maribatserver

[maribatserver]

Maribat Christmas Bingo!

I did not have the energy for multiple fics for the different prompts, so welcome to my monster fic that has all 25 ❤️ enjoy!

Marinette was exhausted as she zipped her way through the crowded streets of Paris. There had been twelve akumas in the past six days, and she was pretty sure it wasn't going to stop. Between Neigester, - the akuma that turned people into frozen statues, perfectly sculpted in ice - Jingle Bull, - an akuma that spawned because he accidentally sent a shelf of snow globes crashing to the floor in a busy store - and ones she couldn't even remember, Marinette was completely wiped out.

After the first two days of nonstop Akumas, she had called the Justice League and begged for help. Wonder Woman had been sympathetic, promising that as soon as their non-powered cohort were available they would be sent to Paris to assist. 

But it had been four days and things were starting to feel like they were heading straight to a breaking point. And now, akuma number 12 was a freaking monstrosity of tinsel and twinkling lights. It called itself Christmas Choke and was rather gruesomely hanging people up by the throat in Christmas lights.

“Hey Bug, looks like we've got a serious case of Christmas grump over here,” Chat said, bouncing over to her. He looked every bit as exhausted as she did, his ears and tail drooping. “Don't suppose we have an update on any assistance from the JL yet?”

“Nothing,” she sighed in reply, staring at the Akuma as if she could end it just by willing it enough. When the solution didn't miraculously happen by itself, she sighed again and launched herself forward to engage with the akuma. 

After ten minutes of no progress, she fell back to where Chat was trying to free civilians and almost face planted when a shadow near to him stepped forward. She managed to muffle the shriek that wanted to leave her mouth but it meant that she almost but her tongue in half.

“Sorry we're late,” the man said, a cowl covering most of his features. “Wonder Woman asked us to come and assist you with your Akuma problem. I'm Batman.”

“Wait, like Gotham’s Batman?” Chat said, perking up a little. “Dude, that's so cool! Did you bring Robin with you? Ooh, or Nightwing,” he added dreamily, eyes unfocusing as he clearly daydreamed about the original boy wonder. 

“Tt, you are supposed to be a hero defending a city, will you focus on the problem at hand?” Another shadow said, and Marinette had to school her expression to avoid giving away her disgust at the guy’s outfit. This, with the red, green, and yellow, had to be Robin. He had a sword attached to his hip and a domino mask that did nothing to hide his scowl. 

“Listen, Hawkmoth preys on negative emotion,” she tried to explain, shooting Chat a look that said ‘shut the hell up’. “Chat's way of handling his feelings is by being a giant goofball. It's not super healthy but it's also working so we're not going to try to change it now. It's a pleasure to meet you both, but we should work on trying to stop Christmas Choke before it gets any worse.”

The dynamic duo agreed and pretty soon they were assisting with the aftercare of a traumatised shopper. Marinette rubbed the man's back consolingly, hoping to finish soon so she could go back home - after speaking with Batman and Robin about next steps.

“Everyone was just so loud, and then that godforsaken song - that has been playing since September - came on and I just lost it,” the man sobbed, clinging to his shopping bags. “My kid just changed his mind about what he wanted for Christmas and my husband insisted we had to get it right, because it's his first Christmas with us and not in foster care! And if it's not wrapped and under the tree tonight, I'm a dead man.”

“I understand, and you're not the first person to be taken advantage of by Farfalla,” Marinette said in a soothing voice. “But hey, take a deep breath and Chat over here is going to take you straight back to your place in line. He's going to stay with you until you get what you need and then he'll see you home. Right, Kitty?”

“Absolutely! Hey, did you hear what the snowman ordered at the Mexican restaurant?” Chat asked the man as they walked over to the queue of people reforming around them. 

“Okay, so we obviously need to head somewhere quieter to have a chat, care to join me on top of Notre Dame?” Marinette said wearily, pulling her yo-yo back out. She waited for them to agree before giving them a quick grin and ‘race ya!’ before zipping away.

_ _ _

The explanation and discussion for next steps took longer than Marinette would have liked. Batman had had plenty of questions - all very well thought out, and he was obviously taking it seriously - and Robin had been staring at her the entire time without saying a word. It made her twitchy and she was relieved when she was finally swinging back home.

She landed on the balcony and crept back into her room, cursing her lack of time. She was still stitching her name into the piece that Alya had commissioned from her and she needed to get it to her by that evening. Not to mention-

“The cookies!” Marinette screeched, throwing herself down the stairs to the apartment kitchen and almost sobbing when she saw the lumps of charcoal sitting on the oven trays. Two full trays of cookies, useless, and she still had to decorate and wrap them before nighttime.

Rolling up her sleeves, she got to work on a new batch. She had several problems, likely caused by her tiredness and the distraction of still having half a dozen things to do, and she wasn't sure how she was going to explain how her apron had gotten caught up in the mixing bowl.

While the cookies were baking, she raced back upstairs to get the Alya's commission and stitched the initials whilst keeping an eye on the cookies. She then whipped up the royal icing while the cookies cooled and prepared the piping bag. And after all of that, she found time to search for information on Batman and his band of vigilantes.

_ _ _

By early evening, Marinette finally felt like she was on top of things again. Nothing quite like the rush of a deadline to make her buckle down and get things done. Checking the time, she cursed again and grabbed up a bag to put everything into before racing to meet her friends for their Christmas eve plans.

Spotting her usual group, Marinette raced over to them and apologised for her tardiness. That was met with fairly goodnatured ribbing and she blushed even as she scowled at them all. Adrien smiled over at her and she gave a tentative one back. It had been about half a year since they had ended their relationship and it was finally starting to feel like they could be friends again.

Cerise was holding onto his arm and Marinette pushed down a wave of jealousy that she had no right to anymore. Cerise had been one of the reasons for their breakup, Adrien claiming that he had a lot in common with the blonde and that he felt like Marinette didn't have enough time for their relationship. Even though he wasn't wrong, it still ached that her superheroine work had caused another break up.

Once she had distributed her own gifts and any commissions, everyone headed for Phillipe’s skating rink. It was fairly busy, people bumping into each other and small children buzzing past everyone, fast enough that people were fighting to stay upright when they skated by.

Being shorter than most of her friends, Marinette quickly found herself separated from the group and battling to get through the crowds with her skates on. Even with the ice, and general chill of December, the heat of numerous bodies made her feel a little like she was suffocating. 

She finally burst through a group of people and slipped along the ice precariously. Her fall was arrested by a tall boy, wearing an entire outfit in black with dark hair. She froze, looking up at him with wide eyes and tried to stutter out an apology.

“I- you- that's- sorry,” she blurted at last, steadying her feet under her. The boy had his hands on her elbows, keeping her surprisingly steady as she tried not to blush too much. 

“It's fine,” he muttered, a frown marring his otherwise gorgeous features. Not that the scowl made him unattractive but she had a strong urge to see a smile on his face instead. “Are you alright?”

“Oh, yeah, just madly clumsy,” she said with a pained smile. “It's, um, busy, and my friends got lost in the crowd. Or, I guess, they lost me in the crowd. But lucky me, you stopped me from wiping out on the ice, so thank you.”

The boy gave a slight smirk at her rambling and, oh no he was cute when he smirked. He didn't let go of her elbows and she felt the heat across her face flood her neck and chest too. She realised that she had been staring at his mouth for far too long and snapped her eyes to his and- oh, they were a vibrant green that sent butterflies skittering around her stomach.

Before she could say anything else a tiny comet- uh, small child rammed into the boys legs with a thump. The little girl also had dark hair and green eyes, though she had a different shape to her face. The girl was chattering at a mile a minute making it hard for Marinette to work out everything she was saying, but she gathered it was about hot chocolate from the words ‘whipped cream’, ‘marshmallows’ and ‘mug’. 

“Mar’i, you shouldn't run off like that!” A man shouted, skating up to the three of them. He was carrying a mug with a generous topping of cream and chocolate dusting. “Thanks for catching her, Dames. Oh, hi!”

“Hello,” Marinette squeaked back, glad that she had her feet under her when the boy let go of her. “I'm Marinette.”

“Nice to meet you! I'm Dick, that's my brother Damian and this little terror is my daughter Mar'i,” the man said cheerfully. Marinette mouthed the name ‘Damian’, before flushing because, God, that was embarrassing. 

“I'll let you get back to your family time,” she said at last, glancing up at Damian. Her heart jumped when she found him studying her, his eyes deep and pensive. She was ready to turn around and find her friends when someone crashed into Damian from behind. She put her hands out to steady him, and she could tell she had surprised him when she succeeded.

“Demon Spawn, better pucker up,” a man that was drenched in chaotic magic crowed. He had a white streak in his hair and he was massive. He was also holding a plant with tiny white bulbs and delicate leaves. Dick exclaimed something that sounded like an admonishment but Marinette couldn't hear it properly over the rushing in her ears.

Her heart completely stopped when Damian brushed a kiss to her cheek before he pulled back quickly. His cheeks were dusted lightly with red but it was barely noticeable next to her own flaming face.

“I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “Todd - the idiot with the mistletoe - is unbearable when you don't play along with his idiocy. I have been asked to avoid causing arguments whilst in Paris so…”

“It's fine,” she blurted, pressing her cold fingers to her cheeks in an attempt to cool them. “I just wasn't expecting someone as hot as you to do that. I'm sorry he made you kiss me, I'm sure you have better options-”

“Tt, I have no complaints about his choice,” Damian said with a smirk. Crumbs, if he kept smirking at her she was going to lose her sleep deprived mind and give him a real kiss. Actually, that didn't seem like an awful idea…Damian was flirting with her, right? She couldn't be reading it wrong, because his brother was making kissy faces and ‘ooh’ing.

“Well, in the interest of avoiding any potential fights, you should probably do the tradition properly,” she said. Before she could overthink it and talk herself out of it, she grabbed his scarf and pulled him down for a kiss. It was soft and sweet, a brief touch of lips and nothing more, but she still blushes brightly before letting go and stuttering a goodbye.

_ _ _

By the time she found her friends again, they were standing around a pretty display, lights spelling Happy Holidays with a star of David, Christmas tree, and seven candles depicted. People were mostly paired up in their couples, Nino with an arm around Alya's shoulders, Rose and Juleka holding hands, Myléne sitting in Ivan's lap on a nearby bench…and Cerise was hugging Adrien, him smiling down at her. 

Marinette shoved the ache away immediately, skating over to Alix, Max and Nathaniel. They greeted her enthusiastically and she let them take her mind off of boys for a few minutes. They were talking about the fireworks that were due to start any minute, arguing over whether there would be any more Akumas before Christmas day.

When the fireworks began, Marinette ruthlessly cut off any thoughts about missing watching them with Adrien. It didn't matter that last year she had had someone to hold her close - things had gotten so much harder in the past year, Farfalla had been ruthless and being the guardian had meant that she had to put aside a lot of her own projects and hopes.

When the display ended she deliberately avoided looking towards Adrien, turning blindly towards the exit. It had been nice to flirt with Damian, it had made her feel wanted. But it wasn't as if she would ever see him again, so she tried not to let herself fantasize too much.

_ _ _

Whilst they'd been skating it had started snowing. Marinette walked along the street, rubbing her hands together and wishing she had brought along her mittens. She walked past people having snowball fights, giggling as they walked by, and even one couple who were just finishing a pair of snow angels. 

She was halfway home when she crashed into someone again. Apologising profusely, she glanced up at them only to freeze again. Looking down at her was Damian, his scowl melting away as he realised it was her.

“I would say we should stop running into each other like this, but I cannot say that I mind it,” he said, brushing some hair out of her face. “I'm glad I encountered you again, I was worried you had vanished into thin air.”

“You wanted to see me again?” Her voice came out in a squeak, eyes wide. He chuckled and nodded, keeping his eyes on hers. Her heart melted a little and she leaned into his warmth. “I wanted to see you again too.”

