(Y/N), Juleka, and Rose spent most of the next Saturday getting ready for the concert. (Y/N) met up with Rose and they headed to Juleka's houseboat. When they told (Y/N) about where Juleka lived during lunch the day before, they almost didn't believe them. I mean, how many people live on houseboats.
Juleka practically begged to do (Y/N)'s makeup for the concert, which is what lead them here, in Juleka's room with her face and hands a little too close to (Y/N) for it to be considered platonic.
"(Y/N) the eyeliner looks so good! Juleka, you outdid yourself," Rose squealed excitedly, slightly bouncing in her seat "You both are gonna be the best looking people there"
Juleka's face flushed slightly at the compliment along with (Y/N) "Rose, People aren't going to see much of me because of where I am on stage but I agree, (Y/N) looks good" Juleka replied as she pulled herself away from (Y/N) and grabbing the mirror off of her slightly messy desk.
(Y/N) nodded along to the conversation as they looked in the mirror, the eyeliner was perfect, the makeup was balanced and complimented (Y/N) perfectly, the sheer skill that it took to make this look more than made up for an hour of awkward closeness. "Juleka, thank you so much! This really is perfect! You are so talented!"
Juleka's face deepened in shade again at the praise, she tried to hide behind her hair as she squeaked out a small thank you.
Rose cleared her throat, "Alright, so you know about Juleka's older brother, right?"
(Y/N) nodded, "Yeah you guys talked about him, why?"
"He's in the band. We told him to keep an eye out for you," Juleka started, finding with the bracelets on her arms as she spoke, "He can't play that long for the next week or so. He hurt his wrist kind of badly in an Akuma attack and he has to heal. So we told him you were coming in hopes he would open up a bit. He loves playing the guitar, it's how he expressed everything and he's been really depressed lately, something to do with the girl he liked-" Juleka continued, but was interrupted by a loud thud upstairs followed by a muffled shout from someone upstairs.
"I'm home," The voice shouted "and I brought food"
"That would be him now," Rose smiled "Want to come up and meet him?"
Juleka looked at (Y/N) with a sympathetic glance, she understood (Y/N)'s social anxiety much better than Rose did, but also knew there was absolutely no refusing Rose.
(Y/N) looked at the door and sighed, scrambling to put together as much courage as they could "Sure, let's go"
Rose cheered while Juleka opened the door to her room and started up the staircase "I have friends over, we're coming up" she announced the whoever was in the kitchen.
Luka nodded "Okay," he replied briefly as he continued to put groceries away, paying no mind to what's going on behind him "is it Rose and Alix?" he asked
"Rose and (Y/N)," Luka whirled around to face Juleka wide-eyed, clearly surprised it was someone new, "They just moved here last week," Juleka explained.
Luka nodded "I'm proud of you. I know making friends isn't easy for you, I'll make sure I'm nice to them."
Juleka smiled, flashing a quick thumbs up before turning to help Rose onto the deck.
"Hey, Rose!" Luka said with a grin, leaning over the island cabinet and fiddling with his bracelet "You ready for the gig tonight?"
Rose nodded "I'm so excited! We're debuting a new song tonight, right? And you're singing for the first time"
As Rose responded, (Y/N) finally came on deck, immediately noticing the guy behind the counter and their face burning up almost instantly. (Y/N) silently thanked whatever divine force had him engaged in conversation so he didn't see it. Unfortunately for (Y/N), Juleka definitely noticed.
Luka blushed and smiled "Yeah, I'm a little nervous,"
"Oh come on! You sing so well in practice, I know you'll do great!" Rose half-shouted encouragingly, her face lit up with anticipation and pride.
Juleka cleared her throat, calling attention from both her girlfriend and her brother "Luka, this is (Y/N). They'll be hanging out backstage at the concert."
Luka smiled, waving happily "Juleka told me a bit about you. You know, it's not every day someone joins us backstage." he said with a joking smirk
"Is that a problem? Because I can hang out in the audience if that's an issue." (Y/N) said, their face flushed with embarrassment.
Luka's attitude immediately shifted from joking to comforting, already used to things like this because of Juleka and Marinette. He looked at (Y/N) sincerely, stepping out from behind the counter and rushing to their side out of habit "It's not a problem at all, really! I'm sorry, I was just kidding. Juleka almost never invites friends backstage."
Juleka smirked, knowing full well (Y/N) was going to turn as pink as Rose's outfit as soon as Luka turned back around. She looked at Rose and saw her taking pictures, muttering something about how they'll need this at their wedding.
