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ao3feed-lukanette · 5 years

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by Quickspinner

Every Friday Luka parks his bike in front of the freshman dorm and trades banter with a pretty blue-eyed regular he's nicknamed Gorgeous. She's funny and cute and he's maybe a little bit smitten. It's just a little harmless flirting, though. It's not like you can fall in love two minutes at a time, once a week.

Words: 5472, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - College/University, Alternate Universe - No Miraculous, Campus Delivery Boy Luka, Marinette with a stutter, Fluff, Flirting, Flirty Luka, Buff Marinette Dupain-Cheng

#ao3feed #fanfic #miraculous ladybug #mlb #lukanette #ao3

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 20

Links for the other parts at the bottom.

Luka was grinning from ear to ear. He’d learned a lot about clothes since he’d started dating Marinette, but he still knew next to nothing about capital-F Fashion, and even he could tell that Marinette had blown everyone away. Her name was on everyone’s lips, and he was so proud he could burst, both of her and Juleka. He’d seen his sister walk before but somehow every time she slayed a runway he got a little bit choked up, thinking of how far she’d come.

Luka was sure he wasn’t the only one looking for Marinette, so he opted to work slow circles around the ballroom that hosted the afterparty, armed with a water bottle in his hand and another in his pocket of his (custom-made and impeccably tailored) suit coat, since he was sure neither of them had had anything to drink in hours, looking patiently for her or for Juleka. He ran into Tom and Sabine a couple of times, who’d made the trip up to see the show, but they hadn’t had any more luck than he in finding her.

When he finally saw her, Marinette was talking to a tall blonde man about her own age, and something about her stance made Luka hesitate. He hung back a little to let a stream of people by, eyes on Marinette the whole time.

“I haven’t seen you since the recital,” the blonde man said, rubbing the back of his neck, and Luka saw Marinette blush red to her hairline.

“Oh, w-well, y-you know, you’ve b-b-b—“

“Been busy, yeah I have. You have too, though. I’d have called but I didn’t know if you’d want to talk to me after—I mean, I maybe didn’t handle that night the best, I was so surprised.”

Luka knew Marinette was mortified behind her plastic expression. Two and two quickly added up to Oh the hell you are pulling this now, asshole.

“I mean...you were great, the song and all, and I’ve never heard you be so clear. It really changed my view of you, honestly. And you were fantastic on stage tonight, wow. Maybe we could get a drink some time, catch up?”

Marinette’s eyes flicked to Luka’s over blondie’s shoulder and that was all the invitation he needed.

“Babe!” Luka called, plastering a grin on his face as he slipped around the knot of people dividing them. He bounced over to Marinette and swept her up in a hug, lifting her off her feet. “That was amazing. You’re amazing. You worked so hard, I’m so proud of you.” He set her down, putting his arm around her shoulders, and offered her the water bottle. “Here, you need to drink something after that.” She took the bottle and drank obediently, and Luka turned to the man she’d been speaking to. “Sorry to interrupt. Nice to meet you, I’m Luka.” He offered his hand and the blond took it slowly.

“Adrien,” he offered.

“W-w-we wwwent t-to high school t-together,” Marinette supplied with a smile.

“It’s nice that you’ve kept in touch,” Luka smiled. “Did your parents find you, babe?”

“N-no,” sighed Marinette. “There’s actually a b-bunch of people I need to t-talk to ssstill, are you okay if I l-leave y-you?

“Sure, Gorgeous, do your thing.” Luka kissed her cheek and removed his arm. “I’ll be here when you’re done. Make sure you eat something, okay? I don’t want you to pass out. I know you’ve had a long day.” He smiled encouragingly. “You’re almost there. Just a little longer and then you can collapse and let me take care of you, okay?”

Marinette gave him a smile that was tired but genuine, and kissed him lightly, then turned to Adrien. “It wwwas g-good to sssee you, Adrien.”

“Yeah, really good, Marinette,” Adrien smiled. “You really do look great. And congratulations on the show.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Knock ‘em dead, babe.” Lula kissed her temple as she turned away.

Adrien looked doubtful. “Babe? Isn’t that...I don’t know, disrespectful?”

“That’s for her and me to decide,” Luka replied easily, his eyes still following Marinette as she powered through the crowd. He knew he had a lovesick smile on his face. “God, I’m so lucky. Isn’t she amazing? Well, you’ve been friends for a while, you know she is. And I almost missed out.”

“What?” Adrien managed.

“Yeah, she was into another guy when we met, but he turned her down. I’ll be grateful to that beautiful idiot until the day I die,” Luka sighed, shaking his head.

“You don’t worry about being a rebound?” Adrien asked stiffly.

Luka’s lovesick grin grew even wider. “Not at all,” he said dreamily. “I love her and she loves me and I’m sure as hell not dumb enough to ever let her go. Man, did you see her up there tonight? I thought I knew how to own a stage, but she makes me look like an amateur.”

“Yeah, she was pretty incredible,” Adrien said quietly. “I’ve been to a lot of fashion shows and that was pretty spectacular even by professional standards, let alone student work.”

“Oh, you’re into this kind of thing? I’ve been to a few because my sister models, but this is the first time I’d really paid attention. Did Marinette get you into it?”

“No, I was kind of born into it.” Adrien smiled wryly and gestured to the wall behind Luka. Luka turned and saw a blown-up, framed magazine cover. The model in the shot was clearly Adrien. “I was the lead model for my father’s brand for years.”

“Oh,” Luka chuckled. “Well, it’s nice to hear positive things from the voice of experience. I’m sure Marinette values your opinion.” He clapped Adrien on the shoulder. “Nice to meet you, but I better catch up to my girl. Enjoy your evening!”

@thethirdwheelfriend @mystery-5-5

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculous ladybug #ml fics #miraculousladybug #quickspins

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 9

“I can’t see her, I hope she’s here,” Luka said fretfully, peeking out of the backstage door after the set. He couldn’t see anything from the stage, which was probably just as well since he had a performance to focus on. He’d killed it, too, if he did say so himself, with the boost that came from the extra buzz in his veins from knowing she was out there.

“Oh she’s here,” Juleka grinned. “And she came to slay. You’re gonna be sorry you wore such tight pants.”

“Gross, Jules,” Luka muttered, ears reddening. “I don’t want to hear that from my sister.” She came up beside him and pointed. He followed the direction of her finger and, in a lucky flash of light, spotted Marinette alone at a high top near the bar, much closer than he had originally been looking. “Shit, you weren’t kidding,” he muttered, staring.

She was wearing the black dress and her makeup made her blue eyes really pop even under the club lights. Luka bit his lip. His stomach felt like jelly just looking at her. He had to turn way and shut the door for a minute just to breathe.

“Chicken,” Juleka muttered next to him, smirking.

Luka scowled. “I’m going. In a minute.”

“Your mouth is moving but all I hear is bock bock bock.”

“Juleka!” Rose scolded, and then smiled at Luka. “Go for it Luka, I believe in you.”

Luka grinned and looked at Juleka, pointing to Rose. “Keep this one, I like her.” He took a breath. “Okay,” he muttered, “Here I go.”

She looked even better up close. He wasn’t the only one who noticed, either, he could tell. Deciding not to waste any more time, he made his way to her table and leaned his elbows on it.

“Hey Gorgeous,” he flashed her a grin. “What brings you out tonight?”

“I c-came for the mmmmusic,” she said with a one shouldered shrug that made his heart race. “But I sure wouldn’t mind some c-company.“ She gave him a slow once over and his nails bit into his palms. “You look a little d-dangerous, though.” She put her straw between her lips and looked up at him through her lashes.

“How’s that, Gorgeous,” he asked, already curious what her game would be.

“Well you know, I l-like your sssmile,” Marinette put her chin in her hand so she was both leaning toward him and looking up at him. “B-b-but every time I look in your eyes I feel like I’m l-lost at ssssea.”

Delighted, Luka leaned in, keeping his voice low. “You’re safe with me, baby, I was born on the water,” Luka murmured, fighting to keep the grin that wanted to split his face to something more like a seductive smirk. “But I gotta say, if I was lost at sea with you, getting back to shore would be the last thing on my mind.”

“You wwwouldn’t take me h-home?” she said innocently, batting those huge blue eyes.

Luka was absolutely going to die. “I’d take you to heaven. That’s where you came from, isn’t it?” He reached up and played with a tendril of her hair, making sure to brush his fingers along the back of her neck in the process. Her head tipped back slightly, her lips parting as her eyelids fluttered for a moment.

“Cheater,” she gasped lightly.

“God, can you blame me, Gorgeous?” he sighed, moving his hand around to run his thumb along her jaw. “You’re a work of art, you know that? Please say I can kiss you.”

She withdrew slightly, tugging his hand away from her neck. “T-too p-public,” she said, tangling his fingers with hers and resting their hands on the table. “Y-you ssssounded great.”

Luka swallowed his disappointment and smiled back at her. “You liked it?”

“Y-yeah,” she grinned, and would have said more, except she was interrupted by a squeal and Luka suddenly found a body attached to his free arm. He was somewhat accustomed to this after shows, though the timing this time made it a little harder not to roll his eyes. He gave Marinette an apologetic glance before plastering on a smile and turning to get rid of his fans as politely as possible.