“May I walk you to your destination?” He asked, offering his arm for her to take. She did, without hesitation, and felt his heat immediately leech into her frozen fingertips. “I also wished to thank you for silencing my brothers. It is not common for them to be rendered speechless, and it was sufficient to silence them for the duration of the fireworks.”

“Hey, anytime you want someone to kiss you, I'll happily be your girl,” she joked, flushing when he raised an eyebrow at her. “I mean, obviously you don't have to- I just meant that I enjoyed- I really need to work on keeping my mouth shut.”

“I don't know, I rather like you when you are flustered,” he said slyly, pressing a kiss to the tips of her fingers. 

“That's a pretty easy win, I am very easily flustered,” she grumbled, though a smile worked its way over her face when a laugh rumbled out of him. They were quickly approaching the bakery now, and Marinette was trying to think of ways to prolong their walk. 

“I don't suppose you would be willing to give me your number,” he said as she slowed to a stop outside the bakery. Beaming, she stuttered out her contact details and he input them to his own phone swiftly. “I must go back to my family now, but I hope I will see you again soon.”

Joy bubbled up in her chest as she waved goodbye which only intensified when her phone buzzed a few moments later with a message from an unknown number.

_ _ _

It was much later at night that Marinette slipped out of her room and into the silent night. She made a straight line to the Eiffel Tower, hoping nobody would spot her. She didn't need to be stopped for a conversation when she needed to meet with the Bats. 

She arrived after them and waved as she landed next to Robin. This was supposed to be a chance for her to meet the rest of the team of vigilantes and find out how they could work together to stop Farfalla. There appeared to be light hearted bickering between the tallest vigilante who was wearing a red helmet and Robin.

“Come on, it's just a bit of holiday fun,” Red Hood said, brandishing a piece of mistletoe. He held it over Robin's head, angling it towards Marinette and she froze. What were the chances that she would be caught under mistletoe twice in one day?

“It is not just a bit of holiday fun,” Robin hissed, scowling at him with blood darkening his cheeks. “It was amusing the first time, don't test your luck.”

“I'm going to have to ask you both to stop arguing or leave Paris,” Marinette said bluntly. “The night is a common time for Farfalla to strike and I don't want to have to fight one of you.”

“Man, I thought kissing the cute girl earlier would've loosened you up,” Hood said grumpily. “I know she ran off but that wasn't my fault.”

“Tt, I have already secured a connection with her,” Robin said tightly, glaring at Red Hood. “I ran into her whilst walking and procured her contact details before returning, only to be subjected to that monstrosity of a drink you call eggnog.”

Marinette froze, analysing the group in front of her. Robin, standing next to her, had the same dark hair and skin as Damian. Red Hood was the same height as Todd and was brandishing mistletoe. Nightwing was wearing a cheery expression, a brightness that reminded her of Damian’s brother, Dick.

“Oh no,” she whispered, cupping a hand over her mouth. She was too tired for this. She was supposed to be figuring out Farfalla’s secret identity, not the Batfamily’s. “Please tell me you aren't talking about an encounter with a girl called Marinette.”

Silence spread over the rooftop and she groaned, squatting down and gripping her hair tightly with both hands. Apparently the chances of running into a man brandishing mistletoe twice in one day greatly increased when they were the same man.

“Do you not know the importance of not sharing personal information?” She hissed, glaring up at Red Hood. She couldn't see his face but she hoped that he was feeling contrite. “I have gone three years without finding out my partner's identity, nor revealing my own to him. And after not even ten minutes of your company this evening I have discovered yours, Robin's and Nightwing’s.

“Granted, there is magic at work concealing Chat's and my identities but I did not want to know who you were!” She stood and muttered to herself, trying to think of ways they could work around this. 

“I take it you know Marinette,” Nightwing said weakly, glancing at Robin apologetically.

“Well enough to recognise your story,” she conceded. She pointed a finger at Red Hood and glared again. “You are most definitely on my naughty list, Monsieur. You shall be lucky if I don't smack you around your stupid, atrocious helmet.”

“We're sorry,” Red Hood said at last, glancing towards Robin when he snorted. “Fine, I'm sorry. Clearly I got careless and I'm sorry I blew our cover.”

“It is what it is,” she said heavily, devastated by the realisation that she wouldn't be able to go on a date with Damian now. Not only would she potentially blow her cover but it would never work if he had to go back to Gotham. “I just have to ask that you leave Marinette alone. Text her to tell her you went home or something, but as she doesn't know too much about you yet there's a good chance of you not making things worse.”

“Wouldn't she just Google us?” Nightwing said curiously and Marinette nearly screamed. 

“It is difficult to search for someone with such a common first name and no surname,” she said through gritted teeth. “She likely assumed Robin was from Paris and she would have had the chance to pursue a relationship, but evidently that was wrong. If you are vague enough in your message she will likely accept it and move on.”

The rest of the meeting was awkward and Marinette left after giving them as much information as she could about Farfalla. It wasn't much but they gave her a few things to think about regarding Hawkmoth and any potential connection to Farfalla.

_ _ _

On Christmas morning, Marinette bounded down from her room to sit with her parents for a quick breakfast followed by present opening. She waited excitedly for her parents to open their gifts, pleased at the excited shouts her Papa made when he opened the new apron she had made him and the pleased cooing her Maman made when she opened the new cheongsam she had made her.

Marinette gave her own squeal when she opened a parcel filled with various fabrics and threads. She adored how well her parents knew her and her creative pursuits. She had a few other gifts from friends, her Nonna and Grandpa Rolland, which left her feeling incredibly loved.

The day passed in relative peace, not even an akuma appearing. The threat was enough to keep Marinette on her toes but she was relieved when the day ended and she finally got a full night's sleep.

Boxing day she awoke early and joined her parents in setting up shop for the post Christmas and Hanukkah rush. She was in charge of decorating the dreidel and menorah sugar cookies, alongside ones that looked like bursting fireworks. 

When the bakery opened she was rushed off her feet, bagging baked goods and wishing everyone happy holidays. She hardly took a breather until after the lunch crowd dispersed and there were only a handful of items still ready. She knew her Papa was already baking fresh for the afternoon rush so she took some time to straighten the front area.

She didn't fully look up when the bell above the door dinged, signalling a new customer, but called out cheerfully that she would be with them momentarily. She turned to greet whoever it was properly and felt her smile freeze on her face.

“Good afternoon,” Damian said, eyes sweeping her face. He paused when he was done, as though he could tell she was unsure. But that was ridiculous, they had only really spent twenty minutes together so she gave herself a mental shake.

“I'm surprised to see you here,” she admitted, trying to remind herself that she needed to cut the budding feelings she was growing at the root. “When you didn't message again I assumed you changed your mind.”

“I have been a little preoccupied with family matters,” he said hesitantly. “But I have been thinking of you a lot.”

“I heard you're only in Paris on holiday,” she ventured, hoping it would prompt him to end things, assuming that was why he was there. “I don't want to be a fling, Damian. I can't risk getting to know you if I'm just going to end up missing you.”

“It doesn't have to end just because I go home,” he offered in a quiet voice, stepping closer to her. She stayed where she was as he approached, heart trying to beat out of her chest. His hand had just brushed her bangs from her face when the door behind him opened again, letting in a cold gust of wind.

He glanced behind him and frowned when he couldn't see anyone. Only a raging snowstorm where there had been clear skies only minutes before. Marinette frowned as well, stepping forward to close the door again.

As she did so she found that snow was piling up too fast to be natural. She felt annoyance sweep over her. Couldn't Farfalla leave people alone? It was so much worse than Hawkmoth, whoever Farfalla was she made much more violent Akumas. 

“Papa, Maman, looks like another akuma,” she called through to the kitchen, forcing the door closed and locking it. She struggled to push it until Damian joined her, pressing the door shut with both palms flat against it. 

Marinette turned around to thank him and found herself still caged between his arms. His eyes looked as stormy as outside, she could clearly see a conflict in them. She swallowed, mouth dry and made to push him out of the way gently. But instead of making him move, her hands ended up resting on his chest. He moved closer, head dipping towards her-

“Marinette, are you alright?” Her Papa burst out of the kitchen, looking concerned until he saw the pair pulling hastily apart. Amusement pulled at the man's lips and he crossed his arms. “This must be Damian; it's a pleasure to meet you young man. Marinette said that you saw her safely home on Christmas Eve.”

“Papa,” she whined, blushing as she glanced up at Damian. “An akuma? Can you make sure the kitchen is sealed? I'm pretty sure the snow is getting everywhere.”

“Yes yes, the back door is already completely snowed in. You didn't leave your skylight open, did you?”

“You don't think it's that badly snowed over, do you?” She asked, suddenly alarmed. If the skylight was covered, she wouldn't be able to push Damian out of it before she transformed. “You know what, I'm going to go and check. Damian, are you okay-”

“-to go with Marinette,” her Papa said sternly, worry clear across his features. She hesitated but Damian was agreeing, taking hold of her hand and tugging her to action. 

Leading him upstairs, Marinette tried not to enjoy the way his hand felt in hers. She could feel the callouses he had earned from his sword practice and vigilantism and she tried not to think too hard about them. 

Arriving in her attic room, she cursed when no light came through her skylight or window. She pushed at uselessly at the skylight before throwing herself onto her bed. Kwamis hidden around the room gave her sympathetic looks but didn't make themselves known.

“We shall have to sit out the akuma here, I suppose,” Damian said, staring at his phone. “I don't have any signal, I assume the storm is disrupting service. I have every faith that the Parisian heroes will restore order as quickly as possible, so what would you like to do to pass our time?”

“I wouldn't bet on things going quickly,” she muttered, having a quick internal debate over her choices. Absurdly quickly she became churlish. “I can't believe this, I would not be in this position if you had just done what you were told.”

“I'm not sure I understand,” Damian said, appearing at the end of her bed with a frown. She sighed and sat up to glare accusingly at him.

“Yes, you do. You were supposed to send me a nice message telling me that you had to go home suddenly. I was going to be very upset and heartbroken that you weren't from Paris and then try to forget you whilst knowing you were still around. Instead you showed up and got trapped in here with me which means I have to tell you that I'm Ladybug which is what I was trying to avoid!”

“...you are Ladybug?” He said after a moment, assumedly to process the verbal barrage she shot at him. She groaned and nodded, jumping slightly when the mattress dipped under his weight. He loomed over her, those beautiful green eyes pinning her in place. “I did not think you could be any more appealing, but it appears I was wrong.”

He leaned down to kiss her, pressing her into the bed with his weight. She allowed herself to enjoy it for several minutes, hands burying in his hair, before she broke away. His lips traveled along her jaw and she almost forgot what she was supposed to be doing. Almost because Tikki appeared above them, a tolerantly amused look on her face.

“I'm glad you two are having fun, but perhaps we can deal with the akuma?”

_ _ _

The fight with the akuma was relatively simple, a disgruntled employee who had blanketed the city in snow so they didn't have to deal with customers on Boxing day. Marinette cast her Miraculous Ladybug and the snow melted magically away. 

She turned to Robin, pausing before pulling him aside. The rest of the Bats looked curious but Marinette was determined to have the conversation without them.

“Listen, we have to get back so my parents don't realise we got out,” she said, her voice low. He nodded, following her away from the group. In order to allow him to change before they headed back - there was no way she was going to try and explain that to her parents - she used the horse Miraculous again to get to his hotel room.

They landed back in her room, the Miraculous energy washing out of her as she detransformed, and she collapsed onto the bed again. Damian pressed a hand to her leg, a steady reassuring pressure. 

“If we're going to try this, we're going to have to tell your family, aren't we,” she stated, not really a question but directed at him nonetheless.

“It would make it easier,” he admitted, leaning back against the wall. “But if you wish to keep it a secret, I will respect that.”

