A Sphinx's Broken Pride
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Hello everyone! I'm back for Femslash February this year though this time I will only be doing a few prompts so as not stress myself out too much and that's all for the introduction to this year's Femslash February, though I will still just be writing Chloenette for all the prompts that I'll do because it's my OTP and I have the most ideas for it, so if you don't like it then that's your problem. I almost forgot to mention but I have a special thanks to give to @generalluxun for helping me with coming up for the name of this AU.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Prompt: Lion
Ship: Chloenette
Warning(s): angst, hurt/comfort, possible cringe and grammar mistakes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"What if we have a race?" Chloe suggested, jumping up and down in one place out of excitement, a joyful sparkle in her icy blue gaze as her soft and slightly wavy blonde hair bounced in its high ponytail up and down with her happy hopping on the spot.
"Where did that suggestion come from?" questioned Marinette with a curious twinkle in her bluebell eyes and a raised eyebrow, fidgeting subconsciously with her hair-ties which held her silky soft black hair in its pigtails.
"I don't know, I just thought it would be fun" Chloe replied with a shrug, her cozy yellow cardigan making a slight rustling sound as she moved her shoulders and looked slightly down at Marinette who just barely came up to Chloe's shoulders in terms of height.
"Alrighty then, you're on!" Marinette responded with a friendly but competitive glint in her eyes as she stretched her hands above her head and then rolled her shoulders slightly in preparation for the race.
"Alright then, first to get to the Eiffel Tower wins!" Chloe explained happily, the finish line now decided on. She stretched her muscles and cracked her neck slightly before getting into a starting position at the starting line in front of Marinette's family bakery/apartment building.
They both felt a slight tickling feeling as they got down on all fours, a beautiful silky soft blonde coat of fur slowly sprouted, enveloping Chloe's clothes as her majestic matching blonde bird wings burst through her shoulder blades, while the rest of her body contoured into that of a beautiful blonde lioness, her eyes still sparkling with an icy blue glow as she transformed into a magnificent sphinx.
Marinette's transformation was much the same, the only difference being that her fur and feathers are black with her eyes still being a beautiful bluebell colour, though she was still getting used to shapeshifting even after these years of training her changeling abilities by herself.
"you're going down!" Marinette roared competitively, stretching her wings out behind her, as her tail started swaying lazily around, before she stretched out one last time for good measure.
"we'll see about that! I bet I'm a lot faster than you!" Chloe challenged playfully and puffed out her chest fur proudly, making Marinette roll her eyes with a slightly mischievous but fond smirk on her face.
"Ready, set, GO!" Chloe yelled, taking off like a shot. Marinette was right behind her, her black fur a blur against the Parisian backdrop. Chloe, being taller and having slightly longer legs, initially pulled ahead. Marinette, however, was more agile, weaving through the crowded streets with practiced ease. She ducked under a market stall, leaped over a stray dog, and narrowly avoided a collision with a mime.
Chloe felt a burning in her legs as her paws padded roughly against the ground, the gentle breeze rustling her fur as she raced through the city weaving and dodging between obstacles.
Only to feel a very gentle bite on the tuft of blonde fur at the end of her tail making her yelp in slight pain "Eep! What was that for?" As Marinette's powerful fangs carefully bit down on her tail, pulling her backwards a few steps and distracting her quite bit due to the pain of having her tail be pulled on so roughly.
Marinette ran right ahead, her short but strong sphinx form easily ducking past tall obstacles, as she glided past a pair of movers in the middle of the street, who were working together to lift a very heavy couch, she made sure to be very mindful of the moving truck nearby as she raced right past it in a blur of black fur.
Chloe glanced back, a flash of annoyance crossing her features. She was neck and neck with Marinette! Pushing herself harder, she pumped her legs, her blonde fur rippling in the wind.
Chloe, now recovered from the tail-tug, stretched her long legs, her blonde fur rippling with her movements. She pumped her wings once, twice, gaining speed as she closed the distance between herself and Marinette.
Marinette, having successfully sabotaged Chloe's start, sprinted ahead, her powerful black paws pounding the pavement. The wind whipped through her fur, and the city became a blur of colors and sounds. She glanced back to see Chloe recovering, shaking her head slightly, a playful growl rumbling in her chest. Chloe was fast, even with the head start Marinette had gained.
The Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance, a beacon marking their finish line. Marinette, seeing Chloe gaining on her, pushed herself harder. Her lungs burned, but she refused to give up. She was neck and neck with Chloe now, the finish line just ahead. With a final burst of speed, Marinette surged forward, crossing the finish line just a hair's breadth ahead of Chloe.
But Chloe, in her desperate attempt to catch up, hadn't seen the base of the Eiffel Tower. She crashed headfirst into one of its massive legs, the impact sending a jolt through her entire body. She stumbled back, dazed and disoriented.
Marinette, panting heavily but triumphant, turned to see Chloe. Her smile faltered as she saw the dazed look on Chloe's face. "Chloe! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Chloe shook her head, a whimper escaping her lips. "I...I lost" she mumbled, her voice thick with self-pity. "I'm such a klutz. I always mess things up." She started listing all her perceived flaws, all stemming from the constant criticism of her mother, Audrey.
Marinette frowned, her concern deepening. "Now you're just lion to me" she said, emphasizing the pun.
Chloe blinked rapidly, her eyes widening in surprise. "Did you just make a pun?
Marinette nodded. "Well, yeah. That's what Adrien would do if he were here right now."
Chloe's expression softened. "But he's not here. He's busy modeling his father's new clothing line in the park right now."
"Yeah, I know" Marinette replied. "But I wanted to cheer you up. So, did it work?"
Chloe thought for a moment. "Normally, I hate puns, and you know that" she said. "But I'm glad you wanted to cheer me up, so thanks, Mari. It means a lot to me." A small, asymmetrical smile touched her lips.
Marinette smiled back, her heart warming at Chloe's genuine gratitude. She walked over to Chloe and gently rubbed her face with one of her front paws, trying to soothe the pain from her collision with the tower.
Chloe sighed in relief, leaning into Marinette's touch. She nuzzled Marinette's paw, a soft purr rumbling in her chest. Marinette giggled fondly, continuing to gently stroke Chloe's soft blonde fur.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This is very late but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless, and I hope you all have a wonderful day or rest of your day and that will be all for this prompt.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=