arms. Juleka avoided eye contact, spotting Marinette poking her head up from behind the bar. Noticing her eyes set on something, Lucy turned to see Marinette and pointed a finger at her.

"You!"

Marinette squeaked, ducking back down below the bar, bringing her knees to her chest. Lucy, keeping a firm hold on Juleka stormed over the bar, pulling the dark-haired girl down to ground level with her.

"Alright, that's enough. What is going on?" Lucy asked. Marinette frowned at Juleka.

"Juleka, I thought he wasn't going to be here..." Juleka didn't answer, instead turning away, shaking Lucy's hold on her off.

"You thought who wouldn't...?" Lucy paused, her eyes widening slightly. "Marinette you didn't."

"Fine! Yes, I asked Juleka to try and get Luka to not be at the party!" Marinette confessed.

"You tried to have your friend kick her brother out of going to her birthday party!?"

"Well, I would have just not gone myself but Alya wouldn't drop it, and she said you threatened to come drag me here by force!"

"Uh, yeah!" Lucy admitted. "Because in case you weren't aware, Marinette. Today isn't about YOU."

"Ah, yes, one friend disappointed by the selfish actions of the other. What a strong mix of anger and-"

"I'm sorry, okay?!" Marinette apologized. "Juleka, I should have never asked that of you. I let my personal drama with your brother over take me instead of setting it aside so you could have an awesome birthday. That wasn't fair of me, I'm so sorry."

Juleka turned to Marinette, offering her a hug. Lucy sighed. "Marinette, you're gonna have to talk to him some time."

"I know..."

ShadowMoth cracked his neck in mild irritation. "Water under the bridge I guess."

Above deck, Jagged Stone wondered on deck. His sparkly black jacked gleaming in the sunlight, a large guitar case in hand.

"Hey, kids! Everything jammin'?"

The group all stared at Jagged confused as Luka greeted him. "Hi, Dad!"

"Sorry I'm tardy to the party, son. You have any wrapping paper I could borrow?" He asks, gesturing the instrument case.

"Jagged Stone is..."

"Juleka and Luka's..."

"Father?!"

"A group of friends surprised to find out that two of them have been keeping secrets!"

"That is so...AWESOME!" They cheered, carrying on with the party.

ShadowMoth sighed. "Yes, well, I should have guessed."

"And here I thought it was Aunty Anarka that passed you all those musical genetics."

"Talia!" Luka shouted, walking over and giving his cousin a hug. Talia smiled as she embraced Luka. When they parted Luka took in how Talia had changed since they last saw one another. The most obvious was her hair. She had chopped most of it off. Dying the tips red in a similar fashion to Juleka and himself. There were a few new piercings in her face and her look had developed into that of a witchy biker type with her leather jacket, dark blue drop top and dark jeans that were held up with a black belt containing a crescent moon shaped buckle.

"Hey Talia!" Rose greeted.

"Where ya' been?" Asked Alix.

"Afraid that's my fault." A voice called out from behind Talia. It was then the group spotted an older woman that stood a good head shorter than Talia herself. She had shoulder length salt and pepper hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a black leather jacket similar to the one Talia currently wore. The jacket hung on her shoulders, exposing her indigo colored that was tucked into her dark blue jeans, complimented with gray ankle boots.

"Aella." Anarka greeted, with her hands on her hips. "I don't recall getting a notice that you would be here."

Aella smiled. "I do like to keep you on your toes sister dear."

Anarka looked her sister up and down, giving a small scoff. "You got old."

"One year closer to being back in diapers." Aella replied with a smirk. "You got fat.

"Careful, I ate the last person who mentioned it."

The group all watched the pair with uncertain looks before the two when cracked and began to laugh.

"Come here you old bat! It's been far too long!" Anarka cheered, pulling in her sister into a hug.

"I've missed you sis." Aella said, pulling away. "How's your pirate life going. Make anyone walk the plank recently?"

"Afraid there hasn't been any plank walkin' for some time." Anarka answered. "Though with this Scally wag aboard, that might just change." She said, gesturing to Jagged.

"Jagged Stone." Aella greeted, crossing her arms and looking him up and down in distaste.

