I was supposed to publish this during autumn but...Life happened! This is inspired by my friend who owns an apple orchad, and because of her I get to eat plenty of delicious dried apple pieces. And also plenty of juicy apples but oh my gosh! Dried apple pieces are really good. Anyway enjoy! I will be back with more fanfics later!
Disclaimer: Miraculous Ladybug belongs to Thomas Astruc and ZAGToon. This is just a fanfic written by a fan.
Marinette thought she and her friends were lucky that Mylene's family owned an apple orchard. There was never a dull moment for the members of Kitty Section, and Marinette was ready to be inspired at a beautiful apple orchard on a crisp autumn day.
After two hours of playing songs in the van as requested by Mylene's parents, Marinette and Luka were in awe from driving past the apple trees.
Marinette placed her hand on the window and smiled at her reflection. "I'll find the ripest apple and make something special."
Luka chuckled as his smiling reflection reflected next to hers, causing her to blush. "I'll help you Marinette."
"Oh…" Marinette giggled as she tried to stop blushing. And the members of Kitty Section snickered in response.
When they finally reached their destination, Marinette didn't wait for Mylene to explain the history of the apple orchard as she ran under the apple trees to get a closer look at the orange leaves. There were also plenty of shiny red apples. Marinette observed each one, and then she found a big red apple that she tried to reach for, but she was too short.
Then her heart skipped a beat when she realized Luka was right behind her and also reached for the apple, but even if Luka was the tallest boy her age she knew, even he couldn't get the apple.
Marinette frowned, but Luka smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I can help you Marinette."
"But how?" Marinette asked.
Luka said nothing and got on his knees as he gestured to her.
Marinette felt another blush coming on. "Oh…"
Well, Marinette thought Luka was being as thoughtful as ever as she got on his back, which made her heart thud as she realized how strong he was. It almost reminded her of someone else.
Marinette felt so powerful as Luka lifted her to touch the autumn leaves, but they were still a few inches from the apple. Luka caught on and was super gentle as he grabbed her legs and lifted her just enough for her to pick the beautiful apple and for Marinette to feel a sense of surrealness obtaining an apple she had only seen on Instagram posts. At this moment, Marinette cherished it, but Luka took a moment to praise her. Marinette smiled down at Luka as she thanked him.
"Hey lovebirds!" Rose cried from a distance.
Marinette and Luka were still in piggyback mode as they turned to the members of Kitty Section, who most likely watched the entire thing. All of them had their phones out.
"Don't forget to smile!" Rose cried again as they snapped photos of Marinette and Luka with their mouths wide open.
Marinette yelped and fell, but Luka quickly caught her bridal style, and Marinette was nearly out of breath.
"Oh, you two are so cute!" Mylene cried as they snapped photos again of Luka holding Marinette tenderly and Marinette unable to hide her blushing.
Luka breathed as he enjoyed this moment of the two of them together under the apple trees and looking into Marinette's gentle blue eyes. Still, instead of humoring their friends, he gently set her back on her feet and turned away, hiding his own blushing face.
Marinette held the apple close to her heart as multiple thoughts went through her mind.
Juleka whispered something in Rose's ear, and then it seemed like a lightbulb had gone off over her head.
"Luka! Can you help us get some apples as well?" Rose cried.
"Sure!" Luka said as he ran to the members of Kitty Section.
Marinette watched him as he talked to the others, but he smiled back at her before returning to business. And Marinette smiled to the ground as her cheeks turned pink again.
She turned around and went to explore further in the beautiful orchid. There was a bit more radio silence, and while she was alone, she could get Tikki to help her pick the apples; besides, Tikki needed some sweet fruits to eat.
Marinette was happy her little kwami was happy and healthy. And like usual, Tikki brought up a random wisdom of love that made her flustered.
"You don't have to be so shy about your feelings for Luka, Marinette."
Marinette felt like she was about to trip in a pile of leaves, but she kept herself steady and tried to laugh it off.
"Oh Tikki!"
Then Marinette sighed as she looked at her reflection in the apple Luka gave her. "Well, things are far too complicated." And then she rested herself by leaning against one of the apple trees.
As Marinette settled in the serene moment, she felt a familiar presence because of her own superhero powers. Marinette blinked her eyes as she realized who it was. She moved to the other side of the tree and saw Viperion leaning against the tree adjacent to her with a shiny apple in his hand.
"Oh!" Marinette cried as she blushed but quickly waved her hand to greet him. "Hello Viperion! I didn't expect you to be here." Marinette smiled as she looked away and held her apple close to her.
Viperion ran his fingers through his hair before grinning at her. "I just really wanted to eat some of these delicious apples."
Marinette was starstruck, wondering how Viperion could look so hot even when eating apples.
Viperion moved to the tree's other side so he wouldn't fluster her.
"I also wanted to meet you here, Marinette. Like how you always manage to find me. And this place is even more beautiful with you around."
Marinette giggled and cleared her throat as she moved closer to the time-reset hero and felt his magical powers.
She hoped he could feel hers as well, and maybe one day he could see past her mask.