The first group moved on easily enough but they only made way for a slightly more inebriated girl who got a little handsy. Luka was holding off her octopus hands and looking around for a bouncer when Marinette stepped between them and shoved the girl firmly back. “H-he sssaid he’s b-busy.”

“I’ll keep him busy,” the girl purred, making eyes at him over Marinette’s shoulder.

Marinette turned, hooked her arm around his neck, pulled him down and kissed him, and hell if it wasn’t one of the best moments of his life. He found he was completely okay with being manhandled if it was Marinette doing it, and in fact he would encourage it in future as much as possible. He’d taken the lead in all their kissing before and it had been great but she was a force of nature now and all he could do was close his eyes, hold onto her hips, and let her kiss him stupid.

When he could process his surroundings again, octopus girl was gone and there were three girls standing there with folded arms, smirking at them.

“Well I was going to ask you to introduce us,” the one he recognized as Marinette’s roommate, giggled. “But after that I’m not sure the boy remembers his own name.”

“Damn straight,” Luka said breathlessly, absently wooing lipstick off his face. “Holy shit, Gorgeous.”

Marinette made an embarrassed moan and covered her face with her hands. “Alya!”

“That’s not going to save you, girl,” Alya laughed, along with her friends.

Luka slipped his arm around Marinette’s waist and squeezed lightly, and offered his hand in the general direction of her friends. “While I’m trying to remember my name, can you tell me yours?”

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #campus delivery boy luka #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #quickspins

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 13

Life was good, the world was beautiful, and he was on his way to pick up his hot girlfriend.

His hot girlfriend who had left him speechless yesterday when he'd begged her to wear the black dress tonight and she'd giggled and said, "Oh, I c-can do better than th-that old thing."

Luka could see that she was waiting for him as he approached, talking with another girl he hadn’t seen before. Luka frowned at their body language. Marinette had her arms crossed and she was turned half away from the other girl. He quickened his pace a little, only to stop dead when their conversation hit his ears.

“—just don’t know if that style’s really flattering on you, Marinette. I mean, guys like girls to be feminine and delicate, not all, you know...lumpy. Maybe it would be better if you covered up a bit more.”

I’m not exactly the delicate type I guess, he remembered Marinette saying. I didn’t think...I’ve heard guys don’t like girls with muscles.

Luka ground his teeth. This explained a lot. The fuck this girl was going to get away with—

“I mean,” the girl said in a sickly sweet, oh-so-sympathetic tone, “You need to make a good impression, because, you know...well conversation isn’t exactly your strong suit, is it?”

Oh that bitch. Luka took a deep breath, and wiped his anger off his face. “Hey Gorgeous,” he called cheerfully as he jogged up the steps. “Ready to go?” He took some satisfaction in seeing the nasty girl’s eyes widen and then sweep over him, though he didn’t look at her at all, keeping his eyes fixed on Marinette as if the other girl didn’t exist. Marinette turned towards him and he didn’t have to fake an ounce of his reaction. “You look amazing,” he breathed, his eyes raking over her, still completely ignoring her companion. “Wow.” She wore a red halter dress with black polka dots, fitted through the waist and then flared to her knees, the skirt fluffed out by a layer of black tulle underneath. Her strong arms were bare.

“T-told you I could do b-better,” she said, pivoting slowly on her toes. When her back was to him, he heard a strangled noise come out of his own throat and slapped his hand over his mouth, eyes riveted to her exposed back. She looked back over her shoulder with an innocent expression and clasped her hands behind her in a classic pose that just happened to flex her back muscles.

He’d never seen anything so sexy in his life.

Luka let out one more moan behind his muffling hand and then shook his head, letting his hand fall. “You’re a masterpiece, Marinette. A fucking work of art. I doubted you when you said you could top the black dress, but I will never question your skills again. You’re seriously hot.”

He made a sympathetic face as she completed the turn and faced him again, a pretty blush in her cheeks. “It’s such a shame about your lipstick though.”

“What’s wrong w-with—“

He caught her hands before she could raise them to her lips, pulled her close, and kissed her. Luka took his time about it, guiding her hands up around his neck and then wrapping his arms around her, cradling her gently against him, mingling tenderness and passion, wanting her to know that she was both loved and desired no matter what that jealous harpy was spouting.

When he finally released her, her red lipstick was indeed utterly ruined.

“Sorry,” he said insincerely, grinning. “I know how you feel about kissing in public, but there’s no one around but us, so I thought it’d be okay.” There was a loud snort from somewhere near his elbow. Luka ignored it and kissed her lightly. “We better get going, Gorgeous, Jules’ll kill me if we’re late again because I couldn’t keep my hands off you.”

Marinette giggled, letting him lace their fingers together and tug her down the stairs. He grinned to himself as she shot a smug look over her shoulder. “Bye Lila,” she called sweetly.

“T-tell Alya not to w-wait up for me, will you?”

When they were out of sight, Marinette pulled Luka to a stop and jumped him—literally, he had to catch her as she hooked her arms around his neck and her strong legs around his waist—and kissed him fiercely. As if being climbed like one of her parkour obstacles wasn’t enough to kill him by itself, holy shit.

Somehow he survived the kiss and her slide back down him to the ground, but only barely.

She giggled at him while he mimed a heart attack.

“What was that for?” he asked innocently. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“You know exactly w-what you did, you b-beautiful mmman.”

Luka just grinned. “I don’t know what you mean. I just want you to know that I think you’re gorgeous and I love everything about you.”

“Uh-huh. And the fact that Lila just happened to be p-p-picking on m-me had n-n-nothing to do w-with it.”

Luka bit back an impolite reply that he knew Marinette wouldn’t approve of and just said, “Oh, was there someone there? I remember a stick wearing bright colors. I wondered who left their flag lying around.”

Marinette snorted and laughed, tucking herself against his side. “I love you so m-much,” she said, and even though she said it in laughter, his heart soared.

“I love you too, babe,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her hair. He put his arm around her waist and they started walking again. “So who was that--charming person?” he asked, making a face.

“An old enemy,” Marinette replied, making a face of her own. “I th-thought I was d-done with her but she’s f-friends with Alya and Alya invited her to ssstay with us f-for the weekend.”

“Seriously?” Luka said incredulously. Marinette shrugged.

“L-lila’s insidious and c-careful. She only shows her t-true colors around p-people she c-can’t use. Alya th-thinks I’m just b-being oversensitive.” She sighed. “It’s g-gonna b-be a long w-weekend.”

“You could stay with me,” Luka offered immediately. Marinette looked up at him and he shrugged. “Juleka won’t care. I can sleep on the couch.”

“Y-you don’t have to sleep on the c-couch,” Marinette admonished.

Luka grinned ruefully. “Yeah, I kinda do.” He stopped and turned Marinette towards him. “Babe, I already can’t look at you without feeling like I ought to go to confession.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You’re not C-catholic.”

Luka shrugged. “The point stands. Anyway I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep in bed with this,” he motioned to all of her. “Not unless we did a few other things first.” He paused, choosing his next words carefully, face heating. “And while I’d be more than willing to do those things with you, that’s probably something we should talk about without that kind of pressure.” He cleared his throat and smiled down at her suddenly round eyes. “So I’ll sleep on the couch. All that aside, we should probably fix my face and your lipstick before we get to the club, or I’ll catch hell from Juleka for weeks.”

@thethirdwheelfriend

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #quickspins

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 22

Sorry about that little glitch there, here you go.

All four boys stood and stared at the building.

“Well there goes our game,” muttered Miles.

Evan sighed. “Steve, you complete—”

“Relax, guys, I got it,” Luka said, shoving Evan lightly to stop his tirade. He turned toward the picnic area and hollered, “Hey Gorgeous!”

Marinette turned around, and Luka motioned her over. She smiled at the other girls and then jogged over to him. “Getting y-your ass k-kicked and nnneed mmme to b-bail me y-you out?” she teased.

Luka kissed her temple, grinning as he draped an arm over her shoulder. “Someone who shall remain nameless,” he glared over her head at Steve, “Got a little too enthusiastic and unfortunately, he has a great arm and crappy aim.” He pointed to the roof where the ball had landed. “Can you help us out?”

“Mm,” Marinette said thoughtfully, eyeing the building, and then she bumped him with her hip. “You j-just w-want mmme to show off.”

“I do love watching you act like a superhero, you know that,” he agreed. “But we really did lose the ball, I swear.”

Marinette sighed, and began taking off her jacket. “You owe mmme.”

“Oh, baby, you know I’m good for it,” Luka grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he took the jacket she handed him.

“You guys are gross,” Evan muttered behind him. “I don’t know how Juleka puts up with you.”

Luka snorted. “She’s worse, that’s how. Now if you want the ball back, you better ask the lady nicely.”

Evan and Steve exchanged a look, and Miles looked similarly perplexed. “You can’t be serious,” Steve said. “How’s she going to do that?”

“That d-didn’t sound like a p-please,” Marinette sniffed, folding her arms.

“Please, Gorgeous,” Luka said, slipping his arm around her and squeezing her hip. “Show ‘em what you got, babe, I can’t wait to see their faces,” he murmured in her ear.

“You owe mmme,” she repeated, flicking his forehead.

