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You know, when I said I was ready to return the favor,
I didn't expect it to be like this
Pleaseeee? 🥺🥺🥺
It's just for one Christmas dinner
EVERYONE has their own boyfriend or girlfriend now
And Ma and Pa's been asking when I'm getting together with someone
you're overlooking something here
your best friend knows me
how do we explain that to them?
we just tell them the truth
we met online and hit it off
uh huh
he won't ask questions in front of the family
i think
i can think of a million reasons how this can go wrong
it won't🙂
wow that smiling face is really assuring
that's good ^ _^
seriously?
another question..
am I supposed to know about your powers?
that's the fun part
if they know you're a 'civilian'
they'll be fighting to hide their powers
and/or tech
thru the whole dinner
you're actually evil
haha
this is me getting back at them
so i'll fly you on the 20th?
i can't fly with you
you need to book me a flight, im in Paris
France
Europe
Or else they'll be suspicious
Right
I'll ask Dad to help get you one
What about HM?
I'll make a prediction here and say that he won't be attacking a few days before christmas
cause he'll do it on christmas
but just in case, I can bring Kaalki or you can fly me
or I can ask Chat to cover for me
okay
see you :3
hey, this makes YOU owe me a favor
but this is your return
this isnt equal to what u did
it is :3
Marinette sighed and flopped on her bed as she threw her phone to her side. Meeting Jon Kent had been both luck and misfortune for her. One day, he was just a cute stranger she met after a boredom-filled night and then the next, they had accidentally found each others' identities when Superboy happened to pass by Paris.
She dragged out a groan. What on earth was Jon even thinking with that charade? They were facing a family of Kryptonians and detectives for crying out loud.
"What's the matter, Marinette?" Tikki flew in munching on her last cookie crumb.
"That was a very regretful groan."
She screamed when she saw her partner's head pop through her open skylight. A pillow was instinctively thrown at Chat, who dodged it effortlessly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she glanced warily at her trapdoor, hoping her parents wouldn't come rushing in.
Chat dropped down on her bed and stretched. "Meowch. Can't I visit my dearest friend every now and then?"
"I think Marinette has a predicament," Tikki tattled as she nestled on top of Chat's head.
"Oooh, what predicament? Do share, M'lady."
Seven pieces of cookies, two more woeful groans and a story later, Chat was laughing out loud.
"You think this is funny?" Marinette scowled.
"I'm sorry," Chat wheezed, not at all sounding remorseful. "But you and I have read enough fanfiction to know where this is going."
"But this is not fanfiction. This is real life."
"And in real life," the black-clad hero sang, "Jon Kent likes you."
Marinette scoffed. It wasn't that easy of course. Jon was one charming smile after another, targeting her unsuspecting feelings while not knowing anything.
"So?"
"So. . .?" Chat cocked his head.
"What about Hawkmoth?"
"Him? I can take care of the city while you're out," he replied. "You go enjoy your little Christmas getaway while I—"
"Should we exchange our Miraculouses?" Marinette asked her kwami.
Tikki gave a half shrug, "I don't mind joining Adrien for a while."
"Yes! Two days with no cheese smell!"
The flight to America was uneventful, but the car ride to Kents' was. Jon had reminded her before and after her trip that he and Conner were picking her up. She'd lied to him over text, saying that she wasn't nervous at all, but her rapid-beating heart was betraying her.
And Plagg wouldn't shut up about it. And asking her for a charcuterie board at dinner.
She could only make a futile attempt to control her heartbeat in the old farm truck with two Superboys.
"Marinette, was it?" Conner smiled at her through the rearview mirror.
"Uh . . . Yeah." She squirmed. Jon squeezed her hand. She squirmed some more.
"By the way, Dad wanted to pick you up instead of Conner but he has dinner duties," Jon explained, "He told me to tell you."
"It's okay. I'm thankful he paid for the flight and everything."
"Jon told me you met online," Conner pressed, earning a frown from Jon. "He wouldn't elaborate."
"We just started off as chat buddies and the next thing I know we were getting closer and he asked me out."
