Ch. 1. Her world
For Marinette, the world was something she could shape at her will. Her surroundings changed at her every whim, and her imagination ran wild every day. She only needed her faithful tablet and her pen, and she could do anything if she put her mind into it. She could make it rain, make it snow, or make the sun shine in the most beautiful spring morning.
She had lost count of how much time she'd spent in that fantastical world. She used to wonder what would become of her, now that she was trapped in there, but after so long, she stopped asking herself that.
Nothing changed. When she closed her eyes, she was in that world, and when she woke up every day, she was lying on the same cosy bed, with pink fluffy pillows and a darker pink blanket. No matter what she did, her tablet always lied beside her, and even thought she'd wondered about that too, she'd stopped after a while.
Maybe she'd just forgotten how to think at all.
It was understandable. After all, that world belonged to her and only her, and every day it went on. She was always surprised of what she'd be able to find, to create, to bump into in the complex creations that came from her own mind. There was no time to get bored in there.
There was nobody there, but she didn't felt lonely. It didn't bother her at all.
When the spacious room bored her, she just needed to erase the walls, and the outside world was waiting for her, just within her reach. What would it be today? Green hills, with tall grass swaying with the soft wind? Rocky mountains with steep drops?
Or maybe it would be something that couldn't possibly exist in the outside world, like prairies of purple grass, three moons shining in a night sky filled with thousands of bright stars. Maybe there would be a gravy path leading to a temple at the distance, with stained glasses with so many colours she couldn't name them all.
So that's how she spent her days; running, flying, shaping the world around her to her every desire. She had never been happier, or so she thought. She didn't remember anything else, after all.
That day she laid down on her favourite hill, the sun making the bright green grass shine and warming her pale skin. She closed her eyes, basking on the sun and breathing in the smell of pure nature surrounding her.
"I love your garden, Marinette!"
She sat down abruptly, looking around. The scenery looked the same as always, but something was different. She… she'd heard someone, hadn't she?
She placed her hands on the slightly moist soil and stood up. Her loose hair danced around with the wind, just like the grass did, and when the wind picked up, the thin threads began getting into her eyes. She mindlessly reached for her tablet and drew her hair in two ponytails and a straw hat on her head. She walked down the hill, not stopping from looking around for what could have possibly made that sound, but she came out empty.
It had been strange, she thought afterwards. It hadn't been a sound she was used to, at least she didn't remember hearing it before. It wasn't like the running of the river, the soft pit-patter of the rain, or the distant chipping of the birds… she'd actually understood its meaning.
A thought came to her mind at that. Was… was someone speaking? Could people speak? Could she speak? She'd always made small noises, but she'd never tried talking. She didn't have anyone to talk to, anyway.
She opened her mouth and caught a mouthful of air, and when she let it go, her lips moved on their own accord, making words as the air came out of her mouth.
"Hello?"
She did talk! She wanted to laugh in joy. It was amazing! Words didn't stop spilling from her lips, forming sentences that maybe didn't make any sense, but she didn't care. She could speak, after all!
But, another part of her mind retorted, why would she want to talk if she had no one to talk to in the first place? Once realizing that, the green landscape seemed somewhat duller, and her joyous smile fell a little. She didn't know anyone else but herself. She felt a little pang of longing in her chest, one that kept on growing as she learned more about the world.
She felt alone.
Gripping tightly at her tablet, she drew her room once again and let herself fall on her bed. She curled around a fluffy pillow and covered her body with the blanket, wishing that the soft cloth could soothe her aching chest. She wanted her peace to come back, to forget that, some time ago, maybe she hadn't been all by herself.
As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts changed, and a wish was made. It wasn't a beg for obliviousness, but for someone's company. She didn't want to feel alone again.
When she opened her eyes the next day, a pair of green eyes stared back at her. She sat down and observed the creature in front of her, and her fingers hesitated just before touching it. She caressed lightly those pointy ears and the fur of its neck, earning a purr in appreciation. She giggled at the ticklish sensation against her fingertips.
"Are you… a cat?" she asked the creature, and it in response looked down to his paws, then raised his gaze to her before nodding. Her eyes widened at that. "You understand me?"
He gave another nod, and Marinette giggled at how cute the cat was.
"Do you have a name, kitty?"
The cat nodded again, but when he opened his tiny mouth to answer, only a 'mrew' came out of it. If cats could frown, he'd have the darkest scowl of them all. She patted him behind the ears, and he dropped his scowl, purring in delight instead.
"Don't worry if you can't speak right now, chaton. I just remembered how to speak yesterday. You'll get the hang of it in no time."
The cat cocked his head to the side, his eyes curious, and she had to stifle a squeal. He was adorable!
