Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The last few months of Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s life had been living hell. It all started when Lila Rossi transferred to her school; Françoise Dupont. She lied constantly in order to gain popularity and take all of Marinette’s friends away. When she first promised to make her friend-less, Mari doubted she could do it. She thought her friendships were strong and couldn’t be broken. Boy, was she wrong.

Only a few people stuck by her side; Adrien, Juleka, Alix, and surprisingly, Chloè. Chloè came up to her after school one day and begged for forgiveness, stating “Listen, Dupa- Marinette. I’d rather be on the right side of this war and that starts with you. Lila’s tower of lies will crumble, and we will build a new kingdom on a sturdy foundation made of trust.”

After hearing these words come from Chloè’s mouth, Marinette promptly gave Chloé a huge hug and dragged her towards the rest of the squad. Chloè apologized to each of them and promised to do better in the future.

Minutes into their newfound friendship, Chloé managed to figure out that Mari was Ladybug. Marinette smiled and held the Bee miraculous out to her. At first sight of the haircomb, she insisted that she wasn't worthy. Mari laughed and explained that she'd changed for the better and she wanted to give her a second chance. That was the day that Princess Honey joined the team.

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A few weeks later, Marinette stumbled upon the Martha and Thomas Wayne essay contest. She eagerly wrote an essay that worked with the prompt given and waited nervously for the results. In the middle of class, her phone dinged, causing the class to stare. She nervously unlocked her phone before checking her email. “Yes!” she squealed happily. Mme. Bustier raised an eyebrow. “Marinette? Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”

Marinette swallowed before replying. “Yes, actually. Our class was chosen for the Martha and Thomas Wayne Trip. So in two weeks, we’re going to Gotham.” She shrunk back into her chair, waiting for them to start screaming at her for lying and that they weren’t going. However, little miss liar herself spoke up first. “Oh my gosh! My Damiboo must’ve pulled so many strings to get us that trip after I entered it! I must make sure I thank him later.”

Alya looked at Lila adoringly. “Girl, you never mentioned having a boyfriend! I need the tea! Spill girl!”

Lila blushed, twirling her hair. “Well, we are on and off y’know... but it’s so nice of him to think of me! I’m hoping we can reconnect on this trip and Marinette doesn’t get jealous of me.”

Rose smiled. “Don’t worry Lila! We’ll do everything we can to get you to reconnect with your Damiboo. It's nice to know that you're able to keep a relationship going where there are no secrets between each other”

Rose shot a pointed look at Juleka. Rose and Juleka had broken up a month before due to Lila's lying habits. Rose believed every word that came out of the liars mouth, including the few select sentences that involved badmouthing Juleka when said girl wasn't around. Apparently, Lila had told Rose that Juleka was cheating on Rose with another person. Rose, being Rose, broke up with Juleka despite Juleka's attempts to convince Rose that she hadn't. Heartbroken and completely pissed, Juleka made her way to the Dupain-Cheng Bakery and apologized profusely to Marinette.

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Sleep Deprived Designer | @marinettedesigns
Was lucky enough to be able to hang out with @babycouffaine and @TheRealQueenBee today! Can't wait for our school trip to Gotham in a few weeks!

Chapter Text

Two weeks later, and the day of the trip arrived. Chloè’s dad had paid for the six to have first class tickets, as Chloè said she would ‘accept nothing less for her and the people she tolerates’. 

Upon arriving at the gate, Lila walked up to Mme. Bustier and whimpered. “Mme. Bustier, do you think I could have Marinette’s ticket? My tinnitus is acting up again and I think it would help if I could sit towards the front of the plane.” She simpered. “Also, would it be alright if Alya had Chloè’s ticket? For some reason, Chloè doesn’t like me, so sitting next to her would make me extremely uncomfortable.” 

Adrien, who had been listening to the entire conversation stepped in. “Mme. Bustier, if Lila really needed to sit at the front of the plane, she can pay for her own upgrade. Chloè’s dad paid hundreds of dollars in order for us to have these tickets.” 

Mme. Bustier tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’m sorry Miss Rossi, but Mr. Agreste has a point. If you really need to sit upfront, go head over to that desk over there. I’m sure someone could help you upgrade your ticket." 

Lila scowled before plastering on a fake smile. "That's alright Mme. Bustier. I'll live-"

"Boarding for flight 1301 to Gotham, New Jersey has begun. Please make your way to gate seven to begin boarding." A voice announced through the airport speakers.

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All in all, the flight went pretty smoothly. Adrien, Chloé, Juleka, Alix and Mari were happy in the quiet of first class until they landed. The minute the plane touched the ground, Lila and her followers ran off the plane to the baggage claim. 

Mari's small group followed behind, attempting to distinguish their bags from the others on the baggage claim. When her friends finally found their bags, Marinette still didn't have hers.

"Do you want us to wait with you Mari-bug?" Chloé asked

"It's alright Chlo. I'll meet you guys out front." Mari replied, looking around to see if she had missed her bag. 

Chloé nodded, looking less than satisfied by the answer she received before dragging Adrien out the door. Juleka chuckled before grabbing her bag and following them, Alix not far behind.

Marinette walked around the baggage claim for a bit before finally locating her pink suitcase, hidden behind a trashcan. "Lila..." She thought bitterly, rolling her eyes. 

She walked out of the airport, just in time to see the bus pull away from the building. 

She palmed her forehead. Thinking she should've expected this, she whipped out her phone and pulled up the map application, setting it to the location of the hotel. She sighed . “Looks like I’ve got an hours worth of a walk from here.” She shook her head before setting off. 

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“Look Ivy darlin’, what’s a girl doing all alone?” Harley Quinn asked her girlfriend. 

“I’m not sure, dear. Why don’t we go check on her?” Ivy replied. 

Harley grinned before walking up to Marinette and tapping her on the shoulder. Marinette spun around quickly. 

“Hey dearie, you all right? Why are you walkin’ round’ Gotham all alone?” Harley asked, eyes full of worry. 

The girl shrugged. “I’m here on a class trip... except my class left me at the airport... so now I’m walking to my hotel.” She smiled weakly. 

Harley waited a few seconds before exploding. “Your class just left you at the airport?! In Gotham of all places?! “ 

The girl nodded slowly. “Oh my, I’m sorry! I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Marinette and I’m from Paris!” 

Ivy smiled. “I’m Ivy, but most people know me as Posion Ivy. The clown looking one is Harley Quinn.” 

Marinette’s eyes widened. “You guys aren’t going to... hurt me or anything right?” She asked softly. 

Ivy shook her head vigorously. “Marigold, you’re safe with us. Neither one of us has committed a crime in the past two years. Although, I think Harley is tempted to go kill that class of yours.” 

Marinette stifled a giggle. “I’d help you with that! As long as we can blame some freak accident, like the cake in the room exploded.” 

Harley smiled widely. “Ivy, can we keep her? Please?” 

Marinette laughed. “Maybe we can start with you guys helping me get to my hotel?” 

Ivy chuckled. “For sure Marigold.” 

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Minutes later, Harley, Ivy, and Marinette arrived at the hotel. 

“Mari darlin’ would you mind putting your number in? We’d love to see you again.” Harley asked, handing her phone to the younger girl. 

Marinette happily agreed, putting her contact information into the phone before pressing the save button. “Wait! We need to take a selfie for you guys to use as my profile picture!” Marinette smiled happily. 

“We’d love that!” Ivy replied, smiling towards the camera. 

Marinette handed the phone back to Harley before hugging both of them. “Thank you guys so much. I hope to see you again!” 

“Bye Marigold!” Ivy called as Mari walked into the hotel lobby.

HahaHarley | @HarleyQuinn

Today, @PosionIvy and I met Marigold! She’s the sweetest little thing and if anyone tries to hurt her, they’ll have to answer to her Aunt Harley and Aunt Ivy.

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replying to @PoisonIvy and @HarleyQuinn

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I joke, I joke | @JokesOnYou

If you guys are Aunt Harley and Aunt Ivy, can I be Uncle Jack? 

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replying to @PoisonIvy, @HarleyQuinn, and @JokesOnYou

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Nightwing | @nightofthewing

Please tell me you guys aren’t planning to kidnap a flower on Twitter...

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Model Boy | @adrienagreste 

Did you know that there’s such a thing as a merry-go-round for bags at the airport? #moreyouknow #mindblown

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replying to @adrienagreste

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Chloè | @TheRealQueenBee

@gabrielagreste , you really need to expose your child to the world more…

Chapter Text

Trying to sneak up to her room unnoticed by Lila and her sheep failed almost immediately.

“Why’d you sneak off for attention?! Lila needed to lay down because she had a migraine and we didn’t want her to pass out! Because of you not being with us, we haven’t been able to get out room keys, so Lila is just getting worse.” Alya huffed angrily. “And it’s all your fault you little attention seeker. I can’t believe I was ever your friend.”

