Chapter Text
Marinette had always thought that heartbreak would be loud.
She had imagined sobbing into pillows, dramatic rainstorms, aching music playing in the background while she stared out windows wondering where everything had gone wrong.
Instead...
It had been quiet.
Painfully quiet.
The silence left behind when friends stopped texting.
When familiar smiles became forced.
When every conversation somehow circled back to Lila.
When Adrien—sweet, kind Adrien—had looked at her with pity instead of understanding.
"Just... take the high road, Marinette."
As if she hadn't been doing exactly that for months.
As if taking the high road somehow stopped lies from spreading.
As if being kind fixed a broken heart.
She squeezed her pillow tighter, burying her face into it.
The guest room at Uncle Jagged's penthouse was enormous, sunlight spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Gotham's skyline.
It had only been a week.
Only seven days since she left paris.
Yet...
She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept this peacefully.
No whispered rumours.
No carefully measuring every word.
No wondering which friend would turn away next.
Just...
Peace.
"...Maybe that's why yesterday felt so strange."
A tiny smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it.
Damian.
The boy with the permanently unimpressed expression.
The one who somehow managed to sound offended by almost everything.
The one who'd looked completely horrified when his enormous dog had decided she was his new favourite person.
Her smile grew.
"Titus..."
The giant dog had nearly knocked her over before immediately demanding pets.
Damian had apologised in the flattest voice imaginable.
"He appears to have chosen you."
As if it were some terrible inconvenience.
Except...
He'd looked almost embarrassed.
It had been...
Cute.
Her cheeks warmed.
"Okay, maybe really cute."
She pulled the blanket over her face.
What was wrong with her?
She'd known him for one day.
One.
Single.
Day.
Yet yesterday had somehow become one of the nicest days she'd had in months.
She'd expected an awkward conversation beneath a tree.
Instead...
They'd spoken for hours.
About art.
About fencing.
About gymnastics.
Motorcycles.
Books.
Cooking.
Baking.
She still couldn't believe she'd met someone who spoke about painting with the same quiet intensity she felt whenever she designed clothes.
He hadn't laughed when she'd rambled.
Hadn't interrupted.
Hadn't looked bored.
He'd simply...
Listened.
Really listened.
It had made something inside her chest ache in the nicest way.
Then there had been lunch.
She still wasn't convinced he'd actually needed groceries.
He'd insisted he had errands.
Five minutes later she'd watched him stare blankly at an empty shopping basket while she picked out flour.
He'd definitely made that errand up.
The thought made her giggle into her pillow.
"He just wanted company..."
The possibility sent warmth fluttering through her stomach.
Unless...
No.
Don't assume things, Marinette.
Remember what assumptions got you in Paris.
Still...
She couldn't ignore how he'd lingered beside her while she compared chocolate brands.
Or how he'd quietly taken the heavier bags without asking.
Or how every time she thanked him he'd simply nodded as though it were obvious he'd carry them.
Then...
His brothers.
And sister.
She laughed outright.
"Oh, my gosh..."
The grocery store.
She could still picture Damian freezing like someone had hit the pause button.
One second he'd been calmly discussing butter.
The next—
"Little D!"
She buried her burning face into another pillow.
She hadn't known where to look.
The taller black-haired man—Dick, she thought—had looked seconds away from exploding with excitement.
Jason had somehow managed to look both intimidating and incredibly amused.
Tim had looked like he hadn't slept in several centuries.
Steph had immediately smiled at her like they'd been friends forever.
Poor Damian.
He'd looked as though disappearing into another dimension would've been preferable.
Yet...
They'd all been...
Nice.
Really nice.
Not polite because they had to be.
Genuinely welcoming.
Steph had helped decorate cookies.
Jason had somehow burned absolutely nothing despite claiming he couldn't bake.
Tim had nearly fallen asleep sitting at the kitchen island before mysteriously waking up the second brownies came out of the oven.
Dick had shamelessly stolen cookie dough every chance he got.
Damian had rolled his eyes approximately every thirty seconds.
It had been...
Chaotic.
Loud.
Comfortable.
Family.
Marinette blinked.
Family.
The word echoed strangely inside her chest.
She missed hers.
Missed Maman humming while baking.
Missed Papa proudly taste-testing everything before it had even cooled.
Missed Sabine smiling whenever Tom dramatically declared something "the greatest pastry in France."
She missed home.
Not Paris.
Home.
There was a difference.
Her parents were home.
Paris...
Didn't really feel like it anymore.
Her smile faded.
She hoped they were doing alright.
Thankfully Kaalki made travelling for akumas easy enough that she could still fulfil her duties without anyone noticing.
Ladybug was still there when Paris needed her.
Marinette...
Wasn't.
At least for now.
