A WITNESS FOR THE BRIDE
Written by: Etoile-Lead-Sama
Betas: JuliaFC, Agrestebug and Genxha . Thank you all so much!
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by (c) Thomas Astruc, TS1 Bouygues, Disney Channel, Zagtoon, Toei Animation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Marinette was staring out of her bedroom window looking for inspiration for her final project. She was finally coming to the end of her studies as a designer and could soon return to Paris.
She missed Paris, even though she returned there regularly to face the Akumas sent by the new Hawkmoth. She missed her family, although she had them on the phone almost every day and occasionally saw them as Ladybug. She missed her friends, even if they chatted every day together and did as much video as possible to see each other ...
Fortunately, she was lucky to be not alone in her little room in Milan: Tikki and the other Kwamis from the Miracle Box were always with her. She hadn't made many friends in Italy. First of all, because of the language barrier and the rivalry that existed in her professional environment and, secondly, because it was difficult to explain to them why she sometimes suddenly disappeared for a few hours.
The bluenette sighed again. She was about to get back to work when her cell phone rang. A smile stretched her lips when she recognized the calling number.
- Hi Kagami, how are you?
" Hi Marinette"
The years passed had strengthened the friendship between the two Asian girls and Kagami had become one of her best friends.
" Marinette, I know we promised to never talk about our love affairs, but this time, I have no choice: we have fixed the date of our wedding."
Kagami's words hit Marinette hard and images of Adrien asking her for marriage struck her. A dull ache gripped her heart and tears rolled down her cheeks without her being able to hold them back.
" Marinette? You're still there?"
The worried voice of the Japanese woman brought the girl out of her distress and she hastened to reassure her, not wanting to spoil what would be the happiest day of her friend's life… and the worst of her own.
- Yes, Kagami, excuse me: I had to put my phone down for a few moments to catch the sketch for my last exam; it was going to fly out of the window.
Marinette knew her awkwardness was legendary and her ability to lie, due to her role as Ladybug, had grown over time and had become like second nature when it came to protecting herself.
- Congratulations, Kagami; she said, trying to sound happy.
She couldn't bring herself to tell her that she was happy for her: it was beyond her strength. But apparently, the Japanese woman didn't realize it.
" Marinette, do you agree to be my witness?"
The bluenette wanted to shout that no, she didn't want to. She didn't even want to set foot at her wedding. She didn't want to see how happy Kagami and Adrien were together… But they were both her friends… and Marinette never turned her back on her friends, no matter what price she had to pay for it.
- I accept, Kagami.
" Thank you, Marinette"
The two girls chatted for a few more minutes then Marinette cut the conversation short, again mentioning the sketch of her project she had to make before the end of the week. She hadn't lied: she had her project to finish… but she didn't have the head to work on it.
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- Marinette, get up! You'll end up missing your flight!
Tikki's voice echoed in the silence of the bluenette's room.
- I don't want to go, Tikki! she complained, putting her head under the quilt.
From the moment that Kagami had called her she hadn't been able to sleep any more and spent most of her time crying.
Before that call, she had thought she had let go of Adrien. She even spoke to him easily now and spent long hours chatting with him ... But now she realized that she had only been lying to herself: her feelings hadn't disappeared, she had only buried them deep within herself. And now they were popping up again, stronger and more intense than ever. How would she survive their marriage? She didn't have a clue…
Marinette eventually got up to prepare herself: a promise was a promise and she always kept her promises. She had no right to ruin the lives of her friends because she had never been able to find the courage to let Adrien know about her feelings when she still had the opportunity ...
The flight was a very quick one and she momentarily forgot the reasons for her distress when she saw the beaming faces of her family at the airport reception. It always warmed her heart to find the people she loved.
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Kagami was sublime. It was indisputable. She was going to be a gorgeous bride… thanks to Marinette. Once again, the young designer hadn't been able to say no to her friend when she asked her to make her dress. Despite feeling dead inside, Marinette had surpassed herself in her creation; maybe she secretly hoped that Adrien would think a little bit about her when he saw how beautiful his bride was ...
The young woman felt a little guilty while she adjusted the last details of the dress, but she quickly dismissed her scruples: it was little consolation to have to endure this whole situation. She knew that after the wedding she would spend weeks, months, maybe even years trying to break out the depression that awaited her.
- Marinette, are you coming to eat at my house tonight? Kagami asked her, at the end of the fittings.
- No thank you, Kagami; Marinette answered quickly.
She could already see Adrien and Kagami cooing at the table in front of her. No, their marriage by itself was going to be painful enough. She didn't need to see them in their daily lives on top of that.
