A.n.- This chapter is a whole roller coaster ride of close to 7k long. If you wanted to know why Marinette and Adrien are at odds in chapter 1, this gives you the answers. There's one flashback and it's italicized. I know you guys have been chomping at the bit to read, but I also wanted to thank you guys. You have been supportive through this ride.
Marinette woke up, warmth radiated from every part of her body. A strong arm was curled around her stomach and it didn't take long for her brain to process who it belonged to. She supposed she shouldn't be too surprised, considering this was the second day in a row to wake up to his body somehow always touching hers. The mattress shifted slightly as she turned to face Adrien's sleeping form. He looked like he was at peace for the first time in his life. This weekend had been out of a long-running fantasy of hers. Stolen kisses, cuddling with the only words between them are their heartbeats, the expression of their love exchanged with panting breaths and clinging to one another as they were overcome with their high. And yet... now it was time to wake up to reality.
Marinette softy reached out and brushed through his golden locks. He would probably never know how much she loved him. Their connection as Ladybug and Chat Noir shifted things between them. She trusted him with her life...and now, her heart. Her kitty stirred at her touch, but sleep kept its hold on him. If only things had played out differently, if she had told him everything the night that they met at the club or had managed to tell Amelie her true feelings, they would have been together sooner. Despite all they had been through before, the real trial was yet to begin.
"Run away with me." In the initial thought it sounded crazy coming out of her mouth, but the more she thought about it the saner it became. If they slipped out of town, even for a month for things to calm down, then they could return even if she had to go by a different name. Amelie would then have an opportunity to move on with Bellamy...everyone would get what they wanted. They still had a chance at happiness. Judging by the look on Adrien's face confusion still ran rampant.
"What?"
"Not permanently, just until the wedding is over," she added for good measure.
"Are you kidnapping the groom?" He replied with a sly smile floating on his lips.
"I'm asking you not to marry her." Blue eyes met green and Marinette hoped that he understood what she failed to say.
Marry me instead.
It may have been selfish, but she doubted that she would come to regret the decision. Amelie didn't even know if she loved Adrien when her heart was split in two. Adrien wasn't in love with Amelie...and somehow even though all this time passed, she was still head over heels in love with him. "Even if you know your answer...think about it. I know it's a lot to give up."
Adrien leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips. He muttered an "I promise," and the conversation was put to bed as the two became wrapped up in each other once more.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, what if Paris need Ladybug?" The bug floated from the other room, presumably from a talk with Plagg.
"Tikki," Marinette hissed trying not to wake the blonde. "What if Adrien hears you? We wouldn't wander too far from the city, but Hawkmoth hasn't been seen in months, and Chloe and Alya can handle Le Paon for a month. If they can't, then Ladybug and Chat Noir would make an appearance."
"Does that mean you plan on telling him who you are?" Marinette glanced back at Adrien who was completely unaware of this conversation and smiled.
"I love him...I don't see how I can keep this secret any longer," she replied. They had just gotten to a point in their relationship where things were less rocky since they bumped into each other at the club. She was sure that Adrien would accept the fact that she was Ladybug, and it would only strengthen their bond further. When Adrien started to yawn and stretch out his arms, Tikki took it upon herself to zip back into the pink purse. Marinette relaxed into how Adrien naturally reached for her almost as if to check if it was a dream.
"How are you so beautiful after waking up in the morning?" She watched him rubbing the sleepers out of his eyes and she rolled hers playfully.
"Says the actual model," Marinette teased.
"You could be one if you wanted, you know," He buried his face into her side. "I just don't want to share."
"Would my kitty be jealous?" Her fingers absentmindedly began drawing shapes on his shoulder.
"You don't know what they're like, so pretentious and snobby. They aren't blind. They would be all over a beautiful lady such as yourself." He pressed his lips to the closest skin that he could reach. "But you're mine." Marinette used her finger to raise his chin until their eyes met.
