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Winter vacation
Marinette couldn't believe it was really happening.
After years being unable to leave Paris because of her Ladybug duties (and until a couple of weeks ago), she had assumed it was just an impossible dream. But now, at 18 years of age, it was happening: a winter vacation! With the best company she could ask for- her boyfriend Luka.
The trip had started roughly, with rain and a traffic jam as soon as the couple left Paris. His lack of driving experience showed, not only for the 'newbie' sign at the back of the rented car, but also with his annoyingly slow speed. And sure, safety first, as her parents had said, but they had completely miscalculated the time it would take them on the road. In consequence, the shopping for supplies had been rushed, just before closing time, and they barely made it to sign the rental contract and get the keys before the office closed as well. Later, at night, the concert they had gone to had been amazing and, luckily, the bed they finally crashed into after a long day was nothing but comfortable and warm.
It was perfect.
Almost.
Because the slim thread of light that crossed through the slit of the window's dark curtain and angled with precision on her closed eyes that morning was annoying.
Marinette internally groaned. If it wasn't for the inappropriate sunrays, she would still be sleeping safe and sound: safe, because of the arms that surrounded her warmly; and sound, for the audible yet relaxing humming of her loved boyfriend (and her own snores too).
"Good morning" Luka finally decided to speak after noticing her shifting because of the sunlight. "It's mid-morning. Shall we wake up?"
"Hmmm" she stretched her legs and pushed closer to him, trying to avoid the sunlight. He smiled as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head, to her contentment.
"Do you want a coffee?"
"Hmm… Yes"
Warm coffee in bed, with Luka, while it was cold outside sounded like a little piece of bliss. Luka rolled to the side and sat down on the bed, putting his slippers on, ready to stand up. She immediately noticed her own mistake when she missed his body heat.
"Wait no! Don't go!" Her hands instinctively moved closer to hug his torso from behind. "Snuggles in bed?"
"Snuggles or coffee?" He chuckled, rubbing the arms surrounding him, interlacing their fingers and turning just enough to see her face.
"Both?"
Despite being weak to his girlfriend's pleading voice and the temptation of snuggles, Luka brought out all determination not to cave. He smiled fondly, placing a kiss on the back of her hand while skillfully releasing himself from her embrace. "I'll be back in a minute"
"Noooo" Marinette whined as he stood up and started walking away. Luka giggled, amused by her reaction: cute.
He exited their bedroom and moved to the open living-dining-kitchen. The bungalow they had rented was small, but very practical. Certainly more than enough for the two of them. And for the kwamis. The lack of neighbors made it even better, more private and quiet, ideal for those little noisy gods to play around without having to worry for them to be seen.
Luka's steps stopped at the window, and when he ran the curtain to look outside… his eyes opened wide.
"Wow… You have to see this, Marinette"
"Hm?" She mumbled, from the bedroom.
"C'mon, sleepyhead! Come here" He called, chuckling at her lazy mumble. Soon enough, clumsy feet hopped to him rapidly and her arms wrapped around him in search of some warmth.
"Cold"
"It is," he smiled, naturally returning her embrace. "Look"
He pointed outside, and Marinette's eyes opened wide, sparkling at the sight.
"Woah-! Snow!" She jumped closer, not letting go. "There's snow, Luka!"
"Yes, there is."
He loved her excited grin. She was dazzling. And he couldn't stop his lips from curving up watching her bright smile.
"Let's go!" She pulled him and then ran towards the door.
"Huh? What about coffee?" He asked, but she was already putting her boots on.
"Not now!"
"And snuggles?" He tried.
"Later!" She rushed and opened the door wide, too mesmerized to worry much about the change of temperature, despite her shivering "Aaahh!! Snow!!"
"Marinette, wait! You're still wearing your pajamas! At least put a coat on! And gloves!"
"Ah-!" she stopped mid-door realizing. She put on her thickest coat that Luka handed her and the gloves she had inside it's pocket and immediately ran outside to touch the snow. "C'mon, Luka!"
"Fine, fine…" he didn't bother to change either. With his boots, coat, gloves and a knit hat on, he soon followed after her. When he reached his girlfriend, he handed her a pink knit hat that she immediately put on.
"It's so nice!" The girl laughed, stepping on the snow fully unaware of Luka's smirk.
"Marinette-"
"Hm?"
She turned around to his calling and-
Pooff
A snowball hit her forehead.
"Oh, no! I'm sorry! I wasn't aiming for your face!" She quickly covered her face with her hand and he reached closer to check on her, with worry. "Are you ok?"
Before he could see her face she turned to him and-
Pooff
A snowball hit straight to his face.
"Hahahah payback!" She bent her middle while laughing.
"So you choose war…" his eyebrow arched and his smirk turned up playfully.
