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lovebugs-and-snakecharmers · 3 months

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LBSC Sprint Challenge February 2024

The LBSC Sprint Challenge is now open for writers and artists!

We did things a little differently this month and asked our discord members for Valentine's related prompts, so you get a few extra prompts this month! If you're not feeling the Valentine's vibe, the Wildcard option is always available.

The prompts are:

1. Flower Delivery boy Luka getting an address wrong. Which means the girl who answered the door might just be available. 2. Tom decides to drop some hints to Luka that Marinette is single and Valentine’s Day is coming up. And everyone knows that the best way to a man’s brain is through pastries decorated with not so subtle hints. 3. Florist!Mari- the heat in her shop has gone out, and it's Soo cold. Luka makes a delivery of something that has to be refrigerated. 4. Sabine, seeing Luka and Mari dancing around each other (and maybe seeing Tom fail to get the two together) decides to take matters into her own hands and what better excuse to have Luka around than needing an extra pair of hands at the bakery with the valentines rush coming up? 5. The people of Paris are shocked to discover Ladybug doesn’t like Valentine’s Day. People have plenty of theories, but Luka’s pretty sure he knows the reason why. 6. There's ALWAYS an akuma on Valentine's Day. 7. Conversation Hearts 8. Marinette makes an apron with a conversation heart pattern. Luka takes the 'kiss me' heart very seriously. 9. After all the roses from Chat Noir, Marinette's a little...indifferent to the traditional Valentine's flower. Luka has to get inventive. 10. Kwamis give dating advice with… mixed results 11. Marinette loves soulmate stories and believes in true love. Lately, she's feeling down and starts to give up on the whole idea. Luka tries to put together or act out a Soulmate story/AU in real life to help her feel better/special. 12. Luka trying to work up the nerve to smooch Marinette. Attempts to ask by giving her the "KISS ME" conversation heart. Marinette, distracted by something else: "Ewwwwwww." 13. Luka and Marinette are both doing valentines deliveries and get trapped/stuck in an elevator together 14. Wildcard - pick any previous challenge prompt, or play LBSC Smooch Roulette to generate a prompt!

You have until Wednesday, February 28 to complete your 3 15-minute sprints/45 minute art sprint and post the results. Once you’ve completed the sprints, you have 24 hours to edit (which can include some new writing to smooth transitions and make it feel complete, and whatever work you feel appropriate to get your art to a state you consider ‘finished’).

Please note you may sprint in the language of your choice, and you can either translate the final fic before posting, post it in the original language, or both as you choose. You can join us on the LBSC discord or sprint on your own! Just be sure to tag @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers in your final post so we will see it and reblog it. The rest of the rules can be found here under the cut.

Rules!

We’ll post a beginning and end date to the challenge, and a prompt.

Writers, If you choose to participate in the event, write for that prompt in up to three 15 minute sprints. No writing outside the sprints until you have completed all three! After the 3 sprints are complete, you have 24 hours to edit (which can include some new writing to smooth transitions, etc). You can also choose to break that 45 minutes up differently if you find a different split works better for you. After those 24 hours, post what you’ve got. Tag your posts with @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog it to the LBSC blog. If you post your work on AO3 or somewhere other than Tumblr, you can leave a link in our ask box or in the appropriate discord channel so we can be sure to promote it. After the designated challenge end date, we’ll compile a listing of the submissions and post it to the LBSC blog.

Feel free to sprint in whatever language is most comfortable to you! You can post it in your own language or translate it before posting, or both!

Artists, you have 45 minutes to sketch and 24 hours to do any cleanup or coloring you’d like to complete. You can split your 45 minutes up however you like, or not at all. There’s no requirements on your finished piece, just aim for whatever goal seems challenging but achievable to you. Tag your posts with @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers so we can reblog it to the LBSC blog. If you post your work on Instagram or somewhere other than Tumblr, you can leave a link in our ask box or in the appropriate discord channel so we can be sure to promote it. After the designated challenge end date, we’ll compile a listing of the submissions and post it to the LBSC blog.

If you’re wavering as to whether or not you think you can accomplish anything in 45 minutes, we really encourage you to give the challenge a try. You may be surprised what you can do! Feel free to join us in the discord linked above so we can encourage and cheer you on.

Obviously, this has to run a bit on the honor system and we won’t be tracking your times, but please do your best to honor the spirit of the challenge! If your sprint fic becomes an Entire Thing (these things happen sometimes) and you want to continue it, feel free! However, please still post whatever you’ve got after your 3 sprints with the tag. No fair busting out a fully polished fic or art without showing us what it looked like at the challenge stage!

We want to keep this a positive space and event! This does NOT mean that you can’t write or draw anything critical of a character or episode, but it isn’t the space for character bashing or hate either. Please keep the characters in character and save the more speculative work for another time. NSFW sprint works are permitted but must be tagged appropriately (please use “NSFW LBSC sprint challenge” for easy filtering on the blog) and with appropriate warnings. (More FAQ about the process here)

This is a Lukanette blog and a Lukanette event, so while Lukanette does not need to be the main ship, it needs to at least be included or referenced and considered endgame (in other words, they don’t have to be together by the end of your work, but the intent is that they’re headed in that direction). The decision about what qualifies for reblog rests solely with the LBSC moderators. If a piece hasn’t been reblogged within a couple of days, either the mods felt the piece didn’t meet the criteria or it was simply missed; you are welcome to reach out in the asks to inquire which. There are plenty of other spaces out there for other ships and OT3s, and people are welcome to use the challenge rules and prompts to write for their own ships! They just won’t be reblogged to the LBSC blog, and we ask that you please not use the event tag (a modified form is fine - “InsertAlternateShipName sprint challenge” instead of “LBSC sprint challenge,” for example).

Happy sprinting!

#lbsc sprint challenge #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #pro lukamari #lukanette event

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frivolousflare · 2 years

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Of Zombies and Baristas

First ever attempt at the lsbc sprint challenge by @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers because why not. I sneakily used two of the prompts for this: 1) Barista: About your order…Ma: Yes?Barista: You simply said, and I quote, ‘F— me up, you caffeine cleric.’Me: Yes.

2) What do you call a zombie guitarist? A decomposer!

This is also my first ever attempt at the old coffee shop au thing so...enjoy?

AO3

It may not have been the most glamorous job, but for her current situation, it was perfect. The café had been Sabine’s idea initially; as good as their baked goods were, with the rise of supermarkets and convenience shops selling mass-produced loaves of bread for cents, the Dupain-Cheng bakery needed more than just freshness and quality to draw in the custom. Just over the road, a new café had been in the throes of opening up, and a chance meeting between the owner and Sabine over the bakery counter sprung the idea of combining forces.

How the finances and ownership worked was between the various owners of the two businesses, and therefore above Marinette’s paygrade. What mattered was that the relationship had given her a valuable opportunity. Work. Steady work; a pay check every month; flexible hours so she could still build her own online design business on the side; a commute so short even she couldn’t be late.

And, the daily opportunity to brighten days. Something about making people smile through the simple act of providing caffeine and sugar was inherently pleasing. Purposeful, almost. Sure, for every five polite customers there might be one or two nastier ones, but even they weren’t enough to ruin what was a remarkably good deal.

The one grievance she had was the café’s extensive drinks list. So many types of milk to remember, so many different coffee beans. Syrups, toppings, sugars. Foams. And so, to keep herself from making mistakes, she kept a notebook and pen by the counter and religiously wrote down every drink order she received, word-for-word, just to keep her from getting it wrong.

Perhaps she had been doing it for so long, she no longer had control over her hands. Or perhaps it was because on this particular Saturday she had nearly been late after just two hours of sleep. But after listening to her current customer’s request, she reread what she’d written and frowned.

“Umm, about your order,” she said, prompting the man to look up from the confections beneath the counter.

He blinked slowly, like a half-asleep cat, and tilted his head slightly. Even with the shadows around his eyes and the dishevelled hair and clothes, she couldn’t help but notice he was incredibly attractive. High, sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, bright eyes—if currently misted with tiredness. A light smattering of stubble darkened his chin, and he had a guitar case slung across his back. “Yeah?” he asked in a slightly rough voice, as thought he had just woken up. Which, to be fair, he looked like he had.

