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trixxiephantomhive · 1 year

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LBSC Secret Santa Sprint Fic Challenge 2022

for: @inkmousey

Chapter 1 summary: Luka finally beats Marinette in Ultimate Mecha Strike III!

-but she starts crying.

Chapter 2: Marinette isn't the best at iceskating

It was a peaceful Christmas day, snow was falling, and the smell of breakfast floated through the house. But, best of all, Luka had come over that morning to give Marinette her gift, and Tom insisted he stayed for Christmas dinner. Luka, fully knowing his Ma would just be heating up frozen turkey dinners in the boat’s microwave, decided to stay.

So they all just watched movies, ate lots of sweets, and opened presents.

And, there were a lot of presents. Marinette made her dad a new hat, a mug, and a book cover for his favorite recipe book. She also made her mom a new apron, bought her a paintable plant pot, a new book, and a banner to display in her art classes. She also made Luka a treasure trove of hoodies and beanies to keep him warm.

Eventually, everything was opened and Tom made his way into the kitchen to cook a massive meal. And, soon enough came the delicious smells and the faint jingles of bells strewn around in the tinsel, wrapping the walls, and there were ornaments on the tree. The holiday spirit was strong

While waiting for dinner to be ready, Luka and Marinette sat on the couch to play some Ultimate Mecha Strike III, Luka prepared himself to play, fully expecting to lose. But Marinette –who may have been a little tipsy from the spiked eggnog Luka bought for her parents– was off her game. With a lot of fight on his side, he won for the first time ever against her. He laughed and looked over with a smile, but that smile was quickly wiped off his face when she looked back with tears in her eyes.

He scooted closer to her. “Marinette?” He asked, “What’s the matter?”

“You won? I never lose!” She started sniffling as tears rolled down her cheeks, she rubbed them away and it made her face red.

“Woah, woah! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry!” Luka gasped and tried to give her a hug, but she grumpily pushed him back and hiccuped. “No, bad Luka!”

He scooted back and looked at her,“I didn’t mean to… I ruined your Christmas!” He wails softly, he knew Marinette occasionally had a fragile disposition, he felt horrible about shattering it

Marinette stared at him as her eyes went wide. She shook her head as she jumped closer to him, “You did not! I just didn’t expect to lose!”

“Are you sure?” Luka asked, and Marinette nodded, “You didn’t ruin Christmas, I promise,”

Luka smiled and chuckled a bit, hugging Marinette finally. She moved her head to look up at him and smirked. “You don’t have to worry, Luka, that was only the third round. We’ve got at least seven more to go.”

Luka laughed and held Marinette even tighter, “You’re on, darning.”

(part two under the line)

A few days after Christmas, Luka and Marinette decided it was the perfect time to try another ice skating date, except that this time it would be just the two of them.

They met up down the street from the Liberty since Marinette was already out that way. The couple then began their walk to the rink, the sound of Juleka’s electric bass cranked up all the way followed behind them like wind at their feet.

Luka stared at the cold snow as they walked with mild hatred for it. After years of being the snake hero, his ability to withstand the cold had become whittled down to almost nothing, so he could never be more thankful to Marinette for making him a mountain of sweaters for Christmas. They arrived at the ice rink and began to set up, Luka pulled out a pair of well-loved skates, covered in stickers like almost everything else he owned. Marinette, on the other hand, had to go rent herself a pair. She never particularly got the chance to skate. After getting the skates on, Marinette tried to stand, and instantly started wobbling. Within a second, Luka was by her side helping her into the rink. She smiled and took his hand, the scent of cold ice mixing with Luka’s minty smell put her at ease.

Luka started to lead Marinette forward, and for a moment, she seemed to have no issues, so as he let go of her hand to fix his pink, handmade beanie, all seemed fine. That is, until Marinette snapped back to reality and started to fall backwards, her arms flailing wildly. Luka bent down to check on her after she fell onto the ice, “Marinette, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just fell.. I’m used to falling,” Marinette laughed it off, and with Luka’s help managed to get back up.

They skate a tiny bit more, with Luka carefully holding Marinette’s hand while she tried to figure out what she’s doing.

“Oh, I’m being no fun,” Marinette pouted, “Go ahead and skate around a bit, I can’t figure out what I’m doing,”

“No way, Marinette,” Luka looked at her comfortingly, “You just need to learn, I don’t mind showing you. I didn’t come out today just to skate. I wanted to spend time with you.”

“Luka, that’s so sweet.” Marinette took Luka’s arm and they began to go around the rink at a steady pace, Marinette growing more comfortable, and Luka just enjoyed the time he got to spend with his always busy girlfriend.

After a while, Marinette wanted to try skating again without needing to hold something, so she carefully let go of Luka and pushed off, all went well for a few seconds. But then she started to stumble, unable to catch herself to regain stability

Luka skated up closer to her, but allowed her to continue to try and do it on her own, only until it seemed she was about to fall, and when she did, he caught her and lifted her up into his arms. He skated around, carrying her bridal style. They both laughed and smiled until it was time to leave.

#luka miraculous #marinette dupen chang #miraculous ladybug #lukanette endgame #pro lukamari #fluff #cute christmas #Love-bugs-and-snake-charmers #lbsc secret santa

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haphira · 4 months

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Multimouse and Viperion watching the city at night.

LBSC Secret Santa Exchange 2023

For: Inkmousey

#lukanette #miraculous ladybug #miraculous fandom #pro lukamari #pro lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #miraculous fanworks #multimouse #viperion #vipermouse #lbsc secret santa exchange 2023

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lovebugs-and-snakecharmers · 4 months

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Sprint Secret Santa 2023 Works

From @asadweeghostie for @rierse: we see things they'll never see

From @blueberry-macaron for @writer-rider-dirty-thirties: Feliz navi dad

From @chocolatedragonempathfire for @sfigatino: Drink for Marinette!

