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liquid-luck-00 · 1 year ago

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Marks of Magic

Day 6 Cat of Maribat Spooktober 2023

First *** Previous *** Next

Language and cursing is used

1600 Words

~~~~~~~~~~

Well shit.

"Miss Marinette how do you know of the kwamii, especially those two?" Alfred questioned and she curled a bit under his gaze.

"I… Paon." She looked up at him, but averted her eyes towards Jay, but he was staring at both herself and Alfred. "August 24th 1944."

She looked up, the words she was speaking didn’t seem like her own. But she knew them all the same. Alfred seemed to pale.

"How do you know that?" He staggered slightly, catching himself on the back of a couch.

"It’s when they were lost." She shrugged, the story that Fu passed to her easily came to her mind, because it wasn’t her memory but Fu’s. (Guardians pass memories along to the next so they wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.)

"I am so lost, Alfie?" Dick rose and tried to get the older man to talk.

"You are much to young."

"Ha." She snorted. "And you think I didn’t tell Fu that."

She crossed her arms.

"Where are they? You said they were lost, how? I can’t seem to remember." Dick had gotten him to sit down but his every question sent pangs through her heart.

"They have been found, and are safe." She was still fiddling with her ring.

"The miraculous of the black cat." Alfred spoke so certainly that it forced her to look up, away from the the kwamii she had drawn. "Where is he? He can come out, we…"

He looked around at the boys but stopped when his eyes landed on her. Silent tears rushed her face, all the words she has been wanting to share choked her.

Tikki, she wishes she was still here but that will never happen. Plagg, she didn’t meet often but he really did care about her, the other kwamii, and especially Chat Noir. Chat Noir has it worse she has told herself constantly. More than likely Plagg was his friend too and then overnight without warning he was gone, no way to contact her, and not knowing why.

"Nettie…" Jay stepped towards her, quickly glancing between her and Alfred, stopping in his tracks. "What’s going on?"

"They’re gone." She finally choked out. "I got the grimore, Nooroo, and even Dusuu back, but… I miss them."

"What did you do?" Alfred dropped down onto the floor and lifted her chin.

"I won the war in Paris."

"What war?" Dick she thinks spoke but her eyes were on Alfred, his aura calming her.

She pulled out her phone and quickly searched it, turning the device towards the others.

"What is this!" A voice she wasn’t expecting practically growled, Bruce was standing in the room, reading over Dick’s shoulder.

"You made a wish?"

The question wasn’t accusatory, but she flinched. "No, but it might have hurt less if I did." She finally looked away from the group.

"Marinette, who are you?" Alfred asked her, she looked up and something clicked a flash of dark blue light emulated from him. Pinned on his lapel was none other than the miraculous of the peacock. The man tenderly touched the broach as if it was going to disappear forever, she knew she could trust him, so with that she took a breath.

"I am, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Holder of the miraculous of the ladybug, the heroine of Paris, Ladybug, and the guardian of the Chinese zodiac Box of Miracles." She addressed resolutely, her conviction and pride fueled every word, while understanding seemed to flood Alfred’s features.

"If I had known… " Alfred whispered, looking at her like the pieces fell into place.

"Are you saying this happened, that children fought this maniac. Why not ask for help, there are other heroes in Paris, even the Justice League could have sent reinforcements." Bruce seemed to seethe.

"It’s not like I was given a choice, the other heroes left or quit, besides the Justice League knew about it and did nothing." She became defensive, even if she felt she could trust them, Bruce’s tone rubbed her the wrong way. She started this fight at the tender age of 11. Fought a magical war while trying to not feel anything for 3 years. Endured bullying and heartbreak for just as long, but couldn’t let herself feel it. So yes she is angry when someone she barely knows is offering ‘solutions’ when she had exhausted them long ago.

She didn’t even notice how quiet the room had gotten, but was staring at the man who offended her character. She was a child when all this started, of course she tried, but why, why would he be so mad. That is what she didn’t understand.

"Master Bruce calm yourself!" Alfred scolded the other adult in the room. (Who was making a straight beeline towards the grandfather clock to his right.)

"It doesn’t matter anymore, it’s over." She sighed finally deflating, knowing that anything done now won’t change anything.

"Miss Marinette, that is not nothing." Alfred stood and faced her.

"That is not something you should have had to do alone."

"I wasn’t, I had a partner." She mumbled as if it would change the minds of the adults.

"You said you were the holder of the ladybug miraculous, but you are wearing the miraculous of the black cat. Did you wield both?" She was asked by Alfred who seemed to know the most.

"I did a few times, but I wasn’t Plagg’s cat, I was Tikki’s. My partner was Chat Noir, he was the holder of the black cat."

"What happened to him?"

"I don’t know?" She shrugged. She took off the ring and started tracing the face of the ring. "Probably worried, Hawkmoth, Plagg, Ladybug, and Chat Noir disappeared without warning from his life. Black cats really are bad luck."

"Nettie, you’re a hero". Jay was now right in front of her, tentatively he reached out and took her hands.

"Was… the kwamii don’t exist in this universe, not anymore."

"My dear." Alfred placed a hand on the top of her head. "This proves they still can. That they are more of the metaphysical than before."

He tapped the broach before pointing to the ring in her hands before noticing her earrings.

"Why don’t you both go to bed, it’s getting late, and it’s a school night." Bruce finally spoke again. He was still angry, yet she could tell his anger wasn’t towards her. Actually she couldn’t tell who he was angry at, but she knows he is.

"Okay." Mari palmed the last tears from her eyes as Jay stood up and pulled her from the room.

•••

"Alfred tell us all you can." Master Bruce marched down the steps into the cave.

Master Dick and himself followed. "I don’t know what exactly happened to her, but the miraculous, I may be able to shed some light on."

"If my math is correct she was eleven when all of that started. B she was a child." Master Dick was horrified.

Although he went through similar event he was older, the boy was only 13 at the time of his parents accident after all. Master Bruce was also young during his parents death, and although he became the Bat it wasn’t until he was and adult.

"Why did no one take it seriously?" He was scanning all calls to the Justice league, until a call log from Paris showed on the screen marked from two and a half years ago.

‘You’ve reached the Justice League, how can we help?’ A bored voice, the log said Booster Gold, answered the phone with a yawn.

‘Hello! Please Paris needs adult heroes, all the older heroes left and we can’t keep this up!’ A young female voice started to rush their words.

‘I’ve told you before, kid, nothing has happened in Paris. Stop prank calling. This line is only for actual emergencies that require actual heroes.’ Booster Gold seemed to wave the girl off. ‘Don’t call again.’

They continued through the log, some earlier calls were looked into but since nothing seemed to be proven they dropped the inquiry. If what they saw from the site the Ladyblog it was no wonder. All damage all lives taken were brought back in pristine condition. Ladybug, Marinette, and who she called Chat Noir were the primary heroes for the past three years. Few other heroes would aid them, which he recognized the miraculous that they used.

"We can’t do anything about this can we." Master Jason had come down into the cave. "She’s asleep."

"The past is past, unfortunately." Master Bruce dragged his hands down his face. "Besides these children are practically meta, or even magic users, right?"

"Yes. But don’t forget these children grew into child soldiers and more than likely they could not trust anyone with this pressure. If Miss Marinette’s emotional collapse is any indication." Alfred supplied.

"Jay go to bed Dick and I will go on patrol."

"But."

"Jason." Bruce snapped at the boy.

"Fine…" The child surrendered, all his fight leaving him at Bruce’s words. The boy trudged up the steps.

"Bruce he’s worried for his friend! Can’t you see that." Master Dick slammed his hands on the desk in front of him.

"She’s a meta Dick."

"She is a child."

"That doesn’t change facts." Bruce spun around to face his elder ward.

"You work with aliens, metas, even magic users, and so do I. Our teams are made up by them, so what’s the difference." Master Bruce didn’t say anything, making the young man even angrier. "Figure it out Bruce." Dick started to walk away, before turning back. "Don’t call until you do."

He left without another word.

"Master Bruce."

Silence.

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@jennifer-rose123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @joydone07 @mizzy-pop

#maribat spooktober 2023 #maribat october prompts #maribat #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #dc x miraculous #miraculous x dc #luka x mari x jason #maribat jason todd #maribat marinette #maribat bruce wayne #maribat alfred #maribat dick grayson

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mae-dwrites · 1 year ago

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A Bundle of Heliotropes - Chapter 2 - Apprise

| Ao3 | Wattpad |

Now Marinette hadn't been avoiding her parents, nope siree! She wasn't strictly talking about the bakery, her commissions, school work, and every other thing in between when she was with them. She wasn't avoiding them, nor was she avoiding the growing elephant in the house.

Wait. What elephant? There's certainly no elephant, because for there to be one in her home her house would need to be bigger! Unless you're talking about the metaphorical kind, which there was none. That would require tension, and avoiding something.

Marinette does not avoid things. No, never even! She handles things head-on!

Which is why this is a tactical maneuver! As her soulmark could possibly reveal who she was despite the magic, but by how much? That is unknown, so to show or not to show. To tell or not to tell. To lie or not to lie…

Marinette hated lairs…lies; everyone knew that. And being Ladybug kinda went against that, she’ll admit. The pure irony made her cry from laughing when she first started this whole Protect Paris thing. Tikki had tried to reassure her but it didn't really help most of the time, Marinette had gotten over it through the years.

“Marinette! Alya’s here,” Sabine called from the other side of the trap door.

“She can come up, thank you maman!”

“Hey Mars,” Alya said as she came up. Marinette looked over the documents Mlle. Bustier had sent her this morning. Mlle. Bustier was putting all the budgeting for the class on Marinette, much like she had been for the last few years.

Which she shouldn’t even have to be doing since all her friends and her should be in different classes for their career-based tracks, but with Akumas and the fear of causing more: students were forced to stay in their same classes. Which sucked for the most part, i.e. Lila and Chloé always being on her. Well, Lila more so than Chloé since last year.

“Hey Alya,” Marinette didn't look up at her friend, still looking at the notes.

