The Guild of the Forsaken

CHAPTER 21 - Coincidence Is a Beautiful Thing

Sound Of The Underground - Girls Aloud

September 15th 2024

SANTORINI ISLAND

Coincidence is a beautiful thing.

It is what brings people together and tears them apart. Most believe or dare to hope that fate, with its golden fingertips and silver tread has woven its plans already. That tapestries of life grow as delicate patterns weave the stories of peoples lives.

Yet with each decision they make, with each new discovery, they unknowingly draw themselves closer to their own creshendo.

Perhaps it is destiny with her eyes of glittering starlight and limbs of woven branches that intertwined Marinette's own tapestry with the jade eyed boy. Maybe the pulsating glow of their souls called out to one another despite the denial of their own peace.

Could their souls be crying out for the other, searching hopelessly for the light in the smothering darkness.

A guide.

An equal.

A home.

Marinette even in all the ways her soul is tied to the stars enjoys trashing destiny, ripping fates delicate thread. She knows there is no such thing as soulmates, if there was, she would pity the poor fucker that was linked to her.

No, Damian and Marinette are not bound, linked or anything tied to the ideal of soulmates. Destiny and Fate did not create a wager or deal between their souls.

They did not create one to compliment the other.

However, they still found each other, they understood each other. Saw past the abuse, the scars and the emotionless masks to the hurt children underneath.

A guide to recovery.

An equal in measure.

A home in another.

Marinette's crooked soul somehow found peace in the familiar isolation of Damian's own broken strings.

For both, there was finally someone that they could show all the wretched parts of themselves to. Someone who would go slow and grow with them not against or away from them.

Someone who they were assured wouldn't run.

But fate the cruel mistress and the old Gods that rest in their fiery earth want excitement. They are here to judge. For Damian and Marinette, they perhaps provided the greatest entertainment of them all.

Despite her hatred of Destiny and the hand life dealt her, she finds herself thanking whomever allowed her path to cross with her Angel.

Even if they are not fated, even if they are star crossed and destined for tragedy. She would still choose him. If there was ever a choice in the first place.

A shocked expression that fades into subtle relief that is then moulded into controlled excitement overcomes her face as the packed convertible rolls closer to the gas station. It was a new car she had spotted in and was instantly drawn in by the colour. To the despair of her Court she ditched the other one in favour of this red beauty.

The car is so packed in fact that Alya has taken to sitting on Nino's lap in the backseat while Max is squashed in the middle of two buff men. Not that he was complaining, Marinette wouldn't either.

So, it is most definitely a most startling coincidence that their car has arrived at the same petrol station that Damian is currently filling up his car with.

Marinette takes a large gulp of air when she takes in his standing form; the black t-shirt that hugs the taught muscles of his chest also expose the muscle that encase his biceps and the subtle veins on his forearms; his tanned skin glows brilliantly under the bright sun that will soon begin to set.