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Chloé was resting her head on her very big, very fluffy, very comforting pillow, but she was well-aware of her surroundings nonetheless. It was the first night of the Miraculous Hunt - yes, that’s the stupid name Marinette gave it -, and she knew it could be anyone breaking in to steal her precious hair comb at that moment. The steps of the invader were calm and slow, but she was not known to flee when someone made a foolish decision around her. Invading her room was definitely the foolest decision of all time.
She was being very greedy this year, she knew that. In her defense, she had never won the Miraculous Hunt before, and she was quite frankly a little bit upset about that! They’ve been doing this for seven years now, and Chloé always ends up close to winning, but never actually winning it, for like one or two points. She would never forget that the stupid pig anklet that Rose willingly gave Alya at the last minute made Rena Rouge win last year. It was frustrating. Even Marinette recognised there was no one more deserving of at least winning once at this competition than Chloé. She was a fearless competitor, a loyal heroine, and every single one of her teammates knew she wasn’t easy to be dealt with as an adversary, especially when it came to a very healthy and fun competition like this one. Because Chloé Bourgeois was merciless, regardless.
Her plan was simple, really. She would steal all of the miraculouses. No one had ever done that before in the competition, not even Marinette. That way no one would question her as the best at this game. Marinette and Alya won it twice, Chat Noir did it once. Alix also did it once, even though technically she wasn’t allowed to participate because of her nasty power abilities.
Surprisingly enough, Rose was also part of the winners.
This year things would be different. She was going to win.
Chloé heard the steps around her bedroom, and turned around quickly to face her adversary, kicking her blanket up in the air and throwing across the invader’s head, covering them, which made them stop moving, exasperated, or perhaps flabbergasted with her audacity.
“Really, Chloé?” she heard the calmest and most sweet male voice of all of her teammates say it, and then he sighed, gently sticking his head out of the blanket. His dyed hair was messy, and it was all on his masked face. He had to free his hand out of the blanket to touch his hair, and push it back so he could actually meet eyes with her. Those striking eyes. Chloé almost lost her breath at the sight of him.
She knew it was him as soon as she heard his voice, of course, but Chloé simply couldn't let her guard down. She could never do that around that man. There were always disastrous consequences: she always said the wrong thing, or the stupid thing, and, more often than not, the most heartless, cruelest, meanest thing she could put her tongue to spill. And she hated herself for it. She hated him even harder for not minding it at all. Like he could see right through her. The thought gave her actual chills.
Only then she realized he was in his superhero suit, which made her stay put together, in pose. He could make her knees weaken both in his hero outfit and as a civil, but Viperion was her teammate. They work almost every single day together. Just the sight of Viperion made her stay more alert, like a hawk. Chloé could almost tolerate his presence when they needed to focus on saving Paris and all of the heroes shenanigans they faced. She was used to this version of him. Everytime he got in his suit, his eyes turned a beautiful and nice earthy green. Slowly, she took her hair comb underneath the pillow and put it on her head. He followed her every move, still reaching for his bracelet.
She could deal with Viperion, Chloé told herself. His powers always left her a little unsettled, but it was nothing compared to how straight up terrified Luka made her feel without any powers at all. They barely could talk whenever they were as their civil selves. It was too much baggage for both of them. Chloé wasn't exactly a nobody, as her name made magazines and political media coverages. And Luka… he was just as a striking presence as anyone with those fucking blue eyes would be. Everybody knows that when fire burns hotter and better, it's toned in that intense blue. She could not face that fiery soul. One bad look towards her and he could burn straight through her heart. Not worth it at all.
With all his stupid music metaphors about love, his ideals, integrity, and his kind, forgiven, harmonic self, It could never be.
As Viperion and Honeycomb, however, they were very talkative to each other. She was funny, and confident, and flirty, even. Because Honeycomb was a blast of a presence. Honeycomb received her miraculous straight from Ladybug, and Honeycomb is so good at her job that he can't take his eyes off of her when they’re fighting together. When she strikes, she strikes only once, flawlessly.
So, yeah. She could deal with Viperion.
She just never had to fight him before.
Chloé hated to wake Pollen up in the middle of the night like that, though.
“Pollen, buzz on” she said in a quieter voice, her face was shut still. She wanted to show no emotion at the moment. Without making any movements, or breaking eye contact with him, she transformed.
Chloé will deal with things as she figures, probably.
“Nice to see you too, Honeycomb” he says, his voice softening a bit as he sees her heroine's form. He will explain himself in no time.
“I don’t get why you’re here. You never compete” she says, bluntly. She knew he was looking for hers and all the other miraculouses she stole as soon as he stepped in her bedroom.
Good fucking luck finding them , she grins fiercely and proud.
“Well, this time, I’m competing.”