Marinette stared at Alya, completely speechless. “Alya, I didn’t ’sneak off for attention.' Someone hid my bag and by the time I found it, you guys had already left.”

Alya shook her head disapprovingly at Marinette. “I can’t believe you’d lie just to get pity.” Alya spun on her heel, heading back to Lila’s side.

Mari stared in shock before Chloé tackled her. “Maribug, we’re so sorry! We tried to tell Mme. Bustier that you weren’t on the bus, but Lila started crying that her head was ‘going to explode’. Anyways, what happened?!”

“Oh you know. Lila decided to hide my luggage behind a trash can and when I finally found it and made my way outside, the bus was gone.” Mari recited, rolling her eyes.

“How’d you get back?” Juleka asked.

“I may have had a bit of help from some friendly sirens.” Marinette replied, smiling.

Alix’s face lit up. “Did you meet Harley Quinn? I love her energy and style.”

Marinette grinned in reply, causing Alix smile widely in return.

“I’ll be right back. I need to go help Mme. Bustier get our room keys so I can shut Lila up.”

Marinette marched over to the check in desk where Mme. Bustier was arguing with the attendant there, about how they needed their room keys because a student has a “medical disorder.” “Are the rooms under Caline Bustier? Françoise Dupont? Lila Rossi?” Mme. Bustier asked desperately.

The attendant shook her head. “I’m sorry Miss, but I cannot give you your room keys without proof of purchase of some sort.”

“Mme. Bustier, if you don’t mind.” Marinette asked her teacher. Mme. Bustier jumped, startled, before stepping aside.

“Hi, the rooms are most likely under Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I apologize for my class in advance.” Marinette told the attendant in perfect English.

The attendant smiled before handing Mme. Bustier the room keys. “Congratulations on winning the Martha and Thomas Wayne contest Miss Dupain-Cheng!” The attendant chirped.

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After Mme. Bustier handed out the room keys, the students split up to their respective rooms. Chloé dragged Marinette into their shared room before slamming the door and muttering something about how Lila and Lila’s fashion sense was “Ridiculous, Utterly Ridiculous.”

Eventually, Chloé calmed down and decided that her energy was better spent getting Marinette to go to sleep. As soon as Marinette’s head touched the pillow, she fell asleep.  Chloé laughed at her friends antics before going to sleep herself.

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Around 3 am, Marinette woke up to a crash outside her hotel room balcony. Careful not to wake Chloé, Mari walked outside, looking for the cause of the commotion. The source of the noise came from the opposite rooftop, Mari walked to the edge of her balcony and glanced over.

From what she could see, Robin and Red Hood were arguing while Nightwing attempted to play mediator.  The argument got louder and louder, until Marinette could hear every single word they were saying.

“Hood, I swear, I’m going to take your head off if you don’t stop.” Robin seethed, pulling a katana off his back.

“Nah, you wouldn’t do that Robin.” Red Hood smirked under his mask.

“You wish I wouldn’t.” Robin snarked back, charging at Red Hood with his katana.

Marinette watched them flip and dodge each other until she realized she wanted to be able to go back to sleep. “Look, you guys, this is fun, but I kind of want to go back to sleep.” She called out to them.

Robin and Red Hood immediately stopped fighting.

“I’m sorry miss, my brothers can be… rambunctious to say the least.” Nightwing apologized

“Don’t worry about it! If you guys want to continue fighting, be my guest, but please do it on another rooftop. Anyways, I’m going to go back to sleep! Have a great day!” Marinette smiled cheerfully before walking back inside.

Robin stared after her, lost in thought.

“Ooh, does demon spawn have a crush?” Red Hood asked jokingly, not expecting him to answer.

“Tt, no.” Robin replied immediately, still staring at the door Marinette had disappeared into.

“C’mon baby bird, Hood, let’s get home.” Nightwing said, running in the direction of the manor.

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Chloé | @TheRealQueenBee

@marinettedesigns how much sleep have you gotten in the past week?

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Replying to @TheRealQueenBee

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Sleep Deprived Designer | @marinettedesigns

Ummm, coffee hours?

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Replying to @TheRealQueenBee and @marinette designs

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I am a Jule(eka) | @babycouffaine

@TheRealQueenBee please make sure she gets some sleep…

Chapter Text

                 Chloè woke up first the next morning and tried to wake Marinette up to no avail. Tikki flew over to Chloè. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Tikki moved so she was next to Marinette’s ear before screaming “MARINETTE! AKUMA!”

Marinette woke with a start, glancing around rapidly before realizing where she was. “Tiiiikiiiiiii!” She cried exasperated. “I told you not to do that!”

Tikki shrugged. “It was that or letting you be left behind by your class again. Today’s the tour of Wayne Enterprises.”

“Also, while you were asleep, I picked out the most perfect MDC original outfits for us to wear!” Chloé presented Marinette with a full outfit before ushering her to the bathroom to change.

MDC had become Marinette’s online fashion boutique after her ex-friends had put a bunch of terrible, false reviews on her first site. Even though none were true, Mari experienced a decrease in business and wanted to start with a clean slate. Marinette had let Jagged Stone know and he immediately released the fact that all of the clothes he uses on tour were by the one and only MDC. MDC’s identity was only known by a few trusted individuals including Jagged Stone and Clara Nightingale.

A few minutes later, Mari emerged from the bathroom wearing a pink crop top, blue jeans and her signature purse. “Let’s go!” Mari exclaimed eagerly, rushing Chloé out the door.

Chloé laughed, waiting for Pollen to safely nestle into her handbag before following Mari downstairs.

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Upon arriving at Wayne Enterprises, the students of Mme. Bustier’s class slowly filed off the bus before staring in awe at the massive white and gray building that housed the offices.

Once everyone was inside the lobby, Lila started spewing nonsense about how ‘Damiboo was going to take her for ice cream’.

Alya eagerly listened to every word and encouraged Lila to tell more. “Girl, I still can’t believe you’re dating Damian Wayne! It’s totally crazy!”

A man that had been leaning casually against the wall with his coffee bolted upright, eyes flickering around cautiously.

“My Damibear is the nicest person! He’s so shy, but is such a sweetheart. His brothers, Dick Drake, Tim Todd and Jason Grayson fight over me all the time! I guess they all want to date me, but my heart belongs to my Damiboo.” Lila simpered, playing with her hair.

The man in the corner choked on the coffee he was holding, doubling over in laughter.

Alya glared at him. “Why are you laughing at my friend?”

The man laugher harder. “I’m not.”

Alya stared at him, annoyed. “Whatever. I don’t care about what you think.”

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Mari walked up to the front desk to let the clerk know that their class was ready for their guide. Adrien sauntered up next to her.

“Miss, is there any way that we can have some tissues?” Adrien asked, pointing at Chloé who was screaming about how her makeup had been ruined because she rubbed her eye. “My friend is having a mid-life crisis over smudged make-up.”

The attendant laughed before handing him a few tissues. “Don’t worry about it. Also, your guide is here.”

Adrien walked back over to Chloé handing her the tissues. The tall man that had been leaning against the wall walked to the front of the room. “Hello everyone, my name is Dick and I will be your tour guide for today!”

Mme. Bustier looked around confusedly. “Excuse me, but I was under the impression that our tour guide was someone named Richard?”

“Here, the name Richard generally gets shortened to Dick, which is unfortunate but necessary.” Dick shrugged before clasping his hands together. “Alright, let’s start the tour.”

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Not much of the class was paying attention during the tour which was unfortunate for them as they would have enjoyed it. Sooner rather than later, Dick stopped the class in front of a set of double doors. “Welcome to the Wayne Enterprises Cafeteria!” Dick pushed the doors open, revealing the large eating space. Lila’s minions gasped at the sheer amount of food awaiting at the back of the room before running in like a pack of hungry wolves.

Chloé rolled her eyes before dragging her group into the cafeteria.

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“Excuse me, can we sit here? We’d rather not deal with some of our… less civil classmates.” Marinette asked, walking up to a table in the back of the room.

The man nodded, glancing up from his laptop. “I’m Tim. And you are?”

Chloé stepped in “I’m Chloé Bourgeois, and that’s Adrien, Marinette, Juleka, and Alix.” She pointed at each of them as she said their names.

Tim gestured to the remaining seats around the table before closing his laptop entirely. “Why would you rather not deal with your class? Your classes’ essay made it seem like you all were very close.”

Marinette sighed. “The issue is Lila Rossi.”

“The one with sausages for hair.” Alix piped in with a smirk.

Chloé rolled her eyes good naturedly. “She lies as easily as she breathes. Her current favorite lie is that she’s dating Damian Wayne who she calls her ‘Damiboo’ and ‘Damibear’.”

