The Identity Problem •Luka x Reader x Adrien•

Breath

Before I can take back what I said Marinette is shouting across the room to them, more specifically Luka.

"Hey Luka can we borrow a guitar?"

"Mari they're in the middle of practicing-please."

"Nope I might only have one opportunity and I've been asking you for months."

I'm covering my face from embarrassment now and she is shaking my shoulders to try and remedy it. It isn't working.

There are some laughs that come from across the room, distinctly the highest and lowest voices in the group. So Ivan and Rose.

I drag my hands down my face and rest them on my chest. Before I can reopen my case in defense, a black and white guitar is being settled in my lap. Black nail polished hands pulling the strap around my body to rest snuggly.

"Are you sure, it's your guitar I don't wanna impose-"

"There's no one I would trust more to use it."

"Rude."

Juleka cuts in from behind, and he chuckles behind his hand.

I shoot a look up to him and for a moment it takes me back to when we first met. The day I crashed their band practice and surprised him by playing the guitar. Thinking back he doesn't let anyone touch his guitar, but he let me without even knowing me.

I take a deep breath and nod as he steps back over to the group. Socially aware enough to not have everyone stand over me and watch. As their practice picks back up, I strum a few cords experimentally.

I blow a strand of hair out of my face and glance at Marinette who nods encouragingly. I begin the cords to the first verse, then hesitantly add the music.

I've been holding my breathI've been counting to tenOver something you saidI've been holding back tearsI'm alone in bed

You know I, I'm afraid of changeGuess that's why we stay the same

Now that the nerves are gone I sink into the song, let the music flow. It felt like I was letting my feelings beat like a heart for the first time. Breathing and flowing through my body with melancholy grace.

So tell me to leaveI'll pack my bags, get on the roadFind someone that loves youBetter than I do, darling I know'Cause you remind me every dayI'm not enough but I still stay

Feels like a lifetimeJust tryna get byWhile we're dying insideI've done a lot of things wrongLoving you being oneBut I can't move on

You know I, I'm afraid of changeGuess that's why we stay the same

I feel the beanbag shift as Marinette slumps into a half lying down position. I don't look at her, my eyes stay shut while I feel the strings of the guitar thrum beneath my hands.

So tell me to leaveI'll pack my bags, get on the roadFind someone that loves youBetter than I do, darling I know'Cause you remind me every dayI'm not enough but I still stay

If you want me to leaveThen tell me to leave, and baby I'll go

You remind me every dayI'm not enough but I still stay

The last line comes out like a fresh breath of air, and the sound the guitar makes hangs in the room for a second. That's how I noticed it had grown silent.

The Kitty Section members break into a round of applause. Marinette slaps my knee playfully.

"Why have you never sung for us until now? This is kind of insane, you're so talented."

"I sang in the play a little...and once for Luka."

My face is warm at the attention, especially when the others begin to crowd me. I shrug off the guitar strap and hand it back to its owner with a bashful smile.

"You should sing with Kitty Section for a show!"

Rose squeals kneeling down next to me, I can't help but flinch at the thought.

"I'm honored you would think of me, but the most I'll do is karaoke."