She reached for her phone on the bedside table.
One unread message.
Uncle Jagged.
Jagged: Don't forget dinner tonight, Pixie! Bruce insists on feeding you. Penny says wear whatever makes you comfortable.
Marinette blinked. Bruce ? Who was that ?
She'd forgotten Damian had mentioned dinner was at his house.
His dad probably....Monsieur Bruce Grayson or was it Monsieur Bruce Todd ?
She frowned.
She actually forget she didn't know their surname.
"...Oops."
That felt like something she probably should have asked yesterday.
Hopefully it wouldn't be awkward.
Her gaze drifted towards the wardrobe.
"What do you wear to dinner with people you've known for one day?"
Not pyjamas.
Probably.
She opened the wardrobe.
Pink dress? Too fancy.
Black one? Too formal.
Yellow sundress? Maybe...
She frowned thoughtfully. "...Or the blue one?"
Tikki floated sleepily out of her purse. "I vote blue."
Marinette smiled. "Really?"
"It matches your eyes."
Marinette looked into the mirror.
"...Do you think they'll actually want me there?"
Tikki gave her the sort of look only kwamis seemed capable of giving.
"Marinette."
"What?"
"They invited you."
"I know..."
"You baked together."
"I know."
"They asked you to come."
"I know."
"They even made plans before leaving."
"I know!"
Tikki folded her tiny arms.
"So...?"
Marinette sighed dramatically. "...I'm overthinking."
"A little."
"A lot?"
"A lot."
Marinette laughed despite herself. "...You're probably right."
Probably?
Definitely.
She wasn't used to people...
Choosing her.
Lately she'd always felt like the second choice.
Or the inconvenient choice.
Yesterday...
Not once had Damian made her feel unwanted.
Even when his siblings had appeared.
Even while they teased him.
He'd stayed beside her.
It was such a small thing.
Yet she'd noticed.
She noticed everything.
Especially kindness.
Her fingers brushed the flower crown resting carefully beside her sketchbook.
She'd absentmindedly tucked fresh flowers into her hair before leaving for the park yesterday.
Damian hadn't mentioned them.
Not directly.
But...
She remembered catching him looking once.
Just once.
Before immediately pretending he'd been studying a tree.
A tiny smile spread across her face.
"He wasn't very subtle."
Then again...
Neither had she.
He was...
Very handsome.
Beautiful green eyes.
Sharp features.
Dark hair.
A surprisingly gentle smile whenever Titus did something ridiculous.
And those tiny moments when his serious expression slipped...
They made him look younger.
Softer.
She wondered if he'd smile more around family.
She hoped so.
It suited him.
The thought made her blush.
"...Oh no."
Tikki grinned knowingly.
"What?"
"I don't think you're only looking forward to dinner for the food anymore."
Marinette squeaked.
"Tikki!"
"I'm just saying."
"I like baking with everyone!"
"Mhm."
"And they were nice!"
"Mhm."
"And Gotham isn't as scary as I thought."
"Mhm."
"And Damian was..."
She stopped.
"..."
Tikki floated closer.
"Was?"
Marinette stared very hard at the wardrobe.
"...Easy to talk to."
It wasn't a lie.
It just...
Wasn't the whole truth.
Tikki's smile turned suspiciously smug.
Marinette pointed dramatically.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"I absolutely was."
"Tikki!"
The kwami burst into giggles.
Marinette couldn't help laughing too.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
The future didn't seem quite so lonely.
Maybe this summer wasn't about running away from Paris.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
It was about finding herself again.
And if that journey happened to include a grumpy artist with green eyes and an oversized dog...
Well...
She certainly wasn't going to complain.
Jason walked into the manor, looked around once and frowned.
"...Why are there flowers?"
Bruce looked up from the dining room.
"They're decorative."
Jason narrowed his eyes.
"You've never voluntarily bought decorative flowers."
"I have."
Dick immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
"Never."
Tim looked over the rim of his coffee mug.
"The last flowers Bruce bought were for Alfred after the Joker stole his birthday cake."
"I remember that," Steph said.
"It was oddly sweet."
Bruce cleared his throat.
"They are simply... welcoming."
Jason slowly turned towards Damian.
"Oh my God."
"No."
"Bruce wants more grandchildren." he whispered in Damian's ear
Damian turned scarlet.
Selina arrived twenty minutes later.
She walked into the foyer, took one look at Bruce adjusting a table runner by less than an inch and asked,
"...Who are we trying to impress?"
Bruce answered without looking up.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng."
Selina blinked.
"...The ballerina?"
"Yes."
"The one Damian met yesterday?"
"Correct."
"The one who isn't dating Damian?"
"...Currently."
The room went silent.
Dick made a noise somewhere between a cough and choking.
