Archive of Our Own ^beta

Marinette was 14 and 6 months when she met Alya Césaire, who proclaimed herself to be Marinette's best friend. She was wrong, Jason would always be her best friend. Even if he was gone.

Marinette was 15 when she finally worked up the courage to ask Chloé  on a date. The ravenette gave her a white purse with the words: "will you go out with me?" embroidered in gold on the under flap (she said yes). Chloé wore the purse everyday.

She was still 15 when Lila Rossi came to school.

And Marinette was 16 when Lila attempted to destroy her life. Jokes on Lila, you can’t destroy something that’s already broken.

That day Marinette had walked into school as normal, holding hands with Chloé and smiling brightly. Ever since they started dating, Chloé had helped Marinette become more punctual. And having your girlfriend waiting outside of your home with a couple of steaming coffees is definitely a good incentive.

But then that happiness shriveled up into a a small ball.

“Marinette! How could you!”

Uh...what?

Chloé’s grip tightened on her girlfriend's hand. Despite the heiress’s apathetic attitude, she cared a lot for her girlfriend.

“What’s going on?” Marinette looked at a red faced Alya and a crying Lila.

“What’s going on? What’s going on is that you attacked Lila yesterday, girl!” Alya screeched, marching forward to grab Marinette. But before Alya could touch the ravenette, two boys stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her way.

Nino and Kim were always there to protect their friend. Even against other people that they cared about.

“Back off, Alya.” Alya gaped at her boyfriend. Why would Nino defend a bully? Especially against his own girlfriend!

Kim glowered at Lila, whose tears had magically disappeared. It was almost like they were never real in the first place.

Marinette shifted uncomfortably before taking a step towards her self proclaimed “best friend”.

“What are you talking about, Alya? Why would I attack Lila?” Her voice was empty, tired. Over the past few months since Lila’s return, the liar had only expanded her lies, turning Alya and more against the ravenette.

Alya fumed, attempting to take another step forward, but was once again blocked by Kim’s hulking figure.

“Because you’re jealous! Because of your crazy obsessive crush on Adrien!”

Speak of the devil, Adrien chose that moment to walk through the door, passing a disgusted looking Chloé.

“Mari’s what? I thought she was dating Chloé?” Adrien, bless his oblivious heart, had no idea what was going on. The boy had only recently joined the Marinette Protection Squad but was trying his best to make sure his bug was safe. The group’s intelligence had yet to rub off on him.

Alya blinked at Adrien. Once. Twice. “She what? They’re not dating! Marinette likes boys!”

Marinette couldn’t hold in her giggles. She laughed until Chloé, her Bee, moved forward to hug the laughing girl, barely suppressing her own laughter.

“Since when?” Marinette managed to gasp out between giggles. She wiped away a few stray tears that escaped during her fit of laughter.

Alya gaped.

“You do! You would have told me if you were gay!”

Soon enough, Chloé couldn’t hold it back anymore and her laughter joined Marinette’s.

“Marinette! Stop laughing! If you were gay why would you have that picture of a guy in your wallet?!”

Marinette froze. Her giggles abruptly cut off. Her friends, the ones that knew about Jason, tensed, prepared to defend their friend.

She turned to Alya and sent her an icy glare that made Alya want to shrink into a ball and die. She had no idea the designer could look so mean.

“You mean the picture of my brother?”

“Your--your what? Since when did you have a brother?”

Alya was stuttering with every word. Her earlier anger had long dissipated, leaving her with only confusion.

“Since the day I was born, Alya. Jason and I are twins.” Marinette’s words were cold and left no room for debate. Talking about Jason in the past tense had always made Marinette sad, so she spoke like he was still with her.

Even if an unmarked grave said otherwise.

The ombre haired girl paled at Marinette’s icy tone. Beside her, Lila had started to slowly inch away, hoping, for once, to be out of the spotlight.

“And in case you were wondering, Césaire,” Alya blinked. Césaire. When had she become Césaire? “I couldn’t have hurt Lila yesterday. I was busy hanging out with my girlfriend. There are even security tapes proving my claim. I’m sure Chlo would let you see them to prove my innocence But I doubt you’ll bother to check. After all, I know how you feel about proof.”

