#MariBat PlatNov

[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 21

Day 21: Portal/Return

AO3

Prev

“Bunnix?” Marinette says, blinking in shock at the woman in front of her. For some reason, she hadn’t thought of the possibility of Bunnix coming back to her one day. Not after defeating Hawkmoth. Sure, there’d been that one akuma attack where she’d mentioned an older Ladybug and Chat Noir fighting a new Hawkmoth. But that couldn’t still be a possibility, right? She was the Guardian now. And she had her family to back her up. That wasn’t- that wasn’t possible.

“Mini Bug. Hate to impose, but I’m gonna need to borrow you for a little while.” Alix says, rocking back and forth on her heels.

“Whoa, hold on a fucking minute. Who are you?” Jason asks, standing up from the table and glaring at Bunnix.

“Is this another world ending disaster that you expect her to fix by herself?” Her dad asks, his voice filled with venom. Marinette flinches slightly, even though the tone isn’t directed at her. Sure, she wasn’t currently mad at Alix, but the damage had still been done. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to go with Alix. Not this time.

“I don’t expect you to understand, sir, but I do need your daughter to come with me.” Bunnix says. “She’ll be fine.”

“Just physically? Or mentally, too. Because the last time she went with you, she was left with nightmares that she still struggles with, despite the fact that Chat Noir no longer has his Miraculous.” Her dad argues, his voice firm. Bunnix’ eyes narrow.

“Look. I can’t promise that everything she sees will be happy and amazing because, believe it or not, I don’t control that. All I know is there’s a situation that only Ladybug can fix.” Bunnix says sharply.

“She has not been Ladybug for months.” Damian says, his voice tense. Bunnix glances at her, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ve used the Miraculous though, right?” She asks. Marinette nods. “Then you’ve been Ladybug. Suit doesn’t matter. But you should use the original Ladybug suit where we’re going.” She says, opening her burrow.

“Wait-” Marinette starts, but Bunnix cuts her off.

“We don’t have time. Transform and I’ll explain more there.” She demands. Marinette squeezes her eyes shut, but complies.

“Tikki, spots on.” She says quietly. She lets out a shaky breath, not ready to open her eyes quite yet. Her old suit feels wrong. Obviously it still fits perfectly, but it doesn’t fit like her Ladybird suit. It doesn’t fit like her Poppy costume. It feels like it belongs to somebody else, a person that she no longer was. She wasn’t this person anymore. She yelps slightly as she feels someone grab her wrist and tug her forward. Marinette opens her eyes just in time to see the burrow closing, her family’s worried faces looking back at her. She grits her teeth and keeps her gaze on her feet. She had no desire to see the future.

“Are you okay? You seem off.” Bunnix says lightly. Marinette huffs.

“Maybe because I didn’t want to come with you, Alix. Because the last time I did, it didn’t end well. Like, at all. And I like my life. I like living in Gotham and being Ladybird. I like having my Maman and Papa and Selina and my dad. And my siblings. I don’t want to lose all of that.” She says quietly. Alix sighs.

“Listen, I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t important. Somehow, one of Batman’s villains got a hold of a Miraculous.” She says. Marinette feels the color drain from her face.

“Which one?” She asks.

“Which Miraculous?” Alix asks, and Marinette shakes her head.

“No, Alix. Which villain?” She clarifies. Alix winces and Marinette has to clench her mouth shut to keep herself from puking everywhere. The wince was the answer she needed. Somehow, the Joker had a Miraculous.

---

Bruce grits his teeth, setting his fork down. He’d been holding it so firmly, it had started to cut into his palm. He felt like the worst father ever. He knew that he was the worst father ever. How could he just let that woman take his daughter? She looked terrified.

“How the fuck could you just let her go?” Jason snaps. Bruce wills himself not to wince. He doesn’t deserve it. He knew that this was his fault and he already felt awful for it. No need to let his son know that he’d hit the nail on the head.

“Jay-” Dick starts.

“No, Dick. He needs to fucking hear it. He knew, he fucking knew that Bunnix was the one who made her deal with Chat Blanc by herself. And he still did nothing! He did nothing to keep her from going through that fucking portal.” Jason snaps, slamming his hand on the table. “I’m fucking out of here.” He huffs, standing up.

“Jason.” Bruce says, stopping him from storming out. “She’ll need you when she gets back.” He says before standing and leaving the dining room. The judging stares from his family. His daughter needed him and he just let her go. He walks straight into his study, going directly down to the Batcave as he runs scenarios through his head. Marinette had all of the Miraculous. She was the Guardian. There was no way for it to be a Miraculous incident, right? Making a decision, he sits at the computer and immediately starts looking for information on the Miraculous. He widens his search to include ancient jewelry that can be tracked. He narrows his eyes at one of the results. An eagle talon pendant in New York. He clicks on it, transferring the information to a separate file. He wasn’t sure what it was about the pendant that left him suspicious, but he was certain he could bring it up with Marinette later. A bright light makes him blink in surprise as someone appears in the cave.

---

“So, somehow, he found out about the eagle Miraculous and used it to do, what exactly?” Marinette asks, clenching her fists as she tries to just get through this briefing. She wanted it to be over. She wanted to get out there and take the damn Miraculous so that she could go home.

“He used it to take away the free will of the heroes of Gotham.” Bunnix says softly. Marinette freezes, eyes narrowing as she looks at Bunnix.

“And you didn’t think to tell me that before now?” She hisses.

“It’s not like you had a choice in coming, Mini Bug.” Bunnix argues. Marinette scoffs, shaking her head.

“Don’t call me Mini Bug. I don’t want to know anything about the future, but I do know one thing. I will not be Ladybug in the future. I’m Ladybird, now. And that’s who I’ll be until I hang up my mask. I am the Guardian of the Miraculous, Bunnix. No new Hawkmoth will be appearing, because no one will have the chance to steal one of the Miraculous under my protection. Ever.” Marinette says firmly before walking out of the safe house that she and Bunnix had appeared in. She throws her yoyo up, latching onto a gargoyle and pulling herself up so that she could get a better view. Her goal was to take the Miraculous back, while Bunnix watched the burrow to pinpoint the moment that something went wrong. So that Marinette could then go to that moment and fix it. Because apparently, it was still all up to her. At this point, Marinette wasn’t exactly sure what the point of a time traveling hero was if said time traveling hero couldn’t fix anything on their own.

“Oh god.” A voice says. Marinette blinks, turning and staring at herself. But in her Ladybird suit. Scanning herself?, she realizes quickly that it’s her regular vigilante costume. Not the Miraculous version.

“Are you here to help me?” Marinette asks. Other her shakes her head.

“I think you’re here to fight me.” She says, before charging forward. Marinette yelps in shock, throwing a punch at Ladybird.

“Why are you fighting me?” Marinette asks. Ladybird huffs, trying to sweep her legs out from underneath her.

“I’m not trying to fight you. I don’t exactly have a choice. Just be happy that none of the boys are near. They have actual weapons.” She snaps, landing a hard hit on her side. Marinette groans, somehow managing to sweep Ladybird’s legs out from underneath her.

“Where is the Joker?” Marinette asks, holding down Ladybird’s limbs as the vigilante struggles against her.

“I can’t tell you.” Ladybird huffs, managing to overpower her and switch their positions. She punches her in the face and Marinette grimaces at the pain before shoving her off of her. She scans Ladybird’s costume and grins at her grappling hook. Diving forward, she yanks it off of the other girl’s belt before swinging away to a building that Ladybird couldn’t get to without assistance. She lets out a sigh of relief, wincing slightly at the pain in her side. She was pretty sure her ribs were bruised again. Lovely. A thud on the roof makes her glance over, her stomach rolling at the sight of her little brother, katana poised to attack.

“I cannot-” He starts to say, and she’s startled to see the tears falling from his mask.

“I know.” She says. And he charges forward. She leaps back, doing her best to dodge the vicious slashes from her little brother as he cries openly, not able to fight against the control the Joker has over him. If she had to take a guess, either her dad or herself were the first to fall victim to the Joker. And then he was given more Miraculous, which let him take control of more people. And now we’re here. She hisses in pain as Damian manages to slice into her arm.

“You have to win this.” He says, his voice strained. She nods, barely dodging a slice at her throat. The kid was lethal, but she could tell by the tension on his face that this was far from what he wanted to do. Throwing her yoyo at him, she sighs in relief as it wraps around him tightly. Quickly attaching the other end to one of the gargoyles, she runs before he has the chance to escape. She knew he was more than capable of it, and could only hope that he was able to fight against the Joker’s control at least a little bit. But she didn’t have high hopes. She just wanted to get the hell out of this timeline. A flash of purple and green makes her pause in her run and grin. Even as a Miraculous user, the Joker still had horrific colors on his costume. Using her stolen grappling hook, she’s about to crash into him when someone else crashes into her. She grunts in pain as she’s knocked from the air and rolls onto the asphalt, scraping her face as she goes. Jumping up to her feet, her eyes widen at her dad. Batsuit on, a grimace on his face.

“Ooooo, would you look at that? A new hero.” Joker taunts, glancing at her dad. “Kill her.” He says simply, laughing wildly as she tenses. She takes a step back as her dad struggles against the command, jerkily stepping forward.

“I...won’t.” He grunts out.

“Oh, but you will.” Joker counters. Before Marinette can jump out of range, her dad grabs her by the throat. She gasps, clawing at the hand wrapped around her throat.

“Stop.” Her dad says gruffly.

“But Batsy, it looks like you’re having oh so much fun.” Joker taunts, laughing wildly. Marinette coughs, getting light headed as she wildly kicks her feet, trying to wriggle out of her dad’s iron grip.

“LB! I figured it out.” Bunnix yells, running towards her. Marinette just stares at her. Help would be welcomed, she thinks, staring at her. Bunnix glares at Joker, punching him in the face and ripping the pendant from his neck in one fluid motion. The impact of the hit makes him fall to the ground, and Bunnix plants her boot firmly on his chest to keep him there. The second the necklace is off, her dad drops her and she falls to the ground, gasping for air.

“Are you okay?” He asks softly, dropping down to his knees and reaching a hand up to push her bangs out of her face. She flinches, then feels awful at the way he tenses.

“‘M fine.” She coughs out, standing up on shaky legs. “What other Miraculous does he have?” She asks.

“Peacock and butterfly.” Her dad responds shortly. She scans the Joker’s body, grabbing the two Miraculous and turning back to Bunnix.

“How did this happen?” She asks, throat aching.

“The computer in the Batcave was compromised. Throw up a couple extra firewalls and actively work against the hack, and this will never happen.” Bunnix promises.

“Then let’s go.” Marinette says tiredly, stepping towards the woman.

“Wait.” Her dad says, stopping her. She sighs.

“It wasn’t your fault.” She says softly.

“But I still hurt you.” He argues, scowling. “I could have killed you.” He says.

“But you didn’t. And I’m about to make it so that none of this ever happened, Dad. Don’t worry.” Marinette says, giving him a fake smile, hoping he won’t see through it.

“So this will just be another Chat Blanc situation? Something traumatizing that only you will remember?” He asks, his voice angry.

“Whoa! Two LB’s? What the fuck is happening?” Jason asks, dropping next to them and setting down the other her.

“Here. Robin said you need this- he was right. I can’t believe you left it behind.” She says with a scowl. Marinette rolls her eyes.

“He was about to cut me in half with a freaking katana. Of course I tied him up with the one indestructible rope I had. Where is he, anyway?” Marinette asks, frowning as she glances around. She could see Tim and Dick in the distance, walking around the rubble and destruction that coated the city. But she didn’t see Damian.

“He refuses to come near you because of your injuries.” Other her says, crossing her arms. “He’s kind of traumatized by it.” Marinette sighs.

“Well, he won’t be for long. I’m about to go fix this. Lucky charm!” She says. Her dad grabs her shoulder gently, shaking his head.

“Honey, don’t do this. If you try to stop the timeline you’ll still remember and you won’t have us to help you. To know why you’re hurting. Please don’t do this by yourself.” He begs. She glances at Bunnix, grimacing as the woman opens the burrow and gestures for her to follow.

“I appreciate it dad, I really do, but I have to fix this. I can’t let you or Damian live with this kind of guilt.” She says, before turning and darting into the burrow. She would fix this. She had to.

“I’ve pinpointed the moment that the Joker managed to have someone hack into the computer in the Batcave. I’ll drop you three minutes before the hack so that you can set up extra security and hack against him.” Bunnix directs, glancing into one of the openings of the burrow. “You ready, LB?” She asks. Marinette nods firmly, stepping into the cave in a flash of light.

---

Bruce blinks in confusion at his daughter. At the blood, the bruises and the soot. The grim look on her face as she moves his chair to the side and begins to type furiously on the computer. What had happened in the short time Bunnix had her? Or was it short at all? Was she actually in a living hell for months, with no one there to help her? Where was he in all of this? How could there be a timeline after Marinette where he didn’t actively look for her to help her, to try and fix her problems?

“Marinette?” He says softly. She glances at him and nods before turning back to the screen.

“Sorry Dad. Joker’s about to hack the computer and find out about the Miraculous. It doesn’t end well so I need to- come on, there we go- I need to fight against this. Joker with a Miraculous? Not exactly fun.” She mutters under her breath. He grits his teeth, trying to shove down his anger. Bunnix had made her go up against the Joker? Had she even helped? Or was his poor daughter left to fight against that monster by herself once again? Hadn’t she been through enough? The typing stops and he watches as his daughter stares at the computer, not breathing.

“Mar-”

“Did it work?” She says aloud, looking around. “Bunnix?” She spins around, eyes darting around the cave as she turns. Another light flashes and Bunnix steps into the cave, grinning widely.

“You did it LB.” She says with a nod.

“Good.” His daughter breathes out, looking like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. She tosses the item in her hands up, saying a soft “Miraculous ladybug.” Tiny ladybugs fly around the room, several swarm around her and her injuries disappear. She lets out a sigh of relief, slumping and calling off her transformation.

“Mari-” Bunnix starts, but Marinette turns her head.

“Come talk to me when I’ve had time to cool off, Alix. I’m kind of still really mad at you.” She says. Bunnix grimaces, but nods before turning to him.

“I apologize for taking her away like that.” She says quietly before turning around and stepping into a ball of light. Bruce frowns, turning to his youngest daughter.

“Do you- would you like to talk about it?” He asks softly. She shakes her head, hugging her arms close to herself. “Do you need a hug?” He asks. She hesitates, but nods, stepping towards him and leaning against him. He frowns, but wraps her in a tight hug. He wasn’t sure what her new nightmares would be about, but he was certain that he would be there for her. He wouldn’t let his daughter go through this alone, not like she went through Chat Blanc.

Next

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#maribat #maribat fanfiction #maribat jason todd #maribat tim drake #maribat dick grayson #maribat bruce wayne #maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat marinette dupain cheng is ladybird #MariBat PlatNov #MariBat Platonic November #platonic timari #platonic jasonette #platonic dickinette #platonic daminette #maribat bio dad bruce #maribat bio dad bruce wayne #maribat bio dad au

[maribat-platonic-november]

Presenting: MariBat Platonic November - Year 2!

Hope y’all are ready for this once more!! I’m super excited to host another calendar prompt month once again, and I hope everyone finds this exciting, too! Now let’s get to business~! <3

Simple Rules:

1) No Salt or Bashing

This isn’t to say you have to write the characters you don’t like into your pieces! A bit like the ‘if you have nothing nice to say’ advice, simply do not write the character into the story. And avoid mentioning the character at all, too, if they can’t be mentioned without breaking this rule.

2) Do Not focus on Romantic Ships

Feel free to include romantic ships as background flavoring! But the focus should remain on the platonic ship(s) you use and their activities/bonding/etc. that you write.

