In Another World (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 6: Moving Forward

Three years since that Faithful Day

Nino woke up to the noise of Mari in the kitchen. Hey Dotty, do I have time to shower before breakfast?

If you make it quick Shelly. He heard her giggle from the kitchen, god he loved her. Not that she knew that... yet. As he walked into his bathroom, he smiled at the memory of the day they found their soulnames. 

He sat with his back against Mari, it had been two months since their talk at the pond, Mari was cutting up their Parian clothes to use as rags. They didn't need them in their closest constantly reminding them of the life they lost. Mari had given her purse to one of the little girls on the homestead and Nino had done the same with his hat. It didn't really match his new style anyway. 

"Hey Ninny, did you ever figure out a nickname to replace Spots?" Her voice was soft.

"I did, do you want to hear it?" She nodded. "I was thinking I'd call you Dotty? Cuz you know spots dots they similar." 

"I like it." She giggled, man, he would do anything to hear that sound on repeat. "I came up with one for you too and it kinda works with Dotty." 

"Oh, and what is it?" He hadn't realized she was thinking about it too. 

"Yep, I was gonna call you Shelly." 

"It's cute I like it." He smiled to himself. Maybe someday I'll shorten it to little Dot. He chuckled at the thought. 

"I'll never answer to that."

"Huh?  Mare, I didn't say anything?" He turned to look at her.

"Nino look at my face." Shelly, I think we found our soulnames. 

"Your mouth didn't move... but I heard you... Dotty! We are bonded." 

***

Marinette smiled at the shared memory. Edward and Maryweahter couldn't explain why they could share memories, or why they could communicate so far apart. Mari had gone with Alice on a business trip to the mountain range and she and Nino could talk in their minds. Not even Alice and Henry could do that and they had been dating since they were 15. Edward's best guess was that it was because they had been heroes who worked together in Paris. 

She looked over at the calendar, tonight was the night they celebrated their birthdays. In their first year here Nino had made a point of counting to their birthdays. Their birthdays were a month apart so they had their own little party where they swapped gifts in the middle of the month. Sure they could be way off but it was the best they had. Tonight they celebrated turning 21. 

Nino wondered out dressed in a deep blue button-up with a tan vest with pants that coordinated. She smiled knowing she had designed that outfit. "Morning Dotty." He kissed her cheek. Mari smiled and blushed and busied herself with breakfast. Nino sat at the island working on a track for a demo. She wondered if he thought about her as a girlfriend. She thought of him as her boyfriend. But they never introduced each other as such. No one asked if they were dating, rather when would they wed or at least make a show of their promise to one of each other. It seemed people just assumed they were dating. And Nino always said when the time is right. 

"Shelly, foods ready." She placed a plate in front of him. 

"Hey, you made my favourite!" He smiled and dove into his waffles. 

"Well, you are taking me to my favourite place for lunch." She winked. 

"Oh. I am, am I?"  Nino smirked.