EPILOGUE

"Nate, is she here yet?" the small girl whined.

Green eyes flicking from the grilling chicken to the kitchen window, the tall redhead grinned down at Sophie and shook his head, red hair tossing into his turquoise eyes.

"Not yet, Soph."

"When will she be here? I really want cake!"

"Me too, but we have to wait."

Nino glanced up from unloading the champagne flutes on the back counter to give Nathaniel a laughing smile. The redhead had drastically improved since that fateful night a year ago when he'd been dropped off at his doorstep. Now a part-time grill cook at his pub, Nino had to admit Nathaniel was making spectacular progress both mentally - and financially.

Housing one of the famous "Ladybug Survivors" had given Nino's restaurant a newfound popularity. Business was busier than ever - many people requesting to meet Nate in person to shake his hand or take pictures with him. At first, Nino had been uneasy that all this attention would be too much for the young man, but Alya had simply clicked her tongue and called him a worry-wart.

Turned out, Nate was great with people.

And the art! It had dawned on Alya and Nino quickly that Nate had a pure talent for it. From sketches to paintings to an increasingly popular comic, he was building quite a reputation for himself. So much so, he probably wouldn't need to be a grill cook too much longer - much to Nino's disappointment.

Oh, the life of a celebrity.

After Hawkmoth's defeat, many of the events were hushed. The rest akuma, with help of the tracking signal from Hawkmoth's Master Controller, were able to break from their collars and rehabilitate in hospitals throughout Paris. Families reunited. Victims' names released. Officials, law enforcement, and politicians alike were sentenced by the highest courts for inhumane acts, torture, and enslavement - just to name a few charges.

It was tragic that there were still several Masters out there, many international, who had somehow avoided getting caught - those that had wormed their way out of a thorough investigation with money or influence.

As for Hawkmoth's true identity, for Adrien's sake, it was kept from the media. The mayor's body, reported as caught in the crossfire with the assassins in front of Le Louvre, was cremated with a very private viewing - of which only Adrien and Marinette attended.

And speaking of Adrien-

The back door wrenched open and messy blond hair rushed inside with green eyes wild.

"Yay! He's here! Let's eat cake!" Sophie cheered loudly.

If anything, Adrien's face increased in panic. "She's here?"

"No, dude. Sophie just wants cake." Nino rolled his eyes and gave his daughter a reprimanding frown. "She won't be here for another thirty minutes. Trust me, Alya's got this."

He held up his phone with a blinking GPS and Adrien practically swooned against a cabinet in relief.

Straightening his green tie and smoothing his freshly-pressed black pants, Adrien ran a hand through his tossed blond hair - attempting to straighten the flyaway strands. Nino laughed and moved to drape an arm around his best friend's shoulders. As always, even if Adrien acted as skittish as a cat, he still somehow found a way to look like he was modeling on the runway.

"You look killer, dude," Nino said easily, straightening the sleeves of his friend's black-collared shirt. "Don't sweat it. If she doesn't say yes, I'll marry you."

"How comforting," Adrien chuckled. "Have the flowers-?"

"Arrived and waiting behind the bar, man. Chill out. I've got this. The ring, the flowers, the candles-"

"The cake!" Nate added with a laugh and Sophie let out a squeal of delight.

"Exactly!" Nino grinned. "See? There's no way any issues will crop up-"

The bell tinged, signaling someone at the front door and Nino could have sworn Adrien's skin grew three degrees paler.

"That can't be her, dude. Alya made sure to take the long route for once."

"Probably someone from the Orphanage," Nate chimed in with a kind nod. "Just forgot to use the back door."

"You're probably right," Adrien said, letting go a nervous breath.

"Mind getting that for me, then? Still got a few things to clean up here." Nino held up a flute he was polishing.

The blond nodded, the fear still prominent in his eyes as he headed through the swinging doors.

Nino caught Nathaniel's eye.

They both shared a furtive grin.

Entering, Adrien stopped at the longish blue-striped hair and bright blue eyes of Luka Couffaine peering through the smoky glass of the front window. Next to him, Tikki's round face was smiling cutely.

Hurrying forward, he unlocked the door and let them in.