The thing is, Viperion did feel extraordinary power from Marinette. He just never made the connection to Ladybug. And they are still walking in circles around each other.
Viperion displayed those powers by placing his hand on the trunk and subtly using his time reset. A slight rustle came from the tree as a shiny red apple smoothly fell into his hand. Marinette noted to herself that it was a clever use of his powers. Viperion's mysterious mint green eyes sparkled for Marinette as he gently tossed the apple in her direction, and she caught it. Marinette giggled, holding the two beautiful apples close to her chest.
As the gentle breeze rustled the leaves, Marinette closed her eyes and enjoyed being by Viperion's side. But then Marinette heard that annoying beep from Viperion's bracelet, indicating he had to leave. But Marinette quickly laced her hand with Viperion's.
"Viperion!"
The boy behind the mask didn't want Marinette's heart song to sing such a longing melody. But at the same time, he couldn't transform back in front of her right now. The Universe would lose control if he did.
Viperion tried to smile it off as he gently let his hand slip from hers.
"I have to go Marinette…"
Viperion moved as quickly, but Marinette tried to chase him.
"No! I won't let you slip from me again! You sneaky snake!"
Viperion stopped before a pile of leaves and turned around before smirking at her. "And I wouldn't have it any other way, Miss Dupain-Cheng."
"But until next time…" Viperion said as he fell backward. Marinette tried to grab his hands, but he fell into the pile of leaves and disappeared. Marinette fell safely into the leaf pile and was bewildered as leaves fluttered around in front of her face.
Marinette looked at her reflection in the shiny red apple Viperion gave her. She grabbed two red leaves and sighed. "Just like always."
Marinette picked herself up, saw suspicious rustling leaves at a distance, and shook her head.
No, Marinette thought. I won't let you slip by me again. Then, Marinette took out her ladybug compact.
Luka teleported back to the entrance of the orchid by the parking lot and hid by a tree so the members of Kitty Section wouldn't notice him. He felt guilty for leaving Marinette hanging like that, but what else could he do?
Well, he wouldn't hesitate walking back to Marinette as Luka. Hopefully, Marinette wouldn't be disappointed, but it felt like she was gone with the wind. With a basket in his hand, he walked the rows of apple trees, and everything was quiet. But after a while, his foot crunched a tree branch, and then he heard some rustling and a familiar voice behind him. His heart skipped a beat, and he turned around to see Ladybug smiling down at him and eating an apple as she skillfully stood on the tree branch like it was a tightrope.
"Ladybug?" Luka cried.
Ladybug smirked. "Hello Luka!"
She had to admit it was adorable when Luka's aqua-blue eyes went wide.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Luka cried.
Ladybug batted her eyes. "Is that a good thing?"
Luka felt his heart speed up as he started to feel himself sweat on this cool autumn day. He looked away to hide his blushing face. "It's a great thing!" He regretted sounding like a stuttering idiot replying to her.
Ladybug giggled again. "I had to visit this place!" She picked another fruit from the tree. "It has the best apples!"
But before Ladybug could take a bite of the apple she was holding, she spotted Luka's basket and tossed the apple in smoothly. Luka gave Ladybug a grateful smile.
"Hey Luka."
Luka smiled and blinked his eyes before looking up at Ladybug again. "Yes Ladybug?"
Luka gasped when Ladybug gave a devious smirk as she started to glow red from her powers. "Catch these apples for me!"
Luka gasped as he quickly ran around, catching the falling apples into his basket. But Ladybug's powers were so strong that his basket was overflowing. He thought quickly and dropped his basket on the ground as he started catching the apples in his shirt. Thankfully, the falling apples soon stopped before Luka could get buried.
Luka sighed in relief and looked up to Ladybug with a confident smile.
Ladybug's laughter caused Luka to laugh a little too.
"You did great, Luka! But you are always so talented and kind!"
The branch Ladybug was standing on cracked, and she yelped. Ladybug knew she could easily land on her feet, but she was still Marinette on the inside and started screaming as she fell. Luka dropped the apples he was holding and quickly ran to catch Ladybug. She fell on top of him as he safely fell into a pile of autumn leaves.
It was such a rush that Ladybug closed her eyes as she felt her head on Luka's chest. It was so comforting listening to his heartbeat, but then Ladybug realized how unprofessional this situation was and sat up.
Ladybug blushed bright red, and to her surprise, Luka smiled up at her. And Ladybug did not know how to respond.
"I'm happy you're okay Ladybug."
Ladybug was about to scream, but she affectionately squished Luka's face with her hands instead. "Don't say that Luka! I was teasing you but went too far and nearly crushed you!"
That only made Luka chuckle even more, and Ladybug let go of Luka's face in response. This boy would be the death of her.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Ladybug."
"Huh?" Ladybug cried. Those words sounded too familiar to her. But before Ladybug could lose herself in thought, she had to push those feelings aside and finally get off Luka and get him back on his feet.
Ladybug looked down as she couldn't bring herself to let go of Luka's hands, but Luka didn't seem bothered by it. If anything, Luka was too fixated on Ladybug looking sad but finding comfort in holding his hands.
This all seemed awfully familiar.