“Girl you need to relax, let me help.” When Marinette didn't say or do anything Alya continued, “Better yet why haven't you told Mlle. Bustier to stop dumping this on you?”

Marinette finally huffed and pushed herself away from the desk space, “I did last year. She threw a fit at me. Remember that?”

“Mlle. Helper? That's what that was about,” Alya gapped at Marinette.

“I thought you knew that,” Marinette frowned, she had told Alya, hadn’t she?

“You were very irritated after that Akuma that you told Alya you would talk to her later,” Tikki popped up. “You might have forgotten to tell her if you didn't message her.”

“Okay,” Marinette mumbled to herself, almost a grumble of sorts even, as she turned back to the sheets in front of her.

Their class hosted two major dances this year and were going to host another one in the middle of May. They also had multiple fundraising events, their entire year had been doing events left and right to get enough money for them to go somewhere out of France. Marinette had come up with the idea that they spent this year raising money so that next year they could fundraise for some extra cash. They would go somewhere much cheaper and close by at the end of May.

Next year though? They still hadn’t decided, but the staff were supporting them thoroughly.

“Marinette,” Alya’s hand gently took the papers from the Eurasian. “You for one need to put your foot down, and hard this time. Even if it means we need to fight an Akumatized Bustier twenty times. You have so much already, I don’t want you to overwork yourself more than you already do.”

Marinette frowned back at her friend, who just frowned at her harder.

“Are you going to tell your parents?” Alya finally asked, her true reason for randomly popping by this time.

Marinette’s lips became a tight thin line, she wasn’t going to lie to Alya but she knew what she was going to say. Marinette’s head rolled back and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to think about it or deal with it for that matter. She didn’t want to deal with anything she was dumped with these last three years honestly.

If she had never become Ladybug would she be unfit for her soulmate? Would they still work? Or maybe if she wasn’t Ladybug, wasn’t the Guardian, was just Marinette, whoever was her match wouldn’t be hers. Maybe she’d be with Adrien or Luka, perhaps it would be platonic instead.

Marinette’s lips went from tight to droopy, she swallowed as she thought over possibilities. She got pulled from it with a light squeeze on her wrist, she opened her eyes. Her vision now blurry, she blinked away her tears before looking at her friend.

Alya had a small, reassuring smile on her face as she carefully stated, “I think it would be better for them to know you’re Ladybug..”

This admittance from Alya was not unfamiliar to Marinette, they’d had conversations surrounding identities many times before. Marinette didn’t tend to handle them well, that was a recurring theme that made her avoid it more so. When she had asked Alya for the Fox Miraculi back she had thought it had made it clear where she stood on identity sharing.

That request had later led to a fight between the girls, Alya pointing out all the ways Marinette picked and chose her rules, and how she saw the difference between Chat Noir's involvement to that of either of them. It had been tense, to say the least.

But eventually, Marinette came forward and explained her side more thoroughly, though was careful to still keep the secrets the Order wished her to. It only left apologies and tears, and perhaps a bracelet.

Marinette’s gaze shifted to the bracelet on her best friend’s wrist before looking back up to look her in the eyes. The previous times they’d talked about identities it had been much calmer, but with soulmates coming up more and more Alya had taken to approaching the topic more.

Alya listened more and didn’t push Marinette past what she said she couldn’t handle, she dropped it when she clearly was over it. Alya’s face still held that same smile, so full of patience she didn’t have before. There was already acceptance in her eyes, acceptance for whatever Marinette said now.

Marinette opened her mouth to speak but closed it to clear her throat, having become dry in her emotional moment and lack of speaking. Alya let a quiet laugh out, earning her a half-hearted glare from Marinette.

“It wouldn’t be the worst plan,” Marinette finally said with a laugh. She didn’t like it, not one bit, but what choice did she truly have? Her parents weren’t pushy by any means, they respected her space and privacy. That had been one of the few things that made being Ladybug really easy, but they would want to see. If they didn’t realize it immediately they would put it together eventually.

“It really wouldn’t be,” Alya grinned.

“Perhaps you should plan how to tell them,” Tikki spoke up again.

“I think that is a swell idea,” Wayzz expressed from Alya’s shoulder. Alya smiled down at the green Kwami before looking over at Marinette, “That sounds good? Maybe it’ll help keep you calm?”

Marinette nodded, “Yeah. Yeah, we can do this.” Marinette wiped her eyes with a sniff. “That sounds good, let’s do it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Pollen cried from above them, making the girls laugh.

“This isn’t going to end well,” Marinette mumbled to herself. “They’re gonna throw me out,” she whined.

“That’s completely irrational. What happened to the confidence we had earlier?” Alya asked from behind her.

“I know, I know,” Marinette groaned before taking a deep breath. “This isn’t going to be a disaster. If it will Bunnix come out now.” Marinette held her breath for a moment. Alya groaned behind her.

“Marinette,” Alya grabbed Marinette by her shoulders. “I know this is hard but I think this would be very beneficial for you. Your parents love you, and no matter what they will support you.”

Marinette’s face still held a frown, “What if they’re disappointed?”

“Dis-disa-” Alya howled at the thought, “Do you know how our parents reacted when they found out you let us be temporary heroes? They were kinda mad at you for a moment but it also gave them some perspective of who you were. And after the worry mostly subsided they were really proud of us. Anark doesn’t shut up about it to other parents! So your parents are definitely gonna worry but they’ll be proud and support you.” Alya paused, holding Marinette’s hands, “Just start with your mark.”

Alya smiled at Marinette, it made Marinette’s chest go tight. Why couldn’t she be so sure? Why was she so scared? She knew those things, yet she was still so very terrified to tell her parents.

Three years. Three years and they never knew, or at least they never came to her about it. Three years of hiding, of following a rule that even Marinette sometimes found stupid. Three years of imagining telling them, ranging from welcoming her and supporting her to making them move or being told it was too dangerous to have her around. From the most realistic of outcomes to the worst, even if they were very unlike her parents.

Her parents loved her, she knew that.

Marinette held her breath for a moment.

This would be fine…yeah. Yeah! Bunnix would have stopped her right here and now if it didn’t go mostly right.

Marinette straightened up and gave an affirmative nod for no one but herself. She finally opened her room door and made her way down the steps. Marinette could sense the other Kwami making their ways down phasing into hiding spots, she felt Tikki in her pigtail and she knew Wayzz was likely close to Alya.

“Marinette! Alya,” Sabine greeted before asking, “are you staying for dinner? Staying over tonight?” The woman looked up from her pot, she tapped her spoon on the pot before putting it on the dublé. “Of course you’re welcome to but please check with your mother, I really don’t want her to relive her panic that one time.”

“Oh I’m just staying for dinner, and I already messaged her a while ago,” Alya reassured the older woman. “Marinette actually asked me to.”

Marinette felt her poke her in the back, she probably would have shot her a glare if she hadn’t been so nervous. She took a deep breath, “Yep uh, yep. I actually wanted to, to talk to you two with Alya.”

Marinette’s insides roared with trepidation, and she’d only said she wanted to talk!

“Of course sweetie,” Tom said beside Sabine. “Dinner’s almost ready, you want to set the table?”

“Of course,” Marinette made her way to the cupboards the familiar actions helped to ground her emotions. Alya tried to help her but the Dupain-Cheng household refused to let her, instead she was forced into a seat by Sabine as Marinette placed her plate and Tom came dishing her up. Alya crossed her arms in (lighthearted) annoyance of the sweet family.

Under the annoyed look love came off her, which was enough for the family of three.

When everyone was seated on the island and they’d all had some to start Marinette took a deep breath. She sent Alya a look that made the older teen feel the need to straighten up, just to simply show she was there whenever she was needed.

“So Maman, Papa, as I said there is something I wanted to talk to you about,” Marinette started, gaining her parents' full attention. “I believe it would be best for you to have an empty mouth.”

This made her papa nervous, she could tell as he tried his quickest to finish the bite in his mouth. Sabine though slowly lowered her fork with confusion a small frown on her lips.

Marinette swallowed and opened her mouth to speak but had to close it to center herself. Alya what she assumed to be a reassuring nudge with their knees. Marinette looked up at her parents with resolve.

“You know my birthday happened this week,” she watched her father grow concerned while her mother seemed to unintentionally lean forward. “Well I got my mark,” she trailed off for a moment, “And the thing is that I want to show you, but I believe you need to know something before I do.” Her voice almost sounded like it was tailing again but wasn’t quite.

Her parents stared at her as she sat there, not doing anything. She’d already put the start out, she’d gotten their attention on the matter and that meant no going back.

“Maman, Papa, I’m,” she struggled, gripping her fork tightly, “I’m, I.” She grew irritated with herself. It’s not that hard to say it, two words. That’s it, two simple words. Two simple, extremely life-changing words.

“Marinette, dear, it’s okay if you’re not ready. We’ll wait however long you want, you don’t ever have to show us,” Sabine reached out for her daughter’s hand. She had barely even grazed her hand when Marinette pulled away and firmly stated, “I’m Ladybug.”

Marinette squeezed her eyes shut. Finally, she’d said it, but the silence following was deafening. Moreso than any Akuma she’d fought, worse than getting a recipe wrong, worse than having to restart a project, worse than-

“Oh baby,” Sabine’s voice cut through. “Oh my baby,” she said softly rushing to her daughter. Arms encompanced the girl making her draw a quick breath, no sooner her father was quick to follow suit. Marinette swallowed as she slowly opened her eyes, staring at the empty seats. Her heart raced and she felt a bit lightheaded.

Overwhelmed. That’s it, she’s just overwhelmed.

Not by her family though, no not them. Saying it, her panic had come that’s what.

Marinette focused on the feeling of her parents' arms around her, the pressure that came with their love, the smell of the meal they’d made, the bakery coming off of them in waves…

Her maman murmured words she couldn’t quite make out into her hair, one hand smoothing her hair as the other held her. Her father’s giant arms encompassed her as she felt light tears drop onto her head.

A hand slid into hers. Alya, her mind supplied. Her best friend gave a gentle squeeze which she gladly returned. Marinette let her eyes shut as her own tears slid down her face, tears of relief. She took a deep, happy breath.

