Work Text:
La Basilique Saint-Sauveur, known to her friends as Sav, loves her life. She was built in the most beautiful little town and she’s visited by the kindest, most wonderful humans. She’s even lucky enough to be one of the rare buildings with her very own spirit companion, a strange man known in his time as The Eagle of Brittany. The fact that he managed to end up here is a miracle in itself, since his body stayed somewhere else while only his physical heart was transported back to Sav. Bertrand du Guesclin is her dearest friend, though he’s not the most cheerful human to ever exist.
All is right in Sav’s world. Nearly every building she grew up with still stands, centuries of history displayed in their weathered stones. They are her family, and together they are what attract many visitors every year. Their town is called Dinan, and it is known as one of the prettiest places in France.
Sav is proud to be herself. When she can, she helps the humans who visit her, and today one of her favorites has come to sit in an empty pew. The young woman left for a while, drawn to the flashier city of Paris, but now she’s returned with heavy weights upon her heart. Sav watches with sympathy as her precious human cries.
The girl’s name is Marinette. She was only a little thing when Sav first met her, just a child, but as humans do, she grew quickly. Now she has her own child, a tiny babe with dark hair like its mother. Marinette weeps over her child and whispers to it, unheard by anyone but Sav and Bertrand.
“I’m sorry, Louise, I’m so sorry.”
What’s she sorry for? Bertrand asks, draped over a pew next to Marinette and peering at the bundle in her arms.
Shh, Sav admonishes him. Let’s listen and find out.
“I tried to give you a papa. I failed you.” Her tears come faster now, dripping onto the pretty pink swaddle. “He doesn’t love me anymore, but he would have loved you. I can promise you that. I just… I can’t risk it, cherie. You’ll understand, won’t you? I have to keep you safe. Will you forgive me when you’re old enough to understand?”
A tragedy, Sav hums in sorrow. The poor dear. Human hearts are so very fragile.
Bertrand is incensed. In my day, a man took responsibility for his whelps!
I think we’re missing some pieces here, old friend, Sav tuts at him. Didn’t you hear her? It doesn’t seem the man even knows he has a child.
They take a special interest in the mother and child after that, curious to know the entire story. It’s not as if a church like Sav is lacking in drama; certainly there are plenty of human affairs unfolding every day to keep them interested. But Marinette’s story is a mystery, and there’s nothing Sav loves more than unraveling a mystery.
It takes years, but what are years to ones as old as Sav and Bertrand? The child grows and, as she does, visits Sav more and more often. The little one’s name becomes well known to the church and her companion, with admonishments of “Louise!” called out frequently in exasperation. She’s a tiny scrap of a thing, her knees often scraped, her hair always falling out of its braid. To Bertrand’s delight, Louise is not only interested in the grandeur of the basilica. She’s also fascinated by the cenotaph of Bertrand du Guesclin.
Louise’s fingers trace the golden heart every time she visits, which makes Sav giggle from the ticklish sensation.
She really likes you, Bert.
I wonder why, the old man muses.
Sav chortles. Children like shiny things.
The child’s obsession only grows after a conversation with one of her caretakers. He’s a tall man who looks as though he could be Louise’s father, yet somehow he isn’t. He’s often the one to bring her to the church—or come searching for her when she sneaks in on her own. Sav loves his gentleness, the way he is always respectful of her sacred ground. It’s clear that he’s exceedingly fond of the child as well.
When he finds her once again at the cenotaph one day, he places a hand on her dark hair and asks, “What song do you hear, Louise?”
He always talks like that, as if music is everywhere. It annoys Bert and amuses Sav.
“The heart, Luka,” Louises says, her small, high voice piercing in the quiet. She touches the golden illustration again. “It’s singing a sad song. What does it mean?”
He crouches beside her and takes her in his arms. “It’s the heart of a great man. He was a warrior, and when he died, he wanted his heart to be buried here in Dinan.”
“But where is the rest of him?”
“Somewhere else. Sometimes…sometimes our hearts can be in a different place than our bodies.”
She considers for a long moment, her hand falling limply to her side. “Where is my papa’s heart?”
“Oh,” Luka sucks in a breath. “It’s, um, somewhere else, too. Somewhere very far away.”
Louise touches her own chest and sniffles. “What about mine? It hurts right now.”
