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Marinette shifted nervously.
She was on the deck of the Liberty, leaning over the railing to look down the Seine.
Kitty Section were just wrapping up their practice behind her, and Marinette was hoping to talk to Luka .
She was starting to feel like she was ready to try again in the love department, and getting back with Luka was Alya’s first (and only) suggestion.
The plan tonight was to talk to Luka after practice and see if he might be interested too.
"Hey, Marinette."
Mari flinched at the voice behind her, having been lost in her thoughts, but relaxed when it was only Luka and not some akuma. Then she stopped relaxing because it was Luka .
"How's it going?" he asked kindly, leaning his back against the railing beside her.
"Better than usual," Marinette replied with a shy smile. "My romantic life doesn't feel quite as doomed, today "
Luka smiled. "I'm glad to hear it's going well with Adrien," he said softly.
Marinette fought the urge to groan, just nodding politely. "How about you?" She asked as neutrally as she could.
"My romantic life?" Luka chuckled. "Might be a little doomed, to be honest. I was hoping Alya would be here."
"Alya?" Marinette echoed before she could stop herself.
Luka shrugged. "I'm sure I'll run into her sooner or later," he said cryptically, rubbing a hand through his hair to push it out of his face. "Actually, do you think you could give me her number?"
Marinette blinked. Luka liked Alya ? She must be doomed to be alone forever, she decided. "Um, I guess," she replied hesitantly, reaching for her phone. "I think she and Nino wanted to spend tonight together as a couple, though," she added, not sure why she was hoping that would make Luka ask her out instead.
"It's good they can make time for each other," Luka smiled. "I'll wait to text until tomorrow, in that case."
He was… still interested? Was he hoping to break them up?
Marinette let herself sigh internally, pulling up Alya's contact information. Maybe he'd take the hint if Alya turned him down herself.
==============================
Marinette flinched in her seat as she heard Alya's phone buzz in her friend's purse.
She'd told Alya that morning about her interaction with Luka the night before, and now they were in class doing a math worksheet.
"Turns out you were wrong about Luka," Alya whispered, leaning over.
"But-" Marinette mumbled, "he definitely implied there was romantic interest," she hissed, not looking up from the worksheet.
Alya's shrug was barely noticeable in Marinette's peripheral vision. "There may have been interest," Alya whispered, "but not for me."
Marinette was left to wonder what to do with that information for a few moments as Mme Bustier passed their desk.
"What was it about then?" She finally whispered.
"Chat Noir," came the hushed reply.
"What?" Marinette said quickly, turning to Alya.
"Eyes down!" Alya hissed, elbowing Marinette's ribs less than gently.
Marinette turned back to her worksheet, trying not to let her heart start racing. Was Chat Luka's crush? What did that mean for any future she might've imagined with Luka?
"It doesn't have to mean anything," Alya whispered gently. "I'm pretty sure he's bi, and this thing with Chat is just a celebrity crush. You still have a shot."
Maybe Marinette could've dismissed it as a celebrity crush if she didn't know firsthand how closely Viperion and Chat had worked together.
Maybe, if she hadn't caught how the pair's back and forth banter occasionally strayed into flirtatious.
"I'm gonna be alone forever," Marinette sighed to herself.
========================
Luka sat on the deck of the Liberty, fiddling with his phone. Alya hadn't replied since he'd brought up Chat, and he was starting to feel antsy.
Why hadn't she said anything?
Should he text her again?
Was she even able to put him in touch with Chat?
Was it even worth trying to meet Chat as himself?
He was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of someone landing on the deck behind him.
"Chat?" he asked excitedly, as he spun around.
Ladybug chuckled. "Not quite," she joked. "I'll try not to be offended."
Luka fell a little. "I didn't mean-" he stammered. "It's good to see you, Ladybug, I just-"
"Relax, Luka," Ladybug said with a smirk. "I heard from a little vixen today. I know why you were hoping for Chat."
"I, uh-" Luka mumbled with a frown. "He didn't want to see me?" he asked.
"I'm sure he'd be here, if he knew Viperion had asked for him," Ladybug answered gently. "Alya doesn't know how to get in touch with us, but I keep tabs on her."
Luka looked up at Ladybug curiously, not sure what to say.
Ladybug put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile for a few moments before she spoke. "I think you should tell Chat who you are," she suggested. "Otherwise you're just competing with yourself."
"When am I meant to do that?" Luka laughed. "I don't have a way to contact him."
"Tonight," Ladybug answered simply. "Want to join us for patrol?"
=================
Adrien started for their rooftop early, as he always did, intending to spend some time to himself watching the city before meeting with Ladybug for patrol.
He'd always found it easier to self-reflect when he was perched on a rooftop and feeling free.
He'd gotten to work with Viperion a lot recently, something he'd been enjoying a lot.
