#protective uncle wayne™

[hitlikehammers]

The One Where Wayne Munson KNOWS BETTER Than to Lend Air to IDLE GOSSIP

(and does it anyway on accident and ends up thinking his 💕boy's boy💕 might be ✖️stepping out) ——(1/3)

Wayne Munson’s lived his life mostly free from the hubbub of small town gossip. Some was unavoidable in his tiny holler as a boy; more was part and parcel to the service, and plain keeping half-sane in war—anything for a distraction. After all that though, Wayne’d had more’n his fill of even a teaspoon of hearsay, and compared to where he came from? Hawkins, Indiana was small potatoes for keepin’ his nose clear out of it.

Which is all to say he don’t mean to collect any of the latest scuttlebutt on his way just to town after he gets off his shift with the sun barely a glimmer, just past 5 for Leah’s to be open for a better cup-o-joe than the sludge he gets on the floor. All he wants is a hot nightcap because he knows damn well his boy didn’t pick up more grounds before Melvald’s closed last night, and Wayne doesn’t want to see his bed until he’s had a full mug of fair-to-middling coffee.

And honest: he don’t think that’s more than he’s earned to ask.

But it is more than he bargained for signing’ up to, when he sees the only other people in the diner at this hour on a Saturday.

Because the only other people are a girl he don’t know, though he can’t see her real well from the back, which only really means he sees her coffee date full-on and much too well in exchange because they’re leaned in and they’re being all touchy across the table, voices low but not too low—he don’t think they even noticed him come in, let alone come to wait close enough to hear ‘em while he insists on saving the lovely Leah herself the trip to a table when he can damn well carry his own drink, thanks kindly.

“You’re gonna have a coronary if you keep hiding this.”

The girl sounds…she sounds the way Wayne remembers his Mamaw sounding when she was about to hit his Grampy up the head over some harebrained such-and-such. Exasperated, but all from a deep well of unshakable loving.

Which is what perks up Wayne’s attention, and then churns his insides quick right-next, because—

Well. The boy this young lady’s being all over-fond at for his antics is Steve Harrington.

Who, for all that Wayne understands, is meant to be his boy’s boy.

“No, no,” Steve’s shaking his head, tone bowstring-taut; “I’m gonna tell him.” Kid sounds resolved for all of half-a-second before he’s groaning, running hands over his face: “Or, I mean—”

The thunk of the boy’s head to the tabletop clatters the cutlery, and if Wayne weren’t already clued into their conversation, he’d be wholly absolved for dropping eaves given how the noise echoes through the mostly-empty establishment bar-to-door.

“Dingus,” the girl says, and it drips with concern, with affection, with a deep choler that, again, sings loud of married-couple.

Which twists Wayne’s guts all the more to hear.

Because she’s talking to Wayne’s boy’s boy.

“I’m gonna, I promise,” Steve sounds not unlike a man on his way to the gallows, even more when he sighs deep as anything and traces out his lips with his fingers, hands shaky even out the corner of Wayne’s eye for a distance as he hisses low:

“Fuck.”

And Wayne, see, he don’t like borrowing trouble. He meant it about keeping his nose clean of the gossip and the hearsay. So he makes sure he reminds himself good in his own head that he don’t know the facts here, and jumpin’ to conclusions don’t do no favors to nobody.

It don’t do nothing for the way that what he does know, what he sees and hears with his own god-given senses in the now, don’t add up too kindly for the Harrington boy.

Not least because it seems to be adding up poor indeed for Wayne’s boy.

“Do you think he’ll—”

“Steve,” the girl’s voice goes softer, but also frantic almost, as Wayne sees her reach across the way and gather Steve’s hands with a familiarity to the motion that wouldn’t make sense unless…

Unless they’re something special to each other.

Wayne’s watched Eddie reach out for Steve that way. He’s watch Steve do the same. So it…it just don’t make sense—

“You’re shaking,” the girl says, all kinda pitiful, and Wayne’d seen it before, but now he chances a look again and: oh.

Boy’s a leaf in a cyclone.

“It’s a big deal,” Steve rasps out near under Wayne’s ability to hear it.

But he does hear it.

“You need to just lay it out,” the girl tells him, earnest now and more of that than any irritation, any frustration put-upon or otherwise; “be up front with him.”

And it ain’t fair, yet, even if all the signs are pointing that direction; but Wayne likes Steve. He doesn’t want to think the worst of him. And he doesn’t, really, in his heart, think Steve could do or be the worst, from all he’s learned and seen—Wayne’d had uncharitable thoughts about it he kid, before he knew better, based on hearsay which one more time, he don’t countenance as a rule, and he’d been taught better and quick from the second he saw Steve at his nephew’s bedside, and heard the only thing he’s proud and happy to have dropped in upon uninvited:

You nearly fucking died yourself dragging him out, Steve, what the hell—

That Henderson squirt, scolding Steve something fierce.

