Hello there, fellow miraculers! So, short story, this whole fanfic started out from a dream I had just this morning. It was a really sweet dream that I literally wished I hadn't woken up from but, thanks to my bladder, I had no choice but to. Anyways, this is going to be my first miraculous fanfic and I'm really excited for it. (I hope you are, too!)
this is an AU type of fanfic where there are no miraculouses and no kwamis and no superpowers or supervillains of any kind. however, this is gonna be a post war modern AU where I bunched up a whole lot of different cultures from different countries into one.
I HOPE ALL OF YOU'LL ENJOY!
Chapter 1
It all started with a mistake.
"Dear, can you buy the ingredients in this list from the mall please?" her mother called out from the kitchen.
Automatically grabbing her purse, Marinette stood up from her desk and went out of her room. She got the list and skimmed through it. "We're running out of yeast? How'd that happen?" she asked.
The Dupain-Cheng was a family of a long line of traditional bakers. In this modern time, it wasn't common for a bakery to be family-owned, much less in the premises of that family's home. However, because of their long history and great reputation as bakers, the business still flourished.
Sabine simply chuckled. "Your father's experimenting on new bread again and he's all but used up the yeast. Would you be a dear and buy some for him?"
Marinette smiled. "No problem," she said as she opened the door. "I'll be back in a few. Make sure to keep Dad hydrated, Mom." Sabine merely chuckled as she waved her daughter goodbye. Little did she know, it'd be the last time she'll be seeing her in a while.
New Paris was nothing but one word. Weird. After the war eighty years ago, almost all the countries involved were destroyed into nothing. France was one of the remaining few that survived. Because of this, survivors came and flocked to the country, especially to the former city of love. As a result, numerous types of cultures were adapted and new ones were made. New Paris then became a bustling and flourishing metropolis, totally different from its previous form.
As Marinette waited, she could see what the old people once called the beautiful mark of Paris – the Eiffel Tower. They say it used to be incredibly tall. Some said it used to reach the sky. But now it was nothing more than four metal stands forming a square. Now it was just a historical sight and figure.
Hailing a jeepney, a vehicle brought about by southeasterners seventy years ago, she rode it to her destination. It was a convenient and cheap public transport vehicle that a majority of the Parisians loved to use, especially after the subways were destroyed.
However, when the jeepney made a turn towards a different street, Marinette knew she rode the wrong one. Calling the driver to stop the jeepney, she went down, grumbling about how she had to make an extra pay and walk back to ride the correct one. You see, jeepneys had numbers and a letter on them that guide passengers on which route they would pass through. Unfortunately, instead of riding on a 14D jeepney which would lead her to the nearest mall, Marinette rode on a 14B.
"Ugh," she grumbled as she walked back. "Stupid letters. Now I don't have enough change to pay the next ride."
As she contemplated whether to just pay the driver with a full bill or use whatever quarters she had left, Marinette climbed into a 14D jeep. She sat on the edge, just right next to the entrance-exit way, especially since there were very few passengers on the ride.
"Crap, I don't have enough to make ten quarters," she mumbled to herself as she looked into her coin purse. "One, two… Nine? How lucky." She gave a sarcastic huff.
Then, to her surprise and utter shock, a hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere and dropped a quarter into her purse. She looked up to find a handsome, blonde boy sitting in front of her with a kind smile on his face.
"Now, it's ten," he simply said with a smile. It was the kind of smile that held no hidden meaning to it.
"Umm, I can't possibly—"
"It's fine, really," he said quickly. "I… I just wanted to help."
"But…"
The boy gave her a smile that told her to just accept it. He had the warmest green eyes. "Where to?" he asked nonchalantly to alleviate the awkward air.
"Oh! Er…" Marinette was literally at a loss for words.
For one, the boy was a complete stranger. But, two, he just helped her pay for her ride. And three, he was such a hot—
"T-The mall," she replied, embarrassed at her own thoughts.