“Don’t push me into saying something dirty you’ll just get mad at me for saying in public,” Luka warned her, laughing.

“Yeah, yeah,” Marinette said, shaking out her arms and then her legs, then doing a few easy stretches.

Luka folded his arms and grinned back at his friends before turning his gaze back on Marinette.

“I still don’t under—” Steve cut off as Marinette took off running toward the building. She ran up a good chunk of the wall, caught a second story windowsill and pulled herself up it, then swung off to the side to grab nothing Luka could see and haul herself up the building like a spider. He tore his eyes from her for just long enough to take in the wide-eyed stares of his friends and appreciate their expressions. All the boys gasped as she made a leap to catch the edge of the overhang.

“Fuck me,” Evan muttered under his breath.

“In your dreams, jackass,” Luka said, shoving his best friend again before turning back to the building just in time to see Marinette swing herself up over the top of the building. “She’s mine. And I am so hers,” he sighed, not even trying to hide the goofy smile on his face.

“God, what must she be like in bed,” Steve muttered as they watched Marinette reverse her climb down the building, ball in hand. He winced when Miles smacked him upside the head.

“Respect, man,” Miles admonished.

“What? We were all thinking it!” Steve protested.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” was Luka’s smug reply. “And just for the record,” he added, “I would put any one of you bastards in the ground for her, so keep your hands to yourself.” He gave Steve a withering look. “Assuming Marinette even left enough of you to bury if you tried it. I’ve seen her take down guys who got handsy at the club. Pretty sure the lead bouncer offered her a job last time.”

Marinette jogged up, and tossed the ball into the group of staring boys. It bounced off Steve’s head.

“Thanks, babe,” Luka said, kissing her forehead. “You’re the best. Have I mentioned I love watching you work?”

Giggling, she slapped his cheek lightly and gave him a wink, then headed back to the crowd of girls at the table, most of whom were staring just as slack-jawed as the guys.

“So,” Luka said, scooping up the ball. “Are we playing or what?”

Evan chuckled. “You know I don’t think I’ve said it before, but I’m happy for you, bro. Jealous as hell, honestly, but really happy for you.” They exchanged a fistbump as they got in position, but Luka was shaking his head.

“You don’t know even half of how amazing she is,” he said fondly. “Gorgeous and strong and fearless is barely even scratching the surface.”

Evan chuckled. “Dude, you have got it bad.”

“I’m a lost cause, don’t even try to rescue me,” Luka said cheerfully, waving at Marinette.

@thethirdwheelfriend @mystery-5-5

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #ml fics #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #quickspins

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 24

“We’re here, babe,” Luka told her gently, and Marinette blinked open sticky eyes. “Stay put for a second, I’ll get our things down.”

Marinette did as she was told, rubbing at her raw face while Luka got their bags and his guitar case down from the bus’s luggage rack. Some detached part of her mind wondered if he brought the guitar out of habit or if he really just couldn’t bear to be without it for any length of time. He was gentle as he took her elbow and helped her into the aisle.

They stood looking around for only a moment, when Luka spotted his mother and turned Marinette in her direction.

Anarka Couffaine wasn’t a particularly large woman, but there was something extremely solid about her. Her feet were planted, her hands on her hips, and the small crowd parted around her. She had a long coat buttoned over her usual vibrant attire, though her bracelets could be seen peeking out at her wrists.

A thread of nervousness trickled down Marinette’s spine, though she felt Luka sigh in relief beside her. His hand on her back kept them moving over to the imposing woman. Marinette suddenly became aware that she must look terrible, and she winced a little at the kind of first impression she must be makinig.

Anarka’s clear blue eyes pierced her, taking in her pale face and red-rimmed eyes and messy hair, but all she said was, “Luka said you can ride?” Her tone was brusque, but not unkind. Marinette nodded, and Anarka handed her a helmet. “Come on then, I’ll get ye t’ where y’need t’go.” Anarka looked around Luka. “And you, my boy, get ye to th’ boat an’ get some rest, aye? I’ll take care of her, never fear.”

Luka smiled. “I know. Thanks, Maman.”

Anarka just tutted and hustled Marinette onto the motorbike. Marinette broke away just for a moment to hug Luka tight. “Th-thank you,” she whispered, and felt him kiss her head.

“Go on, go see your dad. Text me when you can, and I’ll see you in the morning.” He exchanged a look of some kind with Anarka over his head, and then he slung his bag and his guitar over his shoulder and started walking. Marinette put on the helmet and slung her own bag across her body, and then climbed on the bike behind Anarka.

It physically hurt to leave Luka behind as the bike roared off, and perhaps she clutched a little harder to Anarka than necessary. He’d been such a rock for her all evening, but it was past one in the morning, and even used to odd hours as he was, he had to be getting tired. She’d slept a bit on the bus but she doubted he had at all.

The hospital loomed into view, and to Marinette’s surprise, instead of pulling up in front of it, Anarka peeled off into the parking lot and parked the bike. When Marinette got off, Anarka did too, stowing both helmets. She put her hand on Marinette’s back as Luka was wont to do, and walked with her to the front desk.

Anarka almost got into a fight with the clerk on duty when he refused to give them any information, citing privacy laws. Fortunately, Marinette was able to get Sabine on the phone, and she rushed into the lobby just in time to cut off Anarka’s rapidly raising voice.

“You got here so fast,” Sabine gasped, hugging Marinette. “Oh, honey, there was no need for all this.”

“There w-was,” Marinette insisted simply. “C-can I see him?”

“Well, as you’re here, you might as well come up,” Sabine sighed. She looked at Anarka and opened her mouth, but Anarka spoke before she had a chance.

“Where do they have ye stowed?” she asked. “I know your lass hasn’t eaten, and you probably haven’t, either. I’ll dig up some grub and meet you at the room, if that’s amenable.”

“Mmmadame C-couffaine—” Marinette began, cursing her stutter in front of this imposing woman.

“Ah, none of that. Call me Anarka, or Captain Anarka if ye must.”

“C-captain,” Marinette smiled. “Y-you’ve done ssso mmuch, and you must be tired too—”

“Nonsense,” Anarka huffed. “The room number, now, let’s not waste any more time throwin’ words in the wind, lass.”

“It’s 327. You’re Luka’s mother?” Sabine asked, putting her hands on Marinette’s shoulders. “I’m Sabine Cheng, Marinette’s mother. Thank you for seeing her here safely.”

“Ah, no need for that, either,” Anarka smiled. “The Couffaines don’t fuck around when it comes to family—” Marinette bit back a slightly hysterical giggle at the way her accent formed the curse word “—and if yer girl ain’t family yet, well, by the look in my boy’s eyes, she’s not far off.” Anarka winked at Marinette, who blushed. “Go, see yer pa, and I’ll be back with somethin’ to keep you all going.”

“H-how’s he d-doing?” Marinette asked as Sabine walked her to the elevator.

“He’s in quite a bit of pain, but the doctors tell me that’s a good thing,” Sabine told her. “He’s on a pretty heavy dose of drugs though, so be prepared. It’s mostly his hands and one of his forearms. The side of his neck is burned, but it missed his face, which is a relief. You know your father doesn’t mind a few burn scars but he’d be devastated if his mustache was damaged.” The two shared a giggle that lasted longer than it probably would have under other circumstances.

“I d-didn’t d-do anything,” Marinette confessed. “B-by the t-time I c-calmed down enough to function, L-luka had us ready t-to g-go, t-tickets booked and all.”

“Luka came with you?” Sabine asked in surprise.

Marinette nodded. “There w-wasn’t r-room on his m-mother’s bike f-for b-both of us, ssso he went home to sssleep. H-he ssaid h-he would c-come in the mmmorning.”

“That boy,” Tom said gruffly, and then he sniffled. “He’s such a good kid.”

“Oh my,” Sabine murmured. “That’s the drugs talking. Not that he doesn’t like Luka,” she corrected quickly, “But the waterworks, that’s the morphine.”

“Are you in p-pain, P-papa?” Marinette asked, coming to his side.

“Ah, ma petite.” Tom patted her with his uninjured arm. “I’m fine. I feel a little floaty, but that’s all.” He winced. “Mostly.”

Marinette felt tears welling. She leaned carefully over the bed and hugged her father. “Now, now,” Tom said, stroking her hair. “You must be so tired, ma petite.”

“I’m f-fine now that I know y-you’re okay,” she sniffled, and then Tom’s eyes welled up, and for a few minutes they cried together while Sabine sighed and patted Marinette gently.

Fortunately, they were all composed when a firm knock sounded on the door. Sabine answered it and found Anarka loaded down with food and coffee. “I asked Luka what I should get,” she commented as she brought it in and set it down. “Tea for you,” she said, handing an insulated cup to Sabine.

“Oh, thank you so much,” Sabine sighed, taking the cup.

“Hot chocolate for ye, lass. Hope it’s the way ye like it. My boy was very specific.” She rolled her eyes and Marinette giggled as she took the cup.

“Th-thank you.”

“And coffee for me,” Anarka sighed, picking up the last cup. “Sorry,” she said, turning to Tom. “I figured they wouldn’t be wantin’ ye to have outside food.”

Tom sighed mournfully. Marinette gave him a sip of her hot chocolate, which made Anarka grin.

