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The crowds were cheering wildly in the background but Chat Noir felt anything but happy.
It was his father that had done this. His father that had terrorised his friends, his family, his city … her.
He watched over the red skies, seeing fireworks exploding, the noisy bangs only second in volume to the residents of Paris as they rejoiced his fathers extermination because that’s what you did with pesky bugs after all, you exterminate them, taking away their power.
He stood staring over the crowds of people gathered to celebrate the hero's defeat of Shadowmoth, knowing what he needed to do next.
He needed to get away for a while.
He needed to let it all settle.
The sound of a ‘thwhip’ could be heard in the distance, extending and retracting as it got closer and closer. He knew who it would be. She was the only other hero who knew about his private place, their place.
A soft thud of her boots alerted him to her presence, the feel of her hand in his, entwining their fingers together bringing him back to the present time and what he was wanting to do.
God he didn’t want to, she was everything to him, but he had to.
He turned his head and looked down at her, her tears matching his own, and the look on her face told him everything he needed to know. She wasn’t sure if her tears were happy or sad tears either.
He stretched out to her face, wiping away the remnants of three years in battle, the remains of the self sacrifice they’d both made, the evidence of heartbreak. He knew they could be mended, but he needed time and he prayed she’d give it to him. That she’d believe they could last into eternity.
She moved forward and cupped his face, pressing her damp salty lips to his, letting him know that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He closed his eyes remembering the exact way she felt, the exact way she tasted before moving away.
She had her dreams and deserved to fly, she’d given so much. Her life, her soul … her love.
He stepped away, moving out of her grasp and allowing more tears to fall.
It was time to go.
He couldn’t say goodbye, it just didn’t feel right so he said nothing.
He stopped short of the edge of the building and removed the staff from his back. He turned around and caught the glimmer in her eyes, the telltale sign of tears. With a curt nod, he turned back, took a deep breath and launched into the night sky.
That was the first time he looked back.
•••••
The second time was different.
The second time, it was her.
She knew who he was, even without an identity reveal she knew he was Adrien Agreste.
Chat Noir’s devastation of knowing who Shadowmoth was, combined with the absence of Adrien in Paris, it wasn’t hard to piece together and confirm.
He’d moved to England to stay with his aunt, away from all the whispered rumours and looks, but luckily she had an aunt there too.
She’d messaged him letting him know she was visiting for a couple of days and would love to see him. He was quick on his response, waiting for her train to arrive like a lost kitty.
Marinette didn’t know if he’d pieced it together with who she was but she’d dropped a couple of hints to hopefully plant the seed in his head. The enthusiasm from his latest call filled her with hope that he wanted to see her as much as she did him.
They spent the day together, and although he wasn’t the fun loving kitty she once knew she saw a glimmer there. A glimmer of hope in return.
She made her way towards the train at Covent Garden only to be stopped by Adrien’s hand on her forearm. With a gentle pull he turned her to face him. The look in her eyes told her so much yet so little, but when he moved forwards and placed his lips to her cheek the message was obvious.
’Wait for me’
Opening her eyes, she reached up to stroke his cheek, a soft smile of agreement on her lips before she turned and walked away, only to stop before the doors of the train and look back before stepping on and back to her empty life without him.
Neither of them give a thought to the one year anniversary of Shadowmoth’s defeat.
•••••
There was no way he would miss Nino’s birthday. His best friend was the first in the gang to turn the big one-eight! He wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Nino had hired out a private venue, where of course he was DJing himself, and filled the venue with many of their friends - ranging from collège to Nino’s recent exposure at university.
As great as it was meeting up with so many old friends, Adrien only had eyes for one. One girl who he hadn’t seen since her visit to him almost a year ago. Of course, they’d text and FaceTimed but that’s nothing compared to face-to-face meetings. He looked over the crowd, trying to find the glow of raven hair reflecting blue from the overhead lights, very similar to that of his favourite anime series.
It seemed to take him forever until he found her, Alya joking that it took them so long to arrive as she’d been changing her outfit over and over again. A small part of him hoped that it was for him, that she wanted to look her best for when she saw him again. Her slight blush and look to the floor filled him with hope as he offered out his hand and asked her to dance. They didn’t leave each other's sides the entirety of the night, dancing and clutching to each other in a way so personal to them.