"Have I mentioned how much I love you?"
"You did mention that you loved that thing I did last night," he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively only to get hit by a pillow. "How about I cook some breakfast for us? After all, you cooked yesterday. It's only fair."
"You can cook?" Marinette teased playfully.
"I can follow directions," his finger slowly dragged up her thigh. "I didn't hear any complaints from you. If I can't make pancakes I can certainly pour some cereal in bowls." He replied as he sauntered to the kitchen in nothing but sweatpants.
Adrien returned 10 minutes later with two bowls in hand and Marinette couldn't help but smirk. "I thought you could follow directions," she teased. Adrien muttered something about the consistency of the batter and handed her the bowl. "You're lucky you're sexy in my shirt," he pouted taking another bite. Marinette's eyes lit up as a mischievous grin formed. She leaned in until her hot breath lingered just outside his ear.
"If you think that's sexy, you should see what's underneath." Never in a million lifetimes did she think she would say something like that to Adrien Agreste, but the way he almost choked on his cereal was motivation to do it again.
"Show me." His eyes turned dark and the bowl of food was long forgotten on the nightstand. Marinette positioned them so she was in a power position as she straddled his waist wanting him to lose control as much as she did last night. She undid the very top button and leaned in for a kiss. What Marinette didn't expect was the sound of her cell phone ringing in the air. "Send it to voicemail," he begged.
"It might be Alya," she reached for the phone while keeping her position and froze when she saw who called. "H-Hey." She stuttered out her greeting knowing she would get an earful.
"Two days Marinette, that's how long it's been since you called." It was hard to focus on anything while she was getting yelled at as Adrien sat up and started the makings of another hickey.
"I was just...staying at a friend's." She felt him nip her skin forcefully at her last word. She used her free arm to push him away while in the process accidentally grinding her hips on him. Adrien released a groan and Marinette's eyes flew wide.
"Wait, are you with a boy? It's Luka, isn't it?" Amelie asked, and Marinette wasn't about to correct her. At this point, she had learned that if she denied it, it would be considered truth in her roommate's eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about Amelie," she felt Adrien's body stiffen at the name.
"Sure," Marinette got as a response and knew that she didn't need to push the subject more. "Once you're done with your boy toy, I need you to come here ASAP. It's a wedding issue."
"I'll see you soon," she promised before promptly hanging up the phone.
Mood gone, she rolled off of Adrien and the two laid there for a couple minutes as silence settled between them. They had been living in their own little bubble for the last two days, it was bound to pop eventually. Marinette glanced over in time to see a hoard of emotions shooting across his face. "Adrien," she reached out and her fingers brushed his cheeks, "talk to me."
"I may not be in love with her, but I don't want to hurt her." Marinette turned and snuggled closer linking their hands. She had been so concerned and wrapped up in the idea of them over the weekend. Although Amelie didn't belong with Adrien, they had to approach the subject with care when breaking the news.
"I know," she replied stroking his hair. "But she's not in love with you." He tilted his head slightly to the left as he peered over at her.
"What do you mean?…she proposed."
"I don't know what caused her to propose, but she's in love with Bellamy. That's why I thought we could run away, it would give them a chance like it would give us one." The word us caused her heart to flutter, awakening the butterflies in her stomach.
"My answer is yes," he replied softly the first time.
"What?" Marinette's eyes lit up with hope.
"Yes, I'll run away with you."
"Are you sure?"
"I would go anywhere with you." He leaned in for a kiss, which she enthusiastically provided. When he pulled away for air the two rested their foreheads on each other. "Meet me at the train station tomorrow at 8 am sharp by the clock tower at Gare de l'Est."
Marinette's eyes burst open as the sunlight poured into every corner of the room. Her heart lurched at the thought that in an hour or, so she would be on a train, with the love of her life, about to slip off into the countryside. Her phone lit up with a message from Adrien.
I can't wait to see you. It's been too long, I miss you.