"You started!" She stuck her tongue out. "Besid-" Another snowball almost hit her as she was about to talk, but she dodged it skillfully. "Ha! You miss-!"
Pooff
Before she could celebrate another smaller snowball hit her from another angle.
"Hey! That's not fair! You should be helping me and not him, Sass!"
"Ssssorry! Luka promissssed to give me a feasssst and to play my favorite ssssong if I helped him!" Luka shared a knowing look with his kwami.
"Sneaky you!" She protested, but Luka dodged the snowball she threw at him.
"It's no use. You should know by now that it is important to have good allies in battle!"
Oh, Marinette knew that too well. She had no doubts that the final battle against Hawkmoth and all that preceded it wouldn't have ended as well if Luka hadn't been with her, her closest and most reliable ally to lean on. When he confessed he knew about her secret identity, she had regretted not having told him earlier.
Oh, and talking about allies...
"Tikki!! Help me!" Marinette called. But Tikki stared at them from the other side of the window, shivering and covering herself with the curtains. "Tikki!! C'mon!" The kwami ignored Marinette’s call for help. Before the human girl could complain, another snowball fell on her head. "Ouch!"
The snowballs kept flying from one side to the other, taking cover behind the few trees and bushes of the wide garden, laughing filling the space.
"Well? Do you surrender, Marinette?"
"Never!"
She knew she was at a disadvantage, but the words 'surrender' and ‘give up’ weren't in her vocabulary. Cornered by Luka on one side and Sass at the other and without anywhere to take cover she relied on her last resort.
"HIYAAAH!"
She charged against Luka, tackling him to the not so deep snow mat on the floor, her body over his.
"You cheater! That's not how a snowball fight works!" Luka laughed, pulling her closer in a tight hug.
"Everything is allowed in battle! And I won! That's all that matters!" She raised her face to meet his eyes and grinned.
He chuckled "You little mi-" ‘ mischievous? ’ she expected. "Miraculous girl" he unexpectedly ended, kissing the top of her nose. "You're too cute"
She flustered, hiding the reddish color in his chest. "That's not fair…"
"Didn't you just say everything is allowed in battle?" He smirked and she sank her face on his chest deeper as she shook her head lightly in disagreement.
If it was cold- they didn't mind it. They were pretty warm and cozy holding each other closely, despite his back being sunk in the snow.
"Is the snow battle over now?"
Sass's question brought them back to reality.
"Yes, Sass. Thank you for your help. There's some tofu in the fridge. You can take one pack. I'll prepare more for you later, your favorite."
"Thhhhhank you, Luka!" Sass’ tail bounced happily and the pair looked amusedly as Sass flew away, crossing through the window where Tikki had been some minutes ago. Then, Marinette rolled to the side, her back on the snow, next to Luka. They shared a smile.
"Do you want to play more with the snow or-"
"Snow angels!" She proclaimed. "I want to do it!"
"Sure. Let's do it"
' Her enthusiasm is contagious, ' Luka thought.
Marinette laughed as she moved her arms and legs, spreading up and down against the snow. When her arms were stretched towards Luka, her hands bumped into Luka's arm.
"You're too close! It's not going to look good!" Her cheeks pumped up, lips puckered as she stood up to let herself fall on the snow a bit further away. He looked entertained at her excitement and copied her action, making sure he left enough space for her to move freely without him being in the way. "This feels great, Luka! So much fun!"
At this point, Luka was just relishing watching Marinette play. She blushed when she looked to her side and found him staring at her with those enamored eyes of his. Arm strengthened, he pulled himself slightly closer, just enough to approach her hand, carefully, so he didn't destroy her snow angel. She gladly took it without a second thought.
"I'm so happy, Luka" she squeezed her hand in his. "This place is super lovely and I have the best company I could ever wish for. I love you. I'm so glad to have you in my life"
"The feeling is mutual, Marinette" he hummed a melody, and she listened closely, letting herself get lost into it. "Do you want to head back or do you want to play more with the snow?" He asked.
"I want to make a snowman!" She exclaimed.
"Sure" he smiled at her begging eyes. "But why don't we have lunch first? I heard your stomach rumble"
"You heard!?" She blushed.
"Yes, I did. I'm hungry too. Let's cook and eat first and work on the snowman later? We can have our coffee after lunch"
"Sounds great!" She grinned.
"And what about the snuggles? Do you still want them?" He teased.
"Of course I do! All day! Next to the fireplace!" She daydreamed out loud. "But only when the snowman is finished!"
