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Jason was having a no good, very bad day.
Like, he started out pretty great in his humble opinion!
Alfred woke him up for school and he got ready as usual, then he went downstairs for breakfast, enjoyed his bacon and eggs courtesy of Alfie, and finally headed off for school.
Bruce had left earlier for work, though Jason had a sneaking suspicion that Alfred had made him go so he wouldn't be late for his meeting again.
So Alfred took him to school instead of B.
Of course that's when things went south because obviously when it comes to school things go sour!
Jason had walked into school only to get side checked by an upperclassmen that was walking past.
“Hey! Watch where you're goin’!”
Jason glared at the upperclassmen who turned back to him.
The older student just looked at him like he was bored already, “Well maybe you should be watching where you're going instead Wayne boy. Brucie Wayne can't teach manners apparently.”
Jason had been fuming but the older kid had just walked off, snickering with some of the other kids.
Curse his stupid reputation for being Brucie Wayne's new charity project!
Thanks to his morning incident, Jason had already been in a sour mood when homeroom started and a new kid was introduced to the class.
He'd barely been paying attention to the kid but was unfortunately forced to when the teacher called on him of all people to show the newbie around the highschool.
Peachy.
So here he was, having to give a tour to some new kid when he could be reading!
Jason crammed his hands in his pockets to prevent fidgeting as he walked up to collect his charge for the morning.
Refusing to look at the kid, he brushed past mumbling a ‘come on’ and headed for the door.
Best to get this dumb tour over with.
He knew the kid was following because he heard their footsteps trailing behind him so he didn't bother to slow down as he led his party of two down the halls.
“And over here is the art wing, then up here is-”
He paused as he heard the footsteps stop from behind him.
A quiet voice stuttered out, “Excuse me, could you show me where my art class is?”
Finally, Jason looked at the kid and froze.
It was a petite girl with raven hair and the bluest eyes he'd ever seen, when was saying something considering his family. She had her hair in these dainty little pigtails which in Jason's humble opinion seemed to suit her.
She was, in Jason's humble opinion, cute.
She was also looking at him expectantly.
Jason mentally stumbled and found his face flushing in embarrassment, “Oh, uh, yeah sure no problem. Right this way… uh?”
The girl smiled and Jason felt his embarrassed blushing turn into a different kind of blush, “I'm Marinette, the teacher said your name was Jason yes?”
Yep, Jason was melting at the hands of this cute little pixie. She had the cutest accent too! It sounded like French? Had the teacher said she was an exchange student? Suddenly Jason regretted his earlier behavior.
He smiled, “Yeah, I'm Jason, you don't sound like you're from Gotham?”
Internally he cringed, way to blow it Todd!
Despite his internal battle the girl, Marinette, giggled and it was like music to his ears.
“Yes you'd be right, I'm spending the first semester here in Gotham. I'm staying with my parent's friend while they renovate our shop in Paris!”
Jason nodded along at Marinette's bubbly personality, she was a ray of sunshine.
“So you're from Paris?” He decided to ask.
Marinette grinned, “Yep! My parents run a bakery and recently wanted to renovate it so we could expand, we make really good treats there!”
Jason smiled, “They sound delicious, I'd definitely like to try them some day.”
With that they continued their tour, and Jason found his day getting a lot brighter. He learned a lot about Marinette too. About how she got teased a lot in middle school which was part of the reason she was starting highschool in a different country. Something he resonated a lot with given his own tormentors.
Even after the school tour he found himself gravitating to her to continue talking to her.
She was bright and bubbly and Jason found himself loving her positive energy.
He also found himself smitten with her.
It was a tiny crush.
However when Dick picked him up from school, he'd been doing that as of late for some reason, Jason found his day going south again.
Dick pulled up, smiling, “Babybird!”
Jason resisted the urge to fight his adoptive brother in public. For Alfred he reminded himself.
“Hey Dickface.” Jason said.
His brother feigned hurt, adding his typical dramatical flair of pretending to be shot gravely.
“You wound me little bro!” Dick said grinning.
Jason rolled his eyes but before he could say anything further, Marinette came up to them much to Jason's mounting horror.
She smiled and Jason knew he was screwed.
“Hey Jason! Is this your brother you were telling me about?”
Marinette was so innocent Jason didn't have the heart to tell her the truth… that the buffoon next to him was some rando that had showed up.
Jason sighed, “Yeah. This is Dick, Dick this is Marinette. Welp time to go home! Alfred is waiting on me I'm sure! See ya’ Mari!”
Dick grabbed Jason before he could run off and it was then Jason knew his fate was sealed.
His brother put his hand out for Marinette to shake, “Hi, I'm Dick Jason's older brother! It's a pleasure to meet you! We didn't know that Jason had made a friend, he's usually too grumpy or busy with his nose in a book!”
Jason was sure he was going to shrivel up and die from embarrassment.
Mari simply laughed, “Jason has been nothing but sweet, he showed me around school and has been a good friend to me! It must be because of such a supportive brother!”