“I’ll be in the waiting room, if ye need anything,” Anarka told them. “If either of ye want to go home, I’m happy t’ take ye, or t’ stay here and keep an eye on things.”

“That’s very kind, Ma—ah, Captain,” Sabine said warmly. “But I hate to inconvenience you. It’s really not necessary for you to stay. Or you either, dear,” she said, looking at Marinette. “Really, everything is under control. You could go home and rest.” Marinette just jutted her lip out and folded her arms. “Or not,” Sabine sighed.

Anarka barked a laugh, crossing the room to clap a hand on Marinette’s shoulder. “Ah, ye’r a good lass. Alright then, I’ll be out there if ye need me, and not another word about it. I promised Luka I’d look after ye, and that’s what I’ll do.”

“W-well,” Marinette said, her voice sounding small in her own ears after Anarka’s...rich tones. Suddenly Luka’s claim that she had once been a rock star sounded less aggrandized. “At l-least she ssseems to like mme.”

“Of course she likes you,” boomed Tom, matching Anarka’s volume, if not the fullness. “Everyone likes you. Who wouldn’t like my Marinette?”

Marinette and Sabine exchanged a look, and then both began to giggle with the kind of hilarity only ever born from exhaustion.

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#quickspins #hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #ml fics #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 21

Check the bottom for links to the previous sections, there’s getting to be too many and if I’m having trouble scrolling on mobile then you guys must be too, so. Links are at the bottom, under the cut, where they can’t ambush us as we scroll.

I really considered ending this at the last part, and maybe that would’ve been the smart thing, but oh well, I haven’t had my fill of fluff yet, so I’m gonna stick with the original revised original plan.

“If you’re here to lecture me about how I should have gotten a flu shot,” Luka mumbled, half into his pillow where he’d been face down on his bed praying to die for the last three days, “Juleka beat you to it.”

“N-no,” Marinette smiled, closing his bedroom door behind her. “I’m h-here to lecture y-you on t-taking c-care if yourself while you’re sssick. I d-don’t think you g-get to complain, it’s mmmy t-turn. Get up, y-you’re t-taking a shower.”

Luka protested and grumbled, but his freakishly strong girlfriend manhandled him out of bed and, shivering, he stumbled to the shower. For a while he just stood under the stream with his forehead leaning against the tile, but eventually the warm water revived enough of his will to live for him to reach for the soap. With the rest of him clean, he even felt motivated enough to wash his hair.

He got out of the shower feeling refreshed, but a little shaky. Marinette had clearly come in and out without his noticing; his crumpled clothes were gone from the floor and clean ones were folded on the counter. Luka smiled a little when he found a shirt he loved but she hated on top of the pile (”It’s comfy!” “It’s d-dire, is wwhat it is, ugh.”).He got dressed and shuffled back to bed, where he found as he collapsed that his sheets had been changed. Luka grudgingly admitted to himself that he felt much more human just for being clean.

Marinette came back in with a tray (did they even own a tray) with a bowl of soup and some toast on it. Luka grimaced a little at the idea of food, but what little he could smell didn’t turn his stomach.

“J-j-juleka said you h-haven’t thrown up ssssince yesterday, ssso I thought you could t-try sssome sssoup? It’s mmmostly r-rice with a little b-bit of chicken. C-can y-you t-try it?”

“You made it?” He pushed himself up so that he was sitting up in the bed, leaning on the headboard. He loved Marinette’s cooking, but he wasn’t very hungry and he was so tired…

He closed his eyes as Marinette ran her fingers through his hair gently. His contented hum turned into a hacking cough. Marinette pressed a kiss to his cheek. “P-poor baby, you’re ssstill burning up. I know y-you d-don’t feel like it, but p-please eat.”

Luka blinked stupidly. It was a far cry from his mother’s gruff, “eat, son” but it was just as hard to disobey. The soup was bland but comfortably warm, and it felt good slipping down his raw throat. He managed to eat about half of it and one piece of toast before giving Marinette a pitiful look. She took the food but set a glass of juice in front of him. He sighed and began sipping it carefully while she went back to the kitchen. By the time he had finished the glass, she was back with a mug of hot lemon tea with honey.

“You spoil me,” he sighed, as she climbed up the bed and snuggled into his side. He put his arm around her, letting her take some of his weight instead of the headboard. “It’s really nice, actually,” he added after a moment. “My mom’s more the tough love and independence type, so...” he shrugged, too fuzzy-headed to finish the thought.

“I’m n-not t-too bossy?”

Luka’s attempt to snort resulted in another coughing fit. Marinette grabbed the mug before he could spill hot liquid all over himself. “Sorry,” he said, clearing his throat. “Anyway, I’m pretty sure my mom believed she could just order me to get better and make it happen. So no, you’re not too bossy.” He sighed. “Fuck, I’m tired.”

Marinette set the tea on his nightstand and kissed his cheek. “G-go ahead and lay d-down if you wwwant.” She shifted away so he could pull off his shirt and flop back down on his belly, hugging his pillow. “C-can I stay with y-you?” Marinette asked.

“You shouldn’t,” he sighed. “You’ll get sick too, and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, let alone you.”

“I actually g-got a flu shot,” she huffed.

Luka groaned and buried his face in his much fresher pillow. “Not a guarantee,” he mumbled. Still, he didn’t really want her to go and he’d already coughed all over her at least once, so…”Yeah, you can stay. Please.” He sighed, coughing again. “God, I’m so fucking tired. And my ribs hurt.”

Marinette made a sympathetic noise, then got out her tablet and set it up on his nightstand, turning on a replay of some fashion show or other she’d been assigned to watch. Then she pushed his blanket down to his waist, sat down next to him, and began moving her nails rhythmically across his bare back.

Luka moaned. “I’m gonna kiss you dizzy when I’m not so gross,” he mumbled.

He felt a soft kiss on his shoulder. “L-looking forward t-to it. Sssleep. I’ll b-be here.”

Despite the aches in his body, the heavy feeling in his head, and the effort it took to move air in and out of his lungs, Luka smiled.

Just before he fell completely asleep, he felt her pull the blanket up over him, and the press of her body as she laid down beside him, laying her head on his back. I’m gonna marry that girl someday, he thought hazily.

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#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #campus delivery boy luka #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #ml fics #quickspins

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 2

Luka spent extra time in the shower and prayed to anyone listening that the cologne Juleka had bought him for his birthday was decent and not a joke she was playing on him. It smelled okay to him, but his senses had been warped at his job and he didn’t entirely trust them.

He didn’t really have to do much to his hair, he kept his shaggy cut on purpose because it looked good without a lot of styling. He didn’t have a lot of choice for jeans; he just went with his least faded clean pair. He picked out his softest shirt and checked it over to make sure there weren’t any holes in it. Luka tried not to hear Juleka’s comments in his mind about dating a fashion designer. It wasn’t as if he had time or money to redo his wardrobe. Maybe if things went well, he could take Marinette with him the next time he had to shop for clothes.

He blew out a sigh as he tossed the shirt over his head. It was only their second date. Maybe. Luka wasn’t sure if the first one counted, but he hoped it did. Either way, there was no guarantee he’d get to hold her at all, but he really wanted to and if he got the chance he really wanted her to enjoy it.

“Come here, Jules,” Luka said distractedly as he walked into the living room, tucking his wallet in his pocket.

“What?” Juleka sighed, approaching him. He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. “Luka, are you okay?” she asked, and then she sniffed. “You smell nice.”

“Yes!” he exclaimed. “Thank you. Not too strong?”

“No, it’s good, you absolute weirdo,” Juleka said, pushing him off.

“Juleka, I’ve only seen her at work up until now,” Luka pointed out. “I’ve got kind of a lot to make up for.”

Juleka wrinkled her nose. “Okay, that makes sense.”

“Okay, so I smell fine, do I look okay?” He took a shaky breath. “I really like her, Jules,” he told her. “I don’t want to screw up.”

“Luka,” she said, uncharacteristically seriously, squeezing his shoulder in a move that he often used on her “I know you think she’s amazing. But you are too. Enough that you managed to get a date with her despite being smelly and wearing ratty clothes and having helmet hair. You’ll be fine.” Juleka stepped forward and hugged him again. “And if you’re not, I’ll buy the ice cream this time.”

Luka laughed, squeezing her. “You only owe me about a thousand pints at this point.” His smile turned wicked. “Speaking of which, how’s it going with Rose? I’d ask if I need to stock up but I’m pretty sure I saw her leaving the apartment this morning.”

Juleka pulled back and punched him in the arm. “We just watched a movie, nothing happened.” She smiled though, and that was all Luka needed to see.

“I’m glad you’re happy, sis. Now wish me luck.” He kissed her forehead and went to get his keys. He slung his guitar case across his back and checked again to make sure he had his wallet.

“Good luck, loser.”

“Love you too, Jules.”

#hey gorgeous 2 #hey gorgeous #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #Miraculous Ladybug #fics #campus delivery boy luka #quickspins

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 7

Luka drifted back in the door of his apartment in a happy daydream, smiling like the utterly besotted fool he was. The night couldn’t have gone better if he’d written the script himself. Marinette was smart and witty and accomplished and a million other things wrapped up in killer package, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.

Juleka lifted up from the couch to look at him, dislodging Rose, who also turned to see what was going on. Juleka took one look at him and smirked. “I warned you.”