3) Tag Us!

It would be nice for your works can be found and reblogged! Tag [ @maribat-platonic-november ], and use [ #MariBat Platonic November ] and/or [ #MariBat PlatNov ] in the post tags to keep keep everything all set!

Bonus Info:

Noticed the [Character Names] in the weekend slots? That would be the Villain Weekend Prompts! These are optional characters to include in your prompt responses, inspired by the popular MariBat trope of DC Villains finding the MLB character of choice delightful to be around. It is also inspired by both redemption arcs and, surprise, Villain!hero AU’s! Whatever inspires you, go for it!

Wednesdays are themed after Angst and AU's to spice up the options this year! Hope you all like it~

The Prompts:

1st - Summer Storm / Optimism 2nd - Island / Horse 3rd - Chains/Cruelty[ Future/Punk AU ] 4th - Flight / View 5th - Living Room / Patisserie 5th - Home / Purrs [ Dex Starr ] 7th - Artifact / Ivory [ Catwoman ] 8th - Crack / Fixed 9th - Admire / Confident 10th - Scars / Darken [ No-Powers AU ] 11th - Fate / Phoenix 12th - Exotic / Familiar 13th - Sea / Stars [ Starro ] 14th - Vapor / Masks [ Red Hood ] 15th - Flowers / Chocolate 16th - Glasses / Casanova 17th - Regret / Taboo [ Royalty AU ] 18th - Metallic / Yearning 19th - Bold / Shy 20th - Colors / Blind [ Reverse Flash ] 21st - Portal / Return [ Darkseid ] 22nd - Gifts / Celebrate 23rd - Persian / Box 24th - Eternity / Distance [ Space Travel AU ] 25th - Reason / Relaxation 26th - Subtle / Bright 27th - Old Habits / Change [ Ra's al Ghul ] 28th - Corrupt / Insanity [ Bruce Wayne ] 29th - Casino / Laughter 30th - Shipping / Daydream

#maribat platonic november #maribat platnov #maribat #dc x mlb #dc x miraculous

[bunathebunny]

midday dream

Marinette would like to say that she would so not want to be in the vicinity of time magic being performed again.

For Maribat Platonic November 2021 Day 3 - Future AU

@maribat-platonic-november

There are certain areas of magic that the kwamii have warned her to stay away from – either practicing said magic or interacting with those who do.  The creation magic that she inherits by being exposed to Tikki’s and from her more extensive training as the Guardian of the Miraculi is one of the more advanced kinds – and there are times where she wonders if it is right to have such dangerous magic in her hands – but the kinds that the kwamii caution her against are, according to them, hard to master and damaging to one’s psyche – and that are just two of the many reasons that they listed.

Time magic is, obviously, one of those dangerous kinds that the kwamii do not want her anywhere near. And to be honest, neither does she wish to be anywhere in the vicinity of time magic being performed, if only to avoid being thrown into another situation such as this again.

There is something surreal to come face to face with the familiar features that regularly reflected on the pocket mirror every time she grooms herself for a meeting with potential clients. Her own face, albeit older with wrinkles and worry lines that are just forming on her own, splits into a sunny grin that has her quietly grimacing to herself as she cautiously accepts the invitation to return to her doppelgänger’s place even as her guts rolls with unease.

The pit in her stomach widens as each step she takes on well-worn paths takes her closer and closer to where she has come to think of as home.

“We close on Tuesdays now,” the older her with wrinkles and worry lines that speak of the challenges she had overcome – those of which Marinette herself might have yet to encountered – and a tiny tilt of her head that she knows, by heart, is a silent come in, says. “I would prefer to have Sundays off but you know how it is on Sundays…”

She laughs, soft like the tinkling morning dews, and pushes the door open. The bell by the door chimes a familiar sound – one that Carries takes so much joy in, always lighting up whenever it reaches her ear.

Miracle Crafts – or perhaps the Miracle Crafts of the future – opens right in front of her eyes.

The counter is the same with the barest differences from the one in her time – still standing there with the tiny jar with a piece of paper taped to the side that has the scrawling letters that read tips and two exclamation marks written in black markers. Sitting beside the jar is a small box of tissues and a display stands that has a stack of finely printed cards with the elegant writing that reads Miracle Crafts in demibold Comic Sans. The position of the shelves brings forth a sudden wave of nostalgia – for the shelves back in her time that are stocked with supplies and goods, for the colorful shelf that is specially reserved for the plushies of Gotham’s vigilantes that brought the masses’ attention to them, for the now familiar mop of red hair amongst the shelves, for the soft whistling tune that resembles that of a current trending song that Carrie showed her just a week ago.

“Carrie isn’t here right now,” the older her says, grinning like she knows what Marinette is thinking about – which, to be honest, is entirely possible seeing as she both is her and has lived through this very moment. “She has a date at Gotham Museum – you know, the one that we usually visit for inspiration whether we hit an artist block.”

The older her speaks with something akin to pride glimmering in her eyes and there is that sweet, sweet fondness in her tongue that is the same as the warmth the drips for her mother’s lips. As if the familiar way that Carrie’s name rolls off her lips is enough to sooth her to the bones.

What happened in those years that the older her seems to soften at the mere thought of the very teenaged girl that works part-time at her store, she wonders. Just what exactly had happened in the years between the older Marinette and her that has the older her breathing Carrie’s name with soft, soft warmth that she has only ever heard in her parents’ voices.

It is the most terrifyingly intriguing thing that she has ever encountered. And she wants, desperately, for answers – answers for the dozens of questions that that one tiny moment gave rise to.

“Will I remember this?” she asks because she has to know. Has to know if she would be able to bring back these tantalizing secrets back with her. Has to know whether or not this forbidden glimpse of the future would stay with her once she is back, safe and sound, in her right time.

The older Marinette looks at her with something akin to pity and an invisible stone drops in her stomach. The older her have experiences she does not have by the mere virtue of having led a longer life but Marinette knows herself and the wrinkle right there is a silent answer that she is looking for.

Magic has rules and they exist to keep the balance of everything, big or small, in the universe. And while she bemoans the fact that this glimpse into the future, these little sneak peeks of a time that is yet to come would disappear the moment she returns to where she is supposed to be, that just means that she can ask all the questions she wants without a fear of fucking up the timeline any more than it is fucked up on the regular by the numerous heroes and villains and anyone in the various shades of grays between heroics and villainies.

“Come upstairs?” suggests the older her, already making her way deeper into the store, towards where the stairs leading to the more private sections are. “I suspect we have a lot to talk about.”

They do have a lot to discuss, don’t they?

#maribat #miracle crafts au #MariBat Platonic November #MariBat PlatNov

[highonchocolate]

MariBat PlatNov Day 14: Art/Paint

First   Previous   Next   Ao3

Note: This is me, sleep deprived and writing at 1 AM and forgetting to post. 

---

Scarlet Bug dropped down gently on the roof behind Harley. The Siren was standing in front of a heavily-graffitied wall, opened cans of spray paint lying at her feet. In front of her, bright blue letters proclaimed ‘FUCK YOU CLOWN’, with several underlines and exclamation points. Raising an eyebrow, she coughed once to alert the woman to her presence. 

At the noise, Harley spun around, a wide grin already on her face. “Heya little bug! What’s up?” Glancing at the cans, Marinette motioned to the wall. “May I?” Expecting a reprimand, and taken aback by the question, it took her a second to respond. She smirked and tossed her a nice shade of pink, accompanied with a cheery call of “Show me whatcha got, girlie!” She caught it one-handed and walked over to the wall with a determined grin.

Twenty minutes later, she swept her arm down in a finishing stroke, before capping the can and placing it down next to the others she had used. Turning to Harley, she gave her a shit-eating grin. “You like?” Instead of an answer, all she got was laughter. “I’m making this my home screen!” Harley cackled, bringing out a bright pink-and-blue phone to snap a picture. Laughing, she pocketed the phone and gave her a once over. “You might not be so bad, little bug. Hit me up next time ya wanna do something like this.” Marinette smirked. “I’ll see you around, Harley.” Before diving off the roof and swinging away.

Behind her, underneath Harley’s original artwork lay her own addition: a giant hyper realistic middle finger, with a phrase of her own beside it.

‘Oh wait, nobody wants to fuck a walking eggplant. Lose the grass hair and try again, you punk bitch.’

---

@maribat-platonic-november

#MariBat PlatNov #maribat #platonic marinette x batfam #marinette dupain cheng #harley quinn #graffiti

[maribat-newsletter]

Maribat Event Announcement

As Spooky season comes to an end, we now embrace the spirit of giving and being thankful. Thus, let us enjoy some non-salted platonic fics for November. 

For this month, @maribat-platonic-november is hosting 30 days of fun (and some angsty) prompts. The rules are simple: NO salt, character bashing, and focusing on romantic ships.

Join the talented creators by visiting the tags #MariBat Platonic November and #MariBat PlatNov on Tumblr & AO3 for this year’s creations.

Visit the Official Maribat Platonic November ( @maribat-platonic-november ) Tumblr page for more information, and remember to check out all the available content.

Happy writing/drawing/reading!

#maribat newsletter #maribat #maribat event #maribat event reminder #maribat announcement #maribat newsletter announcement

[phis-corner]

chapter two of the (really late) PlatNov fill that @maribat-writing-and-prompts and I collabed on is out!

@maribat-platonic-november (should I keep tagging if I’m 18 days late?)

permanent tags

@wannajointhecrabcult @miraculous-simmer7 @certainmuffinbagelcalzone @fantasyislive @chocolateherringtacofan @junarvion @susiej1118 @aestheticnpoetic @toodaloo-kangaroo @ladybug-182 @itsmeevie01 @g-arya @souleateralicestein @nightstarblue @i-is-mysterious @moonystars14 @vixen-uchiha @flapdoodle-noodle @labschaos @nathleigh @jalaluvsu @kaithehero @iamablinkmarvelarmy @luveverything12 @technicallyburninggarden @pawsitivelymiraculous @too0bsessedformyowngood @fusser90

unspecified 

@momothefemur @indecisive-mess-named-me @laurcad123 @ilovefluffbutsmutisalsogreat @sassakitty

#my writing #maribat #maribat platonic november #nova star

[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 1

This is a sequel to Taking Chances, and will follow the Maribat Platonic November prompts. 

AO3

Book One

Marinette Dupain Cheng sighs as she glances at the date on her phone. In just two weeks, she’d be starting school at Gotham Academy. And despite the reassurances from her brothers that it would be fine, she was terrified. Not only would she be the new girl, but she’d be the new girl who didn’t even speak English when she was nervous. Needless to say, she was catastrophizing just a bit.

Flopping onto the couch in the theater, she flips the tv on, frowning at the live coverage from Atlantic City. She winces as the wind blows harder, whipping the poor weather lady’s hair around like crazy. One word catches her attention, and her frown deepens. Hurricane? Aren’t those supposed to be really bad?

“Hey Mars, why the frown?” Tim asks, walking in and plopping onto the couch next to her. She raises an eyebrow at the two cups of coffee in his hands, grinning as he passes one over to her.

“The weather says a hurricane is supposed to hit Gotham soon. Should we be worried?” She asks, but he shakes his head.

“Nah, it never gets too bad here. And I’ve seen the reports for the storm. I think the most that’ll happen is we lose power. But we won’t lose it for long, we have backup generators in the cave.” Tim reassures her, squeezing her shoulder. She nods, still worried. Especially when she glances outside at the heavy rain. Sighing, she takes a long drink of coffee before turning back to her brother.

“Will Dad patrol with the hurricane?” She asks.

“Probably not. Don’t worry about it, everything’ll be okay.” He promises, giving her one last smile before walking out. Pushing down the worries about both school and the weather, she turns on a Disney movie before settling back into the couch, getting lost in the animation.

---

Just as Stitch is asking to say goodbye to his family, the lights flicker. Marinette sits straight up, looking around wide eyed. She wasn’t scared of the dark, she was a hero for god’s sake. But the idea of being alone in the manor when the lights aren’t working at all, sounds awful. Jumping up, she runs out of the theatre.

“Jay? Dick? Damian? Tim? Hello?” She yells, walking down the hall briskly.

“You okay Pixie Pop?” Jason asks as she turns the corner, looking at her with a small frown. She nods, but jumps as the lights flicker again. “First hurricane?” He asks. She nods.

“We don’t really get weather like this in Paris. Unless it was from an akuma.” She explains, moving closer to him. He slings an arm over her shoulder with a grin.

“It’ll be okay. B’s got a generator and everything.” He reassures her.

“What about Dick and Mar’i and Kori?” She asks, remembering their apartment and how unhurricane proof it seemed.

“They’re already here, unpacking in the guestroom. This isn’t the first big storm we’ve ever had.” Jason says, ruffling her hair with a grin.

“So then where’s Dad?” She asks, hoping Jason will say he’s safe in the cave.

“At WE, probably looking over insurance policies for different buildings in Gotham. He likes to make sure that everything WE owns is covered before the big storms.” Jason explains.

“But can’t he do that here? So he isn’t driving in that weather?” She asks nervously. The rain was really picking up, and the flights had flickered once again.

“Pix, he’s fine. You can even call him if it makes you feel better.” Jason suggests and she nods.

“Okay. I’m gonna go do that.” She says, rushing up to her room. She pushes her door open and yelps in surprise at the sight in front of her.

“Evening, ukht.” Damian says nonchalantly.

“Damian, why is there a cheetah cub on my bed?” Marinette asks, caught between wanting to pet it and wanting to leave the room.

“Because Alfred the Cat is on my bed.” He says, as if that explains it. She sighs, shaking her head.

“Where did you even get a cheetah cub, petit oiseau?” Marinette asks, inching towards her bed with her hand held out.

“A smuggler. She is very calm. You may pet her, if you wish.” Damian reassures her. Sucking in a deep breath, she moves forward and pets the cub, grinning at the softness of its fur.

“She’s so soft!” She exclaims with a wide grin.

“Indeed. Can I count on your assistance in convincing Father to let us keep her?” He asks, a hopeful look on his face. Marinette nods.

“Of course. Though, I’m not sure how well she’ll get along with Batcow.” She points out. Damian frowns.

“We will just have to keep them separated, obviously.” He says.

“Yeah. Listen, have you heard from dad?” She asks, her nerves bouncing back with a vengeance. He frowns.

“No, why?”

“The storm. I think I’m gonna call him, just to double check that he’s okay.” She says, pulling out her phone and hitting the call button on her dad’s contact. She bites her lip and paces, nervously waiting for him to pick up the phone.

“Hello? Marinette, is everything okay?” He asks, and she sighs in relief.

“When are you coming home, Dad? The weather looks really bad.” She says. He sighs.

“Sweetheart, I can’t just stop work-” He starts.

“Then bring it home. Please, Dad. It’s already gonna take you forever to get home in this rain.” She pleads.

“Fine.” He relents, and she resists the urge to cheer. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay. Bye Dad.” She says.

“Bye Mari.” He says before hanging up. She sighs in relief until she remembers-

“Where’s Selina?” She asks Damian who simply shrugs.

“I have not seen her. But if you find her, tell her to come here. I am certain we can get her on our side as well.” He says, petting the cheetah again. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at her little brother, she rushes out of her room and downstairs to the kitchen.

“Miss Marinette, are you alright?” Alfred asks, frowning. She nods.

“Yes, have you seen-”

“Hey kitten, have you seen your little brother anywhere? Ivy gave me a heads up that the plants said that he had a cheetah cub?” The woman in question says, walking into the kitchen with a wide smile. Marinette grins at her bonus mom and nods.

“Yes, actually. And we want you to be on our side when we try to convince Dad to let us keep her.” She says. Selina snorts.

