"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.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help myself."

"Okay, so I know you and Ladybug have been having your own issues within your partnership and everything." You began and you heard him grunt in annoyance.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." He murmured.

"Well, things have been getting better right?" You asked and he hummed.

"Mhmm."

"Well, do you wanna know her secret identity?" You asked bluntly, tired of all the buildup conversation.

You clearly flustered him. "What!?" He exclaimed and you laughed.

"I know her identity and she would like to know yours."

"You told her you know who I am?!" He shouted, sounding betrayed.

You sighed, waving your hand out in front of you even though you knew he couldn't see you. "Relax. You'll see why when you meet her. Just be in my room in like fifteen minutes, Kay?" You asked with a grin.

"Wait—I'm not even getting a choice?"

"Nope!" You exclaimed and ended the call as you laughed yourself the rest of the way home.

**

You laid on your bed with your hands crossed behind your head as you watched Paris's superheroes nervously fidget as they delayed revealing themselves.

"I mean, you don't have too. I quite enjoy being the only one who has this much power over you guys." You grinned wickedly and Ladybug stuck her tongue out at you.

"Are you sure you want this, Chat?" She was incredibly nervous.

Chat Noir held her stare intently as he nodded. Of course he wanted to know the truth to one of the biggest mysteries of his life.

"On three?" He asked.

"Eyes closed?" She added.

"One." He began.

"Two!" You piped up, wanting to be involved.

"Three." She whispered.

"Claws in."

"Spots off."

You smiled happily as your sister stood in front of him now. You knew how much this secret had been eating at the two of them for the past two years, so you were incredibly glad that you could help ease some of that tension in their lives.

Everyone knows they had enough of it.

"Adrien...?" She gasped and her eyes cut back to yours immediately and you simply shrugged.

"Marinette? Is it really you?" He stepped forward after a moment of staring intently at her and hugged her tightly.

Marintte gasped in surprise and hugged him back.

"I used to love you, ya know." Adrien laughed as he pulled away and ruffled her hair.

"I know." She rolled her eyes playfully. "You told me a time or two."

"Marinette." You warned.

"I loved you too—I mean I still do but I know now that I need to love myself before I can give my love to anyone else." She smiled gently.

Adrien's eyes softened and you could tell he felt more complete than he ever did now that he had no more secrets in either parts of his life. He had the people with him who made him feel cared for and he couldn't have been more thankful.

"I'm really proud of you." He smiled at her, but then turned to you. "I'm so proud of you too Y/n. You amaze me everyday." The two of them walked over and hugged you tightly.

"Oh geez- you guys!" You gasped and pretended like you were struggling for air. The three of you laid there holding each other. Even though nothing was perfect, far from it, you all felt content for the first time in a very long time.

***

Love is messy.

Messy, but also kind.

It comes in so many forms and the most exciting part was discovering that.

It had been a year since you returned to Paris and you were already making plans to leave again soon. You were walking towards the end of your street where you planned to meet Adrien and Marinette.

"Y/n!" The familiar voice caused you to stop instantly. The sound of his voice was music to your ears and it sent a shiver down your spine.

"Luka?" You turned and saw him running towards you, before doubling over as he panted.

"You should really run more." You giggled and he stood up with a playfully offended face.

"I run plenty!"

"It's been a while." You whispered as you remembered the time the two of you finished your song. The last time you had seen him.

Luka nodded as he held out his hand and caught a snow flake. "I think I've decided now—winter is my favorite season." He reminded you of that conversation you had under the bridge —all those months ago.

You hummed with a smile as you pulled your red scarf up to your chin. "Winter is beautiful. I do have to get going, I'm meeting Adrien and Marinette for some hot chocolate." You looked up into the sky and smiled at the stars shining down on them.

"Please don't go yet." His voice was desperate but oddly enough made you want to hear him out.

"What's wrong?" You asked gently.

"I still love you Y/n." He declared, getting right too it after he sensed your urgency.

You felt a sudden wave of heat rush your body. "Luka-" you began to shake your head.

"I'm not asking for anything in return—would you please just hear me out?"

"I will but you should know, I'm going to America at the start of the year. Zoe and I are going to attend my old school there for the remainder of the year."

Luka felt a pang hit his chest. "I know, she told me. That's why I couldn't let you leave without knowing. I have no idea when I will see you again."

You nodded, waiting for what he wished to say.

"Y/n—I love you truly. I'll spend every second of my life trying to find a way to make it up to you. Every second I have spent without you has been torture, but I know I deserved every bit of it. I destroyed the one good thing I had in my life, but as cheesy as it is they're right when they say if you love someone let them go. I will do my best to make myself into a man worthy of you, so if I'm lucky enough for us to circle back around to each other again one day, I'll be ready for you. That's why I'm not trying to ask you to be with me now, but would you willing to play the long game? I sure will be fighting for it." His cheeks were red and you couldn't decide if it was from the chill in the air or the sentiment in his words.

You smiled. "We'll see how it all plays out then I guess." You stepped forward and hugged him gently. "I'll see you at the end of the game, Luka Couffaine."

With that, you were out of his reach once more ,and walking towards the end of the road.

Ahead you saw Adrien and Marinette grumpily standing by a street light. "Hey you guys!" You called as you ran over to them waving.

"Geez! There you are! We're freezing you know?" The two of them spoke in unison, you laughed knowing they probably prepared this.

"The hot chocolate will still be there I promise."

"Yeah but I could've been warmer ten minutes ago." Adrien whined and you stuck out your tongue at him.

"You should've just snuggled up to Marinette then."

"No way in hell." Marinette grimaced.

"Her boyfriend wouldn't like that." Adrien shook his head disapprovingly.

"I don't have a boyfriend you brat!" The two of them were laughing as she chased him down the street.

You watched them with a smile on your face. It was strange how things had played out for the three of you. If you had asked yourself two years ago who would end up with Adrien, you would've never expected your answer to be nobody.

The three of you had become the best of friends, and you couldn't have asked for a greater gift.

"Wait for me!" You called.

As your feet padded against the ground, the artificial lighting around you seemed dimmer as the stars shined brighter than before. Before you knew it, the snow was falling again, ensuring it would still be there tomorrow.

******

The crowd was the largest you had ever seen.

The lights from the stage were glowing purple as they hovered over the audience, illuminating their presence. Your heart beat happily against your chest as you clung to this feeling for the last time.

You had no idea when you would be on stage again.

"Alright everybody, I've got one last song to finish off the night. I was so happy to get to play my last show of this tour in my home city." You exclaimed and the crowd cheered.

"Now I know this sounds cheesy, but this is one of the first songs I ever wrote and it was a collaboration with an old friend of mine, this is 'Our Song.' "

Your crowd grew quiet as they lit up the flashlights on their phone and you couldn't help but smile as it reminded you of your favorite nights under the starry sky of Paris.

Your heart was longing as the song ended. "Thank you guys for such an amazing night. I hope I'll get to see you all again real soon!" The crowd cheered as you made it backstage, someone immediately handing you a water and another taking your microphone.

"Miss Y/n, you've got a couple of fans with backstage passes." A member of your stage crew informed you.

"Thank you hun." You smiled as you walked over to the backside of the stage.

When your eyes met his your entire body stiffened and you suddenly felt as if you were sixteen again.

"Hey Y/n." His blue eyes shimmered and the smile across his face informed yoy instantly that there was so much for the two of you to say.

End of part 1