Marinette swallowed thickly and referred back to her notebook. “You simply said, and I quote, ‘Eff me up, you caffeine cleric.’” He hadn’t said that exactly, but she had felt the need to clean up his language a little as she was, technically, in a professional capacity.

He blinked at her again then nodded. “Yeah,” he said, eyes dipping back to continue studying the pastries beneath the glass top.

“Could, uh…” Her gaze flickered between the man and her notebook. “Could you be a bit more specific?”

He looked back up at her, stuck one hand in his pocket, and deposited a fistful of coins on the counter. “However much caffeine this will buy me,” he said, listlessly.

She nearly asked again for further clarification, but already his eyes were glazing over and his attention was slipping back to the selection of eclairs and topped croissants baked fresh that morning. Concerned he would collapse if he stood up for much longer, she told him to take a seat and that she would bring his drink when it was ready.

The man nodded, reluctantly tore his gaze from the confections, and shuffled off like a zombie. A handsome zombie, but the living dead nonetheless. When she saw he was safely seated, Marinette quickly counted out the money he had given her—more than enough for a coffee—and set herself to work concocting the strongest drink she could legally make. She was the only one on the counter currently, but fortunately, he had come in during the lull between the morning and lunch rush, so the café was relatively quiet.

With the drink finished, she grabbed a chocolate croissant from the counter—he had given her enough for a pastry too—and arranged the cup and plate on a small tray along with a fresh napkin and cutlery—just in case. Before she brought the order over, she scanned the café to check he was still sitting at the same table. He was, though sitting was perhaps not the best word. Slumped would be more appropriate. As she watched, he raised his head just enough to rub his eyes.

He looked like a cardboard box in the rainstorm. Limp, and slowly falling to pieces.

Happy customers she loved. Grumpy customers she could deal with. But sad ones?

Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed her pen and another napkin and mentally went through her friend Adrien’s stock of stupid jokes. Landing on the perfect one, she wrote it down then swiftly delivered the tray of goodies to the poor man before she changed her mind.

What do you call a zombie guitarist? A decomposer!

After depositing the tray, she lingered just long enough to watch a slow, tired smile spread across his face, eyes half-lidded, then hurried back to the counter.

Then, the what-ifs came flooding in. What if he thought her attempt at brightening his day was lame? Worse, what if he took offence? Thought that she was saying he looked like a zombie—nevermind that he did. What if he thought the whole situation was so lame and stupid that he never came again?

Marinette barely resisted the urge to slam her head into the counter. Why did that thought bother her so much? Just because he was cute and played guitar and…

Well, darn. That explained it. Despite being twenty now, in the romance department she had failed to progress any further than her years at lycée. Namely: in the presence of a good-looking guy, act like a dork and drive away any potential possibility of a date.

Well, this good-looking guy wouldn’t be back, not after that display.

A blessing in disguise, perhaps. And at least she had gotten over the nervous stutter that had plagued her awkward teenage years.

Nevertheless, she busied herself with menial tasks until a co-worker turned up, at which point she immediately went for her break. When she emerged thirty minutes later, the man was gone.

***

Luka paused outside the shop. One the one hand, this café was perfectly situated en route between the station and the studio; it was reasonably priced; and the coffee and croissant he’d had last week were, quite frankly, the best he’d ever had.

On the other hand, last week he’d made such a complete and utter pillock of himself that he was half expecting to be tackled if he stepped foot inside again.

Luka prided himself on generally being a chill and put-together individual. Not easily flustered, and always in control of himself. Last Saturday had been…not a good day. A late night Friday gig which had ended at a ridiculous hour, followed by the worst sleep he had ever endured thanks to his pounding headache, and an early alarm set by Juleka who was staying with him because the flat she shared with Rose had flooded. Then, on hearing that the subway he usually got was to be cancelled, he’d had to run to the station to catch an earlier one.

It was only because he had time to spare, and sleep to catch up on, that he decided to go to the new café that had just opened and sit in for a while instead of the generic chain for his usual takeaway cup. He hadn’t known quite how tired he was until he’d been forced to talk to another human, and it wasn’t until after he’d left, invigorated by the caffeine and sugar, that he realised what he’d said.

The poor girl behind the counter must have thought…well…he dreaded to think what she must have thought. After being sworn at—albeit, not aggressively—called a ‘caffeine cleric’, whatever that was, and forced to essentially guess his order because he didn’t have enough brain cells awake to read the drinks menu and pick something, she would surely be horrified to see his face again.

So here he was, standing in the street like a moron because he liked the café but couldn’t stand the thought of seeing her again. In the end, the coffee-lover in him won out, and so he stepped over the threshold.

Damn. She was there, serving another customer. Luka quickly got into the queue and scanned the chalkboard on the back wall, momentarily distracted by the sheer amount of choice. Coffee, with cream, he rehearsed in his head. Keep it simple.

But then his eye caught sight of the pastries beneath the glass counter. Maybe he could grab a snack, now that he was awake enough to enjoy it. A lemon tart, or an almond slice, or…were those macarons? Or a chocolate croissant?

The sight of them thrust him suddenly back into last week, when the woman behind the till had kindly added one to his order. Clearly, he must have looked worse than he’d realised if she thought he needed more than just a coffee. Was that why she’d included that zombie joke?

If he was lucky, she wouldn’t recognise him.

Suddenly, he was at the front of the queue, and she was standing before him with a bright smile, pen in hand. Had she been that pretty last week? Shiny dark hair pulled up in a stylishly messy bun and eyes so blue they were nearly startling.

“What can I get you?” she asked, her cheery grin pushing up into her freckle-dusted cheeks.

Luka opened his mouth…

…and every word he had ever learnt fell out of his head.

The silence stretched out. He desperately struggled for something to fill it, but all he could think of was their last encounter and how little she must think of him, assuming she did recognise him, which he desperately hoped she didn’t…

“Would, um…”—she was talking again; Luka shut his mouth—-“would you like your usual?”

Oh hell. She did remember.

They stared at each other for what might have been seconds…minutes…hours. Her smile, frozen on her face as his cheeks flushed hot.

Say something, his last remaining brain cell screamed. Quickly!

Luka opened his mouth again and…

“Does it still come with a joke?”

He was sure the entire café heard the sound that final brain cell facepalming.

The woman blushed and buried her face in his hands. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry about that. I thought—that is, you looked—I mean…It was so lame, I’m sorry.”

“No, no,” he said quickly. “I wasn’t…I liked it. It was cute. I should be the one apologising for last week.”

She peeked at him between her fingers. “You liked it?”

“Yeah, it was just what I needed. That and the copious amount of caffeine…”

Her hands lowered just enough for him to catch a flash of her smile. “You looked like you needed it. The caffeine, I mean, not the joke. Although, what I was trying to say was that you looked kind of…um…down? And I thought maybe you needed cheering up, so…”

“Not cheering up, just…perking up,” he said and internally winced. Who said ‘perking up’ these days?

“So.” Her customer-service smile slipped back across her face, but with an added warmth to her eyes. “What would you like? Same as last time, or…”

“Actually, I usually take my coffee with cream,” he admitted.

She gasped. “I am so sorry! That must have been far too strong last time—”

“No, it was exactly what I needed, but today…”

She grinned and nodded then looked pointedly down at the display of sweet treats. “Anything else?”

“What would you recommend?”

This time, he waited by the counter as she made his drink, and carried his own tray topped with the coffee and lemon tart to his table. When he sat down, he found another joke written on his napkin.

What do you call a sad coffee? A despresso!

***

It quickly became a routine. Every Saturday, without fail, Luka boarded the early subway so that he could spend his morning in the café, drinking milky coffee and teasing the pretty barista about her terrible taste in jokes before continuing on to his band practice.

He found out her name when she asked him why he always called her the caffeine cleric.

“You call me your decomposer,” he’d replied. “What else should I call you?”

“How about my name?” A grin. “It’s Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“Luka Couffaine.”

