#maribat secret santa 2022

[lily-drake]

It’s a Learned Trait

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

For Night_ngale on Ao3:

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

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

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

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

“It’s ok, I’ve gotcha.”

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

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

“Hey, things will be ok.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tap

…

Tap tap

…..

Tap tap tap

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

“I need you to watch someone for me.”

The red-haired man raised a brow.

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

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

“Can you come with me please?”

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

“Hey,”

The other man said in a soft tone,

“What's your name?”

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

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

“Nine.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mhm.”

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

“Okay.”  

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

•         •         •

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Here you go.”

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

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

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

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

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

•         •         •

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No, thankfully.”

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

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

Taglist:

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[paintball169]

Timari Artwork for Secret Santa 2022!

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

I hope you like it, Merry Christmas!!

Thanks for hosting, @maribat-secret-santa

[marauderundercover]

2022 Secret Santa Gift Exchange

For: @lifeexperience hope you enjoy!

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Do you remember Mr. Kent?” Alfred asks. Marinette nods. He came to the manor a lot more than her dad liked, but she didn’t mind cause he usually brought his son Jon with him. “He and your father are in the middle of a meeting, and he couldn’t step away.” Alfred explains. Marinette resists the urge to ask if Jon was there too. Hopefully it was just a super quick meeting and then her dad could hang out with her. She knew that he was always super busy. He worked at a really big company, and he had a bunch of kids, and he was Batman. But he was still a good dad, and she knew he tried. 

“Is Cass home?” She asks, buckling herself into her booster seat (Alfred insisted, even though she tried to convince him that ten was plenty old enough to use a normal seat; apparently she was too short). 

“I’m afraid Miss Cass won’t be home for another week or so. Your brothers should all be there, though Master Duke and Master Tim won’t be staying for long. They’re going on a weekend trip with a few friends.” He explains. Marinette hums in surprise. It was really rare for Tim to leave Gotham for something not hero related. She’d have to make a bet with Damian to see what the odds were that Tim and Duke were actually going on a secret mission that they hadn’t told anybody about. It seemed much more likely. Marinette zones out on the rest of the car ride, just watching as her favorite city passes by. She liked Paris and spending time with her Maman, but Gotham had always felt more like her home. Gotham was where her dad and brothers and Alfred were. It was her home. As the manor appears out the window, Marinette grins at the sight of her dad waiting for her outside. The second the car stops, Marinette is out and running to her dad. She launches herself at him and sighs happily as he picks her up and wraps her in a big hug. 

“I missed you too.” He says softly, giving her one last squeeze before setting her down. “How was the last week of school?” Marinette sighs dramatically, grinning when she sees the moment her dad spots her new missing tooth. 

“I lost another tooth! And Alix didn’t even pull this one out for me.” She says happily. Her dad sighs, but she can tell he really wants to laugh. 

“You two are going to cause so much trouble one day, aren’t you?” He asks. Marinette shrugs. 

“Depends on if it’s fun or not. Where’re the boys?” She asks, leaning slightly to look past him. 

“Tim and Duke are packing, and Jason’s in the library. Last I checked, Dick was also in the library attempting to convince Jason to go do something else.” Her dad says with a small smile, the same smile he always got when he mentioned Jason. The memories weren’t super clear, but she did have some memories of when Jason died. She probably purposefully blocked out most of it, though. (Or that’s what Max thought, when she’d talked to him about it once; he was super smart). That was a rough summer. Tim hadn’t come around yet, and her dad and Dick were both really, really sad. And angry. As much as they’d both tried to hide it from her, she heard them yelling. And she saw the reports of what Batman was doing, even if the news only had stories and never any actual pictures of what Batman had become. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t get her dad back to who he was before Jason died. She spent most of that summer baking with Alfred and drawing in the library on the couch where Jason used to read her stories. By the time she came home for Thanksgiving (a holiday she knew her dad didn’t care about, but one he celebrated so that she could have an excuse to come to Gotham more) Tim was there. 

Snapping out of her thoughts, Marinette frowns when she realizes there was a brother missing. 

“What about Damian?” She asks. Her dad frowns as Mr. Kent smiles, and that’s when Marinette remembers Damian talking about his new friend, Kent. Her eyes widen. “Is Jon here?” She asks, resisting the urge to just run towards the manor. Her dad opens his mouth to respond, but Mr. Kent cuts him off. 

“They’re in the game room closest to the living room.” He says. Marinette squeals out a thanks before rushing off. Time to see Jon!

---

Bruce’s eyes narrow as he looks at one of his oldest friends. Clark just laughs, shaking his head. 

“You know she would’ve found them eventually, Bruce.” He says. Bruce huffs. 

“That doesn’t mean you had to just send her off to him.” He argues. Clark raises an eyebrow, the amusement clear on his face. 

“They’re kids, Bruce. It’s not like they’re going to get married tomorrow-” Clark starts to say, but Bruce cuts him off. 

“Or ever.”

“That’s not what Jon said.” 

“Clark-”

“Bruce, breathe. Last time they talked, Marinette apparently told Jon that she was going to marry him one day. It was very matter-of-fact and, need I remind you, they’re children. Plenty of kids have crushes that never amount to anything. And besides that, they’re friends, Bruce. Neither of them have many friends that know about everything. You really gonna take that away from either of them?” Clark asks, crossing his arms. Bruce sighs. 

“Fine. But we will revisit this conversation in a few years.” He says. Clark chuckles, but agrees. Bruce, who knows how determined his daughter can be, doesn’t laugh. 

---

“Jon!” Marinette squeals, running into the room. Jon turns around and grins, opening his arms. Before Marinette can throw herself into the hug, Damian steps between them, frowning. Marinette skids to a stop, raising an eyebrow at her older brother. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Damian asks, looking between them. Marinette huffs. 

“I was trying to hug my friend.” She says, arms crossed. Damian raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms too. 

“Kent is my friend, Marinette.” He says firmly. Marinette’s eyes narrow. 

“He was my friend first!” She counters. Damian turns to Jon. 

“Well, are you going to say anything?” He asks. Jon’s eyes widen. 

“Well, uh, I-” He stammers over his words. 

“Leave him out of this! Can’t you see you’re stressing him out!” Marinette yells at her older brother. He scoffs. 

“Oh, I’m stressing him out?” He asks. “What about you? Rushing in here and trying to hug him with no prior warning?”

“Jon happens to like my hugs.” Marinette says firmly. Damian snorts humorlessly. 

“Are you sure he isn’t just being nice?” He asks. Marinette feels her cheeks turn red. 

“Actually-” Jon starts. 

“Stay out of this, Kent.” Damian warns. Marinette rolls her eyes. 

“Why are you such a know it all, all the time?” She asks, trying hard not to scream. 

“Why are you such a little baby?” Damian taunts. 

“That’s it!” Marinette shrieks before letting out a battle cry. She rushes towards her brother, fists flying. Every time he dodges, she shrieks. She wasn’t trained like he was. It wasn’t fair! Suddenly, arms are around her, lifting her away from Damian just as Damian is restrained by Dick. 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! What is going on in here?” He asks, looking between them. Marinette glances back, stopping kicking when she realizes Jason is the one holding her back. He was officially her favorite brother at the moment. 

“Marinette is acting like a child simply because Kent is now my friend.” Damian tuts, tilting his nose up. Marinette’s eyes widen and she immediately starts thrashing around again in an attempt to go kick the heck out of her brother. 

“You are the worst! That’s not what happened at all!” She argues. 

“Cool it, kiddo.” Jason says quietly. Marinette shakes her head. 

“No! He’s being mean, and I’m gonna beat him up for it!” She insists. Damian snorts, but immediately stops at the look Dick gives him. 

“Alright. You two clearly need some time apart right now. Jason.” Dick nods towards the door and Marinette’s eyes widen. 

“This isn’t fair! Why does Damian get to hang out with Jon? He’s probably hung out with him all day! He’s my friend too!” She complains, going limp in Jason’s hold. Jason sighs, taking her out of the game room and towards the library. 

“Just breathe, Mari. I’m sure you’ll get to hang out with Jon a ton this summer. He’s over here all the time now.” Jason says. Marinette’s face falls into a frown. Before Damian came, Jon never wanted to hang out at the manor all the time. Even when Marinette was in town. Did he….was he really her friend? Or was Damian right. “Okay kid, if I set you down, do you promise not to go beat the shit out of the Gremlin?” Jason asks. Marinette nods. 

“I uh, I think I’m really tired, Jay. I’m gonna go take a nap, okay?” She’s trying really hard not to cry. Jason frowns, but nods. 

“If you’re sure. Hey, you know you can talk to me, right?” He asks. Marinette nods, and gives Jason a half hearted smile before she heads upstairs. Was Jon really her friend?

