Chapter Text
Marinette Dupain-Cheng was many things. She was kind, helpful, and outgoing, always looking to see the best in people, the best in a bad situation. She was Paris’ superhero, one of the original two and god was she ever so grateful to have another. She was Noblesse, a world famous, yet contrarily unknown designer. Perhaps anonymous would be a better word for it. (Sometimes it seemed like being anonymous was her entire life.)
She was Marinette and she was tired. Tired of fighting villains, tired of bearing witness to those she loved turn their backs on her, tired of tiptoeing around her own city whenever she had to go out. Tired of having to watch her back, of having to record every conversation lest it be used against her. Of not being able to just exist as a normal teenager.
Normal teenagers were not forced to leave their home country for an indefinite amount of time to stay with people they do not know.
A part of her recognized the benefits of what was happening, what was being forced on her. But as she packed her bags and most precious belongings, she couldn't help but center herself on her upset. Being denied a choice in the matter at hand was probably the reason. If her parents had approached her with this idea of theirs and made it a suggestion, she knew deep down she would have agreed. Sure, she would have denied until her throat went dry, but after thinking about it, she would see how the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. So, in dropping their ruling on her without preamble, they had invited her ire.
Gotham. Their solution to their daughter being isolated, harassed, and bullied was sending her to the most dangerous city in the world. (They did not know about her..other activities. She wondered if it would make a difference if they did).
“I just don't get it, why couldn't they at least talk to me about this?” she muttered, changing her voice to go deeper in an imitation of her parents, purposefully bad and inaccurate. “‘Hey sweetie, we want you to have a better life, so we’re sending you away from everyone you love and hold dear to live with your biological father whose idea of being present in your life is a check every month. Have fun!’”
“They were likely aware of what your subsequent answer would be, and thus chose to avoid any potential confrontation or retaliation by not allowing you a say in the matter.” Felix hummed, voice a bit tinny through the speaker of her phone. She glared at him. She was mad, him being reasonable was not helping. “Not to mention, I suspect it is not only your well-being they care for and are concerned for. The harlot's lies have begun to affect the bakery as well, no?”
She knew he was right, and that only served to upset her more. Her parents only took action when the fabricated reputation of their ‘beloved’ daughter began to affect business. Apparently, multiple customers had asked after her, and not in a good way. She knew her parents loved her, but it hurt regardless. She bit her lip and nodded in agreement, zipping up her last bag and dragging it towards the two others piled near the trapdoor on her floor.
Lila was nothing more than an annoyance at first, painting elaborate tales of her heroism to any who would listen. But as Hawkmoth became more desperate, she began to work alongside him, using her tales to create situations that spawned akumas. Her hatred of Ladybug was strong (Marinette would only cringe at her behavior that day, her crush on Adrien had driven her to act childishly), but understandable. Marinette could only guess where or when she had drawn Lila’s ire out-of-mask. Chloe had said that Marinette was a threat to Lila’s authority and hold over the class, she was popular and known to be kind and had a solid reputation. She argued that Marinette was the first roadblock to Lila cementing her authority.
Regardless, she became the subject of the girl's attention, her full attention, and had effectively lost all of her friends to the girl's elaborate lies and tall tales. She stopped fighting it long ago. Despite Hawkmoth's defeat, the Butterfly was still lost, and with it a new villain arose, styling herself as Chrysalis. Marinette had no doubt that Lila was working with her as well.
A few good things did come out of her present situation, however. One of which being the rose-colored lenses taken off her eyes. She no longer saw Alya as a trustworthy girl who wanted the facts and not fiction, nor Adrien as a well-meaning boy being suppressed under his father's control and helpless to do much of anything. Alya was a girl who believed in what she wanted, and as long as she would act as a protector, a hero, as someone who triumphed over perceived evil, she happily blinded herself to any opposition to what Lila said, going so far as to view the other girl as perfect and defending her every move and action should it face scrutiny. Adrien was a coward who would rather his perfect world stay happy, where his friends all got along, and nobody got hurt. Nothing else mattered to him, or at least he did not think about who got hurt in the process of protecting his little world.