"But in the meantime… how about I give you a name?" he meowed, and she took that as a yes. "Mm… how about Chat Noir? Do you like it?" he meowed again, but this time he stood up and rubbed his head against her cheek, the soft strands tickling her. She laughed.
"Chat Noir it is!" She stood up and grabbed the cat from his armpits so they were eye to eye, his legs wiggling in the air. He didn't seem to be bothered by it. "Now! Do you want to see my world?"
"Meow."
"Perfect!"
She put him down and reached for her tablet, promptly erasing the walls of her room. The purple light of the twilight highlightened the bluish surface of the floating platforms around them, each one close enough to each other so they could jump from one to another, making up infinite paths. There was a soft rumble of water running under a 30 feet drop.
Chat Noir walked to the edge and looked down, the fur of his back standing up a little. She crouched beside him and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry! This world's special. You won't fall, I promise."
If cats could look sceptical, the one in front of her would be a great example.
"Come on! Have a little faith!"
She decided to show him first, but just when she was about to jump she paused and looked down at him. He was so little, and this world could be so vast… she didn't want him to get lost.
An idea came to her, and she reached for her tablet resting on her hip. She doodled on it, and in less than a minute, a black collar appeared around Chat's neck, a golden bell resting between his collarbones. He eyed down curiously and flicked it with his paw, making the bell chime.
"Do you like it, Chat? It'll help me find you if you get lost."
He nodded and rubbed himself around her legs, earning a chuckle from the girl.
"Okay, let's go!"
She took two steps back, then ran full speed ahead, jumping just before reaching the edge. She cherished the weightless feeling just at the moment when her body decided to fall, and her two feet landed softly on the little platform. She turned around and gave him a winning smile.
"Come on! You just need to think where you want to land, and you will!"
He followed reluctantly, and landed on the platform beside her. He was still tense, but she could see the spark of curiosity in those intelligent eyes. She jumped again and he followed, following whatever direction they wanted. Gravity bent at their will, time almost slowing down when she wanted to twirl in the air.
They reached a floating island, the night sky dark enough for stars to be seen. Foliate trees surrounded the island, and in the middle of the forest, the trees cleared out to leave space for a lake, the two full moons reflected on its still surface.
Just as Marinette stepped at the clearing, hundreds of fireflies took flight, putting to shame the stars shining in the sky. She danced to the rhythm of music she could only hear, Chat Noir hot on her hills. She picked him up, and laughed heartedly when his limbs dangled whenever she made a twirl.
And days went by like this – she would wake up, only to find Chat Noir curled against her, waiting for her to wake up so they could play. She would show him her favourite places, or make them as they went, and every day was funnier than the one before.
Marinette had never been more content.
Then, it came the day that, when she woke up, instead of a cat, a boy was lying beside her. His blonde hair was wild and mused with sleep, but what caught her attention was the pair of cat ears on his head, which twitched in his sleep. She also noticed the tail, which swayed lightly behind him.
She reached for one of his ears, and was surprised to find the touch different from Chat Noir's ears. They weren't velvety, but smoother, like leather. The bow answered to her touch burying his head more into her pillow.
"Hey…" She shook him lightly. His head suddenly shot up, and if she hadn't been lying on the middle of the bed, she would've probably fallen to the floor in surprise.
The boy in front of her blinked, trying to focus his beady eyes on her. When his eyes opened enough to let her see their green colour, he smiled lazily and butted his head to her cheek. His wild hair tickled her.
"… Mornin'…" he mumbled, sighing in content.
"Good morning to you too. Um…" She bit her lip, not really sure how to address the elephant in the room, and the blond boy looked up again, watching her curiously. She decided to ask directly. "Just… who are you?"
"What?" He looked at her incredulous, then down at his hands. His human hands. He rushed out of the bed and headed to the mirror, looking at his very human features.
"…Why do I keep having ears?" he muttered, and the ears twitched in response.
Marinette wasn't really sure how to react to the stranger in her room. On the one hand, there was a stranger. In her room. But in the other hand… there was someone in her room. After so long being alone, there was someone else beside her.
Moreover, he somehow seemed familiar; although she was quite sure she hadn't seen him in her life. It was those eyes, she decided, those deep green eyes that reminded her of the green leaves of the trees bathed in sunlight. She had seen them before, she knew she did, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly where…
Something chimed in his neck, and her eyes darted from his face to the golden bell of his collar, a collar she knew really well. She had designed it, after all.
"… Chat Noir?" His ears perked up at that, and he turned to look at her. "You're my kitty?"
His whole face brightened at her question. "Yes! I'm Chat!"
"And why are you human?