---

An hour later, Marinette’s door creaks open slightly. She glances over and waves half-heartedly at Jason. He frowns. 

“Hey kid, are you okay? I thought you were gonna take a nap.” He says. Marinette shrugs. 

“Not tired anymore.” She says. Jason’s eyebrows scrunch together. 

“I was gonna head home,” He starts, and Marinette feels her shoulders slump even more. “But, if you want, you could tag along. I was gonna make spaghetti for dinner.” He adds. Marinette perks up immediately. Damian may want to hog Jon (who may or may not be her friend), but Jason was always there for her. 

“Can we watch Little Women? The one with Winona Ryder?” She asks, Jason grins and nods. 

“Sure thing, kid. Grab a bag and let Bruce know. I’ll wait outside.” He says. Marinette nods and quickly packs up a backpack, then hesitates. It was only her first night back home. If she asked her dad, she ran the risk of him saying no. And then she’d have to eat dinner with Damian. And Jon. Nope. No, siree, she wasn’t going to risk that. Grabbing a piece of paper from her desk, she scribbles out a little note. It’d be fine, and if he was mad at her…well, he probably wouldn’t be mad. She was leaving a note! Just in case, she hurries down the back stairs and out the side door. No need to risk running into her dad. She’d talk to him tomorrow. 

---

Bruce lets his shoulders relax as he walks in and sits down for dinner. Clark had left just after Marinette arrived, but he’d had League business that couldn’t wait. Which meant dinner was the first time he’d be able to actually sit and talk to his daughter since her visit at Easter. Looking around the table, he frowns. 

“Has anyone seen Marinette?” he asks. Tim glances around, then shakes his head. 

“Uh, no. Actually, I haven’t seen her all day. Wasn’t she coming home today?” He asks. Bruce nods, trying to push down the worry welling up. 

“Little D?” Dick says, and Bruce glances at Damian, narrowing his eyes. 

“Damian. Care to explain?” Bruce asks. Damian purses his lips and tilts his chin up. A move he got from his mother. 

“She was acting like a child. We argued and Todd removed her from the game room.” Damian says simply. Bruce sighs, pinching his nose. 

“What was it this time?” He asks, shaking his head. It never seemed to fail. Every time Marinette came to stay, she and Damian found something new to fight about. It never lasted for long, but he’d come to accept it as an undeniable truth. The sky was blue. Grass was green. Damian and Marinette argued. Simple. 

“I hardly see how that-”

“They were fighting over me.” Jon blurts out. Bruce raises an eyebrow. 

“Excuse me?” 

“Well, I’m friends with Damian now, too. And so he was mad when Mari was trying to hug me, and then she yelled back at him since we were friends first and I tried to stop them but they kept fighting so Jason and Dick made them split up and then I didn’t get to say anything else to Mari and so she probably hates me now.” Jon rambles, eyes wide as his lower lip trembles. Bruce resists the urge to groan. Of course they were fighting over Jon. 

“Shall I go get Miss Marinette from her room?” Alfred asks. 

“No, I’ll get her. Damian, tomorrow we’re going to have a talk about friends. And the fact that multiple people can be friends with the same person.” Bruce says firmly, heading towards his youngest daughter’s room. He knocks. 

“Mari? Sweetie, it’s time for dinner.” Bruce says. He frowns when she doesn’t answer. “Mari?” He calls, knocking again. Bruce purses his lips. Perhaps she fell asleep? He knocks one more time before gently pushing the door open. He doesn’t panic at the empty room. He’s completely calm and collected. The paper that catches his eye on her desk, the letter letting him know that she’d be back the next day and not to worry- that’s what makes him panic. Flashbacks of five years ago. An empty bedroom. A note. A crumpled form in the middle of an explosion. Steadying his breath, he rushes downstairs. He wouldn’t go through that again. He couldn’t. 

“Master Bruce-”

“Marinette’s gone.” He says, clutching the note like a lifeline. 

“What?” Jon squeaks out, his eyes wide. Bruce turns to Dick. 

“We have to find her. Dick, will you call Jason? The rest of us will head to the cave. Everyone needs to be on comms and suited up in twenty minutes.” Bruce instructs. And not even the familiar feeling of directing a mission can bring him calm. Not while his daughter is missing. 

---

Marinette sips her chocolate milk, shaking her head at the tv. 

“You know, sometimes I wonder how Jo and Amy are able to like each other again after all the times they kinda suck and are kinda awful towards each other.” She says. Jason raises an eyebrow. 

“Yeah?” He asks. She nods. 

“Yeah. But then I remember all the times that we all fight, and I kinda get it.” She sighs. Jason snorts, shaking his head. The landline rings and Jason reaches over and grabs it. 

“Hello.” He says simply. Marinette looks away from the movie, instead watching her brother’s face as shock quickly covers it. “What? No- I- Dick, shut the hell up and breathe. She’s fine. No, she is. She’s with me. Well- I- I thought B knew. Yeah. Mmhmm. Call the calvary back, she’s fine. She’ll be back tomorrow morning after breakfast. Because I promised I’d make pancakes. No, not for you Dickhead. Uh huh. Bye.” Marinette quickly turns her attention back to the movie, hoping he doesn’t try to talk to her about it. 

“I wonder if I could wear a dress like that to the next gala.” Marinette muses, hoping it’ll be enough to change the subject. Instead, the movie pauses and Marinette sighs. 

“So. Are we going to talk about this? Or am I just going to give you a little lecture?” Jason asks. Marinette pouts. 

“Why do we have to do either? Why can’t we just finish watching the movie?” She asks. Jason lets out a long breath. 

“Do you remember when I died?” He asks bluntly. Marinette flinches back, looking at her older brother with wide eyes. He winces. “Sorry, kid. But I promise it’s important.” Marinette frowns, eyebrows scrunching together. 

“Well. Yeah, I- I kind of remember it. It’s not super clear, but…I remember.” She says, pushing down the wave of sadness that wells up inside her. It was one of the hardest times of her entire life. 

“I don’t know how much you remember of that time, but I ran away first. I was determined to figure out who my birth mom was, so I left. And do you know what I did?” He asks. Marinette shakes her head. “I left a note. I didn’t tell anyone I was leaving, not even Alfred. I just left a note. And we both know how that ended up.” He says. Marinette’s eyes widen. 

“That’s what I did to dad. I just left a note- I thought- I didn’t want him to tell me I couldn’t go. I didn’t think it would-” She stops, trying hard to stop her tears. Jason opens his arms and she throws herself at him, crying. “I’m sorry.” She says. 

“It’s fine, kiddo. I know the whole Jon and Damian thing really upset you. But- and I’m gonna sound like a fu-freaking hypocrite here- but you’ve gotta communicate.” Jason says. Marinette sniffles, and leans back. 

“Do you think dad’s gonna be really mad at me?” She asks timidly. Jason shakes his head. 

“No, kid, I don’t think he will. I think he’ll be too relieved to be mad.” He says. Marinette starts to respond, but a tap on the window makes her jump instead. Jason immediately leaps off the couch and heads for the window. “Of freaking course.” He huffs before throwing the window open. Marinette frowns, until a familiar person steps in and her eyes widen. 

“Mari!” Jon calls, running over and giving her a big hug. Marinette blinks a few times, before she relaxes and returns the hug. 

“What’re you doing here?” She asks once he pulls away. 

“Yeah. I’d also like to know.” Jason says, walking over and crossing his arms. Jon laughs awkwardly before reaching back and scratching the back of his neck. 

“I uh, I was worried about you.” He says. Marinette feels a smile creep onto her face. 

“Really?” She asks. He nods. 

“Course I was. You’re one of my best friends.” He says. She raises her eyebrows. “Yeah, uh, I already told Damian that people can have more than one best friend. I think your dad’s gonna talk to him more about it tomorrow, but I didn’t wanna stop being your friend.” He says. 

“Still best friends forever?” She asks, holding out a pinky. Jon grins and links his pinky with hers. 

“Forever and ever.” He says simply. And he was right. 

When Marinette and Jon get married fifteen years later, it surprises no one.