Tim cracked up at that. “Damiboo?” He wheezed. “Oh, that is such good blackmail material. I need to send that to the family group chat.”

“Uh, isn’t that a bit rude?” Adrien asked, biting his lip.

Tim laughed. “‘Damibear’ is my brother.”

Before any of the teens could reply, Dick ran up to the group.

“Hey Timmy! You ran into the actually attentive part of this tour group! The rest of their class was all over how the sausage chick was going on a date with a ‘Damiboo’ tonight. You know anything about that?”

Tim snorted. “The ‘Damiboo’, is our dearest demon spawn.”

Dick’s eyes widened before he started laughing. “Baby Bird is gonna be pissed.”

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The students around them stared at the scene in front of them.

“Uhhhh, do you guys know each other?” Marinette asked tentatively.

Tim nodded. “He’s one of my other annoying brothers.”

“Jeez, how many do you have?” Alix asked before bursting into laughter at their sudden silence.

“Uh, we’re not exactly sure at this point. Some of them aren’t adopted, but they might as well be.” Dick replied before checking his watch.

“Alright, Students of Françoise Dupont,  it is time to continue this tour. Please make your way to the entrance to the cafeteria and we will resume.” Dick announced loudly.

The non ‘brainwashed students’ said their goodbyes to Tim before following Dick to the door.

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Alix | @sk8tergirl

Do you think I could use the cafeteria of Wayne Enterprises as a skate park? Like, there’s so many places I could skate on!

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Replying to @sk8tergirl

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Sleep Deprived Designer | @marinettedesigns

Alix, NO!

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Replying to @sk8tergirl and @marinettedesigns

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Alix | @sk8tergirl

Alix, YES!

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I don’t want to redo the paperwork | @gothamite4life

Jeez, a tour group came thru WE today, and this girl with sausage hair was blabbering on and on about how she was dating Damian Wayne (@DamianWayne) and that he was ‘sweet’, and ‘warm’. I’ve never heard anything more ridiculous in my life #WTF #IcePrinceIsNOTeitherOfThoseThings

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Replying to @gothamite4life

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BOB! | @WTF_DID_I_DO_NOW

I’ll do you one better! She kept going on and on about how Tim Todd, Dick Drake and Jason Grayson fought over her all the time and THE SAUSAGE GIRLS CLASS BELIEVED HER! LIKE, WTF??? HONESTLY, PEOPLE ARE CRAZY. #WTFFFFFF

Chapter Text

The next day, Mme. Bustiers class was headed towards the Gotham Zoo. Marinette was looking forward to all the baby animals while Lila was loudly explaining how she ‘helped to save the baby lions here when she was in Africa’.

Marinette wandered away from the group, pulling out her sketchbook in order to capture some of the architecture of the baby seal exhibit. 

“Eeek!” Marinette fell over as she ran into something, or rather someone. “Aaaa, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going! Are you okay? Do you need me to call 911? Is there anything-“ 

“Tt, I’m fine, are you?” The person she ran into asked, extending a hand to help her up.

“Yeah, I’m okay… I seem to have lost my class though.” She finally looked up and was met by a teenager her age with tanned skin and forest green eyes. 

“Do you need help finding them?” He asked, checking his phone.

“If you don’t mind, yes please. I’m Marinette.”

“Damian. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He replied stiffly, emerald eyes finally meeting her sapphire ones. She was rather pretty to him. He shook his head immediately, clearing his thoughts. Still, he could not bring himself to pull away from her cerulean orbs. Sucking in a breath, he motioned for her to follow him. 

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Marinette joined Damian, walking alongside him.  Damian began pointing out bits of factual information about the zoo, along with the various animal rescue programs the zoo provided. 

Approaching the last spot where Marinette had seen her class, they arrived just in time to see the bus pull away from the parking lot. 

Marinette swore under her breath. “I was hoping this wasn’t going to happen again…” She muttered.

Unfortunately for her, Damian heard her. “You mean they’ve left without you before? Tt, how incompetent is your teacher?”

Marinette snorted, pulling her phone up to her ear. “Hey Chlo. Yeah, I’m still at the zoo…. No, I don’t need you to tell Mme. Bustier to turn around, it’s fine. Besides, Lila would just say I did it for attention. I’ll just catch a cab or something.” Marinette winced as her friend screamed into her ear through the phone’s speakers. “Queenie, I’ll be fine, okay?” Putting her phone back in her purse, she turned to Damian. “Thank you so much for your help. Do you know where I can get a taxi?” 

“Taking a cab in Gotham? How stupid are you? You’ll get robbed within the first three minutes.” Damian’s tone was blunt but concerned.

“Well then what do you suppose I do instead? Walk?” She asked sarcastically.

Damian seemed to contemplate his choices for a second before motioning for her to follow him. 

Marinette’s face turned confused. “But weren’t you just saying that it’s bad to go around in strange cars? No offense Monsieur, but I barely know you.”

“We could change that.” He winked at her. A moment later, he wished he could have taken it back as Marinette turned bright red and glanced down bashfully. 

Damian cleared his throat. “I’m sorry Marinette, that came out wrong. I did not mean it in that way.” 

Marinette shook her head. “It’s okay Monsieur, I understand you didn’t mean it like that. Um, is that offer for a ride still available?” She glanced up at Damian again.

He nodded. “Of course, Marinette. My car is this way.”

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Damian was no longer the arrogant, rude, blood-thirsty boy he had been when he arrived in Gotham. His adopted brothers had made sure of that. Through many “family bonding experiences” courtesy of Dick, Damian had grown to understand current pop culture, as well as what it felt like to be attracted to someone. He would,  however, deny having feelings for anyone until his last dying breath (not that he planned on dying again).

He understood that Marinette was indeed very pretty. He instantly smacked himself in the head for even beginning to think that. He may have made a new friend and did NOT want to risk ruining that. Especially since she seemed to not know who he was. It was nice, being treated as just Damian. Not Damian “The Ice Prince” Wayne. Just Damian. 

While he considered Jon a friend (not that he’d ever tell him that), the kryptonian boy was a bit excitable at times, which could become overwhelming quickly. 

Before he could fully figure out what he wanted to do with his new-found feelings, he and Marinette had arrived at his car. 

As soon as they hit the road, Marinette began speaking again. 

“Thank you so much, Damian. I don’t know what I would have done without your help. Uh, would you mind dropping me off at my hotel? It’s the Gotham Grand.”

“Of course, Marinette. Was your class supposed to go anywhere else after the zoo, or should we go straight back to your hotel?”

“We were meant to go to lunch and then back to the hotel. I was just planning on getting room service or something.” 

“Maybe I could take you out to lunch instead?” Once again, the words slipped out of Damian’s mouth before he could fully process what he was saying.

Marinette blinked once, then blinked again before smiling and nodding her head.

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About ten minutes later, they pulled up in front of a small, cozy looking cafe. Walking in, Damian greeted the host with a small nod before leading Marinette to a booth hidden away in the back corner.

Marinette picked up her menu slowly before glancing at Damian, who was looking at her. 

"Do you know what you want already?" Marinette asked, gesturing to the menu still on the table. 

"Yes, I do. I come here quite often, and generally get the same thing." Damian responded. "Do you need some help deciding what to get?"

Marinette nodded before getting up and walking to his side of the table, and sitting down next to him, slightly squishing him against the wall. Grabbing the menu again, Marinette began to point out a few of the items that looked good to her, Damian sharing his thoughts every few seconds as the bluenette rambled about food.

Eventually, as Marinette settled on spaghetti and meatballs, she unconsciously leaned her head against Damian’s shoulder. 

A few seconds later, she realized what she had done and immediately jerked her head up and began apologizing frantically. 

Damian smiled softly at her, laughing at her panic. Marinette blushed furiously, walking back over to the side of the table she had originally been seated at. 

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“No!” Marinette gasped. 

“Yes.” Damian nodded gravely. 

“Your brother actually rode a bike on the roof of your house?!” 

“No, no. He rode a tricycle on the roof of my house.”

“Right. Because having training wheels makes it so much better.” 

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“What do you mean you stole a supermodel’s phone?!” 

“Yeah, so I had a really big crush - and I mean really REALLY big crush on him, and I sent him this stupid voicemail confessing my love and stuff, sent it, realized I was about to be embarrassed out of my mind, and snuck into his locker and stole his phone.” 

“… I didn’t realize you partook in illegal hobbies.” 

“I don’t. You heard nothing.” Marinette smiled widely.

“What did I hear again?”  

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“I don’t believe you.”

“No, actually. Drake did light the microwave on fire a week ago.” 

“I- How does one light the microwave on fire?!” Marinette spluttered. 

“I am not sure. Drake managed to do it, though.” Damian shrugged. 