“You did,” he agreed, leaning back against the door with a happy sigh. “You can write it on my tombstone because she’s definitely going to be the death of me.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet, look at him,” Rose cooed, laying her arms across the back of the sofa and putting her head down on them. “He’s so in love!”

Juleka just looked amused. “I hope you at least kissed the hell out of her to be looking like that.”

“I sure as shit did,” he sighed, putting his hands over his face. “And it was amazing. She’s so...” he made an inarticulate noise. “I could’ve kissed her all night.” And she might have let him. He grinned to himself under his hands at the memory of the glazed look on her face and sent a mental blessing to Annabeth Cerise from his junior year at high school for her “making out is like writing a song - intro, crescendo, bridge, decrescendo, outro” speech and the practical lesson that had followed.

And Marinette’s lips were so plump and soft and perfect and when she moved he could feel her muscles rippling under his hands even through her cardigan and he absolutely loved the sounds she made when he slid his hand up her back to the bare skin of her neck and—

“I don’t even want to know what you’re thinking about right now,” Juleka said dryly, turning back around on the couch. “Go melt into a puddle of goo in your own room so I don’t have to mop you up later.”

Luka didn't respond, sinking to the floor where he was, hands still over his face.

"Too late," Rose giggled.

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #campus delivery boy luka #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #fics #quickfic

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Bonus Scene

Because I’ll never get enough Couffaine sibling interactions.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 (end)

He just could not get this melody right. Luka ripped yet another page out of his notebook and balled it up, dropping it on the coffee table before sticking the pen between his teeth and trying out a few more notes on his guitar. A distant buzz got his attention and Luka glanced up, taking the pen out of his mouth to call, “Hey, Jules, can you grab my phone? I left it on the counter.”

Juleka picked it up as she walked out of their small kitchen, but paused, frowning. “Wait.” Juleka turned his phone towards him, the selfie he’d taken with Marinette on the screen. “That’s Gorgeous?”

“Yeah?” Luka tried to keep back the stupid grin, snatching his phone back to check the message. “What about it?”

Juleka started to laugh. “You are so fucked.”

“I wish,” muttered Luka, distracted by the message, and then coughed and turned red as he realized he’d said it out loud. Juleka cackled. “Why do you say that?” he asked when she was under control again.

“I know her.”

He looked up again. “What?”

Juleka smirked at him. “She’s one of the design students. She volunteered backstage for one of the fashion shows last month.” Juleka folded her arms. “If you think she’s cute now, you should see her in charge. Stutter or not, she gave orders like a boss at the show. Seriously hot. Talented, too. Creative. Kind. She’s basically your kryptonite.”

Luka’s eyebrows raised again and he studied Juleka’s face, alarmed by something in her voice. “Mine, or yours? If you want me to back off, Jules, you better tell me now.”

There was a pause that was just a little too long for his comfort, then, “No,” Juleka’s eyes softened. “I think there’s someone else I’m interested in.” Luka relaxed a little at the dreamy look she aimed out the window.

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah,” Juleka walked past him, punching him in the arm. “Go for it, bro. Now, while you can, because I’ve seen her designs and in a few years she’s gonna be rich and famous and waaay out of your league.” She paused and glanced back at him. “Although you’d better upgrade your wardrobe if you’re going to date a fashion designer.”

“Oh, thanks, that’ll really help my confidence,” Luka snorted, looking down at himself in concern. It was true he mostly owned ripped jeans and band t-shirts and hoodies that were at least three years old. “Fuck,” he muttered with a sigh.

Juleka rolled her eyes as she picked up her purse and keys and opened the front door. “Don’t worry about it. Maybe it’s better she knows what a dork you are up front anyway. Be your weird-ass self, you’ll be fine.”

“Love you too, goth queen.”

“Later, pizza punk.”

Luka threw a balled up sheet of paper at her, but it just hit the door frame as Juleka slipped out.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 (end)

Check out the sequel!

Hey Gorgeous: Under Your Skin

#lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #hey gorgeous #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #fics #campus delivery boy luka #quickfic

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 23

Links to previous sections at the bottom.

Guy’s night was probably one of Luka’s least favorite traditions. Maybe it was because he’d lived so much of his life surrounded by women, but he just...tended to find he liked people a lot less after sitting through a guy’s night with them. The stuff guys were willing to say when girls weren’t around could be...ugh.

This group, though, this was okay, even if poker wasn’t exactly his game of choice. Tonight it was just his friends Evan and Miles, and Marinette’s longtime friend Nino who was also in the music program, and Nino’s friend Kim, who didn’t go to their school but lived nearby.

Luka was actually enjoying himself when his phone rang on the table.

“Oooh, that’s a forfeit if you answer,” Evan shook his finger at Luka. “No girlfriends on guy’s night.”

Luka rolled his eyes and slapped five Euros on the table. “Worth it,” he told Evan, as he picked up the call. “Hey babe, what’s up?”

“L-l-l--” She cut off in a choked noise.

Luka frowned. “Easy, babe, I’m here.” He shook his head slightly, brow furrowed as he tried to understand her. He glanced at Nino, who was giving him a concerned look. “Babe, I’m sorry, I can’t--I can’t understand you, I’m so sorry, can you...can you slow down or something?” He frowned. “Babe, are you crying? Listen, can you just tell me where you are? I’ll come to you, okay?”

“What’s wrong?” Kim demanded, and Luka shook his head, covering the speaker with his hand.

“I honestly can’t understand a word she’s saying, she’s never been this bad.” Over the phone he heard another voice talking to Marinette, but he couldn’t hear the words. After a moment there was a rustle. “Marinette?”

“It’s Juleka,” his sister answered. “Marinette’s at our place and obviously she’s really upset. Come home, I’ll try to calm her down and figure out what happened.”

“Okay,” he relaxed a little, knowing a Juleka would take care of her. “Thanks Jules, tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He hung up without waiting for an answer. “I need a ride,” he said to the room.

“I’ve got you,” Nino replied, standing up immediately. “I came in the van.”

“Thank you,” Luka said, reaching for his wallet to cash out hurriedly. Evan grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll figure it out. You too, Nino, we know you’re good for it. Go take care of your girl, Luka. Call me if you need anything.”

“Same,” said Kim immediately.

“Thanks, guys.” Luka flashed a quick grin as he tripped over his chair trying to get away from the table. Nino caught him and steadied him.

“Easy, you gotta stay calm, dude.” Nino snorted softly. “Never thought I’d be saying that to you.”

“I’ll be calm when we’re there and I know what’s going on,” Luka sighed as he grabbed his jacket. He and Nino hurried down the stairs and into Nino’s van.

“Sorry about the mess,” Nino said as Luka shoved aside fast food wrappers.

“Don’t worry about it,” Luka said absently, pulling out his phone to let Juleka know he was on his way. A few minutes into the ride, she called him back.

“There was an accident at the bakery and Marinette’s father was injured,” Juleka told him in her succinct way. “It’s not life threatening, but he’s in the hospital. Honestly from the texts she showed me it sounds like her mom has things under control, but I don’t think Marinette’s going to be okay until she sees him. I’ll have a bus schedule ready by the time you get here, do you want me to go ahead and book tickets and pack your bag?”

“Please,” Luka said in relief. “Just make sure we have enough time to get to the station, we’ll have to pack for Marinette too. See if you can get her roommate’s number and text it to me, I’ll call and ask her to pack for Marinette. How’s she doing?”

“Better, but not great. I’m doing my best.”

“Thanks, Jules. Really.”

“Don’t be stupid,” she huffed. “See you when you get here. I’ll let you know if anything happens.”

Luka hung up and relayed everything he’d been told to Nino.

“Aw, man,” Nino muttered. “Marinette’s usually great in a crisis but she’s really close to her family, and being here where she can’t do anything, that’s a recipe for a meltdown.”

“Yeah,” Luka fretted. “She’s really upset.” He glanced at Nino. “Any advice? You’ve known her longer.”

“It’ll help if you can give her something to do,” Nino replied after a moment of thought. “Marinette’s brain goes about thirty times the speed of everyone else’s, so you gotta give her something to do or she’ll get stuck in a loop and all that energy comes out in bad ways.”

“Got it,” Luka said, texting Juleka. “I know it’s a lot to ask, man, but can you hang around and run us back to Marinette’s dorm and then the bus station?”

“I’ll do anything you need,” Nino told him. “Marinette’s been my friend forever and I’ve known Tom and Sabine almost as long, so you can bet I’ll do anything you need. If I could I’d drive you myself, but I don’t think you’d get there any faster in this clunker.”

“This is more than enough,” Luka assured him, and then dialed his phone.

Anarka picked up on the first ring, voice concerned. “Luka, what’s going on?”

“I’m okay, Maman—”

“Ah, good.”

“—but I need help.”

“What can I do?” Anarka asked briskly.

Luka smiled.

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 17

The club was crowded, but Marinette found a table, and waited for Luka to find her. She wasn’t sure how he always managed to find her in a crowd, but within minutes he was beside her, oblivious to the jaws that dropped as he walked by in his tight jeans and the shirt she’d made for his birthday, perfectly fitted and artfully ripped, with his band logo loud and proud on the front. He looked fantastic in it and she wished she could upgrade his whole wardrobe. Luka might wax poetic about her beauty but he was a damn fine specimen himself in her opinion—an opinion that had been shared by several other girls she’d passed on her way into the club.