Alya was saved from an undignified response by the ringing of the bell.

---

The GCPD was a cold place.

That’s where Marinette found herself on an early Sunday morning.

That’s where she first learned of Jason’s death.

That’s where she answered question after question regarding the end of her best friend’s life.

When was the last time she saw Jason? Two months before his death. they had been separated in a crowd. Marinette hadn’t seen him since.

Does she remember how they had been separated? No, one second Jay was there, the next he was gone.

Had Marinette made any effort to find her missing brother? Every day since their separation.

Had she been aware that Jay was adopted by billionaire Bruce Wayne? No. Marinette didn’t really have time to check the news while searching for her brother.

Did she have any other living relatives? No. Her parents were dead.

That was the truth. Willis Todd had never been her father. He was a deadbeat criminal murdered by his own boss after his loyalties came into question. And Catherine was nothing but a drug addicted coward who didn’t stand up for her children when Willis beat them black and blue. She died a few months before  from an overdose. Her addiction finally catching up with her.

And so Marinette had to stay at the GCPD for a few days until a French couple decided to take pity on the young girl and chose to adopt her. A few police officers had found her sleeping behind a dumpster and brought her there. A few hours later they told her the news of her brother’s passing.

Passing. The word tasted bitter on her tongue. Passing, like he had been walking past he in the street and she didn’t notice.

It made her want to cry.

That week, Marinette had been shipped off to Paris. And the last piece of Jason she had, their city, was torn away from her.

Paris was nice, very bright. There was no dark cloud that seemed to hang over the city like it did in Gotham. There was no psychotic clown out to kill anyone worth squat.

But there was also no Jason.

Everywhere Marinette looked there was something to remind her of her dead twin.

A laugh, filled with mischief. A red hoodie, Jason’s was always stained with something, but he never took it off. Two siblings, too alike to be anything but twins.

It made her heart ache.

Marinette couldn’t explain the tears that came to her eyes when she saw a particularly dark alley, because how was she supposed to tell Tom and Sabine that her and Jason used to sleep in one just like that.

She couldn’t explain why she didn’t talk the first few months in Paris because how could she tell them that Jason always spoke first.

Why she always ducked into a corner whenever she saw something on the roofs because she thought maybe this time it really was Batman coming to separate her and Jason.

Why she didn’t let her adoptive parents hug her because could they be trying to pick pocket her?

Why when she first met Kim she punched him in the jaw for making a comment about how terrible siblings were.

No, she couldn’t tell them that.

She couldn’t tell them anything.

---

Ladybug and Chat Noir revealed their identities a week after they first met.

Marinette hadn’t wanted to grow so close to someone new, someone who acted frighteningly like her dead brother. So the girl had insisted that they share identities. That way she could avoid him on both sides of the mask if she needed too.

It hadn’t really gone as planned.

Adrien was so excited that his new friend Mari was his Buggaboo. Marinette had been more hesitant. On one hand, Adrien seemed like a good friend. On the other hand, now that they knew each other in their civilian lives, it would be much harder to avoid him.

Marinette had not thought that through.

But eventually, Adrien came to learn about Jason and he toned down his whole ‘knight in shining armor’ bit.

And now Marinette had four friends that she trusted with her life.

“Alright, class! Today I have some fantastic news!” Madam Bustier clapped excitedly as she entered the class, late as usual when the class was fighting.

“We are going on a class trip to...”

“Oh wow, I’m just shaking with anticipation.” Chloé whispered to Marinette, who giggled in return.

“Gotham City!”

Marinette froze in her seat.

Ironic huh? A sort-of-bat being hit with a bat.

If Jason wasn't so pissed he'd be laughing.

But he was pissed. So pissed.

Or maybe it wasn’t really anger he felt, more like...dejection.

Dick had touched something that didn't belong to him, his sister's barrette.

The one thing Jason had left of his twin sister, a small pink barrette he had stolen for her from a random kid on the streets.

It was shaped like a flower and covered in sparkles. Marinette--his little Pixie Pop--had worn it all the time, she had only taken it off that day so he could help her put in her dark hair properly.

