Contradiction || Marichat AU

Chapter 16: Recall of Deception

12-25-21, 2:40 pm

Icicles were pinned on the eaves of the visible houses and buildings. The white flakes majestically floating in midair slowly descended to the girl's left palm, her right hand holding a cup of hot chocolate. She really couldn't get enough of the drink, especially in this weather. It eased her cold skin, and replaced that chill with a warm, comfortable feeling.

The other who sat beside her held a glass of warm milk. A drink with a friend on a balcony on a snowy night, was a feeling unlike any other. It was relaxing, and it soothed both their nerves. It made way for the most random, yet meaningful conversations.

A gentle, sheepish hand covered by black gloves further covered Marinette's figure with the baby pink blanket. Maybe this was to hide his own apprehension. Even after that small gesture, the boy was still, far more flustered than she was. 

He couldn't bring himself to say it. And now, they were speaking of her love for a particular stuffed toy.

"Really? I never thought you were the type to like cute dolls," said Chat Noir, intrigued as he took a sip of milk.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She sneered. "My melody has been a great companion to me," said Marinette, expression turning melancholic once again, "I have a lot of stickers of her, but my parents never allowed me to buy toys or figurines of her, because apparently I'm 'too old' for them.

"And they are pretty expensive." Marinette let out a strained chuckle.

"In my case it's pillows. Any kind, really. I can hug them, cry on them, and sleep on them. Multipurpose, pfft." He chuckled.

"Right?! I could do the same with my melody stuffed toy. But all I have is the cat bolster on my bed, I'm not complaining though," she told him. Chat suddenly lift his hand to wipe his milk mustache...was it odd that Marinette found that endearing?

He tapped his chin. "Question. Why didn't you buy one when you were much younger?"

"Ah, yeah. When I was three to seven, I lived somewhere away from my parents. It was pretty secluded there and I had no access to fancy toys and stuff," she elucidated. "Nine to twelve I was too busy focusing on Karate and Aikido that I could barely make time for myself. Around that time I didn't play with toys or go to playgrounds anymore.

"And at thirteen, I counted as too old for toys," said Marinette.

"I see." He gulped the last of his milk, rubbing his Adam's apple. Chat Noir kept racking his brain for new topics, perhaps to delay his purpose of troubling her in the first place. This was a serious matter. He couldn't stall anymore; he wanted to do this. It would all be worth it in the end. After constantly replaying what he wished to say, Chat Noir unsealed his lips. "Marinette..." He felt his voice falter. "Listen I—"

SMASH! 

A resounding, violent crash reached their ears. The empty glass once filled with milk stumbled from the grip of his fingers, breaking into glittering fragments as it scattered on the floor — it looked like a visual representation of both their thoughts. 

As the girl, whose pupils were quivering, processed the sound, she was instead brought back into an unwanted memory.

Marinette could remember every detail.

তততততততততততত 

SMASH!

My hand happened to swing across the table, causing a hot bowl of Consommé to pour onto the girl's lap. Her shriek echoed throughout the restaurant, earning me several gazes from strangers and my oh so loyal 'boyfriend'. 

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND, MARINETTE?!" he yelled, pointing a condemning finger. Chagrined, I couldn't seem to reply to that. Tears were gliding down my cheeks and I couldn't control my pathetic weeping. My mind was too chaotic with emotions contradicting one another.

The girl and he frantically tried to dry her fancy dress, screaming and flinging words at the waiters to get more napkins. "A-are you?! YOU CHEATED ON ME! YOU SAID IT WAS STRICTLY WORK! I TRUSTED YOU!"

"Listen. I just need some excitement from time to time. You've been busy lately and I already had existing feelings for Mila! The world doesn't revolve around you," said the boy, shaking his head.

"You promised!" I showed the promise ring on my finger, which didn't seem to symbolize anything anymore. "Excitement, huh?! Bullshit! Was I not enough for you? Why didn't you break up with me instead?!" 

"Because I still love you! But she's been helping me with my career, and I deserve better than just some overachiever! I need more than just support! I need someone who could actually make my dreams come true! You're dragging me down with your prodigy ass!" he exclaimed, as if I should've seen this coming. 

"You're turning this around again!" I cried, my voice growing hoarse. "You're the one who only thinks of yourself. You're the one who never considers my emotions! YOU'RE THE CHEATING BASTARD!" Unable to calm my fury, my hand swung to his face mercilessly, leaving a bruise on his eye. 

I managed to break free from waiters who tried to get a hold of me. But I didn't even care what anyone thought at this point. 

With my misty vision, I don't know how I was still able to run home to my bathroom, the paper of the restaurant's address slipping from my sweaty hands. It all felt like a blur. The next second, I was staring at my mirror with a sore throat and pale knuckles. 

I don't know why it had to come to this. I don't know why he was selfish enough to do such a thing. I don't know why I was naive enough to trust him. I don't even know why I was smiling when I was clearly sad. 

"THAT DAMNED JERK!"

তততততততততততত 

Chat Noir's guilty voice pulled her back to reality. "Marinette, you okay?"

After a few deep breaths, she responded, "Yes."

"I'll go downstairs to get gloves and a bin." He apologized several times, but she paid it no mind.

"Er— there's a vacuum downstairs," said Marinette blankly, eyes staring into nothingness. 

Chat Noir made sure no shards were left considering Marinette was barefooted. After such a debacle, they sat once again, their silence in great contrast to the noisy bustle of the city. They were quiet for nearly a minute, and Chat hesitantly put an end to it.

"You look...rattled," remarked the boy, "are you okay?"

"It's not a big deal." She sighed. "I'm sorry for spacing out."

He massaged his temples. "I'm sorry for breaking your glass. I'll buy you a new one?"

"As if you'd have the money." Marinette snickered, covering her smile. "No need."

"Excuse me?" He rested his hand on his chest, feigning an exaggerated, offended look. "You have no idea who I am behind the mask."

"A very unattractive teenage boy with a big ego, who flirts with every girl, and thinks they're all in love with him somehow?" She nodded slowly.

"That's a bit descriptive. But there's some accuracy," said Chat Noir jokingly, hand tilting from side to side.

Marinette rolled her eyes, leaning back. "So you admit it then?" 

They both just laughed after staring at each other for a while. For once, she was glad to accept his invitation of hanging out, even if it wasn't too beneficial. Admittedly, Marinette would rather the moment last, than study. 

Chat Noir was still as nervous as ever. He couldn't continue what he wanted to say earlier. His emotions were weighing heavily on him, and he could practically hear the beating of his heart.

The clock ticking behind them seemed to be pressuring him to say it already. 

I've been rejected not too long ago. Do I really want to do this?

Remember to Vote, Comment, and Share :)

Have a nice Day/Afternoon/Night...!

~1324 words~