Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Sabine and Tom’s eyes widened in shock, it wouldn’t have been surprised if they had drop the things in their hands. Elbow-length straight noir hair that drops over her shoulders and turquoise eyes that glistened under the light, a girl, no older than 12, is applying for a job at their bakery.

Awkward silence hung around until.. “W-Why are you working at this age? We can’t hire anyone under 16,” Sabine broke that silence.

“Are you sure you can’t hire me? I’m in immense need of money right now,” Marinette’s face drooped down. It wasn’t as though she couldn’t use her brother’s money, but the sense of guilt that lingered made it hard for her to even touch that stack.

“Do you have parents?” Tom questioned with concern squiggled all over his face. The couple looked at the girl with pitiful eyes as she shook her head.

“I’ll let you work here under one condition,” it seems Sabine has already decided to let her work at the bakery. Marinette’s looks of determination was one that cannot be overlooked. “You’ll have to stay with us.” She points towards the staircase leading to what Marinette supposed was their bedrooms. It seems Sabine’s maternal instincts kicked in unable to beat the fact that a child was living alone without the watch of any guardian. She might of thought that taking custody of Marinette would be overstepping the boundaries between strangers so she left that part out.

Upon hearing that, Marinette’s face lit up. Over the course of the next few days, Marinette spent her time moving into her new bedroom while helping out at the bakery. It did not take very long for both parties to grow close together. Lying on her bed, Marinette stared at the ceiling. It’s just like back then.. Marinette reminisced the times when she was with her family, giggling and laughing away. They were happy. She was happy.

Thoughts of the deaths of her parents emerge, followed by the horrifying discovery of demons and the passing of Yuichiro.. She pinched her arm and winced in pain. Live in the present stupid, that was a long time ago, get over it. She tried ignoring the thoughts and went about her day. Over the course of the next few days, whenever something reminded her of family, her eyes would falter and anyone could see the panic in her deep within. Sleep was not on her side either, nightmares of that night replayed over and over, to the point that she thought she was going insane.

“Good morning sleepyhead,” Sabine greeted as Marinette walked down the stairs. Tom grinned cheekily as he laid their breakfast on the table. Their smiles. Their smiles.. THEIR SMILES.. ITS JUST LIKE THEM! WHY! WHY! Marinette’s body trembled at the sight, it was too much for her. She turned pale, it was though she had seen a ghost. “Marinette?” Sabine walked towards her and pulled her in for a hug, “What’s wrong?”

Tears of grief and guilt throughout the years welled up in her eyes as tears flowed down her cheeks slowly. Sabine carefully caressed her hair and led her to the couch. Tom panicked at the sight and hurried a box of tissues for Marinette. Although she sobbed for a long while, they continued by her side as though she was her parents.

I thought I had gotten over their deaths.. What do I tell them? Must I lie my way out of this? Marinette thought deep to herself after crying for an hour. Sabine held her hand and told her, “It’s okay if you do not feel comfortable talking about it, just know that we care and you can always confront us about your worries.” Tom then offered her a macaroon.

The next day, while at the table during breakfast, Sabine menrioned school and how Marinette should be attending school. “Since the year is coming to an end, you’ll start next year. Don’t worry about the cost, we’ll cover it.” This left Marinette stunt and speechless. “Me and Tom have thoroughly discussed that you’ll be attending school and…” she paused for a moment of contemplation, “If you are willing to be under foster care of us.” She held up adoption papers.

Marinette eyes widened in surprise, she had never come across the thought that they would adopt her. “I..” Marinette choked on her words. “I want to be under guardianship if you two.” She whispered loud enough for the couple to hear. She beamed a bright smile at them and they could only stare in awe. They say, “the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.”

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“Argh…” Marinette groaned, it was already the first day of school and she had overslept. The thought of going to school for the first time in her life excited her, no.. scared her? She had multiple feelings towards going to school after hearing the good and the bad over the few remaining months. Anywho, she couldn’t sleep last night.

Maybe it was because she thought she would be outcasted, maybe it was because she would not catch up with her peers in terms of academics.

She rushed out of her bed, washed up and ran downstairs. Greeting Sabine, she gobbled her food down quickly, one could say she inhaled it in one breath. She blasted towards the door when her now father, Tom, called out for her. She turned back swiftly and received the box, which contained macaroons for her new classmates, from his hands.

BEEP—— the car horn could be heard honking repeatedly. Marinette stopped in her tracks, stunt. A man, grey hair that was half bald from the top and a wise looking beard, was crossing a road when the traffic light was red at a dangerously slow speed. He held a cane in his right hand, speculating that he has difficulties walking, possibly due to old age.

Without a second to lose, Marinette sprinted forward at an impressive speed. Seeing an old man in such a situation that could lead to his death didn’t sit well with her. She instinctually ran forward, pushing away the shocked onlookers and pushed the old man away, in the process, dropping her macaroons.

