Chapter Text
The years flew past without even realizing it. Master Fu left them shortly after they turned seventeen. There was a small funeral with every kwami and holder present. It was once more, a bittersweet occasion— something that seemed to be happening a lot, even though they tried not to think on it like that.
After the reveal between Adrien and Marinette to the group— Alya and Nino weren’t too surprised, while Chole could hardly take her jaw off the floor— The three were officially allowed to keep their miraculous. A happy moment for the entire group, if Marinette thought so..
Emilie was adjusting very well. She had her bad days where she needed rest, and couldn’t be as active as she liked, but they were becoming fewer and farther in between. On the bad days, the Gorilla kept a watchful eye on her.
Paris was finally starting to believe that neither Adrien, nor Marinette were involved with any of Gabriel's wrongdoings. While there were still a few people upset about everything, most had apologized for their behavior.
The couples response? They held a national TV conference, telling them to be angry. Be sad. Own your emotions, because they finally could have them once more without fear. Understand that they needed to have control over them, but it was finally okay to feel strong emotions again without having to look over their shoulders.
As far as any wedding between Adrien and Marinette had to be held off a little longer than the two wanted. With the trials, they didn’t have much time to actually plan a wedding.
When they hit the tender age of nineteen, Adrien threw in his hands, looking to his partner and said. “This is stupid. I get we’ve been occupied with everything about my father and having everything situated, but we need to focus on us, too. And if I could have my way, I would've been married to you when we were fifteen in the eyes of France.”
So, they did just that. They set a date. A random day: July 28th. Seven months away, and with how well their names were around the city, they knew they’d have a lot of open doors that made an easier planned wedding in such a short time.
Besides, it wasn’t going to be grand— don't get them wrong, it wasn't going to be small, it couldn't with her who they were, but they would keep it as small as possible— And they were excited to get everything started and underway.
In the end, it turned out Kagami had won in Luka’s and hers bet. She was very pleased, to say the least.
Another thing that seemed to work in their favor, Rose had gone into wedding planning after she left for university. It was a blessing for them, really, because she knew them so well, and would understand easily of what they wanted for their big day. It caused for a lot of stress to leave their shoulders.
One could only hope the day of would run somewhat smoothly.
The day came soon enough. The court wedding was quick and painless, as they guessed it would be.
However, the moment they stepped out of the courthouse, ready to hop in the car that would take them to the church to get prepared for the day, dark puffy clouds that just promised to be filled with water started rolling in.
Adrien sighed as he looped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Looks like a storm’s coming.”
Marinette pecked a small kiss to his cheek. “Yeah, but hey, rain means good luck. And we need all that we can get. Besides, any storm that we go through, we face together, remember? For better or for worse.”
He squeezed her closer, nuzzling the top of her head. “You’re not wrong there.”
“Am I ever wrong?”
“....No.”
Marinette giggled at his reluctant answer. “Exactly.”
The second their feet touched the grounds of the church, Alya’s already rushing her off and Nino was pulling Adrien in a different direction. It became chaotic within a blink of the eye.
She was quickly ushered to the back of the church, everyone eager to get her hair, makeup and dress on. She was met with her bridesmaids— Rose, Juleka, Melyen, and Alix; Alya was, of course, the maid of honor— while the hair and make up artist was already there, along with her mom and Emilie.
With the dress pooled before her feet, she held onto her mother and mother in law, who shuffled her into the dress. Alya grabbed it by the hem and pulled it up and laced it closed with ease. The journalist fluffed out the chiffon skirt, giving a better view of all the intricate beautiful lace of the ball gown.
The sweetheart bodice flowed so nicely with the skirt and fitted together seamlessly. The light sparkle that reflected when what little sunlight was left before the storm shone through the wall length window of the building. It was absolutely breathtaking when she first had finished it, and she couldn't wait to see it when completed with makeup and hair.
The hours ticked by fast.
Marinette’s hair was put up into a loose bun with a few curls that fell at the sides of her face to frame her. Her makeup stayed light, keeping with a pastel pink for her lip, a mellow eyeshadow just brightened her upper lid up a little, and some mascara.
The girls were fitted in their dresses as well as the mothers. It was getting closer to crunch time and the nerves were starting to romp up and down her spine as she started to wiggle in her spot.
Seeing the wiggling start, Sabine went over to her daughter, pulling her into a warm embrace, being careful as to not touch her hair. “Oh, sweetheart. It’s gonna all workout. No reason to be nervous. Even if they're excited nerves.”
It definitely was that, because there was not a doubt in her mind that she wanted to marry Adrien, it was something she’d wanted since the young age of fourteen and now that it was happening, it all felt like a dream. A really good dream.