“I’m not sure your father would like that very much.” She says. Marinette sticks out her bottom lip in a pout.

“But she’s so soft! Come on, you have to come pet her before you make any big decisions.” She declares, grabbing the woman’s hand and tugging her along behind her.

“Wait, where is she?” Selina asks and Marinette grins.

“My room!” She says. Selina sighs.

“Kitten, why is there a cheetah cub in your room?”

“Um, because Alfred the Cat is in Damian’s room?” She says, giving the same excuse her brother had given ten minutes ago. Selina just sighs and Marinette’s grin widens. God, she loves Gotham.

---

Marinette gives her dad a smug look as the storm report plays over the radio in the dining room. Several power lines were completely down, lines that would have kept him from coming home if he’d stayed at the office until the paperwork was done being looked at.

“I know, I know. You were right.” Her dad concedes, giving her a look. She smirks.

“Just as long as you know it.” She says, making Jason snort with laughter.

“I really need to stop leaving you with Jason all the time.” He says with a sigh.

“Oh, come on B, don’t you love that I have a mini me?” Jason asks with a grin. Her dad pinches the bridge of his nose, before shaking his head, though the fond smile on his face tells a different story.

“You are both impossible.” He says. Marinette grins, glancing at her older brother.

“Pleasure being impossible with you, sir.” She says, tipping an imaginary hat at him.

“And you, ma’am.” Jason says, mimicking her motion. Though the storm was howling outside, she kind of wished the moment would never end. But soon, summer would come to a close and she’d have to be back in the real world.

“While we are on the subject of impossible, Father, Marinette and I need to talk to you about something important. Kyle also agrees.” Damian says. Marinette grins, certain that by the time the storm was over, they would officially be the proud owners of a cheetah cub.

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Making Memories: Ch. 22

Day 22: Gifts/Celebrate

AO3

Prev

Marinette smiles down at the finished sweater. It was part of Damian’s present for his birthday. Glancing over at the clock on her desk, she sighs in relief. 6:14am. Late enough that she’d be able to go downstairs and tell everyone that she slept ‘just fine thanks for asking’. She yawns as she moves around her room, searching for her favorite hoodie. Finally spotting it, she grins, tugging it on over her t-shirt. Pulling on a pair of fluffy socks to avoid the cold floor in the manor. Throwing open her door, she hums lightly as she darts down the stairs. She’s not even sure what song it was, just that she didn’t want to deal with silence. Silence led to overthinking and that’s the last thing she wanted right now.

“You’re up awfully early this morning, Miss Marinette.” Alfred says as she walks into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. She smiles softly at him.

“Morning Alfred. Guess I’m just super well rested.” She says, pouring a huge cup of coffee, not bothering to add anything else. Alfred raises an eyebrow.

“It wounds me that you believe you still have to lie to me, Miss.” Alfred sighs. Marinette winces, taking a seat at the counter and letting her shoulders slump.

“How’d you know?” She asks tiredly. Alfred presses his lips into a firm line.

“I did raise your father.” He says.

“Fair enough.” She snorts, wrapping her hands around her coffee. “I’m afraid to sleep.” She admits, quietly. There was something about Alfred that made him easy to talk to. No matter what. And she knew it wasn’t just the whole grandparent thing, because she definitely couldn’t talk to her nonno or her grandma Gina like she could Alfred.

“Is it because of the incident with Bunnix three days ago?” He asks. She nods. “Am I correct in assuming you have not slept since before that incident?” She nods again. “Then I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut you off at one cup of coffee today.” He says. Before she can argue, her dad walks into the room, stretching. He smiles one of his rare soft smiles at her before moving to get a cup of coffee.

“Good morning Alfred, Marinette.” He says.

“Good morning, Master Bruce. Breakfast will be ready soon.” Alfred says, giving Marinette a look that says their conversation isn’t over.

“Mornin’ dad.” Marinette says quietly, taking a sip of her coffee. He reaches towards her and she tenses, immediately regretting it as a confused look falls onto her dad’s face. He drops his hand and moves to sit at one of the stools next to her.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

“Of course I’m okay.” She lies, looking at him and smiling widely. “I’m gonna go grab something before breakfast.” She says, throwing back the rest of her coffee and rinsing her mug out before she darts back up the stairs. She stops at the top and leans against the wall, clenching her hands into fists.

“Is that my hoodie?” Jason asks, stopping in front of her. Marinette glances down, then looks back up at her brother and nods. “Shit, Pix. Why’re you crying?” He asks quietly. She frowns and reaches up to her face, blinking when she feels the tears.

“Oh, uh-” She stops, sighing. “It’s nothing.”

“Marinette, it’s obviously not nothing.” He says, his voice soft but firm.

“It’s nothing, Jay. I’m gonna go back to bed. I don’t feel great.” She says, pushing past him and going into her room. Locking her door, she moves over to her bed and curls into a ball, letting out her pent up emotions from the trip with Bunnix.

---

Bruce Wayne knew that he wasn't the most...emotionally available person. He knew that it, at times, had driven a wedge between him and each of his children. He assumed that this was another one of those wedges. Though, unlike Damian, Marinette had never shied away from physical affection. In fact, she was often leaning on someone, or initiating a hug. Needless to say, the way she tensed when he tried to put a hand on her shoulder earlier was worrisome. She still hadn't talked to anyone about the Bunnix situation. Not that he knew of, anyway. He was worried about how bad it was. He knew it couldn't have been good, but he'd had hope that it wasn't as bad as the Chat Blanc situation. Now though...he wasn't sure.

"Where's Mars?" Tim asks, glancing around the breakfast table. Bruce frowns. She'd said she was just grabbing something before breakfast. So where-

"She said she was going back to bed cause she didn't feel good." Jason says, his face tense.

"What else happened?" Bruce asks. Jason sighs, rubbing his hand over his face.

"I saw her standing in the hallway, crying. Couldn't get her to talk to me about it before she was darting away." He says with a huff.

"Has she talked to anyone about the situation with Bunnix?" Bruce asks. The boys all shake their heads. He glances at Alfred, who purses his lips.

"Miss Marinette has not slept since before the situation." He says, his entire body tense. "I'm unsure of the events that transpired, though her earlier actions are not reassuring."

"What happened earlier?" Tim asks, eyebrows scrunched together as if he was looking at a particularly difficult case. Bruce glances at Alfred for help, but the man simply gestures to him before walking away. Bruce sighs.

"She was drinking coffee earlier, which is usual for her. I moved to put a hand on her shoulder because she looked stressed, and she's normally reassured by physical contact. This time, however, she tensed. I moved away and asked if she was okay, but she denied that anything was wrong and left the kitchen." Bruce explains, heart clenching at the memory. Had….had he hurt her in the timeline she'd fixed with Bunnix?

"Has she talked to Harley?" Jason asks. Bruce frowns.

"Not unless she called her. She hasn't been out of the manor since the Bunnix incident." He says. He glances around the table. "Where's Damian?"

---

"Ukht, please open the door." Damian's voice calls from the other side.

"I'm sick." She lies, before coughing twice.

"You and I both know you're not a good actress. Just open the door." Damian directs. Marinette sighs, but rolls off of her bed, opens the door and stares at her little brother.

"What?" She asks, working hard to make sure there's no annoyance in her voice. It's not Damian's fault that she can't sleep.

"You look awful." He says, pushing past her and stepping into the room. She huffs, moving away from the door.

"Well come on in, I guess." She says sarcastically, walking over and flopping back down onto her bed.

"You should come to breakfast." He says simply, giving no explanation.

"Pass." She mumbles into her pillow.

"I am unsure how to help you unless you talk to me." He says quietly. "We all know that something happened with Bunnix. After all, she wouldn't have come to you if it wasn't important. But we cannot help you through this if you don't talk to us." She sits up, but doesn't look at her brother. Instead, she clutches her pillow like it's a lifeline, frowning as she tries to figure out what to say. She couldn't just tell him the truth. He'd feel guilty, her dad would feel guilty- it would be awful for them. She'd rather keep it inside where the only one hurt was her.

"I can't tell you." Marinette says quietly.

"Why?" Damian asks with a huff.

"Because I can't." She snaps.

"Marinette, the Miraculous are no longer-"

"Oh shit." She jumps off the bed and runs over to the Miracle Box. Opening it, she's relieved to see Nooroo and Duusu's Miraculous still sitting in the box. She frowns. Where was the Eagle Miraculous right now? "Bunnix? Hello! I know you're monitoring me for when I'm ready to talk to you. We have a situation!" She yells.

"Tt. I fail to see how that is effective." Damian scoffs, crossing his arms. Marinette's about to agree with him when a light flashes into her room. She turns to him and smirks.

"It's very effective." She teases, face sobering when Alix walls out of the portal.

"What happened?" Alix asks, obviously aware that this is not the heart to heart they needed to have.

"The Eagle Miraculous. We need to find it and take it to the Guardian of that box so that we tie up all possible loose ends." Marinette starts, beginning to pace around her room. "Now. If I'm right, I've narrowed it down to one of three cities-"

"Already taken care of." Alix interrupts. Marinette glances at her and frowns.

"What?"

"I already took care of it. I knew it needed to happen, and you were in no shape to go looking for it the last time I was here." Alix reports, looking around the room awkwardly.

"So it's safe?" Marinette asks. Alix nods and Marinette lets her shoulders slump. It was fine. The Miraculous was safe.

"I wasn't aware there was an Eagle Miraculous." Damian says, obviously fishing for more information from the battle. Alix frowns.

"Did you not tell them?" She asks. Marinette shakes her head. "Marinette, the whole point in you coming straight home was so that your family could help you through it. You don't have to deal with this one alone. Not like Chat Blanc." She says, frowning.

"And how am I supposed to have that conversation, hmm? Adrien carries so much guilt from Chat Blanc and he didn't even do it! It was from an alternate timeline." Marinette argues, sending worried glances at Damian. Please don't figure it out. Please don't figure it out.

"Marinette, I'm sorry. But if you don't tell them, I will." Alix says firmly, arms crossed.

"You will do no such thing." Damian snaps. Marinette turns to him, eyes wide.

"I thought-"

"Marinette did not have a choice when it came to going with you. Either time. You will not take another choice away from her." He declares, moving so that he's standing between her and Alix. Alix huffs.

"Look, kid. I'm just trying to help." She says.

"Then leave." Damian says simply. Alix looks at Marinette, but she just turns away.

"Let me know when you want to talk." Alix says in a clipped tone before disappearing. Marinette turns to her brother and smiles softly.

"Thank you, Dames." She says.

"Tt. Do not think this conversation is over. I still believe you need to talk to someone about what happened. But I also believe it needs to be on your terms." He says with a firm nod. "I am returning to breakfast. Please think about joining." He says, turning and walking out of the room, shutting the door as he goes. Marinette sighs, but follows her brother to breakfast. Maybe she could talk to Dick or Jason later. Someone who wasn't directly involved in the other timeline. Someone who wouldn't be filled with guilt.

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Making Memories: Ch. 6

Day 6: Home/Purrs

AO3

Prev

Marinette stares at the homework on her desk, not even attempting to read the words on the page. Her dad had called her out of school every day for the last week, giving an excuse that she had a fever or something like that. She wasn’t sure on the specifics. She’d get the details when she was finally able to go back. Unfortunately, she still had several broken ribs that weren’t quite ready for her to go trekking across a school for eight hours a day. Well, that, and the bruises on her face were still way too prominent to cover with makeup. A knock on her door brings her out of her thoughts that had started to darken yet again.

“Come in.” She sighs, tapping her pencil against the desk anxiously. She glances up and furrows her eyebrows, smiling at Harley despite the confusion. “Harley?”

“Hey there, kiddo. I came to see if you wanted to get out of here for an hour or two. Eat some junk food at my apartment?” She suggests. Marinette frowns as she scans the woman’s face, realizing the real reason she was there.

“You’re gonna make me talk to you, aren’t you?” She asks. She didn’t need to talk to anyone. The most she’d talked was to Jason right after she woke up and he almost ran off to kill someone. And that would just lead to a big fight between her dad and Jason and she didn’t want to be the cause of that. Not now. Not ever. So she wasn’t going to talk to anyone about it, she didn’t need to. She was fine. Perfectly fine. There was nothing wrong. Harley raises an eyebrow.

“I was gonna offer to listen if you wanted to talk, but I really did want ya to come over and eat some junk food. Selina says you’ve barely left your room this week, kiddo. Figured a place that wasn’t full of people might be a nice escape.” Harley says with a shrug. A little voice in her head says that Harley doesn’t actually care, because she’s nothing. It sounds like the Joker, because of course it does.

“I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of homework.” Marinette frowns, glancing back at the paper. The font was awful, and it made it fifty times harder to read. But she’d rather sit here and struggle through that than talk to Harley about the Joker.

“Then bring it with. I could help you. Even I can tell that font must actual torture on you. Who the hell chooses something with that many loops for a school assignment?” Harley teases, glaring at the offending paper. Marinette’s lips twitch up into a small smile.

“Okay. But only if we don’t talk about any hard topics.” She says. Harley grins.

“Sure thing, kiddo. Math isn’t really my strong suit anyway.” She says with her wide grin. It takes a second, and then Marinette snorts before full blown laughter is falling out for the first time in a week. The laughter starts to die down, but instead of disappearing completely, it turns to sobs.

“Oh sugar, that’s not- can I hug you?” Harley asks softly. Marinette nods, unable to speak as she sobs, mentally yelling at herself the whole time. This was okay? This was fine? This was why her family kept giving her those pitied looks. This was why she’d had to stay home for the past week instead of going to school or out in public or anything. Marinette sits stiffly in Harley’s hug for a beat before she wraps her arms around the woman in return. Her ribs scream in protest at the sudden movement, but she can’t bring herself to care. It takes a couple minutes for the sobs to dissipate, and then she’s leaning away from Harley and wiping at her eyes furiously.

“I’m sorry.” Marinette mutters, not trusting her voice to be any louder. Harley tuts.

“Don’t apologize for crying, ever. It’s a completely normal human response.” She says with a worried frown. “Kid, have you talked to anyone about what happened?” Marinette stiffens.

“I talked to Jay a little bit.” She says. Harley nods.

“Okay. And how much of that did you censor so he wouldn’t go put a bullet in the son of a bitch’s head?” She asks. Marinette winces. “That’s what I thought. Listen pumpkin, you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. But I want you to know that while my license may have been revoked, I still take patient confidentiality very seriously.” Marinette frowns.

“You want me to use you?” She asks. Harley huffs.

“It’s not using me, kid. It’s the fact that if you wanna talk to me as your therapist vs your cool Aunt Harley, I won’t tell anyone else any of what you say. Unless I think you might be a danger to yourself or others, the laughing fucker not included in the others category.” Harley says matter-of-factly.

“I’ve never been to therapy.” Marinette admits, standing and moving over to sit on the couch, tugging her knees up to her chest. Harley waits a moment before moving over and sitting on the other end of the couch, criss-cross applesauce.

“Is it something you’re really, totally against? Cause we don’t have to do this.” Harley says.

“No, and I wanna stop breaking down all the time. I just-” Marinette pauses, huffing. “It’s so damn hard to find a therapist when you know you can’t tell them everything.”

“Cause of the whole hero thing?” Harley prompts. Marinette nods.

“Yeah. Kinda hard to get rid of stress at therapy and talk about what’s bothering you when it’s a big secret.” She adds.

“I bet. Doesn’t the League have a therapist or something? I feel like they should have one of those.” Harley asks. Marinette scrunches her eyebrows, trying to think.

“Maybe?” She finally says, sighing. “I don’t know though. I don’t really have much contact with the League. I’ve been to the Watchtower once, but for the most part I don’t associate with that side of things. Dad thinks keeping the Miraculous away from them is the best bet.”

