#it's completed!!

“Hey! Didn’t you tell me the chloroform lasted for 30 minutes!? Why is she awake already?”

“I don’t know! It worked like that on that movie I saw some weeks ago!”

“Nino! You were supposed to check about it! You have to check the facts!”

“Sorry, Alya, but that’s usually your job so…”

“I can’t believe you… Should I put her to sleep again, Adrien?”

I glance at Chloe before answering Alya’s question. She’s still crying. Only crying.

“No… No need. She’s not going to interfere anymore. She’s accepted their happiness. Just like me…”

Chloe’s sobs continue, almost silently. I can’t help it but feel sympathy for her. Our feelings are the same, aren’t they? One of my hands caresses her hair while the other moves to her hands, which she welcomes and squeezes tightly.

I’m not paying much attention when Luka asks Marinette to wait for him and he approaches where we are.

“Chloe, I know you’re awake”, he says.

Of course he would know. He has a good hearing. Chloe acts like she is asleep, holding her tears deep inside her heart.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. I guess my percentages weren’t wrong”.

Luka waits for an answer that doesn’t come, so he continues.

“Chloe. I need you to give the ring back”

I can feel Chloe’s body jumps a little in surprise, but remains immobile.

“Chloe, don’t make me repeat it”

I would get angry at Luka if it wasn’t for the devastated face he’s making. He clearly doesn’t want to hurt Chloe anymore and I can empathize with that feeling. This is hard for everyone, but it must be done. Even I understand this much.

“Ugh! Take this stupid ring, I don’t need it anymore!”

Chloe quickly uses her sleeve to dry her tears and toss the ring aggressively on the floor. Luka sighs in disappointment.

“Not the Black Cat Miraculous, Chloe, the other ring...”

Oh, the Black Cat Miraculous. I forgot she still had it. Plagg is going to be angry… I make sure to pick up the ring and I put it on before Chloe catches it again. I don’t think she’s planning to use it anymore, but with Chloe... you never know.

“Ugh! Fine! Take this cheap shiny thing! I don’t need it anymore! CHEATER!” she finally gives in with a scream, tossing her engagement ring farther and angrier.

Ah, it seems Chloe’s usual pride is back… This means she’s feeling better... I’m glad.

“Don’t you dare use it to propose to her! You’re better than that” she gives him a final warning before her face hids in by my coat again.

Propose…? Could it be…?

“As if I would do something as low as that…”

Yes, that’s most likely.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. Thank you for everything. I hope you find your happiness…”

Luka’s hands collect the ring and approach Marinette again, who is still waiting. Then, he takes a little box out of his pocket. Of course. That’s what he did in London while I was convincing Master Fu. That was the perfect ring for Marinette. Even I thought that. A beautiful diamond at the center with some pink diamonds surrounding it in a form of a flower- her trademark flower. The diamond had some blue highlights that made it even more perfect.

So he bought it in the end. That’s good.

“Oh my God, Luka! It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen!” Marinette squealed, accepting it.

"Should I be offended?" Plagg complains, narrowing his green eyes.

"Plagg! Not now!" Tikki scolds him.

“But Sugarcube, just look at those two! I've never seen my kid this hurt before! The blondie too!”

Plagg’s words hold so much truth it hurts. I’m not ok but I have to force myself to be. For Marinette’s happiness. For our partnership too.

“It’s ok, Plagg. Marinette is happy now. I very much prefer her being happy with Luka than devastated and alone. She hasn’t been interested in me for a while. I know my place. I’ll be ok”

“Adrien…”

I pat Plagg’s head as he likes it. I missed my kwami friend… I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye to him anymore… Maybe I could try asking Marinette? I doubt she would agree but why not?

“Chloe, are you ok?”

Chloe is not crying anymore. Instead, she looks up at one of the torches of the room, letting the light pass only through the space in between her fingers.

“I’ve tried to hurt Luka with these hands. I’ve tried to destroy them. I’ve been in the way until fate couldn’t be avoided anymore… I deserve this… I hate it but I accept it. I’ll try to be a better person from now on. I promised Luka… Maybe, if I had been a kind person from the start Luka could have loved me as I love him…”

Chloe doesn’t deserve to be unhappy… but how are we supposed to get on their way when they look so happy? The happiest I’ve ever seen… We must accept their feelings. We had our chance and we have no choice but to move on, giving them our blessings and wishing for their undoubtedly successful happiness...