“My strong baby,” she made out before her mother kissed her practically on the ear. Marinette didn’t mind, she’d take it all.

Sabine slowly pulled away making Tom to take it as a cue. Sabine held her daughter’s face in her hands looking over her face seeming to be searching, searching for the trick, for the prank, for the lie. There was none, and no all she saw was her little girl. Who’d turned into a strong woman, had become…a solider of her people.

“Maman?”

Sabine’s eyes became glassy.

“I’m fine dear. What about you? How are you?”

Marinette swallowed giving a weak smile, “A lot better right now.”

Sabine squinted at her, “Tell me the truth.”

“It is,” Marinette insisted laughing wetly. “I didn’t like it, lying to you.”

“Oh sweetie,” Sabine said so simply, so thick with words she couldn’t ever know how to say. She looked over to Alya and smiled, “I’m happy you had someone.”

Alya sat up with pride, but not without blinking rapidly. Tom bombarded her with a hug as he wailed, “Thank you for being there for her Alya.”

Alya laughed, “I wasn’t there the whole time.”

“It doesn’t matter, we mean it all the same,” Sabine said still smiling. The woman sighed looking back at her daughter, “I suppose you’re gonna show us missy?”

Marinette laughed, “Of course Maman.”

---

Damian had been very careful these first few days of having the mark, but sadly his brothers’ occasional nonchalant attitudes had infected him at some point. Now that meant something a little different for every family member, but for Damian that meant being sure; leaving him to slowly become truly careless.

Why? Because Jason was busy tracking someone in Crime Alley, the person had left him on quite the chase. Tim had holed himself in the cave the past two days, soon enough he’d pass out or Alfred would cause him to. Dick was currently in Blüdhaven for the next few weeks. And Father was busy with WE as to be expected.

Damian was safe for the time being, he smiled to himself as he decided what to wear for the day. He didn’t want to change as he had promised Titus that he would take him to the park today, and his friend knew what those words meant very well.

His neck prickled making him straighten up. It must be Alfred, he must have slipped in and he hadn’t noticed. It was fine, Alfred wouldn’t say anything. And he could keep it a secret, and-

Cassandra stood behind him with a wide smile. She’d seen, she knew, she’d tell Stephanie and then it would be over.

“Cain,” he said carefully. “Don’t tell anyone.” Her face became impish, Damian felt his stomach drop. His eyes glanced down to her hands, she was holding her phone.

“You didn’t,” Damian's voice became strained as he eyed the device. His panic seeped through more than he ever allowed, but that didn’t matter because Cass would know regardless.

His sister stood before him in a calm excitement. She didn’t need to answer, she knew she didn’t need to, Damian already knew she had. His brothers would pester him, Dick would be hurt he didn’t tell him, they wouldn’t stop talking about it…They wouldn’t stop talking about it. He hadn’t even told Jon, Jon would be upset he wasn’t told.

Damian stood staring at her in panic and shock, Cass stood staring back with an almost eerie calm.

“You didn’t share,” she said simply. Damian’s phone started ringing.

Oh. Oh Damian was in for it.

Damian glared at Cass from across the table.

He’d turned his phone off for the day so he wouldn’t answer Dick, but Tim had tried to chase him as he left with Titus. He thought he could stall but not even an hour of being at the park with Titus and Jason strolled in. Damian had barely made it out of the park without being spotted.

Damian suspects Tim had called Kon which led to Jon finding out. Jon had flown to Gotham and face planted on his car. Now Damian needed a new windshield and hood.

He could feel Jon glaring at him as he sat right next to him. Dick had driven right back to Gotham and was currently giving the saddest puppy dog eyes from across the table. Damian ignored him as he stabbed his brussels sprouts.

He was going to tell Jon, maybe even Cass, and his brothers could learn it when they became significantly insufferable. Damian tried to tell Jon that he was planning on telling him, but Jon was focused on the fact that he wasn’t told and learned from Kon.

“What’s it look like,” Brown whined, dramatically stretching her arms on the table. It’s all she would say it seemed, Damian was beginning to wonder if she was finally going insane.

“Stephanie he doesn’t have to show us,” Father said for what seemed like the twentieth time. His father while he was composed was obviously just as hurt as Dick was, Damian could’ve sworn he’d seen him sending heartbroken looks at him.

“We’ll see it eventually,” Todd said, looking smug at the thought. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Oh how Damian wanted to leap across the table with his fork.

“You didn’t have to show us, just tell us that you got it,” Grayson spoke up still looking forlorn.

“When did this happen?” Drake asked, sadly he hadn’t passed out yet like Damian hoped. Damian spent a moment trying to incapacitate him with his mind-will alone. Perhaps he could convince Raven or another hero to teach him spells without father finding out.

“Only this week, it hasn’t been very long,” Damian stated plainly.

“And you couldn’t tell me,” Jon’s voice woven with betrayal on par with Dick and with offense laced in. Damian certainly felt bad for not notifying his closest confidant, and was slowly feeling bad he didn’t say anything to Dick. The only thing stopping him from succumbing to the feeling was that he saw it as his brother moping.

“Dude you’re like second on the list who gets to know,” Brown stated with a mild glare.

Jon frowned as he snapped back, “That would make you third then.”

“Excuse me?” Stephanie squinted at him slowly moving her hand across the table to reach for a utensil.

“I’m his best friend, you’re a family friend,” Jon said, almost seeming to want to start a fight at the table. Damian felt a headache coming on, and by the look on Bruce's face so was he.

“That’s how you started out, and I was here first you’re a newborn,” Brown fumed with a predatory look.

“Stephanie,” Bruce strained from his seat.

“Best friend,” Jon said, his voice suddenly dropping his usually predominant Metropolis accent to encomancing his Kansas’s one thickly.

“Jon I will call your father,” Bruce hung his head not even wanting to take in the visual of his not-child and nephew arguing.

“He’d agree with me,” Jon mumbled just loud enough for Damian to hear.

“No he wouldn’t Jon,” Damian said bored. Being upset with Cass would not solve his problems and Dick and Jon would get over it eventually.

Splat.

Damian looked down at the table to see Duke wide awake with mashed potatoes, gravy, and mushroom sauce dripping down his face and onto his suit. Damian frowned serving his brother; Duke, as he always has, does the dayshifts but he also stayed up for night classes he took college classes. At least he tried to get sleep between his schoolwork and working to patrol during the day, unlike Tim.

When Summer Break came Damian would be sure to take day patrols, while they weren’t his favorite he didn’t want to leave Duke to handle all of it. Jason occasionally joined which made plenty of rouges and lowlives think twice when they saw him or heard from others. Damian could probably put a few hours on the weekends to help lighten the load now while school was still in session.

Dick had rushed to help Duke almost immediately, the only reason Damian hadn’t gotten up himself. Alfred was soon with them presenting proper towels for the mess.

“Duke, what did I say about getting rest?” Selina’s smooth voice announced her presence, along with the happy babbling of Helena in her arms.

“Sorry, I’m trying, just today was busy,” Duke yawned at the end of his sentence. His suit appeared fine and with Dick’s quick action to wipe up any goopy mixture of the food it was safe to assume nothing important had been ruined. Alfred took the messy towels to dispose of them, he nodded to Selina as he passed her.

Damian got up and went to his stepmother, “Allow me.” He said simply referring to his sister.

“You don’t have to Damian,” Selina still handed the baby to him with a fond smile at both of them.

“Of course I do. She is my sister, and you shouldn’t have to be the sole caretaker. You’ll become too drained to properly take care of her,” Damian stated with a firm nod to Selina before making sure the baby’s head was well supported.

Selina's smile was soft as she kissed the tops of both their heads, “Thank you Damian.”

Damian hummed back taking his sister to his seat, he was glad he had eaten most of what was on his plate so he wasn’t trying to eat while he held his sister. Jon looked at his sister with the same wonder he had seeing anyone just younger than a toddler. His father kissed Selina as she sat down, they briefly spoke of their daughter before moving on to other topics that Damian ignored to give his attention to his sister.

She babbled excitedly to him trying to move her hands. Damian smiled at her while nodding seriously, “Fascinating, anything else to look out for?”

Helena reached her hands up trying to reach his face, which he gladly aided in her attempt to reach up. She tapped his nose and dragged her hand down to his cheek.

“She’s so cute,” Jon cooed forgetting both his food and his betrayal from his best friend.

“Very,” Damian agreed as the infant continued to tap his face. He gave a kiss on the top of his sister’s soft head, she made noises as though she was trying to speak again.

Damian’s smile softened, maybe he was thinking too pessimistic about it in the name of being a realist.

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the-coffee-fandom · 2 years ago

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══❀══╡°˖✧❦✧˖°╞══❀══

MASTER LIST

══❀══╡°˖✧❦✧˖°╞══❀══

Gif by @the-coffee-fandom please do not repost or steal, tumblr kind of killed the quality with its file size max

∘₊✧────────✧₊∘

❥ Timari :

Marigolds Pierce My Skin

Cat’s Don’t Always Chase Birds

A Duck And A Ladybug (Roommates Edition)

Coffee Is My Love Language

Into The Depths Of Our Minds

Death Came For Me

I Don’t Need To See Stars (I Saw You Instead)

Don’t Overwork Yourself (Trust Me Because I Love You)

A Date With Sleep

❥ Bio Dad :

Dreaming Of Anemone

My Identity Is By Your Side

My Heart Is Tied To Family

Argue With Me Sister

First Meetings Aren’t Always The Best, But Sometimes They Are

❥ Damianette :

Memories Filled With You

Hold Me Tight Till Mornings Light

Some Angel’s Die, Some Angels Fly

Sister!?! Preposterous!