"Aella." Jagged responded uneasily.

"Aunty." Talia greeted, hugging Anarka.

"Good to see you Lassy." She greeted with a smile.

"So, what's this washed-up singer doin' here?" Aella asked, pointing to Jagged.

"Spending time with his children." Anarka answered. "Juleka and Luka wanted him here."

Aella scoffed. "Ah, so being a dad is convenient for you now, huh?"

"Finally! A woman's anger and man's guilt over the abandonment of two innocent children! A delectable combination for destruction!"

"Don't make it sound so simple Aella." Jagged glared. "I wouldn't have made a good dad back then. You know it, Anarka knows it, and I know it too. I thought I was doin' the right thing letting them be raised by that bologna sandwich of a man Anarka was married to."

"You mean the bologna sandwich you convinced my sister to cheat on with you?" Aella shot back unimpressed.

"And how's your marriage going again Aella? Still rock and roll? Oh wait... yours failed too." Jagged pouted.

"Jagged!" Anarka snapped.

"Just like your dad's condom, you half-wit-"

"Stop!" Luka commanded, shutting up the adults around him. "Aunt Aella, I know you might have some negative feelings for my dad, and I know those feelings are only there because you care about us. But I forgive him. I do, and so does Juleka. Mom's working on it." He smiled, looking back at his mother who huffed. "So, I need you to work on it too. Besides, it's Juleka's birthday, and it's already on a rocky start. Let's not add to that."

Aella smiled at her nephew, cupping his face in her hand. Her eyes left his and made their way over to Jagged whose own expression softened. Her smile faded, but she didn't scowl at him this time. She walked past Luka and took Jagged by his arm, dragging him away from the group of teens.

"This better not be some kind of game to you Jagged." Aella spoke sternly.

"It's not!" Jagged said, holding up his hands. "I know I've made mistakes Aella, but I really am trying to make up for them. I've only been in Luka and Juleka's lives for a few months and I cannot believe how I let myself stay away for so long. Not very rock and roll of me, not at all."

"All I am saying is that if you plan on sticking around, you better be in it for the long haul." Aella said to him. "They already lost one dad. They don't need to lose another."

"I'm not goin' anywhere." Jagged said firmly. Aella offered him a smile, one that didn't seem to reach her eyes.

"I really do hope so. For the kids' sake, and for yours. Because if you fuck these kids over, I will find you, and I chop off parts of your body and feed them to that croc your so fond of."

Jagged brought back his nervous smile, leaning away from Aella and holding up his fingers to make the rock and roll symbol.

"You got it Aella..." He said, clearing his throat and standing straight. "Now! Let's carry on with this rager! I got this beauty all packed up for Juleka!" He said, patting the case in his hands. "Luka's going to help me get it wrapped up." He smiled and slipped away from the shorted woman, going to his son's side while she watched him with an amused expression.

ShadowMoth took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Of course, that would have been too simple."

Below deck, Lucy, Juleka, and Marinette still sat on the floor behind the bar when Jagged's voice was heard while talking to Luka.

"What's Jagged doing here?!" Marinette whispered in surprise.

"Well, yeah... he's, my dad." Juleka muttered.

"Jagged stone is your dad?"

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Geeze Marinette, keep up."

"I don't think he likes me very much..." Juleka admitted quietly. "Always spending time with Luka."

"You'll see, she's a real beauty!" Jagged's voice rang out. "A sound that'll make your head spin. So, you better hide it, okay?" He says to Luka as he hands over a guitar case to him. The girls peek over the counter curiously. "And not a word to your sister!"

Juleka sits back down and hugs her knees. Lucy and Marinette share a look of concern.

"Ah, a young girl whose biggest fears have come true!" The Akuma heads to the bottom of the deck and targets Juleka for the second time. "And what could be worse than not being loved by your own father."

"Hang on, Juleka. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. You need to talk to your dad. That's how problems get solved." Marinette suggests. Lucy tilts her head and stares at Marinette, wondering if the girl ever hears herself sometimes. Standing up angrily from behind the counter, Marinette calls out Jagged's name, startling him.

"Marinette!"