“And what do you think?” Harley prompts. Marinette frowns.

“I think he doesn’t want to have another teen vigilante to take care of. So if he can keep me away from the other heroes, it gives him more chances to keep me out of the whole hero loop thing.” She says bitterly. Marinette stares at her knees, suddenly stuck on that idea. “Does he not think that I can handle it?”

“What do you mean?”

“All of my siblings are vigilantes. But with me...he’s sent the others on League missions before. They’ve all been part of the Teen Titans at some point or another. And I know that I’m not a Robin, but does he not care about me? Do I-” She stops, her voice breaking. “Does he not care about me as much as the others?”

“What makes you say that?” Harley asks, Marinette glances at her and can tell by the way her jaw is clenched, it’s hard for her to not be hugging her right now.

“It’s nothing.” Marinette says, starting to shut down. This was stupid, of course he cared about her, the Joker was wrong-

“It’s not nothing. Not if you’re thinking it, and feeling like it’s true.” Harley corrects. Marinette huffs.

“I know he was wrong though.” She says. Harley quirks an eyebrow. “Crap, I mean-”

“You don’t have to talk about it, Marinette. But you also don’t have to lie.” Harley says. Marinette lets her shoulders slump.

“It was just one of the things the Joker said.” Marinette says, keeping her voice as soft as possible, almost as if she spoke too loud she’d be back there. As it was, the memory of him snarling it at her was starting to become too much.

“That your dad doesn’t care?” Harley asks. Marinette shrugs.

“Batman, actually. And that he would never actually care about me because I’m not a Robin.” She mutters. Letting out a shaky breath, she forces a smile on her face. “But it’s okay, cause he was wrong.”

“Sweetie, pushing away your negative feelings, not letting yourself feel them, isn’t healthy. You don’t have to do that anymore.” Harley reminds her gently. “Outside of being a therapist, do you wanna hear Aunt Harley’s opinion?”

“Please.” Marinette says, looking back up at Harley’s face.

“I think your dad sucks sometimes, when it comes to emotions. He doesn’t always say what he means, and his actions aren’t always the smartest. He does things before completely thinking them through, but it’s almost always because he cares. Sometimes, he cares too much and would rather put himself in a bad situation or one where people are mad at him, instead of letting someone else feel hurt or actually get physically hurt. Your little brother is Robin, sweetheart. You don’t have to be one. The need for a Robin is why each of your brothers became Robin. Not because Bruce wanted them to be. I actually think he would rather none of you be vigilantes of any sort. And the Titans were so that they could get used to working with partners that weren’t your dad. You’re already used to that. You saved a whole damn city by yourself. The Joker doesn’t know what he’s talking about, sugar. Never has, and never will. Your dad cares about you. You matter Marinette.” Harley says firmly. Marinette opens her mouth, then shuts it just as quickly as she lets the words sink in.

“Can I have a hug?” She asks. Harley nods, pulling her to her gently and rubbing her back.

“I’ve got you, kiddo.” Harley says softly. Marinette sighs into the hug, relieved that she doesn’t feel like crying right now, but also exhausted.

“Do you think you could still help me with my homework?” Marinette asks after a few moments. She sits back and frowns. “I know I should talk more, but-”

“But nothing. If you’re done, you’re done. No questions asked. Now what class is that homework for?” Harley asks, picking up the piece of paper before frowning at it. “Shakespeare?” She asks. Marinette nods.

“Yeah, I was doing a lot better in class where I could actually hear it read. I’ve looked for audio versions of it, but there’s not a No Fear Shakespeare version yet.” Marinette says. Harley purses her lips before her eyes light up, a huge grin spreading across her face.

“I’ve got an idea.” She says. Marinette frowns, but follows her as she grabs the book from Marinette’s desk and runs out the door, yelling for Jason and Dick. Marinette laughs when she realizes what Harley’s doing. Time to watch her brothers perform Julius Caesar.

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[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 13

Day 13: Sea and Stars

AO3

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Marinette sighs, resting her chin on the top of her knees as she stares up at the sky, dreading tomorrow. The holiday had been great- almost her entire family together for the first time in awhile, with great food and minimal fighting. Her parents had left earlier today after experiencing Black Friday shopping with her and her siblings. Her papa was concerned, but her maman loved it. Figures.

But tomorrow….tomorrow was Adrien’s last day in Gotham. And she’d agreed to talk to him. Not that she didn’t want to. But she also didn’t want to fight with him. He was her first love, her partner in the fight against Hawkmoth. She wanted to go back to that, to the easy banter they had back then. Not the masked pain and forced smiles they had now. Hearing footsteps on the roof behind her, she glances back, nodding at her brother.

“What’s up, Pix?” Jason asks, plopping down next to her. She shrugs. “Oh, come on kid. I know something’s bothering you. You’ve been off ever since Adrien visited.”

“He knows about Chat Blanc.” She says softly. Jason whistles lowly.

“How?”

“Bunnix is a fucking snitch.” She says. Jason snorts.

“Watch your language, Pix. B hears you talking like that and he’s gonna ban you from talking to me.” He teases. She snorts, rolling her eyes.

“I’d like to see him try.” She says, grinning at Jason. She didn’t think she was capable of not talking to any of her siblings for that long. Even Cass, who was often in Hong Kong, would call every couple of days.

“Why is it so bad that he knows?” He asks, and the mood becomes serious. She sighs, huffing out a breath that pushes her bangs out of her face.

“Because he wants to talk about it. She didn’t tell him everything, just the basics and he wants to talk about it more. And I can’t, Jay. I can’t talk about it without reliving it and I’m finally starting to sleep without nightmares at least twice a week. I can’t go back, I’m too tired to go back.” Marinette says softly, scared that if she speaks too loudly she’ll sound weak.

“Then don’t talk about it, Mari. You don’t owe him that, at all. He knows the basics, right? If he needed the full story, Bunnix can do it. Or should’ve done it to begin with. What the fuck is up with that? I thought she was supposed to be all knowing and all great?” Jason says with a huff. Marinette snorts.

“Yeah, I’d never call Alix ‘all knowing’. I think she probably had good intentions, and she thought it needed to happen. But I still don’t understand why she’d only give him part of the story. All that’s done is drive a wedge between us.” She rants, Jason nods.

“It’s weird as shit.” He says. He frowns. “Do you need backup to go talk to him?” She laughs.

“Backup?” She asks. He nods.

“Yeah, don’t laugh. Just in case you need an escape or something. I could say there’s an emergency.” Jason shrugs noncommittally. “I don’t even have to sit near you. Just be nearby.” Marinette opens her mouth to say no, but quickly shuts it. What would the harm be? And then, if she needed an out, she had one. She purses her lips, immediately running through a list of possible things that could happen if she let Jason come. Not coming up with too many end of the world options, she nods.

“If you don’t mind.” She says. He grins widely.

“I’d do anything for ya Pix.” He assures her, turning his attention to the sky. “Ya know, Demon Spawn actually knows the names of all of the constellations. And most of the singular stars.”

“Really?” She asks, making a mental note to ask him about it. Jason nods.

“I also know that Father is looking for both of you.” Damian says suddenly. Marinette jumps, whirling around and glaring at her little brother.

“Are you trying to get me to fall off the roof?” She asks, hands on her hips. He smirks.

“Never, sister of mine.” He says. Marinette rolls her eyes.

“Any idea why Dad’s looking for us?” She asks, trying to figure out if she should actually go to him or if she should run now and ask questions later.

“Something about patrol.” Damian says nonchalantly. She nods, then freezes. Patrol. For the first time in a while, the idea of patrol doesn’t make her sick to her stomach. Patrolling- as Ladybird- is something she thinks she can do.

“Alright. Is he in the Cave?” She asks. He nods and she grins before rushing to leave the roof.

---

“And what are the rules?” Her dad asks, arms crossed as he looks down at her through the cowl.

“B, you’ve made us go over these rules three times already.” Jason complains.

“And I’ll make you repeat them again. Things can go wrong. I’m just trying to stop bad things from happening.” Her dad says firmly.

“Stick together, if there’s a group larger than eight we need to call it in before jumping in, we need to check in at midnight, and if we see one of the big bads, I need to use my Miraculous and then call you.” Marinette recites, eager to just get out there again. Her dad sighs, but his lips quirk up slightly.

“If you get overwhelmed-” He starts, but Jason cuts him off.

“I’ll bring her to a safe house or back here. Whichever is closest. Don’t worry B, she’s got this.” Jason says, throwing an arm over her shoulder. She glances up at him and grins before glancing back at her dad- his posture still tense. Making a quick decision, she darts forward and hugs him.

“I’m gonna be okay, dad. Promise.” She says. He sighs, but hugs her back. When she pulls away, she grins at how his posture relaxes. “See you soon!” She whirls around, grabbing Jason’s hand and tugging him towards his motorcycle. Jason laughs, but follows her. Before she can second guess herself, they’re off into the streets of Gotham. As they drive, zipping between cars so that they can get to a spot where roof travel is easier, Marinette lets out a laugh. Breathing easily in her Ladybird suit for the first time in months.

---

“Adrien?” She says incredulously, blinking in confusion at her old partner. Why was he walking, alone, at night in Gotham? He knew how dangerous it was. He’d nearly been mugged!

“Oh, uh, hey M- Ladybird.” He says, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. She glances at Jason, trying to figure out what to do. He just shrugs, nodding towards the roof.

“Did you wanna have that talk?” She asks, frowning. They were at the end of their patrol route, and could have started home, had she not seen Adrien. He hesitates, but nods. She grins, holding out an arm. “Hold on tight.” She instructs, hugging him to her and grappling up to the roof. It was different to her yoyo, but she’d gotten used to it eventually. Just took a while. And a few near misses. Marinette laughs as Adrien squeals in surprise.

“When did you start using grappling hooks?” He asks as they land on the roof. She smirks.

“Um, about the time I stopped using a Miraculous suit.” She says. His eyes widen.

“That’s not- where’s Tikki?” He asks. Tikki darts out from her hood, grinning widely.

“Hello Adrien!” They chirp, eyes bright with mirth.

“But- do you know how dangerous being a vigilante is?” He lectures, the panic clear on his face. She winces.

“Yeah, Adrien. I know it’s dangerous, but the others do it. And I have training now.” Marinette reassures him. Adrien huffs.

“That doesn’t mean anything! You and your brothers literally have a ‘we’ve died’ club! That’s not normal, Ladybird. And they’ve been training a lot longer than you.” He rambles and her eyes narrow.

“First, it’s the Resurrected Bitches Club because yes, we died, but we came back. And I think I’ve trained enough, Adrien. I did help protect an entire city for over a year. I think I can handle going on patrol with my family there as backup.” She argues. He sighs.

“LB, I don’t want to argue with you. That’s not why I wanted to talk to you, I just- You’re my best friend, okay? And you worry me. We haven’t talked in months and I’m terrified that the next time someone contacts me about you it’s going to be to go to your funeral.” Adrien says, and she’s shocked to see the tears in his eyes.

“Adrien-”

“Bunnix told me, LB. She watched you, from the burrow. She watched you almost die because of the Joker and she couldn’t do a damn thing to help you because you had banned her.” Adrien says his voice cracking as he cries. She frowns.

“But I haven’t-” Marinette tries to say, but he cuts her off again.

“Some version of you, at some point in time, made her promise not to interfere in Gotham.” Adrien sighs. “I don’t know when, but it happened. And when she told me about Chat Blanc, she told me about the Joker and you didn’t- you didn’t call me. You could’ve died, and I didn’t know.”

“But I didn’t! I was fine, Adrien. I promise.” She says. He scoffs.

“Fine? Really? Because last I checked Gotham twitter, everyone assumed you were dead. This is the first time you’ve patrolled since that happened, isn’t it?” He asks. She winces.

“As Ladybird, yes. I’ve gone out a few other times in a different suit, but not as Ladybird. I couldn’t, Adrien. It was too hard.” Marinette says quietly, wishing she was anywhere else.

“Then why didn’t you call?” He asks.

“Because you’re not here, Adrien! You don’t know what it’s like fighting in a city where everything can’t just go back to normal at the end of the day. You don’t understand that. You don’t! And it’s not like I was actively talking to people about it anyway. I have struggled through therapy sessions with Harley- over and over again, I have struggled. But I don’t like talking about it, Adrien. And maybe I didn’t want the first conversation we had in months be ‘hey, I almost died the other day and I’m super traumatized about it, wanna talk?’” Marinette rambles, clenching her fists at her sides to try and calm down. Adrien takes a step back, breathing deeply before nodding.

“Okay. I understand that.” He says. She blinks.

“You do?” She asks. He nods.

“Yeah. I didn’t want the first time we talked to be, ‘hey guess what, Natalie’s lungs finally gave out from using the peacock Miraculous and now she’s dead.” Adrien says, the pain clear on his face. Marinette freezes, running his words through her head as she tries desperately to understand what he said.

“What.” She breathes out, completely shocked. Natalie had died? When did that happen? Why-

“Yeah, um, two and a half weeks ago? Yeah, that sounds about right.” He says, his voice cracking again. She blinks, completely thrown, before she’s rushing forward, wrapping him in a hug. Her heart breaks as he cries. His knees start to buckle, and she helps guide him so that he’s sitting on the roof.

“I’m so sorry.” She whispers, rubbing circles on his back. She knew that Natalie had helped Gabriel, had been a villain. But she also knew that Natalie was like a mother to him. Even when his mother had been alive, Natalie was there. She’d helped him and treated him (almost) like a mother would. She was also the reason he was able to go to public school in the first place. Not even his mother had allowed that. So she holds him as he cries, completely understanding that while Natalie had done bad things, she wasn’t a bad person.

“I’m sorry.” He says after a few minutes. His voice sounds scratchy, but his tears had stopped. She pulls back from the hug, frowning at him.

“For what?” She asks.

“Ruining our talk.” He says. She snorts.

“Adrien, I think that talk was doomed from the start.” Marinette admits. “We’ve been dancing around each other for far too long. From here on out, we need to be friends. And actually talk to each other, even if it’s bad news. That’s what friends are for.” She says. Her smile falters slightly as Adrien winces at the word ‘friends’. Did he not want to be friends anymore?

“I’d like that.” He says, smiling softly at her. Marinette grins back, pushing down the worry. He obviously still wanted to be friends, right?

“Hey kiddos. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Ladybird over here needs to go back home soon or the Bat is gonna freak out.” Jason says, dropping down next to them. She can tell he’s smirking, even behind the helmet.

“Oh, uh, yeah. I really hope my aunt hasn’t checked my room yet.” Adrien says, laughing slightly. Marinette’s eyes widen.

“Did you even tell her you were going out? At night? In Gotham?” She asks, her voice getting higher with each question. Adrien just grins nervously.

“About that…” He draws out. Marinette groans, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Adrien, you’re one of my best friends. Next time you’re in Gotham, don’t do stupid stuff like go out alone at night.” She huffs. He just grins. Marinette rolls her eyes. They’d be okay. It would be okay.

---

“I swear, Jason, if you don’t stop-” Marinette yells as they walk into the cave.

“What’s going on?” Dick asks, his face full of concern.

“Tell him to knock it off and that he’s annoying.” She says, pointing at Jason.

“I’m not going to-”

“I will. Knock it off, Todd. You are annoying.” Damian says with a smirk, strolling out of the changing room.

“What happened?” Dick asks, crossing his arms and using his dad voice. Marinette huffs.

“He keeps saying that Adrien is in love with me.” She says. Dick nods and turns to Jason. Marinette completely expects him to tell Jason off. Good.

