When Walls Crumble

Chapter 15: The Sapphire Flower

Kagami was right, but she slightly underestimated the time. He was over Marinette a little before graduation. And it was a good thing too.

But although he was over her, Kagami was a friend. A great friend, but a friend.

Two and a half weeks before graduation, he met with her for their last date.

They were having dinner at their favorite restaurant. And he never learned that the best way to let a girl down was NOT with flowers.

There was a potted orchid (Kagami's favorite flower) on the table as he tried with his limited teenage wisdom to explain a delicate subject. She took it pretty well.

"So, to summarize your rambling while removing the sugar coat, you think we're better off as friends. Right?"

Adrian let out an exhale of relief. "Yes. I mean, a little more than friends, like best friends, but not like..."

Kagami laughed. "I may have been thinking the same thing too. But just know that you will always have a special place in my heart."

"And you in mine. Thank you, Kagami."

By the end of the night, they parted, not with a kiss, but a hug. And unbeknownst to Adrian, Kagami had important information to relay to a certain musician.

Luka had enlisted almost all of Marinette's classmates and friends in his intel-gathering team. And now that he had what he needed to start planning.

Her birthday was barely a week after graduation. He planned the best surprise birthday party ever for her and had the perfect gift for her. Every detail had been meticulously planned for several months.

And if all went right, the next few months would be busy for all of them. This was the last week that either of them had anything but their own scheduled things to worry about. Luka earned a record deal with Bob Ross's biggest rival before he finished high school. He was already one of Paris's biggest stars. Marinette had already started her own online store for her designs and would soon be expanding it into her own company with Agreste Industry's full support.

However far his spy network reached, there were only three people, besides himself, who knew the full extent of his plan. And the generally know part of the plan was linked back to Alya. If anything leaked, Marinette would think her best friend was throwing a surprise birthday party.

The day of graduation came and went quickly for Luka. Of course, he was there for Marinette and congratulated her. But this wasn't a milestone for him. His end-all day was her birthday.

He walked her home after the commencement and asked her if she would want to go with him for lunch on her birthday. He had already talked to her parents about it and made sure her grandmother understood and wouldn't be akumatized over it this year.

Perfect. Everything was in motion.

All he could do was hope and pray that if disaster struck, it missed his plans.

There were two Akuma attacks that week. Once, Ladybug turned to Rena Rouge for help and Luka almost got hurt while trying to keep an eye on her. The second time, she came for him. Maybe because she needed his powers, but maybe just so he would be able to be on the scene without putting his life in danger.

But nothing affected his plans. Even the weather was predicted in his favor. That didn't for a second mean that he didn't have rain contingencies, but as it turned out, he wouldn't need them.

He picked her up and took her along the scenic route on his motorcycle. When they arrived at the park, everyone was there.

Marinette's face lit up in joy at the sight of it. She stammered for a response while everyone came up to her to wish her 'Bon Anniversaire.'

They enjoyed Mrs. Cesaire's fantastic cooking and a beautiful creation of Marinette's parents for dessert.

Luka exhaled when the plates were cleared away.

Go time. He nodded to Nino who turned on the music. It was soft and only barely audible, but it was the tune he played to her when they first met, lengthened and adapted to Marinette with every single note.

He pulled her up to stand on the bench next to him. The crowd fell quiet.

"Happy Birthday, Marinette." He reached subtly into his pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box. "I had this made especially for you." He dropped down on one knee, opening the box. The crowd gasped. Inside was a beautiful flower-shaped ring with a diamond center and sapphire petals.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you are the most extraordinary girl: as sweet as a musical note and sincere as a melody. You are the song that has been playing in my head since the day we first met. Marinette, will you marry me?"

Marinette couldn't respond. She...she was at a loss for words. She felt tears spilling down her cheeks, but she didn't care. He...he just...Luka...the ring...

"Yes!" she choked out. She tackled him in a hug, knocking both of them off the bench.

Luka let out his breath. He hadn't even realized he was holding it.

Yes.

She said yes.

They were going to be married.

He disentangled himself and helped her to her feet, sliding the ring on her finger. Then he bent down and kissed her hand.

The crowd cheered and enveloped the couple in a massive group hug. Luka found himself penned in with Marinette, unable to move anywhere. Not that he minded. He was with her and she said yes. Nothing else mattered. He leaned down and kissed her.