She giggles softly. Gently, even. A rare occasion for her. She felt she was going to vomit at the sound of her own sweet laugh.
“Luka, come on. You are not exactly the competitive type, are you?”
Chloé noticed his bracelet, and his other hand around it. The tongue of the snake on the bracelet was lit-yellow. She frowned at the vision. He was with his powers activated, and the snake was half-way through the path of the bracelet.
“How many times?” she asks, with her soft voice suddenly transforming into a sour and snarky tone, as she pointed to the bracelet.
“First time, really” he says, rolling the bracelet in his arm. He keeps his eyes locked in her. It’s true. She knows. He wouldn’t lie for a stupid game, or any reason that is.
Good, Chloé thinks.
She could still beat him, then.
He didn't know what she was going to say or do yet. To be honest, neither did she. She might still have a chance to take his miraculous, and win the competition once and for all.
She needed to distract him until the 10 minute mark hit, so he could not return to the point in time before she caught him. The snake was halfway through it, which means she only needed to distract him for the next 5 minutes. Then, she would probably sting him, and take his bracelet off. And whatever other miraculouses he’d stolen and dared to bring into her bedroom.
5 minutes.
Easy-Peasy. Snaky-Sleazy.
“I hate your Time-Fucking Power, you know?” She admits out loud, looking at his bracelet. His eyes never leave her face as she says it, and it makes her disoriented. “You and that bunny girl get on my nerves every single year, and you two never truly compete, just do your… Time-Watching and your Time… Time-Sucking.” she stutters awkwardly. Not one of her best works, for sure.
“What does that mean?” he asks, with a smile forming as he makes his way close to her. ‘“Is that a really bad way of saying you have a little bit of fear when it comes to mine and Alix's powers?”
“No” she said abruptly. Too fast of an answer. It was too much Luka in her mind. She was not able to regulate her talking pace properly like this. He was there, in her bedroom. At night. Fuck, Chloé knew the superhero suits were not the right outfit for the occasion . “Alix doesn’t scare me, she just takes care of time, whatever that means.”
“Is it the lack of control you have over time that rubs you the wrong way about my powers?” Luka asks, curious.
“Who knows?” she retorts, moody.
“Or maybe it’s the loss of a memory that only the snake holder can cherish that makes you feel that way.”
She breathes deeply.
“What a way to phrase it.” Chloé snarks.
He gives her a smile in return, arching an eyebrow.
“Chloé…”
“Yeah?”
“Is it me?”
She snorted, annoyed. Irritated.
Terrified.
He gave another step towards her.
“I can feel how your heart beats in your chest, Chloé. It’s one of the perks of being Viperion.”
“It’s also one of the perks of just being Luka, I heard” she murmurs.
His smile got wider, and she felt like she said something too corny for her own good. But Luka liked that type of thing. He kept staring, wondering.
Maybe even longing , she realized.
He gets closer. She tries her best to stay put together.
Yes, Chloé thought, trying and focusing on her task. That’s good. Keep coming.
She wanted him close. She also wanted his bracelet at arm's reach.
“Well, Snake Boy, your time is ticking.” she teases, trying to break the tension. No way she would lose track of her goals because of some remarkable flirtings in the dead of night.
“Actually, I have all the time in the world” he reminds her, shaking his wrist to demonstrate. “It’s your time that’s ticking.”
“I must admit, I’m surprised you decided to compete” Chloé took her eyes off of his arms and looked at his mouth, wondering. Could he also feel a little unsettled by her? Could she use it to her advantage like he was doing it at that moment? Was he actually doing it?
“You shouldn’t be, really”
She stared at him, intrigued. Maybe Chloé could give a step towards him.
She did. Luka didn’t run for his bracelet or straight to her bee-shaped hair comb. Good.
“It’s because of what you said last night” he murmured when she didn’t respond.
She froze. Chloé said a whole lot last night, and had little to no recollection of almost anything she actually blabber about. They went out drinking with all of their fellow teammates to celebrate the Miraculous Hunt Day, and Chloé was pretty sure she and Luka talked a bit by the bar while getting drinks to everyone. But beyond that, she wouldn’t know.
“What?” she exclaims a little too loud.
“You said to me I didn’t compete because I didn’t know how to do it. How to manage, steal, and deal with other powers. But I know how to do it, Chloé.” He took the fox necklace out of his suit. “I just didn’t want to, really.”
She gasps.
“You dirty little… snake” She is trying not to smile, looking at the beautiful necklace stolen from the neck of her most challenging adversary besides Marinette.
“Alya hasn't realized yet.” He stood there, with a beautiful smile that made the light in his eyes flicker. Like a hazard warning at night. “I’m that good.”
“You really got it.” She couldn't believe it, her heart was beating so hard in her ears. She wanted to kiss him right then and there. But she stood still. He was at arms distance. It was so perfect, it was almost…
Her smile faded at the realization.
