Chapter 4: Time Heals

Luka's face lit up as soon as he saw her stumble through the back room where his band practiced despite her being almost an hour later than call time. Marinette grinned sheepishly, hoping he wasn't too disappointed, but the pure joy in his expression caused her to sigh in relief. After all, she doesn't get to decide when Hawkmoth will send out his newest akuma to terrorize the citizens of Paris and the one this afternoon had been particularly nasty.

She tried her best not to distract him and lost herself in the music rocking back and forth with her eyes closed. Luka always had been amazing at pouring out his soul and bearing the souls of others with his songs. Marinette let her heart fully experience the emotional story as they played song after song, sometimes pausing to play a difficult transition a few times to make sure everyone had the timing and tempo correct.

The last song was unfamiliar, but full of yearning. The lyrics spoke of unrequited love and desire to see the mystery girl full of happiness. Every note sang sweetly through the room as a ballad which was definitely not their usual style. Confused, she finally opened her eyes and found Luka staring right at her with a soft smile on his face as if he was entirely at peace.

The last note was still through the room and faded completely until silence took over before everyone moved to begin packing up. She took a few steps forward as Luka slid his guitar in his case and carefully tucked his pick away in its own little pocket.

"Sorry I was late, Luka. I got caught up doing…" she started to explain before pausing not sure which excuse to give, but thankfully he spoke before the pause felt unnatural.

"I'm always happy to see you, Marinette. Thank you for coming tonight." Luka snapped the case shut and secured the latch before standing up to face Marinette directly, absolutely beaming. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes! You have such a way with music. Did you write any of the songs yourself?" Words tumble out of her mouth faster than she can think in her excitement. "I love how playful the song about birds and butterflies felt! Oh and the one about stars dancing with the moon was so much fun! The last one was crazy different, but made me feel so happy that the mystery girl had someone who cared so much for her."

A light chuckle left his lips at her eagerness and Luka smiled gently, eyes softening in fondness.

"Rose actually wrote the one about birds and butterflies. Juleka wrote the celestial song about her dreams and aspirations. The ballad was special. Adrien and I worked together to write it. It seems like he and I have a lot in common when it comes to the girls we love." Mariette felt like a bucket of ice water was dumped over her head hearing Adrien's name and her smile faltered. She tried to catch herself and plastered a fake grin on instead, hoping it would fool Luka.

"Wow, what lucky girls to have the hearts of such awesome guys" Mariette honestly was scared to hear about either girl. She knew Adrien has a crush on his mystery beauty that he refused to name, but she thought Luka had a crush on her. Honestly, she isn't sure which situation would be better. Maybe she was just misreading him and he really just saw her as a friend. Maybe he wanted more and she was too confused to be with anyone right now. She didn't want to have to give an answer either way yet or make anything awkward.

Cool as ever, he responded gently, "Mine is definitely a girl worth waiting for. She is kind, beautiful, creative and inspiring, but for right now her heart longs for another. Maybe one day she will hear my heart, but until then I will just wait and enjoy her friendship."

Well, that was vague, Marinette thought. His entire answer gave nothing away and she felt both frustrated at not knowing and relieved that she didn't have to deal with an awkward confession.

"Come to our practice next week?"

Marinette gladly accepted and let him walk her home, keeping up a steady stream of polite conversation. It was just so easy to talk to Luka and he was the best listener. He never interrupted, listened intently and always answered appropriately.

Weeks pass in this manner and she doesn't miss a single practice even if she was late to half of them because of her ever busy schedule and struggle balancing teen life, school and secret hero work. Every time she walked in the room, Luka's face radiated joy. Some weeks Adrien was also at practice, playing the keyboard, and other weeks he was absent for some random schedule conflict. After each practice, Luka walked her home filling their time with easy conversation.

At first, Marinette cherished the weeks Adrien couldn't make it so she could fully relax and enjoy her growing friendship with Luka without the echoes of her fading crush distracting her, but as time passed it became much easier the times he was around.

Despite not having a specific musical talent herself, Marinette was welcomed into the band as an honorary member. Rose and Juleka loved sharing their latest lyrics and everyone welcomed her feedback on new songs. Luka asked at the end of every practice if she enjoyed herself and what was her favorite song of the night. He never failed to invite her to the next practice.

She could laugh and joke with the whole band equally now, including Adrien. Having become more comfortable and less spastic around him, Marinette started to see a dorky side that didn't quite fit with the perfect model she thought she loved. Time moved forward and so did Marinette.

Gradually her bedroom walls filled with pictures again, but now they were a mixture of memories with friends, cutouts of inspirational outfits (she specifically avoided a certain boy model's magazine spreads because they started to look less like the real him that she was beginning to know), sketches of her own designs and even a fantastic picture of herself as Ladybug with Chat Noir performing their signature victory "pound it" that Alya posted on the Ladyblog. Both were wearing goofy grins and looking fondly at one another. It was one of her favorite pictures of them and made her heart happy that she had such a wonderful partner.

Tonight was band practice again and Marinette was frantically running around realizing that homework has taken much longer than she thought it would and now she only has ten minutes before practice begins! One last check in the mirror and Marinette grinned at Tikki before calling upon her transformation and swinging off the balcony. Mariette may not be able to get there in ten minutes, but Ladybug can be there in less than five.

She swung down the back alley behind the usual practice space and dropped her transformation. Tikki flew out and took to her usual hiding spot in Marinette's purse after a beaming grin. She was thrilled that her holder has finally calmed down and accepted a much healthier emotional state.

Walking into the room, the band members were all still setting up and getting ready. Juleka and Rose were talking about lyrics to a new song they are writing, Ivan was setting up his symbols and organizing all his drum sticks, Luka was plucking away absentmindedly at his guitar and Adrien was muttering under his breath, thumbing through his sheet music. Luka smiled and waved when he realized she arrived and stood up, swinging his guitar to the back.