- I must finish the last adjustments to your dress: your wedding is in three days, I prefer to be sure that everything is perfect; she justified herself quickly.
Kagami looked a little disappointed.
- He really wished he could talk to you before the wedding. It's been a while since you last saw each other…
Marinette hadn't spoken with anyone since the wedding announcement. She always pretended to be busy so as not to hear the happiness in Adrien's voice or the compassion in Alya's voice. She even avoided her parents as much as possible and their excitement because they were the official caterers of the event.
- Please tell him that I'm sorry, I'm sure he'll understand. Thanks again for letting me use your dress as material for my final exam, Kagami.
The Japanese girl smiled at her.
- It's I who thank you for creating this dress for me: I never thought it was possible.
Marinette hadn't managed to remove the wedding out of her head when she tried to find an idea for her latest project and had finally drawn a dress ... a dress for Kagami.
The sound of a discussion in the hallway brought Marinette out of her dark thoughts. Panic invaded her when she understood who was approaching the room: the future groom and his witness, who were also trying on their outfits two pieces away that here. She grabbed her things quickly, her gaze diverting from Kagami's surprised look .
- I have to go: I have some shopping to finish before the shops close.
She put her hand on the doorknob and pressed it just as it lowered. The door opened in front of Marinette and she found herself face to face with two green pupils, which made her heart beat faster before twisting it in pain.
A gleam of surprise ran across Adrien's eyes to start with, but it was quickly replaced by a sweetness that Marinette had never seen in him. She didn't realize that he had stopped talking to the person who was accompanying him because she was spellbound by his gaze.
- Good afternoon, Marinette.
His voice was hoarse, deeper, and more masculine than the one she remembered, either face to face or when she had heard it on the phone. It was also so much sexier. And his looks… he had certainly become a man to die for. He was now a good six feet tall, and still slim. Marinette could make out the shape of his muscles under the half-open white shirt he was still wearing. His hair was cut shorter and messy, giving him a little bit the air of the Bad Boy, and this made her heart beat even faster.
When she realized the flow of her thoughts, and processed the reactions of her body in front of him, Marinette hastened to run away. But as much as she tried to hide her pain from the young man in front of her, the tear that rolled down the corner of her eyes and down her cheek wasn't missed by his surprised green eyes..
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Marinette was looking thoughtfully at the beautiful sight of Paris, all lit up in the obscurity of the night, exactly like she used to do years ago, when she was a teen. It was so breathtaking that historically, it had always managed to make her daydream and forget about all her worries.. She saw her masked partner running across the rooftops and for a moment envied his sense of freedom, before remembering that the weight of his power was just as heavy as hers. And his life was just as tough. If Marinette had her balcony, the feline had the roofs of Paris.
She was about to go back down to her teenage room when the feline landed on her balcony. He bowed a little and smiled at her with a tenderness he had no longer shown to his partner for a long time. Marinette suddenly realized how much she missed it.
- Good evening, Purrrincess. What a good surprise to see you again in our beautiful city!
Marinette smiled at the feline, happily thinking that some things would never change, and certainly not the behaviour of the hero of Paris against the civilian version of herself.
- Good evening, Chat Noir.
They both leaned on the railing of her balcony and silently observed the city for a few moments, simply enjoying the other's calming presence. After a little while, the feline turned to study the young woman's face.
- You look exhausted, Purrrincess. Is everything okay?
Marinette sighed and plunged her gaze into the vibrant gaze of her interlocutor.
- I think you're probably the only one I can talk to, Chat Noir, but no, it's not fine. Not at all.
Marinette thought back to the events that had led her to return to Paris and the barriers that had held back her emotions since setting foot in the City of Light fell. She burst into tears.
- Hey, Purrrincess.
Chat Noir then took her in his arms and rocked her against him to give his support and comfort. He didn't ask her questions, but the young woman began to empty her bag.
- I thought I had managed to forget about him but, a few days ago, I realized that I still loved him. Chat Noir, I am a mess: I never managed to find the courage to tell him that I loved him and, tomorrow, I will lose him forever ...
She felt the feline stiffen against her but, at the time, she ignored it, her tears redoubling as the pain in her heart began to overtake her. The feline's hand gently stroked her hair and it had such a sufficiently calming effect on her nerves that she managed to speak again.
- I've loved him for years, Chat Noir. Since that day he gave me his umbrella. I only realized today that instead of no longer loving him, as I believed, my feelings for him have only grown… and tomorrow he marries my friend Kagami.
