Work Text:
You are formally invited to the marriage of
Mylène Haprèle to Ivan Bruel
Date: Saturday 17th December
Time: 2pm
Venue: Le Grand Paris
Marinette read the invitation one last time before placing it in her clutch bag, a sigh leaving her red coated lips as she lifted the buckle and fastened the bag closed.
She walked towards her bedroom window looking out towards the park opposite her parents bakery. Her eyes scanned the area and found a solitary raven, sitting upon her statue. Its black feathers basking in the sunlight, catching the glittering rays of the misleading winter sunshine, the black feathers turning a glorious shade of blue, not too dissimilar to her hair. Where some people would view the raven as a traveller, a guide; she looked out and saw a sign of good luck, one she needed more than ever today.
Stretching for her ear, she stroked over the earring, feeling the length of its diamond strands in between her fingers; an unusual feeling for the super heroine of Paris. She couldn’t remember the last time she wore anything apart from her Miraculous. The small circular stud brought her unknown amounts of power, of safety and security; of a friendship she ran from and feared.
It had been years since she’d graced Paris with her presence, but she was here today; not as Ladybug though, as Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the girl her friends had nicknamed ‘the ghost’. She was here to celebrate with her friends for one day only before returning to Tibet and her kwami. Returning to a world where she wasn’t seen as the girl who ruined her almost boyfriend’s life, the girl who hadn’t destroyed a family, ripping it apart at the seams without a care in the world. She couldn’t have stayed, not without breaking her own heart after breaking his.
She smoothed down her skirt, making sure the tight fitting bandeau dress was properly clinging to her curves and the ‘V’ of the neckline was positioned properly, her hair loose and hanging over her shoulders, the straight smoothness a neat yet inconspicuous look.
Mylène was thrilled when Marinette had RSPV’d. She’d been out of contact with everyone for years, wanting to keep herself hidden away, Ladybug disappearing alongside Marinette. She didn’t deserve to be here, she didn’t deserve to be around her friends, friends whose lives she had destroyed.
But most of all, she didn’t deserve to be around him.
Her heart flipped. She couldn’t help but wonder if he would be there, if he’d even given her a passing thought over the years. Why would he though? She didn’t deserve it, she deserved nothing more than his ignorance and bad mouthing. She’d left him, just packed up her things and left. She wouldn’t even blame the others for ignoring her too, she deserved it.
With a deep breath, she took one last look out the window and her stomach stirred with queasiness. The raven had been joined by a second and third, a clear prediction of trouble ahead.
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She walked into the courtyard head down. Having missed the civil ceremony the previous day, she thought she could glide in without a single glance in her direction. She didn’t want to be seen.
So why are you wearing a bright red dress? Her conscience replied as she shyly took one of the chairs off to the corner and in the back, away from her old friends that congregated further down the aisle.
She looked around the courtyard, transfixed by the multitude of colours and the large selection of flowers. The whole area screamed Myléne and Ivan and she couldn’t have been happier for her friends. They deserved it. As her memories scrolled through times spent with the happy couple, she almost lost her breath when her eyes finally found… them.
They were grouped together, laughing and smiling, their lives obviously moving on carefree whilst she still had to live carefully. The Miraculous was never safe, and as long as she was guardian the threat would always be hanging over her head; the never ending answer to why she couldn’t stay here, why she couldn’t be with him.
Him who was laughing amongst their friends, looking more handsome than the day she left, and once again grabbing a handful of her barely repaired heart. She could feel it screaming for him, wanting to run into his arms the way she had numerous times in the past.
The group parted and like a spotlight was turned to full beam, Adrien shone for all to see. His hair tamer, his build slightly bigger, and now a towering height even Kim couldn’t match. He was everything she’d fallen in love with all those years ago and more. She took a slow, steady breath; her eyes filling with unreleased emotion, one she’d pushed away and hid thinking it was better for everyone if she wasn’t here.
But now she knew it wasn’t better for her.