Tag list: @maribat-secret-santa

Permanent tag list: @stainedglassm  @laydeekrayzee @doll246 @queenz-z @deathssilentapproach-blog @literaryhiraeth @unoriginalmess @crazylittlemunchkin @buttercupsbitch @toodaloo-kangaroo @kking13

[liquid-luck-00]

Maribat Secret Santa 2022

is it late... yes

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

but without further ado for my secret santa recipient @intercoursefluids

In Every Lifetime

~~~~~~~~~~

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

•••

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

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

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

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

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

"You humans really are a suspicious bunch."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

•••

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

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

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

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

Their past flashed behind his eyes.

His mission forgotten and forfeited.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Only if you do the same."

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

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

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

"I can’t lose you again. I won’t."

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

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

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

The little voices that rang in their heads spoke out.

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

•••

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

•••

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

But this, this was not what she hoped for.

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

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

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

"The price for your insolence is your death."

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

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

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

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

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

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

•••

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

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

•••

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

Ever since she was small she knew she was different.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But that give Nightwing the opportunity that he needed.

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

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

"Talk." A gravely monotone voice answered.

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

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

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

"I'll be right there."

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

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

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

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

Nightwing stepped in front of her blocking them.

That is when her Nonna finally found her.

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

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

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

"Miss?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

With that Nightwing turned and walked towards the Bat.

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

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

"Right Nonna."

---

The entire car ride back to the manner was silent.

His blind anger and vengeance no longer consumed his mind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And maybe you need to find..."

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

He was going to say something else I stopped himself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"But…"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But he knew she was still near him.

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

"Who are we to celebrate?"

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

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

"Only if the fake acts accordingly."

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

"She likes to have strawberries with dark chocolate."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Have you visited Paradise Island before Miss Marinette?"

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

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

"Indeed, it was."

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~~~~~~~~~

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@maribat-secret-santa

[lifeexperience]

Compliment, at least

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

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

*

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I asked something!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What she wouldn’t give for more…

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

Out of his view.

Ladybug took a deep shaky breath.

What the Kwami’s hell happened?

*

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

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

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

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

“So.. so you’re saying… that..”

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

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

“Marine…” 

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

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

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

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

“Tikki!” nudged the Kwami. “Tikki!” 

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

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

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

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

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

It was not an answer.

“Yes.”

“You know about Shadow too.”

It was fishing for ammo.

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

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

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

“I would like to know why.”

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

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

“Which needs to balance out my Creation.”

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

“You mean…”

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

“And Shadow?”

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

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

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

*

It’s always about the Balance.

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

Last night’s crying session was not enough.

What even is my life?

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

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

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

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

She felt how her eyes stitched. “Yes?”

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

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

“Öhm… Wayne Inc.”

*

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

Breathtaking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So Mr. Wayne… who evidently had some fans. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So it was a two way magical link. 

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

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

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

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

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

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

I was Enchanted to Meet You

@maribat-secret-santa

To: @silverwhiteraven

(Ao3)

-----

"KARA!!!!"

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

"Mari Net-Ta. Be careful." Kara chided the younger girl who didn't slow down.

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

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

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

"It's fine. I like Mari too."

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

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

"I know. I know. You wanted to play with Kara." Libra chuckled and she greeted Kara's mother.

"Hello, Alura."

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

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

"Slow down. We don't want another clumsy Mari incident again." Kara said.

"I am not that clumsy." Mari replied indignantly.

"You are."

"Are not."

The two bickered back and forth.

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

------

"Kara, I heard that you have a cousin now." Mari asked while she flipped through her book in Kara's room.

"Yeah, his name is Kal-El. I babysit him sometimes. He's adorable." Kara replied, looking up from her own studies for her graduation trials.

"You can't like him more than me."

Kara laughed, "Mari, you are thirteen and my best friend. Why are you jealous of a baby?"

Mari's cheeks were red as she shot back, "You said that he's adorable. You like adorable things. So I have reasons to be worried about him taking my place as your closest person."

"Don't worry. You are more adorable than he is. Besides, I can't discuss engineering with a baby like I can with you." Kara reassured her friend, unaware of Mari's cheeks turning redder at the compliment.

Mari sat up eagerly, "That's right. Take that, Kal-El."

"He's not even here. Now, can you explain this theory to me?"

Mari took a look at it and sighed, "Kara, I already told you about this many times. Which part do you have trouble with?"

As Kara went on a rant about how difficult the equation is, Mari rested her cheek on her fist, smiling fondly at her best friend/crush.

------

Mari woke up to her mother shaking her awake.

"What? Mother?" Mari yawned, and looked around her dark room. Rao hasn't risen yet.

"Mari. My precious child. I don't have much time to explain but you have to come with me right now."

Mari heard her mother's panic in her voice and immediately was awake.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

"Come along, Mari."

Mari did as she was told and followed her mother to a spaceship where her father was inputting in some commands into it.

"Father. What's going on?"

Her mother grabbed both of her hands and stared at Mari with teary eyes which had Mari panicking. Her mother had never cried in front of her before.

"Mari.." Libra started, "Listen carefully to me. Jor-El, Kara's uncle, believes that Krypton is going to be destroyed. So we are sending you somewhere we believe you will be safe."

"Mother." Mari whimpered, frightened and in shock.

"Don't worry, my child." Libra wiped off some of Mari's tears, "Kara is already on her way there. Along with her cousin, Kal-El. You won't be alone. You have to survive, Mari."