From @haphira for @inkmousey: Multimouse and Viperion watching the city at night (art)

From @inkmousey for Misty Shadow: Santa's Daughter and Jack Frost's Son (art)

From @karin848 for @haphira: Marinette goes to the Halloween Party as Viperion (art)

From @nerdypanda3126 for @omnoramayday: I'll Keep You Warm

From @omnoramayday for @chocolatedragonempathfire: Mistletoe Matchmaker

From @poetic-mordem for @asadweeghostie: I'll Give You An Arm of Cosmos Flowers (Flowerbeds Everywhere My Heart)

From @quickspinner for @verfound: Substitute Santa

From @rierse for @blueberry-macaron: Silver and Gold (art and fic)

From @sfigatino for @quickspinner: Roller Derby Marinette (art)

From @verfound for @nerdypanda3126: Of Goodnight Kisses, Late Night I Love Yous, and Karaoke Meet Cutes

From @writer-rider-dirty-thirties for @karin848: A Burden for Love

From Misty Shadow for @poetic-mordem: Lukanette art

#event: sprint secret santa 2023 #lbsc sprint works compilation #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #pro lukamari

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nerdypanda3126 · 4 months

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I'll Keep You Warm

Merry Christmas @omnoramayday! I'm your @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Santa 😁🎅

I used the prompt you provided of: "Playing in the snow when Luka tackles Marinette/Marinette trips into Luka and they fall to the ground. They have pink cheeks and snow in their hair and they're staring at each other." which was so incredibly cute and I knew I had to use that one. Hope you like it!

Read on Ao3

Marinette shivered and clutched her backpack tighter as she exited Collège Françoise Dupont. It had seemed beautiful and sunny out all day, but during her last class a chill had crept in and a biting wind had picked up. She was thankful she’d at least worn a sweater that day, but she was still planning on speed walking most of the way home.

That is, until she saw a familiar mop of blue-tinted hair leaning against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Juleka, and she couldn’t help her smile as she bounded down to greet him. Luka always made her feel warmer, for some reason. He’d been showing up more and more to meet Juleka after school and walk home with her, but Marinette was still excited to see him every time.

“Luka!” she exclaimed breathlessly when she’d made it to the bottom. He turned and smiled when he saw her, which made her cheeks flush with welcome heat. His smile twitched downwards, though, when he scanned over her outfit.

“Why don’t you have a jacket?” he asked, with concern coloring his tone. “It’s freezing out here and it smells like snow.”

She stopped to look at him curiously. “It smells like snow?”

He only nodded, and before she could protest, he’d pulled off his own jacket and draped it around her shoulders. For good measure, he fluffed the hood out and tucked it around her neck. She didn’t know what snow smelled like, but at the moment she didn’t really care because Luka’s jacket smelled just like him and her face felt like it was about to spontaneously combust. His hand drew across her cheek as he pulled away, and he had a soft little smile on his face as he admired his handiwork.

“You can’t possibly smell snow,” she tried to recover, lamely, as she shoved her hands through the sleeves, accepting his gift.

He hummed in thought and looked up at the clear sky, with just a few wisps of gray clouds starting to gather. “It’s like rain,” he mused aloud, “like that same smell, but crisper and colder.”

“Don’t argue with him,” Juleka muttered as she appeared beside Marinette. It made Marinette jump a little, but she was starting to get used to Juleka’s quiet way of walking up. “Just bring gloves to practice today.”

“And a hat, at least,” Luka added. As the two of them started to walk away, Marinette went to take his jacket off to return it to him, but he waved her off. “See you later,” he reminded her.

It was only after they left that Marinette felt the cold creeping in again, but as she pulled Luka’s jacket tighter around herself, she remembered the feeling of the back of his fingers lightly trailing along her cheek, and her whole walk home was very, very warm.

***

By the time Kitty Section practice came around, they were forced to meet down in the hold because the temperature had definitely dipped below freezing. Marinette rubbed her hands together for what felt like the thousandth time and thanked Juleka silently for her recommendation to wear gloves. The boat was cold in most circumstances, let alone with the temperature dropping so rapidly. She was missing Luka’s jacket, though, which she’d given back as soon as she stepped on deck. Luka tried to tell her to keep it for practice, but she insisted she’d forget to give it back if she didn’t get it back to him right away.

Although since she’d worn his jacket there, she was now shivering in just her sweater again and the only “gloves” she’d had on hand at the time were a pair of mittens, which made it extraordinarily difficult to sketch. Every so often she’d get too frustrated and rip them off, only to deal with the consequences of freezing, trembling fingers until she was forced to put them back on.

It was slow going.

On one of those instances, Luka unslung his guitar, unofficially announcing a break, and he came over to sit by her. Without saying anything, he took her frozen hands between his and gently blew warm air on her fingertips.

“How’s the sketch going?” he asked.

She glared at the patchy, faint, unrealized lines on the pages of her sketchbook. It wasn’t exactly the book’s fault that she was feeling so inspired and couldn’t get anything to work, but she still felt like blaming the paper would somehow help.

“It’s not, really,” she admitted. She couldn’t help her frustrated little huff. “If it just snowed, I wouldn’t mind it being so cold.”

He chuckled. “It will,” he said calmly, and blew on her fingers again. She wiggled them to see if any feeling was coming back. No such luck. They were still stiff and a little numb.

She couldn’t help her skepticism. “Because you can smell it?”

He only hummed to confirm, but since her fingertips were so close to his lips, she could feel the vibration and it made her shiver.

“Not helping?” he asked.

Before she could protest, he pulled away, but in the next second his jacket was back around her shoulders and any kind of protest died on her lips. What came out of her instead was, “Won’t you be cold?”

He shook his head, then smiled at her, the same way he had earlier, like he liked seeing his jacket tucked around her, and she felt what was becoming a familiar flush of heat creep its way up to her cheeks.

“I’m always warm around you, Marinette,” he admitted quietly.

She opened and closed her mouth several times, but nothing came out in response. Luka looked over his shoulder and said something to Juleka, gave Marinette one more soft smile, then went back to playing like he hadn’t just made her heart start pounding in her ears and left butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

She gave up on sketching anything useful for the rest of the time and instead let her hands wander over the page aimlessly as she tried to get her mind to focus on words. She wished she could disappear somewhere and talk through what just happened with Tikki, but the only place to go was above deck, which would take her further away from Luka and out into the bitter cold, and those were the last places she wanted to be.

“You make me feel warm, too,” wasn’t right, but neither was an outright, “I love you.” She bit her lip as she thought. He made this seem so easy, every time he did it, and she couldn’t even tell him how much she loved that he’d given her his jacket, not once, but twice today just to make sure she stayed warm. Or that his words made her feel warmer than his jacket ever could. Or that she wished she could just always be around him because then she felt like she’d never be cold again.

Practice was over all too soon, and she still didn’t know what to say to him. As a group, they trudged back up the stairs, arguing about chords and lyrics, complaining that they had to walk home in the cold, and already shivering as the wind started nipping at their noses.

But when they got on deck, they all stopped to gasp.

Little bits of white fluff were gently cascading down from the sky, coating the deck in what looked like white, sparkling icing.

Marinette turned to Luka, shocked, and he was just smiling back at her, knowing he’d been proven right but not feeling the need to rub it in. She turned back to watch the snow fall, wrapped his jacket tighter around herself, and tugged the sleeves down over her mittens, flipping the hood up for good measure over the hat he’d warned her to bring.

