Chapter Text
Marinette sat in the park, still in her work clothes but with her sketchbook in her lap. Jagged Stone was by far one of her favorite clients, but by god could the man be a little too much at times.
The constant prying into her personal life didn’t help but she couldn’t bring herself to complain. Jagged had literally known her since she was 13, he was one of her most loyal clients. Had been exclusively wearing her designs and clothes for 12 entire years.
Maybe he earned the occasional question about finding a partner and maybe having some kids. He immediately lost that privilege when he once again offered up Luka as an option but hey. Progress.
Sort of.
Not really, like at all, but she was just going to ignore that.
What she was not going to ignore, was her favorite little shadow. Honestly the main reason she kept coming back to this specific park was because of him, not the inspiring scenery.
Marinette didn’t know his name, he would run off every time she directly acknowledged him, but she knew enough about him.
He was quiet, didn’t really get along with the other kids. Which was a little sad, a child should be running around and playing, but Marinette couldn’t blame him. She hadn’t found her place to ‘fit’ until she was a preteen.
One thing her little shadow always seemed to enjoy, was watching her draw. He would sometimes sit beside her, just far away enough that she could pretend he wasn’t purposefully sitting with her. Sometimes, if she was sitting under a tree, he would simply opt to climb it, watching her from above.
This time, he was sitting beside her, each of them on opposite sides of the same bench, despite the fact that plenty of benches were still open.
And this time, Marinette was prepared.
She shut her sketch book with a sigh,leaning back in her seat and pulling her bag in front of her.
She took out two apples, dusting both of them off with a napkin before she placed one of the apples on a handkerchief. Leaving the fruit to sit in the empty space between the two of them.
Her little friend looked between her and the apple a few times before hesitantly reaching out and grabbing it. He waited for a moment, watching her carefully as she took a bite and mirroring her moments.
Every bite she took he matched, waiting and watching to make sure he was doing the correct thing. When their apples were finished, Marinette stood, disposing of her apple core and waiting for him to return to the bench before she continued their snack.
Next were two bottles of juice and some crackers. These were both taken with far less hesitation than the apple. Whether because the apple was a fruit and kids sometimes found healthy things gross on principle, or because he realized they were in fact, for him, was left to mystery.
After their snack, Marinette took out a sketch book. Not her own, but a gift for her little buddy. On the first page, she wrote her name, clearly centered on the page in big bold letters. Once she finished, she simply closed the book, setting it between them with a package of drawing pencils on top.
He picked up the book slowly, once again unsure of what he was meant to do, and flipped open the book to to the first page.
“Marinette?” The little boy sound out, looking up to her in confusion. The first word he had ever spoken to her. Marinette couldn’t hide her smile if she tried.
“It’s my name,” She answered. “Marinette.”
For half a second, Marinette was certain she’d messed up. Certain he’d run off again because she spoke to him directly.
Instead, he reached out. Carefully plucking her own sketchbook up into his hands and flipping open to the next blank page. He hunched over the page, opening his new packet of pencils and very carefully, in small, clear lettering. Wrote one word.
‘Damian’.
“My name is Damian.” He whispered.
Marinette beamed at him, holding out her hand to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you Damian.” She whispered back, enclosing his small hand in hers.
Damian stared at her with wide eyes for a long quiet moment, blinking down at their hands with the beginnings of a small smile turning up the very tips of his lips.
And then a dog barked, Damian jumped slightly wrenching his hand away from Marinette in an instant and bolting to his feet.
He almost bolted away from her entirely, only pausing just long enough to grab his new sketch book and pencils, before turning tail and running away.
Marinette watched as he went, back to the same house he always disappeared into. Marinette stood with a sigh, waving to the house just in case his parents were watching through the window, and left the park.