Description

    Ladybug and Chat Noir never existed.  Marinette and Adrien did.  What happens if they are both given a paper that tells them to sign on the dotted line?  The only catch is that they don't have time to read it first and if they don't sign it something bad could happen to either of them.

     Adrien's  POV:

    I woke up to find a strange paper on my front porch. It read Sign on the dotted line.

    I wanted to read more details, but then the paper glowed. I saw another message that read sign now or someone dear to you may lose their life. I was frightened. I did not know what to do.

   I felt I had no choice. I picked up a pen and signed the thing.

    I hoped I had not just signed away anything important. I supposed I would find out soon enough. What about the others? Were they okay or did they get the same mysterious message?

    It was only a matter of time before I found out someone had received the same message.

      Marinette's POV:

      My doorbell rang, but when I looked out no one was there. There was only an odd note that read Sign on the dotted line. Strange, I thought. How was I to know what it was I was signing?

    Before, I could think much about it, another note appeared "Sign now or someone you love could lose his life."  I gasped in sheer terror. I could not risk anyone's life. So, I signed the line.

     What on earth had I done?  Did I make the right choice?

     I was freaked out. I texted Adrien next. I was not sure who else to confide in about the matter. I hoped he would understand.

       I sighed as I waited for a response. A few minutes later, I received this reply from him, "Marinette, I am glad you are okay.  I received the same strange message."

      I blinked twice. What did he receive the message to?

      I texted him, "What strange message?"

     Adrien's text response, "Do I have to spell it out for you, Marinette?  It told me to Sign the dotted line. I felt I had to protect everyone. It was the same horrid note you got."

        I texted him, "Why would someone send it to you and me?"

       Adrien's text, "I have no idea, but I am glad you are alright. I will come over if you want me to."

       "Yes, I would like that very much," I texted him.

     A few moments later, the bell rang again but this time when I answered it, Adrien stood there, so I let him inside. I was shaking from fear. Adrien held me close. "Marinette, I will not let anyone harm you."  He said.

    I nodded my head. I shut the door, and let him guide me back to my sofa. We sat and I had not the slightest idea what to do next.

      A few days later, I got another note, which read, "Bad move telling your boy toy about the note. Too late now, he knows, so you must stay together, or else, the deals off and one of you dies."

       I almost dropped the note. I gasped as I re-read it. How dare someone threaten Adrien and me like this, and what did it mean about a deal? What deal?

       "Marinette?" Adrien was so gentle when he spoke my name that I felt bad about the whole thing. He took the note from my hands and read it. I saw the glare on his face after he had finished.

       "How dare they threaten you like this," Adrien scowled. "It is not just me, they threatened you too,"  I remarked. "What deal?  Why should they threaten to kill one of us?" Adrien asked.

        "I-I don't know, I did not get to read the rest before I signed. I was too afraid. I was worried that I might lose everyone I love." I explained. "Same here," Adrien said. He sat beside me and hummed.  "We will figure this out together, Marinette," Adrien promised.

      Someone came by and dropped off an odd package because I did not order anything. Adrien brought it inside and slowly opened it.  He showed me the contents and I laughed. There were clothes, men's, and women's, blankets, and a few other things inside the box. How very odd.

        "Hmm, whoever sent the threatening notes must have sent this stuff to ensure we stay together," Adrien said. 

        "Don't leave the house alone, or one of you dies," The note at the bottom of the package read. 

          I felt my knees about to give way, and Adrien caught me. He handed me some food and a cup of water. "Here, eat, and drink this. We can't let you be malnourished," Adrien stated. I nodded my head and did as he said.

 The only good thing about this entire creepiness was I was not alone. I had Adrien with me and for that I was grateful.  After the meal, I cleaned the kitchen. 

   Time skip to Three days later...

        It has been three days since Adrien came to stay at my place. I have not gotten any more notes, but I am terrified. How are we supposed to avoid leaving the house alone?

       I am supposed to go to work soon and so is he. We don't work in the same place. What will we do?   

         I sighed as someone slipped something under the door.  There had been silence since the last note, package, and now this. I took a deep breath before I opened it.  I gasped as I looked inside the envelope.

       "Good job surviving.  See how long it lasts. Soon, one of you will grow tired of the other."

       I showed it to Adrien. He looked angrier than last time.