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Eventually, after getting their food and having many more conversations about random (and somewhat illegal) topics, Marinette checked the time. 

After realizing that it had gotten to be nearly 2pm, Marinette hastily apologized to Damian before asking if he’d mind driving her to the hotel she was staying at. Damian gladly agreed before asking for the check.

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“I get to pay the check.” Marinette said, gritting her teeth. 

They had been arguing for over 5 minutes over who would get to pay the check. Being the stubborn people they were, neither wanted to back down and allow the other the small victory. 

“Marinette. I. Get. To. Pay. The. Check.”

“But you’ve been so nice to me all day, it’s the least I can do.” Marinette smiled, pulling out the puppy dog eyes she’d learned from Manon.

Damian mock glared at her, making the mistake of meeting her gaze. Locked into the pools of blue sapphires, he noticed that her eyes were sparkling gently, as if they were real gemstones.

When Damian snapped out of his trance, he noticed a few things. 

One. The check, previously sitting in the center of the table, had now been moved.

Two. Said check was now being signed by Marinette and handed to the waitress, who gladly took it from her. 

Marinette smiled victoriously as Damian just sighed and shook his head. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was only after dropping Marinette off at her hotel, and heading home that he realized what he had forgotten to do that day. 

Get her number.

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I am the night 2.0 | @thegoddessnyx

You guys will never believe what I saw today. Damian Wayne. And this tiny little sunshine child. Snuggled up in a booth at The Nest downtown. 

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Replying to @thegoddessnyx

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 Leen-o-Bean | @QueenieLeenie

@thegoddessnyx you’re kidding. The ice prince? With a sunshine child? Either the world is ending, or we’re being attacked by flying monsters that mess with our minds. Take your pick.

Chapter Text

Chloé and Marinette woke up on time the next day, much to the displeasure of Lila who had convinced Mme. Bustier to call their bus early. Decked out in navy blue and white uniforms, the Parisians boarded the bus for their location for the day: Gotham Academy.

Gotham Academy, a building mostly consisting of brick and stone stood out in the midst of the Gotham city skyline. As the students disembarked from the bus, Mme. Bustier stopped them just short of the doors.

“Now class, we must all be on our best behavior. We are here for the next month, we don’t want to cause a scene now, do we?” Mme. Bustier sent a pointed look to Marinette as she spoke. Marinette shrunk back into the crowd, hiding slightly behind Adrien and Chloé. Chloé gripped her friend’s hand reassuringly, as Adrien shot the bluenette a small smile, letting her know that they were on her side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking into their first class of the day; English, a class they shared with Gotham Academy’s students, the Parisians were asked to pick a seat next to any one of the Gothamites.

Marinette stepped into the classroom, scanning for a friendly face. She settled upon a pair of familiar green eyes. As she approached Damian, the whispers around her grew louder.

“Hasn’t she heard about the ice prince?”

“Someone should warn the poor girl, she looks like a breeze could topple her.”

Marinette reached the desk next to Damian.

“Is anyone sitting here?” She asked, gripping the strap of her schoolbag.

Damian shook his head stiffly and Marinette slid into the seat next to him.

Up at the front of the room, the teacher of the English class introduced herself as Ms. Leanne.

“GA Students, please make your new seat mates feel welcome. Those of you who are visiting, please let me know if you have any questions. Many of our students in here speak French, as do I.” Ms. Leanne said, a light yet forced smile on her face. Her eyes were trained on Lila and Alya who had chosen seats across the aisle from one another and were whispering furiously.

Lila, upon noticing the room was now focused on her, snapped to attention and smiled saccharinely.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I suffer from tinnitus and Alya was just telling me what you were saying.” Lila smiled at Ms. Leanne, trying to portray the epitome of innocence.

“That’s very sweet that you care about your friend Alya. However, we were given a list of anything medical that might be of concern in your class and Lila  doesn’t have anything listed. Lila, if its such an issue, I can contact your mother and-“

Lila cut Ms. Leanne off.

“No, no, it’s truly okay. I’ll just try my best to do well in this class.” She simpered, still smiling.

Ms. Leanne gave Lila an odd look before turning back to the rest of the students.

“Alright. Now, how many of you have looked at the book we assigned last week…”

Damian tuned Ms. Leanne out, knowing that she was repeating last week’s lesson for the benefit of the Parisians. Tearing a piece of paper from his notebook, He scribbled something before passing it to Marinette.

Marinette looked up to Damian nudging her arm, a scrap of paper sliding towards her. She smiled briefly at him before glancing down at the note.

Have lunch with me?

Marinette smiled at him again before picking up her pen to reply.

I’d love to.

She pushed the note back at him before returning her focus to Ms. Leanne.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the front of the classroom, Lila silently fumed, asking herself why the American teachers were less easily swayed than the ones at Françoise Dupont. At Alya’s silent glance of concern, Lila shot a tight smile to her “friend.”

“I’m going to let you guys chat with one another for a moment before I introduce the project we will be filling our time with,” Ms. Leanne shared.

Glancing away from Alya, Lila let her gaze sweep across the room, looking for a possible target to pair up with. Her eyes settled on a smiling blonde girl  who was animatedly chatting with the boy next to her. As people began to get up from their seats, Lila made her way over to the girl.

“Hi, I’m Lila Rossi.” She stuck out her hand in greeting.

The girl tilted her head curiously, taking in Lila’s appearance. (Author’s note: she clearly noticed the hairstyle because I mean, how much worse could it be?)

“I’m Allegra. And this goof next to me is Jon Kent.” Allegra smiled at the Italian girl across from her. Lila falsely smiled back.

“So, Lila, what are you most looking forward to here in Gotham?” Jon asked.

“Oh, you know. I’m here on a school trip with my class, but I’m really here to see my Damibear.”

“Your… Damibear?”

“Oh!” Lila giggled. “My bad. You’ve probably heard of him, Damian Wayne? He’s my boyfriend.”

Allegra and Jon shared a look of disbelief before glancing to the back of the room where the aforementioned teen was sitting, smiling softly at a tiny bluenette beside him.

“Uh, Lila? Are you-“ Allegra began as Ms. Leanne clapped her hands, bringing everyone back to attention. Once everyone was back in their seats, she began speaking.

“For the duration of the period our visitors are here, we will be doing a group project surrounding the similarities and differences between Gotham and Paris. Each group will be two people; one Dupont and one GA student per group please.”

Allegra and Jon both shook their heads at each other, a mutual agreement that they did not want to pair up with Lila at any costs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the back of the classroom, Damian and Marinette had continued their conversation from yesterday. When Ms. Leanne announced the assignment, Damian tilted his head in her direction, a silent question of whether she’d work with him. Marinette replied with a blinding grin. Once Ms. Leanne released the class to find their partners, the pair began brainstorming.

“I feel like weather patterns are too basic” Damian offered.

“You’re probably right. We could do… architecture?” Marinette suggested.

Damian arched an eyebrow.

“I would not be surprised if Gotham and Paris were tied for cities with most gargoyles in the world,” he said, clearly considering how both cities had very gothic inspired architecture. Marinette laughed in agreement. After a little bit more time and few rather silly ideas (like Damian’s concept of comparing baguettes to batarangs), Marinette mentally smacked herself for not thinking of one idea sooner.

“Heroes, Damian!” she gasped out excitedly.

Damian blinked a couple of times.

“I understand what we would do for the Gotham side of things, but I wasn’t aware that Paris had heroes?”

Marinette inhaled deeply, silently cursing the media blackout that had been enforced in Paris when Hawkmoth first showed up.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir?”

Damian shook his head, neither of the names sounding familiar.

“Alright then,” Marinette continued. “Here is your ten minute crash course lesson on the situation in Paris.”

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“So you’re telling me that there is a man in a butterfly suit who has been emotionally terrorizing Paris for years now and the Justice League has done nothing about it?” Damian asked, barely repressing his anger.

Marinette shrugged.

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Suppressing his urges to go kill a grown adult in a butterfly suit, Damian took a breath before turning to Marinette.

“I do believe we have our project.”

The two smiled at each other as the bell rang, dismissing the class to lunch. Lila and her minions proceeded to the cafeteria where they commandeered a table, excluding the Gothamites from their midst. Marinette’s group, on the other hand, were joined by Damian, Allegra, Jon, and Melody, another member of their English class. For their projects, Allegra and Chloe had chosen to work together, just as Jon and Adrien had. Melody, on the other hand, had had the misfortune of being paired up with Alya.

“Guys… I absolutely hate my partner,” Melody announced, not realizing that she had company outside of Damian, Allegra and Jon. She startled upon noticing the newcomers. “Hi. Sorry. I’m Melody. I swear I’m not usually like this, but one of your classmates just regaled me with a tale of how one of her other classmates apparently saved Jagged Stone’s kitten from being crushed by an airplane or some crap.”

