maribat-secret-santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

Secret Santa

As soon as Damian saw the crowd at the end of the hallway, he turned around and walked the other way.

There was only one reason so many people would be smiling together in Gotham.

And that reason was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Ever since Marinette had transferred schools it was like the entire school had become infected with her cheerfulness.

It was nauseating.

As Damian took another turn he was forced to come face to face with Jonathan Kent who was, unfortunately, his best friend.

Even more so unfortunate, was the fact that he and Marinette got along like a house on fire.

Jon’s face positively lit up when he spotted Damian.

“Damian!”

Damian promptly turned on his heel, heading for the nearest set of doors leading outside.

“Damian, wait up!”

“No.”

Jon caught up to him anyway, bumping him with his shoulder when he was able to match his walking speed.

“Where you going? Don’t tell me you, the great Damian Wayne, are running away from Marinette again.”

There was obvious amusement in Jon’s voice, amusement Damian elected to ignore.

“Running away and avoiding someone are two very different things. As to where I am going, I was trying to get away from two of the biggest nuisances in my life, seeing as you are still here, I only partially succeeded.”

“Well, at least you got close-”

A loud boom cuts Jon off, causing him to cover his ears and cringe in pain before they both realize what had happened.

There had been an explosion in the school.

From the same direction Damian had last seen Marinette.

Damian turns on his heel, sprinting back the way he came with a hurried ‘Marinette!’ tossed over his shoulder to Jon.

Both boys race back towards Marinette, dodging the students rushing down the hall and ducking around the teachers who tried to herd them outside.

When they turned the corner it was abundantly clear just how strong the blast had been, pieces of rubble littered the floor, one of the walls of lockers had become unbolted and had trapped someone underneath.

Someone with pink ribbons in her hair.

“Marinette! Jon, help me move this!”

While Jon held up the structure Damian reached underneath, pulling Marinette out from under it and holding her against him, one hand against her throat, checking her pulse, and the other on her chest, trying to feel her breaths.

Only after Damian had confirmed that she was alive did he allow himself to relax, however temporary it was.

“She’s okay.”

Damian sighed, leaning back against some rubble and allowing Jon to look Marinette over with his X-ray vision.

Jon breathed a sigh of relief, planting his hands on his knees.

“Yeah, she looks okay, except for her leg, I think it's broken.”

Damian sighed into her hair, passing her off to Jon so he could stand before taking her back in his arms again.

Both boys started walking back down the hall, trying to find their way outside when they saw the flickers of fire getting closer to them.

Damian took deep breaths as he allowed Jon to lead them outside, it was fine, Marinette was fine, she would be fine.

They had barely made it outside when Marinette started to stir, shifting in Damian’s arms before letting out a small whimper.

“It’s alright, Marinette. I- we got you out. You will be fine.”

Damian started brushing his thumb up and down her arm trying to soothe her while studiously ignoring Jon’s pointed looks in his direction.

Marinette, wrapped her arms around his neck, tucking her head under his chin. 

“...Safe?” 

Her voice was weak and scratchy, as if it hurt to talk.

It bothered him.

“Yes, you’re safe. I promise.”

When they finally made it to the ambulance, Damian had a harder time letting go of her than he would like to admit. Not that anyone but Jon could tell at least.

_____________

Damian hadn’t been able to see her until the next day, and even then she had slept well past noon, only to wake up after Damian had already been there for the better part of 2 hours.

Damian’s family had been relentless in making fun of him for his worry (Constantly pacing the hallway waiting for permission to go see her and jumping every time someone startled him), but Damian knew they were just as concerned for her as he was.

The rest of the family was in the hallway, talking to Marinette’s parents on the phone when she had finally woken up.

“Da…mian?”

Damian’s head snapped up, startled to see her awake already despite how relieved he was that she finally opened her eyes.

“Hey.”

Damian did his best not to cringe at his response.

“Glad to see you awake, Marinette.”

She nodded, trying for a smile before cringing and putting a hand to her throat.

Damian was up in an instant, reaching for the pitcher and cup and pouring her a cup of water. He had to pour her two more cups before she could try to speak.

“...Thank you.”

Damian nodded, taking his seat beside her bed again and sending a quick text to Jon telling him she had woken up.

“The doctor said you had a bunch of plaster stuck to your throat, don’t speak if it hurts. I can get you a notebook or something to communicate with until you feel better?”

Marinette shook her head, staring intently at him before holding out her hand.

Staring at her in confusion Damian passes her whatever is currently in his hand, which ends up being his cellphone.

Marinette groans, setting his phone beside her and holding out her hand again.

Damian grows more confused as he tries to reach for the water pitcher beside him only for her to violently shake her head no.

With a sigh Marinette holds up her other hand, pointing at it before reaching out for him again.

Damian hesitantly puts his hand in hers, still not sure if he understood her right.

Evidently he understood her correctly when she laced their fingers together and cleared her throat.

“...Why- Why did you-?”

“Ah, you remember that? It’s not like I could just leave you there?”

Marinette’s eyes filled with tears.

“I thought you hated me?”

Damina froze, eyes wide as he peered up at her.

“I’ve never hated you, Marinette? Why did you think I did?”

Tears leak from her eyes and Damian’s heart clenches, immediately feeling like shit.

“Y-you always leave when you see me, and you refuse to be near me-”

“-That’s not because of you.” Damian cut her off.

“I always leave because there are always people surrounding you. It had nothing to do with you yourself. You’re too… nice, Marinette. I can’t stand watching all of those people who take advantage of that, so I leave. I don’t hate you.”

Marinette sniffles, squeezing his hand.

“O-oh.”

Marinette lets go, wiping her face and opening her mouth before she gets cut off by the door opening.

“Marinette! You’re alive!”

Jon’s hair is tousled, obviously having just flown to the hospital.

Marinette smiles at him and Damian decides to take the chance to grab something to eat and call the nurse over.

Marinette smiles at him as he leaves, a smile that Damian returns before walking out of the room.

Damian walks around for a bit before grabbing a bag of chips from the vending machine and a bottle of water and heading back.

Damian is almost back to the room by the time he finishes the chips, quickly disposing of the bag and taking a drink of water as he opens the door to the room and walks in.

“-When are you going to tell Damian you have a crush on him?”

Damian sputters, faintly aware of the fact that Marinette squeaks and turns bright red as she notices him.

“D-Damian! I- He- Jon’s an idiot, we both know this!”

Damian can’t help the small smile on his face, slowly regaining his composure before walking over to her.

“You have a crush on me?”

Marinette sputters, ‘accidentally’ smacking Jon in the face as she flails.

“Well- JOn was just- Jon was just messing with me and-”

Damian leaned in closer, gently bumping her head with his.

“That wasn’t a denial, Marinette.”

Marinette blushed bright red, sputtering for a moment before seeming to give up on words.

Damian grins, gently pressing a kiss on her forehead.

“I would like to ask you to be my girlfriend, if you do actually have a crush on me that is.”

Marinette nods, looking down and leaning against him.

Damian presses another kiss to her head turning to look at Jon who was grinning like a maniac.

“Oh yeah, Jon? You should run, you embarrassed my girlfriend.”

Jon keeps smiling, staying absolutely still before bloating out of his chair and down the hall.

With one final kiss and smile at Marinette Damian takes off after him.

@arty-shadow-morningstar

[maribat-secret-santa]

We have a gift!!!

From Night_ngale on ao3 to @liquid-luck-00, we have:

Hope you enjoy it Felix!

-The mods at Maribat Secret Santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

For @paintball169, brought to you by @maribat-secret-santa <3

Sorry it's late, Paint, please enjoy~!!

[maribat-secret-santa]

I was Enchanted to Meet You

@maribat-secret-santa

To: @silverwhiteraven

(Ao3)

—–

“KARA!!!!”

Kara turned around at the sound of her name to see a black hair girl racing towards her.

“Mari Net-Ta. Be careful.” Kara chided the younger girl who didn’t slow down.

Mari rammed into Kara and hugged her. Kara ruffled the shorter girl’s hair, chuckling.

Libra Ak-Var, Mari’s mother, ran up to Kara.

“Kara, I am sorry. Mari really wanted to see you as soon as possible.”

“It’s fine. I like Mari too.”

Libra turned to her unruly child and scolded her,“Don’t run off like that, Mari. You might fall down. By Rao, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“I am sorry, Mom.” Mari said with her head bowed.

“I know. I know. You wanted to play with Kara.” Libra chuckled and she greeted Kara’s mother.

“Hello, Alura.”

“It’s nice to see you too, Libra.” Alura smiled and turned to their daughters, “Okay, children. Go have fun while we talk.”

