Chapter Text
A week together, free from the pressures and constructs of the life they had before, left her more in love than ever.
Marinette’s heart felt like it would explode with happiness watching Adrien attempt to make bread beside her father, his perfect hair dishevelled and dusted with flour from his frustrated hands running through it. The twinkle in his eyes as he smirked at her while grabbing the wrong spice nearly made her drop the plate of buns she carried to the front of the store from laughter. It felt normal and easy to see him try to be like her family - even though he had never experienced anything like it before.
The village repairs moved slowly - rubble carried out to the hills by the armload, with people helping each other with housing and food in their times of need. Adrien offered to help however he could, making a valiant effort to win over the people from their nervous skepticism. She found herself stalled in her tasks while she watched him play with the curious children that gathered around with much glee - asking for silly antics, trying to snag Plagg from the air, and running after him until he would pause to crouch down to their level and do magic tricks for them all.
Each evening, he would kiss her breathless before tucking her against him on her tiny, uncomfortable bed, never once complaining or wishing they were on the mountain instead. Her body burned from the gentle and mindless caress of his fingers dancing on her arm thrown carefree across his chest as she fell asleep but he never asked for more. She valued his patience more than anything, happy to have him wait for her trust.
“Do you miss Tikki?” He asked after a week together as they sat side by side in the centre of town, chewing away on fresh buns. “Want to go get her and your stuff?” She could barely contain her excitement at seeing her sweet little kitten again. A whistle brought Alix in a burst of speed, the rush of her arrival blowing Marinette's pigtails off her shoulders.
"Ready?" The Messenger God asked, scooping her up.
"No."
Adrien's laughter cut off while he transformed and the nauseating movement of speed began. Marinette tried to keep her stomach from flipping over and emptying her lunch on the one God who made travelling between the mountains and the village easy.
Nino's hall stood proudly in the noonday sun, whereas Nino lounged lazily on his favourite chair on the inside, an oversized goblet in hand.
"Dude! You're back!" The cry echoed through the hall as Adrien materialized beside her a moment after Alix placed her feet on the floor. Adrien’s grin at the sight of his friend made Marinette smile despite the queasiness of her stomach trying to catch up with her body.
A series of complicated handshakes left them busy as Marinette slid to the door of the room she had shared with Adrien. A soft mew sounded from within a mess of her belongings scattered around the room when she gently pushed open the door.
"Tikki?" Marinette called, joy settling hard into her chest as a small set of orange fuzzy ears popped out of the pile. Little paws tripped over each other as the kitten scrambled over the fabric to reach her. Marinette scooped her up, pressing the purring fuzzball against her cheek. “Oh, I missed you, little one.”
“Looks like she missed you, too.” The voice from behind her made her jump, whirling to find Master Fu standing in the doorway. Breathing his name, she smiled while rubbing her kitten against her cheek again.
“Sit, please, Marinette. We need to talk.”
A chill shivered down her spine at his words, sending her looking over his shoulder to where Adrien loitered with Nino. Unable to catch his eye, she made her way to the chair in the room, shoving the clutter out of the way to take a seat. Tikki curled up happily on her lap, the purr rumbling against her legs.
“Now. I have a question for you. You need to answer me honestly." Uncomfortable under his piercing stare, Marinette swallowed hard before nodding slightly.
"Do you love him?"
Her eyes wandered back to the door where she could hear Adrien's voice. Of course she loved him. “Yes.”
Fu smiled in response to her admission before settling back into a serious stare.
"Another question. When Adrien got hit with the fireball and Gabriel sent out the shockwave, were you hurt?"
Replaying the moment in her mind, Marinette could feel the searing heat of fire against her back as she had curled over Adrien to protect him. The flames had been painful. They should have flayed her alive. Instead, she remained unharmed. The Guardian just nodded slightly when she stared at him in surprise. What did this mean?
“You are immortal, child.”
Immortal? How? She was human. A human from the village who had been sacrificed to the Gods as a bride and caused a rage-filled monster. She couldn’t be immortal.
“What?” she whispered in confusion.
Fu stepped closer to gently put his hand on her shoulder and trapped her eyes with his. “I could tell the first time we met. You have the aura of immortality.”