“I think…I think your heart is out wandering. Looking for your papa.”
Then her sniffles turn to sobs and she throws herself into the man’s arms, wetting his shoulder with her tears.
It’s too sad to bear, Sav says. The poor thing.
Bert is still preening over being called a great warrior. I like that Luka, he says with a proud smile. He’s a very smart man. See, he takes care of the whelp even though she’s not his own. That’s the mark of a good one.
Yes, yes, but who is the real father? Why isn’t he here?
An additional clue comes a week later in a conversation between the child’s mother and Luka. Sav and Bertrand hold their figurative breaths when the two humans have a whispered argument just outside Sav’s walls. It’s good luck that Marinette’s parents have a business just across the street, for Sav’s awareness extends a few feet from her walls and she can often listen in to things happening in proximity to Marinette’s home. It would be easier if Le Maison would just share what he hears from within the bakery, but he’s always been a stickler for human privacy. He doesn’t approve of Sav’s eavesdropping and meddling.
“Why would you tell her that?” Marinette is whispering angrily.
Luka is far more calm. “Is it really so bad? I thought it might help her cope with her sadness.”
“It’ll be better for her if she just…stops wanting. Adrien is– He’s never coming back, Luka. Louise will never know him. She’s got me and you and her grandparents. Why can’t that be enough?”
“Because children need fathers. I’m a poor substitute for that. You could still contact Gabriel Agreste and let him know…”
“No! How can you still think that’s a possibility? It’s already been seven years. Any hope died when you showed me those pictures from London. Adrien’s getting married to that horrible woman soon, and the great Gabriel Agreste isn’t going to let anything get in the way of that. If the truth about Louise comes out now…” She shudders. “I don’t even want to know what he’d do.”
Bertrand! Sav nearly shouts.
What?! I’m right here. I’m listening just like you are.
We know his name now! And maybe he’s in London? Ohhh, could Abbey know of him? I’m going to ask…
It’s not the simplest thing to contact a building that’s so far away, but Sav has talked to Westminster Abbey before—mostly to gush like a fangirl—and the connection is a familiar one.
Abbey? Are you awake?
There’s a grumbling from across the sea, the sound of a very old building waking from a deep sleep. Saint-Sauveur? Is that you?
Yes! The one in Dinan! Oh, I’m so pleased you remember me. How are you? As beautiful as ever? I hope the dreary weather over there isn’t getting you down. Would you say hello to Ben for me?
Um, sure. Is that all you wanted?
Oh dear, sorry, no. I need some information if you have it. Would you know anything about a human named Adrien Agreste?
Abbey becomes more alert, her interest in the conversation clearly piqued. Do I know Adrien Agreste? He’s one of my favorites! A very sweet boy. He visits me almost daily and says the most flattering things.
Sav vibrates in excitement, making every door within her rattle. Luckily there’s no one around to hear in the middle of the night. Oh, this is wonderful! What can you tell me about him? Bertrand and I would love to hear anything you could tell us.
Bertrand? Oh, your little spirit? You and Notrie are so lucky. I keep trying to get one to stay with me… Abbey’s voice turns sad and her thoughts wander away.
Sav doesn’t want to be insensitive, but she’s so close to getting answers. About Adrien Agreste?
Ah, yes. The first time he came to me, he was in a wheelchair. He came with this woman, his fiancée I think. She’s very sour, doesn’t appreciate me at all. Abbey huffs in distaste. My Adrien, he’s been through a lot. He had one of those human diseases, like a termite infestation. Both buildings shudder.
He was very sick? Sav asks, wondering if that could be why he’s been absent.
Near death, apparently. For the first few years, the sour woman hovered over him as if he might expire at any moment. He’s better now, mostly.
Mostly?
I can feel the way his body trembles sometimes. He comes to me when he’s hurting or confused, and I comfort him. Abbey’s voice swells with pride and affection. He says I’m his dearest friend, isn’t that nice?
Yes, Sav replies hesitantly, but privately she thinks that humans should have human friends as well. It seems sad that he might be so lonely. What makes him confused? There are so many things that humans have to deal with. Perhaps one of them is the answer to her mystery.
Oh, he’s lost his history. It’s very tragic.
His history? What do you mean?
