Chapter Text
“Mom?” Jason put his knife back in the drawer of the table in the foyer and relaxed his stance.
Marinette almost broke her neck turning from the woman in the armchair to her boyfriend.
Jason flipped the lights on and Marinette moved to his side, unsure if she wanted protection or to defend him.
Across from the strange woman were Jagged, Penny, Tom, and Sabine. “Why are you guys here?! I thought you were coming in two weeks?”
“Jagged offered to bring us on his jet to surprise you, honey,” spoke up Sabine. “We found your boyfriend’s mother already here, also to surprise you.”
“Well…that was certainly a surprise all right,” nervously chuckled Marinette.
Beside her, Jason was glaring at his mom and communicating primarily through facial expressions and body language.
“Yes, a surprise,” agreed Jason, squeezing her hand. “Excuse us for a second—I’m sure you understand, since this was quite the surprise.”
She tugged him around the corner to the foyer hallway.
“I’m so sorry about my mom, Pix. She has a habit of randomly dropping in on me when she’s in the area, but I didn’t know she was around. She must’ve decided to come test you or something.”
“It’s fine, we weren’t expecting my parents and uncle and aunt, although I really should’ve known better. Also, what tests?”
“Uh…I’m not sure. Never dated anyone long enough to introduce them to her…”
“Expect to be threatened with being fed to Fang, by the way,” Marinette warned him. “Uncle Jagged is a little dramatic.”
“And you say this after meeting the non-lethal side of my family,” he joked.
Marinette peeked around the corner. “Maman and your mom are getting along just great, which is mildly concerning. But they should be fine with your mom’s…career, considering my maman’s background and that they approve of Uncle Slade teaching me uh, tricks.”
She said that like he didn’t have that nugget of information bouncing around the back of his head 24/7.
“Marinette, did you know I have already met your future mother-in-law?” called Sabine. “We used to train together, though as I was older I was usually the one training her.”
Marinette pinched her brow and sighed, then dragged a stunned Jason back into the living room.
Talia smiled sweetly at her. “Your mother was an invaluable asset to the League while she trained with us during her contract. I sometimes wondered what happened to make Sabine Cheng sifu drop off the face of the earth.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Talia shaykhah.”
“Likewise. How did you meet Jason? I was only informed that he had asked a very nice girl out a few months ago,” heavy side-eye was sent Jason’s way and he shifted his weight awkwardly.
“Uh, we’re in the same classes at school, and we got teamed up to work on a project.”
“And you know of his activities?”
“Of course, I helped him take down the Untitled when they came after me.”
“After you?” Talia’s gaze sharpened.
Jagged, Penny, and Tom munched on popcorn as they enjoyed the front-row seats to the live drama.
“Uh, they found my magical energy.”
“Oh, a mage. I imagine your father doesn’t like that,” Talia directed that comment to Jason, who was eyeing Fang, who was eyeing him back sleepily.
“He doesn’t know yet; we only got back from her introductory brunch.”
“What do you have that would make the Untitled come after you?”
Marinette felt a teensy bit uncomfortable under the doubled scrutiny of Talia’s piercing gaze.
“…a Miraculous?” guessed her future mother-in-law dang it Maman, Talia!
Marinette grinned sharply. “Cataclysm does wonders for an ancient sect’s skincare.”
Talia gave an approving nod. “ You seem to make a good pair with Jason. I would like to spar with you sometime.”
“I’d love to. Will you be staying in town long?”
“I just dropped by to see my son’s girlfriend. I’m leaving tomorrow evening.”
“I assume you already have my number or have a way to contact me; I’ll be waiting.” Marinette turned to her aunt and uncle. “It’s so good to see you again! This is my boyfriend, Jason Todd. Jay, Jagged and Penny–and Fang,” she cooed, stooping to greet the alligator.
“Good to see you, Little Rockstar! All grown up, you even got a boyfriend…they grow up so fast,” sniffed Jagged, wiping a fake(?) tear away.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Jason stepped forwards to shake the visitors’ hands. “Pixie talks about you all a lot.”
“We don’t hear that much about you,” said Jagged.
Marinette rolled her eyes. “I’ve been busy with school and commissions and life, Uncle Jagged. Besides, we had some things to…deal with before we went public.”
“Things,” snorted Jagged. “What an explanation, of course, why didn’t you just say so earlier?
“You still need tutoring on your excuses, Little Rocker. We gotta get you some sort of creative animal…I’m thinking an emu…What about you, Pen?”
Penny raised an eyebrow. “Marinette has enough on her hands with 19 kwami, a boyfriend, and an overprotective uncle.”
“Thank you, Aunt Penny.” Marinette stood and turned to Jagged, motioning subtly to Jason to pet Fang.
“Maman, Papa, Nonna, and Uncle Slade all approve, Uncle Jagged, you don’t need to worry about me. And Jay’s parents also approve on his side. Everything is fine, and you don’t need to threaten him with Fang. As you can see, they’re getting along just fine, so Jason also has Fang’s seal of approval. Would anyone like some tea?” The topic switch was not subtle, but Marinette was beyond caring at this point.
“I’d like a cup, sweetie,” said Tom, and Sabine nodded.
“Me too, please.”
Talia nodded in agreement when Marinette looked at her.
Penny offered to help Marinette make the tea while Jason chatted with the parents (and uncle).
“He seems like a good kid, Marinette; I hope your relationship stays strong. I’ll try to keep Jagged in line.” She sent Marinette a small smile.