It was then, Marinette noticed Luka and, "Talia! When did you get back?!" She asked, Lucy popped her head up from the behind the counter in excitement.

"Talia!"

"Lulu!" Talia shouted back, running over and hugging the blonde.

"Hi, Luka! Yes, I know we need to talk, and we will, but don't worry. But right now, I need to talk to your dad!" Marinette demanded, as Luka raised a brow at her.

"Jules, what are you doing?" Talia asks quietly, kneeling down to her cousin.

"Jagged, you can't just give an amazing electric guitar to your son and nothing..." Marinette pauses, trying to get Juleka to stand up beside her. "...nothing..." She lets out another grunt before finally getting Juleka off the ground. "...and nothing to your daughter! It's her birthday!"

From beside them, Talia stifles a laugh, making Lucy look at her. "What's funny?" She whispers.

"Wait for it." Is all Talia says as Jagged rolls his eyes and claps sarcastically.

"Hey, thanks a lot for your incredible discretion, Marinette. Rock and roll. Actually, this was supposed to be a surprise gift for Juleka." Jagged explains, taking the case and placing it down on the table to open it. "Juleka plays bass for Kitty Section, right? So, I thought it'd be cool if I gave her the very first bass I ever owned." Jagged then pulls out a brown bass guitar from the guitar case and hands it to Juleka. "Happy birthday, Juleka."

"Thank you!" Juleka says in awe at the guitar.

From his lair, ShadowMoth groans in frustration.

"And of course, I know it's not your birthday Luka, but I figured it would be alright if I took the opportunity to give you something too. "This original edition of the first LP from Crocoduo, the group I had with their mom."

"Jagged Stone, you really are a shipwrecker." Anarka snapped from the door way. "How dare you come here and give my son the album that caused our break-up?!"

"Caused our break-up? You mean the album to help me get my life back after you left me!"

Anarka stomps her way towards Jagged. "You got a lot of nerve, pirate! You were the one who left me!" She insists, pulling the vinyl from his hands. Jagged grabbed back onto the album, glaring at Anarka.

"No, you were!"

"Finally! Two fractured lovers full of resentment and anger!" ShadowMoth grins.

The Akuma flies in the room, heading towards the vinyl Anarka and Jagged are tugging on. As the Akuma lands on the vinyl, the disc brakes in two, causing Anarka and Jagged to fall on the ground, now possessed by the Akuma. Luka, Juleka, Talia, Lucy, and Marinette watch in fear for the adults as the begin to transform.

"Crocoduel, I am Shadow Moth. I'm giving you the power to get back together, to better tear each other apart! You finally have the chance to prove to the other that you were right. All I ask in return is that one of you bring me Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous. May the best rocker win!"

Anarka and Jagged, as well as the whole houseboat are now being engulfed by the Akuma's power, turning them into Captain Hardrock and Guitar Villain, respectively. The teens quickly head up the steps and warn everyone to get off the boat. The others step out to the docks and gasp in horror as the houseboat is completely engulfed by the Akuma. Captain Hardrock and Guitar Villain are now float in the sky, facing off against each other.

"Ye selfish sea dog, ye sailed off on your own cruise leaving two little mateys behind!"

"I had to go solo after you destroyed our duo!"

The pair fired at one another, their children watching helplessly below.

"Stop arguing, start talking!" Juleka muttered. Marinette looks to Alya, signaling the need for a distraction. Alya quickly falls to the ground with a groan.

"Ow! Ouch! I think I just sprained my ankle!"

While the others lifted their friend and moved her to safety, Marinette slipped away to transform.

OoOoOooOoOoO

After Chat Noir joined the party, he and Ladybug attempted to go after the villains, but the fight didn't last long. The pair defended one another long enough to get Ladybug and Chat on the ground before flying off to do what they truly desired. Destroy each other. Ladybug and Chat Noir scrambled to get citizens out of harm's way from the fall out of the villain's fight. Cannon balls came crashing down, almost hitting Luka and Juleka down below. The heroes quickly reached them, knocking them out of the way.

Talia offered her hand to her cousins, helping them off the ground. The teens looked to the sky in dismay.

"To think that they were in love once..." Ladybug commented.