She had wanted to look fancy, or so she claimed. Marinette had been laughing at one of Jason’s jokes, her face had turned red and their were tears leaking from her eyes.

Jason had laughed with her for a minute before turning away for one second.

One second.

One second.

One second.

One second and she was gone.

Jason had turned around, expecting to be met with laughter and that brilliant smile his sister always had, even when they were starving or stealing, but instead of his twin’s bright smile, there was no one there.

She had disappeared.

Jason had looked everywhere for days. He spent every waking moment searching for Marinette.

But he never found her.

And now Dick was touching the last piece of her he had left.

"So who's is this anyway, Jay bird? Seems like it belongs to a kid."

Jason felt the usual fury rise within him as he watched Dick lounge on the couch in the Batcave, twiddling with the pink clip.

Jason stomped forward and snatched it out of Dick’s hand, cradling it like a precious jewel, and to him, it was.

Dick blinked up at him, surprise lighting his features. "Woah, Jay, what's with you?"

Jason glared at his adoptive brother and shoved the clip into his pocket where it would be safe.

"Its--" Jason sighed, feeling his anger disappear. It's not like Dick knew how important it was. "It's nothing. A trinket."

It hurt to say.

Dick blinked at his younger brother, "Well that was a terrible lie."

The older boy stood and walked over to Jason, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me, Jay. But whatever it is, I'll respect it."

Dick was being genuine and Jason hated it.

But maybe he could tell Dick about it, it wasn't like it was Bruce or Tim he would be telling.

"It was my sister's." Dick stared incredulously at the unusually awkward boy.

Jason continued, "Her name was Marinette, we’re twins. We, uh, we were separated before I died." Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"And she's probably dead now, I haven't heard anything from her in years. I don't even know where she is or if she's even alive."

Dick could only gape. Jason Todd-Wayne was being vulnerable? He had a sister? A twin? He wasn’t yelling at Dick? Had the world ended?

Dick grasped for Jason and hugged him fiercely.

And for once, Jason didn't pull away.

---

Gotham.

Gotham.

Gotham.

They were going to Gotham.

Where Jason Todd died.

Where Marinette Todd died.

And where Marinette Dupain-Cheng was created. Or, at least that’s what her ID says.

But she never really gave her name up completely. It was the only piece of her brother left. Even if Marinette didn’t live in Gotham and even if she didn’t speak English all that often anymore, she still had her name.

Their name.

But now she was going back. Back to her home. Back to the place where she lost her brother.

Marinette was panicking.

“Maribug? Are you alright?” Chloé looked worriedly at Marinette. 

"Gotham?" Marinette said, her voice cracked.

The class was cheering.

Alya was pestering Lila for an interview about her relationship with the Damian Wayne.

Adrien, Kim, Nino, and Chloé were all looking at Marinette with building worry.

And Marinette was frozen in her seat.

They were going to Gotham City.

They were going to Gotham.

She was going to Gotham.

Oh, Kwami.

"Bug? Let's get you out of here, love." Chloé helped Marinette stand, Adrien went to her other side. Nino and Kim followed behind, falling in formation to protect their friend.

“Madame Bustier! Is it really okay for Marinette to be leaving like this? As class president shouldn’t she start planning?” Lila trilled, her hand shooting into the hair to get the teacher’s attention.

Marinette was too frozen to respond, but her friends all scoffed. Chloé scowled, Lila hadn’t seemed to care that the others were leaving too.

Of course she didn’t.

Madame Bustier blinked, like her brain was rebooting, before she coughed twice and spoke, “Ah, yes, Marinette? Why don’t you sit back down?”

Lila sat back down with a triumphant smile.

Marinette didn’t even flinch. Her mind was racing. Her body was shaking. Her friends were looking at her with too much concern and pity for her to look them in the eyes.

“Oh, shut the hell up, Caline. Marinette is obviously not okay! And we’re leaving whether you like it or not.” Chloé turned up her nose at the spineless teacher.

The five friends, newly dubbed the Miraculous Squad rather than the Ice cream Squad, left the classroom, leaving behind jittering classmates and shivering teacher.

