Chapter Text
Chapter One
Math was a curse sent from the underworld, Marinette was sure of it. She hated math. A lot. She mentally chastised her own stupidity for thinking that she would be smart enough to take an accelerated class in another country, with one of the most complicated languages ever. It was the fourth week of school, and she was already this close to failing math. Marinette was desperate.
It wasn’t even that school was hard, it was just Math and English. English wasn’t terrible, it just required a lot of effort. As someone who hadn’t grown up speaking the language, the rules and writing were different. It was filled with contradictions, many exceptions, and overall just extremely complicated.
The worst part of it all, was that nobody else seemed to be struggling. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing. It was only her that appeared to be having trouble. This especially registered in English and Math. Her seatmate was quiet, and didn’t say much. He only ever talked to her when required to, and looked like the type of person to keep to himself. She certainly was not going to ask him for help. Ever. She would figure things out. Probably. Hopefully.
Damian was unsure of why the teacher had asked him to stay after class. She had assured him that he was in no trouble, but that was not his primary concern. He was positive that he done nothing to warrant any sort of higher intervention, whether positive or negative. It was still the beginning of the year, and no actual work had been assigned, not counting busy work. Jon was in Metropolis, so Damian wasn’t exactly thriving in the social department. He hadn’t spoken a word to anyone this year since school started, apart from his seatmate. She hadn’t tried to make conversation much either, which was surprising.
He observed that she wasn’t exactly extroverted, but she appeared to have an infatuation with the color pink, and she also spoke Mandarin, as well as French. He’d discovered this when the instructor had directed them to pass the homework to the front, and she muttered obscenities, switching from French to Mandarin. He assumed that she hadn’t done it, and did not inquire further.
Marinette was pacing back and forth. She was already an anxious person, and when asked by the teacher to stay after class, she thought her heart was going to grow legs and run away. The teacher had assured her that she hadn’t done anything wrong, and not to worry, but with a persona like Marinette’s, the instructor's effort was naught. She continued her pacing, until she almost ran face first into someone.
“Sorry.”
She laughed nervously, and looked up. It was her seat mate. His name is Damian. She inwardly kicked herself. She chided herself for not remembering his name, then walked back toward the room. He started walking behind her. She stopped at the door, and tilted her head in confusion. “Are you here to see Ms. Adams?” She asked, watching him stop by the door. “Yes. I am unsure of why she needs me here.” He sounded bored, like he had other places to be. Marinette wished she had that problem. Right now, all she wanted to do was get out of here as soon as possible.
She heard footsteps down the hallway, and turned to see her teacher approaching them. “Hello! Good, both of you are here.” She walked in front of both of them, and entered the classroom.
“Come in!” The teacher beckoned them inside of the classroom, smiling at both of them widely. Marinette already didn’t like where this was going.
Why had she called both of them in here, and why was she referring to both of them? Marinette smelled trouble.
“So, I’m assuming you guys are wondering why both of you are here?”
Marinette watched Damian eye the teacher apprehensively, mirroring her thoughts.
“Marinette. I have been looking at some of your math work recently and..I think you could use some help.” Marinette felt her face flush as she watched Damian’s eyes narrow.
“Mr. Wayne here is excellent at math, and currently has a 105 in this class.” She felt her stomach churn; she didn’t like where this was going.
“I think that some tutoring would be good for both of you. I’ve been observing both of you separately, and I think you two would work well together.”
Marinette observed her seatmate, he clearly was not a fan of this arrangement. She quickly opened her mouth to decline the offer, but the teacher raised a hand to silence her. “If you decide that you aren’t interested, I can easily offer you another assignment instead of this Mr. Wayne.” she said, noticing his less-than-delighted expression. He looked at her in finality.
“I don’t think I need it. Damian probably has better things to do anyway.”
She reasoned, crossing her fingers behind her back. Maybe she would get lucky and manage to persuade her.
“Ms. Dupain-Cheng, it’s perfectly fine if you and Mr. Wayne decide that this will not work for you. We can always replace this project with some extra assignments in class.”
She understood what was being implied: they had no choice in this matter. She didn’t like the way he was looking at her. This wasn’t her fault! She definitely wasn’t the one who created this situation. “Well! What are your thoughts?” If the vexation in Damian’s eyes could kill, their math instructor would be six feet under. Since it could not, the only thing he could do was stare her down.
“We’ll do it.” He said, scowling at her. Why was he mad at her? She wasn't the one who got them into this!
“Yeah!” They discussed it for a few minutes, and both of them traded numbers. The second the teacher dismissed them, she made a beeline for the door. She was going straight home and figuring out a way to get out of this. She breathed a sigh of relief the second she was out of the door. She kept walking, before she remembered two very important things. First, that she didn’t know where she was going. (Hello, Gotham!). And second, that in addition to her first obstacle, she knew no one except for her seatmate. The only way she was even able to get to any of her other classes was because she followed other people. The first day of school was a nightmare that she did not wish to repeat. It would be fine. She would figure it out. Right?
Damian watched his classmate borderline sprint out the room the second the teacher discharged them from the classroom. He didn’t blame her, although he wasn’t feeling the greatest towards her. Way to go into a weekend. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. It was Alfred. He was outside. He responded, letting him know he was on the way outside, when he felt it vibrate once more.
Dupain-Cheng: What time works for you? Damian mentally reviewed his entire schedule. They could have one tutoring session right before patrol tomorrow.
Damian Wayne: Tomorrow afternoon.
Dupain-Cheng: Okay that works for me!
He looked up from his phone to see her at the exit. He walked behind her and tapped her on the shoulder, and she jumped two feet in the air.
“Three o’clock?” He asked.
“What? Oh, uh..sure?” She said, but it sounded more like a question.
“Text me your address. I’ll be there.” He started walking towards his car.
“Bye!” She called, walking in the opposite direction.
“Goodbye.” He said, then walked a few paces and got in the car. Damian was immediately greeted by his brothers, who had apparently decided to hitch a ride with Alfred.
“Who’s that?” Jason asked.
“Did you get in trouble?” Tim smirked at stared at him. Damian saw her waving at him as she continued walking. He waved back.
“She’s nice.” Dick commented.
“I know, it’s disgusting.”