❥ Jasonette :

The Cookie Problem

❥ Dickinette :

Did You Fall From Heaven? (No It Was The Chandelier)

❥ Cassette :

Death Bouquet

❥ Multi-ship :

Valentine’s Day Special 2021

❥ Collabs :

Leave (And Ignore The Pain Behind My Eyes) (Written with @miraculousmelodies ; Timari)

Alphabet Soup (Written with dragonbug, @jinx-jade, @legends-live-in-memories, @shamrockace, RayBell (Shard_Of_Stained_Glass), @tylindel, @wildbookcat ; multi-ship)

Friendships A Fine Line I Could Never See (Written with @miraculousmelodies and Ever_lore ; Timari)

From Your Favorite Chaos Gremlins (Written with @miraculousmelodies and Ever_lore ; found family)

Don’t Blame Me (Written with Ever_lore)

In Sickness And In Health (I’ll Love You) (Written with @coolkid-mcgee, Miarculas, @miraculousmelodies ; Timari)

And That’s The Tea (Written with @serenescribbles and @miraculousmelodies ; Jasonette)

Sunflower (Written with @izanae, @newdog14, @nitwitjustice ; Timari)

Pure Sugar (Written with @coolkid-mcgee, @izanae, @miraculousmelodies ; Timari)

Captive Hearts (Written with @boldlyanxious, @izanae, Ever_lore, @jumpingjoy82, @the-witches-you-couldnt-burn ; Jasonette)

Memories Of Family: A Pass Story (Written with @izanae, @jumpingjoy82, @serenescribbles, @the-witches-you-couldnt-burn ; Family)

If Baldness Was A Crime (We’d Solve It With Crayon) (Written with @jumpingjoy82, Ever_lore, @miraculousmelodies, @serenescribbles ; Timari)

If Your Girlfriend Gets Mad (We Fix It With Logic) (Written with @miraculousmelodies, Ever_lore, @nitwitjustice ; Timari)

If Your Nemesis Fights Back (We Kill Him With Glitter) (Written with @miraculousmelodies, Ever_Lore, @nitwitjustice ; Timari)

❥ Series :

Rim Drake (Timari Crack Fics)

Flowers Aren’t Always A Love Language (Unconnected Hanahaki au’s)

Team Issa’s Stolen A (Event Collection)

❥ Collections :

Admission Fee Fics (Co-ran with @velveteenshadow)

❥ Related Works :

No Stronger Bond Than Ours @serenescribbles (Inspired by Sister!?! Preposterous!)

❥ Gifts :

And They Were Roommates @jinx-jade (Damianette)

Hearts Entwined TheNumberFairy (Tim/Marinette/Stephanie)

Time’s TikToking sunshinyy_rose (Damianette)

Not Crazy, Creative sunshinyy_rose (Damianette)

Paying For A Strangers Coffee May Lead To Unexpected Results @peachieplanetssb (Timari)

Tim-Marry @izanae (Timari)

Mastermind! @peachieplanetssb (Timari)

Petals Of You @ggomos-maribat (Timari)

When All Is Too Much Lean On Me @tylindel (Timari)

Camellia Japonica @ggomos-maribat (Timari)

Smexy Chocolate (Or Coffee Overlords) QueenKitten101 (General Pairings)

Coffee Lovers @miraculousmelodies @tylindel Ever_lore (Timari)

“I’m the favorite!” ��No you’re not you little-” @ellienettie (Dickinette)

Never Enough Time Butterflies_and_Ladybugs @jumpingjoy82 (General Pairings)

No Stronger Bond Than Ours @serenescribbles (Family)

What A Long, Strange Trip It’s Been @izanae (Jasonette)

❥ Awards :

Tag Team Tournament 2022 ~

High score & Most submissions

Challenge Accepted

Java Junkies MVP

Maribat Awards 2021 ~

Runner up in Most Underrated Maribat Fic

Maribat Awards 2022 ~

Most Underrated Author

Best Historical/Fantasy AU (as well as runner up)

❥ My Art :

Damianette Soulmates for @tree-reads

Vee Owl House

King Owl House

Only Rocketships Timari Scene

Only Rocketships Sheep Costume

Only Rocketships Cover

❥ Check Out These Super Cool Authors :

miraculousmelodies

Tylindel

treereads

mochegato

Miracle-Sham (ShammrockTales)

Jinx-Jade (Trial_and_Error)

Newdog14

ggomo_springtime

Paintball_169

serenescribbles

ScarletImpulse

Boldlyanxious

TheLadyEarlOfAces

Vukaaa

Celestial_Ruined_My_Life

mic_is_dead

Infernam

peachieplanets

Birdie2170

❥ Want to join me on discord?

Timari Coven

Holy Miraculous, Batman!!!!

Maribat Server

❥ Things I help run

Maribat Prompts Blog

❥ Inbox messages open for questions, suggestions, ideas, recommendations, and otherwise!

.・。.・゜✭・.・❀・゜・。.

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unkownsimoperson · 1 year ago

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Siblings be like:

Jason: Hey, that a new top?

Marinette: Yeah!! I actually-

Jason: Yikes..

Marinette: You little..

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Dick: *walks in, wearing Jason's whole closet* Okay, buddy boy, 'ere it is. You hide my favorite sweater, I'm wearin' everything you own.

Jason: That is so not the opposite of taking somebody's sweater!!

Dick: Ya know, it's kinda hot in here. I better not do any, I don' know, acro skills. *proceeds to do acrobatic skills*

Marinette: *laughing so hard to point she's rolling on the floor, her phone set up to film the whole interaction*

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Dick: ShE bRoKe Up WiTh mEeE. *😭*

Jason: *annoyed that he disturbed his reading time* You never had a girlfriend.

Dick: I know. I just wanted to see if you cared.

Jason: F#uck you.

Dick: Awww, love you too.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Marinette: Welcome to dating advice with Marinette! Dick, what's your question?

Dick: How d'you tell if a girl likes you?

Marinette: She doesn't!!

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Bruce: My house, my rules.

Marinette: Ma knife, you life. *smiles innocently*

Bruce: Oh...

Dick: Oh..

Sabine: That's my daughter right there!!

Jason: That's my sister right there!!

#incorrect miraculous ladybug quotes #incorrect maribat quotes #maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat dc #maribat mlb #maribat bruce wayne #maribat jason todd #maribat richard grayson #maribat sabine cheng

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mind0zone · 6 months ago

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Imagine Adrien as Bruce Wayne’s son, and no one would’ve guest cause he favors his mum so well. So you just have this blonde sunshine among a bunch a raven headed emo’s and Dick. Then there’s just Damian going around like “please excuse my brother, he has a genetic disease called Blonde.” Like Damian loves Adrien….but he’s so damn Blonde it puts Steph to shame.

Then the if Marinette shows up the entire Batfam just thanks the heavens cause at least she’s here to make sure he doesn’t get himself killed

#adribat #adrien agreste #adrienette #platonic #or not #idc #maribat #damian wayne #batman #bruce wayne #dick grayson #tim drake #jason todd #cassandra cain #stephanie brown #barbara gordon #gabriel agreste #blond boy

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itriedwritingandhereiam · 17 days ago

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Bruce: *visibly tired, 'tis the wee hours of the morning

Bruce: *spots Marinette

Bruce: Good morning....

Marinette: *with matching dark circles and slumped posture

Marinette: hn

Bruce: *trying to figure out which child this is

Bruce: What's your name again

Marinette: Marinette

Bruce: ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ?

Bruce:Would you like some coffee? I'm going to pour myself a cup

Marinette: sure, merci beaucoup Monsieur Wayne.

Bruce: Please, call me Bruce. Or Dad?

Marinette: Sure thing Dad.

*they both sip their mugs

Damian: Dupain-Cheng why are you awake

Marinette:Hi Damian, 'was just having coffee with Monsieur- euh, Dad

Damian: *visibly confused

Damian: Have you finally lost it

Bruce: That's no way to speak to your sister, Damian

Damian: she is not my sister

Bruce: I thought we were past the whole blood-

Damian: Dupain-Cheng has two parents back in Paris, France; I assure you, Father. Stop trying to adopt her into your hoard. The manor is cramped enough

Bruce:*looks at Marinette

Bruce: You're...not...my child?

Marinette: Euh.....no?

Bruce: But you called me Dad

Marinette: you asked me to

Bruce: I thought you were my child!

Marinette: I feel like that says more about you than it does me

ao3 link

#the intention is to add a scene like this to one of my existing fics #later though #bruce wayne #marinette dupain cheng #damian wayne #he's prolly so fed up of their shit #miraculous ladybug #maribat #batfam #batman #dc x mlb #miraculous #ao3 writer

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donut-doodles-doodles · 6 months ago

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More miraculous batman doodles, marinette gets adopted by Bruce and Adrien comes along as the emotional support cat (boyfriend)

394 notes · View notes

person25 · 1 year ago

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for some reason, every time i get back into dc and/or miraculous i always end up here:

591 notes · View notes

raeuberprinzessin · 1 year ago

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@akittycat24stuff

It immediately made me see this:

Dick, with a dangerous smile addressing Gabriel and Audrey: Do you really want to cross us? Because we can and absolutely will destroy you.

Tim, tipping on a computer: Will? I'm already working on it.

Jason, pulling out a gun: Well, you better work faster.

Stephanie, pulling Jagged aside: You know, I can see you more as the fun uncle type.

Ladybug, petting a purring, happy Chat Noir: - yeah, so that's how we lost our mentor and our temporary heroes.

Batman, trying to hide his excitement: So, you're interested in a new mentor and team?

Ladybug, confused: *stops petting Chat Noir* Huh?

Chat Noir: *stops purring* *blinks drowsily at Batman*

Batman, now vibrating with excitement: How do you two feel about adoption?