"Very well" he chuckled, his back straight up. "Let's hurry inside. It's freezing here" he stood up and moved in front of Marinette, who took his hand to help herself up to her feet with a quiet "thank you". He pulled her hand tightly. "You know, Marinette? I was thinking that maybe the kwamis will want to help us with the snowman"
"Oh! What a great idea!" Marinette's eyes filled with sparkles. "It's been a while since they've been outside the box! I bet they'll love it!" Her eyes looked at the window and she spotted Tikki frowning her brows. Marinette's expression mimicked the kwami's. "Well- as long as they're not as weak to the cold as Tikki…"
Luka snickered at the glare Marinette gave to the red kwami. He didn't expect her to be so hurt by her kwami's betrayal over a playful match. The scene was somewhat funny to him.
"Marinette, I-" Tikki called as soon as the girl entered the house, but Marinette tilted her head up and to the side with an annoyed "Hmph!" and moved to the bedroom to change her clothes.
Luka and Sass approached the kwami, who was sulking. "Don't worry, Tikki. She understands you dislike the cold. She's just a bit hurt"
"But…"
“You should help us to build the snowman later. It will be fun and I'm sure Marinette will be pleased. And if you need help with her, we’re here” Luka assured, and Sass nodded.
"Okay"
Tikki was still a bit unsure when Luka left to start lighting the fireplace. The guitarist didn't think the day he was going to use Anarka's survival skills teachings would come, but there he was- lighting a fire with logs and kindling. Tikki and Sass watched him carefully light the fire, learning while being fascinated with the flames growing taller. With the fireplace ready, Marinette approached to warm up beside it while waiting for Luka to come back with dry clothes on.
"Luka! I'm going to cook for you!" She informed him, with her apron on. "I want to thank you for always being so wonderful to me"
He had just finished hanging his winter clothes next to hers by the fireplace with Sass and Tikki's help when she spoke.
"Let's cook together, then" he rolled his sleeves up as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Eh? But-!"
"I want to thank you and show you my appreciation for you as well."
"You don't have to! You already spoil me all the time… I want to spoil you too!"
"You do spoil me, Marinette. Every minute you spend with me, I feel like the most fortunate person in the world"
"That’s not true! You're the one spoiling me! Why won't you let me spoil you!?" She whined.
"What do you want to eat? Should I cut some vegetables?" He tied his apron on.
"Luka! I was talking-!" She started, but he gave her that innocent look of his as he got a knife and had a couple of leeks ready in his hands. "Ah- yes, vegetables are good, if you please"
Argh- Lucky her how Hawkmoth never realized Luka was her weakness .
Marinette had already known from previous (multiple) occasions, but she really liked how well she and Luka worked together. Be it with fashion and art sense, cooking or fighting akumas. They understood each other without words, almost as if they could read the other's minds. And she loved it . The calm and assurance that Luka gave her made her relax and feel at peace. It almost seemed like a brand new feeling, after years of daily stress from her double life routine.
Luka was her safe place.
A very special person she loved and wanted to keep close by in her life forever.
Marinette released the kwamis while the quiche was in the oven. Some of them immediately sought for warmth by the fireplace that Sass was feeding with more logs, following Luka’s instructions. Apparently, a few kwamis also disliked the freezing weather as much as Tikki did, the humans noticed. Meanwhile, Pollen, Kaalki, Roarr and Ziggy searched for items to decorate the snowman later and the other kwamis played around the room while Luka played his acoustic guitar and Marinette knitted.
"Tikki" Marinette called her kwami. "Come here, please"
Nervous, the creation kwami nodded and reached her human friend, who had her hands closed. "Yes…?"
"This is for you," the human girl said to the kwami's surprise. When she opened what was hiding in her hands, Tikki was speechless in delight.
"That’s-"
"I knitted you warm clothes. Now you have no excuse not to come play with us, ok?" She winked.
"Marinette!! I love it! Thank you!!" Tikki flew to hug her smiling face tightly. "I'm sorry for earlier!"
Marinette giggled at the tears of joy spilled by the kwami and returned the embrace. "I know, Tikki. I'm not mad. I know you would come and help me no matter how cold it was outside if I was in real danger. You already proved so many times." If the kwami wasn't red they would have noticed her blushing. "But I wanted you to come and play with us, too. It's rare to have free time like this, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. You worked very hard these past years and I'm very proud of you! I'll be very happy to help with the snowman!" She grinned, wearing the robe and its hoodie on.
"Good!" Marinette grinned. "Why don't you go help Kaalki and the others then?"
"Okay!" Tikki flew away to join the rest of the kwamis.
"Tikki! Your robe looks so cute! I want one too, guardian!" "Me too!" "And me!"
"Fine, fine" Marinette giggled, knitting a few more pieces of clothing for all of them- or at least for the ones who disliked the cold.
Luka continued playing his guitar, but he couldn't help but to smile fondly at the happy sight. The moment he made eye contact with the ladybug kwami, he made sure to wink in reassurance and the kwami smiled brightly in response.
