Chapter Text
Adrien's life had changed a lot in the past few months. It started when he fought alongside Scarabella. Afterwards, in concern about the state of the duo's partnership, she decided to have a talk with Ladybug. This talk led to Ladybug realizing that she had pushed her partner away and hid way too many things from him. Which, in turn, led to Ladybug revealing her identity to Chat Noir.
The two decided to be honest with each other about a lot of things, even difficult ones, like Chat Blanc. It wasn't long before Alya, Nino, Marinette and Adrien all knew each other's identities and a stronger, more concrete, team of full-time Miraculous holders was formed.
It was also revealed that Adrien and Marinette had both been crushing on each other for a while. So, they began dating.
Luka, Marinette's ex, spotted the two together one day. He realized not only were they a couple, but also that they knew each others secrets. He expected to feel jealousy towards Adrien, but that wasn't the case. His feelings for Marinette had faded. They were friends now. However, Luka's heart decided to throw him for a loop.
He wasn't jealous of Adrien.
He was jealous of Marinette.
He had feelings for Adrien.
Of course, he wouldn't dare stand between them. They were his friends. Instead, he'd curse his cruel heart and find a way to turn that pain into music.
As far as Marinette and Adrien? Well... everyone, including them, thought they were meant to be.
However, two months into their relationship both of them came to the realization that things weren't at all what they thought it would be. They were close. They had a special bond and enjoyed each others company. But it wasn't a romantic connection at all. Both of them feared breaking the other's heart, but they both found themselves to be on the same page.
Technically, they had just broken up, but it wasn't a bad breakup at all. They were glad to have at least given the romantic possibility between them a try. No need to ponder the 'what ifs' in the future. The conversation ended with a friendly hug on a Parisian rooftop.
With their friendship stronger than ever, they knew they would be just fine.
//////////////////
Luka was not fine. He wanted, no needed, to talk with Ladybug and Chat Noir. They deserved to know that he knew their identities. Especially now that they were together. He’d put this off too long and it was eating away at him. Of course, he’d just happen to be biking by and see the pair hugging each other on a rooftop. It wasn’t the ideal scenario, but it did save him the trouble of trying to contact them as heroes. Talking to them about it outside of the masks about it seemed more complicated to him somehow.
Whatever conversation they had been having was clearly over. Ladybug was spinning her yoyo. Chat Noir readied his baton. They were about to part ways.
“Ladybug! Chat Noir!” He called up to them, before he procrastinated further.
Both of the heroes looked down at him then exchanged a glance with each other. In an instant they were beside him.
“Luka Couffaine?” Ladybug looked around for signs of danger. “Is everything okay?”
“Maybe?” Luka said nervously.
Chat Noir’s eyebrow raised beneath his mask. “What do you mean, maybe?”
“There’s something you both should know.” Luka’s tone was serious. “Is there somewhere we can go that’s more private?”
“Back to the rooftop, Kitty?” Ladybug suggested and flung her yoyo back to the roof she’d just came from.
“Works for me!” Chat Noir grabbed Luka by the waist and prepared to vault them upwards. “Hold on.”
Luka held tight and his heart fluttered. He’d just recently realized he had feelings for the guy. The universe was playing some sick joke. He gulped as they vaulted through the air. He knew he was safe in Chat Noir’s arms. But THAT was exactly his problem. It wasn’t the time for his newfound feelings for the hero to take center stage. The secret he needed to get off of his chest was about their identities, not whatever was going on with his heart.
Sorting those feelings out would have to happen some other time. Besides Ladybug and Chat Noir were in love with each other. Marinette and Adrien were dating, as far as he knew. Luka reminded himself of that over and over again. They were his friends. His feelings didn’t matter as much as both of them being happy. He’d certainly never stand between them, not that he even thought he would have a chance. Would Adrien ever like him in that way even if he wasn’t in love with Marinette?
“Uh, Luka?” Chat Noir spoke softly, prompting him out of his thoughts. “You can let go now, we’re up on the rooftop. It’s safe.”
Luka blushed furiously but hid his face from the heroes as he quickly let go.
Of course, he’d let himself get distracted by all the thoughts running through his head.
Chat Noir looked at Luka’s back as he had turned away from him. Something was clearly off, but he thought it had more to do with nervousness of whatever secret Luka was about to reveal.
Luckily, Ladybug was all business and didn’t seem to take any notice of the lingering contact or Luka’s embarrassment.
“So, what is it that you need to tell us?”
“It’s um…” Luka closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t know how they would take this. “Remember when we fought Wishmaker?”
Ladybug laughed nervously. “What do you mean we?”
“Huh?” Luka looked at her with confusion. They all clearly knew that he was Viperion.
“Well, I… ugh.” Ladybug pinched the bridge of her nose. Keeping track of who knew what was still proving difficult. “Yes, okay so we both know that you are Viperion. But you really shouldn’t just say things that could reveal your identity like that. What if Chat didn’t know?”
