A/N: There will be a few chapters where Mari is 15 and Luka 16, but I'm planning for a 3 year time-skip fairly early into the story. There's a lot more you can do in a relationship as 18 and 19 year olds. I have no idea how long this story will be — I've been working on a new writing style and it's helped improve my pacing. I know there are a lot of amazing Miraculous fanfics out there, so thank you for taking the time to read this one.

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Chapter Three: The Musician and his Muse back together

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The soft glow of sunrise illuminated Marinette's bedroom in a warm yellow through her Eastern facing balcony. She opened her sleep-heavy eyes and sat up abruptly as she remembered just who spent the night. Luka's bedroll was empty and she could hear the sound of the shower running in her bathroom.

Which meant that her very handsome former boyfriend was naked only a few meters away. Marinette's cheeks grew hot with the imagery and she grabbed her brush and tried to smooth out the tangles of her bedhead. Yesterday morning, her mother, father, and paternal grandparents had sang her happy birthday over a large strawberry muffin shortly after breakfast. She'd made her wish — to find true love!

Her phone had been chiming with texts from her friends wishing her a happy birthday, but one in particular had excited her over-eager heart. Adrien had asked if there was anything she'd like to do with him for her birthday! His father was in London for the weekend and since it had been a while since they'd hung out he wanted to make it up to her.

Marinette had waited eagerly for Adrien and his driver to pick her up for a visit to the Museum of Art. They'd strolled side by side, with the Gorilla bodyguard trailing behind. She'd only fumbled over her words a few times and Adrien had chuckled nervously at some of her attempted jokes. At least she hadn't tripped or crashed into any of the ancient artwork.

Standing in front of the Ancient Egyptian exhibit, having learned of Pharaoh Hatshepsut and her love for the Grand Architect Senemut, she'd been reminded of her role as Ladybug and her partner Chat Noir. She'd read in some of the older manuscripts about previous barriers of the Ladybug Miraculous dating back to Ancient Egypt. She knew Tikki was actually older than the solar system, so there may have been Miraculous users on other planets in other galaxies — she would never know. After contemplating the mysteries of the universe, Marinette felt brave enough to finally confess her feelings for Adrien. Because in the grand scheme of things, that should have been only a minor obstacle.

Project Buttercup had been an epic fail and the awkward car ride home only sufficed for them to both stew in their mutual misery. But, when she got home, her family distracted her almost immediately with her big gift— her very own moped! She would never have to rely on someone else for her transportation and soon she'd have such freedom!

Her grandparents had left shortly afterwards and then her father had recommended she ask Luka to help her practice driving.

And somehow, that had ended up in her spending the entire evening in the company her former boyfriend. Not only had it not been awkward — somehow it never was with Luka — but it had managed to one-eighty her entire birthday experience. She wasn't even disappointed in Adrien's rejection anymore.

Had gaining Adrien's affection just been a goal? Were her feelings less genuine than she thought? Did she just want to make her lonely friend feel loved? If that was the case, she could do that as his friend.

"Good morning, Marinette!" Tikki greeted landing on her pillow. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm feeling okay." She smiled down at her crimson kwami.

Both her cell phone and her yoyo communicator had messages. She checked her yoyo first and found a voice message from her partner Chat Noir.

"Hello milady! I'm wrapping up patrol, sorry I missed you. Pretty quiet tonight. It's not nearly as fun prowling around the city without you. Hope to see you tomorrow!"

Marinette felt a twinge of guilt for not checking on her partner. There had been no Akuma alerts and he hadn't called requesting help, so it was fine.

"It's okay to take a night to yourself every once in a while, Marinette," Tikki said, her soprano soothing.

"You've worked with a lot of Ladybugs over the centuries, Tikki." Marinette wanted to ask how she stacked up, but she didn't want confirmation that she was subpar.

Tikki settled on Marinette's shoulder and hugged her neck. "You're the youngest holder of the Ladybug Miraculous. You're brave and creative and caring. I'm honored to be working with you." She angled Marinette's face towards the bathroom. and she heard the faint sound of Luka singing in the shower. "It's happened before that the Snake discovers the holder of the Ladybug — it almost always happens The Snake can only be managed by someone with an extreme strong sense of awareness."

"What about when Ladybug and Chat Noir discover each other's identities?" Marinette asked.

"Why don't you ask, Luka? If it's already happened, he would know," Tikki said.

Marinette fell back against her pillow and listened to Luka singing. She didn't recognize the song, nor the melody. Was he making it up? She picked up her phone and scrolled through the text messages.

The one from Alya was a bunch of good luck four-leaf clovers and crossed-finger emojis.

Juleka had texted her: "You and Luka have fun tonight. Why don't you come over Sunday evening? I invited Rose and the four of us can watch a scary movie on the Liberty. There will be that buttery popcorn you like!"

