Marinette jerked her hand away in shock, eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights. She sputtered incoherent words.

   “Look,” Luka sighed. “You don’t have to. I know you’ve been through so much. And I’m fine with staying friends with you.”

   The bluennette took a deep breath, pushing down her anxiety. She swallowed against the lump in her throat.

   “I… I want…” She struggled to find the right words. “I want something with you. I want everything you said and more, but I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”

   Luka held his hands out, and she took them. He rubbed his thumb soothingly against the back of her hand.

   “Marinette Dupan-Chang.” He whispered, shaking his head with a smile. “I’m willing to wait. Even if it means in the end you don’t want me.”

  “I’m not willing to do that to you,” Marinette exclaimed, moving back to her earlier position. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’re worth the pain. I’ve waited nearly eight years, kicking myself in the butt for not taking my chance with you. But you weren’t in love with me, and I made my peace with that. I thought I could suppress those feelings, but every time I see you, I just want to be close to you and do everything possible to make you smile. I feel like it’s my life’s mission to make such an astonishing girl feel amazing.”

    Marinette wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. His captivating blue eyes held so much passion she wanted to cry. 

   “But I didn’t come here to pressure you,” Luka assured, tightening his hold around her hands. “I didn’t even come here to tell you the crappy story about my father. Heck, I wasn’t even planning to confess. But you’re irresistible in a way that’s mind-boggling. Did you know that when you’re working on something, it’s the only time you cross your ankles? Or when you're baking you stick your tongue out in concentration?”

    Marinette knew Tikki could hear all this and probably had that stupid smug expression that said ‘I told you so’. Those were things Adrien never went so far to notice. He saw Ladybug and fell in love with a hero. But here Luka was, and he fell for her. For her. Not the person who risks her life to save others or wears a mask to hide her identity. Luka saw Marinette for who she was and still wanted to stick around. 

     Tears swelled in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. Luka concerningly reached up and wiped her tears with her thumb.

  “I’m sorry, Marinette. I really didn’t mean to upset you.” He whispered. She could see his eyes were glassy, she was sure from lack of sleep and the emotional stress she was causing him.

    Marinette couldn’t help the laugh that forced itself out. She shook, from laughter or from tears, she didn’t know. Maybe she was delirious from getting no sleep in. She tried to say something, but she couldn’t manage between the large gasps she was taking.

   “You’re so-” She hiccuped after calming down, “So amazing. You’re this amazing guy, you’re talented, you have a family that you made sure you never lost contact with, who remembers things about me that I don’t even know. I don’t deserve you.”

   “Marinette. Don’t ever say that. You deserve so, so much. You deserve all of the love I can offer and more” He bit his lips and the tip of his ears turned pink. “Can… I…”

  Marinette whipped her tears away and sniffled. Luka shook his head and didn’t finish his question. Instead, he put food on a paper plate and handed it to her. 

    They ate in mostly silence, with only Marinette commenting about how delicious it was.

   It was a lot for Marinette to take in. She always really liked Luka, to the point she almost asked him out instead of Adrien. Somehow she didn't ask the guitarist out in highschool, but she was almost pleased her life events lead her here. God did she want to have a future with him, and it was something he was willing to give her.

She felt her eyes drooping close, and a yawn forced itself through her lips. Luka turned his head and yawned into his wrist.

   “Maybe a little nap wouldn’t hurt.” The bluenette mumbled as she pulled her legs closer to her body.

    Luka nodded and laid back, barely able to keep his eyes open. He lazily patted his chest, attempting to say something, but he couldn’t focus enough to say a coherent sentence. But somehow, she caught on and laid her head on his chest. His arms wrapped around her protectively. 

     The anxiety he had felt before arriving was gone, instead it was replaced with comfort. Marinette hadn't answered his question, but she didn't turn him down immediately.

    Sunlight danced across their skin, warming them up from the chilly breeze. Leaves danced over their heads and the wind picked up.

     The clouds that had earlier posed no threat began to rumble over their heads, rolling in to disturb the perfect scene. It caused Luka’s eyes to snap open. He was momentarily blinded before the sun hid behind the dark clouds.

   It took a moment, Luka would have to admit, before he could piece together what was happening. He was confused and tired, his real focus on the body pressed up against his own. But the drop of water that hit his face was quickly followed by more, and it hit him.

   “Marinette.” He grumbled. Luka then realized it sounded like he swallowed gravel, and cleared his throat to try again. “Marinette, Marinette wake up.”

   The fashion designer tightened her eyes when she felt the rain and turned so that her face was tucked in the crook of his neck. He really wished he could stay right here all day, with her so close. Her cool breath against his neck caused shivers to go down his spine.

   “Hmm, go away.” Marinette croaked as she gripped the fabric of his shirt. “Mmm too tired  to deal with pranks.”

   “Marinette, it’s raining. We have to go. We have to go.” Damn was it hard to stay awake.

    With a whine, she pulled herself up and looked around. She let out a ‘huh’ and began to shove things back into the bag. He followed suit. They both hastily made trudged through the woods and back to the jeep.

  Marinette grunted and rested her head on the window as Luka turned on the heat. The rain had absolutely soaked their clothes, to the point that neither could stop shivering.

   “I would drive.” She rumbled, rolling her head to see him through half-lidded eyes. “But I can’t.”

   “I know.” He groaned as he turned the radio on for background noise. He shifted the gears and pulled off. He realized as he hit the long expanse of road that he had no idea where he was taking them.

   “Mmm, dunno Luka,” Marinette mumbled before he could open his mouth. He narrowed his eyes in confusion. Did he ask without even realizing?? “I want you. I really want you. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.” 

