Marinette sat at the cozy café for only a few minutes before she could see the familiar face she hadn't seen in such a long time. Kagami Tsurugi managed a wave before she came to the outdoor seating area. On the table in front of her seat was a to-go cup, waiting for her. Some steam was still visible and she was relieved that even though she was late, her friend was still here and her drink still warm.
It was early fall, and the temperature wasn't the warmest, but remained to be a pleasant temperament to be out in. Marinette was wearing a lovely pale yellow knit sweater and a pair of black jeans. Her hair let down, and a slight wave to it. She looked beautiful, and it impressed Kagami. Marinette looked as if her experience with divorce emotionally was the opposite to Kagami's.
Both young women had gotten in touch when Marinette heard through her ex-husband, Adrien, that his cousin, Felix's own marriage didn't last and she too was getting divorced. Somehow Marinette seemed to be unaffected by the separation.
Felix and Kagami simply realized they'd married far too young, and changed too much in their late twenties. Neither were the same person, and they just weren't what the other wanted any longer. There'd been no yelling or blame. But there were tears. At least on Kagami's end. If Felix had, he'd done so in private.
The pressure from her mother to marry, and her younger self, thought she found what she'd been looking for. The failure of what she thought was the first decision she made in her life her mother couldn't control was crushing. Yet somehow, her friend was here, looking beautiful as always, smiling brightly and excited to see her.
Mrs. Tsurugi had all but disowned Kagami, and this was a welcomed sight. She managed the smallest of smiles and took a drink from her cup, enjoying the way the warm liquid tasted and warmed her as she swallowed.
"How are you doing today?" Marinette asked. Her face was still filled with joy and pep.
"Oh? Well, just fine," Kagami answered. "I just moved into my own place last weekend. It's been a slow process of unpacking."
"I understand," Marinette explained. "But that's already so much better than me. I moved from our place, back to my parents' place. Moving back into that teenager's fantasyland with my youthful husband's face everywhere was…interesting to say the least."
Kagami couldn't believe for a second that Marinette truly believed her to be in a better state. The young woman before her looked simply happy to be here. "It must have been at least a relief to take them down and pack them away."
Marinette chuckled and leaned her face in her hand as she looked off into space for a moment. "It brought back happier times. Things were so much simpler back then."
"You seem happier," Kagami stated. "I know I'll be happier, but somehow, I'm still depressed."
Marinette looked at Kagami, and caught her dark amber eyes, and smiled, though this time, Kagami noticed a far sadder expression this time. "I started therapy. My therapist told me it's called mourning. Grieving the relationship I thought I had and wanted. Adrien was a perfectly lovely husband, but it came to be a lot to deal with his past trauma. I mean with his father in prison with a life sentence, and struggling to keep the Agreste brand alive after what Gabriel did, it still went bankrupt and him simply just not knowing what to do with his life, it became too much for me to shoulder. I'm just lucky that he understood that and told me this was a journey better by himself. He's in therapy too. I'm happy. It was overdo."
Marinette sighed, and her face twisted into sadness. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I took over the conversation. I'm just saying that it's normal to be depressed, even if you two mutually decided this was for the best."
Kagami was surprised by Marinette's confession. The fashion designer had remained tightlipped about the reasons for the divorce. Kagami assumed at one point perhaps Adrien became unavailable, like when they dated briefly, but Kagami failed to really think about what Adrien had possibly gone through since his father was arrested.
"So, you two are good, then?" Kagami asked.
Marinette nodded. "We send a few texts a week. Mainly after our sessions to check up on the other. We managed a hug last week without one of us crying."
Kagami laughed nervously. "Last time I saw Felix, we were with my mother, meeting with our lawyers. She raised her voice at me, but Felix stood up for me. I had a quick cry in the bathroom."
Marinette understood and offered a sympathetic smile. "It's all fresher for you. Give it time."
Kagami wished that were true. And even as Marinette gently placed a hand on top of Kagami's, she truly hoped it would be someday.
A month later
Kagami folded down the last of her boxes, and finally looked around, triumph of completing unpacking. It became such a painfully hard chore, and she didn't want to do it at all when she returned home from her office job. Luckily for her, Marinette offered to help. The two young women had spent the better part of the day going through the boxes, finding places for all the little things, and rearranging based on Marinette's excellent taste in design.
Still, Marinette closed up her boutique and came to help without a complaint or concern for anything else. Kagami managed a smile when she turned to Marinette, who was using twine to tie the boxes together for easier recycling. "It looks amazing," Marinette complimented.
Kagami wouldn't say amazing, but it was incredible to have such a taunting chore finally over and done with. "I am happy it's done."
"Great!" Marinette cheered. "I can order the traditional food then."
"Huh?" Kagami asked. "I haven't heard of this tradition."
Marinette laughed. "Pizza and beer, but I suspect that wine would be a better fit tonight. We can hang on the couch, eat and drink our fill while we talk about our deepest feelings. You know, girl talk."
"I'd never been allowed to go out and have a girl talk," Kagami confessed. "And after I got married, life got in the way."
"Better now rather than never," Marinette offered. She was already clicking and scrolling through her phone, looking for a place to order from. "I know a great place that makes authentic Italian stone oven pizzas and will also send wine."