The Parisians shared a sympathetic glance.

“Lila?” Juleka volunteered quietly.

“That’s the name of the one in the story, yeah. But my partner is Alya.”

Chloé shook her head pitifully.

“She’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous all right. Alya is such a brainwashed sheep that she would jump off a cliff if Lila told her to.”

“And maybe she should…” Alix muttered under her breath.

“Alix!” Marinette scolded sharply. “No one needs to die, okay?”

“Is Lila the one that has the… interesting hair?” Allegra asked.

“If by interesting you mean literal sausages, yes.” Chloé deadpanned.

Jon hid a snort behind his hand.

“She came over to Allegra and I earlier and tried to tell us that she was dating Damian.”

Damian recoiled.

“Me? Dating that harpy? Who does she think she is?” Damian muttered, his annoyance plainly written across his face.

“She lies about almost everything. She almost got me expelled because she planted false evidence in my locker. She got away with it because later, she came back and said she had a ‘lying disease’” Marinette summarized.

“Lying disease my ass. Try psychopath.”

“Quieter, Alix!” Marinette reprimanded in a loud whisper.

“But essentially, she lies about everything,” Adrien cut in. “She’s lied about her connections, her experiences, medical conditions…”

Chloé rolled her eyes.

“I’m convinced the only thing real about her at this point is her name — and that’s only because I made Daddy — he’s the Mayor of Paris by the way — check her records.”

“Liar at ten o’clock” Juleka warned the table.

They watched as Lila approached a group of Gotham students. As she loudly flaunted her supposed connection to Batman, the students exchanged uneasy looks. One stepped up in front of Lila.

“Listen. Anyone can tell a story. We get it. It makes you feel cool, you want to fit in. But going around claiming you know Batman? First of all, that will get you killed. Second of all, no one knows Batman,” said the student. Lila’s bottom lip quivered, preparing to pull out the crocodile tears.

“But it’s true!” She whimpered. “My boyfriend Damian Wayne introduced me to Batman.”

By this point, the Gothamites had dismissed her as nothing more than an attention seeker. With that last bit of information though, the entire cafeteria, which had quieted to watch the interaction, burst out laughing.

“The ice prince? Really? That’s the most believable thing she could come up with?”

“Did she even google Damian Wayne before she got here? If she had, she would know that he literally goes to this school.”

Damian smirked at the situation, reveling in how his peers had shut down the accusations nearly immediately and all without revealing his true identity to the entire room. He turned back to his group of friends. Marinette stared at him for a few seconds before blushing.

“I didn’t realize you were that Damian Wayne.” She murmured.

Chloé cackled loudly.

“Only you Marinette…” Chloé shook her head fondly.

“Marinette, I just realized that I’ll need to be able to contact you in order for us to work on this project together. Would you mind putting your phone number in?” Damian asked.

Marinette beamed at him, reaching for his phone and inputting the numbers.

“Yes!” Damian thought to himself. “I did what I forgot to do yesterday. I got her phone number!”

Around the table, the group, minus Damian and Marinette all shared knowing looks, already guessing what was to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Allegra | @notallergymeds

Everyone be proud of your resident ice king @DamianWayne. He received the #SunshineOfGotham’s phone number today!

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Replying to @notallergymeds

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Melody 🎶 | @melody_sings

@notallergymeds isn’t kidding you guys. Look at them! #SunshineOfGotham

[Photo: Marinette and Damian looking at something together. Damian’s face can be seen clearly, Marinette’s is hidden by her hair. The two seem to be laughing at the thing together]

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Replying to @notallergymeds and @melody_sings

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I am the night 2.0 | @thegoddessnyx

I think that was the girl I saw with him yesterday at The Nest! #SunshineOfGotham

Chapter Text

Model Boy | @adrienagreste

Met a new friend today! @JonKent

[Photo: A selfie. Jon and Adrien are smiling for the camera.]

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replying to @adrienagreste

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Allegra | @notallergymeds

Anyone else getting golden retriever vibes from these two?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roughly thirty minutes after school had ended for the day, Damian sent his very first text to Marinette.

Damian: Hello Marinette, this is Damian.

Marinette: Hi Damian! Give me one moment and I can text you freely.

Marinette: Sorry about that, I was with Chloé and she picked up my phone first when you texted. I practically had to wrestle my phone away from her.

Damian: I understand the having to wrestle stuff away from other people. Todd likes to take my stuff.

Marinette: Todd?

Damian: One of my brothers.

Marinette: Oh yeah! I think we may have met some of your brothers yesterday at Wayne Enterprises. They overheard Lila talking about you and asked us about it. I’m pretty sure we met Tim and Dick?

Marinette: Why Americans chose Dick as an appropriate nickname for Richard I will never know.

Damian: Don’t worry, we make fun of him for his name all the time.

Marinette: If the teasing goes both ways, that will make this part more painful for you. Yesterday, at Wayne Enterprises, Lila was using nicknames for you like ‘Damiboo’ and ‘Damibear.’ I’m 90% sure that your brothers got wind of it, so if they start teasing you with those, I’m sorry.

Damian: It’s not your fault Marinette, but thank you for warning me.

Damian: I wanted to check in on our project for class and get to know you a bit better. What skills do you bring to this project that you want to make sure get utilized?

Marinette: I’m a designer, I design clothes mostly. But I would say I’m pretty creative! Just before we left for Gotham, I designed a sweater for my friend’s cat. I like animals a lot, so I design for them when I can. I live above a bakery so we’re not allowed to have any pets.

Marinette: Sorry, I just dumped a ton of information on you sdasjhdasjhsja. No need to reply to the same extent.

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In Wayne Manor, Damian had been sitting in the main room when Dick walked in, took one look at the scene in front of him and then left to go find his other siblings. Returning with Jason and Tim in tow, Dick gestured for them to be quiet.

“Holy crap.” Jason whispered. “Is the demon brat blushing?”

Damian was indeed, slightly pink. As he texted Marinette, he realized that he found her slightly sporadic style of texting endearing and wanted to be able to read more of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damian: I like animals too. I have a dog, a cat, a turkey, and a cow.

Marinette: A COW?!?!?!?!?!?!

Damian: Yes. I saved her from a slaughterhouse. Her name is Bat-Cow.

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At her hotel, Marinette nearly runs into Chloé because she’s staring at her phone.

“Chlo, he has a cow. A rescue cow. How cute is that?!”

Chloé only laughed at her best friend, leading her to a place where she could sit down and continue her text conversation in peace.

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Damian: If you would like, I could organize a time for you to meet my pets.

Marinette: I would LOVE to meet them! I bet they’re as sweet as their owner

Marinette: sjdhasjhdakdejhdjeahjs

Marinette: I didn’t mean it like that I’m so sorry adlsdaksjdaksjdks

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Still on the couch, Damian is now turning a bright red as Marinette’s messages come through.

Tim turns to Jason and Dick, the other two still staring at their youngest brother.

“Should we test him for drugs?” Tim asked.

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Damian: I think you’re the only person in this world who would describe me as “sweet.”

Marinette: Why? You’re always so nice and never fail to make me smile.

Damian: That’s my intention, to see you smile.

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“Queenieeeeeeeee… he said he liked my smile... keysmash,” Marinette said from her place on the couch, her face hidden in a pillow.

“Did you just say keysmash out loud?” Alix asked. Marinette nodded, extracting her very pink face from the pillow.

“That’s what my thoughts feel like right now. Why does he have to be so sweet?”

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As the Parisian’s first school week in Gotham came to a close, the majority of the Gothamites had to come to ignore Lila, viewing her for what she was: an attention seeking liar. Realizing this, Lila turned her attention back to the crowd of adoring students whom had traveled with her from Paris, aiming to keep them tangled in her web amidst the larger numbers of students who simply rolled their eyes when Lila spoke.

Marinette, on the other hand, was thriving. With a solid group of friends and teachers who weren’t so easily swayed by the words of a liar, she was actually learning new information without fear. She was enjoying getting to know her new friends as well. Jon and Adrien were essentially best friends now, and Marinette was starting to become just a little worried that they were plotting something. During lunch on Friday, Marinette became even more worried that they were plotting something when Jon and Adrien dragged Chloé over to another table, clearly asking her something. All Marinette could do was watch as one by one, Allegra, then Melody, then Juleka, and finally Alix were pulled to the other table, leaving Marinette and Damian alone at the table they had began their lunch period at.

Marinette tore her eyes away from the table her friends were now at, took a deep breath, shook her head, and shrugged her shoulders in a ‘what can you do’ motion. Damian watched her do this, trying his hardest not to laugh at her nonchalant actions.

“Do they do this often?” Damian asked, meeting her eyes. Marinette snorted lightly.