"Mari."

She turned towards her father, Net-Ta who hugged both his wife and child. A man of few words but his love for both of them is clear from his actions. "Mari. Remember what I have taught you." He said and Mari nodded.

Mari cried and hugged her parents one last time.

"Now, get in the ship."

"What about you?" she asked, once she was inside.

"You will be put in stasis mode for the journey and we have put in everything you need to survive." Her father replied as the hatched closed.

Mari realized that her parents never answered her question and she tried to find the latch to get out. "Mother, Father." She cried, her voice muffled by the glass. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she banged on the glass, which were strong enough to withstand the pressure of exiting the atmosphere.

"I am sorry, my daughter." Ne-Ta whispered, typing in a command that put Mari in stasis. Her cries quietened down as she fell asleep and the ship took off.

Libra hugged her husband as they watched the ship become a distant speck in the sky.

------

So we all know the story.

A baby boy is sent out from a distant planet on the verge of destruction on a rocket and crash-landed on Earth, somewhere in Kansas where he was found by a lovely couple. The baby named Kal-El is raised as Clark Kent and goes on to become Superman. Becomes a living god while walking among men as a clumsy reporter.

Cliche trope. But also the best possible outcome. Least trauma.

A second space pod is sent out which contains his cousin. Complications occurred which made her arrive on Earth later than intended. But that is in the far future.

Happens when writers want someone like their main character but Girl. More trauma since she is older and remembers her home planet so utterly devastated to know it is destroyed.

However, this story would focus on the girl that was sent out on the third ship.

Space is filled with mysteries and danger. Despite Krypton's advanced technology, they still had not figured out about wormholes and prediction of their possible appearance. The third ship had the bad luck of being sucked into one and spat back out to the same location.

Just 21 years later. But still arrived earlier than the second ship.

The ship continued on its original course and instead of landing in Kansas like Kal-El. The ship landed somewhere in rural France where a couple was returning to Paris after a vacation in Spain.

Most likely to happen in a fanfic. Also possible to happen in canon or a TV show adaptation. Suspiciously ripped off the original origin story of the main character. Might also involve a crossover character that doesn't really belong here.

If this was a sci-fi horror story, one should never approach the suspicious thing that fell from the sky. Sure, it might be a space satellite. But it could also be the pod of some slimy alien that would suck the life out of you and lay eggs in your corpse. Luckily for the couple, the being inside resembled a human teenage girl who woke up and spoke in a language that doesn't sound like anything from Earth. And they decided to take her home with them.

They taught her how to adapt to the local culture and speak French which she picked up easily but spoke with an accent regarded as quirky by others. After getting in touch with a few shady connections, the couple forged her a new identity as Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Newly adopted by the Dupain-Chengs. A totally normal human orphan girl who they found wandering around and had taken in to raise as their own.

They also did their best to help her get control over her powers when they showed themselves.

It started with her carrying a large number of bags of flour which Tom, a big man, managed to barely carry and she did it without effort. She runs faster than humanly possible at times. Her scrapes heal in a matter of minutes. Mari once accidentally lasered off her eyebrow and nearly destroyed the bathroom. She also floated and was stuck to the ceiling for hours until she figured out how to get down.

It was hard for Mari Net-Ta. People on this planet were raised differently than those on Krypton and she had to adapt to the rules if she wanted to survive. She also no longer had access to the advanced Kryptonian technology which she had taken for granted, except for what her parents had packed for her in her rocket and it had frustrated her to no end that humans hadn't made them yet and lacked certain resources on the planet to make them.

With the yellow sun granting her powers due to her different genetics and learning how to control them, it added more to her stress.

Tom and Sabine were warm and patient people who tried to help as much as they could and Mari felt immense gratitude towards them for their goodwill. However, they don't know that Mari stays up at night often to look up at the sky, with an advanced telescope she had modified since the ones available were lacking, to view Krypton of the past. Light that once bounced off her home planet once upon a time, traveled through space and finally reached Earth years later. She had imprinted the picture of it to her memories and took as many pictures as she could to preserve at least an image of it before light would just reflect what's left of it. She mourned the loss of her home, her family... and her other half.

Mari had done everything she could to find Kara. Clinging onto the words of her parents that Kara had escaped the destruction that had claimed them.

She had sent out signals in Kryptonese, in hopes of an answer. As days went by with no replies, her hope diminished and Mari had to face the possibility that Kara hadn't survived the trip.

Mari locked herself in her room for a week, not eating nor sleeping to cope with that realization.

------

A year went by and Marinette Dupain-Cheng was officially ready to start her first day of school. Moving on living as one of humans among their society.

A very big day indeed.

Which was about to get bigger because;

Somewhere in a secret lair in a specific mansion, there was a man horrendously dressed in purple from head to toe who just released a purple butterfly out into the world.

------

Ladybug paced back and forth, trying to calm her nerves.

A warm hand settled on her shoulder to sooth her and blond hair entered her view. She turned to meet green eyes. Disappointment bloomed in her chest. Not blue. Never blue. She was gone. Mari had to learn and accept that. However, the hole in her heart persisted.

"Milady. What got you all wound up?" Chat Noir gave her a reassuring smile. "If it's about the so-called Justice League, we can just cata- I mean, turn them into dust if they refuse to cooperate."

"No. We aren't doing that. That would cause an international incident which we don't want." Ladybug replied firmly.

"Just one. How about that Batman guy? From what we know, the dude has no powers. I can take him."

Ladybug shook her head, "Please don't."

A year and a half ago, Earth was invaded by aliens. The Miraculous Heroes had taken care of their own city with Hawkmoth taking a temporary ceasefire for the next month. The guy at least has some morals. Not really. Gabe had been busy in the aftermath as one of his factories was destroyed during the invasion. He had no time to indulge in his supervillain hobby.

In the aftermath of the invasion, a new organization made up of heroes called the Justice League was formed. After establishing their headquarters and recruiting more heroes to their cause, they had looked into places that needed their help and Paris had fallen into their radar with the moth problem they had had for the past few years.

They received an invitation to discuss in further details what the JL can do to help. Wonder Woman came in person to give it.

So the Miraculous Heroes found themselves on the rooftop of Hotel de Grand, approaching the set meeting time. The more well-known heroes like Rena Rouge (who was trying her best at a poker face to contain her inner fangirl), Carapace, Vispera, Pegasus and Monkey King were going with Ladybug and Chat Noir as support. The rest were hiding on the nearby rooftops and on standby in case things went sideways and to satisfy Ladybug's paranoia.

When their Miraculous phones showed the meeting time, a light suddenly enveloped the group on the hotel rooftop.

Ladybug found herself and her team in space, a blue glow coming from her adopted planet underneath them. They looked around in awe of the sophisticated technology surrounding them. However, Ladybug frowned slightly as she saw hints of Kryptonian technology and engineering in the structure of JL headquarters her team had been transported to. The teleporter itself screamed of Kryptonian tech.

Her heart pounded in fury of how these Americans managed to get their hands on her people's technology.

"Welcome, heroes, to the Watchtower." Wonder Woman greeted them warmly.

The team teared their eyes away from the awesome view to face the older heroes. All of them looked at them with guarded eyes, wary of the adults.

The Justice League was slightly taken aback by how young most of the Miraculous heroes were. Their magic, not being able to completely hide the fact that they were not adults.

"Holy shit, you guys are just kids." Green Arrow blurted out.

"Which proves how brave they are to take on the task of protecting their home." Wonder Woman added, not wanting to offend the holders.

Batman frowned disapprovingly. '`Who taught you how to fight?" He interrogated them.

"Easy, spooky. They are just children." Green Lantern butted in.

"Excuse you. We are teenagers. Thank you very much, Monsieur Green Light." Chat Noir shot back.

"It's Green Lantern." Hal felt less inclined to be nice towards them.

"And for your information, Monsieur Bat," Chat Noir continued, "We learned it on the job which is pur-ri-ty impressive if I do say so myself. Right, Milady?"

Chat Noir lightly bumped Ladybug on her back. It brought Ladybug who was staring intently at Superman's chest, out of whatever she was thinking of.

"<Sorry, what?>" Ladybug replied in French.

"<LB, back me up here. Batman just got more frowny.>"

Ladybug cleared her throat.

"Apologies, I got a little distracted. I would like to negotiate on what and how much the League can interfere regarding Hawkmoth. After that we will answer any questions you want. Questions pertaining to our identities are out. Obviously. There will be some about the Miraculous that we will not answer for reasons we can't disclose."

Her accent was noticeably thicker than Chat's.

Batman let out a grunt but nodded.

Rena Rouge fake-coughed which made Ladybug sigh and add, "If any of you are willing, Rena would like a few selfies afterward."

To which the fox hero grinned in glee.

Thus began the negotiation process.

------

While Rena went around getting pictures and the other Miraculous heroes loosened up and talked with their older counterparts, Ladybug approached the Man of Steel.

"Ladybug."

"Superman. We need to talk."

Superman remembered her uncomfortable stare at the start of the meeting like she was trying to laser his chest with heat vision.

"Um...any particular reasons why?"

"You tell me, poser. Why do you wear the Symbol of El on your chest?"

Instantly, Superman was on guard. "How do you know?"

"One would think that the 'S' on your chest stands for your name but Kryptonians know it stands for the House of El."