Marinette was about to burst into tears again but Chat Noir pushed her away from him, holding her by the arms and gazing into her. A strange glimmer of hope shone deep in his eyes, as if he had just achieved something that would change his life.
- Who… ? he asked softly.
The young woman didn't need to ask him to expand his question any further to understand its meaning.
- Adrien Agreste. I've been in love with Adrien Agreste since he gave me his umbrella, the day we first met.
Chat Noir let out a little exclamation that sounded like a small cry of pure joy. He hugged Marinette again, harder than before, and placed a tender kiss on her hair.
- Don't worry, Purrincess, everything will work out. I promise.
Marinette didn't know why, but she believed him and was invaded by the peace coming from the soft look in his eyes, for the first time in years.
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Thanks to Chat Noir's visit, Marinette slept well that night. She hadn't slept so well in… longer than she wanted to admit. Her partner always had a calming effect on her, especially when he came to see her as Marinette, and she had missed his visits when she was in Milan. But, that night had been different. Chat Noir had been different with her. As if finally learning the name of the one who caused her heart to flutter had thrilled him… as if he knew something, something she didn't know. And hearing him so confident about it had… soothed her.
But that feeling vanished when Marinette realized what day it was. It was W-Day. Kagami and Adrien's wedding day. The day that would change her life forever. In short: the day Marinette absolutely didn't want to get up.
- Marinette, get up or you'll be late!
- Yes mom. I'm getting up.
The young woman had a feeling of deja-vu and stretched her lips in a small smile. Her smile was short lived: she didn't have the heart to carry on smiling today. However, she would need to do her best, to fight her tears away when Adrien and Kagami would say "I do"… She did trust Chat Noir, but she couldn't understand how things could improve for her...
The hours before the ceremony passed at full speed, as if a superior force had taken pity on her and wished to shorten her sufferings as quickly as possible.
Marinette stood by the altar and awaited the arrival of the bride and groom. Adrien's witness hadn't yet arrived and the girl frowned when she noticed that Nino was sitting next to Alya in the assembly. She had been so sure that he would have been Adrien's witness… but maybe his father had managed to interfere even in his son's wedding day and had chosen someone else…
Her concern increased when she saw Adrien walk through the door. Her heart skipped a beat and she began fighting with herself. He was wearing a black three-piece suit and a white shirt. An emerald green tie and a handkerchief in the same color elegantly brought a splash of color to his outfit. His hairstyle was expertly worked with gel to make a perfect combo-tousled. He was divinely handsome ... but he wasn't hers.
He stepped forward with enthusiasm at the altar, exulting in joy and a huge smile stretched his lips. A smile that Marinette would have died for, if it had been addressed to her. She met his gaze briefly and the blond's smile widened even more. He gave her a little wink before positioning himself in front of her.
Marinette couldn't help it, she imagined herself walking up the same aisle in a white dress, while he waited for her, devouring her with his eyes as he did now. Now? Huh, no way. She must have been dreaming; he couldn't look at her like that when he was going to get married to someone else… The young woman met his vibrant green eyes again and the tenderness and love she saw in them nearly broke her. She felt like melting in a puddle right there at the altar.
So lost she was in her thoughts, that Marinette jumped when the music resounded throughout the building, and she pulled away from Adrien's gaze, her cheeks warming in both embarrassment and guilt. She didn't see the smirk of satisfaction stretching the young man's lips, as the doors to the wedding hall opened again.
Marinette expected to see Kagami enter but her surprise was immense when instead, she saw Luka coming in, accompanied by his mother. He was very elegant, wearing black dressy jeans, a white Jagged Stone t-shirt and a black suit jacket. The young woman looked at the man walking up the aisle in utter astonishment. She allowed herself to take another look at Adrien who then gave her a little wink, which made her even more confused.
Luka left his mother in an empty place in the front row and joined Adrien. They exchanged a few words, then the musician greeted Marinette. She returned his greeting almost mechanically, as the cogs of her brain began to spin. What if? No, it wasn't possible… She couldn't be that lucky… could she?
Hope swelled in her heart, as the door opened again to let in the bride-to-be. As expected, Kagami looked stunning in the dress Marinette had created for her. It was of Japanese inspiration, similar to a pink and white kimono on which rested a light transparent veil decorated with cherry blossoms. In accordance with western tradition, she wore a lace veil that fell over her face.
Marinette glanced stealthily at Adrien, expecting to see him devour Kagami with his gaze, but instead, she noticed that he was looking at her, and smiled. A beautiful blush dusted her cheeks as she turned again to look at her friend, who walked up the aisle to the sound of the wedding march. Her heart was beating madly in her chest, almost as if it was determined to escape the confines of her ribcage.
