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And just like that, a switch was flipped. A switch that seems to control a million other switches
One switch turned on the lightbulb in Adriens brain, causing his brain cells to actually know where they were going instead of just crashing into random things, hitting each other at random moments… we’ll just one particular moment but that had to get erased because not even the Agreste’s insurance would cover that…Moon damage.
Another was the switch that was affected, most likely controlled the speaker that projected people’s inner music into Lukas brain, promptly sending him into (the very rare) panic mode.
Third, was a switch that normally only was flipped when Adrien spoke the words “Plagg, Claws Out!” Or when one of the aforementioned braincells accidentally bumped into it, causing him to say things like “So did I, What a Knight-mare!”
With Adrien in chat mode, and Luka being in slight shock, somehow their wavelengths (or inner music but it was hard to tell since Lukas brain hadn’t rebooted) aligned and they both burst into laughter.
“Did- did you *wheeze* somehow just- *pterodactyl screech* find a wa- way to reveal L-LB’s and *squeaky unbuttered tea kettle noise* mines identities- in- in ONE SENTENCE?!” Adrien asked manically laughing and trying to breath between words.
“M-maybe?” Luka replied, “Geeze where is that godforsaken second chance when you need it,” Luka mumbled as and looked up at Adrien, a grin breaking out on his face before subjecting them both to another in a fit of laughter.
Once they both could breath again, Adrien leaned against the wall and ran his hand through, remembering too late that although he was in chat noir mode, the rest of him was not. His hair fell messily into his face but for once Adrien left it, only blowing quickly at the parts that tickled his nose. Luka and him had had this dynamic for all of five seconds and already Adrien felt almost… comfortable. Like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Adrien looked at Luka seeing the guilt prickle his blue eyes, realizing that he must feel bad. Riding the momentum of comfort and Chat mode Adrien picked up the conversation.
“We’ll it’s a good thing it’s only us here are not La- Marinette,” he said with a slight smile. The correction wasn't necessary but it still felt good to say. Besides normally he had to make the correction from Marientte to Ladybug when he was thinking about the girl he lov- never mind, that’s a conversation to come back to later.
“If they were here then we would be paw-sitivly screwed.” He said cracking a smile. Adrien saw a large mix of emotions flash across Luka’s face somewhere coming from relief, confusion, surprise and a lot of other things. Adrien gave him a weird look coveting that the expressions were confusing. This seemed to snap Luka out of his thoughts.
“Sorry, I’ve already made the mental connection between you and.. well you, but it’s weird to see it in action.” He said looking at the boy who wasn’t, Adrien or Chat noir, just Both.
“… sorry I messed up though… really. I wasn’t even supposed to know in the first place, and i REALLY shouldn’t have told you, omg and now I’ve totally taken the big reveal away and- it just- well- …. We should tell her, huh?” He asked softly. Adrien smiled at him reassuringly.
“Well, I for one am really happy. It’s like a huge weight has been just lifted! I can see why she told someone,” he said thinking out loud. A sudden gloom washed over him, “Doesn’t make it hurt any less though….” he mumbled.
“Wait someone else knows?” Luka asked surprised. Feeling the sadness coming off of Adrien (or hearing it, looks like the speaker is back on) Luka stepped forward and placed a comforting hand in Adriens shoulder, “I’m sorry dude that sucks.” He said sincerely.
Adrien looked up at him and suddenly a malicious Cheshire grin formed on his face. Luka was taken aback by the sudden shift in mood, and the fact that his inner music had somehow changed in bpm, dynamic, key, and… instrument? (Basically sad boi piano hours to trumpet kid chaos).
“I agree though, we should tell her… but doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun…” he exclaimed, gears turning in his mind.
“I’m not sure that’s the best-“
“Come on!” Adrien interrupted, “Laughter is the best medicine right?”
“I don’t think that’s how it-“ Luka tried again
“HUMOR IS MY COPING MECHANISM OK?! SO LETS GO DO SOME TOMFOOLERY AGAINST MY FUTURE WIFEY.” Adrien half shouted.
“But she- you- I’m all for canon love-square but- your not even dati- … i give up- fine.” Luka said, defeated as Adrien exitedly told him the plan.
Luka would be lying if he said he wasn’t intrigued, even adding in his own parts when he realized there was no way out of it. A lot is of his suggestions were confusing to Adrien, but after some long explanations (and working through some stuff) they were finally ready. Just in time too, because suddenly there was a loud crash, followed by many screams.
———————————
“Pound it!” Ladybug and Chat noir said in unison.
Chat was almost thankful that Akuma had made him work so hard, because or else he would most definitely be squirming with anticipation. Absentmindedly fidgeting with his ring was good enough for now.