“Come on, Kara.” Mari bounced in excitement as she dragged Kara away.

“Slow down. We don’t want another clumsy Mari incident again.” Kara said.

“I am not that clumsy.” Mari replied indignantly.

“You are.”

“Are not.”

The two bickered back and forth.

Although, Kara was three years older than the other girl, since they had met as children, the two girls were close like two peas in a pod. They knew each other’s deepest secrets and confided in each other. The bond they shared was unbreakable and there were a few jokes by their parents about a union between their families in the far future. As they ran through the fields under the rays of Rao, they had thought that they could be together forever.

——

Keep reading

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hello and happy new year everyone 😊🥳!

We are aware that there's a small (small) number of people who yet to give their gifts! Most people have been right on and good so we are on the look out for the last few. Please reach out to us if you have posted and you haven't seen a post or your post on our account about your gift, or if you have gifted privately because it allows us to ensure everyone gets their gift.

If you haven't been in a place to create that's okay! We just rather you let us know that, or if there is a slight delay for reasons, and we can reach your gift recipient to let them know it's coming still.

If you aren't on Tumblr, do reach us with the email used to send your secret Santa info.

Thank you all to those who have gifted, you are who make this event fun and great to mod for.

The mods.

[maribat-secret-santa]

I think the team here just is happy to ensure everyone gets their gift, even if a little late