“Chloe, Luka cares for you. I know he wouldn’t have proposed to you if he didn’t. You’re a good person. Don’t you ever think you’re not extraordinary, because I know you are”

“I know… But at the end I’m the one who’s all alone… Can I really find another love someday, Adrien? Why can’t I be loved?”

Her answer pains me because I feel the same way. Do I deserve this? For forcing my feelings on My Lady until the reveal? I regret that… a lot. Not noticing Marinette when she was in front of me… I guess it was bound to happen…

I hope she can be happy with Luka now...

And Chloe… she keeps crying and I don’t know what to say to make her feel better. I hope it’s ok with just holding her hand for a while… She looks so… fragile. Was she always this beautiful? I feel as if I’m meeting the real her for the first time.

Why is my heart beating faster…?

_____________________________________

After the magic light ritual is officialized, Alya, Nino and Master Fu congratulate Marientte and Luka on their engagement. I’m holding Chloe’s hand, who is hiding her tears behind me. But we stay as mere spectators for the time being. Chloe’s injuries are healed, and Pollen is hugging her cheek. Plagg has returned to me too.

“Are you ok? I can still destroy the world, if you want me to...” He offers me.

“No, Plagg. No need to do that”

Plagg pouts at my answer and I hold him into my hands.

“Thank you, Plagg. I missed you, my friend”

“Adrien!” Plagg loudly sobs.

I finally take the courage to approach Marinette and Luka, holding Chloe’s hand so she comes too. The new guardians welcome us with a hurt but sincere smile.

“Marinette, Luka. I’m happy for you”, I say.

“Thank you, Adrien”, they say, but their attention is more focused on my childhood friend.

“Chloe I-”

“Oh, no! Don't you dare to apologize, Dupain-Cheng! I'm not pitiful, you hear me!? I'm not being dumped, I'm the one dumping him! He’s utterly ridiculous!”

Chloe is actually heartbroken, but she’s strong enough to put an act like that. She really is something, isn’t she? She surely is fond of her pride. I can see Luka giggle in relief.

“Thanks Chloe, for everything. You are today's hero”

“Thank you, Chloe”, Marinette joins her fiancé.

“Hmph! You're all ridiculous…” she whines. but murmurs something in a low voice later. ‘ Great, now I feel even worse… ’

Is that a blush? Cute. Wait- what? Since when is Chloe cute ?

Before returning to my plane, Marinette and Luka use the rabbit and the snake Miraculous to go somewhere. I’m sure they’ll be back soon, so I focus on Chloe.

“Are you ok, Chloe?”

But she never answers. She just hugs me tightly in need of comfort. A comfort I need as well. Her tears don’t stop as I hug her back.

“It will be ok, Chloe. It will be ok…”

_____________________________________________

  When Marinette and Luka return, they take the Miraculous box with them and we walk to my plane. Marinette and Luka have agreed to let me Plagg stay with me, and it makes me very happy, even if that’s going to be in a few weeks, after figuring out the new guardianship. Before getting on the plane, Master Fu speaks.

“Take care on your trip back to Paris. I'm not going. I'm old and I have some past mistakes to fix. I'll stay at the temple, helping the acolytes to make up for my irresponsibility”

“Oh, just when we had met again... “ Wayzz cries.

“You can come anytime with the horse Miraculous. I'll be happy to see you”

After a collective hug, Marinette speaks again, in regret.

“Sorry for all the trouble I caused you…”

“Don't say that, Marinette. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your help. Every one of the team had fulfilled their role perfectly. You chose well your team”, Master Fu smiled proudly at his disciple.

“But I did nothing...?” Nino shrugs, surprising everyone and making Alya laugh.

“Wasn't the chloroform necessary at last? That was your idea. Of course you did your part!”

“Ruuuude!! You're all ridiculous! I'm the one who did the most difficult part! You should be grateful I’m part of the team!!”

“Of course, Chloe. We totally are” Luka smiles at her, his words filled with total honesty.  