"Looks like those feelings are long gone." Luka spoke sadly. Ladybug glances at him, and once again she is struck with the realization that much like the two villains in the sky, she really needed to work on her communication skills.

Ladybug detaches her yo-yo from her waist. "Still, it's no reason to stop talking to each other. Lucky Charm!" As she summons her power, a tape roll lands on her hands.

"Not sure if that's gonna be strong enough to patch things up between them, m'lady." Chat jokes.

"Well, maybe they will listen to someone else."

Ladybug hurls her yo-yo away and holds Talia beside her. She turns her head around to the siblings. "Don't stay here. We'll talk later. I-I mean, it's not safe." She says, flying off with Talia.

Once in an ally way, Ladybug smiles as Talia, one the older girl returns.

"It's good to see you again Talia. It couldn't be better timing." She says, taking out her yo-yo and pulling out the tiger miraculous. Talia takes the miraculous in her hand, looking at it fondly.

"It's good to see you too Ladybug. But..." She then holds out the bracelet. "This isn't mine anymore." Ladybug frowns, pushing it back towards Talia.

"Of course, it is. I know since we know your identity that technically we shouldn't... But the rules with that have been...murky these days. It's kind of a lot to explain, you've missed a lot, but the point is, this miraculous is yours."

"I appreciate the gesture, Ladybug. I do. But I'm not staying in Paris. Eventually you will need a new holder for Roaar. Now is as good a time as ever."

Ladybug's shoulders fell. "But Talia, they're your family. Don't you want to be the one to save them? Even just one last time?"

"Roaar gave me the ability to see such a stronger part of myself when I needed it most." Talia replied thoughtfully. "But I think we both know who could use that strength a lot more now."

Ladybug paused before smiling and giving Talia a determined nod.

Juleka gripped her sides as she watched the lights from the sky that appeared as her parents continued to fight one another. Luka tried to comfort her, but it was clear he found the confrontation just as unsettling.

"They're going to kill each other." She muttered.

"Don't worry. Ladybug and Chat Noir will save them." Luka tried to assure her, but both knew, being de-akumatized might not change the resentment they both seemed to carry for one another.

"Jules." Talia's voice called out, grabbing the siblings attention. She nodded her head to the side, signaling Juleka to come with her. "Walk with me. You good Luka?"

Luka gave a small nod, letting go of his sister who made her way over to Talia. The two girls walked off only a few meters till they were out of ear and eye shot of Luka and anyone else.

"What is it?" Juleka asked quietly.

"You know what makes you stand out in our family? We're all so loud. But not you." Juleka frowned at her cousin's statement, feeling self-conscious under her gaze. "I get it." She then said. "I used to be quiet too. It took me a long time to find my voice. Wasn't able to until I really needed it. I think you really need it, Juleka."

Juleka knitted her brows together, not understanding what Talia was trying to tell her.

"Your parents are in the sky right now dueling each other instead of working together to resolve their issues. They don't see the big picture. You need to show it to them."

"They won't listen to me..." Juleka argued.

"Make them listen." Talia instructed, lifting up her hand, and dangling the Tiger miraculous from between her fingers. Juleka didn't need Talia to tell her what it was. She knew just by looking at it.

"Where did you...?"

"Juleka Couffaine, this is the miraculous of the Tiger." Talia spoke, grabbing Juleka's wrist and slipping the bracelet on. "With it, comes the power of speed." She slips Juleka's fingers into the rings. "And an immense amount of strength."

A light surrounded Juleka for a moment, and soon a small pinkish-purple tiger appeared in front of her.

"I don't know about this Talia! She seems a little uncertain!" Roaar teased.

Talia only smiled, ignoring the kwami as Juleka looked between the two, still trying to process what was happening.

"Talia I..."

"Your mission," Talia laughed. "Should you choose to accept. Is to assist Ladybug and Chat Noir." She explained. "And save your parents. When the job is complete, you'll return the miraculous to Ladybug. Are you ready to show them what your made of?"

Juleka clenched her fist, nodding. "Yes."

"What was that?! I can't hear you!" Roaar teased.

"Yes!"

"Is that all you got?! Come on! Like you mean it!"