“Sometimes. It’s mostly for goofy reasons like ‘plan Marinette a surprise party that she’s not supposed to know about but will end up knowing about because Adrien can’t keep a secret to save his life’.”

“Should I be expecting a surprise party then?”

“Possibly. They also have a tendency to come up with stupid ideas like ’ten step plans to making Marinette the new mayor of Paris.’ I’m not quite sure how they always manage to get Chloé on board with that one, but knowing her, it was probably her idea.” Marinette laughed lightly before her smile dropped. Her eyes, trained behind Damian, lost their joy and hardened. “Can I help you Lila?”

“You must introduce me to your friend, Marinette!” Lila gushed, blinking her eyes as if she was hurt that she hadn’t interacted with Marinette sooner. She took a seat next to Marinette without asking, eyes focused on Damian. Marinette inhaled harshly.

“I’d rather not be introduced,” Damian said curtly. Lila drew back in shock, narrowing her eyes at him. “After all, you already know me, don’t you?” Damian’s challenge lingered in the air: for those who knew who he was, saying no would reveal her lie, but by saying yes, she knew Damian would make her prove it. Lila took a glance around the room, trying to see who was paying attention. Upon noticing that almost no one was watching, she leaned in closer.

“You think you’re so smart, don’t you?” She hissed. “But just you wait. You’ll end up at the bottom just like little miss Dupain-Cheng here.”

Damian raised an eyebrow at her.

“I think some fact checking would be good for you, Rossi,” Damian said lowly. “Google Damian Wayne when you have a second later, will you?” Lila huffed in frustration, pushing off of the table hard. In doing so, she purposefully spilled Marinette’s water bottle across the girl’s lap before marching off.

Plastering on a fake smile, Marinette reached for a pile of napkins to wipe up the water.

“I’m sorry, Marinette. I did not mean to provoke her in a way that would hurt you directly.” Damian said, helping to pick up her fallen water bottle.

“It’s alright Damian. I know you didn’t mean me any harm. I appreciate you standing up to her directly though,” she replied.

“How do you put up with that every single day?”

“Mostly just staying positive and knowing that I have a great group of friends who love and support me. I try not to let her behavior bother me too much. At some point, her lies will catch up with her and her hold over the class will crumble,” Marinette shrugged halfheartedly.

“You’re a literal angel to deal with them,” Damian said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand reassuringly. Marinette turned pink as the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch period.

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Alix | @sk8tergirl

@marinettedesigns marinette.exe has stopped working

[Photo: Marinette facedown on a couch]

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Replying to @sk8tergirl

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Alix | @sk8tergirl

@marinettedesigns marinette.exe has crashed again.

Chapter Text

That weekend, Marinette’s class had planned to visit one of the many museums sprinkled around Gotham. The one that was on the agenda to visit was based on Gotham’s history.  As such, it naturally featured replicas of the vigilantes’ past suits, much to the dismay of Marinette.

It was only thanks to Juleka and Adrien physically restraining her that she didn’t break the glass in front of the discowing suit.

“Please let me go. I swear I won’t burn it” Marinette pleaded, aiming puppy dog eyes at Adrien and Juleka. The two of them glanced at each other.

“Yes you will” they replied in unison, each raising an eyebrow at her.

Marinette grumbled under her breath as they dragged her away from the discowing suit. Juleka and Adrien caught the words “stupid,” “suit,” “burn,” and “deserves to die” coming from the small bluenette. They quickly moved away from the Gotham centered heroes and towards the suits of the rest of the justice league.

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Their decision to switch sections ended up being a mistake.

Marinette proceeded to tear into each and every suit design displayed in the museum.

Marinette | @marinettedesigns

@nightofthewing what the hell were you thinking with the discowing suit.

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Replying to @marinettedesigns

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Red Hood | @redhood

@marinettedesigns he wasn’t thinking.

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Replying to @marinettedesigns and @redhood

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Nightwing| @nightofthewing

@marinettedesigns, @redhood I *was* in fact thinking and it’s memorable thank you very much.

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Replying to @marinettedesigns, @redhood and @nightofthewing

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Marinette | @marinettedesigns

@nightofthewing it’s ugly, thank you very much.

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The group moved on to the next exhibition, one dedicated to the villains that plagued Gotham. Adrien and Juleka had hoped that Marinette would react better to this exhibit than she had the last, but no.

“I just- want to-“ Marinette stopped trying to pull away from her friends and began rummaging through her purse. Juleka and Adrien watched in confusion.

“I know they’re in here somewhere…” she muttered.

Adrien and Juleka glanced at each other before Juleka spoke.

“Mari? What is it you’re looking for?”

“Aha!” Marinette triumphantly held up a small sewing kit. She opened it, pulling out a small pair of sharp sewing scissors.

Adrien lunged for her as Marinette moved towards the display cases holding the villain’s outfits.

“Mari, we can’t mess up the museum’s  displays.”

“But they’re so ugly!” She gestured wildly with the scissors, the blades glinting in the light. “I mean, look at this one?” She pointed towards the Riddler display. “Who designed this?!”

“I did.” A voice called from the shadows behind the display.

Juleka and Adrien instantly fell into protective stances around Marinette.

The figure stepped out into the light. “Now now kiddies…” the Riddler tsked. “I don’t usually stop kids, but kids usually aren’t brave enough to insult me either.”

Marinette’s face hardened and she lifted her chin. “Hit me.”

The Riddler blinked. “What?”

“Hit me with a riddle. That’s what you do, no? Be the Riddler?” She snapped.

The Riddler audibly sighed. “What’s always in front of you but can’t be seen?”

“Your nose? The future? There’s not one definite answer to that one, Mr. Riddler.” Marinette rolled her eyes.

“You want to be smart with me? Well little girl-“

“No, I’d rather you be smart, period. That suit is an eyesore and an abomination. What has four wheels and flies?”

“What?”

“Answer the riddle, Mr. Riddler.” She spat his name.

“A garbage truck, but I fail to see how that is relevant-“

“It’s very relevant. A garbage truck is where that suit belongs: in the trash.” Marinette went back to digging in her bag.

The Riddler stood there, open mouthed.

“Here, take my business card. I’ll design you a new suit. You really need it. It’s hard to inspire fear when your captives are laughing at your appearance.” Marinette walked over to the Riddler, slapped the card into his hand and walked back towards Adrien and Juleka.

“We’re coming, Marigold!” A familiar exuberant voice called before a crashing sound filled the air as a glass skylight shattered.

Harley and Ivy dropped down on one of Ivy’s vines, clearly ready for a fight.

“Who do I need to kill?” Harley asked, grinning widely.

Marinette blinked at them before smiling. “Harley! Ivy! What are you guys doing here?”

“We got a report of the Riddler,” Ivy glared at the Riddler. “Picking on some kids on a school trip.”

Marinette groaned internally as she realized that she had in fact, sent them her itinerary for the trip so they could meet up. “I’m fine, truly! Most harm done is to my eyes. I think his outfit burned my retinas a little bit. But it’s fine, he’ll be getting a new one soon enough.”

Both Ivy and Harley relaxed a little upon realizing the Riddler wasn’t actively attacking and Marinette wasn’t in any danger.

“Wait. You’ll design him a new outfit but you didn’t offer it to us?” Harley asked, pouting.

“I’d be happy to make you new outfits! Yours and Ivy’s just don’t literally make me want to burn my eyes off.” Marinette replied with a laugh.

“Alright, Marigold. We’ll see you later.” Ivy smiled at her, as she and Harley grabbed the Riddler, presumably to drag him off to Arkham.

Juleka and Adrien stared at her.

“Let me get this straight,” Adrien started. “You’ve basically been adopted by Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, just sassed The Riddler, and gained three new clients?”

“All in a day’s work.” Marinette shrugged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloè | @TheRealQueenBee

I leave you all alone for one day, and this is what happens? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!

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replying to @TheRealQueenBee

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Marinette | @marinettedesigns

@TheRealQueenBee I have no idea what you’re talking about, literally nothing happened today 😇

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Riddler? | @RiddleMeThis

Gotham, is my outfit really that bad?

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replying to @RiddleMeThis

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Marinette | @marinettedesigns

@RiddleMeThis yes. #RiddlerNeedsFashionHelp

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replying to @RiddleMeThis and @marinettedesigns

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Model Boy | @adrienagreste

@RiddleMeThis yes. #RiddlerNeedsFashionHelp

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replying to @RiddleMeThis, @adrienagreste and @marinettedesigns

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Red Hood | @redhood

@RiddleMeThis yes. #RiddlerNeedsFashionHelp

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replying to @RiddleMeThis, @adrienagreste, @redhood and @marinettedesigns

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HahaHarley | @HarleyQuinn

@RiddleMeThis yes. #RiddlerNeedsFashionHelp

[see 1,245 more replies]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trending in Gotham:

1 · Vigilantes · Trending

#RiddlerNeedsFashionHelp

Chapter Text

Damian: Marinette, are you alright?