Bonus:

Nino, preparing himself somewhere else to fight Gabriel for custody over Adrien: I feel a disturbance in the force 👀

#maribat #incorrect quotes #maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat adrien agreste #maribat bruce wayne #attempted adoption #batman is a serial adopter #bruce wayne's adoption addiction #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #batbrats #you can't tell me that they're not low-key enabling bruce's adoption addiction #especially if it gives them an excuse to fuck over jerks like gabriel or audrey

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marauderundercover · 2 years ago

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A Robin in the Making: The Aftermath

Dick laughs as Wally stuffs another cookie into his mouth. Finally, after almost a month off planet, they were home. There was nothing he wanted to do more than go back to his apartment in Bludhaven and take a long nap. But the incessant vibrating of his phone as he turns it back on lets him know that a nap is unlikely to be in his future. Going back to the first message, he presses play as he switches out of his uniform and into sweats.

“Hey, uh, Dick. I know you’re um, off planet? But you said that I could call you if I ever needed you and- sorry, this is stupid. I’m just gonna-“ Jason’s first message cuts off and Dick frowns. Weird. Hitting play on the next one, Dick’s frown deepens.

“Look, I’m not sure if B is gonna check my room or not but I left a note. I uh, I found out that Catherine wasn’t my real mom. I’m headed out to find her, but I promise I’ll be home. I can’t-” “Jay?” “Go back upstairs, M.”

“Dickie! Jay and I are going on a super secret mission. I tried to text you the secret code, but you didn’t answer. Jay says you’re in space so it was dumb of me to even text, but I knew you wouldn’t want to miss my first mission. I have a mask and everything! But I’m not supposed to put it on unless there’s danger. Jay’s mom just showed up with the car, gotta go!” Skipping over the texts, he selects play on Bruce’s voicemail.

“Please, come to the Manor.” Short and to the point, but it immediately fills Dick with anxiety. Why was it so short? Why did Bruce need him to come to the Manor? What happened with Jason and Mari?

“You’ll never believe what Kori- Dick? What’s wrong?” Wally walks into the room, immediately freezing when he sees Dick’s face.

“I’m not sure, but I uh, I’ve gotta go home.” He says. Wally frowns.

“To Bludhaven?” Dick shakes his head.

“To Gotham.”

---

Stepping in through the front door, Dick is taken aback by how quiet it is. He had never known the Manor to be quiet. Even when he first moved in and Marinette didn’t really do a lot of talking, there was noise. Whether it was toys, or the radio, or the babbles of a little baby- there was noise. And as Marinette got older and Jason joined the family, the noise just increased. It was something that Dick missed, especially living by himself in Bludhaven. But now, walking into the Manor with nothing but an eerie silence surrounding him, Dick had to try not to panic.

“Hello?” He calls out. His voice practically echoed throughout the hallway.

“Master Dick? Is that you?” Alfred asks, stepping into the hall. Dick smiles awkwardly at him, though inside, a wave of relief washes over him. Alfred was okay.

“Hey, Alfred. B said I needed to come home?” He says, hands stuffed into his pants pockets. Alfred presses his lips into a thin line.

“Master Bruce is downstairs. If you’d follow me.” He says. Dick’s stomach rolls.

“Alfred, is everyone-”

“I do believe your father should be the one to talk to you about this situation, young sir.” Alfred says gently, but firmly. Dick’s mouth clicks closed as he silently follows Alfred to the cave, his heart pounding in his chest. Surely if someone was hurt or- had died- surely Bruce would have come to space to get home. Surely he wouldn’t have let Dick stay in space for two whole weeks after that voicemail if something horrible happened. Right? Stepping into the cave, Dick hesitantly calls out.

“B?” There’s some shuffling noises, before Bruce comes into view. Dick inhales sharply. The man looked awful. His face was covered in scruff and the dark circles under his eyes were worse than Dick had ever seen before.

“Dick.” Bruce nods at him. Dick’s eyes narrow.

“What the hell happened, Bruce? You can’t just be ominous as hell in your message and then not say anything when you walk out of the med bay looking like-” Dick freezes, eyes slowly trailing over to the med bay. “Who’s in there?” He asks. Bruce winces.

“Dick, I’m telling you, if there was anything that you could have done to help, I would have sent Clark to get you. As it was, it was touch and go for awhile-” tired of being unable to focus on the words, Dick pushes past Bruce and shoves his way into the med bay, immediately freezing at the sight in front of him. Jason, bruised all to hell, had gauze wrapped around his chest and one leg elevated with a huge cast on it. Marinette, on the other hand, was asleep, with an oxygen mask over her face and cuts and bruises littering every visible part of her. Dick stumbles back, barely catching himself on the door frame.

“What happened?” He breathes out, barely able to get words out. Bruce frowns.

“Jason wanted to go look for his birth mother. Marinette-”

“I know that. Their messages were the first I listened to. I mean who the fuck hurt my little brother and sister?” Dick asks, his voice dripping with venom. Bruce grinds his teeth together.

“The Joker.” Dick stalks out of the med bay, heading straight for his spare uniform. “Dick, stop. Dick- Richard!” Dick whirls around on him, eyes blazing.

“What, Bruce? You want me to just sit around and let the man that tried to kill my siblings walk free? You want me to let him continue breathing in the same goddamn city as them, cause I sure as hell don’t.”

“He isn’t in the country, right now. And he has diplomatic immunity.” Bruce spits out, his left eye twitching. Dick’s eyes narrow.

“That won’t protect him for forever.” He points out. Bruce nods.

“Oh, I know.” He says, before walking away back into the main room of the med bay. It was true, what everyone always said. Batman doesn’t kill. But Dick was no Batman.

@maribat-get-in

#maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat #maribat dick grayson #maribat jason todd #maribat bruce wayne #maribat fanfic #platonic maribat #mgi civil war 3 #mgi civil war

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freakylover · 7 months ago

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TOP Tim Drake "Red Robin/Drake" ships on AO3

1.-Tim Drake/Jason Todd [7097 fics]

2.-Tim Drake/Conner Kent [5706 fics]

3.-Tim Drake/Dick Grayson [1700 fics]

4.-Tim Drake/Stephanie Brown [1475 fics]

5.-Tim Drake/Damián Wayne [1459 fics]

6.-Tim Drake/Bernard Dowd [1221 fics]

7.-Tim Drake/Bruce Wayne [735 fics]

8.-Tim Drake/Marinette Dupain-Cheng [631 fics]

9.-Tim Drake/Ra's al Ghul [519 fics]

10.-Tim Drake/Roy Harper [260 fics] [1,2%]

This list doesn't include fanfics tagged with Tim Drake/Reader or Polyships.

Please don't comment hate messages, this post is purely informative. I don't want my notifications to be filled with ship wars/hate in general :ccc

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mae-dwrites · 1 year ago

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Taking Flight - Chapter 18 - Gamer

| Ao3 | Wattpad |

October 10

“This is a disaster,” Marinette spoke quietly.

Marinette sat on the bench in the locker room. She’d said goodbyes to most of her friends and not many people were still in school so she didn’t have to worry about people hearing her.

Marinette groaned; as it was most of her friends did not include Max at the moment. Numerous times between lessons she tried to talk to him but he just dismissed her or flat out ignored her. Despair had settled on her as she sat there holding her head from her chin.

“Oh Marinette don’t say that. You didn’t know,” Tikki tried to comfort the girl. “You don’t need to dwell on it. Besides you get to hang out with Adrien!” Tikki unintentionally flew in a circle in front of Marinette. The Kwami was determined to cheer up the girl she cared deeply for.

Marinette, for all she had at the moment, simply sighed. She cast her gaze to the floor before closing her eyes and taking a breath. She faced Tikki and put on a smile, “Of course, I should get home and get the rest of the Kwami situated before Adrien comes to my house.”

“Exactly,” Tikki beamed and zipped into Marinette’s purse; they made their way home. Marinette smelt the bakery before she even crossed the street, her home practically inviting people to come and buy something.

Marinette went around the bakery and entered through the residence door, but she couldn’t help but pop her head in. Her Maman and Papa must have been in the kitchen due to the smell of more pastries being made and Bridget at the cash register.

“Psst, Āyí,” Marinette said to the young woman.

Bridget turned, “Oh Marinette you’re home!”

“Uh, yeah. Can you give me a chasan?”

“Of course. Will only speak to me for food,” Bridget said sarcastically as she put the requested food on a napkin for the girl. Bridget squinted at the food and then put her eyes back on her niece, “Need anything else? Any help?”

“I’m good, see you,” Marinette waved and exited up the stairs. Hurrying to get to her room, she knew Adrien was going to arrive soon and the quicker she got the Kwami set the smoother practice would go.

Marinette almost tripped up the steps to her room but caught herself. She pushed her trapdoor open, “Hey guys I’m home, let’s get your tray and coloring books set up.”

“Guardian,�� many cried zipping around her and her room grabbing items. Marinette giggled as some of the fluffy affectionate Kwami nuzzled her cheeks. Ziggy rammed into her bicept making Marinette snort at the Kwami’s goat quality.

“Okay guys, let's focus on getting you all situated.” The Kwami dispersed allowing her to set her backpack down next to her desk.

Marinette found the tray half filled with the Kwami’s various snacks, Barkk and Daizzi were struggling to lift the container of strawberries out of the small fridge. Marinette grabbed it allowing them to grab some other lighter snacks. Marinette placed five strawberries down and put the container back.

Marinette filled the rest of the tray up with the help of Barkk, Daizzi, and Trixx. Many Kwami would come up to her asking if the drawing utensil they had was okay to use; to which she would say yes.

Marinette brought the tray up to her bed and set it right in front of her pillow. Kwami were zipping in and out of the green book organizing their drawing utensils. Marinette opened the coloring books and set them on the bed next to the tray of food, and hung a sheet from the ceiling on the side facing the rest of her room.

Marinette smiled at her handy work as the Kwami got settled and calmed down. There were plenty of colors so they wouldn’t fight over who used what color when they colored.

“Wonderful work Marinette,” Tikki said, phasing in and out of the sheet seeing how it looked.

“Thanks Tikki. Now let’s-”

“Marinette,” her mother called slowly opening her trapdoor. “Adrien’s here for training.”

Marinette turned too fast and her grip slipped on her latter and fell, she broke her fall with her forearms.

“Marinette are you okay?” Sabine asked letting herself into the room. Marinette smoothed her overcoat while giving a reassuring smile to her mother, “Yes Maman. Just slipped.”

