Disclaimer: I don't own My Next Life As A Villainess, nor do I own the strawberry and cherry dresses designed by Lirika Matoshi that inspired this fic into existence.
This is kind-of a drabble-ish oneshot, and much shorter than what I usually write fanfic-wise. However, I do hope all of you enjoy reading it! This is also the first fic I've written for the My Next Life As A Villainess fandom, so I hope I did Catarina and Maria justice here.
Warning: Takes place post-Season 2 and follows the anime adaptation (though there are very few if any spoilers mentioned), and all the onesided everyonexCatarina is mentioned.
Strawberries And Cherries
Summary: Maria Campbell and Catarina Claes go shopping and find a pair of beautiful dresses, perfect for an upcoming party.
"Maria! Look!"
When Maria Campbell turned her head, looking in the direction Catarina pointed, her eyes widened.
Two ruffled dresses stood in the store window, side by side. One was patterned with cherries with a light blue background, while the other had strawberry patterns with a light pink background. Both were structured the exact same otherwise, however, with flowing skirts and ruffles, and the short sleeves had a nice puff to them.
"They're perfect," Maria found herself breathing, just before Catarina pulled her into the store.
"Then let's go! They'll be great for the upcoming party!"
Ah, right, the party! Maria almost forgot – since she and Catarina were part of the Magic Ministry, it also meant that they got invited to many more formal events. It was hard enough keeping up with the social conventions of studying at the Academy together but working at the Magic Ministry involved even more social events. Maria had barely been to any extravagant parties before her time at the Academy, considering her status, but she knew that with her new position, that would all change.
It was overwhelming at times – being at all these social engagements, seeing half the people there look down on her because she came from a poorer background, while the other half continued seeing her as the special light magic user that she was. But being by Catarina's side made it so much easier.
And wearing a pair of dresses perfectly suited for them would be nice, too.
"Excuse me? Can we try on the two dresses in the window?" Catarina asked the shopkeeper, eyes wide and eager to try it on. It was so endearing, watching Catarina be so excited about the little things – heck, even after graduating the Academy, she continued farming! Most nobles would've looked down on such an activity as a hobby, but Catarina adored it. Appreciated it.
The shopkeeper was surprised to see Catarina Claes of all people asking about it, but she complied. Soon enough, the two dresses were brought to Maria and Catarina to see up-close – and they looked even better than they did in the window.
"I think these should fit both of us." Catarina mused, as Maria ran her hands across the soft fabric of the gown. "Want to try them on?"
"Yes." Maria smiled, looking towards her. "Which one do you want to try on? The cherry one?"
She nodded, blue eyes brightening. "Oh, yeah, I was definitely thinking of the cherry one. And I think the strawberry one would suit you, Maria! You should try it on too!"
Both women were ushered to changing rooms in the back of the shop, the owner clearly excited to have two well-known employees of the Magic Ministry trying on her wares. Maria was surprised by how easy it was to put on – and it really was as comfortable as it looked, too! She twirled once, then twice, then regretted twirling twice in one go, almost falling over entirely.
Thankfully, she caught her balance.
"Maria?" It was Catarina calling from outside Maria's changing stall. "Are you done yet? Need any help?"
"Oh! No, I'm okay. I'll step out now!"
Deep breaths, Maria. She did her best to fix her hair, before stepping out.
She heard Catarina gasp, saw her eyes widen – were those little hearts in her eyes, or was Maria just imagining it?
"You look beautiful," Catarina gushed, and Maria's face flushed at the praise.
"Catarina," Maria's eyes swept over the blue of Catarina's dress, the adorable cherry patterns included, "You look beautiful, too."
Catarina smiled and twirled a few times in the gown, the fabric smoothly moving along with her. A giggle left her as she took Maria's hands in hers, and Maria felt her heart flutter, skip a few beats. "Thanks, Maria! We should wear these for the upcoming party – we'll be a matching pair! What do you think?"
"A matching pair?" Maria liked the sound of that. Some small part of her craved a little victory against everyone else vying for Catarina's heart – Mary and Sophia would be jealous that Maria and Catarina wore matching dresses, for sure. And it would give a statement to at least most if not all the men that she and Catarina would make a great pair – and a great-looking one, too.
"That would be lovely." Maria finally stated, looking Catarina in the eyes, squeezing her hands. A giggle left her as she imagined everyone else's shocked faces, while Catarina smiled and stood by her side, both of them wearing the matching dresses. "I look forward to it!"