When Luka took Kagami's hand and smiled at her before leaning down to whisper something in her ear, Marinette couldn't help but gasp. The groom, bride and second witness, as she had just understood, turned to look at her; she managed to give them a small smile.
Marinette spent the entire ceremony in a daze, fighting the storm that raged within her. When Kagami and Luka kissed to seal their union, a rebellious tear rolled down her cheeks.
The young woman took advantage of the general jubilation to slip away for a minute, using the time to regain control of her emotions. With her back against the wall out of sight, her tears were free to roll of her eyes, without any need to hold them back.
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Marinette had managed to sneak into the town hall garden and was about to hide in a quiet place, when the door she had closed behind her opened again. She knew it was him without needing to turn around.
- Marinette, wait.
She turned around and found herself face to face with Adrien. He stared at her for some time, as tears kept rolling down her cheeks. She saw a strange gleam in his eyes and the next moment she was in his arms.
- Oh, Marinette!
She inhaled his scent deeply then let her tears run free as Adrien hugged her tightly, whispering soothing words into her ear. She didn't know how long she stayed like that in his arms, crying, but each tear seemed to gradually erase the pain that had gripped her heart for years. She was finally home, after all her twists and turns.
When she had sufficiently regained control of her emotions, she pushed Adrien slightly away and locked her gaze into his, determined to finally reveal to him the secret of her heart. She had waited too long. She had suffered too much. She didn't want to let the second chance of her life pass. If she did, she would never forgive herself.
- Adrien, I…
- Marinette, I… Adrien started, at the same time.
They burst out laughing, then he motioned for her to speak first, like the gentleman he always was. Marinette swallowed under the intensity of his gaze and spoke fast, before she could lose courage again.
- Adrien, I love you. Not just as a friend. I've loved you ever since you gave me your umbrella, the day we first met. I love you so much! And when I believed…
Her voice broke and tears wormed their way out of the corner of her eyes.
Next thing she knew, she was held against Adrien's chest again and… he was kissing her.
Adrien kissed her the way you kiss the woman you love. Desperately. As if she hadn't been the only one in pain these last few days… maybe even these last few years. Madly. As if she was the greatest gift life had given to him. Passionately. As if he wanted to mark her as his, forever.
Marinette's heart swelled with joy and a soft sigh escaped her lips before she kissed him back with the same fervor.
They stayed like that for a time that seemed endless, as if it had been suspended for the two lovers. Out of breath, they ended up moving away from each other a little, then Adrien rested his forehead against hers and spoke in turn.
- Marinette, I love you too. Sorry it took me so long to figure it out. You had to get away from me to make me finally understand it. I missed you right down to my soul and only felt better when I could chat with you. They were the only times I was really alive. I wanted to declare my feelings to you when you came back, but you avoided me. It was driving me crazy.
Adrien hugged her a little tighter, as Marinette seemed to be waking up from a dream.
- Your tears broke my heart. I only want to see your beautiful smile.
Marinette kissed him again, as more tears rolled from her eyes. Tears of joy this time.
- I must admit that when I left for Milan, it was also to run away from you. I had also been accepted at the School of Design in Paris, but when I knew that you were going to go there too… I got scared and I chose to run. At the time, you were still dating Kagami ...
Adrien hugged her even tighter and kissed every millimeter of her face.
- I'm so sorry I hurt you.
He kissed her again passionately, desperately. When he let her go, Marinette carried on talking.
- I made Kagami swear not to tell me about her love affairs. I couldn't bear to hear how happy she was with you.
Adrien kissed her again and again and Marinette laughed happily.
- I also made all the girls in our class promise not to talk to me about you, otherwise I wouldn't talk to them for several days.
Adrien chuckled.
-That must have helped you, because I personally didn't last a week with Kagami after you left. Alya rolled her eyes every time I longed for you in her presence, especially when we got together to do the weekly collective video. This is what brought Kagami and Luka together, as well as the two of us.
Marinette laughed softly at the words of her beloved.
- In a way, Alya helped us find each other.
They exchanged a long knowing look before saying at the same time.
- Out of the question, we aren't going to tell her!
They burst out laughing again before kissing again, forgetting everything that wasn't them.
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Tikki and Plagg watched their carriers laugh and kiss from the branches of a nearby tree.
- They are finally reunited, it took so long! mumbled the little black cat, although a huge smile stretched his lips.
- They suffered so much to get there; sighed the little goddess of creation.
The little ladybug leaned against its half and they stared at their humans in silence for a moment.
- Everything will be fine now…
THE END