She was fifteen when she was reaped, her whole life threatening to blow up in her face. She was fifteen when she had been forced to be separated from her family and friends to be sent somewhere with no assurance that she would be back. She was fifteen when she arrived at a strange land full of color and light. She was fifteen when she met 'the guy of her dreams'. She was fifteen when she fell in love with him. She was fifteen when she had to pronounce herself dead. She was fifteen when her whole life spiralled downwards, having to be a part of a big mission against the most powerful force in all of Panem.
No that was not in a span of a year. More like three months tops.
She was fifteen when she became a mother to a little blond boy who was the spitting image of the man who started all of this nonsense. If it was not for him then maybe the president's daughter would not be looking for her. She should have known. He was trouble in their first meeting, he was trouble until the last.
"What's the baby's name?" Tikki asked as Marinette stared at the boy in her arms
The baby was looking at her with all of the curiosity in the world. He looked so innocent, so pure. And moreover, he looked like he did not belong in such a district. He belonged at the Capitol, she knew that. But this child was going to be her pawn. She just had to keep him.
"Louis Agreste." She answered, using a finger to play with the small tuft of blond hair on the baby's head, "This baby's going to be useful, isn't he?"
"Very." Tikki answered, "And now that Adrien knew that you have a child,"
Marinette turned to the woman, "What do you mean he knows?"
"Plagg told him. But don't worry. Everyone knows you're dead." Tikki responded, "We're not going to let anyone know that you're here. In the meantime, you have to find your own way to the Capitol."
Marinette frowned and turned to her child, "That's impossible, Tikki. You know that."
"Yeah but so was winning the Games." Tikki pointed out
"I couldn't have won without Adrien's help. You know that. If I didn't have materials and such, I wouldn't have lived." She replied, "And besides, when almost everyone in the arena is putting their lives on the line to save you, then I'm pretty sure you're going to live."
Tikki sighed, "Look, do you want your child to grow up the same way as you did? To be nervous every year because you're going to be reaped? To be scared of the Peacekeepers?"
"No." She grumbled, pulling the baby close, "I had a hard nine months but no."
"Then that's what other mothers feel." Tikki continued, "Trust me, Adrien wants you back. You two are legally married, use that in your favor. If he gets married to Chloé, then their marriage will be void. Everything's going according to your favor, are you not going to try and end the Games?"
"I'll try." She answered, "But this is only because of my child. Nothing else."
She was sixteen, when her child was nearly one year old, when they were all called to the square. It was the forty third Hunger Games and her name was in there five times. They could use the tesserae. She was lined up with the other sixteen year olds, only she had a baby with her who was playing with her now black pigtails.
"No siblings." A Peacekeeper told her
"No, he's my son. We don't have any other family member." Marinette explained, "I'm Marietta Agreste. Maybe the mayor said something?"
The Peacekeeper nodded, letting her proceed to the square. She waited with the others, trying to calm the baby in her arms who was obviously started getting irritated with the heat.
"Welcome!" And the 'festivities' started
As usual, the mayor gave a speech, a video of President Bourgeois was shown saying the exact same words as that for last year, and the colorful woman in front.
"Ladies first." The woman said as walked over to the bowl of the women
She went back to the center and read, "Marietta Agreste."
Marinette's eyes widened. Marietta Agreste. That was her. She tensed up and held on tightly to her son.
"No." She whispered, "This can't be happening again."
Everyone kept quiet as she trudged to the front and up the stage. She was shaking and as soon as she was on the stage, her legs gave in.
She kissed her son's forehead, tears streaming down her face, "I'm going to win this for you."
The mayor helped her up and wiped her tears.
"It's okay, darling." The woman whispered to her, "It's okay."
Marinette nodded, clutching her child tightly as she faced the crowd.
"Please volunteer for me." She murmured, eyes closed
No. Not again. Now she wanted anyone to volunteer for her. Anyone just anyone. The male tribute was called and they were presented to their district.
Marinette turned to her new escort, "I don't want to go to the Capitol. Please."
"Darling, I can't do anything about it. I'm sorry." The escort replied
"Help me! Please! Someone just please volunteer!" She yelled at the microphone, her voice echoing at the open area
A girl her age raised her arm and ran to the middle.
"I volunteer as tribute!" She said
There was a loud "No!" that was heard from the crowd of parents but the girl was already up at the stage. Marinette gave the girl a tight hug.
"Thank you." She whispered
"I was sent by Tikki. I'll be safe." The girl whispered back
Marinette got down from the stage, not wanting to remember the horrifying event anymore, and rushed back to go home.