Maribat Secret Santa 2022

is it late... yes

did it grow out of control and need a part 2... also yes

but without further ado for my secret santa recipient @intercoursefluids

In Every Lifetime

~~~~~~~~~~

Life after life, death after death, whether they would find each other or not they knew the other was searching for them land, sea, or even the skies for them. Their dreams a guiding light to one another. The powers and magic practiced and hidden in order to protect them. After centuries they learned they would always share a birthdate, which in the newer ages of technology made it slightly easier to find one another, if there weren't so many more people now, and the gods never made it easy for them. But reincarnations are both a blessing and a curse.

•••

"Please don't take her!" He begged clutching her limp lifeless form, still warm despite knowing otherwise.

The two gods stared at him, watching him, waiting. They were the final two, creation and destruction, to choose their vessels. Yet here they were watching silently this mournful event unfold.

The boy reached for a sheathed sword. "I will find who did this and they will pay." He grit out, tears of rage and sadness rolled down his face.

"The price, if you are willing to pay it, is an expensive one." The god of destruction offered, as they finally appeared before the boy.

"Who are you." The boy's eyes flicked between the two of them.

"You humans really are a suspicious bunch."

"What Plagg is trying to say is we want to make a deal with the two of you." The goddess, Tikki, responded.

"The... two..." He looked to his side where the spirit of the girl in his arms, sat beside him. "What deal do you propose?" The boy didn't look at them, but at the spirit at his side.

"We want to use the two of you as vessels." Plagg stated bored. "Thus, the two of you will reincarnate."

"Then why say the price shall be expensive." He asked the two gods, finally turning away from the girl.

Tikki was the one who answered. "Because you may or may not meet one another in each lifetime. But if you do you will loose one another time and time again."

"If that is the cost I..." The boy looked over at the girl again, who nodded. "We are willing to pay it."

"We the kwamii, gods of creation and destruction, imbue the both of you with our powers. You shall reincarnate time and time again, and we will watch over you to aid your existence.”

•••

He had a mission to complete, but these annoying dreams would not let him rest.

He watched as a girl his age rushed around a palace of sorts. They weren't unsettling, just peculiar, almost as if he were witnessing her life.

It wasn't until he reached the palace that was constantly in his dreams that he understood them. Granted if he listened to that annoying voice in his ear he might have figured it out sooner. The roads he travelled became familiar, faces and places as well.

That's when he noticed her, a daughter of a feudal lord, his target. She turned and their eyes connected.

Their past flashed behind his eyes.

His mission forgotten and forfeited.

"Wǒ de tài yáng." Her smile was as bright as in the previous life they shared.

"Wǒ de yuè liàng." He whispered in response. Public appearance the only reason the both of them restrained themselves from jumping into each other’s arms.

It wasn't until the night covered the sky that he dared find her again.

"I was hoping you'd come, Hēi Māo." she watched him a soft smile ever present.

"Piáo Chóng, I promise in this life and every life to come I will find you no matter what." He held her close, whispering into her hair.

"And I you. If you promise to lead me to you in your dreams." He nodded into her not wanting to let her go.

"Only if you do the same."

Their peace didn’t last long. It only took a single cycle of the moon for the guards to realize that someone was constantly coming into the palace after dark. The guards stormed in and dragged him away from his beloved.

He heard her cries and screams trying to come back to him. But he constantly kept getting dragged further and further, her voice becoming softer and softer in the distance.

That is until he heard her footsteps, felt her soothing presence of her newly present magic near him.

"I can’t lose you again. I won’t."

In that moment they both knew they would take their lives, knowing that they’d find each other in the next.

But until then they wouldn’t fear the dark so long as they had each other.

The poison vials that Hēi Māo kept on his belt broke in each of their mouths, the guards to shocked to stop them.

The little voices that rang in their heads spoke out.

Find each other in your next life as you will always be reincarnated together.

•••

The gods did not favor mortals, less their children. But that was not here nor there.

She was abandoned by her parents, an affinity for magic caused them to fear godly retribution. They feared she was a child of Hades, because when she was born jewels materialized on her ears.

The fact of the matter was quite different. She knew, she wasn't of godly descent. She was something else.

So, they left her, a hunter of Artemis later found her. Where she was raised with the Amazons until she joined the hunt.

By then she knew she was able to draw upon the power of beings called kwamii, specifically the spirit inhabiting her jewelry. At least that is what Tikki calls herself. She knows that Tikki isn't telling her everything, but she knows there must be a reason.

She travelled with the goddess of the hunt until a fated day.

The battle was bloody, both sides lost lives. She was the oldest of the hunters there at the moment, she saw them as her younger sisters. When she noticed the volley of arrows heading towards them.

And that’s when the world shook the only thought on her mind her sisters.

To protect Artemis, the hunters, the Amazons that that raised her, that became her family.

She decided to sacrifice herself in order to protect everyone she cared for. In a matter of seconds, the magic exploded from her, disintegrating the arrows creating a veil that stopped the enemy forces from attacking.

she had never used so much magic at once. So much so, she know that it cost her, her life. But she also knew that she would do it again each and every single one of her lives.

She reached up to her ears and plucked the jewels from them. Artemis tentatively stepped forward.

"Amira." The goddess finally reached her. She was kneeling on the ground knowing full well she could not stand up, even if she wanted to. She was a warrior, but even she knew when she shouldn't push her mortal body further.

Amira raised her hand and placed the jewels into the hand of Artemis.

A much smaller, almost looking like a little ladybug, the kwamii of creation appeared to them.

"The world still needs ladybug at this time. Artemis goddess of the hunt, this is my jewel find a worthy warrior until the day comes that we shall reincarnate."

"You are a Kwamii, meaning you are a miraculous." She looked between both of them. "That is understood being of creation." she held the jewels closer. "Amira, my sister, until we meet again." Silver tears fell onto the goddess's face.

•••

She led armies, she sacrificed her entire being for her country.

But this, this was not what she hoped for.

Here she was shackled and ridiculed. Escorted to the gallows like a criminal.

"Joan of Arc, you are charged with being a witch and heretic. How do you plead?"

Head held high she stared at the man condemning her to her death. "No matter my response, you will have my head."

"The price for your insolence is your death."

She was promptly grabbed and pushed down. She heard the executioner raise his axe. So, she stared forwards, meeting a pair of emerald, green eyes.

Memories flashed behind her mind. Moments of blissful joy, unending sorrow, life and death entwined in a never-ending cycle of pain and happiness.

In that second, she finally understood those words spoken those many centuries before. It truly was an expensive price to pay.

"Mon Sol." She whispered, seeing her other half realize it at the same time.

"Mi Luna." She saw him month, seconds before her life ended.

They would always be destined to watch one another die, over and over.

•••

Centuries have passed. She and the others have fought wars. Seen the rise and fall of various civilizations.

But nothing stops the pain she feels every time either she or her sun dies. They may not meet in every life, but they know that they will find one another.

•••

Marinette was a normal girl, well normal-ish. (Tikki had learned to hide herself, among her chosen's families belongings, instead of appearing suddenly.)

Ever since she was small she knew she was different.

She's known since the little goddess Tikki told her when she was five. However, she's known since before. The goddess had always been with her, but she had a magic no one else seemed to notice. Although her luck skewed badly.

But the most intriguing was the boy she constantly saw in her dreams. Because of him she took several martial arts which she excelled in naturally. She quickly got bored of them as she rose through the ranks quickly. In the end she stuck to gymnastics and fencing.

But it wasn't until her tenth birthday it all came to a head.

Her Nonna took her on a trip to visit some friends in the United States.

They were in Gotham and were going to meet a friend named Alfred, but first dinner. Unfortunately, that was pushed back a bit.

She felt an all to familiar pull, but this time it was stronger, so she followed it.

She ran out of the restaurant when her Nonna's attention was off of her. Marinette ran following the pull that seem to be leading her somewhere deeper into the city. She doesn’t know what this pull was or why it constantly seems to pull her in different directions. All she knew was that she should follow it in this moment.

She doesn’t know how long she ran for, it might not have been long at all actually, but one thing she knows is she just ran into a fight.

The much younger of the two raised a sword to man who was fallen on the ground, but that’s when a third arrived. Nightwing, if she remembers correctly, kicked the younger boy which threw his sword into the air, which he then caught.

"The psychos just keep getting younger." The masked vigilante commented.

But her attention was on the boy, the force almost unbearable now pulling her to the boy, but she wouldn’t move. In this match between the two, the boy was completely blinded by anger, Nightwing attempting to subdue him. Snarls and insults, comments being hurled as the two fought, but she couldn't hear.

The boy looked around trying to find an opening, trying to find anything, and that's when he found her. They’re eyes met and he stopped. The blinding anger faded from him as he froze watching her.

And she knows what was going on in his mind. Because the same was happening to her, all the memories of their past lives, every interaction the two ever had was laid out for their minds to see.

But that give Nightwing the opportunity that he needed.

"Mon sol." Was barely audibly whispered and she was again frozen in her tracks.

Nightwing however never once noticed her, seeing as his back was turned to her a majority of the time, and is now presently. Her and was promptly tied up, gagged, and then hung from the light pole like a piñata. And unfortunately, Nightwing still hasn’t noticed her, as he started a call on speaker.

"Talk." A gravely monotone voice answered.

"Missing something?" Nightwing asked, annoyance and disbelief clear in his voice.

"Not in the mood for games." Came the response on the phone.

"I have a kid here." Nightwing paused looking up at the boy hanging in the air. "Says he's your son."

"I'll be right there."

The call ended, And Nightwing finally seemed to look around, thus noticing her.

He froze, and more than likely for good reason. Marinette knows that he doesn’t know how long she’s been there, if from the beginning, or if she just arrived, or if she’s heard the entire conversation. She stood there quietly staring between the vigilante, the man unconscious on the ground, and her soulmate strung up in the air.

She didn’t say a word Nightwing straighten himself up and took a step towards her. She instinctively took a step back, still reeling from the events that just flipped through her mind and the fight she had just witnessed.

Oddly enough that’s exactly when a few others showed up. First was the Batman, who went towards the other two.

Nightwing stepped in front of her blocking them.

That is when her Nonna finally found her.

"My little faerie, what are you doing? I turned around and you were gone." Her Nonna began to scold her. Marinette barely processing what is being told said to her.

"Sorry I..." The words got stuck in her throat, not knowing what actually say. "I don’t know what happened?"

It was a lie she knew it was a lie, but there was truth in it. She didn’t know why she was pulled when she started to run, but now she did. She doesn’t know why she stayed, when she could just easily turn around, instead of listening to the conversation.

"Miss?"

Nightwing again approached the two of them blocking her view of the Batman and her sol.

"Thank you for making sure she is safe. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here." Her Nonna began to thank Nightwing. Not noticing noticing the man on the ground with a blade near him.

Nightwing looked unsure of how to proceed, as if wanting to ask Marinette more but not knowing if he should. He looked towards Marinette, and she gently shook her head, a signal to him not to say a thing.

"Thank you Monsieur Nightwing. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t arrive on time." She looked up at him her eyes big, a small smile on her face, acting slightly saved as ice and memories swarmed her.

"Nightwing." The Bat's voice sounded from behind them the man, previously on the ground, cuffed sirens heard approaching.

"Right. Be careful the both of you Gotham is dangerous."

With that Nightwing turned and walked towards the Bat.

She tried to find a boy again but couldn’t. She assumes that he is inside the Batmobile but isn’t completely sure. She’s turned and was led away from the scene until they reach the restaurant, her appetite gone, mind racing.

"My little Faerie?" Her Nona pulled her attention. "Don’t forget you’re to meet my friend, and his family."

"Right Nonna."

---

The entire car ride back to the manner was silent.

His blind anger and vengeance no longer consumed his mind.

His qamari was here. In this very city. But he knew he couldn't escape this place twice in the same night.

So, he stood silently watching the fake son receive stitches, by his father‘s butler, Pennyworth. It wasn’t until then that he noticed, the ever present familiar soul, the way he moved, the energy that he radiated, it was like his own.

In that moment he clenched his always gloved hands. A ring has been embedded into his skin and with it an annoying little presence called a Kwamii, named Plagg. Because of his constant company, the small pocket god destruction, enhanced Damian's abilities, greater than the League expected from him.

Fortune always seems to be in his favor, Plagg said it’s because he lacked it, today he realized what Plagg had meant. He was a reincarnation, he was a miraculous, just like Pennyworth seems to be.

They were talking but he wasn’t exactly keeping pace with their conversation.

"Are you all right Master Dick?" The fake grimaced before answering.

"I took the cut; I can take the stitch."

"Maybe you need more anesthetic." He didn’t mean to say it, it’s not that he actually cared about him, he just didn’t want to see him in pain anymore, pain he caused.

"And maybe you need to find..."

"Master Dick!" Pennyworth cut the fake son off.

He was going to say something else I stopped himself.

"The Blood Sun." He whispered back, the empty cave allowing the two men down below to hear him.

"Blood thirsty, more like it." He heard the fake say.

He didn’t deny it, he knew it was true.

In every life he had blood was stained on his hands. And nothing he says or does can change that. He clenched his every loved hand feeling the cold metal of the ring burn into his skin. But he turned and walked away.

He went up to the room that was prepared for him, sat in the middle of the bed back pressed up against the headboard, and began to meditate.

Well in reality he was speaking with Plagg. Now that his memories were unlocked he would be able to tell him more, but did he really want to hear it is the question.

"Well, this was earlier than ever before." A nasally voice almost cackled in front of him.

"Tt. I realize that but why? Why did I never notice she was so close?" the asked aloud.

"You know the answer kid. You were so blinded by your rage and hatred and the need for vengeance, you blocked everything else. You blocked her until she could no longer be blocked from you. You blocked the other miraculous who has been trying to help you since you got here. What else is there to say?"

"But I didn’t mean to." He was being to tear, voice caught in his throat, as a single line from his past seemed to hold him. "I promised I would always find her, but I didn’t even try in this life." His tears fell onto his cheeks, Plagg not knowing what else to do. Simply curled up into a ball on the top of his head.

"You did your best kid with what you were given, don’t hesitate to be happy. To be a kid for once."

"But…"

"No buts." with that the two sat in comfortable silence.

A knock was at the door and Pennyworth slowly opened it. Plagg disappeared from this plane.

"We are to have guests over tonight Master Damien. If you would be so gracious to appear tonight."

He nodded. Pennyworth was closing the door when his curiosity finally couldn’t be restrained.

"Pennyworth." The man looked back in. "You are miraculous, aren’t you?"

Upon hearing this a sly smile appeared on the older man’s lips.

"As are you, although that took longer for you to realize than I expected." With that Pennyworth left the room.

But he knew she was still near him.

He got dressed in more civilian attire and went down, mostly following Pennyworth's energy signature. He went down and ended up in the kitchen where he saw Pennyworth preparing a cake. Damian never once said it was his birthday, he doesn't believe it’s anyone else in the house, so deduction must mean that it’s for the people who are visiting.

"Who are we to celebrate?"

The older gentleman looked up and simply answered him in kind.

"The granddaughter of a friend who is visiting today. I expect you to be on your best behavior understood Master Damian."

"Only if the fake acts accordingly."

That’s when he noticed a plain vanilla cake with pink buttercream and strawberries.

"She likes to have strawberries with dark chocolate."

He doesn’t know why he said it, it probably made no sense to Pennyworth, because he had never met her, he had never met her. And it probably wasn’t for her anyways. The older man looked up at him.

"Sorry." And Damian turned on his heel and over towards one of the rooms closest to the front door.

He was miserable. The only thing he wanted to do was be outside of this house searching for her, some thing, Plagg specifically, told him he should sit still. And one thing he’s learned over these last few millennia, is to listen when Plagg is serious.

So, he sat down, the fake son came in with him, almost like a guard dog. But he didn’t care.

"The people coming over are civilians, they don’t know about the bat , they are not enemies understood."

The older man didn't say it in a condescending or rude tone, it was more like casual conversation.

"I know how to be have myself." He made quick eye contact and then went around and studied the room.

The doorbell rang and both of them moved to exit the room. Damian stood between the fake and his father, white Pennyworth opened the door.

"Alfie, my friend it's been much much too long." A cheerful voice rang in the hallway. "And that’s a little Brucie. My he's grown."

Pennyworth chuckled. "You haven’t changed at all, Gina." A smile on his face. "And who is this?"

Alfred motioned to a girl who was still hidden behind the woman named Gina.

"My granddaughter." The woman stepped aside and then behind the girl, the woman placing her hands on both of the girl's shoulders. "Marinette, my little faerie."

He took a step forward, but someone caught his shoulder, well actually two people. Introductions were promptly made, all the while each one of his shoulders were being held back by the fake and his father respectively, almost as if they were scared that he would attack her.

But what surprised the men however was when they sat down, in the parlor, she sat next to him.

It was comforting speaking with her again, someone he's known for so long/she is his true love, his other half of his soul. He felt at ease with her for the first time in this life.

Their conversations turned from shared memories of the past to those the other never met, the friends they made, the people they gained to trust, as well as those they hope they will see again. What they didn’t notice was the room became silent except for them. Marinette was reminiscing of someone she came to trust from a place called Paradise Island a goddess and a warrior, but that is when Alfred interjected.

"Have you visited Paradise Island before Miss Marinette?"

This shocked the other two men in the room, for a reason that he will more than likely understand very soon, however Gina was the first to respond.

"Alfie, I don’t know how you kept up with them, that was Greek to me."

"Indeed, it was."

Came in response to which both he and Marinette realized they had been bouncing through the different tongues they learned throughout their lifetimes.

"I unfortunately couldn’t understand the first part of it. Do either of you mind elaborating?"

He and Marinette shared a look, but it was her who spoke first. "What is there to say? Anywhere you visit can be a paradise if that’s how you see it."

“That is one way to see it.” His father nodded, but he noticed the fake watching them studiously.

“That’s my little faerie, always looking on the bright side.”

“I’ve learned it’s not good to regret anything.” She smiled looking back at him.