Marinette gaped. When she asked how, he explained that he had finally figured it out. Nino’s experiments with winemaking had turned the nectar of the gods from a potently sweet drink into an elixir. That tempting drink had changed her from mortal to immortal - something that shouldn’t have happened to a human girl but had. The elixir was gone, banished from existence for eternity - that kind of power too great for even the most honourable of the Gods.
Immortality. The concept was too great to even understand.
“For you, Marinette, the gift of this will be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you get to spend it with Adrien. A curse because everyone you know and love in the village will die and you will not. ” He paused, waiting for her to hear the words he spoke. She simply blinked, unsure how to think or feel other than shock.
“But, I will give you a gift. Give me your arm.”
Still trying to process everything he said, she dutifully raised her arm. His fingers touched the spotted red charm on the bracelet at her wrist with a small smile before he circled her whole wrist in a tight grasp and pulled her to stand. Tikki meowed disapprovingly at the unceremonious removal of her comfortable napping space, curling up instead in a pile of Marinette’s clothes on the floor.
“Everything in life has a balance. A counter-force to lean against which keeps things from falling to pieces. As Adrien has the power of the Black Cat of Mischief, Marinette, I give you the power of the Ladybug to bring blessings and miracles. You will be his balance.”
The hand on her arm shot an ice-cold blast through her, setting off a full-body shiver that left her skin in goosebumps. The power seeped slowly, the chill of it taking over her arm making her gasp in terror-stricken surprise. It crept into her neck, across her shoulders, into her lungs. A panicked cry for Adrien escaped her between shallow breaths, bringing him rushing to the doorway with a shout.
She couldn’t feel anything but a block of ice freezing over everything within her, the sound of her own ragged and frantic breaths rattling in her ears as the light in the room became white and blinding other than the pair of green eyes that bored into her soul.
Nino’s laughter made Adrien happy. It seemed like too long since his life had been carefree and full of parties with pranks and foolishness, a cup of wine in his hand and mischief in his smile.
When Fu appeared, telling Adrien he had to speak to Marinette, Adrien had thought nothing much of it, chatting to his friend about the week in the village. At least until he heard Marinette’s strangled call of his name.
Rushing to the doorway, he yelled something incoherent as he took in the panicked expression on her face and felt the swirl of power in the room. From his hiding spot in the pocket of the robe, Plagg shivered violently against Adrien’s chest.
“What are you doing?!” Adrien yelled, watching as Marinette gasped in terror, eyes rolling back into her head before she collapsed. He dove, grabbing her before she hit the floor, cradling her against him with soothing sounds. Gently he brushed her hair off her face, thankful that whatever Fu had done seemed to have simply left her tired. “What did you do to her?”
“I gave her powers.”
Adrien’s eyes shot to the old man in shock. “What? How? She’s human! She can’t handle that kind of power. Why?”
“Remember that wine she drank when she first slept in your house? That wine was the nectar of the Gods. It granted her the same immortality I’ve given back to you.” Fu shifted his feet as Adrien returned his gaze to her face. That sweet wine that had drawn him to her like a magnet had turned her into a god? The truth of her immortality and Fu’s words about the need for balance sat heavy within him while he caressed the soft skin of her cheek. She was a god now, like him. Tears threatened to tumble from his eyes at the reality that they had eternity together. A thousand lifetimes to love her.
“What’s her power?” he muttered, unsure if he could speak at all.
“She is the Goddess of Blessing.”
With a flutter, her eyes opened to reveal a crisper blue than ever before, alight from the inside instead of from the world. She breathed his name, stretching a hand to cup his cheek. Covering her hand with his own and leaning in, he simply said “hi” before pressing his lips to her forehead. Radiant power hummed from her in a way that made his spine shiver with excitement.
He held her steady as they stood, eyes locked together and the surge of power at her touch dragging him closer and closer until he couldn’t do anything but claim her lips with his own.
The casual sound of coughing pried them apart, the flame of embarrassment burning across her cheeks as she turned her gaze back to the Guardian who simply chuckled.
“How do you feel?” he asked. She had to think for a moment before admitting she felt … alive. Adrien's touch on her arms felt like lightning bolts through her skin. The air felt lighter, colours more vivid.
"I have something else for you," the old man said, holding out his hands. A small orange-red ball sat curled up in his palms, stretching slightly as it unfurled itself. "Your kwami."
