Work Text:
“Hey, Marinette,” Juleka said, waving at her friend from the Liberty’s main deck. “Looking for Luka?”
She nodded. “He and I have a date. Is he here by any chance?”
“Yeah, in his room last time I saw him.” Juleka’s attention returned to the small mirror in her lap, her hands playing with her hair. Indecision marred her features as she frowned with each style she tried, her long locks refusing to cooperate.
Seeing her friend’s distress, she marched over and pulled back Juleka’s locks into an intricate braid. With a purple ribbon she spotted on the floor, she tied off the end with a cheerful bow. A barrette she carried for those just in case moments moved Juleka’s bangs out of her eyes to finish the look. “There. How’s that?”
Juleka glanced into the mirror and smiled. “Thanks. It’s perfect.”
“Anytime.” She shared a brief hug with Juleka before slipping into the boat’s interior, seeking out Luka’s room.
The hatch stood wide open, music playing softly from his stereo.
A smile slid across her lips as she recognized the song he’d been working on with his band, one he’d sung to her not a week ago. She hadn’t thought he had the time to record it, but then, he had an innate ability to surprise her.
Peeking through the hatch, she froze, her eyes widening at the tableau spread before her. Her cheeks warmed as she took in the shirtless specimen napping on his bed. His jeans hung low on his hips though his belt kept them from becoming indecent. One arm lay across his eyes, blocking out the light as he breathed deep and even.
She hesitated in disturbing him, ready to forgive their missed date when he shifted in bed. His arm twisted to expose some faded ink across his wrist. Curious what he’d had tattooed there, she crept closer, taking care not to disturb him.
Little wings spread wide with the name ‘Angel’ written in cursive between them.
Another shift had her jumping back, stumbling and struggling to remain upright. She fell with an oomph against the hard floor, her tailbone throbbing with the sudden impact.
“Marinette? What—” Luka stirred from his bed. “I forgot about our date. Give me a minute and I’ll get dressed. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep.”
She glanced up and caught his frantic movements, his skin tinted with a redness that didn’t come from embarrassment. A hacking cough confirmed her suspicions along with the glassiness of his eyes.
Pushing herself from the floor, she stopped him before he could reach for his small wardrobe, his chest scorching her hands. She averted her eyes lest her imagination got the best of her.
“You’re sick. The only place you’re going is back to bed. Our date can wait another few days.”
When he would’ve argued, she pointed at his bed with her other hand on her hip.
A sigh escaped him as he collapsed back against his pillow.
She tugged at his sheets under him until he could be covered. Mourning at the loss of his shirtless chest flitted through her mind before she shut her thoughts down, reprimanding herself. To appease her conscience, she pressed a hand to his forehead, frowning at the heat radiating off him.
“Let me get you a cool cloth.” She hurried into the small loo and soon returned with the promised cloth. Wincing at the hiss he release, she whispered, “Sorry.”
His tattooed hand shot out and captured her wrist, a small smile flitting over his features. “You don’t have to do this but thank you.”
Her gaze dropped to the tattoo, her mind screaming to know more about it, but she refused to give into her curiosity. No way would she dare ask him about it when he wasn’t feeling well. It wasn’t right, she kept repeating to herself. She knew he would tell her if she asked, but she could wait until he was better.
He caught her staring, and his smile grew. “Angel was my grandfather. He was the one who taught me to play guitar when I was younger. I wish you could’ve met him. I know he would’ve adored you.”
Her cheeks warmed at the way he looked at her. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because you are an amazing woman, Marinette, and I’m fairly certain I’m falling in love with you.”
She beamed at him. “Well, that’s good because I think I’m falling in love with you, too.”