Chapter Text
––––––––Damian––––––––––
Looking at the phone, Damian saw the portal open and the guardian walk through onto a rooftop. Upon arriving, her costume changed to that of a ladybug. It was a black bodysuit with ladybug patterned armor plating. The plate between the shoulders seemed more rounded than the others and had a crease down the center. Could they hold wings? She is a Ladybug afterall. While she appeared to have minimal training, the hero moved expertly with a style that the ex-assassin had not seen anywhere else. She must have learned on the go. Damian watched the battle with great fascination, he hadn’t seen a villain who could do what Hawkmoth was capable of before. Defeating the villain was also strange, it was a… butterfly and the villain was a normal person? A civilian, at least based on how the Guardian treated them. When the hero walked through another portal, he expected her to teleport to the hall, however there was no sign of her.
“Trixx, is she a hero? Where did she go?” He had to be sure. If she’s a teen hero, she should understand where I’m coming from. Trixx only looked at him and turned away.
“The Guardian doesn’t trust you yet and you aren’t being entirely honest.”
“Maybe I would be more honest if I had more information!” He sighed. “I can’t be expected to tell my life’s story to a complete stranger! I don’t even know her name!” At that moment the Guardian returned. He stood.
“The tapestry makes more sense now.” Idiot. She gave Trixx a look.
“You had him watch the stream!” She pitched between her eyes. “You just gave away my identity, Trixx!”
“You transformed in front of me,” Damian deadpanned. The girl only gave him a look.
“May I have your name?” She seemed to study him for a moment.
“Marinette. You never told me why you’re here.”
“My mother is trying to kill me.” he said flatly. “I am seeking asylum.”
“Why here.”
“It’s where I ended up.” There was no other way to say it.
“It is late, stay here while I prepare a room. I will tell you my answer tomorrow afternoon.” And she swept out of the room towards the entrance.
He looked at her retreating figure. Noticing that Trixx was now watching him from the corner he began to talk quietly, repeating a few sentences over and over again.
“Kent, I’m fine. I’m hiding. Don’t look for me.” I hope he gets the message. With that taken care of, Damian sat back to wait for her return.
“I am ready for you. Follow me.” Both he and Trixx moved to follow the girl. She led him towards the entrance to an area with many doors surrounding a cherry tree by a pond. Why is it blooming? It’s not spring. Tt, magic. She opened the door closest to the hall and assured him inside.
“You will stay here tonight… with Trixx.” Damian began to protest but she held up a hand. “This is non-negotiable. Trixx will stay with you until you gain my trust.” He nodded. That’s probably what I would do. Wise decision. He gazed around the room, the chamber was obviously designed to house several of the creatures as well as a single person. Bases on fifteen small dishes and cushions. Holding eye contact with the guardian, Damian answered, (despite it not really being a question).
“I understand.” Marinette nodded and left him with the fox.
“What are you, exactly?” The fox raised an eyebrow, or what would be an eyebrow.
“I am a kwami. That is all I will say.” Then the figure flew to a tiny cushion and curled up to watch him for the night.
––––––––––Marinette––––––––––
As she walked out of the dining hall, Marinette began to think of question after question for the kwamii. Entering one of the guardian rooms, she turned on the kwamii that were following her.
“Why is he here? I thought this place was enchanted to guide people away from here.” The kwamii hovered around trying to find a way to answer her inquiry.
“The temple is a strange place,” Wayzz said, “It provides what is needed, nothing more, nothing less. Centuries ago, it would guide messengers to it’s gates to deliver attack plans or orders to the guardians. It would also steer armies and scouts around the temple to hinder any offence they may plan. If the temple guided him here, it is for a reason. The only other option is that he is a magic user, however I could not sense any magical energy on him. So it is most likely that the temple guided him here.” Marinette ran her hand through her hair and went about preparing the room.
“You’re saying that he’s supposed to be here?” The guardian collected the miracle box and staff.
“Yes, he is. However, I don’t know why.” The other kwamii nodded along to Wayzz’s answer. Mari sighed and left the room. On the way back to the hall, she stepped into another room to drop off the box and staff.
Walking back to the dining hall, Marinette decided that it was too late to make a decision about Damian. She opened the hall to find the boy just sitting and waiting for her. Here it goes.
“I am ready for you. Follow me.” She walked out without looking back. You are indifferent, Marinette. Indifferent. As she led him to the room, he seemed to give the cherry tree a funny look. He’s not used to passive magic. She opened the door to the room she prepared for him and gestured for him to enter. The boy gazed around the room Seemingly finding it adequate.
“You will stay here tonight… with Trixx.” They will know if he is lying. The teen started to protest but she raised her hand. “This is non-negotiable. Trixx will stay with you until you gain my trust.” The boy looked around before holding eye-contact with her. Stupid green eyes.
“I understand.” she nodded and left him in the room.
“Tikki! What should I do?” She turned to the little goddess once she arrived at her quarters.
“Don’t panic, Marinette. You already decided to make your decision tomorrow.” Marinette started pacing; wildly waving her hands around like a maniac. “Marinette! It will be fine. You left Trixx with him! They will keep him from wandering around too much.” Marinette wasn’t listening anymore. What if he steals all the miraculous and gives them to hawkmoth or the government! What if he’s an assassin who was trained to take down any remaining order members! What if he’s a supervillain who needs the miraculous to take over the world! Tikki rammed into her shoulder.
“I’m good! I’m good.” She took a deep breath. “Maybe I should do some exercises to calm down, Tikki. There’s no way I’m sleeping right now.” She approached the closet and located the exercise clothes that she found in the temple. They were loose fitting pants that tied around the ankles. There wasn’t a top that was for the workout so she assumed they would work out shirtless. As a solution, she found some wrappings and tied them around her chest, she didn’t have time to get a sports bra yet. I should make that a priority. She finished by wrapping her hands for support.
It was a short walk to the training room. Upon entering, she went directly to the softer area of the floor and began her typical yoga routine. While slowly moving through the increasingly complicated poses and motions. Why would the temple bring him here? Is it because it’s the only place where he will be safe? Or will he be able to assist me. How can I test him?