It took a long moment before Marienette recognized who sat in Fu's hands. "Tikki?" The creature blinked at her with huge blue eyes before smiling.
"Marinette!" A blur of red crashed into Marinette's cheek, squealing happily. Adrien laughed as Tikki rubbed her head against Marinette's face, then zipped into his robe.
There was an indignant yelp from the pocket that Plagg hid in before the two kwami appeared together. Tikki's small arms held on tight while Plagg shot Adrien an unamused look.
"Karma. Funny thing," grinned Adrien at his cat. Plagg huffed in disapproval.
"I will need more cheese for this," he snarled, but it lacked any bite, given the soft purring sound he made at Tikki's affectionate attention. Marinette couldn't help but smile.
"Now," continued Fu, his face returning to the serious gaze. "You need to go to the village and use your power." A few minutes more explained how to use her new gifts, to which Adrien reacted with boyish excitement. He practically bounced with anticipation, dragging her back to Alix and blurting out everything that had just happened to her.
Despite feeling overwhelmed, his giddiness was infectious, and she couldn't help but smile in response.
"Ready?" He asked, a toothy white smile leaning into her space. "Plagg! Bring Tikki! Let's go!"
A whirlwind of motion returned her to the village, standing on shaky legs with Adrien's grip on her elbow for support.
"I can't do this," she whispered to him, watching the faces of the people around them. Anticipation lined their expressions, hope of… something… that she didn't know if she could offer. She wasn't made to be a God. Who was she to offer blessings and miracles? The feeling of panic clawed at her throat.
Adrien's hands grabbed at her face, turning her to face him, green eyes locked with hers.
"Yes, you can."
She took a moment, letting his words fill her with confidence, pushing down the doubt and panic. Clamping her jaw tight with determination, she nodded in his hands. He let go with a smile that gave her that last step of assurance she needed.
"Tikki?" She called, her kwami floating into view with anticipation. Marinette ran her fingers over the lucky charm on her wrist. She was a ladybug. She was blessing.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Marinette shouted, the authority of her voice clear like a morning bell through a dense fog. Tikki responded by vanishing into the charm, turning it a brilliant red before a rush of colour and movement enveloped her, spreading out over the village with a heavy beating of wings.
Everywhere they flowed resulted in a magical repair - buildings returned to their former glory right before her very eyes. Shocked cries from the people around her made her happy, even as she began feeling drained of her energy.
The magic raced out of view, up the mountain, leaving a quietness over the village for a brief moment before they returned, rushing back to their place in the charm on her arm. Marinette staggered as Tikki plopped out and into her other hand, weak and tired, and nearly unable to stand after the use of such powers.
“You did great. So great. I’m so proud of you,” Adrien murmured, pulling her close against him. “You are amazing. I love you.”
Awe could barely describe the feelings he felt as he watched her magical ladybugs tear through the village and return everything to the way it was before. It was miraculous. She was miraculous. Master Fu chose the perfect gifts for her.
“I’m tired,” she whispered, legs buckling under her. Easy enough to carry, he scooped her into his arms and marched his way back to her parents’ bakery. Her mother instantly dropped her pan and came rushing with a cry.
“What happened? Is she ok? Oh, Marinette.”
Telling her parents would be fun, he figured, smiling to himself.
“She just needs to rest. She will be fine. Can you bring her something to eat? Maybe something sweet?”
Laying her down on her bed, with Tikki curled carefully on the pillow beside her, Adrien couldn’t help running his fingers over her cheek.
“You are amazing,” he breathed. “Marry me. Please?”
Her soft yes was more than enough. He didn’t even feel embarrassed when her mother walked in on their very passionate kiss.
His house was back. Somehow, her miraculous ladybugs managed to restore his simple cabin along with the village.
“I wonder if they put cheese in the fridge,” muttered Plagg, floating over to the door to check. Adrien couldn’t help but chuckle as he listened to the excited cheer from his friend. The house looked the same, better than ever, even the small bit of fire he’d placed on his back deck flickered happily.
Despite the time that he had spent here alone, it felt wrong somehow without Marinette. Everywhere he looked, he was reminded of her. Dancing in Chloe’s robe in the kitchen, waking up to her beautiful face in his bedroom, the sound of running water from the bathtub, her smiles at him while they snuggled together on the chairs overlooking the valley.