“I’m glad you made it,” Luka grinned, taking her hands as she got up to greet him. “I missed you, babe.” He kissed her cheek, and then her shoulder. “You know what these backless shirts do to me,” he sighed, slipping one hand around to stroke her bare back lightly.

“I know,” she said cheekily, leaning into him. She’d chosen the slim pants and glittery red halter top, and worn her hair up so her neck was exposed, expressly to make it as hard for him to keep his hands to himself as possible. They hadn’t been able to see each other much during the break and she was hungry for his touch. “How long until your set?”

“I only have a few minutes,” he said, regretfully, waving over a short, dark-haired man with a cheerful face. “I just wanted to introduce you to—Hey, Evan, this is Marinette. Marinette, Evan. He’s probably one of my oldest friends and the only one that always kept in touch no matter how often mom dragged us across the world.”

Evan set his beer on the table and offered his hand with a wink. “I'm here to embarrass him.”

“H-hello,” Marinette smiled, shaking his hand. “Nnnice to mmmeet you.”

“Likewise, Luka’s been talking about you nonstop. Here, I brought you a drink." He set a cocktail in front of Marinette but before she could say anything a hand closed over the top of the glass.

"Don't drink that," Luka said sharply, sliding it away from her. "Never drink anything you don't see made in front of you."

"Luka," Evan complained, "You're going to make her think I'm a creep."

Luka rolled his eyes, picked up the drink, and downed half of it. "I trust Evan with my life," he told her, putting the glass back down on the table with at thwack. "And Juleka's. And you still shouldn't drink anything you don't see made in front of you. And you—" He pointed at Evan warningly. "Have heard me give this speech to Jules enough times to know better."

"Yeah, yeah, I forgot," Evan sank down in a chair, pouting. "I was excited. We haven’t been able to hang out in ages and from the way you talk about her, I was pretty sure you were dating Wonder Woman.” He grinned. “She’s a little short for an Amazon though.”

Luka snorted and shoved him down into a chair. “Get used to it,” he told Marinette. “He only gets worse with time. If you need to kick his ass, don’t hold back on my account.”

“You’re such a good friend, Luka,” Evan laughed. “Supportive, caring—“

“Happy to call you on your bullshit,” Luka interjected with a grin. "Come on, Gorgeous.” He tilted his head toward the bar. "Evan can hold the table while we get you a drink. Victor doesn't know nearly as many embarrassing stories about me, anyway."

Giggling, Marinette followed him to the bar and let him buy her a fruity cocktail that was more juice than alcohol, just like she preferred. “Do me a favor, keep an eye out for my girl tonight?” Luka said as the bartender mixed the drink.

“Sure thing, Luka,” Victor said, sliding the glass across the bar to Marinette.

“I c-c-can t-take care of mmmyself,” she grumbled as she picked it up.

“I know,” Luka cupped her cheek. “I just feel better if I know Victor’s watching your drinks. He knows all the tricks. There’s a lot of people here tonight and I want you to be safe.”

He walked her back to the table, glanced around and then leaned close. “I know how you feel about public kissing but can we make an exception this once? I don’t like the way the sharks are circling,” he said low in her ear, eyeing a couple guys at the next table who were staring rather openly at her ass. “I know you can take care of yourself, but your dad’s only just warming up to me and I don’t want to explain to him why I had to bail you out of jail for breaking some jerk’s arm.” He grinned. “Not to mention I just really, really want to kiss you. You’re so beautiful, Marinette.” Marinette set her drink down and slid her hands up his chest and around his neck, and he swayed in place a little, eyes going half-lidded for a moment.

Marinette loved her effect on him. He put his hands on her hips and squeezed and she bit her lip. She loved his effect on her too. “It’s not going to be much of a rule if we keep making exceptions,” she teased, and then he hit her with those soft blue bedroom eyes. “But okay,” she finished, a little breathlessly, and he wasted no time bending to claim her mouth, both hands sliding up to her back, one going high enough to stroke the back of her neck the way she liked. Oh, she’d missed this so much. She tightened her arms around his neck, enjoying the gentle way he cradled her even as he passionately staked his claim. He made it easy for her to be bold because she always felt safe with him.

“Sorry for going all caveman,” he panted when they parted, “But hopefully that’ll make some of ‘em think twice. We’ll find somewhere private later and I’ll be more thorough, I promise.”

“Mmm,” Marinette said dreamily, cuddling up against his chest. “I don’t mmmind this once. I’m happy to send a message to all those g-girls I passed mmmaking plans to hit on the hot guitarist playing t-tonight.” She felt his laugh rumble in his chest and smiled.

Luka squeezed her close and then sighed, letting her go. “I have to go, Gorgeous, they’re going to want me on stage in a minute. And as much as I love the music we’re making, I do kinda have a commitment.”

“I kn-know,” she sighed, pulling a compact out of her purse to fix her lipstick.

“We’ll have a break halfway through our set, I’ll try to come find you—what—”

He cut off in a small whimper as Marinette, a fresh coat of red on her lips, rose up on her toes and caught his collar. She moved it aside and laid a kiss just below his collarbone, leaving a red lip print behind. She let his shirt settle back into place to cover the mark.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “You’re killing me, Gorgeous.”

“Just mmmaking sure you don’t forget to who’s w-waiting for you.” Marinette winked.

“Babe,” he said tenderly, all the teasing gone out of his voice. “I would never. You know that, right?”

Marinette smiled as he kissed her temple. “You b-better go, J-j-juleka’s glaring,” Marinette said, giving him a little push, though she really just wanted him to fold her up in his arms and kiss her all night.

“Right,” he sighed. He kissed her forehead. “Don’t believe anything Evan says about me.” He turned to elbow his way through the crowd to where Juleka was waiting for him. Marinette giggled when Juleka grabbed his arm to keep him from going on the stage, and wiped his face roughly with her sleeve before she let him go up the stairs.

Then his words sunk in and she whirled to see Evan grinning at her over the rim of his beer, clearly having seen the whole display, and she turned as red as her shirt as she slid back into her chair.

“Well,” Evan chuckled, “That explains the constant shit-eating grin he’s had lately.”

@thethirdwheelfriend @mystery-5-5

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #fics #ml fics #lukanette fics #quickspins

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quickspinner · 4 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 28

Luka thanked the server for his coffee. As soon as they turned away, he dropped his smile and gave the grey-haired dragon disguised as a woman who sat across from him a dark look. “This is a pointless meeting, Toni, you know what I’m going to say.”

“So say it, so we can get on with arguing about it,” his agent sighed, leaning back with her own espresso-laden abomination.

“I’m not taking a gig that far away.”

“Luka,” Toni sighed, rolling her eyes behind the rims of her cats-eye glasses. “I’ve known you almost your whole life—”

“Why do you always bring that up?” he wondered, sipping his (overpriced, but Toni was paying) coffee.

“—And I have never in all that time seen you act so much like your mother,” Toni finished. “What gives? Don’t you think you should at least discuss it with this girlfriend of yours before you go turning down perfectly good opportunities?”

Luka raised his eyebrows. “What makes you think I haven’t?”

Toni raised hers right back. “Anarka says she’s fiery and ambitious. What do you think she’s going to say when she finds out you’ve been sandbagging your own career to stay close to her?”

“I’m not,” Luka protested. “I’m not lacking for work. You’ve got me booked out for months after graduation, and you’re negotiating with Jagged Stone to buy two of my songs—thanks to Marinette, may I point out. And she may be ambitious, but I’m not. I don’t need to be famous, I just want to make music, I don’t even care what kind or for whom, within reason. What I don’t want is a life where we’re constantly pulled apart from each other. You want me to play a few days out of town here and there, that’s one thing, but this?” He lifted the stack of paper from the table and let it slap back down. “That’s months, Toni, and I’m not doing it.”

For a moment Toni just looked at him, drumming her fingernails on the table. “Rings cost money, Luka.”

Luka blushed hotly. “I know that.”

“It costs money to support a family.”

“Yeah, that one you definitely don’t have to tell me,” Luka muttered, staring into his coffee. “I’m not doing badly, though. I mean, yeah, I could be making more if I did more of these jobs, but it’s enough, for right now.”

“Right now isn’t the problem,” Toni told him briskly. “But you’re supposed to be building the foundation for the rest of your career, not keeping yourself in a holding pattern, getting a reputation for being picky about jobs just like your mother, while you wait for your girlfriend to graduate. And just what’s going to happen then, anyway, hmm?”

“Come on, Toni,” Luka sighed, putting his face in his hands. “Are we really doing this?”

“Yes,” Toni replied, taking off her glasses and leaning forward. “I’m saying this not as your agent but as someone who used to change your diapers—you need to talk to your girl about these decisions you’re making.”

Luka gave her a lopsided smile. “Did you seriously just Clark Kent me, Aunt Toni?”

“Luka,” she warned.