Sabine huffed while she looked over her daughter, “And this is why we learn how to fall properly. You could have seriously injured yourself.”

“It’s not that bad,” Marinette started. Sabine frowned and opened her mouth to continue when Adrien popped his head up, “Is Marinette okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Marinette said rushed, with a small smile.

“That’s what she claims,” Sabine stared hard at her daughter before turning back to the hatch.

Adrien smiled, “Well I would hope she is. Wouldn’t want my partner out of commission.”

Marinette’s smile became strained as she laughed, “Right. Of course, because I’m now your partner for the tournament.” She clapped her hands together, “And nothing else, well there is nothing else because we don’t partner up for anything else really.”

“Yeah,” Adrien said awkwardly, holding his smile. Sabine raised her eyebrows at her daughter in question. Marinette gave an affiliative-like smile in response along with raising her shoulders a little.

Sabine nodded to herself, she took in a breath as she turned to Adrien, “Well have fun and work hard?” The woman laughed, “Never thought I say that about video games.” Sabine started down the steps, “But really, have fun and if need anything just ask Marinette or one of us. Okay?”

She looked between her daughter and the model, who smiled,” Of course Mme Cheng.”

Sabine grabbed the trap door and squinted at the boy in a playful scolding, “Haven’t I told you to call me Sabine.”

“Right,” Adrien said sheepishly. Sabine nodded with an amused expression as she shut the door.

Marinette dropped onto her chaise took a deep breath and gave a wide smile to the blond standing next to her chest seat, “So I read up on the Ultra Mega Strike Three Tournament last night, we fight as a duo, as you know, but how well do you do partnered battles? And what’s the fastest you’ve gone through the Champion Chapters on randomize mode?”

“I don’t have experience playing partnered battles other than the one time Nino played with me,” he explained eventually avoiding eye contact with her. “And I’ve only done randomize twice, both I struggled, even with the second time having the computer partner.”

Marinette’s brows came down as she asked, “You never did the online battles?”

Adrien shook his head, “Father never permitted me to, and even before then my parents didn’t like the idea of playing online for the second game.”

Marinette nodded before giving a smile, “Well luckily for us I have online access, we can start with battling the computer before moving on to battling actual players.” Marinette got up and took her regular chair, leaving the spinnable office chair for Adrien to use. Marinette, while she had told them they didn’t need to do things for her, was thankful the Kwami had put the controllers and turned her computer on for her.

Her screen saver was no longer a collage of Adrien but all her friends and family, she’d kept the heart but made them change colors but was mainly still pink. After the news incident before school let out for the summer she had been mortified and had been quick to make a few adjustments to her room setup. She was glad though that Adrien wasn’t the only person on her wall, but he did take up the majority of the space along with her desktop screen saver.

Adrien frowned at the desktop noticing the change, he swallowed the frown away as Marinette pulled up the game to practice. Adrien briefly wondered if he’d done something wrong.

No, he couldn’t have. Every interaction had been positive from what he remembered, or at least he thought so. Marinette smiled at him as he sat down, it turned out one of the controller's batteries were dead. Adrien watched in awe as Marinette pulled a floorboard open to reveal dividers, Marinette pulled out a box and a different controller.

Below them, Sabine made her way back down to the bakery where her sister bombarded her.

“So that’s the boy,” Bridget grinned upon her rounding on the kitchen. Her words were a statement not a question to the older woman.

“Yes, that was Adrien,” Sabine confirmed as she rejoined her husband. Bridget hung at the door clearly not satisfied and wanted to poke her sister more, “The Adrien you’ve spent multiple conversations telling me about?"

Sabine loved her sister, she truly did; and even with years spent apart mainly due to their mother, Sabine knew her sister was only so invasive because of the lack of time together. Unfortunately, that bled into her treatment of Marinette as well.

Tom struggled to stifle a laugh, his wife shot a glare at him that said to stop laughing at her predicament. Sabine received a look practically stating she did this to herself.

Sabine sighed before speaking, “Yes that’s the one I told you about.”

Sabine swore she heard her sister’s head coming up with ideas, so she added sternly, “Baihu you leave those two alone.” She turned to see her sister had just stopped herself from leaving; Sabine gave a narrowed-eyed look to her little sister, “Adrien is a sweet boy who doesn’t ever get out of the house other than for his father’s company. He was homeschooled his entire life and his only friends were his cousin and the mayor’s daughter.”

Sabine’s face softened as she continued, “I know he wouldn’t do anything, there’s nothing to worry about. Compared to you at that age he is just experiencing the world, think about that.”

Bridget had lowered her limps to more natural positions taking in the information, to say she wasn’t worried about her niece was an understatement. She thought about how she didn’t have friends till the end of elementary school when she lived in California, and how not soon after did she lose them to moving to another state. Then again after middle school, she lost her friends for moving to another state unexpectedly.

Being isolated to just two people and whoever was brought to your precinct sounded much lonelier.

Bridget leaned against the doorframe, “Okay I won’t go up, but if they come down it’s open season.” Her smile nearing mischievous, despite this Sabine seemed to relax as she said thank you and resumed her work.

Most of the billboards throughout Paris were plastered with Adrien’s face, but when special events were happening it seemed as though Gabriel Agreste graced those people's usage of said billboards.

A good 45.7% of the boards were promoting the Ultra Meta Strike Three Gaming Tournament rather than the blond's face. His mother had asked about the tournament only to meet with Max’s scowling face while he stated he would not be participating in the tournament. This left Claudie worried as she asked him why, her son appeared to be struggling with whether or not to tell her.

When she tried to gently get his attention to not lose him, she was met with him brushing her off before storming off to his room.

Claudie sighed and leaned against her countertop. Max usually talked to her when something was bothering him or of any alterations to his plans, but he hadn’t this time only leaving her to find out now. She wasn’t used to him acting like this, especially when he was a very forward person. Even as a boy once he’d found his voice, he wasn’t one to beat around the bush or allow time to dwindle.

Her hand brushed against a slip of paper.

“Markov must have printed this,” she murmured to herself. She straightened herself, Max was a smart boy and could very well handle himself for a few hours.

She picked up her purse and knocked on her son’s door, “I’m heading to the store. I’ll be back soon, message me if you can think of anything Markov didn’t put on the list.”

She made out a heavily muffled, “Okay Mom.”

Claudie held a light frown on her face, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Max made his voice louder so his mother could hear him. He could just make out her footsteps as she walked away and the front door shut.

Markov’s heating fan and rotor blades whizzed between Max and the door. Markov’s screen showed his concern as he flew over to his friend.

“Max I understand you’re upset. What if we focused on another activity to take your mind off the tournament,” Markov swayed to get the boy’s attention as he spoke. Markov’s digital eyes drooped as Max turned over on his bed and mumbled something unintelligible. Markov moved so that he hovered just six centimeters from Max.

“Max I believe it would be better for you to busy yourself with something else you enjoy as a distraction until you leave for the New York Trip on Saturday.”

Markov observed Max as he lowered himself to the bed, allowing his claw to sit on the bed. Markov did not like seeing his friend like this, it was very rare that he saw Max so demoralized with discomfit. The living machine lightly tapped Max’s arm with his claw, trying to get his attention.

Max glanced at him, his frown still ever-present. Markov looked hopeful on his screen, sometimes it even amazed Max of what he had made to be so animated. Right now was not one of those moments.

“Markov go through blueprints,” it was more of a command than a request. Markov’s screen held lines to showcase he was doing just that. Max pushed himself off his bed and pulled on a hoodie, this made Markov stop.

“What are you doing?” A question mark on the screen.

“Out for a walk,” Max said, trying to sound unbothered.

“Then I will come with you,” Markov propelled himself up with confidence.

“I would like more solitude,” Max opened his door to walk out, but Markov was right behind him.

“But Max, your emotional state could–”

Max cut him off, “I want to walk alone; that includes you not coming with me.” Max grabbed Markov, “And I know will keep pushing, for now, have a system break.”

“No Max–” Markov was cut off by Max shutting down the intelligent creation. He gently set down his friend on his resting spot.

Max was soon on the streets. He truly was hoping that a walk and some fresh air could help him center himself. But at every turn, there was Adrien’s face, there was a promotion for the Tournament.

His watch indicated a slightly higher blood pressure than usual. And dang it he knew that, he didn't need to be told, or reminded every five minutes.

Where did he program the settings for that! He just needed to turn it off, and could calm down more. He stared downward, hard at his watch. Tapping and swiping, if he could just find where he put the settings for it.

He ran into something hard, he fell back with a grunt rubbing the frontal region of his head. He looked up and there he was again!

Adrien.

But behind, up on the roof of some poor fool's house was promotion for the tournament. And he looked to the right and there was Adrien, and as Max got up he spun around there was Adrien and the tournament.

Max didn't hear his breathing become harsher, the people around him panicking, running, groaning as the flaps of a beautiful glowing Lepidoptera came for him. He didn't see the people dissipate from his area, nor some getting their phones out. No, all he saw was Gabriel and Tournament promotions.

Suddenly everything was a hazy lilac purple, a cloud blocked everything, but Max could still see the promotions clearly. Everything became muffled, and his mind felt as though something slowly cradled his consciousness. A hand gentle but firm, Max while his anger and betrayal turn up the nth degree had relaxed. The soothing hands on his mind were a comfort as they went through the file folders of his mind.

But that was done in milliseconds before his voice sounded in his mind.

“Hello Gamer, I am Hawkmoth, you have had a chance taken from you. A chance that you so rightfully deserve, and all because of some crush?”

He tsked in his head sending vibrations through his nerves. Marinette had taken his place, and all cause she wanted Adrien. But she won, fair and everything. He can't blame her for the talent that came with hard work. But she wouldn't have joined if she wasn't after Adrien.

“Now that won't do will it? You can take your place back, I’ll get you it and you can prove how much better you are. You just need to get me Ladybug and Chat Noir’s Miraculous, so simple.”

Yes, it was a simple request, wasn't it?

“Do you accept my offer,” his voice was so comforting, full of promise. It almost calmed his anger, but it was still blaring just as loud as his voice.