      "Show me the first note you received," Adrien said. I showed it to him. He read the fine print and his face changed. I had no idea what that meant. Why should he react in such a way?

       I read the first note he received a few days ago. I don't recall anything alarming other than the words Sign the dotted line or else someone you care about dies. It was the same as what my first note said. At least that is all I could remember.

       "What is it, Adrien?" I asked.

        "It says here, All signatures are Binding. Signatures are final. There is no getting out of the contract. If anyone backs out, then one dies. One of you leaves without the other one dies. All participants have been carefully chosen.  Then, it lists your name, and mine." Adrien said. "Oh, no!" I hear him protest.

    "What is it? What is the matter?" I asked.

     "According to this we are legally bound to each other and must be wed in holy matrimony in six days. If we refuse the sender is to kill one of us, make the other watch, and then choose another participant to wed the survivor too. What kind of sicko are we dealing  with here?" Adrien stated.

    "I wouldn't mind marrying you," I said. Adrien groaned. "Marinette, I want you to be happy and to be able to choose who you marry not to be forced to be with me because of some pyscho out there," Adrien remarked. "I would be happy with you. I have always loved you," I confessed.

    Adrien looked shocked at my confession. "So, you signed it because you were worried I would be the one to die if you didn't," He said. "Y-yes," I muttered. "Marinette, I never knew you felt this way about me.  Honestly, I am flattered," He said.  I looked away because I felt a but coming on. "We are friends, and I care about you. I am not sure that a forced marriage is the best." He said. 

     I sighed. "You rather risk one of us being murdered and having to watch it happen. The survivor would have to marry another participant who survived. So, no matter what the marriage is forced,"  I blurted out. "I could not watch you die, Adrien, it would kill me inside, and I could never marry another knowing that I was the cause of your untimely death."

      Adrien reached up and pulled me close. I was shocked, but I tried to remain calm.  He did not say another word before his lips found mine. I kissed him in return. I heard him moan before he pulled away. "Marinette," He whispered.

   "Adrien," I whispered.

The next day...

Marinette's POV:

I kissed Adrien, but he hesitated and didn't kiss me back. I felt hurt. Could it be that he doesn't love me? Was the previous kiss his way of saying goodbye? Does he intend to leave and risk it all? What's the matter with me? I started to cry and then felt arms holding me close.

"Marinette," Adrien whispered my name once again. "Adrien, do you dislike me? Is there someone else? Is that why the thought of marrying me disgusts you?" I asked. I saw the stunned look in his eyes.  "I don't hate you. I am not sure how to feel," Adrien says. I can hear in his speech that he feels conflicted.

      I hear the bell ring. This time, Adrien yanks the door open with me not far from him. He grabs up the package and sets it down frowning as he shuts the door. He rips it open and inside is a veil, a dress, a suit, and a few other items.

       The envelope falls out. I pick it up. This time, I hand it to him. "H-here, you read it,"  I say my hands trembling in fear. Adrien holds me in his arms. I feel so confused. How does he feel about me?

      Adrien opens it and stares at the message. I can see he is angrier than he was in the previous notes. "See to it you marry or else. Five days til the big day. Be ready. I will be watching your every move. Don't think for a moment, I will back out of my end. I will see it through even if it means I have to kill one of you. I think it would be a shame to kill her. Your death would be bad too. Tick, tock...you better listen.  Don't bother with the police, I cut the phone lines and disengaged your other devices. To remind you how serious I am if you are not wed by 7 pm on the appointed day, then say goodbye to your little girlfriend."

       I started to pass out. Adrien carried me to the sofa and set me on it. "Marinette, don't worry, I will not whoever it is kill you." Adrien tried to reassure me, but I was terrified. The creep had made it clear with his recent threats he planned to murder me. Poor Adrien, he had no choice now. He would have to marry me to save me. 

        Adrien reached into the box again after I assured him I was alright. I could tell he was not convinced. He pulled out two cups. He set them on the coffee table, along with a strange-looking bottle. He poured it.

          "Don't drink it!" I yelled worried that the liquid was poisoned. Adrien took a sip, then, he remarked, "Marinette, why is the room spinning around like that? Make it stop, oh, Mari, make it stop. Help!  Mari!" 

           I stood up and tried to reach him but he blackened out. I feared the worst when I tried to wake him. He lay still. I was not sure if he was dead or not.

    I was so freaked out. 