It hadn’t taken long for him to realise she was linked with the T&S bakery across the street, which just so happened to supply the café with its beautiful pastries, nor to find out about the fashion business she ran as a side-hustle. It also hadn’t taken long for her to discover that he played with a small, local band called ‘But Why?’.

And if he started sticking his head in on random weekdays he had free, just on the off chance she was working…who could blame him? Certainly not his sister Juleka, who upon realising he was falling quickly and hopelessly in love with the funny young woman, began to tease him. She shut up when he brought her back a bag of goodies from the T&S bakery with threats to never buy them again if she continued.

One Sunday morning, over almond croissants and orange juice, Juleka asked why he hadn’t just asked this girl out already.

“You’ve been staring out the window with that stupid look on your face for ten minutes now,” she pointed out. “For my sake, ask her out.”

“You could just go home,” Luka said.

She snagged another croissant and waved it in the air. “I don’t have these at home.”

“Buy your own.”

“Only if you ask her out.”

“I have.”

The croissant halted mid-bite. A flake of almond dangled on her lower lip. “Hmm?”

Luka sighed and rubbed his chin. “I’ve tried to ask her out but…”

“She rejected you?” Juleka asked bluntly. “Not surprised, you’re a total dork.”

“Thanks, but no.”

“What did you say?”

He flushed. “I mentioned a gig we had coming up…”

“Oh my god.”

“I thought it would be less…pressure, you know?”

“Less pressure, or a chance to show off?”

“...shut up.”

Juleka snorted. “Just tell her you like her and ask her out for coffee.”

“She works in a café.”

“Dinner, then.”

“Isn’t that a little much?”

The stare from her amber eyes could have cut diamond. “As long as you don’t take her to some stupidly high-class restaurand and…ask her to marry you on the first date, you’re good.”

His spluttered indignation was lost amid the sound of her laughter.

Nonetheless, the next day—he couldn’t even wait for Saturday—found him standing dutifully in line at the café, heart thumping like a drum kit at a rock concert. There was Marinette, thankfully on shift, hair clipped in an artful spray of black at the back of her head, apron dusted with white powder, eyes glittering.

Her smile widened when he finally stepped in front of her. “Hi, decomposer.”

“Hi, caffeine cleric,” he returned with a smirk.

“Usual?”

“Please.”

“Something sweet?”

“Depends,” he said before he could stop himself. “Are you on the menu?”

Marinette’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I…wha-?”

Oh, hell. Too much. But before he could start to backtrack, Marinette suddenly barked out a laugh. “What are you saying, that I look like a croissant?”

“A cute croissant.”

“Dude,” said a new voice. Luka turned; the next customer in line was giving him a dirty look. A pit opened up in the base of his belly; he’d completely forgotten about the queue building up behind him. “Leave her alone,” the person continued, “she’s not being paid to be flirted at.”

“Oh no, that’s not—he’s not—um…” Marintte cut in quickly with a wave of her pen. “My friend just has a rubbish sense of humour.”

Relief flooded his stomach. He returned to the counter with a grateful grin. “You can’t talk. What was that last joke you gave me? ‘How did one coffee ask out the other?—”

“Oh, don’t—”

“I like you a latte’?”

“That was Adrien’s idea,” she protested, her ears and cheeks turning dark pink. “Do you want a pastry?”

“I always want a pastry.”

“Surprise?”

“Of course.”

“Is that everything?”

“Actually…” Don’t mess it up this time, his last brain cells cried. What did Juleka say? Tell her you like her and ask her to dinner. “If you’re not busy la—”

“If you’re nearly finished flirting with your boyfriend,” interrupted another customer in the queue, frowning so deeply it was reflected in the deep wrinkles in his forehead, “I’d like to order my coffee before Christmas.”

At least, he conceded, the majority of the other customers were no longer glaring at him like Satan incarnate. “That’s all. Thanks, Marinette.”

Marinette, blushing deeper, nodded slowly, reluctantly, and set about preparing his drink as a co-worker emerged to begin serving the next in line. Luka busied himself fishing money out of his pocket, already rehearsing in his mind how exactly he was going to tell Juleka he had failed again to ask her out.

“Luka?” she called quietly a minute later, his order completed. She smiled, face still dusted with pink, and gestured to the tray on the counter.

He picked it up and forced himself to return the smile. “Thanks. Listen, about what I said—”

“It’s fine. I…I have to work. But, um…” She fidgeted and bit her lip, gaze slipping quickly down to his tray then up again. “Have, uh…have a nice day, m’kay?”

She slipped away to return to other customers, and Luka took his tray to the nearest empty table. After a long, desperately needed slug of his drink, he picked up his napkin and nearly choked.

What did the caffeine cleric say to the cute decomposer?

“Uh, L-Luka…”

He looked up. Marinette stood beside him, holding a fork. “Marinette?”

“I, uh, forgot to give you this…”

She handed him the piece of cutlery, red in the face, and turned to go but before she could go too far, Luka called out.

“Wait! Marinette, I…” He glanced back at the napkin, then back at her. Was she…? Did she…? “I like you a latte.”

She blinked. “Huh?”

“That’s the punchline, right? I like you a latte? I like you a latte too. I mean, I like you. A lot. Would, um…Would you…”

“I finish at one,” she blurted out suddenly. “If you wanted to…grab lunch, or…”

His mouth relaxed into a wide grin. “I’d love to.”

“Great! I need to get back to, um…but I’ll see you later then.” With a final smile and wave, she disappeared back to the counter. Luka took another sip of his drink to drown the flurry of butterflies waking up in his stomach.

It was, he decided, the best coffee he’d ever had in his life.

#lbsc sprint challenge #lukanette #endgame lukanette #pro lukamari #coffee shop au #coffee puns #miraculous fanfic #miraculous ladybug

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blueberry-macaron · 2 years

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When it's gets too much (you can rely on me)

This is for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers September sprint challenge.

Technically I have broken the rules for the challenge since I have sprinted for about 50 minutes and then didn't touch it for weeks😅 But whatever, I've finished writing it, I had a good time and that's really all that matters, right?

I chose the second prompt: "You did the right thing." "I doubt it. I haven't done the right thing in years. Somehow, though, it still falls on me to be the one making all the tough decisions."

So yeah, hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~

Wait, so you're actually going to... retire?"

Saying that felt... odd. Talking about retirement, when the woman in question only was only in her mid 20's, her whole life still ahead of her.

Marinette looked at the small hexagonal box in her hand, then she lifted her gaze and met Luka's eyes with a bittersweet smile.

"Maybe," was all she said.

He held his guitar closer. Weird that he still had the instrument in his lap anyway, since he hadn't actually played anything for the last 10 minutes since Marinette had found him sitting all by himself in his usual spot under the bridge.

Well, their spot, really. Marinette had picked up the habit of coming here some time ago, either when a fight had been extremely tough, or her responsibilities had piled up so much that she felt so overwhelmed that she wanted nothing more but to just hide from the world, under the bridge, beside the Seine.

Most times, he was there, too. Strumming his guitar, like he always did. Like he was supposed to from the moment he ever touched a guitar, too young to even say the word.

It was never weird or uncomfortable for either of them. Often, they'd just sit next to each other, talking as much as either felt was necessary or not, and enjoy the gentle melody of Luka's playing, accompanied by the gentle lapping of the water underneath them.

Today was one of those days.

"It's just," Marinette explained, "it's too much. Going to College, having my tailor shop, I have like thousand commissions... then there's my internship, and beating up bad guys... and being guardian..."

She took a deep breath.

"I though about it for months now. And I think... my miraculous would be the easiest to... give up."

Luka's eyes drifted to her hands, her thumb brushing over the box lovingly and he couldn't help but imagine her good bye's with Tikki. He knew they had a very close bond, like all the heroes had with their kwamis, but Marinette and Tikki have known each other the longest. She must be thinking about the little good bye kisses and hugs and tears they must've shared. He could feel it in her song, so intense that it made him shiver.

"So," Luka broke the silence between the two, "in that case... have you already decided who to give it to?"