“Yeah, I know, I know,” Luka sighed, turning his cup on the table. “But I like being here where I can support her. You have no idea how much stress they put her under, Toni—how much stress she puts herself under. I just, I don’t want to leave, not for that long, and I don’t want to be tied down to a band or a gig schedule that’s going to have me hopping all over Europe alone. At the same time, she’s still in school and I don’t want her to feel like I’m pressuring her or smothering her. We’ve—we’ve never really talked about the future in so many words but I know she’s got plans, it’s who she is. I don’t want to stop her from doing anything she wants to do. Even if I do convince her that this is really what I want, she’s got this stack of information on internships and some of them are in other countries and I don’t want her to feel like she has to decline anything to stay with me either, just because that was my choice, and—”

Toni rapped her knuckles on the table sharply, bringing him out of his spiral. “Talk. To. Her. Honestly, Luka, how you can manage to be so like your mother and so different at the same time is really mind-boggling.”

“How am I being like my mom?” Luka demanded, scowling. “If I were like her I’d just leave a note and disappear for three months.”

“You’re like her,” Toni said, pointing a finger at him accusingly, “Because you’re deciding what you want by yourself without any discussion or input from anyone else, even the people who should be involved in this kind of decision-making. And you’re different because you’re doing it in the most self-sacrificing way possible instead of the most self-serving.”

“Harsh, Aunt Toni,” he muttered.

“That’s why you both love me. I’m not afraid to call either of you out on your bullshit.” She smiled, softening just slightly, and reached over and patted his cheek. “I’m glad you’re happy, Luka. I can see this girl makes you happy. So don’t fuck it up over something so simple as not talking to her. Besides, she may see another angle that we haven’t considered. Don’t forget, too, if she’s already designing for Jagged Stone, the industry contacts you make will benefit her too. You can be her in with up and coming bands, and that could give her a big boost.”

Luka nodded slowly. “I’ll admit I hadn’t really considered that.”

Toni snatched the stack of unsigned contract papers up from the table and whacked him over the head with it. “That’s because you don’t actually know everything, smartass.”

Luka grinned as he covered his head with his arms. “Yes, Aunt Toni.”

“Now,” huffed Toni, “Now that you’ve actually told me no, I’m going to get on the phone with these guys and see if maybe we can work in a few appearances without committing to the whole set they asked for. You better keep your skills sharp, kid, because if you weren’t as good as you are, I’d be able to negotiate a lot fewer accommodations for your weird quirks.”

“Right.” Luka stood and hugged her as she got to her feet. “Thanks for everything, Aunt Toni. Even the advice.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t get all mushy on me, I know what a softy you are,” Toni said, sliding her glasses back on. “I expect to meet this girl sometime.”

“I’d like that,” Luka smiled. “I think you’d get along.”

“Please,” Toni snorted, grabbing her bag. “I get along with everybody.” She winked at him.

“Safe travels, Toni.”

Luka sat back down at the table to finish his overpriced coffee and sighed. He knew Toni was right, he knew he needed to talk to Marinette about where they were going from here, especially with graduation hovering right around the corner for him. It shouldn’t have been complicated, she couldn’t possibly doubt that he loved her and wanted a future with her, as frankly stupid as he got around her even though they’d been dating for a couple years now. Even if you didn’t count the absolutely insane things he said when they were in bed, he poured out his affection on a daily basis. He just...didn’t know how to bring it up without sounding like he was pushing for more than she might be ready for. Luka might be graduating but Marinette still had two years to go, and the last thing he wanted was to hold her back or distract her.

Luka sighed, and finished the last of his coffee. Things were so good right now, he just hated to rock the boat.

@thethirdwheelfriend @mystery-5-5 @nataladriana9

#quickspins #hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #ml fics #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 10

Luka contemplated whether he would look desperate or overeager for about a quarter of a second, and then texted her. Hey Gorgeous. Busy right now?

Just out for a run, why?

My class was cancelled and I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch, but I’ll take a rain check if you’re busy. He held his breath as he waited for the reply.

No, I’m free. Where?

“Yes!” Luka grinned broadly and sent her the information for a nearby cafe.

She sent back Be there in fifteen minutes.

Luka got there in ten and texted her just to let her know he’d arrived. A few minutes later his phone buzzed.

Almost there. Coming down Reed St now.

That was where he was standing. Luka looked around, and then frowned. I don’t see you, he texted, and then scanned the street again. His phone vibrated against his palm.

The message just said Look up.

Confused, Luka raised his eyes, and then dropped his jaw as he saw a small figure running along the edge of a building. A moment later she had flipped over the building edge and bounced down the wall, catching windowsills and pipes and Luka couldn’t even tell what all in her descent to the ground. She flipped off the wall at the bottom to land with a flourish, and then jogged up to him. “Hi,” she panted, shoving her bangs out of her face.

The sound that came out of Luka’s mouth could in no way be considered a word.

Marinette’s breathless laugh did nothing to help his composure. Her windblown hair was tied back in pigtails, she was wearing loose pants and a windbreaker open over a tank top and sports bra, and she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She bit her lip and tilted her head, looking up at him. “L-luka? Should w-we go in?”

“Yeah,” he said absently, stepping aside to let her go by. “After you.”

By the time they were seated at a table in the café, his dazed state had clearly begun to worry Marinette. “Sssorry,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. “I didn’t mean to mmmake it w-w-weird.”

“Weird is not the word I would use,” Luka said faintly. “I’m trying to come up with something that wouldn’t be wildly inappropriate or blatantly disrespectful, but the best I can do is God that was hot.” He groaned and put his face down on the table. “I’m so sorry,” he mumbled.

Marinette blushed and let out a nervous giggle. “R-really?”

“That can’t be the first time you’ve heard that,” Luka said, lifting his head and finally focusing on her.

Marinette shrugged one beautiful shoulder and he tried not to stare. “It is.”

Luka’s eyebrows raised. “Seriously?”

She blushed a little brighter and nodded, and then shyly took off her jacket, revealing her arms. They were toned and lean and Luka’s mouth suddenly felt very dry. “I’m n-not exactly the d-delicate t-t-type I guess. I d-didn’t th-think...I’ve h-heard guys don’t like g-girls with mmmuscles.”

“Not the—my mom was right, guys today are so stupid,” Luka muttered, putting his face in one hand. “Makes me glad Juleka’s into girls.” He looked up at her through his fingers. “How could anybody not—For the record, both Couffaine siblings think girls with muscles are really attractive. And yours are…” He blew out a slow breath. “Really nice.”

“Wwwell, th-th-thank you,” Marinette said at last, picking up her water. He paid way more attention than he should have to the straw sliding between her lips. She cleared her throat as she set it down and said to the table, “Y-y-yours are n-nice too.” Luka blinked, trying to recall how she could know that. Her eyes flicked up at him. “Th-th-that fffirst d-day. When it w-w-was ssso h-h-hot. Your shirt wwwas, um, white and you were p-pretty...hot.”

Drenched in sweat, she meant. Luka coughed, feeling his own blush rising. “Oh. Right.” He ran a self-conscious hand through his hair. “I grew up on a houseboat, so between working on that, and time on the bike—” An awkward pause fell.

“Ssso,” Marinette said, picking up her menu. “F-f-food?”

“Hell yes,” Luka sighed, picking up his menu.

They managed to behave almost normally from there, until they had finished eating and walked outside and Marinette was standing with her hands on her hips, staring at the wall of the building, clearly planning her route up it.

"Hey Gorgeous," he said quickly, and she turned back around. "Be my girlfriend?"

She smiled and walked over to him, putting her arms around his neck. "I'd l-l-like th-that."

"I'd love it if you'd come over tonight and let me put my hands all over you," he told her, nuzzling her cheek. "If you don't have other plans."

Marinette giggled. "W-we'll sssee." She pecked his lips, then pushed him away and turned to take a running leap at the wall. In seconds she was up over the roof of the building and out of sight.

"She's really gonna kill me," Luka sighed, staring after her.

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #lukanette #campus delivery boy luka #i am lukanette trash i admit it #miraculousladybug #miraculous ladybug #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #quickspins

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous 3

Sequel: Hey Gorgeous: Under Your Skin

Now on AO3

Apparently they did decide to make it a regular thing, because the next few weeks saw Luka parking his bike in front of the steps every Friday with a broad grin and a variety of delivery orders.

Gorgeous was always waiting for him, which gave him a happy little flutter. He appreciated her consideration (being kept waiting was one of his few real frustrations with his job), and tried not to read too much into the fact that she always came down to get the meal herself, even though he knew she was ordering for a group.

They never had time to talk for long, but he never missed a chance to compliment her and—

Okay, so he was flirting with her every chance he got.

There was nothing wrong with a little flirting on the job. He had coworkers who did it all the time in hopes of bigger tips. Luka had never been able to flirt when he didn’t mean it and felt gross flirting for money (also it seemed like a really good way to pick up a stalker), but when it came to Gorgeous, he definitely both flirted and meant it. She always ordered online and paid ahead including the tip anyway. Luka supposed he could have checked the credit card receipt for her name, but he’d have felt weird about it. He really ought to just ask her since he saw her all the time anyway. He could do that, right, since she was a regular?

Luka had kept an eye out for her at all the campus hangouts, but he didn’t know if it was good luck or bad that he never ran into her. On the one hand, he really wanted to. He’d love the chance to have a real conversation with her, touch her hand, make her laugh and blush, kiss those perfect lips, take her home and see just how strong those legs would be wrapped around him—

Down, boy.