“You’re absolutely right.” He says, instead. Marinette’s jaw drops.

“What!” She screeches. Dick shrugs.

“I’m sorry kiddo, but I saw it when he was here the other night.” He says. Tim frowns, walking in with a cup of coffee.

“Saw what?” He asks, and Jason grins.

“That Adrien is still in love with Marinette.” He says. Tim nods.

“Oh, yeah definitely.” He says. Marinette screams in annoyance, marching past her brothers, storming through the clock and into her dad’s study.

“Marinette? Is everything-”

“Is Adrien in love with me?” She asks. He blinks, and she huffs. “Dad, is Adrien in love with me?”

“I don’t- what brought this up?” He asks, setting down the papers he’d been reading through. Marinette groans.

“You know how he came by earlier this week, right?” He nods. “Okay, well tonight, we had that talk that we needed to have. And I said something about us being friends, and that he was a great friend. And he winced, so I thought maybe he didn’t want to be my friend anymore. So I talked to Jay about it, and he insisted that Adrien is in love with me. And that’s why he reacted like that. So I asked Dick for backup, but he agreed with Jay. And then Tim agreed with them, too.” She rambles. He winces and her eyes narrow.

“Mari-”

“You agree with them too, don’t you?” She asks. He sighs, but nods.

“Marinette, it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way about him. You can just be friends.” Her dad reassures her, she groans, dropping down onto the couch across from his desk.

“I just- we’re just now friends again. I don’t want to lose him to something stupid like this.” Marinette sighs.

“Sweetheart, if he’s a good friend, he’s not just going to leave you because you don’t feel the same way about him.” He says softly.

“Really?” She asks. She wasn’t used to this. People didn’t just love her like that. Especially people that she used to be in love with.

“Really.” Her dad says, smiling softly. She sighs, but nods.

“Okay. If the boys ask, they’re all on my list. Well, except Damian. He’s the only one who doesn’t need to watch his back.” Marinette says, grinning widely before standing to leave. Her dad sighs.

“Please don’t start a prank war.” He pleads. She just laughs, walking out of the room, planning out pranks in her head as she went.

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[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 9

Day 9: Admire/Confident

AO3

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Sitting in his car waiting for his younger siblings to come out of the school, Dick Grayson can’t help but frown when they finally do. Damian was scowling, but that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. Marinette, on the other hand, had her head ducked and refused to talk to anyone around her. She was hunched in on herself, almost like she was trying to disappear. It made his heart ache.

When Hawkmoth had been defeated over the summer, she’d been healing. And when school started, she’d still been healing, but she was doing better. She’d been making friends and opening herself up to people. She walked with the same confidence she had when she was Ladybug or Ladybird. It had been weeks since he’d seen that confidence. Weeks since he’d seen her without dark circles under her eyes. He was very tempted to say fuck it and look the other way while Jay shoots the Joker. Schooling his features into a cheerful smile as Marinette opens the backdoor, he glances back.

“Hey kiddo, how was school?” He asks, nodding at Damian who sits in the front. Marinette shrugs.

“It was school.” She says noncommittally. Dick feels his smile waver slightly, before he nods and turns back to the front.

“Little D?” He says, raising an eyebrow. Damian huffs, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I do not understand why I have to attend school. It is unneeded.” He says. Dick holds back a sigh, instead trying to figure out what to say. Damian had lived with them for almost three years, but he still hated most things that normal kids do. And sure, most kids dislike school, but the reasons Damian hated it were much different than the reasons other kids hated it. Opening his mouth to answer, he’s cut off by Marinette’s snort.

“You really gonna leave me, petit oiseau? You know if you stop going to school the sharks will swarm me.” She teases, a soft grin on her face. Damian sighs, but shakes his head firmly.

“Of course not. I would never leave you to try and handle those miscreants by yourself.” He says. Dick snorts, covering it quickly with a cough.

“Oh come on, guys, it can’t be that bad, right?” He says, thinking back to his time at Gotham Academy. Granted, he was just the ward of Bruce Wayne, not the biological kid. So maybe the other kids were a little more...persistent with Mari and Dames.

“I literally had a boy ask me out because, and I quote, ‘it would be a benefit to the social standings of both of our families’. Not exactly romantic.” Marinette says with a shudder. Dick blinks.

“You got asked out?” He says in disbelief. Who was asking out his baby sister? He knew about some of the people from GA from Damian. None of them were worthy of her.

“Tt. She is asked out nearly every day. The only thing that stops them from asking her multiple times a day is-” Damian cuts himself off, shutting his mouth tightly. Dick frowns. Uh oh.

“What happened?” He asks. Damian shakes his head and turns to look out the window. “Dames?”

“Damian, you know he won’t tell dad. He still hasn’t told dad about the time Slade gave me a concussion when I wasn’t supposed to be on patrol.” Marinette prompts, her voice soft. “Besides, I seriously doubt you’d get in trouble for defending me.” Dick’s face hardens.

“Defending? What the hell is going on at that school?” He asks, voice tense.

“It’s not that bad, Dick.” Marinette sighs.

“Tt. I happen to disagree.” Damian says, his jaw clenched. “Telling a potential partner ‘no’ should be enough. They should not demand reasons, nor should they corner you in front of a large group of people to try and guilt you into saying yes.”

“Why didn’t either of you say anything?” Dick asks incredulously. This was something Bruce needed to talk to the school about! Neither of the kids should have to constantly worry about someone asking them out or trying to guilt them into doing something. If they got away with it at this age, it just taught them that it was an okay behavior to continue to have. Which led to major problems down the road.

“Because it was handled.” Marinette says, her lips pressed into a firm line. Dick glances at Damian, noting how tense the kid’s jaw was. Like he was afraid he was going to be in trouble. Although he wasn’t sure what happened, he did know that Damian did it to stick up for his big sister. He didn’t just do it out of annoyance. The car comes to a stop at a red light, and Dick turns to Damian, putting his full attention on his youngest brother.

“I’m proud of you, Dames.” He says softly. Damian’s face immediately reddens, but he nods before turning to look back out the window. Glancing at the rear view mirror, Dick smiles at Marinette who was giving him an odd look. She shakes her head and grins back before turning to look out her window as well. These two were a mystery at times, but at least they’d always stand up for each other.

---

Marinette glances down at her sketchbook, glaring at her latest design. Or rather, lack of design. She’d been sitting at her desk since her family went out to patrol, trying to design something for fun. It wasn’t even for a commission- Clara and Jagged were both really good about setting their commissions to be due after she’d had a school break. But over an hour later she still had a blank page. Nothing.

“Marinette, maybe you should take a break.” Tikki suggests, flying over to her. Marinette huffs.

“Break from what, Tikki? I haven’t done anything.” She complains, slamming her pencil down before dropping her head onto the desk. It was so frustrating. She hadn’t had a creative block like this since before she found out she was adopted.

“A break from punishing yourself for getting caught.” Tikki says firmly. Marinette winces, keeping her head tucked in her arms on the desk. She didn’t want to talk about this with Tikki. “Marinette, look at me.” Tikki says, their voice softer. Marinette glances up slowly, barely raising her eyes to the kwami.

“What?” She says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It is not your fault that the Joker captured you. It is not your fault that you had life threatening injuries and haven’t been able to patrol with your family. None of that is your fault.” Tikki says. Marinette frowns. She’d been the one to leave all of the Miraculous at home. As the Guardian, she should’ve had at least one on. If the box had been stolen, all of the kwamis would have been gone. All of the Miraculous. And it would’ve been her fault.

“But-”

“No, Marinette. It wasn’t your fault.” Tikki says. “And punishing yourself, by not letting yourself do things you like, isn’t a good way to heal.” Marinette blinks at the kwami a few times before huffing.

“You’ve been spending too much time with Harley.” She mumbles.

“Well Harley is right. And so am I.” Tikki says, crossing their tiny arms and letting out an indignant huff.

“What do I do?” Marinette asks softly, feeling a little lost. It’s not like she wanted to punish herself, but she did feel like it was her fault. And she didn’t know how to not feel like that, or how to let herself do things she liked again.

“Go see Harley and Ivy. Your family is on patrol anyway.” Tikki suggests. Marinette frowns.

“Do you really thing leaving alone-”

“Either ask them to pick you up or Alfred to take you. You know that they would all be okay with either option.” Tikki points out. Marinette huffs, but pulls out her phone to text Harley. Maybe this would be what she needs to start forgiving herself.

---

“I’m sorry, you did what?” Marinette asks incredulously, her jaw dropped. Harley grins, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

“Do you not like it?” She asks, her voice timid for the first time since Marinette had met her. Her eyes widen.

“No, it’s not that, it’s amazing, I just- really? Me?” Marinette says, still shocked.

“I couldn’t reign her in, even if I’d wanted to.” Ivy speaks up from her spot leaning against the wall. Marinette grins.

“Did you talk to Mom?” She asks. Harley laughs awkwardly, looking everywhere but at her.

“Well look at that, looks like it’s time for you to try it on here you go go put it on.” She rushes out, shoving the costume into Marinette’s arms. Marinette snorts, shaking her head before walking back to the guest bedroom to change. Tikki flies out and grins at her after inspecting the suit.

“If you decide to follow them, I’ll follow you.” They say firmly, a smile on their face. Marinette furrows her eyebrows together, but just nods. She didn’t really plan on leaving the apartment in the suit, even if it was awesome. Putting it on, Marinette grins widely in the mirror. The high waisted pants fit like leggings, but she was pretty sure there was kevlar sewn in them. Paired with a navy blue long sleeved shirt (with thumb holes and a hood!), black combat boots and a mask similar to Stephanie’s- Marinette felt like a new person. Tucking her braided hair underneath the hood, she can’t help but smile at her reflection. She looked strong- stronger than she felt. Taking a deep breath, she struts into the living room, faltering slightly when she realizes her mom had shown up while she was changing.

“Is that- Harley, did you really make her a suit so that she could have a Siren identity?” She asks, pinching the bridge of her nose. Harley huffs.

“Of course I did. Kid’s already a Siren, thought we’d make it official.” She says, turning her nose up. “Besides, she looks adorable.” Selina smiles softly, and nods.

“Yeah, yeah she does.” She says. Marinette grins, even though they can’t see her mouth.

“This is awesome, Harley!” Marinette cheers. It was completely different from her Ladybug suit or her Ladybird suit. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she could work out. Or at least run. God, what she’d give to be able to just free run on the roofs for a little while.

“Is Gotham going to meet the newest Siren?” Selina asks, quirking her eyebrow up. Marinette’s eyes widen.

“I don’t want Dad to get mad.” She says. Selina smirks.

“Who said we were gonna tell him you’re the Siren?” She asks. Marinette grins.

“Really? You won’t tell?” She asks.

“Of course not, darling. It’ll be too fun teasing him.” Selina says, smirking. Marinette snorts, turning to Harley.

“Care to go for a run?” She asks. Harley’s entire face lights up as she nods rapidly.

“Yes please! As long as your little friend is willing to tag along.” She adds. Tikki zips out from their hiding place in Marinette’s hood.

“Don’t worry, I found a good place to stay.” They say with a wide grin before zipping back into their hiding place. Marinette rolls her eyes fondly, amazed as ever at the hiding spots of the kwami. Ivy goes over to a cabinet and pulls out four little ear pieces, handing them out with a wide smile. This was going to be epic.

“How about a quick game of tag?” Selina asks, her eyes filled with mirth.

“You’re it!” Marinette calls before diving out the window, immediately taking to the rooftops with a practiced ease. She was more careful than she usually was, since her ribs were still healing and she didn’t have Bat gadgets tonight. Just a comm to link her to Harley, Ivy, and Selina.

“So we’re not telling Batsy, right?” Harley asks in the comm. Marinette winces.

“Maybe not yet. I’m not really ready to put on the other suit.” She admits, running on the roofs making her feel more free than she had in almost a month. It was like she could finally breathe again. The colors in the world were brighter, but not the kind of bright that hurt. The one that let you know it was real, you were in reality, not a dream. Or a nightmare.

“Then what’s your name, kiddo?” Harley asks. Marinette scrunches her eyebrows as she thinks. As much as she loved her bonus mom, she didn’t want to use a cat name. Her dad would spot her from a mile away. Running through different plants in her head, she grins as one comes to mind. Her favorite flower- the Himalayan blue poppy.

“Poppy.” She says, laughing when she hears the cheers from the other three. Leaping to the next roof, she idly wonders how long it would take for her Dad to figure her out. He was the World’s Greatest Detective™ after all.

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Making Memories: Ch. 3

Day 3: Chains/Cruelty

AO3

Prev

Marinette wasn’t sure how to feel about being chained up, hung from her feet and left to dangle over a vat of acid. She was sure she wasn’t feeling positively about her situation though. Which was a shame, really, because everything else in her life was actually going good for once. She’d been in school for almost two weeks, and she’d made several friends at Gotham Academy. It was such a relief, especially since she’d assumed being a new girl would be awful. But, surprisingly enough, even without the Wayne name attached to her at school, the other students were extremely kind. 

But this? This was anything but kind. And she didn’t have an easy escape either. Since starting her official training almost a month ago, her dad had set aside certain nights to be ‘normal vigilante suit’ nights. Which meant she wasn’t transformed. And tonight, though she was kicking herself for it now, she hadn’t even brought a Miraculous with her. 

“I didn’t think I was gone that long, but apparently I was wrong. Batsy has a new ward, or are you a new partner? Someone that he’ll actually watch out for in a fight?” Joker asks, finally coming back and grinning at her. She narrows her eyes, keeping her mouth shut tight. She had a lot of negative things to say to the man, more so than the first time she’d met him. The first time, she hadn’t known that she was Bruce Wayne’s daughter. She hadn’t known about the abuse and trauma he had brought to Harley. Hadn’t known that he tortured and killed her brother. But now she did. And she was having a hard time holding her tongue.

“What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?” He asks, smirking. 

“Honestly, I don’t have the time for you.” She retorts, hoping he can’t tell she’s panicked. Her eyes are covered by her mask, the same white film that her family has on her mask as well, but her entire body is tense. Marinette wants to fight, she wants to swing out of these chains, but she’s afraid that without her Miraculous (or a grappling hook), she’ll misjudge the distance and fall into the acid. Yeah….that doesn’t sound like a great idea. 

“Oh sure you do. After all, you’re just hanging around.” Joker laughs, his laugh echoing across the abandoned warehouse. Marinette frowns at the noise. Yup, this would haunt her dreams. 

“Is there a reason I'm hanging upside down?” She asks, starting to feel a little light headed. She runs through possible plans in her head, trying desperately to come up with a way that he would willingly let her move so that she could be rightside up. Cause if she passed out now? It wouldn’t end well for her. 

“Is there a reason that Bat hasn’t come for you yet?” He asks, his lip quirking up in amusement. Frowning, she glances towards where her belt should be. The belt that had a tracking device. Of course it was gone. 

“I can take you by myself.” She taunts, hoping he’ll let her down so they can test it. So she can run. The Joker laughs loudly, wiping a few tears from his eyes. 

“That’s too good. Of course you can’t take me alone. You’re just like the second Robin, so full of hope. So ready to stand behind the Bat and do what he says is right. I wonder, does this birdy bleed as easily?” Joker taunts and Marinette’s stomach drops. She immediately starts thrashing around in the chains. And all she could think was: where’s my dad?

---

Marinette spits out a mouthful of blood, glaring up at the Joker through her tears. The last hit on her jaw had definitely knocked out a tooth or two. She was no longer hanging upside down. Instead, she was chained to a damn chair. He’d knocked her out before she had the chance to escape. And now- she winces as he pulls his hand back and slaps her, trying to catch her attention- now she was stuck. 