"Hey, Ma-Ma-Marinette!"

The first song they played was the ballad from that first practice and the lyrics took on a whole new meaning this time. Instead of heartbreak from unrequited love, there was hope for a future. Instead of failure to catch her attention, there was a steady desire to create happiness. Instead of fruitless longing, there was peaceful contentment. She realized that she recognized these emotions and Luka's face is the one that fills her thoughts.

During the entire practice, she watched him play. Usually she got so lost in the music that she simply closed her eyes to listen and sway, but tonight was different. She couldn't look away from Luka as he played each note, clearly in his own world. Every now and then he looked up to meet her gaze and she dropped her eyes, trying to hide her blush at getting caught staring. After waiting a minute, she would sneak another peek and found herself watching him again. The entire practice passed this way, both just trading glances with one another. At the end of the night, Marinette honestly could not name a single song played beyond the first one that stilled her thoughts.

Immediately afterwards, Adrien waved and beckoned her over.

"Hey, Marinette!" The blond cheerfully greeted her, tucking away all his sheet music as she walks up. "I think you get to come to more practices than me!"

She giggled and grinned at her friend, happy to finally be able to complete coherent sentences around him. "Yeah, probably. I really like listening to all the different songs. It's so much fun!"

"Yeah, it is such a great outlet and very different from the classical music my piano tutor makes me play so I get to broaden my experience."

Marinette paused, considering the question bouncing around in her mind. With a surge of bravery, she decided to ask, "Hey, Adrien. Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, but feel free to ask another, Marinette!" Green eyes sparkled with curiosity and humor at his little joke.

"That first song… you know, the one your and Luka wrote together? Who is the song about?"

Adrien looked a little taken aback at the question, obviously not expecting it. It is obvious that he has a lot of emotions as they cross his face, but his expression finally softened before he speaks.

"Honestly, I've loved a girl for over two years now. We met back when I was just thirteen. She's one of my best friends, but so far that is all she wants from me. She knows I love her, however I will cherish our friendship if that is all she will give me." Marinette felt a small pang in her chest at his confession when she saw the longing in his expression. Adrien really loves this girl with all his heart and she was just silly to not return such devotion. However, she realized this sadness was different than she expected. The sorrow was not self-pity for not being the target of Adrien's affection, but rather for the mystery girl that she is obviously missing an opportunity to be cherished by such a wonderful guy.

"But the song isn't just about my lady. Luka is in a similar situation. His girl sees him as a friend, but he wants more. He is just too shy to make the first move."

Now he had her full attention. Marinette simply blinked, waiting for him to continue, but he just smiled at her and shook his head.

"I have a feeling he is gathering his courage to tell her soon. Maybe even tonight. Hopefully, she will accept. After all, he has been in love with her almost as long as I have been with my lady." Adrien's grin covered his entire face and Marinette was sure that he was trying to imply that it was her without saying the words.

Emotions bubbled up in her heart and she realized that she really wouldn't mind if Luka admitted that he likes her. After all, she loved being his friend. He was quickly becoming a person with which she was comfortable sharing all her secrets, minus those that included a spotted hero. He was generous, patient, sweet and all around a good guy. Taking a second to shoot a sideways glance, she blushed again as she realized he was watching her and Adrien talk.

"You think so?" she asked, turning back to Adrien. He nodded, his smile growing wider now that he knew she caught on to his not-so-subtle hints.

"Maybe you should to talk to him." With that, he turned away from her to finished packing his supplies and instrument.

Marinette made her way to Luka just as he was finishing snapping his guitar shut. As always, Luka asked if she enjoyed herself and which song was her favorite.

"You played that ballad a few months ago, at the first practice. I get it now. Last time I heard the song, I was in the same situation of unrequited feelings, but I couldn't feel happy about it."

Luka listened, not sure how to react. He had known all about her crush on Adrien. After all, Juleka told him about all the silly plans they had to get them together for a not-really-but-kinda-date or helping Marinette practicing confess her feelings through a poem or speech.

She continued, "Now I finally understand. I finally feel like I can be happy no matter what and my heartbreak can heal."

Unsure, Luka did his best to strengthen his resolve. After all, he had been practicing this moment for some time and it looked like for the first time in years, her spotlight was on him. He lifted his hand and gently grabbed hers, wrapping his fingers around her small fingers. Without breaking eye contact, he lifted her hand and placed it gently on the left side of his chest where she could feel his heart racing with nervous energy.

"Perhaps all you needed was a new heart? I would give you mine."

Marinette's eyes grew wide at his declaration. She was too shocked to move her hand from his chest so it stayed resting above his heart with his much larger hand holding it.

When she didn't answer for a few seconds, Luka wasn't sure how to press forward. However, she didn't pull away, so he took that as permission and stepped closer until they were inches apart, ready to give her space if she began to show she was uncomfortable. His other hand reached up to softly brush against her cheek and his lips were graced with a gentle smile.

"Don't answer now. Just think about it."

Both of his arms dropped slowly to her waist, leaving her hand pressed lightly against his chest and he leaned down, never breaking eye contact, until his forehead rested against hers. He had not moved any closer and their clothing brushed the others without any pressure. Marinette realized that he was letting her decide to close the distance if she chose.

"Like I told you, Marinette. You are a girl worth waiting for and I can wait until you are ready."

Finally her brain decided to start working again and she pulled back slightly, fighting to calm her racing heart and forcing breath into her starving lungs. Marinette hadn't even realized she was holding her breath until she felt relief at a rush of new air. She forced a step back, but only enough to meet his tender gaze.

"I'll see you at practice next week."