A woman was standing next to him, their golden hair matching as she clung to his arm like a lifeline. Like what Marinette had always dreamed of doing. She blinked, lifting a hand to catch the tears before they could ruin her perfectly selected makeup, pressing a finger under her lower lashes and absorbing the tears as she blew out a deep breath. She knew it would hurt, it had been two years, she knew he would have moved on, but that didn’t stop it from hurting.
Threading her fingers together, she looked down at her joined hands, breathing slowly and controlling herself. She shouldn’t be crying about a decision she made; she shouldn’t be mourning the life she’d renounced. Her shattered heart shouldn’t be breaking into a million more pieces because of him. She didn’t deserve the heartache for what she did. He was the only one allowed to feel the hurt and betrayal because that had been what she’d done; hurt him unforgivably after saying she’d never let go.
Before the pity could take over Ivan walked in looking like the happiest man on the planet; how she had envisioned Adrien looked every time she had pictured their wedding day. Roses and gyp; red and white; declarations of intense love and a forever commitment. Adrien would have kissed her, worshipped her; but, she knew it would have been a lie.
He would have been marrying a lie.
The sudden instruction to stand stripped her bare of her dreams, leaving her a lonely woman at the back of a room hiding away from all those she called friends, from all those she loved.
Myléne entered looking the happiest Marinette had ever seen her. The small girl blushing as she met people's eyes, throwing them a shaking smile as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks, Marinette getting caught up in the moment and releasing her own too.
She followed the bride down the aisle, only to feel the eyes of another seeking her out. She couldn’t help it, he pulled her to him the way he always did. Her breath hitched and her body froze as her bluebell eyes crashed into those of a new dawning spring; of the start of a new season, of hope of good things to come. They stood staring, Adrien’s eyebrows dropping in the way she always remembered. Was it pity or something else? He tilted his head to the side, his mouth opening to release some words.
Was it going to be a quick, feeble ‘Hi’? Or an ‘I hate you’? She didn't know, as before he could say anything, a hand placed on his arm and his attention was turned to the woman beside him, the blonde who wouldn’t leave because she wasn’t the one who’d destroyed his family.
The broken eye contact freed her, allowing her to look away from the bewitching spell Adrien Agreste had once again placed over her. She would never get over him, the feeling making her hate herself more and more each time it surfaced. This was her own fault. She had him and she’d left him.
The service was sweet. Both had written and read their own vows so personal to their relationship Marinette couldn’t help but feel their warmth and adoration swell over herself; the comforting feeling of true love.
She tried to keep her eyes forward, to concentrate on what was happening at the front but it was hard especially when the eyes of your lost love seemed to be on the search for you. Marinette couldn’t look back, she’d crumble. That one look would be enough to destroy her resolve; one more look at Adrien and she would be a broken mess.
As soon as the service had finished and the newly announced husband and wife made their exit, Marinette began to move. She didn’t want to see anyone, she just wanted to pass on her regards and leave. She could feel his eyes following her every step of the way as she exited the courtyard and headed into the hotel, she couldn’t face anyone, not after what she’d done to Adrien.
Unable to find where Myléne and Ivan had been taken, she made her way up to the empty rooftop, heading straight to a sunlounger and sitting down, her clutch bag tightly between her hands and coat wrapped tightly around her against the cold night air. She opened her bag, ready to converse with Tikki only to remember, as she glared at her phone, bank card and tube of lip gloss, that Tikki wasn’t with her. Her hand, once again, shooting to her earlobe and stroking over the lack of stud.
“You lied to me.”
She sighed, closing her bag and looking up into the dazzling green eyes of her partner.
“I didn’t lie,” she said through husky breaths, “I just didn’t tell you the whole truth.”
“Which, M’Lady, is called a lie.”
He stood staring at her, his arms crossed over his black suited chest as she looked up at him. Her one constant, her one loyalty. Springing to her feet she wrapped her arms tightly around him, placing a kiss on his cheek and nuzzling into his neck.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she muttered, her nose brushing against his neck, and another delicate kiss placed in its wake.
“You’re mauling me, Bugaboo. What did I ever do to deserve this?” he laughed, Marinette finally moving away, taking his hand.