He didn’t regret not spending much time with Nino, after all, his bud would understand.
As the night drew to a close, he was reluctant to let her go. He was due back in London the next day, and it pained him to leave her. He’d offered her a lift home, doing his best to prolong their time together before he had to say goodbye once again.
Pulling up to the bakery, he stepped out the car heading to her side, guiding her out and onto the path. Her safety was always key.
He walked her to the door, hands in pockets and nerves ready to electrify his veins.
She thanked him before pulling him in by the cheeks and pressing her lips softly to his cheek, his hand shooting to the warm spot as she let go and a smile stretching on his face. The look on her face and her actions made one thing ridiculously clear, she was still waiting for him.
She turned to walk into the bakery as Adrien made his way to the car, his smile the widest he’d ever felt it. Before sliding into his seat, he looked at the bakery one last time, only to lock his eyes with hers.
A blush came over her face as she turned back and scurried into the bakery.
She’d definitely turned back for him, just as he had for her.
•••••
Two years after Shadowmoths defeat, Adrien had decided to move back to Paris. He missed his life there and now his education was done with, he could come home to consider his next steps.
Transformed as his alter ego, he’d made it to the roof of the mansion and sat looking out over the crowded streets of Paris. Banners were hung everywhere, his Cheshire Cat grin mocking him, reminding him that everything happened under his nose, that he could have put a stop to it sooner if he’d just asked more questions or made more of an effort to speak to his father.
The sounds of crowds roaring and cheering could only mean one thing, that the hero's celebration had started and they’d all be there, suited and booted, ready to soak in their admiration.
All, except him.
He wanted nothing of it. He didn’t deserve the praise or the admiration. If only they knew.
Making his way back into his old room he called off his transformation and turned the television onto the news channel. All day broadcasting of the momentous occasion.
Flicking some cheese over to Plagg, he sat down on the sofa and watched as the heroes were called on stage one by one.
Vespira, Ryuuko, Carapace, Polymouse, Viperion … hero after hero until all his teammates took their rightful place on the podium as heroes and saviours of Paris.
Placing his hands around his head, he bent forward to face the floor, the tears rubbing down his face and impacting into tiny puddles on the floor.
“Rena Furtive, where are Ladybug and Chat Noir? They should be here today, it’s thanks to them that Paris is at peace.”
Adrien didn’t hear what was said next, he was too caught up in his own grief.
A gentle knock on the window stirred him a little. Just enough to hear the conversation on the television.
”So does that mean they know who each other are?”
“All I’m saying is today is an emotional day for the both of them, and we all support their wishes to stay out of the spotlight and to seek comfort in each other as they have done before.”
The knock sounded again, a little harder this time and Adrien’s head shot up and in the direction of the sound. There she was. His Lady. All wrapped up in a pretty red and black polka dot package.
He walked over to the window and let her in. She stumbled forward, rushing to get in and wrap her arms tightly around him, holding him securely. He moved them both to the sofa where they sat and watched the celebrations out in Paris, at home their faces were a symbol of serenity. Neither of them said a word, just hand in hand, fingers wrapped with fingers. Ladybug remained in her transformation for the five hours she sat with him, but it didn’t matter, in costume or out of costume they were still them.
As he followed her to the window, he stretched forward, grabbing her hand and spinning her to face him. Using a hidden supply of confidence, he stepped forward and placed his lips gently against hers. It didn’t last more than two seconds, but he would admit without a doubt they were the greatest two seconds of his life.
Both shocked by his unpredictable move, she turned and made her way to the window, not a word spoken. As she unhooked her yoyo she stilled, turning shyly to look back, a dazzling smile on her face and a pink blush on her cheeks.
’I’ll always be waiting.’
•••••
As Marinette sat on her balcony reading the latest instalment of ‘Style Queen’ she saw Chat Noir running over rooftops at a speed only described as erratic. Placing the magazine down she called out to Tikki, transforming her ordinary clothing to her indestructible supersuit.Gabriel had started their liquidation talks that morning and she was guessing Adrien needed to get away.
Maybe today they’d finally speak those unspoken words.
They would finally drop that last brick in the wall between them.
