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miraculouswolf99 · 4 years ago

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The Language of Flowers

I love Chloe Salt and while this is not the most action-packed of one-shots, I hope you all appreciate the effort that I did to research each and every meaning of the flowers.

*****

Lyon and Vallia Garden.

The first, a teen that would be described as having a heart of ice and a gaze that could freeze you solid. His twin sister, on the other hand, was pretty much said to be a flower garden made human with tree sap instead of blood.

Yet the two stuck to each other as if they were one of those pairs of conjoined twins. The two were opposites in personality, style, and even how they talk. But even then, they were as close as a brother and sister could be.

Nobody in Ms.Bustier's really had any idea about the two foreign students in their class. Of course, they knew that it was part of a program for students of different countries to experience other cultures. But it was almost like having two ghosts in class. They would come and go each day, silent as ever, and it was like they were never there at all.

There wasn't really much of a problem with them, especially since the first day they were there was pretty much the only time they had ever spoken. But they spoke only to give the class brat, Chloe, a good tongue lashing that they all thought she deserved when she tried to make the two as submissive to her as Sabrina. But since then, the two were so silent that most people that were not in the classroom thought that they were mute.

"They two of them are such a mystery," Nino says, a lot of the class hanging out in the classroom during a break since an akuma attack was recently stopped.

The twins were not in the room for reasons no one else knew.

"A mystery wrapped in an enigma and stuffed into a riddle," Alya added, the reporter in her really frustrated.

"They are not as bad as you guys think," Adrien tells them, a bit tired after his fight as Cat Noir.

"How can you be so sure," Alix crosses her arms. "They don't talk to anyone but each other and never in a language we understand."

"I've seen Lyon at his archery practice sometimes when Kagami and I are at fencing," Adrien says. "He probably just has high expectations expected of him like Kagami and me."

"It is probably the same for Vallia, as well, then," Marinette agreed.

"They could, at least, make an effort with us," Kim said.

"My calculations say that there is a less than five percent chance that the two will speak with any of us," Max says.

"They need to learn their places," Chloe sneered. "Bowing at my feet."

"Why are you even here, Chloe," Alya put her hands on her hips. "Everything that ever comes out of your mouth is about as trashy as that dumpster akuma last week."

It had been a garbage man that was having a bad day. Apparently, his daughter was sick, his partner in the truck would not stop singing opera, and then one grosser bags he was trying to put in the truck ripped open. All that combined made him a prime target for Hawkmoth. Luckily, Ladybug, Cat Noir, White Wolf, and Beautifly managed to stop him from turning Paris into one giant landfill. Which, ironically, was his villain name. Landfill.

"My father will hear about..." Chloe tried.

"Shut up, Chloe," Marinette yelled. "Maybe the reason they don't talk to us is that they think we are all just as under your pathetic thumb as Sabrina."

"I'd rather be turned back into Timebreaker than be her minion," Alix stated.

"Adrikins, you going to let them talk to me like that," Chloe tried to whine.

For once, Adrien didn't even try to defend her. He turned away from her, shaking his head. To say that the young model was sick of her never-changing attitude would be the understatement of the century. He did a lot of thinking after the Despair Bear incident. Chloe would never change how she was. She has gotten away with it for too long to ever even want to change. She especially didn't change after being turned into Queen Wasp not too long ago.

"They've only been here for a little over two weeks," Marinette reminded them. "Maybe they just need more time to adjust."

"Having friends would help them adjust, girl," Alya put her hand on her best friend's shoulder.

"There is an 86.5 percent chance of them adjusting better with friends by their side," Max said, Markov floating by his head.

The class would have talked more, but they heard the sounds of two people chattering away in a foreign language coming toward the classroom. And since Lila was still MIA since her first day in class, that meant that it had to be the twins. Everyone quickly scrambled to get into their seats and not look like they had a class meeting without the entire class.

When Lyon and Vallia walked in, the silence that had fallen over the classroom seemed to be a lot worse than being caught in a class meeting. But the Greek twins simply walked to their seats in the back and sat down for class to start up again.

"Vríkate ta sostá louloúdia," Lyon whispered to his sister. Translated: Did you find the right flowers.

"Me píre lígo, allá to ékana," Vallia whispered back. Translated: Took me a while, but I did.

The two silently had smirks on their faces.

*****

The next day, the class was unbelievably shocked by what they saw when they walked into the classroom. There were bunches of flowers on all of their desks. A different flower was on each of them. No two desks had the same flower. Except that Ms.Bustier's desk seemed to have a flower bunch with one of each blossom in it.

"Geia," the Greek twins greeted them, standing at the front of the classroom.

Most of the class was too shocked by the flowers to notice that the two of them had actually talked to them.

"Was there some type of flower akuma and we didn't know about it," Alya looked disappointed that she might have missed an akuma attack for her blog.

"Pardon," Lyon crossed his arms.

The class suddenly realized that the twins were talking to them. The two of them were also each holding a few roses in their hands.

"Are you two actually talking to us," Alix asked.

"Eínai tóso dýskolo na eísai oraía," Lyon says to his sister. Translation: They make it so hard to be nice.

"Páre, aderfí," Vallia responded. Translation: Behave, brother.

"Class, sit down," Ms.Bustier instructed. "Lyon and Vallia have some things that they have collecting in order to share with us."

"Flowers," Max asked, confused.

"We basically grew up surrounded by nature," Vallia says. "Plants can be a language all on their own. You just have to know how to use them."

Lyon took a small sniff of the roses he was holding.

"Take roses, for example," he said. "They perfectly describe us. Roses are said to represent people that are quiet and traditional. Quite fitting for the two of us, isn't it."

The class all sat down in their respected seats. Adrien and Marinette were probably the most interested ones of the class, even if they were all curious. Except for Chloe, of course.

"We spent these last couple of weeks getting to know you guys from a distance," Vallia explained. "It is one of our family traditions to give flowers to someone when they enter the family. By marriage or birth."

"We decided to take that tradition and make a classroom version of it," Lyon says. "Each of you has been given flowers that match your personalities. It took us a while to find the right ones and get them here. Luckily, we have a very wide range of flora at our family sanctuary."

"You spent over two weeks getting us flowers," Alix raised her eyebrow.

"Can there really be a flower for each of us," Mylene wondered out loud.

"You have them all in front of you," Lyon looked a little annoyed.

Vallia did have to admit that she was a tab annoyed as well. While they did not know just how much nature meant to them as a part of their lives, the doubt was still annoying.

"We figured this would show that we are more than two foreigners that like to keep to themselves," Vallia says.

"Keep in mind that I still like to keep to myself most of the time," Lyon said, Vallia knowing how much her brother likes the quiet.

"So, what do these flowers mean," Adrien asks.

To his surprise, neither of the twins pulled out a list or anything that could help them remember all the information. They must really know their stuff.

"We can start with Mylene," Vallia says, the small girl blushing. "We gave her peony flowers. They represent those that are kind and also like small gestures."

Ivan was particularly shocked by that. He had only gotten together with Mylene because she read his song as a poem after his second time being akumatized as Stone Heart. She was not up for the big-time rock and roll version he wrote it as, and just liked it as a simple poem or soft song.

"Ivan's was simpler to find," Lyon said. "The carnation flower has always been used to describe down-to-earth people. Ones that are very grounded."

The other members of Kitty Section looked at Ivan, knowing how that was very true. Ivan had always been the first to calm down any fame that might go to their heads after the Captain Hardrock incident and their performance. Well, after Luka that is. Juleka's brother was basically a saint when it came to being cool, calm, and collected.

"We chose poppies for Alix," Vallia explained the red flowers in front of the skater. "The traits that they represent are those that are creative and bold."

That was definitely Alix to a "T." Her art was a mix of both since she did spraypaint street art. And her natural athletic abilities did make her do some pretty bold things.

"Max and Kim, I thought, were the easiest to match," Lyon said. "Max has the aster flower, which represents those that are smart and devoted. Kim has hydrangeas, for those that are athletic and team players."

The class was starting to see just how much the two had worked on their "project."

"I, personally, liked to say that I enjoyed finding flowers for Rose and Juleka," Vallia smiled. "Mostly because I am holding one of their names."

That got a giggle out of the pink-dressed blond and an eye roll from Lyon.

"Get on with it, Vallia," Lyon says. "We still have actual classes to attend, sister."

The class had to hide groans, especially since Bustier was in the room and they did not want to insult her by accident.

"Fine," Vallia sighed. "I thought that tulips matched Rose because they are for the bright and cheerful. Juleka's are also my personal favorite flower, the lily. They are for ones that are quiet but also inspirational to others."

Juleka tried to hide her face in her hands, knowing that she was blushing. Rose was over the moon, for herself and her best friend. If there was any flower that was spot on for anyone in the class, it would be the one that Rose got.

"Nathaniel and Adrien ended up having the flowers that tie as my favorite," Lyon admitted. "I chose the iris for Nathaniel because it is a flower for daydreamers and the imaginative. Orchids are Adrien's because they represent those that are sophisticated, refined, but have good hearts."

Both mentioned boys blushed. While Adrien did have more friends than Nath, both of them were naturally quiet and not used to such praise. Yes, Adrien is a model, but it be a miracle to hear any sort of praise from his father. And Nath was only just starting to come out of his shell thanks to Marinette.

"Sabrina was a tad bit more difficult to match," Vallia almost did not want to admit. "But when you learn about who she is, she is optimistic and also tends to be a morning person. Those are the traits of the daisy."

Sabrina was shocked, as were most of the class. As usual, Chloe didn't care. She had been sneering at the flowers in front of her since she had sat down. Sabrina was internally jumping up and down in excitement. No one had ever tried to get to know her, especially after she became friends with Chloe.

"Alya is a very modern person while Nino also very much in the tech universe, so they were also a little difficult to translate to our olden tradition," Lyon says. "But we did think that Alya best matched with the daffodil. It represents those that are very social and also love friends and family. Nino's flower is the sunflower, a blossom for the warm and those that tend to be very happy-go-lucky."

Both of those descriptions perfectly matched the two. Alya was probably the most social person in the entire school. She had to be to run Paris's most popular blog.

"I thought that Marinette's was very much telling about who she is," Vallia says, Marinette a little embarrassed. "The calla lily is for hardworking people, but also represents people that can be said to be quite rare as well."

Marinette was now bright red as she hid her face in her arms, Alya patting her back. But you could see the look on the blogger's face that she was enjoying someone telling Marinette how special she was. The girl was too humble for her own good.

"And last, Chloe," Lyon did not look happy about it being his turn to talk when it came time to tell the brat about her flower.

"Saving the best for last," the blond ruined the nice moment the twins had created. "About time you two start giving me the respect I deserve."

That was when Lyon got the most ice-cold look on his face that the class had ever seen. Rose even shivered a little bit, as if she was actually cold from the look he gave the brat.

Adrien remembered seeing him give that look only once more. It was last week when he was at a photoshoot after school. Lyon and Vallia had been in the same park as the shoot and had heard the photographer becoming rather aggressive with him. After a few words about acting like a model should and not a teenage boy, Lyon got in the photographer's face and gave him that very look. He had not said one word, but that look was enough to make the man weak in the knees. He had not spoken to Adrien again the entire shoot and a different photographer was assigned to him soon after that day.

"Alright, here is what your flower says about you," Lyon's voice could freeze the Atlantic. "The gardenia flower represents those that like living in a life of luxury. Those that like the lifestyle of the one percent..."

Chloe seemed to be happy with that, but Lyon almost smugly popped her bubble.

"Basically, it's the flower for spoiled brats that need to get taught the meaning of the word 'no," he finished.

#ml salt #chloe salt #i hate chloe #original character #miraculous fandom #miraculous #miraculous ladybug #class sugar

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mc-lukanette · 4 years ago

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Sometimes, Luka hated being observant. He hadn't always been like that, but with his mother being so chaotic and his sister being so quiet, Luka had to learn to read people and anticipate their next moves.

Marinette was easy, honestly, and that just made everything worse. She was an open book, constantly wearing her heart on her sleeve. Everything she felt was right there, on display, for all to see.

So why was it that only he could see it?

It was why he was there, standing at the side door of the bakery and knocking gently to make his presence known. He was supposed to check on the Kitty Section merchandise designs that Marinette was sketching, but really, he just wanted to see her. The quality of what she was working on didn't matter to him in that moment, or he would've just asked her to text them to him.

Once Tom had let him in and encouraged Luka to head up the stairs, Luka did exactly that. His footsteps as he went were rhythmic, even though his mind was playing discordant notes.

He knew enough about everything that'd been happening. He knew enough about Kagami and her relationship with Adrien. He knew enough about what'd been going on in Marinette's class from what the rest of Kitty Section had told him. He knew enough about Marinette's work and how much she did.

He knew enough about her being Ladybug. He knew enough about all the effort it must take to balance being a civilian with being Paris' favorite superheroine.

And, as he tapped on the trap door and called out to her, he knew enough about tones to hear the tiredness in her voice when she replied that he could come in.

He entered, seeing her hunched over her table and working as usual. He could see various pieces scattered across the room, all with various degrees of completion.

"...Marinette—"

"Oh!" She scrambled, fumbling with the sketchbook she'd been working on as she picked it up. She spun her chair around to face him, her fingers pressing a little too hard against the pages as she presented it to him. "These are some of the designs I've been working on! Um, they're not complete yet, but if there are any problems..."

Luka approached, bending down to get a good look at her sketchbook. They were great designs, as always, but his gaze was still drawn to her uncompleted projects strewn about the room, and he knew that Marinette noticed him being distracted by the way she wiggled in her chair, making it creak just slightly.

"They're amazing, Marinette," he said honestly. He considered what to say next, then settled on, "It looks like you have a lot of projects. Do you—"

"It's fine!" she interjected. He looked at her and could tell that she knew her response hadn't been natural. "They're all going great and I've got plans for everything!"

She immediately turned back to the table and continued sketching. Luka could only let out a hum of thought, idly glancing at one of her earrings.

She couldn't have plans for everything, he was sure.

"I know Jule said this weekend, but I know you can get busy," he said carefully. "If it's ever too much for you, you don't have to—"

"No," she cut in curtly. "It's—it's fine. I can handle it."

He didn't miss the way her voice broke when she said it, and the strained expression on her face gave everything else away.

"I know you can." He quietly wished that he'd brought his guitar. "And if you ever need anything, I'm here for you."

She didn't respond, the silence in the room filled by the scratching of her pencil against the paper. Luka leaned over just a little more, careful not to get into her space but also needing to see her expression.

Something was wrong, as he'd thought. Her eyes were locked to the paper, but her heart wasn't into it. He remembered the sound of her sketching during the two-week preparation to make a video for Bob Roth's contest, and this wasn't it.

Softly, he repeated, "I'm here for you."

She stopped drawing this time, eyes staring blankly ahead before finally darting over to him. She blinked a few too many times to be considered normal, then returned her gaze to her sketchbook.

"I—" She swallowed, then exhaled audibly. "I need to finish these."

"For me?" Luka asked.

"No, not—" She straightened, looking at him and raising a hand like she was about to make a point, but stopped herself. "Not exactly. I know you—I mean—"

She blushed, but her face was hard to look at. She seemed pained, and Luka had to force himself to maintain eye contact.

She tore her gaze away from him, staring at the wall off to her side. "Never mind."

Except Luka minded. He minded a lot, and he was certain that she'd said something significant just then.

He looked at her sketchbook, riddled with drawings and notes. He looked at the projects around the room, now wondering exactly who they could've been for. He looked at her, noting the awkward posture of someone who'd clearly been working too hard.

Luka thought back to all the interactions he'd ever seen, along with all the interactions he'd ever heard about. He thought back to his own interactions with Marinette, which had often left her with a smile.

He seemed to be an exception of some kind, and his heart ached as he became aware of the implication.

Things had been rougher in the classroom as of late, hadn't they? He’d heard enough to know.

"Marinette?"

She stiffened, and he waited until she was looking at him again to continue.

He gestured to her sketchbook. "I'm sure they won't hate you, with or without these."

The flicker of shock in her eyes confirmed his suspicion, as much as he didn't want it to. Even as she tried to casually twirl a strand of her hair, he knew what he saw.

"I...I know," she said unconvincingly.

Luka struggled for a moment, torn between a desire to dig deeper and a need to respect her space. He wanted to help her but he feared making her uncomfortable.

"You—" He hesitated. "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, Marinette, but I meant what I said."