"I'm so sorry!" Tikki squeaked. "I told Luka we should have gone around to the back entrance."

"No, it's fine! Marinette isn't here yet." Adrien grinned as the smaller girl gave him a tight hug. As she let go, Luka stepped forward with a happy smile.

"Congratulations, Adrien," he said, clapping a hand on the blond's shoulder.

"Well, she hasn't said yes yet," Adrien sighed.

"There's no way she would say anything else. Marinette has never been happier. I can tell. You two complete each other," Tikki chimed sweetly.

"You say that, but I still want to throw up," the blond groaned.

Luka let out a small laugh as Tikki's arm snaked around his thin waist. "You've got this, man. Just listen to your heart. If Tikki says it, it's meant to be."

"Trust me! You've got it in the bag!" Tikki announced with her eyes twinkling in excitement. "I knew all along you were meant for our dear Marinette."

Luka didn't reply, but simply gave Adrien a good-natured roll of his eyes as the couple crossed the restaurant to the back kitchen. He watched them go, hearing Tikki laugh loudly at something Luka said to her.

Turning back to the window, a reassurance settled inside his heart.

Even Marinette had agreed many times before: Tikki was always right.

The next twenty minutes were a complete blur. Adrien, helping Luka carry the champagne bottles from the back fridge to the front cooler, was greeted by Rose, Juleka, Wayzz, and several of the other rehabilitated Ladybug Survivors. Even Ivan, who Adrien had later learned helped hide the Orphanage in a golfing supply warehouse, stopped in with a cheerful wink.

They were all gathered, laughing and talking: his friends, his family, his team, his home - now all he needed was Marinette-

"I'm finally here!" A voice trumpeted from the front door and all eyes turned in surprise. Arms held high in a pose, wide sunglasses perched on her nose, Chloe's pink lips smiled haughtily at the quiet shock that filtered through the bar.

"Chloe!" Adrien cried, breaking the silence and rushing up to greet her. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

"Yeah, yeah, where is that yo-yo stealer anyway?" the blonde scoffed. "I only have a few hours here."

"Yo-yo stealer? Still haven't forgiven her, I see," he laughed.

"She broke it!" Chloe pouted.

"It attuned to her - there's a difference. The thing still works."

"But not for me!"

"Chloe - this was a year ago. They've made you another one since then, right?"

"Ah, yes, my stinger…" Whipping off her glasses, her blue eyes misted with delight. "It's so perfect… It's better than that old prototype."

"See? And don't hold it against Marinette for saving my life with it."

The blonde's ponytail swung as she touched his arm with an uncharacteristic sense of tactfulness. "I didn't mean it like that, Adrien. I just like giving her a hard time."

"As you like to do with most people you meet," he chuckled. "Speaking of, where's your crew? We invited everyone."

"Alas, it's only me," she sighed. Blue eyes flipping to the champagne flutes with interest, she tossed her hair and headed to a bar stool - but not before she whispered a quick, "Good luck, Chat Noir," in his ear.

"This is just a simple dinner at Nino's pub. Why am I dressed like I'm going to a cocktail party with the French President?" Marinette asked with a small smile.

Raven locks pulled into a high bun, dressed in a long red romper with thin heels on her feet, Alya's makeup and red dangle earrings completed the look - and made her feel more like a doll than a human.

"You want to make Adrien's drool, right?"

"I guess so? I don't really see why I need to-"

"Why do you need a valid reason? Sometimes men need a reminder how much of a goddess you are. Keeps them worshiping at your feet."

"I don't want Adrien to worship me," Marinette giggled at the thought. "Though having him drool would be hilarious."

"Then trust me, girl. I've ensured that he will."

She watched as Alya pulled into the parking lot outside the pub - and frowned.

"There's a lot less cars than usual."

"Business has slowed a bit now that the media hype has relaxed," Alya said coolly.

That made sense. "I hope that doesn't impact Nino's plans for expansion."

"Ah, he's already locked that down with a contractor. He'll be fine."

Stepping out of the car, she walked to the front door - and caught Alya's nervous expression in the reflection of the window.

Before she could turn to ask, the door chimed open and the beautiful grinning face of Adrien greeted her.

