Daminette December-- So Close (And Yet So Far), Prologue

Daminette December-- So Close (And Yet So Far), Prologue

Marinette only applied to two schools: Gotham University and the Sorbonne. The only reason she applied to the latter was to appease her parents. They wanted her to have a backup plan in case the Gotham thing didn’t work out, and in case she changed her mind about going to a crime capital of the world.

Of course, she didn’t change her mind. She got into both schools, but barely even looked at her letter from the Sorbonne. She loved the idea of staying close to her family, but at the same time she needed to go. After everything that happened, she needed an out, and this was her only option. Gotham or bust.

Marinette wanted to brave the world on her own, so that was exactly what she would do. Well, she and Tikki would, anyway. Thankfully, Master Fu let her keep Tikki with her, and she promised that they could do Guardian lessons remotely during the school year and in person during the summers. Hawkmoth may have been gone, but it was best to be prepared, just in case. Chat Noir still had his miraculous, much to her annoyance, but at least she had Luka, Kagami and Chloe still on her side.

Graduation was a solemn affair for her. It was a nice early summer day and everyone around her was smiling, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She got through the ceremony without really thinking about it, and smiled weakly for a few photos before everyone dispersed. While her class went out to celebrate that night, Marinette stayed home, blasting Jagged’s first album and packing the last of her things before her flight the next day.

“I think your suitcase is going to burst if you put anything else in, Marinette,” Tikki said as Marinette attempted to zip up the biggest suitcase she could find in the house, which was filled to the brink with handmade clothes, sewing supplies, a few notebooks, and other miscellaneous items. “You can always have your parents send you something if you need to, or you can buy more supplies in Gotham. I’m sure there will be a fabric store or two near the campus.”

“I guess you’re right.” Marinette groaned as she tried a final time to zip up the suitcase. It didn’t work, so she unzipped it and started taking things out again. “But I’m bringing all of the notebooks. No exceptions.”

“Of course. And don’t forget, your parents wanted to have a farewell dinner with you tonight at eight.”

“What time is it now?”

“Seven forty-five.”

“Ugh. I can come back to this later.” Marinette stood up and brushed herself off, looking angrily at the suitcase a final time. “I’ll be back,” she told it, which made Tikki laugh. She hadn’t heard Marinette make a joke in a while. Marinette gave Tikki a faint smile. “Thanks.”

“Come on, your parents are waiting for you. It’s your last night here for three months at least, so go have fun.”

“I will. And I promise I’ll sneak up some of that cake they’ve been ‘secretly’ making for me. It’s chocolate marble,” she added, which made Tikki grin. “I’ll be back later!”

She went down the trapdoor to the bakery, and Tikki stayed behind.

Tikki looked around Marinette’s room, which was pretty bare but was still distinctly Marinette’s. Most of the pictures from the wall had come down long ago, but the ones Marinette cherished were safely packed away. Ones with her true friends remained, while the others were probably recycled a few years earlier. The mannequin in the corner still had clothes on it, but it was missing pins and its measuring tape scarf. There were still sheets on the bed, but her favorite pillowcase and stuffed animals were safely packed in her suitcase. The walls were still pink, but the pink didn’t seem so bright and fun anymore.

Marinette had changed, that was for sure. Tikki knew that. She only hoped this change would help Marinette get back to herself for a change, get her out of her head and give her some peace after so much heartbreak in Paris.

Only time would tell.

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It’s finally Daminette December time, and I just couldn’t wait so I wrote this lil prologue to post tonight!

I really hope you like it, and I’ll also be posting all the chapters on Ao3 @magic-miraculous! A warning, though: the first few chapters will be but every day, but once I get through my prewritten ones, it’ll be closer to once a week.