Shit, Marinette, she then thought. You've got trust issues, remember? Why the heck would you tell a stranger where you're headed? Stupid, stupid, stu—
"Oh, really? Well, that's where I'll drop off, too," he said with a smile. After a while, he started to speak again. "Am I coming off as creepy for asking you?"
Marinette's eyes shot up to look at him. He had a faint blush on his cheeks and a troubled look on his face.
"Sorry, I hadn't meant—I just wanted to, er…" he stuttered, scratching the back of his head. "I don't… get to talk to strangers often and I… wanted to… give it a try." He looked away then, his face beet red.
Marinette made a blank face. Is he a kid or something?
Then, before she could control herself, a chuckle made its way out of her mouth. It only made the boy become redder. Seeing this, she did her best to control herself and stopped. The other passengers in the jeep were already looking at them like they were weird people.
"I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. "I didn't mean to laugh. It's just… Are you serious?"
The boy heaved a long sigh, relieving himself of some of the embarrassment. Looking back at her, he gave Marinette a doubtful look before facing her fully again. "Yeah. It's just… I'm more used to having people talk to me first. I wanted to try doing the talking first."
Marinette smiled at his sincerity. This boy's not a bad person. "You must be quite popular, then," she spoke. "What with having people do the talking first."
The boy blushed. "No, I don't think I am. It's just…" He struggled to find words. Marinette chuckled. He looked so cute.
Before the boy could reply, a sight caught Marinette's eyes.
"A water park?" she gasped as the attraction passed by them. She saw tall and swirling slides just inside the protection of tall barbed fences. "And just by the high way, too. How long has it been since I came to this side of town?" she mumbled.
The boy hummed. "Oh right, they built that place to attract more tourists to the North. So far, it's working."
New Paris was actually not as big as the former Paris. Over the years, its territories expanded to accommodate the growing population. Currently, it was on its way to becoming the New London as the political leaders were planning to just merge the whole area into one big city-country. Thus, each territory was divided into five sections. The North, South, East, West and Central section. Marinette currently lived by the border of the Central and North section but she and her family were considered as Northerners.
Because the Central's marketplace was nearer to where they lived, they usually bought their materials and other needs there rather than in the North. However, today was a special day. Since her father was busy, no one could drive her to the Central and there were no available, cheap public transportations that directly went to the Central. So she settled going to the North.
"I see," she said. "I don't usually come to the North so the current news around here are quite, well, new to me."
The boy chuckled. "That's fine. The water park is just an example that shows the North's mayor is really doing his job right," he said. "You should come by more often. It's getting livelier here."
Marinette smiled, noticing the way he avoided asking her where she's from. "Sure."
"Ah, there it is," the boy suddenly said as he pointed at the mall.
After the both of them were dropped off, they stood together for a moment before facing each other.
"Well, I guess this is it, Mr. Stranger," Marinette said. "Thanks for making the ride worthwhile."
The boy grinned. "It's Adrien, by the way," he said. "And likewise, Miss Stranger." They both laughed.
"It's Marinette. Thanks for helping me out back there. Well, see you around, Adrien," she said as she turned towards the mall entrance.
They waved to each other their goodbyes before Marinette fully turned around and walked towards the entrance. However, it didn't take her six steps before she felt a figure beside her. She looked up and her eyes widened to see Adrien again. Only this time, he didn't look as cheery as before.
"Adrien? What are you—"
"Hush," he spoke as he glanced back. "I'm being followed."
"You're being what?"
"I said hush," he said, giving her a tight smile before facing forward again. "Can you help out a friend for a sec?"
"Friend? We haven't even—"
"Yeah, I know, but I'm just," he paused then glanced back again. "In big trouble right now. You see, I'm not supposed to be outside right now so there are guards chasing after me now. They don't want to make it obvious though since it might cause mass panic."
"Wait, just a wait a moment," Marinette demanded but Adrien was strong and pulled her with him as he brisk walked.
"I'm sorry. I can't wait, at the moment," Adrien said. "I'm sorry for pulling you into this."