The whole thing was a frightening experience. I wish I could forget it, but have a feeling it is one I will remember for a long time.

 Time skips to one day before the wedding, or someone dies brought to you by Adrien's sneakers.

     Adrien's POV:
  

 I woke up afraid. I recalled how we had kissed. Had it already been almost six days since then?

I hear someone mutter in their sleep. I turned on the lamp and saw her. I gasped. Marinette lay beside me. I did not recall much after the kiss. How could I have forgotten so much?

    Did someone drug me somehow?  Is that way I felt I could remember?

       I wrapped my arms around her, and let myself fall back to sleep.

      I heard someone say, "Adrien, wake up. Please, wake up." I could tell she was pleading with me. I could sense the fear in her words. I opened my eyes. "What time is it?" I asked.

       "Oh, thank goodness, Adrien," Marinette said. She hugged me. "It is nine in the morning and there is only one day until..." She said. 

          "One day, until I marry you 'cause I am not letting that creep kill you. I could not stand by and let him take you from me. Never," I said.

            "Do you love me?" Marinette asked.  I heard her ask me the one thing I never expected to hear and I was too shocked to respond. The thing is I am not completely sure what love is.

      Marinette's POV:

     I woke up frightened more now than ever before today. I saw Adrien pass out days ago and thought maybe I witnessed his death. Today, I woke up and spoke to him, he finally woke up. He agreed to marry me to save me. 

      I knew he would never let me die. I should have been happy, but I was miserable. How am I to know he he feels?   "Do you love me?" I asked.

   Adrien stared at me. He did not say a word. Not one single word. It was then, that I knew he was marrying me to save me because he felt like he couldn't live with the guilt. Not because he loved me.

       "It is okay, we can always get the marriage annulled in six months if you don't want me anymore," I stated. Adrien still said nothing. Did I mean that little to him?

       I got up and fixed some food. I was not sure what made him pass out. I mean he was out for days, the whole thing was scary. Here I was fixing breakfast like it was another normal day for me. Only, it was anything, but normal.

Adrien's POV:

 I sighed as she left the room. I was in shock. What could I say after she asked if I loved her? 

  I didn't know what love was, but I knew I did not want to lose her. I showered, and changed into some fresh clothes, then went downstairs. I smiled at her.

   Marinette smiled at me. I could tell she was hurt without her saying it. The mention of an annulment earlier made that clear. 

        I sat across from her and ate some of the food. "Thanks, it was delicious," I said.

        I kissed her. I only meant for it to be her cheek. She moved and so I got the corner to her lips instead. I sighed at how sweet they felt. I wanted more. What could it mean?

    After the meal and the short kiss, I cleaned the dishes. Marinette sobbed, "You could have died drinking whatever that liquid was you know. You passed out for so many days. Tomorrow is..." She said.  "Tomorrow is the day we wed, but I know you only doing this to spare my life, and I thank you for it. I know you don't love me, but I..." She said.

       I pulled her close and kissed her. This time on the lips on purpose, and waited. She kissed me. I felt like she was all I needed. Could it be?  Did I love, Marinette?

One day later...

Adrien's POV:

  I kissed her to wake her. She kissed me. I felt I could get used to her kisses.

 Is this what love is?  I got on one knee and asked her to marry me. I know it was a bit sudden, but I could let her die.  Marinette muttered, "Y-yes," and I put the ring on her hand. 

   We didn't have time for a long engagement. So, we got ready to be married.

A  pastor came by, and I was puzzled how he knew to come. I could tell he was afraid, nervous even. Was he sent by the same person making all the threats?

   I smiled when Marinette entered the room wearing a dress. She had on the veil, and some cute shoes, but all I cared about was her. She stood before me, and I held her arm.

    I was afraid to let go.  I listened to all the pastor said.  I nodded my head and she did the same.

We signed a wedding contract to make it official like then, the pastor continued.

  Soon, we exchanged vows and rings. I kissed her. The pastor gave us his congratulations and left.

One week later...

Marinette's POV:

A week ago, Adrien and I married to protect each other. It was the ideal wedding, but neither was the engagement. We should have let the police know when the first odd note arrived, but we didn't.  So, we married not out of love as much as it pains me to say it, but to stay alive.

   The last note we received was the one that arrived a few days ago. It said, "Well played Agreste, you both will survive, for now."  That was all it said. 

 Needless to say, we were both still very much afraid.

