Luka could feel it tonight as he played his songs at this fancy restaurant. It was a restaurant where rich people buy overpriced salads, and for some reason, the owner felt he had talent and should play his guitar for the patrons a few days a week.
And sometimes, it was somber nights.
After a decent amount of time playing music for this stupid restaurant, he noticed a girl who didn't wear designer dresses, even if her boyfriend was one of the richest boys in France. Some rude rich people described her as a mere ordinary girl dating Felix Graham De Vanily.
Soon, she came to the restaurant alone, keeping to herself, and Luka couldn't help but meet her gaze every time.
She always seemed so sincere and genuine.
And she always came to the restaurant looking so broken.
So Luka tried reaching out to her in the only way he could.
"I don't mind spending every day."
"Out on your corner in the pouring rain."
"Look for the girl with the broken smile."
"Ask her if she wants to stay awhile."
"And she will be loved…"
"She will be loved…"
When Luka stopped singing he felt heart broken too, but he saw Marinette clapping her hands before wiping a tear from her eye. And Luka left the stage because his shift had just ended.
The announcer thanked Luka for his performance, and when Luka was gone, Marinette walked over and placed a blue rose on the stage before leaving the restaurant herself.
It's not like Luka didn't want to ask if she was doing alright.
But when Luka finally returned to the stage briefly, all he found was the blue rose left behind. A rose that he observed before tucking safely into his jacket.
Marinette hummed Luka's song as she headed for the manor where her boyfriend lived. She tried to walk in with confidence but felt invisible as she approached the open door. The manor was surprisingly quiet except for the housekeeping staff, whom Felix coldly called "servants." Marinette looked at all the rooms Felix may have been in but couldn't find him.
"Felix…Felix?"
Marinette heard a familiar giggle that cut off, and she headed to the nearest open door, which had a couch that was used for lounging.
"Felix!"
Marinette was disgusted to see Lila lying on the couch with her usual devious smirk and Felix on top of her, showing no remorse for his actions.
"You're cheating on me with Lila again!"
Marinette turned, not wanting to look at them again. The first few times, she cried for Felix, but now all she could see was red. Felix left Lila and followed her.
"That's the fire I want to see in you," Felix said.
Marinette turned and glared at him. Her eyes watered a bit, but her anger was much stronger.
She clenched her fists. "I don't want to do this anymore, Felix! My relationship with you is bullshit!"
Felix merely chuckled, and Marinette growled and turned away. The housekeepers were speechless as Marinette walked out the door, but Felix said one last thing as she walked away.
"I know you'll just return to me no matter what."
And Marinette's heart shattered when she heard that. No matter how strong she tried to be, she always returned to Felix. Marinette wanted to believe he could be better, but now she was starting to curse himself for loving him too hard. Why couldn't she hate him and leave him for good?
Felix was the "perfect" rich boy—the boy all the girls dreamed of dating. Marinette thought she was the luckiest girl in the world to be dating him. But he played with her and Lila like they were toys.
Marinette finally started crying and running away as gray clouds began to fill the skies.
There was one place Marinette wanted to go: a coffee shop where musicians played. But as if life weren't cruel enough, the fun coffee shop was closed, and an apology note was on the glass door.
It only made Marinette's tears flow harder. Why did a nice coffee shop where she and her friends hung out have to be closed now?
With a roar of thunder in the distance, the rain started to fall. Marinette placed her head on the glass door as her clothes soaked.
After a moment, Marinette knew she should count her losses and head home; she ended up walking with her head down, pretending that the rain was drowning her.
Unknown to her, Luka wasn't too far behind. Finding out at the last minute that the coffee shop he performed at regularly closed early.
It hurt even more to see Marinette wanting to come in. She was alone again, and he wondered if she had another fight with Felix.
But Luka couldn't go after her and protect her. So he stayed where he was and let the rain fall on him.
Luka was about to turn around and walk away in shame, but then he realized.
If he couldn't help Marinette as Luka, he could help her as Viperion.
And Luka didn't hesitate to transform.
Marinette's tears mixed with the rain, and her vision was blurred, so she walked home slowly and carefully.
But then Marinette blinked her eyes as she saw a green glow in the distance.
Marinette gasped and thought she was dreaming when she saw a familiar snake hero slowly walking toward her.
"Viperion?"
The snake hero walked closer to her, and Marinette realized she wasn't dreaming, so she started crying again. Viperion placed his hands on her face and soothed her by wiping away her tears.
"It's okay, it's going to be okay, Marinette," he whispered.
The rain wouldn't stop, and neither would Marinette's tears, but it didn't matter to her because Viperion was with her, weathering the storm to be with her. Marinette almost wanted to stay in this moment.
Viperion wrapped his arms around Marinette, making her feel safe, and Marinette closed her eyes.
"I'll take you home."
Viperion words filled Marinette's ear and stole her heart, but something in her caused to stir in Viperion's arms.
"Wait…I…"
Marinette couldn't bring herself to speak. Instead, her beautiful blue eyes sparkled, and Viperion pondered before placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Can I show you something Marinette?"
Marinette said nothing and placed her hands on his broad chest, and then Viperion teleported them.
Marinette held Viperion tighter and was speechless to see them on top of a building, but that wasn't the best part. On top of this building was a small glass greenhouse. Viperion smiled down on her, and Marinette blushed.