The other good thing was with those lenses burning along with Marinette’s trust in her peers, was that she was able to form new bonds. As she became more isolated, she and her former bully, Chloe Bourgeois (who had found herself much in the same lonely boat following Sabrina’s departure), had found solace in each other's company. Long nights were spent talking through their history, and they came to a deep understanding of one another and with that came apologies and forgiveness. Nowadays they were nigh inseparable, often seen walking arm in arm around school. It was a form of protection for both - safety in numbers, they say - and Chloe still retained her father's authority. (She did not use it so often, anymore, trying to be a better person). Alix often joined the two, though having gone into homeschooling (which was really her spending her days traveling through time, her family fully supporting the burden she chose to bear and happily swearing to secrecy) she was not with them all the time. The two girls held 2 of the 5 miraculous Marinette allowed out of her sight. After the Queen Bee debacle, Chloe was regifted Pollen and her miraculous when she reconciled with Marinette, styling herself in a new costume and name, choosing the name Abeille. Alix, who retained her anonymity as the holder of Rabbit miraculous from the beginning, was more than happy to avoid her old classmates along with the new one causing issues. Marinette had asked her, once, why she never looked at Lila with anything but suspicion, even in the beginning. Alix had simply replied that the other girl had eyes like snakes and moved on. Kagami was much the same. She may not attend the same school as them, but it only took one interaction with Lila for the fencer to become disenchanted, to put lightly. The girl was a central column holding up Marinette’s sanity. Who sparred with her when she needed an outlet. Who was as disgusted with Adrien as Marinette. She did not get to spend much time with either girl, both were busy. She held the Dragon, permanently now, having been promoted from a temp hero to full time in light of Marinette's imminent departure.
Unsurprisingly, considering his innate ability to understand the emotions of a person, Luca had also cemented himself within her life. The more she lost, or more accurately was taken from her, the more she spent at his side. Venting, crying, laughing. He was her rock, then, still was in a sense. Though if Luka was her rock, then Chloe was her shield, defending her from every word, every harsh touch. It was no surprise, honestly, Luka and Chloe became close in the end. Beginning a relationship within a few months.
Perhaps the most important, however, was her partner. Chat Noir, or as recently revealed, Felix Graham de Vanily. It was a choice made after she became Grand Guardian of the Miracle Box, to reveal their respective identities. Marinette had been stressed and afraid, and when her partner had offered his shoulder in bearing the burden she had agreed. She couldn't pinpoint when their relationship changed to what it was now, when they became partners in every sense of the word. He was only a year older than Marinette but was endlessly wise. Marinette remembered how shocked she had been at the personality shift in and out of the mask. She had teased him for weeks. As had Chloe, who had known him through childhood.
But now?
Now, Marinette was leaving. Her friends, her boyfriend, her parents (though she was upset enough to not be too distressed about them, yet). Her life in Paris. She had been told a week ago, and she was grateful to at least have the time to make preparations. Emailing her current clients that she would be unavailable for a period unknown, she was grateful to find they were all especially understanding. Jagged Stone, her self-proclaimed uncle, had immediately reached out personally, upset on her behalf. He had offered to take her in himself, let her travel with him on his tours. Her parents had denied, citing their plans to send her off with her biological father. It was only because Penny was there that he did not escalate beyond yelling. Marinette had heard him yelling below her room, near shaking the walls with the volume. “Sending her off to live with a guy she's never met, in a city that's crazier than Paris? Have you two lost your minds? You know I would take care of her!” But her parents were set in their decision. Marinette had walked them out after, and they had held her in a tight hug for a long time. They refused to leave until Marinette promised to reach out often and to stay safe.
So here she was. Her flight left in two hours, and she was packing the last of her things; three large suitcases and a carry-on. One suitcase held her favorite clothes and shoes (she was leaving most of her closet here), and the other two held her sewing supplies, machine included. Felix held onto the Miracle Box. When she landed and was in her new room, he would use the Horse to portal in, bringing the Box and leaving the glasses with her for transport between Gotham and Paris.