"That's because I'm a human."
She frowned. "But you were a cat."
His ears twitched at that, and he sighed. "It seems I still am."
Marinette gave the boy a once-over. The poor boy fidgeted in her scrutiny, and his ears were against his head, giving the image of a kitty being scolded. She ignored the soft tug her heart gave at that utterly adorable scene, and shrugged, trying to let him know everything was right.
"Well, what do you want to do today, chaton?"
They returned to their routine, exploring all the worlds brought to life from her drawings. They raced each other on rainbows, and laid on fluffy clouds, making shapes with them and trying to guess what the other was making. The only thing that had changed was that, when Marinette talked, Chat answered.
He told her about his world, something he couldn't control unlike she did with hers, and how he felt truly free when he was in her world. He also managed to draw what his room looked like on her tablet, and the walls transformed around them like usual.
She learnt every little detail of his room, as he had done with hers. He had some pictures of a woman she later learnt was his mother. He told her she was gone, but when she asked him where she was, he couldn't answer, and a sour look came to his face. It was something she'd never seen on the boy, and something she'd hated the first moment she saw it, so she changed the subject as fast as she could.
Luckily, that look never returned to his face.
Every day, when she woke up, Chat was by her side, often awake and waiting for her to wake up, but sometimes she was the one who had to wait. His expression was calm and peaceful when he slept, nothing like the huge grins he wore when he was awake. She would never get tired of the sight.
But then he would get up, and a new day would begin. And no matter where they went, they always fell asleep together, one against the other and hearing each other's breaths even out.
Marinette had never felt so happy.
That day started just like any other one. She had waken up first, so she decided to prepare a little surprise for her chaton. It had been a while since she'd been to the hills with deep green grass, the place that had made her ask for company in the first place. Directly or indirectly, it was thanks to that place that she had Chat by her side, and she wanted to tell him about it.
So she drew vast hills with grass that reached her ankles, and skies so blue that would make any painter feel the rush to paint it. She looked through the window as she cleared every cloud from the sky, and made the temperature warm enough to wear T-shirts. She then drew a soft breeze caressing the grass, which made soft wavy movements that could inspire even the most analytical of the minds.
Marinette waited patiently for Chat Noir to wake up, designing her clothes to pass up time. She draw on herself a pink skirt that reached her knees and a marble camisole tucked under it. In her head rested a wide straw hat, and her hair was tucked in two pigtails.
She heard a soft moan coming from the bed, and she turned around, ecstatic.
"Good morning, Chaton!"
"… mornin'. What got you so happy?"
"I'm going to take you somewhere new today. You'll love it, I'm sure."
His eyes cleared at that, and an excited grin began forming on his lips. "Really?"
She nodded, her pigtails bobbling up and down with her head. "Really, really."
She grabbed her tablet to erase the walls at the same time he put his feet on the ground, and then is when it happened. The walls of the room glitched, the reality looking distorted and fragile before it started to unravel around them. What was her room turned into blank space, and blank space turned into a brand new landscape, with wide streets and cream buildings at each side of the road. It was a place she had never seen before, but it felt familiar, somehow.
"Where are we…?" she muttered, anxiety pilling up in her chest. There was no one else but them, but she didn't expect it being otherwise.
"… This is Paris." Chat answered, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Marinette turned to look at him.
"You know this place?"
"Yes. This is where I live." She took a sharp intake of breath at that. "Is this where you wanted to take me?"
She shook his head and showed him her tablet. It looked glitched and totally useless. "Something's wrong. Everything changed on its own accord, I had nothing to do with this, and I can't change it back either."
This was bad. This was 20 different kinds of bad. That had never happened before. She'd always been in control of every aspect of her reality, and she didn't like one bit where this was going. If she couldn't change anything, how would she fix things? She felt totally useless, and anxiety started pilling up inside her.
A hand outstretched in front of her, and she blinked at it confused. She looked up only to see Chat with his reassuring smile of his. She didn't know why, but she already felt better.
"Why don't we take a look around? Maybe we can find out what's wrong and fix it."
She worried her lip, still hesitant, but nodded. She placed her hand in his, and he secured his grip intertwining their fingers. They walked down the street, trying to find anything that could have caused this problem, but they didn't find a single clue.
That was until Marinette's eyes landed on a certain building.
Her feet stopped, and her whole body turned to face it. It looked just like the other ones, with cream-coloured frontage and three floors, the bottom one being a shop of some sort, with wide windowpanes that let them see the interior. It looked just as empty as the other buildings, but somehow, she had felt something beckoning towards it.
But, instead of giving in to her sudden desire, she stood there, frozen and uncertain, looking through the wide windows. Chat seemed to catch her hesitance and squeezed her hand lightly, a soft reassurance she didn't know she needed.