He doesn’t know his own past anymore. It’s gone, disappeared just like that. Something to do with his illness.
You mean he doesn’t remember who he is? He has… Sav searches for the right word, struggling with her limited knowledge. Amnesia?
Ah, yes, that’s what they call it. He’s got that. It’s nice for me, of course, because nothing distracts him from visiting. But it does seem to distress him a fair amount.
Sav can’t respond, lost in her shock. She pulls away a little to relay what she’s learned to Bertrand, who is equally surprised and a little chastened by his judgment of the man.
I suppose that’s as good an excuse as any to not take up one’s duties, he grumbles.
Abbey is calling for her, so Sav concentrates on slipping back into that conversation.
Where did you go? Abbey asks.
I had to confer with Bertrand for a moment. We’re very surprised, you see. Then Sav tells Abbey everything she knows, and it’s the larger building’s turn to be stunned speechless.
When she recovers, Abbey is beside herself. We have to do something!
That’s why I’ve contacted you! They need to be reunited. Louise cries for her papa, and he doesn’t even know she exists.
Abbey makes a worried noise. But the others hate it so much when I intervene…
What are we here for, if not to make human lives better? It’s our entire purpose!
Yes, yes, I suppose that’s true… Abbey thinks for a moment. I’ll keep careful watch and let you know if I see any way to help.
That’s all I can ask for, Sav says softly, then severs the connection.
Only a few days later, she feels Abbey reaching out to her once again. Yes? Any news?
The most marvelous news! Abbey exclaims. Adrien visited me today to say goodbye!
How is that good news? Sav is horrified. Where is he going??
That’s the good news! He’s going to Paris!
Sav gasps. He’ll be so close! Is there any way we could get him to Dinan? Or maybe I could find a way to get Marinette to Paris…oh, but she hates that city after whatever happened to her there. She’d never go back.
Abbey is practically wiggling with excitement, her musical voice soaring over their connection. I’ve got a brilliant idea, you see! It’s all going to work out perfectly, if only we can get Notrie to participate.
Notrie? Sav says in awe. She’s never even dared to try contacting the great Notre Dame. That cathedral has quite an…imposing reputation. Supposedly, she isn’t quite as friendly as Abbey is.
Yes, Abbey says deviously. Because Notrie is the key to the Listener.
Sav reels back in surprise, nearly losing the connection entirely. The Listener is too great to even imagine, a legend among buildings, a figment of the past come back to life. Sav has never even entertained the notion of getting to speak to the Listener or be noticed by her in any way.
Y-y-y-you can’t be serious! What would the Listener care about a petty matter like this!
Well, I know her, too, Abbey preens. She actually lives near me, and we’re very good friends. She takes a moment to bask in Sav’s awe before continuing. Poppy—that’s her name—is always up for an adventure. If we present this the right way, I think she would help us. The real problem is going to be getting Notrie to agree. Poppy is with her right now, and Notrie is fiercely possessive of their time together.
Oh. Sav supposes she would be, too. So how do we do it?
The two buildings make plans into the night, and once everything is in place, Abbey is the one to contact Notrie. Sav waits nervously, her jitters bleeding over into Bertrand, who moves in circles through her walls, muttering about battle strategies.
When Abbey reaches out again, she’s huffy with annoyance. I love that building with my whole heart, but she’s the most insufferable snob.
Did she agree, though?
…not precisely. She said she’ll give the details to Poppy, but I have no doubt she’ll paint them in the worst light.
Sav sighs. I guess that’s the most we can ask for.
As it turns out, it’s more than enough. From what Sav can gather from Abbey’s excited chatter the next night, Poppy has enthusiastically agreed to be a participant in their meddling. The plan is in place, and all that’s left is to see how it plays out. Abbey provides a running commentary throughout, her information coming second hand from Notrie’s thoughts.
Okay, Adrien just visited Notrie for the first time. Ha! He’s so enraptured by her, and she’s soaking it all up like the vain little peacock she is. He’s there with a group of other men who study buildings…architects…they’re all losing their minds over Notrie. Hmmph. They should visit a real church and see how they like it. Poppy’s walking in now. She’s following the group. She’s going to approach them– Oh! Oh no! Adrien isn’t feeling well. He left the group. He’s going back to his hotel! Oh, goodness. Wait. Poppy is going to talk to the group anyway.