Before Luka could ask Ladybug, he heard the familiar sound of her earrings beeping, and Ladybug placed her hand on her earring.
"I have to go now, Luka…" Ladybug sounded so distraught over saying that.
Ladybug let go of Luka's hand, but Luka retook her hand before she could run. He gave her a pleading look, but Ladybug gave him a sorrowful look in return. Almost as if she was about to cry.
"But Ladybug…"
Ladybug shook her head, and Luka respectfully let go of her hand. But while Ladybug's eyes sparkled with a few tears, she smiled up at him.
"I'll see you soon, Luka!"
Luka clenched his hands as he smiled back and nodded. Ladybug tapped her compact with her hand and used her powers to summon the autumn leaves to swirl around her as she disappeared before Luka, with only a beautiful orange leaf landing on his hand left behind.
Luka would have to believe he would see Ladybug again soon, and his endless questions would be answered. But right now, he has a bunch of apples to share with his friends.
Marinette returned to her friends out of guilt from running away from Luka as Ladybug. Her being crestfallen wasn't unnoticed by the members of Kitty Section, especially considering she only came back with two apples she held close, one from Luka and another from Viperion.
Marinette felt guilty, but Juleka and Rose gently placed their hands on Marinette's shoulders. While Ivan and Mylene suggested a group hug, Kitty Section band hugs always made Marinette feel warm inside. Although Marinette certainly wished Viperion and Luka were here as well though. But the members of Kitty Section were amazing friends, and Marinette could fight back any developing tears and enjoy everyone's warmth. She didn't even notice that Juleka was fidgeting.
"Hey! My brother is finally back!" Juleka cried.
Marinette regretted her soft gasp as the others happily turned around to see Luka carrying more apples than he could take. His basket was overflowing, and so was his shirt.
"And he's making sure all of Paris is fed!" Ivan cried. "Let's give him a hand!"
All the other members of Kitty Section ran to Luka like they were running a race, and Marinette blushed and felt awkward as she took her time and kept her two apples safe. She blinked her eyes as the other members of Kitty Section giggled and ran back to headquarters while carrying some of Luka's apples. Luka looked like he would turn around to get more, which stunned Marinette. She quickly ran to catch him.
"Luka!"
Luka turned back as Marinette held her two apples with one arm and took his hand. Marinette panted, and Luka had a light blush on his face. She then looked him sternly in the eye.
"Luka, you've done more than enough! We don't need any more apples!"
Luka chuckled as he squeezed her hand. "I got so many I had to leave a pile behind. I need to get the rest."
Marinette had to hold back a gasp thinking about everything that had occurred earlier; it truly touched her heart. She quickly took off her jacket, and Luka was confused.
"Well, let me help carry those apples!" She said as she took a few apples from Luka's basket and the pile of apples he was still carrying in his shirt. She safely wrapped the apples in her jacket.
"Marinette…"
Marinette flashed a confident smile at Luka. "I will make the most delicious apple tarts with these apples!"
Luka found it hard to argue with that. It was a lovely afternoon, bringing the rest of the apples back while walking under the trees and falling in a few more piles of leaves.
After the trip to the apple orchard, Marinette made adorable little apple tarts, and Luka could eat them forever. He got more than he bargained for when he saw a plate of apple tarts on Marinette's balcony with a note saying "For Viperion 3" in Marinette's elegant cursive.
Luka did something similar, leaving a plate of apple tarts on the Liberty deck for Ladybug. Marinette thought Luka was the sweetest guy in the world for leaving apple tarts out for Ladybug.
If only he knew who she was behind the mask. If only she wasn't torn between him and Viperion.
And if only Ladybug wasn't so scatterbrained and didn't realize Juleka was watching her snacking on apple tarts on deck.
Ladybug ended up screaming and falling into the Seine. Juleka tried to throw her a life preserver only to find Ladybug disappear. In truth, Ladybug just ended up swimming away to avoid further embarrassment. Luka looked into the water, and while he was upset that he had caused this, he knew Ladybug was a capable superhero, and wherever she was, she would be fine.
He would talk to her later.
Viperion eventually found Ladybug sulking on top of a building and approached her gently to ask if she was okay.
"Ladybug…"
"Oh!" Ladybug turned at the handsome snake hero. "Hello Viperion!"
Well, she hoped they could do superhero briefings or something.
"I heard you fell off The Liberty, and Luka and Juleka were really worried…"
Ladybug's eyes went wide, and she turned away. "Mind your business Viperion!"
Viperion sighed, and Ladybug was about to yell at him, but he placed an apple tart in her mouth, and Ladybug calmed down as she chewed the sweet treat.
After giving Ladybug a moment to eat, Viperion's mint green eyes softened for her.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," he said.
Ladybug chewed the rest of the tart and hummed. "Alright…" She said softly.
Viperion and Ladybug managed to smile at each other, and the banter continued.
"The lovely Marinette Dupain-Cheng made that apple tart," Viperion said.
"Hmmm," Ladybug said. She felt giddy on the inside, knowing she was the one who made it, but she had to hide it.
"Well, she does make an extravagant apple tart, I admit…" Ladybug said.