Warped Reality

Chapter 5

Warning. Mentions suicide, no, no one in my book is suicidal. It's just mentioned. Also, have you guys seen the strike back episode? No spoilers, but *chefs kiss* beautiful.

Marinette

"It's all my fault." She admitted, feeling both relief and crushing disgust at herself for having told him of all people that.

"It's not your fault."

He seemed closer to the door, his voice a little louder than before. She shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. She had years to think over this. Years to come to terms with the part she played in her father's addiction.

"No. It is. Do you remember the last summer I spent at the cabin?"

She laid her head back against the door hard, so hard it almost bounced off of it.

"Well yeah..."

"It was right after mom left. I saw him take the first sip. I could have stopped him. Could have told him that it wasn't worth it. That she wasn't worth it. But I just stood there. After that it was every other day, then every day then every fucking moment. I went to the cabin because I couldn't take it anymore. I left him alone. It's my fault."

She should have stayed. She should have helped him. Stopped him. She should have done something other than run away.

"That wasn't your fault."

"I could have been there for him."

"That's not your job." He sounded aggravated, his tone growing harsher.

She didn't care if he thought it wasn't her job.

"If it had been your father. Or your mother. Would you have tried to help them?"

She heard silence on the other side of the door, followed by a soft sigh.

"I don't know. But you were grieving Marinette. You were upset and angry. I remember that. Sometimes it's either saving yourself or them."

"I should have chosen him." She mumbled, pulling her knees tighter to her chest.

She wasn't even sure why she was telling him all of this. She was honestly surprised he didn't already know. Lila did, Nathaniel had told her. Why didn't he know?

"When we get back I'll help you with him." He offered, and she swallowed down a scoff.

"Don't make a promise you don't intend to keep Agreste."

"I didn't."

She wiped her face, drying any stray tears. She heard something on the other side of the door, and when he spoke she realized he had stood, because his voice was now above her.

"Will you open the door?"

"Why?"

She didn't want to open the door. She was tired of him seeing her like this. She was tired of him pretending to care. She was tired of this place and desperate to get home.

"I want to hold you."

Her face suddenly burned with what felt like a thousand suns, and she pulled away from the door, staring at it in shock. He wanted to what?

"Uh... I meant hug you. Sorry. Words mixed up." He muttered, and she clenched her jaw, annoyed at him and herself.

At him, for saying that to begin with, and at herself, for the unwanted disappointment that came when he corrected himself.