Sav listens intently, on the figurative edge of her seat.
My princess, she’s so clever! She’s telling the building-lovers that anyone can visit the big famous monuments, but don’t they want to see some lesser-known ones? The men look dubious. Oh, she’s telling them about you, Sav! Really talking you up. You’d better enjoy it, it’s the only time anyone will.
Sav winces. That was unnecessary.
They’re leaving now. We’ll have to wait and see if it worked, I guess.
It does work. Apparently the other men in the group tell Adrien about the strange girl they met, because the next day he shows up to say goodbye to Notrie. Poppy follows him to the train station and sees him buy a ticket to Dinan, then reports back to the cathedral.
It’s all coming together! Abbey exclaims when she tells Sav the news. Get ready, he’s on his way!
Sav thinks she’s ready. She really does. She confers with Bertrand, and they both agree that they’ve done what they can. Fate will have to step in for the rest. But then the most spectacular thing happens:
The Listener shows up.
She swirls in with a flash of bright blue energy, her red hair flaming and her eyes aglow. She doesn’t look like anyone Sav has ever seen, and the poor building is overwhelmed to the point of catatonia. Poppy, who has appeared without warning in Sav’s rafters, places a hand on one of the stone walls, and a pulse of energy shocks Sav awake.
“Wakey, wakey,” the chipper little voice says. She flashes a row of pointy teeth up at the ceiling, then turns to Bertrand. “Is she always like this?”
The old knight is just as taken aback, though he’s struggling not to show it. Well, he blusters, no. It’s not every century a Listener shows up, you know.
Poppy grins and throws herself back on a beam of wood, wiggling until she’s comfortable then crossing her legs casually. “I am pretty great.”
Sav, silent until now, finally finds her voice again. Um, h-h-hello. Poppy. Hello. Welcome! I mean, here you are. Here. Hello!
“There, there,” Poppy says, laughing and patting the stones again. “Take your time. You don’t have any food, do you?”
Just communion wafers, Bertrand offers.
“Blegh, no thanks. I saw a really good bakery on the way in. We’ve still got,” she glances at a nonexistent watch, “about an hour before he shows up. I’ll be right back.” Her oversized jacket flutters as she shimmies her way down from the rafters and drops onto the ground. “Show me the back way out?”
Bertrand takes the duty, leading Poppy to a nondescript door on the side and waving at the quickly-disappearing form.
Hey, Sav? he asks.
Yes, Bert?
Was that…real?
I think so.
Poppy returns quickly, a bag crammed full of pastries in hand. She’s already got a croissant stuffed into her mouth as she scurries through the back door and climbs to a good vantage point. “Alright, I’ve got some munchies, now the party can begin.”
You… Sav hesitates to speak, but summons her courage. You went to the boulangerie across the street?
“Yep,” Poppy says around a mouthful of macaron.
Oh, that’s where Louise lives! The child. Adrien’s daughter.
“Interesting. Well, if things don’t work out here, I can try to arrange something over there. That building is a real prick, though.”
Le Maison? Yes, he can be quite frustrating…
As tourists and locals slip in to light candles or say prayers or just take pictures of the décor, Sav’s nervous excitement begins to grow.
You’ve met him, Listener? What does he look like?
Poppy is cleaning her nails with a knife pulled from one of her many pockets. She scrunches her face up as she recalls her brief sighting of Adrien Agreste. “Blond. Skinny. A real pretty boy, too soft for my tastes. You know, if I was batting for that team.”
Louise deserves a soft father. Sav hums in contentment. Then, as if thinking her name has summoned her, the child in question runs into the cathedral, guilty glances cast over her shoulder. One shoe is untied, and she almost trips over it in her haste to get to Bertrand’s cenotaph.
That’s her! Sav whispers urgently. The child.
"Excellent." Poppy's voice comes out in a hiss and she slides into a crouch like a panther on the hunt. "Perfect timing on her part. I respect that. Adrien's train should have arrived by now, he'll be here soon."
You're sure he'll come straight here?
"Oh, he will. He's a total building simp. Notrie said he couldn't get to her fast enough after arriving in Paris." She slips and dangles from a rafter with one hand, seemingly unalarmed by the threat of falling. "Makes you wonder how boring his life must be if he doesn't have any human friends. If anyone was going to become a Believer…" She trails off, lost in thought.