"Should we go in?"
Marinette swallowed down her instant negative and nodded hastily instead. She squared her shoulders and made a step forward, Chat immediately at her side. Once they were at the front door, she took a deep breath and opened it, ready to face whatever it was waiting for them there.
The soft aroma of vanilla and just made bread filled her lungs. The inside of the shop gave off an aura of warmth and care, with pastel colours on their walls and furniture, and matching décor. Rows of cakes, coulants, macarons and oh so many more pastries greeted them, and she could feel her mouth watering just by the sight of them.
But what had rooted her feet to the floor were the people.
After spending so long thinking there was no one but her in her world, she would never stop herself from being surprised when someone else came her way, as if it was a twisted way the world had to prove her wrong. It had started with Chat Noir, reminding her that, in fact, she felt utterly alone all by herself.
However, there wasn't one but five people inside the shop. They didn't seem to have heard the door opening, and by the looks of it, neither they seemed to notice their presence inside the room. One woman got up and walked through them effortlessly, and she couldn't stop but shuddering from head to toe.
"What's going on?" Chat muttered under his breath.
"They're part of the glitch, I think. They're not really here."
She let go of his hand to walk closer to the cash desk. There was a short woman standing behind it, her dark bluish hair tucked up in a high bun. Her Asian features were soft and caring, and she could feel how all her attention was put on the woman in front of her, asking for a Mont Blanc. Her heart clenched at the sight, and she suddenly craved for the gentle touch of the woman.
"Maman!"
A cheerful voice snapped her out of her reverie, and she turned to see who had cheered like that. A little girl with two high pigtails ran towards the woman tending the patisserie, her ladybug wings wiggling when she jumped in front of her. The woman caught her in the air, laughing along with the little girl, and rubbed their noses together.
"Hello, my little ladybug. How was your day at school?"
"Very good!" she chipped, "I played with lots of kids and all wore dresses like me! Then kitty and I were superheroes and defeated all the baddies!"
"That sounds like a really fun day, Marinette."
The older girl made a strangled sound, and then proceeded to look closer to the girl bouncing on her mother's arms. Now that she was paying more attention to her, she could clearly see they looked alike; hell, they were almost identical! She wanted to kick herself for not noticing earlier.
But one moment. If that little girl was her, that meant that the woman holding her was…
She didn't need to look back to know just who had placed a hand on her shoulder. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and leaned on him, needing him to ground her before she lost her mind completely. He didn't ask, just held her closer until she caught her breath.
In the background, little Marinette was sitting on the desk, dandling her little legs, and kept talking to her mother animatedly while she tended the customers. She greeted the customers with a huge smile on her face, and helped giving them the boxes with their order. Her mother gave her a cookie for her efforts and she squealed with delight.
She munched down on the cookie, and when she finished, she jumped down the desk and rushed to a closed door at the back, closing the door behind her.
"Should we follow her?" Marinette turned around to see Chat's questioning gaze, worry evident in his face.
She gulped and nodded, steeling herself for whatever was waiting for them in the glitch. He held her hand again, and Marinette couldn't help but think how much she'd missed his hand in hers, even though it had just been mere minutes.
She let him take her to the white door. He stood to the side, waiting for her to be ready. She placed her hand on the wood, the surface feeling smooth, cool and way to real under her touch, and pushed.
They walked into a professional-looking kitchen. The smell of sweets was even stronger in there, and it made her mouth water. When had it been the last time she'd eaten? She couldn't remember having breakfast today. Had Chat and her ever done a picnic?
A door at the back opened, and Marinette walked inside. The girl looked slightly older than before, wearing her hair tucked in a ponytail instead of the two high pigtails of before. She was carrying a bag of sugar, and for the looks of it, it was pretty heavy.
A man with broad shoulders and a smile as sweet as the smell of the kitchen followed her, carrying a bag of flour as big as her. He was whistling a cheery tune, his movements matching the rhythm. He dropped the bag on the counter unceremoniously, and then reached for Marinette's hand, making her spin around the room. Giggles filled the room.
"Papa, stop! I'm dizzy!"
"Okay, okay." He let her go with a soft chuckle. "So, you wanted to know how to make bread, right?"
"Yes!" She bobbled her head up and down enthusiastically.
"First of all, we need all the ingredients. We've got sugar and flour so far, but what else do we need?"
She cocked her head, deep in thought. "Mm… water?"
"Yes, and also oil and salt. But there's an essential ingredient we're forgetting here. Do you remember how it's called?" Little Marinette looked at the table, brows furrowed and looking completely lost. He nudged her a bit. "It begins with a Y…"
Her face brightened up and turned to her father, excited. "Yaist!"