"YES!"

"Now that's what I like to hear! All you have to do now is say Roaar stripes on!"

"Roar, stripes on!"

Light surrounded Juleka once more and in a flash she transformed. Talia smiled at her appearance. Her look was very different from Talia's own. She has long dark grayish heliotrope hair with deep fuchsia highlights tied up in a high ponytail with long middle part bangs. Her suit a pale, light grayish fuchsia with dark cerise tiger like stripes and brilliant crimson marks on it. She has golden eyes and has dark fuchsia and light heliotropeish gray tiger ears. She has dark grayish blue-violet lipstick on her lips, and a deep fuchsia & light magentaish gray mask.

"I don't look anything like Tigress." Juleka commented, looking at her reflection in a nearby store window.

"You're not supposed to." Talia told her. "Much like the name they choose, every person who wears the same miraculous is going to be different. Custom to the person. So, what will you call yourself?"

"We really need to get a move on!" Ladybug shouted, suddenly landing beside them with Chat Noir in tow.

"Whoa, Talia? Wait, the who's this?" Chat asked, looking at the unfamiliar hero.

"I'm...uh...Purple Tigress!" She greeted, glancing at her cousin for approval. Talia gave a thumbs up making the hero beam. Talia wouldn't judge the name. Tigress, Ladybug, Cat Black. These were all the most basic and simplified versions of hero names they could have come up with. If Juleka wanted to just add the word purple in front of hers, more power to her.

"Meow! Welcome to the family!" Chat exclaims, with a side hug. Ladybug rolls her eyes as Talia snorts. Some things never change.

(Pfft, well its February 16th. So much for two chapters by Valentines day.)

Juleka had to admit, having the power of the tiger miraculous felt good. Almost as good as it felt to punch something so hard that it practically hurdled into space. After giving her miraculous back to Ladybug, Juleka ended up back on the houseboat with everyone else. As it seemed, being akumatized was just another thing for her parents to blame each other for.

"You shipwrecker! It's your fault we've got akumatized!"

"Are you kidding? You were the one who was completely off-key!"

Having had enough of them bother Juleka decided to take the adivde of those around her and finally make herself be heard.

"STOP!" She shouted, making the pair look at her in surprise. "Now you are going to apologize and make up by talking. Not yelling!"

"But he was the one who..."

"It was her..."

"No one cares!" Juleka scolded. "The past is the past."

Jagged and Anarka looked at one another, both a little unsure. They had been in such a bad place for such a long time that yielding seemed like a foreign concept. Yet, as their daughter stood before them, asking them...no, telling them, to let it go, the adults were forced to realize that maybe she was right. The past was the past. What else could they do but move forward? For their children, and for themselves. With open arms the two embraced one another. In doing so both parties were hit with the rush of their own memories. Some of the bad, but mostly the good. Anarka still felt a little foolish for thinking it. But she had missed this old pirate, and whether she believed it or not, he had missed her too.

"I'm so sorry Anarky." Jagged apologized as he squeezed her tight. "It was all my fault." Somehow, they both knew he wasn't talking about their akumatization alone.

"No, it's not." Anarka into his shoulder. "I made such a mess of things."

Off in the corner, Talia stood smiling at the pair. Her youngest cousin turning to her with a small smile of her own. Talia sent her a wink before hearing the small sound of sniffling beside her. Looking over to her right, Talia found Lucy and raised her brows.

"Are you crying?"

"No." Lucy denied, quite obviously lying. "I'm not crying, you're crying."

"You're such a softy." Talia teased.

"Shut up."

The party carried on not long after, and soon it was almost as if everyone had forgotten they almost got hit by cannon balls falling from the sky only a few hours prior. Everyone danced, and ate, and conversed, and for the first time that day, everyone was feeling at ease.

Juleka sat with her father, strumming away at the base guitar had had given her while he toyed with his own. Jagged thought about the days events and how uncomfortable Juleka had looked when she was truly under the impression, he had ignored her birthday to gift something to her brother. It became more apparent then that he had read her totally wrong. He thought her timidness towards him was a result of her not wanting him in her life, but the reality was that she thought it was he who did not want her. And how could he blame her? He needed to try harder. He would try harder.