The rest of us join him in agreement, surprising Chloe, whose face turns slightly red.

“Ugh. Whatever! Losers...”

She's acting all strong but she's heartbroken inside. So Chloe…

“Thank you for everything Chloe. You're extraordinary, don't let anyone make you believe you aren't” Luka says, patting the top of her head softly, and her gaze lowers to her feet, holding her tears.

“You're ridiculous… if I was that extraordinary you wouldn't be dumping me…”

I can see how Marinette tries to say something, but she’s cut by Chloe before any sound can leave from her mouth.

“Ugh! Let's go back already. My hair is a mess!”

“She'll never change… excuse her, ok?” I smile, conflicted, while my teammates giggle at her reaction. I can see how all of them love her in their own way. I’m glad.

“Of course, Adrien”

Of course Luka would know her well, too. Seeing the happy couple together reminds me I still haven’t congratulated them. I take a deep breath in order to find my determination.

“I want to congratulate you for your engagement. I have no doubt you'll be the happiest couple around. Congratulations”

“Thank you, Adrien”, Luka says, turning his face to Marinette.

“I- I'm sorry Adrien… for hurting you and-”

“It's okay, Marinette. I get it. I'm happy for you”

This is actually painful. But it must be done, right? I wonder if this is how Luka felt for such a long time. I can’t help it but to admire him even more now.

“Have you thought about my advice? About moving on…” he asks me.

“Not really. Who would want to be with me, anyway? Money or looks are the only reasons people come after me. Nobody cares about me as myself”

“What about Chloe? I think she still likes you…”

“Chloe? Are you serious? No offense, Luka, but she's… well, you know”

“She's changed Adrien. You saw it. It's true she's… special in her way… but there's kindness in her heart. And she loves you for who you are, not for your status”

Luka is right. I doubt he would have dated her if he wasn't convinced of her change.

“Are you sure…?”

“Maybe…?”

I don’t know if I should even be considering this. But at least I can be around Chloe as a friend, right? It will probably help both of us.

_____________________________________

“Take care Master! I'll miss you!” Marinette hugs him.

“See you again, Master. Take care of your health”, Luka gives him a handshake, but Master pulls him in a hug he welcomes.

“You too. I'm sure you'll be happy. And now the box is safer under two guardians protection”

We can see Master Fu waving at us when the plane takes off. Sitting next to me is Chloe, who squeezes my arm strongly. I forgot she was afraid of take off and landings. She recovers her calm after the plane stabilizes.

We are seated at the back of the plane. Nino and Alya are sleeping in exhaustion, Marinette and Luka too. No wonder. It’s been a long day- week. It’s quiet on the plane when Chloe breaks the silence.

“Aren’t you mad, Adrien? You love Marinette, don’t you? How can you stay so calm...?”

“Yes, I love Marinette. But I’m not mad. I’ve already resigned a long time ago… I’m happy for her now”

“What about destiny? You were meant to be together… If only-!” her teeth clench.

“No, Chloe. It was never meant to be. Things with Marinette went well only when I followed Luka’s advice. After he left, I tried to figure out things on my own, but I always messed up… I wasn’t fair to Marinette. I was selfish and treated her possessively. But Luka is different. He cares about her needs and wishes. I couldn’t do that. Marinette loved how Luka treated her, not me. She loved my image and Luka’s actions incarnated in me. It was only natural she broke up with me after noticing. Destiny was not meant to be for us. It was Luka from the beginning…”

“That’s ridiculous! Why didn’t you work harder!? Marinette LOVED you! I know she did!”

“Maybe yes, maybe not… What’s the point now? I got to understand Luka’s feelings and he was right all along. I should have cared for Marinette’s happiness over my own. Aren’t you the same, Chloe?”

Chloe lowers her face before giving me an answer, reflection on her feelings and actions.

“I- I was unfair… I used tricks to get closer to him… Lies. Of course he would hate me. I tried to change my heart and become kind like Marinette, but I couldn’t… Luka is good at figuring people out. He could easily tell when I wasn’t being honest. It was so annoying! But then… I had a fight with my mom and I couldn’t hide my sadness… But he didn’t laugh at me for crying like a stupid baby. Instead, he said he liked me better when I was sincere and… ugh… so frustrating...”