He chuckled. "Almost. It's yeast. Do you know why we need it?"
"It makes the bread grow!" She threw her arms to the air, mimicking the growth with childish enthusiasm.
He laughed at that and patted her head, earning a happy giggle in return. He gave her a little pink apron and she tied it around her waist, just like his father.
"Okay, wait here while I get all the ingredients. Then I'll show you, okay?"
"I wanna help with the ingredients too!"
Marinette rushed to the storage, ignoring her father's cries asking her to stop running in the kitchen. The door of the storage closed behind her, and only two seconds after that, they heard a strong sound coming from the room. Marinette's father rushed to the door and opened it, just to see an ocean of white at the other side, the tiny girl in the centre of the mess, covered in flour from head to toe, and looking at him with wide eyes.
"I-it fell on its own!" she spluttered, and with every word, clouds of flour came from her mouth. She winced and looked down, remorseful. "… I'm sorry."
"Don't worry for the mess, ma coccinelle. Are you hurt?" She shook her head, flour falling from her head at the action. "I'm glad. Why don't you go and clean yourself? I'll take care of the mess, and then we can resume the class. Deal?"
"Okay!" she sprung up and ran outside, flour following her and falling to the floor, leaving the kitchen dirty, and probably the rest of the house. She ignored once again her father asking her to stop running in her eagerness to get clean.
The man sighed tiredly at the dirty kitchen, but amusement was clear in his eyes. "I'll better start, then, before she comes back."
He began sweeping the floor, whistling that little song of before and coordinating his sweeping at the rhythm of the jingle.
The knot in Marinette's chest eased up at that scene, and she felt that, despite the situation was unreal, nerve-wracking and absolutely weird, maybe it wasn't that bad.
"Well, it seems you were a bug of a kind, my Lady," Chat quipped beside her and bumped their shoulders playfully.
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile at his teasing. "Should we keep going?"
He bowed and threw her a wink. "Lead the way."
They stepped out of the kitchen and walked out at the patisserie again, and just as the door closed behind them, the main door opened. Marinette's father walked in, a worried frown on his face, and Marinette followed behind. She had the biggest scowl marring her face, her pout buried deep within a fluffy scarf.
"What happened, Tom?" her mother asked, stepping out of the cash desk.
Tom sighed. "Our little girl has hit a friend at class today."
"Chloe isn't my friend," Marinette grumbled, crossing her arms and looking to the side, "she picks on everyone just because her father is rich, and she laughed at Rose's dress today."
"That's not excuse to hit someone, Marinette. You should've told your teacher and let her deal with it."
"But the teachers never do anything! They don't even scold her! That's not fair." She stomped at the floor, her fists clenched tight on her sides.
"Either way, you've hit someone, and that isn't okay. I don't care if she deserves it. Go to your room, and your papa and I will think of your punishment."
"But-!"
Her mother interrupted her before she kept going. "Marinette, don't make me repeat myself."
You could see how the girl lost her will to fight, her shoulders slumping and head hanging low. All the anger on her face was replaced with a little pout, and with a muttered 'yes, maman'; she climbed up the stairs home. Both adults watched her go.
"She's too self-righteous for her own good," the older woman muttered, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Reminds me of someone I know. Do you remember how I met you, Sabine? You were punching a guy in the face because he was trying to make a move on a girl."
"She clearly looked uncomfortable!" she protested, "but I was seventeen, not ten. She's still too little, she doesn't know when it's better to step back. It could get her in trouble."
Tom placed his hands on her waist. "Well, that's what we're here for, isn't it? To protect her in every decision she makes."
"You're right…" She rested her forehead on his, a sweet smile on her lips. "Do you mind tending the shop a bit? I have a batch of cookies that are begging me to finish them."
"Of course."
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and dropped his hands. Sabine left to the kitchen, while he moved to stand behind the cash desk.
Marinette and Adrien didn't need to ask each other before heading to the stairs, prepared to follow the little girl. They opened the main door of what she assumed was their home. They waited silently for something to happen, just like the other times, but nothing changed.
"They are really sweet," Chat said beside her.
They. Not your parents, they. They both knew who they were and what meant for her, but instead of addressing the matter verbally, he'd noticed her hesitance and decided to give her space.
When had he learnt so much about her? Gratefulness overflowed her as she thanked whoever had been responsible for bringing him to her when she needed it the most. She didn't know how to put her swirling emotions on words, so she squeezed his hand, leaning on his shoulder, hoping he got the message.