He had sent the message at 12:01 am, her smile grew his words. This must be what it's like to be young and head over heels in love. She texted back quickly before her eyes snapped to the time.
7:30 am
She needed to get ready quickly if she wanted to make it to the train station on time. Thankfully she had packed last night and paid the bellman to keep her suitcase downstairs, so she wouldn't draw suspicion. She brushed her hair and allowed it to rest on her shoulders since it was a special occasion. Perfect. If she left now, then she would make it on time. Giddiness bubbled up inside her at the thought that she could go through with this.
Marinette grabbed her purse and headed straight for the door…only to stop at the sight of Amelie's wedding dress hanging in the living room.
"Marinette, your work is beyond beautiful. I'm speechless." It made sense that it had arrived, Amelie's supposed wedding would happen at the end of the week, but to see the dress; it made the realization more…real.
"It's gorgeous, isn't it?" Marinette reached out to her creation and ran her fingers down the dress. It was perfect, in her wildest dreams, she never thought- If it looked this good on the hanger how breathless would it look on Amelie.
"I don't know what you have planned today, but if you could run a couple errands for the wedding this weekend, I would be so grateful." Marinette's lip curled up between her teeth. Focus, she needed to get to the train station.
"I will if I have time," she promised quickly headed straight for the door. After a short elevator ride, she picked up her suitcase and headed to the curb to call a taxi. Her bluebell eyes wandered back up to her apartment. Amelie would forgive her one day, after all, she was giving her an opportunity that no one else would. Marinette wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.
This is finally happening; Adrien's mind mused, a lazy smile played his lips. This plan screamed crazy, but it could be crazy enough that it would work. His fingers itched until he reached in and pulled out a small box.
"Marinette, I know we've been through a lot, but you would make me the luckiest cat in the world- no that won't work." He resisted the urge to pace back and forth. The idea of proposing so soon frightened him, but this seemed right. Even if they had a long engagement, he couldn't care less, along as he was with her. He would wait years if it meant they could be together. His father gave him his mother's ring when he was eighteen and made him promise that he would give it to the right woman. Marinette had been the only girl that he thought deserved it.
"I hope you're running towards something and not away from it." He jumped at Master Fu's sudden presence beside him.
"What?"
"If you're running towards something, the journey is the adventure. But if you're running away, you'll never get where you're going." Adrien closed the lid on the box and turned his attention back to his mentor.
"I'm not running away, I'm…in love." His dopey grin reformed.
"With Marinette Dupain-Cheng." Adrien's eyes widened. Did Master Fu know Marinette? His mind racked together on possible run-in scenarios.
"I-uh," he started to stutter, and Master Fu held up his hand to take him out of his misery.
"I have been watching you two for a long time. You two balance each other out."
"You think so?" He knew that they complimented each other in some respects, but to hear it from Master Fu, the wisest man he knew, it enforced the thought that maybe they could make this work. "Look, Master, I'm going to be away on a trip, not for long, but I need you to tell the team to look after Ladybug when I'm gone. Have them protect her at all costs until I return." A knowing gleam sparkled in his mentor's eyes, but Adrien dismissed what it could mean. Ladybug would remain safe even in his absence.
"So I assume you want to keep your ring?" Adrien was taken back by the question. Of course, Master Fu could ask for his miraculous back at any time, and he would have no choice. But Marinette was right, he couldn't give it up, his team needed him.
"If It's all the same to you, I'd like to hold onto it a little longer. Paris still needs Chat Noir right now." His fingers began to play with his ring affectionately. "Maybe one day that won't
be the case." Master Fu smiled and nodded.
"Until then, you are shaping up to be a fine Chat Noir, proving that I chose correctly all those years ago."
