#scribbling do

“Thank you! Have a good night!”

The doorbell to Cat-spresso Yourself chimed as Marinette’s last guests departed for the evening, and she let out a long breath. Yet another successful day - busier than usual given the overcast and later rain that had come. It drew in a crowd that wanted both to get out of the cold winds and icy sheets, and enter a realm warm and inviting; and her cats and sweets provided. Door locked, she began once more the arduous task of once again cleaning up for tonight and making preparations for tomorrow morning.

“Well, Tikki, think you can get Plagg into his bed again?” Marinette asked as she passed the calico sitting at the end of the counter. The calico - whom Marinette had finally decided to formally adopt as her own - gave a revving ‘mrr!’ in affirmation and hopped down from her powder pink cushion, red-and-black bell collar tinkling as she did so.

It was strange; Plagg seemed to be in a funk all day, but thinking back, it had been a while since his favorite customer had come in. Yes, Marinette had taken keynote in Adrien’s absence since he tried to make a habit of coming in at least once every two weeks, but they were going on to three. Biting her lip, she wondered if maybe there had been something in the news, but then thought again why would there be? He was a model and she did recall there was a show occurring in Germany; but she thought it would be over by now.

“I hope everything’s alright…”

Last she recalled seeing him, he was smiling, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

What was going on?

A bang on her front door nearly made her drop the teacup in her hand, fumbling it instead until she caught the handle. She let out a long, relieved exhale and raised her head with narrowed eyes. Catching sight of a hooded figure at her door, there was a brief chill down her spine, but with a swallow, she managed to steel herself.

“Sorry! We’re closed for the night! Please come back at nine tomorrow!”

She didn’t know if they heard her, but she assumed that maybe they had? They at least weren’t hitting her door again, but they weren’t leaving either. Instead, they remained there, standing underneath the awning which was slowly freaking Marinette out. This was how so many creepy internet stories started; she wondered if she should call the police.

“MIAOW!”

Plagg’s booming meow caused her to blink and look down. The reason she’d sent Tikki to herd Plagg was because she’d had no idea where the black furred void had gone, but he was apparently at the door, standing on his hind paws and… reaching? At the hooded figure? Did he recognize them? There was only one other person that Plagg liked though and they had been–

… Oh… Oh!

“Adrien!?”

And she did drop the teacup to rush over to the door, unlocking it to allow the figure - closer now, she could see the blonde hair hidden beneath his hood and his green eyes - inside. He was dripping water everywhere by the door, but Marinette just locked it again and told him to wait while she fetched a towel from the back. All the way and as she returned, she could hear Plagg’s startlingly deep and loud meow. Adrien had pulled his hood down by the time she came back which made his hair the perfect place to set the towel so he could start drying from top to bottom.

He flinched; why did he flinch?

“I’m sorry for… coming here so suddenly. I know it’s past your hours…” His voice was low, it could almost be deafened by the rain, and the towel further dampened his volume. With his head bowed too; and he wasn’t facing Marinette. Her brows furrowed as she tried to see him, but he seemed to be purposefully hiding himself. “I-I didn’t know where else to go.”

“... But… what about that girl, Kagami? Or Juleka?”

Adrien shook his head.

“She’s out of the country… and Juleka’s home isn’t one to stay in the same place.”

(If Marinette hadn’t met Juleka and her brother Luka again by this point, she might’ve been confused, but she knew the two lived on a houseboat.)

“Even if it was, I… didn’t think I could bother them,” he continued. “I… I honestly don’t know why I thought I could bother you either.”

“Hey… it’s not ‘bothering’ if we know each other…” Marinette tried to reassure, but he was right in a way. For the most part, he was a customer to her, but she did know quite a bit more about him than some others. She could call them well acquainted, maybe almost friends; but then her heart stopped when she finally got a peek at his face and her blood chilled.

Where… Who would…? 

She almost raised a hand to touch the red bruise on his face, but balled her hands to stop herself instead.

“... I have some spare space above the café if you’re wondering about staying. But wait here; I’m getting you something warm to drink first.”

“I… if it’s not imposing…”

“Not at all! Sit down and keep drying yourself off; I’ll be right back.”

Adrien’s father always told him stories about the royal family while he was growing up; how they were improper, how they didn’t care for the people, and how the kingdom suffered. It was only after he grew older and managed to get a position within the castle - at the Princess’s side no less - that he began to learn that perhaps his father was wrong.

The King and Queen were warm and welcoming, and tended to always be smiling. People were their priority and did their best to see everyone was fed and housed, and could live their lives with ease. They saw to their people’s needs; they listened when their people spoke of trouble and woe.

Those they didn’t listen to were often the noble lords and ladies who usually seemed to complain about not having enough coin in their coffers or desiring some expensive and unneeded location solely for themselves - a waste of land and resources. It was almost embarrassing to see his father silently among them, but he had an appearance to maintain.