"Juleka, I know I haven't been playing to your tune; but you know, whatever you wanna say to me, I'm all ears." He would accept it. Bad or good.

Juleka smiles, getting up from her spot and walking over to Jagged, wrapping her arms around him. "I love you dad."

Relief. Pure and unadulterated relief is what coursed through Jagged's veins as he returned the hug his daughter had bestowed upon him.

"You rock my world too."

Across the way, Anarka stood by her sister and smiled as she saw Juleka and Jagged together. Aella sipped her drink while lightly elbowing Anarka.

"Easy sissy. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, yeah?"

Anarka rolled her eyes. "I'm not gettin' ahead of nothin'!"

"Something tells me you've never been a fan of Jagged Stone mom." Talia spoke from the other side of her.

"Ha! Never a fan? I'm the one that introduced the two!" Aella mused.

"Really?" Asked Lucy, her brows raised in surprise.

"Back when Anarky here was just starting out, I took it upon myself as he big sister to represent her as her manager."

"A word of advice to ya lassies, never mix family and business. It be a recipe for disaster." Anarka commented, earning a snort from her sister.

"Oh, I'm the reason your career went up in flames, am I? Had nothin' to do with you rollin' in the hey with your band mate."

Aella grabbed her purse from the table behind her and dug inside the bag to find her wallet. Taking it out and opening it up, the elder sister smiled triumphantly. "Ah, here we are!" In her hand she held and old polaroid photo of herself and Anarka. In it the pair looked to be in their early to mid-twenties. Aella's long curly black hair fell down to her waist, a red ombre creeping its way toward her shoulders. She wore a silky red blouse with a deep neckline paired with a short leather skirt with a slit on one leg. Anarka's hair, though still long was in a high ponytail. Her currently gray locks as black as her sisters with purple dye similar to Juleka's. She wore a bright pink backless shirt that clasps around her neck with pointed short sleeves and a pair of shiny gray pants. Aella stood facing forward towards the camera while Anarka faced away mostly, while looking back while they loosely held hands. The bottom of the photo had the words "Rock and Roll Bitch" in red ink.

"Oh, I haven't seen this picture in forever." Anaraka said, looking at it from over her sister's shoulder.

"You were some hot tamales." Talia commented waving her hand as if to fan herself off.

"Were?" Aella scoffed. "This tamale has plenty of heat still baby, and judging by the way that hall of famer wanna be keeps looking over here, I think it's safe to say this one does too." She says, poking Anarka. Anarka swats her sister's hand.

"If you keep pesterin me, I'm gonna have no choice but to throw ya' overboard."

"You can try, but that might require you to show a little FIRE!" Aella shouted, now shimmying at her younger sister.

"You are your mothers' daughter." Lucy commented as she watched Aella annoy Anaraka.

"I'll chose to take that as a compliment." Talia remarked while also enjoying the free show.

"It definitely was one."

At some point, Luka had managed to take ahold of Marinette's hand, leading her to a less populated part of the boat. Marinette felt nervousness bubble inside her. She had been holding off talking to Luka for what felt like forever, but now it was all coming to an end. Luka's demeanor wasn't anything but casual in comparison to her own tense form. He leaned against the rail, one leg crossing over the other in the process.

"So," he started, offering Marinette a small smile. "How have you been, Marinette?"

"Me? Oh, uh...I've been...I've been okay..." She stuttered out, clearing her throat.

"Rumor has it, you played a key roll in Lucy and Adrien getting together."

Marinette's eyes widened slightly. "Oh! Well, I don't know about key roll." She said, letting out an airy laugh. "I kind of just...told a secret or two and things just..."

"Fell into place." Luka finished as she trailed off, earning a shy nod. "You know Marinette," Luka added, a more serious tone setting in. "It hurts more not seeing you, than seeing you."

Marinette let out a sigh and closed her eyes, squeezing her hands in front of her.

"I'm sorry Luka. I thought I was making things easier for both of us by staying away. I can't love you the way you deserve to be loved right now. I don't know if I ever can or will."