She felt his eyes on her, and her cheeks felt very warm all of the sudden, but risked looking up at him. His smile wasn't one she was used to see, devilish and cunning, and with a dash of what she could only name as freedom; but it was softer and reached his eyes, the vibrant green accepting and warm.
She realized she was staring way too much and averted her eyes, her cheeks burning at that point. Her eyes landed on the white stairs going up to the second floor. She raised her head from his shoulder (albeit it was really comfortable, and she didn't feel like moving at all), and the pair walked towards it, climbing up.
She opened the hatch and looked around the spacious room, stifling a gasp. The pink walls were decorated with colourful drawings of all kinds, blending together in a vibrant collage. Other Marinette was lying on a chaise and drawing absentmindedly on a notebook, her tongue sticking up slightly from her mouth. She looked older, maybe fourteen, and their resemblance was quite nerve-wracking, if she was being honest.
She climbed up the last of the stairs and walked in the room, looking around herself. Now that she watched them closely, almost all the drawings were of clothes, and she was quite impressed of the quality of the work.
"Hmm, these are really good. Can't say I haven't seen it before, though," Chat commented.
She turned around, just to see him looking at what her other self was drawing. She got near them and looked too. It was a combination of a wide white blouse and a skirt draped around the waist and falling to the knees of the mannequin. She looked down at herself, and saw she was wearing the same thing as the drawing. She paled slightly at it.
Before she could dwell on her thoughts, the trapdoor opened again, and a girl with chestnut hair walked in.
"Hey girl!"
Said girl lifted her gaze, and a smile broke into her face. "Alya!" She put the notebook aside and put her feet to the floor, tapping at the space beside her. Said girl sat down next to Marinette.
"Did I interrupt your brainstorming?" she asked. Marinette shook her head.
"Nah, I was just doodling something."
"Can I see?"
"Of course!"
She opened the notebook on the page where she had drawn her last sketch and handed it to the other girl. Alya stared at the design in front of her, a smile growing on her lips.
"Girl, this is awesome! Simple, yet stylish at the same time. And it would totally suit you."
Marinette cocked her head, frowning lightly. "I don't know… it's a bit rough around the edges…"
"Then you give it a little bit of time, and you'll have yet another beautiful design. Courtesy of the upcoming number one designer of Paris. Your designs will be exposed on runaways of the most important shows, and your brand will be as known as Channel, Dolce & Gabbana or Agreste himself!"
She giggled. "If you say so, Alya."
"Of course I say so! Because I'll be the one who'll get to interview you. I will be the best journalist of Paris, after all."
"Aw, but why stick to Paris? Let's travel the world!"
"Fine by me!"
Both of girls burst out laughing, their giggles loud and chipper. They calmed down after a while, enjoying each other's company and the sunlight coming from outside.
"Mari, you know I love you, right?"
Marinette turned her head to look at Alya. "Yeah, why?"
"Nothing. I just wanted you to know. I'm just glad I met you a year ago and you let me be your friend, that's all. I never had someone I could laugh at stupid things on my other collège. You mean a lot to me."
"Alya…" She smiled to the girl. "I'm glad I met you too. And how could I not be your friend, after you defended me so fiercely against Chloe, no less! You're practically my hero."
"You're so adorable!" Alya went and hugged her tightly. "God, I love you, I love your designs, I love your home-made cookies, I even love your garden, Marinette! People of the world, forget about having my friend here, because she's all mine! We'll marry and adopt three kids and a hamster."
"Can we name them Hugo, Emma and Louis?"
"Whatever you wish, my dear."
Both girls giggled again. Suddenly, Alya's phone beeped and she reached for it, frowning at the screen. "Shoot. My mother needs me to babysit the little monsters. It seems our hand out has been cut short."
"I don't mind. Have fun with the kiddos!"
"Monsters, Marinette. They're monsters and they know it."
"I think they're sweet."
She threw her hands to the air, mocking exasperation. "Of course you do. Anyway, I've got to go now. Talk to you later!"
"Bye!"
Alya left the room, leaving Marinette alone in her room. She picked up her notebook and began another sketch this time of a dress. After five minutes or so, she stretched, making a tiny sound of contentment when she let her limbs fall.
"… Now I want some cookies. Damn, it, Alya."
She placed her notebook aside, the pencil falling on the floor. She didn't bother to pick it up before heading out of her room, leaving the other Marinette and Chat alone.
"… Hey, Marinette. Should I be jealous of Alya?" He smirked, but his smile fell a little when he saw the look on her face. Her mind was clearly somewhere else, and her brows were furrowed in concentration, almost as she was trying to solve the mysteries of the universe.
Her eyes snapped to him. "Chat… when has it been the last time we've eaten?"
