Chapter Text
“That was a declaration of love… right, Tikki?”
“Yes! And the most beautiful one I’ve ever heard in my life!”
Marinette could still feel her heart racing. It was real, confirmed, without a doubt -- Luka has real feelings for her. Through good and through evil, he loved her. She sighed as the weight of uncertainty and doubt washed away from her. Her eyes couldn’t leave Luka’s retreating form as he walked over to the set.
The performance was electric. As always, Kitty Section delivered an original sound that elicited feelings of truth and excitement from Marinette’s heart. Complete with the flashing lights and thundering bass under her toes, Marinette was fully engrossed in the sound.
There was a certain pride in knowing that her creations were currently gracing televisions across Paris and that her friends were about to become contracted musicians, but as she stood on the sidelines, her mind kept returning to Luka. With each strum of his guitar, Marinette’s heart thumped deeply. Her hands shook. Her breaths were shallow. Her stomach churned as he made eye contact with her through his mask, the muscles in her cheeks instinctively pulling into a smile.
For the first time in a very long while, the racing thoughts in her mind felt good. They felt definite and positive. She finally knew what she wanted. All this time of being so uncertain about where she stood with Luka pulled her heart back and forth between him and Adrien, but the dust was finally beginning to settle. By just looking her way again, Luka pulled Marinette closer and closer to him.
After receiving thundering applause from everyone in the crew -- even the horrid Bob Roth himself -- Kitty Section removed their masks and armor and celebrated their first-ever television performance with congratulatory hugs and high-fives. Marinette ran up to them with her arms waving wildly.
“That was amazing!” She said as she pulled Rose and Juleka into an embrace. Soon after she felt extra weight as Ivan and Luka joined the hug. Marinette peeked an eye open, catching the happy expressions on everyone’s faces. She paused at Luka’s, who was just above her head. Her smile grew wider as heat rose to her cheeks and she shut her eyes once more.
After releasing her friends, Marinette kept bouncing in place, unable to contain her excitement.
“I can’t believe you guys are going to make your first professional CD!”
“I know!” Ivan said as he pumped his fists in the air.
“It’s so exciting to share our music with all of Paris!” Rose said as she suddenly clung to Juleka’s arm, who patted Rose’s head in response.
Marinette turned to Luka. “Your melodies will inspire the entire city!”
He smiled at her -- that signature grin that made her heart do cartwheels.
“As will your costumes, Marinette.”
Marinette gave a nervous giggle as Rose, Juleka, and Ivan made their way over to Alec and Mr. Roth. Before Luka could join them, Marinette took hold of his wrist.
“Luka, wait!”
He turned around to look at her, that smile still on his face while his eyes looked at her curiously. Marinette took a deep breath. Those eyes always seemed to leave her speechless.
Perhaps this wasn’t the right time for words anyway.
Briefly bracing herself, she threw her arms around Luka’s shoulders and buried her face in the nape of his neck. She felt him stumble a bit before relaxing, and after a few moments two arms slowly wrapped around her back. Her face was on fire from the contact, yet she couldn’t help her smile from growing. She felt Luka pull her in closer and settled his face in her hair. His skin felt smooth against hers, and it drew her in deeper.
Time seemed to stand still as they just stayed in their embrace, completely unaware of any approving onlookers.
After what seemed like ages, Marinette’s eyes shot open as she felt a soft pressure against her temple -- a small kiss, somewhat cautionary yet unequivocal, that sent her body into a fit of tremors. She pulled back just enough to look at Luka. His cheeks were flushed and his lidded eyes betrayed relief and happiness as they bore into hers. Those eyes that made her heart sing with delight. She couldn’t look away.
He silently leaned in closer to her. Her eyes widened, shooting between his eyes and his lips, her breathing erratic.
Without breaking eye contact with her, Luka gently touched his forehead to hers with a small chuckle. Marinette sighed as she slowly closed her eyes and leaned into the contact. Her breathing gradually slowed once more as she let the warmth from Luka’s touch engulf her senses.
When she opened her eyes again she found him still looking at her softly. With pure certainty in his eyes, he pulled away and took Marinette’s hand in his own. The sudden absence of his arms around her left Marinette cold, yet her face still radiated immense amounts of heat.
“Let’s meet up like this again soon, Marinette.”
His tone was soft and smooth, and his words sat like a promise in Marinette’s mind. She gave Luka’s hand a little squeeze.
“Okay.”