What happens when Marinette meets Luka before band practice for the Paris music festival? Better yet, what happens when Adrien shows up and joins the band? Does Luka know about Marinette's crush on Adrien? Do Alya and Nino know about the imfamous um...
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·Agreste Château·
After spending the whole afternoon together, Adrien's bodyguard had given both Luka and Marinette a ride home before driving Adrien back to the Agreste Estate. The whole time he'd been unable to forget what Luka had said about him being cute. He wasn't bothered by it but rather intrigued. Adrien also hadn't been able to stop thinking about Luka kissing his cheek during the photoshoot. Sure he found Luka attractive, but he had never thought about acting on it. This made the whole situation with Ladybug and Marinette all the more complicated. Adrien was having a hard time sitting still and found himself pacing back and forth across his room.
"Why the odd face, kid?" Plagg inquired, nibbling on a wedge of Camembert as he watched Adrien pace around the room.
Adrien stopped pacing and looked over his shoulder, "You heard Luka today. I'm trying to figure out what to do about it."
"Figure out what to do about Luka? But I thought you loved Ladybug?"
Adrien began pacing again, "I do."
"Well then, what does it matter what Luka said?"
Adrien knew arguing with Plagg would get him nowhere, so he didn't respond. When he couldn't take the stress anymore, he decided he needed some fresh air.
"Plagg, Claws out."
"I'm not finished with my Camemberrrrrt," Plagg cried as he was sucked into Adrien's ring.
The Camembert dropped to the floor, and Adrien ignored it. He hurried to the window and vaulted into the early evening sky. He quickly ran from rooftop to rooftop, not really sure where he was going.
·Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie·
Before he realized where his feet were taking him, he was closing in on Marinette's balcony. However, that's not what made him stop on a roof nearby. He stopped because Luka was on the balcony with Marinette, playing his guitar. As he listened, his mind calmed and he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew the song wasn't meant for him, but he couldn't help feeling like it was. It spoke to him as no song ever before. He sat down in the shadows nearby, enjoying the serenade.
It wasn't until Luka and Marinette stood up that Adrien recovered and began to wonder why Luka had come to Marinette's after they had dropped him off at home. Adrien couldn't resist his curiosity to find out and quickly made his way over to Marinette's balcony. He lept down onto the banister before they could make their way inside.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Adrien said softly, trying not to scare either of them. "I was passing by and heard the music. It really was quite lovely."
Marinette spun around, and Luka looked over his shoulder.
"No, of course not. I just finished playing," Luka replied. "What's got you out so late?"
"Not an Akuma, I hope," Marinette said abruptly.
"Oh no, I uh, just had an interesting day and needed to get out of my house to think. As I was making my way across the city, I heard the music and couldn't help listening in. You have real talent..." Adrien was about to say Luka's name when he realized Chat didn't know it.
"Luka," he offered before Adrien even asked.
"Luka."
I hope he doesn't notice the similarities between this and when we first met.
Luka shook his head lightly with a chuckle which worried Adrien.
Luka turned to Marinette, offering her a hug. "I should get going, it's quite a walk back to my house and I don't want to be late getting in. My mom might not have rules, but I know she worries."
Marinette quickly stepped into his embrace, and Adrien felt a twinge of jealousy. However, he couldn't decide if it was more because he didn't like Luka hugging Marinette or because he wanted to hug Luka.
"See you later," Marinette mumbled to Luka.
"It was nice meeting you, Chat Noir," Luka said with a wave before carefully climbing down into Marinette's room with his guitar.
Adrien was certain there was something Luka wasn't saying. Suddenly, he realized he was alone on the balcony with Marinette. He internally debated on walking with Luka but ultimately decided he would rather the alone time with Marinette at the moment. His emotions were still a bit out of whack where Luka was concerned.
"Marinette, do you mind if I hang out with you for a little while before I head home? I don't really enjoy being alone," he asked cautiously.
Marinette gave him a smile, "Of course, Chat Noir. We are friends after all, right? At least I would hope so after our adventures together."