"Who are you?" His eyes turned red as a threat.

"That's what I want to ask." Her eyes, also turning red. "And how the Justice League got their hands on the technology of my people."

"Ladybug?" Chat Noir asked worriedly.

"<Back-up plan now!>"

Batman snapped to attention, "Stop them."

The League immediately went into action as Rena Rouge blew her flute and summoned illusions that were duplicates of all of the members. It was hard to tell who were the real ones as all of the illusions spread out through the Watchtower. The Justice League chased after all of them.

Meanwhile, the real Ladybug and Superman were in a stand-off.

"They are my people too. My father gave me the knowledge and I choose to use it for the betterment of Earth."

"So what? You found this cool new place where you get superpowers and decided that Krypton wasn't worth it any more? Is that why you didn't do anything to stop it from dying?" Mari angrily yelled and threw a punch.

Kal managed to stop the punch but her words confused him. There was something that didn't add up.

As she continued her barrage of punches, she screamed, "You should have helped Jor-El convince the counsel to save us!"

Superman dodged another punch and got out, "Jor-El was my father. How do you know that name?"

Mari faltered in her attacks. "Jor-El only had one son named Kal-El and he would be a child if he was still alive."

"My name is Kal-El, son of Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. As a baby, I was sent away from my planet on a rocket for my safety."

His heartbeat was steady.

"You..." Mari started, eyes-wide. She looked out the Watchtower's windows, her eyes searching for something in the distance.

The positions of the stars were not where they were supposed to be. Using her lessons, she calculated how long it would take from what she remembered to now.

Then she lowered her head, "So it's true. Somehow I must have arrived at least 20 years into the future."

Mari cried and Kal hugged her as she sobbed into his chest.

------

"Flamebird, just in time." Superman greeted the other Kryptonian as she flew up and punched a meteor. Her suit was red and had yellow lines in the shape of flames going down her sleeves. Her cape had its edges in the shape of flames and turned from red at the shoulders to yellow at the bottom. Like her name, when she flew, it was seeing a phoenix fly. Unlike him, her chest proudly displayed the emblem for the House of Ta which looked similar to the letter 'f' with the curved part looking similar to that of a bird's head and had wings spread out for the line stroke across.   

"Sorry. Adrien was rather insistent on not letting me leave." Mari explained, blasting with her heat vision into tiny pieces.

"At least, he won't be mad at you for being late to another date."

Clark can already imagine how Lois would be mad for being late for their reservation. Again.

"What if your super annoying cousin from France paid you a surprise visit and she tagged along with you for your date after many, many successful attempts to get rid of her?"

"It's fine. I can face Lois. Like the big boy that I am."

"Alright." Mari chuckled.

Mari remained silent as she sent another meteor to crash into the trajectory of another and they both exploded into tiny pieces which will burn out in the atmosphere.

Clark noticed that she was distracted.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"He got hurt again." Mari punched another meteor, a little harder than before.

"Ah." Superman said in understanding.

Adrien's wish to continue heroism, years after both of them had given up their Miraculouses, was a subject of disagreement between the couple. He had seen the vigilantes like Batman and Green Arrow in action, fighting without having superpowers and decided to do the same.

He was rather peeved to find out that the name 'Nightwing' was taken as he wanted them to match. Instead, he decided to keep going by Chat Noir, and teamed up with Max to provide him with gadgets for his vigilantism. However, there are times Adrien gets too far in head and forgets that he didn't have a Miraculous now so Mari had stepped in at times to make sure he didn't get killed. Mari really wanted to support his dreams. She really does. But she doesn't want him to die because of it.

Like during their time as Miraculous holders, he expects her to save the day at the last minute like she did as Ladybug. She had reminded him many times that she doesn't have a reset button anymore and be able to heal his injuries after she saved him from another dangerous terrorist plot or a murder crazy cult.

Lately, he had been insisting for her to change her name back to Ladybug and calling her 'milady' on occasion. The only problem was that Mari wanted to keep her Ladybug and Flamebird identities separate. Going as far as to create a necklace that would change her hair to blond as Flamebird in case someone might make a connection between the two heroes. She didn't want to deal with the inevitable questions of why she didn't use her super powers to take down akumas and Hawkmoth faster. The Miraculous had somehow blocked her powers from working and she really didn't want that information to get out.

In short, their relationship was currently going through a tough patch.

"We have superpowers and yet our love lives are terrible." Mari said, getting rid of the last of the meteors.

"Tell me about it," Superman dusted off his hands, "Love Square." He teased her.

Mari rolled her eyes, "Look who's talking, Triangle."

She sighed as she stared at the world below them.

"You okay, Mari?"

"Just homesick." She answered as she looked in the direction of the galaxy where their home planet once was. "And I miss Kara. You have the same eyes as her. You know. Probably your grandmother's. There are times that you act the same."

Mari sighed again. Her gaze filled with longing and something else. Something more.

"Were you two...together?" He tentatively asked.

To his surprise, Mari blushed and denied it. "What? No. Not the way you think."

"I am okay with it, you know. It's fine if you like her."

"That's not. There's Adrien and-" Mari flustered.

Clark stifles his laughter at her expense.

Eventually, Mari stopped her denial and took a deep breath. She didn't look at him as she slowly admitted.

"You got me. I loved her. I still do. But you know things happen. Planet exploding and all that. I just never got to tell her."

"Oh. I'm sorry." He reached out to her shoulder and patted it.

"I can't do anything about it now. Adrien's nice and all but..." Mari trailed off.

She loves her kitty. After all they had gone through together, it was natural for them to be together. However, Kara and her. They were together for longer. Kara happened first and it was hard to not forget your first.

"But?" Superman prompted her to continue.

"I still miss her." Mari answered. "How could I not? When she was the strongest and brightest person I had ever met? She made everything so much better and I was happy to be with her. My greatest regret was never being able to tell her how I felt. If I could meet her again- "

Mari paused, noticing that something was coming towards them at high velocity. She squinted to make out what it was.

"What is that?"

Just then, a rocket flew past them, headed for Earth.

"Where did that come from?" Mari exclaimed in surprise.

"Whatever it is, we have to stop it." Superman replied seriously before giving her a wink and challenged, "Race ya."

Superman zoomed off.

"Cheater!" She yelled after him and give chase.

He re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and Flamebird did the same, lagging behind a little. The Kryptonians raced to catch up to the rocket where it had landed in Siberia.

When Superman arrived first, the rocket hatch was open and its passenger was currently fighting the soldiers deployed. The bullets seemed to have no effect on her like she had a skin of steel.

"Stop. I don't want to fight you." He said and he stilled when the stranger looked up. She looked like a human female in her late teens with long blonde hair but what drew his attention was the symbol of the House of El on her chest. Same as the one on his chest.

"[Who are you?]" The stranger asked in Kryptonese.

"[I am Kal-El. Son of Jor-El.]" Superman replied in the same language. Mari had been a strict teacher, making sure he got the grammar and pronunciation right until he was talking like a native Krypton. She had been appalled at his clumsy attempts and proceeded to teach him the language, drilling the lessons until he was dreaming of it in his sleep. More than once he found himself reciting a Kryptonian poem in his sleep.

"[No. You can't be! You are an imposter.]" The stranger angrily yelled and attacked him.

But she was stopped by Flamebird who grabbed her wrist.

"Kara." Flamebird whispered, her eyes shining.

Kara whipped her head towards the other female and hissed out, "[Let me go. Who are you?]"

Flamebird blinked in confusion before remembering her necklace. She touched it, returning her hair to its natural dark state. There was a glint of recognition in Kara's eyes.

Mari released her grip on Kara's wrist and pulled her into a hug. "[It's me, Kara. Mari. Mari Ne-Ta. Your best friend. I am so glad that you are still alive.]"

She choked back a sob and she tightly hugged the girl she thought that she was never going to see again.

Kara hesitantly lifted her arms before wrapping them around the other girl. She also cried.

"Mari. Mari. Mari." Kara repeated over and over. Her best friend's voice and embrace grounded her in the new confusing world she had found herself in with abilities she couldn't understand.

In the meanwhile, Superman talked down the Siberian government from launching another attack on Kara, explaining the situation. He waited awkwardly for the two girls to finish.

Kara Zor-El. Mari had often told him a lot of stories about his cousin and sometimes about his aunt and uncle because they were the only family of his which Mari met the most. Stories about his parents were often one-off encounters with not much to talk about. Looking at his cousin, he felt a sense of familiarity. She brought up some vague feelings of happiness which he couldn't remember properly.

Kara laughed after they parted and calmed down from their emotional reunion.

"[It's really you.]" She finally said as she looked over at Mari, "[What are you wearing?]"

After another look, "[And how are you taller than me?]" she asked with a pout.

Mari chuckled,"[Well, it's hard to explain but on my trip to this planet, my ship ran into some complications and I think yours went through something similar which is why we both landed here later than we were supposed to.]"

"[Kara, there is someone I should re-introduce you to.]" Mari pulled her towards Clark and grabbed his hand. "[This is your cousin, Kal-El. Remember the complications I mentioned earlier. Well, Jor-El is the only one of our fathers to successfully send his child to this planet properly and he grew up here. It's been 26 years.]"

Mari quietly said the last part.

"[Krypton?]"

Mari shook her head, "[It's gone. I checked. It's been gone for years now. Nothing but rocks.]"

Kara wiped her tears. "[Mother. Father.]"

Mari hugged her, "[I know. I'm sorry.]"

"Um...Hello." Clark started before switching to Kryptonese and nervously asked, "[Mari says that you are my cousin? Kara Zor-El?]"