I saw Adrien approach the bed. I had not said much to him since our mock of a wedding a week ago, how could I? He did not love me. I was sure because I had asked and he never said a word.

Adrien's  POV:

  I married her a week ago. I could never tell her. Not ever. How could I?

 What would she think of me if she found out?  I felt somehow the whole thing was my fault. I saw the first note, but I never warned her that the envelope it came in said she would get one too. So, I failed to help her then, now I might have married her to protect her. 

    I sighed. I could tell she loved me. I wished I could understand how to respond to her.

The recent note, I saw it fall from the floor as she ran from the room after she read it. I gasped. How dare they make her feel unsafe after all this?

    I had switched to working online so I would not have to leave for work. It appeared she already did long before now. However, even though mine was a recent switch, I had made sure she was safe before then by having her with me.

       I  sobbed. Would she hate me if she discovered the truth?

       I went to the bedroom. Our room, and approached the bed. I could see the pain in her eyes.

        "Adrien, please don't..." She said.

        I pulled her close. I saw her eyes close. I kissed her. I had to know if she still loved me.

        It did not take long to find out. She kissed me, and put a hand on my waist. The other she used to remove my shirt. I pulled away and sat on the bed. Marinette sat beside me. I kissed her.

     Marinette moaned, "A-Adrien..."  I smirked. I loved how my name sounded on her lips. My wife was in love with me, and I only grew to love her more with each moment we were together. I did something I never dreamed of doing.  I  kissed her and whispered in her ear, "I am going to seal the deal further."  Then, I made love to her. It was better than I dreamed.

   I smiled as she slept. I turned off the light and held her close. Nothing could make me give her up now. Nothing.

I woke up the next day hopeful, she would never discover the horrible truth. I could not lose her especially not after last night. I wanted her, needed her more than I ever needed anyone.

    I took a shower with her. Then as we dressed I blushed. I was not sure why, but I did.

  Man, my wife was beautiful. 

Marinette's POV:

 Last night, Adrien confessed his love for me. I was shocked because I never knew he loved me until then. We finally did what most married couples do. We had sex and I loved every minute of it.

I slept with him and this morning we showered together. I snuck peeks at him when he got dressed and he blushed.  So cute. I finished dressing and joined him for breakfast. After breakfast, we went on a walk and then went back to our place. I loved the sound of those words our place.

     I saw Adrien gasp when he saw it. I saw it too. The words on a note that read, "I know your secret, and I know you did not tell her. Well, then, naughty boy, shall I do her the honors?  You tell her or I will take her from you. I don't mean nicely either... tick-tock."

     "Wh-what?" I looked at him. "What does it mean, secret?  Are you cheating on me?" I asked.

   "Never, Marinette. I am not cheating, because I love you," He confessed. "Then, what secret?" I asked.

I showed her the envelope with my first note.  She looked at it, and read the envelope closer. "Your friend, Marinette will get one soon too. So, sign the line if you want to keep her ticking, sunshine."

    I saw tears form in her eyes. "Y-you knew it would come, but you signed the line not knowing all the details," She said.

      "I had to save you," I tried to explain. "Why did not warn me about it before I sent the text telling you about it?" I asked. "I -I was afraid you would not understand. I could not lose you, Marinette. I love you. please you have to believe me, I love you with all my heart," Adrien said.

      "Oh, Adrien, I love you too," I said. I entered the house, pulling him inside with me, I shut the door, locked it, and smirked. I lay on the couch and sat in a position I knew would blow his mind.

    "Marinette, what are you doing?" He asked. "Seducing you, my love," She said. I grinned. I sat on the couch and pulled her onto my lap. We cuddled, kissed, and made love. 

 Oh, we got the phone lines fixed. 

       Three years later,

      Adrien and Marinette are still married. They have four children, Hugo, Emma, Elizabeth, and Louis. The first two are biological, the third is adopted, and the fourth is biological. The threats stopped.  They are happy. They never knew all that drama with the packages and notes would lead to this.

In some strange way, the creep remained unknown and was arrested by the police for many crimes including sending threatening mail to many including Felix, and Kagami, Sabrina and Miles, Nathaniel and Chole, Alix and Kim, and Luka and Zoe.

Strangely enough, none of the couples pressed charges. The creep went to jail for their crimes anyway.

 Until the next Miraculous one-shot,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!