Adrien found her choice of words a bit strange. He didn't know if he'd call rescuing her from multiple Akuma victims an adventure. At least, not from Chat's point of view.
"You must really love being saved by me," he teased.
Marinette rolled her eyes. "Can't help it if Akuma's keep chasing me."
"I guess not, and don't worry - I don't mind coming to your rescue," he teased again. Adrien gave her a large grin and watched as one grew on her face.
"Never would have guessed," she replied sarcastically, leaning against the rail next to him.
Adrien climbed off the rail and stood next to her. For some reason, her reaction reminded him of Ladybug.
"I'm glad we're friends, Marinette. I wouldn't have anyone to talk to if we weren't."
"What do you mean? I'm sure you have civilian friends. What about your family?" Marinette inquired with concern.
"I do have civilian friends, but I'm hardly ever allowed to see them this late. As for my family, with one parent gone and the other preoccupied with their work, I'm on my own most of the time. Without my superpowers, I wouldn't even be able to leave my room half the time to help Ladybug fight Akumas." Adrien tried to keep his voice even and not let on to how much this situation bothered him.
"That's awful Chat. No one should feel ignored by their own parents or feel like they are trapped in their own home."
Adrien shrugged, "They just think I need protecting. If only they knew I was Chat Noir, they might think differently but even they can't know." He was being very careful not to say 'father' since he didn't want it to be too obvious who he might be.
Marinette was looking at him very seriously, "Protecting you from what?"
Adrien hadn't realized his mistake until she had pointed it out. While trying to avoid giving her too much information, he did just that. He had to think fast to explain what he meant without making things worse.
"They just think a world with supervillains is too dangerous."
Is that a good cover?
Marinette nodded. Adrien felt bad for lying, but it was likely half true since he was sure his father worried about him during Akuma attacks, even if he didn't say anything.
"Well, you're welcome to visit if you just need to get away," Marinette replied.
"Thank you, Marinette."
Adrien was glad he'd stopped by her balcony and decided to stay rather than going after Luka. He was enjoying the chance to get to know Marinette without her awkwardness caused by her crush on him. It was nice to talk to her just like anyone else could. He turned around and looked out at the evening sky that was starting to darken. They stood together on the balcony near the rail and after a moment, he glanced down at her.
"Beautiful," he remarked more about her than the stars blinking in the heavens. He made his way over to the chair on her balcony.
Marinette continued to gaze up at the stars, unaware that he had been speaking about her. "It really is."
Adrien took a seat in the chair and continued to search the skies. Marinette turned around too and gave him a smile. Adrien returned her smile, but it quickly disappeared.
Marinette's brow furrowed and she looked worried. "Is something wrong, Chat?"
"Not exactly," he replied.
"What is it then?"
Adrien didn't respond right away. Without a word he stood up and moved right next to her again, trying to convince himself to speak.
"It's just... I want to kiss you," he whispered so softly he was sure she hadn't heard him.
Marinette raised an eyebrow, "What? You want to kiss me? But you hardly know me."
"I know a great deal more about you than you realize, Marinette," Adrien replied on instinct.
Marinette's eyes widened in shock. "Do you mean you know me as a civilian?!"
Crap.
Adrien knew there was no way around this mistake so he simply nodded before looking off into the distance. His mind was running wild as he comprehended the depth of his slip up. He was just wondering what else to say when Marinette put a hand on his arm to draw his attention.
"You don't have to worry, Chat. I won't try to figure out who you are," Marinette replied.
He pulled her into a gentle hug. "Thank you, Marinette. That means the world to me."
"You're welcome, Chat," Marinette replied as she wrapped her arms around him.
After holding her in his embrace a little longer than he probably should have, Adrien pulled away. "I really should be getting home. It wouldn't end well if someone came to check on me if I wasn't in my room."
"I'm guessing that would be Cat-astrophic?"
Adrien chuckled at her fantastic cat-related pun. "Purr-cisely," he replied before hopping up onto the rail. "Sweet dreams, Marinette."
"Good night, Chat," Marinette replied as he leapt from her balcony and into the night sky feeling much better than he had earlier that evening.