She saw his face go from confusion to pensive. He cocked his head, and his pensive expression turned into a frowny one. He shook his head. "I… I don't remember. I don't think we've eaten since I started coming here."
Marinette stared to the floor, her face blank. They… they had never eaten together before. That meant she'd been… how many weeks? without eating, or drinking for that matter, a single thing. How was it possible? She didn't remember even having the craving to eat in a long time.
"Marinette? Are you okay?"
Her eyes snapped up at his concerned face. She put her hands behind her back so he couldn't see her hands shaking and smiled at him in reassurance, but she knew she wasn't fooling anyone.
"It's nothing. Let's keep going, okay?"
His eyes lingered on her face, searching for something, she wasn't sure of what specifically, though. She tried to seem as earnest as possible, trying her best not to freak out, and he nodded reluctantly. He reached for her hand hesitantly, and she placed her hand in his, trying her hardest to stop them from shaking so much.
When they reached the main floor, it was only to see her dark hair disappearing behind a closed door, and they followed her to the street.
An eerie feeling overcame her the moment she stepped out of the bakery. The once empty streets were now full of people, and Other Marinette made her way around effortlessly, soon putting a good amount of space between them.
"Come on, or we'll lose her," he urged, and she let him guide her.
Anxiety began pilling up inside her at every step they took, long forgotten memories finally coming back to her once empty mind. She remembered the joy she felt every time she got to help her mother at the shop when she was little, and how sweet the cookies were once they finished working.
She remembered the frustration she felt every time she wasn't able to stop Chloe and her bullying, and the anger she felt when she got scolded for protecting someone from the bratty girl.
She remembered how happy she'd been the day she met Alya and shared a macaron with her, and how happy she kept on making her when she was so supporting of her dreams, no matter how wild they were.
And she remembered that day too. It was a normal day like any other one. Her alarm had rung late, and she was running late for class. She was in the middle of her Terminale, and she wanted to end it without a remark for her lateness for once.
She turned left and crossed the street, barely avoiding a bike, which had made her stumble, but luckily, not fall. She sighed in relief and ran to the other sidewalk, ready to resume her running when she heard it.
Because of the big crowd crossing the street, a little boy had lost his grip from his mother's hand. he'd stumbled to the floor and scrapped his knees just at the same time the traffic lights changed. Suddenly, a car came from the right, going way faster that what was allowed, and it didn't slow down, even though the child was still kneeling down on the pavement. The driver possibly didn't see him, being in such a hurry.
But Other Marinette did.
Marinette's eyes widened as she remembered what happened then. Other Marinette turned around, and noticed both things. She dropped her bag to the floor.
"No, no, no, NO, NO!" Marinette screamed when she saw her other self rush to the kid, jumping to reach him on time.
She saw the car coming for them in slow motion, the driver finally realizing there was someone in his way and stepping on the break, but it was too late. Marinette's arms draped the child and she held him against her, turning so her body covered the kid from the impact.
Chat turned her around and pressed her head against his chest. "I don't think you should see this," he said, his voice rough.
But she still could hear it. She heard the collision, and it felt like it was her the one getting hit. She heard the screams of terror at the accident, and the door of the car opening, the driver sobbing. She heard the ambulance coming, and all of it made her feel sick.
Paris ceased to exist around them, black space surrounding them instead. They were the only thing that remained in her world. Marinette kept on crying against his shoulder, shaking violently. Chat kept on staring at the place where the other Marinette had been, flashes of blood still fresh in his mind. How he was holding on, he didn't know.
"Chat… I finally remembered. I remembered what happened that day. I-I'm-"
"No. I refuse to believe it. You're here, you're okay. You're okay," he repeated, almost trying to convince himself of that fact.
She observed their surroundings. "My world doesn't exist anymore. I don't even have my tablet with me. Where will I go now?"
"We'll find a place."
"Chat-"
"We'll find a place."
She shook her head. "There's no place for me anymore, and you and me both know that. You've seen what happened to me, and we both know it's time to go. But-" her voice wavered, losing the last of her strength keeping her together. "I-I don't want to go. I don't want to lose you."
He cradled her face in his hands, drying the tears that kept on falling from her eyes. His eyes were serious and misted, and she could see the tears he tried desperately to hold. He placed his forehead in hers, and she closed her eyes, feeling his warm touch in her skin for the last time. She opened her eyes again, and couldn't stifle her sob at his steely gaze.
"You won't lose me, you hear me?" He cleared her bangs from her eyes. "I will find you. I don't care if it takes me days, months or years. I don't care where or when, in this life or another, but I will find you. I promise."
She let herself believe his worlds, her face marred in sadness as she pleaded for a little more time to spend with him. "Chat… come find me. I-I need you with me."