---

Marinette was staring. Staring at the picture of Jason, the one in her wallet.

In the photo, Marinette was in the middle of jumping on Jason’s back, she had her eyes closed and a large grin on her face. She was missing one of her front teeth. Jason was caught mid-laugh, one of his eyes was close, squinting into the sunlight.

At the time, the twins were 12. It was taken the summer before Jason died.

They had been walking along the boardwalk, laughing and joking. It was one of those rare days when the two didn’t try to stay huddled in an alley for warmth or pick pocket strangers for money so they could eat. An old couple had spotted them and asked if they wanted their picture taken with one of those polaroid camera’s Marinette had seen in shop windows.

Marinette smiled slightly at the picture, a few tears ran down her face and dripped off her nose, but she was careful to make sure they never hit the picture gripped tightly in her fingers.

Chloé sat next to Marinette in her suite at Le Grand Paris, the blonde had her arm wrapped protectively around her Bug.

“Hey, Bee?” Marinette leaned on her girlfriend and almost immediately felt the blonde’s fingers card through her hair. Chloé hummed gently. “When--when we go to Gotham, will you help me find...find Jay’s grave? I need to see him.”

Chloé moved to look Marinette in her bluebell eyes. “Bug, I will do whatever you need me to do, even if you ask me to catch the sun and shake the stars. I’m always going to be here for you, that’s no different in Gotham.”

Marinette’s chest bloomed with warmth, she loved Chloé so much. The ravenette smiled at the warm look in the blonde eyes.

The ravenette buried her face in Chloé‘s shoulder, trying to hide her blush.

“Thank you,” She whispered, her voice muffled by Chloé ‘s yellow sweater.

“Anytime, my love.”

“You think she drinks enough water? She’s cried like four times already and It’s barely eight o’ clock.” Nino was grinning at Marinette, who sighed and rubbed her face.

“She probably chugged a bunch of water this morning, gotta prepare for a whole day of crying over her bully.” Kim cackled, his mouth full of burrito.

“Ew! Kim, It’s too early to see your gross, mushy burrito!” Marinette shoved her friend’s face back while he laughed.

Nino made a face at Kim. “Close your mouth when you eat, dude! That’s nasty!”

“Your mom’s nasty!” Kim called, his mouth was full of food so it sounded more like, ‘or mherms nashdy!’

While Nino and Kim bickered above her about their moms, Marinette pulled out her sketchbook to work on her designs. After her initial panic, Marinette decided that she and her friends would have to have Gotham inspired outfits.

Everyday, the five of them would have matching designs inspired by the streets of Gotham City, based on the vigilantes, buildings, rouges, and villains.

Marinette was so excited that when she was telling Chloé about it she accidently switched back to English.

Luckily for the blonde, Marinette had taught basic English to her whole squad over the years, so Chloé understood most of what her girlfriend was gushing about.

“I can’t believe she thinks pretending like she can draw will make her any better!” Alya scoffed, beside her, Lila laughed.

“I know, right, It’s not like she has any actual talent!”

Marinette hunched her shoulders and gripped her pencil, pressing the lead hard enough into the paper that the tip snapped off.

“Bitch, please. You’re the one that looks like an orange sausage with bad fashion sense.”

The look on Lila’s purpling face made Marinette snort. She looked like an angry fruit. (Bet you could guess which fruit).

“How could you say that to me? My grandfather Tommy Hilfiger gave this to me before he died!”

Marinette was pretty sure that Tommy Hilfiger was still alive.

Chloé laughed mockingly, strutting past Lila--who was crying again--and sat next to Marinette, in Kim’s spot.

“Queenie! That’s my seat!” Kim whined, collapsing dramatically on the floor Adrien giggled and flopped down next to him, poking him in the side.

Chloé rolled her eyes and snuggled up next to her girlfriend, who smiled, not looking up from her sketch.

The outfit was simple but Marinette loved it already: a forest green skirt made out of rayon to keep it flowy, it reached just below her knees and had silver vines creeping along the fabric. The shirt was also a forest green halter crop top, matching the skirt, the vines went all along the top and created the straps.

Marinette was hoping to finish it in Gotham, she wanted her Poison Ivy inspired outfit to have actual Gotham fabric.