“Or we could just…go our separate ways,” she said, trying to ignore the way her gut clenched at the thought. Damian froze, face tight with some kind of strong emotion and Marinette wanted to touch him so badly she couldn't help brushing a hand against his cheek.

“That is not an appealing option for me,” he said after several seconds, leaning towards her hand. He looked down at her and she bit her lip, wanting to resume what they had been doing before but nervous about taking that step.

He took the decision out of her hands, smoothing her lip out from between her teeth with his thumb before pressing his own to them.

_ _ _

1 Year Later

Marinette twirled the skirt of her dress, gazing at the mirror she had placed next to the fireplace in Damian's room. He watched her from the bed, a smile crinkling the corner of his eyes. She looked over her shoulder at him, smiling broadly. 

She couldn't believe how much things had changed in only a year. Farfalla had been defeated, Damian had convinced her to both join the Justice League and apply for university in Gotham (which she'd gotten into and was currently attending) and now she was getting ready to attend the Waynes’ New Year Gala.

“You look wonderful as always, Mari,” Damian said with a crooked smile. “And you will fit seamlessly into the aesthetics for the evening.”

“You always know what I'm worried about,” she said, chagrined. Moving carefully, so as not to wrinkle her skirt, she climbed up next to him on the bed and kissed him gently. He pressed back against her, fingers threading into her carefully constructed bun.

She decided she didn't mind showing up to the gala late if it meant more time spent alone with Damian.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Holiday Bingo

Happy Holidays to you, Maribat Fandom! This year, in honor of all the various winter holidays that people and the characters we write about may celebrate, we gift you all with a Holiday Bingo Card! Use the words, phrases, and images as prompts for different creations and see if you can get a few BINGOs before December ends! Prizes include bragging rights and a special holiday role for server members.

And don't forget about our free space, because let's be honest, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, somebody is getting akumatized over it this year (Our money is on the retail employee trying to pacify Christmas Karen while Santa Baby plays for the 37th time this shift).

Any works published on Ao3 can be added to our Maribat Holiday Bingo (Maribat_Holiday_Bingo) collection, and those on tumblr will be reblogged if they're tagged with #Maribat Holiday Bingo 2024, just make sure that all content is rated and tagged properly, and any nsfw content is under a cut.

Transcribed list of prompts below the cut:

Light Display Mittens Hot Cocoa Snow Angel Magic Joy Snowed In Eggnog Menorah Fairy Lights Body Heat Snowman Baked Goods Wayne Gala Gift Giving Mistletoe Ice Skating Annoying Songs Kitchen Mishaps New Year's Eve Frozen Fire Place Naughty List Dredal Christmas Akuma (Free Space)

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix Match Monster Mash day 7, I'm Hunting Cryptids & Bad Luck

The night was starting delightfully quietly. Marinette had been preparing for Samhain all week and everything was culminating in the festivities of that evening. Her cat, Plagg wound around her legs as she pulled her pumpkin bread out of the oven and she stepped deftly around him.

Plagg meowed, but she ignored him in favour of slicing the still warm bread. She picked at a piece absently before preparing Plagg’s dinner. Then she grabbed the pumpkin seeds she had harvested and dropped the smallest of them into Tikki’s feed tray. Many of the larger seeds would be planted ready for next year, but she would also toast some as snacks for herself.

As the afternoon light dwindled, she stepped outside into the early evening air. Breathing deeply, she felt the tingle of energy sweep through her. It was slightly darker than her usual energy, but she welcomed it all the same, sending silent thanks for her many blessings this past year. 

Marinette smiled as she set about organising her personal bonfire and stripping the surrounding area of grass. It was tedious work, but she had no desire to end her evening as she had the previous year when visiting her fellow Wiccan, Nino, who had only just managed not to completely destroy his home.

She was throwing the dead grass onto the top of the bonfire when she sensed a presence behind her. Her movements stilled momentarily before she moved to step into her home. She was at the bottom of the steps leading to her porch when a shadow in the darkness moved.

Instinctively, she swept a foot out, summoning Plagg to pounce onto the intruder. The usually lethargic and docile cat morphed as he jumped, becoming an otherworldly feral beast, with glowing green eyes. Whoever had been sneaking around her home didn't stand a chance and she stood over them with a band on her hip.

Her breath caught when the person glared up at her with eyes greener than anything she had seen outside of Plagg. Thry had a sword pointing at Plagg's snarling face but Marinette wasn't concerned; Plagg could turn incorporeal when it suited him. 

“Call off your minion,” the boy - because it was clearly a boy about her age, on the cusp of adulthood and likely out to prove himself - clipped at her haughtily. When she merely raised her eyebrows at him, he practically growled. “Tt, I do not wish to harm the creature, but if it does not remove itself from my person, I will have no choice but to defend myself.”

“You sound pretty confident for someone lying on their back in a witch’s front yard,” Marinette replied sweetly, her eyes glittering with the dark power flooding her veins. It was fairly tempered by the last of her summer magic, but Samhain was always a time of mischief. She felt the exhilarating rush that goaded her into bantering with the boy. “Besides which, he does not enjoy being called a minion.”

“Your familiar, then,” the boy ground out. Breathing in and out slowly, she allowed herself to check his aura. She saw plenty of violence on him, but none directed at her, or even at Plagg. Sighing through her nose, she gestured for Plagg to get off of him. He did, shrinking to his usual cat form before he trotted into the house. “Thank you.”

“I wouldn't thank me yet,” she said, watching as he stood fluidly. He was taller than she had expected, his spiked hair making him look even taller. “Care to tell me what you're doing on my property?”

“I am searching for the Witch of Slaughter Swamp. My associates informed me that her house is at these coordinates, but if this is your property, they must have made a mistake.”

“I see.” Marinette was silent for a beat, weighing up the likelihood of the boy trying to kill her if she revealed that she was, in fact, said witch. “What, do you need a love potion or something?”

“Tt, I have no need for a love potion,” the boy said, raising an eyebrow at her. “I am hunting for the Abominable Swamp Slob, and require her assistance. I understand that she is a powerful mage and has an affinity for creatures of all kinds.”

“What would you want with an Abominable Swamp Slob?” Marinette asked, bewildered. She had heard of them, of course, but they were seldom believed to attack without cause and were often thought to be linked with aliens.

“I have an interest in all creatures. I am something of a zoologist and would like to prove its existence so that I may declare its habitat as a protected space,” he explained, something akin to passion making his words resonate within her.

“Okay,” she said simply, turning to pick up her wand and broom. “Plagg, Tikki, guard the house whilst I'm gone. And if the others show up, let them start the festivities.”

“I do not understand, are you taking me to see the witch?” The boy eyed her curiously, head cocking to the side ever so slightly. Marinette gave a short laugh and started walking. “I will be fine with directions, I would not want to take a child into harm's way.”

“Okay, first of all, I'm nearly eighteen,” she said, whirling towards him with a glower. She let the energy flood through her, her eyes glowing and sparks dancing at her fingertips. He stepped back in surprise, hand dropping to the hilt of his sword. “Secondly, you asked for my help and I am graciously agreeing to assist you.”

“You are the Witch of Slaughter Swamp?” The boy said incredulously. His hand dropped away from the sword but he looked suspicious. “Forgive me for saying so, but the witch is well known for her magical prowess and was recommended by several individuals. Not one has mentioned your youthfulness.”

“That would be because I don't tend to deal with people unless I trust them to keep my secrets,” Marinette said with a sniff. “Can you imagine the problems I would encounter if people knew I was not yet of age? They would either condescend to me or think that they could destroy me. I would rather not have any fool’s blood on my hands because I had to defend myself.”

“...very well, I apologise if I have offended you at all. I was not anticipating dealing with someone so…” he trailed off, eyes glinting as he gave her a once over. She felt herself flush and raised her eyebrows at him, daring him to continue that thought. “Regardless, I appreciate your acquiescence in this matter. It is important that I get the evidence as soon as possible so that I may protect the creature.”

“Right, okay then,” she replied, willing her blush to fade. She motioned for him to follow her before stepping out of her front yard and towards the swamp. She could sense him stalking after her, though she couldn't hear him. “So, tell me what you know about this swamp creature.”

“You have not heard of it? I have been informed that it lives here, are you sure you are the witch?” The boy sounded sceptical and it made her raise her hackles.

“Listen boy, I work with the creatures who introduce themselves, I don't just wander around looking for them! And of course I've heard of it, I asked what you knew about it. Because I wasn't aware there was one living here given that I've never run into one.”

“Tt, call me Robin,” the boy said, clearly giving her an alias. “I know that they are linked with extraterrestrial life, but the aliens I have spoken with have had little to add to the matter. But I believe them to be endangered and require our protection.”

“Okay, fine then, ‘Robin’,” she said, making it clear that she did not for one second believe that it was his real name. “I have noticed a larger than usual life form in the swamp, occasionally visited by someone. The thing living in the swamp is generally solitary, and seems to protect the plant life with extreme prejudice. We'll make our way over to it and hope that it is the creature you are looking for.”

The walk was fairly pleasant all in all, but Marinette watched the stars as often as she could so that she could tell the passage of time. It was several hours later that she finally sensed the swamp creature nearby on their left. She stepped close to Robin, pressing her fingers to his lips to indicate that he should remain quiet.

His fingers grasped hers, a light increase in pressure indicating that he knew to be silent. Muttering under her breath, Marinette cast a protective charm on them both, letting the comfort of her familiar, Wayzz, wash over them. A hexagon patterned orb flashed into being before going transparent, and she grabbed Robin's hand to lead him forward.

“Who intrudes on my swamp?” Came a low and smooth voice, and Marinette was instantly alert. In all her research and everything that she had heard, Abominable Swamp Slobs didn't speak. She was grateful that she had prepared a protective spell but didn't intend to hide. Whatever this creature was, it did not hold claim to the entire swamp, and she meant to make it clear.

“I, Marinette, the Witch of Slaughter Swamp, am in search of a creature in this swamp,” Marinette said clearly and confidently. “My companion and I are searching for a creature called the Abominable Swamp Slob. He believes it was sighted here and wishes to help protect the creature.”

“I know of no such creature,” the swamp thing said, sounding annoyed. “Who is your companion?”

“I am-”

“-none of your concern,” Marinette cut in with a warning glance at Robin. She didn't know what powers this creature held, but it was always better to be cautious. “I have introduced myself and our intentions. My companion is under my protection and is not your concern.”

“You think to challenge me?” The creature rose out of the swamp and Marinette braced herself to defend them. She stepped out of the protective orb, eyes glowing brighter than ever and felt herself rise off of the floor. Levitation was a simple enough spell and she wanted height before she dealt with whatever this was.

“It is not a challenge as you are not the owner of these lands. I have lived here since I was a child and am in tune with the various life forms within these waters. I have made pacts with Tikki and Plagg, I carry the mark of the guardians and I will not be threatened in my home. If you wish to be the ruler of these lands, then it is you who challenges me.”

The creature faltered and Marinette stared at him until he acquiesced. After several tense moments, she lowered herself to the floor and stepped back into the protective shell. She could feel Robin's eyes on her but refused to look away from the Swamp Thing.

“Alexander? Is everything alright?” Marinette whirled toward the new voice before relaxing and giving a bright greeting. “Sapling, what on earth are you doing here this late on Samhain? And in the company of Damian Wayne no less.”

“Ivy, lovely to see you! Ro- Damian and I were just having a little look for a creature rumoured to be in these parts. I don't suppose you've heard tell of an Abominable Swamp Slob in the area?”

“...Jason gave you that tip, didn't he?” Ivy said, sounding both resigned and amused. When Damian didn't answer but instead glared off into the darkness, Marinette got the feeling that they had been sent on a wild goose chase. “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but those have only been sighted in Illinois. Whatever you did recently to annoy Jason, I'll bet it was a doozy.”