Green eyes widened and his gaze traveled slowly up and down with a look of awe. It was enough to set Marinette's cheeks blushing with pride.

"My God, Marinette, you look… just..." He couldn't finish the words, instead deciding to simply gesture at her.

She giggled. "Why, thank you. You're looking pretty good, too." Marinette eyed his tie. "Love the throwback colors of black and green, Chat Noir."

"I may be a civilian now, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what colors look the best on me."

Offering her his arm, he escorted her inside and her jaw dropped. Candles lit, red roses on every table, she glanced at Adrien and he shot her a nervous smile.

"Adrien, I- this is wonderful."

"Let's go over to the bar."

Leading her and pulling a bar stool for her to sit, a bottle of chilled champagne sat between them. He poured her a glass, and then one for himself, before sitting down on the stool next to her.

She could see it in every action he did - Adrien was terrified about something. His hands were trembling, his breathing sounded uneven. It set her own nerves aflame, wiggling and squirming inside her.

"Adrien, what is-?"

"Here," he interrupted softly, reaching into his front pocket for something. Sliding it over, her eyes grew wide.

It was the picture. The one that had brought him tumbling into her life. The simple smile on her lips, the short pigtails, the red crop-top and leather pants. It was a bit wrinkled from it's adventure from a year ago and slightly faded with age. Marinette had silently wondered what had happened to it.

Adrien swallowed. "I've kept your photo with me all this time. I treasure it. It was right here, Marinette. I was sitting on this stool when I finally found what I'd been searching for all this time. I didn't know what it was, but I felt something holding this photo of you. There was a connection. And I knew I would never let you go. Even before properly meeting you face-to-face."

Her heart was pounding, her eyes were wide, and she was speechless as Adrien stood from the stool and grabbed both her hands in his.

"Showing up at your door, fighting both with you and by your side, racing to save the world - Marinette Dupain-Cheng, that day when we met was the beginning of my life. Since then, we have laughed, cried, fought, forgave, and cherished. You challenge me to be more than I am - more than who I thought I could ever be. I treasure your photo because it brought me happiness I never thought I would find - I never thought I deserved."

The tiny gasp left her lips as he reached into his back pocket and fished out a small box. Opening the lid, he knelt, holding the diamond steady.

His nerves were gone from his face. In the wake of his confession, a light had spilled from Adrien's kind green eyes.

She was nodding before she could even process what was happening.

"Marinette, my Ladybug. My love, my soulmate, and best friend - will you marry me?"

She couldn't take it anymore.

Leaping from the stool, her arms sprang around his neck and she tackled him to the ground. He fell back with a small "oof", and she landed on his lap, planting a kiss on his surprised lips.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she cried, voice muffled against his mouth.

Arms immediately wrapping tightly around her, Adrien pressed her against his chest, kissing her back feverishly. Mouth opening, tongues tangling, her hands were in his hair, legs straddling his waist.

"Whoa, save it for tonight, you guys!" Nino shouted, bursting from the back-kitchen door with two bottles of champagne in each hand. Lips breaking in shock, Marinette's eyes popped open as everyone - everyone - came rushing through the door with cheers and congratulations.

Shifting, Adrien helped her to her feet with a sheepish grin. Her gaze dropped to the beautiful ring still in his hand. Plucking the ring from the box, he gilded it on her finger and bent to touch his forehead to hers.

"Hello, my hero," she said to him with heart full and happiness complete.

"Hello, my future," he whispered back, hand tipping her chin up for another kiss.

Amidst the celebration, the chatter, the cake, and laughter, Tikki simply watched, her blue eyes following the glowing couple around the room.

"What do you see?" Luka asked, handing her a champagne flute with a bemused look.

"First, I'll tell you what I always saw: two traveling stars - both struggling through this world. They were each missing a piece that kept themselves from being a complete whole."

Turning to the blue-haired man, he was looking down at her with sweet affection.

"And now what do you see?" Luka asked.

She grinned brightly up at him.

"A shining sun."

The End.

Thank you to all who commented, followed, favorited, and enjoyed. This story was an absolute pleasure to write.

I hope you guys tune into my other stories - as well as ones my brain pops out in the future.

Happiness, love, and blessings to each and every one of you.