She guided him down beside her on the sun lounger, her hand still tightly grasped against his as she snuggled towards him for body heat.
“I haven’t had any type of affection since you last came to the temple, Kitty.”
“And yet, you still deny that you love me.” He sighed, one hand going to his head like it was a Greek tragedy.
She looked over at him, her eyes narrowing.
“I know, I know,” he huffed, “someone else still holds part of your heart, and you’re living at the temple now…yada yada.”
She giggled, moving herself closer to him and resting her head against his shoulder.
“I don’t know why I came,” she said, “and I think I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d think it was a bad idea.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he replied, “I think I would have actually encouraged you.”
“I disappeared for two years -”
“Two years, two months, 26 days and 14 hours…not that I’ve been counting.”
She huffed out a laugh, placing a second hand on top of their joined ones, her fingers stroking over his own.
“I messed up, Chaton, I messed up big time. I’m unforgivable and, even though that stings like a bitch, it’s true.”
“We all reacted in different ways, M’Lady. You did what you had to do, and although I hate that you left I understand why you did it. I would have left too if I could have.”
He looked out over the Paris skyline and Marinette couldn’t help looking at the pure masculinity of his jaw, the knowing glare in his eyes, the aged face from stress and battle. He was stunning! And she did love him, but she still loved Adrien too, and she just couldn’t choose one over the other. That was not how it worked.
“I’m sorry I only left you a letter, I just freaked and ran. As soon as Su Han and Luka offered to show me the temple and train me… I just had to go. If I’d known more to begin with, we never would have been in this mess.” She sighed, moving closer into her partner, searching for the hope and strength which she always felt when she was beside him.
“You know, I’ve read that letter almost every night. I’ve even scanned it into my phone in case I lose it, password protected of course.” He added on as an additional thought, causing her to giggle.
“Only almost?” she asked, her ego wanting confirmation for when he didn’t read it.
“Well, when I had you in my arms at the temple, I didn’t need to read it.”
She smacked him in the chest, happy with the answer as her smile (for the first time that day) grew genuine. “You know the guardians are still pissed at me for sneaking to see you. Apparently it was one of my challenges to stay away from you, I failed that big time.”
He laughed, his smile fighting against the intense darkening of the winter day, the howling wind beating it down ten fold. He was beautiful! Heart, soul, body and mind.
“How is Luka?” Chat laughed, moving back a little from her, obviously worried she was going to smack him again.
“He’s good,” Marinette smiled, “I think he’s found a new lease of life.”
“I bet he has… and I bet her name is Mei Zhen?” He wiggled his eyebrows at Marinette and she couldn’t help the snort that escaped her.
“Apparently she’s ‘just a friend’,” she said, chuckling before freezing, dropping her hands down from where they’d air quoted. Her heart dropped along with it.
“Hey, Marinette, look at me.”
She looked up towards him, her teeth worrying her bottom lip as tears filled her eyes.
“Sorry,” she said, wiping under her lashes. “I’m a mess. I should go home.” She stood up to walk away. Chat shooting onto his feet to grab hold of her wrist. His hand almost wrapping around it twice.
“No!” he yelled, before loosening his grip and letting her go. She looked at him, he was nervous and she didn’t know why. She watched as his hand stretched to the back of his head, a lump of something pushing down his throat. “No, don’t leave. You look amazing, and I’m sure everyone would love to see you.”
She laughed, her eyes rolling to look away. “Nobody wants to see me, not after what I did.”
“How about if they understand, Marinette? How about if he understands?”
She shook her head violently, folding her arms across her body as her head turned to the side. “Nobody is that understanding. The worst time in his life and I’m too selfish to support him.”
“It was the worst time in your life too, M’Lady. Gabriel, he… he… he tried to kill you!”
“Makes no difference,” she uttered, “Adrien needed me.” Her voice was harsh, though, she wasn’t sure who the anger was aimed at; most likely herself.
“Do what you think is best, but just so you know I’ve spoken to the other holders and they understand. Everyone understands M’Lady.”
“I don’t care about the other holders though, I only care about two people: him and you.”