“I know, manman.” She returned the hug without another thought. She could feel the tears from her mother wetting the bare skin of her shoulder. “Don't start crying, you’ll make me start, too.”
While she was technically, legally married, she couldn't help the feeling of this being more real.
The older woman chuckled through the sobs. “Sorry, hon. It’s just a natural reaction to all of this.”
Alya handed some tissues to help wipe away the tears, dabbing a few of hers as well.
Marinette smiled as she broke from the hug, laughing softly as her mom ran a thumb under her eye. “I’m ready for this, manman. I promise.”
“I know that, sweetheart. Without a doubt.”
“She’s more than ready.” Alya chirped in her two cents. “She had the next, what, fifty birthday presents all made up. That’s commitment, girl.”
Emilie finally spoke up, a smirk curving her lips so fiercely that it was no wonder where Adrien got it from. “Fifty years, huh? Knew my son picked right.”
They all chuckled together, airy and fresh.
“Well,” Sabine sniffed a few more tears. “I think it’s my time to head out. I’ll see you in a few, dear. Your dad should be here any minute.”
Marinette nodded as she and the girls started to follow after her until she remained in the room with Emilie.
Her mother in law moved to stand in front of her, taking her shaking hands in the older woman’s soft ones. The grin she wore was so big and contrasted with sunshine against the rainy weather that had started to loom over them— though the actual rain had yet to make an appearance.
Her voice was sweet like honey, “I’m so happy my son found someone as amazing as you, darling.” Her hands moved to softly cup her jaw, it was so loving. A mother’s touch. “I couldn’t have asked for a better person for him.”
Marinette felt the dam break. Emilie was just so warm and loving, she wondered what in the world she had been thinking when she married Gabriel. Maybe he wasn’t so bad in the beginning? She couldn’t help but hope there could be something fixable between the son and father.
“Oh, before I forget!” Emilie said as she stepped away. “I got you a little something old. This has been handed down through generations of daughters, and hopefully, it’ll find its way to yours one day.”
She pulled a little charm— a ladybug charm, nonetheless— and went behind the bride to clip it onto the back of her dress, just under the veil. “There. Every bride wore it just so, and it always brought them good luck. Now, your father should be here any minute, you ready?”
Marinette nodded, about to voice her affirmation when a little voice interrupted them.
“Wait!”
They turned to see Plagg and Tikki floating just before them. “We might not be able to make it in attendance formally, but we still wanna be there for you.”
“Correction," Plagg said as pointed his paw to the bug. "Tikki wanted to be there for you. I just wanted the cheese.”
Both women burst out laughing at his obvious lie as he crossed his little paws over each other.
Marinette recovered first, rolling her eyes. “Okay, Plagg, whatever you say.”
He huffed but followed Tikki’s lead as she fluttered over to Emilie and hid in her hair— their eyes still peaking over through the strands.
Her dad chose that moment to knock, informing them that it was time.
Yeah. Yeah it was.
He had been ready to marry this woman for ages.
With that being said, he had been, in no way, prepared for when she came walking down that aisle.
Wow.
She was just so beautiful. His heart lurched through his throat as he choked for the ability to breathe. Tears stung in his eyes, and Nino had to pass him a couple tissues to help. His knees felt wobbly at best, like they just might give underneath him. What did he ever do in this life to deserve her?
He could hear quite joyful laughter from the crowd in the church, and it only brought more warmth to his heart. The whole place was enveloped with love and free laughter, and tears, because they could.
They could laugh with tears, they could scream with joy. They could feel without fear and it was just freeing. Being surrounded by people they both loved was freeing.
They say when you see your spouse walk down the aisle, it's just you and them in the world— and for Chat and Ladybug, they’d been right— but for Marinette and Adrien, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
It was about them, it was about their family. About the people that loved and supported them that were gathered in this large building to watch them vow their lives together. It was about celebrating the love they had created over so many years and the trials that had brought them to this very moment.
The laughter from the people from friends and family didn't break his concentration, nor Marinette's, from the moment, it only added to it as Tom placed his bugaboo’s hand in his, giving his final blessing, and took his seat next to Sabine.
Marinette was the first to speak. “Adrien.” She had to sniff back some tears as she locked her eyes onto his before continuing. “Almost everyone knew I had a crush on you— some would say it was borderline stalking.” The laughter from her bridesmaids, family, and friends was very evident.
“And even though you didn't know that, you still wanted to be my friend. The girl that couldn't form a single sentence around you, you wanted me to comfortable enough and you worked to have a strong friendship with me, even when I made it hard.”
The snicker of laughter was definitely loudest from Alix.
“I always got so broken hearted when you would say. ‘I’m just a friend’ but.” She inhaled, trying to catch her breath from his love sick stare that he knew just wouldn’t waver. “I’m thankful for that, in a way. Because having you as my friend was so important to where we are today. Because, without that, we wouldn't have the foundation of what we stand on.”