She faltered, looking back down at her sketchbook and chewing her bottom lip. He vaguely wondered if he was selfish for wanting to be the one to help her.

He waited for what felt like a full minute, just to give her time to say anything, but she didn't. Slowly, he lifted his hand from the table, turning and walking away to give her space.

He felt a hand grab his wrist, almost startling him with the sheer suddenness of it. He glanced back, seeing Marinette leaning awkwardly away from her chair just to maintain her grip on him. Her head, however, was lowered, staring down at the floor.

"...Really?" she asked, her voice quiet. "Do you really mean it?"

"Yeah," he answered without hesitation. "I do. If you need someone to talk to about anything, I'm here."

He felt her fingers twitch against his wrist, like she was debating with herself.

She uttered meekly, "Can we sit down?"

She was already sitting, but Luka knew what she meant. He let out a sound of agreement, and she let go of his wrist as they both made their way over to her chaise lounge. Luka sat down first, then watched as she sat next to him. Her expression was as pained as before, but now there was a willingness there; an acknowledgment and acceptance that he was seeing it.

"Luka," she began, hunching over with her elbows on her knees and her fingers steepled in thought. "Do you... how much do you know about love?"

Luka kept his expression neutral. "What kind of love, Marinette?"

"...All kinds," she replied patiently.

Luka hummed, resting his hands on the cushion as he leaned back. "Enough," he answered, staring at the ceiling. "I love my mom. I love my sister. I love my friends." He managed a small smile as he looked at her. "I love the song in my head."

She clasped her hands together, her forehead pressing into her fingers. He couldn't see her face, but knew he hadn't made her uncomfortable.

She knew very well what he'd meant.

"H-how do you know it's real when you get it back?" she asked, a crack in her voice.

Luka leaned forward, copying her hunched position but letting his forearms rest casually on his legs. "Marinette?"

She shook, finally admitting, "I'm a mess. I don't know what's what anymore." She opened her hands, burying her face into her palms and letting out a groan. "I thought I knew everyone and I thought I knew what I wanted, but I don't. With Adrien, I—"

She flinched, even choking a bit. Luka, meanwhile, smiled reassuringly. "You can talk about him, Marinette. I don't mind."

He really didn't, and she must've sensed that, given how her shoulders relaxed.

"With Adrien, I was so confused once Kagami showed up, then Lila came back to my class and just made everything worse."

Luka, admittedly, had never met Lila, but he knew enough.

He knew Marinette.

"I thought I had it. I thought I had everything right and everything was great, but..." She shook her head, palms still pressed against her face. "I don't. I'm never sure anymore when people love me. It's either unrequited—"

Adrien, Luka was sure.

"—or it's not the kind I want—"

He silently presumed it was Chat Noir, but knew he couldn't ask.

"...o-or..."

She sniffled. Slowly, she lowered her hands from her face, and her eyes were shimmering. "or it feels fake. It feels like there are all these rules and requirements and all these things that I don't even know about until they happen."

Luka saddened, wanting nothing more than to hold her. His hands twitched, feeling the need to touch her, but he kept the desire to himself.

She looked at him. "Did—did I do something? Is that why—"

"No," he said quickly. "No, Marinette, of course not. You didn't do anything."

She seemed grateful for his answer, but her frown didn't waver. She hugged herself, only to then look dissatisfied by it. "I just... I want someone to love me. I want to be loved by someone who means it, but I know I'm a wreck and I'm not ready for anything right now and..." She trailed off with a sigh.

Luka stared at her. He couldn't stop staring at her, even when her vulnerability hurt him. Half of his mind was repeating her words in his head while the other half was racing with a million thoughts.

Then, a single thought managed to sing louder than the rest, causing his usual calm demeanor to weaken and his body to go stiff.

No. No, he shouldn't do this.

This was stupid. This was out of line. This was selfish.

The single thought then reminded him that he was the exception in all of this, and he let out a, "M-marinette," almost involuntarily.

She looked at him, and he felt something inside himself crack at the way her song was playing to him.

"I..." He reached a hand out, going slowly to give her each and every opportunity to pull away.

She simply followed his hand with her eyes. When his hand got close enough to one of her own hands, she raised it towards him in an offer. Accepting that as permission, he gently intertwined their fingers.

"If you'd let me... if I'd work," Luka began, pressing his palm to hers, "I'd happily be that someone for you."

Her eyes went wide, but not with the shock of someone who hadn't expected that response.

It was of someone who had hoped—considered—but dismissed the possibility of such a response a long time ago.

It made Luka's resolve all the greater, even when something in his conscience tried to protest.

"L-luka, no, I—" She shook her head. "I couldn't. You—I'd be taking advantage of you. I like you - a lot - but I'm so confused."

"I know," he assured, "but you can be selfish with me, Marinette."

He paused, considering his wording and realizing full well what both of them would be doing.

"...You can be selfish with me."

She opened her mouth to reply, stopped, then simply stared at him with wonder and curiosity that he'd never quite seen on her before.

"Y-you—you k-know what I meant, right?"

He nodded. He'd agreed wholeheartedly, and she knew that.

She used her free hand to slide herself closer to him. "And you know what that means?"

He nodded again. There'd be no strings attached, and he knew that.

Her face came closer to his as if she was testing him. Searching his eyes for any doubt or hesitance, she asked in a hushed whisper, "A-and you're okay with that?"

He nodded once more, with all possible conviction he had. They'd both be doing something selfish, and they knew that.

Luka leaned in, just enough to give her a sign of encouragement. She breathed up, eyes half-lidded, then copied him by leaning in as well.

Her lips met his, and any reluctance that Luka had was washed away by the eager noise that Marinette made as soon as he kissed her back. She pressed against him, her hand clutching his hand tighter as her other hand went to grasp his shoulder.

Luka shifted for comfort, making it all the easier for Marinette to climb onto his lap. He reached his arm around her, his free hand resting against her back. At his touch, she let out another sound, this one surprised and elated.

Somehow, this girl who had all the friends in the world, who had the adoration of almost everyone in Paris, who knew multiple celebrities who'd praised her...

She was affection-starved. She didn't want adoration, mindless attention, or even praise for her projects.

She wanted to be touched. She wanted to be comforted.

She wanted to be loved.

Marinette held the kiss for a precious moment longer, then pulled away, though she didn't look like she'd wanted too. Luka took in the sparkle in her eyes and the overload of emotion written all across her face.

He smiled, feeling overwhelmed himself. "You're beautiful, Marinette."

She gaped at him, blushing pink, and he giggled at how she was still surprised by his compliments after he'd just made out with her.

Then, she gave him a smile in return, he felt his heart jump at just how warm it was.

His face felt warm too, actually.

Marinette leaned closer, letting go of his hand to wrap both arms around his neck. She glanced at him for permission, then gave him a tight hug and buried her face into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her in response, keeping the embrace gentle but loving.

He was in this now alongside her, and he was not going to let her misconstrue how he felt about her, even for a second.

#lukaneventte: No Context November #Flower Arrangement Shipping #Pro LukaMari #Lukanette

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unmaskedagain · 5 years ago

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Best Birthday Wishes

Quick one shot. I rushed through at work. Nothing special. But I thought this was a decent idea.

It took less than a year for Lila to make due on her promise to turn the class against her. Most of her former friends would go out of their way to avoid her. Some took the cowards way out and just did nothing; Adrien and Rose. A few went out of their way to bully Marinette in a misguided idea of revenge; mostly Alix, Kim and Alya. The ice-out got even worse when Marinette resigned from being class president and no one (Lila) could managed to manage to do the job as successfully as she did. School field trips were with really bad or just cancelled altogether. School dances sucked. Fundraisers always fell short. No one would speak to Marinette because, as Alya said, if she just stopped being such a brat none of this would’ve happened.

Marinette shrugged it all off. She had decided if they could buy into Lila’s lies and turn against her so easily, they weren’t worth her time or effort. She made friends in other classes Aurore, Ondine, Claude and Marc quickly became her best friends. Once she did this, and the rest of the school saw she was out of the clutches of her class, the drama club quickly approached her and commissioned her for work for the school play. They were right to do so, as Marinette gave them a great deal, mostly because someone offered to pay her instead of just expecting her to do it. The art club practically got on their knees begging for help with funding their field trip. Comic Book club did the same but Marinette did one better and got them a tour of Marvel studios.

The funniest request was from the home economics class and cooking/baking club who just wanted a tour of her parents’ bakery. And maybe an internship or two, pretty please. Her mom and dad had been stunned when she asked. However, they were more than happy to lend a hand, and an internship, to the next generation of baker’s.

The best part was that no one expected her or left her to do the all work herself. The other students, her new friends, made sure that it was clear they were on a team. And if they asked her to make them something, they expected to have to pay for it. This allowed Marinette to have a lot more free time then she thought she’d get.

So much so that Marinette decided to create a website for custom designs by MDC. Once she spread the words about that, Jagged and Clara requested commission, naming her as the designer. This sparked a slew of celebrities reaching out for their own MDC design; from futball players, a few tv stars, singers, directors, a b-list movie star, were among them. Marinette got to meet them to do the designs.

Word quickly spread about the lovely young designer who didn’t bat an eye when she met them, and provided better quality then they could ever dream of. That brought in other celebrities. Celebrities who, when they publicists called Marinette, she fainted. She swore her heart stopped.

When one celebrity asked for a environmental fabric, Marinette was quick to show ones she had already created. It was a synthetic fabric that she created with the help from a local engineer and scientist who’s wedding dress she designed. It was cheap and easily replicated. The material was a hit; gaining the attention of Prince Ali who was always looking for new go-green projects to fund.

Marinette learned quickly just how tight-knit her class seemed to be. So close, other students don’t even try befriending them, after seeing many others fail. It was like there was a wall around Bustier’s class and no one could get in. And those inside never even bothered to really look outside it. It was suffocating to think about.

Marinette ended up joining the fashion club, gamers’ club, and got on the student council. Her popularity at school rose dramatically. Though, her classmates never realized.

When Marinette’s birthday rolled around, her classmates snickered when they realized that no one would be planning her birthday party. Alya guessed she spend the day with her parents but otherwise alone like she deserved. Alix vocally hoped even her parents forgot what day it was. Kim nodded along because Marinette was mean to Lila, and Lila was… Everything. A few were sad that Marinette would have such a bad birthday.

Bustier’s class were surprised when they received a text invitation to Marinette’s birthday party. Lila gets an idea and of course gets someone else to instigate it; Alya.

When Marinette arrives to class, Alya is quick to tell her that they can’t come to her birthday because they already have plans. She makes sure to add that Marinette wasn’t invited.

Marinette just shrugged, and said, “Okay, just trying to be nice.”

“Little late for that,” Alix snapped.

The class expects Marinette to announce that she cancelled her party but the news never comes. On the day of her birthday, they all threw a picnic to celebrate their new “Everyday Ladybug” Lila.

It wasn’t until Monday, did they learned just how bad of a decision that was. The moment they walked into school, it was clear that something was amiss.

“Jagged Stone was there!” A student said excitedly as she showed off the pictures of her phone. Alya tried to sneak a peek but couldn’t get close enough.

“I saw Chrissy Teigan.”

“Clara Nightingale,” Another said as Nino walked by. “I nearly died.”

A group of girls were giggling with each other. “Stranger things,” One hissed with a red face. “I got pictures with Finn from Stranger things.”

“Screw Stranger Things,” A girl taunted. “I got pics with the Stark sisters.”

“They have real names,” A girl tried to correct.

“Who cares?”

Nathanial overheard Marc saying something about a party, “Jagged Stone dedicated a song to her. And Clara brought her up on stage.” He wanted to ask his old comic book partner what he was talking about but after Lila convinced him to go solo, Nathanial couldn’t bring himself to.

Rose heard, “Prince Ali was there. They danced together. It was so sweet,” While walking through a crowded hall. And nearly had a fit trying to figure out who said it.

“Jonas brothers!”

“Gigi Hadid!”

“Selena Gomez!”

“Tony Stark!”

And the name drops went on and on until the entire class thought they were going crazy. Particularly Lila who was used to being the only ones dropping names.

When the warning bell rung, Sabrina, surprising was the first to ask the question on everyone’s mind, “Does anyone know what’s going on?”

Heads shook no. Alya stood up frustrated, on her phone, “No. But I’m going to find out.” Within seconds the determined expression on her face, shifted to surprise, then disbelief, then shocked. And when she looked up, the stunned look was still on her face. “Marinette’s party,” She said slowly as if she couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Everyone’s talking about her party.”

“No way,” Alix sneered as she pulled out her own phone. Others followed suit. Lila had her phone out before anyone could blinked.

Jaws dropped. Marinette’s birthday was a tag trended of Twitter, Instagram and nearly every social media site. Celebrities who couldn’t make it gave their best wishes to the young designer.

The pictures were everywhere. Marinette with one celebrity after another. Even Ladybug (Master Fu letting Trixx, Tikki, and the other Kwami giving their regards) wished her a happy birthday.)

They quickly recognized the faces of other students they knew at the party, some pictured with a celebrity or two, themselves.

“Luka was there,” Juleka whispered.

Mylene frowned, “He performed without us. Without kitty section.”

“Prince Ali,” Rose whispered. “Marinette danced with Prince Ali.”

Lila quietly seethed. How could this happen, she wondered. How come she never knew Marinette knew all those celebrities. The worst picture of them all didn’t even include a celebrity just the mountain of presents she got.

Adrien was supposed to be my way in, Lila thought with a frown.

Alya gasped, “You were there!” She hissed at Chloe. “You don’t even like her.”

“But I was invited,” Chloe smirked, “Of course I was. Dupain-Cheng throws the best parties.” She stated. “Like I’d be stupid enough to miss it. Even Mama went. But that was mostly because Miranda Priesley announced she was going. As did Wilhelmina Slater. It seems anyone and everyone in fashion wanted eyes of Marinette Dupain-Cheng, MDC, the up and coming designer for the stars. Including Gabriel Agreste,” She added with smug look.

This caused Adrien to frown. He didn’t know his father had been invited. Or that he’d actually gone. Why didn’t Marinette tell him?

The bell rang just as the bluenette in question walked into class. Only to once again see all eyes on her. She ignored them and went to her seat in the back. Marinette had a great weekend, and so was going to let anyone ruin her good vibe.

“So… Marinette,” Lila purred, in a way that reminded Marinette of the way she said Adrien’s name. “How was your birthday?”

Marinette eyed her suspiciously, “Good. More people than I thought came.” That was an under-exaggeration if that was possible. She didn’t know exactly how word spread but she blamed Jagger… And Clara… And Audrey Bourguis… Nadja.

“Girl, everyone was there,” Alya said excitedly. “Ladybug was there. I forgot you two knew each other.”

“Yeah,” Marinette raised an eyebrow. “I figured.”

Alya continued on like she never said anything, “I’d have killed to be there. Jagged Stone sang you a song.”

“Well I’ve known him for a few years now,” Marinette said, because, duh. “He’s like my uncle.” Her crazy, wild, decide to do an entire firework show, and nearly get everyone arrested uncle. “I went to his wedding. I design Penny, his wife’s dress. And his tux. And the bridemaids gowns. The tux for Fang,” Freaking Fang.

“Fang?” Ivan asked.

“His pet crocodile,” Marinette answered. “The same pet he’s had for twenty years. Anyone can find article about Fang, if they. Checked. Their. Resources.”

If Alya noticed the callout, it didn’t phase her as the girl didn’t even blink.

Nino looked confused, “I thought he had a cat?”

Lila’s eyes widened.

I thought you had a brain, Marinette nearly snapped. “Turns out a lot people were wrong.”

“Why didn’t you tell us who’d be there?” Adrien asked. “That my dad was invited. I would have gone. He hates parties.” (“He hates fun,” Chloe snorted.)

“Yeah,” Alix huffed. “Do you have any idea how awesome it would’ve been to meet a pro-skater.

“Or a Futball player,” Kim added.

“A director!” Nino went. “Or those actors.”

Marinette leaned back in her seat. “I didn’t know who all was coming,” She said. “You were invited. I just to invite Everyone I worked with as well. It was a party for a fourteen-year-old girl, I didn’t think they’d come.” At all, what’s so ever. Marinette had just did it to be polite.

“Worked with?” Rose’s mouth opened in awe.

“I designed for them,” Marinette offered. “But I didn’t think they show.”

“Nearly everyone in school was there,” Nino complained.