“Sorry, it’s just that… Well, speaking of identities…” The combination of Luka trailing off and taking a sudden interest in his shoes was more telling than he meant for it to be.
After a beat, Ladybug gasped.
Luka looked up at the heroes. She looked hurt. Chat Noir wasn’t looking at him, but at his partner. His face was hard to read.
“You… lied to me?”
Luka felt shattered. He had, but at the time it felt like the right thing to do.
She continued. “I asked you if you saw! You told me you didn’t see anything!”
“I’m sorry.” His shoulders slumped. She was angry and he couldn’t blame her.
“Who did you see? Me? Him?” There were tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
Deep down he knew this conversation had to happen. But it hurt to see her look at him that way. He could have put it off longer. Actually, probably not. It was eating away at him. The longer he hid what he knew the worse her reaction would probably be.
“Both of you.”
Chat Noir finally looked at him. Then spoke softly on his and Ladybug’s behalf. “So, why are you telling us now?”
“I saw you two together, on a date.” Luka held up his hands to clarify. “Which I think is great by the way! I just also heard you talking. What you said was vague enough that no one else would have put it together. But since I already knew… I realized you knew each other’s identities. It felt like that meant it was time to tell you what I knew.”
“Oh.” Chat pondered this. “That makes sense.”
“Does it?” Ladybug glared at him. “Does it make sense that he hid this from us?”
“It does, actually.” Chat answered gently.
“WHAT?!” Ladybug balled her fists at her sides.
Chat looked almost amused at this, which concerned Luka. Ladybug was not to be messed with if she was upset. “Luka KNOWS you.”
“And?” Her glare shifted from Chat to Luka. It was a little unsettling.
Chat Noir positioned himself slightly between the two. Not that Luka ever imagined Ladybug would try to harm him, but still she was obviously pretty annoyed at his actions. Chat Noir was feeling more level headed in that moment.
“How would you have taken it if he HAD told you right after the fight?”
“I would have been glad he was honest with me!”
“And then?” His cat eyes looked at her knowingly.
Her shoulders slumped and Chat Noir reached out to put a hand on each of them.
She didn’t respond for a moment and pouted. “I would have thought of every possible way that him knowing could go wrong. I’d wonder who you were. I’d be paranoid for his safety! I probably wouldn’t sleep for a week.” Ladybug’s eyes met Luka’s again. “But that doesn’t make it right.”
“I’m not sure either of his options were the best in that situation. He could tell you and have you stressing about it and possibly trying to figure out if you both should tell me, or he could hide it. You were more comforted by the idea that he didn’t know.”
“It doesn’t really make it right, but I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t expect you to ask me and I panicked before I had time to think about it.” Luka took a step closer to them. “I am sorry for hiding it from you, Marinette. You asked me directly and I lied. I’m sorry.”
Ladybug’s eyes widened at the mention of her civilian name.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Adrien.” Luka turned to him. It was a genuine apology.
“Well, I didn’t even bother asking.” Chat Noir just shrugged at this. “As long as you aren’t revealing my identity to other people, I don’t mind you knowing.”
“Of course! I won’t tell anyone! Your secrets are safe with me.” Luka paused. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you both found each other. I’m glad you are together and finally able to be a couple without all of the secret identity stuff getting in the way."
“Oh, about that.” Chat Noir rubbed the back of his neck.
Ladybug pressed the tips of her pointer fingers together nervously. “We actually… broke up.”
“What?” Luka’s eyebrows raised. “I-I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t be! We’re okay!” Ladybug stopped him.
“Really?”
“Really.” Chat Noir turned so he and Ladybug were side-by-side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder in a friendly gesture. “We’re glad we tried dating, but we kind of found our bond or whatever with each other… isn’t so romantic.”
“We both felt that way.” Ladybug laughed. “We tried, really, we did.”
“Plagg said something about us being platonic soulmates. I can’t help but agree with him.”
Ladybug nodded in agreement.
“Oh.” Luka stared at the scene before him dumbfounded. “So, you really aren’t a couple?”
“Not anymore.” They both said in unison then laughed.
The way Luka’s mind worked he had a tendency to hear melodies when he looked at people. Seeing the two together he heard a song weave it’s way through his mind. It was fun and chaotic, upbeat, a mix of rock-and-roll and an epic orchestra. It reflected them both as heroes and friends. But it wasn’t a particularly romantic tune. It also wasn’t as confusing as what he’d heard seeing them together before. It was certain. A melody that knew exactly what it was.
His heart dared to hope, for just a moment, that maybe he was the other half of Adrien’s romantic melody. Luka blinked away the thought. Still, it wasn’t the time for that.
“I… wow… I’m glad you guys worked through your feelings.” Luka said with a smile.
Then the smile faded. There still could be consequences for his actions. “Ladybug, I realize that this might mean that I shouldn’t have a Miraculous again. I can respect that.”
