Chapter Text
Tikki had always said that the longer she wields the Ladybug miraculous, the more compatible her body will form along with it. Marinette isn’t bothered too much by it and was simply thankful that she won’t get the side effects as bad as Chat. Sure, she started hating aphids with the wrath of a thousand suns and struggles with keeping her love of plants under control but other than that, she’s not doing so bad.
That is, until winter came.
Marinette has dealt with winter as Ladybug before. And she kinda struggled; feeling lethargic and sleepy most of the time but again, she really should’ve read the fine print of things she should know before being a spotted superhero.
Then she would’ve known that every winter will simply get worse and worse.
She’s been Ladybug for three years now and this third winter was particularly brutal. She barely got a step outside of the bakery when the sharp bite of frigid wind slapped her right on the face, making her squeak and bury her head deeper around her two, thickly wrapped scarves. She shivered as she walked. Her body feels heavy and all she wanted to do was crawl back beneath her covers and properly hibernate like her namesake. Briefly she wondered how the other cold-blooded miraculous heroes were holding up. Granted they’ve only been permanent just a year ago( which she’s pretty jealous at cause it means they haven’t got it that bad yet) but the side effects ought to be rearing its head right about now.
Marinette continued to trudge sluggishly towards the academy. It was a bit of a longer walk compared to her last school but she did manage to arrive, barely stepping inside the school grounds before once more having the strong urge to turn back and cocoon herself in a warm blanket burrito.
She was a few seconds from shutting down when she heard a soft voice.
“Are you okay Marinette?” She can barely understand the garbled words said to her. All Marinette can focus on was the sudden source of heat by her side and the warm arm laid across her shoulders. And like the heat starved bug that she was, she turned and latched onto said warmth.
Something squeaked and her nose crinkled. Sighing, she squeezed tighter and hummed at the soft, cozy lump of heat around her arms.
“What’s wrong with you two dumbasses today?” The familiar purple that teased at her peripherals had Marinette blinking, eyes focusing to adjust until she’s staring at Juleka’s red face.
“G’morning Julie-” She managed to slur before returning to burying her face on the crook of Juleka’s neck. “Y’r warm.” Another squeak was heard.
Marinette dazedly giggled. “Cute.”
She remained glued against Juleka, ignoring the taller girl’s half hearted hits on her back. A voice she could identify as Rose was giggling until she got jostled enough for Juleka to dislodge her. A whine was building at the back of her throat until a different lump was pushed onto her. It was also warm, and broader, and smelled good so she had no qualms latching onto it the same way she did to the last one.
This one was better though because it latched back .
“G’morning ma melodie .” She heard by her ear, breath ghosting at her skin and making her snuggle deeper in Luka's hold.
“‘S so cold.” Marinette mumbled.
“I knoooooww.” If she’s in her right mind right now, she would’ve laughed at Luka’s whining . But she’s too busy melding herself against him to giggle.
She’s also too busy to feel mortified. She definitely would’ve been as bright as her superhero suit had she been aware of her practically cuddling with her something more of a friend but less than a boyfriend-friend.
The bell rang and she flinched. They need to go to their classes-
But Luka feels so good . He was almost a full head taller than her and his body was like a furnace of snuggly warmth, almost enough for her to not mind the cold wind nipping at her legs. He was nearly squeezing her to the point of pain if not for her doing the same to him.
“You two are hopeless.” She vaguely heard Juleka mutter somewhere. “Move dumbass! We’re going to be late!”
Marinette whined along with Luka when she felt hands trying to pry them away from each other. Luka feels good. He feels warm. Why are they taking him away? She was not able to grouch much about it when the cold wind started sinking down her bones once more, simply coiling around Juleka for the second time that morning when Luka was completely out of reach.
“Go take her inside.” Rose giggled. “I’ll dump Luka in front of his classroom- stop squirming!” The blonde admonished the half-lidded boy who was too motivated to escape Rose’s surprisingly strong grip, arms reaching for Marinette with an adorable pout. They all ignored his childish cry of “Mariiiii~”
With a flustered huff, Juleka tossed an arm around Marinette and steered her away from her brother before she could reach back to him. “You should’ve skipped classes if you’re too cold to function, Marinette.” She only hummed.
When they reached the classroom, Juleka was already resigned to her fate and silently guided Marinette to her seat, rolling her eyes fondly as the baker continued snuggling at her side. The blush thankfully died down by this point.
It was still too cold and Marinette’s feeling cozy wrapped around Juleka just fine. A few minutes passed before another body sidled up to her other side, making her moan appreciatively when it squished her deeper, enveloping her with fuzzy warmth.
“Luka nearly grabbed M. Monette on the way to his classroom. Good thing Eve was there to act as a substitute.” Rose giggled, happily cuddling against Marinette’s free side while locking fingers (making a snuggly cage around the very pleased designer) with her girlfriend who sighed in defeat.
Guess there’s no escaping the two touchy pinkettes now.
By the time classes had started rolling, Marinette was hair's width away from just laying smackdown on top of Juleka’s lap. Or Rose’s. The only thing preventing her from doing so was Kim’s hold on her scarf( the damn boy was sitting behind her and was more than happy to use her scarf as a leash to keep her sitting upright) and she almost hissed at the athlete if not for her lack of energy to do so.
By some sort of miracle blessed upon by the kwamis, Marinette survived till lunch. Granted that she needed to be carried around like a sack of potatoes by her oaf of a friend cough Kim cough, but what’s important was Rose thankfully staying close for her to grab on. She was almost dozing off as Rose began eating when the familiar voice of Luka’s best friend reached her cold ears.
