Work Text:
Marinette took a step back. She'd fought too long and too hard. Learned hard lessons and finally landed in a good place. She shook her head at Master Su-Han.
"No. You can't make me." There was no way she was giving up her memories. Even if it wasn't everything—the miraculous had played a key part in her life, and she wouldn't risk it.
Su-Han didn't move any closer, but he did loosen his stance, falling into something that looked casual, but that Marinette knew was dangerous.
"I have no wish to make you, but it will happen regardless."
"It's my life." Marinette adjusted her own stance. Not to fight, but to flee. Just a subtle shift.
Su-Han frowned. "You have plenty of life before you, child. It need not be as complicated as it has been."
"I'm not a child!" Marinette shouted. She had already spent her childhood in a war she'd never wanted. "But I will net let you take the memories of my childhood from me."
Su-Han nodded gravely. "I understand. You may instead accompany me to Tibet to complete your training and sequester yourself for the safety of the box."
Marinette took another step back. "No. I will not give up the rest of my life because you stole my childhood!"
Su-Han threw his hands up, his patience waning quickly. "It was not my actions—"
"It is you making demands now! And my answer is no. Come back in eighty or ninety years, I'm sure I'll be done living by then."
"Not necessarily."
Marinette relaxed as Luka's voice washed over her. Nothing bad could happen to her with Luka there.
He bowed disdainfully to Su-Han. "Master. I'll keep an eye on her and help assure the safety of the Kwami for as long as she lives. Whether it be fifty years or two hundred."
Sun Han frowned. "You would take on such a demanding burden?"
Luka placed a hand on Marinette's arm—to keep her from hitting the monk, she was sure—and drew her closer. "Not all commitments are burdens if they are executed with love instead of long-suffering. I assure you, I plan to take great pleasure in this task."
Marinette stifled a giggle at the innuendo. She had no desire for Su-Han to understand quite how willing she was to let Luka keep an eye on her.
Su-Han glared at her for a moment. "Are you amenable to this arrangement? Master Couffaine will oversee you until your passing, at which time he will return the jewels to the Order."
"I am," Marinette responded simply.
"Very well. If anything should go awry—"
"I will expect you." Marinette shrugged. A perfect picture of nonchalance. She'd learned at the start of everything to quell her negative emotions. It was a simple thing to do it then.
With a huff, Su-Han left them standing in the street. Earrings and memories, intact. For now, at least.
Luka tightened his hold, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her very close. He'd been more nervous than even she knew.
"Are you alright?" They asked in tandem.
Marinette exhaled slowly. Yeah, she was—and they would continue to be so long as they were together.
"Of course. How could I not be with you to watch out for me?"
Luka pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Then I guess I'll have to stick by you."
"I guess so." Marinette happily agreed.