“No,” The bluenette was quick to correct. “I invited my friends; the ones I know from gamers club, design club, drama club, backing club, the students council. And I invited you, because I thought it was the polite thing to do.”

The clear distinction between the two was obvious.

“My friends came,” Marinette said. “Celebrity or otherwise; they all came. They wanted to wish me a happy birthday. Because they care.”

“Some of could’ve had our big breaks.” Alya snapped, anger in her eyes. “You invited us because you knew we wouldn’t show up!”

Marinette just stared at her before shaking her head, “I had guessed you wouldn’t,“ She admitted, and then smiled. But you were invited.”

#ml salt #ml fic #marinette dupen chang #Marinette deserves better #class salt

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maggies-scribblings · 4 years ago

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Remind Me How To Breathe

Nora Césaire, tall, strong and beautiful, has a sensitive, insecure side that she tries to hide from everyone.

Jalil Kubdel, diligent student, historian and archaeologist, loses his capacity to think when he bumps into Nora.

What happens when such opposites meet? Well, a school party and a painfully oblivious couple of teenagers may help them find out.

This is my July participation for the @mlwritersguild, fulfilling an anonymous request for the Noralil pairing. Thanks to @adventuremaker21 for the beta read.

It all began on a perfect, sunny Saturday afternoon.

The graduating classes of the Françoise Dupont school were hosting a Family Day. There were art exhibits, coffee, art auctions, food stands, and school newspapers for sale. They even had live music, with Kitty Section playing soft bossa nova ballads, instead of their signature hard rock. The students were enthusiastic, and most of them had their whole families there.

Alix waited by the door for her father and brother to arrive, excited as she was to show them her art installation: a mural mixing urban graffiti with Ancient Egypt designs and pictograms.

“Hmm, yes, Alix. Very well done,” her father said, as he tapped her shoulder. “I really like your work. I might even use it for the Museum’s next youth guide!”

“Wow, Dad! That would be so cool!” She hugged her dad, as her brother, Jalil, examined the graffiti more closely.

“Are you sure, Dad? There are a few errors in these hieroglyphs…”

“Don’t be a spoilsport, Jalil!” M. Kubdel scolded. “This is a great project, and you should be proud of your sister.”

Jalil sulked and walked away from his family to go look at the other exhibitions.

Blah blah blah! You should be proud of your sister. You should be proud of me, too, Dad!

He knew it was unreasonable to be jealous, he was an adult now! So what, if Alix was his favourite? He was the one actually studying History and Archaeology to follow in his father’s footsteps. No, he would surpass him! He’d be—

Jalil was so caught up with his thoughts, he bumped into another person. He looked up to apologise… and kept looking up.

“E-excuse me, I—”

“No, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

His brain stopped working when he got a good look at the person he bumped into.

She was a tall, strong and beautiful woman, dressed in a ruby red off-shoulder top and skin-tight black shorts, showing off her toned muscles and tiny waist.

“G-goddess…” Jalil whined, then dry swallowed and cleared his throat. “I mean, GOSH, yes, I’m fine! Are you alright?”

She chuckled, and Jalil went weak at the knees.

“Of course I am!” She smiled and flexed her muscles. “It takes more than that to knock me down!”

Jalil whimpered an imperceptible reply.

“Excuse me, I have to go.” She ran across the school patio as she shouted. “Ella! Etta! Get your hands off that cake!”

“Huh? Bye?”

“No!”

“Please?”

“NO!”

Jalil actually knelt down at Alix’s feet with pleading hands.

“Please! I promise I’ll never ask you for anything again!”

“You’re a grown-ass man, Jalil. You find a way to talk to her.”

“How? I don’t even know her name, or where she hangs out!”

“Fine! Her name is Nora.”

“Nora…” Jalil repeated in a dreamy voice. “What a beautiful name.”

Ugh! I just made him worse, Alix thought.

“You have to set us up, my dear little sister… I’ll do all your chores for a month!”

Alix looked at him, smirking.

“Three months!”

“Two months… and I’ll do your History homework.”

“Deal!”

It wasn’t long before the tables were turned, as Alix begged Alya for help.

“You have to help me, Alya! He won’t shut up about Nora… he’s writing poems for her! And then he sings them, playing that awful drum of his, all day and all night!”

Alya tapped her chin in deep thought. At first she thought Alix was pulling a prank on her. How could Jalil, the impish bookworm, be interested in her super strong, kick-boxer sister?

Then again, maybe it was true. The heart works in mysterious ways, as she very well knew.

Nora had been dumped by her training partner a few months ago — his fragile masculinity couldn’t handle getting his ass kicked by his girlfriend every day. Maybe it would be good for her sister to be wooed properly, with poems and songs. From what she knew of Jalil, he was a really good guy, in a nerdy-cool kind of way. He was dedicated to his family and fanatic about his interests, just like Nora.

Alix’s voice interrupted her musings.

“I’ll do anything you want, just… help me!”

Alya twisted her lips into a wicked grin and tapped her chin.

“Anything, huh?”

“Well…” Alix replied, narrowing her eyes. “Anything within reason!”

Alya cracked her knuckles and bent down to look Alix in the eyes.

“So… Shorty? What do you have in mind?”

“Just… introduce them, or… or set them up on a date, and let Jalil do the rest!”

Nora finished getting dressed and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Maybe playing chaperone won’t be so bad, she thought.

She had to admit, she looked good in this dress. Usually she just wore training clothes or comfy shorts and baggy t-shirts. It was hard to find nice clothes that suited her: regular sizes didn’t fit her, and plus sizes were designed to hide big bodies instead of showing them off. She always got upset after she went shopping, looking at endless pretty clothes that would never fit her, only to end up getting ugly stuff from the man’s section.

One day, after one of those excruciating shopping trips, Alya suggested commissioning her friend, Marinette, and she was a true godsend — she’d been so nice to her all this time! Always patient when taking her measurements, making sure to use elasticised fabrics, so they could adapt to her muscles whether she was in competition season or on a calmer period with less training. All while making feminine, practical clothes.

Little Baguette was definitely an impressive seamstress, but Nora’s dress for the school graduation party was a masterpiece. She looked amazing in her jade green, draped satin dress, and the plunging halter neckline and thigh-high slit made her feel confident, feminine and sexy.

With Alya’s help, she styled her dreads into a bun and enhanced her honey-coloured eyes with green glittery eyeshadow, and painted her generous lips with bright red lipstick.

Alya’s dress was a Marinette creation too — a short, fitted little number, where the true standout was the colour: bright, almost fluorescent, orange.

When the sisters walked out of Alya’s room, the twins jumped on them.

“Nora! Nora! You look like a Hollywood star!”

“Can I wear that lipstick, too?”

“You look pretty, too, Alya!”

“Can I borrow your dress?”

“Come on, girls, let us go, or we’ll be late,” Alya scolded, trying to keep a straight face.

After prying the twins’ hands off, they went downstairs, where a limousine was waiting for them.

“Alya, how did you—”

Nino came out of the limo for them to go in, guiding them in by the hand. There were more people inside: she knew the model kid — oh right, he’s rich, this must be his car; Marinette sitting next to him, pretty in a rose-coloured dress and rosier cheeks; the pink-hair little girl — Alice? Alex? She knew it was similar to her sister’s name; and an older guy she hadn’t met.

Alya sat next to Marinette, with Nino on her other side. Nora took the only empty seat, next to the other guy.

“You know Alix’s brother, don’t you, Nora?” Alya said in a sing-song voice.

Nora looked at the man by her side, who was offering his hand for her to shake.

“Jalil… I bumped into you the other day.”

She took his hand and shook it vigorously.

“Oh, yeah… Family Day, right?”

Jalil smiled as he retrieved his hand, flexing his fingers.

“Yeah, right. Nice to meet you again, Nora.”

He was kind of cute, in his black suit and tie, matching his lovely blue eyes. His long red hair was tied up in a ponytail.

“Thanks again for agreeing to this, Nora and Jalil!” Marinette said, after some moments of silence. “It’s thanks to you that our whole class can go to the party.”

“It’s cool, Baguette,” Nora smiled. “You kids are almost eighteen anyway, I’m sure you’ll behave…” she made a serious face and punched her left palm with her right hand. “Right?”

The younger crew collectively gulped and nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jalil gulp and nod too.

The conditions for the party had been set by the class parents’ association: no alcohol, no substances, at least an adult chaperone present at all times, and no funny business. Jalil wasn’t sure about that last part — it would be impossible to control a bunch of hormonal teens in their last class party.

When Alix asked him to chaperone, he almost turned it down, but quickly changed his mind when she said Nora would be there, too.

Now here he was, sitting next to her in a limousine, reminding himself he ought to breathe. If Nora looked good on the day they met, tonight she looked fantastic! Sitting next to such a beauty, legs and shoulders touching when the car took a turn, having her smile at him and shake his hand… he was in heaven.

If tonight went well, he’d be thankful to Alix forever. Even if he had to do her chores for the next months… Nora was worth it.

The limousine pulled up at the Hotel Grand Paris. The party would be on the top floor and terrace.

Being closer to the door, Jalil exited the car before Nora and offered his hand to help her out. Not that she needed any help, he was just being gentlemanly, as he saw the other boys do with their girls.

It was early, so the party hadn’t started yet. They couldn’t all fit in the lift, so Jalil and Nora let the kids go up first. After all, it was their party.

Only after the doors closed did he realise he was in an enclosed space with the person who’d inhabited his dreams for a few weeks now. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, trying to make himself look taller.

“You, erm… I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but… you look very pretty tonight, Nora,” Jalil started.

Nora looked a little embarrassed by the compliment, but not in a bad way.

“Why…” she pulled a stray dreadlock behind her ear. “Thank you, Jalil. You look nice, too.”

Yes! Jalil fist-pumped internally, thankful that Alix’s friend, Adrien, loaned him a suit and helped him with his look.

The doors opened to the terrace. It was all decorated with banners and paper lanterns made by the class. Nino was already setting up his DJ table, with Alya helping with the wires. His sister was already jumping in and out of the pool, which was filled with balls for the occasion. The other two kids seemed to be talking and appreciating the view from the railed balcony.

“So… uh… how do we do this?” Jalil asked.

“I don’t know, I never did this before,” Nora answered with a laugh. “I guess we let the kids have fun and try to enjoy the party too.”

“Well, they’re good kids, most of them anyway. I’m sure we’ll survive the night.”

“Haha! You’re funny, Jalil.”

His heart swelled with her compliment, and he wanted to hear her loud and raspy laughter some more.

They found a table near the bar and sat down for their duty. The other official chaperone was the hotel’s head butler, who was in charge of serving the drinks while keeping an eye out for any contraband.

Nora fanned herself with her purse after a while.

“Can I get you a drink, Nora?” Jalil asked.

“Sure. Surprise me.”

He nodded and approached the bar, where Jean was filling champagne flutes with non-alcoholic cider. After some consideration, Jalil picked a water bottle and put it in his pocket, then took two bubbly flutes.

“Mademoiselle,” he said, handing Nora her drink with exaggerated formality.

“Ooh la la,” she said as she took a sip of her drink, “I see they have the good stuff here.”

They shared a laugh as they drank. Conversation flowed easily between them, and they almost forgot what they were there for. By now, more kids had arrived, and the party was in full blast.

“We should let ourselves be seen,” Nora said. “Let’s take a stroll around the terrace. You go left, I go right.”

Jalil was a bit pained by the plan, but nodded and stood up.

As he expected, everyone was in their best behaviour. Some teens were dancing, others goofing around (there was Alix’s silly friend Kim, having some kind of push-up bet with another boy), but they all seemed to be having a good time.

Well, maybe not everyone. One of the girls was leaning against the railing, hiding her head in her arms.

“Marinette, are you alright?” Jalil asked. She was one of Alix’s best and oldest friends, so he’d come to see her almost as a family member. She looked like she’d been crying.

“Jalil!” She snapped straight up and turned her face away, trying to wipe away some tears. “I’m fine! Just f-fine!”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really… but thank you.”

Jalil didn’t quite know what to do, so he gave her a few consoling taps on her shoulder and kept walking. Spotting Alya dancing close by, he pointed out to her that her friend might need her.

He walked on, after a few stern looks at a couple getting too frisky while making out, and some boys being too rowdy. Halfway around the terrace, he crossed paths with Nora, and was once again blown over by her beauty. Her dress floated around her body in the summer breeze, and her smile lit up the night.

“All clear?” Jalil asked, when they met.

“All is well!” Nora replied.

Nora felt a little dizzy when she got up for her lookout, even if the champagne was fake. Jalil was a cute little guy, polite and knowledgeable. They’d talked about their interests, finding common ground in things like French hip-hop and old adventure movies. She was sure they’d be very good friends after this, but didn’t dare think about taking it any further. She reminisced about her ex and how some men could feel threatened by her.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by a sad, soft melody, which she could hear despite the booming dance music. It came from the white grand piano, a few steps further.

Nora approached the piano to find the model boy — Adrien, playing. He stopped when he saw her approaching.

“Don’t stop,” she smiled at him.

He nodded and resumed his song.

“Everything okay there, kid?”

“I… I think I just broke my friend’s heart.”

“Marinette?” Nora asked, concerned. “Did she finally manage to confess her love?”

“Wait… you knew?”

Nora gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.

“Everyone in Paris knows, Adrien.”

“Then how could I be so blind?”

“You… don’t love her back, huh?”

“No, I mean… yes, but not—”

“How can anyone not love Marinette? You’re so weird.”

Nora was well aware of the whole situation. Whenever the girl gang had a sleepover at their apartment, they made sure to include her in the games and conversations.

“I… do love her… but I’ve been in love with someone else for a long time.”

“And how’s that working out for you?”

Adrien dropped his head onto the piano keys, producing an almost comical sound.

“Think about it, kid. Don’t let her get away from you… again.”

She ruffled his hair and walked away, reaching the other side of the terrace in a few steps. When she saw Jalil walking towards her, she couldn’t help but smile.

“All clear?” Jalil asked.

“All is well!” she replied.

They walked back to their table together. The party was at its peak, Nino’s beats at their fastest, and almost everyone was dancing. Nora turned to Jalil.

“Do you want to dance? I feel like dancing!”

“I—” Jalil started, momentarily surprised, then smiled and nodded.

Jalil swayed awkwardly, snapping his fingers to the beat and singing along. He couldn’t take his eyes off Nora. The way she moved her perfectly toned legs, rocked her hips with her arms in the air, and totally lost herself in the songs, were absolutely hypnotising.

They danced a few songs before heading back to their table.

“I really needed that!” Nora sighed, as she sat down.

Jalil, still panting from the effort, took a sip from his water bottle.

“I hope that’s water and not vodka, young man,” she joked as he drank.

“O-of course it’s water!” Jalil replied.

“I’m kidding you. I know you wouldn’t do that!”

Jalil sighed in relief, then wet his finger in the water and flicked it in her direction. Nora feigned indignation.

“Why, I never—”

Both broke out in laughter, then resumed their animated conversation from before.

It was the best night in Jalil’s life.

It was almost time for the party to end. The music changed to a calm, pre-recorded playlist, so that Nino could hang out with his friends, too. A few couples were slow-dancing in the moonlight.

Nora noticed Adrien and Marinette dancing together.

“Aww, look at them,” she cooed. “Looks like they worked things out.”

Jalil followed her line of sight to see the young couple. Adrien was cupping Marinette’s face and speaking to her, then he leaned in to kiss her.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Finally.”

“I know, right? Four years those two danced around each other, can you believe it?”

“I know, Alix used to tell me all about the shenanigans to help her confess.”

“I can’t believe he never figured it out… what a waste of time.”

“Indeed.”

Jalil was lost in his thoughts for a few minutes, then turned to Nora.

“I… I don’t want to waste time,” he said, putting a hand on top of hers. “Please go out with me… on a date.”

Nora looked at him, a little confused, but didn’t remove her hand. Encouraged, Jalil continued.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’ve been thinking about you since the day we first met, but tonight, talking to you, dancing with you, making you laugh… I want us to do that again!”

“Okay.” Nora replied.

“Okay?”

Jalil held her hand tighter, with a smile of pure happiness, as she put her other hand on top of his.

“Okay! I don’t want to waste time, either,” Nora said.

Nora pulled him closer to her and planted a kiss on his lips.

“So, where are you taking me tomorrow?”