Marinette lifted her eyebrows, surprised at the question. A chuckle escaped her.

"Funny," she said, "I was sure you're going to ask me something like 'Are you sure about this' or 'why would you give something like that up'. Didn't expect you would just... accept that."

"I trust your judgement."

Marinette didn't answer. Her lips simply turned into a smile. That kind of smile that said 'Thank you, thank you for trusting me' without her actually saying it. The kind of smile that caused his heart to beat just a little faster.

She fumbled with the box, seemingly nervous.

"Chat Noir asked many questions like that."

Oh. Of course.

Luka could practically hear Chat's complaining as if he were there with them right now. No surprise Marinette felt a little anxious.

"What did he say? Was he upset?"

Marinette shrugged.

"He wasn't exactly happy," she said, "but he wasn't super mad either. We had talked a lot about this, how he would miss punching bad guys with me." She let out a small laugh.

"He told me he would be sad about it, but... he'll get over it. Besides, he told me that he just wants me to be in his life, with or without my earrings. And since I'm guardian, that'll still be the case anyway."

Luka smiled.

"So he did learn how to let go after all," he said and Marinette simply nodded.

"So then, what is it?"

Marinette tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well," he explained, "I first thought you'd be worried about our judgement, especially Chat's. Even if you don't really have to because that's your decision. But he told you it's ok, I'm telling you it's ok, I'm sure the other heroes will, too. Yet you still seem unsure. What's holding you back?"

The way Marinette's body stiffens confirmed Luka's suspicions. There was more fumbling with the box now. Marinette looked at the water and bit her lip.

"It's hard. Giving this up."

She lifted the box.

"I've been Ladybug for years now. And I know that I will still be involved in all the hero stuff, since I am still guardian, and I can't keep doing all this daily fighting with everything else going on in my life now. But..."

Her vioce was barely a whisper.

"I'm still giving up something that's been a part of me for a long time."

Luka didn't know exactly how to answer to that. He plucked at the Guitar strings, debating what he should say to give her a sense of comfort, then ultimately decided to put the guitar away and pulled her into a hug.

"I think," he spoke, "that you need to do... what you need to do. To feel happy."

Marinette looked up at him. Like she always did when she directs all her attention to him.

"I mean," he continued, "I can tell this is hard for you. I can hear it in your heart. But still, change can be good. And honestly," he squeezed her shoulder a little harder, "even if being Ladybug was a big part of you, I think in terms of importance, it can't hold up with the life you always wanted, as a fashion designer, that you... probably chose a long time ago."

He looked down at her hands again, which were now clutching the box, as if she were scared to ever let it go.

"The point I'm trying to make is... You need to do what feels best for you and you only. Even if it's giving up the earrings. As long as you're doing what will ultimately make you happy, I think you're doing the right thing."

Marinette stared at him for a few seconds with a blush on her face, then her eyes wandered over the surface of the Seine again, avoiding his gaze. Even after letting go of the embrace, he could feel her heart, heavy and unsure about probably everything. Like any young heart that doesn't know any better tends to be.

"I still have doubts about it," she confessed, "especially considering that..."

She looked at him again and gently laid her hand on top of his.

"I don't think I have exactly made the right decision in years."

Luka's heart skipped a beat. He forced himself not to jump into any conclusion what exactly she was refering to, but the way her fingers found a place in between his made all the memories come back.

How they went to the ice rink for their first... double date.

How he had told her for the first time how he felt about her right before performing on live TV for the first time.

When she broke down before him for the first time.

When he had invited her to their actual first date in the movie theater.

When he had found out that the thing that really was was stopping her from fully commiting to whatever it was between them was... Ladybug.

How he had confessed to her that he knew about Ladybug and how it had made things awkward for a while.

And how they had learned to accept things as the were.

He had told himself a long time ago that maybe all he and Marinette ever were supposed to be were friends. Just friends. That he would be fine with it. And he was, because having her in his life was more he could ever ask for. But there still was a tiny, selfish part of him that would come out from time to time, with the nagging question if maybe, just maybe, there could be more.

He snapped out of his thought process when Marinette spoke again.

"Yet somehow, it still falls on me to make all the tough decisions," she whined, "I haven't even decided who to give the earrings to."

Luka laughed.

"You still have time for that. I mean, didn't you give them to Alya once? She did a pretty decent job."

"Hmm," said Marinette, "maybe. But then I'd need to find a new fox... ugh, this is really going to take a while."

She leaned back and stared at the sky.

"But I have to admit... I do feel slightly better about this."

Luka smiled.

"I'm glad."

They stayed like this for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying each others company, stealing glances from each other from time to time, their hands locked the entire time. Wordlessly saying 'I'm here for you, don't be afraid, I won't go anywhere'.

They both had lost track of time when Marinette decided to break the silence.

"Luka... even though I'm very uncertain about many thing, I..."

She swallowed nervously.

"I'm pretty sure about one thing."

When their eyes met, he could see her lips curling into a shy smile and he couldn't stop himself from smiling back.

"What is it?", he asked.

"Well, after I have finished this business of mine," she said, "I'd like to... I hope that we... we could maybe grad a coffee, or get ice cream or..."

Marinette paused, trying to find the right words.

"What I'm trying to say is, I kept thinking about... uhm... us. And I like for us to... spend more time together."

Luka tilted his head.

"Are you... asking me out on a date?", he asked carefully.

She looked away, blushing, and nodded.

"I guess I am."

Luka didn't answer right away. Instead, he took her hand, gently sqeezing it and kissed he cnuckles.

"I'm free on saturday."

Marinette turned her head back to him with a blush on her face. But it didn't take her long to recover, and she smiled again.

"Okay. Saturday it is."

#ml #ml writing #ml fanfic #my fanfic #my writing #lukanette #pro lukamari #endgame lukanette #lbsc sprint challenge

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trixxiephantomhive · 2 years

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This Again?

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers sprint fic!!

Prompt I chose: I'd follow him/her to hell and back but I wish s/he'd just stop going there

“Luka I love you- but please stop almost dying.” Marinette adjusts her pigtails as she gets to work pulling stitches into her boyfriend's newest of many smallish injuries.

“I’m not currently almost dying. Just- Practising sword fighting while seeing who can go the longest without sleep isn’t a good idea.” Luka smiles and looks at her, ignoring the pain in favour of watching his beautiful girlfriend doing something with such precision and focus. A small blush creeping up his cheeks.

“It really isn’t. Are you alright though? I can’t imagine this is comfortable.”

“Eh- not the worst thing ever. I’m a Couffaine. We’re made for taking hits and dealing them back harder.”

Marinette laughs, his stubborn yet charming demeanour always managing to make her smile. Then she thinks for a second and looks at him

“You didn’t kill your best friend did you?”

“Nope! Just tossed him off the Liberty.”

“Luka!!”

“Don’t worry- he’s fine”

“Good. dummy.”

“I love you too Marinette”

“Oh hush..” after letting out a tired sigh she stands and gives him a quick kiss.

After getting sewn up, and not waiting around to let it settle, Luka gets up and starts making himself a cup of coffee. Also grabbing himself a fresh donut, swearing to Tom he’ll pay when he can (He has a tab of at least 96 Euros by this point). The large man doesn’t really care, noting that Luka is a nervous wreck around the love of his life’s father. Which has the girl’s parents chuckling to themselves.

Once the coffee is finished, Luka returns to Marinette’s room, and sits back on her chaise. The slightly exhausted boy trying to sip on the hot drink.

“Luka, seeing how long you can stay awake isn’t healthy.” Marinette looks at him, the concern written across her face.

“Don’t worry, I’ve stayed up longer from insomnia, and I doubt Dingo is gonna last any longer, he could barely hold a sword.”

“I can barely hold a sword on a full night's sleep. They’re heavy Luka”

“you’re just extraordinarily small. In a hot way.”

Marinette blushes and throws a halfway finished pillow at him. He gets hit and laughs looking at the black and green pillow

“Who’s this for?” He asks, wondering if she normally makes things other than clothes

“Just trying out something new”

“Cool.” Luka smiles, always impressed by the sheer awesomeness that is Marinette’s talent.