"That sounds amazing," Kagami replied. She took a seat on the couch and looked at her friend, who remained focused on the phone, but still found herself at the other end of the couch.
After several minutes, Marinette made an excited jester before she put her phone down on the armrest and turned to Kagami. "Order is in."
"I couldn't have done this without you," Kagami blurted out.
"Sometimes we need help," Marinette shrugged. "You helped me out as a teenager much more than you'd ever know."
Kagami felt some pride as she thought back to the unlikely friendship they formed. Both girls had been interested in the same boy at one point. They could've been enemies, but they found a middle ground and formed a friendship. Some may say an unlikely one, but Kagami found peace in the friendship. Still, some sadness remained present and Kagami was frightened by the unknown. Somehow, Marinette flourished during that time, and overcame everything thrown her way. She found herself jealous of Marinette, but far more proud to be her friend than anything else.
There was a time that Kagami wished she could've been the baker's daughter. She had loving parents, the boy of her dreams tripping over himself to be with her, and so many friends. It took Kagami time to realize it was better described as admiration. Sitting here now and looking at the young woman, a warmness formed in her chest. There was nowhere else she'd rather be right now.
New Year's Eve
Kagami experienced a nervousness about leaving her bedroom and show the outfit she'd put on. When both young women agreed they'd go out New Year's Eve together to a club to ring in a new beginning for them, Kagami thought she'd put on one outfit that she already owned. She hadn't expected Marinette to show up with a dress that she'd designed especially for Kagami with that night in mind.
Raised rather conservative, the low cut dress seemed far too low, exposing her breasts. A sweetheart neckline, moved across her chest, and a built-in support for her girls, gave the illusion of her owning far bigger breasts than she actually did. The off shoulder dress was white, and had long sleeves, and the dress length traveled to her ankles, but it featured a slit that went almost entirely up her leg. The material flowed softly as she walked and it fit perfectly, despite Marinette never measuring her before.
"Let me seeeeee," Marinette begged.
Kagami glanced over to her vanity table's large mirror and looked at herself again. An almost different woman stared back at her. A new style of make up, and her hair style brushed off, showing off her face and its natural shape far more sharply.
"O-okay," Kagami stated.
She turned her door knob and exited into the hallway, and peeked down to see Marinette standing there in the beautiful midnight blue dress she'd designed for herself. It was cut even lower, and it had sleeves that split open and flowed around like large flower petals in the wind. The length cut off around her knees, showing off her muscular legs and beautiful stilettos. She looked stunning. Her makeup was sharp, dark and made Marinette seem a little dangerous, despite her tiny stature.
"You look gorgeous," Marinette gushed. "I knew that a flowy, but elegant dress would be best on you."
"Do you think so?" Kagami asked.
"Hell yeah," Marinette affirmed. She was already grabbing their jackets and evening clutches. Kagami took her jacket and put it on and smiled warmly at her friend. As of late, Kagami admired the designer far more than she had before. That familiar sensation from her youth returned, and seeing Marinette once a week had become the highlight. Every smile that was shared or offered made her stomach bounce around, and every touch made her feel like she'd jump out of her skin.
It's become a constant but also a very confusing sensation and Kagami had no way of knowing why it happened, or when exactly. It was only a few short months ago that she realized that she'd looked at her friend in a similar way as she'd done as a teenager.
Admiration? Sure. But that couldn't be it either. There'd been far too much of that over the years to have suddenly changed now.
Friendship? Well, that wasn't exactly a feeling, or anything new. So, scratch that.
Marinette took Kagami's hand in hers and guided her to the door. There was that warmth again, and now a spark. Still no words.
Even as they left and headed out for this club, Kagami attempted to gather her thoughts, but she found herself equally distracted by Marinette, who spoke about some designs she'd come up with for her spring line. Kagami was just as interested in this conversation. And it continued this way until they arrived.
Marinette, ever charming and stunning, helped cut the wait in line by several hours, she was sure. It certainly helped that her face was equally famous as her ex-husband's, simply because they were once married. Still, Marinette seemed to have no issues with her connection to her ex.
When inside, the club was loud, but it wasn't as dark and flashy as she'd expected. In fact, the warm-colored lights gave the club a dark but welcoming enviroment. The music played and featured live performers. But what Kagami found most surprising made the club so loud, was simply all the people talking. Everyone talked so loudly, and cheerfully. Clearly, the drinks were flowing and people had let their guards down.
A stop at the coat check, and they were inside. Marinette took Kagami's hand once again, and she experienced that warm feeling she knew. She smiled and followed her friend into the club, heading towards the bar.
Marinette ordered two glasses of the house wine and returned with a proud smile. "Come," Marinette said. "They have some really great seating. We can enjoy our wine before trying some dancing."
"D-Dancing?" Kagami asked, unsure. "I didn't realize we'd be dancing."
Marinette laughed, but Kagami sensed its joy and recognized it as far from a mocking laugh. "Of course we are. It's a club, after all. This one becomes far fancier than usual for New Years. So enjoy it."
