quickspinner - Tumblr blog

quickspinner · 2 days

Text

FICLET: Plans (MLB, Lukanette)

Characters/Pairings: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: General Audiences

Summary: Marinette gets sick and has to miss Luka’s show.

Author’s Notes/Warnings: …I’m supposed to be in DC tonight for a concert, but covid said no, so I’m moping.

Read on Ao3

“Plans”

Glassy blue eyes stared out at him from the blanket cocoon. Not even the distance and crappy wifi could cover that up, but he wasn’t sure if it was the illness or the tears she was barely suppressing. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“There will be other shows, darning,” he said, brushing his thumb across the screen like it was her forehead.

“…shut up,” she mumbled.

“You know it’s for the best,” he said. Like something as silly as logic would make up for the fact that she was too sick to travel today.

“Luka,” she whined, dropping her face against the bed and pulling the blanket closer.

He settled back against the bench with a sigh, dropping his head against the cool glass window behind him as he let her cry it out. He hated it, too. He wanted to be there with her – he should be there with her. Making her crappy canned soup and holding her hair back while she threw up and clapping her back when she got too congested. You know, the sick stuff you did when your better half was too ill to be much more than a bed burrito.

…but he’d been travelling for about a month now. Working on the new album. Prepping for the next tour. Bouncing between studios to collaborate with old friends. He had a few shows lined up over the next two weeks, and then he’d be home for about a month before the summer tour started.

She’d been busy, too. With a few needy high-demand clients and a charity event that all meant she hadn’t been able to travel much with him. He was only two hours away tonight, but she had diligently been keeping that night clear on her calendar so she could meet up with him. Grab some dinner before the show. Grab some time after before the bus had to roll out the next day.

They’d both been looking forward to it. It was the only thing that had kept him sane at some points over the past month.

…but she’d been pushing herself too hard. Like she always did. And Jocelyn’s allergies had been acting up, until Jocelyn had texted her about five days back saying it wasn’t allergies. And then Marinette’s cold wasn’t just a cold, and she was fine. She honestly was. They’d been lucky.

…but it still wasn’t safe for her to travel. She didn’t want to risk getting others sick, but more than that she wasn’t strong enough yet. He wouldn’t let her. As much as he wanted to see her, he didn’t want her to stress herself making the trip just to relapse.

“I’ll see you in two weeks,” he said, rubbing the screen again. “It’ll go by in a flash. And you’ll be feeling worlds better, and I can play you whatever you want –”

“You know it’s not the concert I’m upset about,” she moaned, raising her head to glare at him. “I miss you, you idiot.”

It would have been more effective if she hadn’t started coughing in the middle of it.

“It’s a little bit the concert,” he teased, smiling softly. Hoping to make her smile. It wavered when she just glared balefully at him. “Admit it: you needed the night out.”

“What I needed was a night in,” she whined. She looked away as she started coughing again, and when she turned back the blanket was bunched up so only her weary eyes were visible. “With my husband. The past week in doesn’t count.”

“I know, darning,” he said. “I need a night in, too. But I need you to be safe more.”

“I was safe,” she grumped. “Stupid Joce and her stupid not-allergies.”

“You love her, too,” he said. She hummed, and he knew she didn’t mean it. Besides, Jocelyn was already beating herself up enough over this. “You look ready to drop, Mari. Go back to bed for me?”

“I am in bed,” she mumbled.

“Sleep,” he insisted. “I’ll check in before the show. And after. No encores tonight, I promise.”

“I love your encores,” she sighed. She giggled, and it would have made him feel better if it hadn’t turned into another coughing fit. “Remember…remember Jay’s face when you did My Marinette Is My Only Family?”

He did. His dad hadn’t been able to finish the song, he’d been laughing so hard.

Good times.

“I’ll save them for when I’m home, then,” he chuckled. He brought his phone up to his mouth and kissed the camera. “Please, darning. Take care of yourself.”

“I hate this,” she whined. He swallowed.

“Me, too,” he said. Her hand slipped, until she was barely in the screen and most of what he was seeing was their ceiling.

“Play my song for me?” she asked. He nodded, though he wasn’t sure she saw it.

“Every night,” he said, chuckling. He’d been touring long enough that she knew it was his closing number in every set. “Get some rest. I’ll be home before you know it.”

It was for the best. They both knew that.

It didn’t make it hurt any less when he took the stage that night and she wasn’t waiting for him in the wings.