"Thank you-" Adrien stopped when he noticed that Master Fu was nowhere in sight. He chuckled to himself softly, he would always be somewhat of a mystery. The more time he dwelled on that fact, the more okay he became with it. He reached back into his pocket and pulled out the ring and gazed at it tenderly. Marinette would love it if she said yes to his proposal, it represented her personality so well. He had planned to propose sometime on their hour train ride together. No fancy over the top gestures, because she didn't want all of that. A slide of the box to her between them and a knowing smile. If he chickened out, there would be more opportunities to propose once they got away from all the influences of the city.
Adrien was too caught up in his daydreaming to realize that he wasn't the only one eyeing the ring. Within a blink of an eye, it was snatched by a guy in a black hoodie who took off as he pushed people to clear his way to the exit.
His mother's ring.
"Hey! Stop him!" Adrien was glad that he moonlighted as a superhero in his spare time, it gave him the stamina required to keep up and gain on the man. He wasn't going to lose that ring. "Stop!" Adrien shouted again, but the robber only gained speed. The way the thief was dodging through the sea of people, if he jumped to take down the guy, he better not miss. He closed his eyes and pounced hoping he did enough, otherwise the ring would be gone forever. The man in the black hoodie hit the ground with an oomph. However, in the takedown, his cell phone flew out of his pocket and shattered on the train track below.
Her eyes darted to the clock for the 3rd time in 10 minutes. She was late, but hopefully, they would still be able to catch a train. The Agreste family had various contacts all over Europe, she doubted that wherever they ended up, would turn him away. But the edge of her anxiety had started to flare at the fact that he hadn't responded to her text stating her tardiness.
Marinette should have known to give herself a little more time. The streets were crowded with Parisians going about their normal day, traffic tended to congest at this hour. Hopefully, Adrien would understand.
She arrived at the train station 20 minutes after she was supposed to, their initial train had come and gone. But that didn't matter as she rushed through the crowd of people. All that mattered was that she found Adrien.
Marinette's heart raced when she saw the clock tower standing as the focal point of the room. Once she broke through the sea of people, Adrien would be on the other side wearing one of his boyish grins. He would make a teasing comment about being late and they would board a different train.
The second she reached the clock and Adrien was nowhere in sight, doubt crept in. How many giant clocks were in the train station. What if he changed his mind- or worse he thought she did because she was late. She dialed his number again to be met with his voicemail. Her finger bumped the end call button when she saw a blonde man standing around further in front of her. They had just passed each other, that's all. She had allowed her doubts and insecurities creep in when he wasn't directly under the clock.
"Adrien," the blonde didn't turn, but it was crowded, maybe he didn't hear her. "Adrien?" She reaches out and grabbed the man's shoulder and spun him to face her.
Only to be met with gray eyes.
"May I help you?" His voice carried annoyance that she disturbed his phone call.
"No, sorry, I thought you were someone else." She could feel her heart crack more inside her chest.
"Where are you Adrien," she mumbled to herself. At that moment, Marinette remembered passing the giant wall of arriving and departing trains. Maybe Adrien was there trying to figure out which track to go to now that the previous train had already left the station. It was a long shot, but it's all she had.
"Here's your ring back Mr. Agreste, we are so sorry for the hassle that you went through." Adrien thanked the officers quickly and practically ran back towards the giant clock. The police questioned him for a solid 10 minutes before wrapping up their investigation. The train he had bought tickets for had already left, but that wouldn't be the end of the world if they had to take another train. Marinette should be there by now, but as he neared the meetup point, only disappointment and emptiness filled the space.
"Adrien? Adrien Agreste?" He flinched, he had hoped that he would be gone before anyone recognized him, but with the massive advertisement on the wall, there was definitely a chance of being seen. If the media got involved it destroyed what privacy Marinette and he clung to. He turned slowly be greeted by a warm smile only to be matched by her fire red hair. "I knew I'd recognize you anywhere."
"Sabrina?" The two embraced quickly all defensives down. "What are you doing here?"
"To help Chloe with wedding preparations. Figured I would start now to give us some time, you know how she can be." Adrien nodded in agreement. It was amazing what the two girls friendships endured and still, they were there for each other when it mattered. "What about you?"