Marinette, slightly freezes, trying not to blush at Luka’s ever adorable smile.

The young couple just watch each other for a moment. Then slowly make their way closer to each other, arms extend, a hug turns into kissing, kissing turns into cuddling, cuddling turns into Luka staying the night, and that becomes use for the condoms Luka is forced to carry around by word of his mom.

“I’m still not sleeping. “

“Well then at least shush”

He gently hums, and moves his hand to stroke Marinette’s bare side. “Got it, quiet”.

#lukanette #miraclous fanfic #lbsc sprint challenge

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tisthedamngreenbriar · 8 months

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windows boarded up after the storm, he built a fire just to keep me warm.

guys i'm so embarassed. so. i wrote this for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Sprint Fic Challenge, BUT THE JULY ONE. and as you may notice it is september already.

in my defense, i kinda started this one and then completely abandoned it on my drafts and never once looked back. but now is here! kinda! this is my first time ever writing a challenge, and also my first time posting my writing in here!! for the sprint challenge july 2023, I chose the social media prompt + one of the prompts from previous challenges (hope that was allowed??)

this is neither polished or revised, just fresh out the notes app so you guys will have to forgive me for errors. i fully intend to develop this aswell, but we'll see.

enjoy!

***

It was supposed to be small. A simple get together for their group, with cake and booze to celebrate Rose's birthday. But, now they were in a mansion one hour out of town and Marinette was pretty sure she could smell something burning.

But, first things first: lets not get ahead of ourselves.

***

Moving everything was a pain in the ass. They'd to be quick and through so no food or garnment was neither damaged nor left behind - also watch out for the worst case scenario, harming sound equipament -, and the threat of the storm was making Marinette mimic the thunders, rumbling with anxiety. With everything already packed in the cars, they went on their merry way, with Adrien leading the path out of the city.

The blonde boy really was an angel. Offering to take the party to his country house when the weather became Marinette's worse enemy was so kind that the bluenette's heart fluttered a bit, reminding her why she used to have that stupid and exponentially big crush on him all those years ago. Not that that meant anything: her romantic organ also gave a little jump seeing him help Kagami, his long term girlfriend, into the car. Affection just made her goofy.

Getting to the estate was easy, since the rain wasn't really pouring yet and the traffic was on their side, for a change. Obviously, it was huge, because the Agrestes never failed in that department, and everyone immeadiately? started setting everything up on the patio behind the main house and in front of the guest one, so they could use it for bathroom breaks and personal items since no one was willying to wander in the Agreste's mansion and risk scarring his perfectly put everything. The rain didnt seem to follow them so atleast it was safe to be outside.

And then there was Luka. Going around helping out everyone, smilling and whistling to himself. Luka who was just as oblivious to her as Adrien had been, cause apparently that was just her luck.

"Girl, stop staring, Jesus" Alya's voice broke off any coherent line of thought that Marinette could have formed, startling the smaller one. "You're gonna burn holes on that poor boys back"

"Am I that bad, or is it possible that you are just a drama queen hoping to live uncomfortable situations vicariously through me since you are on a happy and commited relationship?" Marinette arched her brown and left out a breath after going through that phrase fast so that her best friend couldn't interrupt.

"I thought you were a double major on fashion and business, not psychoanalysis, babes" Alya's eyes closed in on her behind the glasses, the tilt of the redhead's head adding to the menacing look.

"And I thought you were on margarita duty. Where are my drinks, Césaire?"

"Here," the sound came from behind Marinette and this time the jump almost made her drop the firmly held karaoke machine. Before she could register the movement, a arm came foward to take it out of her hands, caging her in. "Where do you want these?" The voice was now in her ear, speaking so softly it could only belong to Luka. This time, the surprise made her actually jerk foward and the man stepped back to allow the reaction.

With the added space, Marinette turned to face him, carrying a pint of she supposed were margaritas on one hand and the box who she was just strugglig with on the other like it was nothing. Looking absolutely delicious doing both, not to mention it.

"Sorry for the scare, Mari," he smiled at her apologetic and she believed she could have died right there on the spot, hearing the nickname and seeing the dimples "'I was just trying to help."

"No, no, its okay! Im just... jumpy. So much to do and whatnot" she tried her best to smile back but the proximity made it wobly. she probably looked so silly that just thinking about it made her wanna scream. But Luka didnt seem fazed.

"At your service" Marinette felt like passing out. "I'm gonna find a place to put these down and then come back to help, okay?"

Not trusting herself to speak, the French-Chinese simply nodded, and at that he walked out. Alya's eyes were on her the whole time, fighting back the smirk.

"Not a word" Marinette sushed her, and the journalist cackled into the sky.

***

The party was a success, as far as last minute ones go. It made Rose so happy she teared up a little over the cake, plus she was so delighted at Marinettes dedication to making the whole arrangement work -- and fighting for the party to go on on the first place -- that the petit blond decided to gift her with the first slice of cake.

Now, it was late and they were all a little too buzzed to drive back. The lights and decorations were all still up, so they sat on a messy circle made out of lawn chairs and pillows, chating about nothing in particular.

Somehow, Marinette ended up on Luka's chair, their bodies pressed together in the small space. Looking for the perfect position, luka grabbed her legs so that they were in his lap and trew one of his arms over her shoulders, causing the girl to shiver with the contact.

"You cold?" He asked her while drawing patterns on her knee hith the hand that rested there. She took a minute to answer positively, barely registering that it was a question, concentrating too much on the way his fingers found the spot that got all her hairs standing and saluding the man that was Luka Couffaine. The second shudder was welcomed by him, who took the softly whispered "yes" and the trembling as results of her freezing and not Marinette being turned on. Thank God for small mercies.

With that, Luka got up and sprinted away after drapping his jacket all around her. She didnt quite understand what was going on until he had already organized all the firewood on the middle of the patio and was trying to light it.

He wasnt. No way.

But apparently the thought of setting stuff on fire appealed more to Luka than simply holding her. Awesome.

"Do you ever just forget they're Couffaines? But then they do something like like this." She could hear the laugh in Rose's voice before turning to meet her eye. "In the beggining of our relationship Juleka would pull the most ridiculous stunts and go the hardest lenghts to prove herself to me. It was so silly. I felt like a damsel in distress on a bad mute movie. But don't worry too much about it. Luka is far more vocal than Jules, and even if he weren't they are fast learners, the Couffaines."

...What?

Maybe the confusion was obvious in Marinettes face, or she had said it out loud cause Rose continued.

"What? Did I say something wrong? Did I meddled? Is just that you guys have been on this will they, won't the thing for so long, and neither of you would just come out and say it! It feels good to be finally able to say it, that's it." Marinettes eyes widened even more than she thought it was possible. What the hell Rose thinks is going on?

It was only when all the bluenette could do was look terrified with her mouth basically hanging open, that the blonde one realized she made a mistake.

#lukanette #mlb #miraculous ladybug #lbsc challenge #im so sorry this is bad and random #sprint challenge

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nerdypanda3126 · 1 year

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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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quickspinner · 7 months

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Some Other Timeline

Since my eyes are working properly again (mostly) I thought I'd take another stab at the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers minific challenge. I used the LBSC Smooch Roulette prompt generator and came out with "desperate kiss," "train station," and Viperbug, so here you go.

No editing, just brain dump, and I ended up at about 700 words after a fifteen minute sprint and some finishing up.

“Are you sure about this?” Viperion demanded, his normally calm voice strained as he caught Ladybug’s elbow. “I don’t like this plan, it’s too dangerous. Those tunnels aren’t like the movies, they—”

“I know that,” she snapped, jerking her arm free, and then winced, softening her voice. “It’s not the first time. I know what I’m doing. If you’ve got any other ideas, I’m all ears.”

Viperion ground his teeth, letting out a frustrated sigh through his nose. He really didn’t. And if she didn’t either, then there probably wasn’t any other solution. She always saw the possibilities. It was something he’d always admired about her, on a professional level.