"Hm that's interesting." A slight smirk popped up on Conner's lips. "Jon's never mentioned you before."
"This is exactly why," Jon pouted. "You'll scare her off."
A fake gasp. " Moi ? I'm just a guy from Smallville. No one too special."
"Eyes on the road, Kon. And don't go too fast, this isn't your motorcycle."
"So how did Lois react when she found out?"
Marinette saw Jon shudder under his holiday sweater. "She was furious."
She paled. "Your mom got mad?"
"I should've seen that coming anyway, because I never told them." Jon raised his hands. "Not your fault, though! Mom's excited to meet you."
"How exactly did you meet?"
"Kon. Questions later. Focus on driving, jeez."
Marinette swallowed. If they had to pull off the act in front of Jon's family, she had to step up. "It's okay, Jon." She touched his arm. "We met in an online chatroom and we've been talking ever since."
"Tinder? Grindr?"
"Kon!" Jon's cheeks turned into a deep shade of red. "Can we talk about something else? What about you and Tim? Talk about that."
"Me and Tim?" Conner smiled widely, almost evilly. "You want to talk about us ? Tonight we're going to make lo—"
"Okay, okay! Not that!" Jon raised his voice. He turned to Marinette. "Sorry."
She squeezed the side of her bag which was starting to shake from Plagg's giggles. "It's okay. I promise."
"You shouldn't have come—"
"Hey, no, we already agreed to this, didn't we?" Marinette smiled shyly. "We're doing this dinner."
Withholding a smirk, she laughed. "And it's not like I can fly back to France in a minute."
And to this, Conner's eyes widened as the car swerved sharply to another lane.
Lois Lane was first to tackle her as soon as she stepped through the front door. She stumbled back a bit, but managed to return the tight hug.
"Marinette! I'm happy you can make it." She turned her head briefly to the commotion behind her. "I have to apologize—we're not yet done with the preparations."
Marinette could see half of the Wayne family staring at her curiously from the kitchen. She pretended not to notice as Jon took her coat. "It's alright, Ms. Lane. If there's anything I can help with—"
"No, you're our guest! You can sit here first and the table will be set in a few minutes." The reporter hurried her to a comfy couch in the living area. "And please, call me Lois."
"Thank you . . . Lois."
Jon leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Dad needs me to help with a few things. Will you be okay on your own?"
She took his hand gently. "Of course. Go."
He gave her one charming smile before going. At the same time, others came filing in . . .
. . . And an arrow sailed past her head and into the wall.
"ROY!"
" That is my new—ow!"
A blue-eyed man snatched the small contraption from the archer, glaring at him pointedly.
"We have a guest , idiot." Another man strolled into the room.
Dick Grayson, Roy Harper, Jason Todd, Marinette made her guesses. Jon had already told her all about them, even going as far as to share their quirks and personalities. Nightwing, Arsenal, Red Hood.
"I am so sorry!" Roy's eyes went wide. "It was for my . . . Er—archery competition!"
Jason smacked him.
"Didn't we already tell you about this?" Dick hissed while pulling out the arrow from the wall.
Roy mumbled a response that Marinette couldn't make out.
"Really really sorry for that." Dick turned to her. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm good!" Marinette assured before their arguments worsened. "It didn't hit me."
"Good." Dick glared at Roy again. "I'm Dick, and these are Roy and Jason."
"It's nice to meet you," she smiled sheepishly.
"Guys, you're crowding around the poor girl." A woman in a wheelchair entered, and the others gave her space.
"Hi, I'm Barbara, you can call me Babs." The woman offered a welcoming smile which Marinette returned. At that moment, more people were ushered into the living room, by the Wayne's butler who was brandishing a spatula and muttering about banning them from the kitchen.
Marinette felt a chill down her spine.
There, at the corner of her eye, he was staring at her. Calculatingly.
Crap, he definitely recognizes me.
She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to Jon.
The Kents and Waynes (read: Alfred) didn't disappoint with the food. Marinette realized how hungry she was when she gazed at the dining table.
"You have to try Ma's apple pie," Jon whispered next to her. "I bet your bakery can't compare."