~~~~~~~~~~

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@maribat-secret-santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hey everyone! As we close in on the deadline, we hope to see the remaining gifts be given soon. If you haven't given your gift yet, we hope that all is good, and if not do reach out to us, that's what we are here for!

If you have given your gift privately, such as a DM on Tumblr, please let us know you have, as we work to ensure everyone gets their secret Santa.

If you have yet to receive your secret Santa, we will be chasing those up in the new year to at least ensure everyone gets a gift. You can expect to see a post on reaching out to us if this happens in the new year.

Cheers, and here's to the new year!

The mod team.

[maribat-secret-santa]

Compliment, at least

For @lala-ladybug! Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you for organizing, @maribat-secret-santa!

*

It was no one's fault… at least not everybody else’s, other than her own. Ladybug didn't know how exactly she was able to choose the wrong floor, but when she walked through the corridor it looked the same. Even that high tech panel looked the same as her own. And in some mysterious way (she blamed Plagg) the room wasn't the same.

Or that gorgeous butt in that boxer brief - which was from her brand by the way, oh my Kwami!!! 

Or that toned back that was scattered with scars. Could she lick them?

Or those wonderful forest green eyes as they angrily stared at her…

"How did you come in?" The question was clear, sharp and dream shattering, and she knew she also needed to answer, but... she could recognize that gorgeous butt everywhere. 

She rarely awed men since her childhood crush on Adrien, however that derriere and the following toned limbs and body visited her dreams sometimes. She was not proud of those fantasies, especially when she was near the man on missions, but the designer - yes, it was the designer in her - really appreciated those delicious forms. Like screw her, Shadow had a really appreciable body.

"I asked something!"

The cool blade cut her out from the dangerous (or a little bit inappropriate?) thoughts. Nevermind her mouth didn't get the memo.

"It's not a crime to admire a masterpiece." Her purr was a surprise even to herself. She didn’t even know she was able to produce this kind of sexy voice.

“What are you talking about?” The tip of the katana pushed deeper in her skin and the body who held it pressed closer to her. Oh, she didn’t complain…

She gulped down her newest embarrassing reply and tried to not blush with less success. Those forest green eyes purposefully held her own as they glared at her with a grumpy face. She never thought about how beautiful this man could be in a relative way. His face profile could easily compete with Adriens, or even beat her hero partner out from his childhood job. 

Shadow had that dangerously mysterious aura which made him really rigid and sexy simultaneously. She heard a lot of younger heroes sigh at the sight of him, but never thought she would be that lucky (at least she thinks she is) to see what is under that padded uniform and tight pants… And to know those clothes weren’t that padded as they let it on.

“You hummed at me?” Even his voice added some charm to his character. That baritone was everything she wanted to hear from her lovers every night. Or day… she wasn’t that picky.

“What if we meet in daily life?” She feather-touched his naked upper arm, her fingers shook from the anticipation as she felt his warm skin for a moment. 

“I hate to repeat myself.” His posture was the same but his ears started getting redder. She would never embarrass him, but… “What are you doing here?” The blade didn’t move a millimeter nevertheless his body heat radiated from closer and firmer than before. She hummed again, satisfied.

Their little dance went too long already. Since that mission in Qatar they had this spark around them despite their professionalism. She felt it. And he felt it too. She knew.

“I got on the wrong floor” she murmured in awe from his strong presence. It was a balsam for her soul. “But I’m starting to think it isn’t that wrong.” 

Her fingers felt how he instantly flexed his muscles under the bronzed skin. Surely it was only an instinct even so it was miraculous to feel the little changes in his body. 

Ladybug didn’t know his name, Shadow didn’t know hers, but… 

What she wouldn’t give for more…

“I think it’s better if I’m going.” Her forced whisper brought them out from the semi intime atmosphere that they created. Even Shadow blinked at her dazed when she hesitantly reached the door’s panel and slowly backed out the room. She didn’t want to leave him there. He held the katana still in its position gripping the handle as the automatic door closed and locked her out in the corridor. 

Out of his view.

Ladybug took a deep shaky breath.

What the Kwami’s hell happened?

*

“...find some potential mate?” Adrien’s voice was amused as he tried to calm her down.

“What did you say?” It was the emphasis on the last two words like it was something universal and she must have known about it. 

Her partner chuckled in good humor. “You know, your potential mate who could complete the human side of your life.”

Of course she knew that they were not exactly mortals anymore. They will age as usual, but their physical and intellectual characteristics were much more durable and faster than the average. And don’t even start on the magic aspects, that’s why dating was a curse to her. But…

“So.. so you’re saying… that..”

“Do you need a special characteristic in a person so you can feel the attraction? Yes.” His voice lost the playful undertone as he understood her anxiety. “Didn’t Tikki talk about it? Especially after Qatar?”

Marinette’s eyes turned to the sleeping Goddess of luck. “No, they didn’t.” Her throat started to tighten from the need to cry. She needed… “I will call you back…” 

“Marine…” 

Adrien was her soulmate, she knew that. They needed to be connect since their balancing each other was the one thing that kept the World together, literally. So when they were high schoolers he met Kagami and for ten years already they were going strong… So strong that last month they welcomed their first child - Emiko, her own first goddaughter even. 

These were the facts that she learnt during the years while she wielded a Miraculous.

She would lie if she said she wasn’t jealous of them. They always had each other while she… She had disastrous dates, scandalously short relationships and heartbreaks, a lot of heartbreaks. Sometimes spicing up with panic attacks, PTSD and depression. 

And after everything… After saving the whole wild World she just got the info now that it wasn’t all her fault?

“Tikki!” nudged the Kwami. “Tikki!” 

The little red God stirred awake after some more call and blinked at Marinette sleepily. “Good morning!” She smiled at her sweetly and accepted the macaron without any fuss or without thinking there was any problem. Why she would?

Marinette stared at her magic companion since her childhood and wondered, was this only an evanescent moment for the tiny God? Is she only a ladybug from the long line and not even noteworthy?

A minute or two passed in silence. “Did something happen?” The high-pitched voice showed some worry for her like she belatedly felt how something was bothering her. At least Marinette imagined it that way because after that many secrets she didn’t know anymore. 

“When did you want to talk to me about potential mates?” The sentence blurted out itself. Kind of a rip of bandage. She wanted to wait of course until at least Tikki had eaten and she herself had already calmed down. However…

The little God froze hearing the question, swallowed their last bite slowly and turned their sorrowful eyes on her. “You talked with Adrien.”

