The night was silent and dark except for the moon that stood beautifully in the middle of them.
“You’ve changed.” She said, admiring him from afar. His suit was modified. Instead of most of the suit being aqua color, it was darker and had a different pattern. His build filled the suit, more toned. His hair didn’t change to teal tips anymore. She was going to miss that.
He laughed. “Is that a good thing?”
“Yeah!” She said fast. Definitely too fast. She nervously giggled. “I mean, yeah.” She stepped closer as did he. She took off his mask. Even though she hadn’t seen him in years and he was almost unrecognizable. He was still her Luka. She’d recognize those eyes anywhere. Those sweet sea eyes that she could just swim on them.
“So the masks can just come off?”
Marinette nodded before frowning. “Ever since the city knows our identities, there’s really no use in masks.” Her frown quickly turned to a fake smile to prevent him from seeing it. However, he had already caught it. “I mean the masks still look cool and badass.”
Instead of pushing it, he let it go. “Yeah, totally.” His fingers caressed her cheek to make her feel good. Just like old times. And just like that, she remembered.
She remembered him caressing her face with such delicacy. She remembered how no words needed to be spoken, just their eyes connecting to one another. How his soft lips tasted and how gentle they were against hers. How she fell asleep easily in his arms. And how hurt she was watching him, a slim, cyan dyed tips boy leave to another country. How she cried various nights when she needed him. How can a boy so sweet be so mean? Finally, when he’d gotten every piece of her heart and entire soul, he left with his father.
She took a step back letting his hand mid air. “Luka.” Her head looked anywhere but him. She needed to tell him. Even if it hurts. How can emotions cave in so fast that took so long to leave behind? “Luka, I’m- I’m getting married.”
Luka stood still. He didn’t look surprised and yet he did. “Is it Adrien?” Marinette nodded softly. “Then why do you look like you’re being forced?”
His question caught her off guard. No one was forcing her. Adrien was the perfect man. He was funny and caring. She was supposed to be the luckiest woman according to all the media for scoring such a man. Not to mention the fact that all of Paris wanted her to marry the famous Cat Noir. Ladybug and Cat Noir’s wedding was all Paris talked about.
Her parents were also completely ecstatic about it as did her whole family. So no, no one was forcing her. She was doing what was right. Her duty. Her destiny. If Master Fu was here, he’d be happy for them, for the Cat and Ladybug miraculous were always meant to be.
“No one is forcing me, Luka.” Marinette proclaimed. Her index finger tapped his chest rather harshly. “I’m doing this for myself.”
Luka smiled. “Okay.”
This infuriated her. He didn’t believe her. She didn’t even believe her own self, which made her more agitated. Was she doing this for the public or for herself? “You-” She couldn’t stand him anymore. Screw him. And his pretty face. “I better go. Got a whole wedding to plan.”
Before she could go, she heard him speak.
“Don’t marry him.”
Her heart skipped. It was just three words that felt like the end of the world to her again. She could feel her tears threatening to come out. He’s not supposed to do that.
“It’s selfish, I know.” But they couldn’t be together. “And I know I shouldn’t be telling you not to.” Luka came closer to her, “But please, let me just be selfish this one time.”
He needs to stop.
She turned around to find his eyes filled with tears as well. The same eyes that told her goodbye 4 years ago. “Luka, don’t do this to me. Please.” She choked on her tears. Why was it so hard for her to let go of him?
“Your melody sounds like a slow guitar playing being muffled by a whole concert playing in the next room.” It was a gift for him but a curse for her right now. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Marinette faced the Eiffel Tower that was in the view of both. Adrien had proposed right there. There was a whole speech, fireworks, confetti, and a crowd that cornered her to say yes. As much as she loved the people, she would have preferred something more private.
“He’s my soulmate,” She said. Even when she tried to say it more convincingly, it still left a sour taste on her tongue. “according to the universe anyways.”
For the first time in so long, she heard him swear, “Fuck the universe. We decide who we want as our destiny.” His face close to hers, “I choose you.”
Her mouth opened and closed, unable to talk. He still loved her after all these years. He was patient, waiting for her to speak.
“I choose you too.”
Luka smiled and was about to say something before she put a finger on his mouth to stop him, “But it’s hopeless. We just can’t rewrite the stars. Everything will be keeping us apart. My family, the public. What if you have to go again? I can’t just go through the same pain once more.”
He looked down, then around. Something was on his mind and for the first time, she saw him doubting until… “Then let’s run away. You and me. Far from here. In America, in London, wherever you want, I just want to be with you.”
She took a step back, “What?”
“Run away with me.” He repeated.
“No.” She shook her head, “My wedding is in two days.”
Was she actually considering it?
“Then we’ll leave tomorrow at midnight.” He took a step closer to her and removed a loose strand of hair that was in front of her face. His eyes fell to her lips then her eyes, “May I?”
He didn’t need to explain what he wanted to do. She knew. And she did too. She leaned in and that was all he needed to lean in as well. Their lips reconnected once again. It felt like a broken puzzle piece finally completed after a long search of those two missing pieces. They moved in sync.
Only when breathing was needed, they broke their kiss. His temple laid against hers, “I’ll wait for you here at midnight. If you don’t come, I’ll understand. But that’s where I’ll be.” Their hands disconnected and he left into the night, leaving her deciding what to do.
Luka waited till the time hit 11:30 pm to hit the road. He left everything except for his clothes and packed it in the back of his car. He would call his mother and sister once Marinette and he settled somewhere. He drove until he got to their little spot. An abandoned rooftop with a beautiful view of the city and the Eiffel Tower. He didn’t wait for Sass to transform him like the previous night. He grabbed a ladder and climbed to the top.
Nobody was there. Luka checked his watch. 11:50pm. He was a bit early so he sat down, waiting.
11:58pm. Any minute now. He rubbed off any dust from his clothes if he had any.
12:04am. She’s probably running late.
12:11am. Maybe there was something on the way.
He waited and waited until 2:13am. She wasn’t coming. He got up and called her.
Her voicemail answered instead of her, “Hey, it’s Marinette. Leave a message and I’ll get right back to you when I can.” He tried 3 more times but each time it sent him to her voicemail.
Luka knew her answer but he refused to believe it. His hand hit the back of his head multiple times, nervously. Where was she? She looked convinced.
When Luka calmed down, he found a letter nearby. How many times did he walk back and forth without noticing it? He picked it up. It was addressed to him. Opening it quickly, his heart began pounding. It was Marinette’s handwriting.
To my dearest Pirate,
It may seem such a cowardly way to say goodbye but I couldn’t bring myself to tell you in person. I’m leaving Paris indefinitely. Thanks to your love, I figured I would be stuck in a loveless marriage if I stayed. I don’t know how I’m going to do this again without you. But I will survive. You taught me that. I’m just hoping you will too. I pray you’ll find someone that will be able to give you everything I never could. I’m so sorry for the pain I’m causing you as you read this but I need to do this. For you. For me. For the best for both of us. I love you. Thank you for your patience and love. May we find each other once more in our next life.
Yours always,
Melody.
He folded back the letter and looked into the full moon. He screamed before letting out a painful sob. His tears marked the floor. She did choose. She chose her own path.
Sometimes I am calm, and then I remember that the only 2 people that know Ladybug's Identity don't have the magical charms and then I'm not calm anymore.