It could be an illusion. Alya could be messing with her senses, and her emotions towards him.
Could Alya be this bitchy, just for the sake of the competition?
Chloé was mad.
Oh, absolutely she could.
And it wouldn’t be the first nor the last time she did something like that. Chloé still remembers how Alya created a mirage of Zoé coming back home sooner from her trip, just to distract her last year.
"Tell me something only Luka would know” she grabs his wrist before he could react, touching his bracelet. “Quick. Our time is ticking”
1 minute.
He looks at her, quite entertained.
“Are you trying to see if I'm an illusion? You’re touching me and I haven't disappeared, so…
“I know how good Alya’s illusions can be now that our powers have their full potential, that’s all” Chloé retorts, then holds his arm a little tighter. Maybe it was real, but still. “Say it.”
Fuck. Why is he looking at her like that?
She should know he wouldn’t do it. He never obeys her commands when they are fighting together. Like he knew better, or something! He probably did, consideranding how many times he has to revisit the fights, but whatever. She hated it anyway.
“ I’ll sting you ” she threatens, feeling blood running towards her face once he was too close and too silent. ”then, I could pull off your stupid bracelet and take it to the collection I gathered”
“Oh, will you now?” he murmurs.
He didn’t seem much worried about the lack of time he had. His eyes wandered though her face, making her feel dizzy and drunk. Could Alya's illusions also smell like him? Could an illusion tighten its arms around her waist in that loving manner? Could it run its fingers through her face like it wanted to do that a long time ago, and whisper in her ear how much of a fool she made of him last night?
Could an illusion called her name so softly against her neck that it made her toes curl?
She heard the snake bracelet vibrate. Luka detransformed in front of her, and gently laid her on her bed. Sass didn't say anything, the kwami simply saw what was happening and made his way out the doors. Luka pressed his hand against her thigh in a tight grip.
She panted at his touch. She probably shouldn’t, but Chloé grabbed that horrible hoodie of his and pulled him to lie with her .
If that was an illusion, it was hell of a one at that, she had to give it to Alya.
Luka’s eyes kept wandering until he locked eyes with her. Gently he picks her hand, kissing the back before slipping a ring on her finger. Chloé gasps in shock.
“Is this…?”
Luka nods.
“Chat Noir’s”.
And to prove it once and for all, Plagg appeared, with his tiny hands covering his closed eyes:
“Listen, I would suggest a different way of approaching a very old and powerful deity like me, you two should know better. I don’t want to brag, but I’m quite a important piece in maintaining the harmony of the universe and all, you know”
“Plagg, nice to see you this year again.” Chloé speaks, and the kwami takes his hand out of the way.
“Hi, Chloé! You caught me two years in a row now, huh? That’s bold. You’re getting way better at this than Adrien is. How is it going on the hunt?”
“It’s going as I intended it, thanks. I’m doing great at it.”
“As you always do.” Plagg compliments, which made her feel appreciated. “I’d never seen you as the type to seduce a teammate just to get a hold at their miraculous, though”
Plagg looks from Chloé to Luka, and then he giggles.
“... Is that what is happening here?” Plagg asks.
Luka apologises to the kwami, and for the first time ever, Chloé sees this guy blush hard.
“I know the way to the kitchen, I will leave you to it.” Plagg started going his way, but then turned and said: “Chloé, do you have..”
“Of course. You know where I store the camembert. It’s all yours. Leave us.”
Plagg left just as quickly as Sass before. Luka turns to look at her, he’s pondering as his finger contours her mask.
“You should probably kiss a girl before pulling her to bed” she advises, but couldn’t look away from his piercing eyes.
“I could say the same to you, pulling me here in such a demeaning way” he joked, which made her rolled her eyes. “I just thought kissing would scare you way more”
He was right. She would’ve freaked.
He places his elbow against the mattress, and slowly takes his hand to his nape, unlocking the clasp of the jewel, and putting the fox necklace around her neck instead.
“It looks nice on you” he compliments, and Trixx exclaims surprise as soon as she appears.
“Oh, Alya will get sooo angry” Trixx giggles. “Congratulations, Chloé! For getting the fox miraculous, and also getting a nice boyfriend, for once!” The fox kwami runs away before Chloé can insult her back.
Chloé turns to Luka, and he has the most amused expression she’d seen.
“What are you…?” she stopped, and then rephrased it, as her hands reached the necklace. “Why are you giving me the miraculouses you took?”
Luka smirks.
“I’m undressing.”
“...Liar.” She blushed. “ Just so you know, I don’t mind taking them from you, but you really should’ve kept them. You deserved it.”