“Are you okay?” Marinette asked right after ensuring he was away from the hands of the reaper. She stood up and offered a hand. A smile emerged from the old man and he stood up on his own —— much to Marinette’s surprise. He dusted his clothes a picked up the box which the macaroons had already fallen out.

“I apologise young lady, your macaroons have been wasted because of my clumsiness. Thank you for saving me.” He apologised while he handed back the box to Marinette.

“Your safety is priority compared to a few puny macaroons, it’s totally fine!” She opened the box to find a few macaroons left intact in the box. “Here, have a macaroon!” She offered him a macaroon.

He thanked her as he took a bite into the macaroon, “Delicious,” he complimented. He reached into his pocket and grabbed something that managed to stay hidden within his clenched fist. “Take this as payment,” He placed them onto her hands and walked off.

“I can’t take this,” she tried offering it back, “It’s too much considering I did it out of goodwill.” She looked up and realised the man had disappeared. She opened her palm and stared at the two objects. Earrings?

“Ah shit! School!” She had finally realised.

When she finally reached, she heaved a sigh of relief, a minute early, atleast. Despite all that running, she didn’t break a sweat at all. Looks like I’m not as rusty as I thought. Maybe I should start running laps as exercise to get my body back in shape, just in case. She entered the school and soon found her classroom.

Her teacher, Ms Bustier, introduced her to the class. Snickers emerged from the class and chatters begun. “Alright quieten down, Alya, please guide Marinette around campus later,” She instructed. “Have a seat beside Alya, Marinette.”

Marinette walked towards the table which sat a girl that had her hand raised, she had curly brown hair that was considerably long, round glasses that were black and complemented her darker skin tone.

“Alya Césaire, pleased to make your acquaintance,” She introduced herself in a cheeky manner. Marinette was slightly taken aback, she hadn’t known anyone that acted like that and it definitely was a new experience. Marinette smiled to herself at the thought of a new friendship being born, “I’m excited to see how this year will play out.” She shook Alya’s hand.

“Oh I forgot!” Marinette stumbled upon realisation. She opened the box of macaroons and handed her one of the remaining few, “Macaroon for you?”

Alya thanked her and the day went on. During lunch, she was surprised to be approached by certain individuals. “I’m Adrien Agreste, friend of Nino.” He sheepishly smiled.

“Nino Lahiffe, boyfriend of Alya,” The other introduced in a groovy like tone, “Your vibe is cool.”

“Oh I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Marinette teased with an arising smirk.

Alya face bloomed red with embarrassment at her remark and playfully punched Marinette’s shoulder, “You little-“

Marinette went home with a smile plastered on her face, this comforting feeling again.. like the corps.. Marinette shook her head and ignored the thought. She vowed to leave her past behind and portray herself as the new average girl in school. She was glad she had made friends but.. how would they treat me if they knew.. she knew deep down that slaying demons were an act of good, but the pity and guilt from her friends’ reactions killed her. She really hated it.

•••••••

The family table was really lively during dinner. Marinette had a lot to share with her parents, giggles and sighs were heard and the day ended of with a blast.

Then again, a sense of guilt lingered. Why was she enjoying life now when her peers are still fighting for their lives to eradicate the remaining demons that are still roaming Japan despite Muzan’s downfall? Was she allowed to be happy despite being unable to save her now dead peers? How could she abandon the people who took her in? Are they still alive?

Is this what they call surivor’s guilt?

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I’ve been wanting to write chapter 3.. keyword — wanted. I was overseas, then came back. I soon got addicted to social media again and procrastinated. Do note that I have forgotten the plot of mlb as well.

Side note: I’ll be incorporating her past into the actual plot so the story will differ. I might rewrite as I’ve just rewatched mlb. I forgot the whole drama started on the first day so please excuse me.

Once again, I sincerely apologise for the lack of posting. I will try to upload the next chapter in the next 1-2 days.

Question, should I rewrite the first few chapters? If I do, I’ll create an alternate rewritten, more inclined with the plot version on ao3.

I am still experimenting with ao3 as I’m a new writer, I would love feedback <3

Thank you for reading this!!!

Edit: due to my indecisive nature, I’ve changed my mind on Marinette’s breathing style. Yes I’ve done research, I’ve thought of a few forms alr. It’ll all make sense soon.

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Ok.. I think I’m going a bit bonkers..

I really dislike this work and I’m going to drop it. Fear not, I will have a rewritten version. The name is “Victory… Now what??”

This time, I planned the whole story out with details so it’ll hopefully be better compared to my first attempt.

Once again, I’m sorry that I am going to discontinue this and thank you for those 5 kudos and 80 hits.