It was not an answer.

“Yes.”

“You know about Shadow too.”

It was fishing for ammo.

Marinette scolded as a warning. Suddenly anger fired up in her. It was not their first conversation in this way. Tikki had the really bad habit of hiding very important information and hinting only the vitally important. 

They sighed at once, staring at each other for a long moment. Tikki averted her eyes first.

“You already met two of your potential mates.” they started on without any indication. Her voice sounded indifferent to Marinette. Like she didn’t care. “But my Bugs aren’t as lucky as Plagg’s kittens in this topic.”

“I would like to know why.”

The pause that followed her own comment was deep. Tikki peered at her again and now she looked like their heart was broken a hundred and hundred times. And of course Marinette knew it wasn’t that easy to let a lot of wielders die, but… It was her life, she needed to know.

“As you must have heard from Adrien, every Black Cat and Ladybug has their own potential mates. Those people need to be balancing out the two Miraculous users in every way as their partners do - physical, intellectual and magic, - so it wouldn’t lead to a disastrous ending for their lives.” They bit into the macaron and chewed it gloomy. “Ironically Black Cats always are luckier in this department than my Bugs. To balance their soul out they need Creation and it’s easier to find it in good people than Destruction...”

“Which needs to balance out my Creation.”

Tikki nodded robotically. “You only met two real Destructions before.” She said, “Félix Fathom, who was a sentimonster and Lila Rossi, who was like your mortal enemy.” 

“You mean…”

“Lila Rossi hated or hates you still because the two of you would be too good together. Her Destruction was too direct for your own principal Creation. Félix was so rude to you and harrassed your hero self because he felt attracted to you in a messed up way.” Tikki chuckled without any humor. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to have opportunities. To live a life without any distress from this. Because you deserve so much better than the kind that the two presented to you.”

“And Shadow?”

“He… Maybe he is the first for a long time who can be your potential mate in a real way. In Qatar he proved how he could control his soul. It’s important because his soul is pure Destruction, but he tries to do the right thing. At least.”

“Then why didn't you say anything when you felt him?”

The blank stare of her Kwami made her tear up again. “Because I already watched one of my masters burn from the hands of their potential mate.”

*

It’s always about the Balance.

She had everything. She was LUCKY to have everything so the balance made her love life a living hell. And now she at least met one of the rare potential mates of hers who not just had a Destruction soul but was someone who risked his life for ‘the Greater Good’.

Last night’s crying session was not enough.

What even is my life?

The day started very disastrously as she pondered on her life. It was a complete torture if she could say that.

She wasn’t able to concentrate on any commission that had a tight deadline. Her designs were terrible one by one or so she thought. The management were irritated about the annual dividend payment because she, as the majority owner, decided about donating it to the French Child Protection Association. 

And even her usually really sweet assistant danced on her last sane brain cells.

“Mademoiselle!” she heard it for the hundredth time of the day.

She felt how her eyes stitched. “Yes?”

“I… We received an important invitation from a US corporation.”

“Which one?” If LuthorCorp was trying to get her to design something for them again she only could promise a really painful and unlucky business year to Lex Luthor, abusing Miraculous magic or not.

“Öhm… Wayne Inc.”

*

After getting her suitcases Marinette headed to the airport entrance so she could catch a taxi to her hotel. However in her way stood an impressive man with her name written on a board. And impressive was quite a small word to describe him. Tall, handsome with broad shoulders and dark color palette… Like some prince from the darkest night who fought his way through his life. 

Breathtaking.

And she felt that strange pull to him just like before to Shadow. 

“Miss Dupain-Cheng?” His voice… He was…

She froze down as she rescanned the man again… that impressive man who had the same voice as Shadow. Whose built was exactly the same as Shadow. Height. Posture. Every inch of his frame. He was obviously and unmistakably Shadow. “How do you know me?”

His fake smile that didn’t feel right on his face turned into a devious smirk as he blinked back at hers understandingly. “Tt. Magic was always more difficult than I predicted.” He reached to her suitcases without any device and pointed outside of the airport glass doors. “I parked not far away.”

Marinette followed him in daze. It barely registered on her when she got in the luxury car with a stranger. She only felt his presence and the magical pull when he put the suitcases in the trunk and when he got in next to her. As well as his smug smirk when he looked at her before starting the car.

“Why?” Her voice was anything but confident. She knew how red her face could be and only her volition held her stammering mess back. She was a grown up woman for Kwami’s sake.

“Hm.” Shadow was the silent type. And his forest green eyes winked at her playfully which got her a bigger whiplash than anything earlier happened until now. “You know it was a miracle when you ‘accidently’ got in my room.” He started in a good mood which was very foreign from his usual character. “The system in the Watchtower only does a millisecond reboot in every 72 hours, or sometimes more randomly. Depends on how much caffeine my brother consumed.” 

His whole attention was on the road but his presence showed her quite different things. His aura was squirming from giddy excitement. Like a predator who in the end got his prey exactly to the place where he wanted and here was the opportunity to play with her. 

So that meant the potential mate thing. Like a grumpy and asshole cat.

“You, my dear Ladybug was the only one who put their room code in at that particular millisecond and it worked at that possible moment.”So that happened. “And I also studied your magical abilities and as I heard from your partner you…”

“You know about Adrien?!” She unwillingly squealed. It was embarrassing, until this day… until twenty minutes earlier she didn’t even know this man… or wait! “Who are you? Beside Shadow….”

The man finally turned his pretty confused eyes on her then amazement sparked in them while he started chuckling. Obviously on her. “You really got in the car with a man who you didn’t know about?”

“You are definitely Shadow but what is your other name? The civil name?” 

“You were invited to the Wayne Annual Gala. Guess it!” 

She would fall in love with this man or she would kill him with her bare hands for that irritating playful tone only. Those were just the most desirable options in her head when they after some time in the traffic stopped in front of a hotel. 

They stepped out of the car and with her suitcases walked in the lavish exterior. He confidently followed her and didn’t let her carry her own baggage so Marinette strode to the reception to check in angrily. What does this man think of himself?

When she met the receptionist's eyes the woman glanced behind her then gaped at her and with admiration… “Oh my God, Mr. Wayne!”

So Mr. Wayne… who evidently had some fans. 

At least one of the long list of Waynes as she continued the logic, but which one? If she remembered correctly from one of Uncle Jagged’s ramblings there were three siblings who could be in the kind of same generation as herself plus-minus some year. 

Timothy Drake-Wayne, Duke Thomas and Damian Al Ghul Wayne. 

If she really needed to guess this man, who purposely played with her like a cat, was the last one. Timothy was in a relationship as she heard the gossip from Zoé, and Duke was afro-american, not bronze skin adonis. 

“Hmpf.” Her grumpy huff could be heard even on the roof. Surely.

After getting her keys and tolerating many and many stares in the foyer because of the impressive man beside her she eventually got in a lift. She almost ran to her door when they finally were on the right floor.

Surprisingly Shadow… or maybe Damian stopped at her doorstep when she left it open to him.

“What?” Her eyebrows were high as she turned to him and she knew how authoritative she could look when she was grumpy. “Mr. Wayne got scared?” Little teasing never hurt anyone.

“Tt.” He stepped in casually and closed the door. 

Marinette pouted. The pull started to get too strong to resist it. And she would blame her own magic for the next couple of hours. 

“Good.” She nodded at the still man in her room. Just for her. “Because I have plans with you and punishing your ravishing body for the anxiety you caused, but at least you treat women with respect if I can rely on this little interlude.”

His head turned to her so fast she heard the joints cracking. “I heard a compliment from you?” His steps were silent and predatory as he walked in front of her. Moments after her speech he already leant in her presence with a smug smirk and known-all eyes.

So it was a two way magical link. 

“Compliment, at least.” She grabbed his shirt collar in need and pulled him even closer. Fuck every sane braincell! “Then the next few hours will decide how much you deserve it.” 

And Marinette finally captured those delicious looking lips as she let herself get lost in this gorgeous man. 

恵美子 Emiko - 恵 (e) “favour, benefit” + 美 (mi) “beautiful” + 子 (ko) “child” and for some plus, the name is also a homage for Adrien’s mom, Emilie and Kagami’s origin.

Damian was the heir of the League of Assassins which had other names in some adapted works: League of Shadows or Society of Shadows. As in the recent comic books (2021-22) Damian’s road was crossing the League and its magic associations’ path, I thought it would be appropriate to name his ‘adult hero persona’ as Shadow. 

And really sorry for any mistakes or typo my brain nowdays hates to work with only one language. Mixing up is a better alternative, at least to my brain.

[maribat-secret-santa]

We have another gift, found on AO3!