And there had been one from Adrien— it had been sent pretty late, around nine the night before. "Hey, Marinette. I hope you're not too disappointed in me. I had hoped our time together on your birthday would be a pleasant memory, but I'm afraid I messed that up. You are a wonderful girl and any guy would be lucky to have you. I'm sorry I can't be that guy. There's just too much for me to deal with at the moment with my father. You can ask Kagami, I'm not boyfriend material. I texted Luka earlier, I know he was going to visit you. As your friend, I think you should focus on the best guy either of us know. He never stopped being your biggest supporter. Hopefully, we'll still be okay for lunch together at school on Monday. Zhù nǐ yīqiè shùnlì."

Marinette felt her eyes well-up with tears. Adrien's message had been very considerate and his closing phrase had been written in Mandarin, telling her to 'Be well.'

The door to the bathroom opened and thick, steamy air with the familiar scent of her jasmine body wash waifed into her room. Luka stood there with a towel tied around his waist and another towel in his hands drying his blue-tipped hair. "Good morning." He flashed his gentle smile at her. "How are you feeling, Marinette? I hope you don't mind I used your shower gel."

"As long as you don't mind smelling like jasmine all day," Marinette teased with a shy returning smile. His bare chest was leanly muscled and there was a very faint feathering of dark hair leading from his belly button to disappear below the towel. She looked down at her hands, feeling her ears burn. He was merely finishing his shower and she was busy objectifying him.

"I've always been partial to the scent." Luka finished drying his hair and hung the towel on the hook on the bathroom wall. He walked towards the laundry basket and gathered the clothes Sabine has left for him. "Forgot my clothes," he murmured before retreating to the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

Marinette fanned herself with her hand. She needed to start getting ready for the bakery deliveries. The normal delivery guy was on vacation and she'd volunteered to try out her new moped. She'd felt fairly confident in her ability to operate the small motorcycle — at least during the daylight and when traffic was light. And Luka had kindly volunteered to assist.

She rolled out of bed and started to gather her clothes for the day. She wiped her hand down her face making sure she was truly awake. Did Luka really stay the night? Did she really have her first kiss— in her room — with Luka Couffaine?

The handsome musician emerged from the bathroom again, but this time fully dressed with only slightly damp hair. "I'm going to go downstairs and see if your parents need any help." His miraculous bracelet on his wrist caught the morning light.

"Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes." Marinette chanced a look up and met Luka's warm aqua gaze. Was it greedy to hope for another kiss? Maybe sometime later that day — after her teeth were brushed. "I enjoyed your singing— in the shower."

Luka chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "You heard that, huh? It's just something I'm working on. Every time I'm around you, that's the melody I hear." He flashed her one more smile and then opened the trap door and descended downstairs.

Marinette snatched up her phone and messaged Alya. She sent a series of heart emojis, a guitar, and the image of sunset.

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OoO

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Tom and Sabine had been working hard in the bakery since four in the morning. They were both wide awake when Luka joined them. "Good morning," he greeted.

"Did you sleep well?" Tom asked. "I know that floor can be hard, but with a young back like yours it shouldn't have been too uncomfortable."

"The blankets were cushion enough," Luka assured them. "I'm used to sleeping on a boat, so it was a little different adjusting to solid ground." He noted the stacks of boxes. "Are these the deliveries for this morning?"

"Yes, I've already arranged them geographically. These are the ones ready to go. It should take about a half-dozen trips," Sabine said, apologetically. "I"m sorry you kids have to work on your morning off."

"It's hardly work when I get to spend time with Marinette." Luka shrugged off their concern. He read the addresses on the first group of boxes and then started to load them into the basket that would attach to Marinette's moped. "This one isn't far from the Liberty. I could pick up my bike and we'd double our speed. What's the delivery window?"

"The next two hours," Tom said. "I'll keep most of the pastries on the warmer and won't finish boxing them up until you two are ready to deliver."

"That won't be enough time to pick up my bike and circle back." He sat at one of the unoccupied tables. The bakery wouldn't officially open for another two hours. "We'll make do with Marinette's bike." Luka started to drum his fingers across the tabletop and hummed absently — the same song he'd been singing in the shower.

"So did you two make up?" Sabine asked, pulling the chair across from him and joining him at the table. She set a pastry in front of him along with a cup of green tea.

"I certainly hope so," Luka said. He ate the breakfast and enjoyed the fact that he didn't have to prepare it himself. He loved his mother, but cooking was not her forte. Until he learned his way around the kitchen, he'd grown up eating cold cereal and pop tarts for breakfast. "She's a special girl."

Marinette's parents exchanged knowing glances.

"Good morning!" Marinette greeted as she hopped into her boots and joined them. "I"m ready! Luka and I can start the deliveries." She flashed a confident smile at Luka. "You okay eating breakfast when we get back? Or do you need something now?"

He gestured towards his empty plate. "I just finished. Do you need something?"

She took a cup of green tea that her mother offered and downed it, only grimacing slightly at the hot liquid that scalded her throat. "Nope! I'm good!" She leaned over and kissed her father's cheek and then hugged her mother.