“Aww, what’s wrong sweety, worried about Batsy?” He asks, and she tenses. 

“What did you do to him?” She breathes out and he laughs wildly. 

“What is it with you Robins and thinking I did something to him. Why do you never accept the fact that it’s you. It’s all you, dearie. He doesn’t give two shits about you. None of you.” Joker says. She grits her teeth and shakes her head, ignoring the throbbing pain in her head when she moves too fast. 

“No. No, you’re wrong.” She insists. 

“If I’m wrong, then where is he?” Joker asks. 

“He’s looking for me, and when he finds me, he’s going to kick the shit out of you.” She spits out. 

“That’s what the second Robin thought too, sweetheart. Didn’t work well for-”

“Stop talking about him!” She screams, finally breaking down. “God, you tortured him you psycho! You hurt him, you hurt him so fucking bad. You don’t get to talk about him now. Not now, not ever. Do you hear me?” She jerks against her restraints, glaring full force at the man. His eyes narrow slightly before his face spreads back into a wide grin. 

“I think of myself as a reasonable man,” He starts, walking behind her and out of her sight. The unmistakable sound of metal dragging against the concrete floor leaves her panicking. What weapon had he found? What more was he going to do? Where the hell was the rest of her family?

“But you- little girl- you have pissed me off one too many times tonight. Don’t worry though, this is going to hurt you a lot more than it’s going to hurt me.” He croons joyously. He steps back in front of her and she barely has time to see that he’s holding something before he swings. 

“You’re rude-” He says, hitting her in the stomach. She gasps for breath, glancing down at the weapon as he yanks it back. A crowbar. Of course it was a damn crowbar. 

“You’re arrogant.” Another hit. “And you have no sense of humor.” Another hit. She cries out, choking back another sob as it does nothing but hurt her more. Letting out a shaky breath, she looks up at him, the area around her right eye throbbing from the earlier hit in the face. She coughs, wincing at the sight of blood and the pain in her sides. She definitely had a couple of broken ribs. And the blood wasn’t a good sign. She gasps in pain as he grabs her chin and forces her to look up at him, her stomach churning at the wicked smile on the man’s face. 

“I believe that this is where I leave you, my dear. After all, I didn’t stick around to see Robin’s demise either, and it still happened.” He says with a chuckle. “Trusty bomb or two will make sure the job is finished.” Her breath catches, but she’s too exhausted to panic properly, too in pain. 

“He’ll...find...you.” She breathes out, wincing. Joker laughs and shakes his head, his smile almost sad. 

“He might. But he won’t do anything about it. I killed a Robin and he did nothing. You? You aren’t a Robin, no matter how much you want to pretend. You are nothing to him. You. Mean. Nothing.” He says, his eyes shining with mirth. He looks at her and quirks an eyebrow before pulling something out of his jacket- something that is quite clearly a bomb. He sets it a few feet away from her before standing and giving one last shrug. 

“But who knows, maybe this really will be the thing that breaks the Bat. Maybe he’ll finally give in.” He says, walking towards the door, pausing with his hand on the door handle. “Probably not.” He adds, laughing as he leaves. Her eyes fill with tears as she stares at the bomb several feet ahead of her. A whimper escapes her throat as a countdown starts. She felt so stupid. If only she’d brought Tikki with her. Or Kaalki. Or Plagg. 

Even if they couldn’t have helped her out, at least she wouldn’t have to die alone. A bomb wouldn’t hurt the kwami’s, and as selfish as it felt, she didn’t want to be alone. She was...scared. The time of the Miraculous Cure healing everything was over. And now? Now she was about to die. Alone. In an abandoned warehouse. Her heart aches as she thinks of her family, both the vigilantes that were somewhere around Gotham right now, and her parents in Paris. The ones that she hadn’t called today, because she was busy. And she was so sure that it didn’t matter, that she could just call them tomorrow. But now there wouldn’t be a tomorrow.

All the words she ever wanted to say to her family run through her head as she mourns the lost time. She chances a glance at the time on the bomb- 2 minutes left. She chokes back a sob as tears continue to fall down her face. She wasn’t sure who the Miracle box would go to, but she couldn’t give it up. She couldn’t make that decision. She didn’t want to spend her last few minutes scared and confused, not knowing her family, and the Kwami that had become her family. Her heart aches as the clock continues to count down. The numbers racing down at an impossible speed as her last flicker of hope dies out. 

As the number falls to 10, she squeezes her eyes shut, not willing to watch the final countdown. The beeping is impossibly loud as she lets out a shaking breath.

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Making Memories: Ch. 4

Day 4: Flight and View

AO3

Prev

Jason Todd froze, looking at Batman with a clenched jaw. 

“What the hell do you mean?” He asks, fingers twitching towards his guns. 

“I mean her tracker was disabled and I can’t find her, damnit. The other boys are already out and- please. Help me find her.” Batman pleads, his voice cracking. Jason nods tensely before turning and slipping on a mask and his helmet. 

“What suit was she in?” He asks so that he knows what colors to look for. She’d taken to using different Miraculous but using the same suit- just different colors. 

“Her vigilante suit.” Batman says, the pain clear in his voice. Jason resists the urge to stop and punch the shit out of the man. Of course she didn’t have that added layer of protection that she got from the magic. Because Bruce thought it was a good idea to let her try to be a “regular” vigilante. She was fifteen fucking years old, there’s no such thing as a “regular” teenage vigilante. 

“Fantastic. She doesn’t need to go out without one of her friends again.” Jason says flatly, tuning in to the group channel on his comm before swinging away from the Bat to widen the search area. He had to find her. He didn’t give a damn about anything else in that minute, except finding her. He had to find her. He swings between the abandoned buildings near Amusement Mile, using the heat vision in his helmet to scan each one for any heat signatures. Just as he’s about to give up and check near the docks, he glances at the building to his right and freezes. Inside, he sees a form, slumped in a chair and his breath catches. It was her. It had to be. Flipping off the thermal, he turns around quickly. Immediately, he’s thrown back by a blast. He hits the building he’d just leapt from and his heart drops. She’d been in the building just a second ago. She’d-

“No!” He screams, unable to answer the concerned yells on the other end of his comm. He had to get to her, get her out of there before- oh god. He’d failed her. He’d failed Marinette. Rushing towards the burning building, it gets harder to breathe the longer he looks at the flames and smoke. He couldn’t run in- but if he didn’t, he’d have to admit defeat. That she was gone. That he’d never be able to read to her again, or teach her how to shoot, or-

“Red Hood, report now.” Batman demands. 

“Heat signature at abandoned warehouse on Amusement Mile. Have reason to believe it was her, but the building-” His voice catches as a sob shudders through his body. “The building blew up.” 

“Can you- is there-” Batman stumbles across his words in a way Jason had never heard before. 

“I don’t know what to do, B. I don’t know how to get in there-”

“Master Jason, please refrain from running into a burning building.” Alfred says sharply, suddenly on the line. 

“But A, if there’s even the chance-”

“Apologies, I am currently performing a surgery but Tikki informed me that they could not successfully communicate with you over the comms.” Alfred says, his voice tense. “Miss Marientte appeared in the cave moments ago, I urge you all to remain out of the medbay when you return to the cave.” Alfred says before the line clicks. Jason’s hands shake. She was alive. How the hell was she alive? He didn’t care, though, he just- surgery. Alfred said he was performing surgery. Cursing under his breath, Jason immediately turns and heads back to his bike to help him get back to the manor quicker. 

---

Moments ago, in the warehouse

A tear falls down her cheek as she listens to the final beeps of the bomb before a bright light flashes around the room. The feeling of free falling makes her open her eyes in shock, grunting in pain as the chair she was tied to lands on hard, stone floor- shattering instantly. Blinking, she glances up in confusion, frowning at Kaalki and Alfred. Were they dead too? Could kwamis even die? 

“Marinette, can you hear me?” Alfred asks, as she catches a glance of his panicked face before he’s gone, tugging gently on her restraints. 

“Hurts.” She coughs out, wincing at the taste of blood. 

“Kaalki, please fetch Tikki. And then go to the computer and alert the rest of the family that Marinette is here.” Alfred says, making her frown. 

“Where?” She asks, her eyelids finally feeling heavy as the adrenaline of sitting mere feet away from a bomb wears off. 

“You are in the cave, miss. It’s going to be okay, stay awake for just a few more minutes.” Alfred says, and suddenly she’s flying- or rather, floating. Forcing her eyes open, she tries to smile reassuringly at Alfred as he carries her to the medbay. But she doubts her smile- which was surely darkened with the blood on her teeth and lips- was reassuring. She definitely didn’t feel reassured. She was definitely going to die. She knew what it meant that she was still coughing up blood. Her lung had been punctured, and Tikki couldn’t heal her. Not enough, anyway. Not without destroying the balance. 

“She is never leaving this house without me, ever again.” Tikki’s small voice declares with venom. 

“Tikki, ‘M sorry.” She mumbles, another cough pushing through her as it gets harder to breathe. 

“Don’t talk, Marinette. Everything is going to be okay.” Tikki promises. 

“You can’t-” Marinette tries, but stops as Tikki’s tiny paw bats at her face gently. 

“I said don’t talk. I’ve already sent Plagg out to cause some destruction so that I can heal you. Don’t worry, I will abide by your father’s code this time. But the Joker has had far too many chances. If he so much as breathes wrong near you again, he will face my wrath. Plagg is simply destroying the buildings where the man usually resides.” Tikki explains, though Marinette isn’t sure she’s comprehending everything right now. Not while they sound like they’re underwater. And how did Tikki even know it was the Joker? How did she figure that out? She thinks she hears them talk about her family, but she can’t be sure before she drifts off to sleep- hoping she’ll wake up again. 

---

Jason clenches his fists together tightly, ignoring the dull ache that comes with it as he stands in the cave, waiting for any news on Marinette. Alfred was still with her, and according to Kaalki, Tikki was with them too. It didn’t look good, apparently. But that’s all they knew. 

“Do you know what happened?” Dick finally speaks up, and Jason glances at him, noting the tenseness in his shoulders and jaw as he looks at Kaalki. They weren’t always the calmest kwami to deal with, (they loved to squeal about their fame in and out of the suits) but right now they looked solemn. Jason hated it. 

“As a true ladybug, Marinette is connected with Tikki. Tikki began to feel ill, and knew that something was wrong with Marinette. She asked me to make a portal to Marinette, and next I knew, the girl was falling through and tied to a chair.” Kaalki says, the haunted look on their face a clear sign that they weren’t saything everything. 

“And?” Damian asks, and Jason’s not surprised at the way the kid’s holding himself. Arms crossed like he was desperately trying to hold himself together. Jason knew the feeling. 

“I’m not-” Kaalki starts, looking conflicted, but sighing in obvious defeat. “Very well. But I don’t want to hear yelling. None of the people in the medbay need that added noise right now. She was covered in cuts and blood. Her suit was torn in places, and one of her eyes was very nearly swollen shut. She was also coughing up blood, and I’m certain she’ll have bruising.” It’s silent for a long moment as the information sinks in. Jason nearly growls as he tries to think of who would do it. One name popping into the forefront of his thoughts, making his vision hazy as he feels the anger pulse beneath his skin. 

“Who the fuck was it?” He asks, his voice practically a growl. “Was it the Joker?” Kaalki lets out a sigh. 

“I don’t know. She passed out before we could ask any questions.” They say. Jason turns to Bruce, his jaw clenched. 

“If it was that fucking clown, I’m killing him. Code be damned, Bruce.” He warns. 

“Jason, as much as I- we can’t just-” Bruce stumbles through his words, looking conflicted. 

“It would not be difficult to stage an accident.” Damian adds, his tense stance mirroring Dick’s. 

“No. Boys, we can’t just kill-”

“Maybe you can’t, Bruce. But the son of a bitch killed me. And if he was the one who got her? He nearly succeeded in killing her too.” Jason hisses, his face turned down into a scowl. Just as Bruce opens his mouth, probably to spout some bullshit about the code again, Alfred walks into the main part of the cave, his mouth set in a tight line as he wipes his hands on a towel he carries. Jason scans the man, identifying every bloodstain on the man’s usually crispy suit- knowing that the blood is his little sister’s makes his own blood boil. 

“She is stable, and not up for questions. Currently, she is not awake and before you all go charging in to see her, I must warn you-” Alfred stops and takes a long breath, the pain on his face unmistakable. “She looks very rough, and not like herself.” The second Alfred stops talking, Jason rushes towards the medbay, knowing the rest of the family was following closely. He steps in and freezes, bile rising up in his throat at the sight in front of him. Not only were her arms littered with bruises and cuts, her hair impossibly tangled, but she also had an IV and oxygen tube which made her look even smaller in the hospital style gurney. 

“I’ve healed her as much as I can without disrupting the balance too much. Plagg already went out to counteract some of the creation magic, but there’s only so much I can do. But she will live.” Tikki says, flying up to be at eye level. Jason’s heart clenches. She’d almost died. They’d almost lost her, for real this time. No Miraculous cure to just bring her back. 

“Kaalki mentioned that she was coughing up blood. Did you-” Bruce starts, but Tikki cuts him off. 

“She had several broken ribs, one punctured a lung. Her ribs are still mostly broken, but I was able to fix her lung and heal her ribs enough so that they won’t puncture anything again.” Tikki reassures, her voice tired. 

“Sugarcube, go grab some cookies. I’ll watch your bug.” Plagg says, suddenly flying into the room. Jason blinks in surprise, not used to the serious tone from the black cat. He wasn’t even aware the kwami could be serious. Marinette had always made it seem like Plagg had one mode- snarky. Jason slumps down in one of the chairs seated around her bed, knowing Bruce and his brothers would take the others. There was a reason there were five chairs, after all. 

---

“I’ve always loved playing with the Robins.” Joker laughs, making her heart pound in fear. Glancing down at her suit, she sucks in a sharp gasp- she was no longer in her Ladybird costume. Instead, she was in a Robin costume. How did she get a Robin costume? The mantle was Damian’s, and he was not willing to give it up. Not that she wanted it, anyway.

“How- how did you get me?” She asks, her breathing ragged as every breath hurts. So her ribs were still broken. Fantastic. 

“Oh darling, I never lost you. You didn’t really think the Bat would save you, did you?” He laughs, flicking her cape. “No, you may look like a Robin, but you’ll never be a Robin.” 

“You’re wrong. And I’m not- I don’t have to be a Robin to be important to Batman.” She argues, her voice shaking despite herself. 

“Oh, but sweety, you do. He’s never really cared about any of the Robins like the first one though. Can you imagine the hell he would have raised if I’d hurt that little punk? His code would’ve been a mere memory.” Joker taunts, and she grits her teeth. She didn’t need her dad to avenge her, or break his morals because of this psycho freak. She didn’t even want that, right? 

“He cares about all of us.” She says, her voice breaking as she pushes back the tears. He cared, right? He just couldn’t find her, that’s why he wasn’t there. It wasn’t that he gave up, right? Or that he didn’t care?

“Oh, I don’t know about that Marinette. After all, he let Jason die. He let Damian die. And now, he’s going to let you die.” Joker taunts and she freezes. How the hell- A nightmare. This has to be a nightmare. Wake up. Marinette. Wake up. Wake up!

---

Marinette gasps, not able to take in a deep breath without a shooting pain in her chest. She cries out, panicking at the feeling of something stuck in her nose. She tries to lift her hand to swat at it, wincing as someone else grabs her hand. Forcing her eyes open, she glances at the person, her panic dulling at the sight of her big brother. 

“Jay.” She croaks, relief flooding through her. 