"I think you still love me," Luka said. "But I'm not enough for you right now. I knew this was going to happen. I admit, I thought it would be your lingering feeling for Adrien that would eventually pull us apart, but clearly there is something else. I'm not blaming you. I'm not angry, either. I should be, but I'm not. I just feel pain. A lot of pain. I thought I could imagine how much this would hurt, but I was wrong."

"Luka..."

"Deep down, I think everybody wants to be 'the one' to someone. I don't know if I've ever been that person to anyone else – but I do know you are that person to me. You are the one. The only one. And you always will be."

"I do love you Luka, but-"

"No" he interrupted. "In love there are no 'buts' or 'if's' or 'when'. It's just there, and always. No beginning, no end. It's the condition-less state of the heart. Not a feeling that comes and goes at the whim of emotions. It is there in our heart, a part of our heart…eventually grafting itself into each limb and cell of our bodies. Love changes our brain, the way we move and talk. Love lives in our spirit and graces us with its presence each day, until death."

Marinette watched in awe as Luka brought his body in front of hers, taking her hands in his as he looked down on her with more intensity than she thought was possible.

"I say this to you now: I love you, with no beginning, no end. I love you as you have become an extra necessary organ in my body. I love you as only a person can love another. Without fear. Without expectations. Wanting nothing in return, except that you allow me to keep you here in my heart."

As Luka poured his heart out into her hands as he always tended to do, all Marinette could think about was how this boy was everything she could ever want, while fearing he was also nothing she could ever have. He was raised so high, that every man on earth was now doomed to live in his shadow. Marinette had been isolating herself to the point where she almost thought there was no light at the end of this tunnel that never seemed to end. However, by this point, she didn't think she cared if there was a light at all. She was just sick of the tunnel.

Luka had said that he had worried it was her feelings for Adrien that would have led them here, and if she was honest, Marinette had thought that too. But that wasn't the reason anymore. As far as she was concerned, she had loved Adrien enough to let him walk away, and now she had to love herself enough to let him go. Luka looked at her like she was the stars in the sky when all she had ever felt like was the darkness that sat in between them. When she was with him suddenly, she wasn't this broken person anymore.
She was just Marinette.
She was whole again.
She was just a person – like everyone else.

Marinette never dreamed anybody could love her the way he did. And even when he proved it to her time and again – she still could hardly believe it was true.

"Do you know if you still love me?" Luka asks. He wants to hear it from her. He needs to hear it from her. "Or have I been completely delusional about everything between us?"

"I want to give us a shot, I swear." Marinette spits out. "But I can't rush this or we'll get it wrong. You have to understand though that I'm still carrying something around with me. And I know you're not Adrien, and I don't want you to be."

Marinette promised herself going forward she would never demote the love she has for anyone. She was growing to hate the word love because she felt like it was always a losing game for her, but love shouldn't only count when there's a victory. Love was never the liar; she was.

"I know I can't avoid you forever. It wasn't right for me to even try. But, you see, I'm screwed because I can't give you everything you deserve right now and when the time comes that maybe I can, odds are you will have moved on." She chokes out.

"It's the opposite." Luka said sternly. "You're screwed because I'm never going to stop loving you. I'm counting on us getting back together when our lives fit better. You're endgame for me. You make me happy Marinette. Don't I make you happy?"

She smiled, bringing her hands to his cheeks. "I'm blown away by how happy you make me. Thank you for being there for me when I'm stupid enough to think I'd rather be alone."

"People need people Marinette. Simple as that. So... for now...friends?"

"For now." Marinette replied. Luka leant down and her eyes fluttered closed as she felt him kiss the top of her head affectionately. She didn't know when she would truly find herself reaching the end of the tunnel she had found herself in, but her heart warmed at the realization that wherever it ended, Luka would be at the end waiting for her.

Psh...Feb 19th. I know, I know. You're happy I update at all, but I really wanted to get this and the next out by Valentines. Oh well. Like I said. With work and house reovations, my free time is limited, especially since I don't have internet at the new house yet. But hopefully that will change soon!

Anyway! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I was going to add more Anarka and Jagged moments but I really just want to get this out. Remember to comment and tell me what you think, as I love reading your thoughts! Till next time! Chow for now!