Truthfully, Kagami hadn't danced since her wedding nearly six years ago. And it'd been awkward, and all she remembered were the eyes on her. She'd been unable to focus on what should have been a beautiful moment.
The women sat together, the little couch they were on, faced out towards the dance floor. There were many people. A few groups of women dancing together, also couples, but entirely a sight of just people enjoying their evening.
Kagami was intimidated just watching them, but took a long drink from her glass, hoping it would offer her temporary courage. Still, her eyes glanced over to Marinette, who was happily sipping her wine, and looked out to the dance floor. She had a dreamy expression on her face. Kagami found herself envious again that she couldn't be more like Marinette, who seemed to have it all perfectly together. Kagami couldn't help but sigh. Even in the loud club, this caught her friend's attention, and Marinette turned to Kagami.
"You alright?" Marinette asked.
Kagami wanted to be honest with Marinette. "I'm still struggling with everything. And I look at how you've done so much better and I wonder if I will ever be like you."
Marinette frowned and released a saddened sigh. Her hands with her wine glass lowered to her lap and her shoulders hunched. "Don't hold me to a higher standard. I really just put on a good show. Always have, really."
Kagami turned to Marinette and looked surprised. "But you always seem so put together. You made these beautiful gowns."
"In reality, Kagami, I've been struggling, just as much as you, I suspect. Some days I've been too depressed to get out of bed. I haven't been able to really design anything new in a while. I've been reusing older designs and changing them up. Inspiration from these gowns…they only came because I thought about having a fun night out with my friend. The only friend who truly knows what I am going through."
Kagami's mouth hung open. "I inspired you?"
Marinette turned her body towards Kagami and nodded, a smile present. "I haven't enjoyed making something for someone in so long. All I could think about was the fun I was going to have with you."
Kagami's eyes widened, but her mouth dropped open when Marinette reached over and took Kagami's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. "I wanted tonight to be truly special, to thank you for keeping me in one piece the last few months."
Kagami's face became fiery red, but she still smiled, feeling a sense of purpose, and relief swiftly moved through her. Marinette brought her glass of wine to her lips, and with a swig, drank back the last of her wine before she put the cup on the little table in front of them. Kagami laughed a little and brought her up to her lip, and did the same.
Marinette stood up, still holding Kagami's hand. "Now, I wanna dance. Please tell me you will."
Kagami didn't know what else to say, but she nodded and followed Marinette, who guided her to the dance floor. They came to a stop near the edge of the dance floor, where there was some space from the others. Kagami prepared herself to do some dancing when she froze, realizing that the music considerably slowed down. A glance around made her realize that the surrounding others either began dancing in slow rhythms or couples joined in slow, gentle movements.
"Oh, we could go sit down," Kagami suggested.
Marinette smiled. "Actually, I was hoping to share a dance with you. A slow one, that is."
Marinette offered her hand again. Kagami's heart raced in her chest as she looked at the extended hand and wondered if she should take it or not. She thought about saying no, but she knew deep down she wanted to. And so, their hands joined again, and gently, Marinette stepped forward, and put her hand on Kagami's waist, and this left Kagami with the only free place for her own on Marinette's shoulders. Marinette took the lead, and they moved around in gentle little circles.
Kagami was brought back to the day of her wedding. Her new husband looked handsome, and so happy to be there, his arms around her just as Marinette's were now. Only he towered over her, and she could barely focus on the man she was supposed to be spending her life with. So many eyes were on her, and all she could think about was if her mother was proud of her. If people were happy for them, or secretly taking bets on how long they'd last.
There were so many people around now, but Marinette was right here and in front of her. A smile on her lips, and an expression so soft and welcoming it would've been impossible for Kagami to look anywhere else even if she tried. The designer was right in front of her, almost at eye level. And even if the entire club was checking out the two women slow dancing, Kagami hadn't noticed. She felt safe here, like nothing else mattered. She found herself drawn to Marinette, and her hand moved to her neck, which made her move closer to Marinette. Her friend noticed, and for a moment, Kagami wondered if she was too close. To her relief, Marinette offered a glad sigh, and Marinette's hand move from her waist, and to the small of her back, gently pulling Kagami forward.
Their bodies were almost flush against the other, but it didn't matter. Just the soft music from the live band, and the little bubble they'd formed, was all that mattered. Kagami smiled, glad that Marinette invited her out, and how relaxed and happy she was.
"Thank you, Marinette," Kagami offered. "I never would've gone out like this otherwise."
Marinette shook her head. "If you hadn't said yes, I would have been at home, depressed and lonely. There is nowhere and nobody else I'd rather be with tonight."
Kagami almost became overwhelmed as her heart swelled and thumped across her chest. Her eyes became a little glassy, but she could hold it back as she looked at her friend. "Same. I'd never want to be here with anyone but you."
The two young women shared a gleeful smile before the two stopped their dancing, and their arms wrapped around the other in a tight embrace, squeezing tightly. Kagami knew this time her feelings weren't jealousy or even admiration. She understood that this was simply her being pulled towards the one constant in her life these years. A friend she knew she'd been able to depend on. Non-judgemental, caring, passionate, and Kagami thought to herself, 'Maybe something more.'