So Wayne reminds himself this boy loved his boy enough to risk himself to bring Eddie home. Before they were anything to one another. And Wayne knows damn well they’re both something to each other, now. It don’t make sense that Steve wants to…be up front about a notion with Eddie that could hurt.

But then: care can look a lot of different ways, and can change over time. Ain’t nobody to fault for that. And much as Wayne can’t quite believe the Steve he’s gotten to know these past many-months could swallow hurting his Eddie…

Wayne’s been proven incorrect about people more than enough in his life to know better than to think it’s impossible to be wrong about a man’s heart.

“Oh, I’m sure that’ll go over fucking fantastic,” Steve’s huffing, rolling his eyes—apparently he don’t want to be up front with the person they’re talking about. Wayne tries to remind himself that they’ve not flat out said it’s Eddie yet. Wayne shouldn’t go making assumptions.

“Why not?” the girl’s pressing him. “Be honest, with him,” then her tone does go a little judgemental; “you can’t honestly think he doesn’t suspect—”

“I really don’t think he does,” and it’s a strange thing, because no matter the words themselves, it don’t sound like Steve’s meaning to be deceitful about a thing. Kinda sounds a little like he’s mourning, like he’s just in a kind of pain. “If he did, then at least maybe I’d have some kind of,” he waves his hand in the air, looks frantic, at loose ends all around; “heads-up for where his head’s at.”

And they’re both quiet for a spell, and Wayne looks for Leah in the back, knew she was getting food ready and was happy to wait—for better or worse with the conversation he’s been privy to without permission unspooling at his side—but he’s starting to feel antsy for all that he’s hearing, and the way he can’t quite tamp down associating it all with Eddie, with touchy things Steve might have to tell Eddie—

“Tell him by the end of the weekend.”

And now: think he might have to tell, encouraged so damn strong and single-minded by his lady friend with her hand on his arm.

“That’s fucking tomorrow!”

“End,” she’s narrowing her eyes sharp enough Wayne notices more in the shift of the room than to see it head-on; “of,” and then she’s smacking Steve’s arm to emphasize hard enough it rings out; “the weekend.”

Then Wayne notices how her posture shifts, and she leans closer again, so much affection, and easy with it, and welcome for it, no doubt about it:

“I don’t like seeing you like this,” she says low and earnest; “especially not when the thing you’re like this about is,” and then her tone shifts to something bright, near-on hopeful, even:

“It’s such a good thing, Steve.”

“I mean,” Steve mumbles, kind of miserable really; “of course you think so.”

And Wayne don’t like where his head goes for things the girl who’s watching Steve with such soft eyes might think to be good, might think while she’s touching him so close and —

“He’ll,” and she huffs a touch before going all heartfelt again: “Eddie is going to—”

And the moment his plausible deniability about the subject of the discussion is gone, Wayne gives up waiting for his coffee at the counter and…retreats to the corner by the door, far as he can get from whatever’s said next. He’d leave, honest, but the truth of the matter’s this:

He can’t be expected in good faith to figure out how to bring any of this up with Ed if he don’t have no caffeine in him.

☕ 👀 ☕

✨ part ii >>>

For @thefreakandthehair, who requested 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.' at my HOBBIT-STYLE BIRTHDAY MONTH PROMPT FEST—and since this is almost a YEAR LATE, could I possibly offer it as a normal-amounts-of-late birthday gift, more than as an egregiously-and-unforgivably-late prompt fill for you?

✨permanent tag list: OPEN (lmk if you want to be added/removed): @askitwithflours @awkwardgravity1 @bookworm0690 @bumblebeecuttlefishes @captain--low @depressed-freak13 @dragoon-ze-great @dreamercec @dreamwatch @estrellami-1 @finntheehumaneater @goodolefashionedloverboi @grtwdsmwhr @hiei-harringtonmunson @hbyrde36 @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @live-laugh-love-dietrich @mensch-anthropos-human @nerdyglassescheeseychick @notaqueenakhaleesi @pearynice @perseus-notjackson @pretend-theres-a-name-here @pukner @ravenfrog @sadisticaltarts @samsoble @sanctumdemunson @shrimply-a-menace @slashify @stealthysteveharrington @swimmingbirdrunningrock @theheadlessphilosopher @theintrovertedintrovert @themoonagainstmers @theohohmoment @tillystealeaves @tinyloonyteacups @tinyplanet95 @warlordess @wheneverfeasible @wordynerdygurl @wxrmland @yourmom-isgay @1-tehe-1

NOTE: it's important to me that you know that Wayne's accept belongs to nowhere, and is just the voice of someone I knew as a kid, who also sounded like a little of everywhere and then again nowhere. so if you think some turn of phrase doesn't fit what you think you're reading in terms of dialect? it's just that this way of stringing words together is—with intention—its own amalgam of places and times

divider credit here and here

[lexirosewrites]

Hiii I don’t usually go here, but I have had a few Disjointed Thoughts(™) for like WEEKS and I finally decided to share on this, the most holy (hole-y, hah) of days, Slick Sunday.