"I was waiting for a friend, but I guess something is holding them up. Why don't I get you a cab first, and then I'm going to make sure that they're okay." The two walked side by side and exchanged stories all the way to the curb. Adrien managed to hail a cab with ease and as soon as the car was out of sight he ducked around to an alley. With three words uttered, Chat Noir used his staff to lift him up to the rooftops. He would get to Marinette's apartment faster, he hoped that she was okay.
Marinette must have checked and rechecked the board multiple times hoping that she read incorrectly, or some kind of explanation why he wasn't here. Her mind went back to not even 72 hours before, what if he decided that it was too much to sacrifice- that she wasn't worth it. Amelie could be considered a safer choice. But if he changed his mind, why wouldn't he tell her?
"Excuse me," she tapped on a stranger's shoulder. If the Adrien Agreste gifted his presence in the train station, it couldn't possibly go unnoticed. "You haven't possibly seen him," she pointed to a prominent Adrien ad plastered on the all, "have you?"
"Adrien Agreste? I just love him! I've been following his wedding story since the beginning. In fact, I saw him."
"You did?" Her heart started to race. "Where?"
"He left with some redhead a couple minutes ago. They looked so cute together."
"Amelie? He left with Amelie Marlone?" Marinette asked desperation leaking from her voice.
"I wasn't too close, but it must have been."
"Th-thank you." She excused herself before her tears began to fall. She could have been mistaken, but Adrien didn't know too many people with fiery red hair. Amelie must have found out about part of their plan and convinced him not to go. She did have killer negotiation skills when it came to business, she could easily reconcile their relationship. She whipped out her phone and pressed Adrien's name- straight to voicemail. It didn't make sense. Why-how could he do this to her?
After last weekend- she thought, he chose her. Why else would he agree to run away? Marinette's fingers fumbled over the keys entering Amelie's number. It was the only way she could be sure.
"Don't tell me you finished all of those errands already." It certainly didn't sound like she knew that Adrien had agreed to run away with her.
"No, I'm still working on them," she lied. "I was just wondering if you had heard from Adrien, I just want to ask him about wedding…stuff."
"Oh, he's with me. Do you want to ask him now?"
"No! No, I'll ask him later. So much to do, I have to go, bye!" Marinette hung up the phone as quickly as possible and her heart shattered in her chest. Adrien was with Amelie, he changed her mind. She didn't know what hurt more, that he picked her, or he didn't have the guts to relay that message. Going back to the apartment with him there wasn't an option, so she fled to the one of her safe havens; Alya's.
"Marinette, as much as I enjoy you couchsurfing while Nino is away at a DJ gig if he comes home and finds out that you've been here for three days, he's going to have some questions." Marinette groaned from her spot on the couch. She knew that Alya was right, but the last three days she had spent trying to convince herself that this had to be a bad dream. Adrien would have kept a lookout for her, so he could spout another excuse. He had left numerous voicemails on her phone, none she felt compelled to listen to. Did it really matter why he chose to get back with Amelie? One excuse wouldn't neutralize her broken heart. Marinette refused to give Adrien that closure. The less she saw of him the better until he was properly married.
"The night you called I went to him, told him not to go, that he couldn't give up being Chat Noir. I was stupid and told him how I felt. I-" her fingers traced the tips of her lips the tingling sensation lingered. "We kissed and-" the blush that overpowered her cheeks should have given away their other activities without further explanation.
"It was like a dream Alya, I couldn't believe that he still loved me. I asked him to run away with me. Not permanently, just until after the wedding. I asked him to choose me." Alya had joined her on the couch and started to stroke her back in a loving manner.
"What happened?" She asked. It wasn't normal to see Marinette this upset, which meant something horrible had to happen, otherwise, they would have been in another city now.
"He woke up. When I got to the train station- he was leaving with Amelie." Alya's jaw dropped slightly open at the news. It didn't make sense. Adrien loved Marinette not Amelie. He wouldn't jeopardize that for anything.