Damian: I saw on the news that there was an attack at the museum you were at.

Damian: Marinette?

Marinette: Damian! Hi, sorry! Yes, I’m fine, don’t worry. He didn’t even touch me ;)

On the other side of the phone, Damian visibly exhaled in relief. That was, until, his breath caught from the emoji Marinette had used.

Marinette: *:)

Marinette: sorry, autocorrect!!

Damian snapped himself out of it.

"Damian, have you seen my- holy shit, are you pouting?" Jason gawked.

"Out." Damian growled, gesturing towards the door.

(He was, in fact, pouting).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night at the manor, Damian tucked his phone into his pocket right before he sat down at the dinner table.

"So... Damian... a little birdie told me that you're texting someone." Tim said, trying to keep his tone casual. (Spoiler alert: he failed).

"I'm assuming that Todd is the aforementioned birdbrain?" Damian replied.

"Oh, is this the class trip winner? Miss Dupain-Cheng?" Bruce asked, looking up from the head of the table.

Dick startled in his seat. "Baby bird, this better not be the same girl who insulted the Discowing suit. Anyone who doesn't appreciate the Discowing suit clearly has no taste."

"She's a fashion designer, of course she has taste. It's just much better taste than yours. Pass the green beans?" Damian nodded to Jason.

"Pass the- no! Damian, you cannot date this girl, she doesn't appreciate art."

"And I don't appreciate your input on who I can date." Damian said, scowling.

Dick smiled. "So you admit that you want to date her?" His previously annoyed tone had vanished, revealing his intentions.

"I, uh-" Damian's face reddened. "I believe that my fish is due for a walk. Please excuse me."

"When did he get a fish?" Bruce muttered from the end of the table, serving himself the abandoned green beans.

Somewhere, Alfred facepalmed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damian: So, my family has figured out that I am friends with you, and they would like to meet you.

Damian: would you be open to that? It would likely be a dinner at my house.

Marinette: Absolutely! Could I bring Chloé and Adrien with me? Adrien's the blonde one who's probably going to steal Jon from you and Chloe's the blonde one who I'm 90% sure is trying to date your friend Allegra.

Damian: I'm similarly sure that I saw 'Allegra Bourgeois' doodled in the margins of Allegra’s math homework a few days ago.

Marinette: [Puppy dog eyes GIF]

Marinette: Oh! Does anyone in your family have allergies? I’d love to bake a dessert or something for when I come over.

Damian: I’m vegetarian, but other than that, no allergies.

Marinette: Okay, amazing. I’ll see you then, if not sooner ;)

This time, she didn’t change the emoji. Damian smiled, illuminated by the light of his phone screen.

Marinette: Cause we go to school together and stuff, you know?

Damian: Yeah. Because we go to school together.

If Damian was especially grumpy for the rest of the day, no one was brave enough to mention it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Chloè, this is just a friendly dinner, it’s not a date. His family will be there, for kwami’s sake!” Marinette cried as Chloè threw yet another outfit towards her.

“Yeah… a friendly dinner where you meet his family?!” Chloè rolled her eyes. “No, this top is too my style, not yours. Next!”

“But I want for them to like me Chlo, not for them to feel like I’m trying too hard.”

Chloè’s face softened. “Mari, you’re very hard not to like. Believe me, I spent years trying and failing to dislike you because I wanted to be you.” She moved towards Marinette’s clothing, pulling out a red off-the-shoulder sweater and a pair of black leggings.

“Here; channel your inner Ladybug. They're going to love you." She said, gently placing the clothes in Marinette's hands.

"Thanks, Queenie."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey Chlo, can I borrow the curling iron and the-" Adrien stopped in the doorway and let out a wolf whistle.

"Mari, you look HOT."

"And you, mister, are desperately in need of a boyfriend," Marinette replied, laughing.

"Nah, he's right though, Maribug. You do look hot," Chloé added. "Now, we're gonna go have a nice night at your boyfriend's house."

"He's not my boyfriend," Marinette said automatically, shaking her head.

"Yet," Chloé smirked.

"And if you end up staying the night..." Adrien waggled his eyebrows at Marinette.

Marinette sputtered. "I- we- we don't- we aren't-"

Chloé and Adrien shared a smile before moving to either side of Marinette and linking arms.

"By the way, Adrien, what were you planning on asking for earlier?" Chloé asked as she grabbed the lemon cake that Marinette had made earlier.

"Oh! You mean before we all stopped to admire Mari's hotness?" Adrien asked as they stepped out of the room.

Marinette blushed and ducked her chin.

"I wanted to use your curling iron. My hair isn't cooperating." Adrien said.

Chloé shoved the lemon cake into Marinette's hands before grabbing Adrien and wrenching the door to the room back open.

"We better not be late because of this." Chloé muttered. "You and Mari both need to make good impressions on these people."

"Why do I need to make a good impression?" Adrien whined.

"Because we're there to support Mari and Bruce Wayne is best friends with Jon's parents?"

Adrien turned red. "I do need to make a good impression, don't I?"

"Mhm." Chloé turned to the door to the room again, ushering Marinette back inside.

The last thing Marinette heard before the sound of Chloé slamming the door shut again was a tired sounding murmur.

"I am too single for this."

Marinette laughed as she walked towards the bathroom, eager to watch Chloé try to wrangle Adrien's hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Model Boy | @adrienagreste

Make sure you have friends who help you do your hair! Thanks @TheRealQueenBee!

#besties #selfie

[Photo: a mirror selfie. Adrien smiles widely at the camera. Chloé has a piece of Adrien's hair wrapped around a curling iron as she gives the camera an annoyed look. Marinette can be seen laughing in the corner.]

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replying to @adrienagreste

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J o n  | @JonKent

@adrienagreste your hair looks so nice like this!

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replying to @adrienagreste, @JonKent

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J o n  | @JonKent

@adrienagreste I didn't mean that your hair looks bad usually!! It looks really good normally! It just also looks really pretty and soft like this!!

Chapter Text

In the end, they were not late for dinner. At 6:30 on the dot, they pulled up to the Manor.

Marinette stared up at the Manor in shock.

“Adrien, this is bigger than your house.”

“It’s not bigger than mine.”

“Shut up Chloè,” Adrien and Marinette said in unison, laughing at their friends’ mock haughtiness.

Chloè rolled her eyes playfully. “Shall we?” She gestured to the large double doors of the Manor.

As the trio reached the top steps, the door opened before any of them could even reach for the doorbell. An elderly man with a kindly smile opened the door.

“Miss Marinette, Miss Chloè, and Mister Adrien, I presume?” He asked. Once they had all nodded, he continued. “I’m Alfred. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

“The pleasure is all ours, Monsieur Alfred. Damian has spoken so highly of you.” Marinette said, smiling widely. “Oh! I baked lemon cake for dessert. I hope that’s alright?”

Alfred took the cake with a wink. “Of course, Miss Marinette. I’m so glad that you and Damian get along. It’s not every day I see a bond like yours.”

“Ah- Monsieur Alfred. We aren’t- um. We’re-“

Marinette was once again reduced to a blushing mess. Chloè and Adrien snickered quietly as Alfred ushered them inside the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“It’s nice to see you again.” Chloè nodded at Tim and Dick as they sat down at the dinner table.

“Glad to see that you guys aren’t brainwashed yet.” Tim joked, referencing their earlier conversation from their class tour of Wayne Enterprises.

The rest of the family watched with slight confusion as this exchange occurred. Bruce cleared his throat.

“It’s so nice to meet you all.” He said, smiling lightly.

“Thank you so much for inviting us to your home,” Adrien replied.

“Of course.”

The conversation slowed. Feeling the nervous vibe in the room, Marinette took a second to breathe and scan each person’s energy signature -- one of her most frequently used grounding techniques.

Chloè: familiar (honey gold).

Adrien: familiar (pale green).

Tim: normal (light red).

Bruce: normal (navy blue).

Jason: tainted and- was that the energy of the Lazarus Pits? (crimson red with black). Marinette decided she'd revisit that later.

Damian: tainted (forest green with black). Why did he also have traces of the pits?

Alfred: familiar (light purple).

She stopped as she read Alfred's signature. For Marinette, familiar energy signatures were ones that held traces of magical input. For her, Chloé, and Adrien, those were the miraculi. 'It’s not every day I see a bond like yours.’ Alfred’s words flickered through Marinette’s mind as she replayed the memory. It wasn’t a simple insinuation like she had originally thought. It was Alfred literally seeing the way that her own light pink aura had a way of being drawn to Damian's and vice versa. Their auras being pulled to eachother was a signal of their compatibility and-. She shoved that thought to the side.