Kara hugged him and Clark patted her back, a little bit uncomfortable by her tight hug.

"[You resemble our fathers.]" Kara finally said as she pulled away.

"[I do?]"

"[Oh, right. You were just a baby when you last saw them.]" Kara said and grimaced, "[They were not on great terms with each other.]"

"[We should get going.]" Mari piped up. "[I don't know about you but Siberian weather is a little bit too much to handle even if we are invulnerable to the cold.]"

------

There was a bit of a delay since Kara wasn't able to fly properly yet. In the end, Mari carried her all the way to the Dupain-Cheng house.

Clark had to leave because he had forgotten about the date with Lois and remembered when he took out his phone to see the many missed calls and texts from a very pissed girlfriend.

Mari gave Kara some Earth clothes to change into and then changed out of her Flamebird outfit. She also explained everything that had happened the past few years and what to expect from living on Earth with a yellow sun with a few demonstrations.

Kara sat there on Mari's bed, absorbing what she was told.

"[So that explains it.]" She said as she looked down at her fist, clenching and unclenching it. Remembering how she bent the metal weapons the humans used so easily.

Kara looked around Mari's room and her eyes landed on a painting of herself pinned to the wall, her name written in Kryptonese under it. She went for a closer look.

"[It's me.]" Kara said in awe. The painting was a dead-set replica. It was almost like looking in the mirror and the tiniest accurate details like the mole near her eye and the curve of her lips were there.

"[I thought that you were dead.]" Mari nervously explained and quietly admitted, "[And I didn't want to forget you.]"

Kara hugged her again. She felt flattered? and very happy that Mari wanted to not forget her. There was also something else. A feeling much deeper that Kara can't describe which made her feel warm and fuzzy at the thought that Mari saw her, Kara Zor-El, as someone special to remember. She didn't know what to say and hoped her hug conveyed it.

"[You were the greatest Artist of our generation. You were guaranteed a spot in the Artist Guild if you had finished your trials.]"

Mari blushed at the compliment. "[Thanks, Kara.]"

Then, she grabbed Kara's hand and dragged her towards the trap door.

"[Come on. I am going to introduce you to two very special people. They helped me a lot when I arrived.]"

Kara felt flushed somehow at the contact. She and Mari had touched each other a lot before so why did she feel weird about it now? She was smiling as Mari told her about her adopted parents on this planet.

Her life may have turned upside down but as long as she had Mari by her side, Kara found herself ready to tackle it head on.

------

It had been a tough adjustment for Kara but soon, she settled in her new home quite nicely.

Mari had graduated from lycee. She had decided to move to Jump City for college and work with the Teen Titans. Meanwhile, Kara got herself adopted by the Danvers who are old friends of the Kents and was currently trying out high school as a human teenager.

Mari and Adrien broke up instead of maintaining a long-distance relationship. After a long painful talk, Mari managed to convince Adrien from pursuing hero-ing as a career and they agreed to give each other space before trying to be friends again.

Currently, Adrien was trying for a physics major at Cambridge University where his cousin was also going.

Kara made her debut as Supergirl and was recognized as Superman's cousin who also survived their planet's destruction.

The media was crazy for a while.

When Flamebird started out and identified herself as another Kryptonian survivor, they speculated that Superman and her were dating and there were theories of them being the new Adam and Eve, choosing Earth as the planet to repopulate their species.

The two Kryptonians did an interview with Lois to clear things up where they revealed that Flamebird then was not even of legal age by Earth's standards while Superman was a full-grown man. They clarified that their relationship was that of family and more accurately, siblings. Those dating rumours died down pretty quick afterwards except on a few conspiracy theory sites.

After Supergirl came into the scene...

Well, let's just say people noticed the chemistry between Supergirl and Flamebird when Flamebird was in town. The rumours started when people pointed out that Flamebird showed up in Metropolis more often since Supergirl showed up than she ever did since her first appearance when she usually stuck to her city at the other side of the pond. Social media went wild when someone posted about overhearing that Supergirl and Flamebird were childhood best friends.

SuperFlame is a tag that would be trending every few months. More fuel to the fire was added when the Supers stayed silent about the matter. There were times where the crowds would shout 'KISS! KISS! KISS!' when the two are next to each other after saving the day. In response, Supergirl would deny having that type of relationship with Flamebird while Flamebird herself would kiss Supergirl's cheek, give them a smirk before flying away and leaving behind a red-faced Supergirl. Superman joined in at one point.

There is also a lot of hand-holding and touching. Their faces often turn as red as Flamebird's costume. Metropolis is sick of them dancing around each other but at the same time, invested in their slow burn favourite ship.

------

"Hey, Kara."

Kara looked up from her math homework and smiled. "Mari."

Mari grinned back. "Sorry for being late. The mission was longer than I had anticipated."

Kara shook her head, "It's fine. I ordered ahead for you. One Chocolate milkshake."

She pushed the drink towards Mari.

"Thank you, mon soleil." Mari replied, kissing her cheek and sat down in the opposite seat.

To be honest, Kara was initially annoyed when she found out that Mari was now technically 2 years older than her now. She was no longer the eldest of the trio when she was the first to be born. Her baby cousin was not a baby anymore but a grown man who was getting married in a month. Then, her best friend had grown up, gaining a good few inches on Kara and a fair amount of toned muscles that had Kara's heart racing at times.

Kara was looking respectfully when Mari took off her leather jacket to reveal her buffed arms and placed it on the back of her chair.

She sipped her milkshake a little too fast and got a brain freeze.

"Hey, Kara. Easy." Mari rubbed her shoulder and reprimanded her, "I know the milkshakes here are good but slow down."

"Sorry. I will be more careful."

The two girls chatted about what they had been doing since the last time they met, which was a month ago before Mari went with the Teen Titans for a mission overseas.

During a lull in their chat, Mari suddenly said, "So I heard that you went on a date with Nightwing."

Her words instead of the usual curiosity that comes with gossip were tinged with an edge of nervousness... and was that jealousy?

Kara blinked, thrown off by the unexpected question. She admits that she felt a slight attraction towards the vigilante. He was handsome with his dark hair and had a charming personality. Kara enjoyed his company. She acted on an impulse and asked him out as per Earth's custom.

To be honest, the date was a disaster. They both were awkward with each other and found it hard to find a common subject to talk about. They just didn't have the same chemistry that her cousin and his mentor did.

Kara left that day, apologizing for the failed date and Dick had reassured her that they could still be friends. It was the best outcome for the two of them.

She didn't know why her chest felt heavy when Mari asked about her date with Nightwing. Kara didn't know that Mari had liked him like that.

It made sense if she did. In the myths, Nightwing and Flamebird were lovers. Their superhero identities even match. How in Rao did she not notice before? Of course, Mari was jealous. She went on a date with her crush. She was such a terrible friend.

The ache in her chest became almost unbearable at that realization.

"I am sorry." Kara said, guilt pooling in her stomach.

It was Mari's time to blink in confusion.

"For what?"

"For not telling you." Kara's tongue felt heavy as stone in her mouth. She didn't know why.

"Kara, it's fi-"

"He's a nice person and he treated me really nice. He's a great person." Kara noticed that Mari's frown got deeper. "The date was terrible. We just didn't hit it off really well."

"Really?" Mari sounded brighter. Kara clenched her fists. She felt suffocated. Why did she feel so upset over her best friend liking someone else?

"Yeah."

Kara didn't know why she was feeling this way.

Kara flinched when she felt a cold hand touch her forehead so lost in her thoughts. When did Mari get so close to her?

"I am fine." Kara said as she turned her face away. Then, she hurriedly packed up her things and made up some excuse about needing to go somewhere. She ran out of the cafe, leaving behind a confused Mari, and ran into the nearest alleyway to fly somewhere far far away from girls with blue eyes and black hair.

------

Clark found Kara at the top of Danver's roof. He floated down towards her and sat down next to her.

"So..." Clark asked, "What happened?"

Kara buried her face further into her knees and mumbled something Clark was barely able to catch with his super hearing.

"I am sorry?"

"I said I don't know. We were talking about Nightwing and my date with him." Kara explained frantically, "I figured out that Mari has a some kind of crush on him. And I don't know. I felt terrible. I don't like the idea of them being together and I didn't want to stay, talking about it."

Clark was confused. Dick had told about how bad the date with Kara went and apologized.

"But I thought that you and Dick decided to be friends instead." He pointed out.

"I know. He's a great guy but I don't know why I am angry at him." Kara said frustrated and let out something like a whine.

Clark observed his cousin who was moping in a similar way to a certain someone when they found out that their crush went on a date with Dick. Kara didn't notice the smirk that passed his face.

"Maybe you are just jealous." Clark 'casually' commented.

Kara immediately gave him a dirty look.

"Jealous? Me?" Kara said, offended, "Why would I be jealous of Mari? She's the best. Nightwing would be lucky to have her. They would be a great couple."

Kara suddenly looked sad at that thought and quietly added, "Who wouldn't want to be with her?"

Clark disguised his laugh as a cough and focused. <strike> His bet with Lois, concerning the two girls dancing around their feelings, was on the line here. If he do this right, he might win.</strike>

"What if.." Clark hesitantly said, getting Kara's attention, "You are jealous of Dick instead of Mari."

Oh.

Oh.

The blood rushed to Kara's cheeks and burned hotly.

"What?" her voice cracked.

"What if it's Mari that you want to be with and that's why you are mad at Dick for being the one to receive her attention?" Clark said, looking carefully at Kara's reaction.

Kara put her hands on her cheeks in an attempt to cool them down. Was she really jealous like Kal said? Jealous that she couldn't be with Mari when Nightwing can?