“Tt, he is a man-child and my retaliation shall be swift and unforgiving,” Damian grumbled, turning apologetically towards Marinette. “I am sorry for wasting your time tonight, I shall escort you back to your home and be on my way.”

Ivy pulled Damian aside for a moment to speak privately and then he returned and gestured for Marinette to lead them. The walk back to Marinette's home was filled with an awkward silence, as opposed to the expectant and anticipatory silence they had shared prior to meeting the Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy.

“Thank you for your assistance, Marinette,” he said stiffly as they stood outside her property. She could hear that the festivities were mostly over, the fire low and hushed voices of her friends giving a pleasant white noise. “I apologise for my brother's prank, I will be more diligent in future to ensure the accuracy of his information.”

“Oh, it's okay,” she said, fingering her wand. She likely wouldn't tell him, but she had rather enjoyed the adventure, fruitless though it was. She was lost in thought, wondering whether she should invite him to join the last of the celebrations when his hand tilted her chin up and his mouth met hers.

Electricity jolted along her veins and she barely had time to kiss him back before he was pulling back. She stared up at him as his ears were tinted red, but he made no move to put distance between them.

“Wh-what was that for?” She whispered, already swaying back towards him. 

“I…Ivy said that I should present you with a Samhain’s kiss as an apology. She said that you would have bad luck if you did not receive one tonight,” Damian said, sounding uncertain but not uncomfortable. When she couldn't find her voice, his uncertainty seemed to make him anxious. “I assumed it was part of your Samhain rituals that you must have missed due to our misinformed adventure, but if-”

“Samhain's kiss is a flower,” Marinette squeaked, eyes wide. “We use it as a ward against evil spirits, but I don't know if Ivy knows the significance for we Wiccans.”

Damian froze, his ears and neck flaming. He cursed in a language she didn't recognise and attempted to step away from her. She let her hands slip down his arms but held tightly to his wrists, worried that he would run away before they could talk.

“I- I apologise for my forwardness, Marinette. It should have occurred to me that Ivy would be speaking of a plant and I have overstepped,” he said, looking anywhere but at her. 

“I didn't mind,” Marinette said softly, focused purely on the boy in front of her. He looked back down at her and she thought she could get lost in his eyes. She hesitated for only a second more before pulling him back down for a second kiss.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix Match Monster Mash day 6, I'll Kill You Either Way & Shadow

Marinette was part of a group of older magic users. She had been working with the Justice League Dark on and off for the past couple of years, ever since she had turned nineteen. She was by far the youngest member, but that didn't mean she was the weakest. 

In fact, she was well known as one of the powerhouses of the magical world, all because she was the conduit of Creation. She had had quite a difficult time juggling the various duties that came with being a recognised and respected magic wielder alongside her separate and growing reputation as a fashion designer. 

“Hey LB, we got a request from the bat crew to take a look at a problem they're having,” Zatanna said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “Are you free?”

“Yeah, just give me…one…minute…okay, yes, I'm done,” Marinette said, closing the book she was reading with a flourish and turning to face the older magic user. “Who's having a problem with what now?”

“Apparently one of Batman’s crew is having a problem with Spectre, and they need one of us to help out,” she replied, talking too casually. Marinette was instantly wary and gave Zatanna a hard look. The woman gave her a wince in return and her shoulders slumped slightly. “Look, they need one of us and you're the newest and one of our most effective magic wielders.”

“So I'm getting to deal with the bats - who hate magic wielders - because I don't have a history with them?” She tugged anxiously on a pigtail, worrying her lil between her teeth. “Why am I getting punished for being new?”

“No, I know, but honestly can you see Constantine trying to help them? Besides, the Bat in question is the youngest and we thought you'd relate better with him, given your own age.”

“...this is about Stabby? And you said Spectre, isn't he in the business of universal balance?” Marinette was beyond curious now, and confused when Zatanna nodded. “Okay, so you want me to go against someone who has the balance of the universe as his guide for the most violent Robin we've ever had because…?”

“Because he's not a bad person. When he was a kid, he lived with bad people that taught and trained him to do bad things, but he's grown since then,” Zatanna said, sounding passionate and earnest. Marinette could feel her resistance crumbling and sighed before relenting. 

“Okay, fine, but they start getting fussy about the whole magic thing and I'm lodging a complaint,” she said sternly. “When are the bats expecting me to meet with them?”

“Er, as soon as possible? They've sequestered Señor Stabby on the Watchtower, so as soon as you're ready we'll head on up.”

_ _ _

Marinette could count on one hand the number of times she had been on the Watchtower before now and none of them had been happy times. Every time, it had been one of the innumerable bats who had made her regret attending, blatantly annoyed that they didn't have her identity. 

So she was disgruntled to be back, and to help them no less. The only reason she hadn't outright refused was because the latest Robin had been semi-respectful of her wishes and always admonished the others when possible. Well, not Batman, but anyone else? He would shut down the invasive questions if he was in earshot.

Really, if it hadn't been for his harsh demeanour she would have wanted to befriend the young man. But he had been blunt and dismissive of her as a hero, even as he respected her privacy. Whenever he had accidentally complimented her - and it was obviously never done on purpose - he followed it up with a cutting remark about her shortcomings.

Stepping into the meeting room after Zatanna, Marinette gave a weak smile that probably came across as a grimace. She was still short enough that people didn't automatically notice her when she walked in behind someone else, in spite of the spandex suit. But the moment the big bad Bat himself noticed her he started objecting.

“Zatanna, what is Ladybug doing here? I thought you were aware of how grave a situation this was,” he said in his growling voice. Marinette coughed to cover up the snort that escaped her at his almost pun. It didn't go unnoticed. “She isn't even taking this seriously!”

“Oh come on, you cannot say things like ‘grave’ when we are discussing the Spectre and not expect someone to find the humour,” she insisted, feeling justified when the blue one, Nightwing, gave a stressed giggle. “See? But if you do not wish for my assistance, I understand and will be on my way.”

“Tt, that is not necessary,” Robin said, glaring at Batman in warning. “I apologise on behalf of my father, he is concerned for my well-being and it makes him unnecessarily combative.”

“...father?” Marinette was stunned and trying to maintain some semblance of calm as Batman gave Robin an exasperated look. Putting a pin in that, Marinette tried to regain a professional air. “Okay, whatever, I don't even want to try and unpack all of that. If you want my assistance I'm more than willing under the condition that nobody attempts to uncover my identity as a result of said help.”

“You would put your conditions ahead of the safety of another vigilante?” Red Robin said, clearly thinking it was a smart observation. Marinette merely raised an eyebrow which was, sadly, hidden behind her mask.

“You would put your curiosity ahead of the safety of your teammate?” she shot back, cocking a hand onto her hip and waiting as the young man flushed. “Yes, I am putting my safety first because believe it or not, I value my life, not to mention valuing the safety of the magic within my purview. If you want my help, you will follow my rules or face consequences.”

A short silence followed her statement but the bats eventually agreed. She listened carefully as they outlined the problem they were facing and Marinette grew more concerned the longer they spoke. She had heard of Spectre and knew that he was relatively single minded in his quest for justice.

Finally, they all agreed that Marinette and Robin would be holing up in a flat in Gotham until the threat was neutralised. While the idea of living with the youngest of the Gotham vigilantes filled her with anxiety, she was determined to help. Besides, she knew Zatanna had a couple of tricks up her sleeve that could help protect her identity.

_ _ _

“Thank you, for agreeing to help me,” Robin said as they set up the kitchen. Marinette made a non-committal grunt as she stowed different ingredients in their cupboards and refrigerator. They had portalled in as Pegabug and Robin from the WatchTower, and Marinette was making trips back and forth from her home in Paris.

When she was finally done, she turned to face Robin to lay some ground rules. So she was more than a little surprised when she faced him and he was missing his mask. She flushed as she got caught in the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.

“I thought it would be expedient to get this over with,” he said after an awkward silence. 

“Right, of course,” she said, tearing her gaze away. Calling for her detransformation, she felt the wash of magic as it rolled away from her. She held out a hand to him and tried to will calm into her voice. “You can call me Bridgette, if you want.”

Damian relaxed slightly as he took in the young woman before him. She was short, with mousy brown hair and hazel eyes. She looked to be of Indian descent and was looking at him nervously. He felt an absurd amount of relief that she was not as appealing to him now that she did not have gorgeous wide blue eyes, and black hair that gleamed blue in certain lights. He was unsure how he would have handled the close quarters with Ladybug if she had been as attractive as a civilian.

“You may call me Damian,” he answered. “I assume we will be able to stay relatively separate during our stay here, but in case it is relevant, I am a vegetarian.”

“Oh, cool, that's good to know,” Bridgette said, her voice a lot lower than it was as Ladybug.

Over the next couple of days, Damian and Bridgette settled into a comfortable routine. Bridgette would go out in her civilian form to get food and other household necessities, and Damian remained inside at all hours of the day. Whenever she was gone, he found himself more on edge, suspicious of every dark corner and empty room.

It was very domestic, and frustrating for Damian, but he had to admit that he didn't dislike her company. All of the qualities that he admired in Ladybug shone through, and he found that he gravitated towards her. She would ask him questions about why Spectre was after him, and make plans to help capture their adversary so that she could keep him safe.

On the third day of containment, Bridgette mentioned that they should probably make a plan for if Spectre found them in their temporary abode. As she discussed an evacuation plan which involved him using Kaalki - a miniature horse that powered the Miraculous of teleportation - a small red bug-thing floated in Bridgette's face.

“Guardian, is it really wise of you to share so much information with him?” The tiny thing squeaked, and Damian had to work very hard not to jump. Bridgette gave the creature assurances, although Damian wasn't sure what he had done to earn her trust.

At their shared meal that evening Bridgette mentioned that she would need to leave the following afternoon, and gave him a phone number to contact her on if something happened whilst she was away. 

_ _ _

On the day after her trip back to Paris for a fashion show, Marinette felt like she was drained both physically and mentally. The amulet that changed her appearance and voice used her own powers to fuel it. She needed to end the threat of Spectre before it went too far and she ended up a liability instead of a help.

“What do you think to showing up somewhere you're supposed to be as a civilian to draw him out,” Marinette asked while they were watching television. She tried to force down a blush when he turned and looked at her, cursing his attractiveness. “Because I don't know about you, but I have real life things to be doing. And as lovely as this has been, it's not really sustainable long term.”

“This has been enjoyable for you as well?” Damian asked, head tilting slightly. He had a pleased look on his face and she bit her lip to stop herself from agreeing too fervently. “I can see the point of it, we would just need to be cautious of any civilians becoming involved.”

They quickly discussed all of the places Damian was supposed to be in the next couple of days and settled on his work at an animal shelter as being least likely to have collateral damage. That meant they had twenty-six hours to make the plan as foolproof as possible, and Marinette was determined to get this right.

_ _ _

Watching Damian interact with the animals at the shelter was the last straw. Marinette could handle his polite manner. She could handle the respectful way he managed their close quarters. She could just about handle the admiration she could hear in his voice when they were discussing strategies.

But this green-eyed, tall, muscled man, who happened to be her age, talking softly to a blind dog so he didn't spook it? Letting it sniff his hand and lean into it so he could pet it? The way he calmed down animals before giving them necessary medications and comforting them afterwards? It was too much and she had to admit - to herself, no-one else - that he was perfect.

She felt guilt gnawing at her insides for deceiving him with Zatanna’s amulet, but she sure as hell hadn't wanted to give him her identity up front. But now…if the mess with Spectre got straightened out, she could see herself pursuing something more with this man.

About two hours into the night shift that Damian was taking, Spectre appeared. Marinette felt when the man entered the shelter and called for her transformation. She shoved Kaalki at Damian and made him transform as well. 

