I'm Here { Lukanette FF }

4 - As You Are

Marinette's POV

After the next school day ended, I grabbed my sketchbook and ballpoint pen and rushed to the park.

I come to scenic places like the park or the Eiffel Tower when I'm craving inspiration. I always love the rush of adrenaline it gives me when I get an idea.

Today, I'm going to just stay here and relax.

I don't have much schoolwork to do for today, anyways.

I opened up the sketchbook to a blank page and looked around me.

There was a peculiar man sitting on a bench while feeding pigeons. A few kids were riding the horses on the carousel as mom's chased their children across the park.

This feeling of recreation was overwhelmingly calming.

But something familiar caught my eye, I had to blink several times to make sure I was seeing right.

Luka and his sister Juleka were sitting on the fountain in the center of the park.

A black and white electric guitar rested in Luka's hands as he plucked its strings to create a calming and wholesome melody.

His eyes closed to take in the beauty of its sound.

Juleka was sitting beside him, drawing something in a small sketchbook.

Both looked at peace.

I watched carefully, absorbing the emotions of their body language and actions. I noticed something was bothering Juleka.

She began to speak to Luka, something sparked in her eyes.

I wasn't close enough to hear, so I carefully snuck behind the fountain and sat on the other side to remain undetected.

I didn't know what caused me to eavesdrop, I just wasn't thinking, I guess.

"Luka..." she began.

"Yeah, Jules?" her brother replied with a soft, caring tone.

It was surprising to hear him with such kindness in his voice.

"Do you think our parents would be proud of us?" there was a strong hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"What'd you mean?" Luka asked.

"I mean... if they were still with us. Do you think they'd be proud of how we've grown up to be?" Something cracked inside me.

Luka's voice was barely a whisper, "Jules..."

Juleka sighed, "I mean... do you think they'd accept me for liking girls? Do you think I'm weird?"

I didn't have time to think about what she said, Luka replied sharply in a matter of milliseconds.

"What? No! Who let you think that?!" his tone was sharp, defensive.

Luka put down his guitar and put his hands on her shoulders, "Juleka, we've had a rough life, jumping away from place to place as kids to avoid the authorities.

"Now that we're older and independant, we have the right to be whoever we want to. Don't ever let anything hold you back from being yourself. I love you as you are, and I always will."

I felt tears roll down my cheeks as I took in what he said. It was beautiful.

I could hardly believe that this was the same Luka who bumped my shoulder on my first day.

So if this is the real Luka, why does he act so different around other people?

Why does he push people away?