SO. O!Steve, A!Eddie, shocking. Steve is excruciatingly aware that, physically? He’s not really the Ideal Omega, at least by societal standards. Or his parents’ standards. Or his own, if he lets himself think about it too much, but that’s why he simply Does Not Think About It. Emotionally, he’s pretty solid. He absolutely loves his forcibly-adopted, feral, teenage pups. He’s excited to have his own one day, and to have an Alpha who loves him and their pups. He is always taking care of somebody, particularly the people he cares about, and most of the time it’s not even a conscious choice.

Physically, though?

Physically, he’s taller than an omega usually is. He spent so much time doing sports before he presented, and then after to keep up the image. Plus, let's be honest, he's absolutely keeping himself in shape and strong enough to defend/protect his little chosen pack. No matter how he or other people might feel about it, nothing is as important as keeping everyone safe, even after the UD is taken care of.

He and Eddie have been getting close, though. Eddie made enough anti-secondary-gender-roles speeches in school that Steve's pretty sure he won't mind that Steve is more invested in keeping them all safe than playing the part of “good little omega.” He was certainly impressed when Steve had to bite a bat in the Upside Down, and that's not very Omegan. The problem is, Eddie is such a perfect Alpha. Robin always makes a face when he says it, but Steve can feel it in his soul. Eddie is loud, exuberant, fiercely loyal, and protective of anyone who might need it, particularly when he cares about them. He's good with his hands, between his guitars and tinkering with his van when it has a new issue every month. He bickers with Wayne constantly over bills, trying to get his uncle to let him help more, leaving stray bills in Wayne's pockets when he loses the argument.

If Eddie can be such a good Alpha, Steve can try and be a better Omega, just a little. He does tone his more Alpha-like tendencies down a little, just to be safe- doesn't bring up playing sports/working out as much when Eddie's around, asks Eddie to help move things instead of just doing it himself, lets other people grab stuff from high shelves rather than volunteering himself. It seems to be going well, all things considered. He and A!Robin (who knows about the Omega-image issues, but not that he's been playing a bit more of the helpless Omega for Eddie, because she absolutely wouldn't approve) are sure Eddie's going to ask him to start courting any day now, really!!

To hopefully kick-start the process, Steve eagerly volunteers to help Wayne with some manual labor. Something with the siding of the trailer; it won’t be difficult, but it'll be a lot easier with two people. He'd have helped anyway, of course, but he's very aware that Eddie is devoted to his uncle and wants him taken care of. Surely, if there's anything that would outweigh any distaste from the non-Omega-like behavior, it's helping Wayne. The day of, though, he's on a ladder (Wayne is holding the ladder steady; Steve threw a hissy fit when he tried to go up himself), hammering in the last couple nails when Eddie gets home.

Normally, Eddie seems ecstatic to see Steve in any scenario- at one of their houses, after Hellfire to take the kids home, the few times they've passed each other in the grocery store- but when Steve looks over to say hi, he doesn't look… pleased. He actually looks kind of. Angry? Maybe? His eyes are blank, not filled with the warmth he's used to. His mouth is pressed together in a thin line, jaw clenched.

Steve has gotten pretty good at reading Eddie, knows his facial expressions like the back of his hand, but this is new. New and not happy. It makes him self-conscious, make him want to jump off the ladder and go beg forgiveness from his Alpha for whatever he did, but Steve pushes it down. He's got a job to finish, and if that face is directed at him for too long there's a good chance he's going to start whining- or worse, crying. Eddie gets back in his van immediately, though, driving off who knows where. Steve tells himself he was probably just having a bad day, and didn't want company. That's just a thing that happens. Nothing immediately to do with Steve, surely, and Wayne doesn't seem bothered so it's fine. Definitely.

A few days pass, and the party are all at Steve's house. The pups (who are nearly grown, now, but that doesn't stop them from being Steve's Pups, okay?) are mostly in the pool. The technically-adults are enjoying the sun and calling out warnings when the play-fighting gets a little too rough. Steve and Lucas are practicing basketball a few feet away, trying to nail a particular, super impressive move that even Steve can only do with about 40% accuracy. (I don't know basketball, I'm sure something like this has to exist though, right??? Indulge me lol) The two of them have been at it all summer, to better Lucas’ chance of getting varsity next school year.