Adrien - as ordered by his father - was supposed to be within the castle, finding any secrets that might discredit the royal family and give the kingdom reason to overthrow them potentially.

However, that was five years ago, and besides Princess Marinette maybe still needing to work on public speaking and subtly, there was no real fault. She was so different from the noble ladies he’d often met with and had to be polite to; they who wanted to be royalty but could never act like it. They saw only the coin and not the true responsibility that came with it - the one which Marinette seemed to fret over every other day besides her private lessons and schedule. It was his duty to keep her punctual and mentally prepare her for the tasks ahead, one of which was to make sure she was calm and happy because she always presented herself the best then.

If only he could always be by her side, but his father - he could feel his ever-looming presence.

There were plenty of superstitions that surrounded sailing, but considering he had Plagg on board, Captain Noir had learned to live with it.

Now, he’d thought having the embodiment of luck aboard might somehow negate that misfortune a little, but it almost seemed like it negated what misfortune he already turned away. Why else would they be attempting to flee from another pod of mermaids? It seemed like they would be informed.

“It has nothing to do with being informed,” Ladybug explained as the ship’s sails finally caught the wind. The distance between them and the pod was growing, Plagg beside her looking on, bemused. “Pods outside of the one I was born to will attempt to take me for the good of their own.”

“Does this deal with that ‘certain day’ you were talking about?” Chat Noir asked, glancing back her way.

Were they speaking face-to-face, she would only have to nod. However, because they weren’t, she supposed she had to answer.

“Yes.” A pause. “... How much do you know about mermaids, Captain?”

“Enough that I avoid them - well, most of them.”

“Hm…”

She watched the others fade to the waters; the ship must have gone beyond their territory. Maybe now, she could tell him. Or, not all of the truth.

“... My birth in a pod means power will come to them once that day arrives. As such, others will attempt to capture me unless I remain in my pool. However, that day only arrives now, after about twenty turns around the sun. Living on that island only, hearing only tales of the lands and seas I would never see… I know it was selfish to ask, but Tikki did give permission. I’m sure because Plagg is with you.”

“Hmph…” Captain Noir snorted, but fell silent himself. Trapped then; he understood that all too well. “... Guess that’ll just make this adventure a little more exciting~ Don’t worry, My Ladybug. The world tour continues! Though, some stops, time may be of the essence; remember that.”

It would not happen - could not happen again.

Or at least, he would not be the cause of it.

Another incident, another tragedy, might as well have been bloody near another Calamity the likes of Era’s gone. Cid would have no part nor would Biggs or Wedge; and just to make sure to deter Garlemald from any more foolish projects in pursuit of controlling the Red Moon, there was one more piece that had to be taken.

It was a secret he learned when Gaius took him in, one quite fascinating but mayhap frightful. A great Allagan relic somewhere in Eorzea capable of controlling Dalamud should all the requirements be met. This relic was said to be located in Eorzea amidst the peaking mountains where Garlean forces had yet properly gone again. Ever since the failed Battle of Silvertear Skies, only the occasional odd ground troop would be sent to recon in search of this object only to return empty-handed. Records suggested a tower of some such, but there had been naught to find. Still, the only thing that proved those texts true had been a small miqo’te tribe on Corvos.

The Eye of Allagan and the royal blood that would awaken and control those Allagan relics again, they were somehow connected. A young Seeker boy, he recalled seeing him some odd years ago with one green eye and the other of the most shocking red, had been delivered to the legion.

A young boy that was only a means to an end as far as many were concerned, clapped in chains, and left to the researchers while Cid had begun toiling away at Project Meteor.

He stopped before the cell door, the bars the only way to peer inside, and paused. What would that miqo’te be like… after so long?

Grimacing, he opened the door.

From the dark corner, a single looming red eye peered his way with the owner unmoving besides his head. Cid remembered a boy once young, hale and whole, but this was a shadow of a man, gaunt and pale without sun, bony wrists bound by chains, and exposed skin littered by purposeful incisions and a few odd scars from old beatings. Red hair slick and long, furred ears and tail matted from the lack of care, he was unable to die but had long ceased living… and Cid could’ve sworn that his other eye had been green before and not covered by a bandage. Taking a step forward, the miqo’te did not move, his red eye just staring without a word and waiting.

“... Can you stand?” Cid asked.

There was the faintest twitch in those red brows, but no answer. Instead, he watched the younger man force his legs to bend and pulled the chains along the ground to push himself up. How he could stand, it put Cid at a loss, but once the other man was up and steady enough, Cid was removing the chains.