#awww #sanitized hugs friend #feel better #quickroundup

14 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 2 days

Text

You have one super power: The ability to know without fail what the truth is to any asked question. You planned to help the world as a super hero. It took you six hours for the government to declare you public enemy number one and the most deadly super villain alive.

#no such thing as too many prompts

5K notes · View notes

quickspinner · 2 days

Note

Do you have any hidden gem fics or lesser known authors you would recommend for Lukanette?

I'm not going to lie, it's way easier to call to mind friends' fics so the same names tend to pop up when I'm trying to think of recommendations, so this is a great question. I don't really want to claim these are 'hidden gems' or 'lesser known authors' just because they're not in the circle of authors I hear from and talk to frequently, so let's put it this way: here's some works I love that haven't come up in the recs I've been asked for recently.

(full disclosure some of them are still written by friends 😂 but may be older or don't get as much love as I think they deserve)

I don't know tumblr names for most of these authors so I can't tag them but if you recognize your fic here and would like to be tagged, shoot me a message or leave a reply and I'll edit the post to add it.

A Discordant Song by Bounemr (this one is not heavy on the lukanette but I still love it)

Standing Here All Alone by Thistle_and_Thorns

Cherry Blossoms at Midnight by FrivolousFlare

The Feel of Music by Renigan

Juleka vs. the Forces of the Universe by @goldenlaurelleaveswrites

Drunk Talks (and Sober Confessions) by @chrwrites

Saltinette by @freedom-shamrock

if you know, you know by RenderedReversed

i'm in a world apart (a world where roses bloom) by nonbinarynino (STILL one of my absolute favorite ever stories)

In Vino Veritas by Marie_Chambers

The Hope of it All by Marie_Chambers

Crowned by @semi-slaughtomatic

Five-Minute Time Machine by L3245

Wingwoman by @mintaka14

So, You Met Tchaikovsky? by @mamanabeille

The Swan Song of One Marinette Dupain-Cheng by Wolfsbaene

the reason you stay by @eat0crow

Ewww... Not even dead by @bloody-writes

Acmé by @astronavigatrix

Or I could Just Kiss You... by @livrever

Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang (Lukanette Week 2019) by @semi-slaughtomatic

Brave New World: Lukanette Week 2019 by seasonofthegeek

Chai Tea and Fresh Starts by @freedom-shamrock (I still looooove this one)

Awards and Appreciation by whatarubberchicken

music to knit a broken heart by Nanimok

In Between the Metro by damagectrl

Okay, disclaimer on this one: It is adrienette endgame, but I enjoy the Lukanette part of it so much that I'm listing it anyway. When I reread, I just stop before they breakup. I don't know that this kind of recommendation would actually be appreciated, so apologies to the author. 😂 More of What Was Once Mine by RavenclawPianist

Oooh and I haven't read this one myself yet but friends are gushing about it so I'm reccing it based on that: Hunted by the Night Light by hislittlelady (NSFW)

Have fun! and be sure to leave the authors a comment, I'm sure they'd love it.

#fic recs #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng

28 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 3 days

Text

So kh fans what’s the lore behind utada hikaru being able to dual wield two keyblades? Who had to seek refuge inside utada’s heart?

#nothing but truth here

4K notes · View notes

quickspinner · 4 days

Note

i feel like what ive seen, a lot of ppl dont tend to write lukanette nsfw :( do you have any recs/authors you know? idk, i appreciate more mature themes and relationships (in a non creepy way, in a im-experiencing-this-and-like-my-characters-to-too)

So, if you're just looking for smut, the easiest thing to do is a filtered search on AO3, using the Endgame Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng tag and the E rating. (sorry for those who prefer to read on tumblr but AO3's search is vastly better for this kind of thing). You can even bookmark that search so you can check for new stuff regularly.

Full disclosure, NSFW isn't really my thing. I don't have anything against it, I just don't get excited about it the way some people do. Everyone else is thinking "that's hot" and I'm thinking "that sounds really uncomfortable" 😂 so I'm really not a good reference for those sorts of things. I don't mind being asked! I just want to tell you up front that if you're looking for the hottest smut, I am the worst possible person to ask.

HOWEVER. If what you're looking for is a more grownup/serious type relationship, where they're navigating the complexities of adult relationships and also have sex sometimes, I can help with that.