“Puurrfect as ever m’lady,” Chat exclaimed, causing an eye roll from Ladybug.
“Oh Chat, I’m far from perfect.” She said thinking about the way she had quite literally RUN INTO Adrien that morning. She had been sent into turmoil when he cracked a joke and looked at her in a way that was so familiar yet so far away with his big green eyes.
Ladybug was pulled away from her thoughts and looked up to see another pair of big green eyes staring at her. Ladybug pushed those dangerous thoughts away as she studies the current pair of eyes. Over the months Ladybug had learned to study her partner very well, which is why his eyes conveyed things that confused her. There was, for one thing, a special glint in his eyes, like he knew something she didn’t, but was desperately trying to tell her. Underneath all that, he also seemed to look at her in a way she had never seen, so unguarded. So… lovingly.
“Hey.” A voice broke her away from her analyzing, looking up to see Luka, standing there with two coffees in his hand. He was pretty out of breath since he had to find a cafe far enough away that is was still open despite the Akuma and run back in time for it to be over.
Luka silently wondered if this part of the plan was just an excuse for Adrien to have a Punpkin spice latte that couldn’t be traced by his credit card. He had also explained that it was almost impossible for him to get coffee hot, since no matter what he would normally be stopped by some fan and by the time the interaction is over, his coffee is room temperature. And it’s not like he could even be caught 4 meters within ICED coffee because his father would probably have an aneurism. Adrien actually talked about his whole coffee dilemma for a solid 10 min and by the time it was over, Luka felt bad enough to agree to add “Coffee” to the plan.
Ladybug conveyed slight surprise when Luka and Chat did a weird 3 second handshake-fist bump thing (a part of the plan also added by Adrien which also took a god chunk of their time). She was really surprised when Luka handed Chat the two coffees he was holding. Chat seemed to have a look of surprise on his face too but with less confusion.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the coffee, but why both? Aren’t you heading that way?” He asked. Ladybugs mind was spinning with thoughts and questions ‘were Luka and Chat friends?’ ‘What way?’.
“Nah. I have some more errands to run. Marinette brought pastry’s to the party but nobody has napkins or plates or anything. Then we are also low on batteries and i was gonna grab some spare strings and stuff just in case. Even if I walked back now the coffee would be room temp by the time I get back, and you know-“
“He really hates room temperature coffee” the both recited in unison. Ladybug was now officially lost. ‘They had a mutual friend?’ ‘Who was he?’ ‘Did he say her name?’ She felt like she needed some coffee too.
“Geeze man, you went during an akuma attack? I appreciate the dedication but wow!” Chat said, genuinely grateful and realizing how crazy it was he actually went along with this for a prank.
“Yeah yeah well don’t get used to it, I’m not your secretary.” Luka said dismissively. This new dynamic of theirs was interesting to the both of them. Luka was normally a pretty chill person but it seemed Chats chaotic energy was running off on him. (Maybe their inner music was still aligned?)
+++++++[PASJAHAHAJAJA IM SORRY I’ll stop with the inner music though, at this point it’s like his one designing trait XDDDDD]+++++++
Adrien was also happy at their dynamic since he never really was able to “bro out” with anyone. Sure he had Nino who he could relatively be himself with, but with the mask was different, especially since Luka was seeing through it.
Ladybug on the other hand was still just standing there questioning life, you know, normal stuff, wondering when did Luka get so…. For lack of a better term ‘Sasssssssy’ (yes this is my attempt at a punny pun lol).
“Ok so this one is for you,” Luka started, pointing to the Pumpkin Spice Latte. “and this one is for your boyfriend.” Luka said at nonchalantly as he could muster. The coffee was really for him to drink later, so he was silently hoping Adrien would double back to give it to him since they didn’t actually talk about that part, but he had run many blocks to get it, and was not ready to let it go. Chat looked at it thoughtfully, and tried to harness his inner perfect boy stupid blond model child persona (aka. His entire personality before 1 hour ago).
“Oh Luka, you know Adrien is just a friend.” He said, biting back a laugh, looking up to the side the way he normally did, this time also doing it so that he wouldn’t make any eye contact since it would shield cause him to burst into laughter. His voice did wobble a little but other than that he felt like he did pretty good.
Suddenly both LB and CN’s miraculous beeped giving chat the perfect out before he did anything that would give away the prank, there were still more steps to climb, but Adrien felt like he was about to explode so he took the opportunity.
“Bye LB! Great job today. Thanks for the coffee Luka, see you later!” He said as he bounded away, careful not to spill the drinks
Chat landed in next to luka in an alleyway and detransformed to give plagg some food. Adrien and Luka both met each other’s eyes and burst into laughter.