Tikki, Plagg, and Marinette stared at the table in the corner of Cat-spresso Yourself with different feelings, but none of them positive. Marinette scowled, Tikki’s ears were pulled, and Plagg was growling, tail whipping irritably behind him. There was not typically an issue if Adrien brought a guest with him. Kagami was cold and direct, but had similar social issues that Adrien had, and had no idea what to do when the biggest ragdoll just draped itself across her lap. And his co-worker, the dark beauty Juleka, was soft-spoken and withdrawn, but warmed up immediately once she had their toyger kitten in her hands.

However, those two young women were not this one.

No one else was Lila Rossi and thank god for that. 

Lila Rossi was - admittedly - gorgeous as many models were. Beautiful, flawless skin naturally tanned by the Italian sun when she lived there, gorgeous olive green eyes, slim and tall; perfect for photos and the runway. Now, if only her personality matched her beauty, but Marinette would compare it to spoiled milk - the kind you pour and don’t realize it’s spoiled until you taste it. In Lila’s case obviously, it wasn’t until she talked that one didn’t realize she matched the stereotypical self-centered model and then some because even those models probably didn’t lie as much.

The first time she’d come to the café, Marinette received a surprise visit from the health inspector the next day.

The second time, animal control had been contacted because an anonymous source reported one of the cats as rabid, but Marinette and the shelter that brought many of her new cats had their record up-to-date.

The third time… well, this was the third visit. And how suspicious it seemed she had come so soon after Adrien had visited.

Marinette had decided after the first incident already that she was prepared for anything Lila might do to shut her café down; however, she didn’t think that her presence might make Adrien miserable after Kagami and Juleka hadn’t had the same effect. Or maybe she had just assumed someone like Adrien got along with all his fellow models. How could a human be more clingy than her stray cats?

Sighing, Marinette glanced down at the gentle bump against her arm and caught Tikki’s deep blue eyes gazing back upon her. The calico mewed and purred, rubbing more, and Marinette managed a weak smile.

“I’ll be okay, girl. Thank you though…”

She’d have to wash her hands, but Tikki earned a pet for comforting her. As for Plagg, Marinette realized where there once had been a black furry void was now just counter space. Barely a second later did she hear one of her reusable cups clatter against the ground and a loud shriek mixed with a deep, bellowing and demanding meow.

“Oh, hey Plagg!”

Marinette laughed under her breath.

Paris was no more.

The world was no more.

It was a result of their love according to him.

The world they’d known had become little more than an ocean, and of buildings that rose enough above the waves to make a stark forest of past accomplishments. That had been society, and at one point, maybe their future.

She was scared; he was lost, but it wasn’t the end.

Soon, their future lapped away at the foundations of the past and they built a new one. 

Vegetation from gardens flowed over rooftops and balconies, and more peaked from the water as the years passed, making the once pale world turn green. From remnants in the water - both that floated to the surface or could be gathered from below - they learned to build, and to make a new home.

Would she reverse it if she could?

Maybe… in the first few days when he took away her Miraculous. But then he cried and apologized, and he couldn’t decide if what he was doing was right or wrong. If they went back, they wouldn’t be together and they might never be together, but they had to for everyone’s sake. He would have to see his father, learn about his mother, lose everything, and there was no guarantee that he would get anything back. He returned the earrings with trembling hands and curled in on himself, waiting to be purified and for his whole world to be gone.

She put the earrings on.

“Just say the words, Marinette, and everything will be restored.”

“...”

She didn’t say it.

She didn’t do what Tikki thought she might.

The purified akuma was freed and everything stayed the same.

Bunnyx appeared, but Ladybug shook her head.

“This is our timeline. Goodbye, Alix.”

That goodbye to their past was years ago. It was a farewell to humanity as well.

Creation and Destruction - in an empty world - had to seep into rebuilding anew through their hosts. Adrien didn’t fight it, and Marinette welcomed it with open arms and outstretched wings. Buildings continued to fall and plants continued to rise, marine life swam in circles around their home. There might be other land out there, might be a few individuals that actually survived and thrived, but they were content where they were, Marinette cradling her swollen belly with two hands while two more carded through soft black fur. They soon brushed over the heads of their ‘kittens’ (as her Tom Cat so affectionately put it), the six sleeping soundly buried against their father’s fur too.

Ever since she found the café, their relationship had been like this. Marinette would sit nursing a black coffee after another break up, watching the steam rise, and managing the barest smile as the blonde barista did his best to cheer her up. She didn’t know his name - he preferred going by ‘Chat Noir’ for some reason - but it felt comfortable coming back to him anyway. Besides, he distracted her from her spiraling thoughts - of wondering if maybe she should try finding her soulmate again - and she loathed those intrusive thoughts.

Why were soulmates a thing? Why should people’s lives and true happiness apparently be dictated by something so rare? People should be happy with whomever they pleased!

Nathaniel was happy with Marc after their break-up after all!