This would be their home.
Soon.
Marinette had insisted on him leaving her at the village for a week so she could get ready for the wedding. “Lots to prepare!” she chirped, tapping him on the nose with a twinkle in her eye before shooing him out for the village.
A week apart from her was going to kill him.
Calling for Plagg, he jumped off the balcony and made his way over the familiar trail through the valley. The appearance of his father’s villa on the horizon made him uncomfortable, but a promise made to Marinette required that he at least make an effort. A houseful of wives waited within the walls. It was time to offer them the freedom that they deserved.
The women’s quarters were quiet as he walked in, hushed conversations between the groups of women curled into various corners.
Someone calling his name made him turn. Mireille waved him over, explaining that Nathalie had more or less disappeared and the other wives were trying to figure out what to do. They knew nothing of what happened outside the walls of the villa.
He took a deep breath before turning to the rest of the women, all staring at him nervously.
"Listen. I know that each of you came here to be a wife to my father because you were afraid of him destroying your village. The truth is that he was angry over the death of my mother a long time ago. He thought stealing you all would get the attention of the Guardian, in hopes that the Guardian would bring my mother back.
My father was a mean man, given more power than he should have. After I tried to play that prank on him, my father attacked your village and burnt many of the buildings to the ground."
A collective gasp and instant chattering paused his speech, making his wait as he watched the worried eyes and angry faces stare him down.
"As a consequence of his actions, the Guardian took his power. Gabriel is no longer the God of Fire. He is no longer your husband."
Another outbreak of conversations stopped him.
"What about the village?" Mireille called. Heads bobbed in concerned agreement.
"It is repaired and everyone is safe." The tension in the room instantly fell, faces relieved and tears flowing.
"What about us?" A voice he didn't know shouted from a corner.
"You are all free. You can go home to the village if you would like, or stay here together in the house. It is your choice. It is your life."
It took some time and many conversations, a thousand questions, and things to consider. Alix appeared to deliver those who wanted to leave back to the village and Adrien appointed Mireille a leader for those who chose to remain.
Everyone seemed happy, breathing in more freedom than they had in years. Smiles and laughter returned to the women's house as he slipped out to wander the halls of his childhood home.
He stopped in front of the doors to his father's garden, exchanging an anxious glance with Plagg before pushing them open and stepping inside.
Adrien wasn't exactly sure what he would find, but the garden remained the same - a beautiful and colourful world of flowers that attracted the purest of white butterflies. The flame in the centre of the room had been snuffed out, leaving an empty cratered platform in its place.
But it was the figure of his father sitting on the same bench with the same sketchbook that surprised him the most. The figure of a god that had long cast an imposing shadow now reduced to little more than a sad old man. Sitting at his feet, with her arms draped across his lap sat Nathalie, gazing up at Gabriel with an expression Adrien could only define as affection.
Gabriel's head turned only slightly at Adrien's arrival, eyes widening slightly with recognition.
"Adrien? How? I thought you were -" An awkward moment froze between them with words likely better left unsaid.
"I have freed your wives, Father. Some are choosing to stay. I recommend you leave them on the other side of the house as you always have. I have given them instructions on how to contact me if you do anything."
Gabriel visibly winced, a flash of ire on his eyes before he nodded with understanding.
"I am marrying Marinette. I thought you should know. And with her new powers, she repaired all the damage you did to the village."
Gabriel's jaw nearly dropped off in his reaction, turning around completely to stare at his son.
"All the best, Father. Nathalie."
Without another word, Adrien bolted out of the room, ignoring the sharp call of his name behind him.
"Man, he is going to throw a fit," Plagg sang with glee. Adrien smirked.
"Yep. Let's go."
One day down. Six to go. Maybe some wine would make the rest of this week go faster.
Already mid-transformation when he pushed open the door to Nino's hall, he barely had time to brace himself before a flash of gold threw itself at him - arms tangling around his neck with a high-pitched squeal that made him wince.
“Adrikins!”
Chloe. Somehow managing to avoid the shudder of disgusted anger that desperately wanted to let itself out, he detangled her from his neck with a grimace.
“Get off me,” he hissed, willingly blind to her exaggerated pout.
