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Marinette was tired of being at the royal family of Gotham’s ball. Even the Wayne children, who usually livened up their father’s dull parties, were being abnormally well-behaved.
She excused herself from the vapid conversation and found what appeared to be a good hiding spot. Escaping, she scanned the room for anyone who noticed her disappearing and accidentally locked eyes with someone. They were such a gorgeous colour; she almost wanted to talk to their owner just so she could examine them up close. A vision of a suit for next season incorporating the colour floated in front of her and she wished again to have her sketchbook. If she’d met the person before her hasty appointment as the royals’ official seamstress, maybe she could have livened up this ball’s outfits (her predecessor had very little vision and left to her half-finished outfits that she despaired over)…
The crowd parted and the owner of the hypnotizing eyes stepped in front of her. Marinette was torn from her half-finished design and realized she was staring, blushing profusely.
He gave a quick nod of his head. “Have we met before?” he asked charmingly. “I’m sure I would remember meeting someone with such good style as yourself before.”
“No, we haven’t. I thank you for your compliment; I’m MDC.”
“Jason Todd-Wayne, at your service.” His lips just brushed the back of her hand as he bowed over it.
“Enc-delighted to make your acquaintance.”
“So, why do you look so bored?”
“Socializing with the elites is exhausting and your siblings are being remarkably polite for once.” Marinette clapped her hand over her mouth. Dang sleep deprivation. “I’m so sorry! I’ve just heard about previous galas and your family’s antics, that wasn’t meant…”
Jason laughed. “It’s fine! When they’re quiet like this, they’re usually planning something, so keep an eye out if you want your dress to remain unscathed. Do you have a name or shall I call you M?”
“You haven’t earned my name yet, monsieur, so M will have to do.”
“What does earning it involve?”
“Mmm, normally you’d have to be family or a close friend, or a loyal patron for over two years.”
“Would a waltz make us close enough friends?” He extended his hand with a flourish, which she took.
“Perhaps. No stepping on my toes, though,” she warned.
“I’ll have you know I never step on people’s toes unless they deserve it,” he said in mock offence as they move onto the dancefloor.
Although Marinette was a good dancer (thanks to several years of ballet when she was younger, which kept her light on her feet), she did not particularly enjoy it, but Jason was an excellent partner and kept her entertained with gossip and ‘secrets’ about fellow dancers and the royal family, so the time flew by faster than they did around the ballroom.
When Jason led her to the refreshments table for a cup of punch, a pretty blonde in a layered purple tulle dress approached the duo and cheerfully asked, “who’s your new friend, Jay?” as she looped her arm through Jason’s.
“None of your business,” he shot back.
Marinette noticed the girl tapping Jason’s arm possessively. She’d given him her calling card and had considered inviting him for a free consultation (yes, she just wanted to use his eyes for her new ideas, she shamelessly admitted it, but she also wanted to spend more time with him) but now those thoughts vanished. Far be it from her to get tangled up in court relationships.
Swallowing, she excused herself and retrieved her wrap, heading out to her transportation home. She looked back once at the lights and glamour—sorry, clamour. The chandeliers had begun raining glitter and the unsuspecting crowd was soon covered in it, minus the royal family, of course, who had stepped away in time.
Replaying the evening in her mind as she was driven home, she found herself blushing as she recalled Jason’s smooth lines and interested countenance. She’d thought he was flirting with her, interested in her, but obviously, the blonde had other ideas, whether Jason agreed or not. Marinette refused to be part of another love triangle, even if she’d also been the other girl in the previous one.
She stepped inside and found herself humming one of the pieces the 4-piece orchestra had played as she danced with Jason, her feet following the steps as she prepared for bed, finally. She’d moved to Gotham, been instated as the royal seamstress, gone over her predecessor’s things and organized her workrooms to suit herself, gone over the royals’ designs for tonight’s ball (thankfully half were done and she only needed to add her signature touches and glam to the remaining four outfits), and then had to work on said clothing with her new crew of fellow textile workers.
This left very little time for sleep, and Marinette had been counting the minutes until she could politely leave her first Gotham ball for her bed. She was grateful that King Bruce has given her an invitation so she could see her designs in action and get a sense of what would be required for future events, but that was mostly overshadowed by her wish for sleep.
The clock struck two as she crawled between her sheets. Ah, blessed, comfy bed.
A knock on her door made her sit up angrily. Could she not get one peaceful, complete, uninterrupted night of sleep?!
She yanked her fluffy robe closed and flung the door open to see Jason on her step, still in his suit.
“Jason?”
He smiled, a little nervously. “Hey, M. I never got your full name; your card just has your initials and your address. Isn’t that a bit backward? Anyways, you left before I could tell you I was enchanted to meet you.”
“Would you like to come in? Unless you have someone waiting for you?” Please don’t.
“Nah, I don’t. You’re sure?”
“Of course…it was enchanting to meet you too. I wanted to tell you…”
He chuckled as he stepped in. “That was the doing of my older brother Dick and my younger brother’s girlfriend, Stephanie. She’s the one you met with me—she was warning me to move out of the way. I was going to sweep you off your feet and play your knight-in-not-shiny-armour, but you left. Did you read the Morse code?”
Marinette’s eyes widened. “That’s what that tapping was! Oh, I thought she was your girlfriend. So you’re not in love with someone else, then…?”
“Nope. Were you worried?” he smirked.
"...Maybe,” she drawled. “Well, you came out this late so I suppose I should reward your efforts. My name is Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
“Beautiful like you.”
Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. “So...this is just the first page?”
“Of our relationship? I hope it's not the end, I just got ypur name!” Jason joked. “I suppose I should leave you to your rest, mademoiselle. Enchanté.”
“Enchanté. Good night, Jason!” Marinette waved him off and went back to bed, dreaming of dancing with Jason, staring into his gorgeous eyes. He really was enchanting.