And Kim had Ondine…

Nino and Alya…

Luka…

She thought things would really work with Luka. They’d been happy, and she traveled with him for some of his performances, and he came to her fashion exhibitions - they’d supported each other so much, so how had it not been enough? And she hadn’t been the only one to feel like that either; it had been mutual and they agreed to being just friends.

“Why don’t you take a break from dating for a while?” Chat Noir asked, tilting his head. “Aren’t you applying for a position at a fashion house soon? Sounds like this stuff’s just stressing you out.”

“But then I’ll be too busy to date, Chat,” she sighed. “Once I finish designing for one season, it’ll already be time to work on the next, and then the next, and the next… I’ll get swallowed up by my career and wake up forty years later still single! No offense to anyone who doesn’t want to get married, but I’ve dreamed of having a family. I love work, but I don’t want to marry my career.”

“Well… then why not reward yourself with trying to date? Once you get into whatever fashion house you apply for, get back into the game before you get pulled into that whole whirlwind you mentioned.”

“... You know what, Chat, I might do that,” she hummed, taking a sip of her coffee. “It’ll take a while to fill out applications and flesh out my portfolio. And I won’t be hearing from them for a few months either! Alya would throw a party to celebrate and I could meet someone there; and they would already know because of the party what my workload would be in the future! This could totally work!”

Drinking down the rest of her coffee, she leapt to her feet with a grin.

“Thanks for the talk! Now, I have three companies I want to apply to and two more I wanna look into! See you!”

Despite some objections, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros XVII married Zidane. Any grumbles and guffaws came from those that still held negative opinions of the man (he was a lowly actor, he was a thief, he’d kidnapped the current Queen! It was his fault the King of Treno was missing!), but the public was ecstatic. They loved and adored the young man who had apparently helped save the world even among other kingdoms his name was celebrated.

There was hope she would awaken from whatever ‘spell’ she’d fallen under shortly after the ceremony and do the proper thing: throw him in jail.

But five years…

And two young princesses were born…

Oh dear, it looked as though the Queen wouldn’t be disposing of the man as they hoped.

Begrudgingly, a few caved and began addressing him with the title blessed upon him by the union and Queen’s Counsel. And the moment they caved, they turned, and those brave enough to remain disgruntled by the Queen’s decision plotted, attempted, and failed to separate them. The ‘King’ had been fairly amused with their repeated tries and held the Queen back from punishing them. So, try and try again, but with their last plot, they thought there was a chance.

“... And so, you had our youngest child’s nursemaid attacked, replaced her with your servant, and attempted to terrorize her and make her think her father was a despicable monster?” Garnet reiterated as she sat on her throne, holding her hands over her once again growing stomach. If there was but one good thing about the ‘King’ to them, it was they were a fruitful couple. It would do good to give them an actual father, but the Queen was very cross.

“Your Majesty, we were only concerned. Her skills as Her Highness’s nursemaid were lacking…”

“Yes, and her recommendation was questionable.”

“So, now you question Lady Hildegarde?” Garnet inquired, her dark eyes turning colder. Looks were exchanged - they might not have known that detail. “Our nursemaid was recommended as she’s the eldest daughter of Lady Hildegarde’s own nursemaid from her childhood which I’m sure you all know.”

No one had words. A few even paled because they knew the woman in reference.

“We’re fortunate she was caught after this one attempt. Did any of you even consider our daughter’s health right now that the nursemaid was tending to at all hours?”

They… might have neglected to remember the youngest Princess was recovering from a bout with fever.

The Queen rose to her feet, thunderous fury rolling off her in waves despite her composure. “I’m done. I know you refuse to acknowledge whom I’ve decided to choose as my King, but now you put our child in danger. If she had an attack at any moment during this newest act against him, I would be considering a worse sentence!”

They cringed and ducked their heads further.

“It’s apparent you care not for the well-being of one let alone the well-being and health of this Kingdom or its neighbors. Therefore, all of your names and those of co-conspirators are ineligible to attempt courting any of our children in the future. To be so selfish, your actions have become inexcusable.”

“B-But Your Majesty, our children were born the same day! It would be auspicious to…!”

“It would have been, but no more. All of you are dismissed.”

Exchanging looks, they slowly departed; and as they did, they passed the King heading in, cradling the youngest Princess while his tail was coiled around the eldest following at his side.

“Dagger…” There was that commoner nickname she kept letting him use… “I managed to get her to take her medicine. She’ll be okay while we wait for Mary to return.”

“Thank goodness. I should have done it, but…”

“It’s okay. I needed time with her anyway, right?”

A lingering pair of eyes watched the royal couple step closer and pass the sleeping infant between hands. The Queen’s furious visage melted as she accepted her child and cradled her to her chest, kissing the little horn on her forehead. And once that was done, Zidane’s tail uncoiled and he picked up the four-year old Princess. “You did great looking out for your little sister. You’ll be the same when your new sibling’s born, right?”