Rose was the first one to break the silence they’d fallen into when she squealed with delight and grabbed Juleka’s hands to spin her around the deck. Ivan stood stoically nearby, but Marinette had a feeling he was wishing Mylène was there so he could wrap an arm around her.

To her surprise, a familiar warm hand closed around hers. She blushed up at Luka and he was still smiling at her in that same, soft way. He gestured with his head to the deck as if asking her to join in. With another glance upwards at the glittery falling snow, and then at Rose and Juleka laughing as they danced in it, she smiled back at Luka and nodded.

Although she’d unfortunately forgotten to factor in how incredibly clumsy she was.

As soon as she took an enthusiastic step forwards to follow Luka, her foot slipped out from under her and she gripped Luka’s hand even harder as she flailed to try to keep her balance, which only ended up yanking him down with her in a completely ungraceful tangle of arms and legs and a little puff of white snow as they hit the deck together.

Luka had somehow managed to twist underneath her, softening the blow for her, but that meant…

She was nose to nose with him, with his arm around her and her hand on his chest and there were snowflakes melting in his hair and dusting his eyelashes and his cheeks were pink from the cold and in that moment, she swore he looked like some kind of angel.

She let the feeling carry her forwards to close the last little bit of distance between them, pressing her lips to his shyly in what could’ve been mistaken for a stray snowflake, it was so light and tentative.

Luka didn’t miss it, though. His eyes widened and his arm around her tightened as he returned the gesture, the lightest of touches of his warm lips against hers. It made her feel braver than her Ladybug suit ever did, and she dared to try it again, more firm, more sure, trying to tell him everything she hadn’t been able to figure out how to say.

His other arm wrapped around her waist as he held her there, kissing her back on the snow-encrusted deck of the Liberty as more snow kept falling on them.

She’d hardly noticed she was shivering, but then, Luka was, too. It forced them apart and as they got to their feet, they both seemed to remember at the same time that they hadn’t been alone on the ship. Although, it didn't seem like time had stopped for anyone else like it had for them just now. Thankfully, Rose and Juleka were still dancing, oblivious, it seemed, to what had just happened, although Marinette thought there was an extra twinkle of romance in Rose’s eyes when she glanced their way. Ivan glanced their way, too, but only nodded once, smiling, and lumbered off.

Luka had helped her up, and his hand was still somehow around hers. They were both still shivering, his cheeks were as pink as hers were flushed, his jacket was still around her shoulders, and the snow was still gently falling all around them, but as they stared at each other, smiling and breathless and warm, Marinette knew that she’d never be cold again.

#lukanette #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #pro lukamari #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #lbsc secret santa 2023 #panda sprints

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verfound · 4 months

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FIC: Of Goodnight Kisses, Late Night I Love Yous, and Karaoke Meet Cutes (MLB; Lukanette; LBSC Secret Sprinty Santa)

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

Rating: Teen

Summary: It’s three in the morning, and Luka just wanted to kiss Marinette goodnight. Marinette has an important meeting in three hours, and she just wants to sleep. (He’s lucky she loves him. He’s even luckier she didn’t realize she just told him so.)

Author’s Notes/Warnings: There is a much longer note on the Archive that can be summed up as: merry Christmas @nerdypanda3126 I'm your Secret Santa 😁 For the Secret Sprinty Santa over at @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers. In an attempt at tackling two of her prompts, I sprinted two fics and glued them together with love 🖤

“Of Goodnight Kisses, Late Night I Love Yous, and Karaoke Meet Cutes”

“…if that clock says anything before six thirty, Couffaine, I am dumping your ass,” Marinette grumbled, batting at Luka and scrunching her face up as the scratchy hairs of his not-quite-really-a-beard-yet tickled against her cheek. He smiled and caught her hand, squeezing her fingers as he pressed a kiss against her cheek anyway. “If it’s three, I’m fucking murdering you.”

…he had to admit: he did have a bad habit of that. Waking her up at three AM.

God, he loved her. She was usually more...refined, leaving the grumpy swearing for the Boat Kid he was, but when she was tired and cranky and he was waking her up at…he winced when he glanced at the phone on the bedside charger and saw that it was, in fact, three o’clock in the morning.

Ah well. Death by Marinette would be a hell of a way to go.

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writer-rider-flirty-thirties · 4 months

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Merry Christmas @karin848 !!!!

I'm your Secret Santa from the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers ' event! I hope you enjoy this fic! 💜💜💜

#miraculous ladybug #luka couffaine #lukanette #bre's fics #miraculous #marinette dupain cheng #Secret Santa #LBSC

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quickspinner · 4 months

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Tumblr and my laptop are not cooperating so it may be a few days before I can post this properly, but here's the AO3 link to Substitute Santa, my lbsc secret Santa gift for @verfound !

#quickspins #lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #pro lukamari

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mlwritersguild · 1 year

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Let the Silence Speak

Let the Silence Speak by Eat0crow

All Luka wanted was for her to trust him.

Just once.

Words: 4043, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Endgame Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, lbsc sprint secret santa 2022, Angst, with a happy ending, Character Study, Luka Couffaine Knows, Marinette knows he knows, the plot exist in thin pieces around that, Blanket Permission, Podfic Welcome

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43818789

#ML Writers Guild #Eat0crow #Writer Spotlight #♥#Lukanette #⚤#R:Teen #MLB #Angst

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mamanabeille · 3 years

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A Very Dingo Christmas

For @verfound

“Luka?” Marinette questions looking down at the stuffed dingo in a kilt in her lap that she’s just unwrapped. “Are you sure this is for me?” He looks up at her wide eyed, his face slowly draining of all color as he realizes what’s happened.

“Fuck,” he groans just as his phone rings, a photo of Dingo and Bri illuminating the screen, and alerting a video chat request.

Marinette reaches across the rug to grab it. “Don’t answer that,” he tells her gruffly, but she brushes him off with an odd look. “Don’t be silly, Lu. It’s Christmas.”

“Nette, love, I’m begging you,” he pleads, reaching for the phone. “We can call them back later.”

“Now is fine,” Marinette objects, pulling the phone to safety and answering it. “Merry Christma- Oh dear God, Dingo. WHY?” She shrieks, throwing the phone away from her as quickly as she can.

It lands face up between them, putting Dingo, and his attire, fully on display. “What do you think of what LuLu sent me, Nettie, dear?” he poses this way and that, showing off the three piece pale pink lingerie set, the intricate lace of the babydoll nightie just barely covering him. “Bri insisted it wasn’t for me, but you have to admit, it’s my color.”