Standard disclaimer this is in no way an exhaustive list, and everyone should feel free to add on to it, because at a certain point my brain just quits working and I give up. I'm not trying to slight anybody, nobody wishes I had more control over my brain than I do. 😂

SO. These are not necessarily NSFW (I will note the ones that are) but fit in with what I think when you say "mature themes and relationships."

Standing Here All Alone by Thistle_and_Thorns

We're a Kiss at 2am by @nerdypanda3126 (NSFW)

C'est la sea by @fragileizywriting (series, NSFW)

Hello Stranger by @freedom-shamrock

We’re a Chance Left Untaken (And We’ll Probably Always Be) by @verfound

Pouring Alcohol on an Old Flame by @nerdypanda3126

See the Light by @mintaka14

Drunken Plans by @livrever

MDC Jeans by @livrever

Sex Life with Toddler by @livrever (NSFW)

The House Band by @verfound (series)

Winters verse by @verfound (NSFW)

More Than a Checkbox on a Stupid List by @verfound (NSFW)

Actually, That One's Mine... by @verfound (NSFW

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Horny on Main for Luka Couffaine by @verfound (NSFW)

Cold Hotel Rooms by @verfound

Our Time Together by @writer-rider-flirty-thirties

My Fake Fiance by @alwaysawkwardd

That should be enough to get you started and introduce you to some authors you might want to check for more. I hope this is helpful!

#fic recs #nsfw fic recs

24 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 4 days

Note

HOWEVER. If what you're looking for is a more grownup/serious type relationship, where they're navigating the complexities of adult relationships and also have sex sometimes, I can help with that.

SO. These are not necessarily NSFW (I will note the ones that are) but fit in with what I think when you say "mature themes and relationships."

Standing Here All Alone by Thistle_and_Thorns

We're a Kiss at 2am by @nerdypanda3126 (NSFW)

C'est la sea by @fragileizywriting (series, NSFW)

Hello Stranger by @freedom-shamrock

We’re a Chance Left Untaken (And We’ll Probably Always Be) by @verfound

Pouring Alcohol on an Old Flame by @nerdypanda3126

See the Light by @mintaka14

Drunken Plans by @livrever

MDC Jeans by @livrever

Sex Life with Toddler by @livrever (NSFW)

The House Band by @verfound (series)

Winters verse by @verfound (NSFW)

More Than a Checkbox on a Stupid List by @verfound (NSFW)

Actually, That One's Mine... by @verfound (NSFW

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Horny on Main for Luka Couffaine by @verfound (NSFW)

Cold Hotel Rooms by @verfound

Our Time Together by @writer-rider-flirty-thirties

My Fake Fiance by @alwaysawkwardd

That should be enough to get you started and introduce you to some authors you might want to check for more. I hope this is helpful!

#fic recs #nsfw fic recs

24 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 4 days

Note

HOWEVER. If what you're looking for is a more grownup/serious type relationship, where they're navigating the complexities of adult relationships and also have sex sometimes, I can help with that.

SO. These are not necessarily NSFW (I will note the ones that are) but fit in with what I think when you say "mature themes and relationships."

Standing Here All Alone by Thistle_and_Thorns

We're a Kiss at 2am by @nerdypanda3126 (NSFW)

C'est la sea by @fragileizywriting (series, NSFW)

Hello Stranger by @freedom-shamrock

We’re a Chance Left Untaken (And We’ll Probably Always Be) by @verfound

Pouring Alcohol on an Old Flame by @nerdypanda3126

See the Light by @mintaka14

Drunken Plans by @livrever

MDC Jeans by @livrever

Sex Life with Toddler by @livrever (NSFW)

The House Band by @verfound (series)

Winters verse by @verfound (NSFW)

More Than a Checkbox on a Stupid List by @verfound (NSFW)

Actually, That One's Mine... by @verfound (NSFW

Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Horny on Main for Luka Couffaine by @verfound (NSFW)

Cold Hotel Rooms by @verfound

Our Time Together by @writer-rider-flirty-thirties

My Fake Fiance by @alwaysawkwardd

That should be enough to get you started and introduce you to some authors you might want to check for more. I hope this is helpful!

#fic recs #nsfw fic recs #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame

24 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 4 days

Note

Hi! I was wondering if you have any Lukanette 0 to married fics to rec. I'm finding I really like that trope, but I haven't found too many

I do, for varying values of 0 😂

There's so many love at first sight/immediately smitten fics that I wanted to include here and then pulled back on because I was like no, no, that isn't really 0 to married, and if I list all these I will be here all night. 🤣 I did include a few that I felt had the 0 to married energy even if it didn't quite make it to the marriage part before the story ended.