She stood, her breath coming out in large pants as she attempted to calm herself down, her arms crossing her chest in defense as she looked out over the Paris skyline.
“I’ve had enough,” Chat voice was barely a whisper.
“I’m sorry.”
“No,” he said, “you don’t get it.” He moved forward grabbing a hold of her biceps, her head automatically turning to face him.
They stood staring at each other, the harsh coolness of the December evening biting against her cheeks as she waited for his next move.
“Dance with me.”
“What?” She thought he was going to argue with her. To call her out like he had done many times before, especially since the reveal — her reveal.
“Come on, please. Will you?” His eyes looked so hopeful and she couldn’t help but feel the twist in her gut from the way he’d asked her… almost like a hidden memory, a memory of Chat she couldn’t place.
“There’s no music,” she laughed, folding her arms in defence. Against what? She wasn’t too sure.
“Come on, M’Lady. If you listen closely you can hear the band.”
Low and behold there it was in the distance. The faint sounds of ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ floated up onto the rooftop, the perfectly tuned instruments making the wordless rendition of the song even more magical as she moved into her partner's arms on the fairy lit rooftop of the hotel, trees perfectly decorated and placed in each corner.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself in close to his warm, secure body. A body she missed dearly as she spent the nights alone in the temple. She wished she could commit to him more than anything, but the constant fear that she wouldn’t ever get over Adrien stopped her from making such a commitment, even when Luka had begged her to give the guy a chance.
“I’ve waited for years to be with you Marinette, and as willing as I am to wait more, I’ve had it with secrets.”
“Kitty,” she begged, knowing full well what he was going to suggest.
“No, Marinette. I’m done. You either let me do this and accept it, or you let me do this and then take my Miraculous; either way in the next couple of minutes you’re going to find out who I am and you’re going to let me show you exactly what you mean to me.”
She shivered, unsure whether it was the cold night breeze for the thought about what Chat was about to do. “Chaton, please.” She could feel the tears building behind her eyes. “Don’t do this! I can’t do this…”
The tears began to spill as Marinette thought about what to do. Should she walk away, or stay? Should she transform and run? Should she take his ring? Instead she buried her head tightly into his neck, savouring what could be their last moments together.
“I can’t see you.” The tears were flowing with no means to end. Hurt, pain, comfort. She didn’t know, nor did she understand.
“Why Marinette?” His voice was harsh as he stepped away from her and grasped her hands in his. “Why?” he whispered once more, this time quieter.
“Because…” she whispered. “Because… Your mask is the only thing keeping me sane. As soon as I see your face, I’ll know who you are and I can finally give half my heart a true name, but the other half belongs to Adrien and I don’t know how to not love Adrien, I don’t think I can. I don’t want to put you in a position where I’m sometimes thinking about what my life would be like with him. It’s not fair on you.”
“What if you don’t have to? What if Adrien was here, right now and he told you…” Chat Noir stopped, his own eyes filling with glistening tears as he gripped her hips and pulled her closer. Fitting her body perfectly into the mould of his. “What if Adrien loves you too?”
A gasp left her mouth as she looked up and into her partner's eyes, the green suddenly looking familiar as she began to place them on a well known face. A face she could draw in her sleep. The wonderful chiselled jaw line. The perfectly sized nose on his unfairly symmetrical face. The eyes; those wonderful, sparkling eyes.
“He’s – he’s got a girlfriend.”
“Have you asked him?” Chat’s eyes were unbearable. The overpowering gaze hitting her right in her heart.
She shook her head and moved her head to rest against his pounding heart. She’d never felt it beat so fast. “What now?” she whispered.
“Ask,” he demanded.
She shook her head. Her nose caught the familiar overpowering scent of her partner. Her senses tingling with the want to taste and touch his lips.
“Princess.” He pressed his lips into her hair, her eyes closing involuntarily as the effect. “Ask.”
“I’m scared.” She felt like a young child. A scared little girl in want and need of the answer she craved.
“As we grow old, we realise life doesn't always give us all the gifts we hoped it would…”
“Are you using Master Fu’s words against me?” she asked, nuzzling in closer to him as he spoke.