Then Lucas nails it. Absolutely picture-perfect form, better than even Steve has ever done it. And they go NUTS. Everyone is looking over, confused but generally amused at their antics. Steve is so proud that he doesn't even think about it, just lifts Lucas up so he's sitting on one of Steve's shoulders, so Steve can hold him up with one arm and gesture wildly with the other while parading Lucas around, explaining exactly why this is so impressive to the non-athletes.

Except. Then he happens to look over at Eddie. And it's the face from the other day. Closer now, he can see that Eddie's knuckles are white where they're clenched around his beer bottle. Steve still can't get a read on it, and Eddie hasn't been in the pool yet so the scent blocker is keeping Steve from being able to tell what's the matter. Again, Steve's first instinct is to figure out what he did, how he can be better. But this is Eddie. He's probably just bitter about a sports thing interrupting whatever nerd conversation he was probably having, and he'll get over it quickly. Besides, Lucas deserves his moment.

Eddie is fine the rest of the night, and it doesn't come up, so Steve manages to mostly forget about it. But a week or two later, Steve is dropping Max off at home after physical therapy, and she's clearly too tired and exhausted for the stairs but she'll never admit it. Steve moves slowly, telegraphing his intentions as obviously as he can to give her an out, but she doesn't take it. So he picks her up, gently as possible, and carries her up the steps, grabbing her crutches as well.

He doesn't push it, even if his Omega would be thrilled to bring her in and make sure she gets settled and drinks some water, because it'd make her uncomfortable and this is already a lot. They don't talk about it, they just say their goodbyes and Steve goes to drive home. He glances over at the Munson's trailer, purely out of habit, and in the window is Eddie. With the same facial expression as before. He turns away from the window before Steve can react, and the curtain is pulled.

Steve has the whole way home to question this, and the only similarity between the two events that could have caused that face is… Steve being too Alpha-like. The manual labor, carrying the pups around. He's too strong, too big. He's not a good Omega, and his Alph- Eddie, who isn't his Alpha yet and maybe now never will be- Eddie doesn't like it. He drops. Hard. He's not sure how he makes it back to his house, or inside. The next thing he knows, he's sitting next to the phone, Robin's voice coming distant but frantic from where it's dangling by the cord next to him.

Then she's there, in front of him. Worried, clearly, but Steve can't bring himself to do anything about it. He just stares. Time passes, clearly, because at some point he finds himself in his own bed, nest haphazarly built up around him where someone presumably tried to make it bigger without disturbing anything, staring blankly at the ceiling with Robin pressed against him.

His face is wet.

His eyes hurt.

Oh. He's been crying.

He remembers why.

His breath catches, and it's enough to get Robin's attention. She scrambles up, holding his face while she takes exaggerated breaths. He matches her breathing until he's sure they're past the risk of hyperventilating. He tells her everything- not just the times Eddie has seemed upset, but every time he's tried to be better, to be less, every time he's questioned if it would ever be enough. She clearly wants to comment, but she lets him get it all out first. When it's clear he's done, she bundles him in her arms. Calls him a dingus, so he'll crack a smile. They slowly transfer back down the stairs, curling up in a mass of limbs in front of the tv to watch whatever they can find without getting up.

Steve drives her home around midnight, knowing she has work tomorrow and he's got the day off. He swears he's fine, that he'll call if something changes. He waves her off, drives away, and heads in the opposite direction of home. He's okay for now, but if he goes home, he'll think about how empty it is, how he may never have an Alpha to help him fill the space and the quiet, and he won't be okay for long.

He ends up at the quarry. Still quiet, and he's still alone, but at least it's intentional here. He's not exactly watching the clock, but he's only idly thrown a handful of rocks down into the water when he hears a noise he could pick out anywhere. Eddie's van is pulling up, faster even than the ridiculous speeds he usually does. The gravel flies up as he slams on breaks, and the headlights are still fading out when Eddie throws himself out the door.

He hurries towards Steve, and when he's close enough, he drops to his knees. Steve tries to ask, tries to pull him up because that can't be good for Eddie's knees, especially when he's clearly in his pajamas and some untied shoes but Eddie grabs his hand and holds it in both of his own. Trips over his words as he tries to explain, rambles that Robin had called him after she got home, that Eddie had immediately run out the door, went to the house first and then drove around to find Steve.

Steve can feel the shame heating his cheeks, prickling in his gut. He's already mentally cursing Robin's overprotective nature. Of course she'd immediately tried to defend him. She'd probably told Eddie off, something embarrassing about leading him on or believing too much in gender roles despite his own nonconformity or whatever else. Steve tries to pull his hand away, but Eddie's got a firm grip and pleading eyes, and Steve's Omega is too desperate for some approval after his drop earlier to try too hard.

Eddie looks like he's tearing up, and Steve is too caught off guard by this whole thing to hold back the whine it pulls out of him. Even if he's hurt, seeing Eddie upset almost hurts his Omega more than anything else. Eddie's eyes go wide, and he surges to his feet, pressing Steve's hand to his chest and letting a reassuring rumble answer. Steve hates himself a little bit for how much it does calm him down.