"I'll be the judge of that," Marinette rolled her eyes. She settled next to Jon, across from Clark and Lois. Damian was diagonal from her, making it more difficult to avert her gaze.
After the setting of the table, passing of bowls, picking up of servings, Clark made small talk within the light chatter.
"So Marinette, what do you like to do?" Clark asked.
"Art. Designing," she replied, "Helping my parents bake."
"Oh come on," said Jon, "Marinette is a prodigy. She's been recognized by Gabriel Agreste and Audrey Bourgeois gave her an offer once."
"Big names in fashion," Bruce Wayne commented, sending Marinette into a blush, "That's impressive."
Jon piped up again before she could kick him under the table. "Her designs are amazing. And Jagged Stone regularly commissions her for concert pieces."
" Wagged Shtone?"
"Master Timothy, please don't talk while eating."
"You know Jagged Stone?!" Tim gaped at her after swallowing down his food.
"Jon's exaggerating." Marinette tucked her hair behind her ear, "It was just a few pieces for his concert."
"Don't downplay it, Mars, you're talented," Jon smiled gently.
"Looks like you're very proud of Marinette," said Lois.
"O—of course I am! She's my girlfriend after all."
"Well, I'm happy Jon brought a wonderful girl home," Ma Kent beamed, handing Marinette another piece of baked lasagna.
"Can you get me an autograph from Jagged?" Roy asked.
"Me first!" Tim cut in.
"I'd like one too," Kara joined in.
Marinette laughed nervously, "I'm sure I can get one for everyone." She glanced to her side. "Umm . . . Conner are you okay?"
He continued rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah, someone threw a tree at me too hard while we were collecting firewood."
An invisible tension (which Marinette purposefully ignored) swept across the room. Beside her, Jon spoke up. "Hey, I said I was sorry!"
Marinette furrowed her eyebrows, resisting a laugh when she saw the semi-panicked faces of the others. "Jon threw a tree at you?"
Tim conspicuously kicked Conner's leg below the table.
"A tree! Yeah!" Conner's eyes widened. "We collect tiny trees for firewood! Really tiny ones!"
"Oh. . .?"
"Please ignore him." Tim kicked his boyfriend again. "Mari, tell us about Paris!"
"Chilly night, huh?"
Marinette could've sworn she jumped to the ceiling as she yelped at the voice. She'd step out into the front porch to get some air as the families cleaned up after dinner inside. She didn't expect the girl who Damian had brought to come approach her.
"Yeah, really cold," Marinette saw her breath fog up. She hugged herself, feeling Rachel stare directly at her.
Rachel had been quiet during dinnertime, but she wasn't a forgettable presence. Marinette knew about her as well (even before she knew about the Kents) because of a mission (more accurately, a snooping errand ) assigned to her in the past.
"Aren't you cold too?" Marinette rubbed her palms together.
"I do well with the cold," the girl replied. "Damian's been looking at you the whole night."
Yeah, I noticed that too.
"Really?" Marinette chuckled nervously, gazing elsewhere.
"Yes. It seems like he knows you."
"He must be mistaken . . ."
"He isn't." Rachel shook her head. "I'm not sure why he's suspicious but I trust you."
"Trust---huh?"
"I can feel that you're good. Lucky even." A light smile was on her lips. "You're good for Jon."
I thought the smell of cheese would've masked whatever luck Tikki gives me. "Thanks?"
"I'm coming back inside. You?"
"Uhh . . . I think I'll stay here for a bit."
With a nod, Rachel walked back into the warm house. Marinette released a sigh of relief. Confirming that Damian did recognize and remember her brought back memories.
She wasn't proud of her time in the League, but it wasn't something she can turn her back to either. Especially since she still had to be loyal to its heir. She let out another heavy sigh and—
"AHH!" In a surge of alarm, Marinette threw whoever was behind her over her shoulder. She was suddenly met with familiar green eyes.
"Oh . . . Amir . . . I'm so sorry!"
"It's good to know you still have your reflexes."
She winced as she helped Damian stand back up.