Even so, I always forget things when I answer a question like this so all my lukanette peeps feel free to reblog with additional recs!

0 to Married where 0 equals first meeting (and married occasionally means "kidnapped" by fae)

@verfound: (to be fair this is a bit more 0 to makeout but it's not hard to imagine marriage is next) Mlle. Peppi Roni

@mintaka14: Locked Out (series)

@mintaka14: Don't Go Down By Carter Hall

@mintaka14: Get In and Drive

@rierse: Heart and Soul

@writer-rider-flirty-thirties: Our Time Together (series, NSFW) (I don't remember if I actually remembered to put this in the authors notes at the time, although I definitely meant to, but how much I enjoyed this story was part what sparked the idea for This is Crazy)

0 to Married where 0 equals years of mutual pining that finally explodes

@verfound We Should Honeymoon in Paris

@verfound, @mintaka, @abyssal-ali Hard Right to Greece

@verfound On Amicable Breakups

@verfound I Wasn't Gonna Call (But Maybe I Should)

@livrever Drunken Plans (NSFW)

@livrever Guilty Pleasures (NSFW)

@nerdypanda3126: We're a Kiss at 2 am (NSFW)

0 to Married where 0 equals "haven't seen each other in years and suddenly reunited"

From me, Haste to the Wedding and Kismet (Kiss Me)

@nerdypanda3126: You Look Good in My Shirt

#fic recs

46 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 5 days

Note

Hi! I was wondering if you have any Lukanette 0 to married fics to rec. I'm finding I really like that trope, but I haven't found too many

I do, for varying values of 0 😂

Even so, I always forget things when I answer a question like this so all my lukanette peeps feel free to reblog with additional recs!

0 to Married where 0 equals first meeting (and married occasionally means "kidnapped" by fae)

@verfound: (to be fair this is a bit more 0 to makeout but it's not hard to imagine marriage is next) Mlle. Peppi Roni

@mintaka14: Locked Out (series)

@mintaka14: Don't Go Down By Carter Hall

@mintaka14: Get In and Drive

@rierse: Heart and Soul

0 to Married where 0 equals years of mutual pining that finally explodes

@verfound We Should Honeymoon in Paris

@verfound, @mintaka, @abyssal-ali Hard Right to Greece

@verfound On Amicable Breakups

@verfound I Wasn't Gonna Call (But Maybe I Should)

@livrever Drunken Plans (NSFW)

@livrever Guilty Pleasures (NSFW)

@nerdypanda3126: We're a Kiss at 2 am (NSFW)

0 to Married where 0 equals "haven't seen each other in years and suddenly reunited"

From me, Haste to the Wedding and Kismet (Kiss Me)

@nerdypanda3126: You Look Good in My Shirt

#I can't believe I forgot those 😤

46 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 5 days

Note

Hi! I was wondering if you have any Lukanette 0 to married fics to rec. I'm finding I really like that trope, but I haven't found too many

I do, for varying values of 0 😂

Even so, I always forget things when I answer a question like this so all my lukanette peeps feel free to reblog with additional recs!

0 to Married where 0 equals first meeting (and married occasionally means "kidnapped" by fae)

@verfound: (to be fair this is a bit more 0 to makeout but it's not hard to imagine marriage is next) Mlle. Peppi Roni

@mintaka14: Locked Out (series)

@mintaka14: Don't Go Down By Carter Hall

@mintaka14: Get In and Drive

@rierse: Heart and Soul

0 to Married where 0 equals years of mutual pining that finally explodes

@verfound We Should Honeymoon in Paris

@verfound, @mintaka, @abyssal-ali Hard Right to Greece

@verfound On Amicable Breakups

@verfound I Wasn't Gonna Call (But Maybe I Should)

@livrever Drunken Plans (NSFW)

@livrever Guilty Pleasures (NSFW)

@nerdypanda3126: We're a Kiss at 2 am (NSFW)

0 to Married where 0 equals "haven't seen each other in years and suddenly reunited"

From me, Haste to the Wedding and Kismet (Kiss Me)

@nerdypanda3126: You Look Good in My Shirt

#fic recs #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #pro lukamari #0 to married Couffaine

46 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 5 days

Text

In Your Dreams: Chapter 3- Mayday

Summary:

Marinette loves Mayday. Bright flowers, dancing, and seeing her friends. This year has something new in store for her.

