Work Text:
Adrien Agreste was the happiest man on earth. In less than an hour, he would be wedded to the woman of his dreams. Well, he was very nearly the happiest man on earth. He might not make it to the ceremony if this stupid neck tie didn’t stop giving him conniptions!
When he was a teen model, there was always an assistant to do that for him. Since he left that life behind, he’d had little use for such formal accessories. His and Marinette’s dates tended towards the more casual. The main exception being when he was dressed as a superhero.
I wonder if I could get away with a cat suit instead for the wedding.
He chuckled, imagining Marinette’s over the top reaction followed by an equally ridiculous explanation to the minister.
It brought him some much needed stress relief and distraction from the sad tangle of fabric now sitting in a small heap at the foot of his bed. The sight of it wrought a dejected sigh from his lips.
“What am I going to do, Plagg?”
“You should’ve let Marinette make you one of these.“ Plagg preened, gesturing towards his neck. His fiancée had handmade a snap-on bow tie for little friend. Not that the black cat was making an appearance but Marinette had offered to make something special for the kwamis. Adrien had nearly toppled over from surprise when Plagg accepted.
“Yeah, yeah. I always have to do things the hard way, I know. But I swear I’ve seen it done a thousand times. It should not be this difficult.”
Plagg shrugged, flitting to the cheese platter Adrien had ordered in advance. “Why don’t you call one of the guys. Or Tom?”
Adrien shook his head. “They should all be at the church by now. It will ruin everything if they’re late because of me.”
“Kid, it’ll ruin everything if the groom isn’t there!!”
“It’s gonna be fine. I’ve helped save Paris as a masked superhero, survived finding out my father was a supervillain and asked the love of my existence to marry me. I can handle a stupid tie. I’ll just take a deep breath and try again.”
“Sure, maybe you can watch that how-to video again too. Eighty-seventh time’s a charm, right?”
“Is someone in need of a lucky charm?”
Adrien’s heart dropped. “Ladybug,” Just the sound of her voice took his breath. Spinning around confirmed it was none other than Paris’s beloved heroine, standing in the window, hand slung at her hip, with a playful smirk dancing at her lips. She was a dream come true.
His hands flew up to cover his eyes. “My Lady! It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.”
“Oh!” she feigned. “Are you getting married today, handsome? Who's the lucky girl?”
“An angel, who had the misfortune of crashing into me when she fell.”
“Angel? Misfortune?” She stroked his forearms as his hands continued covering his face. “Are you sure she isn’t just madly clumsy?”
Adrien guffawed into his hands. “Maybe a little of both.”
“So tell me Mr. Agreste. Do you really want to marry this clumsy, misfortunate angel?”
“Of course!” he yelled into his hands. “Go on and make sure she’s where she’s supposed to be so I can take care of that.”
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she used her super strength to pull him in and trap him against her body. “Isn’t it a problem if everyone’s at the church except the man of the hour? Or are you planning to leave her waiting at the altar? Getting cold feet?” She whispered that last line in his ear, making him shiver.
This woman!
“No! It’s … well…”
“Well? Think very carefully about your answer, Mr. Agreste.”
“Tie! Knots!”
She pulled back, placing her hands on his shoulders.
“Are you asking or offering? You haven’t even had your wedding night yet and here are propositioning another woman while your cute little fiancée is fretting herself at the church. My, you are naughty!”
Adrien nearly swallowed his own tongue, which sent him into a coughing fit. Ladybug rubbed his back soothingly and he wasn’t sure if the action was meant as an apology for causing his current predicament or if she was lulling him into a false sense of security before making it worse.
“My Lady,” he began hoarsely. “It's the tie that goes with the suit! I can’t figure out how to get it tied right.”
His eyes were still closed and the delay in her response without being able to see her facial expression was gnawing at his insides.
“What a pickle! Can I help you with that?”
“With the tie?” he asked, still weary after her teasing.
“Yeah.”
“You… know how?”
“Of course I do.”
“I…” His face was too warm. Great. Now his cheeks were going to rival Santa Claus if he didn’t calm down.
“Up.” Gently, she took his hands in hers. “Come," she said, guiding him a few steps before ordering him to sit back down.
“You know, I'm a cat, not a dog, right? Cats generally aren’t known for following commands.”
Ladybug scoffed. “I wouldn’t tell your new wife that, if I were you.” After a moment, something slipped over his head, followed by cool, nimble fingers covered by magical spandex brushing against his neck. Aimlessly, he sought her out, an overwhelming desire to nuzzle his head against her hands.
“Stay still, Kitty. Or you really aren’t going to get married today.”
It was hard but he restrained himself, instead imaging her walking down the aisle. All dressed in white. Her parents on either side, escorting her. A bouquet of red roses clasped in her hands. Her engagement ring winking at him as it sparkled under the lights that shone on his bride. And all that was just a frame for the goodness, beauty, and grace of this woman who gave and loved with her whole heart and this family he was marrying into.
“All done,” she announced. “You can open your eyes. You can’t see my face.”
“Because of the mask?”
“Sure. But also because this is a small mirror and you're seated while I’m standing.”
Slowly, Adrien squinted through one eye and then the other. Indeed, he could make out her svelte figure adorned in red and black, standing behind him, but he couldn’t see as far up as her face. Finally, he ventured a glance at his tie. It was perfect.
“Thank you, My Lady.”
“Sure thing, Buttercup.” The feel of her fingers running through his hair, caused him to start purring but she stopped after a few strokes, leaving Adrien wanting more. “Now, are you going to get yourself to the church on time, like a big boy? Or should I kidnap you and carry you in, bridal style?”
Adrien chuckled, leaning his head back against her belly. “Tempting to go with the latter and cause a scene that would be worth remembering. But I should probably show up on my own.”
“Very well, Mr. Agreste. If you no-show, I’ll hunt you down and make you pay.”
“I’ll count on it, Miss Bug.”
“Oh didn’t you hear? I’m about to have me a Mr. Bug myself.”
He grinned at the double meaning in her joke as they weren’t only about to get married but he would be taking her surnames as well. “Congratulations. To you and your lucky mister.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure he knows how lucky he is.”
Before he could tell her that he did know but wounld't mind being reminded, Adrien heard the whoosh of her jumping out the window and the zing of her yoyo as it couriered her across the rooftops.
“Ugh, finally! I thought I was gonna lose my breakfast! Do me a favor and leave me in the ring for the duration of the honeymoon!”
Adrien straightened Plagg’s bowtie. “C’mon, buddy. You heard the lady. We better get going.”
He hadn’t originally planned to arrive at the church by magical baton fueled by an ancient cheese gremlin but he wouldn’t keep his lady waiting any longer. They were about to start the next chapter in their story. And Adrien couldn't wait for that.