“Yes Hawkmoth,” Max smiled with glee.

“See that time was faster,” Marinette exclaimed.

“It was mostly you again,” Adrien laughed.

“You got the last hit,” Marinette pointed at him, a light glare cast his way too.

Adrien covered his face and dragged his hands down muffling his response.

“You’re still great at the game, just need more practice,” Marinette tried to reassure him.

“Marinette you could probably beat them without my help,” he said very seriously.

“Psst, no,” Marinette laughed. “I’m lucky but not that lucky.”

“Well you are the everyday Ladybug,” Adrien grinned at her. Marinette rolled her eyes and stage whispered, “You want to know my real secret? This is my secret weapon.”

She pulled out a red string with big beads from children's sets and a single clay one. Marinette grinned while Adrien raised an eyebrow, “You’re messing with me.”

“Nope,” Marinette popped the word. “I made this in cours élémentaire 2, and ever since I win every round.”

“You did not have that on you yesterday,” Adrien looked back at her.

“Did I?” a grin still on her face.

The door slapped open making the two jump, and a loud voice boomed, “How about some fresh chocolate croissants with spinach and sourdough bread.”

“Dad,” Marinette whined. Adrien just laughed, “Maybe now would be a good time for a break.”

Marinette slumped against her seat but agreed, her father enthusiastically stretched to give Adrien the tray. Marinette stretched realizing how sore she felt from staying in mostly the same position.

“Why don’t we go down the park? Stretch our legs a bit,” Marinette suggested. Adrien was quick to agree, being glad not to be just confined to her room, but he knew the Dupain-Chengs wouldn’t force him to.

Marinette stopped him for a moment, “Hey you don’t mind if I invite Makzenie, do you?” Marinette pointed to the door of the apartment the girl and her aunt were using. “It’s just that she doesn’t get to hang out with many others, most of the girls’ hangouts are out around the city and she isn’t comfortable going all around.” Marinette smiled a little more nervous, “And we’re only going across the street, and not to mention you’re a very comfortable person to be around. Well, not that it isn’t a mentionable quality it’s just that it seems kinda obvious.”

Marinette trailed off with a laugh.

Adrien had been staring at her a little wide-eyed and if he was being honest hadn’t expected that. He knew Makzenie had gone to the bakery, to finally have a safe place to be but he hadn’t actually seen her. He couldn’t ask to see her because that would be weird of Adrien to do, and he hadn’t dropped by as Chat Noir to see her specifically because that could come off as creepy and he did not want Makzenie nor any of the Dupain-Chengs to think badly of his hero side. That was already rocky with M. Dupain, and he did not want to expand to the rest of the family.

Oh Kwami he’s been quiet and staring for too long, hasn’t he? And Marinette was now rambling about how it was completely okay if he wasn’t comfortable with it.

“She can join,” Adrien interrupted a little too loudly. He cleared his throat, and he could feel the embarrassment of trying to choke him, “It’s a great idea, you’re very considerate Marinette. I’m sure this will help her, also it would be great to meet her myself after you and everyone talking about her.”

It was mainly the girls as they hung out with Marinette the most, but Nino, Max, and Ivan had met her. So that’s all he had to go off as Adrien.

A smile blossomed on her face and she clapped her hands together, “Awesome, let me just see if she wants to join.”

Adrien leaned against the railing, holding the tray of food Tom had brought up, while Marinette knocked and spoke quietly to the girl on the other side. The door opened a little wider and the brunette peaked to squint at him. Adrien had experience with that look plenty as Chat Noir, but without his mask, it made him almost squirm. Adrien gave a small wave to the girl, Makzenie only nodded and said something to Marinette and appeared to leave the door open.

She reappeared in seconds pulling her ponytail through a cap and had a jacket half on, it hung off one arm, but she pulled it on as she pulled the door shut with her elbow.

“Ready,” the girl stated firmly to Marinette. She then faced Adrien and put a handout, “Makzenie.”

Adrien smiled and shook her hand, “Adrien, nice to meet you.”

“I know, you’re everywhere.”

Ah, there’s the ever-blunt attitude he missed during patrol.

“Well let’s get going. Adrien and I are just taking a break, but you join us if you want when we come back to practice more,” Marinette said trying to take the tray from Adrien. Adrien grinned and lifted the tray in the air, “I’m carrying it.”

“You’re a guest,” Marinette glared up at him.

“I thought I was your partner? That means equals, doesn’t it?” Adrien stated smug and lifted the tray higher.

Marinette’s face rippled for a moment and she looked back and forth between his eyes. It made Adrien raise his eyebrows at her in question. Marinette’s eyebrows knitted together, her face was set in a look of confusion at the blond. A strange look of concern he wasn’t used to.

“Are we going or what,” Makzenie asked as she walked between the two. “I was promised snacks and sunlight. I’d enjoy them at a level that I can reach.”

“Right, fine you carry it,” Marinette surrendered following the younger girl.

The trio made their way down the stairs and decided to pass through the bakery. Tom had already arrived back downstairs. Marinette and Makzenie freely snagged some extra treats from the display cases, the former more confidently in the pastrynapping. Marinette kissed Bridget on the cheek as she passed with a, “Love you Āyí.”

Bridget watched the teens make their way out of the bakery. She saw them go to the crosswalk from through the windows, she just needed to follow them. The girls might end up needing her, or they may need help getting away from his crazy fans. She knew about the mob mentality that the boy’s fans tended to have.

Though Bridget’s current theory about that was it was from the effects of mind control Akumas.

“Bridget,” Sabine’s voice spoke out warningly.

“I said it was open season, and your help will be here in,” the woman glanced at the clock, “three minutes.” Bridget started taking off her apron, which she didn’t need but her sister insisted she wear it.

She heard Sabine sigh as she hung up the apron and removed her tag.

“Just be respectful,” her sister said with resignation.

“Of course,” Bridget waved her off. Bridget was mildly self-aware of her tendencies, but it wasn’t anything unusual in the family. The bell dinged and she turned to see Huang with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, and a bag hanging off his end fingers on one hand. “And there’s my insurance Xia,” Bridget grinned to her.

“What did I say about magic,” Sabine hissed at Bridget. Bridget rushed across the bakery grabbing their brother by his arm, “That you love and appreciate that we practice.”

Bridget pulled Huang out with her before Sabine decided decking her was an attractive option.

“Hey these are hot,” Huang glared at her.

“Oh please you can cool them,” Bridget said as she tugged the bag from his fingers. She went to open it but glanced up at him, “Which one is mine?”

“Neither,” he frowned. “You’re annoying and lack respect.”

“I have plenty of respect,” Bridget's nostrils flared while she frowned back.

“Say that to my arm,” Huang grumbled. “What did you want them for anyway,” he nodded to the small bag before they crossed the street.

“Oh we’re gonna follow Marinette,” Bridget chirped as she opened the bag and grabbed a silver ring out.

“Excuse me,” Huang stopped in his tracks. His face was pure bewilderment, “Bridge.”

“Yeah,” she looked up from inspecting the piece.

“That’s, uh, it’s unethical,” Huang said with hard enunciation.

“Yeah,” shrugged at him. “Oh don’t worry we’re gonna use these to follow the heroes during fights. Observe them better, and find places they frequent. It’s hard following them, they have heightened senses and stuff. Besides we’re gonna be in contact with them soon and we need to be prepared. Marinette’s friends aren’t gonna be perfect sources.”

Huang just stared at her but Bridget wasn’t having it, “Come on. Track them.”

Huang would not answer her summoning again. Ever even, he will take the spell back at the end of this.

As they made their way into the park, invisible rings on, a thudding could be heard coming toward the area. Several phones went off making Huang’s stomach drop. Just a few yards away stood a giant robot of sorts, he slowly looked down to see it was looming over the three teens his sister wanted to stalk.

Great.

He was just close enough to hear Marinette with only annoyance in her voice, “Tell me this isn't some kind of publicity stunt for the tournament.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the lovesick nincompoop. How about we see who is victorious now Marinette,” the Akuma cried, its amplified voice making a person or two just hide in a bush to overhear.

Huang stood there slack-jawed at the giant machine, he thought the Miraculous the villain was using transformed people. Not give them entire vehicles, unless it was connected to him? Yeah, he didn’t want to go down that train of thought, but he might end up regardless later.

“Lovesick,” he saw Marinette cringe as she repeated the word while at the same time Bridget went, “Really? Nincompoop? Jeez, might as well say zoinks while he’s at it.”

Huang faced his sister with utter horror, “He’s threatening our niece and that’s your only reaction?”

She shrugged, “She’ll be fine.”

“She’s fifteen,” he stressed.

“She’s Xia and Tom’s,” she countered.

He couldn’t believe they were having this conversation now, “She just got shot at with lasers!”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Bridget said running ahead. The teens had already started running, with lasers to follow. He ran joining his sister, watching in horror as Adrien got separated from the girls. Huang went to follow him but Bridget grabbed his arm, “Marinette is more important, besides the Akuma is after her. We’ll have a better chance at observing the heroes if we stick to her.”

They ran after the girls instead, and damn, these girls were fast. At least Bridget didn’t have a problem keeping pace behind them. Marinette yelled something to Makzenie that Huang couldn’t hear. Makzenie and Marinette went back and forth for a few seconds, while running.

Seriously where did these kids get their lung capacity from?

Mackenzie ran off from Marinette; Marinette turned around running backwards without losing speed, and oh Celestials help him, yelling at the Akuma. He doesn’t know how Sabine hasn’t succumbed to her stubborn need to be a bulwark.

A cry sounded as a black blob came down on the machine of the veicheal, the momentum the…cat hero brought knocked the machine into the building. Sounds of rubble falling, glass shattering, and metal snapping from the pressure could be heard as the building collapsed from the large machine.

“Dang,” he heard his sister say, her voice soft but disconnected. Her detachment was very telling that she heard some of the screams that made their way to their ears.

“Hello Purincess,” the Cheng sibling's heads whipped to Chat Noir as he bowed to their niece, “May I ask why someone Akumatized into an avatar from one of the popular games on the continent is after you?”