Notes:

Happy Mayday! May your flowers be bright and your allergies light. A bit of music if you like, Once Upon a Dream

Marinette loved Mayday. The bright white and pink flowers that were woven through her hair made her feel like a fairy princess and her heart was gladdened by the smiles on the faces of her family and friends. The air in the village smelled like honeysuckle and mead. It was a good way to spend her last day here.

She couldn't wait to dance around the maypole. Ducking, bobbing, and weaving bright ribbons with her friends. She might be clumsy at times, but the dance around the Maypole was so ingrained in her that it was the one time she felt truly graceful every year.

Excitement thrummed through her when she considered the next chapter in her life. There was so much to learn and anticipate- even if she was sad to leave her home and her parents. No one could bake like her Papa, and her Maman always knew how to soothe her riotous soul. But while she loved her parents with all her heart, she didn't want to be a baker when she was grown. She wanted to create beautiful clothes- dresses that made a ballroom look like a field of flowers, and hats that made their wearers smile. But being the daughter of bakers, she had believed that she would become a baker as well, until the moment Tikki had offered her a place as her apprentice.

The tiny witch who lived in the woods made the most beautiful clothes, trading only a few simpler pieces in the village while the rest found their way to titled or royal individuals in neighboring kingdoms that could afford the fanciful creations. Last Noël Tikki had been to their little village of Rosay to trade her herbs, potions, and simpler garments for other sundries not easily obtained so far from civilization. Marinette’s handcrafted gown had caught her attention, and she offered to take Marinette under her wing. Though the bakery did well, it did not allow them the finances to purchase an apprenticeship, and Marinette's parents had tried to turn the offer down without offending the tiny redheaded witch. Mademoiselle Tikki had refused to listen and insisted that Marinette's talent was payment enough. She claimed that all she needed was a protégé.

Marinette had been a wild bundle of nerves- excited about the prospect, but terrified of leaving her family so abruptly. The spritely witch visited their little town a few times a year and had graciously offered Marinette and her family a few months to prepare for the shift. So, today she was enjoying her last day in the village until her life changed- granting her a whole new future.

“Alya!” Marinette called to her friend across the crowded square. The basket hanging from her arm was full of freshly picked flowers, and she couldn't wait to adorn the heads of her friends.

“Marinette!” Alya caught her around the waist and they danced a few steps, giggles overflowing.

“Look, Alya! I have petunias and daffodils- I’m going to make you look like a sunbeam. You’ll complement Nino perfectly if he wears his traditional red.”

Alya blushed profusely at the insinuation, but both girls knew it was only a matter of time. Though they were both still young, they were considered to be of marrying age. Marinette was happy that her friend had found love, and while she sometimes wished for such a thing for herself, she didn’t want to jeopardize her chance at choosing her future. In many ways, she was lucky she hadn’t been courted by anyone yet. It made leaving the village to pursue her dream much easier.

“Here, sit- if I get you done, then you can help me when Rose and Mylene arrive,” Marinette instructed, nudging Alya to a fallen log often used as seating in the village square. Alya’s hair was so soft and pretty, much lighter than her thick straight tresses and she loved crafting the flower crown that she wove into the strands of her hair. Favoring mostly orange and yellow, with just a few red blossoms and the traditional white lilies of the valley- Alya looked like a sunlit queen in no time.

It wasn’t long before they were joined by Rose and Mylene. Rose had a basket of early tea roses, coaxed into blooming by her careful attention and the little glass hut that made the Lavillant garden the best in town.

“It’s Mayday girls! And likely Alya’s last year dancing the Maypole with us!” Rose squealed excitedly. Mylene giggled at Alya’s renewed blush, but a blush of her own stained her cheeks when Ivan, the Blacksmith’s son, walked past them with a wave.

Marinette smiled, making sure that Mylene had extra blossoms in her apron pocket once her flower crown had been woven through her hair. “I bet Ivan is hoping someone will make sure he has a sprig.” she teased gently. Mylene could barely find the words to thank her, but Marinette knew how she felt; they had been friends for a long time.

Once the girls were all adorned with flowers, Marinette skipped to the line of picketed cows to fill her cup with milk. She would take some of the creamy drink along with the remaining flowers to her parents, then she would be free from expectations and could lose herself in the celebrations for the day.

