The Queen's Reign

Dreams, Memories, and Flashbacks

Marinette's dreams were frequently interrupted by random flashbacks, most of them, in one way or another, revolving around Léo, and as it turned out, tonight was one of those nights.

The memory that was currently invading Marinette's head was bittersweet, not one of the best, but certainly not the worst. It was when they had first met Léo, back in the good old days.

_____________________

They were barely seven years old, at a party Léo's parents were hosting.

Marinette hid behind her mother's silky, black dress, curling her hands around the fabric as her eyes swept from person to person, the short girl suddenly feeling extremely overwhelmed by the towering figures and swishing dresses that surrounded her. She squeezed her eyes shut, clinging onto her mother as if she were a lifeline, begging whatever God was out there to let her leave.

The next thing Marinette knew, her mother was pulling her in front of her, introducing her to a tall blonde woman in a gray pantsuit, who was similarly pushing a boy around Marinette's age to the front.

The small boy had his mother's soft blond hair, matching with her bright green eyes, which popped out contrasted to his black suit. His hair was styled, slick with some hair product.

Marinette remembered the distinct smell of lavender washing off the boy, surrounding her senses.

Perhaps it was the lavender that calmed her down, or perhaps it was the knowledge that she wasn't the only child there, but the boy's presence grounded her.

Marinette let go of her death grip on her mother's dress to wave shyly at the boy, who nodded in return.

"Marinette, this is Félix and his mother, Amelie. Go on, introduce yourself." Sabine gave her daughter a small squeeze on her shoulder as she spoke.

"Hello, I'm Marinette! Nice to meet you!" she greeted, remembering how she had her father had gone over what to say on the car ride over.

"Hello. I am Félix." the boy sighed. His tone said that he was displeased and that it was not nice to meet her, but when little Marinette looked into his eyes, she only saw hope and relief and knew that he was similarly relieved to not be the only child in the sea of adults. Marinette beamed, wiggling out of her mother's grasp to grab the young boy.

"Do you wanna come over and get one of my Papa's macaroons? I bet we could get him to give us each two if we really beg!" Marinette rambled, dragging her newest friend through the adults, dodging heels and loafers, swishing dresses and bowing men, waiters and butlers, until they finally made it to the edge of the room, where Tom was stationed at the table, macaroons on full display.

Marinette was about to approach, when a group made their way to the table, all conversing loudly as they stuffed their mouths. She froze for a second, unsure of how to continue, as her mother had warned her not to disrupt any of the customers.

Félix took the chance to take the lead, dragging Marinette under the table, completely undetected. The two were surprised to find that their hiding spot was already occupied, a boy stuffing his pockets with macaroons, more than Marinette knew was allowed to each guest.

"Oh, my apologies. I was unaware that there was someone already here." Félix said, like the true gentleman he was. Marinette saw the way he was eyeing the macaroons, desire and hunger peeling off of his gaze.

And, clearly, the other boy noticed this as well. He held out one of the crushed macaroons, staring curiously at the two of them.

"Want some?"