"This is one of my favorite places," Viperion said.
Marinette was envious that Viperion could explore places she could only imagine.
Viperion took her hand. "Come on, so you can dry off."
Marinette squeezed Viperion's hand before following him in. She held herself before looking at the raindrops falling on the glass house.
She already felt warm inside, even if her clothes were soaked. Marinette sat down and took in the scents of the plants as she continued to watch the rain fall.
"Hold on, I'll teleport and get you a towel," Viperion said.
"Wait!" Marinette tried to reach for him, but he disappeared and reappeared with a blue towel with musical notes printed on it.
Viperion approached Marinette and presented her with the towel. She couldn't help but notice the design.
"You can have it, Marinette."
Marinette smiled and accepted the towel. "Thank you Viperion."
Marinette started to dry her hair, and Viperion gave her a moment of privacy, not feeling bothered that he was giving away one of Luka's towels.
He checked the lush green plant pots before summoning his harp and playing a familiar tune.
Marinette felt even more relaxed as she dried her hair and heard Viperion's harp mixed with the sound of rain.
And then she recognized that tune and started humming. She folded the blue towel, rested it on her lap, and watched the rain fall on the greenhouse even harder.
"It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise it moves us along."
"My heart is full and my door's always open. You come anytime you want…"
Viperion gasped at the sound of Marinette singing, and he nearly dropped his magical harp.
Marinette turned when she heard the harp music stop, and it looked like Viperion had just seen a ghost.
"Sorry!" Marinette cried.
Viperion winced and dispelled his harp. "No! You did nothing wrong!" He cried.
Marinette frowned, and Viperion shook his head.
"I just didn't know you knew this song."
Marinette shrugged. "It's my favorite. It moved me and helped me deal with my on-again, off-again relationship."
Viperion couldn't help but blush. The snake hero summoned his harp again, holding it close to his heart.
Marinette tilted her head. "What is it, Vivi?" But before Viperion could answer, he let out an adorable chuckle.
"I can continue playing for you if you want Marinette."
Marinette thought for a moment, and then she shrugged. "I would like that Vi. Your harp music always soothes me. You should really play your music at restaurants along with Luka."
Viperion blushed and fruitlessly hid it behind his harp. "Oh, I am too busy being Paris' time guardian to play music at events."
Marinette blinked before giving him a coy smile. "Okay then, I understand. But you would love Luka. He is amazing and talented at music. You two would be great friends." Marinette smiled, looking down at her musical-print towel.
Viperion had to stifle another chuckle.
"Maybe if the Universe calls for it," Viperion said. Then both he and Marinette stirred from a beautiful flash of lightning—an amazing sight to see inside the greenhouse.
"Anyway, let's just enjoy the rain," Viperion said as he played his harp again.
Marinette held the towel close to her. "I would like that…"
Marinette closed her eyes and breathed as Viperion kept playing Luka's song. The two of them stayed in the safety of their special place, praying the rain would never end.
But once the storm finally stopped, Marinette found her resolve.
"It's over, Felix, for good!"
And this time, Felix looked absolutely frustrated.
He tried to tower over and threaten her, but Marinette stood her ground.
"Who would you be without me?"
Marinette clenched her fist. "I would be my best self! Besides, you're more affected than I am. I guess fooling around with Lila isn't as fun without me around…"
Felix let out a gasp, and even some of the kind butlers and maids had to stifle their impressed responses.
Felix was completely red in the face, and Marinette gave him one last sly smile; Lila walked into the room and looked unpleased. Even better, she may have spent the night with him only for the day after to turn out like this.
Marinette giggled as she left, and the employees were always polite to her, quietly voiced their support, and wished her luck. Marinette thanked them and said her goodbyes, and she ran out of the stupid manor and watched as the clouds cleared up to make way for the sunlight.
There was one place Marinette wanted to go, and she ran as fast as she could and apologized while passing strangers until she got there.
At the front of the coffee shop, Luka Couffaine was practicing his guitar to attract customers inside, and he hoped deep in his heart that he was doing a good job as the hero Viperion.
"I don't mind spending every day out on your corner in the pouring rain…"
Luka sighed as he played the last chord. He was about to head into the coffee shop when he heard enthusiastic clapping.
Luka turned and saw Marinette smiling as bright as sunlight as she clapped for him.
"Marinette?!"
Marinette giggled. "That was really great Luka!"
Luka tried desperately to hide his blushing.
"Marinette, I am surprised you're here!"
Marinette giggled with her hand over her lips before winking. "Of course! This is one of my favorite places!"
Marinette batted her eyes and hugged herself while blushing herself.
"Besides, I need to celebrate finally breaking it off with Felix for good."
"You did?!" Luka mentally smacked himself for seeming so overjoyed by that. "I mean, that's terrible Marinette!"
Marinette shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "It was a long time coming; I am just happy I was the one who ended it."
"Oh…" Luka said before smiling.
Marinette smiled back, and then both took a moment to giggle. But Marinette didn't want this to be awkward with her noticeable blushing.
They walked into the coffee shop laughing and enjoying each other's company for the rest of the day.
Luka unintentionally made a vow for her that day, which Marinette knew was sweet and sincere, unlike the two-faced Felix.
"I want to share so many more songs with you, Marinette."
Marinette giggled. "I would like that, Luka."