Eddie rushes to explain. He's in love with Steve. He thinks Steve's easily the best Omega he's ever met, loves how much he cares for the people around him and protects their pups (Steve tries valiantly to ignore how his heart skips a beat at it being THEIR pups. He fails). The face Steve has been seeing has been Eddie straining to keep his Alpha from begging to bond with Steve on sight. Eddie wanted to court him, wanted to take it slow and romance him and do things properly because Steve deserves it, not ask Steve to have his babies in front of all their friends.

He's been waiting to ask, has been making Steve his own battle jacket since he'd liked Eddie's in the Upside Down as a first courting gift. Apparently, tracking down patches for artists Steve likes is a lot harder than finding patches for Eddie's favorites, and hand-sewing them all on has taken even longer. It's everything Steve could have ever hoped to want and so much more, and Eddie's not wearing any scent blockers, so underneath the heady smell of leather and comfort and Eddie, Steve can tell he's being honest.

The misunderstandings are forgiven. They start courting immediately, and Eddie gives him his own vest to wear as an IOU until Steve's is done. Robin is very mildly scolded for spilling Steve's business, which is cancelled out by the grin on Steve's face as he does it and the hug she tackles him in immediately after says she doesn't regret a thing. It's okay, though. Neither does Steve.

-irrelevantbutembarrassing

chomping on insecure omega Steve because he’s so biteable💕

[batmannotes]

McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Figures Reviewed

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Figures can be purchased at the links below:

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Sent to Earth from the dying planet of Krypton as a baby, Kal-El was found by farmers Martha and Jonathan Kent and raised as their son, Clark. As Clark grew up, the radiation from Earth’s yellow sun gave him extraordinary powers, which he kept hidden. Now fully grown, he uses his powers to protect his adopted world as Superman.

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ROBIN TIM DRAKE (ROBIN: REBORN)

Growing up in Gotham City can be…complicated. Especially when you’re a kid who’s obsessed with Batman and Robin. For Tim Drake, learning everything about his favorite superheroes eventually led him down the path of becoming one himself, after he deduced the identities of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. A self-made hero in every sense of the word, Tim took on the role of Robin after attempting to convince Dick Grayson to become Batman’s sidekick again following the death of Jason Todd. In Tim’s mind, Batman needed a Robin to stay true to himself and his mission. Although Tim didn’t intend to take up the mantle for himself, he was more than happy to do what needed to be done.

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THE RIDDLER (DC CLASSIC)

Edward Nygma™ found his ticket to the big time as an employee of Wayne Industries™. Securing the role of advisor to Philip Kane— Bruce Wayne’s uncle, who ran the Wayne corporation when Bruce left to train to become the Batman™ — Nygma began plotting his takeover of the city. An expert strategist, with genius-level knowledge of history, it was not long before Nygma adopted the guise of a Super-Villain, calling himself The Riddler™!

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[fantasticallyfruity4]

I like how many HC i see about “uncle Wayne pulls bitches” but I need to hear more abt trailer park Casanova Wayne Munson.

As someone who grew up in a town that was 2 bungalow colonies, 6 trailer parks and a super Walmart I feel like I am uniquely acquainted with this particular genre of person and need to write it NOW.

Like all the middle aged ladies in the trailer park are so nice to Eddie bc they know Wayne’s #1 priority is his boy and if they’re assholes to Eddie it’s not gonna end well for them. The ladies(™) all remember when Eddie first started living with Wayne and they all damn near swooned over it.

But the important point here!

I’m just saying Wayne and Susan are neighbors 👀

And Wayne is just 100% so good to max and Susan. Just such a good man. Such a good S/O, such a good parental figure. Those girls deserve it.

And what I’m getting at is I would KILL for the weird, wonderful dynamic of max and Eddie as step siblings.

The 180 of Billy the abusive racist to Eddie the mild mannered anti establishment punk who doesn’t try to kill Lucas, but is literally friends with him.

Eddie is fucking EMBARRASSINGLY supportive of maxs hobbies and achievements and even excited as hell to teach her how to drive (in the van Ofc) even though “can’t wayne teach me? Your like, a terrible driver” and “harrington says you’re no better” “don’t tell my mom!” “I won’t little red, I won’t”

Eddie looking between lucas and El and having his homophobic dog “I know what you are” moment. So suportive. So protective.

All 4 of these fuckers deserve to be happy and I think they’d be such a cute little family unit.

[mysticprofessoralienhumanoid]

So apparently people like this? Wow, I didn't expect it to even be over 10 notes lol.

