Contradiction || Marichat AU

Chapter 14: Requiem

12-25-21, 8:27 am

Her knees digging in the ground have become colder due to the increasingly chilly snow. The sun was lower in the sky, its light weak, but prevailing. The distant rustling coming from the trees was quite audible, too.

"I brought you pink roses," said the girl solemnly, "I grew them myself."

It felt like nothing but just a normal day in December in the cemetery.

Her blueberry-like hair elegantly swayed in the frosty wind as though it were a flowy gown. "Merry Christmas Vrai. I'm sorry I couldn't visit you often. I've doubled the effort with Aikido lessons..."

The soundless grave stood motionless, providing her no reply. It was so quiet that she could hear the wind whistling. Her heart nearly felt as cold as the piling snow on the ground.

"I only wish I had practiced it before what happened. I could've broken the glass and saved you then," said Marinette through gritted teeth. "I was lucky Sev was there. I just don't understand why I had to be last...why it wasn't me instead..."

Marinette forced herself to hold in her tears, as she stood up. "I wish you were still here. We could've gifted these gifts together."

Being responded with mere silence, she clenched her fists. She looked at the grave with sadness and brimming regret. Marinette took the eco bag full of gifts, and left with a heavy heart. I would do anything to reverse time. 

A ringtone interrupted her thoughts. 

"Ah...Merry Christmas," said Marinette dazedly. "Yes. I miss you too, grandma." 

She turned the speaker on to hear her enthusiastic family better — that enthusiasm didn't apply to her mother though.

"Where are you? It doesn't sound like you're in the bakery. Didn't I tell you not to go out?!" Sabine raved.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to visit him," she admitted.

There was a prolonged silence. "Oh..." Sabine sounded guilty. 

"But I also wanted to ask if—"

"No," said Sabine almost immediately.

"Please? You barely let me out. I just wanted to give some things to them. Gifts," said Marinette defensively.

The phone making no sound indicated Sabine considering her request. "Can you imagine how happy they'd be, honey?" asked Tom's voice from the device.

There was silence again.

"Alright then. But I'm not allowing you to go alone," insisted Sabine.

Marinette groaned. "I can protect myself! I'm not nine anymore." 

"Watch your tone, young lady. Have you forgotten what Ronald's taught you?" tutted her Grandpa.

"Protect yourself?" questioned her mother disbelievingly, "would you have been here today if Mrs. Laurant wasn't there to protect you?" This time the quietness lingered a bit longer. "I'm sorry for bringing it up honey. I'm just worried about you."

"No, it's fine," said Marinette bitterly. 

"Video chat Lila and Sabrina, tell either of them to go with you," her father cut in. "Knowing Marinette, she'd have an eco bag full of gifts."

Marinette's frown lifted instantly. She had a hard time keeping her excitement in. "Okay, dad, mom. Thanks for this!" She hastily ended the call after their goodbyes, and her phone rang once again.

"Hey guys," she greeted, trying to stay calm. 

"Why are you calling?" asked Sabrina, standing up from her desk. The three of them had already greeted each other sometime around midnight.