“Dingo Peregrine King,” Luka growls softly, running his hand through his hair in frustration. “ Why did you put it on?”

“That explains this,” Marinette chuckles, holding up the little stuffy.

Dingo crosses his living room to get a better view of the screen, partially to see the toy and partially to yell at Luka for full naming him, the lace not quite able to hide everything with him being so near the camera.

“DINGO!” Luka roars, covering the screen of the phone with his hand.

The Australian freezes at his friend's tone, and sits down so only his fallen face is in view. They can see Bri pop into the room and sigh. “Told you not to put it on,” she sighs sitting next to him.

Marinette picks up the phone and tugs a huffing Luka down to sit next to her. “Merry Christmas,” she offers in hopes of breaking the tension. She elbows her husband’s side when gives only glares. “Merry Christmas,” Luka grumbles.

“Merry Christmas,” Bri smiles, nudging her own partner.

“I’m sorry, mate,” Dingo tells him sincerely, his head hung a little low. “Was just supposed to be a joke. I was going to replace it with a new one.”

Luka sighs deeply, some of the tension leaves his shoulders. Marinette squeezes his knee, out of view of the screen. “You can’t,” he finally answers.

“It’s my design,” Marinette explains after a few moments of heavy silence. “I’ve been working on some lingerie designs but have been too nervous to bring them to life. I’m assuming Luka had Juleka and Rose assemble them, just like this guy,” she pauses to hold up the toy dingo again and looks to Luka who simply nods, still clearly upset. “Looks like there was a mix up in the wrapping and tagging.”

“Aw, fuck,” Dingo groans, dragging his hands down his face. “I fucked up. I wouldn’t have- obviously if I knew- Sorry. Might have taken it too far this time,” he finally admits, apologetically.

“Might have,” Luka nods gruffly.

“It did get the point across though,” Marinette smiled gently, rubbing his leg, and kissing his cheek. “Though I would have chosen a more traditional model,” she can’t help but add with a giggle. “Thank you. I do love it.”

Luka smiles back at her and catches her lips in a quick kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

“Does this mean I don’t get my kilt dingo,” Dingo asks, grabbing their attention.

“I think Marinette gets to hold him hostage for a bit,” Bri suggests.

“You're supposed to be on my side,” Dingo whines, leaning his head on her shoulder and pouting up at her.

“You’re an idiot,” she shakes her head.

“Your idiot,” he grins.

Bri rolls her eyes, but a little grin sneaks through and she kisses him ever so quickly. “For now.”

“We should probably start getting ready if we’re going to make it to family dinner,” Marinette prompts after a quick glance to the clock.

Bri nods in understanding. “Same time next week?” Luka gives his own nod. “Merry Christmas!” Bri cheers one more time with a wave, Dingo joining in before the call ends.

Luka groans and practically melts into Marinette once she sets the phone down. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“It’s fine, babe,” Marinette assures him, raking his fingers through his hair as he buries his face deeper into her chest. “It really did look wonderful, and I really appreciate you bringing it to life like that. It gave me the confidence to keep working on that line. So thank you. I love you.”

“I love you,” Luka smiles gently, raising his head to capture her lips with his own in a long, sweet kiss, placing a light little kiss on her forehead once they pull away.

“Besides,” Marinette laughs. “It will make a good story to tell at Christmas dinner.”

Luka groans, wraps his arms around her waist, and playfully buries his face back in her chest.

#lbsc sprint fic challenge #lbsc secret santa #lukanette endgame #lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #mamanabeille #dingo king #christmas fic #endgame luka couffaine/marinette dupain-cheng #i hope this makes you laugh

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ladycat1 · 3 years

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For @nerdypanda3126, hope you like it! This was written for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Secret Santa Event :) Summary: It’s time for the holidays, and the Couffaines are more than ready to celebrate!

#LBSC sprint fic #secret santa #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #christmas

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haphira · 4 months

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A Lonely Christmas?

For @inkmousey, LBSC Secret Santa 2023

“Yes, Maman, I’ll be fine here by myself.” Marinette spoke into her phone. She was organizing her scrap materials... again. She picked up a teal-green square that reminded her of Viperion and set it aside to use later.

“I just worry about you being alone on Christmas. You know we can always fly back-”

“Maman. You and Dad have wanted to see your extended family for years now, and with the commissions I have, I wouldn’t have been able to go anyways, I’ll be fine! Promise.” Marinette reassured her mother for the fifth time today. Her parents landed in China yesterday and they wouldn’t stop fussing over her. She loves them dearly, but it was starting to feel like she was 14 again.

“I’m 18 and more than capable of taking care of myself. Enjoy your vacation and give the family my love, okay?” Marinette sighed as she heard her mother's relucent agreement and hung up. Marinette sighed again as she put her scrap materials away.

“Geez, they always worry too much about me, I’m fine and not alone!” Marinette turned to Mullo who was sleeping on her pillow next to Marinette. Smiling softly, Marinette quietly got up to make herself some tea and maybe pull out a cracker or two for Mullo when she wakes up.

After setting the electric kettle to boil, Marinette brought down some of her favorite relaxing tea and her favorite mug from the kitchen cabinet. The quiet of the kitchen was starting to get to her. Normally the kitchen is busy with smells and laughter intermingled with talking. A creeping loneliness was starting to show itself, but Marinette grabbed her phone and set some holiday music to distract from it. She has been home alone before, and it's not a big deal. Why would now, be any different?

Now, it was time for family and friends, but no one has the time for you, a villainous voice in Marinette’s mind said. She shook her head to dispel the thoughts, it wasn’t the time for depression to make a nuisance of itself. She had a duty to Paris and her commissions to think of.

Hearing the kettle click off, Marinette grabbed the boiling water and made a mug of tea. Grabbing a few crackers along the way, she headed back upstairs to her bedroom where Mullo was waiting. She watched her Kwami sleep peacefully and Marinette put her tea on the bedside table.

Mullo woke up to the sound of Marinette flopping onto her bed with a sleeve of crackers held to her chest. Muffled music still played from her phone in her back pocket. Another sigh escaped her. Maybe her parents weren’t over worrying about her. It was the first Christmas she had spent alone, and Marinette was... unhappy.

Hawkmoth has been terrorizing people left and right, since the holidays started. It was all hands-on deck this year. Marinette felt glad she was relied on but, also sad that she couldn’t join her family in China. Until Hawkmoth was caught, all Miraculous holders were grounded to Paris. The upside was that she might even get to see Viperion. Although it was highly likely he, like the rest of the holders, had Christmas plans, Marinette let out another sigh.