"Mar, I understand that you're upset, but-" Alya didn't get far in her argument. Marinette had the stubbornness about her when she decided something.
"No, no buts- that means you're taking his side."
"All I'm saying-" Her second attempt at reason fell as flat as her first attempt.
"Saying, "all I'm saying is", taking his side too." Marinette pointed a finger accusingly.
"Talk to him Marinette, because this doesn't make sense. I'm sure that there's an explanation." The Adrien she knew would never pull a stunt like this.
"I don't want to hear whatever excuse he's made up. Someone saw him leave the train station with Amelie, isn't that enough?" The evidence was stacked against him, Alya hoped that maybe after Nino talked to Adrien they would have more of a picture of what happened.
"Then at least call Amelie and end this madness. You can't be a part of this wedding. You resent her and are in love with the groom." Alya shot back.
"I'm going to the wedding Alya. She's wearing a wedding dress I designed, don't you know how big this could be for my career?"
"At what cost Mar, your heart?" Marinette was a lot of things, but when it came to matters of the heart, she tended to get away from what was healthy for her.
"I can handle this." She sighed frustration taking over. Talking about this would not help anything right now. Not with the bachelorette party tonight. "Look, all I need from you is to follow me around and make sure I don't do anything stupid. Paris needs Ladybug if anything happens."
"Are you sure this is what you want ?" Marinette chose not to respond.
Adrien let out a deep sigh his eyes glued to the ring in his hand. He really thought things could be different, that they could be together. He took a risk and went to her apartment- only to have Amelie answer the door. His dad's words echoed in his mind as he resolved himself to knowing he would have to spend an hour there before he could wiggle in an excuse. It turns out that Amelie had sent Marinette out on errands this morning for the wedding. The information made his heart flip; had that meant that she changed her mind? Despite his wait at the apartment for an hour, his love never showed. He lied as he told her that he had to pick up his tux for the weekend, and Amelie didn't protest.
Now he was all alone, head resting against the back wall; his heart shattered within his chest. What if his father's plan didn't work? Could he settle for Amelie? Besides the fact that he wasn't in love with her, she did emulate qualities that he admired. She was strong-willed, determined, creative, and more that would read well on paper, but Adrien knew that she would never obtain the number one slot in his heart. He had already given that away. Amelie would always leave an empty feeling no matter how many potential years of marriage they had, he would crave for more. He could lie to several people, but the one person he couldn't lie to anymore was himself. Despite everything that happened, if Marinette called and said that she made a mistake, he would rush to her side without a second thought. Because deep down, he knew that Marinette could do so much better than what he could offer, but he still hoped that she would settle for him.
A knock pulled him from his thoughts the remains of his broken heart shook with anticipation. It couldn't have been that easy, wish and then she would show up at his door. His luck wouldn't have allowed that. The small voice inside whispered for him to dream that big. Adrien stumbled so quickly to his feet that he almost tripped over himself. His heartbeat ringing in his ears with every step he took. This was it, he told himself and pulled open the door…and the remaining pieces of his heart fell into his gut.
"Are you ready for your bachelor- you look terrible." Adrien rolled his eyes as his best friend pushed his way into the apartment. The black box was slipped back into his pocket, the last thing he needed was Nino to ask questions that he didn't have the answers.
"I don't think I should go tonight."
"Dude! It's your bachelor party, you need to go." Nino's eyes didn't waver as he studied his best friend. "What's wrong?" Adrien was tempted to spill everything, it would be easy; Nino already knew about the blackmail. But the more he thought about it, the less he had confidence that he could help.
"Marinette and I got into a…disagreement." The word didn't seem to do justice to their situation. "I don't want to talk about it."
"What better excuse to get your mind off things but coming out with the boys and let loose. I'm sure you'll forget all about in no time." Nino's words sounded too good to be true, but it was worth the attempt. Especially when his other option involved him on the couch as he tried not to think of Marinette. What was the worst thing that could happen?