She always viewed Mari as the one constant in her life she could count on. Even after their planet had exploded and she felt disoriented from her new surroundings, Mari was there to give her a hand. As she learned to adapt to the local culture and her new powers, Mari was there. Clark also helped but she felt a deeper connection with Mari. Maybe because they both had grown up together on Krypton that Mari understood the situation she was going through, having gone through the same thing herself but without any help like she did.

She loves every minute she gets to spend time with the other girl. Especially now that Mari was busier than ever with being on the Teen Titans and college.

Kara gets a warm and fuzzy feeling at those times, knowing that Mari had used what precious free time she had to spend it with her. Even now thinking about Mari has her heart fluttering. By Rao, Kal was right. She, Kara Zor-El, had fallen in love with her best friend.

"You're right." Kara admitted.

"I am?" Clark blinked, wondering if he heard it right.

"Yes. I am jealous of Nightwing. Because I am in love with Mari Net-Ta. The most amazing person in the universe and my best friend." Kara confessed and then groaned. "And she likes someone else."

Clark lets out the laugh he had been desperately holding in for the past fifteen minutes.

"What's so funny?" Kara demanded. "I just poured out my feelings, you know. You shouldn't be laughing."

"I am so sorry." Clark apologized and cleared his throat to prevent further laughter from erupting. "It's just... Mari hates Dick and she loves someone else."

Kara looked dumbfounded. "Sorry? She what?"

Clark explained, "So years ago before you came, the two of them used to go by different names. Mari went by Ladybug and led her own team against a supervillain who was giving them trouble in Paris. Dick was still under Bruce's wing and went by Robin."

"I already knew that. So you mean that Dick was the one to change his name to match hers instead?"

"No. Let me finish. At that time, Mari was planning to use another name after she finished her job as Ladybug. She wanted to be Nightwing."

Kara was shocked and Clark continued his story.

"However, Dick changed his name first. He wanted a new name that wasn't associated with Batman and wanted to be independent from Bruce. He asked me for help and I told him about Flamebird and Nightwing. It was meant to provide some sort of motivation and words of support for his goal but Dick took it to heart and took on the name Nightwing. Mari was rather pissed when she found out. She had everything set up but she wasn't done with the whole Hawkmoth business. She then asked Dick to change his name multiple times. Dick was rather stubborn in his decision. In the end, she decided to go with Flamebird instead."

"So Mari doesn't like Nightwing then?" Kara inquired.

"Yup."

"So who does she like?"

Clark grinned, "Well, I am not going to tell you that that easily."

Kara slapped his back. "You bastard."

"Ask her yourself then." Clark said as he jumped.

Instead of flying away, he looked back and added, "If you want a hint. Mari's type are blondes."

Then he flew back home where Lois was waiting, leaving Kara alone with her thoughts as she stroked her hair.

------

Kara was a coward.

Ever since that day at the cafe, Kara had avoided Mari and ignored all of her messages.

She made up excuses of being busy to Mari's requests to hang out. Every time Mari showed up in Metropolis, Kara would then hightail it out of the city under the pretense of having more superheroing duties to do, like saving a puppy.... all the way in Australia. Mari had caught on to what Kara had been doing and was trying to corner her into talking. At the Watchtower, after stopping another crime in Metropolis, at Kara's high school. Mari would be there and Kara would slip away like an eel upon seeing the other girl.

It was a frustrating situation for everyone watching.

Finally, Clark, a usually patient man, found himself putting his foot down and put an end to this game of avoiding-and-excuses that Kara was dead-set on playing.

Kara would have to face Mari sooner or later and she will not get out of going to his wedding. He promised that he would talk to Mari and persuade her to not interact with Kara during the event. In return, she has to explain to Mari why she had been avoiding her after the wedding was done. Mari had been hurt at her best friend avoiding her without any explanation and was tearing herself apart to fix whatever wrong she could have done to Kara. Clark showed Kara a picture of the Teen Titan's kitchen which was filled with baked goods and used baking pans as a result of Mari's stress baking.

"You see this, Kara. Mari is not in a good shape. The Titan Tower smells like a bakery and the Flashes are even complaining that they are sick of baked goods. Lois is not happy with the amount of cupcakes she had been receiving and worried she might not be able to fit in her dress next week."

Kara winced. The Danvers had also been receiving baskets of pastry goodness on their doorstep every morning for a while now. They now had so much that they had to give some away to neighbours, who love Kara's 'secret admirer'.

Clark put his hand on her shoulder and in a low voice said, "And I know you are afraid of rejection from Mari but if you don't talk to her, you might lose a friend too."

Kara sighed, knowing it was inevitable to meet Mari again and that Clark was right. "Okay, Kal. I agree to your deal. I owe Mari an explanation and I can't avoid her forever."

"Thank you. I love the two of you and I want the both of you there on my special day."

Clark smiled happily and Kara returned it with one of her own.

------

So far, like Clark had promised, Mari didn't try to bug Kara about what had happened. Kara didn't know whether to be relieved or empty. Upon seeing Kara, Mari gave her a bright grin that would put the sun to shame especially with the dress she wore which made her look stunning and sent Kara's heart fluttering. Kara forced herself to turn her head away and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mari drooped like a wilted flower which made her chest ache uncomfortably.

Just a few hours. Kara repeated it like a mantra.

The wedding went smoothly. It was a family and friends only event for those in the know about Clark being Superman and held at the Kents farm.

Vows and rings were exchanged. Clark and Lois kissed. Then, it was time for the champagne to be brought out to celebrate.

So far, as Clark had promised, Mari didn't try to bug Kara about what had happened. Which Kara didn't know whether to be relieved or empty.

The black-haired girl made sure to stay out of Kara's way. It was awkward when they kept accidentally meeting eyes with each other so Mari would look away in the opposite direction, holding up her end of the deal. But that gesture made Kara's chest sting with hurt.

She asked for this. Kara reminded herself. But it doesn't make it less painful when Mari turns away.

The day went by and soon there was a lull on the dance floor. Clark and Lois were slow-dancing in the air above the dance floor while a few couples joined them, either on the floor or in the sky. The rest of the guests formed groups, chatting among themselves about their latest missions, the last world-ending disaster or just the daily mundane things on the civilian side of the identities while resting their feet from the dance battle they did earlier.

Kara found herself at the edge of the crowd by the buffet table, sipping her (non-alcoholic) drink as she watched everyone. Her eyes were drawn to Mari who was talking to a blonde she never met before in rapid French.

"Hey, Kara. Are you having fun?" A voice brought her out of her thoughts.

Kara looked to see that it was Dick Grayson with his bow tie loose and collar open and jacket missing.

She nodded back in acknowledgement. "Dick."

Then, she continued staring at Mari. "I think so."

Dick followed her gaze. "Oh. I didn't think she would bring him as her plus-one."

Kara looked at him and asked, "You know him?"

"That's Adrien Agreste. Her ex-boyfriend." He answered, pointing at the blonde model.

"Her what?"

Dick gave her a confused look. "You didn't know? He also used to be her superhero partner, Chat Noir, before she became Flambird. He continued to be a vigilante type hero for a while after they both defeated Hawkmoth and had to give up their Miraculouses. I think he stopped before they both broke up and moved away from each other. It was around the time you arrived, I think."

Kara then knew who he was talking about. Mari would often mention her Chaton in the passing with fondness and Kara only knew that he was doing college somewhere in England.

Mari laughed at something Adrien said. It made her heart feel heavy. She recalled what Clark said about Mari’s love for blondes when Adrien ran his hand through his messy, blond locks of hair. Then, Adrien whispered something to Mari in French which Kara didn’t know what it meant but it made Mari blush a bright red.

Suddenly, Kara couldn’t take it anymore. Dick turned back to his conversation partner only to find her gone.

------

Kara sighed as she stared blankly at the lake near the Kents farm. She was sitting on one of the large rocks nearby. In the distance, she heard people celebrating as the happy couple ended the wedding reception with Earth’s traditions.

Sooner or later, she was going to have to face Mari. But Kara didn’t have the courage to face the other girl after what she had witnessed.

Adrien had made Mari laugh and she looked happy to be around him. She didn’t want to get in the way of Mari’s happiness with her own confusing feelings for her own selfishness. She stared up into the sky where the sun was setting but a few stars were out. Should she leave this planet?

Kal was starting his own family with Lois and Mari has something going on with Adrien. They were perfectly happy to start a new life on this planet. Where did that leave Kara? There are days where she feels out of touch with the people around her. Kori was the only one who remotely understood her struggle to live as a human. But Mari was the only other one to know how it feels to lose a planet. Kal had lived here too long to ever remember what it was like to feel Rao’s light on his skin and how the sky looked at night on Krypton with its three moons instead of a very lonely one.

A shadow fell across her which made her groan and curler tighter to avoid the inevitable conversation.

“Kal-El, don’t you have a bride to go kiss, instead of meddling in my love-” Kara looked up to see the last person she wanted to see “-life.”

Her traitorous heart skipped a beat.

“Kara.” Mari smiled gently although her eyes showed hurt at being ignored. “The wedding’s over so I came to find you.”

Kara stayed silent.

“We need to talk.”

Kara bit her lip, tears forming in her eyes. She thought that she had time. Time to organize her thoughts and collect herself.

“Kara? Oh Rao.” Mari panicked and landed in front of her. She wiped the tears away.

“Kara. I don’t know what I did wrong. Just tell me how I can fix it.” Mari’s voice pleaded, sounding desperate.

“No.” Kara blurted out and then tried to fix her mistake at Mari’s downtrodden look. “I mean. It’s not you. It’s me. I- um….”

Kara took a deep breath and calmed herself. Mari patiently waited for her to explain.