“It’s ok, Chloe, cry as much as you want…” “I love him so much, Adrien! What I’m supposed to do now? I can’t force him to go back with me when he looks so happy… If this is karma for all my wrongdoings from my school days then it’s so cruel… I already regretted all of that! Why do I have to suffer all this torture?”

I- I don’t know what to say. I comfort her in silence, but she finds her own answer before I can come up with mine.

“No… I bet I deserve this. I only could approach Luka because I used dirty tricks. I’m a bad girl. I’m evil. That’s why I can’t be loved. Marinette is different. She’s light, radiant. She’s always honest and pure. Just like Luka… I can’t blame him for choosing her over me, it’s only natural”

“What you did is admirable, Chloe. I don’t think you’re evil. You’re just clumsy expressing your feelings. Luka was right: you have changed. I can clearly see the kindness in your heart. You are very strong and honest for letting Luka go despite loving him” I assure her.

It doesn’t feel like she gets my answer as a satisfying one, though.

“As if you are one to talk… And even if that’s the case, how am I supposed to recover from this? What’s going to happen to all the wedding preparations? I really don’t want to cancel those. And I don’t want to explain anything to anyone. I don’t have the strength to do so, not right now…

“Maybe Luka could use that? You know…” I suggest to her.

Chloe looks hurt and angry at me, tears jumping from her eyes when she quickly turns face to look at me.

“NO! I’ll never forgive him if he does! He didn’t choose anything at all, it was just me! Everything is according to my tastes. How can I let him get married in the place that speaks ‘Chloe’ everywhere? I don’t want that. Ridiculous!”

Well. I can understand that. But she put a lot of effort on it, so she must be sad it will go to waste.

“But it’s quite a pity… I know you were really excited about it”

Chloe shrugs.

“I was. And now I can’t ever marry. I’ve already resigned…” she says. Suddenly, her eyes start shining. “Unless…”

I nervously gulp. I know THAT look. “Unless...?

“Adrikins…” she turns to me and holds my hand, her begging puppy eyes fixed on mine. “We are friends, aren’t we?

“Yeah?” I ask, trembling a little while she continues.

“It’s my dream to get married, you know that…”

“Ye- Yes… You used to say that all the time as kids. Why?”

“Would you marry me?”

WHAT? Did I hear it right? Me? Marry Chloe? How can she expect me to say yes after everything that just happened? Is this a joke? I can’t!

“WHAT!? No no! No way! We’re not even dating! Impossible!”

“No, Adrien, that’s not it. I mean a ‘fake wedding’. Just acting, so I can at least enjoy my real wedding once… please, Adrikins! Marry me!”

I- I don’t even know how to feel about this. I’m both happy and disappointed? Her puppy eyes are making it difficult for me to reject her...

“No No NO, Chloe, this is so wrong! Why me? You don’t even love me!”

“I loved you when we were kids and until I stupidly fell for Luka. I don’t have anyone else to ask! Please…!”

What? I blink a few times. Chloe did…?

“You loved me...? Really…?” I ask her, incredulously.

Her face immediately tells me she’s offended by my answer.

“OMG Adrikins, I can’t believe you! I even confessed to you before you dated Marinette! How dense can you be!? You even said: ‘I love you too, Chloe, you’re such a good friend’. Those words still sting me, you know?” she shouts.

I remember that… I- I was really bad at reading people’s feelings, wasn’t I?

“Ah… I thought… I’m so sorry Chloe. I didn’t know you meant- I’m so dumb…”

“See? I demand compensation! If you want me to forgive you, you have to marry me next month. I’m never forgiving you otherwise” she fusses, crossing her arms.

“Whoa, Chloe, don’t need to be so harsh! You know I didn’t want to hurt you!”

“But you did! And I demand an apology for breaking my heart. So help me make my dream come true. Please…?”

Ah, sh*t. Her puppy eyes again… I feel weaker now.

“Hmm… It’s true I feel bad, but a wedding…”

“It’s ok, Adrikins! It’s just a fake wedding, just to make my dream come true. Please… You’re the only one I have left now!”