And wasn't it a good dream? Thinking that he would find her wherever she went, even in the afterlife. She knew what he was capable of when he put his head on it, but that was a foolish fantasy. She could already feel how their time together was running short. The wind around them picked up, seemingly alive. Blasts of air tugged them back, trying to separate them. His hold on her tightened, and she chocked on a sob.
"You're the best thing that has happened to me, Marinette. No matter how hard my life was, seeing your smiling face every day made it worth it. Your kindness, your softness, your courage… everything about you has enchanted me since the first day I met you. Every day I felt myself falling for you deeper and deeper, to a point of no return. I love you."
At that, Marinette buried her head in his chest, her hands fisting his shirt and pulling him closer. Her tears dampened his T-shirt, but he didn't care.
"I love you too," she said against him, and she could feel his heartbeat speed up despite everything. She raised her head to look at him. "How couldn't I? I didn't know how alone I was until you came. You made me laugh, you made me want to be a better person, you made my days unique and full of life. I cherish every single memory of us two, and I'm glad you're the last person I see before I'm gone."
He shook his head, and buried his head softly on her shoulder. "Don't- don't say that. Don't say it like it's the last time we'll see each other."
The wind blew stronger between them. It was hard to hold onto each other now.
"I'm really glad we met, Chat."
He began crying at that. "Don't you dare give up, Marinette. Please."
She shook her head, and a smile came to her lips despite everything. She wanted him to remember her like this, smiling and happy, not with her face drenched in ugly tears. "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"What's your name?"
He was caught off-guard at the question, and chuckles burst from his lips without meaning it. He looked at her in the eye, a bitter smile on his lips. "My name is-"
A strong gust of wind swallowed his words. Marinette's eyes widened as she felt the strong tug, and grabbed at him desperately. She needed more time. Was it too much to have ten more seconds? There was so much she wanted to tell him, and so much she wanted him to tell her. How could have she possibly been so oblivious until then? Why had she taken everything around her for granted? She'd never felt more stupid in her life.
Now, as the only thing that connected them both was their hands, she couldn't stifle the scream of desperation, little by little, she felt their fingers slipping, despite their combined effort to stay together. Her mind felt like a broken record, muttering his name again, and again, and again.
She saw the fear in his eyes. Her desperation was mirrored in them, and beads of sweat dampened his forehead at the effort. His cat ears were against his head, and his tail whipped loudly at his back. She couldn't help but think he looked handsome like this.
Her hand slipped from his. He tried to lunge forward to grab her again, but only their fingertips touched. She was quickly falling, as there was nothing keeping her from doing it. She felt breathless, and there was a lump in her throat. She opened her mouth, but no sound came from it.
"MARINETTE!" he called for her, and his cry of anguish echoed in her ears. He was so far now, she could barely see his face. Her lips trembled as tears began falling again.
"Chat!"
It was no use. She couldn't see the blond boy anymore.
She let her hand drop and bawled her eyes out, screaming until her throat felt sore. This couldn't be the end! Why did she have to remember!? She didn't want any of this!
"Take me back!" she demanded to anyone that could hear her, "TAKE ME BACK TO HIM!"
It was useless. She kept shouting and crying until she felt numb. She was still falling, the dark void seemingly endless. She didn't have energy to fight anymore.
She knew that was her last minutes in here, but her thoughts were solely trained on him. Would he be alright? Would he remember her tomorrow, when she wouldn't be there to greet him? Or would he think this was all a dream, that she was only a part of it?
The space around her changed, going from the darkest of blacks to vibrant blues and greens, the sight calming her. All her doubts quietened down, and she let her eyes roam around.
He would remember her, just as she would remember him. Even if those memories made them sad, even when they realize they're lonely, and about to lose all hope, memories of them being together would make them stronger. Just as she hadn't been alone because of him, he wouldn't be alone because of the memory of her.
The current was too strong, and Marinette didn't try to fight it anymore. She understood it was the time to leave her world, to stop running away from her destiny. Come what may, she would take it with a smile on her face, and if it really was her end, well, she had lived a good life.
He had taught her this, after all. He'd shown her that it was okay to feel afraid, and that her fear could turn to courage if she was ready to protect her dear ones.
She let her eyes close, almost losing herself to the stream tugging her down. Her surroundings darkened, but her body falling didn't bother her anymore. She felt her eyes heavy, the space around her feeling warm just like his embrace. She smiled softly and closed her eyes, letting herself go. And just when she was about to lose all consciousness, she heard a door open.
I put it in AO3, but I forgot to mention it in Fanfiction; this story is based on Shelter, by Porter Robinson. Thanks to the guest that pointed it out to me ^^