"Uh, hi. I can tell we're all a little nervous, you know, new people and all that, so I thought I'd just introduce myself." Marinette said, breaking the silence.

"Angel, you really don't have to-" Damian interjected.

Dick appeared to melt in his chair. At barely above a whisper, he leaned towards Jason.

"He calls her Angel? That's absolutely adorable."

"I didn't know the brat had it in him to be sweet." Jason replied. The rest of the table was now staring at them, clearing wondering what they were scheming about. Damian was glaring at them so hard, Dick wondered if Damian would have a headache from it later.

Marinette continued on as if nothing had happened.

"So, I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng, but you knew that already. I love to bake, design and make clothing, and ride my motorcycle. I also volunteer at my local animal shelter back in Paris."

"Yes Mari, you're very impressive." Chloé laughed. "Don't let her fool you, she does way more than that. See the sweater she's wearing? She made that. But anyways, I'm Chloé Bourgeois. I run the business side of Mari's clothing operation."

"And I'm Adrien Agreste. Yes, that Agreste. No, I'm not like my father. At least, I sincerely hope not. I like doing parkour and doing things I'm not supposed to do."

Jason laughed. "Then we'll get along just fine."

"You made that?" Dick asked, looking more closely at Marinette's sweater. Marinette nodded.

"Oh, yes. I also made Chloe's top." She gestured towards the blonde who was wearing a white halter top that she had paired with a yellow bias cut skirt.

“That’s very impressive.” Tim said. “It reminds me of the style of one of my favorite designers. You might of heard of them? They’re called MDC.”

For reasons that the Wayne’s couldn’t figure out, Marinette turned pink and looked to Adrien and Chloè.

“MDC is a really big inspiration of Mari’s,” Adrien explained, as if that explained everything. Chloè nodded, corroborating Adrien’s explanation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When dessert came around, Marinette excused herself to help Alfred with her lemon cake.

“Monsieur Alfred…” Marinette said quietly as she entered the kitchen, trying to get his attention.

“Ask me anything you would like Miss Marinette. It’s not every day I meet one of Tikki’s chosen.”

Marinette smiled, glad she hadn’t been imagining it. Her smile fell a second later.

“How do you know about Tikki?” She said, eyes darting around the kitchen.

Alfred smiled. “I was one of Dusuu’s holders. My time with her was during the Second World War… she was one of my best friends.”

Marinette nodded slowly, the pieces coming together. “You had Dusuu before everything…” Her voice trailed off.

Alfred’s eyes went wide. “Miss Marinette… is Duusu alright?”

“She’s…” She wiped a tear away, took a breath, and dove into an explanation — more detailed than the one she had given Damian—  on what was going on in Paris.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While Marinette was in the kitchen with Alfred, Adrien and Chloè had different plans — a shovel talk, of sorts.

“Damian,”

The boy in question turned to face the speaker. Chloè raised a manicured eyebrow.

“What are your intentions with our Maribug?”

Damian visibly spluttered.

"I- uh-" He took a second to collect himself. "Angel- uh- Marinette and I are simply friends. That's all."

"Just a friend..." Chloé turned to Adrien. "Sounding familiar?"

"I thought we agreed not to bring that up!" Adrien whined.

Dick, Jason, and Tim had procured popcorn from somewhere.

Damian’s eyes narrowed. “You liked my ang-“ He cleared his throat. “You liked Marinette?”

Adrien waved a hand flippantly. “Emphasis on liked. Past tense. It’s a long story, has to do with daddy issues, some identity crisis things-“ 

Damian could have sworn he heard Chloè cough “Literally,” but he chalked it up to his imagination. Adrien continued.

“But it’s all in the past now. We both realized we’re much better friends to each other and way more suited to other people for romantic relationships,” Adrien finished. “Besides, you’re much better for her anyways.”

Damian turned bright red. Dick dropped his popcorn.

“Who’s ready for dessert?”

Marinette strode into the dining room holding her lemon cake. Alfred followed closely behind, holding a stack of small plates.

“Damian? Are you alright? You’re looking a bit flushed.” Marinette asked.

“Uh- ah-“ Damian cleared his throat and smiled at her. “I’m great, angel.”

Dick dropped his popcorn (again).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Marinette, would you like to meet my pets?” Damian asked after dessert.

“I’d love to!” Marinette turned to Chloè and Adrien. “Will you guys be okay?”

“We’ll be fine,” Chloè said. “Now, go have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Adrien gave her a side eye. “That’s a pretty low bar.”

“Shut up, Agreste.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So this is my dog.” Damian beckoned the Great Dane forward.

“Titus, right?” Marinette asked.

“Yes. You remembered that?” Damian replied, looking at the bluenette.

“Of course! Your pets are important to you. Therefore, they’re important to me.”

Damian smiled. “You can pet him, you know.”

“I know, he just looks a little intimidating…?” Marinette’s voice trailed off.

“I promise he’s a big softie, angel.” Damian took her hand in his and guided it to Titus. The moment their combined hands touched his fur, any aggression left Titus and he flopped over, expecting belly rubs. Marinette giggled.

“See, I told you. He’s a big softie.” Damian said.

Marinette nodded. She reached out a hand — the one not currently intertwined with Damian’s — and began petting Titus’s belly. She — nor Damian — made any move to remove their hands from one another.

She couldn’t help but think about how nice it was to have her smaller hand fully enveloped in his larger, slightly calloused and scarred one. It was a comforting presence, she thought. Something to keep her grounded.

A small “meow” broke her from her thoughts.

“And this is Alfred The Cat.” Damian introduced.

Marinette laughed. “You have a human Alfred and a cat Alfred?”

Damian shrugged. “It fit.”

Marinette moved her hand from Titus to Alfred (the Cat), allowing him to lick her. Titus whined at the lack of attention.

“I’ll come back to you, Titus. Don’t worry.” It had completely escaped Marinette’s memory that she had two hands. One was just Damian’s right now. “You said you had a cow, right? And a turkey?”

Damian nodded. “Bat-Cow and Jerry-“

Marinette burst out laughing. “Your turkey is named Jerry?”

Damian scowled. “It’s a perfectly respectable name, why does everyone do that whenever I bring him up?” He muttered the last part under his breath.

Marinette took pity on him. Wiping the tears of laughter from her face, she looked up at Damian. Even with both of them sitting on the floor to pet the animals, their height difference was apparent. Marinette tilted her head up slightly to look at him, while Damian gazed down at her. Damian scooted closer, their hands still connected.

“Marinette…” Damian murmured.

“Yes, Dami?” Marinette whispered.

“I-“ Damian was cut off by the sound of his door opening. The two of them flew apart, breaking their hand hold.

“Damian, your-“ Bruce entered the room and immediately backtracked. “I will come back later.”

Damian sighed grumpily, itching to hold Marinette’s hand again. “What can I help you with, Father?”

“Your brothers would like me to tell you that the-“ Bruce looked around Damian’s room in confusion. “Don’t you have a fish?”

Damian facepalmed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Model Boy | @adrienagreste

Shout out to the @dupainchengbakery for the amazing lemon cake recipe @marinettedesigns made!

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replying to @adrienagreste

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Dick  | @flyinggrayson

@marinettedesigns please give Alfred your recipe. That was probably the best lemon cake I’ve ever had.

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replying to @adrienagreste, @flyinggrayson

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Sleep Deprived Designer  | @marinettedesigns

@flyinggrayson Only if Alfred shares his dinner roll recipe first!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After their guests had left, Dick, Jason, and Tim turned to Damian.

“You liiiike her.”

“Of course I like her. I don’t spend time with people I don’t like,” Damian said.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to us,” Tim replied, only slightly taken aback.

“Nevermind that,” Jason said, smiling slightly at the fact that Damian had admitted he enjoyed their company. “You like-like her.”

“We’re friends. Truly. Now, goodnight you hooligans.” Damian strode towards his bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night, Damian had one last fully conscious thought before he fell asleep.

“I do like her.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gotham Fun Facts | @gotham_facts

Did you know? Gotham’s one and only ice prince, @DamianWayne, now has a fish as a pet!

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replying to @gotham_facts

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Damian Wayne | @DamianWayne

@flyinggrayson, @timdrake, @jtodd which one of you imbeciles did this.

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replying to @gotham_facts, @DamianWayne

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Actually, I’m Not Dead | @jtodd

@DamianWayne it’s o-fish-al now. You have a pet fish.

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replying to @gotham_facts, @DamianWayne, @jtodd

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Gotham Aquarium 🐠 | @gothamcityaquarium

@DamianWayne we’d love to see you visit our fishy friends soon!

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replying to @gotham_facts, @jtodd, @gothamcityaquarium

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Damian Wayne | @DamianWayne

@gothamcityaquarium actually, how soon?