We're all Stories in the End

I've had this AU in my head for months and finally got to working on it. AU when Maelle gommaged the first time (after defeating the Paintress), she does not regain her memories so she doesn't go back into the Canvas (she doesn't know how). Now the Dessendres have to deal with the consequences of what they've done in the Canvas and how it affected their youngest.

Aline painting over Alicia overrode her memories outside of the Canvas as well. Since Aline is the strongest of the Painters, they can't undo it.

Renoir cannot be in the same room as Maelle. She hates Aline for all they've had to go through, especially with years of blaming the Paintress for the gommage. She does not trust Clea just because she's a Dessendre (no other problems because Clea didn't show up during the journey to the Paintress). Maelle has to deal with all of this while dealing with the grief of knowing everyone she knows and loves are now gone (because Renoir got rid of the Canvas).

Renoir is trying everything to undo what's been done which isn't much because Maelle attacks him every time he tries to get close. Aline is weak and recovering from the Canvas. Clea, she's pissed this is another thing on her plate while she's busy with the Writers (and a little pissed at herself because of course this would happen to her sister).

Verso's ending did not have enough problems for the Dessendres. I think they get off too scot free in his ending. This AU is for them to face what's they've done and how it affected Maelle.

1. Alicia will stand in front of people with her hands up and stare into their eyes as a sign that she wants to be picked up

2. Alicia likes being held like the cat in the pic below XD

All that money and prestige and he had no hoes, smh. That's what he gets for being a train nerd.

But it gave me a good idea for headcanon: Verso actually was married but Aline, being the avid boy mom she is, hated Verso's wife for stealing her little baby boy away, and thus simply... did not paint her in the canvas with the rest of her painted family. And also may have 'forgot' to give her painted family the memories of their daughter/sister in law.

Then it made me think more about the dynamic between Mrs [insert here] Dessendre and the rest of the family.

I imagine Verso, much like his father, would bond with a woman who shares his passion; music. Maybe she was a singer or a violinist he met at a concert, someone with the same fire in her heart for music he has.

Aline was against the idea of her perfect son marrying anyone that wasn't a painter. Renoir was in firm agreement. "A stain on the Dessendre family name," they would say.

Then Renoir actually sees Verso with his lover, heart eyes and sweet smiles included. It makes Renoir remember when he first fell for Aline, the magic of being young and in love. And after a lot of convincing, he is able to ease Aline into the idea of Verso marrying.

Yet, that doesn't exactly stop her disdain for the new Mrs Dessendre. Family gatherings and holidays are awkward and full of tension, Aline still convinced her perfect Verso would be better suited with a proper artist... not some run of the mill musician.

Alicia loves her new sister in law, they bond over being outcasts, not quite fitting in. Mrs Dessendre is always playing/singing for Alicia, and is the best Christmas gift giver. All of Alicia's favorite toys/clothes/jewelry/whatever, are from her sister in law.

Clea was reluctant to idea of bringing a musician into the family but finds the new Mrs Dessendre to be... not horrible. She's witty and sharp like her husband, and level headed enough to keep him in line. Clea sleeps well at night knowing her idiot little brother is being taken care of.

puppy & kitty

The Dessendre Children

Bonus :

The Dessendre Children

Bonus :