To Eternity |Luka x reader|

Chapter 6: The Wrong Thing

If |Y/N| thought that they would have a hard time interpreting what happened that night before they left for home, then figuring things out after unexpectedly meeting (and flirting) with Viperion was going to be downright impossible. They stood in the lobby of their apartment building, dripping umbrella in hand, for what felt like hours before they remembered how to breathe and function properly. If it wasn't such a pleasant surprise, then |Y/N| probably would have developed a stress-induced headache by now. They couldn't help but feel a little guilty about their excitement because it felt like they were cheating on Luka, which was impossible because they weren't together.

Still, as |Y/N| walked up the stairs and made their way to their bedroom, they found it curious that they spent all these years trying to find someone that made them feel the way Luka did all those years ago only for the first person to do so wear a literal mask. They laid in bed thinking about all of the bad dates, the second-hand embarrassment at their own memories swiftly setting in. It was nauseating to a point. The whole situation felt like their life has become a cruel joke in some story. All this work to move on only for their one real chance to be impossible? It was too early to call Viperion a real chance, anyway. They spoke one time.

Still, they couldn't help but wonder if they'd ever seen Viperion in his civilian form before, maybe in the crowd at a concert. There was something heartwarming about the fact that he was a fan of their music, did he ever put it on thinking about a person they liked? Did he prefer their older stuff or their newer stuff? Who was his favorite member? They wondered if Viperion played any instruments himself, he struck |Y/N| as the type to at least have tried to learn one. |Y/N| found it next to impossible to get comfortable in bed, sleep quickly becoming yet another impossibility for the evening. They sat up, infuriated, and pulled their phone off the charger to try and text someone for advice before seeing the time. There was no way anybody would be awake, and |Y/N| wasn't sure if they were still going to be in the mood to talk about this in the morning.

Frustrated, confused, and tired, their phone was plugged back into the charger and |Y/N| laid down in a desperate attempt to get at least a little rest. They had no idea how to look at anyone with a straight face tomorrow- let alone Luka.

***

Luka couldn't hold back his excitement while he got ready to go nowhere in particular. All he knew was that last night was a success, he got to talk to |Y/N| for the first time in years without anything being awkward. Sure, the morality of Luka talking to |Y/N| knowing they hated him under the guise of being someone else was questionable, but he was too focused on the ability to actually talk to them to care.

If Juleka knew about his identity, he was sure he'd tell her. Hell, maybe she would suggest going after |Y/N| in his alter ego just so he could figure out what the fuck he's supposed to say. All he did was flirt while he walked them home, what if |Y/N| thought that Viperion was pervy freak? Did they smile and talk back to be polite?

Like clockwork, the elation quickly gave way to overwhelming anxiety and regret. He was guilty for lying, terrified because |Y/N| could find out, and he wanted to lay in bed and cry. He knew this wasn't the way to make amends with |Y/N|, and starting any relationship on a lie was a recipe for disaster. Building two different perceptions of different people only to find out they're the same person wouldn't be easy for anyone. Luka sighed, throwing himself to bed and launching several pillows in the air before landing on the boy.

Luka ran his hands over his face, the cool metal from his rings grounding him to reality while he panicked over how to handle the mess he just put himself in. He knew he did the wrong thing. He felt horrible, his desperation didn't mean that |Y/N| deserves to be lied to. He could just fess up that he's viperion and apologize profusely, begging them not use his secret against him, and hope for the best. Unfortunately, that meant a lot of risks on his end but also for |Y/N|. The thing was, he didn't want |Y/N| at risk at all. Just knowing a miraculous holder's identity was enough to put them at risk every time they got upset. Hawkmoth could easily target |Y/N| when someone hurts them and he'd find out. Luka's cover would be blown, |Y/N| would probably never get let out of hawkmoth's control because they would be an intelligence asset, and he'd never see them again.

"Congratulations, Couffaine," he groned "you played yourself." Luka curled into himself while throwing a blanket over himself. He was just ready to sleep off this headache.

***

Alec was waiting outside |Y/N|'s apartment with two coffees in his hand Eden and Everest not too far behind him. Eden and Everest were absorbed in something on Everest's phone, with Eden clearly more interested in Everest than the phone. All Alec had to offer was a stiff smile at the sleep-deprived look on his friend's face while he handed them their coffee. "Rough night?"

All |Y/N| could manage was a nod before leaning their head on Alec's shoulder "I'll tell you about it after the caffeine kicks in."

"That's what happens when you ditch us to hang out with your ex boyfriend" Eden very non-helpfully contributed, their gaze flicking back to Everest's phone just as quickly as it left it.

"He's not my boyfriend," |Y/N| snapped, too tired to argue beyond the rapt correction. "Alec," they were eager to switch to an easy topic "thank you for the coffee."

He grinned, his hand stroking their hair as the group started walking. He held up most of |Y/N|'s body weight while they shuffled along "I thought you'd need it."

Everest nodded, their glasses slipping down their nose. Everest didn't have a chance to fix it before Eden was on it "You looked so stressed all night, then you stayed? We weren't that messy, were we?"

Eden shook their head, "|Y/N|was just being nice, Everest. Besides, Juleka is friends with them."

"I liked Juleka," Everest chirped "Rose, too! They were all so nice."

"They all are," |Y/N| murmured, their mind going back to the warmth of Luka's jacket draped over their shoulders. They shivered, trying to will the thought away. Alec had to have sensed it because he pulled them a little closer in silent reassurance. Eden and Everest were great to confide in, but they offered more solutions than comfort. Alec was the only one that let anyone feel their feelings before jumping into problem solving. "We have rehearsal again tonight."

"Really?" Eden inquired, the doubt evident "I thought we got a lot done yesterday."

"We did," Alec offered, saving |Y/N| the effort of talking "but we need to get comfortable playing together and not just having two mini-concerts. Yesterday was fun, but really informal."

Everest nodded, pulling gently on Eden's sleeve "besides, it'll be fun! I thought you liked them."

Eden shook their head, weak to Everest's whims "I do," a rare smile graced Eden's features "Okay, fine. But if we fail our exams it isn't my fault."

"We all know you'll ace them without studying, Eden." Alec grinned, "but if you want to study with a certain blond I'm sure they won't mind."

"We know other blonds?" Everest asked, "Well, there's Rose," they tilted their head, their own blond hair falling out of place and brushing against their glasses. "Oh! Is it me?"

Eden nodded, shooting an exasperated look at Alec. "We can study tomorrow morning, okay?"

Alec exchanged a knowing look with |Y/N|. For someone who constantly preached confessing your feelings so you could move on, Eden was horrendously in love with Everest. It was reassuring, in a way. At least |Y/N| wasn't the only one scared of saying the wrong thing.