Three weeks later, District 8 had a Victor.
With every move Marinette made, she felt like it was watched. It always felt like she was being monitored. Maybe it was true. It had taken a long time to grow her hair and turn it back to black, the blue gone as if it was never there in the first place. Louis was not much of a handful. She did not have a hard time taking care of him because the boy was just quiet and never actually bothered her. She felt sad for the baby, him being robbed of the glamorous life he was supposed to be living.
The forty fourth Hunger Games came in soon after. She was a new and fresh designer and seamstress who was starting her own little shop in two weeks time. Louis, now two, was a delightful child to be around. And that was when she had noticed that he was so much of Adrien that she might possibly not pass as his mother. He was everything Marinette knew of Adrien, which was to a certain extent but there were things that Louis got from his mother such as the passion for clothing, seeing as he was growing up at the district of textiles.
"Louis, let's go, mon cher." She offered her hand to the little boy
Louis raised his arms and Marinette carried him. She was, of course, still nervous. If her name had been picked for two times in a row, who was to say that she would not get a third chance this year? She was let in to the square with Louis and the reaping commenced. Thankfully this year, she was lucky to be saved from the reaping. One more year then she was out of the bowl but that also meant that she would not get her share of tesserae anymore. She did not know if it was a blessing or a curse because there were days that they had a shortage on food. After all, she grew at the merchants, not at the seams.
She was eighteen when her business started booming. People from the Capitol were slowly starting to recognize her work and the Victors or tributes would sometimes ask her to create their dresses and gowns. She could give Louis of what very little priviledge and luxury she could. At least they were not as poverty stricken when they first got there.
Louis, now a three year old, was still allowed to go in the square for the final reaping his mother would take part in. He walked with her and she carried her once it was starting to get crowded.
Marinette was eighteen when she never thought she would hear her pseudonym through that microphone once more.
Her whole world stopped. Just when she was starting to recover from the results of the Games, she was going to be sent again.
I can't do this. I can't leave Louis. I can't leave the shop. Adrien will see me-.
"I volunteer as tribute!" The eighteen year old next to her looked at her
The people were pleased, another volunteer for the name of Marietta Agreste. Dang that girl was lucky.
•••
Adrien was eighteen when he was forced to stand in front so many people. He was eighteen when he was forced to put on a pure white suit with a yellow tie despite him wanting to wear a black suit for mourning and a red tie for the memory of his departed beloved. He was eighteen when he heard the signal of the bride coming in the room. He was eighteen when he was forced to watch Chloé Bourgeois march down the aisle, wearing an extravagant light yellow gown.
He was eighteen when his father deemed him ready to have his own family. He was eighteen when Tikki and Plagg said that they would not interfere with his life anymore. He was eighteen when his life started falling to pieces. He was eighteen when he remembered that promise he made to the only girl he ever loved. That when he was eighteen they would get married and be happy together.
But he was eighteen. Not one promise was kept. Everything destroyed. Nothing going according to his plans.
"We are all gathered here together to witness the union between Adrien Agreste and Chloé Bourgeois."
Adrien turned to the man next to him and the black haired man turned away.
Just say something to me, Plagg.
"If this union should not happen, speak now."
Marinette please be here.
Every agonizing second killed him. He felt like he died when the preacher continued. He wanted nothing but to burst crying in his room and mourn for his love. Why was he even doing this? He should have left a long time ago and go to 12 like he promised he would. But promises were meant to be broken and he was just another worthless piece of liar in a world full of sins.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Marinette please.
He turned to Tikki and Plagg who were all so quiet, looking at anything besides him and Chloé. Oh that was right. He was married now. They could not interfere with a married man's decision.
Their kiss was short, ended as soon as it started, but Adrien could not wipe the memory of it. He could still feel Marinette's soft lips against his. So loving and caring and dang it, he would give everything to have her again.
Everyone started cheering and it was the first time Tikki and Plagg looked at him. He forced a smile on his face but he knew that it was going to break soon. It did so easily. It was so hard to keep the act up, how was he going to last the rest of his life?
"Congratulations." Plagg told him, face and voice void of emotion
"Plagg you know that I-."
"I know." He interrupted as he saw Chloé linking her arm with the blond's
He was dragged out of the room and to the reception.
He was eighteen when nothing felt right.
And she was eighteen when she figured it all out.
All the things she did not know at fifteen. Everything came pouring down. He never loved her. He lied. She was fifteen and foolish. She gave everything to him and nothing was gotten in return.
But she was eighteen now. Everything had changed. She was eighteen and she was going to get revenge.