“You cannot hide him from me,” came a deep voice, and Marinette swung around to keep herself between the two. “Damian Al Ghul-Wayne’s crimes are numerous and I will kill him either way. He must pay for the crimes he has committed in his youth.”

“You're not touching him while I'm here,” she snarled back at him, swinging her yoyo in a wide arc. “Damian may have committed crimes in his youth, but he is not that person anymore. And it is my understanding that he was led astray by others during that time. We cannot punish the man for a child's mistakes when they were forced upon him by his guardians.”

“He is a murderer,” Spectre rumbled, his hood obscuring his eyes as Marinette stared at him. “He is an assassin and ended the lives of many with no remorse.”

“He is remorseful,” Marinette declared. “Damian Al Ghul-Wayne is a changed man, I swear it upon my own honour as Ladybug, superheroine of Paris and Guardian of the Miraculous.”

“You would forfeit your own soul alongside his, should he fail?” The sentence cut through her but she refused to waver. When she nodded, Spectre paused before withdrawing slightly. “Very well. I shall be monitoring you, Damian Al Ghul-Wayne, and if you should return to your previous nature, both yours and Ladybug's lives are forfeit.”

_ _ _

“Well that was a little anticlimactic,” Marinette said once they were safely back in their shared apartment the next morning. “I thought there would be a fight, or something. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we don't have to take on someone so powerful, but it almost feels like it was too easy.”

“You think it a light measure that you have bound your fate to mine?” Damian asked, eyebrows raised. 

“Well it's not like you're going to go out and turn to a life of crime now, is it?” She retorted, rolling her eyes. They were sitting together on the sofa they had shared for the past week. “Just keep doing your thing and we'll be fine.”

He paused before leaning towards her and speaking in a low voice. “Perhaps we should…continue to spend time together. So that you can be sure that I do not cross any lines.”

Heat tingled up her spine as she also leaned forward, their breath mingling. She wasn't sure who closed the distance but their lips met in a soft kiss. It was gentle and warm, not dispassionate but nor was it a searing kiss.

When they pulled apart, her eyes fluttered open again, almost immediately getting caught by his green ones. He moved in once more but she pressed her forefinger to his lips to make him pause.

“Before we go any further, I have to-”

“Ladybug, wait!” Marinette jumped as Tikki streaked into the room, looking at her Kwami bewilderedly. Damian looked annoyed but not angry. “You should leave your amulet in place, guardian, he has been tricking you.”

“What do you mean-”

There was a banging on the door and Marinette looked at it, confused. Hardly anyone knew who lived in this apartment, and nobody from Marinette's life. Damian tensed further when they heard a familiar growling voice demand to be let in.

“Hello, Batman, to what do I owe this…pleasure?” Marinette asked, anxiety and worry building in her gut. The feeling strengthened when he didn't seem surprised by her appearance.

“They were spying on you, Ladybug,” Tikki said immediately, holding out a tiny electronic device. Marinette took it, a cold spreading through her as she turned it in her hands. “That device was embedded in the door. I apologise that I did not find it sooner, Guardian.”

“We put in safety measures to ensure that our teammate would remain unharmed,” Batman growled at Tikki. Marinette felt her hackles raise immediately, and she pinned Damian with a glare. “But since we are on the subject, what are you hiding that you needed to use magic to disguise your identity? There is nobody of your description ever having lived in Paris.”

“You thought I would take no precautions because you told me you wouldn't pry?” Marinette asked derisively as she strode towards the door, heart aching. She had thought that Damian had been sincere, that he was a good person. She had put her own soul in jeopardy to vouch for him and she squashed the bitter thought that she shouldn't have. “I hope that your curiosity was worth it, messieurs, do not ask me for favours in future.”

Damian watched Ladybug stalk out of the building and wanted to follow, to explain that he had had no part in this treachery. She stopped in the doorway to deliver her parting line and she looked directly at him. His breath caught at the utter betrayal in her eyes.

And then she was gone, the door closing heartbreakingly softly behind her. The apartment they had been sharing for the past week - had it only been a week? - instantly seemed duller without her. He finally turned to look at his family, all of whom were in some degree of panic.

“-walked out on this assignment, we should revoke her Justice League membership,” Tim was arguing. “And we'll need to have someone come and take over, move him to a more secure location-”

“We will deal with that momentarily, she knows our identities, she's a risk,” Bruce was saying, evidently frustrated with how this had played out. “We will all have to be in more secure locations in case she decides to share that information-”

“I am not at risk,” Damian said quietly. “Bri- Ladybug has already secured my safety and Spectre has been dealt with. You have destroyed any possibility of having her as an ally and you risked my own life to do it.”

“She would never have walked out on a job half-finished,” Dick said immediately. The others nodded in agreement, but Damian snarled at them.

“If that is the case then you had no reason to worry about finding her identity,” he hissed, anger getting the better of him. “Either she is trustworthy enough to have been allowed her privacy, or she is a dangerous anomaly and you risked my life to try and get information about her. You cannot have it both ways.”

Unable to bear the guilty looks of his family, nor the empty feeling that hollowed his gut, Damian stalked out of the apartment as well.

_ _ _

The past two months had been tense. And brutal. And Damian wasn't sure how he was supposed to return to his normal life after everything that had happened with and because of Ladybug. The relationship with his family was strained, although they were slowly building trust back.

A few days after everything had happened, Zatanna had stormed the Watchtower to speak with Batman. She had sworn and raged, ripping into the Justice League founder as she detailed exactly how badly they had messed up. His father had tried to defend his actions but Zatanna had coldly informed them that there was no need to find her identity any longer because Ladybug had resigned from the Justice League Dark.

“Two entire years of working with her, gaining her trust and getting her to agree that working with us was in the world's best interests, and you absolute boneheads screw us over in a week!” She screamed. “So thank you for that! You are damned lucky she resolved your issue with Spectre before she left, because I'm not sure I would bother!”

Looking back on the interaction hurt as he got ready for the annual Halloween gala. He had promised to attend on the premise that he would not need to attend another until Christmas, but he was regretting it today. There was supposed to be a family friend in attendance which was why Bruce had insisted he be there, for their public image.

The gala started much as it always did - loud and filled with obnoxious people. He saw a lot of the usual crowd and gave brief greetings as he worked his way to his favourite corner. It wasn't unusual for the youngest Wayne not to mingle and he was ever more grateful for his outward persona.

He scanned the crowd once more and saw his family chatting with a loud purple haired man who was practically hanging off of Bruce's arm. He grit his teeth before deciding that greeting the ‘old school friend’ of Bruce's would be best done sooner rather than later.

As he approached, he saw a stunningly attractive young woman standing next to the purple haired man. She looked bored, with an underlying discomfort or sadness that resonated within him. He watched as she was introduced to each of his brothers and sisters, her head nodding every now and then.

“Ah, and here's my youngest!” Bruce said with forced cheer. “Miss Dupain-Cheng, this is my son, Damian. Damian, this is my friend Jagged Stone and his niece, Marinette.”

“Good evening,” Damian said, trying to keep his voice cordial. This woman had no idea that he was angry with his family and she didn't deserve to have his anger directed at her.

Strangely, the moment he spoke she froze. He could see the tenseness in her shoulders before she turned to look at him, and she seemed to pale as she looked at his face. She whispered a quiet hello but turned around just as abruptly. 

Damian was confused by the dismissal but decided to take advantage, giving a curt farewell to his family and informing them that he would be leaving soon to get an early night.

Bruce frowned after Damian, already turning to apologise to his guests. Marinette seemed shaken by his rudeness and he didn't want to mortally offend her. “He doesn't socialise well normally, but he is a little miffed with us currently,” he explained, making sure to look appropriately charming and dejected.

“Oh no, mate, what happened?” Jagged said, sounding concerned. Marinette looked curious but also wary - for what reason, Bruce couldn't tell.

“We had a difference in opinion during a recent stalker issue,” Bruce said smoothly. “We had to hire an unknown bodyguard and to keep him safe we kept an eye on them. He decided that meant we didn't trust him, but honestly we're mostly just glad that he's still around to be mad at us.”

“I'm sorry, I must excuse myself,” Marinette said suddenly, giving them all a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Bruce nodded but she moved away from them hastily. Jagged watched her go with a furrow in his brow and Bruce asked if everything was alright.

“Yeah, I'm fine, just worried about Nettie,” the rockstar said. “She's been in a funk for a while now and I was hoping that coming out tonight would help.”

“Marinette will be fine,” Jagged's partner, Penny, said as she joined them. She gave Jagged a kiss on the cheek before continuing. “I'm pretty sure she's nursing a broken heart, you know what rotten luck she has with boyfriends.”

“But that's just it, she hasn't had a boyfriend since that whole thing with Henry!” The pair began to bicker and Bruce began to zone out from it.

Meanwhile Marinette was walking quickly after Damian. She had recognised him instantly, just the sound of his voice making her heart pound and mouth dry. When he had stormed off, she had been relieved, at least until Bruce (Batman, she thought absently) had jovially commented that Damian hadn't actually been a part of the complete violation of her trust.

She caught sight again of his broad shoulders at the bar. She slid next to him cautiously, ordering her own drink. He didn't seem startled when she appeared but he did seem curious. She turned and smiled at him nervously, more a quirk of her lips than a true smile.

“I believed that I had made a poor first impression,” he remarked after his drink arrived. She felt the butterflies in her stomach take flight again and stared at her hands, shrugging. “Apologies, I do not mean to be rude but…why did you follow me to the bar?”

“Maybe I just wanted to get a drink,” Marinette replied, daring to glance at him. She thanked the bar staff as her drink was handed to her and she turned fully towards the man who had so thoroughly enchanted her before. He looked at her sceptically and she chuckled drily. “Or maybe your father mentioned that you were mad at your family for something and it made me curious about your side of things.”

“Tt, my father should not have mentioned it,” Damian said, glaring at his own drink. Hope fluttered in Marinette's veins, her hands tightening around her glass. “My family is incapable of trusting my judgment and have destroyed my reputation with someone I care deeply for. They have earned my ire, even if they believe differently.”

“How did they destroy your reputation?” Marinette asked quietly, looking up at him and getting caught in the same green eyes that had been haunting her for the past two months. He seemed to hesitate so she motioned with her head for him to follow her. “Maybe we could step onto the balcony?”

Damian didn't know why he was talking to this woman. He didn't know why he was following her to the empty balcony, but he felt at ease with her. Perhaps it was because she had similar features to Ladybug, her blue eyes and dark hair making him ache in a familiar way.

“My father hired a security guard for a recent problem I had,” he said, wanting to present his side clinically. He wanted this woman to agree that he was right, that he hadn't overreacted to the absolute invasion of privacy. So he launched into a fairly precise recounting of the issue, only omitting the magical aspects.

“And the timing of the revelation meant that she believed me to be party to the deception,” he said hollowly. Marinette seemed to be shocked by the story and he regretted being quite so open with everything. He was ready to apologise for his forwardness when she blew out a breath.

“I mean, in my defense, you looked really guilty,” she said, grimacing. He frowned at her, not quite sure what she was saying. “And I was about to take the charm I was wearing off and tell you my actual name when Tikki stopped us.”

“...Ladybug?” He whispered, setting his glass on the balcony rail as he turned to look at her fully. She nodded and he felt like he was short-circuiting. She seemed to hesitate at his lack of reaction and he immediately grabbed her upper arms. She held still as he let his eyes sweep her face.

“Surprise? Sorry, I know you probably would have preferred I just stayed out of your-”

She was cut off by his mouth covering hers, his hand cupping her cheek almost possessively. She reached up to twine her arms around his neck, pulling herself flush against him. In between kisses, he murmured soft apologies, his other hand pressing firmly against her lower back.

They eventually broke apart, and Damian thanked whatever gods had made him choose the dark corner of the balcony for their conversation, because they were completely hidden from the ballroom. She looked up at him in the dark and he found himself memorising the lines of her face anew. 