Marinette reached out for the tea she made and pulled her phone out of her pocket to silence the music that was still playing. Sipping the hot tea, Marinette contemplated what to do for the night, it was Christmas eve, and the weather wasn’t too cold, so she could go out on a run through the city patrolling.

“Hey Mullo, what do you think about going out for a while?” Mullo munched on a cracker and smiled at her holder.

“That sounds wonderful, Miss Marinette! I bet the night lights would be beautiful!” Mullo squeaked. Marinette nodded; a small smile graced her lips. Going out might be just the thing she needed, after grabbing the rest of the crackers, Marinette transformed into Multimouse, leapt out of her skylight and into the night air.

The air was a little crisp, but Multimouse’s suit kept her warm as she sailed through the sky. Landing and bounding off to the next building Multimouse breathed the freedom that the miraculous gave her. After patrolling the city for about 30 minutes, Multimouse decided she would rest at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Upon reaching the top of the tower, Multimouse found a decently comfortable spot and sat down to look at the lights of the city. The city was beautiful at night, all lit up with Christmas lights and hardly anyone around. It gave the night an almost magical feel to it.

Multimouse couldn’t have been there more than 10 minutes when she heard a crunch of gravel behind her. Whipping around Multimouse saw Viperion walking up to her, quietly gazing at her with a soft look on his face. She realized that Viperion was walking noisily on purpose to let her know that he was there, the kindness he showed warmed her heart and cheeks.

“O-oh, Viperion! I didn’t expect to see you here.” Multimouse watched as Viperion gracefully sat down next to her and looked out at the city. They sat quietly for a few minutes, just enjoying the air and night lights. Their fingers a hair width apart from touching, shoulders brushing against each other when they moved to situate themselves.

“S-so, why are you out here?” Multimouse asked. She nervously played with her fingers before looking up at Viperion and settling down again in a relaxed position.

“My family has plans and I couldn’t go with, so I’m here by myself.” Viperion answered. He looked questioningly at her.

“Oh, same. My parents left to visit family elsewhere.” Multimouse responded to Viperion’s unvoiced question.

Viperion hummed, “Hmm, seems we both are alone this Christmas.”

“Yup.”

Silence blanketed them again, but it was comforting, to have someone nearby that understood. Viperion turned away from the city to look at Multimouse again. Multimouse sensed his gaze and looked back at him.

“Come with me, there’s a place I want to take you,” Viperion said as he offered his hand out to Multimouse.

She took his hand and stood up with him, “Where are we going?” Multimouse asked. Viperion just smiled and butterflies erupted in her stomach. They jumped from one rooftop to the next and kept an even steady pace. Then in ten minutes' time they reached their destination, Palace of Versailles.

“Wha-” Multimouse started but Viperion put a finger to her lips, making them tingle. They were close together and Multimouse swallowed hard.

“Trust me,” Viperion whispered. He removed his finger from her lips and took Multimouse’s hand as he led her into the gardens of the palace. Multimouse followed Viperion in a slight daze as they ventured further in.

The gardens were covered in snow, winter plants sprung up here and there and the quiet of the city made Multimouse want to keep the serenity. When they reached the center of the gardens there was a fountain. Surprisingly water was still running through it. Viperion sat down on the edge of the fountain and Multimouse sat down next to him.

“I come here occasionally when I'm feeling a little down.” Viperion said softly, almost a whisper, as if he too, was afraid to break the peacefulness of the gardens.

Multimouse breathed deeply, enjoying the crisp night air and tranquility of the gardens. Smiling softly at Viperion she scooted closer to him and snuggled up into his side. This was an often-enough occurrence that neither of them thought much of it. Tonight, however, felt different. Maybe it was because of where they were, or the fact that it felt like a date, or maybe because it was Christmas, but Multimouse felt like this moment was way more... intimate, than the times before.

“Hey, Mousey?” Viperion asked softly, slightly turning his head to gaze down at her. His mint green eyes slightly glowed while he looked at her.

“Hmm?”

“Happy Christmas,” he commented, Multimouse thought it was still too early for midnight but when she heard the clock tower strike 12 a moment later, she realized that this night had been going by quickly.

“Happy Christmas, Viper.” Multimouse looked down at their hands feeling a charged energy in the air.

Multimouse glanced up to see Viperion watching her, a blush rose up on her face, but she didn’t look away. Multimouse’s heart started to pound away in her chest as Viperion stared, he moved slightly to the side he cupped her back with an arm and moved his face closer but slowly toward her own. The air felt electrified and Multimouse licked her lips in anticipation. That grabbed Viperion’s attention, his gaze flickered down to her lips before looking back into her eyes. A silent question hung in the air, Multimouse realized that Viperion stopped, just a few inches away from her lips, and concluded that he was waiting for permission. Nodding her head slightly, Multimouse slowly closed her eyes as the two shared a soft kiss.

It was a sweet and memorable moment for them. After pulling away from each other, Viperion rested his forehead against Multimouse’s. They breathed in each other's air, silently staring at each other, smiling softly with sparkling eyes. They still had lots to talk about, but at that moment everything was perfect. As they snuggled up to each other, Viperion and Multimouse sat in the gardens for a while longer, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the night. Later there would be talk of relationships, boundaries, identities revealed, and what they wanted for the future. For now, though, Viperion and Multimouse enjoyed the company of each other on what started as a lonely Christmas that developed into something more.

#pro lukanette #pro lukamari #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #miraculous fandom #miraculous ladybug #lukanette #a03 fic #ao3 #miraculous fanworks #lbsc #lbsc secret santa exchange 2023

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motherofwoofers · 3 years

Text

A Very Verfound Christmas

This is my gift to @verfound for the LBSC Secret Santa 2020 -Extravaganza! This it a Teen rated fic for some implied thoughts, and the ability to keep up with vague clues!

---

Here’s the thing-

When he’d woken up this morning, he had every intention of celebrating a short work day and another successful year of endless toy making. After all, it was Christmas Eve. Work. Watch the sleigh launch. Rock out in one of the Jingle Halls. Join the rest of the elves in bringing in the Christmas Dawn. Then sleep the entirety of Christmas Day.

As he had the last seventy odd years.

But as of five seconds ago, he was pretty sure he didn’t even remember his own name, let alone what he was doing later tonight, or even what he needed help with-

“What?” Luka blinked rapidly, before clearing his voice. Bright blue eyes blinked back.

“Do you need help with those?” Liquid sugar rolled off her tongue, he was certain of it. There was no other feasible way for her voice to be so sweet and melodic. Liquid sugar from pink glossed lips.