Her phone sat propped against the wall, and she was sat on the floor. Felix looked away from the paper he was writing off screen at her silence. With nothing to do now, with her bags packed and ready, no kwami flying around her room save Tikki, the full weight of what was happening hit her. Her eyes welled, a single tear running down her cheek. “I just…gosh it's hitting now that I’m really leaving.”
Felix frowned. “How long until you leave for the airport?”
“About 15 minutes,” she replied after glancing at her watch. It was about a 30 minute drive from the bakery to the Charles de Gaulle.
He nodded. “Alright.” The soft click of a laptop could be heard, and he shifted to fully face her. “I will be at the airport, as promised. I am leaving now. Do not let them see you cry.”
Marinette nodded, sniffing hard. Felix was right, she didn't want to show weakness now, especially as angry as she was at her parents. “Are the kwami's doing okay?”
At the subject change, the call lightened. They spoke of everything and nothing. Avoiding the subject of the present and looking to easier topics. As they spoke, Felix slipped into a car, headed to the airport early to make sure he could walk her to her gate.
A knock at her trapdoor had them pausing. Her mother called up that they were leaving, and she took in a shaky breath, ending the call quickly and moving to grab her suitcases. Her father took them through the trapdoor and down to the car while she slipped her backpack on.
Time seemed to blur, clearing only in increments. The buildings blurring past as the car sped down the road, the Eiffel Tower glittering in the evening light. Before she knew it, they pulled up to the airport, a familiar black car parked a few spots over.
She had asked once what its name was, it was a beautiful car. Felix had looked at her funny. A Porsche Panamera, if she remembered correctly.
Marinette shook her head to clear it. Her parents had already gotten out and were getting her luggage. Tikki flew out of her purse and sat in her lap, holding her hand as tightly as she could. Marinette gave her a watery smile and unbuckled. Tikki disappeared back into her purse as she opened the car door and stepped out.
She stared in silence, eyes unfocused as they began walking to the large building. One foot in front of the other. She couldn't help but feel like this was a death march to the executioner's block. She took step after step, only stopping when she walked face first into a familiar chest.
Felix’s arms came up to wrap around her, one slipping around her arms and shoulders and the other the back of her head, caging her in.
“Breath, match me.” He murmured into her hair which was down instead of her normal pigtails. Her hands came up and clutched at his hoodie, not his usual put together dress shirt, which said everything about his own distress at the situation despite his stoicism. She took in several breaths, keeping her emotions at bay as much as she could. Hawkmoth may have been defeated, but Chrysalis was still at large, and with Tikki and Plagg in hiding, she had to be careful.
His scent, sandalwood and jasmine, if she had to guess, was familiar and calming. After a few moments she nodded and they separated. She looked up and met his eyes, more gray than blue, smiling her thanks. She stepped back and reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together before moving to catch up with her parents at the entrance.
She moved through check in and security. Her parents said their goodbyes right before the security. Tearful hugs and sweet goodbyes that Marinette returned despite her anger. Felix followed her until they reached her gate. They sat together in the plastic chairs, Marinette was curled into his side, their hands still entwined, his thumb drawing small circles on her hand, and his head lay atop hers. It was 7:30 PM, boarding began at 7:45. Her flight was meant to take at 8.
Felix tended on the pessimistic side, so she was surprised when he murmured, “Perhaps you will enjoy it. Gotham, that is. Bruce Wayne is known for his adoption habits, perhaps he will be kind.”
She giggled softly, “I get to live in Batman city.”
He snorted. Well, it wasn't a snort. When he wasn't transformed, Felix was very…well Chloe used stuck up to describe it, so when he snorted it was more a soft puff of air. “Indeed. I would judge his choice of costume, but all things considered, I am loath to be called a hypocrite.”
Marinette giggled again and opened her mouth to respond when a soft ding announced an announcement.