A sudden loud noise from the ballroom made them both jump, though not enough to let go of each other. They edged towards the doorway of the balcony and relaxed when they realised it was just Jagged Stone starting a set for the gala.

“I thought I would never see you again,” Damian said softly, reaching for her again. 

“I mean, that was the plan,” she admitted begrudgingly. “And if I'd known who you were, I probably would have told Jagged I had to miss this party. But I'm really glad I came.”

“You didn't know who I was?” Damian asked, confused and a little stunned. “But Spectre gave you my full name, how could you not know who I was? Not to mention that I am fairly famous.”

“I mean, in Gotham, sure,” Marinette said teasingly, hand coming up to run through his hair. “But I'm from France? And I only really follow fashion, so you weren't familiar to me on sight.”

He fell quiet and leaned into her touch. His arms circled around her waist again and pulled her flush against him. He was slightly overwhelmed by the circumstances but relieved that he had found her again. She pulled lightly on his hair as her fingers ran through it and he sighed, content.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash: Seven Midnights Down - Happy Halloween!

It's our last day to celebrate Halloween without judgement, and we're so glad that you joined us for our third annual Monster Mash. We hope that we shattered your expectations for this year's spooky season, and that your luck won't run out today.

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

We'll keep reblogging things even after today, though we won't be checking the tags as often.

We’d also like to remind you that while adult content is allowed, it needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash: Six Midnights Down

We're not sure what it was, but we swear we just saw something out of the corner of our eye. Something dark. Hopefully it's just a black cat or Batman or a hedgehog or something.

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

We’d also like to remind you that while adult content is allowed, it needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash day 2, Not a Fan of Surprises & Spells

Ladybug and Robin had taken the earliest part of patrol. Partially because they had a lead on something shady, and partially because the annual Halloween bash was happening that night and Marinette had convinced Damian to go with her.

They were ducking into an oversized warehouse when the sound of changing filled the air. They exchanged a look, Robin giving a huff of breath that almost sounded like a sigh before Ladybug crept around the perimeter of the room.

When they were on opposite sides, Ladybug tuned in to whatever the guy in the middle of the room was saying. It wasn't a language she recognised, which made her antsy. She had worked with Zatanna enough to know that if someone was speaking a long dead language, they might just be capable of causing real problems.

Fortunately, it seemed like Halloween was just bringing out the crazies, because when Ladybug swung across the room and kicked over the giant cauldron, the man - who was dressed in a freaking robe - merely screamed and cursed in regular old English. If he had been capable of a spell, he would have used it then and there to stop her.

After that, Robin was efficient in getting the drop on the deluded man, pinning him down and cuffing him. They then had to wait for someone to be free to collect the guy so had to suffer through his whining about how he needed to exact revenge on his coworkers for ignoring his birthday three months ago.

Ladybug sighed as she waited, fighting off a yawn. She didn't want to give Robin any excuse to not take them to the party that she was looking forward to.

_ _ _

“Chéri, please, can we just go to the party and have a nice time?” 

Damian sighed and acquiesced as Marinette pulled out the outfit she had made for him. She gave him a beaming smile and rushed to change into her own outfit. He had agreed several years ago that they would alternate years for wearing costumes and last year had been his year without one.

Stepping into the sitting area of their apartment, he checked over the chef’s outfit Marinette had created for him. She had taken liberties and created a black chef's hat and apron, with a dark green shirt and black trousers. There were intricate details embroidered at the cuffs, collars and hems of everything, shiny green and black threads making it almost impossible to see the miniature swords and flourishes she had created.

“You look so handsome,” Marinette said as she stepped out to join him. He looked at her and marveled at the matching dress she had created. She had a black top half with shining green thread embroidered across it. The green skirt belled out with black thread embroidery. A short white apron was tied around her waist, completely covered in tiny embroidered number fours.

“And you look radiant, my love,” Damian said, drawing her close to kiss her softly. He was careful not to disturb her hair that was twisted into an elegant bun atop her head. “But must we attend this party?”

“Yes, we must! Come on, Dami, I'm expecting a happy event, I would love to spend the evening with our friends. Besides, I worked very hard on our costumes and would like everyone else to tell me how dashing you look.”

“Very well,” Damian sighed, taking hold of her hand and tucking it into his elbow. He had arranged to travel with only Marinette to the party, instead of with the rest of his family because she had been working very hard lately and seemed more tired every day. Having their own transport meant that they could leave whenever it suited them without inconveniencing anyone else.

As they arrived at the party, Damian's family immediately set upon them, cooing over the matching chef and waitress outfits. Marinette preened at their praise and Damian found himself smiling at her pleasure.

They spent time mostly with Jon, who was dressed as a werewolf and kept howling whenever anyone approached to say hello. It was irritating but made Marinette giggle so Damian refrained from asking him to stop.

Marinette had been right, the event was cheerful and, miraculously, they did not have any interruptions from villains. Damian was always vaguely on edge at large events on major holidays, especially Halloween, so it was nice that they hadn't had to fight anyone.

“Did you have fun, mon amour?” Marinette asked as they drove back to their home. She fiddled with her apron as he assured her that the night was not horrendous and he enjoyed spending time in her company, as always. “I'm surprised that you did not have more questions about my outfit,” she said idly, glancing at him from under her lashes.

Damian parked in their underground parking area linked to their home and turned to frown at her. The waitress theme had been fairly obvious, especially when coupled with his chef one. His eyes swept over her as he helped her out of the car (she had allowed him to open the door for her ever since Alfred had admonished him, years ago, for allowing a young lady to get out by herself) but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to be missing.

“Marinette, I don't understand what I am supposed to ask you in regards to your outfit,” he admitted, although his eyes lingered on the apron and its embroidery. She giggled as they entered their apartment and set their alarm. 

“Your French is getting rusty then, mon coeur,” Marinette said, pointing at the fours covering her entire outfit. “They are petit fours, non?”

“...an oven? That is very creative, I admit I was not looking for hidden meanings in our costumes, it was very clever,” Damian admitted, smiling fondly at her. But his brow furrowed when she giggled again and pulled him over to the sofa.

“Yes, I am an oven, Dami, and I have a bun,” she said gently, pointing at her head. He looked at her in confusion until she took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “A bun, in the oven? It is, ah, an American phrase, no?”

Damian's mind went completely blank as he stared at his hand on her stomach. It took several moments to collect himself enough to look back up at her face, and when he did she was biting her lip nervously. 

“You are pregnant?” He asked in a hushed voice, wonder and awe filling him until all he could feel was joy. She nodded, a smile breaking out on her face as he slid his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. “I am going to be a father?”

“Yes, we are going to be parents,” Marinette said softly, and Damian was overcome with emotion. He hated surprises, ordinarily they brought him nothing but anxiety and anger at not having been able to anticipate something. “Is it okay? I know that we have talked about it and you said that you were not opposed to it-”

Damian cut her off with a kiss, trying to convey just how happy he was that they were taking another step towards creating the life they wanted together.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash day 3, Oh Bite Me and Wings!

Dick Grayson hated attending galas. Parties, sure, but galas? Where tons of stuffy, elitist snobs looked down on him because he was a circus kid? Yeah, give him patrol any day.

He stood in the hallway outside his room, fiddling with the cape of his costume and playing with the artificial fangs and their adhesive. He had decided to go as a vampire, almost as an inside joke given Bruce’s other moniker.

“Master Dick, I hope that you are going to behave this evening,” Alfred said, preparing for a quiet evening whilst they were at the gala. Dick looked away guiltily, not wanting to promise anything he knew he wasn't going to stick to. After a few moments, Alfred sighed but said nothing more on it.

“So, what do you think of my costume? I wanted to get one that was more Dracula, but they didn't have any in my size,” Dick complained, pouting up at his kind-of grandfather. Alfred told him it looked ‘dashing’ and Dick grinned, pleased. Now that he was seventeen, he was much more invested in looking good to the boys and girls his own age. 

“Ah, good, you're ready to go.” Bruce appeared, wearing a pair of blue overalls and a red shirt. Dick didn't think he even knew who Mario was, but apparently that wasn't going to stop the man. “Come on, my old friend from school has insisted that we be only marginally late.”

“And when do we get to ditch?” Dick asked, thinking about all the different things that would be happening on the streets that night. He grinned at Bruce when he scowled and followed him out to the car a few minutes later.

Arriving at the party, Dick took his earliest chance to split off from Bruce. He didn't want the older man cramping his style when he talked to the people closer to his own age. He strolled around eagerly, but quickly lost his enthusiasm as he spotted very few teenagers. 

“No problem,” he replied, his voice becoming low and unhurried. He hadn't met this girl at one of these parties before so he wanted to make a good first impression. She raised an eyebrow at him, her stutter disappearing as he flashed a flirtatious look at her. “I don't think I've seen you at one of these parties before.”

His shoulders were just beginning to slouch when someone crashed into him. She exclaimed and he automatically put his hands out to steady her. They brushed against something soft and feathery and he took a moment to look over her outfit.

Unlike what he expected, she was wearing a black glittery dress and combat boots. The wings on her back were pure black and felt so real that he had a hard time not running his hands up her back to see where they melded with her skin. When they were both stable, she looked up at him with a stuttered apology and he was looking into a pair of gorgeous blue eyes, framed by black hair. 

“Wow, what next? Do I come here often?” The girl was clearly unimpressed and Dick felt himself flush a little, although his charming grin remained intact. “You need to work on your pickup lines, mister, because I've heard all of them before.”

“All of them?” Dick asked with an eyebrow raised. She gave him a dead eyed stare and he winced. “Right, okay, sure. I can get creative. Would you mind giving me a pinch? Because I have to be dreaming since you're so cute.”

“I'm not sure a pinch would cut it,” the girl said, leaning against the table next to them. Dick tried not to grin too much, but she clearly wasn't too bothered by him trying. “Tell me, do you just try lines on anyone who comes to these things?”

“Why, jealous?” He leaned towards her, noting that her face held mostly amusement with a tinge of exasperation. Whoever tried so many pick up lines on her before must have been a friend, he decided. “You don't need to be, I promise I'm only looking at you right now. So, are your parents bakers? Because you're a cutie pie.”

The girl was clearly struggling not to laugh which gave Dick a warm feeling that spread through his entire body. She lost the battle and a giggle escaped past her lips.

“Okay, look, that's not because it's a good line,” she said once she'd gotten the giggles under control. “I'm only laughing because my parents are bakers and there was no possible way for you to know it.”

“Hey, I'll take it,” Dick said, shrugging even as he grinned widely at her. She shot him a mock glare but still didn't tell him to leave. They stood in silence for a few moments before the girl pushed away from the table.

“I'm Marinette, by the way. And I promised my uncle that I'd do the haunted house, so as interesting as this has been, I'm going to go. Have a fun party,” she said. She started to step away and Dick felt an overwhelming disappointment and darted in front of her instinctively.

“I mean, I haven't done that either, if you'd be okay with company? It looks kind of scary and-”

“Oh, let me guess, you want to be available in case I need someone to cling to?” Marinette snapped back, any trace of amusement gone and a disapproving scowl on her face.

“Oh, hell no, I need someone to make sure I get through without turning into a big mess,” Dick said immediately and her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “And lucky me, you just said you were going in! Take pity on this scaredy cat and go with me?”

“Fine, but only because I have a soft spot for cats,” she said with a smile that told him there was a story behind that. Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Dick grinned at her and followed along behind as she made her way across the room to the haunted house.

“You're not going to hold my hand?” He asked, giving her sad puppy er, kitten eyes. She rolled her eyes but held her hand out to him. It felt like a victory and he intertwined their fingers, feeling giddy when she didn't pull away immediately.

Walking through the haunted house was fun, Dick jumping almost as often as Marinette. They laughed every time one of them was spooked by an animatronic. The owner of the home clearly liked crocodiles because there were sinister and realistic looking fakes throughout.