Fin

#mlwritersguild #fic request #nora césaire #jalil kubdel #a bit of Adrienette on the side #noralil #my writing #my fic #my fanfiction #my fanfic #miraculous fic #miraculous ladybug #miraculous rarepair #miraculous fanfiction

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renee-writer · 3 years ago

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An Inheritance Chapter Fifty

AO3

William and Faith run over to them when they walk in. “Our baby?” Faith asks. Jamie smiles. He loves that his daughter is claiming her sibling. The little mama in her is coming out.

“Our baby is good, very good.”

“Brother?” William asks. Jenny and all her children also look to them for the answer. Wee Ian is also wanting a boy, ' to even things out some.’ Neither Maggie or Kitty seem to mind. They, like Faith, just want to make sure ' our baby’s is well.

“Come tell us.” Jenny demands as they let the silence stretch out.

“William gets his wish. It’s a lad. A big healthy lad.” William let’s out a very unmanly squeak.

“A brother!” He jumps up and down and his sister jumps with him. “William having brother!”

“All right!” Young Ian agrees.

“Congratulations.” Jenny hugs them both.

“He is huge Jenny. The midwife wants to take him early or schedule a C-SECTION.”

“Oh. What will you do?”

“We have to talk about it.”

#my writing #outlander fanfic #an inheritance #chapter fifty #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #outlander fandom #modern au

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spidernerdsblog · 4 years ago

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Love Is The Biggest Spell

A/N : Chapter three is here. Lingering feelings are getting too strong to handle as the dynamic of some relationships starts changing. Hope you like this chapter. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

Pairing : Warlock Tom Holland x half mortal reader

Summary : Witches are forbidden to fall in love with mortals. But what if your long lost love returns to you as a mortal, can you defy your heart? Any spell any magic seems useless in front of the magic of love. Let's join our lovers in their magical conquest beyond life and death as they fight for their love unraveling dark mysteries of the past along their way.

Warnings : 18+,mention of sex, light smut, mature content, language

Mini Playlist : Tick tock by Mabel.

Next day at your college you and Jane were standing in front of your lockers talking about some stuff whilst Tony dropped in.

"Hey girls what's the tea?"

"Jane over here was hit by a truck named Harrison yesterday and since then she has been gushing about his icy blue eyes, golden hair, perfect jawline and most probably on point dick game." You explained with a dramatic voice.

"How can you not? Have you ever looked into his eyes? I just felt like I could drown in those ocean blue eyes." Jane gushed with dreamy eyes.

"See?" you said proving your point.

"I really wish I could meet him again." And as soon as those words rolled out of Jane's tongue your eyes were met with those familiar blue orbs with spects across the hall and right back at him you caught a glimpse of that luscious mop of brown hair and honey brown eyes walking right at your direction. Jane followed your gaze and turned around to look at the guy she was fantasizing about a few seconds ago. She thought she might faint, her legs felt wobbly.

They walked making heads turn. It looked like one of those slow motion college movie scenes where the hero makes an entry and everyone is gaping at the hot and dashing newcomers, boys getting envious and girls going crazy.

"Is today make a wish day? Then I would really like to be a billionaire." You joked.

"Hi Jane nice to see you again." Harrison came up to her. Jane was dumbfounded.

"Jane, honey will you speak up?" you teased.

"Please don't mind, she is a little out of order today." You joked.

"Y/NN!!"

"What?! you were the one being numb."

"Sorry I was lost in my thoughts."

"Of yours." You chuckled. Jane elbowed you hard. ''Ow!"

"Hi Y/N nice to see you again too." Tom greeted you with that ever adorable smile. Now it was your turn to get the jitters.

"Yeah Hi" you said timidly. If you weren't to lie you yourself felt your heart flutter seeing Tom. You know it was wrong, so wrong you have a boyfriend who you love dearly but that smile that damned smile did things to you.

They walked away to the principal’s office.You all went for your history class. After sometime Tom and Harrison walked in your class escorted by Professor Brown.

"Students I would like to introduce you to our new transfer students. Tom Holland and Harrison Osterfield." your jaws dropped seeing your new classmates. Tom and Harrison walked past you and took a seat at the back. The class started as Professor Brown made some announcements.

"So class as per your assignments are concerned you are going to work in pairs. And I'll be making the pairs."

"Boris and Lucy.." Mr Brown continued announcing the pairs.

"Jane and Harrison." You and Jane exchanged glances amused.

"Damn, you lucky bitch!!" You punched her arm lightly. Jane giggled, turning her head around shyly to glance at Harrison. He raised his eyes from his book and gave her a subtle wink, her face turning red.

"Next is Y/N.." Cole turned back towards you smiling.

"And Tom." Mr Brown announced shocking you both. You looked at each other puzzled.

"What?! but Sir we used to do projects together every time." Cole protested.

"Cole this time you do with Tony. Tom and Harrison have joined in the middle of the semester. It will be better if my best students help them through the assignment. Is it okay with you Y/N?"

"Yes sir it's absolutely fine with me." The class ended after sometime.

"Can't believe professor Brown would do that." Cole muttered.

"It's just an assignment, you will be fine. Tony isn't that bad a partner." You rubbed his shoulder comfortingly and then walked to the back where Tom was sitting.

"So hello new partner! Let's get to work shall we?" Tom shut his notebook turning his attention to you.

"Yeah sure." You took a seat in front of him.

''We need to decide on the topic we will be doing our assignment, any suggestions?"

"How about the witch trials?"

"You want to do the assignment on witch trials?" You were a little taken aback.

"No, I was just suggesting we can do whatever you want to do." He said nervously.

"No it's fine I had always wanted to do an assignment on that but unfortunately Cole never agreed upon doing that. Why do you want to do that?"

"Umm I just feel that those witch trials were barbaric and many innocent women and men were killed."

"You think that too?! That’s awesome! So what are we waiting for? C'mon let's get started” You pulled him by his hand and dragged him to the library. The mere touch of your hand on his sent electric impulses through his body he just followed you as if he were in a trance. You went to the history section of the library and pulled out the books you needed to take home for research.

"Okay then we can go to my house. Oh sorry or you want to go to your house?"

"Your house is fine."

"Here give me some, they seem heavy." Tom extended his hands to take a few books from you.

"Yeah thanks." While you were walking to your home you tried have a conversation with him because you knew very little about him.

"As far as I remember you said you were done with your studies then what brings you in our history class?"

"I said I was done studying in London, not completed, my family needed me back here for our business so I had to return."

"Okay."

"So you guys are brothers or something?"

"Oh no Harrison is my best friend, our fathers are business partners you see."

"Who are there in your family?"

"Mum,dad, three younger brothers and my lovely dog Tessa."

"You have a dog?! Great! I have a cat!" You chirped.

"Not to be rude but not a fan of cats."

"That's fine nobody's judging you."

"So what about your family?" he asked.

"Mom and dad. I'm their only daughter. My cousin sister and aunt live with us after their husbands passed away. We were the only ones they had as family."

"Sorry to hear that."

"It's okay we are past it.''

Reaching your house you rang the doorbell. Your sister opened the door.

"You are early today." She remarked as she let you in.

"Yeah have some research to do for an assignment."

"Oi why are you standing out there? come in!" You called out to Tom. Erica turned to see whom you have brought in with you and as she saw Tom a smirk formed on her face.

"You finally dumped that dumbass?" She teased. You rolled your eyes.

"Unfortunately no, Cole is still my boyfriend. This is Tom, he is a transfer student and my project partner."

"And this is my very nosy cousin Erica." You introduced her to Tom.

"If being concerned about your well being is nosy I have nothing to say. Nice to meet you by the way." She turned to Tom.

"The pleasure is all mine."

"Boy you don't know what you have signed up for she is a bit of a crackhead sometimes."

"Erica!!"

"I think I can handle a little bit of crazy." he looked at you smiling.

"That's enough for today, if you would excuse us we need to start working on our assignment." You slipped your hand in Tom's arm dragging him up the stairs.

"Yeah sure unless the topic of the assignment is jumping on his bones."

"You're seriously unbelievable!" you glared at her ushering Tom to your room.

"Sorry for my sister, she's a bit outspoken." You apologized.

"It's okay she seems to be a fun person. And she should be in a happy mood at this time. How far is she by the way?"

"Five months can't wait to be an aunt you know."

"Though I really feel bad for them. That poor baby will never get to see his dad."

"What happened if I may ask."

"Car accident he was returning from work on a rainy night. The car skidded and toppled on the road near the mystic forests; he was severely injured but couldn't make it to the hospital." there was a moment of silence in between you two.

Your cat meowed at the doorway startling you both.

"Madeleine, come here baby!" You cooed as she slowly walked to you and started growling as soon as she looked at Tom

"No bad kitty." You scolded her but she continued to pur at Tom.

"Strange she never does that to anyone." You frowned picking her in your arms.

"I think she doesn't like me"

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok the feeling is mutual dear." He brushes her fur and Madeleine jumps off your hands.

"Where did you buy this cat? Black cats with red eyes are really rare to find."

"Oh no I didn't buy her. I found her toiling alone near the forest on my 21st birthday. She seemed a bit weak and hungry, I really felt bad and brought her home with me. And since then she's part of our family."

"That was very generous of you. 'As always' he said that in his mind.

"Thank you"

"Okay I'll just go and quickly freshen up you sit here for a while."

"Yeah sure."

It was the perfect chance he thought to carry out his plan. The whole assignment thing was an excuse. The sole reason he came to your house was something else. He got up and went near your dressing table and stood in front of the mirror. He sucked in his index finger and then traced it on the edges of the mirror. Then he went downstairs and did the same in all the mirrors of your house casting a scrying spell on them. So that he can watch over you anytime.

Madeleine was hovering in between his legs. He lifted her and she was still hissing at him.

"I thought you were dead because familiars cannot stay alive without their masters." Madeleine purred again. Tom arched his brows amused.

"Why am I here? You know it very well why am I here Madeleine." She purred.

"You also know she doesn't belong here and I'm going to take her back to where she actually belongs, to her home."

He heard the unlocking of the bathroom door as Madeleine jumped from his arms and ran away.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting"

"It's okay." You both worked together doing a case study on various journals, articles and books you brought from the library. Tom left in the evening though he didn’t want to leave you but he had no other choice.

.......................................

"The power of persuasion always works doesn't it? Was quite easy to get into that Principal and that dumbass Professor's heads." Harrison remarked cockily.

"Yeah at least now we can be near them and get our work done." Tom agreed.

"So how was your day?"

"Quite insightful to be honest. Tom exhaled.

"She has her familiar."

"What! Madeleine is alive?"

"Yup, she had been around her all these years protecting her against all possible threats. And keeping her existence hidden from us."

"That sly cat!"

"How was your day?"

"It was quite adventurous for me."

"Don't tell me you did…"

"No not yet but Jane is totally smitten by me." Harrison stated proudly.

"See Haz we just need Jane to get close to Y/N that's it. Nothing more than that."

"Yeah, yeah I know and that is what I'm doing, apparently your lady love is having visions from her past life."

"What?! really??"

"Yes that is what Jane told me" he shrugged.

"Now that's a good head start, now she just needs a little push and our work will be done."

"But Harrison please don't get involved with Jane in such a way that she or you have to regret later." he warned.

"I know but if she keeps throwing herself at me how do you expect me to control myself?" he said cockily.

"Then try to control, you were the one giving me the lecture on that we shouldn't mingle with the mortals then what is this?"

"Yeah what's the big deal anyways. I don't love her." he replied nonchalantly.

"But what if she does Haz?"

"Once Jane finds out the truth she will hate me anyways. Let me have some fun dude."

Tom's phone dinged and his eyes lit up seeing the text.

Y: Hey it's Y/N.. you reached home?

He replied instantly.

T: Just did.

You didn't know what to say next , should you say goodnight? bye? Or just a smiling emoji with heart? no, no, no not heart. You wrote the text and everytime pressed backspace.

T: You needed something? You were relieved that he texted something back.

Y: Yeah actually just thinking of if we got something more than the library books I feel they are quite one sided we need to know both sides' stories to come to a conclusion.

T: I got some books in my house which might be useful. I'll bring them tomorrow at your house.

Y: Great! See you tomorrow then. Goodnight.

T: Goodnight love.

You blushed a little at the last text.

Your life went through a smooth transition. You got to see more of Tom and Harrison as they became your regular customers at your cafe. You were spending more time with Tom than Cole. Though you both had your reasons Cole was busy training for the upcoming intercollege basketball tournament and you were busy with the project you took up. But you were happy with Tom. How much ever you wanted to go away something pulled you back towards him. He seemed a mystery to you, a mystery you were dying to solve. He intrigued you in many different ways that you couldn't describe.

"Where did you even get these books? These are just so full of valuable information.'' you turned the pages.

"My mom is an antique curator she bought these from a woman back then."

"Thanks to your mom we are gonna nail this assignment!" You sat next to him at the table.

''By the way our varsity basketball tryouts are going to happen tomorrow you and Harrison can totally give it a shot.''

"I don't think I can. Plus your boyfriend seems to have a special dislike for me."

"Cole is just a little bit reserved around new people he will be fine and anyways our team sucks could use some new talents like you"

"Will you come to cheer for us?"

"Why?"

"Then I may give it a thought."

"Maybe who knows?" you said cockily. Your faces were so close, his breath fanning your face. You zoned out looking into his eyes as your gaze dropped to his lips, it looked so tempting, you wondered how they would taste, feel in your mouth. Tom cleared his throat and you were snapped out of the daze moving away from him averting your gaze. Your cheeks heating up at the inappropriate thoughts you were having. The tension in the room was so thick that it could be cut through a knife.

"Uhh I must get going, it's already quite late." he said awkwardly breaking the silence.

"Yeah right." you agreed. Tom got up and you followed him to see him off. As you were passing by the fireplace something dropped from Tom's hand making a metal clinking sound and jumped right into the fire.

"Oh shit! My ring!" Tom exclaimed.

"Let me bring water to put out the fire." You offered.

"No the ring is antique it will rust with slightest contact with water." That was the lamest reason you have ever heard.

"then how do you wash your hands?"

"I take it off." You still weren't satisfied with the answer but decided not to argue. Taking a deep breath you looked at him furrowing your eyebrows.

"Is it really that important to you?"

"Yeah it's a family heirloom."

"Okay I'll get that for you. But whatever you are about to see just don't freak out ok?" You bent down near the fireplace and were about to put your hand in the raging fire.

"Wait! What are you doing?!"

"Getting your ring dumbo! As we can't use water." you sassed.

"But that's fire you'll get burned."

"Trust me I'll be fine." You assured him and put your hand in the burning wood and retrieved his ring easily without a single burn on your hand. A wide smile spread across Tom's face, you passed the test unharmed. What more does he want? He is ready to look like an idiot in front of you to make you realize your true identity. When you turned around he quickly changed his facial expression, his mouth forming an 'o' pretending to be shocked at what you just did.

"I know just don't tell anyone ok you will be the first one to know except my family."

"I have a condition" you shrugged

"I have no sense towards anything hot that means fire. But actually I don't get burned either, which nobody is aware of, not even my mother because she is already so worried about me and I don't want her to get stressed out more. You'll be the first one to know. So your silence will be appreciated."

"My lips are sealed." Tom assured you, he was about to take the ring from you but you moved it away.

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you. It's still hot I guess" You were inspecting the ring and frowned.

"Hey it's quite similar to the one I have."

"You also have one?"

"Yeah, see?" you extended your hand showing him your ring. He held your hand.

"Where did you get this?!" he exclaimed, clutching on to your hand.

"Uh my mother gave it to me." You looked at him awkwardly. He let go of your hand.

"Oh sorry!"

"She brought it from the church, said that it's blessed and I should not take it off. Will kind of protect me from what I don't know." You rolled your eyes.

"Your mother loves you."

"Yeah I know that is why I'm wearing this or else I wouldn't if anyone else asked me to."

"I think you are being late, you should get going now."

''Yeah bye see you tomorrow during class." Tom left saying that.

…………………

''I told you Amber would never do anything without any reason and that enchanted ring on Y/N's hand is the proof."

"Amber was really way ahead of us. But if Y/N's mother gave her that do you think she knows about who Y/N really is?"

"I believe Y/N's mother knows something that none of us know, she might also know what exactly happened that night before Amber disappeared."

Tom waved his hand across the mirror in his room and your room became clearly visible on it. He smiled like a child glancing at his ring.

"Can't believe she's actually wearing our engagement ring."

