The Identity Problem •Luka x Reader x Adrien•

Horror Movie

"So who do you think the song was about?"

"Dude it could be anyone."

"I think it's Storm, she kind of looked uncomfortable when he was mentioned."

I cringed internally at Alya's nitpicking. But Marinette smoothed it over as usual, she always found a way to save me even when she didn't realize it.

"Or she was uncomfortable because they're friends and people are always shipping them together."

"Gotta agree with Marinette, can't imagine that it's the best position to be put in."

I glanced at Luka as he spoke, he looked thoughtful. I paused the conversation to change the topic.

"What are we watching now?"

"Eh, some other TVi show until Adrien gets here."

Nino sunk into the beanbag, wrapping his arm over Alya's shoulder.

"Is he sneaking out again?"

"Nah I think he actually asked this time."

"And his dad let him come?"

"Nope, his dad wasn't home. Dude just begged his assistant."

'I forgot he was at the live show. Hopefully, he isn't angry at Adrien when he's not there when he comes home.'

We drifted off into peaceful small conversations until Marinette checked her phone and stood up.

"Ugh my parents need help at the bakery, I wish I could stay the night but I already blew them off last time they asked."

The group gave a chorus of unpleasant grumbles, but the dark-haired girl already had her coat on and her foot out the door.

"It's dark out, we should walk her home-"

"Knowing Marinette she's already halfway down the block by now."

Juleka did little to ease my nerves, but in her defense, she had no idea about my previous experience. My eyes fell on the door, uncertainty pulling me two ways. My brain short-circuited as a hand made its way between my lower back and the wall. Luka was suddenly closer to me on the bed offering a reassuring smile. His touch grounded me and also made butterflies bubble up from the pit of my stomach. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"Will text her to tell us when she's home. Okay?"

I pulled back to scan his face for false reassurance but found he was earnest. I nod in agreement. The show continues to play some cooking competitions with small-time celebrities and Luka stays close to my side.

Eventually, Adrien interrupts the smaller chatter and sounds of pots clanging from the TV. Nino stood to dab him up.

"Hey man, you finally made it!"

"Barely, Nathalie almost kept me in when my father called. He went to the live show of Side by Side and then to a meeting after."

"Doesn't matter, at least you're here now! You just missed Marinette."

Alya commented as she scrolled through the movie options on Netflix. Adrien set his stuff down against Luka's dresser and plopped down on the bed next to me. Juleka and Rose both stood, the blonde rubbing her eyes as the other spoke.

"Hate to be a party pooper but I think we're both dead, we stayed up last night binging the new Adams family show. We're gonna go to bed."

"Sleep tight guys."

"See ya in the morning!"

They trickled out the door, as everyone sent them away with a 'good night'. Eventually, the five of us settled on a horror movie, some cheesy one where a family moves into a house that's supposedly haunted. We were only a few minutes in when the blonde nudged my shoulder, when I turned my head to face him he leaned in close to my ear.

"Did you get that email Mr. Laurent sent out?"

His voice felt as though it was vibrating through me even with his hushed tone. I nodded with a small smile.

"Ya, I'm glad he gave us virtual copies of the script too. I memorize better that way."

I felt a hand nudge my right thigh after I responded and looked at Luka. He placed his phone in my hand, an iMessage screen lighting up between him and Marinette. It confirmed she had made it home safe, I bit back a sigh of relief. Leaning up to whisper in his ear.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

He pulled away, blue eyes scanning over me with a lazy smile.

"Always."

I would have had to have the emotional density of a brick to not feel the tension between the guys on either side of me. To add insult to injury Alya kept shooting glances over her shoulder at us, my only response was vibrating from my phone.

'She is texting the group chat.'

With everyone's feelings more out in the open, it made these situations tricky for me to navigate. I don't want to hurt the other's feelings by ignoring one for the other. Deep down I know I shouldn't feel this way when I'm hanging out with my friends. But in the same breath, I shouldn't be lying to them about what I do as a job or the second portion of my life as a whole.

Focusing on the TV at this point was becoming too exhausting, and the stress the day had brought was beginning to seep out of me at this point. The movie wasn't even halfway through but I stood up and stretched.

"I think I'm gonna catch some Zs. Do you guys mind if I pass out on the bean bag?"

"Go for it, dude."

"Night girl."

"You sure you don't want my bed? We can move."

I locked eyes with the blue-haired boy before scrunching them while yawning. Debating for a second for the sake of my back pain in the morning, I turned down his generosity.

"Na you guys are good. I will take this though-"

In one quick swoop, I swiped the blanket Adrien was using from his grasp. It was a chunky knit blue one that Marinette had made Luka a while back. The blonde faked offense, and tried to snatch it back which he was promptly met with the pillow I snagged off the floor.

"This is pillow abuse."

I smirked vexatiously, before letting myself fall straight back onto the bean bag. I curled into it and tucked the pillow under my head lightly. Sleep took me quickly.