When they finally reached the last room, it was dark and the soundtrack was ominously silent with the occasional sound of something large swishing, like a reptilian tail. Dick was on high alert as they looked for the exit and spotted another animatronic blocking what he assumed must be it. 

“Wow, that looks so life-like! And the soundtrack is so well done, it almost sounds like the thing is breathing,” Dick said excitedly. When it stopped moving, he assumed it must be motion activated and stepped closer to it. 

He frowned when it didn't move, wondering if it was broken. Marinette didn't step any closer, inspecting something else and he turned back to say something to her as he reached out for it.

When something clamped over his arm, he screamed and tried to jerk it away. There was suddenly a lot of activity around him, Marinette leaping to his side and saying something in a stern voice. He looked down and could just make out the shape of the clearly not animatronic crocodile that was latched onto him.

Dick would love to say that he was calm, cool and impressed Marinette with his chill demeanour, but he would be lying. He was pretty sure he was in hysterics when someone in fairly impressive zombie makeup burst into the room from the exit that was behind the crocodile.

“Fang, mate, let the kid go!” The man sounded almost amused as he took in the situation. He turned back to his companion and Dick would have groaned in mortification that Bruce was witnessing such a total meltdown if he wasn't, well, having a meltdown.

“I have tried to make him let go, Uncle J, but I think he's having too much fun,” Marinette said, looking concerned. “I think I'm going to need to move him physically, can you make sure my friend here doesn't move too much?”

Dick gave another shout as Marinette stuck her fingers into the corners of the crocodile's mouth. But instead of losing said fingers, she continued to scold the creature until it reluctantly released him. The moment its mouth was wide enough, Bruce and the zombie yanked him out of the way.

“Fang, that was a mean thing to do,” Marinette said, sitting with the crocodile's head in her lap, patting it. “I'm sorry, he's very playful and when you screamed he thought you were playing along. He's harmless, really, I don't think he even ripped your costume. But, erm, perhaps we should get you a drink and a chair.”

Several minutes later, Dick was breathing normally and blushing bright red as Bruce and the zombie laughed about how successful the haunted house was. Marinette gave him a sympathetic look and patted his hand consolingly.

“I'm sorry he frightened you, Fang is very mischievous,” she said lightly. Now that he was out of the dark room and there wasn't a crocodile hanging off his arm, Dick felt like an idiot. He was in a presumably affluent man's home, he wasn't going to open himself up to a lawsuit by having something dangerous in his haunted house.

“I told you I needed someone to walk me through,” he said, but his tone wasn't quite flirtatious enough to be light hearted. But, miracle of miracles, it made her laugh even though she groaned at the same time.

“Do you ever give up?” She asked, swatting him on the arm closest to her. He shook his head and grinned, tentatively hopeful that he hadn't completely blown it. “You are unbelievable, vampire boy.”

“All good, mate?” The zombie said, looking between the pair with an eyebrow raised. Dick started when he looked up at the man and realised that he recognised him. He spluttered something incoherent, pointing at Jagged Stone and then turning with a wounded face to Bruce.

“How could you not tell me that we were going to a Jagged Stone party?” He screeched, rightfully betrayed. The betrayal cut deeper when Bruce had the audacity to laugh at him. “No, really, how did you even get invited to this?”

“You don't remember me saying that this was a party at one of my old school friend's house?” Bruce said, amused. Jagged cackled and Dick blushed again, feeling slightly mutinous.

“No, I remember you saying that we had a gala invite! You are officially the worst person I have ever met. I can't believe I had to have my arm almost bitten off before you introduced me to my rock hero.”

“I had to call it a gala on the invite or half of the people here wouldn't have shown up,” Jagged said, still smirking. “Besides, Fang would never! He's too rock n roll to hurt a kid without a reason, he's just…excitable.”

“And I would have introduced you when we arrived, but you vanished shockingly quickly,” Bruce added, still grinning. “But, just so you can't say I didn't do it; Jagged, this is my ward Dick Grayson. Dick, this is my old classmate and childhood friend Jagged Stone.”

“...your name is Dick?” Marinette said, sounding confused. He startled, staring at her blankly for a moment and running through their entire evening and conversations, wondering how on earth he had managed to forget to introduce himself.

“It's short for Richard?” He said at last, his blush returning full force. Bruce was shaking his head exasperatedly but took pity on the boy and suggested to Jagged that they go and refresh their drinks. Once they were gone, Dick turned back to her miserably. “I'm so sorry, I can't believe I didn't introduce myself.”

“It's fine,” Marinette said, grinning at him. “I didn't realise you were serious about the scaredy cat thing, I thought it was just a line.”

“Ah, well, full disclosure, it was meant to be,” he said, cringing slightly but trying to smile back at her with his usual charm. “But thanks for protecting me anyway.”

As she gave an adorable giggle, Dick felt his embarrassment melt away. And when the night ended, he left with her number.

[maribatserver]

MM&MMM day 4, Turn The Lights Off & Nightmare ❤️ not super monster themed but the film they're talking about is a French Zombie one, if anyone is interested!

Marinette and Tim were arguing. It wasn't an uncommon scene, but it was giving Bruce a headache and he decided enough was enough. He stomped into the home cinema, fully intending to put an end to the bickering but pulled up short when he practically fell over the pair standing by the door.

“It's a scary movie and this is a home cinema, Tim! The lights have to be off to get the full experience!” Marinette said hotly, her face scrunched up in a scowl.

“What, so you and Demon Spawn can canoodle in the dark? Yeah, no thank you, the lights are staying on,” Tim shot back, scowling at Damian, who was sitting on one of the sofas with his sketchbook. 

“Merde, you are so annoying,” Marinette grumbled, pressing her hands against her eyes. “What, so you want to see us ‘canoodling’? I had not taken you for a voyeur, Timothy.”

“That's- I didn't- you can't-” Tim seemed to be malfunctioning, unable to get the words past his indignation. Bruce gave a quick glance around the cinema and saw that the rest of the family, bar Duke, were watching the exchange with amusement. Steph had even already started eating her popcorn as she watched them.

“Why can't you two ever get along?” Bruce said, startling the pair out of their argument. Marinette shot him a chagrined smile before turning back to Tim and putting a hand on her hip.

“Tim is being unreasonable. We're planning to watch La Nuit A Dévoré Le Monde and he is refusing to let me turn off the lights! It is a horror film and deserves to be watched in the dark. Nobody else has an issue with the lights being off.”

“Timbit, just let them have the lights off so they can smooch,” Jason said loudly. He then gave a loud ‘ow’ as Damian hit him with his ring-bound sketchbook. “Jesus, Demon Spawn, I'm on your side! You could’ve at least hit me with the flat end, Christ.”

“Boys,” Bruce said sternly, before turning back to Marinette and Tim. “Tim, Damian’s sitting on the couch at the front of the room. Even if they did have ulterior motives, they wouldn't be putting themselves in a direct line of sight. Please, can you just let them get the film started?”

“Fine, but I want everyone to know that I'm not happy with it,” Tim said. Bruce gave him a grateful smile which swiftly turned into exasperation as Tim sat down in the middle of the sofa next to Damian.

Bruce sighed and closed the door to the home cinema as Marinette shrieked at her brother, plenty of French curses spilling from her lips. But he smiled as he heard the rest of the family laughing, a sound that happened much more when Marinette was there.

_ _ _

Tim had stubbornly remained on the sofa between Marinette and Damian. It was certainly big enough to comfortably hold the three, but Marinette had muttered darkly for a good half hour of the movie - in French! - about annoying brothers. She likely would have continued but fell asleep, her head lolling onto his shoulder.

When the movie ended she was still asleep, and Tim wondered when she had last slept properly. He knew that she had been working hard on commissions as well as joining them for patrol and balancing her work for her degree. 

Everyone other than Damian saw the sleeping young woman and quietly left to discuss the movie elsewhere. The youngest Wayne merely pulled his sketchbook back towards himself and settled comfortably into the corner of the sofa to draw.

Pulling out his phone, Tim started to work quietly. It was late, and there wasn't much to do but he didn't want to disrupt her if she was actually resting. Hypocritical it may be, but sleep was important.

The second she started thrashing in her sleep, Damian was up and kneeling in front of her. Tim watched in horror as she began to shout, and cry, clearly frightened. He froze, unsure how to handle it, but Damian seemed to have it under control.

Tim watched as he touched her face, speaking softly. It was fascinating to see this side of his younger brother and he had to admit that he would be looking at him slightly differently from then on. 

Marinette gave one more shriek before her hands flailed one more time. Damian appeared to have been anticipating it, ducking smoothly before capturing the hand gently. Tim was not so lucky, jerking to the side as she landed a solid punch to his jaw.

“Oh merde, desolée, Tim,” Marinette said as soon as she was more cognisant. He waved her off, asking what she had been dreaming about. She blushed and glanced at her hands. “One of the akumas I had to face was Zombizou, the film must have triggered the memories of my friends trying to capture me and Chat.”

“Jeez, you lived through a zombie apocalypse and you wanted to watch it in the dark?” Tim asked, incredulous. 

Marinette smirked at him mischievously, and said with absolutely zero remorse, “Yes, well, if the seating arrangements had remained as they should have, I doubt I would have watched much.”

Tim let out an indignant squawk as Damian sighed and went back to sketching as the siblings began their argument anew.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash day 5, Has Anyone Told You How Creepy You Are? & Haunted

It was Halloween and Marinette wished she wasn't on duty on the Watchtower. She normally would be out with her friends, a bunch of them having decided to tour the Manoir de Paris, an old textile factory turned wax museum turned haunted house. It was supposed to be terrifying and Marinette had long since wanted to go.

But, unfortunately, as it was her first year at the Watchtower, she had to be on duty, which was easier if she was there. She sighed as she watched Chat Noir, her partner, chatted happily with the vigilante from Gotham, Nightwing. They were getting along like a house on fire, punning reflexively and it made Marinette want to shove her fist in her mouth and scream.

“What's up, Buginette?” Chat asked at last, when her latest meaningful sigh passed through his pun-contest bubble. She shrugged, not feeling like explaining her feeling of melancholy. But he understood anyway - they'd been partners for so long, it was hard not to have a sixth sense for what the other was thinking. “Ah, Halloween. C'mon Bug, it's just one year. Besides, look, Nightwing decorated up here too!”

“It's not the same, kitty. Not that I don't want to be here,” she said hastily, for Nightwing’s benefit. He chuckled, waving a dismissive hand for her to continue. “It's just that Halloween is so much fun and our friends are out tonight and we can't be.”

“Yeah, that does suck. Hey, why don't I tell you a ghost story from Gotham?” Nightwing said, perking up. Chat cheered and Marinette scooted closer, intrigued. “Okay, so, a long time ago, there lived a boy named Jason Todd. He was a street rat, raised by his mother until the age of twelve when a wealthy benefactor took him in.

“But the benefactor had a dark secret, and Jason found it out. He lived with the man for three years until Jason died, tragically, under mysterious circumstances. The man took in another child, but Jason’s spirit haunted the halls of their home. And one night, the new child was playing and found Jason's name scrawled in a book. He spoke it aloud, and his new home grew chill. He spoke it a second time and the lights flickered.

“Before he could say it a third time, his benefactor stopped him, demanding to know what was going on. The child was confused, but did as he was told. But he told others of the strange happenings, and they spread the word, as people do. And they say, if you say Jason's name three times, without interruption, his ghost will appear to haunt you, and take revenge against the man who killed him.”

There was a silence thick with tension that followed the end of the tale until Chat gave a low whistle and told Nightwing he would make an excellent performer. This made Nightwing very amused and he suggested that they could watch a scary movie to pass the time, if they wanted.