Adrien felt drawn to Viperion- to Luka- but he couldn't do anything about it.
Chat Noir wasn't supposed to know Luka was Viperion. He wasn't supposed to have any way to contact Viperion.
And even though Adrien was allowed to know that, Adrien wasn't the one who'd been getting close to Viperion, so it didn't make sense to do anything without the suit.
Adrien sighed as he vaulted the last rooftop before his destination. He wanted to explore what he was feeling, try and sort it out to understand himself, but he couldn't do that if he couldn't spend time with Luka.
Then he froze.
He wasn't going to get that time to himself, after all.
There, on the rooftop and entire half-hour early, were Ladybug… and Viperion.
This would be fine.
Adrien could deal with that.
He probably wouldn't combust.
Probably.
============================
"Oh, Chat!" Ladybug exclaimed, startling Luka.
Luka spun, whirling to face where Ladybug was looking and stare as Chat Noir nearly crashed into the rooftop they were stood on.
"Second chance," he whispered to himself, taking advantage of both the other heroes being distracted.
"Hi, Chat," Ladybug chuckled as Chat picked himself up. "You're here early."
Chat groaned. "I'm always here early. What's going on?" he glanced warily at Luka, sending a shiver down Luka's spine. "Is there an akuma?" Chat added.
Ladybug shook her head, shooting Luka a smirk. "Nothing's wrong, Chat," she said simply. "I wanted to start spending more time with our secondaries; bring them on patrols, stuff like that."
"So you brought Viperion," Chat pointed out. Luka shrank into himself, wondering why it mattered to Chat that it was him.
"Oh, are you not happy to see him?" Ladybug teased.
"No! I mean- I am! That's not- Bugggg!" Chat stammered, glaring daggers at Ladybug the whole time. Luka watched the exchange curiously, certain that his read of Chat as being nervously embarrassed must just be projection.
“Anyway,” Ladybug declared. “I have some guardian stuff to do tonight, which means I’m gonna have to leave you two to patrol together.”
Chat narrowed his eyes. “If you had guardian stuff to do, why not wait for another night to bring Viperion in?”
Ladybug just shrugged. “I need to get better at scheduling, I guess,” she said flatly, an amused glint in her eye. Turning to Luka, she added, “You can hold onto Sass until I catch up with you. It’ll be good for the two of you to spend some time together.”
Luka nodded his understanding. “Is this because…” he trailed off, glancing at Chat.
Ladybug didn’t answer, giving Luka a wink and bugging out.
“So,” Chat said nonchalantly. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Luka chuckled. “Yeah, I could say the same,” he joked. “Come here often?”
“It’s my favourite place in Paris,” Chat answered sincerely, sitting down on the edge of the roof and looking out at the city.
It wasn’t an amazing view, by any means, as the rooftop they were on was slightly shorter than several of the surrounding buildings, but you could see a few of the city’s bigger landmarks. It did offer them some respite from the wind that might’ve otherwise made the night feel a lot colder, though, so Luka figured the tradeoff was worth it.
Hesitantly, Luka stepped across the roof to sit near Chat, just a few paces away.
“Sorry about crashing your patrol,” Luka said quietly. “I- I’m glad to see you, though.”
Chat shrugged. “It’s fine. I was just annoyed Ladybug didn’t tell me in advance, is all.” He turned to glance at Luka, a smile on his lips. “I actually am glad to see you, I promise.”
“So, uh,” Luka started, before stopping himself.
"Hm?" Chat shifted, turning his body to sit facing Luka directly. "What's up?"
Luka frowned. "I dunno," he breathed, not sure if he should tell Chat what he was thinking. What Ladybug had suggested.
He glanced over at Chat, who was rubbing his neck in that adorable way.
"I just- I don't know how to talk to you, when it's not life or death," Luka said softly, looking back out at the city.
"I feel the same way," Chat chuckled. "We click so well, but now it's like- how do we talk normally? Especially with the secrets between us."
Luka's heartrate picked up. What secrets was Chat talking about? Did he know how Luka felt?
"I mean, you have no idea who I am," Chat added. "I'm kinda terrified of giving myself away, especially with your whole music thing."
Oh. "You know about that?" Luka asked, raising an eyebrow. He was pretty sure he'd never talked about it as Viperion. Maybe Ladybug had said something?
Chat blinked. "Yes…?"
Luka sighed, wondering if he should go for it.
Tell Chat who he was.
Would Chat even know the name Luka Couffaine?
Probably, right? He'd been aboard the Liberty before, after all.
He'd deakumatized Luka before, too.
It would be just like Chat to remember everyone he saved.
He was caring like that.
"Vipe?" Chat asked, interrupting Luka's thoughts.
"Call me Luka."
Chat frowned. "Did you just…"
Luka shrugged. "Ladybug suggested I could," he said simply, turning to sit facing Chat. "It's kinda terrifying, letting you in, but it's exciting too."