Suddenly you and Cole stumbled into your room. His hands roaming around your body as you kissed frantically, teeth clashing, sloppy and messy kisses. You fumbled with the buttons of his shirt pushing him onto the bed and got up to straddle him around his hips. He sat up propping on his arms, your lips meeting again for a hot kiss, you kept grinding yourself on his crotch. He moaned in the kiss his hands went under your sweatshirt drawing lazy circles on your skin. You took the hint and pulled off your sweatshirt.

"Oh missed this view so much." Cole gasped.

"Me too." You said biting your lips breathing heavily.

"Thank god your family is out of town."

"Yeah you should actually thank my uncle who got a heart attack so that is why they went to see him." You both giggled sealing your lips together, you couldn't get enough of each other as you grabbed on to each other.

Tom clenched his jaws while Harrison had a grin plastered on his face as they saw you through the mirror.

"Damn she really has a crazy sex drive. I don't remember Amber to be so aggressive." Harrison joked. Tom couldn't take it anymore, fuming from inside.

"A little impotence will not harm I guess.'' Tom mumbled something under his breath gazing at the mirror.

"Mmmph" Cole pulled away from the kiss

"What happened?" You asked with concern.

"I don't know but I can't get it up."

"What??" You had a puzzled look in your eyes.

"I can't get hard"

"Oh" you got down his lap sitting beside him.

"Sorry babe."

"Hey it's okay, it happens sometimes in old age you know, performance issues. It's gonna be fine don't worry." You burst out laughing putting back your sweatshirt on.

"Seriously Y/N it's not funny." He grimaced.

"Okay I'm sorry, let's cuddle?" You extended your arms pouting . He took them welcomingly. You both laid down.

"You may be just tired with all the practise. You need rest."You both snuggled close to each other, he ran his fingers through your hair playing with them.

"Are you coming tomorrow?"

"How can I not? Who else will cheer for my boyfriend huh?"

"No you are just so busy these days with your project with Tom. I thought.. " You cradled his face in your hands.

"Hey nothing is more important than you to me, do you understand?"

"Yes mam." he placed a soft kiss on your forehead.

You rested your head over his chest, listening to his strong and steady heart beat lulling you to sleep.

"Man that was savage! Where did your morales go suddenly? " Harrison chuckled.

"We need to severe her bonds with the mortal world." Tom said coldly gritting his teeth

…………………………..

You had come to cheer for your boyfriend but your eyes were practically glued to that curly haired brunette the whole time. You were shamelessly staring at his chiseled body, rippling with muscles as sweat dripped off them. Never in your life have you had this strong urge to run your hand through someone's body. As for Harrison he looked no less than a Greek God. His tousled golden hair and perfectly sculpted body can take anyone's breath away. Both of them probably gave a hormonal outburst to each and every ovary present in the room watching the game.

"You're staring." Jane smirked.

"So are you." You quipped.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

"It's-- it's a healthy kind of staring you know just appreciating the piece of art his body is nothing sexual." You clarified.

They gave a tough competition to the college team scoring goals after goals surprising each one of you with their skills. After the game got over you went to Cole who was a little upset and rubbed his shoulder comforting him, occasionally stealing glances of Tom who was surrounded by a swarm of girls which made you feel jealous for no reason.

Harrison headed for the shower room to freshen up.

"I'll be back." Jane said and went away.

Harrison was still in shower, when Jane came into the room. She walked into the shower. Her lips parted as she inhaled deeply, the site was a turn on for her. The water dripped down his hair softly. And the drops slowly made their way to his body and the perfect abs he had. The water defined his well, organized and obviously worked out body.

"Darling don't you think you are at the wrong place?" He turned grinning.

"I'm one hundred percent sure that I'm at the right place." Jane said with a sultry voice. His eyes darkened with lust as he pushed her inside the shower. Her back hitting the cold wall. His lips brush her. Not innocently, like a tease but hot, fiery, passionate and demanding. In this minty moment, her senses have been seduced and she could no longer think straight. “Jane” he whispers slowly, prolonging each letter as if to savor them. She smiles, her heart fluttering at his voice as she clasps her hands on either side of his face. Never before has her name ever felt so wonderful, she thinks, as she leans in for another… In an instant she pulled away and arched up into his broad chest, moaning in the contact of body heat against my own, before she drew back into his lips.

"Are you sure about this?" Harrison asked rather breathlessly. Jane hummed in response.

"Words darling."

"Yes Haz I need you."

The next thing she knew, he had slammed his lips to hers and nearly knocked all wind from her lungs.

Jane hardly had a moment to react before he pressed his tongue to the seam of her lips and, at her grant of access, delved inside her mouth. It was a very sloppy kiss, her arms reached up and tangled around his thick, strong neck. As water trickled down their bodies the dress Jane was wearing sticking to her body Harrison bunched up her dress his fingers went down to rubbing her clothed core eliciting a moan out of her, his other hand gently massaging her boobs. Harrison was already naked and Jane could feel his hard on brushing against her thigh. Harrison lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands grasping onto his shoulders.

Something raw, primal was in that moment as their senses were clouded with lust and desire. Their bodies craving for each other everything just felt so good. For a brief moment of time Tom's words buzzed in his mind but he couldn't care less. He knew it was wrong he had hated mortals all his life but when it comes to your carnal desires you can't think straight and being a satanic witch amplifies these feelings to another level. Her heart was pure filled with love for him but his was sinful full of darkness. He knows he is eventually going to break Jane's heart once Tom gets you back, he doesn't have to though but some things are better to be forbidden. It makes it more thrilling when you can't have something for a lifetime.

"I love you." Jane said panting whilst Harrison put her down slowly.

"Me too." he gave a tight lipped smile and then kissed her softly for one last time.

.........................................

You were discussing something with Tony and Cole as Jane dropped in after sometime.

"Hey guys what's up?"

"Nothing, we are just planning to go clubbing tonight. It has been a long time since we went, need to loosen up a bit."

"Great! Can Haz join us?"

"Haz?" You quirked your eyebrow and suddenly frowned, examining her up and down.

''Why is your hair wet? And what happened to the dress you were wear…'' Jane gulped, your eyes shifted to Harrison, his hair was wet as well and a cocky grin on his face, you connected the dots immediately as you coughed, clearing your throat awkwardly.

"Yeah Haz can totally join us, the more the merrier."

“And you too Tom, will be really happy if you come with us.

"Who am I to say no to you, love." Tom quipped.

'Love' never have you ever thought in your life that a single word can be such a turn on for you. Everytime a pet name rolled out of his tongue for you in that ridiculously seductive British accent it sent shivers down your spine. You just wished he keeps on calling you that again and again. Your eyes were fixated at him. You were feeling guilty and annoyed at the current predicament you have got yourself into. One side is your longtime boyfriend whom you were falling out of love slowly on the other side is a man whom you barely know but he has started to live in your mind rent free, he makes your mind go haywire. You felt a certain connection with him. You were startled out of your thoughts when Cole pulled you aside.

"Why did you invite Tom?" he seethed.

"What is with you and Tom? He's a really good guy Cole, just relax."

"Seriously Y/N how can you be so naive? Don't you see? he's trying to woo you."

"Am I sensing some male rivalry." You narrowed your eyes mischievously. Cole scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"You know what life's gotten really boring for me with just one man in my life for the past 15 years. It will be fun to watch two men fighting for me. So best of luck" you joked.

Later in the evening you all met at the local club of the town. As you entered the club Jane pointed out.

"Seriously you have to wear that necklace with everything? It just kills the look girl." Jane remarked pointing to the antique necklace with an amber colored stone pendant on your neck.

"What choice do I have?" You scoff. "My mom will kill me if I take this off and I've been wearing this since I was 5." You tucked the necklace inside the seam of your dress.

Harrison and Tom joined in after sometime.

“Hi darling” Harrison pecked Jane’s cheek.

“Hi babe.” The boys went away to order their drinks.

"Two bourbon neat." You ordered the bartender taking a seat at the bar.

"So you guys are a thing now?" you quirked your eyebrow.

"Mind telling me what were two upto today?''

"A lady never kisses and tells Y/N."

"Oh I see now things are like that huh?" you smirked.

“Hey no! It’s nothing like that. I’ll tell you everything later.”

"No need I'm not interested in your little sexcapade in the shower rooms anyways" you shrugged having a little sip of your drink.

“So how’s it been with you and Cole lately?”

“We are good, just a little caught with personal stuff.” your eyes wandered off to Tom checking him out through the rim of the glass.

'' I know you and Cole have been together for all these years but are you really together?"

“What- what makes you say that?!”

“Honey you and Cole claim to be together but you both are so far from each other with no emotional attachment. You really don’t have any problem when he is flirting with other girls.” Jane pointed at his direction.

“Because I’m not a clingy or an over possessive girlfriend we are not engaged or married so let him live his life.” you reasoned.

"Then why aren’t you living yours? You know it's okay if you have started to have feelings for someone else. Y/N the more you try to resist it the more you'll get pulled towards it." you understood whom Jane was referring to and you were baffled at the confrontation. You can’t admit it, not yet because you yourself were confused with your lingering feelings towards Tom.

"You know what you're totally drunk, that is why you are blabbering all this bluff. I'm very happy with Cole and I'm gonna go and dance with my boyfriend." you finished your drink before making your way to the dancefloor. Jane tsked, shaking her head seeing your denial towards your true feelings. You danced to the song playing and smirked when you felt a familiar pair of hands around your waist. Cole turned you around, your hands went on to hold on to his shoulders. You were looking around the club when your eyes went to Tom staring at you. Tom was quite amused at your free spirited nature. You were a totally different person to him right now. A contrasting image of yourself with less inhibitions and raw emotions. Who didn't care much of the world.

You winked at him, smiling mischievously. He averted his gaze from you flustered. You laughed internally.

Tick Tock starts playing…

I don't need no other, I'm satisfied

Doing it on my own

Only takes one lover to change your vibe

Ain't that the way it go

"Hey Cole!" Some of his friends called out.

"Come here man!"

"Yeah coming! Gotta go babe." He pecked your cheeks and left. You huffed on the way he ditched you.

I don't need nobody, but you on replay

Caught in the memory

When you touch my body and you say my name

Giving me what I need (tick tock, tick tock, tick tock)

You felt a light tap on your shoulder.

"You know if you want I can fill in for your boyfriend. I'm not that bad a dancer."

"Wouldn’t be that bad I guess.” you looked at him with flirty eyes.

Every minute, so lost in it

Like you're in my bed

Every hour, give you power

I'm losing mine instead (tick tock, tick tock)

"You sure your boyfriend will not mind?" you looked at him occupied with some other girls annoying you.

"Screw him." You said and pulled Tom dangerously close taking his hands and placing them on your waist. You rested your palms on his chest lightly holding on to his jacket.

24/7 got you on my mind

Think about you all the time

My body wants you night and day

But my head is screaming, "go away" (tick tock, tick tock, tick tock)

You gazed in his hazel brown eyes the purple lights dancing on his face highlighting his features,the alcohol kicking in as you swayed to the beat. Your hands creeping up to his broad shoulders as you nuzzled your head in the crook of his neck inhaling the intoxicating smell of his cologne. Your head was reeling as you felt so good a warmth creeping inside your heart. You didn't want to let go of him caring less of the fact that Cole is right there in the club with his friends. You felt like you were under some kind of spell. Tom held you close to him placing his hands on your back. Both of you lovedrunk.

24/7 got you on my mind

Darling, I don't have the time

My body wants you night and day

I'm losing all control of me

Song continues……….

…………………………

"Good for nothing you all are!" Agatha Layman yelled. Zendaya, Laura and Angourie flinched in fear.

"The only job you had was to keep an eye on Thomas that too you couldn't do!"

"But mother I did everything you asked me to do." Zendaya stated.

"If you did what I had asked you to do then why am I getting to know now that Amber is alive!"

"What!? That's not possible." Zendaya frowned in disbelief.

"Yes my dear. She has returned in the form of a human though she has no recollection of her past life nor she has her powers."

"If she has returned and if Tom knows about her then he will do anything to bring her back here." Laura remarked.

"No, no, no this can't happen. All these years of planning, plotting can't go to waste!'' Agatha paced across the room panicking.

"The only dream I had was to see you as the high priestess of the coven. And take over this coven and lead the way according to the Dark lord's wishes." She cupped Zendaya's face.

"Amber has to die and if you girls can't do that then I'll do it myself!"

"Mother, give us one last chance we will not disappoint you this time."

"Go then I want that half breed dead." Agatha ordered with a deep menacing voice.

.............................................................................

@sleepybesson @sophs-library @spideyparkerstark @itstaskeen @milli86 @biebsmylife95 @quaksonhehe @hannahholland1811 @awhollandx @joyleenl @greatpizzascissorstaco @tomhollandsotherpinkytoe @jjandreidsgirl @brighterthanthesunx @adevilallthetime @panicattheeverywherekid @onewithnomightypowers @itsnotmeh24 @bitchinwpei @astridcommings @hollandprkr @hollandsobrien @timotayswriter @kiki-hines @casualprincess77 @spideyth @perspectiveparker @thevelvetseries @tempo-rary-fix @onebigolemess @itsbqueenthings @chingonaconcha @yoongi-holland @l0lmk @itsemohours @fanficscuziranout @allthisfortommy

Taglist:To be added send me an ask or message I’ll be happy to add you in the following chapters.

#tom holland #tom holland imagines #tom holland fluff #tom holland smut #tom holland series #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #haz osterfield #Warlock! Tom holland

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jasmine-the-fox · 5 years ago

Text

Lose the model but win a hero

So this was a story idea (salt idea) I had because I love Jon and Mari ships very much! Yeah I love Damienette too but I wanted more of this one, I sadly don’t know how to link chapters with first, previous and next plus i’m lazy so i’m not trying at all!

Chapter 1: The trip

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was many things, talented, sweet, caring, kind hearted, helpful and many more... But a bully? A thief? No way was she any of those things, but Lila Rossi says she is... So who would her class believe?

Of course... They believe Lila... Well most of them do, only Chloe, Sabrina and Adrien in class believed her, after Lila tried to get Mari expelled and claimed her then to be a bully, Adrien decided that being the better person wasn’t going to work so he with Chloe and Sabrina protected Mari. Then there was Luka and Kagami, Luka was told by his sister all kinds of things Mari did to sweet Lila... But one phone call from Mari told him it was all a lie, Kagami was told by Adrien during a fencing lesson.

So together, they help out Mari whenever something happens, of course Chat Noir also knew everything... Since he is Mari’s partner with the mask on, one day on patrol Ladybug broke down into tears and admitted to Chat what happens at school and him being Adrien figured out who she was, they revealed themselves to each other and have been an even better team then before he flirted and tried to make her go on dates with him.

Her parents also knew about her being Ladybug... And the truth with the school, Tikki made sure that no akuma came for them the whole time they were angry at how terrible the school was, what was worse was after they calmed down, they tried to have them transfer her to another class but Caline refused as she wanted to be with her same class until they graduate and the class wanted Mari to apologize to Lila... How could they get that if she changed classes?

Because of this, Luka went solo and Mari was able to help him train under Jagged Stone, Adrien got Mari an internship at his father’s company (after Gabriel fired Lila, why have a liar and the true bad influence working for him when he could develop true talent named Marinette Dupain-Cheng?) Chloe helped manage Mari’s own work and Sabrina kept Mari’s MDC-designs website up and running and selling her work for amazing prices.

But of course... She would be drained at some point, with miss Bustier pushing all her work on Mari, the class attacking her for things she never did to Lila and the denied request of switching classes... It was tiring her out... And her parents saw this well, they didn’t want this to continue so they tried to help, Sabrina took care of parts of the work the teacher pushed on Mari, Chloe would play the daddy card whenever the class tried to do something, Adrien began pointing things out to the principal that would help if Mari changed classes heck! Even Gabriel made sure Mari took breaks every once in a while.

But it wasn’t enough.

She was still drained, sometimes Mari didn’t get out of bed so her parents would call in sick for her, Kagami would check on her while her parents worked in the bakery, it helped but they all knew Mari needed something else before things get worse... So her parents began to make a plan for her... And they hoped it would go well for her in the end.

There were just a few more days before summer begins and Mari couldn’t wait to just relax with her friends, she didn’t care if Alya demanded some baked goods or if Rose needed a new dress. She was going to keep her phone off and relax the whole time it happened, luckily nothing bad happened today so she got back home without any injuries and found her parents smiling at her as she walked in... Confusing her quite a bit “What’s going on?” she asked as she got to the counter.