After lunch and coffee, Marinette, Luka and the kwamis went outside to build the snowman. They worked playfully while singing the song from Disney’s movie Frozen altogether (Longg sang it in Japanese, to everyone’s surprise). Marinette and Luka chuckled as she admired Fluff’s effort not to eat the carrot used as the snowman’s nose.
Before they could give the snowman its final touch, the ladybug themed knit hat suggested by Tikki, a strong gust of wind made the piece of clothing fly away with it.
"Oh- no! Come back!" Marinette straightened her arm, trying to catch it, but Luka pushed her the other way as the wind became stronger. A few branches fell down to the snow covered floor.
"Marinette, everyone! Inside! Now!" Luka yelled.
"But the hat!" Marinette protested.
"When the weather improves! Now let's get safe inside!"
Once safe inside, the kwamis and Marinette looked at the snowman with puppy eyes through the window.
"The snowman will be cold…" one kwami lamented. "Can't we really go get it real quick?"
"I want to. Maybe it's still close if we hurry-"
"No, you can't," Luka settled, cutting Marinette's suggestion short.
"But you bought that hat for me, Luka! It's important to me!"
"It's just a hat, Marinette. There's nothing as important to me as your safety." Marinette let her body weight fall onto Luka, wrapping her arms around his middle and she rubbed her back with care. "Let's go search for it when the wind and the snow stop, ok?"
"Will we find it?" She mumbled sadly into his clothes.
"Well- I can't say. But we have luck on our side, don't we?" He touched her earrings with his eyes.
"You, dork!" She giggled at his comment. "But well- it's true that I do feel very lucky with you. Plus we do have the best little allies!"
He laughed back and wrapped her even closer, lifting her slightly to the air. After a few awkward steps, he let themselves fall down on the couch, by the fireplace. He smirked at her confused face. "Now- snuggles?"
"Yes!" She laughed cozily, hugging her boyfriend even closer.
They didn't need to ask before the kwamis brought them a blanket and joined them around.
‘Definitely the best allies’, they agreed.
They spent the rest of the afternoon there, cozy, snuggling together with the warmth of the fireplace, with the kwamis either playing around the fire or nestling with the couple under the blanket.
“I really needed this vacation… It’s been a very long while since I’ve felt so nice… maybe never,” Marinette hugged him tighter. “Thank you for taking me here, Luka”
“Thank you for coming with me, Marinette” He kissed the top of her head and returned the embrace, making sure the blanket covered her properly. His efforts turned out worthless as she changed positions, rose up to kiss his lips lovingly and settled comfortably between his face and his shoulder. He readjusted the blanket over them.
Maybe they were away from Paris, from their families, from their friends… and from the flat they were going to move into together next month…
But being there, safely snuggled in each other's arms…? It was very, very nice…
At home.
As for the kwamis? They were noisy, sure, but it was joyful being able to let them play freely like that.
A happy family she wanted to keep forever.
“Let’s come back next year,” she suggested with excitement. “And every year from now on…” she dared, expectantly.
He looked at her in surprise, but immediately softened at what she implied.
Luka knew he wanted her forever… The little box he kept hidden inside his guitar case was proof enough. Besides, Valentine's day was around the corner. Maybe it was about time to pop the question…
“Every year from now on sounds wonderful,” he whispered in delight.
“Good!” Marinette squished her lips into his cheek and took cover once again into his shoulder. She was quite sure he was blushing, but the warmth from the fireplace made it hard to tell.
Their wide smiles left no trace of doubt about their love and happiness, though.
The next day, the wind and snow had stopped. Together, with the kwamis, they finished the snowman. Luckily, the ladybug themed knit hat got stuck in a bush nearby and Tikki found it easily. She had wanted to help despite the cold, and Marinette had rewarded her, gladly, with hand-made macarons.
On the third day, the snow melted, including the snowman. The kwamis teared up and cried at their loss, but the sun was out and the weather was very nice for a stroll amid nature and a picnic. The day turned out to be really enjoyable.
During their little vacation, Luka composed a few songs- all of them about Marinette- and Marinette sketched a few designs- based on Luka (and a few of the kwamis). They shared plenty of kisses- too many to count-, cuddled a lot beside the fireplace cozily, whispered hundreds of ‘ I love you ’, tenderly, to each other’s ears and made love for the first time when they felt naturally ready for it.
They never failed to inspire, love and support each other.
And when their vacation ended, they were sad to leave the bungalow behind, but made sure to leave the reservation for next year and for the same dates paid beforehand.
And that next time, when they returned, Marinette wore a shiny engagement band on her ring finger, expected to soon be substituted by a wedding band that matched her now fiancé and future husband, Luka.
Year after year, they kept the tradition and they agreed to call it ‘the best days of the year ’.