“I may have accidentally taken his place in the upcoming gaming tournament,” Marinette’s voice came out strained and her face showed shame.

“How did you accidentally take someone’s place in a tournament,” the feline hero frowned as he glanced between the Akuma and the girl.

“I just wanted a play a round and I beat him and then they said I’m playing then and no one would listen to me when I tried to say I didn’t want to participate and he’s been mad at me since yesterday,” Marinette said fast-paced as she looked to the Akuma and took a step closer to the hero.

“Can you get me out of here real quick?”

“How about I get you out of here real quick?”

They said at the same time.

Huang was very close to yelling in frustration, he did not have the necessary materials on hand to follow them. A heavy sigh that morphed into a groan sounded beside him, he saw his sister glaring at the direction the cat hero had taken their niece. He was thankful that looks did, in fact, not kill.

“It’s fine,” she hissed. He knew for a fact that it was not fine, but they also had bigger problems. “We can just follow the Akuma and observe the heroes,” Bridget said as the giant machine got up and began to shoot lasers and get…plus symbols. Guess Huang could give credit where it was due, the guy knew how to be on theme.

Chasing the machine and trying to help citizens had made Huang send his drinks away long ago. At least the heroes were here now, including a new turtle-themed one. The turtle hero did not seem to be as familiar with the game as the main duo.

Now Bridget and Huang watched from the top of a building as the turtle hero put a dome around the stadium. It wasn’t a great place to be but they got a general gist of what was happening. Their goal had come to minimize his level-ups and disturbance to the rest of the city.

“It’s so hard to see,” Bridget complained, she squinted hard at the structure, “at least I could follow Grater.”

“What a kid get cut trying to help mom with the cheese,” Huang said as he resummoned his drinks, offering Bridget the tea.

Bridget murmured thanks before shaking her head, eyes still glued to the dome, “Akuma not even half a day being here, she was giant.”

“Bigger than the robot,” he asked curiously.

“Taller than the school,” she said still squinting. Suddenly she faced him, shoving her reading glasses in his face, “Enchant them.”

“Excuse me,” Huang leaned away from the excited woman.

“You heard me.”

“Yes I did, figure of speech,” Huang frowned. “I can’t just cast spells willy nilly Bridge. It’s dangerous to do it so carelessly.”

“Just make them act as binoculars temporally.”

Huang really wished he could say she was convincing. She wasn’t, but he couldn’t say no to her. He held the glasses for a second, pushing energy into them, making a limited pocket of magic on the item.

“There,” he said turning to his now cold coffee. “Ten minutes, you can see through the stadium better than I can and closely if you concentrate.”

Huang rested his chin sipping his drink, it’d take more energy from him to reheat it than to summon a new one. A bright pink light shined through the barrier, making him raise his eyebrows at the structure.

“Spray paint,” Bridget said beside him in question.

“They lucky thing?”

“Yeah,” Bridget said, “And it’s lucky charm.”

Huang sucked in a breath to retort but it died down when the barrier around the stadium had fallen. Seconds after he sees the turtle hero jump to the top of the stadium and throw something large. And seconds after that, red bugs flew through the sky, undoing the damage from the Akuma.

Huang watched mouth agape. The magic made his insides warm and spin, he felt as awake as he had before the Akuma, everything around him felt notched to 100th degree, like everything was on blast. He looked at his cup and reheated it without feeling any sort of drain.

He grabbed Bridget’s reading glasses, “Hey!”

Like an eager child for some candy made a thicker braid of magic on the item. It was so easy. Huang laughed in a partially crazed state, this city was practically a hub of magic at every level of being.

“It’s permanent,” he said, handing the glasses back.

“What?” Bridget put the glasses on, she gasped after putting them on and she faced her brother, “I thought you couldn't do magic all willy-nilly?”

“Not on my own,” Huang said standing up, he took a deep breath. “Not without worrying about using up my magical resources or reserves. This city is rebuilt and destroyed by magic almost daily, sometimes right?”

“Yeah,” Bridget nodded, thinking over the back-to-back Akuma’s she’d read on.

“Every single time,” he moved his hand with each enucleation that came from his mouth, “she cases that spell it didn't just rebuild and bring back the dead.” His words were almost breathless and made Bridget move so she sat on the ledge of the building watching her older brother pace.

“It made the very buildings imbued with it, the people probably have natural reserves inside of them that they don't even realize they have,” he ran his hands down his face. “It’s in the very air we breathe, the soil we walk on, the plants we pass, it's everywhere.”

He laughed again, this time giddier in sound, he looked almost as if he was gonna dance around on his tiptoes.

“I can’t believe I didn't realize this soon,” he continued pacing. He paced a moment to face Bridget again, “I mean I did, just not at this caliber.” His feet were soft despite the urgency they had taken. “But I feel it now,” he stopped and looked at the city and the stadium.

The heroes were long gone at this point, but the residue of their magic was still lasting. Huang didn't even need to try to see the remnants of Ladybug’s magic flitting through the air.

“Don’t you see it,” Huang said, “It’s still there.”

Bridget turned around confused, she never understood her brother when he got like this. He’d long stopped but when it came to magic he slipped into that same crazed wonder he’d use to talk about the world around them. It made her feel like a little girl again, looking over a field to see, to understand, what it was her brother saw.

For once she saw exactly what he had been talking about.

Speckles of green that were just barely visible surrounded the stadium and from there spread out strips of red.

“You mean the,” Huang interrupted Bridget with clear certainty, “Yes.”

After standing there for what was certainly too long Bridget spoke up, “I think we should go back.”

Huang still stared out, “Yeah, yeah. Go.”

And on the way back to the bakery Huang was much more aware of the city around them.

“And then Marinette tripped, face in the carpet,” the young woman laughed, “but she didn’t spill a single drop of the soup.”

“I find that highly doubtful,” Damian frowned at her. “The amount of skill and experience needed not to spill any of the soup would have also kept her from tripping in the first place.”

“You’d think,” Fei laughed before taking a bit from her plate. “Her mom has trained her in self-defense and stuff but she does not have a sense of balance.”

Cass silently giggled next to her while Stephanie smiled with as much amusement over the story. Bruce watched as his daughter’s friend interacted with his son. Tim was “staying late at the office” so he could not join them this evening with Miss Fei Wu.

Bruce kept a pleased smile as he ate, a good part of it was out of being polite but he was happy his daughter had found a friend during her temporary mission in Hong Kong. Though she had met the young woman when she went to investigate Shanghai as he had requested.

Fei was to fly back to Shanghai within the next week, and Bruce had yet to try and prod any information out of her about what she’d experienced during that night in the city. But it seemed his daughter could tell every time when he was going to ask about it, which didn’t surprise him, he should have expected, she seemed to be against him asking her about it.

“Mr. Cheng is one of the best chefs in the world, but I couldn’t tell you who is better,” Fei said deflecting Stephanie’s targetted question.

“I would rather like to have a competition between Pennyworth and Cheng,” Damian spoke up, and he raised his chin as he declared, “but Pennyworth would certainly win. His skills in the kitchen are unmatched.”

“You and your competitions,” Cass signed with a playful roll of her eyes.

“They are the only proper way to measure someone’s competence in such a manner,” Damian frowned defiantly.

“Sure Dami,” Stephanie said dryly, “Like the cart race in the Blüdhaven Target, you thought all of you were extremely competent.”

“I do not appreciate your sarcasm or that eye roll at the end Brown,” Damian squinted at Stephanie before continuing his meal. Stephanie snickered before doing the same. Fei had followed suit in snickering and turned back to Cass.

“We should do that with my friends in Shanghai,” Fei’s face was mischievous and was soon matched by Cass who grinned back.

Oh, Bruce did not like the sound of that. But he would preserve through.

After dinner Cass, Stephanie, and Fei went to the family sitting room while Bruce and Damian went to “rest” for the rest of the night. For as much as Bruce wanted to stay behind to try and get information out of Fei, he knew by this point that it wasn’t going to happen. That and he wasn’t very sure about leaving just Tim, Jason, and Damian on the field, even with Barabra and Alfred.

Stephanie snickered for a moment before bursting out laughing after Bruce had bid the three girls goodnight. She looked between Fei and Cass giddy.

“I still can’t believe you snuck in a magic-using hero,” Steph whispered.

“Not exactly what I am, but,” Fei tilted her head as she extended the word, “It kinda counts.”

“B would freak out regardless,” Steph said crisscrossed. She leaned back and forth, “So while you tell me about the night Bruce really wants the dets to, have you ever played Yahtzee?”

Fei shook her head making Steph light up, “Perfect!”

Stephanie got up and ran to get the game out, Fei’s phone buzzed. Fei looked and smiled, she tried not to sigh.

“Marinette,” Cass questioned with amusement.

“Yep,” Fei laughed. It was what? One in the morning over there? The girl needed sleep, regardless of her and Adrien’s nightly duties. “Wish I could strap her to a bed and take over for her.”

Cass hummed as Steph got back, “Did I hear Marinette?”

“Yeah,” Fei waved her phone. “Probably doing one of her many projects.”

“You said she designs and sews right?” Steph looked up at her as she pulled out the game from the box. Fei responded as she replied to the younger teen, “Yeah, she knits and crochets too. Makes her own clothes.”

“That’s so awesome, wish I had the time to do that,” Steph passed Cass sheets for both her and Fei.

“She doesn’t have the time, but she makes it.”

“Really?” Steph looked at her again.

“She’s a miracle worker,” Fei said, she fought to not laugh at her pun. She took one last look at her phone before turning it off. She smiled with her full attention on the blond, “So how do we play this?”

Marinette:

Hey this next week I’m going to be in New York, you said you were in Gotham right?

Could we call at some point? It would be great to call while in the same timezone!

Me:

Sure thing Marinette! Can’t wait!

#taking flight #maribat #maribat fic #maribat fanfic #maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat adrien agreste #maribat bridget cheng #maribat sabine cheng #maribat bruce wayne #maribat chat noir #maribat damian wayne #maribat fei wu #maribat cass #maribat stephanie brown

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