On the other hand, his little crush might really get out of hand if she was as sweet and funny and creative as he inferred her to be from their short conversations, and Luka’s impressions of people weren’t often wrong. The little collection of facts he’d picked up over time told him he could be in deep if he wasn’t careful.

He knew she drew. More than once she’d been sketching when he arrived, and he’d gotten a glimpse of her work as she dropped the book on top of the pizza boxes before she took them. Not enough to know what she was into, just glimpses of figures in colorful clothes, but enough to see she was good. Luka knew she struggled with a stutter that got worse when she was tired or anxious and nearly disappeared when she was happy. She had to be some sort of athlete; she’d tripped into him once and what he’d felt under his hands when he caught her was not the kind of body you got by a casual workout here and there. He knew from her clothes that she loved pink and flowers. He knew she had good taste in music and that she was absolutely adorable when she bobbed her head and sang along. (He’d maybe stood there an extra minute watching her before she noticed him and nearly fell down the steps.)

He knew when he looked at her that his eyes got soft and his smile got warm and his heartbeat picked up in a way that had nothing to do with the bike ride.

Yeah, so he was smitten. He didn’t care, it was harmless. Just something pleasant to daydream about while he rode through the campus.

Sequel: Hey Gorgeous: Under Your Skin

Now on AO3

#lukanette #campus delivery boy Luka #hey gorgeous #luka couffaine #marinette-dupain cheng #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #quickspins

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quickspinner · 5 years

Text

Hey Gorgeous - Under Your Skin 3

It felt like tradition, waiting for him on the stairs.

Except when he arrived he was on foot, and he looked...really good. Not fancy at all, but his laid-back look suited him, and it was miles better than his work clothes. Marinette’s knees turned to jelly when he looked up at her and smiled a genuine, slow smile. “Hey Gorgeous,” he said, and it sounded different, warmer or softer or just...more. “Ready to go?”

Marinette smiled and stood up, and Luka’s smile got broader as she came down the steps toward him. He held his hands out as she reached him and, blushing, she put her hands in his.

“You’re a vision,” he said in that warm voice of his, and she ducked her head a little. She wasn’t that dressed up either, in jeans and the lace edging of her camisole peeking out of her pink pullover. But the admiration in his face was so genuine she couldn’t scold him. “I like your hair,” he added, glancing up at her twin buns. “Cute.”

“Th-thanks,” she smiled. “I like yours too, n-now that I can sssee it.” She dared to reach up and play with a blue strand near his temple. “You l-look nice.” She let her hand brush his shoulder lightly as it fell and saw him swallow.

“Well I didn’t have to do much to improve on the usual,” Luka chuckled. “You haven’t exactly been seeing me at my best.”

“Y-yet, h-h-here I am,” she pointed out shyly, and there were those eyes she told Alya about.

“Yes you are,” was all he said, but the way he said it, like he almost couldn’t believe it himself, was enough to stir up the butterflies in her stomach. He offered her his arm.

Marinette put her hand in the crook of his elbow and let him guide her to the sidewalk.

“So—“ Luka began, but Marinette held up a hand. “What do you—“

“Oh n-no,” Marinette said, raising up a hand. “Wwwe t-talked all about mme last t-time. I want to know about y-you.”

“Oh,” Luka said, looking taken aback. “Oh, sure. Ah…”

“Y-you sssaid you had a sssister,” Marinette prompted. “Wwwhat about the r-rest of your family?”

“Oh, it’s just me, Jules--Juleka, my sister, I mean, and my mom. Actually apparently you’ve met Juleka. She said she modeled for a runway show you were working on.” Luka pulled out his phone and showed her the lock screen picture of he and Juleka together. “That’s her.”

“Oh, I r-remember,” Marinette said with surprise, taking the phone to look closer. “She had sssuch an interesting l-look. R-really n-nice eyes.” She handed it back to him. “Mmmust r-run in the ffamily.” It amused her to see him blush at such a small compliment after all the lines he’d handed her over the past few months.

“She’s beautiful, I know,” he deflected, pride evident in his tone. “A little short on confidence sometimes, but she’s working on that and she’s come so far. She has too much fun roasting her big brother though. We’re only a couple of years apart but she’s always been the baby to me.” He unlocked the phone and pulled up another photo. “That’s my mom.”

“Oh,” Marinette took the phone from him again. “Wow, she’s got ssstyle. She’s the kind of p-person I would ssssit down and draw if I saw her on the sstreet.” Realizing she had just snatched his phone away, she handed it back to him, blushing. “Sssorry.”

“Don’t be,” he smiled, taking the phone back and slipping it back into his pocket. “I like seeing you excited. But yeah, my mom’s kind of an interesting person. Not the easiest person to have for a mom in some ways, but she’s definitely got personality.”

Marinette giggled. “Seems like that runs in the fffamily too.”

Luka grinned at her and winked. They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

“So since I’m not allowed to ask any more questions,” he teased, “what else do you want to know?”

“What else d-do you think I shhhould know?” she countered with a playful sideways look. “What makes L-luka--” she paused. “I d-don’t know your last n-name,” she realized.

Luka chuckled. “It’s Couffaine. Although it’s made up anyway, my mom changed her whole name when she left home. If there was a goddess of rebellious teenagers, it’d be Anarka Couffaine.”

Marinette giggled. “L-luka C-c-couffaine,” she repeated thoughtfully. “Mine’s D-dupain-Cheng.”

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” he repeated likewise. “Well, maybe it’s a little belated, but—I’m very glad to meet you.”

She squeezed his arm where she held it. “Mmme too. Sso what m-makes L-Luka C-couffaine t-tick?”

“Besides your eyes?” he grinned at her. “Music, mostly. My mother’s a musician and she had a guitar in my hands before I could walk. I’ve always expressed myself better with music than words.”

“Th-th-that surprises me,” Marinette giggled. “Y-you nnnever seem at a loss for w-words.”

“Oh, Gorgeous, it comes so easy when I’m with you,” he sighed, putting one hand to his chest dramatically, and then he dropped it and smiled at her. “Partly because have a week to think about it. And it makes you smile. I get the feeling maybe not enough people have been telling you how amazing you are, so I’m happy to pick up the slack.” He shook his head. “That day with the black dress, though. I think I forgot my own name for a minute.”

Marinette blushed. “Ssso w-w-what k-kind of mmmusic?”

“Listening or playing? I mean, all kinds, really,” Luka shrugged. “I’ll listen to almost anything, and I’ll play anything that catches my ear. I have a soft spot for folk music from all kinds of different places. I always seem to gravitate back to rock though. I play a few different instruments, including just about every kind of guitar there is, but the electric guitar speaks to me the most. I’ve been playing in bands since I was oh, about twelve or thirteen? Been writing music as long as I can remember.”

“Y-y-you write mmusic?” Marinette gasped, impressed. “Th-th-that’s sssoo c-cool.”

Luka nudged her with a grin. “You don’t even know if I’m any good.”

“Are you?”

Luka coughed, turning a little pink. “Maybe. Some people think so.”

“Mmmhmm,” Marinette quirked an eyebrow at him.

“Including the school scholarship committee,” he admitted, lifting his free hand to rub the back of his neck.

“I d-didn’t expect f-false mmodesty from you,” she teased.

“I don’t like to brag,” he said, looking uncomfortable. “I don’t want to jinx anything. Some days I still can’t believe anyone thinks my work is worth listening too. Sometimes I feel like if I tell the wrong person, they’ll realize I don’t actually have any talent and it’ll all come crumbling down.”

“I c-can relate,” Marinette sighed. “Mmmy b-best ffriend is always h-harping on mmme not to d-downplay mmmy accomplishments.” She bit her lip and admitted, “I’ve designed for Jagged St-st-stone.”

Luka stopped in his tracks. “Seriously?”

Marinette’s cheeks warmed and she wished she hadn’t said anything. But she had, so… “Yeah. Just a c-couple of s-small things.” He was still staring at her and for some reason she felt compelled to add, “And an album c-cover.”

“No way, which one?” Luka demanded. “I have all his albums.”

“R-rock Giant.”

“The one with the sticker? Man that was so fresh and original.” Luka cleared his throat. “I um...I sold one of my compositions to a producer friend of mine. It ended up being the base melody for one of Clara Nightingale’s singles.”

“W-wow, that’s amazing!”

They exchanged a look of mingled embarrassment and admiration, and Marinette laughed. “W-w-we’re a p-pair, aren’t w-w-we.”

“I’d sure as hell like to be,” Luka said fervently, and then he bit his lip and his expression clearly showed he hadn’t meant to say that.

Marinette knew her face was red, but she just bumped him lightly with her hip. “I th-think that’s a c-c-conversation that should wait a few mmmore dates.”

“Right. Sorry. Speaking of which--I was kind of hoping if things go okay tonight, maybe you’d like to come see my band play this weekend? You don’t have to answer now, just...think about it?”

“I w-will,” she smiled up at him. “I’d l-like to c-come if I c-can.”

Luka beamed back at her, and they started walking again.

#hey gorgeous #hey gorgeous 2 #campus delivery boy luka #lukanette #i am lukanette trash i admit it #luka couffaine #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #marinette dupain-cheng #quickspins

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