"I will go straight to the point. What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did my mother send you? Is the League looking for me?"
Marinette huffed. "Okay, first of all, that is an insult to Lady Talia. If she wanted to see you, she'd do it herself. Not send me to go undercover in a Christmas dinner."
Damian raised an eyebrow.
"Secondly, I'm not here for anything but Jon. Because I'm his girlfriend," she emphasized. "It's just a coincidence and I even hoped you wouldn't try to talk to me."
"So you have no business involving me?"
"I don't." She glanced warily through the window of the house, wondering if Jon (or any of the Supers) was listening. "Jon is . . . he's really important to me. I like him."
"Does that mean you know about . . .?"
"Yeah, all of it." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "But don't tell anyone. Jon and I are waiting to see how long we can mess with them."
"I see." Damian pursed his lips, putting on an expression that she knew meant that he was thinking deeply. "If Kent hurts you in any way, I have a stock of kryptonite."
"Uhm . . . Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"
"No." A tight smile. "I . . . Apologize for misunderstanding. I just haven't seen you since the League fell."
"I'm just in Paris, Amir." Her shoulders sagged. "Trying to live normally. Sorry I haven't reached out."
"We should go back inside. You're shivering."
Marinette followed Damian into the house just as her phone rang. She sucked in a breath, read the message and met Jon's eyes from across the room.
He immediately went towards her and pulled her to the stairs, yelling, "We'll be in my bedroom, don't listen to us, okay, bye!"
Jon had offered to take her at first, but she declined to protect their cover. She had taken the Horse Miraculous and rushed back to the Kents' using the space power-up. On a day when she thought Hawkmoth wouldn't strike, he akumatized poor August again.
Marinette had exchanged Miraculouses with Chat during the battle. She sat on Jon's windowsill in her Cosmobug suit as she caught her breath.
"I'm really sorry," she breathed out. "Did they ask questions?"
"They think we're still locked up here so it's okay. How was the battle? Did you get hurt?" Jon scanned her for injuries.
She held his shoulders. "I'm okay. It was a quick fight but I was worried I wouldn't make it back in time."
He pulled her into a tight hug, eliciting another blush. "Sorry I made you stressed out."
"Hey, it's me returning the favor, remember?"
The first time they had met in person, Superboy was in Paris, encountered an akuma battle and accidentally found her identity. She'd made him promise not to tell anyone about what was happening in the city, but he promised to collect the debt.
"And I really enjoyed tonight. Everyone was nice." Marinette grinned. "If not a bit too obvious with their identities."
"Let me guess. Conner and Roy were the most careless."
She giggled. "No, I saw Bruce pocketing a Batarang and Clark reheating the chicken with his heat vision."
Jon laughed along with her, still not letting go from the hug. Marinette buried her face on his chest. I wish it would always be like this.
"I wish it could always be like this," said Jon.
"Hm?"
Her earrings started beeping but she paid them no mind.
"Like . . . Bringing you over. Spending time together," he mumbled. "but we can't. You're not . . . We're not . . ."
She swallowed. "Do you want it to be real?"
He pulled away a little, to look at her properly. "Do you?"
Marinette bit her lip. It wasn't the best time. It could strain their friendship. We'll never talk again!
"Yes, I want it to be real," she confessed. "I've . . . I've liked you for a while now."
His eyes turned bright and the corners of his lips lifted. "Really? Are you sure? Because I was scared you won't feel the same and I made it weird . . ."
Her arms looped around his neck as she mirrored the elated look. "Nope." Her lips lightly touched his cheek. "I like you a lot, Jon."
He was practically buzzing with excitement, which made her want to laugh. "Really? Like really, really?" He held her more tightly. "You want to be my real girlfriend?"
"Of course I do—"
The door clicked open. "MARINETTE! WE GOT YOU PRESENTS—!"
A wave of light flashed and Marinette felt her transformation wear off and a drowsy Tikki floating at her side. Conner, Tim, Dick and Kara were staring slack-jawed at them, crowded around the door.
Jon helped her down the windowsill. "Umm, we can explain?"