Dedicated to @m3owww @macncheesemonster @elliebelliegirl

------------

My first thought was that she found Marinette in a random alley, shivering and soaking wet as both tears and rain ran down her cheeks. Black Bat would jump off the roof and land right in front of the scared child and just... look into her eyes, and kind of see herself? All scared, alone and lost, and decide "that's it. I'm taking this child as my own". Later she would be so teased by batfam for being the successor of Bruce's adoption addiction, but Cass wouldn't care, as she hugged tiny, terrified Marinette (and they wouldn't probably dare to say another word after she sent them The Look™).

But then I thought why not make her Marinette's birth mother?

I don't care about the father. He's not needed at all and I don't really care if it's gonna bite me later, but you can all drop suggestions.

Marinette is Cassandra's whole life and happiness and she loves her tiny, adorable daughter so, so much.

At first, Cassandra wasn't sure she would be a good mother, but she would try her damn best to give her daughter happy childhood she didn't have. Besides, she knew her adoptive family would help her (and if not, she'd just go to Alfred).

So when Marinette's born Cassandra is the happiest she's ever been. For the first few days she doesn't even let the baby out of her sight, not being able to believe that she has a daughter and she's so perfect, so adorable and hers.

The whole batfam loves and adores Marinette. The tiny ball of adorableness had them all wrapped around her little finger, Cassandra especially.

Cass teaches Marinette the sign language, she reads her stories, even though she's struggling sometimes (apparently Cass is dyslexic? Correct me if I'm wrong, please). She makes sure Mari knows she loves her and they spend a lot of time either out, traveling the world or at the Wayne Manor, where Marinette plays with her uncles and grandpa, and great-grandpa, of course.

She starts teaching Marinette how to fight when she's five, because no matter how much Cassandra doesn't want to, she realizes she leads a dangerous life and her kid needs to protect herself when she can't do it (not that she thought it'd happen, but better safe than sorry).

But she makes sure to explain to Marinette that killing is wrong and she should never, ever do it, unless she absolutely has to.

Marinette isn't really talkative, taking this after mother. Not that she really does like all the small talk, she'd rather study the body language, it holds more truth than whatever words any person will ever utter.

Cassandra noticed pretty early that Marinette is really smart and creative. She lets her hang out with Tim, hoping he would help Mari and maybe train her a little bit in the detective area of their job. And Tim is ecstatic. He immediately shows her all the tricks, all the secrets, what to look for, not really paying attention to the fact kid is, like, 3 or 4.

Marinette loves pranking her family and Cassandra sometimes decides to help her, because why not? They never get caught and their pranks are unbeatable.

Marinette loves to draw and create, so Cassandra often finds herself drawing with Marinette, both laying on the floor or sitting at the table. Later Mari would run up to her and proudly show her drawings (that were usually clothes or of the two of them). After examining the drawing, Cassandra would give her a proud smile and a nod, Mari would hug her and run away again, probably to draw more.

At the age of eight, Marinette shyly asked her if she could have a sewing kit, because she wants to learn how to make clothes. Cassandra just smiled and the next day Mari had a new sewing machine, mannequin and materials, because all the Wayne's are just always this extra.

Marinette was thirteen when they were on a mother-daughter trip in Paris. They were crossing the streets, just after walking out of this amazing bakery (that had Marinette secretly determined to learn how to bake and drag her mom into it), when Marinette suddenly tore her hand away from Cassandra's grasp and just in the last second saved a man from a car. Cassandra immediately ran up to them, frantically checking over Marinette. When she was sure her precious daughter wasn't hurt, she turned to the old man. He was about to thank them, but then he saw the glare Cassandra was sending him and just mumbled a quick thank you before sprinting as fast as he could under a disguise of an old, senile man.

Later, that day Cassandra found a hexagon box laying on a desk in Marinette's room and she immediately grew suspicious. Nonetheless, she called Marinette and then they decided it was the best for Mari to open it, since it was clearly for her.

There was a sudden explosion of light, before a weird red bug-looking thing materialized in front of them. Before it could even open its mouth, Cassandra attacked it with one of her knives she always had on herself. (In Cassandra's opinion, Un)fortunately the weapon went through the being, not leaving even a scratch on it. Cass was about to attack once more, but an arm stopped her. She turned to see her daughter silently pleading her to just listen to it, and damn it, Marinette's big, bluebell puppy eyes were her biggest weakness, no matter what she tried to tell Jason or Stephanie.

She sighed and crossed her arms, after hiding the knife back in her sleeve. The flying thing introduced itself as Tikki, and it turns out it was, in fact, a she. She explained that Marinette was chosen to be a Ladybug, a hero who's supposed to save Paris and the whole world from a terrorist, who's prying off on negative emotions.

Oh, fuck no.

In instant, Cassandra cut off the being with a swift 'no'. She would not put her daughter in danger and fight battles that were for adults, that Marinette hadn't even been involved before this stupid box appeared on her desk. What kind of mother would that make her!? Certainly not a good one.