Well damn, Mari sure knew how to sweet talk people!
Jason watched on as his dear brother and Marinette chatted before Dick finally said his goodbyes.
Marinette waved to him, “Bye Jay! See you tomorrow!”
Jason found his face heating up, and he knew that he was gonna have a hard time shaking this sudden crush of his.
Not that he'd ever want to, Mari was truly a gem of a girl. He'd be lucky if she ever chose him.
He smiled, “Bye Mari, see ya’ tomorrow!”
With that they parted and Jason hopped into Dick's car so they could head home.
Only to have to handle Dick's insufferable teasing.
“So Jaybird, didn't know you got a girlfriend! She says you're ‘sweet’ what a kind girl! How'd you find such a wonderful girl like her Jay?”
Jason glared at his brother, “Firstly she's not my girlfriend, secondly I didn't ‘find’ her dickface.”
Of course, Jason's jabs would never deter Dick from teasing him…
“Aw c'mon Jay, how can you say she's not your girlfriend when you're waving all sweetly to her! Besides, I saw you blushing!” Dick taunted.
Jason was pretty sure that if they had to be in a car together any longer, Jason would've tried to smother him.
For better or worse they made it back to the manor and unfortunately Dick just had to relay the day for Alfred and Bruce. Much to both's delight.
That evening, after he finished reading his current book and a brief patrol, Jason went to sleep and dreamt of blueberry eyes and sugary sweet smiles.
It was some of the most pleasant dreams he'd had since coming to live with Bruce.
He hated to admit that most of his ‘dreams’ were of his mother…
Jason would have to thank Mari sometime for replacing the night terrors with saccharine dreams.
In the morning he went through the usual routine of breakfast, getting dressed, and heading off to school. Though now, he found himself excited to go to school.
But of course Jason was doomed to have a very bad, no good day.
His morning started off good, great even albeit pretty average.
After arriving at school he went to his locker to drop off his stuff, and spotted Marinette farther down the hall talking with some upperclassmen.
However Jason quickly established that ‘talking’ was not what the upperclassmen were doing.
It was clear that whatever was going on was not something pleasant going by the strained smile on Marinette's face.
Jason began to walk over, straining to listen in on the conversation at hand.
Faintly he could make out Marinette's voice.
“I'm sorry, but I really need to get going… No, I'm sorry I can't go out with you… yes I'm still single… I really can't… please understand.”
Jason had heard enough.
Rage burned inside him.
It was more than rage though, the feeling burned in his chest and he felt like his heart was being scorched. He wanted nothing more than to chase the upperclassmen away from Marinette because they didn't deserve her beautiful nature!
Embarrassment flooded Jason at the possessive thoughts, who was he to even think such things? Marinette was her own person, he knew that.
So why did he feel so angry and sick at the thought of Marinette going out with someone?
Before Jason could further process his thoughts and feelings he froze as he watched one of the upperclassmen lay his hand on Mari's shoulder.
Jason didn't like it and he could tell Marinette didn't either.
She was new and too polite to tell the guy no.
Jason held no such qualms.
Marching up he shoved the other student off Marinette and positioned himself between the two.
“Marinette isn't interested.” Jason said coldly.
Marinette's eyes widened, “Jason? You don't have to get involved, I can handle it…”
Jason nodded, “I know you can. But these morons can't take a hint.”
The student who had grabbed Marinette glared, “Don't just ignore us, this is a conversation between us and the pretty lady. I suggest you leave before we make you Wayne.”
Jason grinned ferociously, “You? Make me leave? I'd like to see you try pretty boy.”
Bruce was gonna be so pissed…
Marinette was worth it.
The guy stalked forward and took a swing at Jason, to which he dodged of course, but it was three of the upperclassmen against Jason.
He couldn't make it look too good to be true so he allowed them to get a few good shots in.
At least that's what he told Marinette later that day while she took a damp paper towel from the bathrooms to his split lip.
The office had already got in contact with Bruce.
Dick was picking him up early.
Mari was taking care of him while they waited for Jason to be picked up.
Jason probably was wearing the biggest shit-eating grin.
Marinette sighed in clear exasperation, “Jason you shouldn't have gotten in trouble for me, it really wasn't a big deal…”
Jason frowned, then winced at the pull on his cut, “Mari they laid hands on you and made you uncomfortable and totally deserved it. Getting in trouble was completely worth it.”
He watched as Marinette's face contorted into a funny expression he couldn't place before it turned into a soft look of fondness.
“Jay, I don't want to see you get hurt for my sake.” Marinette sounded concerned.
Jason smiled in an attempt to reassure her, “Trust me pixie, I can handle a couple of bumps and bruises!”
Marinette laughed, “Pixie?”
“Yep! Cause you're so tiny!” Jason said with a grin.
Marinette lightly smacked his arm, “I'm not tiny!”
He laughed and enjoyed their bickering.