“I’m sorry, Adrikins. I didn’t know your daddy would turn into that rage monster. Yuck.” Her hands waved dismissively. “It’s ridiculous that human thought she could have you anyway. Utterly ridiculous. Everybody knows that you need someone like me.”
Maybe Nino’s house wasn’t the place he wanted to be, especially with Chloe around. Nino shot him an apologetic look from the other end of the hall.
“That human, Chloe, has a name. It's Marinette. And, at the end of this week, I’m marrying her.”
The incredulous look on her face made everything worth it as he shoved past her to meet up with his friend. A loud slam accompanied her angry departure, rattling the walls of the hall behind her.
Clasping hands in their familiar greeting, Nino grinned.
“Marinette kick you out already? Here, have a drink.” The goblet shoved in his other hand sloshed dangerously with red wine.
“Kind of. Told me to leave for a week. Guess she’s getting ready for the wedding or something.”
Nino barked with laughter, slamming his hand flat on Adrien’s back in approval.
“Guess we get to party for a week then!”
Downing the goblet with a smirk, he nodded. He guessed they did.
Marinette smiled politely at Kagami standing in the entrance of the bakery with her arms full of something indecipherable.
“I heard you are getting married,” the other girl spoke softly, eyes downcast, “and that you are making the gown yourself. I thought - I brought you some material.”
Together they made their way into Marinette’s room, which had been converted into a mess of fabric and supplies.
“That's all I could find. Hopefully, it will help.”
The pile in her arms tumbled out on the bed, revealing a gorgeous roll of brilliant white silk and red lace along with pieces of random other materials. Marinette gaped, reaching out to touch the offering with disbelief.
“Thank you, Kagami. It’s beautiful. Exactly what I need.”
Kagami smiled shyly before looking Marinette in the eyes.
“I’m sorry for everything that happened. My mother chose for me. I should have refused. Then you wouldn’t have -”
“No, Kagami. Stop.” Marinette grabbed the girl's hand, cutting her off. “Destiny had a plan. I will never regret it. It brought me to Adrien.”
Relief flooded Kagami’s face before she gently hugged Marinette.
“Thank you.”
They stayed like that only for a moment before Kagami asked how she could help and Marinette put her to work on the dress.
Waking up after a night full of partying with the god of wine was a literal headache. Groaning slightly as he pulled himself up to sit on the edge of his bed, Adrien clutched the offending part of his body. He should know better, but really - how could one refuse a bachelor party like that? It afforded too many good opportunities. Like free wine. A sly smirk curled one corner of his lips despite the thumping of his brain. It had been a good night.
Cracking open an eye, he winced at the offending sunrise. It was too early to be awake but awake he was. Slipping on his robe, he stumbled to his feet and made his way to the shower, hoping the warm water would ease the ache.
“Fun night?” snickered a little black cat-like creature that floated just out of range as Adrien stood in the rush of water that didn’t do much for the ache in his head. Especially with the taunting from his ever-present companion. With a small snarl, Adrien cupped a handful of water and threw it at the cat, who dodged with a cackle.
“It’s been a week. If I don’t see her today, I’m going to die. Again.”
Throwing a chunk of cheese at Plagg, Adrien grabbed himself some coffee to try and counteract the effects of the night before. He sat in silence for a while, watching as the sunrise strew a golden glow over the mountain valley that stretched behind his small wooden hut.
Coffee gone along with much of the thumping of his brain, he turned to Plagg. “Shall we?” The little being nodded.
Throwing open the door to head to the village to meet up with the woman he planned to call wife by the end of the day, he nearly tripped over an unexpected bundle of white silky fabric on the step.
Adrien froze, staring into the startling, but mischievously twinkling blue eyes that peered up at him.
“Hello, husband,” she whispered, pushing back the wide hood to reveal dark hair tumbling down her back. The dress was stunning - an exact copy of the sketch from the box. The air hitched in his lungs.
He glanced over at Plagg, floating beside his shoulder. The cat just shrugged then grinned. A grin that Adrien returned with a sudden thrill of excitement that all his tricks gave him. Sneaky woman.
Stretching out his hand, Adrien reached for his new wife. She blushed, gently placing her hand in his and letting him help her to stand before he led her into this home and closed the door quietly behind them. The grin didn’t leave his face. This time, she was his.