Those?

It took him a moment before his mind snapped back into action. Those.

Those were a pallet of last minute dolls that had been assembled and programmed incorrectly. Which, in reality wasn’t even in his department of toy making. They were his green haired absentee best friend’s. A certain friend who had slapped his ass, clocked off early, and dashed, leaving him to try to figure out how to get an entire pallet of singing ice queen dolls fixed, wrapped, and loaded onto the sleigh before launch.

Except, he really didn’t mind all of a sudden.

“I’m, uh, looking to drop these off with the doll repair department. Except I don’t even remotely know where that is,” he tried to drop his best grin at the end, and bit back a goofy grin when her face lit up red.

“Oh,” bright blue eyes blinked again, “this is the art department.” He watched as a small frown turned down her sweet lips, a furrow forming between her soft dark brows. His heart pounded in his chest painfully as a full pout took over the elf’s face. Then just as quickly, her face was lighting up, eyes wide. “Hold on one second! Stay right there! I think I can help.” The raven haired girl disappeared behind the door he had just knocked on, door shutting with a loud click in his face before his attention was drawn to the loud whirring around the corner.

Pulling the pallet of dolls along, he followed the sound to see a large bay door opening, as well as a sight he’d never let his mind forget.

Back lit by the shop lights behind her, the elf stood before him, hands triumphantly placed on her hips as she grinned at him. Curvy. Petite. And dressed in something he was pretty sure wasn’t the usual uniform. Because if it was, he was switching departments immediately.

Red and white striped stockings ran the length of her legs, a hint of creamy skin revealed where garters kept them in place, before disappearing beneath a red tutu flared out just enough to test the boundaries of cute and oh. A black vest trimmed in glitter wrapped her frame like a second skin, dipping dangerously low in the front. A view he knew would become increasingly distracting the closer he stood to her. He could just make out the twin coat tails attached in the back to round out her look.

Oh, sweet candy canes.

A sculpted arm waved him forward, “Come on in. I’m Marinette by the way.”

He was fairly certain he’d left his jaw on the floor, a good meter behind him, when he tried to respond, “Luka. Luka Couffaine.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Luka Couffaine,” she giggled, leading him further into the shop. Smooth, Couffaine.

Most of the machines and monitor screens were quiet, though some of the holo displays still had their most recent projects lit up and rotating. Lights were slowly kicking back on as they moved towards what looked like a small carpeted studio area, sectioned off from the immense space with a curved control panel. Then there was the color. It was everywhere, on everything. The control panel itself looked as if someone had gone crazy with spray paint and glitter glue. An extreme contrast to his department, where most of the spaces were walled off and smaller, but cozy and themed.

Two different ways to keep inspiration high.

“Go ahead and bring them over here so I can see what we’re dealing with,” Marinette pointed towards an empty space near a work table. As he powered the hover units down on the hand truck, effectively parking the dolls, he became aware of one very specific thing:

The Couffaines definitely had a pixie kink.

Marinette stepped out of heels he hadn't even been aware she was wearing, until she went from chin height to his chest.

And just as she had dropped in height, so did his eyes. Beaming blue eyes, determined pink lips, and --ffff the swell of her chest, emphasized by the matching red bra he could just barely see peeking from beneath. Being tall was both a blessing and a curse. When it came to which one it was right now, he was fairly certain his name was dropping rapidly from the Nice List.

Tearing his eyes away, Luka shifted his attention back to the original problem at hand.

“The doll is dressed in her sister’s attire, and to top it off the music department loaded it with the wrong song. This is the first movie’s song, and not the recent release.” He lifted the platinum haired doll, easily sliding her from the plastic twists they’d been forced to switch too. A small hand reached out to take the doll from his hand, before it was meticulously examining the fabrics. He would’ve expected the petite elf’s hands to be soft and smooth, but they were nearly as strong and callused as his own.

“I think we can fix this. How long do we have before launch?” She swivelled away quickly, setting a few things into motion as she took control. A holoscreen popped up from the control panel, before she flicked it up into the air to hover a few meters off the ground. The countdown to launch was displayed in bright red numbers. “Oh good, we’ve got five minutes until launch. Plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time?” He questioned, a bit disbelieving. Granted, it was a decent amount of time, but how in the world were they going to get it done. “I don’t know anything about dolls. I work in sound effects.”

“They essentially just need their outfits updated, which I can do. And the correct song recorded over their music chip, which you can do.” She was already pulling the dolls free from their boxes, while simultaneously preparing the work space before her.

“Amazing,” he breathed to himself. “I don’t know how to record songs onto these, though.”

“Don’t worry! We used to fix stuff all the time in my old department. You know those toys where the voice doesn’t sound like the actual character? That’s because it’s an elf,” she whispered, even though it was just the two of them. “They’ve got a small recording studio in here, we just need to get the right song track set up and you’ll sing over it. And don’t worry, the program will alter your voice, no talent needed!”

She made it all seem so simple.

He stood there for a moment watching her move about, removing clothes from the dolls, sourcing different fabrics, and selecting different re-hue pens.

All he had planned on doing was dropping them off, and now here he was, fixing them.

But there was definitely nowhere else he’d rather be than where he was right now.

Wandering over to the recording studio on the other side of the control panel, he flicked through a few of the screens that hummed to life, but found it hard to keep his eyes from drifting.

“Your outfit is pretty cute. Were you going to one of the parties or a date?” He watched out of the corner of his eye to avoid facing her directly. But he wished he had when he saw the beautiful rosy color from earlier spread across her cheeks and bloom all the way to the tips of her elegantly pointed ears. “I hope I didn’t ruin any of your plans.”

A tiny squeaked, “Thank you,” came long before the rest of her response. “No date. A celebration actually. I don’t normally dress sooo…..” she waved her hands at her body.

“Oh?” The audio track he needed began to play loudly in the speakers around him, blaring out high notes neither of them were prepared for. Marinette nearly fell from the stool she’d placed herself on, naked doll and hue-pens flying, as he scrambled to turn it down. “Sorry!”

“I’m okay! I’m okay!” Her hands were waving him off as she went in search of her things, dropping onto her hands and knees. He could see her crawling around underneath the control panel, skirt bobbing dangerously. Pale skin flashed, and the bare curve of her rear came into view for a moment’s breath, before her skirt dipped to cover her once more.

“I’m definitely on the naughty list,” he muttered. Taking a moment to himself, Luka closed his eyes and dropped into the swivel chair behind him, swivelling slowly. Think about something else. Anything else.