Sav is partially listening and partially scanning the faces inside her for a skinny blond man. Bertrand, as usual, has drifted over to occupy his cenotaph while the child is there. He takes it very seriously that she chooses to pray to him; Sav only hopes they have a good outcome from this endeavor. He's felt sorry all these years for not being able to do more.
"Aha, here's loverboy now. Oof, he's not looking so great. Probably needs to sit down. Didn't Abbey say he was sickly? You sure you want this guy as a father figure?"
And for the first time, Sav overcomes her shyness around the Listener. Don't talk about him like that! She's just caught her first sight of the mythical figure, and he's everything she dreamed. Oh, he's so perfect for our Marinette. How darling. He has such kind eyes!
Poppy only laughs and pulls herself back up to walk along a beam of wood like a tightrope. "Okay, the kid is in place? I'll go do my thing. Watch a pro in action."
Sav's focus is on both Adrien and his daughter, the latter having begun to cry as she often does. Please let this work, Sav prays.
She doesn't see where Poppy comes from, but when Adrien stands from where he's been catching his breath on a pew, the Listener is there to conveniently bump into him. Sav listens closely to the conversation, not wanting to miss a single second of it.
"Pardon me," Adrien is saying, hands on Poppy's shoulders to steady her. He has no idea of the importance of the person in front of him. "I'm so sorry."
Poppy flashes him with that feral grin and steps back. "Not to worry. Too busy admiring the view, huh?"
"Y-yes. She's a truly magnificent building."
Sav squeals and preens, mentally nudging Bertrand. Did you hear that, Bertie? I'm magnificent.
He only sends a wave of annoyance back at her, both for interrupting the solemnity of Louise's tears and also for using the despised nickname.
Poppy is frightening Adrien with her less than human features, but he bravely stands his ground. "I'm sure she appreciates the compliment," the Listener says, a laugh in her words. "You should take a look around."
That's what she came to do, apparently: nudge Adrien in the right direction. If it doesn't work this time, well, there will be other opportunities. The strange girl whistles as she walks out the open doors then immediately circles back to the rear entrance.
"Ha! How was that?"
Shhh, he's about to see her!
Adrien makes a slow, torturous circle around Sav's interior, and she begins to worry he might not make it in time. The child's guardians usually show up to whisk her away by this point.
Then: a perfect moment. One of the rare ones that Sav waits decades to witness. Adrien hears the child's cries and turns a corner to find her kneeling before Bertrand's heart, and his eyes soften in sorrow.
That's your daughter!! Sav yells, but of course he can't hear her.
Louise, who resolutely believes in miracles, turns at the sound of his cleared throat, thinking he's her grandmother come to admonish her for sneaking away again. Instead, she opens her eyes to find an angel. Sav can see the child's every thought written on her dear little face.
She says the words aloud: "Are you my papa?"
Yes! Yes, he is! Sav isn't the only one shouting now. Bertrand, though he won't admit it later, is also yelling at the two oblivious humans.
"Oh, um, no," Adrien says in shock. "I'm sorry."
Poppy, watching in amusement, crouches in the rafters with a grin like a gargoyle. “Why are you two panicking? He doesn’t know he’s her dad. Geez, I’m surrounded by idiots.”
Sav doesn’t respond to the insult, too invested in the crestfallen look on Louise’s face and her soft exclamation of, “My prayers never work.”
Bertrand makes a noise of distress.
“Hold on, just give it a second,” the Listener urges them. “My plans never fail. Well, there was that one time, but we don’t talk about that.” She shudders. “Trust me, you do not want to know.”
They tune her out. Louise and Adrien are talking about Bertrand now, about the things Luka told her that Marinette had so objected to. Then Sav senses another familiar soul entering her grounds, a warm and motherly human Sav recognizes instantly as Louise’s grandmother. Oh, why couldn’t it have been Marinette coming to fetch Louise today? That would have fixed everything.
Maybe it will work out after all. The three watchers hold their collective breath as Sabine invites Adrien to stay for the festival and encourages him to come with them to the bakery across the street. And, blessedly, he does. Sav and Bertrand cheer as Adrien walks through Sav’s doors with his daughter by his side.