From artemis morning star to silver white Raven @silverwhiteraven

Link

Happy holidays, and remember you have until the new year to get these gifts out! Anyone having issues don't hesitate to reach out to us.

The mods.

[maribat-secret-santa]

It’s a Learned Trait

This is my Secret Santa gift to Night_ngale on Ao3! This story is inspired by this photo by @mumblesplash on Tumblr (yes I got permission, and thank you for it!):

For Night_ngale on Ao3:

Marinette had been having a wonderful day with her parents in Gotham, New Jersey.  Her parents had just finished a catering job there and today they had decided to go sightseeing to all of the tourist attractions.  They had taken her to the zoo, to the aquarium, to the museum, and now they were heading to a bo-ton-tanicel-al…. botanical garden!  Both of her parents were holding her hands and smiling brightly at her as they walked the busy streets.  It was such a nice day, absolutely nothing could ruin it for her!

Then an explosion happened, and there was running, and a ringing noise in her ears that just wouldn’t stop, and everything was moving too fast.  

Screams filled the air along with scary high pitched giggling that sent shivers running through her spine.  She clutched tightly to the pair of hands that held onto both of her’s just as tightly, if not tighter, as they fled the crowded streets.  Then they could feel the cool shadow of something big that was coming from up high.  She looked up and felt herself freeze up as a massive piece of concrete broke off of the building they were under and fell faster and faster and faster exactly where she and her parents stood.  She tried to move, she tried to get herself to run away from the danger that she knew even at her age meant that she would no longer be able to wander the Earth; but she couldn’t.  The people kept shoving past her and her parents, keeping them in place as everyone pushed and shoved to get far, far away from the ensuing chaos.  The crowd was too thick, the screams were too loud, the rubble was too fast.  The next thing she knew was two pairs of different sized hands shoved her forward away from the massive pieces of falling debris that was right above them.  She turned to look behind her to see her parents' horrified expressions as they too stared up at the ginormous piece of concrete that was hurtling towards them and so many more people.  People kept almost stepping on her and crowding her vision of her parents and they moved before she could blink.  

Before she could even process what happened next, someone had picked her up and moved her away before quickly covering her eyes.  A few seconds later a loud crash was heard and the ground shook so hard she would have fallen over if the person hadn’t been keeping her upright.  Once the shaking was over the person that had rescued her picked her up, holding tightly onto her as they moved their hand up and the sound of something being shot through the air sounded just above her.

“It’s ok, I’ve gotcha.”

Said a deep gruff voice, though she could barely hear it as the cold wind whipped past her ears biting at her skin.  Her knee length pink dress hugged her legs as her brain refused to function and process the events that had just occurred.  She felt her feet touch solid ground, but her legs didn’t seem to want to hold her as her brain continued to stay offline.  She couldn’t think, couldn’t comprehend, and would the ringing in her ears just stop!  Where were her mama and papa?!  What happened to them?!  

It sounded like someone was trying to talk to her, but she was underwater and she couldn’t hear a thing, she couldn’t even see what was in front of her clearly.  Her entire body felt like it was weighted down, the pressure slowly crushing her.   She couldn’t even think, her brain was just too quiet and the ringing was too loud!  There was too much, too much noise, too much quiet, too much information yet not enough at all!  She kept going down deeper with nothing to ground her fleeting thoughts until she felt something heavy being placed around her shoulders.  Her eyes slowly began to register her surroundings and, after who knew how long, she was met with deep light teal eyes that were filled with worry.  Their face was obscured by a red mask, but she could still make out most of his features.  He had dark black hair with a white streak in it.  She didn’t know why this was important, all she knew was that she had to keep looking at him.  It was like if she looked away from him then everything would get all fuzzy again and she wouldn’t be able to think, and the ringing would take over her again even though it was still there!  Why can’t it stop, just make it stop, she wanted her mama and papa!  Where were they?!

“Hey, things will be ok.”

The masked man gently stated.  He kept eye contact with her, watching her to make sure she didn’t start to hyperventilate and that she wouldn’t go into shock.  He carefully pulled the jacket around her full body, carefully pulling her limp and dysfunctional arms into the jacket’s large sleeves.  He gave her a small reassuring smile while smoothing out the sleeves on the jacket, pressing the warmth of it onto her.  “Can you hold onto this for me?  I’ll be right back, ok?”

She simply nodded her head and held onto the jacket tightly like it was a lifeline.  He slowly grabbed a helmet that was on the ground near his legs and put it on.  “Don’t move ok, you’re safe now.”

He looked back at her then ran and jumped off…., oh, she was on a roof.  When did she get on a roof?  She hadn’t noticed.  She stood completely still, her mind causing the cacophony of noises to fade in and out.  She could hear screams and bangs, then nothing.  She could hear fighting and laughter, then the ringing came back.  The sounds often came close to the roof she was on; the fear of it made her legs so weak she eventually collapsed onto her knees as she clutched the jacket tighter than before.  Eventually her brain finally seemed to grasp the reality around her causing tears to start falling down her cheeks and sobs escaped her lips.  Her parents were dead, she was rescued, but th-they’re d-de-dead!  

Sobs wracked her small frame as the noises continued on for she doesn’t even know how long.  Every time there was a noise louder than the rest she pulled the jacket even tighter around her small body expecting the worst.  She wanted to escape, she wanted to hug her parents, she just wanted to go back home to Paris.  She wanted to go back to the bakery and eat the desserts her parents made, see Nino and Kim and play games with them, she wanted to go to the pretty gardens at the park and lay with the flowers.  

They were supposed to be happy, they were happy when they saw the pretty fishies, they were happy when they saw the amazing artifacts in the museum, papa had held her on his shoulders so she could see the giraffes better when they had taken her to the zoo.  Everything had been so perfect, why did everything change so fast?  Why did her mama and papa have to leave her like this?  Why was there no rain when such a terrible tragedy had just occurred like in the movies?

There was a soft thump that made her wrap the jacket even tighter, if that was even possible.  She didn’t want to get hurt, she just wanted her parents back.  “Hey, thanks for holding onto that for me.”

The man from before said.  She looked up, her eyes watery, making his figure blurry.  She saw him take off the helmet and set it down.  He looked sad and remorseful as he slowly sat next to her, but never reached out to touch her, instead remaining a comfortable presence.  “You from here?”

She slowly shook her head no.  “P-Paris.”

Her voice was cracked and broken.  Her parents had her study English with her French studies because of all of the tourists that came by.  Not to mention Mama said that if she wanted to be famous then she had to know English.  How would she get back to Paris?  Who would take her?  How was she supposed to survive without her mama and papa?!  She couldn’t, she needed them, now they’re gone and she’ll die here because she has nothing without them.  

“Paris is a nice place.  Have any friends there?”

She nodded again, the movement causing the drops on her cheek to drip onto the ground.  He stayed silent, waiting to see if she would do or say anything further.  She was glad he let her take her time, she was tired and her brain was still too loud and fuzzy to really understand his questions immediately.  Dejectedly she replied,  “N-Nino and K-Kim are my friends.  Th-they stand up t-to Chloe f-for me.  Everyo-one else is too scared of her an-and her daddy.”

He reached out to touch her, but quickly pulled back.  He wanted to comfort the small child, but he wasn’t sure how she would respond if he touched her.  She looked so small curled up in his jacket, it would have been cute if it weren’t for the circumstances that led to the scene in front of him.  “Sounds like you’ve got some good people lookin’ out for ya.”

He said, trying to sound reassuring.  She gave a small smile and nodded, “Y-yea.”

“Why don’t we go somewhere safe.  I know someone who will take care of ya for a bit, okay?”  Red Hood asked carefully.  She nodded again and was about to take her arms out of the sleeves of the warm jacket, but before she could fully take it off the man stopped her.  “Keep it, I’ve got a lot of others back home, and this is gonna keep you safe, ok?”

She nodded slowly, letting him adjust and zip it up so the warmth that still lingered in it was all around her.  He slowly stood up, projecting his movements so as to not scare her before he extended his hand for her to take.  She looked at it hesitantly, slowly reaching out and taking hold of his hand as she wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her free arm.  Her hand was so small that when he closed his her entire hand was encompassed by his own. He gently pulled her back onto her feet making sure she was stable before letting go.  “Hop on my back and hold on tight, ‘kay?”

He said softly–just like her mom used to when she was hurt–crouching down with his back facing her so she could climb on.  With a brief moment of hesitation, because what if this was a trap like Mama and Papa had warned her about, she carefully climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck and gripped onto his shirt.  It was a bit hard as there seemed to be something hard sewn into parts of it, but it was okay.  He slowly got up and made sure her legs were wrapped tightly around his torso so she wouldn't slip or fall off.  When he was sure she was secure, he grabbed something from one of his pockets, angled it.  There was a loud bang, like the one she had heard when he had first grabbed her, though that memory felt like it was from so many years ago, that startled her accompanied by a whiz as it shot into the air.  He pulled on the device he was using to make sure it was taught and secure, then he ran and jumped off the building.  