“All passengers on Flight 704, Paris, France to Metropolis, New Jersey, please make your way to Terminal 2E. I repeat, all passengers on Flight 704, Paris, France to Metropolis, New Jersey, please make your way to Terminal 2E.”
Her eyes widened and she looked up. It was early.
Felix stood, dragging her up with him. “I am only a portal away,” he whispered, pulling her back in. “Text me when you land. I love you.” He pressed two kisses to her hair and squeezed her tightly.
“I will,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
Footsteps around her made her pull away. If she didn't leave now, she wouldn't leave at all. With one last squeeze of their hands, she turned and made her way to the gate. She forced herself not to look back. If she did, she knew she would see Felix standing there, watching her go. Marinette, strong as she was, did not know if she could handle that.
Marinette was awoken by the plane shaking through turbulence. She had cried herself silently to sleep. She was in first class, a seat of her own with no one around (it was more like a cubicle, with a TV on the wall across from her seat, which was long enough to lay on and plush enough to sink into), by the insistence of her biological father, who paid for her flight entirely. She was dressed comfortably, in soft gray sweatpants and a light pink hoodie. She had removed her tennis shoes after takeoff, and curled up in her seat. Her carry-on held a blanket and neck pillow which she had situated herself with quickly.
The moment they hit cruising altitude she had pulled the privacy curtain shut and began her silent sobs. Tikki sat on her neck pillow, leaning against her cheek and offering quiet words of comfort where she could.
Now, she was too awake to sleep again. Tikki was pressed against the window staring at the open sea beyond it.
The intercom beeped softly. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are about 10minutes out from ascending. Please take your seats and gather your belongings. We have been in the air for about 8 and half hours, and with the time change it is now 10:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Thank you for flying with us, and welcome to Metropolis, New Jersey, USA.”
Marinette slipped her shoes back on, and gathered her bag, rolling the thin blanket back up and stuffing back in her backpack which she then put on. She left the neck pillow wrapped around her neck, no need to stuff her already full backpack, and she would likely want it for the car ride to Wayne Manor. Tikki zipped into her purse, which she gathered in her lap before buckling her seatbelt.
Nerves had Marinette anxious as the plane began its descent. What would her father be like? What would her siblings be like? She bit her lip, pulling at the skin a bit (a habit Chloe had tried to stop to no avail).
Bruce Wayne had never been a part of her life. He wasn't there when she was born, he wasn't there when she was growing up. What she had said to Felix wasn't just venting. All he did was send a monthly check for her care and the occasional birthday present. She had never even spoken to the man. She was resentful when she was younger, why couldn't he make time for her when he could make time for the kids he took in. Was it her? Something she did? The only explanation her mother ever gave was that he didn't want her bombarded by the spotlight all her life. And that Gotham was dangerous. Marinette called bullshit. Clearly those things didn't apply to the children he chose. Nowadays, she suspected he simply didn't want her, so like all wealthy folk do, he threw money at the problem to make it go away.
Whatever. Her Papa had raised her, and he was all she needed. He had met her Maman when Marinette was two and had chosen to raise her with all of his heart and love, without ever treating her like anything but his little daughter. No matter how angry Marinette was with her parents, she was grateful they loved her as they did.
The landing was smooth, though her stomach swooped a bit. It was funny, she flew around often enough as CosmoBug, swinging around with her yoyo as Ladybug, but flying in a plane was a different beast entirely. It was the lack of control, she considered. She had full control of her flight and movement in costume. She had to trust the giant flying machine and its pilots not to crash while in the plane.
She opened her purse and Tikki pushed her phone into her hand. Marinette smiled, murmured her thanks, and tapped her screen to click out of airplane mode. Her parents and M. Wayne had gotten her onto an international plan to make life easier.
She shot off a text to the group chat, letting her friends know she had arrived and was heading off the plane. Marinette sent a similar text to her parents and Penny, albeit shorter. A flight attendant dropped by to tell her they were deboarding and first class was going first. Marinette had smiled and thanked her as she left. Unbuckling, she made her way out of the little cubicle and followed the short line of fellow first-class passengers off the plane.