Oh please follow them! Sav begs the Listener. Tell us what happens!
“Wouldn’t miss this show for the world.” She returns in an hour with a delighted expression. “Wow, this family is fucked up. That was very entertaining.”
What happened!!
Bertrand is back to pacing, unable to stay still with the tension in the air.
“Wish you could have seen it. The cashier lady, I guess that’s the one you’re so obsessed with, when she saw the twink guy, she threw a tray of croissants at him! They were flying through the air like shrapnel!”
Sav gasps in horror. Was he injured?!
Poppy makes a sound like a horse. “Pffft, no. He wasn’t even inside the bakery yet. That lady is a firecracker, gotta keep an eye on her. She hightailed it outta there and ran into an alley to call someone, then– This is the best part! You’re not gonna believe this! I can’t wait to tell Notrie and listen to her tell Abbey. They’re going to love it.”
Listener! The point, please! Impatience makes Sav disrespectful, it would seem.
“Right, right, don’t get your building panties in a twist. So the twink guy goes rolling his suitcase down the road—pretty lame to have a rolling suitcase if you ask me—then apparently he doesn’t even know where he is because he turns around real fast just as the cashier lady is zooming out of the alley, off in a rush to who knows where, and they collide! Like two lorries on the motorway! It was beautiful to watch.”
Unable to help herself, Sav asks again, Was anyone injured?!
“Geez, no, there aren’t any blood or guts in this story. Shame, really. I could add some in if you’re that bloodthirsty.”
I’m not– No. Please, just continue. What happened next?
“Well, cashier lady looked ready to punch his lights out. And no, before you ask, no one was injured. To my dismay. Seems like twink guy probably deserves some punching, if I understand the story correctly.”
You must not understand it, then. He doesn’t remember anything.
“Hmm, well, anyway. She didn’t punch him because before she could, he introduced himself. And let me tell you, she was like–” Poppy pauses in her speech to make a variety of hand motions and facial expressions that Sav can’t make sense of. Then she says, “You know?”
I’m afraid I don’t. Was that supposed to be intelligible?
A very long, very exasperated sigh. “She spazzed out! She went crackers! Her face did all kinds of things, like her brain was flipping through TV channels. Most fun I’ve had this week. Anyway, that stopped all her punchy thoughts and kind of short-circuited her so she just stumbled down the street and left one very confused twink behind.”
Oh dear. That doesn’t seem promising.
“Please. They’ll be smooching in that alley within a fortnight, I’d bet my right pinky on it.” She sighs and looks down at her left hand, where her ring finger is missing. “Let’s hope I’m right. Anyway, I can’t stick around. I’ve got to get back to Notrie before she starts getting cranky. Let me know how things go! And hey, you know you can just contact Notrie directly, right?”
Sav goes quiet and the room heats up a little. I– I couldn’t possibly–
“Pleeease, she’s not that intimidating, just a crotchety old lady. Up to you, though. Abbey will give us the news if you’d rather talk to her. I’m off!” Then she disappears in a puff of black feathers without any further goodbyes.
Bertrand finally settles down once the Listener is gone, leaving Sav to the peace and quiet of an empty interior. She loves her humans, but she loves nighttime as well. She creaks and groans as the older parts of her settle, and before she drifts off to sleep, she says one last prayer.
Please, let them become a family.
As it turns out, the Listener does not have to sacrifice another finger. As she predicted, Marinette and Adrien find their way back into each other’s arms. To Sav’s delight, their tearful reunion happens within her walls, so she has a front row seat for the entire event. And, to Bertrand’s even greater delight, Adrien calls him a friend. Sav is aware of Louise eavesdropping on the couple, and she cries out in delight when the child flings herself into her papa’s arms right at the very spot they first met.
Bertrand is beside himself, doing his best to hide his own emotions, but Sav can tell he’s holding back tears. We did it, Savvy. We answered her prayers.
They really did. It almost doesn’t seem real, this happy ending. And when, a few years later, Louise is the flower girl at what Sav considers the most beautiful wedding to ever exist, Sav finally works up the courage to contact Notrie.
See, she says to the ancient cathedral, sending an image of the happy family. Sometimes meddling is worth it after all.
Art done by pineapplefuzz for this story. <3 Click here to see the full resolution!