@daminette-december2019 @ozmav @maribat-archive (lmk if you want to be added to the tags! :) )

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COMING UP NEXT-- Chapter 1 “Just a Friend”

Daminette December-- So Close (And Yet So Far), Chapter One “Just a Friend”

“Mari, who keeps calling you?” Damian asked as the pair sat at a table in the library of Gotham University. The two had known each other for only a few months now, but Damian already knew her expressions and mannerisms quite well. He noticed that whenever her phone vibrated she tensed, even if it ended up being her parents or one of their mutual ‘friends’ (Damian throws the word around loosely; they’re Marinette’s friends more than his, but he tolerates them. At least one of them, Felix, has a similar disposition to him. That makes it a bit more bearable). Usually, though, it was an unknown number that made her uncomfortable, but it seemed like she knew the number but intentionally didn’t include it in her contacts.

She always gave the same answer when Damian asked.

“Oh, it’s… it’s just a friend from home, that’s all,” she’d say, not meeting his eye. She still had a bit of an accent, but thanks to tutoring with Chloe she’d become proficient in English. Then she’d hurriedly change the subject, usually back to the assignment she was working on or talking about the surprisingly nice weather on a given day. Damian didn’t often press, but today he did. He didn’t really know why, but he just felt like he needed to. Something about this caller was making his friend unhappy, and he was sick of just letting it happen. He was Robin, after all; it was his duty to help those in need.

“Please, will you tell me? I know it bothers you.”

“It’s just a guy from lycee, that’s it. I promise,” she replied, plastering a smile on her face. It was too obviously fake.

Damian leaned forward. “Mari, please. It’ll just stay between you and me, and I do not judge.” That last part was somewhat of a lie, though; he judged his brothers, he judged many of his classmates silently, but he would never judge Marinette. He didn’t have the heart to do it.

Mari sighed. “Fine. Long story short, old friend became very toxic, I got a new phone, somehow he got the new number, and I can’t change my number again because of certain contacts-- and besides, it costs money that doesn’t need to be spent-- and I answered once and we fought, so I never answered again. I don’t know how he calls so much, since he’s supposed to be at University in London.”

Damian just stared at her for a minute. The longer he stared, the more she squirmed.

“Are you going to say something or what?”

“What? Oh, sorry,” Damian replied, taking a deep breath. “That guy sounds like an ass. You should press charges.”

“Yeah, right! His father is one of the top designers in France, and he’s one of the most famous models in the world! Meanwhile, my parents are bakers, and any money I’ve made from designing goes straight to paying for University.”

“I-” Damian started, but the phone started vibrating again, shaking the table and making both of the teens stare angrily at the screen. Marinette exhaled and hit the ‘decline’ button, but not before Damian could see the number. He made a mental note to give the number to Tim; hopefully he could do something about it.

“How about we go for a walk?” Damian suggests. “Get your mind off of him. One condition, though-- phones go on airplane mode.” He realized right after he said it that it might not be the best idea to limit his contact to his family in case of an emergency, and Marinette had the exact same idea.

“How about just on vibrate? I really should have it on and connected in case someone needs me,” Mari said.

Damian nodded. “Of course,” he replied before standing up and slinging his backpack over his shoulders. “Shall we?”

“Yes, we shall.” Mari laughed and followed Damian outside.

“So, where to?”

“Let’s just see where fate takes us.”

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And it’s finally officially beginning! I’m so excited about this story, and I really hope you enjoy it! :) 

@daminette-december2019 @ozmav @maribat-archive @dawnwave16 @bluerosette23 @18-fandoms-unite-08 @northernbluetongue @rebecarojas07 @blue-peach14 @weird-pale-blonde-person @astridflies @annabellabrookes @iloontjeboontje @abrx2002 @valeks-princess @interobanginyourmom @vixen-uchiha (lmk if you want to be added to the tags! :) )

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COMING UP NEXT– Chapter 2 “Blind Date”

Me watching the new Doctor Who trailer

Reblog if Fan Fics are just as valid as Fan Art

Affirmation for writers, please!!

Likes do nothing!!

Alrighty, the people have spoken! Chapter 3 will be up in a few minutes!

Gabriel: Let me see what you have.

Adrien: *running by with his friends* A life!

Gabriel: NO!