Stepping into the Metropolis International Airport felt like stepping into a whole new world. Sure, the airport looked similar to the CDG in the way most airports bustling with travelers do, but it was…different. Cleaner, maybe. Though Metropolis was known for being a nice city, clean, well governed. The opposite of Gotham, really. It was the reason they chose to have her land in Metropolis and then be driven across the bridge to Gotham. It was safer in a number of ways. The Metropolis Airport was less likely to be attacked by psychos wielding gas and guns.
Not for the first time Marinette was thankful she spoke fluent English. She could already speak the language, but wielding the Miraculous had made picking up languages far easier. When transformed, she could speak and understand any language presented to her. Out of mask, that state of mind made picking up said languages simple. All the signs were in English, which she did understand, but it took a moment to get used to.
As she made her way to baggage claim, she sent out a text to Dick Grayson, who would be picking her up from the airport. Almost immediately her brother (and wasn't that a weird thought for the only child inside her) would be waiting for her near the baggage claim. She was grateful to have the help with her bags, of course, but the bitterness that had been slowly building since she took off couldn't be ignored. Logically she was aware that nothing was Dick’s fault. But Marinette could now freely feel whatever the hell she wanted and she chose to be bitter at the adults that dragged her away from her life.
She had to take an escalator to get to the claim area. As she was slowly lowered, she glanced around. She knew what M. Grayson looked like, had spent a good minute researching her new family before she left. She, Chloe, Felix, and Luka had all sat around Chloe’s massive bedroom, each taking one or multiple family members to research. They were the only people outside of Marinette's family that knew about her relation to the Waynes. They had laughed at the scandals and dramas the family played a part in - it had made Marinette feel better at the time. Now, she was even more grateful that she knew their faces as she searched.
Her eyes locked on a figure towards the back, dressed in dark jeans and a navy hoodie. The downstairs wasn't as full as the upstairs, mostly people from her flight and a plane that had landed just before hers. It was late and people were tired, which meant it was relatively quiet aside from a low hum of hushed conversations. M. Grayson met her eyes and smiled warmly, lifting a hand in a small wave. She returned his gestures, but her smile felt a tad forced, a tad too tight.
Instead of going towards him, she made her way to the conveyor belt. He followed her, coming to stand at her side as she waited.
“It’s nice to meet you, Marinette,” he said quietly, and she could feel his eyes on her. She didn't return his gaze now.
“You as well,” she returned. Spotting one of her bags - a soft gray with pink accents and white spots, her signature colors - she hefted it up and off the belt, setting it beside her. She could feel him wanting to say more, could see him open his mouth before closing it again. The next two bags were together, thankfully, and they were off to the car. M. Grayson took those last two of her bags, insisted really, and she didn't have the energy to fight him on it. The night air was cold, likely affecting her more due to her Miraculous.
He led her to a deep blue, almost black Maserati and popped the trunk. He gave a chuckle as he hefted one suitcase in. “Gosh Dang, did you pack your entire room in these?”
She gave a weak smile and slid the suitcase she was carrying in beside it. She just wanted to get this done. Despite having slept so long on the plane, she was already exhausted again. She reached for the last suitcase, and M. Grayson stopped her.
“I’m sorry, that probably came off weird; I was just joking. Please, let me. You can go inside and get comfortable, it’s pretty chilly out.” He must have noticed her shivering.
“Merci,” she murmured, slipping into the back seat. She shouldered her backpack off and set it next to her and leaned her purse on that. The upholstery was black, the seats comfortable. She checked her phone, having left it on silent. It was around 4AM in Paris, but she wasn't surprised to see messages from the group chat. Her heart warmed a bit; she really was lucky to have her people.
The telltale thunk of the trunk closing preceded M. Grayson climbing into the driver's seat. He glanced at her, seeming surprised, though she couldn't guess why. “Ready to go?”
She nodded softly, glancing up for only a moment before going back to reading and replying. The car began moving as she focused back in.
