21. Decisions and A Life-Long Promise

"Y/n?"

You cringed at the disbelief that was clear in his voice.

"Yeah?" You asked, still looking down at your feet. You stood on the deck that would take you onto his houseboat, for the very last time.

"What are you doing here?" He stepped towards you, too quickly, making you take a step backwards.

You looked up at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

"I'm-"

"I'm so sorry Y/n, for everything. I mean it." He was stepping closer to you again, misreading your intentions for being there. You put your hand up as if you were shielding yourself and it immediately was pressed against his chest.

He was getting too close.

"I'm..." You took in a deep breath before allowing your eyes to meet his for the first time in a month. "I'm just here too finish the song."

His eyes saddened immediately. "The...song." The words barely escaped his lips.

You nodded, firmly. "The song."

He took two steps back and gripped his hair as he stared out into the water, steadying his breathing. Weeks ago, seeing him getting worked up at your stance would have infuriated you. Not this time, now you were making progress.

One step closer to healing, every day.

"Let's go finish it." He glanced back over at you and smiled ever so softly, knowing he was letting go of the last piece of you he had.

You nodded and followed him to his room, clutching tightly to your purse. As you entered, Juleka looked up at you with a mixture of nerves and hopefulness laced in her expression.

You simply waved.

As you arrived in his bedroom, everything was set up the exact same from the last time you were there. You walked over to the stool he had set up for you behind his keyboard, but stopped once you noticed the slight difference among his bedroom.

Near his door, where his picture with his father hung proud, was another picture right next to it. You felt your brows furrow as the picture of the two of you laughing together at his birthday party stared back at you.

Luka hadn't noticed you inspecting the image as he was unzipping his guitar case with his back turned to you.

You gulped, shaking your head, as you walked over to sit behind the keyboard.

You didn't even remember that picture being taken.

Your heart was pounding against your chest but you tried your hardest to calm your breathing. His eyes met yours and you felt your entire body stiffen.

"Just two more lines."

"Three more chords." You whispered.

Luka's brows furrowed. "You sure about that?"

"Positive." You responded simply as you pointed at your note sheet in front of you.

He frowned. "I thought we had more time." He whispered.

Your hesitation revealed itself in a slight gasp. "Luka." Your voice was a warning and he nodded, recognizing his mistake instantly.

The session finished quicker than ever. You couldn't help but wonder if it was because the two of you finally experienced the true heartbreak you thought you had when you began writing the song.

You just wished you weren't the ones to break each other.

You stood and folded your notebook and slipped it into your bag. "Thank you, for agreeing to finish it." You smiled softly as you began walking to his door to leave for the last time.

Luka realized this and his heart began pounding rapidly against his chest. "Are you going to be with him now?" He regretted asking it instantly, but it was the only thing he could think of to make you stay.

At least for a few more seconds.

You paused, your hand hovering over his doorknob as you thought. "No." Your response was simple and you could almost sense the relief coming off of him.

"Oh—I uh, wasn't sure." He admitted and you turned towards him with a slight nod of your head.

"Anything else?" You asked and he stiffened.

"Are you going to be okay?" His voice was soft and his eyes vary warily met yours.

If the question had come from anyone else it would've surprised you. "Yeah Luka. I am going to be okay. I chose myself and I don't need anyone else to fix me. I'm going to be the best version of me I can and no one is going to stop me." Your lips had shifted into a determined smile and Luka felt tears brimming out of the corners of his eyes.

"I believe in you Y/n."

"I know, thank you Luka." Your whisper was strained as you opened his door, stepped out, and closed it for the last time.

**

As you left the barge you stood there for a moment to look back and reflect on what you were leaving behind. Your phone buzzed in your pocket and you pulled it out with a puzzled expression on your face.

"Hello? Marinette?" You asked into your phone as you walked onto the sidewalk.

"Okay—hey, how was the song writing?" She asked even though you could tell she had something she needed to talk to you about, involving herself.

You smiled softly at her effort, it was a piece of advice your therapist had given her and you were relieved to see she was actually trying it. "It was good. It was definitely sad but I'm really glad to know it's finally finished."

"I think it was good for you to finally go over there. Now you can move forward and chase those dreams." She was speaking in a rehearsed sounding encouraging voice.

You laughed. "Okay you can tell me why you called now."

She groaned in relief. "I'm sorry! I just got so excited." She whined and you hummed.

"I know."

"So you know how you told me...you know who Chat Noir is?" She asked, whispering his name so whoever was around her wouldn't be able to hear.

"I do." You laughed.

"Well I know I told you I didn't want to know who he was...but I think I do now!" She was talking rapidly and you were amazed that she wasn't stumbling over her words.

"Yeah, okay I'll call him over. As long as I can see the two of you reveal yourselves." You grinned, knowing how amusing it would be.

Marinette sighed. "Fine you little manipulator."

"I'll call him now, see you in a few."

"See you." She was really nervous.

You sighed as you scrolled through your contacts to find Adrien's. Things have been a bit strained between the two of you since his confession, but he completely respected the fact that you were taking time to find yourself again. He couldn't be happier for you. Since he was so supportive, you decided to let him stick around.

"Wassup bestie." Adrien answered goofily and you couldn't contain your laughter.

"God—-please stop that." You double over.