“Shhh, Pix. Don’t talk, okay.” He says softly, gently moving her hands to lay back on the bed. The sounds of shuffling make her glance around (the best she can) as she tries to assess any possible danger. Instead, she lets out a soft breath of relief at the sight of her family. Minus Selina. Though, that was probably for the best. If she wasn’t here, she couldn’t tell Harley about Marinette being attacked by the Joker. Which would definitely be bad. Very, very bad. 

“Hey sweetheart, I am so sorry.” Her dad says, moving to stand closer to her bed, a frown spread across his face. 

“Not your fault.” She says softly, ignoring the scratchiness in her throat. “How long was I out?” She asks. 

“Just a couple of hours. Apparently even being injured, you’re still a raging insomniac.” Tim teases, though she can tell he’s worried by the tension in his shoulders- and the fact that he didn’t have a coffee cup on him. 

“We thought you died.” Damian says, and she frowns.

“Why?” She asks, not remembering any of them being near her. In fact, she remembered being distraught at the fact that she was completely alone. 

“Just as I found you, the building blew up.” Jason says and her eyes widen as she glances at him, trying to see if he had any injuries. “I wasn’t in the building, Pixie Pop. I’m fine, worry about yourself for once, you nerd.” He says, the look on his face probably meant to be a smile but looking more like a grimace. 

“Oh.” She says, swallowing hard. She hated this. She hated feeling weak, and she hated the looks she was getting. Like they were afraid she would break any moment. She was fine. Sure, she was in a hell of a lot of pain, but she’d be fine. It’s not like she’d actually died or anything. 

“Who was it?” Jason asks lowly, and she winces at the look on his face. He looked ready to kill someone, and while she wouldn’t blame him if he did kill the Joker, she also knew it’d just start more trouble with her dad. And she didn’t think she could handle it if they started fighting because of something related to her. She’d feel awful. 

“I, I don’t-” She starts, but a voice cuts her off. 

“It was the Joker.” Tikki says flatly and Marinette winces. 

“How did you-” 

“Empathy link.” Tikki sighs, and Marinette frowns. 

“What do you mean?” She asks. What empathy link? 

“I’ll explain it to you later, but for now you need more rest. You almost died today, Marinette. I’ll watch over your family for you, just sleep.” Tikki says softly. Marinette frowns, but her eyelids droop and before she realizes what’s happening, she’s asleep again. 

---

Jason sees red. He’d kill him. He’d find him, and he’d see how much he liked having the shit beat out of him. See if he liked being blown up with a fucking bomb. 

“Jason, when I told Marinette I’d watch over you, I also meant I wouldn’t let you go out and track down the Joker.” Tikki chastises him. He glares at her. 

“The Joker is a menace, Tikki. I need to-”

“You need to calm down. And be here for Marinette. Do you realize how terrified she was? How hurt she was? And I’m not just talking about the physical pain. I can’t explain everything, you’ll need to talk to her, but she doesn’t need any of you out there right now. All she needs is your support, here. Not off somewhere fighting the Joker.” Tikki rants, her face set in a solid line. 

“But-” 

“No, Jason. Tikki’s right.” Bruce says and Jason glares at him, barely resisting the urge to snarl at the man. 

“Of course you would think that.” He spits at him before turning and storming away. He needed a break, needed a minute to himself before he blew up even more. He was livid. No one in this goddamn house would let him go hunt down the fucking Joker. How many of his kids’ lives would he get to destroy before Bruce finally said enough and killed the fucker? Walking back into the main part of the cave, he kicks a rolling chair across the room, glaring at it as it crashes against the wall. 

“What’d the chair do to you?” Babs asks, rolling into the cave. Jason glares at her. 

“And where the hell have you been?” He growls. She raises an eyebrow. 

“First of all, don’t give me the damn attitude, Jason. Second of all, what’s wrong? I’m off comms one night and you act like a freaking nightmare.” She grumbles and he huffs. 

“Yeah, well, Marinette was beaten by the Joker, almost to death. And then he tried to blow her up, so I apologize if I’m a little pissier than normal.” He snarks. Her jaw drops. 

“He did what?” She screeches, and he notices her hands are shaking. She lets out a scream, some mix of rage and shock, before rolling up to the computer and typing furiously. 

“What’re you doing?” Jason asks, somewhat intrigued despite the attitude he’d given her. 

“Figuring out where that piece of shit is hiding. Obviously Bruce isn’t going to let you kill him, so we need to get him back to Arkham as soon as possible.” She points out. Jason nods. It’s better than nothing, which is what he feels Bruce is asking him to do. Nothing. Sit around and act as if the Joker hadn’t just tried to rip his baby sister from existence. In the same exact way he’d killed Jason. Jason’s stomach drops as he thinks of the possible ways Joker could have taunted her, the things he could’ve said. Tikki had said that there was more than just physical pain. Jason lets out a shaky breath, trying to ground himself before he did something that would just end up upsetting everyone. It was okay. Marinette was alive, he reminded himself. Hurt, and obviously not in a state to tell them what happened yet, but she was alive. And Tikki, along with the rest of the family, would make sure she stayed that way. No more dead siblings.

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[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 26

Day 26: Subtle/Bright

AO3

Prev

Dick glanced at his little sister’s door. It was Christmas Eve, and it would be her first holiday without her parents. He knew how hard that was, but he also wasn’t sure how to bring up the subject. She had been avoiding everyone for the last two weeks. The only time she’d come out of her room was to have a tea party with Mar’i when her and Kori got back a few days ago. Taking a breath to ground himself, Dick walks over and knocks on the door.

“Hey kid! It’s me. I was about to make some hot chocolate and I wanted to see if you wanted any.” He calls, frowning when she doesn’t answer. “Mari?” He tries again. Nothing. He sighs softly. “I’m here if you need me, kid. Promise.” He adds before walking away. Maybe Jaybird would have more luck. Or Dames. He runs into Jason first.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He asks, frowning.

“Would you please see if you can get Marinette to come out of her room? I think it would be good for her to be around other people for a little while. I know that people grieve differently, but it definitely would’ve helped me to have more to focus on than just their deaths after my parents died.” Dick says. Jason’s eyes widen slightly, and Dick doesn’t blame him. He rarely talked about the tough moments of his life. Yeah, he talked about happy circus moments with his parents, but talking about their deaths? The toll it took on him mentally, and the way it changed who he was? Those weren’t things he liked talking about. But if it meant helping his little sister, he’d do it.

“Okay. I don’t know if she’ll even let me in. She’s been distant with me since we got back. But I’ll try.” Jason mutters, and Dick almost feels bad for asking. He knew Mari and Jason and Damian were close, but he hadn’t realized Mari distancing herself would affect Jason this much. He silently decides not to ask Damian, in case he upset that kid too. Dick stands, leaning against the wall, drumming his fingers on his leg as he waits for Jason. Jason’s slumped shoulders return by themselves, and Dick can’t help but also let his shoulders slump. He didn’t know how to help her, besides saying he’d be there for her. But he didn’t know how to be there for her if she wouldn’t let him be there. Not that he blamed her. But he really wished she wouldn’t isolate herself. Not right now.

“What do we do?” Dick asks softly. Jason shrugs.

“It kills me that she’s locking herself up like this. But if there was ever any doubt that she’s B’s…” Jason trails off and Dick can’t help but snort. Marinette really had been acting more and more like Bruce lately.

“Where is Marinette?” Damian asks, storming into the hallway. Dick blinks.

“Uh, her room?” He says, frowning at his youngest brother.

“No she’s not. Todd knocked and tried to get her to interact with him, but she didn’t respond.” Damian huffs out. Dick sighs.

“Baby bird, I think she just wants to be alone.” He says. Damian scowls.

“Well when he walked away, I tried to get her to respond. But unlike Todd, I opened her door. She’s not there.” Damian says.

“Dames, that’s an invasion of-” Dick freezes, his mind catching up to what Damian had said. “She wasn’t in there?” Damian shakes his head.

“Fuck. Where’s B? The kid can literally teleport. She could be anywhere.” Jason groans. Dick purses his lips, worry washing over him. Where was Marinette?

---

Marinette scowls down at the man in the alley below her. He was rifling through a purse, tossing things from it onto the ground, a gun haphazardly placed in his back pocket. Just as she’s about to drop down and beat the shit out of the man, an obvious mugger, someone grabs her and yanks her away from the edge. She whirls around, glare already in place, when she sees Harley. Marinette crosses her arms over her chest, keeping her eyes set in a firm glare while her bottom lip quivers. Part of her wanted to sit and talk to Harley. To cry, and let everything out from the last week. But the other part of her wants Harley to leave her the hell alone so she can go beat up the mugger in the alley below her.

“Don’t look at me like that, Poppy.” Harley says, her voice soft but firm. “I may not be able to see your mouth, but I know you’re not actually mad at me, kiddo.” Marinette scoffs.

“And why wouldn’t I be? You just stopped me from taking down that man.” She snaps. Harley raises an eyebrow.

“And didya actually see him do something? Or didya decide to put him on your shit list for existing.” Harley asks.

“Look at how he’s treating that purse. It’s obviously not his. He obviously stole it.” Marinette argues.

“But you didn’t see him, kiddo. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” She asks. Marinette rolls her eyes.

“I don’t care about that. I care about getting the stupid muggers off the street.” Marinette huffs out. Harley frowns.

“Is this about your parents?” She asks and Marinette tenses.

“No.” She lies, pinching her arms to ground herself. Harley sighs.

“Sweetheart, you know you can talk to me, right?” She asks. Marinette sighs.

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Marinette says. Harley purses her lips.

“Does your family even know you’re out?” She asks. Marinette stays silent. It didn’t matter. She had something she had to do. For her Maman and her Papa. “Poppy, it’s Christmas Eve.” Harley adds. Marinette freezes, counting the days in her head. She frowns as she realizes Harley was right. Oh well. She’d already finished the presents for her family ages ago. All she needed to do now was wrap them, but she can do that after she deals with some muggers. It’s not like she was planning on sleeping tonight anyway.

“My family can handle me being gone on Christmas Eve. It’s not that big of a deal.” Marinette says flippantly. Harley’s eyes narrow.

“You do realize that none of them patrol on Christmas Eve, right? They keep an eye out for the signal and they keep the scanners on, but they don’t actually go out. This is the one day of the year that Gotham is calm.” She says. Marinette gestures down to the now abandoned purse in the alley. Apparently the jerk had decided two of the Sirens arguing about him on a rooftop was a bad sign and ran away. Whatever. She still had all night to find another one. “That doesn’t count, Poppy.”

“Doesn’t count? Yeah, okay. Fine, maybe muggers aren’t one of the big problems in Gotham, but they’re still a problem to me.” Marinette argues.

“Because?” Harley says.

“Because they killed my parents.” Marinette snaps, then claps her hand over her mouth, a sob building in her chest. Harley had been steering the conversation, trying to get her to talk. Most of the time Marinette wouldn’t care. But she needed a clear head tonight if she was going to catch some muggers.

“C’mere.” Harley says, opening her arms wide. Marinette stares at her for a minute before throwing herself into the woman’s arms. It would be okay to take a couple minutes to break. She couldn’t cry like this when she got to a mugger, so she needed to get it over with now. Harley rubs circles on her back, and Marinette decides to admit the truth.

“It was my fault.” She says softly. Harley gasps and pulls back, shaking her head.

“It was not your fault.” She says firmly.

“Yes, it was.” Marinette says, nodding her head. “I knew that the Black Cat Miraculous needed to be active if the Ladybug was. But I didn’t- it wasn’t. This, all of this, all of these bad things happening, it’s because I tried to be too lucky for too long.” Harley frowns, obviously not believing her, but just pulls her back into a tight hug. Marinette lets her, and lets herself cry for the first time since getting back to Gotham.

“Oh, kitten.” A familiar, soft voice says. Marinette looks up at her bonus mom, shoving down the hurt she’d felt for the woman not coming to the funeral. She apparently was on some kind of list in France, and it would’ve been really difficult to get her permission to come into France for anything less of an apocalyptic event.

“Hi mom.” She says softly, trying not to wince at the word. Yeah, she’d started calling Selina mom awhile ago. But it was the first time calling her that since her parents died. Deep down, she knew it wasn’t a betrayal. But it still felt like one.

“Honey, why aren’t you home?” Selina asks, opening her arms in a silent invitation. Marinette moves into her bonus mom’s arms, burying herself into the hug. She didn’t wanna talk about it.

“Your daughter is out hunting muggers.” Harley rats her out. Marinette whips her head around and glares at the woman. She holds her hands up in surrender. “Hey, that’s not something you told me, kid. That’s something I observed when I snuck up on ya.” Selina frowns.

“Harley was able to sneak up on you? Sweetheart, if you’re not paying attention-”

“Really don’t need a lecture right now.” Marinette snaps, pulling away from the woman. “I just- I need-” She screams in frustration before burying her head in her hands and breathing shakily.

“Kitten-”

“No! No one is looking for my parent’s killer. No one knows anything about the person who took them from me. No one! That son of a bitch gets to walk around and have Christmas and live their life like they didn’t take two of the most important people in my life away from me.” Marinette yells, her voice breaking. She stomps her foot, ignoring the way it probably made her look like a toddler throwing a fit. “None of GCPD cares. Except Gordon, but he has bigger problems. But if no one else is going to bring them into justice, I’m going to find every freaking mugger in this city and bring them in.” Neither woman says anything, and Marinette frowns. What, were they surprised that she was actually pissed at the person who took her parents from her?

“That’s a dangerous path, Poppy.” A gruff voice says from behind her. She whirls around, eye twitching when she sees her dad.

“Harley said you don’t patrol on Christmas Eve.” Marinette says, instead of responding to his comment. Like he was one to talk. His parents were the whole reason that Gotham had a Batman.

“I don’t. But when I get concerned boys telling me that someone is missing from their room, I tend to change my plans.” He says, his lips set in a firm line.

“Well, I’m fine.” She says. He huffs.

“You’re obviously not fine. And screaming about your plans on a rooftop in the middle of Gotham isn’t exactly subtle.” He points out. Her face flushes. So she got emotional, sue her. She had a right.

“I’ll try to keep my breakdowns a little quieter from now on.” She quips, and he sighs.

“Poppy, please. I know you don’t see it right now, but if you continue on this path, it will destroy you. We are doing everything we can to bring in the individual that killed your parents. Ballistics reports are proving to be useful, and we’re still trying to track a few items that should’ve been on your parents, but weren’t. But none of that matters if you go out and get yourself killed trying to prove something. You have nothing to prove. You don’t need to deal with this by yourself.” Her dad says, his gruff Batman voice slipping away slightly.

“Do you think they would’ve been proud of me?” She asks, quiet enough that she almost hopes he doesn’t hear. She’d never been able to have the whole ‘vigilante/Ladybug’ talk with her parents. And now she never could. She could only hope that what she’d done, the people she’d saved, that she’d made her parents proud.

“Of course they would have. They already were.” Her dad says. She holds herself back from hugging him, knowing that their conversation so far was already dangerous to have in the open.

“Could- can we go home now?” Marinette asks, a wave of tiredness washing over her. It was exhausting, being furious. Shoving down every other emotion in an attempt to push away the emptiness that she’d felt for days. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, her dad was right. She needed help to get through this one. She couldn’t handle this by herself, not this.

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[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 25

Day 25: Reasons and Relaxation

AO3

Prev

Marinette stared ahead blankly. The usual joy she felt when she was on a plane was gone, leaving her feeling empty. And hollow. Because this time, she wasn't going to be greeted in Paris by her Papa's warm hugs. Or her Maman’s reassuring words.

No. She was going back to attend their funeral. The one her dad had planned for her because she just couldn't do it. Because it meant accepting they were gone. She was going back to Paris to hear her parent's will read. But she wasn't going home, because Paris wasn't home. Not anymore.