Chat Noir stepped away from her and crossed his arms. Clearly, he was leaving the decision up to the Guardian.
“Luka. I trust you with my identity. It feels like we know each other pretty well.” She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. They were exes who were now good friends. It was quite bizarre to be having a conversation on a rooftop with TWO boys who now fit that description. “As much as I want to be angry with you for not telling me the truth back then… I do understand it. And good grief, it’s not like I’ve never lied to you. At the time, you didn’t want to put more stress on me. Tell me something. Would you have told me eventually?”
“Of course!” There was no hesitation. “I always knew I would tell you. It just never felt like the right time.”
Ladybug nodded at that and turned to her partner. “I know Luka and I trust you. But this isn’t just about me. It isn’t my decision to make alone.”
“Well, M’lady.” Chat Noir smiled at them both with a crooked grin. “May I remind you of who suggested Luka have a Miraculous in the first place?”
“Oh right, it was Adrien Agr—“ Ladybug paused and looked between the two boys. “Okay, so maybe I JUST realized that technically the reason you have a Miraculous in the first place is because Chat Noir himself suggested that you have one.”
“That’s right.” Chat Noir gave Luka a big smile.
Luka thought this guy might just be the death of him.
“Okay. I mean I know your identity now and all.” Ladybug gestured to her partner. “But even to this day I’m still putting together that old memories of Adrien are Chat Noir and old memories of Chat Noir are Adrien!”
Chat laughed. “Don’t worry, I get it. I’m constantly having those moments too! Do you dream them sometimes? Like I have dreams of memories that I know were with you as Ladybug but suddenly in the dream memory you’re there as Marinette. Swinging from a big ball of yarn from buildings or something even more bizarre.”
“Yes! Not with a ball of yarn, but sometimes I see you running the rooftops as Adrien in fencing gear fighting an akuma.”
They both laughed at each other.
Luka looked between the two. There was something about this newfound level of friendship between them that seemed so natural. He couldn’t help but smile.
“But back to Luka’s concern.” Chat Noir turned back to him. “Luka, you are someone that I trust. In fact, I’m GLAD you know my identity.”
He said it so matter-of-factly that Luka could swear his heart did a backflip in his chest. Adrien was happy that he knew about him being Chat Noir?
Ladybug looked at Luka’s smile after hearing what Chat Noir said. Then she shifted her eyes to her partner, who nodded in agreement with whatever she was thinking.
She unhooked her yoyo from her waist and opened it. Then her hand reached inside and pulled out a very familiar bracelet. At first she pulled it close to herself and gave her partner one last glance. Chat Noir nodded towards Luka, one of his cat ears flicking in the boy’s direction to further express his approval.
“Luka Couffaine.” Ladybug said with confidence. “This is the Miraculous of the Snake. Which grants the power of second chance. You will use it for the greater good. I’d like to offer this to you on a permanent basis. If you’re willing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. What I’m not sure about is if knowing our identities will put you in more danger. But Shadowmoth has proven to be more of a threat lately in general. We need to be prepared. Chat Noir and I both agree it’s for the best for you to keep Sass with you.”
Luka nodded, took the bracelet and put it on.
Sass appeared and looked at the scene around him. “Hello, again my friend.”
“Sass, how do you feel about staying with Luka?”
“Oh, I would be delighted!” Sass practically beamed with happiness.
“It’s good to see you again!” Luka couldn’t help but reach out and scratch the kwami’s head.
“You two are a good match.” Chat Noir then elbowed his super-hero partner playfully. “Aren’t you glad you gave him a second chance?”
Ladybug groaned. “Yes, of course! …but the pun? Really?”
Luka laughed. “For what it’s worth, thank you both for believing in me.”
They talked a few more minutes before deciding to head home.
“Guess you don’t need help getting off of the roof, since Sass is with you now.” Chat Noir said.
“I suppose not.” Luka agreed, before mentally adding how it was a shame Chat Noir wouldn’t be escorting him down.
He transformed into Viperion to distract from the blush he felt forming at the thought.
After they parted ways, Viperion ran the rooftops for a while just to think. It didn’t surprise him that Marinette had been upset at first. He’d certainly feel the same way if the roles were reversed, but he was glad things worked out the way they had. Now, he was a full-time superhero.
That also meant he’d be spending more time with Chat Noir. While he was nervous about his own feelings that had developed he couldn’t help but also be curious. Is it possible that Adrien could have feelings for him too? Was that just wishful thinking? It’s not like he had any intention of pursuing anything right away. After all, as well as they were handling the breakup it was still fresh. It was something that both Adrien and Marinette had thought was meant to be… and it wasn’t. The same could be true of his own feelings couldn’t it? He had thought Marinette was the one for him at some point. Now he knew her to be a great friend.
Luka leapt to the next rooftop. He’d also have to adjust to fighting akumas much more often. Sass would be with him all the time now.
New feelings, new responsibilities... it was the start of a new chapter in his life.