Jason actually dropped the biscuit he was eating.
Tim slowly lowered his coffee.
Steph slapped both hands over her mouth.
Selina stared at Bruce.
"...You are insane."
Bruce frowned.
"I simply believe they are compatible."
Jason looked horrified.
"Compatible?"
"He has known her for twenty-four hours!"
"Twenty-seven," Bruce corrected.
Jason pointed accusingly.
"YOU COUNTED?"
Dick flopped dramatically onto the sofa.
"Okay."
"Story time."
Damian immediately stood.
"No."
Jason grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Oh yes."
"I refuse."
"You don't get a vote."
"I absolutely do."
"You lost voting rights when you called her Angel."
"I—" Damian stopped.
The room froze.
Steph gasped dramatically. "He didn't even deny it!"
Dick clutched his chest. "My baby's in love."
"I AM NOT."
Bruce looked thoughtful. "You did describe her as angelic."
"I made an observation."
Jason nodded solemnly. "That's exactly what people in denial say."
Roy wandered in carrying Lian on his shoulders. "Hey, what's every—"
Dick pointed dramatically. "Damian got a crush on a girl."
Roy didn't even hesitate. "Bull."
"It's true, her names Marinette ." Tim said amused
Roy looked at Damian.
Then at everyone else.
Then back at Damian who looked thoroughly embarrassed.
"...Holy crap."
Lian tilted her head.
"What's a crush?"
The adults froze.
Jason looked around desperately.
"...Someone else explain."
Dick panicked. "Not me."
Steph backed away. "Nope."
Tim took one sip of coffee. "It means you think someone is neat."
Lian nodded happily. "Oh!"
She looked at Damian. "So you think Marinette is neat."
The cave erupted.
Damian looked ready to fake his own death.
Kate arrived just in time to hear Jason say,
"...and then Demon Spawn took her grocery shopping."
Kate blinked.
"...Voluntarily?"
Jason nodded.
"He bought flour."
Kate slowly turned.
"You?"
Damian folded his arms.
"It was necessary."
"For what?"
"Baking."
"You bake?"
"No."
"So why were you buying flour?"
"..."
"..."
Jason pointed triumphantly.
"HE DOESN'T KNOW."
"He literally stared at shelves until she started shopping," Tim added.
"I observed."
"You were following her around with the trolley."
"I was accompanying her."
"You were puppy dogging."
"I WAS NOT."
Steph nearly fell off the sofa laughing.
Cass stepped out of the Zeta Tube just as Damian declared,
"I was not puppy dogging anyone."
Cass looked from Damian...
...to the thirty people laughing...
...back to Damian.
"...Problem?"
Steph immediately hugged her.
"Damian accidentally met a girl."
Cass blinked once. "...Accidentally?"
Jason nodded. "Now we're watching him unravel."
Cass looked at Damian for a long second. "...Embarrassed."
"I am not."
Cass tilted her head. "Ears red."
Damian instinctively covered one ear.
Jason actually screamed.
"SHE GOT HIM!"
Eventually Selena asked
"What is she actually like?"
The teasing quietened.
Dick smiled.
"Really polite."
Tim nodded.
"Ridiculously intelligent."
Steph grinned.
"She's one of those people who's accidentally good at everything."
Jason shrugged.
"Didn't even blink at the scars on my face."
Roy looked genuinely confused.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"And?"
"Nothing."
"Seriously?"
Jason nodded.
"She just smiled and asked if I wanted another cookie."
Roy leaned back. "...Okay, that's either confidence or insanity."
Dick laughed. "I vote confidence."
Tim looked thoughtful. "There was one thing, though."
Everyone looked at him.
"When we first met her..."
"She kept apologising."
"For everything."
Steph's smile softened. "Like she expected us to get annoyed with her."
Dick nodded. "By the end of the night she'd mostly stopped."
Bruce's expression grew thoughtful.
Selina noticed.
"...You're already in protective dad mode."
Bruce didn't deny it.
Then—
BOOM.
Jon landed on the balcony.
"I heard laughing from three streets away."
Jason pointed.
"Perfect."
"Tell him."
Five minutes later—
Jon stared at Damian. Then smiled. "...Can I test something?"
"No."
"Marinette." Jon grinned.. "Huh."
Then he casually said, "Angel."
Damian's heartbeat jumped.
Jon's smile became absolutely feral. "There it is."
Damian closed his eyes. "...Kent."
"I can literally hear your heart."
"I am aware."
"It just tried to leave your chest."
Jason doubled over.
Dick was on the floor.
Steph couldn't breathe.
Even Alfred, carrying a tray of tea through the doorway, paused just long enough to say, "My. How unfortunate for you, Master Damian."
"I hate every single one of you."
Alfred smiled pleasantly.