It was colder than usual for September in Paris, if it kept getting colder there would probably be snow for Christmas. To keep the chilly wind at bay, Marinette wore dark blue jeans and a fitted long-sleeve shirt with a pink hoodie with bunny ears on the hood. To keep her neck warm, Marinette let her hair down and it rested over her shoulders.

Her hands were safely wrapped around a warm travel mug of hot cocoa as she made her way to school. She approached her friends, "good morning, everyone!"

Alya was wrapped up in her own coat and Nino's arms, "m-morning, Mari." Suddenly, she looked behind Marinette and jerked her head a bit. Marinette quickly turned and saw Juleka walking with Luka.

Luka's blue hair was covered with a crocheted beanie, his gloved hands held a coffee cup from a cafe and his guitar case was slung over his shoulder. He saw her looking and his face, red from the cold, lit up with a smile, "hey, Marinette."

He dipped down and their cheeks touched as they greeted each other making a light kissing sound before switching cheeks. He greeted everyone else with a polite nod and, "good morning."

Faire la bise was expected between friends in France, but Luka was practically a foreigner and Marinette liked that she was the only one he greeted with la bise. The cold hid her blush, she blew on her hot cocoa, the steam making her icy nose tingle with warmth.

He looked at her with a faint smile, touching one of the bunny ears on her hood, "cute."

Adrien joined the group in a brown, leather jacket and the scarf Marinette had made for him. She smiled and greeted him, with everyone in the courtyard, Marinette asked, "what are your guys' plans for break?"

"I have some family coming over," Alya said and Nino agreed. "What about you, Marinette?"

"My parents are going south to visit my grandpa, I'll be home alone," Marinette sipped her drink.

Alya laughed, "I know where I'll be visiting when it gets too chaotic at my house."

Alix joined them, "whose house are we seeking refuge in?"

"Marinette's."

Luka looked like he was trying to turtle into the warmth of his jacket, Marinette couldn't help the giggle, before her mind processed what she was doing, she reached a warm hand out and pressed it to Luka's cold cheek. He looked surprised but leant into the touch, "your hand's so warm."

He took her mug from her and guided her other hand up to his other cheek so she was cupping his face, his eyes closed and a white puff of breath escaped his lips. Marinette's face burned and she couldn't tell if it was from the cold or embarrassment.

Juleka smiled, she exchanged looks with the other girls, "Luka's weak to the cold."

"Forgive me for enjoying blood flow," he snorted. Marinette enjoyed the feeling of his face moving under her palms. "Have you ever tried to play guitar with numb fingers?"

His sister laughed, pulling Rose under her arm, "you have a point."

The bell rang and Luka sighed, "time to get to class. I'll see you at practice, right, Marinette?" She nodded and took her hot chocolate back. Luka's eyes were fixed on her, the corners of his lips upturned, "cool. I have something I want to play for you."

Alya looped her arm through Marinette's, "let's go, don't wanna be late."

Before Alya hauled her off, Marinette managed to wave at Luka, "I'll see you later."

On their way to class, Alya smirked and wiggled her eyebrows, "moving on nicely, I see. Luka's totally into you, girl!"

Marinette giggled, "that's not for sure, but he's cute, huh?"

"More than cute," Alya agreed. Taking their seats, they pulled out their homework. "And it's a positive that he likes you. 'You're the most extraordinary girl, Marinette.'" She imitated Luka's low voice and the two collapsed in giggles.

walked in and everyone took their seats, Marinette whispered, "it feels nice to like someone and actually have a chance."

"Silence, please!" called and the class settled down as she wrote page numbers on the board.

...

After school, Marinette walked to the Liberty with Rose, Juleka, and Luka. Rose and Juleka walked ahead of them, hand in hand and talking about something. "How was your day?" Marinette asked, her hands safely tucked inside the warmth of her hoodie's front pocket.

"School is kinda just school, I guess. I never really been a fan of anything besides music and French. What about you?"

Marinette thought for a moment, "I really like my design class, other than that, I'm just an average student." Luka held her hand to help her board the ship and both were a little reluctant to let go as they went below deck where it was warm.

Juleka and Rose disappeared to her room, Luka picked up his guitar and sat on the couch, patting the cushion next to him, Marinette was cautious of where she stepped on the swaying, messy floor as she made her way to sit next to him.

Luka took off his gloves, his black nail polish slightly chipped on a couple of nails. He fished a pick from his pocket and shifted his fingers on the strings, Marinette loved watching his face as he played. A smile came to his lips, his eyes closed and a little crease appeared between his eyebrows. The tune was sweet and light and happy. Marinette closed her eyes and swayed to it, a smile of her own coming to her lips.

"It's not finished yet," Luka said as his music concluded.

"It's beautiful so far."

"As beautiful as its muse." She looked at him puzzled, he smirked, "you. I wrote this thinking of you."

Marinette's heart stuttered in her chest and she felt a blush creeping up her neck to colour her cheeks. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, it a was a much better feeling than crushing disappointment. "M-me?"

Luka nodded, "this part here..." he played a part of the melody, "was inspired by your smile, then this...is your eyes." Marinette felt incredibly embarrassed, that was how he heard her? How could he create something that lovely from her?

She was spared from saying anything as Ivan came below deck with Mylène, she giggled, "are we interrupting anything?"

Luka put his guitar aside, clearing his throat, "ahem. Not at all, let me go get Rose and Jules so we can start practice."

Once he left, Marinette pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her erratic heartbeat. Her other hand fanned her face, Ivan glance between Luka and her, pursing his lips to hide a smile. Having a crush was a hell of a lot more exciting than unrequited love.