It just…wasn’t easy to be professional with her anymore. “Are you sure?” he asked again, but she was already walking to the platform, and he could feel the vibration of the oncoming, akuma-powered train hurtling down the tunnel towards them.

“You know what to do,” she tossed over her shoulder, with a fake cheerfulness that made him ache.

He wished that were true. He really didn’t know what to do anymore.

He knew what was expected, though, so he flicked back the slide on his bracelet, the words “Second Chance,” coming out tight and frustrated.

Ladybug was taking her yoyo from her hip and suddenly Viperion was moving. In two long strides he caught her, jerking her back to him. It was stupid, he knew that even as he jammed his mouth against hers. It was stupid, and possibly wrong, definitely hypocritical, and he did it anyway, his heart pounding in his chest. She gasped against his mouth and pressed for just a moment against his hold. The train came screaming through one tunnel opening and into the other, and she stopped pushing. Her arms came tight around his neck and she kissed him back, just as hard. It was rushed and messy and rough enough that he thought she was probably angry, but her hands were in his hair and her tongue was in his mouth and he could only drag her closer and try to keep up.

The sudden silence of the station, the sudden loudness of gasped air between hungry lips and a whine he hadn’t known he was making, brought them back to reality, and when she dropped her hands to press his shoulders, he let her slide down him, though he kept his mouth on hers until her feet hit the floor.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. Viperion swallowed, and Ladybug’s lips pursed tight together. She blinked quickly, and he saw the glitter of tears. “You ass,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

She held up a warning finger practically in front of his nose. “Don’t do it again.”

“I won’t,” he promised, and then hesitated. “It’s just…hard to watch you do these things. Now that I know it’s you.”

Ladybug scowled. “I knew it. Damnit, Luka, this is why you weren’t supposed to know!”

He had nothing to say to that. It wasn’t as if he had asked for this. She hadn’t wanted him to know, so he hadn’t tried to know. It had just…happened.

Ladybug sighed. “Just…do it. I can’t deal with this right now. Some other time.”

Some other timeline.

Viperion let out another quiet sigh through his nose as he pushed the slide back. A familiar flash of disorientation, and she was walking away from him.

“Are you sure,” he asked one more time, and she just looked over her shoulder and winked. The train came screaming through, her yoyo zinged out towards it, and then she was gone before he could even blink. Viperion ran to the edge of the platform to look down the tunnel, heart in his throat, and he got the slightest glimpse of red—not the red he was afraid of, but red in a familiar shape, clinging to the back of the train, before it whipped around the next curve and was out of sight.

He cursed under his breath, and turned and ran, his legs shaky as he pounded up the subway steps to get in place for the next step of the plan.

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

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miraculousfanworks · 2 years

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Practice Makes Perfect

practice makes perfect by LadyCat1

“Well then, why don't we practice?”

Marinette stilled, and she was positive, that if she had been eating something, she would have most definitely choked.

“...What?”

Words: 693, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Luka Couffaine, Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir (mentioned), Alya Césaire (mentioned)

Relationships: Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Additional Tags: Practice Kissing, marinette is nervous, Endgame Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Minor Alya salt, i love her but she annoys me, lovebugs-and-snakecharmers' LBSC Sprint Fic Challenges, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Fluff, luka is sneaky, much needed fic after the angst

Read Here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40584126

#AO3 Feed #FanFiction #♥#Lukanette #Miraculous Ladybug #⚤#R:T #A:LadyCat1 #Miraculous Fanworks #Fluff #Salt

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ladyfreya123 · 2 years

Photo

LBSC Art Sprint Challenge. Prompt: Hand holding

“I’m so tired, Luka...”

“It’s alright. You can tell me everything...”

This week’s LBSC Sprint Challenge from @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers. Sprint rules: 45 minutes to do the sketch and 24 hours to finish the whole piece.

#LBSC Sprint Challenge #hand holding #lukanette #Luka #Marinette #Pro LukaMari #Tikki #Sass #Freya's art #freyaslukanette #a bit sad and serious this time #drawing kwamies is hard af #especially sass

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airi-p4 · 2 years

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LBSC Art Sprint Challenge - Prompt: Chocolate on my shirt

For the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers Sprint Challenge

Prompt 5. Chocolate on my blue silk dress/shirt (T-shirt)

I had had this idea for a long time and I knew I had to draw it when I saw that LBSC prompt. I couldn’t find the time (and energy) to finish it, since it’s so many panels, so I’m posting it as sketches. (Yeah- I know it’s very random but whatever )

Warning: Slightly NSFWish? Just Luka’s tummy is involved so idk but I’ll keep it hidden just in case.

#my art #airiP4 #LBSC art sprint challenge #lukanette #Pro LukaMari #(((sorry it's just sketches- we'll se if I finish this sometime??)))#ml random comic #lbsc sprint challenge #(((I miss LBSC sprint challenges....)))#((( I wish I had more time to draw T_T)))

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verfound · 5 months

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FIC: "How Do I Look?" (MLB; Lukanette; Sprint Fic)

Rating: Teen & Up

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

Summary: Alya’s making Marinette go out, and Marinette really doesn’t want to. Luka’s not sure he wants her to, either.

Author’s Notes/Warnings: The week before Thanksgiving is always a little nutty at work, and I did some sprinting to unwind. From November 2023’s Sprint Challenge Prompts over at @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers, using the social media prompt that said: “The single most important thing a man can do to be an ally is give his woman friends permission to give dudes at the bar his number so when they call he can angrily say that’s not funny because she died 15 years ago that very night.”

Just a reminder: LBSC Sprint Challenge Guidelines: Three 15-minute sprints to write the fic. 24 hours to edit/post.

“How Do I Look?”

“I really don’t want to go out tonight.”

Luka looked up from his Cheerios at Marinette’s voice, his spoon still in his mouth. His eyes widened when he saw the red dress she was wearing, and he almost swallowed the spoon when she sat on the edge of the table and gave him a pouting look. Between the smoky eye she had painted on and the deep red lipstick that drew his focus to those kissable lips…yep. He was swallowing his spoon. And tongue. And…

“You…you’re going out tonight?” he asked after a moment, when he finally felt like he had regained some sense of composure. Barely.

“Unfortunately,” she sighed, bending to slip on a strappy pair of heels that just…weren’t fair. She glanced back at him, a smirk on her lips like she knew exactly what she was doing to him. “I’d much rather stay home in my comfy jammies, with my favorite emotional support musician and a tub of ice cream. Binge watching bad movies.”

He…liked the sound of that, actually.

#miraculous ladybug #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #ml fic #ver fic #lbsc sprint challenge #liberties were taken with this prompt #alya salt #light salt #getting back together #and they were roommates #just kiss already #I don't even know guys half of this was written in a sleep-deprived fever state 😂

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lovebugs-and-snakecharmers · 15 days

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LBSC Sprint Challenge April 2024

The LBSC Sprint Challenge is now open for writers and artists! The prompts are:

1. "Guess what I just did?" 2. “I knew she was the one when she tried to flirt and ended up breaking my nose.” 3. When Luka's new single drops a few days ahead of Jagged's, for one shining moment he was #1 on the charts while Jagged was #20, and Luka will never let him live it down. 4. Hawkmoth is standing right there & you can't transform. What's a desperate superhero to do? 5. "I wish I had princess energy instead of feral gremlin energy but here we are." 6. Wildcard - pick any previous challenge prompt, or play LBSC Smooch Roulette to generate a prompt!

You have until Wednesday, May 1 to complete your 3 15-minute sprints/45 minute art sprint and post the results. Once you’ve completed the sprints, you have 24 hours to edit (which can include some new writing to smooth transitions and make it feel complete, and whatever work you feel appropriate to get your art to a state you consider ‘finished’).

Rules!

We’ll post a beginning and end date to the challenge, and a prompt.

Feel free to sprint in whatever language is most comfortable to you! You can post it in your own language or translate it before posting, or both!

Happy sprinting!

#lbsc sprint challenge #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #pro lukamari

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sassyduckqueen · 3 years

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Screw Destiny- For LBSC Lukanette Sprint Challenge

Soul-mark/mate AU with a twist.