It would be like Amelie to decide to do a bar hop for her bachelorette party. Marinette already promised herself that she would space out her drinks since the last thing Paris needed was a tipsy Ladybug. Alya was following them discreetly as a fail safe to make sure that she didn't do anything stupid. All she had to do was make it through the last 72 hours and she would be fine, the wedding would go off without a hitch and then she could focus on forgetting all about Adrien Agreste.
Amelie ordered shots for herself and Marinette and the other two bridesmaids."To happiness and matrimony bliss," Amelie toasted, and the other two girls clinked glasses but Marinette caught the slight waver in her tone. It reminded her of the times where she had to fake cheeriness to keep the atmosphere light. "Marinette?" Her bluebell eyes shot up and connected to Amelie's only to realize everyone had already taken their shot.
"Right," She sheepishly replied before the alcohol burned her throat as she partook. Even though the liquid threw her into a coughing fit, for a moment she forgot about Adrien and the damage he left in his wake.
"Dance with me Mar-Mar! Just like old times." It was the bride's night; how could she refuse?
By the third bar, Marinette could start to feel the alcohol start to affect her, but she maintained control. She had lost track of how many times Amelie mentioned Bellamy in the last hour, but that could have been due to going a little overboard with her own drinking. However, Alya hadn't stepped in, so she must think that Marinette could still handle herself.
"Bellamy said he would stop the world for just one kiss!" Amelie sloppily whispered to Marinette. There was no doubt that she had passed the buzzed phase. It ripped at her heart each time that Amelie mentioned her secret love. It would be easier to accept this as her new reality if her friend only and completely loved Adrien, but it wasn't the case.
And yet, he still chose her.
"Awww Adrien is sooo sweet," Amelie cooed pulling out her phone. "Can't wait to see to see you this weekend." Marinette didn't know if Amelie had received a new text or if she was reminiscing, but either thought made her stomach curl in on itself. Not even five days ago she teased Adrien about being jealous, and now she found herself in that position. Jealous that Amelie got the happy ending that she wanted. All she wanted was not to think of the wedding, or Adrien, or her feelings for him that she suffocated down.
"Mari, could you take a video I want to send it to Adrien."
"Have Jenny take it," her eyes jumped up and met the eyes of a guy who had been watching that group since they walked in. "I have something I need to do." Marinette downed 3 shots for courage before anyone could stop her. All she heard from Amelie's message to her fiance was a standard greeting before she had enough.
She marched over to the stranger who had been eyeing her with as much confidence as she could muster. Without a word, she grabbed his face and smashed her lips against his.
"What the hell Alya?" Marinette hissed as Alya pulled her to a less crowded part of the bar. "Are you trying to draw blood?"
"If it brings the real Marinette back here instead of whoever that was out there. What's wrong with you?" Alya snapped. "This is about Adrien, isn't it?"
"I don't need your judgmental attitude right now." Marinette snapped back. Alya had no clue to what extent her emotional roller-coaster had played out over the last five days. She had gone from the highest she's ever been to being pulled through the dirt, and right now, she wanted to stop feeling altogether. Alya had Nino, and they had no obstacles in their way despite Alya being a superhero. Why did it have to be different for her?
"I think I need to take you home. I'll tell Amelie," She reached out to grab her wrist, but Marinette smacked her hand away.
"Don't touch me," she seethed allowing the alcohol to take control, "and don't look at me like that. I'm fine, I'll be fine, just you wait and see." She pushed past her best friend and straight out the door.
Fresh from her fight with Alya, Marinette stormed out into the night air where the noise wasn't pounding her head. How dare she say that she was spinning out of control? This whole thing was Adrien's fault. After what she thought was a magical weekend, he decided to choose Amelie. A woman who he knows doesn't love him.