Marinette chanced a glance behind her and, sure enough, there were some nasty goon-looking men behind them. Their eyes looking straight at her. They were walking behind some people but they were surely following them. Following Adrien.
When she looked front again, she gripped onto Adrien's arm in fear. "Just who are you, Adrien?" she asked.
Adrien sighed. "Can I say it's a secret?"
Marinette glared up at him. "You pull me into this without even telling me the rea—ah!"
Before she could finish, Adrien pulled her into a swift turn to the right, just before they could enter the mall, into an alleyway. "Run!" he yelled and pulled her into a mad dash.
"Adrien, wai—!"
As they ran, Marinette glanced behind her and saw two huge men chasing after them. Fortunately, that fueled her to run even faster, scaring the wits out of her.
What had I gotten myself into?! If only I didn't take the wrong jeep, I might have bought the yeast and come back safely home by now. Instead, I'm running down an alley, chased by two big, scary-looking men, because of a complete stranger who forcefully got me into this mess! What an unlucky day!
When they exited the alley, they were met with a huge crowd and lots of food produce stalls. They emerged into a marketplace.
"Quickly, here!" Adrien said as he pulled her into a building. They climbed up in a dimly lit, narrow staircase which led to a single door.
Adrien opened that door, pulling Marinette in, and immediately slamming the door shut. Panting harshly, Adrien let his hands slip down the door with a confused and equally tired Marinette behind him.
She looked around the room they were in and found that they were inside a shoe shop. An uninterested shopkeeper was sitting behind a desk as she filed her nails. The shopkeeper didn't even bother looking up. On one side of the store was a window that seemed to overlook a... a dance hall! Marinette walked over and saw men and women in weird clothing dancing and playing instruments. She's seen this dance before. It was a cultural dance but she forgot whose culture it was.
"Coast is clear," Adrien stated as he breathed in relief. Then he turned to find the girl he pulled along standing beside the window. He smiled and walked over.
Totally forgetting about what just happened, Marinette watched on as the dance ensued. She was mesmerized by it all. It's not like it was the first time she watched cultural dances. It's just the one she was currently watching was obviously performed by professionals who knew what they were doing. The whole routine looked so clean and -
"You like dancing?"
At the sudden voice, she jumped in fright and looked to her right. "Y-yeah, kind of," she breathlessly spoke. Then realization dawned on her and her mood immediately plummeted.
Without warning, she punched Adrien's arm, earning her a wince but she ignored it. "You kidnapping-"
"Now, hold on a minute. I did not kid-"
"-dangerous-"
"I am definitely not-"
"-inconsiderate-"
"Okay, maybe I am but-"
"-stranger!"
"Hey now, I thought we established our relationship already. Aren't we friends?"
Marinette scoffed. "Friends? We just met!" she argued. "On a jeep, no less. And friends don't kidnap other friends!"
Adrien sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry," he apologized genuinely, head low and voice repentant. "It's just, I didn't think I could do it alone. I needed help."
"Help from what? You won't even tell me why we had to run away. You said they were your guards yet why run away from them?" Marinette folded her arms. She didn't like how this boy pushed her over. He might have seemed nice then but he totally didn't now.
Adrien could sigh once more. "Fine. It's only fair to tell you."
Marinette waited as the blonde sorted out his thoughts. After a while, he looked up at her and offered his hand.
"What's this?" she asked.
"I know you possibly couldn't trust me after all that," he began. "But to better understand what I'm about to tell you, you need to come with me somewhere. Don't worry, it'll be safe and there won't be any scary guards chasing us this time. Please?"
Marinette looked down at the hand held out to her. She particularly took notice of the silver ring on one of his fingers. It looked expensive looking. She looked back up at the boy with the same warm green eyes. He might have been forceful and reckless and inconsiderate, but he was a pure and kind boy, at the very least. He was probably some rich kid, too, with some overprotective parent hiding somewhere. Sighing, Marinette took his hand with one of her own.
"Lead the way."
