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Marinette tries hard not to smile as Batman gives the rundown of the mission. A mission off-world? With actual League members? And her boyfriend? Were they finally being taken seriously as heroes? Would they actually be asked to join the League officially? The second Batman walks away, Marinette turns to Dick and squeals. He laughs as she launches herself into his arms.
"We're going on a legitimate mission! With League members!" She squeals. Sure, there'd been the occasional team-ups in the past, but no actual 'we need the two of you missions. It was exhilarating.
"This is going to be amazing." Dick says before leaning down and connecting their lips. Marinette kisses him back eagerly, butterflies fluttering through her stomach. She'd had a crush on Dick for ages before he ever asked her out. She'd always been too scared that it would end up like her failed attempts to win over Adrien when she was younger. But while she'd definitely had a crush on Adrien, she realized now it wasn't love. But Dick? She loved him. As easily as she breathed, with as much passion as she designed, she loved Dick Grayson. Even if it meant she got to deal with his crazy family. But hey, what can you expect with a family full of vigilantes?
"Jay's gonna take this pretty hard, isn't he?" Marinette asks, frowning slightly at the thought of her boyfriend’s little brother being upset. He was one of the newer members of the Young Justice and the current Robin. Though that was still a bit of a sore subject between Bruce and Dick.
"I'm sure he'll be fine with it," Dick says, though Marinette can see the hesitation in his face. "He'll probably be super happy to get rid of us for a few weeks, right?"
---
“Why do you have to go on some stupid off-world mission anyway? Wouldn’t you rather stay here with the team and go on missions with us?” Jason asks with a huff. Marinette snorts, ruffling the younger boy’s hair.
“Course I would, Jay-bird. But who’d make sure Dick stays out of trouble if I stayed here?” She teases, knowing her boyfriend was right behind her.
“Betrayed! By my own girlfriend.” Dick says dramatically, clutching his chest. Marinette snorts, rolling her eyes.
“You’re such a drama queen.” She teases. Dick just grins, turning to Jason.
“We’ll be back in a couple of weeks. Don’t get in too much trouble while we’re gone.” He says. Jason grins cheekily.
“How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” He says. Marinette snorts at Dick’s shocked look.
“I warned you against showing him the Marvel movies.” Marinette teases. Dick huffs before walking away, probably to their ship. Marinette just rolls her eyes at her boyfriend’s dramatics.
“Mari, when you get back, will you help me look for someone?” Jason asks quietly. Marinette glances at him, noting the tension in his shoulders. She nods.
“Of course I will, Jay. Just a couple weeks and then I’ll be back and we can look for whoever it is. Okay?” She says softly. Jason nods, and Marinette gives him a quick hug before stepping back. She smiles at him one more time before heading for the ship to meet up with Dick. She was certain that the time would fly by and they'd be back before Jason really had time to miss them.
---
Marinette walks into Young Justice HQ, frowning at the lack of a certain Robin. She’d been certain that Jason would be there to greet her since she’d been off planet for so long. Longer than she’d originally thought. He was like the little brother she’d never had, and according to Dick, Jason liked her more than most people. It was nice to have a sibling, even if he was technically actually the sibling of her boyfriend. Walking into the kitchen, she freezes, frowning at the lack of people. Where was everybody?
“Hello? Anyone here?” She calls out, glancing around as she tries to spot signs of anyone. A sudden gasp makes Marinette whirl around into a defensive position. One that drops immediately when she sees the heartbroken look on M’Gann’s face.
“Oh.” M’Gann says softly. Marinette furrows her eyebrows.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Marinette asks, confused at the look of total despair on her friend’s face.
“Did you just get back?” She asks instead, avoiding the question. Marinette nods.
“Literally three minutes ago. But seriously, what’s wrong?” She asks. M’Gann glances at something behind Marinette, her face twisting even more. Taking in a shaky breath, Marinette turns, her stomach dropping at the man in front of her. Dick was standing there, the devastation on his face breaking her heart. Suddenly remembering who wasn’t waiting to greet her, Marinette falters as a chill rushes over her.
“Where’s Jason?” She asks quietly, terrified to hear the answer. Dick isn’t able to say anything before he’s rushing towards her, sweeping her into a hug as their knees give out. Marinette lets out a long scream, sobbing into Dick’s chest as it feels like her heart was being torn in two. He was gone. Her little brother was gone. She gasps for air, vision going slightly black as she tries desperately to catch her breath.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Dick repeats, crying too as he runs a hand through her hair. Marinette hugs him tighter, unable to verbally tell him how much this isn’t his fault. He was off planet too. He’d only come back days before she did. It wasn’t his fault that Jason was dead.
---
Once her tears had mostly stopped, Marinette pulls back slightly from Dick.
“What the hell happened?” She asks, her voice scratchy. Dick’s face hardens slightly.
“The Joker happened. And B didn’t get there in time.” He says, using almost as much venom to refer to his adoptive father as he did the man who killed his brother. Marinette frowns.
“Where’s the Joker now?” She asks. Dick grits his teeth and Marinette’s eyes narrow. “Where is he?” She asks again.
“No one knows. Not only did B lose him, but he didn’t even call us back for the damn funeral.” Dick snaps. Marinette’s eyes widen.
“He what!” She shrieks. She jumps to her feet, storming away towards the Zeta tubes.
“M, what, M stop!” Dick calls after her, running after her. He gently catches her around the waist, holding her to him as she struggles.
“I’m gonna get Plagg and then I’m going to go kill that fucking clown.” Marinette snaps, struggling as Dick refuses to let her go.
“No you’re not.” He says.
“Yes I am! He can’t just get away with killing Jason! He’s tried to kill you, god knows how many times. And now he’s killed Jason. What’s next? Where do we draw the damn line?” She screams, thrashing around in his hold.
“M you can’t just go kill people. B would-”
“I don’t give a damn what he thinks! He’s on my freaking list too! What kind of person doesn’t tell a kid’s family about his funeral?” She screams, trying to pull herself out of Dick’s iron grasp. Dick mumbles calming words, and she eventually just lets herself go limp, falling to the ground as Dick holds her close to his chest. Her little brother was dead. Jason was gone.