Prompt: 'We are written in the stars' 'Yeah, well, the stars are stupid' and 'We're not soul mates but we still love each other'

Warning!!! Self Harm is shown and mentioned in this story. While it isn't too graphic, please be aware that it might act as a trigger.

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Luka sighed as he looked in the mirror as he thought about his plan. It might not have been the best thing to do but he didn't know what else he was suppose to do. The last week had been awful and now he was faced with a choice that he thought he would never have to make. Either been unhappy or become a no mark. He traced his finger over the small bumble bee that rested on the inside of his wrist. It was his 'soul mate' mark. He didn't know why they existed, only that everyone had them. Some people loved the idea of been made for someone who was considered their other half. Of always been in love and together no matter what. His sister and her girlfriend Rose were those type of people but they had good soul mates. Rose was the sweetest girl he had met and Juleka was kind and gentle. Sure, she was shy but she was good. Their songs were as sweet as a bird's morning song and they balanced each other out. Rose brought Juleka out of her shell and Juleka calmed Rose down. They loved the whole soulmate thing. However, he was not that type of person. He didn't think it was romantic. He thought it was controlling and creepy. He didn't like the idea that he would be forced to be with one person for the rest of his life. It wasn’t that he was against marriage or been faithful to one person. He just hated the idea of that he couldn’t pick who that person was. It went against everything he was and all he believed in. He was what one might call a free spirit and believed in complete free will. As far as he was concerned, Fate could take it's plans and shove them where the sun didn't shine. He was the master of his life, destiny and will and no one in the universe could control him. However, he had hoped that his soul mate would be someone who was creative and kind. If he didn't get a choice in who they were then he hoped was like him. Unfortunately, his soul mate was Chloe Bourgeois. The very girl who bullied his sister, Rose and their friends. He felt sick the moment he realized. He had rushed to the bathroom and threw up after meeting her. Her song was awful and she was nothing more than a brat. However, she had been pretty pleased about him been her soul mate. She stated that he was attractive but commented that he would need to stop 'dressing like trash'. He didn't like how she saw his clothes as trash but due to the magic that binded their souls together, he had to agree with her. It felt forced and wrong when he nodded. After spending a day with her, he felt drained and there was no way he could do this for the rest of his life. Whomever had decided that she was his perfect match must have been high that day because they were completely wrong for each other. He always been taught that soul mates were meant to complete each other but he felt like she was a triangle and he was a circle. They didn't match and there would never been a true connection between them. Their songs would not sing in harmony and Luka would feel trapped like some beast in a cage. He would only ever be a piece of eye candy on her arm for all to see but he would never truly be loved by her nor would he ever truly love her. He couldn't do it. He was a free and creative soul and Chloe wasn’t. She was everything he hated. That had what lead him to where he was. He looked at his reflection again as he thought his choice over one last time. He was deciding if he wanted to become a no mark or a mark destroyer as they were sometimes known. A No Mark was a person who had destroyed their soul mark, breaking the magic and connection to their soulmate. His mother had done it with his father but she was the only one he knew of. The problem was that the only way to destroy a soul mark was to physically remove it and then there were the rumors. Some say that once you removed your soul mark, you lost the ability to ever love again. His mother had cut it out of her arm and had never bothered been with someone after that. Luka wasn't sure if it was because she couldn't love or because of choice but she was happy and free. He looked at his mark again before looking up at his reflection. He narrowed his eyes and picked up the lighter he planned to use to get rid of it.

"I am the master of my own life and destiny," He stated, holding his arm out and lighting it. He held it to his arm, causing it to burn. He cried out as the fire burnt his skin but he kept going. His eyes widened as he felt the connection shatter as his skin burnt. Soon, the bee was gone and all was left was a burn and blood where it had been. Luka shakily dropped the lighter and ran the cold tap before carefully placing his injured wrist under it, cleaning. He hissed as it hurt before he took out an antiseptic liquid and cotton wool pads. He used it to clear the wound before wrapping it up in a bandage. Once that was done, he ran water again and splashed his face before looking up at his reflection. He was afraid that it would feel bad and he knew he would be considered a freak but he honestly felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and that he was truly free. With a certain and determined look, he glanced back at his reflection and repeated the words that had become his mantra. "I am the master of my own life and destiny,"

~A Few Years Later~

"I am not in love with you anymore," Marinette gasped as she pulled away from Adrien. He had been her soul mate but she realized it had been come a burden that was slowly ebbing away at her and breaking her down.Firstly there were the people who wanted to have him as their soul mate. Some hadn’t been too bad but one girl had made it her life’s mission to harm Marinette because of it. Then there was the issue with Adrien himself. He was what you might call sunshine personified but not in the way she thought he was. He was burning her and destroying her. She thought he had been a dream come true but now he was a wish she wished she had never made. It was one of the reasons why she had decided to become a no mark. Another reason was because of how controlling his father had been. He understood that she was Adrien's soul mate but she had to meet his expectations. He had tried to mould her into someone she was not. She had learnt very quickly that the Agreste men had decided she should basically be a doll. She would need to look her best all the time, she would never speak out of term and she would never work. She was expected to provide an heir and act as the perfect wife but that wasn't who Marinette was. She was chaotic and smart. She loved getting involved and wanted to be a designer. She hoped to run her own fashion house one day under the name MCD but Mr Agreste had told her she would be a designer under his label and not her own. It was part of what would be expected about her if she married into that family. All of that plus the girl out to destroy had been enough to push her into thinking about becoming a No Mark but the final straw had been when he had insulted her family. Adrien hadn’t even tried to defend them and she was expected to accept what Mr Agreste had said. Well, no sir, she would not. That night she left with the intention of becoming a no mark and she did. It had hurt but she sliced across the paw print that was her soul mark to Adrien and severed their connection. Within minutes of tending to the wound, she had phoned him and broke up with him. Boy did it felt amazing. She felt truly free to become whoever she wanted. She had even met a lovely musician who she had started a budding romance with. However, even months later, Adrien still hadn't gotten the message. He stood there, looking at her as she tried to get into the cafe where she was suppose to be meeting her date. "Adrien, move,"

"No, I'm not moving!" He gasped as she stepped around him and inside. However, he followed her. "Marinette, please! Hear me out!"

"I'm not interested," She declared in an emotionless manner before seeing Luka by the counter. He was speaking to the barrister and dressed in a blue shirt and black pants. Her heart fluttered as she looked at him. He might not be her soul mate but she was definitely finding herself falling for him. The best part is she knew this was real. He was a no mark like her. Adrien, however, blocked her sight as he stepped into her vision, making her groan in annoyance. "Adrien, seriously. Go away,"

"I can't, mi'lady!" He gasped, actually getting down on his knee. She felt sick from the nickname he gave her. "We're meant to be! We're soul mates!"

"Not anymore!"

"Mari, you can't be serious!" He gasped as she walked away from him. He looked shocked as she did. He jumped up and grabbed her arm, making her roll her eyes. "But we're written in the stars!"

"Yeah, well, the stars are stupid!" She declared, shocking him again. This was not his Marinette. She torn her arm from him and rolled up her sleeve, revealing her damaged mark. He winced as he saw it. He had felt it when she had done it. "Did you forget that I became a no mark?!"

"Our love is stronger then a mark,"

"No, Adrien, our love doesn't exist and it never did! It wasn't even real!" She gasped, making him look back at her with hurt. If she still had her soul mark, she would have felt guilty and been compelled to say sorry and make it up to him but since she was a no mark, she wasn't bound to the same rules anymore. She was free. "You wanted a wife who wouldn't question you or your father. Well, news break, Adrien! I'm not that girl! Now get out of my face! I'm already late as it is!"

"Mari-" He started but a hand landed on his shoulder, making him look behind him as he came face to face with a young man with blue and black hair. He had a harsh look in his eyes as he started at Adrien before he looked over at Marinette. A soft expression took over his eyes. It made Adrien feel sick as he looked at her.

"Is this man bothering you, Miss?" He asked, making him blink.