Marinette screamed in fear and buried her face into his shoulder, holding him even tighter than before.  She kept her eyes shut, feeling out the rhythm of run, jump, fall, swing.  Eventually she started to feel a little more comfortable swinging through the air, that was until they started to fall again.  She screamed again louder than the time before and heard the noise of the man’s device again before she felt the taut jolt that signified they were soaring through the air once more.  Slowly, she tilted her head up and saw how amazing the city looked with all of its shining lights so high up in the sky with the setting sun sinking behind the tall buildings.  Wasn’t it just past 13:00 though?  She had just eaten lunch with her mama and papa; hadn’t she…?

Suddenly the lights weren’t as amazing as they were before, they were dull and full of sorrow and loss.  She didn’t want to look down just in case she saw them, they wouldn’t look the same.  She didn’t want to look down because then she might fall, and she didn’t want to fall.  Heights have always been scary.  She held onto the man tighter, scared that if she loosened her grip even the smallest amount, she’d fall.

They continued on in that fashion for a few minutes when the man with the red helmet set her down on a balcony.  It was plain with a swirled black metal guard.  The roof was bland and lifeless with nothing decorating it other than the fence, she didn’t like it.  “I’ve got a friend here.  He’ll watch over you for a while, okay?”  She nodded slowly, unsure of whether she should be relieved someone would take her in or scared that this was all some sort of trap.  She watched and listened as the man climbed down a fire escape and began to tap on a window.

Tap

…

Tap tap

…..

Tap tap tap

Then he stepped back and waited.  Another man with red hair opened the window with a small smile, “What’s up Hood?” He asked in a casual voice.

“I need you to watch someone for me.”

The red-haired man raised a brow.

“Her parents didn’t make it in the last battle with Joker.  Lots of debris, and I don’t feel like having serial-adopter-bats see her.”

“Makes sense.  Where are they?” The other man asked with a small nod, looking around the escape.  The man in the helmet held up one finger and climbed back up to her.  

“Can you come with me please?”

Marinette gulped, unsure of what she should do.  But the man has been really nice to her so far, and he’s even letting her keep his jacket.  Slowly she reached out and took his offered hand, letting him help her down the fire escape to the window.

“Hey,”

The other man said in a soft tone,

“What's your name?”

She looked down, anxiously twirling her foot from side to side.  “M-Marinette.”  She replied quietly, voice strained.

“That’s a nice name, how old are you?”  His voice was soft and gentle and it made her feel a little more at ease.

“Nine.”

“Wow, you’re pretty old, huh?  I’m Roy, do you want to come in and eat something?  I just finished making some sandwiches.”  She looked back at the man that had brought her here and saw him give her a small nod.  She nodded back and shyly followed the red haired man into the apartment building.  “Do you want some water?”

She nodded again, standing near the island counter.  She looked back at the window where the man in the helmet had been only seconds before, only to see that he was no longer there.  The man nodded and quickly got a cup from a cupboard and filled it with some tap water before placing it on the counter near her with a small plate that held what looked like BLT.  “I have a roommate, he should come by soon.  Just as a heads up, ok?”

She nodded, carefully climbing up to the barstool and sat down.  Marinette looked at the sandwich and started picking at it.  She really wasn’t that hungry, but it would be rude to not accept her host's hospitality.  Her mama had taught her the importance of respecting people that were trying to help her, especially when she was at her friend’s home.  Tears she thought she had run out of started to resurface as she thought of her mama.  She sniffled and wiped her eyes before more could escape.  

Roy looked at her worriedly.  From what he had read from the text Jason had sent him, her parents were caught by falling debris from one of Joker’s bombs that the bats hadn’t been able to dismantle in time.  He had been able to pull her away, but her parents along with a bunch of other civilians weren’t able to make it out of the way in time.  Jason said that he had managed to cover her eyes and take her away before she could see anything, but he knew that wouldn’t be enough to stop any type of trauma from forming.  

The girl was so small, he could only imagine what must be going through her mind.  Not to mention she was only visiting from Paris, she wasn’t even from Gotham.  Apparently her parents were catering for one of Bruce’s events, and that was the only reason they had even traveled here in the first place.

“Hey, do you want to watch a movie?  I’m sure we could find something you’d like.”  She didn’t respond right away as she processed what he had asked. It didn’t matter though, he’d give her all the time she needed.

“R-Ratatouille?”  Was her small reply.  A smile graced his lips, as he asked,

“Is that your favorite Disney movie?”  She shrunk in on herself and nodded with a small, 

“Mhm.”

“That’s a great movie, let me ask Jason to pick it up when he comes back.  He should be here soon anyways.”

“Okay.”  

Her voice was so quiet, but he could hear the joy in her voice.  He quickly texted Jason to pick up the movie when he was done debriefing with The Bats and started to make another sandwich since she was eating his, not that he minded of course.  

•         •         •

Jason walks in with a bag full of gummy candy, popcorn, a box of different flavored macaroons, and one Disney movie in its unopened case and plastic wrapping.  He was thankful to see that the small girl was sitting at the counter drawing.  He wouldn’t know what to do if she were still crying.  “Hey, heard we’re takin’ care of another kid?  I bet Lian will be happy to have a new friend when she comes back from her sleepover.”

He called out into the apartment as if he had no idea what had happened only a few hours before.  The little girl startled from her seat, quickly turning to look at him with her large bluebell eyes.  He really needed to keep her away from Bruce, she was perfect Wayne material and he refused for her to be tainted by him and the rest of his adopted child army.

“Yea, Red Hood dropped her off due to….”  He glanced at the girl sympathetically, “The incident that happened earlier.”

Marinette shifted uncomfortably and went back to drawing with a furrowed brow.  There was a heavy silence that filled the room until Jason said, “Well, I bought a bunch of snacks and was told to buy a movie, so….”

Marinette looked up again and hopped off the chair nearly tripping.  She quickly stood up embarrassed as both boys stared at her in worry.

“You okay Marinette?”  Roy asked carefully, walking towards her.  Her cheeks turned a slight red as she nodded.

“Y-yes, sorry.  I’m really clumsy.”  Her voice held a French accent that only made the little girl even more adorable.  Jason gave her a wide smile and gently handed her the plastic grocery bag.  

“Here you go.”

She carefully took the bag with a small ‘thank you’, and started to look through it.  Her eyes shined with childlike glee at the macaroons and they shined even brighter when she pulled out the blue-ray disk.  She quickly ran over to Roy and showed him the movie asking if he could put it into whatever he uses.  

It was interesting to see Roy smile and ruffle her hair.  He looked calm and happy, used to the role of caretaker.  Gently he took the disk, removed the plastic before opening it up, and walked over to the TV in the main room next to the kitchen and popped the disk in. 

“Hey, I’ll go grab some blankets.  Do you want to take your shoes off Marinette?”  He asked gently as he moved toward the linen closet.  She nodded and slipped them off with a slightly flushed face.  She watched as Roy sunk down on the couch where he patted at one of the seats.  Cautiously she walked toward the coach sitting in a rocking chair a few feet away from Roy.  You could never be too cautious, at least that’s what her mama used to say.  “Used to”, that felt wrong. 

When Jason walked back into the room he watched as the small girl hugged her legs close to her chest, face hidden behind her arms.  It was a heartbreaking sight, a sight that felt familiar, pulling on his heartstrings as he remembered doing the same thing around the same age. 

“Thanks Jaybird.”  Roy whispered as he took the blankets from his hands.  He hadn’t even noticed that he was approaching.  He was out of it today, and not in a good way.  The opening narration of Remmy the Rat began to play through the speakers as Roy slowly and carefully wrapped a weighted blanket around the young girl's shoulders.  He watched as Roy talked to her quietly for a few moments, never initiating touch, waiting to see what she would say or do.  It was always interesting to watch Roy act like a father as he acted and treated his kid far differently than either of his dads had treated him.  After a few minutes Roy stepped away, back to his spot on the coach not saying another word as the young girl collected herself before looking up to watch the movie with tear soaked cheeks that stabbed at Jason’s heart.

•         •         •

It was around the middle of the movie that little Mari fell asleep.  She had slowly begun to relax as the movie progressed until she had blinked a few times very slowly, then they stayed shut. She was emotionally exhausted from the day and had simply passed out, poor kid.