Tom and Sabine weren’t sure if this whole plan was even going to work in the first place... But at least they were going to try “Marinette” her father spoke getting her full focus on the both of them “We hate to see you so drained because of school... So your father and I worked together to pay for you to go to Metropolis for the whole summer” Sabine explained making Mari’s eyes widen and she squealed of joy as she hugged them and then rushed to her room to start planning what she needed to pack and make a list of things.

“I need to make a list of things to buy for each of my friends and family, buy some fabric there for new outfit ideas, make a list of things to do while i’m there...” Mari was off rambling in her room as Tikki giggled at her wielder as she wondered if she should let the others know about all of this happening, so she took Mari’s phone and got on the group chat she had for her friends to tell them the good news about the trip making her friends plan to see Mari and help her get ready for the whole thing.

The next day, Mari wasn’t showing any sign of being tired or sad... Lila didn’t like that at all, Chloe and Sabrina greeted her with a smile as the two showed her lists of places to see in Metropolis and places to eat at, Mari was happy as Adrien came to join them and talk about what he was planning for the summer making them all happy for him to be able to relax and not need to actually work... Thanks to Chloe of course, they then sat together in the back to talk together before class starts... While ignoring Lila’s talking about going to Gotham to see the Wayne family.

None of them cared about how she was claiming to have spoken with someone in the Gotham gazette for Alya to intern there after school instead of going to college, or how she claimed to the members of Kitty section that even without Luka part of the band... She had a few managers in the music industry ready to help them, or about pretty much anything else she claimed to anyone she could “help” none of it was true and very soon she would be found out.

When Bustier came in everyone went quiet to listen to her lesson “Today will be doing team projects, everyone get into teams of four or three” she said making everyone do as she said, Lila was getting up to see Adrien only to be shocked as he looked to the girls “Let’s work hard together” forming a team of four, it angered her as she then sat next to Alya and Nino and cried about how Mari more than likely forcing Adrien to work with her.

Alya went to there teacher about this and she nodded in understanding once everyone sat down in there teams “Adrien” she said making the model look at her “Why don’t you go into Alya, Lila and Nino’s team instead?” she said making Chloe sigh, Sabrina glare and Mari simply wanted to slap there teacher “No thanks miss. I’m happy with my team” he said making Alya look shocked as Caline composed herself and then spoke “But are you sure? None of them are forcing you to be on that team?” she asked making him glare as she went pale “If Alya claimed that Mari forced me to be on this team then i’ll tell my father about your actions” he claimed making her go pale as the two girls looked away in fear.

The day began with starting a team project... And ended with three exams completed, Lila crying about Mari destroying something of hers during lunch (she was at the bakery) coming back to the class about to attack her only for Adrien to defend her and then two more exams finished... Mari needed a hot bath and a nap badly, Adrien wouldn’t mind doing tonight's patrol for just one time right?

He actually didn’t since he then checked up on her while she slept to leave her a note of his report for the night patrol.

As the last week of school came to an end, Mari was excited as they slowly arrived to the last day of school... Without knowing Lila’s last scheme for the year on the girl, it happened during lunch, Mari with her friends went to the bakery to eat, Lila during this time snuck to the lockers room after claiming she needed to get her medication... Only to open Mari’s locker and her own to slowly start tearing up her own stuff and then stuffing the knife and paint into Mari’s locker.

Once she was done she cleaned up her hands and ran towards her group crying about her locker being getting into and destroying her things, everyone in the group was shocked as they went to open it and see she was right, Rose went to get the principal and miss Bustier as Alya decided to open Mari’s locker (how she knew her locker combination was a mystery) and found what was used in Lila’s locker “How could Mari do such a thing!? I just wanted to be her friend” she exclaimed as then a new figure walked in.

“That’s because she didn’t” they turned to find Luka there holding out his phone playing a video of Lila destroying her own things and then dumping the weapons into Mari’s locker “If you had taken the time to fully clean up... You would have cleaned your paint fingerprints from Mari’s locker” he pointed out making the principal get the police to look into it.

When the group came back, they watched Lila being forced into a cop car and being driven away, Mari’s locker open for everyone to look into to find a knife and paint and Lila’s locker open to find her stuff destroyed... No one would tell them what happened but Luka who was cleaning Mari’s locker.

The day ended with Mari furious, no she wasn’t getting a new locker, no she wasn’t getting a new lock and no she wasn’t allowed to report how Lila tried to accuse Mari of destroying her stuff... She was furious that the principal didn’t care, while she may not be getting a new locker, Chloe promised she would have another locker for the next year, Sabrina promised to set up little camera’s in the locker to record anything that might happen and Adrien promised to get her a new lock to use... She would just leave her old lock in the trash since she now knew Alya knew her combination.

Summer was looking up to her now... She just couldn’t wait to get to Metropolis now!

#mlb salt #mlb fanfic #jonxmari #superman #dc comics #jonathan kent #Marinette dupain-cheng

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cosmic-coyote7 · 4 years ago

Text

Speed write from suggestions via Twitter

[ Lukanette - Camp Rock AU ]

(Kinda camp rock but sorta touched the second movie more. Oh well. ^^)

~��~♡~☆~

The sun rose above the cabins that formed a circle around a vast (and currently extinguished) firepit. The cabins were worn with their peeling paint and screen windows with holes in them, but many memories were contained in these structures. Countless lyrics had been written, hundreds of songs performed, and scores of various instruments had been housed here with their talented owners.

A sign at the entrance to the driveway declared this isolated place Camp Rock.

Legends had lived here and learned to find their voices and their talents. Being able to go here was a major opportunity and many worked hard for the chance to perform here.

One such performer was Luka Couffaine. Sixteen years-old and having been playing guitar since he was five, he lived and breathed music.

He hooked up his electric guitar into its amplifier as his fellow bandmate, Ivan, got behind his drums. His sister and bassist, Juleka, copied him in hooking up her instrument that was like another part of her body.

Ivan counted them down as Luke tested his microphone then ran his fingers over the strings, his electric blue guitar pick gleaming in the early morning sun.

They began practicing, their sound projecting out over the campsite and beyond over the water.

Various campers began waking up and groggily making their way outside. Some people were jamming out with the band and dancing along to the sound, but most just looked annoyed at being woken up by loud rock music.

One of the few who looked grumpy was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She had once admired Luka, but she knew now he was a stuck up pretty boy who thought he was king of the camp because of his talent.

They were rivals.

Marinette preferred to sing and play piano. Luka could sing, too, but the guitar was his forte.

After the song was over, Luka jumped down from the stage and grinned broadly at Marinette, his dark and dyed hair already sweaty.

He looked pretty, she gave him that, but she still didn't like his attitude.

"How was that, Dupain-Cheng?" he asked smugly.

"It didn't put me back to sleep," Marinette offered. A few people snickered.

Luka chuckled and backed up, his smirk prominent. "You ready for the battle of the bands tonight, Dupain-Cheng?"

Marinette’s smile was challenging. "You bet. Kitty Section will be blown away by Miraculous."

"That's my girl!" Alya Cesaire, the drummer for her band, stood proudly at her friend's side.

Luka simply nodded then went back to join his own bandmates.

….

Later that afternoon, Marinette was hanging out with her own bandmates that made up her group, Miraculous.

Their bassist (and sometimes pianist), Adrien Agreste, watched as she paced around and continuously fidgeted with her hair. "You okay, Mari?" he asked, concern in his bright green eyes.

Marinette scowled as she crossed her arms. "That Luka Couffaine thinks he's so cool and amazing," she huffed.

"I mean…" Alya turned her laptop around to show Marinette Kitty Section's Instagram and website. "They have over ten thousand followers."

"Half of them are simps for Luka," Adrien said dryly.

"He is pretty," Alya said fairly. "Talent and looks can get you ahead of the game."

Marinette rolled her eyes, not wanting to be reminded of Luka's sparkling eyes or his bright smile…

Anyway.

"We need to blow them out of the water at the battle of the bands," she said with determination.

"Well, we're supposed to do covers tonight," Alya said. "Why don't we just focus on the topic we were given?"

"What was it again?"

"Julie and the Phantoms," Adrien answered, his eyes twinkling. "We've been practicing 'Finally Free', remember?"

Marinette groaned and flopped down, resting her head in Alya's lap. "I'm so nervous. We need to be perfect tonight."

"I mean we'll be steller," Alya insisted, smiling as she patted Marinette’s head. "But we should just have fun," she continued as she gave Marinette her water bottle and the other sat up to drink. "You should just end this rivalry with Luka and kiss already."

Marinette choked and spat out her water as the fluid got down her windpipe and back up her nose as she coughed.

Adrien snickered, and Marinette threw a shoe at him in retaliation.

"I do not wanna kiss Luka!" Marinette snapped, her cheeks flaming red like she had a sunburn.

"Mhm," Adrien and Alya said at the same time with twin tones of disbelief.

"I hate you both," Marinette grumbled as she grabbed her keyboard to continue practice.

….

Luka chuckled as Juleka and her girlfriend, Rose, worked on adding sparkly designs to the instruments and jacket sleeves to look extra vibrant for battle of the bands.

"I'm so excited!" Rose gushed as she fiddled with Juleka’s jacket sleeve. She normally was their lead singer, but a cold had put her on vocal rest. She was already a chatterbox, so the best they could do was restrict her singing. "You guys are going to do an amazing 'Now or Never' cover!"

"Thanks, Rose," Ivan said as he tapped on his drums and adjusted their equipment. His smile was sweet.

"Miraculous is going to be a difficult rival," Juleka murmured in her usual soft tone.

Luka sighed. "We can handle them." His guitar strumming became a tad more aggressive. "The audience won't be able to take their eyes off of us."

He took a pull from his water bottle, trying not to let the hostility take over and affect his playing.

Rose smiled brightly as she dropped on the log Luka and Juleka were lounging on. They liked this spot on the shore of the lake. It was quiet over here. Peaceful.

"Yeah, but we know you won't be able to take your eyes off Marinette, Luka."

Luka inhaled some water down the wrong pipe and choked for a minute as Ivan helpfully pounded him on the back. Knowing that was going to bruise his spine tomorrow, he scowled at Rose.

"You know it's true," Rose said with an upturned nose as she resumed her work with glitter.

Luka harrumphed as he grabbed his guitar and began to play more forcefully. "Come on. We have to practice."

….

"Welcome, rockers!" The head counselor, Clara Nightingale, beamed at the sea of campers that had gathered around the stage, eager faces upturned to gaze at the performers for tonight.

"Is everyone having a good time?" Clara called. The campers cheered, their voices projecting out over the lake, sounding like a crowd at a real concert.

Marinette was pacing up and down. She and her bandmates were huddled in a tented area to have privacy for changing and warming up.

"Mari, will you chill? We got this." His smile was warm and encouraging, but Marinette still felt the jitters of stage fright. She, who burst into song practically everywhere she went, was nervous. It was a weird feeling.

Alya smiled as she finished her make up and put an arm around Marinette. "Don't worry about the competition part. Just rock their socks off, girl!"

Marinette smiled at her two best friends then joined them in a group hug. "You guys are the best."

….

Kitty Section was playing their best. That was obvious to everyone. Luka was shredding the notes and letting the entire camp hear just what his guitar was capable of.

Juleka’s deep bass added a mystical melody to the higher electric cords.

Ivan's drums boomed like thunder amongst the string instruments, their rendering of the opening song for Julie and the Phantoms was causing the audience to scream and jump around.

"We ain't searching for tomorrow..."

Ivan's deeper voice could be heard even over the wailing instruments.

"Tomorrow," Juleka echoed him, her voice hypnotic. After she came out of her shell, she had found her singing voice.

"Because we've got all we need today,"

"Today," Juleka choruses.

Luka grinned at his sister then got up to his mic.

"Living on a feeling that's been running through our veins"

Juleka stepped up to her microphone and belted out,

"We're the revolution that's been singing in the rain!"

She flipped her hair back as she held the last note, and the crowd went nuts.

They clapped along with the audience singing the chorus then rounded off the song. They took a bow and smiled hugely at their fellow campers.

Marinette, who was standing off to the side of the stage, couldn't help but be entranced by Luka and how alive he looked up on stage. He was amazing…

….

Her jitters were gone. Her fears a mere memory.

Marinette had never felt so free than when she was performing on stage with her bandmates.

Adrien and Alya added their backing vocals as she sang 'Finally Free' with all the energy she could muster.

"We're all bright now

What a sight now

Coming out like we're fireworks,"

Marinette giggled as Adrien jumped around and stamped his feet. He was a goofball, and she knew he found his happiness in music to escape his life at home.

"Marching on proud

Turn it up loud

Cause now we know what we're worth"

Alya beat on her drums and smiled wickedly as she sang and added her lower voice to the melody.

Adrien joined Marinette in a duet, and he winked at her as she drew out the end of the verse and they jumped into the chorus.

Marinette danced over to Adrien and offered her mic. He grinned and sang back and forth with her.

"I've got a spark in me"

(I've got a spark in me)

"And you're a part of me"

(And you're a part of me)

"Now till eternity"

(Now till eternity)

"Been long and now we're finally free"

….

Little did Marinette know that as she danced away to jam out beside Alya's drums that a pair of light blue eyes was watching from the crowd, and they burned with jealousy.

….

Marinette finished the song, drawing out the note perfectly then grinning as she took a bow.

Adrien and Alya jumped up as the campers screamed even louder and applauded them.

Once she was off the stage and Clara had taken over again, Marinette paused as she saw a familiar figure standing beside the bonfire.

Luka was watching her with an odd expression: determination mixed with irritation and maybe… some admiration?

"Hey," Marinette greeted him. She smiled slightly, deciding maybe she had been a little petty. Seeing Luka so vibrant on the stage had softened her armor. "You and your band were spectacular. "

Luka blinked as if he wasn't sure how to react. He lost a lot of the irritation to be replaced by shock. "Uh… thanks," he said nimbly.

She smiled, and he responded to it with his own.

"You looked radiant up there."

Marinette’s cheeks felt hot again. She smiled shyly and said, "Thanks, Luka."

He looked at her, really looked at her. Weeks of being rivals and giving one another a hard time all seemed like a childish waste of time.

The way her eyes shimmered in the firelight did funny things to his heart.

Marinette walked up to him and leaned up, intending to kiss his cheek and consider them friendly rivals from that point on, but two friends who happened to be watching made their move.

Rose bumped into Luka and sent him right into Marinette while Adrien braced behind her long enough to avoid them hitting the ground. He slunk away as the pair stared into one another's eyes for a long moment.

Then they leaned in for a gentle but emotional kiss. They leaned back at the same time to touch foreheads, their smiles as radiant as the rearing fire behind them.

Clara was announcing the winner behind them, but it didn't matter. In Luka's and Marinette’s eyes, they both had won.

#miraculous fanfic #miraculous ladybug #miraculous au #lukanette #camp rock au #speedwrite

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omniswords · 5 years ago

Text

Chronicles of a Parisian Dumbass 9

pictured: me crawling out of the rubble after yet another set of wisdom tooth extractions

STILL ALIVE, SOMEHOW

anyway, enjoy this update! things have been a bit slow going between this and another project that i haven't started posting yet (along with a brainworm for a different fandom entirely orz), but i'm committed to seeing these stories to the end, don't worry 💙🎶💖

she’s… gone? CBG is gone?

wait hold up, we’re going on a pre-other-job adventure. if you could even call it an adventure.

No, it’s no mistake. Marinette’s not the one standing at the counter this morning. In fact—judging from how much he can see from peering through the window in a totally-not-creepy way—she’s nowhere to be found. Mr. Dupain is there, as faithful to the shop as his apron and his hands are covered in flour. But this time it’s Mrs. Cheng at the register, kissing the top of her husband’s head when he bends it to her and inviting Luka in with a single gesture when she meets his eyes.

Well, now he has to go in.

He tries with every fiber in him to mask his disappointment while he locks up his bike and slips into the bakery-patisserie, and he hangs by the door until she’s finished with a customer and beckons him closer. “Good morning, Luka!” she chirps, and it’s in that moment that he sees all the traces of her daughter in her. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Can I get you the usual?”

Luka gives her a mute smile and a nod, and he awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess it has.” Three weeks? Has it really been three weeks? “I heard you went out of the country? How was it?”

“It was nice,” Mrs. Cheng says with her usual warm smile. She’s already busy with a small pastry box and a pair of metal tongs. “Just what I needed for a while, but only for a while. You always have to come back home, after all.”