"Pix? Have you talked to any of your friends from Paris?" Jason asks, breaking the silence in the plane. Marinette shakes her head, biting her lip.

"I didn't- I don't know how to start that conversation." She breathes out.

"Would you like me to have Mme. Bustier announce it to your old class?" Her dad asks. She frowns, thinking about it. As much as she didn't want Lila having that kind of ammunition over her, most of the class knew her parents. They went to the bakery all the time. They should know, at the very least. She nods, before shifting her weight and laying her head on Jason's shoulder. She needed to sleep, just for a couple of minutes. Just until she could start to forget again.

---

Bruce stared at the building in front of him. For the first time in a long time, he was nervous. In just a few short minutes, he’d be read his daughter’s parents’ will. He’d find out if he was going to have to fight for custody of his daughter. Something that he didn’t want to have to put her through right now. But he couldn’t blame the Dupain-Cheng’s for putting someone else. He wasn’t sure how often they updated their will, and he’d only known Marinette for eight or nine months. Taking in a deep breath, Bruce walks into the building and gives the secretary a small smile.

“Are you here for the Dupain-Cheng’s?” The woman asks. Bruce nods. “Right this way.” She says, leading him to a smaller room. Bruce thanks the woman before she walks away, then turns to the man behind the desk.

“Thank you, for meeting with me on such short notice.” He says. The man nods.

“Yes, well, I’m afraid they’ve asked for everything to be held until Marinette turns of age.” The man says with a slight wince. Bruce shakes his head.

“That’s fine, I’m just worried about who will get custody of Marinette.” He says. The man frowns.

“Well, you have it, of course.” Bruce blinks in surprise.

“I- what?” He asks. The man nods.

“Oh yes. You’ve actually been listed as the individual who would be given custody for years. Although neither Tom nor Sabine actually knew you, they told me that they trusted Bridgette and thought it would be best to give you the chance to meet Marinette, should anything happen to them.” He says. Bruce lets out a sigh of relief. If this had been a week ago, he’d be concerned with how easily trusting Tom and Sabine were. He’d talk to them about it. But now, now all he can do is be thankful that they’ve trusted him with their daughter since day one.

---

Staring at the reflection in the mirror, Marinette can’t stop the shaking in her hands. She didn’t look like her parents. Not exactly. And she’d never cared before. Especially once she found out she was adopted. After that, it just became a fun game of seeing what she got from Bridgette and what she got from her dad. But now, staring at her reflection all dressed in black, Marinette can’t help but wish she looked like them. That she had her Maman’s eyes, or her Papa’s smile. So that she wouldn’t lose them, wouldn’t forget what they looked like.

“Marinette? Honey, it’s time.” Her dad calls out, gently knocking on her door. Marinette lets out a shaky breath, opening the door and immediately latching onto her father’s hand. She didn’t care what she looked like right now, but she knew she’d need her dad’s support to get through the day.

“We’ve got you Pixie Pop.” Jason whispers from behind her. She glances back, and a wave of relief washes over her. Her brothers were all standing there, ready to protect her, even though there was nothing they could do to protect her from this. This was something that none of them could fix, no matter how badly they wanted to.

“I’m here.” Another voice says softly. Marinette whips her head around, tears springing to her eyes when she sees Cass. Her older sister had been busy lately, so the fact that she made the time to come, meant everything to Marinette. With her small army of family behind her, Marinette steadies her breathing, and follows her father into the funeral home. She freezes as she glances around the full room. It seemed like nearly everyone in Paris had come to pay their respects to her parents. Everyone she went to school with and their families, Nadja and Manon, André, Jagged and Penny, the Mayor and Audrey Bourgeois- even people she didn’t know by name, but had seen in the bakery. It was too much. She backed up slowly, almost immediately hitting Dick’s chest. She whirls around and looks up at her brother.

“I can’t do this.” She says, shaking her head. She can’t do this. She has to leave, needs to run. Just as she turns to dart away, she feels arms close around her. She squirms for a minute, but takes a deep breath and instead leans into the comforting hold. Glancing up to see who has her, she’s surprised to see Alfred glancing back down at her, his face set in a firm line.

“You don’t have to run, Miss Marinette. We’re here for you.” He says, his voice quiet and gentle. Tears threaten to fall as she leans into the man who raised her dad, the one she looked up to so much.

“It hurts.” She whispers, trying to keep her brothers and dad from hearing her.

“I know.” He says simply, gently patting her head. It takes another minute, but Marinette is able to stand back up and move towards the front of the funeral home, where the family is supposed to sit. She doesn’t know if she can handle looking into the caskets and seeing them so….unlike themselves.

“The funeral director wants to know if you want to see them now, or right after the service?” A man asks quietly, giving her a sympathetic look. Marinette’s eyes widen and she turns to her dad.

“I- I don’t-” She stutters, her chest clenching as she tries not to panic. She couldn’t see them- did she have to see them? Should she see them? How was she supposed to look at them like that?

“It’s up to you, Mars. No one’s going to force you.” Tim reassures her quietly. Marinette squeezes her eyes shut, silently deciding to see them after the service. When she could say bye to them without everyone watching her and judging her. Now she just had to get through the actual funeral.

---

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Songs and speakers all merging together into a big blob. One big colorless blob. Viewing her parents in their caskets was definitely the worst moment of Marinette’s life. They didn’t look like themselves. Their faces had no expression, there was no warmth whatsoever. It hurt to see them like that. Almost as much as seeing their tombstones next to Bridgette’s. It was too much. She just wanted to curl into a ball and sleep for a million years. Forget everything that’s happened in the past two weeks. So she curls up in her seat on the plane, latching onto Jason’s arm for comfort. Maybe she could take a couple weeks off of being a vigilante. Take some time to relax and try to make some sense of her new normal.

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[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 24

Day 24: Eternity/Distance

AO3

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Marinette frowns down at her phone. She tried to call her parents at least once a week, at the same time every week. It was their schedule. She’d missed it last week because of the whole Bunnix situation and then Damian’s birthday party and- she felt bad. She’d been stressed and hurting and instead of going to her parents, she’d pushed them away. Sure, they had agreed to come to Gotham for Christmas in two weeks (it was easier bringing her parents here than taking the entire family to Paris and then risking Gotham not being protected, but her dad insisted on spending their first Christmas together as a family), but she still wanted to talk to them. Sighing, she walks out of her room and down to the kitchen where she could smell coffee brewing. Tim must be scheduled for patrol if Alfred’s letting him make a fresh pot of coffee.

“Hey Mars. Coffee?” Tim offers, nodding towards the pot. She glances at the files surrounding him on the counter, more interested in whatever those were.

“Whatcha workin on?” She asks, trying to get a glimpse of anything important.

“Cold case Gordon sent over. Wanna help?” He asks, pushing some of the files towards her. She glances at her phone.

“Let me try calling my parents one more time, and then I’m in.” She says, grinning. Dialing the number, instead of facetime this time, she sighs in relief when the ringing stops. “Maman! I was starting to think you guys fell asleep early.” She teases. It’s silent for a moment.

“This is Commissioner James Gordon of the GCPD.” He says, and her heart leaps into her throat.

“Why- I don’t understand.” Marinette breathes out, shaking her head. Why does Jim Gordon have her Maman’s phone? Why wasn’t she answering? She faintly hears the stool Tim had been sitting on scrap across the floor, but she didn’t care. She needed answers.

“Can I ask who I’m speaking to?” Commissioner Gordon asks.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, this is my Maman’s phone. Why do you have her phone?” Marinette asks, her voice cracking.

“Miss Dupain-Cheng, you’re one of the Wayne kids, correct?” He asks, avoiding her questions.

“Yes! Damnit. Bruce Wayne is my father, now what the hell happened to my parents?” She yells, all of her patience gone.

“I- I’m not sure-” He sighs. “There was an incident near Crime Alley.” Marinette feels the world begin to spin as she falls to her knees.

“Are they-” She can’t finish the sentence. She can’t say it out loud, because then that means it’s true. That they’re really-

“I’m so sorry, they didn’t make it.” Commissioner Gordon says softly. A hollow wail echoes across the kitchen. She’s so disconnected from it, the pain in her throat is the only thing that lets her register- it’s her. She’s the one wailing, and screaming. Marinette claws at her chest, desperate to stop the hole that is making its home in her chest. The blackhole sucking at her insides, making her chest ache but feel hollow at the same time. Her ears start to ring and she blinks, willing the world to stop. For everything to stop. To go back ten minutes. Why were her parents in Gotham? Why were they here so early? Why were they near Crime Alley of all places? That was the opposite side of town as the Manor? A face appears in front of hers and she blinks rapidly, trying to catch her breath. She can’t breathe. Letting out a whimper, she lets out a choked sob as she realizes she can hear again. As she realizes her parents are gone.

“C’mon Mars, can you tell me about your latest sketch?” Tim suggests, before turning away from her. “Dick! Bruce! Someone!”

“Gone. Timmy, they’re gone.” She breathes out, clutching onto her throat as she wills herself to just breathe. “Can’t- can’t breathe.”

“I know M, I know. I’m so sorry, but I need you to focus on something else.” Tim begs, and she shakes her head. She can’t think of anything else. Nothing else matters. Not design. Not school or hero work. All that matters is her parents. And they’re gone. They’re gone and she didn’t even talk to them this week. Or last week. The last time she called them was two weeks ago for half an hour because she was too focused on the project she was working on for school. And now-

“Hey Pixie. I need you to focus on me, okay? Can you do that?” Jason asks, kneeling down in front of her. She nods the best she can, staring at her older brother. “You’re doing great, kid. Now I want you to follow my breathing, okay? In...and out. Great job, Pix. In...and out.” Jason breathes slowly, and she tries to follow, she really does. Black spots dance across her vision and before she can warn either of her brothers, her world goes dark.

---

Jason catches his baby sister right before her head falls onto the ground. Scooping her up into his arms, he glances at the replacement and frowns.

“What the hell happened?” He huffs, adjusting Marinette to try and make her comfortable. Jason’s face softens slightly at the pained look on Tim’s face. “Tim?”

“Her parents- I don’t know everything. I think they...they’re gone, Jason.” Tim says, squeezing his eyes shut. Jason freezes, glancing down at the girl in his arms. What the hell did the world have against her? She was one of the sweetest, most genuine kids he knew. Despite being a superhero. And he’d known a lot of child heroes. So why did all of this shit keep happening to her?

“Does Bruce know?” Jason asks, his voice gruff.

“No, I mean. I only know because I was standing here when she tried to call them and-” Tim stops, swallowing hard. “I guess an officer answered instead.

“Marinette!” Bruce’s voice rings throughout the Manor, his footsteps rushed. He runs into the kitchen and his eyes immediately find Jason and Marinette. His shoulders slump and Jason feels bad for the man. At the broken expression on his face. “She knows?” He asks.

“She tried to call her mom. Someone else answered.” Tim says softly. Bruce winces.

“It was Jim. He just called me, said he was worried about her. And he needs someone to ID the bodies.” He says. Jason shakes his head.

“You’re not seriously going to make her-” He starts, but Bruce cuts him off.

“Of course not.” Bruce snaps, taking a deep breath and shutting his eyes. Opening them again, he settles his mouth into a firm line. “I’m going to go down there and do it. I know both of them well enough to do that. And I owe it to them, to not let our daughter go through that kind of trauma.” He adds, frowning. “Don’t leave her alone. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” And then he’s gone.

“Her room, theatre, or library?” Jason asks, turning to Tim. Tim frowns, and Jason just knows the kid is mentally weighing the pros and cons of each location. It was just who Tim was.

“Theatre. We’ll all be able to be there for her, and it’ll be harder for her to lock herself away. If we put her in her room, there’s a good chance she’ll lock us out and try to deal with this by herself.” Tim points out. Jason sighs, but nods in agreement.

“Right. To the theatre we go.” He says, holding Marinette closer to his chest so that she wouldn’t bounce around. He sets her down on the couch and tucks her in with one of the softest blankets the Manor had. Stepping back, he glances back at Tim, who was now furiously typing on his phone. Probably alerting Dick and Demon Spawn.

“Did you know they were coming?” Tim asks quietly. Jason frowns.

“Who?” He asks.

“Her parents.” Tim says. Jason opens his mouth to ask what the hell was wrong with the kid, when it clicks. B had said Jim called. As in, Jim Gordon. Her parents were in Gotham. They were killed in Gotham. Fuck.

“No.” Jason sighs, shaking his head. He was scared how this was going to affect her. He was terrified that he was going to lose his baby sister.

---

Bruce Wayne had always thought of himself as a strong man. But standing in the morgue at Gotham General, looking down at the two people who raised the daughter that they all loved, he wasn’t sure how strong he was anymore. How was he supposed to go back to the Manor and face his little girl? Tell her that this was a distance that they couldn’t travel. That her parents were truly gone, no magic cure to help this time. His stomach churned at the thought.

“So?” Jim asks as he steps out of the morgue. Bruce nods.

“Sabine Cheng and Tom Dupain.” Bruce says, letting the emotion in his voice this once. No one here would judge him.

“Any idea why they were so close to Crime Alley?” Jim asks, frowning. Bruce pushes his hair back and shakes his head. He had no clue. None. Except-

“Maybe a hotel room in the area? We didn’t- they must have planned this as a surprise for Marinette. None of us knew that they were coming.” He says. Jim nods.

“Gonna take ‘em to France for the funeral?” Jim asks. Bruce nods.

“Yeah. I might buy the bakery too, just in case Mari wants it when she’s older.” He says, plans for the funeral whirling around his head. Bruce frowns as he realizes another possible problem. He didn’t have custody of Marinette. If her parents had named someone else as godparent in their will, he would have to take them to court and try to fight to get his daughter. He’d do it, and he’d do it a hundred times if he had to. But he also knew that the stress of something like that, immediately after losing her parents, would be difficult. Settling his face back into a mask, he excuses himself to step away and try to call some contacts in Paris. It would be beneficial to figure out the custody situation as soon as possible.

---

Marinette groans, sitting up. She frowns as she glances around the room, all of her brothers sitting and staring at her. Why was she- the memories flood back and Marinette inhales sharply.

“Mar-”

“They’re gone.” She says, cutting Dick off. He stiffens, but nods slowly.

“They are.” He says softly. She chokes out a sob and throws herself forward into her brother’s arms.

“I couldn’t save them.” She cries as he holds her, rubbing her back softly.

“I know Mari. I know kiddo.” He whispers, kissing the top of her head. Her hands shake as he holds her. She pushes away, looking around the room again.

“Where’s Dad?” She asks, suddenly panicking. She couldn’t lose him too. She couldn’t.

“He’s with Jim Gordon, talking about your parents.” Tim says. She flinches. Her parents. They were gone and she did nothing to save them. She wasn’t with them. It wasn’t Miraculous damage, so she couldn’t fix it.

“Does he know what happened?” She asks, wiping furiously at her eyes. She watches her brothers, frowning at the way they tense. “What happened to my parents?”

“Mugging gone wrong.” Jason finally repsponds. Marinette lets out a sob, tugging her knees up to her chest as she hugs herself. She just wanted her Maman and her Papa. She wanted her Maman to hold her and sing to her, tell her everything would be okay. She wanted to play video games with her Papa and laugh at his silly victory dances. She wanted to bake cookies with them and eat them until her stomach hurt. She wanted their comfort and warmth. But she couldn’t have it- not anymore. Never again.

“Oh, honey.” A soft voice says. Marinette glances up at her dad and chokes out another sob, launching herself into his arms.

“They’re gone dad.” She cries, shaking as he holds her. She thinks he says something, but she can’t concentrate on it. Not right now. Not when it was clear that everything would never be the same again.

Next

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