“If you let me speak you’d know where I was going with this.”
Silence settled between them. A silence she was comfortable with, one which was them. She waited with baited breath for him to speak again, to fill in unspoken knowingness between them.
“That’s better,” he said, kissing her once more on the head. “As we grow old, we realise life doesn't always give us all the gifts we hoped it would, but sometimes those who deserve the gifts get rewarded for their love and hard work... Claws in... they only need to open their eyes.”
“Can we do this? There’s no going back once I’ve seen you, and I can’t take anymore heartache. I’m trying so hard to heal and if he rejects me…”
“Hey,” he cut in. “Why would he reject you? Has he ever given you an indication he wouldn’t want to be with you? Marinette, please ask.”
Closing her eyes tightly, she took a breath in of his familiar scent, a scent so settling her heart — for the first time in a long time — beat without pain or hurt.
“Does Adrien have a girlfriend?” Her breath hitched in her throat as she waited for his answer. An answer which could change her life.
She felt the arms of her partner tighten around her, holding her tightly and making sure she didn’t run away. The fabric of his expensive wool coat scratched her cheek as he rubbed his own cheek into her hair. “It’s his Christmas wish.”
“Oh?” She wasn’t sure how to take the words. Had he got a girlfriend? Did he want a girlfriend? Could she be that girl?
“Please, look at me. I need to see your eyes.”
Even though she was expecting it, seeing Adrien’s green eyes staring back at her took her breath away. He was there. His hands still encompassed her hips as he held her tightly and smiled down at her, it was him! After all this time she hadn’t had an unfaithful heart, she had a purely faithful one. A heart which had only ever called for one person to take it and make it their own.
“It’s a Christmas miracle.” Her hushed voice echoed over the rooftops as she looked at her partner behind the mask. Goodness, she adored this man with every bone in her body and beat of her heart.
He laughed, the thickness in his throat evident from the spluttering of the noise and the tears escaping. “I’ve wanted to tell you for months, Marinette.” He reached out and grabbed her hands. “Ever since you told me the truth about your feelings for Adrien. I hated keeping this from you, and seeing you today just made me realise I can’t hold back any longer. I need to be with you. I need you to know who I am.”
“The wedding?” she mused, had seeing Ivan and Myléne make this commitment affect him in the exact same way that it had affected her?
“Maybe, or that it’s Christmas and Christmas is the time to let people know you love them, and I do. I adore you, Marinette; with a mask, without a mask, tripping over your own feet and saving the world from my father. I have never, ever hated you for what you did, you had to get away, I’m just glad you still trusted me enough to be in your life… and I hope your heart too.”
She sniffed, a smile gracing her lips. “That was quite a speech, Agreste.”
“I’m quite in love, Dupain-Cheng,” he quipped back, once again taking her breath away.
“So you don’t hate me?”
“Never could. You needed to go and I’m fine with that.”
She nodded, sniffed and then launched forward, engulfing him in a tight loving hug. “I missed you.”
“Me too, M’Lady, and the woman I was with…” He pulled back to look into her eyes. “…is Myléne’s cousin. She’s from England and moved here a few months ago. She’s a little clingy with me, just think of her as a nice Chloé.”
“Oh.” Marinette looked down at the floor.
“She’s tried with me a few times, but as I keep telling her, the love of my life will be back one day and I won’t make the same mistake of letting her leave again.”
“I have to go back,” she whispered, a slight shake of her head.
A sudden noise joined them, the sound of feet hitting the rooftop and a flash of turquoise light. She turned her head, coming face to face with another of her friends.
“L-L-Luka?”
Adrien moved, wrapping one arm around her waist and pulling her in to fit perfectly at the side of her body; he stretched a hand out, Luka meeting it in a shake.
“I have something for you.” Luka turned to Marinette holding out a box. A box containing her earrings.
“Are you proposing to me Luka? Cause I kind of think I’m with Adrien now?” She looked between the two men, her eyes twinkling against the fairy lights in amusement, Adrien and Luka both laughing.