The girls started their afternoon by sampling wares and complementing gorgeous handicrafts until the men began the process of lighting all the bonfires around town. Both Alya and Mylene got stolen away before too long, leaving Rose and Marinette to their own devices. The girls had no problem whiling away the noon together. Early cheeses and dried fruits went well with a cup of mead while they flitted through town. Marinette received several farewells from neighbors who knew of her departure on the morrow. Every time someone brought it up, Rose threw her arms around her, reminding her of the cost of her success. She would gain a great deal as Tikki’s apprentice, but she would be far from her best friends and the only home she had ever known.

It wasn’t dark yet, but once the sun began to set the flickering light of the bonfires would hold back the darkness and acknowledge their appreciation of the spring light. But before darkness fell, the maidens would dress the maypole. Marinette grinned as the sun made its slow march across the sky before she scanned the square for her friends. Nino and Ivan had cut their ranks in half, but she and Rose would get them back for the dance of the ribbons.

“There!” Rose tugged on her sleeve and she followed her pointed hand to where Alya was pinning a bright daffodil to Nino’s collar. She and Rose giggled and dashed over to steal her away.

“She’s still ours for now, Nino!”

“Find me after!” Alya called back to him when they dragged her away.

Mylene joined them on her own- no doubt the idea of being dragged away from Ivan in front of the town was enough incentive for the shy girl. Each of the girls brought their ribbons to be attached to the pole, Alya’s was a sunny yellow, and both Rose and Marinette had pink- Marinette’s was pale as a cherry blossom while Rose’s was a brighter deeper color that lived up to her name, and Mylene offered up a pale green strand.

The musician's lively tune shifted to the old familiar traditional dance of the ribbons- it was no less lively, but it had a deep slow bass line that always felt to Marinette as if the earth was slowly waking and sunning itself. The girls started by tapping their feet in time with the slow beat until the bright strains of the violins joined in and their taps became steps that moved in and out of one other as their ribbons wove together above their heads.

Marinette and her friends had been dancing together for so long that they had their own little tradition. They clapped their hands together as they passed one another, keeping time with the music and laughing as they went. A sliver of sadness slipped through Marinette’s heart when she realized that it would likely only be Rose and herself to clap hands next year. And that was only if she and Tikki visited town for the festival. She shook off the momentary melancholy. The future was exciting and she was determined to enjoy her evening.

Once the Maypole was dressed, a cheer went up through the crowd and the party picked up. The girls danced together for a moment, but Nino stole Alya away pretty quickly and it wasn’t long before Marinette spun around to find that Mylene had slipped away as well. Shortly before the sun gave way to the twilight, Marinette spotted her parents dancing on the other side of the square. It always made her heart feel light to see them together.

“May I have this dance?” Marinette’s steps faltered when she nearly collided with someone she’d never seen before. She looked up past the offered hand into the face of a young man with an easy smile, striking blue eyes, dark tousled hair, and not a flower on him.

“Yes!” She took his hand with a smile and let him lead her back into the fray. Despite the tousled hair, he looked too put together to have been dancing long. Had he only just arrived in town? They didn’t get many visitors to the little village.

The first dance was fast- he held the tips of her fingers as their feet flew over the ground to the frantic beat, he was a good dancer and his steady yet gentle grip kept her arms from flailing as they were sometimes wont to do. Just as she began to feel that she couldn’t catch her breath, the musicians let the tempo fall and the handsome stranger pulled her closer into a loose hold. He was gasping for breath as much as she was, and his eyes were shining. It was a good thing he was just a traveler, too many more smiles like that would have made it hard to leave in the morning.

“Are you thirsty?” His voice sounded softly in her ear and Marinette nodded. “Is there some kind of traditional beverage for the festival?” Marinette giggled, he must have traveled from far away- did he even know what they were celebrating?

“Milk! Straight from the cow.” She pointed to the row of picketed brown and white holsteins.

Marinette laughed at the look on his face. “Tell me your name and I’ll teach you how to procure it.”

“I’m Luka. Tell me yours and I’ll endeavor to learn.”

Before she could think too hard about the brazenness of it, Marinette grabbed him by the hand and led him toward the cows. “I’m Marinette, I am very glad to know you, Luka.”

“Well met, Marinette.”

