Lean on Us: NEW AND IMPROVED (LukaxAdrienxReader)

The Human Incarnate of Hope

Rose and Juleka were the opposite of offended when Luka and (Y/N) came back and almost exclusively focused on each other. Juleka couldn't hide her smile every time she noticed Luka's face whenever (Y/N) laughed. How easily Luka loved was always double-edged sword. He was unapologetically in love with life, enjoying every good thing he could with everything he had. He wasn't in love with (Y/N), but Juleka knew he loved the way they made him feel. He definitely liked them, which left room for Luka's love to grow. 

It left a lot of room for him to get hurt, too. Juleka remembered the months of muffled sobs escaping his room in the aftermath of Marinette, his inability to get out of bed for weeks after. Her brother loved hard, which made the heart break even harder. She saw a genuine spark of interest in Luka's eyes every time he learned something new about (Y/N) for the first time in months, it was relieving to see. Luka stood a little taller now, his smile finally reached his eyes again. 

She was worried, of course, rushing into any relationship was a bad idea. Even rushing friendships can end badly. She hoped he had enough restraint to at least give it a few months, but from the way (Y/N) looked at Luka, they were into him too. Neither of them really touched each other, but from the way they leaned just a little closer when the other talked told Juleka that they wanted to. 

Rose and Juleka looked at each other in an unspoken understanding. 

This was either going to be forever, or it was going to go out in a blaze of glory. Juleka wasn't sure if she was ready to find out. 

***

Ivan and Mylene waved excitedly as the rest of the band made it backstage. They were clearly interest in talking to (Y/N) more. Obviously they'd spoken at lunch and at school, but Rose had a tendency to unintentionally monopolize the conversation. Nobody ever minded, though, they liked letting her talk. 

Ivan and Juleka quietly admired their girlfriends while they talked as they set up most of the audio equipment. Luka kept insisting on helping but they would just stare at Luka's wrist until he gave up. He mostly occupied himself with going over the setlist and answering Rose's occasional question.

(Y/N) stood off to the side, unsure of how to be helpful. They fiddled with their fingers, unsure if they'd be in the way if they tried to help. They just took it all in, they were playing at a smaller-scale venue, but from the way the staff was running around, it seemed like it was going to be sold out. 

Ivan must have noticed their apprehension because he silently tilted his head and beckoned (Y/N) over. He smiled "You know how all this audio equipment works?"

(Y/N) nodded "Enough to play my own instruments, but I've never done anything this complex, it looks so cool." they leaned in just a little bit to look at all the wires and everything they connected to.

"I can explain it to you if you want," Ivan looked nervous, like he wanted (Y/N) to have a good time but had no idea how to facilitate it "If you're gonna be backstage a lot you might as well learn something." his voice was kind, like he was worried he sounded rude or condescending so he wanted to overcorrected. 

(Y/N) smiled, laughing a little. Everyone in Kitty Section was trying so hard to be nice. It was comforting that they wanted (Y/N) to feel welcome "I'd love to"

Ivan spent about half an hour talking (Y/N) through every little thing about their sound system, even doing a quick rundown on different venue systems they've encountered in the past and how it can change the sound of the music. He was truly passionate about the little details of the production side of things, and everyone else chimed in when it came to their respective instruments. He even let (Y/N) run sound check and play with the lights a little before they all settled in the green room to breathe before the show.