She turned to Marinette, about to tell her they were throwing this box and being with it away, when she stopped. Marinette's eyes shone with this excitement Cassandra knew all too well. She sighed internally. Damn her and all the world who gave her the kindest daughter who was just made to be a superhero. In this moment she decided their vacation turned into a longer stay, because there was no way she was leaving her daughter in an unknown city all alone.

(For a moment I was tempted to make Cassandra become Ladybug, but that would kinda mess up my plans. Not that I have many, I'm winging it as I go.)

So they got an apartment, Cassandra texted the family group chat saying they were staying in France for an unknown period of time and enrolled Marinette into a school.

Then the first akuma happened.

Marinette transformed and Cassandra had to begrudgingly admit to herself it was pretty amazing and she was very proud of Mari. When Cassandra was in Black Bat's outfit, they run to where the akuma was.

Neither Cass or Marinette broke a sweat, though Marinette's new partner was pretty tired.

That didn't stop him from flirting, though.

He shot her daughter a wink and what he assumed was a flirty smirk, though it looked anything but it. He complimented her on her fighting skills and the proceeded to ask her out

Boy, you better fucking wish to even be alive when she was done with him.

But before Cassandra could throw a knife at him, Marinette shot her mother a wink and took a real flirty pose. They were so going to talk about where she learned that later, missy. Ladybug, because that's what Marinette decided to call her superhero persona, walked way too close to Chat Noir, that bastard, and whispered something into his ear (no, not the cat one). The only thing stopping her from actually throwing the knife at this kit was his pale white face and the subtle shiver that ran through his spine.

Ladybug moved away from him and with a sweet smile, like she didn't just threaten him at all, disappeared from the scene along the Black Bat.

The next day Marinette is giddy and absolutely nervous to go to her new school. Cassadra smiles at her softly and kisses her on the crown of her head, before telling her how proud she is of her and how she knows she's gonna do great. It gives Marinette confidence to wave her goodbye and walk into the building.

She goes there under a fake surname. And because I'm petty to prove that everyone in Paris is oblivious, it's Kain.

Marinette walks into her new classroom and strategically sits at the second desk in a row, near the door. Though the peace only lasts a few seconds, because the next thing she knew, some blondie tells her to get out of her seat.

Marinette looks at the rich blonde coldly, almost bored and says, "No."

That's all it takes for the girl to back off, only huffing something about her daddy hearing about this, but Marinette only rolls her eyes. Her mom is more influential, not to even mention her grandpa, than the whole Paris.

Then this new blond boy runs into their classroom and sits in front of her. Marinette shrugs it off, just like she shrugs off her deskmate who excitedly tells her about a new heroes and apparently Black Bat is one of them.

The days go on and on, without many problems for Marinette. She easily deals with akumas every other day, with her mom cheering her on and always there to help her.

A few weeks after Marinette became Ladybug, Cassandra had enough. She confronts Tikki on how she thinks Chat Noir is a bad hero, how he thinks it's fun not a job. Tikki tries to stop her, but Cass had already found out who he was and tracked him like a week or two after meeting him. It doesn't take her long before she has Black Cat's miraculous in her hand.

She has friends, though she never tells them much about herself, she's just glad most of them accepts and respects that. She isn't really close friends with Alya, choosing to rather stay with Juleka (meaning she stays with Rose too), Max, Nath, Kim and Alix. She doesn't really engage with Adrien. Sure, they'll talk, but there's no feelings at all, just Adrien's favorite "just friends", only this time he's actually right.

She also befriends Kagami, both bonding over fencing, and Luka, who Marinette likes very much.

She actually rather enjoys Paris. She and mom take walks around the city, be it on the roofs or streets, they visit Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Go for ice cream and dinners around the whole city, always eager to try something new. They always make looking for Andre and his ice cream to be a secret mission, where he's the target, and there's always a lot of giggling and trying to suppress grins from both of them. Marinette also befriended those nice bakers from Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. She was able to make them give her (so Cassandra too) few baking lessons. Turns out Marinette's a natural, Cassandra though... Not so much.

Overall, Marinette really likes Paris.

That's until Lila appears.

Oh, gods, someone better hold her or she will kill this liar. Mom may say killing is wrong, but she'll surely understand, right?

Marinette tries to prove her lies, but it's like no one fucking listens to her. The favourite "threatening in the bathroom" happens. The whole "expulsion" drama happens, only this time when they're in the headmaster's office Cassandra Kain stares at Lila, who's shifting uncomfortably under her gaze, before saying she wants to speak with Lila's mother.

Both Damocles and Lila are flabbergasted. Lila tries to explain that her mother, a really important diplomat, is always busy and can't come, let alone answer the phone.