Oh gosh, his chest felt tight, but it wasn’t in any bad way that he wanted it to stop.
Her words were strong, like everytime that she spoke.”So, thank you, Adrien Agreste, for being my ‘just a friend’ because in the end, when we’re old and gray, that's exactly who I want by my side.”
He wasn’t crying. Plagg was.
Shut up.
He could hear everyone holding back the want to burst into bawling right there and then, and honestly, he completely understood, because he wanted to do the same.
With a few more coughs to clear his airways, he began himself, “I may not’ve known your feelings, but as I’ve been told before.” If Plagg had been in his pocket, he would’ve jabbed at it. He was probably already laughing as it was. “If there was a trophy for the most obvious person on the planet, I would’ve won it.”
The crying and sniffles were once again, replaced with laughter.
He smiled as he watched the tears flow freely down Marinette’s face. “And while I can’t really argue with that, I hope I’ve been doing better with it. Because, I know what I feel when I look at you, Marinette. I see home, my home. I’m so thankful for Alya slipping and telling about your crush.”
Said girl chuckled behind the bouquet.
Even with her eyes glistening with tears, Marinette was something to behold. “I know you said you're okay with me having called you just a friend and with how obvious I had been, but I really do mean it when I say that I’m sorry that I took so long to realize. And when you gave me your heart in the rain, I hope I’ve been keeping my promise of taking better care of it.”
Without being able to speak, she nodded. Her eyes saying, of course, you have.
His breath caught, but he was still able to finish his vows. “I promise to love you for the rest of my days. Whatever we come across, I’ll be okay with you by my side.”
With their vows finished, the preacher said a few things that were lost on deaf ears besides having them say the I do’s, and before they knew it, they were pronounced husband and wife and were allowed to share their first kiss as such.
They soon escaped to the getaway car that would take them to the reception hall.
The clouds grew darker, but their hearts had never been warmer.
The hall was decorated in lovely twinkly lights that were strung up all around the room. The main lights dimmed to have the twinkle ones glow. It made such a romantic effect that swelled Marinette’s heart.
The rest of the night was spent dancing, more crying, laughter, and stories galore.
Alya’s were embarrassing enough, Nino’s were emotional— so were the parents of the couple— and the rest were light hearted, telling of old times and adventures throughout.
But Marinette’s favorite part was when Adrien sat down at a piano bench and started playing a new tune that she had only heard a few notes too. The tune he had been humming for years. A time after they had gotten together.
It was beyond words. Nothing could touch it. No one could describe how amazing it was.
Their first dance was something they both would cherish for the rest of their days. It was a moment that they would tell their children and grandchildren. How he swept her into his arms and they just swayed back and forth, foreheads pressed together— content in their own little bubble.
As all thing did though, the night was coming to an end. It was becoming late when Alya had informed them that they had forgotten a few thing at the church.
Begrudgingly, they separated and followed Alya back to the church. The storm had held off, but they could tell that the moment they got to their destination, it was going to downpour.
When they got there and retrieved the several things that they had forgotten— things such as purses, and other nessatistes— and ran through everything to make sure they had what they needed.
A boom was heard in the distance, and the three jumped in automatic fear. Memories had flashed in their mind's eye of akuma’s and danger. It sucked that the nightmare may be gone, it still lingered in their head.
Alya was the first to come back to her senses. “I kinda saw this coming, so I packed away your umbrella, girl.” She went to the entryway where she had stored it away and handed it to her best friend.
With a wink, Alya scurried out of the church, coat over her head to give some protection from the rain as she raced to the car.
The newlyweds glanced at each other, giving each other knowing smiles. Exiting the church, holding the ends of her dress as to not let it become drenched in water, Adrien pushed the button to open the umbrella, dispelling the rain from falling on them. Their eyes locked as everything started to fall into place with tender smiles directed at each other.
This was them. Rain was their beginning. It brought them together in the weirdest and unique ways.
Sure, Ladybug and Chat were always meant to find each other, but this was how Adrien and Marinette did.
They knew, no matter what, the rain would always be for them. A symbol of love.
As the droplets pattered against the concrete around them, Marinette hoisted herself onto her the balls of her feet, letting her arms wrap around his neck as her lips met his. Without a doubt in her mind, Marinette knew one thing.
It was going to be okay. It would be them, standing side by side in the end. They would make it out. Just as sure as rain would always be a remembrance of who they were, the world would go on. They would weather any storm together. Adrien’s words from so long ago echoed in her mind, as they did every now and then.
It’s us against the world.
As another clap of thunder erupted in the distance, they couldn't help but think this kiss felt like the beginning of what forever was supposed to feel like.
Oh, how he had never been more right.