Marinette passed by the closest cows and led him to the end of the picket line nearest the low city walls. These cows were less likely to be tired of people and most likely to still need milking.

“Have you truly never milked a cow?” Marinette asked as she took a seat on one of the low stools.

“Truly not, though I assure you I have many strengths to counter my lack of dairy farming.”

Marinette couldn’t help but tease a little. “What, pray tell, can make up for such a lack?”

Luka hesitated for a moment but returned her smile with one of his own, and the beat of her heart felt like the answer to some unlooked-for question. “I can sail, I never met a ship I couldn’t convince to follow my lead.”

“I never met a ship. We haven’t enough water for any such vessel. Do they truly look like clouds on a horizon?”

Luka pulled up a second stool and joined her. “Aye, they do when the wind catches the sails.”

It took a few tries- and more than a few laughs, but eventually Luka managed to fill the wooden cup that had been hanging from Marinette’s belt and offered it to her to drink.

“Now you can milk and sail, tell me sir, what else should I know of you?” She sipped from her cup while Luka answered.

“I am a musician. A luthier by trade, but at heart nothing speaks to me so well as music.”

“The world can never have too much beauty. You have chosen a good skill I think. Have you no cup? I should fill yours as you have filled mine.”

Luka flushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, no. Not on my person, I did not know I’d have need of it.”

Quickly draining her milk, Marinette turned back to the cow and filled it again. She offered it to Luka a little bashfully. “If you aren’t opposed to the use of mine, I would be glad to share it.”

Luka took the cup with a grin, “I thank you. So, in addition to dancing and milking, how does the lady spend her time?”

Marinette began to answer but paused when Luka took a sip from her cup. Only he rotated it around and his lips touched the same place she had drunk from. Did he not know their customs? His French was good- even if it had an unusual lilt to it- but maybe his customs were different than hers. An old poem rose unbidden to her mind.

Roundabout Kisses,

A fair maiden’s wishes.

Blessing of the cup,

Where two have taken sup.

Luka didn’t notice her hesitation, so she told him about her parents' bakery. “I’ve spent most of my life baking in the kitchen with my parents. But I have recently been apprenticed to a seamstress. Tomorrow I am to begin learning from Mademoiselle Tikki.”

“Is that what you want?”

“Oh, yes! I have long enjoyed crafting pretty things. It will be hard, I think, to spend so much time away from Maman and Papa, but I am grateful for the opportunity.”

Luka offered her the now-empty cup and she fastened it to her belt once more. “May I beg another dance from you?”

Marinette nodded, blushing slightly when Luka helped her up from the stool. Firelight danced against the deepening sky and she lost all track of time as he whirled her around the square.

It wasn’t until the air had cooled and a shiver ran through her that Marinette realized how late it was. The fires were burning low and the music had been soft and slow for a while now- punctuated only by the whispers of dancing couples and the crackle of the diminishing flames.

She looked up to Luka, hating to leave the warmth of his gentle embrace, but when the song came to an end she stopped, and he looked at her curiously.

“I have an early morning. I should go.”

Luka’s soft smile did dangerous things to her heart and her plans, but she decided swiftly that she would treasure the memory of tonight instead of harbor regrets.

“That’s right. Your apprenticeship.”

She nodded in affirmation, pleased that he remembered.

Luka bent and kissed the air above her hand- he truly was a gentleman. “Then I shall not keep you. Please, can I call on you again?” Luka asked her quietly, and she felt a glowing sort of happiness, just before her heart plummeted. She didn’t want to say no, but she couldn’t say yes.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t.” Her heart sank further when his face fell, “This is my last day in town, at least until Michaelmas- or maybe All Hallows Eve. I don’t know for sure. I’m sorry. I wish…” she stopped. She had chosen her future, she wouldn’t let one perfect night steal her joy for tomorrow. No matter how blue his eyes or honest his smile.

He bowed his head and nodded. “Thank you for dancing with me.”

Marinette reached up to her hair and felt along the remaining stems. She carefully tugged out a stem of lily of the valley, and with a pin from her hair, she attached it to the dark blue lapel of his open jacket, the material was smoother than she’d anticipated, his casual style was made up of very nice material. Maybe he was more than a gentleman, in more ways than just his actions.