“Are you kidding me? After we fix this fiasco right before launch, we are going on the Nice list for sure. I would know!” Luka stopped spinning to find Marinette settled on her stool and working on the dolls once more.

“There’s no way you’ve ever been on the Naughty List.”

Mischievous blue eyes looked over at him, sending his heart fluttering once more, before she grinned. “I’ve been on the Naughty List.”

He sat up in his seat, intrigue pulling him to full attention. With an impatient flick of his wrist, the screen between them flew off to the right, taking the lyrics with it.

“Do tell.”

“Wellll, I got in trouble for a little breaking and entering and theft of personal property,” he watched her lips roll between her teeth as she tried to keep up her nonchalant facade. He blinked, surprised none the less.

“Hardcore,” he grinned, thoroughly satisfied when her face flamed up again.

“I didn’t keep it!” She squeaked out and he couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of his chest.

“I believe you,” he winked. Her blush deepened, and she swivelled away to hide the way she bit into her lip. Damn did that feel good.

Pulling the lyrics back in front of him, he set about analyzing the song and tune, easily working silently in the space with her. He took a quick glance at the countdown, and breathed a sigh of relief when it read five minutes ‘til launch still.

Positioning the microphone in front of his face, he lost himself in the song. Testing out his ability to reach with his vocals, muscles he didn’t get the chance to use as frequently as his other band members.

“Wow.”

Luka looked up to find Marinette only a few paces away, clutching a full arms worth of redesigned dolls. The amazement on her face, brought blood rushing to his own cheeks. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and poured more focus than necessary into saving the music file.

“You’re beautiful-- I-- I mean your voice is beautiful! I didn’t know you could actually sing,” she was setting the dolls down and moving closer, the smell of sweet baked goods surrounding her and intoxicating his senses.

“Well, these dolls look like they should be on collector’s shelves.” He lifted one of the ice queens up, marvelling at Marinette’s ability to not only change the entire outfit but make it better than the original. He followed her lead as she sent the dolls through a reprogramming shoot, catching them at the end to repackage them. “You didn’t learn those skills from the mass production team.”

The smile on her face caught his attention. The way it lifted her cheeks, set light to her eyes. She pulled the doll from his fingers, and he realized he’d been staring.

“No. I actually learned on my own. It’s a hobby of mine- making clothes. So doing it in miniature wasn’t too hard.” The machines around him were shutting down as he realized she had already finished packing everything away. Not to be the worst helper around, he carried most of the boxes back to the pallet. “Your voice. It really is amazing, you know.” She turned to him brightly as he powered the hover units back on, and the hand truck lifted from the ground. “You remind me of one of my favorite performers! Jolly Stone!”

“I love Jolly Stone! I’m actually in a band, we’re performing later tonight. If you’d like, you could come watch us perform. We’re not famous or anything. Just my sister and two of our friends.”

“Oh. That sounds fun, but I’ve got my party right after this! Which actually-” she glanced at the countdown- ”I’m late for! It’s five minutes ‘til launch!” He watched her devolve into panic, frantically searching for her things. She looped a scarf around her neck, slipping her arms into a long coat that fell past her skirt. Standing on one leg, she attempted to put her heels on, before tipping forward. With speed he wasn’t aware he’d possessed, he leapt forward catching her in his arms before she could take a spill onto the floor.

Sugar plum fairies were going to be dancing in his dreams tonight.

Delectably sweet smelling, and tantalizingly light in his arms. He found himself molding her small frame to his body as he lifted her to her feet. Those bright blues caught him again, and parted lips begged for him to lean in. Painfully he let his hands drift away from her body once he was sure she was steady, and immediately he wished he hadn’t.

Her next attempt was far more successful, and even still he offered his arm to her as they left the art department. When her hand slipped around his elbow to secure herself, he let the smile show on his face. Then let the grin take over, when Marinette dipped her face down, blush rising up her ear tips.

“I don’t wear heels often. I’m a total klutz, I should’ve known better.” He frowned at her self admonishment, but kept any comments to himself. “I just thought they went so well with my outfit. Plus I wanted to look cute for my party.”

“Right, this party. You said it was a celebration and you’re late?”

“Oh, yes! My old coworkers and friends are throwing me a party for my promotion. I’m actually from district South 12th. I was, um, going through some things. Naughty List and all,” an embarrassed giggle slipped free, but she continued on. “So, when I saw a management position pop up in South 10th’s Art Department, I applied for it. Today was my first day.”

“First of all, congratulations on the promotion. Second, I’m sorry to hear you were going through some things, but I’m not sorry that it led you here. Otherwise I’m not sure I would’ve met you.” He gave her a small bump with his arm, but made sure to keep a tight grip on her hand just in case.

“Me too.” And when he glanced down she was smiling brightly to herself.

“So after we drop these off at Wrappings, I could walk you to your party if you’d like? I have to meet my sister in South 12th anyways.”

“Does your sister work in South 12th?”

“Yeah, she’s in the music department though. Not art, so not sure you’d know her.” As they came around the corner, they found themselves in line with the other last minute toy deliverers.

“I actually have friends in music!” Luka watched as her face scrunched up in thought, nose wiggling adorably. “Hmmm, Couffaine.... Wait a second!” She turned to him, eyes searching his face, furrow finding her brows. “Juleka’s last name used to be Couffaine. Are you related to her?”

And this was the moment when Luka realized that the whole Christmas-Magic-works-in-mysterious-ways thing his mother always claimed, was in fact, real.

“That’s my sister,” he chuckled, watching the excited surprise on her face.

“She never mentioned having a hot brother!” The loud gasp, before she slapped a pale hand over her mouth made him laugh harder. “I mean… she never mentioned having a brother,” she sputtered.

“Of course she wouldn’t. I’m lame in her book.” Externally he was playing it cool, but internally he was pretty sure his insides were about ready to burst. The most amazingly adorable and badass elf he had ever met thought he was hot.

A Wrappings coordinator waved them towards a platform to leave their pallet on, and Luka took the opportunity to calm his excitement, so that he didn’t look like a giddy cherub when he sauntered back to her side.

“You know, Jueka was going to my party. And I’m not sure if you had any other plans, but if you have time before your performance… you could come celebrate with us. It’s not just a coworkers thing. But if you don’t want to or don’t have time, I totally understand. It is last second after all, and you barely know me-”

“Marinette.” Her lips clamped closed suddenly, and those eyes he was beginning to truly lose himself too, watched him.

“I would love to go to your party with you. My performance isn’t until right before the Christmas Dawn. I’ve got all night.” He slid his hands into his pockets, to keep them from reaching out to hold her again. The expressions crossing her face were a mixture of excitement and worry, but he kept his thoughts and limbs to himself while she worked out whatever was on her mind.