Soon enough their fun had to end as Bruce pulled up to the school.
Jason frowned, “I thought Dick was picking me up?”
Bruce didn't smile, “I decided to do it.”
Jason didn't like the implications of that.
However before Bruce could begin the lecturing, Marinette stepped forward and offered her hand to his adoptive father which he took.
Marinette began to speak, “Hello Monsieur, my name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, please don't be mad at Jason. He was protecting me from some pushy upperclassmen.”
Bruce smiled, “It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Dupain-Cheng, you needn't worry as I figured Jason had a reason like this behind it. He has a bit of a habit of heroics.”
Jason felt his face heat up and he grumbled at Bruce's teasing.
Marinette only laughed and quickly waved goodbye as she had already missed class to wait with Jason.
“See you tomorrow Jason!”
He waved back, “Bye pixie!”
Bruce and him got into the car and they drove in silence before Jason couldn't stand it and broke it.
“Am I in trouble?”
Bruce hummed before answering, “No I don't think so. Marinette seemed nice.”
Jason resisted the urge to groan and failed, “Not you too!”
Bruce had an upturn of his lips which was the biggest indication Jason got that he was getting teased by his dad.
Bruce continued driving, “I'm just saying she's a nice girl.”
Jason sighed, “She's amazing…”
“So you like her?”
Jason froze.
Did he?
Bruce clearly could see his son's internal turmoil so he left Jason to mull over it for the rest or the car ride.
Of course, the second they got home Jason got a scolding from Alfred and when Dick got home he was subjected to relentless teasing.
By the time dinner was over Jason just wanted to go smack some skulls around.
Patrol wasn't as satisfying as Jason had hoped it would be which led to him chilling on his gargoyle while B went to talk to Commissioner Gordon.
Which meant that he was perfect to taunt by Nightwing's standards.
“Oh babybird!” Dick said while hanging upside-down from another gargoyle.
“What do you want?” Jason grumbled.
Nightwing swung back up and perched on the gargoyle's head, “What's wrong?”
Jason frowned, “Nothin’ dickface.”
His brother laughed, “You're deflecting little wing, I know you better than that. So, what's wrong? Unless you plan on asking B.”
He shuddered, “No way am I asking him.”
Dick looked at Jason expectantly and Jason sighed, relenting.
“Fine… I was thinking about Mari. And before you start, it's not like that. I just… I felt so angry when those boys were messing with her. I've never felt anything like it.”
Nightwing was silent before smiling, “You know, it sounds like you were jealous.”
Jason gawked, “Me? Jealous? Of what?”
Dick snickered.
“Little wing, from what I can tell, you have a crush on Marinette and you're jealous of others getting her attention. Why don't you just ask her out?”
Jason cringed, “I don't want her to think I'm like the other guys who just want a pretty girl at their hip. She's special.”
Dick smiled, “Tell her then.”
Patrol was painfully uneventful for the duration of it and soon enough B sent Jason in early since there wasn't anything for Robin to do.
Alfred was more than happy to provide Jason with some tea and his famous cookies while Jason reread Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time waiting for the rest of his family to get off patrol.
Though throughout the rest of the week Jason was very pensive about the matter.
He would spend the school day hanging out with Marinette every chance he got. They would often study for their classes together and turns out Marinette was proficient in art which was doing wonders for Jason's grade.
“Remember you have to draw the lines to show perspective.”
Jason was trying to work on his art assignment but was currently trying to not let his mind fry with how close Mari was.
“Yep! I got it! Thanks Mari!” He stuttered out.
She smiled and sat back to work on her own assignment.
“Hey Jason, what exactly is Shakespeare trying to convey with this sentence?”
Who was Jason to deny Marinette his superior knowledge of English Lit?
Most days they sat outside for lunch and chatted.
He learned a lot about her interests, like her love for fashion and creating. She'd show him some of her designs and while Jason knew he wasn't super knowledgeable about fashion he could safely admit that she was very talented.
Although she often asked about the bruises sustained during patrols.
He never really knew how to tell her.
Jason usually just said he fell.
Thankfully she never pressed it. Though he knew she was curious.
Soon enough Jason found himself sitting quietly while Marinette designed next to him one day after school.
“You know Jason, I'm going to be returning to Paris soon…”
Jason cringed, “What makes you bring that up?”
Marinette smiled, “Well I was just thinking about how much I'd miss you. So we should keep in touch, and maybe you could visit sometime?”
Jason blushed, “I'd like that.”
Marinette giggled and Jason found himself enraptured.
Yeah. Now could be a good time.
“Hey Mari?” He started.
She looked at him, her sapphire eyes shining, “Yeah?”
Jason found himself getting nervous, “Well I was just thinking, er, I was wondering if you'd like to maybe go out sometime? As a date? I mean if you don't want to that's fine it's just that you're really amazing and pretty and cute and smart and talented and I-”
Marinette stopped his rambling with a quick peck on the cheek, “I'd like that.”