“Thank you, this was the best last night I could have asked for.” The tiny white blossoms contrasted against the dark material, looking more like the tears the stories said they were created from than ever before. She refused to let herself think of her small gift as the tears of Eve, but rather as protection for the muses that Apollo had intended. “Good night, Luka.” Marinette ran to the edge of the firelight where her parents were waiting for her. She didn’t look back- her future lay in a different direction.

Chapter 1: Prologue, Chapter 2, chapter 4

#quickroundup

6 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 5 days

Text

After surveying the members of our discord server, it seems like it's a bit of a crazy time, so we're not doing a new prompt lost for 2024. Our 2023 list had a ton of good prompts, so if you would like to do a Lukanette MerMay project, feel free to use these for inspiration! Tag @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers in your work and we'll reblog it! Just to be clear, you do NOT need to be a member of the discord to participate. If you would like to join us, here's a link.

LBSC Lukanette MerMay 2023

Lukanette MerMay officially begins today!

You may do as many or as few prompts as you like, in any order. No word limits or time limits! The event will run throughout the month of May. Be sure to tag @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog your work! Rules are at the bottom of this post below the cut. You’re welcome to join our discord server to chat and share your WIPs, or just for some encouragement!

If you post to tumblr please tag @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog.

If you use AO3 you are welcome to add your work to our collection for this event.

You may participate on any platform, but please leave a link either in our ask box or on our discord server so we can make sure to include you in our event summary post!

1. Pirate/Mermaid

The kind mermaid/merman that likes to explore on their own has a deserted island they like to visit. One day, a pirate on the run takes haven there. They don’t look as menacing as the rumors say though

Pirate capitan luka having a mermaid wife, she always follow his ship and luka had a tank on his room for when she spend the night, also mermaid marinette is fascinated by clothes, Luka had an storage space for all the clothes she like

2. Accidental/Involuntary Transformation

Luka is turned into a merman to save him from drowning, and the smitten Marinette shows him his new underwater home. (Or vice-versa.)

If you wish upon a shooting star it becomes a mermaid/merman if it lands in the sea….

luka and marinette (two mermaids) accidentally get turned human after messing with some magic. chaos ensues while they attempt to blend in with other human beings.

The kwami powerup for water turns ladybug into a mermaid

H20: Just Add Water AU

3. Sirens

“You had earplugs in! Why did you steer straight for the Siren’s Rocks??” “Did you see how blue the siren’s eyes were?”

Siren decides this sailor is too cute to kill

4. Songs of the Sea

Luka the “drowned one” plays the guitar underwater (apparently that’s a thing you can do) to a group of fascinated deep sea mermaids

“Where on earth did you get to last night?” “I heard the mermaids singing.” “That’s your excuse every time you disappear…. Oh my god, that really is a mermaid!“

On a deep sea mission to collect whalesong (for an album project?), there’s something else down there with them, and it’s singing back.

Human luka and mermaid marinette singing a duet

5. Culture Clash

Mermaids have a very specific ritual for finding the (shell, rock, trinket. Etc) to propose with

Mermaids like shiny things

Mermaid clan wars

Merfolk dragging their s/o underwater for a quick kiss

Merfolk can change at will, but their hands are cold regardless of their current form.

Mermaid in a sushi restaurant

6. Atlantean Miracle Box 7. Sea Witch 8. Selkies 9. Not Your Typical Mermaid

Luminescent Mermaids (different colors represent different clans/pods/locations/elements)

Octopus mermaid

Deep sea mermaid

Seashorse mermaid

Kraken mermaid

Shark Mermaids

10. Mermaids of Unusual Size 11. The Hunted 12. Curiosity Killed the Catfish

Marinette the mermaid excitedly asks Luka questions about the human trinkets she found.

Watching (and crushing on) the other from afar

13. Human/Mermaid

Human luka and mermaid marinette singing a duet

Mermaids had soulmates, everyone knew that. Humans had soulmates, or at least the legends said they did. Nobody had ever heard of a mermaid/merman and a human being soulmates before. But the proof was right there as your (whatever sign of a soulmate you want to use) showed the human was your soulmate.

Luka brings Mermaid Mari to a costume party

Mermaids and human work together to save the oceans

Rescue the human from drowning

14. In the depths

Abyss AU: underwater research team finds more than they anticipated

Deep sea mermaid

15. Mermaid Hanahaki

you start losing your scales and then the ability to breathe underwater and will get stuck as a human if your love goes unrequited for too long

16. Dragon/Mermaid

Keep reading

#event: lbsc lukanette mermay

47 notes · View notes