Kara continued, her voice more steady but quieter. “I made a mistake and I thought that staying away from you was…. the best solution.” She meekly admitted

Mari let out a sigh of relief. “That’s it? Whatever this mistake is, we can fix it together. Just like old times.”

Mari gave her a grin which made Kara remember the many messes they had made as kids and giggling as they cleaned it all up.

Kara shook her head and looked away from Mari. “I can’t tell you. It will be selfish of me to drag you into my personal business.”

She felt hands grab the sides of her head and turned it back to face their owner.

Bluebell eyes stared into hers, filled with determination.

“Kara Zor-El. You are one of the most important people in the world- No, wait- in the entire universe to me. Whatever problem is making you like this, it is not a burden. I will do everything I have to help you. So don’t think that it is selfish.” Mari took Kara’s hand and held it to her own face. She leaned into it. “Don’t you ever think that it is selfish to burden me with your problems.”

“You…” Kara quietly said, “you are making it very very hard to not like you.”

Mari blinked. Her eyes wide and filled with confusion, hurt and deep sadness.

“I like you.” Kara confessed abruptly because if Mari wanted to be burdened, she could be burdened by Kara’s crush. “I could even go as far as to say I love you. I want to kiss you. I want to hold hands all the time. I want to be around you all the time. I want the whole world. No. I want the whole universe to know that you are mine. This whole time I had been avoiding you so I won’t act on them and damn Kal for forcing my hand. I have been trying to get rid of this crush but all I couldn’t stop thinking about is you. You are in my mind all the time. Even if I don’t see you, you are there. So please say something?”

For the entire speech, Mari was frozen with her mouth open, not saying a word. Then, she broke out into the biggest and goofiest grin and let out a laugh of joy. Mari hugged Kara tightly.

“Kara. Kara. Kara. Kara Zor-El.” She repeated the name like a prayer. Kara didn’t know what came over her friend.

Then, Mari kissed Kara.

It was like the stars exploded in her head. All of the worrying and sadness she had all melted at the touch of Mari’s lips.

Soon, they parted. Kara found herself smiling and Mari doing the same.

“I actually came here for another reason.” Mari grabbed something from behind her and showed it to Kara. It was Lois’s bouquet.

“Oh wow.” Kara said as she took it and breathed in the flowers’ fragrance. “Wasn’t this Lois’s?” she asked.

Mari blushed furiously as she replied, “You should know that I fought a Thanagarian to get it.”

Then, she lowered her voice, “I don’t know if you knew but according to Earth’s superstitions, they say that the one who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next one to get married.”

“Not that we have to get married.” Mari somehow turned a brighter red than before. “I mean we can get married but not right now even if I want to do it right now. No- I mean I would like to get married to you in the future if you would let me.” She finished lamely.

Kara giggled, “So is that your way of asking me out?”

“Um..yes.” Mari sighed, “I had a plan. You just have to be so pretty that I forget what I planned to say. Can I start over?”

Kara nodded with a shy smile.

Mari cleared her throat. “Ever since we were little kids, I had the biggest crush on you. When I thought I lost you, my life was a dark place and even as I continued to move forward, I have never forgotten you. The day you came crashing back into my life was the happiest day of my life. So Kara Zor-El, would you give me the honor of being your girlfriend?”

“Yes.” Kara replied softly and leaned in to kiss her newly minted girlfriend.

------

EPILOGUE:

It was a rather snowy day in Metropolis and the Christmas spirit was high in the air. The crowds of Metropolis cheered as Flamebird and Supergirl saved the day once again.

They were making to fly away after checking on the victims of Toyman’s latest attack.

“KISS! KISS! KISS!” The crowd shouted at them.

A few of the citizens were throwing mistletoe at the two of them or trying to dangle them above the flying heroes.

Supergirl caught one and held it up between the two of them.

The two heroes exchanged smirks before Flamebird grabbed Supergirl’s waist to pull her closer, tilted her back to place her lips on Supergirl’s. The crowd was silent with shock for a second before they roared with delight and flashes went off to capture the historic moment. The couple pulled apart, giggling at the reactions.

Flamebird grabbed Supergirl’s hand and announced, “Citizens of Metropolis. Have a very happy Holiday and I will be spending mine kissing my girlfriend.”

The people screamed louder as the two Kryptonians flew away hand in hand.

[duskyashe]

@ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I was your Secret Santa! I hope you like it, I don't go to very many coffeeshops 😅 it's an aged-up Roy × Marinette 😁 and there's two versions cuz I couldn't decide which one I liked better 😅

[lala-ladybug]

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

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

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

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

[silverwhiteraven]

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

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

[maribat-secret-santa]

Secret Santa reminder!!

Hey everyone!

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

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

Cheers!

The mods.

[maribat-calendar-events]

FAVOURITE MARIBAT FANART 2022 WINNERS

Winner:

@ghostdoodlen

Runner Ups:

@littleinkling64

@ghostdoodlen

@paintball169

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Backwards

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/mFVoCYU

by lala_ladybug

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

Words: 4470, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Miraculous Ladybug, Batman - All Media Types, Young Justice (Cartoon)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug, Dick Grayson, Wally West, Artemis Crock, Kaldur'ahm | Jackson Hyde, M'gann M'orzz, Kon-El | Conner Kent, Bruce Wayne

Relationships: Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug/Dick Grayson

Additional Tags: Maribat Secret Santa 2022, MariBat

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/mFVoCYU

[the-witches-you-couldnt-burn]

Masterlist

My inbox is open to requests and asks! Give me an idea and when I find the motivation I’ll write it!

「👻 Coming soon 🎃」

Mama’s Little Hellion

「Servers」

MARIBAT! GET IN ANNIVERSARY

HOLY MIRACULOUS, BATMAN!

「Stories」

[Daminette] She was the Art in Artificial Intelligence (can be read as one-sided romantic or platonic, Living Painting AU)

[Cassnette] The rules that govern your heart (gift fic for Harley]

[Jasonette] You Wish (MGI Bracket War 2, Genie AU)

[Daminette] Be your own hero (MGI Bracket War 2)

[Daminette] Epistle From a Friend (Tylindel gift fic, collab, PLATONIC)

[Dickinette] notre enchantement (2022 MGI civil war fic, Encanto AU)

[Talinette] Divine Impossibilities (Secret Santa gift for Wolfie)

[Brucinette) Throwing Faults (pass story)

[Jasonette] Captive Hearts (passing story; multiple authors)

[Adrijon & Jasonette] On thin ice (Secret Santa gift to Maraurder)

[Found Family] Memories of Family (passing story; multiple authors)

[Daminette] A part of you, just for me (gift for Martina) *SERIES*

[Jasonette] History’s Masks (Maribat’s Spooktober prompt)

[Daminette] Tales of scales (MGI anniversary gift fic)

[Daminette] Living with what you’ve done

[Dickinette] Should have known better

[Daminette] When it all falls down (Arranged Marriage AU & Royal AU) *SERIES* (SHORT HIATUS)

[Jasonette] It's final

[Daminette] Soulmates AU

[Daminette] The songbird and bug series (song fics) - ‘Like I did with you’ & ‘It started with a whisper’

「Headcanons, Ideas & Drabble」

[None] Time is a train (scene)

[Adrick] Drabble: Night’s Noir (2022 MGI civil war Drabble, life swap AU)

[Any + Brucinette] Daddy Issues (GONE WRONG)

[Daminette] The Generational Chaos Gene

[Daminette] Wreck it Ralph AU

[Any] Not Living

[Daminette] Comfort

「Incorrect Quotes」

The smarts, the ass and the sass

Fuck-fam

It’s all in the cards

The Hooververse

Haunted homes

For the sink & apparently the drink too

Spotify premium

Je t’aime

Bruce’s actual secret

I saw mummy beating Sandy Claws 🎶

Puppy love

Who doesn’t cry when watching the lion king?

The coin flip

Magikarp says...

Bruce ‘college dropout’ Wayne

Wtf is math?

GO TO SLEEP

I’m sad

*Suspicious fluttering*

Unacceptable

I hate everyone

Spider

Slang

No sleep

[liquid-luck-00]

Heartbreaking, yet cute, but heartbreaking

It’s a Learned Trait

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

For Night_ngale on Ao3:

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

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

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

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

“It’s ok, I’ve gotcha.”

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

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

“Hey, things will be ok.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tap

…

Tap tap

…..

Tap tap tap

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

“I need you to watch someone for me.”

The red-haired man raised a brow.

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

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

“Can you come with me please?”

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

“Hey,”

The other man said in a soft tone,

“What's your name?”

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

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

“Nine.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mhm.”

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

“Okay.”  

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

•         •         •

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Here you go.”

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

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

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

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

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

•         •         •

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No, thankfully.”

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

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

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[lily-drake]

I guess I forgot to put up my Tumblr handle…😅

Thank you so much for this! It’s so beautiful and I’m absolutely HONORED to have received such a masterpiece! Merry Christmas, and I hope that your New Year will be filled with the greatest experiences and gifts that life can offer. Thank you again, I absolutely love and adore this!!!!!!!😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Timari Artwork for Secret Santa 2022!

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

I hope you like it, Merry Christmas!!

Thanks for hosting, @maribat-secret-santa

[maribat-secret-santa]

Hello everybody!

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

Mods MysNis, Anju.