"No, it's my fault! I'm sorry, I don't know why I was-"
"No apologies necessary, just try to relax. Can I get you anything, soda, water?" Luka responded in a gentle, intimate voice, carefully holding (Y/N)'s wrist
(Y/N) took a deep breath and let their muscles relax, looking up at Luka with a bright smile "Water would be great, thanks!" Their smile caused Luka's heart to fill up with pride, suddenly really happy he was the one who made them smile.
Luka nodded, heading back to the kitchen on a quest for water. As he dug through the fridge, Rose and Juleka looked at (Y/N) wise-eyed, Rose clearly trying not to squeal. (Y/N) giggled and blushed frantically, trying to pull themselves together before Luka saw.
"So, what's the new song about?" (Y/N) asked as they sat down at the kitchen island, trying to change the subject.
At (Y/N)'s sudden question, the room suddenly stilled, filling with uncertain tension. Juleka glanced at the ground quickly while Rose somehow managed to look visibly smaller. Both girls snuck a peek at Luka as his shoulders briefly stiffened, taking in a deep breath as he did so.
Luka smiled sadly as if pulling himself out of a bittersweet memory, looking down slightly to acknowledge the (H/C) haired stranger in front of him "It's about a girl," he started, glancing at Juleka with a curious gaze as she nodded softly at him. He reached glanced at the door and spoke in a low murmur "Can we talk about this outside?"
(Y/N) nodded, suddenly feeling an air of seriousness about the situation they hadn't felt before "Yeah," they replied as they found themselvee being guided outside, surprised by the gentle touch of Luka's fingers on their wrist.
He helped (Y/N) step up onto the deck, both teens taking a brief moment to enjoy the sun warm their skin and brighten the mood. Luka leaned against the fencing, tilting his head back and letting the sun hit all of his features in an almost angelic way.
(Y/N)'s face flushed slightly, trying desperately to push any thoughts away before they grew into something they couldn't control. They began to fiddle with their thumbs, pondering about which person was going to break the silence first. However, they were quickly silenced when Luka mumbled something quietly.
"What?" (Y/N) murmured quietly, trying to make this as easy a conversation as possible "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, we just met and-"
"No," Luka began, reaching up to his neck and fiddling with the silver chain dangling across his collarbone "I want to, I'm just not very good at talking," he said, trying to give (Y/N) some kind of explanation.
"It's okay." (Y/N) smiled, pushing themselves off the wall they had leaned on and pulling hair from their face "There's no pressure. Take all the time you want," (Y/N) said, their voice bringing an overwhelming sense of serenity Luka hadn't felt since before Marinette, making his ears flush slightly.
The boy smiled, glancing shyly at the ground and suddenly feeling slightly bashful before remembering what he's supposed to talk about, the very thought causing his smile to quickly fall away. He glanced at the water below them, seeing the light dance around as the waved constantly shifted before taking a short but deep breath "Her name is Marinette.."
(Y/N) glanced at him, their eyes filled with curiosity as they waited for him to continue.
"She was in love with another guy from the start. But she was so nice and endearing that I didn't care. I let her take me with them to an ice skating rink so she wouldn't be third wheeling- I thought we were getting somewhere and that we had a chance, but, they got together. After that Mari didn't want to see me as much anymore." He whispered, holding himself in his arms as he spoke "It happened a few months ago. Kitty Section has exploded since then so I should be happy, but, every show my sister goes off with her friends and I just kind of sit by myself. It's lonely. I was fine with that before she came into the picture so-" Luka continued, tears beginning to well up in his eyes as (Y/N) carefully reached out to caress his shoulder, causing him to stiffen up slightly before leaning into the touch.
(Y/N) was speechless, trying not to break whatever spell it felt they were both under. (Y/N) studied Luka's features as he looked at them with such genuine surprise at the tender gesture "When was the last time you talked to anyone like this, Luka?" They whispered softly
Luka's eyebrows raised slightly as he let out a laugh "Too long," he said with a smile. He took his arms off of the railing and straightening his posture, clearing his throat as the spell began to break.
(Y/N) wordlessly opened thei4 arms "Is it okay if I hug you?" They asked, not wanting to make him uncomfortable but desperately wanting to hold him tight until his broken heart melts back together.
Luka smiled brighter than he had that entire day, his joy finally reaching his eyes as he laughed and pulled (Y/N) into a strong, warm embrace "Thanks for this, (Y/N)."
"Anytime, Luka" (Y/N) said, basking in the love they felt from Luka as (Y/N) silently begged the universe for him to hold them like this again.
When (Y/N) was in the bathroom shortly after that and Luka and Juleka made dinner, she noticed her brother's spirit burning a little brighter than it had that morning "So how'd it go with (Y/N)?" Juleka asked, a stupid grin on her face.
Luka smiled like an idiot as he fondly remembered the moment him and (Y/N) had shared just minutes ago, "I feel so much better. You know how to pick 'em, Jules."