Chapter Text
Six Months Later
Marinette ran down the street, unsteady on her heels. Why, oh, why did she continue to wear them? Had she not learned anything over the past few months?
She had already experienced two interruptions: first, someone looking for André, and then someone looking for the Eiffel Tower. Could they not see the huge iron landmark bellowing up into the sky? Marinette continued straight onwards, narrowly avoiding a gang of teenagers, an elderly couple walking at snail’s pace with no intent to move, and a very enthusiastic dog.
Work had been crazy since she’d taken on a design job at Gabriel. Despite being offered the role to step in for Gabriel while he recovered, she politely declined. After all, if Ladybug was needed again, it would be much easier to fake a 'material emergency' than to escape a corporate meeting. Her dreams had changed drastically since the fashion show, her wants and needs finally falling into place, and she was the happiest she had been in years. Five years and seven months–to the day.
Finally, she pushed open the door and stepped over the threshold of the regular Tuesday Bar and Grill. The friendly smile of the regular doorman greeted her in the establishment.
She strolled towards the table where her friends were waiting for her, grabbing her phone to double-check her messages as she walked.
Everyone was already there, plus some new members of what her father called ‘The Geek Squad’. It seemed since their win, everyone wanted a piece of the action.
“Hey Nette.” Kim was first to greet her, standing and engulfing her in his big bear arms, Ondine following suit. Marinette walked to the seat beside a vacant chair wearing a familiar jacket and plonked herself down, watching fondly as Kim helped his very pregnant girlfriend back down into her seat.
Alya and Nino sat canoodling on one side of the table, as Luka and Zoé sat opposite Marinette and the empty chair. After the meeting at Kagami and Félix’s house, the two seemed to have hit it off. Nobody knew what their relationship actually was, but every time Zoé was in Paris, she spent most of her free time with Luka.
“How is everyone?” Marinette asked, smiling around the table.
“All good here,” Alya said. “And now that you’ve finally graced us with your presence, we can share some news.”
“Woah! Not yet,” Nino said, covering his fiancée’s mouth with his hand. “My bro’s not back from the bar.”
Nino suddenly squealed, removing his hand and wiping it down his trouser leg. “Did you just lick me?”
“You screamed like a girl!” Kim laughed, placing an arm around Ondine’s shoulders.
“Did not!” Nino defended himself, causing everyone to launch into a debate about whether Nino actually screamed like a girl.
As arguments began, Marinette looked around the table in fondness and tried to think of words to sum up her life. Hopeful. Complete. Wonderful.
“A glass of rosé for the princess.” The smooth, honeyed tones of a familiar voice caressed her ear as a glass lowered in front of her. “Try not to spill it on me.”
Marinette rolled her eyes as her own personal waiter sat down beside her. “You know, that joke is growing old. You can’t use it every week.”
Adrien shrugged as he took a swig of his own beer. “I still find it funny.”
“Of course you do.” She smiled as he smiled back, her most favourite interaction in the world. “Hi!” she said.
“Hey!” He moved towards her, kissing her softly on the lips, before deciding that wasn’t enough. As she cupped his face, tilting her head, she kissed him exactly the way she knew turned him feral.
“Cut it out, will you? We have news to share,” Alya shouted across the table, grabbing a handful of peanuts and throwing it at them.
Marinette broke away from Adrien and buried herself against his chest. Even six months later, they were still like a couple in the ‘honeymoon’ period. She just couldn’t get enough of him, especially when he looked like he did now. The perfect combination of Adrien and Chat Noir. Hair messy, sleeves rolled up, tie hanging loose, and his glasses perfectly perched on his perfect nose.
“Okay, okay, we’re listening.” Marinette scooted her chair close to Adrien, tucking her left arm through his and resting her head on his shoulder. She couldn’t have been smiling any wider. Life was just so awesome.
“Well, Nino and I have some news, we’ve finally –”
“What is that?” Luka pointed over at Marinette, his eyes resting on her left hand and pulling everyone’s attention to the new piece of jewellery she was wearing.
“Oh, this?” Marinette said nonchalantly. “Just something Adrien gave me last night. Alya, please carry on.”
She looked over to her friend, whose eyes were as wide as saucers, her mouth gaping so much that Marinette was a little worried she was going to swallow a fly.
“How the hell can I carry on now? You’ve stolen my thunder!”
Marinette shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Alya slowly stood up, her face unreadable. Marinette leaned into Adrien, her shoulder digging into him and almost knocking him off the chair.
As Alya reached her side, she stretched for Marinette’s hand, pulling it from Adrien’s and lifting it to her face. “You cow!” she said, her face straight as she studied the ring. Marinette looked at Adrien and Nino, unsure what she should do or say. Part of her was sure her friend was about to kill her.
She yanked Marinette’s hand and pulled her up onto her feet, her arms wrapping tightly around her. “Why didn’t you call me last night? This is such amazing news! I’m so happy for you!”
Marinette let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding, wrapping her arms around Alya just as tightly.
“Thank you. We were kind of busy last night,” Marinette said, moving away from her friend as the others all sprang to their feet, hugging Marinette and giving Adrien hearty slaps on the back.
“I bet you were.” Alya laughed, looking down at a too smug Adrien.
“What was your news?” Marinette asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing, this is your time.” Alya waved it off, moving back to her chair and snuggling into Nino. “It’s just…we’ve finally set a date.”
Once again, everyone was on their feet, now congratulating Alya and Nino.
“And if you two don’t mind,” Nino said, “we’d love for you to be best man and maid of honour.”
“Can I reuse my speech from Félix’s wedding?” Adrien laughed as Nino repeated Alya’s assault and threw a handful of nuts at Adrien.
A squeal of the microphone had everyone in the bar grimacing. The group of seniors at the back were checking their hearing aids for any glitches, one even telling the lady next to him to turn hers down.
Through the speakers, the quiz master announced the start of the quiz to the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, pens at the ready.”
As always, Kim scrambled around the table, throwing pens and paper around to different people. Marinette moved into her usual place beside Adrien, placing her head back on his shoulder and holding his arm as she watched the surrounding scene.
Her life may not be perfect, or even what she’d envisioned–who would have thought she’d end up with her partner and best friend?–but it was hers. And as her journey through life continued, it didn’t matter where she was or what she was doing, as long as…
“I love you.” Soft words caressed her ear, causing her to smile and look into the mesmerising symphony of mystery and passion which came from Adrien’s green eyes, once again filling her with security and comfort.
Yes, it didn’t matter what life threw at her. In his presence, every moment felt like a thrilling adventure, filling her life with unparalleled excitement and joy, but most of all love—regardless of universe or reality.