Jason watched the kid, and not in a weird way.  He was worried, and he didn’t know what to do.  The kid was stuck here, despite the fact that she’s not a citizen, and from what little information he could find with little at his disposal, he couldn’t find any family that could take her now that she was an orphan.  Jason wondered if this was how Bruce felt when he had met all of them before he decided to make them his little band of misfit toys.  He often felt this way when he saw Lian, but it was never as strong of an emotion as he felt now for this child he had only met a few hours ago.

“You look constipated; which means you’re trying a failing to show some form of deep emotion.  So spit it out, what’s going on in that thick skull of yours?”

Roy asked quietly, turning his head slightly to give him a side eye before turning back to the movie.  Jason rolled his eyes and let out a long frustrated sigh.  “I don’t know Roy.  There’s just a lot going on, especially after the last attack.”

Roy quickly paused the movie and turned to look Jason in his eyes.  There wasn’t any pity in his gaze, but there was empathy and an openness that showed he wouldn’t judge.

“It was Joker’s fault.  So many people died because of the Joker, her parents,” he firmly gestured to the sleeping girl with tear stained cheeks sleeping on the small chair, whisper yelling so as to not wake her; “are no longer alive because of his actions today and Bruce still won’t get rid of him.”  Jason took in a deep shuddering breath, he needed to control himself, he couldn’t let the green creep in.  That wouldn’t do anything, it wouldn’t do any good for anyone, especially right now.

“I’ve tried to kill him,”  Jason admitted shakily, “I’ve tried, but he always finds a way to stop me.  I don’t understand how he cares for that-that creature more than his own- than for me.”  A heavy silence fell between them only broken up by the gentle snores to their right.  

“I don’t want her to feel this way, I don’t want her to go through the same pain I went through at her age.”  Jason continued.  When I was trying to find out any information on her, a potential family member that could take her home I found that her grandmother on her dad’s side died in a motorcycle accident, her grandfather died of a heart attack, on her mom’s side it looks like her mother was disowned for unknown reasons, which means that they probably would not take in her daughter.  That leaves her with Social Services, and despite Bruce’s efforts I still don’t trust it; or as a street kid.”

Roy contemplated everything that Jason had just told him.  They had been through a lot together, in fact Jason and Star were the reasons that he was still alive, the reason he believed that he was doing a good job at being a father, they helped him keep going when everyone else had given up on him.  Roy glanced at the sleeping girl, then back to Jason.  Jason looked at the girl the same way Roy looked at his own daughter, with a sort of protective love.  Roy could tell that Jason cared about the kid; he probably saw himself Marinette.  It only made sense that he would feel extra protective around the girl as no one would want the same trauma that you’ve faced placed onto another.  

“Well, what do you think is the best thing to do Jason?  I know for a fact that you’re not going to be letting Bruce or any of the other bats, besides maybe Oracle, anywhere near her.  If what you say is true, and she really has no family that will willingly take her in, then what’s your plan?”

Another sigh escaped Jason as he leaned his head back so that it was hanging off the coach. “I don’t know Roy, maybe we can drop her off in Metropolis and let her be taken care of there.  They have a better system and I’m sure she would  be adopted by someone that would love her.”

Roy nodded, he could see the good in the plan, but there was something else.  Jason was still frustrated and didn’t like the idea.  “But?”  He prodded.

“”But,” Jason said emphasizing the ‘t’, “the thought of doing that makes my skin crawl in all of the wrong ways.”

Roy hummed.  This isn't some easy or light hearted task.  The kid had just lost both of her parents in the most sudden way possible, then she was taken away from the area and to the house of complete strangers, and to top it off she may never be able to return to her home country; but if she does she would be put into the foster system with no stability ot time to heal.  Of course she also had the possibility of being taken in by her grandparents in China, but there was a chance that they would treat her poorly since they had disowned her mother, and they may only take her in because of obligation.  Nothing about this was easy, none of it was simple.  If Jason wanted to somehow become her legal guardian then he would need to earn her trust, he would have to either legally become alive again or find a believable identity that would allow for him to adopt her.  

There were just so many variables, and it was too late for this conversation, yet not late enough.  

“Lian’s coming home tomorrow, we can figure this out while they play.”

Jason nodded, mostly to himself.  “You’re right.  We need to give her more time to process everything, I still need to process today.”

“Did you have a panic attack?” Roy asked worriedly.  Now that he was thinking about it there must have been lots of explosions, even if most of them were disabled.  Then there was the clown and how he just paraded around on the rooftops.  Jason had had a few before when he returned back to the apartment after a Joker breakout, it was horrifying.  Jason just gave him a sad, strained smile.

“No, thankfully.”

“Right,”  Roy said as he slowly stood up, stretching his arms up dramatically. “Well let's move her to Kori’s room tonight.  She’s still visiting Tamaran.”

Jason nodded, following suit.  Slowly he approached the sleeping girl, televising his movements despite the fact that she was still asleep before gently picking the girl up.  Roy watched with a gentle smile as he slowly walked to Kori’s room, trying not to wake her as he brought her to bed.  He had watched Jason do the same thing with Lian, playing the role of older brother perfectly.  Now, it looked like he might be stepping into a new role.  The same role that Roy carried right now.  But who knew what would happen.  As Roy settled in for the night in his own room a sudden thought came to his mind.  Jason was always complaining how Bruce had a “type” or MO for the people he really cared about; and that was that they needed to have black hair and/or blue eyes.  The girl that Jason saved and now is attached to has black hair and…blue eyes.  He quickly turned into his pillow and started laughing his butt of, hoping that no one would be able to hear him.  A couple tears slipped down his cheeks as he thought to himself, ‘so it’s a learned trait after all.’

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[maribat-secret-santa]

2022 Secret Santa Gift Exchange

For: @lifeexperience hope you enjoy!

Marinette was a simple child of parents who loved her, but not each other. Some of her friends at school had parents just like that, but they were divorced. But her parents never actually married, so they didn’t get a cool word. But really, all it meant was that she had to split her time between her Maman and her Dad. Unfortunately for her, her parents had decided to live a whole ocean apart. So she couldn’t just visit on weekends like her friend Max could. But it was finally summer again, and she was finally back in Gotham. Glancing around, Marinette grins widely the second she spots Alfred. 

“Alfie!” She cheers, running around the other people in the baggage claim area. Alfred’s lips twitch up into a small smile. 

“It’s nice to see you again, Miss Marinette.” He says. Marinette grins widely, pointing to the new gap in her teeth. 

“Look! I lost another tooth.” She says. Alfred raises an eyebrow. 

“Have you already received a visit from the tooth fairy?” He asks. She nods, holding Alfred’s hand as they walk through the parking lot. 

“Where’s dad?” She asks, swinging their arms. 

Keep reading

[maribat-secret-santa]

Timari Artwork for Secret Santa 2022!

Not tagging my recipient bc I didn't get a Tumblr yet, It's for Lily (Ao3- Flowerlover123)

I hope you like it, Merry Christmas!!

Thanks for hosting, @maribat-secret-santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Miraculous Ladybug, Batman - All Media Types, Young Justice (Cartoon) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug/Dick Grayson Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Dick Grayson, Wally West, Artemis Crock, Kaldur'ahm | Jackson Hyde, M'gann M'orzz, Kon-El | Conner Kent, Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Maribat Secret Santa 2022, MariBat Summary:

A look at the lives of Marinette and Dick, and yes, you do need to pay attention to the timestamps

My Maribat Secret Santa project for @marauderundercover. Happy holidays all!

Thank you for hosting <3 @maribat-secret-santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hey everyone!

As we are open now for gifting, a few notes to remember;

If you are posting on Tumblr, please tag this blog! If on another platform like ao3, we will need you to inform us.

This is so we can reblog and link so that we can be sure everyone receives their gift, so that if you don't have the ability to reach them, we are able ensure they get their gift.

Happy holidays all!

The mods

[maribat-secret-santa]

Secret Santa reminder!!

Hey everyone!

This is your week reminder to Christmas! While we do not have a strict due date of the 25th due to how hectic some people have this time of year, it does mean we are closing in on the gift exchange, to start 21, and you will still have until the 31st to finish them off.

If anyone is having problems, questions or concerns now is the best time to reach out to us, so to give everyone the best time possible.

Cheers!

The mods.

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hey everyone, we have sent out everyone's secret Santas! If you can't find the info, send us a message and we will correct this.

We look forward to seeing how creative you all are!

The mods.

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hello everybody!

As you may have known, we are on schedule to be sending out messages on secret Santas right now, so do keep an eye on your messages and inboxes. We will send out a new message when we have sent out all messages, so if you haven't gotten a message yet, do not worry, we have a few to get through!

Mods MysNis, Anju.