“Do.. do you have a date for Christmas Dawn?” So quiet, hesitant.

“Not unless my Ma counts,” he winked, heart beginning to pound again.

“Would you like to be mine?” YES. “I- I mean my date?” That too.

“I would love to be yours, Marinette- your date.” Pulling his hand free from his pocket, he offered it to her. She slipped her small hand into his without hesitation, smile setting her face aglow.

“Shall we?”

#Lukanette endgame #lukanette fluff #Luka and Marinette are Santa's Elves #This was too much fun to write #motherwoof writes

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nerdypanda3126 · 1 year

Text

Relinquishment

Surprise, @livrever! I'm your @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers secret santa! 😁💖🎅

One of your prompts was "Any kind of Guardian Luka," so I borrowed one of your favorite headcanons for this one! Hope you like it 😊

Read on Ao3

"We need to talk," Marinette had said when she showed up at the Liberty, her mouth set in a determined frown. Luka had just nodded and let her lead the way to his bunk downstairs, where they'd both sat on his bed and were still sitting in an awkward silence. For needing to talk, she didn't seem interested in starting the conversation.

So instead, Luka just stared at the red and black spotted ball in Marinette's lap and the polka-dotted journal she was clutching in her hands. He didn't know which one was more ominous, but he waited beside her, doing his best not to fiddle with his ring or tap out a nervous rhythm with his heels, until she was ready.

Her grip tightened on the journal until she squeezed her eyes shut and thrust it over at him.

As soon as it was in his hands, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Can I read this?" he asked, just to make doubly sure that was her intent. She nodded, bit her lip, and turned her back on him, crossing her legs on his bed as she did.

He couldn't keep his hands from shaking as he lifted the cover and started reading.

It was the entire chronicle of her time as Ladybug. From the day she put the earrings on. The Ladybug thing wasn't a huge surprise, thanks to Sass, although he was glad she finally trusted him enough to reveal that part of herself to him. But the whole thing with this 'Master Fu' she kept referencing… at least the ball in her lap made sense now, but why was she showing him? Why was she telling him? Why would she risk—

The last page explained it all. Her decision. Her plan. Her rationalization.

He looked up when he finished reading and she was still turned around, her shoulders stiff, like she was holding her breath.

"I'm done," he said, although he was surprised at how loud it sounded in the silence between them.

She squeaked back and he had to chuckle.

"So what happens now?" he prompted her. She turned, slowly, to face him again, but now she was hugging the Miracle Box to her chest and her bottom lip was trembling like she was about to cry.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't know if… once I hand this over, I might lose all my memories, just like Master Fu did. Everything. Since the day I got the earrings. I would forget about being Ladybug, and Chat Noir, and—" She chewed her lip nervously and wasn't meeting his eyes "—anyone I met after I became Ladybug."

He tried to ignore the painful way his heart twisted thinking about the way she would look right through him if she didn't remember him. And then he pushed that thought away, too.

"Or?" he asked instead, hoping there was an alternative.

"Or…" She passed the Miracle Box between her hands gently as she thought. "I'm hoping that since I'm passing it on willingly, instead of in the middle of a battle, under threat, then… it'll be okay and you would… be the new Guardian." Her eyes went wide and she dropped the Miracle Box in her lap as she rushed to reach out to him. "If you want! I mean—I know I haven't technically asked, but I really couldn't think of a better person to take care of them, and Sass loves you and since he's the leader—well, other than Tikki, but she would hopefully stay with me—I figured the others would be okay with it, you know? But you don't have to if you don't want to, I mean, I want this to be your choice, too, and if it's not something you want, then—"

He smiled and reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. A blush crept up her cheeks at his touch and she clamped her mouth shut.

"I want to help," he said, "however I can. And if that means taking this off your shoulders, then count me in."

Another whoosh of breath left her, and her shoulders relaxed for the first time since she'd walked onto the boat. She passed the Miracle Box between her hands a few more times, considering, then hugged it to her again.

"Okay. So. Um, okay. I guess I didn't think I'd get this far but…" She had another book by her side—older, bound in leather—and she hefted it over to set it next to him. "That's the Book. It explains everything—well, it's encoded, which is tricky, but if you kind of squint and read it sideways…"

He flipped through the pages and, sure enough, everything was in a code he couldn't understand. But there were pictures, so there was that at least.

"So, if you accept this, if you do this, there's a chance that what happened to Fu will happen to you, too," Marinette continued. "You could lose everything, Luka, and I need you to be aware of that before we do this."

He swallowed thickly and nodded as the full weight of the responsibility settled in his chest. "Okay."

Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked up at him in surprise. "Okay? Just like that? Are you sure? I mean, the kwamis can be kind of a lot—when I first let them out they nearly destroyed my room, and they almost revealed themselves to the whole world, and how are you going to keep them secret in this tiny little bunk? And you share with Juleka, that’s going to be tough. And did I mention that you could lose your memories? Like everything. Wiped clean. Anything that happens from here on out. Are you really sure you’re okay with that?"

A laugh was startled out of him. "Marinette, you've had this same burden on you this whole time. And Ladybug. And keeping the kwamis secret and leading a double life and…" He ran a hand through his hair and chuckled nervously. "And you're worried about me?"

She blushed at that, and turned her face to hide what looked like a pleased smile.

“There’s lots of places on this boat to hide,” he thought aloud. “I’m sure I could think of something. The kwamis will be alright, Marinette, and I’ll be alright, too.”

"Okay then," she said, more to herself than him, then she straightened herself and turned back with a steely, determined look in her eye. “If you’re sure you’re sure.”

He laughed and held his hands out, beckoning gently when she still hesitated.

"Well, here goes," she muttered, then held her breath and passed the Miracle Box into his hands. It thrummed with energy that pulsed through his fingertips.

"I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, hereby relinquish the Miracle Box, and name Luka Couffaine the new Guardian." She squeezed her eyes shut and a whoosh of wind ruffled his bangs as the Miracle Box glowed teal. When the flash of magic subsided, it wasn't a red and black spotted ball anymore, but a guitar case with a red Chinese symbol stamped inconspicuously near the clasp.

He looked up at Marinette, fearing the worst, hoping for the best, and she was staring back at him blankly.

"Marinette?" he asked hesitantly. She blinked. Once, twice. Then her eyes focused on him and she grinned.

"It worked," she breathed.

#lukanette #pro lukamari #lukanette endgame #endgame lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #lbsc secret santa sprint challenge 2022 #panda sprints

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