Marinette's fingers speed dialed the familiar number. All thought or reason were overcome but the anger bubbling up inside of her. She was through with her broken heart and the thoughts of him that re-occurred in her mind. The only way that the pain would disappear is if she let loose all her emotions and tell Adrien exactly how she felt.
"This is Adrien...leave a message." Of course, she got his voicemail; it was just her luck. Marinette wouldn't let the simple fact stop her from what she needed to do.
Adrien was fuming, and that wasn't even the perfect word to describe his mood. Strippers were the last thing that he wanted, and they went behind his back and ordered one anyway. He had to sit there modified as he received a lap dance but a woman with dark hair. It didn't stop his mind from imagining that it was Marinette who was scaling various parts of his body.
But Marinette changed her mind, his mind reminded him.
He had played Amelie's video over and over again torturing himself watching Marinette make out with a total stranger and how the bridal party cheered her on. It was clear that all of them were under the influence, but every time he watched, he still held onto to the hope that someone would pull her off the guy.
She hadn't returned any of his calls all week. Adrien tried to rack his mind of where he went wrong, but it came out empty. She was the one who hadn't shown up and chose to go help Amelie with the wedding while he was left there looking like the lovesick fool. Among the background music, he could hear another pair of footsteps coming towards him.
"I hope you had your laugh. I told you that I didn't want a stripper, but you guys couldn't resist, could you?"
"Adrien, you got to believe me, I didn't know. I told them that you didn't want one! Kim must have ordered it when I wasn't looking, I had no idea." Adrien's shoulders slumped down. He knew why he wasn't enjoying himself. It was because he was marrying the wrong girl. His father assured him that everything was going to plan and for him to keep up the charade, but he was still in the dark.
"It's fine Nino," he shot him a sad smile and ran his fingers through his hair. "Go back inside, I need a couple minutes alone-" His voice died instantly when he accidentally nudged his phone on and saw the notification.
He was dreaming, that was the only explanation. The one voicemail from Marinette flashed across his screen consuming his visions and thoughts. She reached out to him, that had to be a good sign, right?
"Marinette called," he breathed out as his finger hovered over the play button.
"What are you waiting for dude? Play it." Nino urged.
"Adrien, you have some nerve pulling the stunt you did. I waited in the train station looking like a fool and then you have the nerve to leave with Amelie and not have the guts to tell me? Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice- You and Amelie deserve each other. I can't believe I even considered marrying you. You can go out into the countryside and have a litter of kittens with her for all I care-" It was obvious that she wasn't in a sober mind. Adrien's heart sank as she continued to berate him with her words, but he was too frozen to turn it off. "I realized that I don't need you, I'm strong, talented, and beautiful. One more thing, I'm Ladybug. That's right. You gave up two of your loves just to be with a woman who doesn't even love you."
"Marinette"- Adrien heard Alya cut in on Marinette's voicemail only for there to be a struggle on the phone. The line clicked dead, but he held his phone to his ear hoping-praying for more. His heart was pounding in his ears. Somehow, there was massive miscommunication, or he had screwed up, and he wasn't sure he could fix it.
Marinette was Ladybug. His Lady. If watching Marinette kiss another guy didn't cause him to become nauseous this certainly did. His fingers fumbled over the screen to return her call but was met with voicemail.
"Have you ever had a secret that you wanted to scream from the top of your lungs, but you can't, so it just sits there like a heavy weight on your chest?"
The haunted words Marinette spoke in the kitchen finally were as clear as day. She was trying to tell him the secret that had been hers to keep since the beginning. Everything was starting to click, like how Alya was so certain with how Ladybug would feel on different matters. He had missed all the signs that were right in front of his face.
Either way, he loved and lost the only girl he had ever been in love with, and he was- at best stumbling around in the dark with his father's plan and his wedding took place in 3 short days. In short, he was screwed.
A.n.- So that happened. Next chapter we jump back to the rehearsal dinner and start wrapping all of this up. Please let me know what you think!