"Well," Chat said, pushing himself to his feet. "It's nice to meet you, Luka," he said, giving a small bow.
"And you as well," Luka said with a chuckle, getting up himself. "Luka Couffaine," he offered along with a hand to shake.
Chat smirked, taking the hand. "Of Kitty Section fame?" he asked in a teasing voice.
Luka laughed. "I wouldn't say fame, exactly," he said dismissively. "We aren't exactly notable."
"Well, that just means I got to be a fan before you were cool," Chat joked, starting to stretch.
"Do you not think I'm cool?" Luka teased, giving Chat a playful shove.
Chat laughed. "I mean, your words."
"Oh, that's it," Luka said playfully, starting to rush Chat for a tackle- just as his miraculous beeped.
A very much de-transformed Luka connected with Chat, with just enough momentum to send them both to the ground.
"Excuse you," Chat chuckled, lying under Luka. "Did you have a loop going?"
Luka rubbed a hand through his hair nervously, rolling off of Chat. "Um, maybe," he admitted. "I didn't actually reset it, though. I just- I kinda panicked when you showed up."
Chat sat up, smirking. "Am I that intimidating?" he asked teasingly.
"N- no!" Luka stammered, still lying face-down on the rooftop. "...maybe."
"What, got a crush on me?" Chat joked.
Luka didn't move, determined to keep staring at the rooftop.
Chat chuckled nervously.
Luka continued inspecting the fascinating rooftop.
"...wait, do you?" Chat asked, his voice is full of surprise.
"Maybe," Luka mumbled, still face-down. He'd stay like that forever, he decided. Much better than facing the embarrassment of looking Chat Noir in the eyes after admitting his feelings for him.
Luka heard Chat shifting around, and risked a glance to see Chat had sat down next to him.
"That's a lot to take in," Chat said gently. "I, uh. Yeah."
"It's fine," Luka mumbled. "I'll show myself out." He slowly got to his feet, and started for the edge of the roof to head home.
"Forgetting sssssomething?" Sass asked, floating out from wherever he'd been watching from.
Luka groaned. "Great, a witness to my embarrassment."
"I can't transsssform you again without eating sssomething," Sass pointed out.
"Right," Luka sighed. "Chat," he called, not turning around. "Got anything on you?"
"Uh, only camembert for Plagg."
Sass shook his head.
"I don't suppose it can get much more embarrassing if I ask for help down from the roof," Luka decided aloud, still not looking at Chat.
"Probably not," Chat said kindly, putting a hand on Luka's shoulder. "I'm not upset with you, if that helps. I just- I don't know what I do feel."
Luka sighed. "Just let me get home so I can drown myself in the Seine," he mumbled.
"That had better be a joke," Chat intoned, grabbing Luka around the waist in a way that Luka tried very hard not to notice. "No drowning on my watch."
"It'd be worth it to get mouth-to-mouth from you," Luka breathed without thinking. Belatedly, he hoped Chat's hearing wasn't good enough to have heard that.
Without saying anything, Chat vaulted Luka down to an alleyway alongside the building they'd been on.
"I can get home from here," Luka insisted, wanting to escape his embarrassment as soon as possible.
Without waiting for a reply, he started walking.
As he got to the end of the alley, he heard Chat vault away.
===========================
Somehow, Luka had managed to put thoughts of his confession out of his mind long enough to get to sleep.
Now it was the day of the career expo, and Luka had enough on his plate to keep him from thinking too hard about Chat Noir or the conversation they’d had the night before.
“Musical instruments fill the space, and space fills the instruments,” Luka explained, lowering the violin he’d been playing as he calmly tore Alec’s arguments apart. “No phone in the world will ever be able to do that.”
Luka smiled as Alec teared up, showing he’d made his point well enough.
“You definitely have a gift for finding the right words at the right time,” Marinette pointed out, smiling at him kindly.
It had been some time since they’d broken up, and things seemed to have healed for both of them. Luka was glad they’d tried dating, but something about Marinette’s heartsong had always sounded incomplete without Adrien’s heartsong to accompany it. The pair were meant to be together.
And speaking of whom- “Adrien!” Luka called, seeing the model on the beach behind Marinette.
Marinette, for her part, stammered something out that Luka didn’t entirely follow.
“Adrien’s behind you, Marinette,” Luka explained, chuckling to himself.
Adrien’s face lit up to see them- another sign Luka was right about him and Marinette. But Adrien’s heartsong was still sad- something was eating at him, just as something was eating at Marinette.
Quite expertly, if he did say so himself, Luka sat the pair down and talked them through their troubles.
Right up until his dad showed up as a crocodile.
Another Tuesday in Paris.
Luckily, it was pretty easy to ditch Marinette and Adrien. They both seemed quite content, even insistent, on all hiding separately.