    He waited for her to say more, afraid that she was asleep and not realizing what she was saying. After a few minutes, she continued.

  “You smell so good. Like cinnamon and almonds. I love that smell. It drives me crazy.” 

   Okay, he was pretty sure she was out of it. So he made the decision to take her back to Alya’s. He knew that she had her own apartment, but he didn’t know what number she was and if she could even handle getting in by herself.

     Marinette started to hum the song that played during Jagged Stone and Penny’s wedding, taking unnecessary breathes between notes. He shook his head, wishing he could take a picture.

    Not long after they entered town, something crashed in front of the vehicle, causing Luka to jerk the wheel to the right. He put pressure on the breaks, trying his best to make sure he didn’t cause them to go out. 

    With minimum damage done, Luka checked on Mariette. But when he looked over, she wasn’t there. He cursed as he hopped out of the car and looked for her.

    Screaming was heard, and people were running, but no Marinette. Several more curses split past his lips as he ducked into an alleyway.

   “Sass.” Luka tiredly exclaimed, holding his wrist up.

    “Iss that besst? You’re tired, and ssstill healing.” Sass hissed as he waved toward Luka’s ankle.

   “It’ll be fine,” Luka assured, with a weak smile. “Sass, scales form.”

    In a flash of green, Askook rushed out of the alleyway and into the street to survey the damage. He ran to pull a few people out of the way of falling objects and put them in buildings.

    He eventually found where the akuma was and found that Ladybug and Chat Noir were already there.

   “Sorry.” Askook panted as he jogged beside them.

   “Lucky you, I’m so catabulous, I can hold the fort down!” Chat grinned. He turned serious for a second and leaned to whisper in Askook’s ear. “What happened? Why are you out of it?”

    The snake holder bit his lip and wrung out his hands. He was barely even here for two minutes, and it was obvious that he was barely able to focus on the situation in front of him. 

  “It’s been a long day.” 

  “Is that why-” Chat cut himself off and shook his head. “Nevermind. Are you okay? Can you do this right now?”

    Askook nodded his head and finally focused on the akuma. It was unlike akumas he had seen before, instead of bright popping colors, it was a sandy color. A red mascot was the only thing that popped out color-wise. Unfortanley, that was the only thing unusual about the akuma.

    Fossils were floating around him but were going up and down like it was breathing. Every few seconds they would rearrange into a different shape of an animal. A few other fossils were damage things in close range, buildings, trees, even vehicles.

     “Ladybug.” Chat whispered as he crept towards the heroine. “Can you clear the streets? Make sure the people are safe?”

    The blonde didn’t get a simple answer, instead, he got a few grumbles. He snorted and used his claws to brush hair out her face. 

    “Just like the old days, aye Bugaboo? I think Askook and I have this under control for now. Go make sure the people out of the street.” Ladybug pouted up at him angrily. “Aw, don’t be mad. You’ve got the best weapon for pulling people out of the way. The sooner you oblige, the sooner you can go home to sleep.”

   To sleep? Askook briefly tore his eyes away from the akuma to evaluate the bluenette. Her eyes were struggling to stay open and she swayed on her feet. Huh, she looked like someone else he knew. And if Askook knew that Adrien was Chat Noir, then Adrien’s relationship with Ladybug would mean…

    Askook didn’t have time to continue that train of thought, the akuma sent fossils of a saber-tooth tiger towards them, growling as he summoned the other fossils back.

   “Aw look, it’s a little kitty cat! You’ve cat to be kitten me, it’s so precious!” Chat exclaimed as he squatted like he was going to smother the beast with love. Instead, he extended his baton so it went through the rib cage of the beast.

    “You brats these days, you’re so uneducated! It’s a saber-tooth tiger, you bafoon, not a kitty cat!” The akuma cried out.

   Chat gave a toothy grin as he sprung backward to dodge an attack. “I love being called a brat, it brings me back to when I was a kid. Ah, to be young again.” He let out a coy laugh. “To be constantly spoken down to that I wasn’t good enough. The good old days. Fun times.”

   Askook fiddled with the snakehead on his bracelet before pulling it back. He dodged a few scratch attacks the saber-tooth directed towards him.

   “That’s unfortunate, can it be applied to help us now?” Askook asked, almost innocently. Almost. Instead, it was filled with irritation. On a normal day, he wouldn’t be this way and instead patient. But today wasn’t a normal day and he was exhausted.

    “Ouch, you’re being totally clawful to me.”

  They went back and forth a few times like kids, still managing to fight off the akuma without much trouble. It went so smoothly in fact, they managed to pinpoint where the akuma was, and release it.

   “Miraculous Ladybug!” A voice shouted not too far from them. “It’s time to devilize!”

   Ladybug caught the tainted butterfly with her yo-yo and watched it flutter away after she purified it. Chat slapped them both on the back and laughed.

   “Not too shabby! We make a great team!”

  Before Askook could get in a jab, something caught his eye. Looking towards the spot, he realized Master Fu was grinning at them, and a gleeful Wayzz poked out his pocket.

    “Master Fu?” Ladybug croaked.
  ______________________________________
                        Author's note:
     Hey beautiful dorks! How was your week? I hope good. If it was bad, at least you have the crappy fan fic with an update on time!

   Song in the media is from The Greatest Showman. If you haven't listened/watched it, please stop reading this and go watch it immediately.

    Don't forget to comment and vote! I love hearing what you have to say! Stay safe, wear your masks and wash your hands. Have a great day/night! See you next update!