Whisper of Love [Miraculous Ladybug: LukaNette]

Chapter 4: Trust me

By now, Marinette circled the grounds around 4 times and still no flash drive found. Exhausted, Marinette dragged herself back to where Max and Alya were. Seeing the dreaded expression on the bluenette's face, Alya and Max knew what it meant. Alya comforted the girl, ushering her to take a seat and chill for a moment.

I knew it, I messed up again. I have such tough luck. Marinette thought to herself making her heave a sigh of defeat. I guess I'll just have to cancel it while I still have time to.

Loud cheers echoed at the school ground when a certain group were called up on stage. Curious to see who could create such an excited reaction on the crowd, Marinette went up to the corner where the rest of her classmates watched and took a quick peek. The drums cued as the guitars followed suit. Eveyone was already hyped until the band's vocalist started the verse.

"Whoa..." she whispered in awe at the band playing.

"Luka's band is so cool!" Alix gawked at the stage and giddily bopped to the rhythm. Marinette mentally agreed and tapped her feet with the beat.

How Marinette wished to be able to perform on stage and express herself. She sighed and went back to where she first sat and sulked. She couldn't do anything right now, she's tired and stressed to even figure out a simple solution.

The band on stage finally finished and the crowd erupted in happy cheers. The emcee acknowledged the band before proceeding with the next presenter. It was Alya's ladyblog.

Good for her, she's able to freely express her passion for Ladybug and vlogging to her followers live. Marinette thought and a small smile made its way to her mouth. Still she can't help but radiate a sad aura. Rose and Juleka came over Marinette and comforted her after hearing what happened. "Thanks guys, it's okay really..." she trailed off and stood up. "I better get ready, I'm supposed to go next right?" Marinette laughed nervously and waved at the two girls before going backstage. Unbeknownst to her, Rose and Juleka had something else in mind.

Marinette was getting ready backstage while the emcee acknowledged Alya. Just before going out on the stage, Tikki's giggle was heard. "What is it Tikki?" Marinette asked whispering. "It's nothing Marinette, I'm just here to remind you to commit to it." The red kwami replied making Marinette's face contort into a confused look. "Remember what Luka replied you when you told him you might mess things up." Tikki reminded Marinette and indeed, the voice of Luka rang in her head.

"You won't mess up Marinette, trust me."

As if she was struck with confidence, Marinette sighed her frustrations out. "You're right Tikki. It'll take more than this to keep my feet on the ground." Marinette declared and Tikki nodded in approval before hiding in her sling bag.

Let's do this!

"And now, let's give it up to the one who made a big part of this event be the best one yet! Françoise Dupont High's school rep. Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" the emcee introduced as Marinette stepped out the curtains.

The bluenette gave a short speech which made the crowd applaud. She composed herself and stated, "Of course, just like everyone else, I'd like to express myself right on this stage. For you guys' entertainment, but more to the person I like." Marinette giggled making the audience cheer, whistle, while others awed.

Despite the lack of music and the high expectations of the crowd, Marinette started her song.

You were looking out the window,
wishing you would disappear.
You were singing to yourse~lf
Hmmnn ~ hmmnn ~

Marinette was in her own world and didn't realize the presence of a certain boy. The crowd were already cheering teasingly. Luka glanced at the girl singing and started playing his guitar for the second verse.

♪ ♬ ♬ ♪
And I heard you sing a song~
Yeah, I heard you, so I sang alo~ng.
And when I heard you, no one knew.
You were invisible, imaginary, to everyone but me.

The sudden pressence of music from a guitar made Marinette glance back while singing the second verse, only to be met with Luka's wink. The girl faced the crowd again as they still cheered making Marinette blush, a smile formed on her face.

♪ ♬ ♬ ♪
Then one day, I gathered u~p
the courage to come o~ver and say...
Ba ba ba bala lalalala~
Badum baba ba bala lalalala~

Then a wind came, a blowing around.
And an echo, they swallow your song
And sent it over the rolling fields to my heart.
Then I knew it was over when you figured me out.

Singing,
Ba ba ba bala lalalala~
Badum baba ba bala lalalala~

Ooooo~ Oooooo~
Whi~spering my lo~ve...
Whi~spering my lo~ve.

"She finally made up her mind huh?" Kagami spoke to herself as she proudly smiled at her new friend that's performing. "I'm happy for her too." Adrien commented making Kagami shocked. "Luka is the perfect pair for a girl like Marinette." the blond added although there seemed to be a weird feeling on his chest that he dismissed.

After the last strum of the guitar, the crowed were in a moment of trance before erupting to a louder cheer for the two. Luka placed his arm around Marinette's shoulder and pulled her closer. "I knew you could do it" Luka whispered in a subtle manner. The two bowed and headed backstage where their friends were waiting.

"You guys pulled that off way too well! I'm so proud!" Alya cheered for the two performers. "Luka coming in clutch really saved you there dudette." Nino commented making Marinette giggle. "Jule told me what happened and I can't let Marinette be all by herself." Luka informed gesturing at Juleka and Rose.

"Thanks guys, I owe you all." Marinette thanked the circle she's in. By now, the opening program has finally come to an end and everyone is free to roam around and check out the stalls and eat dinner. Alya, Nino, Juleka, and Rose bid goodbye and headed out to where they planned to go, leaving Luka and Marinette all to themselves.

"So... Uh... wanna go around and check out the stalls?" Marinette invited Luka to break the ice. Marinette avoided looking at Luka's face especially after expressing her feelings like that. Luka noticed the flustered state of the bluenette and surpressed a chuckle, "Sure Marinette, but before that..." Luka trailed off before pulling Marinette in his arms.

Marinette's face met Luka's chest when she got pulled into a warm embrace. She blushed even more. "That was your reply, huh Mari?" Luka asked as Marinette replied with a muffled "yes..."

"I'm bad at expressing myself with just what I'm saying. Everyone knew that, but someone said to me before that music is often simpler than words... and he was right." Luka loosen the hug to face Marinette as she was talking. A warm smile never left his face and his lovestruck eyes never left Marinette.

"I guess sometimes, feelings are better expressed in a form of music than through mere words." Marinette smiled gazing at Luka's eyes. Marinette blushed again and averted her gaze, "What I meant to say earlier was-" Marinette's reasoning was cut short when Luka held Marinette's hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. The action made Marinette look at Luka in shock.

Luka lifted Marinette's chin close to his face as he confessed, "I love you Marinette." Luka then softly kissed Marinette's nose and smiled at the blushing girl. Marinette's eyes were sparkling with the colors of the lights as she gathered up her courage to reply,

"I love you too, Luka..."

She pecked the boy's lips and buried herself on his chest in another hug. Luka was surprised but hugged her back while the onlookers were whistling and cheering on the two.

"How about we celebrate our first day with some food?" Luka chuckled and Marinette nodded. The two held hands as they finally went to explore the booths and stalls at the event.

End.