"I'm not bothering her!" He gasped, yanking his arm from him. He frowned as he saw the scar on his inner wrist. Great, another no mark. "I'm her soulmate,"

"Hmm... soul mates are overrated," He stated as the harsh look returned in his eyes. "Now kindly leave my cafe and this young lady alone before I make you. She is obviously not interested in you,"

Adrien blanched in shock before looking back at Marinette. She turned her nose up before he let his shoulder sink and walked away, leaving the cafe. As soon as he left, the tension lifted and Marinette broke into a smile before gently kissing the young man's cheek. He smiled back at her as she blushed.

"I'm sorry that I'm late, Luka," She smiled shyly, pushing her hair behind her ear. His expression turned to one of ease and happiness as he held out his arm to her.

"Don't worry about it, Mari," He smiled, making her giggle as she took his arm. "I made your favorite today,"

"You're the best," She grinned, walking over to a table with him. They sat down as Marinette played with her hands. Luka reached out and gently took hers in his. She glanced at the scar on the inside of his wrist before looking at the cuts over hers. "That... that was my soul mate... Adrien..."

"He seemed delightful," Luka grinned sarcastically, making her giggle. "Mine use to be Chloe Bourgeois,"

"Oh no wonder you decided to be a no mark," She gasped before covering her mouth. "I mean-"

"Oh, it was exactly like that," He grinned, making her feel better. "Maybe it's because I am no mark but I don't get it. It seems so wrong and forced to have a soul mate already prepared for you,"

"Right?" Marinette gasped before looking at Luka. "But I like spending time with you, Luka. It feels real and genuine,"

"That's because it is, my melody," He smiled, making her blush at the nickname. She knew they weren't soul mates but she also knew she was falling in love with him and judging by the gentle look in his eyes, he felt the same.

#soul marks #soulmate au #soul marks au #soulmarks #lukanette #pro lukamari #self harm #sadrien #adrien agreste #past adrinette #lukanette endgame #real love #luka couffaine #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #lbsc sprint challenge #love bugs and snake charmers #past luka/chloe #mentioned chloe

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blueberry-macaron · 2 years

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LBSC Sprint Challenge: August

I finally completed my first sprint challenge!!

As a prompt, I chose the twitter post that said "When people are sad I let them color in my tattoos. Sometimes all they need is a shoulder to crayon" from this prompt list

I did the sprint in one go and i was surprised because i thought it would be way harder XD I'm quite happy with how it turned out. Enjoy!

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers

The frustrated tapping of Marinette's nails against the small table halled through the greenhouse of the Liberty. With every movemet of her pencil and new line appearing on the page of her sketch book before her, with every line she removes with her eraser she felt more and more frustration piling up, until she put the pencil down, ripped the page out and threw it across the room. At this point, she had already given up on counting how many cycles of angrily sketching, erasing and ripping out she went through. Either way, she was pissed. A new, blanc page stared at her almost mockingly and she found herself fighting the urge to take the stupid book and throw it into the seine.

… No, that wouldn't be worth it. It was a good book of high quality. Throwing that anywhere would be foolish. She had payed a lot of money for that. And it wasn't like that would make her feel any less like a disappointment anyway.

These stage costumes had to be done in two weeks, yet she just couldn't find any inspiration. This was much easier the first time she had designed costumes for Kitty section. Cute little kitty masks and stuff. The skeches for those had been done in about 30 minutes. But Kitty section, now that they were older, kinda grew out of the cute kitty phase and were now reinventing their image and a rock and metal band, looking for more rock/metal appropriate designs (while still keeping the cat/unicorn theme because Rose, who never grew out of that phase and probably never will, insisted on it).

And Marinette wasn't able to do that. How should the rock and metal genre fit together with a cute kitty/unicorn aesthetic?

It's not like she didn't believe that was possible, but she had tried a good amount of designs, all of them now lying on the floor, and none of them felt right.

She rested her head on the table with a loud sigh. This was clearly not working.

She stayed like this for a short while when she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and spotted Luka walking towards her with a glass of orange juice im his hand.

It was a hot summer day, so he was wearing a white tank top, exposing his quite toned arms and a big tattoo on his left shoulder, depicting a viper exposing it's long fangs. It was a great tattoo which suited Luka very well, though it wasn't colored yet. He had his next appointment in a few days to get it done. Until then, the viper remained colorless.

Luka put the glass down and sat next to Marinette.

„You look unhappy,“ he observed, placing a hand on Marinette's shouder and squeezing lightly.

She let out another sigh.

„Do you know that feeling when you're completely useless because you can't get anything done because you suck?“

She stretched out an arm to grab one of the papers she teared out earlier, unfolded it and showed it to him.

„Look at this... this... this disgrace,“ she whined, "it looks so bad, it doesn't do the band justice at all. Like... it makes me want to throw myself in the seine, that's how much I hated! Why am I so goddamn untalented?“

Luka chuckled.

„Watch what you're saying, that's my girlfriend you're talking about,“ he joked. It made Marinette smile.

„Sorry,“ she said. „ I guess I'm just in a really bad mood because none of the designs feel right. I want you guys to have nice stage outfits and none of those would do you justice.“

„It's ok, that happens“, Luka comforted her, „Sometimes the notes are here and you can hear them.“

He leans back on the couch and pulls Marinette along with him.

„But I just don't know how to... combine them. And it sucks, but I know you'll figure it out. You should get a break and I'm sure it'll make you feel better.“

His eyes fell on one of marinette's crayons. He smiled and picked the blue one up.

„You know,“ he said, „maybe you can just try to design something easier.“

Marinette tilted her head in confusion.

„Like what?“

„Like my uncolored tattoo“

He turned his shoulder to her.

„I haven't actually amde up my mind about what color exactly I want him to be. Maybe you could help me with that,“ he explained. „Plus...“

He put on a dorky smile.

„Plus what,“ Marinette asked, also smiling in anticipation what would come next.

„Plus, you'd have a shoulder to... crayon.“

The greenhouse fell silent for a few seconds. Marinette looked at her boyfriend as if he hadn't just made the funniest pun she had heard in a long time while he had the audacity to look back at her with this idiotic and utterly adorable grin.

Then a giggle escaped her which soon turned into loud laughter.

„A shlouder to crayon,“ she repeated in between chuckles,“You've got to be kidding me!“

Luka was laughing, too.

„I'm normally not good with puns. Come on, Medoly, you gotta give me credit for that one.“

„Ok ok,“ Marinette chuckled, „That was pretty funny. Well done.“

She ruffled his hair with her hand. Luka leaned into the touch.

Then he handed her the crayon and she started coloring the viper.

„I don't know if you know this, but I normally hate puns,“ she confessed, „Back in the days Chat noir made puns every time I'd meet him. Bad puns I might add.“

„Mostly about cats I assume,“ Luka asked.

„Yup,“ Marinette answered, „Though admittedly, some of them were funny. I just never laughed because I was focusing on fighting the akuma. And also...“

She put the crayon down and picked another one, „If I'd actually confess that he can be funny, he'd probably be so proud of himself that he'd be insuffarable.“ she laughed.

„Yeah, I can see that,“ said Luka.

„Not that I mean any offense by that though,“ she added.

They sat like this for some time, Marinette coloring Luka's arm while they came up with their own puns. People say laughter is the best medicine. Marinette found that to be true, as she felt her mood getting better with every second.

After some time, Marinette was satisfied with her work. The viper rested big and proud on Luka's shoulder in various shades of blue and green. She also put in some violet highlights to make the creature feel more alive.

„Wow,“ Luka said, „if you weren't on your way to be the worlds greatest designer, you would do great as a tattooist.“

„So you like it?“

„Like it? I love it!“

He wrapped his arm around his girlfriend and planted a kiss on her forhead.

„I will tell the tattooist to make my tattoo look exactly like that.“

Marinette looked up at him and felt really proud to have made her boyfriend this happy. She pressed her lips to his and gave him a little peck.

„Too bad I won't have that tattoo in the future to color.“

Luka chuckled.

„Don't worry babe. I have two shouders.“

#ml #ml fafic #my fanfic #my writing #lukanette #endgame Lukanette #pro lukamari #lbsc sprint challenge

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