Then Cassandra asks to see the camera and the video surveillance, because then it'll prove if her daughter really pushed liar- I mean, Lila down the stairs. To which Damocles splutters they don't have cameras around here.

Cassandra only tsks and tells Damocles her daughter won't be attending his school anymore, a shame, really, she was about to donate money to it. Damocles, ever the gold digger, tries to stop her, but Cassandra's fuming. No one will ever neglect and ignore her child like this.

Next day Marinette goes to a new school, a much better one and, conveniently, Kagami's there too! She meets Quantic kids and the moment they see Mari they all decide they'll be friends, whether she (and therefore Kagami) likes it or not. Marinette just shrugs and goes along with it. She really likes Felix, they often have long conversations. She's happier here than she was at Francois Dupont.

Meanwhile, Cassandra decides to look more into this Lila Rossi girl. She calls up batfam and after fifteen minutes of them telling her not to disappear with Mari for months without telling anyone anything, dammit, she asks them to investigate Lila. That shuts them up and in a week or two Cass knows enough to not like the kid even more.

The Miracle Queen happens, Marinette becomes the Great Guardian. Yay, more responsibilities.

Marinette also becomes Black M, a genius fashion designer, whose identity is a big secret. Because if she already has 3 different identities, why not add another one? She's a new french student with a badass mother, a Gothamite loved by everyone, even more than they love her amazing badass mother and a superhero persona called Ladybug, with a badass partner who is speculated to be her mother. So why not become a mystery fashion designer with a gorgeous, badass looking model who no one knows, but is her mother.

Marinette's fifteen when something really, really bad happens.

Her mom gets akumatized.

Marinette doesn't even know why. It just... Happened.

Marinette blames herself for it, but she tries to forget about it for the time being as she and her team consisting of Kagami, Luka and Quantic Kids (and maybe her friends from Francois Dupont are heroes too?) move through Paris trying to capture so far Hawk Moth's the most powerful akuma.

They all somehow land in Hawk Moth's lair where the epic fights happens.

Well, until a sudden scream echoed through the room.

(I was so tempted to end it here, you have no idea)

There stands Hawk Moth, Mayura right behind him, smirking evilly as akumatized Cassandra kneels before him, in pain, and Ladybug right in front of them, staring horrified as her mom tries to move, but is in too much pain.

What happened is that Ladybug was fighting with her mom and right as Cassandra was about to finish her, Marinette screamed:

"PLEASE, MOM."

It made Cassandra stop in her tacks, finally remembering who she was and who she was attacking. She scrambled away and was trying to fight off the akuma, but Hawk Moth wouldn't let her. He tried to regain control by sending a powerful spasm of his magic through the akuma, but Cassandra, ever the fighter, didn't give in. Instead, she tried to attack him, so, Hawk Moth sent another spasm, this time more powerful.

Seeing her mother in pain, kneeling before this monster made Marinette's blood boil. In her blind rage she attacked Hawk Moth.

And killed him.

She yanked the brooch off him, revealing Gabriel Agreste, just as her team caught Mayura and fought off akuma's minions.

For the last time Ladybug broke the akumatized object and cleansed the corrupted butterfly. She used Miraculous Ladybug, hoping for the best.

Her mother woke up, not even a trace of the previous pain on her.

Gabriel though... He still laid there. Cold. Motionless.

Dead.

A sob echoed through the silent room.

Marinette falls to her knees and just cries. She killed someone. She, she who promised herself to never ever kill, and now, now she did. She broke the only rule her mother really cared about. And she's a murderer now.

Her mother calmly comes up to her and hugs her, rocking them softly as her daughter cries and cries, and cries, till she has no more tears to cry.

The next day Ladybug numbly tells Paris Hawk Moth has been defeated and she, along with the whole miraculous team, resign from the hero mantle. The whole city understands and throws a big celebration in honour of them.

Marinette and all her friends know their identities now and it makes them grow even closer.

The same day Cassandra sits her daughter and tells her she's not mad, disappointed or sad. She's proud of her and understands why Marinette did it. It makes Marinette burst out in tears all over again and her mom is there to hold her and comfort her all over again, too.

Cassandra never really got into details of her past with Marinette, but that day she didn't hold anything back.

The next day Marinette's saying her goodbyes to her friends before boarding Wayne's private jet with her mom.

They're welcomed warmly by their family in Gotham and Marinette remembers that she always has her family by her side.

Marinette continues her education at the Gotham Academy, moonlighting as a vigilante Ladybird at night. Because she always will be Ladybug, no matter what.

-------------

I'll be honest with you, I didn't expect it to become this long.

I debated if I wanted Cass to be with Steph, but in the end I decided to leave it up to you.

If you have any ideas of your own, I'd love to hear them!

Anyways, I hope you like it.

Cassandra as Marinette's mom.

That's it. That's the whole AU.