“I don’t think I’d have the guts or strength to take on Chat Noir.” Luka winked at Marinette causing her to laugh once more. From what had started as a day of hurt and regret, had suddenly escalated into the joyous love of Christmas. Maybe this was her Hallmark story.
Marinette stretched up, removing her earrings and taking the ones from Luka instead. She placed the studs back into their home and greeted her small kwami as the pink glow flowed freely around her.
“Sugarcube!” Plagg bolted from where he’d been hiding in Adrien’s jacket, taking Tikki down in a hug as he greeted his long-time partner in sheer happiness.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be back today, seeing you hiding at the back of the room was the most perfect Christmas gift, so I decided to give you mine today too,” Adrien started only for Luka to continue the story.
“Myself and Adrien had been planning. You’ve been unhappy recently, Marinette. Chat Noir — Adrien — was the only one to bring you out of your slump and that’s no good for any of us. We need a focused guardian and that definitely wasn’t you at the temple.”
“So I spoke to Su-Han and he decided you can come home. That you’d be of more use here with me, than stuck alone at the temple. Of course it’s completely up to you though.” She watched Adrien’s eyes dart to Luka’s unspoken words passing between them.
“Completely up to you. But as a new celestial master of the Miraculous, I demand Ladybug to return to her Chat Noir,” Luka explained.
Wiggling out of Adrien’s grasp, Marinette stepped forward to Luka and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“Merry Christmas, Marinette.” He placed a soft kiss in her hair before releasing her to return to Adrien, his face looking slightly panicked.
“That’s a yes right, I mean it doesn’t have to be, but I would really kind of like it if it was.”
Marinette placed a hand on her mouth as she giggled.
“It’s a yes, Adrien, a big, fat ‘have me forever’, yes.”
“If this is how you respond to this, I can’t wait for your answer to my proposal.” Adrien stretched one hand to cup Marinette’s cheek, a delicate kiss placed upon her lips before she grabbed his lapels and pulled him to her for more.
A coughing sound broke them apart, both heads turning to look at a rather uncomfortable Luka. “I’ll just head inside and say my congratulations. See you both down there.”
They turned back to each other, smiles sending their hearts freefalling and shoulders finally free of burdens.
“Merry Christmas, M’Lady.”
“And a happy new year, Chaton.”
They joined together once more in an innocent declaration of love; of tentative first kisses and optimism for the future. After all, together they were unstoppable.
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Epilogue
Alya knew she was there, she was sure she’d seen her hiding at the back of the room. She tapped her foot in impatience as she looked towards the door. If she didn’t come and say hello, Alya swore to God she was going to disown her as her best friend. It had been years since she’d seen her, and months since they’d last had contact, Marinette couldn’t come back to Paris and ignore her, there was no way she was getting away with this.
A waiter walked past, Alya grabbed a drink and downing it in one before slamming it back on the tray.
“Calm down, babe.” A laugh sounded beside her. She turned her head to come face to face with her fiancé, her fiancé who was meant to be keeping an eye on Adrien and making sure he didn’t do anything stupid.
“Where’s your charge?” she asked, pushing up onto her tip toes and looking over the heads of those now blocking the doorway.
“He’s not a child, Alya.”
“He may not be one, but his decision making isn’t that much different. Kelly’s been fawning over him all day. Last thing we want is for him to run off and canoodle with her. We all know what she wants.” Another waiter walked past, Alya taking a new glass and draining that one down too.
“Woah! Sweet! No more! You’re going to be drunk if you carry on like this and it’s still quite early.”
“I don’t care! I’m just pissed at my—” Alya stopped speaking and slamming the glass into Nino’s chest. “No way! No stinking way!” Her voice had progressed to a high pitched squeal, her eyes widening as she looked towards the doorway. Nino turned his head, watching as Adrien entered the hall, looking more jolly than Saint Nicholas himself and the reason why was obvious. On his arm was a beautiful woman; a woman with red coated lips which were a perfect match to her dress, Adrien holding their winter coats over one arm — his mouth holding the evidence to what they had been doing.
Finally, after way, way too long their friends were together — exactly where they were meant to be.