So when the next Halloween approached, and Marinette wasn't on guard duty at the Watchtower, she knew immediately what she wanted to do. She rang around all of her friends and suggested they take a trip to Gotham for Halloween, to find a gothic graveyard and tell horror stories.

It went better than she could have hoped, each of her friends sounding enthusiastic about the plans. She chose a Red Riding Hood costume template and got to work on it immediately. By the time Halloween actually arrived, she was pleased with the result and dressed herself eagerly. 

Once she was fully ready, she met up with the others at Chloé's penthouse and Max made them a portal so they could visit Gotham without dealing with long flights. She justified it to herself by saying that they would be going home before the morning, but she knew it was very on the edge of being responsible with the Miraculous.

She and Adrien had conspired to tell the Story of Jason Todd with a few flairs thrown in. Once everyone was settled, she suggested someone tell a story and the night passed slowly, with gruesome tales, some of them classics, like the White Lady of Chateau de Brissac, and some that were fabrications (Nino, notably told an excellently spooky one). When it was finally Marinette's turn, she told her story.

“...and they say, if you say his name three times in a row, his ghost appears. And on a night like tonight, when the veil is thinnest, he can appear any time, any place.” Marinette concluded her story and focused on not looking at Adrien.

“Jason Todd…” a voice crept through the graveyard, hissing low. The group fell into a dead silence, people glancing left and right nervously. It hissed again, “Jason Todd…” Alya was gripping tight to Nino’s wrist now, pale but scared to move. Fog began to creep along the ground as they heard, a third time, “Jason Todd…”

“What the fuck are you all doing out here?”

Pandemonium erupted, screams and sobbing all around. Marinette leapt to her feet, electrified. Standing in the shadows nearby was freaking Red Hood, his helmet glinting in the candlelight. He looked annoyed and slightly confused, if a person in a helmet could show emotions. 

Suddenly, a blur leaped at Red Hood, knocking him off his feet with a grunt. Standing above the helmeted vigilante was Alix, who had a scythe as part of her costume and was using it to smack said helmet repeatedly.

“Everyone freeze,” Marinette screeched, grabbing hold of the scythe and yanking it out of the smaller woman's grip. “Mon dieu, Hood, has anyone told you how creepy you can be? What on earth possessed you to crash a ghost story right at the climax?”

“You mean, why would I approach a bunch of people sitting in a graveyard, all in weird costumes with a fucking smoke machine? In Gotham?” Red Hood barked back, hauling himself into a sitting position. “Do you all have any idea how often I've had to stop a fucking sacrifice because creeps think it'll give them power?” 

“...I suppose that's warranted,” Marinette said sheepishly, twirling the scythe nervously. She had been so excited about the idea of suitably scaring her friends that she hadn't considered what the resident protectors of Gotham would think about their little party. “I'm sorry, Monsieur Hood.”

“Sure thing, you're clearly not from around here, so I'll let it slide this once, gorgeous,” he said, winking at her. Marinette flushed, dropping the scythe in her fluster. She had always thought that Red Hood was attractive, ever since she had first run into him on the Watchtower, but he had never tried to flirt with her as Ladybug. “But maybe you should-”

The speaker flared back into life, starting its ominous muttering again and Red Hood froze as if something was personally hunting him. Spluttering an apology, Marinette turned the speaker off and the second ‘Jason Todd' was cut short. His helmet stayed pointing towards her as she picked it up and glanced back at him sheepishly once more.

“It was just supposed to be some Halloween fun,” Marinette offered halfheartedly. She tugged nervously on her hood, hoping he would stop staring at her. If he even was, seriously, that helmet was very intimidating when she wasn't in a super suit.

“What story were you telling?” He seemed genuinely baffled, so Marinette launched into an explanation of how her colleague friend had told her the story the previous year, and that she had heard it originated from Gotham and she wanted to have a proper Halloween for a change. 

She was pretty sure she was rambling by the end, her heart in her throat but he didn't say anything about it all. He merely muttered something before reminding them to stay safe, and leaving. 

“Amazing party, Mari,” Kim said, giving her a thumbs up.

_ _ _

Jason sat on a roof, staring out at the city moodily. He was used to dealing with idiots on Halloween, but a whole bunch of young adults, telling ghost stories? And, apparently, telling a greatly edited story of his demise. He was still in a surly mood when Dick came and joined him.

“You alright Red Hood?” He said cheerily, sitting down next to him and swinging his feet. Jason shrugged and debated whether it was worth picking a fight with Dick over it. “Man, I wish I was on the Watchtower this year, I had so much fun telling the French heroes a ghost story.”

“Man, you wouldn't have told them the ‘ghost story’ about Jason Todd, would you?” He asked suspiciously, suddenly sure that that was how the cute French chick had ended up hearing about it. When Dick went silent, Jason knew he was right. “Dude, that spread to some civilians! And there was a super hot chick dressed as red riding hood telling it. So now, if I ever meet her as a civilian, I can't tell her my name! You suck.”

“Sorry man, I didn't think it would spread! Besides, I'm sure someone will work out that it's just a rip-off of Beetlejuice, I wasn't exactly subtle.” Dick was apologetic but it didn't help Jason at all. He sighed, thinking dejectedly about cute girls in pigtails and short skirts.

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash: Five Midnights Down

What would Halloween be without some ghoulish delights? We can't wait to see the houseful of horrors this prompt could be paired with, and we hope that your ideas haunt you until you share.

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

We’d also like to remind you that while adult content is allowed, it needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Four Midnight's Down - Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash

We don't mean to scare you, but tonight's prompt woke us up in a cold sweat, and we won't be getting back to sleep anytime soon. We'll be working on our nightmare fuel in the meantime, and hopefully you will be too.

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

Oh, and just a reminder, adult content is allowed, it just needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Three Midnight's Down

This evening is a special one, designed to drive you batty as you decide which fearsome fan content to publish today. Or maybe you're winging it and writing something new, which is always a fun flight of fancy.

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

Oh, and just a reminder, adult content is allowed, it just needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Two Midnight's Down - Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash

Tonight's ingredient is a must have for any spelltacular witch's brew, and we look forward immensely to seeing the wicked wonders produced tonight!

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

We’d also like to remind you that while adult content is allowed, it needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix Match Monster Mash day 1, "I am not Supposed to Be the Final Girl" & Claws

Steph crept through the house, boom-stick at the ready. The distress call from Cass had been short and desperate and Steph had panicked. Cass never called for help so she locked onto the beacon and raced for the house that was showing as her location.

It was a rundown shack, two stories with grimy windows that flickered with some sort of light. The front door was broken in, huge, uneven slashes down its centre, creaking ominously in the wind. Steph's heart pounded in her ears as she whispered that she was entering the address into her comm-link. 

The door continued to creak ominously as she had passed it, and it set her nerves on fire. Pushing onwards, she saw that candles had been lit haphazardly around the first room she came to. There were piles of fabric strewn everywhere with a slightly more…human looking lump next to what looked like an altar.

Approaching the altar with trepidation, she almost cried out when she recognised the red, green and yellow costume of her youngest not-sibling. His dark skin was paler, arm bent at an unnatural angle beneath him. His other arm was spread over another person, smaller in stature with a red spotted mask on her still features. The smaller person's eyes were wide and glassy, staring at nothing.

Not wanting to confirm that the sticky pool around the pair was what she feared, she hesitated. Her heart squeezed as she realised that Robin Damian had been protecting Marinette from whatever had hit them, even if it hadn't worked. In the flickering candlelight, the only thing Steph could say with certainty was that it had to be some kind of animal.

A strange noise came from upstairs and Steph froze as a chill ran up her spine. If something had taken down Marinette, with the power she wielded as Guardian of the Miraculous and Ladybug, what chance did anyone else stand? Was Cass even still- no. She wasn't going to finish that thought. She refused to believe that both of her sisters were gone. She looked around to see if she could spot anything that would tell her what she was facing, but the only thing that drew her eye was the broken forms of Damian and Marinette.

Stepping out of the room, she tensed as the noise increased in volume; whatever was making it had exited a room upstairs. Steph crouched in the shadows of the entryway and watched as something moved on the upper landing. 

She could hear slithering and scraping as the creature moved and she focused on trying to detect other signs of life. Fear had settled in her gut and she was desperate to find another member of her family so that they could take down this villain. 

The whatever-it-was started to inch down the stairs, claws gleaming as it trailed them along the hand rail, and Steph's grip on her boom stick tightened until her hand shook. She sidestepped as the creature cleared the bottom step and stood once more in the doorway to the candle room. She raised the stick high and-

-screamed when something grabbed her from behind. The room had been empty save for-

“Whoa, Spoiler, deep breath!”

The voice was Marinette's, but Steph knew that nobody could have survived that level of blood loss and she tried to bring the stick down on the person that was restraining her. She could hear more yelling and lights snapped on, practically blinding her.

“-took it too far, Red!” Marinette was shouting, dodging each downward swipe of the boom stick. Things were starting to filter through the panic and Steph took a deep breath at last when she saw Orphan's mask in front of her.

When it was clear that Steph had calmed down enough not to hit anyone, Marinette released her and immediately stalked over to someone dressed in oranges and reds. She began a ten minute rant about how he had told her it was supposed to be a joke and that she was under the impression that she was supposed to look unconscious, not dead. 

Finally, when she was done shouting, she held out a hand for the Fox Miraculous, face hard. Red Robin appeared in the fox’s place, looking sheepish.

“I'm sorry, Spoiler,” Tim said, looking at the ground like a naughty child. “It's just- you said that haunted houses were too predictable and that they never scare you anymore! And I remember, when we were kids, they were your favourite part of Halloween. But I get that I took it too far.”

Steph looked around at the four of them, stunned for a few moments. Then a giggle bubbled up and out of her, her entire frame shaking as she tried to suppress it. Marinette looked at her, concerned, and it only made the giggling worse. Even Damian was frowning in a different way to usual when she finally straightened up from her hysterics.

“Jesus Christ, Red, overkill much?” Steph giggled again, clutching her sides. “Ah, man, now that it's over? That was the best haunted house I have ever been to! Ten out of ten, I almost wet myself when LB grabbed me at the end there.”

“You're not angry?” Damian asked, sounding confused. She shook her head, beaming. 

“Honestly? I appreciate the gesture and the time you all put into this! I can't believe Red got you to take part, Robin, what did he have to promise you?”

“Tt, it is unimportant, just know that I will be collecting on his promises,” Damian said with a smirk.

All in all, it had been a terrifying experience and Steph was relieved that everyone was alive and well. But she wouldn't be letting Tim forget this any time soon.

[maribatserver]

One Midnight Dow - Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash

Tonight's prompt is a true classic of Halloween, and we can't wait to see the clawsome creations posted for the first night of this frightful event!

As a reminder, when you post your spooktacular submissions, make sure to either add them to our Ao3 Collection: Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash (Maribat_Mix_Match) or, if you’re posting on tumblr, tag them with #mm&mmm2024 so we can find and reblog them!

We’d also like to remind you one last time that while adult content is allowed, it needs to be tagged and rated appropriately, and if you’re on tumblr it should be under a cut. If it’s not then we won’t be able to reblog it for you, so make you take the time to format that stuff!

We hope you have a terrifyingly good time creating for our Monster Mash, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Special thanks to @newdog14 for designing our calendar and daily prompt graphics, and to @nottesilhouette and @izanae for helping brainstorm prompts, providing design feedback, and other logistical things for this event!

[maribatserver]

Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash: One Week to Go

Are you a fan of spooky surprises? We are, but we're betting that a lot of our favorite characters aren't. We can't wait to see the creepy creations spawned to prompt asking this question, or the sneaky spooks who rework it into a statement instead.

There's only one week left to prepare for our spooktacular event! The Maribat Mix & Match Monster Mash begins on Friday, October 25th at the stroke of midnight. If you haven't already, check out our Event Announcement for the rules, posting guidelines, and full calendar.