Luka felt a little bad ditching them, but they’d wanted to split up too- and besides, he had an akuma to go fight.
“Ready, Sass?” Luka asked, ducking into an alleyway. “Scales, slither!”
Ladybug was the first to get hit.
Seeing that she was Marinette as a surprise, but only briefly. Now that he knew, it made sense; their heartsongs matched. A remix of one another, certainly, and just different enough to keep him from noticing, but now that he had the songs were so clearly parts of a whole.
It was no wonder he and Marinette hadn’t made it as a couple. She was keeping such a massive secret.
Luka could only hope, on her behalf, that Adrien was more accepting of the secrets than he’d been.
Then Chat Noir got hit.
Luka panicked, not sure if he should look. He needed to know what was going on with the Lucky Charm, but- he had to reset. He had to keep Chat safe.
….keep Adrien safe.
Wow.
It was so obvious, now that he knew, but… wow.
When you put the two halves together, the whole was so much more than the sum of its parts.
The person he’d fallen for was so much more complex, more impressive and amazing, then he ever could’ve imagined.
The Adrien Agreste.
Luka had always thought falling for male models was a gay cliché. He’d tried hard not to think of Adrien, in particular, that way- cliché aside, Adrien was his friend , and meant for Marinette , who was also Ladybug to his Chat Noir , and Oh god he’d told Adrien about his crush just last night and Marinette knew about it , but she didn’t know it was about Adrien , and-
Luka took a breath.
He could handle this.
This was fine.
He’d gotten over Marinette. He could get over Adrien.
It was fine.
It wasn’t fine.
The akuma got taken down, and Ladybug pulled Luka aside.
“You got very distracted after you set your power,” she observed. “Everything okay?”
“All good,” he lied, trying his best to feel okay. “There were a few close calls, is all.”
“Well, thanks, Luka,” Ladybug said softly. “Thanks to you, our secret identities stayed secret. Noone knows who Chat Noir or I really are.”
Luka nodded, and Ladybug turned to leave. “...not even you, right?” she added.”
“Not even me,” Luka echoed, the deceit leaving a bad taste in his mouth. “You both got hit a couple of times, but I was careful to make sure I never saw who either of you are.”
Ladybug nodded back, and left.
Luka sighed.
“Why did you lie?” Sass asked, munching on his snack.
“It’s Marinette,” Luka said in explanation. “She’d just stress out about it.”
“Are you going to lie to Chat Noir, too?”
Luka shrugged. “I don’t know yet, Sass,” he admitted. “It’s a lot to process.”
“I’m sure you’ll make the right choice,” Sass said simply.
Moments later, Chat landed in the alleyway. “There you are,” Chat breathed. “Glad I caught you.”
Luka pointedly didn’t say anything, taking in the fact that he was looking at both his crush, Chat Noir, and his friend Adrien.
“Listen, about last night,” Adrien- no, Chat- started. “I’ve been thinking, and-”
“No worries!” Luka said quickly. “You and Ladybug are meant to be, it’s fine! I get it!”
Chat blinked. “Ladybug and I aren’t actually- we’re platonic soulmates, according to Plagg.”
Luka frowned. “You’re- Plagg?”
“My kwami,” Chat explained. “I was talking with him last night to try and sort my feelings out after…”
“So- so you and Ladybug aren’t…” Luka trailed off. He supposed it could make sense, for them to be platonic soulmates. It would still explain why their heartsongs accompanied one another so closely.
Chat nodded. Adrien nodded. Luka shook his head, trying to force his brain to compartmentalise better.
“I, uh,” Chat mumbled. “I think- shit, this is hard.”
Luka took a deep breath, trying not to think about how Chat was Adrien and how that made him so much more impressive. How being so wholesome and caring in spite of his home life made Luka’s heart sing. How he was so steadfast in his morals despite his father never letting him stand up for himself.
“I think I like you, too,” Chat said finally.
“I’m dreaming,” Luka whispered.
Chat shook his head, smirking. “It’s real.”
Luka took a beat.
“I have to be dreaming,” he insisted. “Adrien fucking Agreste just said he liked me, this has to be a dream.”
Chat froze.
Luka froze.
“You know?” Chat breathed, eyes wide in panic.
“I-” Luka stammered. “Wishmaker hit you.”
Adrien sighed. “That was the risk we were taking,” he said almost to himself. “I guess that makes it easier for us to see each other?”
“I need to reboot,” Luka deadpanned. Too many things he’d taken as fact were being rewritten. Adrien wasn’t meant for Marinette. Luka was allowed to like Adrien- Luka did like Adrien. Adrien liked him back. Chat Noir liked him back. Chat and Adrien both liked him back. Because they were the same person.
That last part was the only believable one.
“Would it help if I-” Adrien paused. “Claws in.”
“Huh,” Plagg observed. “I think you broke him.”