Court of Chaos
Maribug (Me)
Just landed and headed to grab bags. Did I sleep the entire flight?
Yes. Yes, I did.
10:50 PM
Slithery Snek
Good to hear, Melody. Have you met with your brother?
Is he still picking you up?
10:55 PM
Gucci Flora
Finally, Kwami knows that took forever. Don't you know I need beauty sleep?
10:57 PM
Maribug (Me)
Oh bless your beauty sleep, my apologies for not making the plane fly faster.
Yea, I’m headed down to baggage claim now
I text him that I was headed his way
11:05 PM
Slithery Snek
Don't let her fool you. She’s been anxious all night
11:06 PM
Maribug (Me)
Awww Chlo you DO care!!
11:06 PM
AristoCat
A truly shocking turn of events.
11:07 PM
Gucci Flora
I hate you all.
11:08 PM
Slithery Snek
No you don't.
11:09 PM
Maribug (Me)
No you don't.
11:09 PM
Gucci Flora
(∩ ⌣̀_⌣́)
11:10 PM
Maribug (Me)
Just got into the car.
Headed towards my new prison
11:25 PM
AristoCat
My previous offer of abduction remains.
11:26 PM
Maribug (Me)
Don't tempt me.
M. Grayson seems nice, but this is so awkward
Its silent in this car istg
Is now a good time to question what my parents told them about me?
11:29 PM
Slithery Snek
Try not to worry Melody
Regardless of what your parents may have told your biological father and his family, they are meeting you for the first time in a not-so-great situation. I’m sure M. Grayson wants to get to know you, but he is holding back so as to not overwhelm you. Don't overthink it yet, just give it time.
11:31 PM
Gucci Flora
^^^
That, but in less words. Chill Mari, you're adorable and tiny. And if they don't love you, I’ll happily steal you away. Féfé will help me. Gami too, once she wakes up.
11:34 PM
AristoCat
Indeed.
11:35 PM
Gami-sama
Good morning, Mari-hime, though I believe it is still evening in your time zone. I am glad to hear that you have landed safely and are enroute to Wayne Manor, though I do wish you were home with us. As for what Chloe has said, I would help to ‘steal you away” as she has put it. It would be the highlight of my week, please let me know what time works best.
11:40 PM
Maribug (Me)
Gamiiiiii
You can’t say stuff like that
now I’m crying
No one is abducting me yet, but stay on standby
11:42 PM
Gami-sama
Whatever you wish, Mari-hime. Please keep me updated. Unfortunately, I have to get ready for my morning run and then prepare for my morning tutoring. I wish you good luck with your father and his family. As Luka has said, do not expect negativity. They will love you just as we do. We will talk later.
11:43 PM
Slithery Snek
Have a good run, Gami!
11:43 PM
Maribug (Me)
Thank you, Gami
Love you too
11:43 PM
Gucci Flora
Kagami dropping in to offer a scheduled kidnapping and fucking off immediately after is queen behavior
11:44 PM
AristoCat
Are you taking notes?
11:45 PM
Gucci Flora
I feel like that is a dig
Yes
11:45 PM
Maribug (Me)
It really is queen behavior
We stan Gami in this household.
11:47 PM
Gucci Flora
Preachhhhh
11:47 PM
Maribug (Me)
Holy crap
We just drove through the city proper and it’s uh
Wow
Very Gothic. I could totally design a line off the architecture here
We’re turning into what's gotta be the rich side of the city
These houses are bigger than Agreste Mansion
11:52 PM
Maribug (Me)
Holy shit this place is a castle
11:53 PM
Gucci Flora
Pics
Immediately
11:53 PM
Maribug (Me)
*3 attached images*
Gotta go, were bringing my stuff in
11:55 PM
Gucci Flora
Holy crap is right
The size of that place is ridiculous
Also
Good luck babe!
11:55 PM
Slithery Snek
You've got this Melody
11:55 PM
AristoCat
Best of luck.
Let me know when you are settled.
11:56 PM
*Maribug loved 3 messages*