“I don’t want to win. You were right when you said I’m not the competitive type. Neither the snake power or I are suited for direct combat, and I honestly feel kind of filthy sneaking around and stealing things. I just stole them to prove to you my powers are not only for fixing mistakes. I’m just as capable of making mistakes as any other holder.” Luka picks a blonde lock and plays while talking, distracted. “When you woke up and saw me, I just realized I didn’t want to steal the bee miraculous from you. It was not worth it.”
“Oh? Were you scared of me?” she jokes, but he nods.
“Terrified, indeed” Both his hands are resting at her waist. She could get used to it. Absolutely.
“Are you scared of me now?” Chloé touched his hair, pushing it back, and then pulling him closer to her. “That would be ridiculous.”
He chuckles softly against her ear, and kisses it.
“Utterly ridiculous, matter of fact” he responds, pressing his hands on her. "But I guess I'll always be a little uneasy around you"
"You are one of the smart ones of our pack, indeed"
Just like that, Luka searches for her hand and slips his snake bracelet. She felt a thrilling sensation once the cold bracelet touched her skin.
“It’s yours.” Luka says, but then adds: “For now, at least.”
Luka was pacient, but Chloé was hasty. And when he leaned, she made her way to him and kissed first. Oh, it was so good. Their lips were perfectly in sync, which was a rare occurrence to Chloé, and that surprised and pleased her. Usually boys didn’t know her rhythm at first, but Luka kissed her like he knew what pace would be nice to keep her going. He was a musician, afterall. His tongue tasted like blueberry and mint, and she thought it was very suiting for him. Chloé was down bad for this guy, and she just wanted to undress him so bad it made her a bit mad at him for it. Luka tightened his arms around her as her hand grabbed that horrible hoodie and pushed him aggressively against the bed.
“I love the enthusiasm” he says, which made her bite his stupid mouth.
She felt his hands tracing their way to her lowback, and his teeth pulled her bottom lip, capturing her mouth once again.
“Oh, he bites back” Chloé said against his lips, amused. She adjusted the mask on her face, getting a little annoyed by it now. “Like a snake would, good to know. I like it.”
Luka flashed a grin. Chloé was still sitting on him, and she wasn't planning on getting up any time soon.
“I don’t get what’s happening here” she confesses. “You were always very cute and nice to me, but It was obvious I was not your type at all.”
“I could claim the same, Chloé” Luka let his arm rest at her thighs. “I’m not exactly like the high class dudes you usually go out with.”
“It’s not the same. You’re a good, caring person. Anyone would think of you as quite a catch. It’s not that hard of a thought, at all.”
He pondered, smiling softly.
“You’re too, you know.” Luka laughed at the face Chloé made. “You are! You’re funny, Chloé. Your sense of humor is very on point all the time” his expression softens. “And you’re just and honest”
“Maybe you just love a lost cause, really.”
“Maybe I do”
“And maybe you're trying to fix me” she concluded, satisfied with her teasing, placing a kiss on his chin. “You really hold the power of second chance, afterall”
“You don’t need fixing, I like you’re mean like that”
“Finally an honest remark coming from this chitchat!”
He laughed, and propped up on his elbows, pulling her against him, and taking her by surprise with a kiss on her lips. Then, he flipped their positions like it was nothing.
“Got you good here.”
“I can still sting you, Music Boy”
He put her hand on his chest, she felt his heart fluttering and smiled.
“Right here, Chloé?”
“Yeah. It would hurt like hell.”
“I could take it.”
She chuckles.
“You absolutely could not”
They stared at each other. It was so obvious now.
“What else did I say last night?” Chloé asks. “You said I made a fool of you”
“You did. You pulled me from place to place by my tie, and I just followed. You also called me a sweetie pie the whole night, I thought you had mistaken me for another person, like Adrien.”
She gasps.
“Oh, no. No. No. I just want to die now.”
“Yeah. I did too.”
They laughed.
“Did Marinette see it?”
“No, you’re a very discreet drunk, I’ll give you that. No one would believe me if I told half the flirty things you said yesterday. It didn’t sound like you at all.”
Her face reddened.
“You had a lot to say about my eyes, that’s for sure”
Oh, my. Not the eyes comments.
“I can not believe myself. I swear I’ll-” he interrupted her with a tender kiss.
They kept on making out between the teasing sessions. Chloé was making a mess out of him, she wouldn’t let him out of that bedroom otherwise. And Luka held onto her like he thought she could run away as soon as he let go.
And maybe she could, maybe she would even, when the time came. She still was new to letting her genuine feelings show and all. But that was nice.
When they said goodbye, it was almost 5 a.m. She smiled softly as she waved at him on the street. Chloé was still wearing the fox necklace, the cat ring, the snake bracelet and her bee hai…
She raised her hand to her hair, baffled at the implications when she notices it was missing.
She giggled. And then, she actually burst out laughing deliciously, appreciating the mischievous behavior.
“This motherfu-”