Luka picked up the first batch of deliveries and they started their rounds. He enjoyed riding behind Marinette, the tips of her dark hair peeked out from her helmet and he amused himself watching the wispy hairs flutter in the wind. He enjoyed the feel of her back pressed flush against his chest. He could hold her for hours. She drove a little fast, but she'd already grown more confident in managing the moped compared to the day before.

He carried the boxes to the clients and was met with warm smiles and eager bellies. The Dupain-Cheng bakery had quite a list of loyal, happy repeat customers. Exactly an hour and a half after they started, the duo completed all their deliveries. The traffic had been lighter than usual.

"Time for you to eat, Marinette," Luka said once they returned to the bakery. "Then we can go have that mani-pedi."

She nodded. "Oh, Juleka sent a text. She invited me to join you guys for popcorn and a movie on the Liberty tonight."

"If you're not sick of me by then," Luka agreed. "I'll pick you up around five and drop you home after the movie. That way you won't have to drive at night." He followed Marinette into the family kitchen, outside of the public bakery. While she ate her own breakfast, he sat next to her at the bar. "Adrien asked to hang out with me this afternoon. Will you be okay seeing him? I can make it so you don't cross paths. It's your birthday weekend — your wish is my command."

Marinette finished her pastry before answering. "Either way. He sent me a text yesterday too. I think we'll be fine around each other." She poked his shoulder and flashed him a shy smile. "He's not the one I'm hoping to kiss later today."

Luka smiled back at her. "I wonder who that lucky person is?"

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OoO

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Marinette giggled as she placed her bare feet into the warm water at the nail salon. The jets of water tickled. Luka smiled over at her in the leather massaging chair next to hers. She had picked a pale pink for her fingernails but opted to leave her toenails unpainted, following Luka's suggestion.

"Do you paint your nails because you like the Rockstar look?" Marinette asked.

Luka shook his head. "While it is somewhat fashionable — your designer eyes would see that. I do it for a more functional reason. It helps strengthen my nails, keeps them from splitting when I'm playing my guitar."

The salon workers returned and the two ladies began chatting with each other quietly while they worked massaging and trimming the couple's nails. Marinette flinched when the woman took what looked like a cheese grater and ran it over the soles of her feet.

"I didn't realize you were so ticklish," Luka murmured, watching her with amusement twinkling in this aqua eyes.

"I didn't know I was," Marinette said through clenched teeth. It took all her willpower to keep from squirming in her chair.

"My favorite part are the warm, smooth river stones. You'll see. And the wax casing they do — it's probably going to tickle you as well." Luka smiled at her apologetically. "You can hold my hand if it gets too much. Our fingernails should be dry by now."

He extended his hand to her and Marinette took it, not because her nerves in her feet were tingling, but because Luka was the boy that didn't ask for anything. And the hope reflect in his eyes when he extended his hand tugged at her heartstrings. And it felt nice to hold hands with a boy she cared about.

Feeling freshly scrubbed, her nails a pale pink, and her calf muscles and feet very relaxed after a very thorough massage, Marinette walked along the sidewalk with Luka, holding his hand still, but now with their fingers entwined.

The pet store wasn't a far walk from the nail salon. Marinette felt positively pretty and girly walking next to the tall, lean musician. The pet store had opened fairly early that morning due to the biannual adoption program that was in full swing.

There was a black cat with green eyes that drew her attention, but she turned away from it purposely. She really hoped Chat Noir wouldn't ask her about Project Buttercup next time they spoke. Luka led her to the aisle with the hamsters and she watched the cute, furry creatures running on their wheels and sleeping in a huddle under tiny shelters.

"You know, having a pet right now, might be more responsibility than you have time for," Luka pointed out. "You have quite a few creatures you're looking over as it is." He referenced the kwamis. He led her further into the store to one of the back walls full of glass cases with snakes inside. He placed his free hand over the glass partition and the snake inside poked its head towards him in curiosity.

"Are you thinking of getting a pet?" Marinette asked. She watched the mesmerized look that passed between Luka and the green and gold reptile.

"No time soon, but wouldn't it be cool to have a snake during a concert? Dad has his crocodile." Luka trailed off and shook his head. "That would be selfish and impractical though. The loud noises and vibrations would be extremely disturbing to a snake." He leaned away from the wall and glanced once more over the store and the people milling about.

"I think we should go," Marinette suggested.

Luka nodded. He squeezed her hand and they walked back outside in the direction of her moped. "I know humans and animals can comfort each other, but it seems unfair that those animals are being judged on whether they are worthy or not to be picked as a pet. What sort of process are the humans vetted under to see if they can care for an animal properly?"

"I had never really thought of it like that," Marinette murmured.

"I think that one day, when I'm on my own and not living in a boathouse, I'd like a dog or a cat — rescued from a shelter." He smiled down at her and brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of her knuckles. "Though, I wouldn't mind a hamster either— one day."

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