He nods, despite the fact that his home could be… literally anywhere. Could go literally anywhere. Maybe it’s for that reason alone that he’s had the distinct feeling that home is made up of people and not places.

Mrs. Cheng slides the box toward him, trades it for his card, but she doesn’t let him go just yet. She disappears into the back, and returns with a thick paper cup cradled in both hands, its contents so piping hot that there’s steam rising from the little hole in the lid. “You look like you could use a good cup of tea,” she says, kind as ever—and then, as he takes out his card once more, “It’s on the house, chou. Your constant patronage is payment enough.”

“Wow, that’s…” Luka’s speechless for a moment. “That’s really kind of you. Thank you.”

She smiles at him, and he didn’t really realize how much he’s missed seeing it until now. Maybe it’s not so bad that she came back. (Of course it’s not so bad; what is he thinking?) “The leaves are fresh,” is all she says. Probably because she doesn’t think it’s something she needs to be thanked for. “Think of it as a souvenir.”

Before Luka lets himself out, he stops by the door and tosses a glance back. “Hey, Mrs. Cheng?”

“What is it, Luka?” She had to pause humming as she wiped down the counter and the tongs, but she doesn’t seem disturbed by it. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen her disturbed by… anything, really.

His hands are too full to do anything fidgety with them, so he has to settle for scuffing the floor with his heel. “They took real good care of the shop while you were gone. Don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Mrs. Cheng’s expression goes soft. “That’s good,” is all she says, and it’s like she knows what he’s really trying to say—and honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised if she did. She’s a mother. She’s Marinette’s mother. Surely there have been plenty of boys, maybe even girls, who’ve spent their fair share of time here, fawning and pining. He wouldn’t be offended if he were just a drop in the bucket.

He doesn’t know why he hasn’t considered, until now as he’s hip-checking the door, the fact that Marinette Dupain-Cheng, with the ocean name and the ocean eyes, might already be taken.

Yeah, he has to tie down the pastry box to the back of his bike, and yeah, he has to walk his bike part of the way to the Champ de Mars and ignore the buzz of every notification in his back pocket. But it’s worth taking the extra time to enjoy the tea; he doesn’t know much about all the intricacies of the stuff the way Mrs. Cheng probably does, but it’s fruity and it smells kind of like flowers and it warms his insides, the way he thinks most tea is supposed to. And it perks him right up. He knows he’s going to need that today.

Not to mention there is, admittedly, a part of him that keeps looking around the city as he walks, and then bikes. A part of him that keeps wondering if he might catch Marinette lingering around the city. Living in it the way he does—forgetting, perhaps for a while, that other people exist. It’s the sort of thing that seeps in at the edges of his mind instead of plaguing his every waking moment. It comes to him the same way he might look at some old sheet music and remember his sister, or the way he might find an unattended mess and think, ah, that’s Ma.

At least that makes him feel… a little less like a creep.

When he gets to the park, he has to pick his spot strategically. Getting time off deliveries hardly ever means it’s time to rest; it’s either time to practice, or compose, or—his favorite—busk in parks, or metro stations, or the Trocadero plaza if he’s feeling particularly fancy. It’s not so lucrative that he can quit his other job and focus just on music, even if that would be the ultimate dream. But it gets some extra cash in his pocket, and he’d be either deaf or stupid if he ever tried to claim that his ma never taught him the value of a euro.

He decides on a bench nearby, where there are plenty of people scattered across the grass, picnicking and laughing and reading under the early summer sun. Sometimes he wonders what it might be like to belong to one of those groups, instead of half-being part of them online, but all it takes is the pop of his case and his fingers on the strings and knobs to remind him that everything he has is right here.

Still, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t take a moment or two after he’s eaten, with his permit clipped to the belt loop of his pants and his guitar in his lap, to fish his phone out of his pocket and scroll through his notifications one last time. It’s funny; when he started up this account, it was mostly to have a corner of the internet to himself, where he could share a few unbridled thoughts and a few more composed ones, maybe throw in a Kitty Section promotion or a clip of his latest project. Now, with a handful of new followers and likes and reposts in the double digits, he kind of has to wonder if this is his brand. Awkward musician mini-posts about a girl he’s not so scared to talk to but can’t get up the nerve to Talk To, just because it’s “wholesome.” Complete with that emoji that looks kind of like the pair of puppy dog eyes Juleka gives him when she tries to paint his nails a color that isn’t black.

And then he has to wonder, yet again, why so many people would be so invested in something like that. Why they’re so bent on following a saga about his…

Well, it’s not really a crush…

Is it a crush?

Oh, Jesus, no. Of course not. It’s not as though he spends every waking hour what it might be like to hold her hand, touch it beyond the occasional brush when they exchange boxes and cards. What it might be like not to have to apologize for bumping into her, or holding her attention for too long. It’s not as though he’s constantly imagined an evening moment that belongs to just the two of them, his guitar soothing her away from the pendulum swing of utter chaos and mind-numbing boredom that lives behind the register. And it’s not as though he’s felt the phantom bumps of her knees against his, or the quiet but intentional stroke of her fingers over his knuckles, or the solid feeling of their heads pressed together just before she tilts her own.

…Well. Not all the time.

Luka stuffs his phone in his pocket before he can think any more about what this is and what this isn’t and what he feels and what he doesn’t. He plucks out a few scales and takes a deep breath or two—sometimes he needs to do that to remind himself that he’s a performer, a musician, he’s doing his job and he can claim this space as much as he likes. And then he starts to play.

That’s all it takes. A few bars is all it ever takes for anyone to get as closee as they can to knowing him.

Within seconds, his fingers are dancing along the fretboard of his guitar, playing fanned-out tunes, drippy arpeggios pinpricks that demand to be heard among the background echo of notes gone by. Every chord with its own texture. Every song with its own color, following the ebb and flow of choked strings. He barely realizes he’s swaying and tapping his heel to his own craft, mouthing the lyrics to songs everyone here must know, until the first person approaches and drops a bill in his case. The patrons trickle in after that: some pass by and pause to spare him the courtesy of a removed earbud; some look up from their books and start to dig around in their pockets or their bags. One girl even kicks off her shoes and pulls her boyfriend up to dance with her, and maybe that doesn’t put food in his belly, but it’s something he can carry with him like the blessed photo of his sister that he kept in his worn-out wallet.

He doesn’t look up or open his eyes often—only to nod in thanks to those who are kind enough to pay him. The one time he looks up of his own volition, he lands on a boy and two girls, seated on a pink plaid picnic blanket and chatting excitedly. One of the girls, who has dark hair in a braid and her back turned to him, suddenly swells and sits up on her knees, all animated gestures as she gets to her feet and rounds her friends, evidently to demonstrate something.

His body remembers to keep playing, but the rest of him stops.

Marinette.

The other girl clicks for him then—the reddish hair and the glasses from his delivery to the bakery—just in time for her to make eye contact with him and for a sly smile to spread across her face. She looks up toward Marinette, says something he’s grateful he can’t make out, and when Marinette looks his way with a dove’s eyes and a deer’s stance, he only winks at her and goes back to his playing and swaying.

GOD, he screams to himself. WHY DID HE DO THAT?

He doesn’t dare look up again at least until the end of the song, and it’s a miracle that he plays even better than before he noticed her. When he does, Marinette is still watching him—has she been the whole time? Eventually, and out of the corner of her eye she kneels to gather up her friends’ trash, and she tosses them into the bin nearby. Very, very nearby. And then she kneels down again—very, very down— and drops a couple of bills into his case. It takes the rest of his bravery to lift his gaze toward her.

“First you ‘tip’ me,” he says, one hand on the guitar and the other making air quotes. “Now this?”

“Oh, come on,” she shoots back, smoothing out her skirt as she sits beside him, in spite of how her friend ribs the boy and nods their way. “This doesn’t even come close to how you’ve basically helped keep my parents’ business in the black. Besides…” She nods toward his case. “Now you can’t say you didn’t work for it.”

“Trust me.” Luka pats the body of his guitar, biting back a told you so and the urge to wonder why he feels so sure of himself. What witchcraft the guitar is working to make him feel this way, or if it’s the guitar at all, or whether all it does is make him look like a total douchebag. “I’ve been working.”

“So you can play.” Marinette crosses her legs and her arms, which accentuates the new jade pendant resting in the hollow of her throat. Probably a souvenir from Mrs. Cheng, or a gift from family she’s never met. “That’s not the same as being in a band.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that I’m still in one. I’ll prove it to you, if you want me to so badly.”

She grins, and it makes every hair stand on end under the heat of the sun. “Oh, yeah? And how are you gonna do that?”

“Come on—a musician never reveals his secrets.”

“That’s a magician, Luka.”

This time it’s his turn to smile, just as he fights back the flare of adrenaline. “Who says I don’t make magic?”

Yeah. It’s definitely the guitar.

“So,” Marinette says. She gives a passerby an admiring look when they stop to drop a few coins in his case, and Luka can’t tell if she’s doing it to thank his patrons or lure them in. “Do you take requests?”

“What’s the matter?” Luka strums a chord, wiggles the fingers that aren’t pinching his pick. “Don’t like my take on popular songs?”

“It’s not that.” She sits back on the bench like she really intends to stay awhile. Like she doesn’t have two friends who are staring at her so intently, either because they’re waiting for her to come back or because all they’re missing is a bucket of popcorn to split. “I guess you just always gave off the vibe that you had some kind of… angle, you know? Like, you’re the type of guy who hears colors, so people can give you a color and…” She shrugs. “You could play it.”

Luka tilts his head. “I can hear colors.” And moods. And hearts. And I’ve been stuck on yours, exactly how you think I mean it, for days. “I just never thought of it as an angle. Just an inspiration.”

Marinette blinks a couple of times in surprise, the sort that only says she wasn’t expecting his answer and thankfully not the sort that might imply that she knows what he’s thinking. “Oh. Well. Um. Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“You have something in mind?” He nods toward his case; might as well spare her the awkwardness he knows too well. “You know. So I can work for it.”

She takes a moment to think, seemingly grateful to be relieved of an apology, and she sits up straight only when she meets eyes with her best friend. “Something blue,” she murmurs after a while. “I wouldn’t mind hearing that.”

She says it, and Luka thinks of her without having to look at her. He smiles to himself, adjusting his guitar in his lap and pressing his fingers to the fretboard in the almost-right way. “There’s a saying about that, where my family’s from,” he replies, just loud enough for her to hear, and he begins to play as close to her eyes as he can manage. Pulls her into his world, this place between thoughts where he can get most things just right without having to say anything, where he’s the only person that anything makes sense to—him, and anyone willing to listen.

It feels like Marinette’s willing to listen.

The notes trail off once he reaches the part he hasn’t quite figured out, the sparkle in her eyes he hasn’t , and he’s felt her gaze on him long before he cuts the music and looks her way. “Something like that?” he says. It’s only then that he notices the extra money in his case, and judging from the look on Marinette’s face, she wasn’t the one who put it all there.

But she smiles at him all the same, gets to her feet and dusts off her skirt. “Something like that,” she replies. And then, before she returns to her friends. “I guess this is where I can find you now, huh?”

Like that’s supposed to mean something.

Is it supposed to mean something?

“I mean,” he says. “You could order something again.”

“I mean,” Marinette says back, “I could pick up a couple more shifts at the bakery.”

Luka doesn’t bother with his phone, or any technology, until he gets home—long after he’s settled below deck. It’s only then—because of course it’s right then—that inspiration sparks like a match. Only then that he scrambles for cables and plugs and the laptop he and Juleka used to share until they gifted her a new one for university.

song update. better quality than my phone, even. hit that play button, pals. and thanks for the likes.

#miraculous ladybug #lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #fic: chronicles of a parisian dumbass #chinhands

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angelofthequeers · 5 years ago

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If canon!Luka is too much of a blank slate, and fanon!Luka is basically Adrien-lite, what would you fo if you had to fix his character? Not a stan or anything like that, I agree with you on Luka, it's just I saw many posts like like yours about him but not a single one that said: "This is what I would do if I had to give him depth:", please correct me if I'm wrong and just didn't look hard enough. (I'm on mobile and English isn't my native language, please be gentle (._.))

Just have him not revolve around Marinette. That’s literally it. More detail and an analysis of a few scenes below the cut, because that’s the simple answer to your question but I have to go in-depth to really explain where I’m coming from. And your English is just fine! I’ll kick the kneecaps of anyone who makes fun of you for it, because heck if I can speak anything other than English. All the quotes I use are from the transcripts on this site here.

Luka’s got a few basic traits and some hints of flaws but because his screen time revolves solely around his love interest - with the exception of that one scene in ‘Reflekdoll’ with Juleka - they haven’t been developed nearly as much as they could have been, and so we haven’t seen him developing independently of Marinette because any character development is tied directly to her. For example, it could be a double-edged flaw slash core personality trait that he doesn’t get too angry on behalf of himself but he gets furious when someone he loves is threatened. It would be a nice parallel to Adrien and serve to further show how they’re foils. But since we’ve only seen him getting angry on behalf of Marinette, it’s not nearly as fleshed-out a trait as it could have been. If we’d even had just one scene of him reacting to Juleka’s akumatisation, it would’ve expanded him so much further than as just a love interest.

Whether Kagami is objectively more developed is an argument I don’t want to get into, even if I’m going to analyse her below, but she definitely comes across as a lot more fleshed out because she doesn’t exist to revolve around Adrien. Her debut episode involves Adrien but isn’t focused on him and her (first) akumatisation isn’t due to her role as Adrien’s love interest, whereas Luka’s akumatisation episode focused very pointedly on his role as Marinette’s love interest. He only got mad enough to attract an akuma once Bob Roth threatened Marinette, not when the music of his entire band was threatened - because it’s not just him in Kitty Section, and one of the other members is his sister. I can quote the scene and put bold emphasis on how his anger only really flares when it’s Marinette he’s talking about.

Luka: That’s not true! You copied Marinette’s costumes!

Marinette: And it’s the exact same song. You stole Luka’s music!

XY: Oh, come on. Let’s not exaggerate now. We may have just been a little bit… inspired, that’s all.

Luka: Inspired? You flat out stole! You didn’t design this mask! (rips mask from XY’s head) Marinette did!

Marinette: Listen, it’s not too late to do the right thing. Just tell the truth and let Kitty Section appear on the show. That’s all we’re asking.

Bob: Yeah. First they’ll wanna be in the show. Then they’ll be asking for a cut of the profits. No way! Never saw or heard of Kitten Division.

Luka: Forget it, Marinette. It’s no big deal. Let’s just go.

Marinette: No! It’s not fair! I won’t stand by and let my friends’ work get stolen. (to Bob) If you won’t tell the truth, then I will! Right now, on the air, live! (walks up to the camera)

Bob: (grabs Marinette’s arm) If you do that, I’ll tell them you’re the copycats, not me. I’ve got all the music biz eating out of my hand. So who do you think they’re gonna believe? Me, or a group of nobodies?

Luka: Grrr…

Bob: You’ll never have a future in this business. You’ll never make another costume. And there’ll be no more music for your buddies because as far as everyone’s concerned, you’ll be the rip-off artists.

Luka: Grrr…

(The akuma enters the mask Luka is holding)

(’Silencer’)

Luka’s primary concern in this scene is that Marinette was cheated. Marinette is the one bringing up Kitty Section and how their music was stolen, but Luka is laser-focused on how Marinette’s designs were stolen. Even when they first see the stolen music video as a group, he’s focused on Marinette.

Ivan: But that’s our original style!

Luka: (to Marinette) Your unicorn, and your mask!

Marinette: (to Luka) That’s your melody. (to Rose) It’s your music. That’s not fair! That should be you guys up there on TV. There better be a good explanation. We have to have it out with Bob Roth and XY.

Again, Marinette is the one to bring up how Kitty Section was cheated. Marinette and Ivan. And again, Luka was focused on how Marinette was cheated. This episode could have been a great way to flesh out Luka, to show his dedication to his band and his furious desire to protect his loved ones, but it ends up being just a whole 22 minutes of him revolving around Marinette. This is literally the episode of him being The Perfect Boyfriend, for people to project their ideals onto and squee about how he’s so perfect and romantic for Marinette. Leaving out that Adrien and, arguably, Chat haven’t needed flowery speeches and a laser focus on only Marinette/Ladybug to win her heart, and she constantly goes back to him whereas, like I mentioned in my last post about Luka, she seems to kind of just…blush and then move on from Luka’s confession.