Bounding from rooftop to rooftop, Marinette chased Chat Noir shouting for him to wait for her. She knew the exact moment he heard her as he stopped dead in his tracks, Marinette crashed into the back of him and took him down to the ground. They held each other tightly as they rolled to a stop. Chat Noir’s hand supporting the back of her head.
He ended on top of her, both breathing heavily and trying to read each other through their eyes. She could have stayed there forever. His eyes made her feel like the most cared for human being to walk the earth, like she was the only person in the world, and the sun he orbited around. She felt like his everything and prayed he could read her too - for he was hers.
He moved quickly from on top of her, grabbing a hand and pulling her into his lap, burying his head into the depth of her hair and allowing his sorrow to become unleashed.
Gently, she rubbed up and down his back soothing him with her words, her action and with her love.
The afternoon sun disappeared allowing the curtains of night to draw and glitter the skies with their beauty. They had been there for hours, but she knew she would stay for hours more. She would stay forever.
A sudden realisation hit Marinette and she prised herself from his warm embrace. She didn’t need to wait for him, she could be the initiator of that change in their relationship, he’d made it clear he’d be okay with it and she knew now it was time, it was time to advance their relationship to the next stage. There was nothing she’d ever wanted more.
She moved away, dropping her transformation and opening herself up to him. She watched as his smile stretched and morphed his lips from despair to gut clenching desire, her heart fluttering as the heat rose on her cheeks.
He stepped forward cupping her face between his clawed hands, muttering his own catchphrase before taking her lips with his, and it was as though life suddenly had meaning again. The world began to rotate and her life became technicoloured once more. Everything finally had meaning.
Hours later, with sore swollen lips and a new name for their relationship, Chat Noir carried Marinette Dupain-Cheng back to her home.
Another kiss sealed the deal before Chat Noir turned and made his way to the balcony railing. He sat on it and waited for Marinette to go into her room, knowing he wouldn’t sleep without knowing she was safe. It made her feel longed for and wanted, safe and secure, and … loved.
Lifting the skylight she turned around and looked at him one more time. His eyes read everything she ever wanted before he turned and made off into the night.
’I love you.’
•••••
Heroes day was upon them again in the blink of an eye, and for the first year since Shadowmoth’s defeat they were celebrating. Though, whilst everyone cheered and partied for the take down on the notorious villain of Paris, Marinette walked hand in hand with her boyfriend, who’d come into her life like a cat on a hot tin roof and stole her heart, because without Shadowmoth they wouldn’t be here. There would be no them.
Adrien laughed, and moved faster pulling Marinette along behind him. They needed to get somewhere dry as the rain suddenly pelting down was doing nothing for his dress shirt and her blush pink dress.
Her hair began to stick to her face, and his shirt had gone completely see through, both looking more like drowned rats than Paris’ main heroes. They needed to find shelter and fast, but the continuous laughter was hurting her stomach and she couldn’t keep moving. Stopping to double over, she was shocked when Adrien scooped her legs from under her and ran up the stairs to their old collège, the stairs that was the beginning of her love story.
He placed her down, muttering something about a shoelace and told her to carry on under the cover and find her keys to the bakery. She was still giggling as she finally made it and began to dig around in her bag, Tikki searching alongside her.
Finally, locating the keys she let out a successful yelp before beginning to turn around and show them to Adrien. Jangling them, she spun on the balls of her feet only to come eye to eye with thin air. A cough sounded over the rain, and she looked down. The night’s air was filled with the roar of thunder followed by a lightning bolt which lit the air like wildfire.
Down, in the rain, on the step they’d fallen in love, knelt Adrien Agreste on his left knee. Marinette looked from his face to the diamond ring in his hand, shooting back up quickly to catch the glint in his eye. No words were needed to be spoken as she launched herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and placing her lips to his.
His words were as clear as the rain from the sky.
’Be mine.’
•••••
The final time Adrien looked back was the most amazing moment of his life. Everything inside him lit up with hope.
Hope for his future.
Hope for his life.
Hope for love.
Just hope.
For when he looked back that final time his vision was filled with white lace and satin. Of a Bride with a smile to blind every face in the church. Of a new chapter about to be written. Of a woman and a man, and true love.
She was his new beginning.
She was soon to be his wife.
And he would always look back, for she was ‘The Queen of his Heart.’