Her puppy eyes don’t stop staring at me until I lose and agree to help her.

“Ok…” I finally answer, giving in.

And her face illuminates.

“Really!? Are you serious Adrien? Because I really want to celebrate my wedding and I don’t want to keep my hopes up just for you to step down at the last moment”

Has she always been so radiant when she’s happy? Is that me making her this happy? My heart skips a beat.

“It’s only actors, right? For the photos. I’m a model. I can think of it as a favor for my childhood friend. But wait- You don’t expect me to kiss you, do you...?”

“I want you to, yes. Aren’t you an actor as well? It should be easy for you. But I’ll understand if you don’t want to...”

AGAIN. Those hurt puppy eyes… I can’t-!

“O- ok then. I’ll do it. For our friendship...”

“OMG! Thank you so much, Adrikins! I love you” she hugs me.

Was my heart supposed to skip a beat now? Damn it, she’s cute… This is making me happier than I could have ever imagined…

This is bad.

_________________________________

At the end, Marinette and Luka didn't use the Wedding preparations previously set for Luka and Chloe. Instead, they looked for a quiet little church in a rural French area to get married. Who would have thought Master Fu had a license to officialize weddings? The ceremony was held only for them and the kwamis.

I've never seen anyone as happy as them in my whole life. And I'm happy for them too. I heard they are preparing a bigger wedding ceremony with their families and friends in some months too. They’re planning their honeymoon too- a world tour using the Horse Miraculous. I have no doubts nothing can get in their way anymore now. They’ve found their forever.

On the other hand, not wanting to waste or cancel the wedding preparations that cost her so much, Chloe asked me to fake a wedding so at least some of the money spent finds some purpose.

I'm not sure why I agreed, but here I am.

The groom .

With my family members at one of the rows of benches, Chloe's family in the other one. My friends and Chloe's friends are there too. Marinette and Luka as well, happily in love as always. Nino, Alya and their baby... even Jagged Stone and his crocodile are there within the guests.

And then, the official in charge of the wedding.

My body is tense, and before I can react, the wedding march music starts, and Chloe- the bride - appears down the aisle with her father.

Wow! She looks stunning… Has Chloe always been so beautiful? Is it because of the wedding dress? Why is my heart beating so fast? This is a fake wedding! No need to get nervous here!

And Chloe smiles at me and I feel like I'm about to pass out. She's glowing. How? Not any other woman except Marinette has ever made me feel like that. What's wrong with me? This is Chloe! Same Chloe as… damn! She's still glowing. What’s wrong with the lights?

And the priest starts talking.

"Welcome. We've reunited here today to-"

"Chloe… this is still a fake marriage, right...?"

"Of course"

And her answer gives me shivers down my spine. Of course it has to be fake, right? Right?

Is there supposed to be guests in a fake wedding? That priest is an actor, right…?

"Yes, I do" my words came out automatically, without thinking, hypnotised by Chloe’s beauty in front of me.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt butterflies in my stomach. Could I be falling for her...? For Chloe…? She keeps looking even more gorgeous and radiant every second I stare at her. My head is spinning, and I can’t think properly anymore.

"You can kiss the bride"

"Yeah, totally fake…" Chloe smirks and kisses me passionately.

What?

And I can't hold myself for kissing her back. Pressured by the stares of the guests and the feelings Chloe is awaking in me. It feels good…

“Congrats!”, “Congratulations!”, “When is the honeymoon?”, “When can we expect a baby?”

Are these really the questions supposed to be asked during a fake marriage...?

Before I can react, Chloe approaches me again, and kisses me. I’m not sure what makes her kiss me again but I can’t complain. I feel like Chloe is starting to grow on me. She has really changed… hasn’t she?

But I can feel my face become white as a ghost when the priest comes and tells me: “Congrats, I’ll make sure the papers reach the official authorities. I wish you and your wife happiness”

My father is looking disappointed through Nathalie’s tablet, the gorilla is tearing up and Chloe’s mother is praising her daughter, while her father is giving her a thumbs up, crying in happiness for his daughter. And finally, Luka and Marinette are there, looking at me with a sympathetic smile.

I gulp.

MY WIFE…?

What have I done?