Now let’s compare the scene before Kagami’s akumatisation and bold her focus:

Kagami: (She sighs in defeat, then walks up to Adrien, offering her hand for a shake, which Adrien takes. Kagami calmly walks out of the room.)

Adrien: I’m going to offer him a decisive match. (He goes running after Kagami, grabbing her saber from the ground as he goes. Kagami is about to get into her car when Adrien catches up to her) Hey! Wait! Your saber!

(Kagami throws her glove into the car and removes her helmet, turning to look at Adrien expectantly. As she does so, Marinette runs up to the school entrance.)

Adrien: (Momentarily stunned by her appearance.) Let’s do a… decisive match? (As he speaks, he notices Kagami’s ring.)

Kagami: What’s the point? You won. There’s no such thing as a second chance in my family. Goodbye. (She gets into her car, which drives off.)

Kagami’s mother’s: (Voicemail) I’m not available at the moment. Leave a message. (Beep!)

Kagami: Mother, you thought I was good enough, but… I lost. I won’t be joining the D'Argencourt Academy. (she hangs up and sits back in her seat. The akuma flies into her ring.)

Hawk Moth: Riposte! I am Hawk Moth. I’m giving you a second chance to prove that you are the best fencer of all, but in return, you must bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir’s Miraculous.

Kagami: On my honor, Hawk Moth, I shall be victorious! (She transforms into Riposte, slicing open a new sun roof into her car and leaving.)

(’Riposte’)

Even the locations of the akumas give that little extra boost of characterisation. Kagami’s is in her ring, showing the audience that her drive is to be the best and make the Tsurugi family proud and she and her mother don’t tolerate failure, because they stake their honour on success. Luka’s is in the mask that Marinette made, which just shows that…he’s angry because Marinette was wronged. And yes, Hawkmoth’s speech includes the line of “The anger of a creator whose work has been stolen” but considering that every bit of Luka’s anger up to this point has been focused on Marinette, it just…rings hollow. The Lukanette stans noticed this too, but they took it as a positive and used it to shout about how much Luka loved Marinette and how sweet it was that she was the reason he was akumatised - and believe me, I used to be there, I’ve seen it.

And yes, I know that ‘Oni-Chan’ exists. I know that Kagami’s reason for akumatisation revolved around Adrien and that her akumatised object was the rose that he gave her. But I’m focusing on debut akumas and even then, it shows that there’s a jealous, possessive side to her. It works with her previous appearances to round her out, to show that she’s driven and ambitious but also jealous and possessive. ‘Ikari Gozen’ takes this even further and shows that she’s awkward and wants to make friends but doesn’t know how to interact with other people, and it furthers her focus on honour and worthiness and shows that she ties her self-worth with her success:

Hawk Moth: How tragic it is to feel unloved. Alone, deprived of friendship. (turns a butterfly into an akuma) Fly away, my little akuma, and evilise her!

Kagami: I guess I’m not worthy of our friendship; our bloodtypes must be too incompatible.

(’Ikari Gozen’)

Although each episode that she’s in does feel like a totally different portrayal of her, and a lot of criticism/dislike for her came from how she felt all over the place, they’ve also come back together to tie her together as a multifaceted character: someone who’s ambitious and must be the best (’Riposte’), who sees romance as a competition like she does fencing (the whole “change your target” to Adrien and “I never hesitate” to Marinette in ‘Frozer’ and her admission that she has to win Adrien’s heart in ‘Heart Hunter’) - which further adds to her lack of ability to navigate social situations that’s expanded upon in ‘Ikari Gozen’, an episode that also emphasises her fatal flaw of never hesitating. Yes, she’s right to say that hesitation can cost you, but this episode shows that some hesitation is necessary, and jumping into things without thinking and expecting everyone else to do so will definitely lead to some stumbles.

Every time Luka’s on the screen, I don’t really learn anything new about him. All I know is that he’s romantic and likes Marinette and only gets angry on behalf of his loved ones. His first meeting with Marinette focused on how he found her cute and how she was flustered, whereas Kagami’s first meeting with Adrien wasn’t focused on the Adrigami ship outside of Adrien’s Pink Bubble Love Stupor. And first meetings tend to set the tone of how characters are going to interact. Marinette/Adrien and Marinette/Kagami’s first meetings focused on misjudgement and how someone’s impression of another person isn’t necessarily correct, and we see this with how Marinette goes gaga over Adrien and has her moments of seeing him as a perfect Greek god (which isn’t to say that she worships him like a fangirl, but rather that her crush is acting as major rose-tinted glasses) and how she blows Kagami up as an evil villain in her mind until she pops her own bubble and makes herself see Kagami as another person instead of an evil rival. And Ladybug/Chat Noir’s first meeting focused on having to build a partnership on the spot and showed how Chat didn’t fall for her until after she’d stood up to Hawkmoth and declared that they would protect Paris. But Marinette/Luka’s first meeting shows that Marinette gets flustered around pretty boys and Luka just…up and decided that he liked her. It shows that Luka’s focus is going to be Marinette and that’s it.

I’ll cut Luka a little slack and admit that yes, ‘Desperada’ did have him become Viperion because “Desperada attacked my friends and my family”, just as Kagami became Ryuuko to save her mother, and this scene wasn’t specifically focused on how Marinette and only Marinette might have been affected. But the starting scene of the episode once more shows us something else about Kagami - that she’s got a mischievous side and is starting to be rebellious and sneak around behind Tomoe’s back - while showing us nothing about Luka except that he’s…got a crush on Marinette, which appears to be reciprocated, and that he’s good at guitar. Which we already knew.

Marinette: You’re so talented, Luka. How long have you been playing for?

Luka: Since I was in diapers. (strums guitar)(Marinette giggles.)

Alix: I get the feeling Marinette likes Luka a lot.

Alix: Your father let you out?!

Adrien: We’re officially at fencing practice right now, but - oh, no, Kagami. Isn’t this the wrong address?

Kagami: Oh, dear, I think you’re right.(Adrien and Kagami chuckle.)

(’Desperada’)

Even the ending scenes of Luka and Kagami’s debut episodes set the tone for them. In Luka’s debut of ‘Captain Hardrock’, the ending is focused on his role as Marinette’s new love interest and as a rival of Adrien’s, even if they don’t actually see each other as rivals.

Adrien: Thanks, uh…

Luka: Luka.

Adrien: Thanks, Luka.

Alya: (To Marinette): Is the compass going crazy?

(’Captain Hardrock’)

On the other hand, Kagami’s debut episode ending focuses on how she craves friends and would love to get to know a friend of Adrien’s, along with her competitiveness and desire to win in a now-friendly rivalry that grows into a friendship and then romance, rather than love at first sight. Just like the meetings between Marinette/Adrien and Ladybug/Chat Noir, it sets the scene and promises more to come, rather than laying all the cards on the table and basically just stating “yeah, this character’s just gonna be a love interest and just be chill and co-exist with their love rival” like the Marinette/Luka and Adrien/Luka ones do.

Adrien: Please, take it. (He again holds out Kagami’s saber to her.)

Kagami: (She glances between Adrien and her saber for a moment before taking it back) I’ll be happy to get to know your friend Marinette! (She and Adrien bow to each other. She and Adrien look at each other for a moment before Adrien holds out his hand.)

Adrien: My name’s Adrien. What’s yours?

Kagami: Kagami. (She takes Adrien’s proffered hand and shakes it, then walks to her car. She looks back at Adrien.) Get ready for that decisive match!

Adrien: I can’t wait, Kagami.

So basically, to give him depth, I wouldn’t focus so much on his guitar. I’d maybe show someone getting annoyed that he defaults to his guitar, because we got one line in ‘Captain Hardrock’ that he finds it easier to speak through music but it doesn’t really flesh him out since no one else comments on it or gets annoyed by it. It’s a trait that’s got nothing else to work off, whereas Kagami’s awkward attempts to socialise with Marinette and her abrasive manner clash with Marinette’s misconceptions of her and create that scene in ‘Ikari Gozen’ where Marinette realises that she’s treated Kagami awfully and Kagami said that she wasn’t worthy of Marinette’s friendship. Like Luka’s guitar, Kagami’s awkwardness and bluntness aren’t inherently a flaw, but they act as one in certain circumstances and end up fleshing her out just that little bit more.

I’d focus a little more on his relationships with everyone else. At least with Kagami, we know that she’s awkward and has no friends outside of Adrien (and later Marinette), so it makes sense that she wouldn’t have very many other relationships. We’ve even seen her relationship with her mother and how her few friendships - Adrien and Marinette - are influencing her to change and become more rebellious, such as the escape scene in ‘Heart Hunter’. I’m not counting Instagram posts, otherwise I’d point out Kagami spending time with Marinette’s friends as well and bonding with them as more evidence. But Luka’s part of a band and canonically hangs out with Marinette and her friends, so to break him free of just being a satellite love interest to orbit around Marinette, just show him interacting with others independent of Marinette. Show more of him being a big brother to Juleka; show how he interacts with Rose, as Juleka’s best friend; show the relationship between him and his mother, because they seem to be more like house(boat)mates at this point, and Anarka and Tomoe have had roughly the same amount of screen time, especially with their kids.

I’d also make him a little more of a rival to Adrien. He doesn’t have to be mean and antagonistic like how the Marinette/Kagami rivalry started - a rivalry doesn’t necessarily have to be negative - but he does have to show some reaction to losing Marinette to Adrien. All he ever does is push her into Adrien’s arms, which is all well and good to show how selfless he is, but he’s never visibly upset. His smile never wavers. He never shows any sign of being upset at losing the girl he supposedly loves to someone else; he’s basically just The Perfect Boyfriend who’s willing to let Marinette go if it means her happiness with no hurt feelings on his part, and the only force of rivalry that he exerts on Adrien is just making Adrien think that Marinette’s into him and therefore isn’t available, which isn’t even anything that Luka himself does, so I can’t even give that credit to him. He just…exists. While Marinette pushes Adrien and Kagami together for Adrien’s happiness, she shows outward signs of distress. She still gets jealous even though this is a decision she made. She’s sad over it. She’s human. But Luka? You could probably replace him with a pot plant and nothing would change.

#miraculous ladybug #ml analysis #luka couffaine #luka salt #anti lukanette #anti-lukanette #ask #aotq babbles #if only this essay was for university #I got it done in like an hour flat lmao

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vln-vibes · 5 years ago

Text

Found

Yeah this isn’t Maribat but it is a Lukagaminette because my girl still deserves the world

__________________________________

Luka Couffaine was furious;

But he couldn’t allow himself to be compromised, not after the trust Ladybug put in him and made him Viperion full time.

Luka had been hanging out with Kagami, a friend of Marinette’s who he’d been introduced to a while back and who he started dating two months ago, on the Liberty when he heard his old band mates. Kitty Section had disbanded, or well Luka left the band, about two months back when that lying vermin Lila Rossi started suggesting to her class that Marinette was nothing but a bully; Marinette who’d do anything for her friends, even if it meant more sacrifice on her end, and was loyal to the very end.

Kitty Section did nothing to defend their “friend”.

His sister did nothing to defend her “friend”.

He could understand if they felt the need to remain on neutral ground, he wonders if it weren’t for his admiration and love for the girl that he would have done the same.

Yet that no good vermin had the gall to invite herself onto his home along with the very quick to switch sides Alya Cesair.

And he found the two snooping in his and Juleka’s room.

Suffice to say that even his sister was surprised at the amount of yelling and cursing out he did, without getting akumatized, and kicked them out of the Liberty.

Kitty Section tried defending the girls, even going as far to say that he was overreacting and that he should apologize; he only had two words to say to them after that. He felt bad for giving his sister the cold shoulder, something his mom commented on the night of the incident, but Luka couldn’t help but be disappointed.

Which leads him to today;

He was hanging out with Kagami when his phone rang, it was Juleka. Part of him wanted to ignore the call but something, a sort of newfound instinct ever since becoming Viperion full-time, told him he had to or he’d regret it.

“Hello?”

“Luka you need to get here quick; Lila, she- she no um”

He could hear the panic clear in his voice, that lying bitch better not have done anything she’d regret when Luka found out what it was that she did.

“What’s going on Juleka?”

“... Lila, she convinced Alya and some of the class that Marinette stole a design of hers. They decided she-she needed p-payback and just trashed her art project at school. We haven’t seen Marinette yet but…”

Oh that bitch was dead if they had anything to say about it.

He could practically see smoke coming out of Kagami’s mouth, which he meant literally after she also became Ryuko full time.

“I’ll be there”

When they arrived Marinette had practically crumbled into their arms, they could hear snickering and outright laughter coming from the class; they’d get their just desserts in due time but now they had Marinette to take care of.

They took her home, avoiding her parents since they themselves still had no idea what exactly happened. Hopefully she’d tell them once she calmed down.

“I- I don’t know what I did! Am I really that terrible?”

His heart broke when he saw the look of desperation and defeat on her face, it didn’t belong on someone like her.

“They don’t deserve you Mari” Kagami soothed, combing her fingers through her hair “They’re nothing more than fools unworthy of your time”

Luka really questioned, in that moment among others when he was up late at night, how Adrien could pass up on wonderful girls like this. Kagami, while quiet and stoic, could be a wildfire incapable of being tamed while Marinette, kind and compassionate, was not to be trifled with, if she really wanted to she’d take you down ten times harder than you tried to her, she was just too kind and humble. Both girls were strong, both physically and mentally, even if they had a bit of a temper and were awkward at times.

Luka loved them both the same.

Did it make him guilty when he and Kagami started to date? Yes of course, he wasn’t some two timing asshole. But he learned he wasn’t the only one with two crushes.

As they sat, squashed against one another on Marinette’s chaise, Luka took out his guitar, he forgot to take it off when they left, and began strumming the strings.

“Someday

Somewhere

Somehow

You'll love again

You just need to find someone”

He could see the captured the attention of the girls, Marinette’s glassy eyes staring at him as he tears started to slowly stop. He hoped their feelings found be felt through the song, he hoped that she knew that even after the class abandoned her that she still had people who loved her. Kagami had heard him write the song, he hadn’t known why he’d been so compelled but it felt so right now. He was pleasantly surprised when she began the next verse.

“Someday

Somewhere

Somehow

You'll love again

You just need to find someone”

Kagami was usually shy about singing but when it came to Luka and Marinette she didn’t mind the small embarrassment if it made them happy. They had both done so much for her; teaching her how to be independent and find herself, stepping up against her mother and telling her that she was her own person, one who didn’t want to have her whole life controlled by her mother. They were with her every step of the way, even after the akuma that brought out.

She thinks that’s when she fell for both.

“Someday

Somewhere

Somehow

You'll love again I’ll love again

You just need to find someone I just need to find someone”

The trio had begun to sing together, the girl’s tears dried up and forgotten as she relaxed in their hold. He hadn’t known at the time but Marinette had needed to hear that. She had forgotten what it meant to care about herself first and not others, that there were people who valued her as she deserved and not as a means to an end. She was a person worth and deserving of love. Becoming Ladybug showed her the importance of caring for others but she thinks she may have taken that too seriously with how everything turned out.

“Someone who treats you better Someone who treats me better

Someone who wants you around Someone who wants me around

Someday

Somewhere

Somehow

You're gonna feel found I’m gonna feel found”

They stayed in a comfortable silence until Marinette sighed;

“They trashed my design for the national competition”

Luka and Kagami could hunt them down; sniff them out, again literally now, and make them pay but that wasn’t what Marinette needed. Right now she needed her friends to help her get through with this.

That afternoon was spent singing and watching cringey rom-coms, modeling, eating enough sweets and ice cream to throw up. Marinette’s parents had called up the Tsurugis and Couffaines to inform them of the impromptu sleepover they found when the three were cuddled up on each other on Marinette’s bed.

Marinette woke up in the middle of the night, seeing the two on both of her sides and the kwamis hidden in Tikki’s little room. A fuzzy warm feeling, one she had begun to notice once she was over her crush on Adrien, appeared as she saw the two.

Part of Marinette hoped that they had room for one more in their relationship, and even if they didn’t she knew they were invaluable friends, true through and through who she’d never give up on like they never gave up on her, as she hummed to the melody of earlier.

“Today

Right here

Right now

I already feel found”

Yes I’m aware I doubled a verse I just thought it fit the narrative better;

Like my work? Buy me a drink!

#miraculous #Miraculous Ladybug #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #Kagami Tsurugi #luka couffaine #Kagaminette #lukanette #Lukagami #Lukagaminette

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