“What’s wrong with these two today Jesus.” Eve grouched while dumping Luka beside Marinette. The boy slumped almost immediately against the designer, his arms snaking automatically around her waist as he basically spooned her right in front of their friends.
“ Goddamn Couffaine step on the breaks would yah?” Eve’s answer was a middle finger which she promptly bent over. The full body flinch Luka made had Marinette frowning, immediately missing his body heat from when he arched away from her to avoid getting his digit broken.
“You’re a bitch Eve.” Luka growled while shaking his sore finger up and down. He was promptly ignored by the older girl who promptly cooed over Marinette.
Juleka snickered at them both.
“You look pale, love. You sure you don’t want to skip the rest of your classes?” Marinette felt Eve’s warm hand gently cup her exposed cheek and she hummed in delight. The other girl crooned. “Awww sweet sweet Mari I can just eat you- fcking Couffaine!”
The older student cursed colorfully as she sputtered at the water Luka had sprayed at her, thankfully not enough to soak her clothes but enough to get her backing away from Marinette. Rose shook her head, inwardly rolling her eyes at the shenanigans.
“Back off or I’m telling Fleur you’re getting handsy with Marinette again.” The mention of Eve’s absent boyfriend made the other second year glaring at the smug Luka.
“Suck it Lu, you’re just being a territorial little shi - Fleur my lovely bud!” She cried out as she saw her blonde sweetheart entering the cafeteria. With Eve finally distracted, Luka focused on the baker’s daughter and reached over to pry her gently away from Rose, smiling softly as slender arms willingly dragged him close the moment he pulled her into his lap, snaking around his torso. He crossed his arms against her back and took a deep inhale as the familiar, addicting scent of Marinette filled his head, his whole body vibrating pleasantly as they all but melted into one.
“Woah.” They vaguely heard Fleur’s soft voice muttering in surprise. “You two sure are being shameless today.”
Juleka snorted. “Luka’s always been shameless when it comes to her. And Marinette’s willing to grab onto anything that’s got a pulse at this point.”
Surprisingly, a muffled huff came from the bundle buried inside Luka’s koala grip.
“What is it, love?” Eve asked while pushing Luka’s face away from Marinette’s head.
“Not anything… Only those I like.” Came the grumpy voice of the noirette. Luka shook off the girl’s clawed grip and returned his head to it’s previous position.
“Aww we all like you too Marinette!” Rose exclaimed with Eve while Fleur and Juleka both fondly rolled their eyes.
“Not Luka. I don’t like Luka.” The mentioned boy stiffened and raised his head to stare down at the crown of pigtailed hair. He was frowning.
“You… you don’t like me?” His voice was hurt.
‘Yikes.’ Thought the entire table of friends.
Marinette shook her head and they could practically hear Luka’s heart breaking into pieces like hard candy.
“I don't like you because I love you stupid.” The choking sound that erupted from the back of Luka’s throat was damn near comical, his face skipping pink and shooting straight to caution hot red.
“Oh. My. Fucking. God.” Eve was grinning as if she had eaten the biggest shit there is and liked it. Juleka on the other hand was leaning over, her slender body almost entirely over the table as she pushed her palm on top of Rose’s wide open mouth. Muffled shrieking was coming out of it. The only one who looks as if they’re not losing their head was Fleur, the boy simply leaning against his hand with a gentle smile on his face.
“About time.” He muttered.
Marinette let out a delightful sigh as Luka’s body jumped a few degrees hotter, her sluggish brain failing to comprehend the fact that she just blurted out something that might actually kill her on the spot once she begins functioning again.
“M-Mari? Melodie ?” Luka squeaked, his voice cracking and a few octaves higher than usual. Eve was laughing her ass off before screeching in pain when Fleur dug his heel on top of her toes.
Luka’s answer was Marinette hugging him closer.
“Rose shut up my muscles are cramping!” Juleka hissed when Rose showed no signs of stopping. The goth girl was huffing as she trembled from keeping her girlfriend quiet, struggling to keep her position as she felt her toes slipping against the tiles. Thankfully, Rose did stop.
“Oh my gosh Luka!” The blonde gushes after being set free. Still, the blue tipped musician seemed flabbergasted, blinking as if trying to prove to himself that he wasn’t dreaming.
Slowly, he turned to them, face still as red if not more. “D-did she just-?”
His answer was a variety of nods ranging from she definitely did and you’re gonna hear from me for days to she did and finally I’m so happy for you both!
If he was cold before, he feels damn stuffy right now. He can feel his heart beating and was afraid that it might be too loud for Marinette to tolerate but really, he can’t help it after hearing that.
Regaining his few marbles left, Luka stood up, Marinette’s legs automatically hooking around him with her ankles locking and pressing into his ass, adding a few shades of red to his already boiling face.
Eve and Juleka cackled.
“Nurse office!” Was all that he yelled before he was escaping out of the cafeteria with his still knocked out girlfriend clutched gently inside his coat. (He can call her that now right? She just said she loves him and he definitely loves her and they’re together now right? Right?!)
The group of four stared after the two lovebirds and returned to their lunches, giggling and chuckling as they replayed the impromptu confession that short circuited the infamous chill Luka Couffaine out of his suave headspace.
“Bet yah fifty euros we ain’t gonna see them for the rest of the day.” Eve offered around a mouthful of fries.
“No thanks.” The three shot back. Eve snorted and muttered. “Spoilsports.”