The ravenette hummed as she worked, drowning out her friends bickering and Lila’s fuming that she was being ignored.

Beside her, Chloé was already slipping into a nap. Kim and Adrien were talking about anime, and Nino was listening to music and eating the remains of Kim's burrito.

And yet, like always, their peaceful moment was interrupted by the usual annoyance.

"Alright, class!" Madame Bustier clapped her hands to get their attention. "Let's all get on the plane now! Everyone has their seat number?"

Marinette resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her incompetent teacher. If the woman really knew what she was doing she would've made sure that everyone knew exactly where they were going and that they had their tickets.

Which, of course, Marinette didn't have hers.

The class had been walking to the ticket stand to get on the plane when Lila had bumped into Marinette. That must have been when the liar swiped her ticket.

"I'm so sorry, Mademoiselle but we can't let you on the plane if you don't have a ticket." The ticket lady looked genuinely sorry and Marinette felt kind of bad for her, if Lila hadn't decided to be such a piece of--

"Oh! Well that's perfectly fine!" Chloé stepped in. "I just happen to have first class tickets for my girlfriend and I! And of course, our other friends. Shame I only have five tickets though." Chloé had a wicked grin on her face as she dragged Marinette onto the plane, the rest of the squad following behind.

Marinette really wished she could have seen Lila’s face. Purple was a good look on her.

"First class? Chloé what--"

"Well I couldn't have just stepped aside and let my girlfriend be thrown in airport jail or whatever. That would be ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

Chloé was smiling brightly at Marinette. Oh how Marinette loved to see her Bee smile like that.

"And besides!" Kim leaned over his seat to poke Marinette in the back of the head. "Now we get to fly like rich people!"

"Kim, me and Chloé are already rich people." Adrien scratched his neck and raised a brow at Kim, who glanced across the aisle to wink at the blond boy.

"Oh shush your rich people's face, I swear dude. When we finally eat the rich you're gonna be first." Nino grumbled, yawning widely from his seat next to Adrien.

"I bet I'd taste delicious." Adrien said, nodding with all the wisdom of the world.

"Kitty, as someone who's kissed you before," Marinette gave her partner a pointed look. "I can confidently say you taste like rotten cheese."

"Bugaboo you wound me! Am I at least the most amazing kisser ever?" Adrien grinned like a, well, cat and draped himself over Nino who had already passed out. He could feel Plagg snickering from inside his jacket.

"You're ridiculous Adrikins, I'm definitely a better kisser than you." Smirking Slightly, Chloé settled comfortably against Marinette's side, confident in her kissing abilities.

Marinette laughed while the two bickered, she passed some cookies to Tikki and checked on the miracle box that was safely packed in her carry on. She laid her head on Chloé’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

The ravenette fell asleep to the sounds of Kim snoring, Nino grumbling in his sleep, and Adrien and Chloé throwing airplane peanuts at each other.

---

Their hotel was huge.

The Gotham Grand Hotel was even bigger than Le Grand Paris. It towered over the class in all its shining glory, immediately giving Marinette countless ideas for white and gold ballroom gowns.

Behind the hotel, the sun shone bright against a cloudless sky. It made the building seem almost magical. And Marinette knew plenty about magic.

But Marinette’s moment was ruined by Lila. How different.

"Bruce was so kind to  us to stay in his hotel! He's just insisted that I don't stay in anything less than fabulous!" Lila gushed to the class, unaware of the five pairs of eyes rolling like bowling balls.

"How do you think she remembers all this stuff?" Adrien asked.

"Ten bucks says she has a planner or something." Kim was grinning, jumping excitedly as they walked to their rooms.

"Twenty says she has a notebook just for Marinette." Nino said, bumping shoulders with the girl in question.

"Wow, I feel so special." Marinette said dryly and shoved Kim playfully as he attempted to flick her in the nose.

It was a game the two had played since Marinette first came to Paris, they would attempt to flick the other whenever they had the opportunity. Anyone else would have said it was weird but Marinette loved it.

"I doubt she plans any of the bullshit she spews, yesterday she saved Jagged's kitten, but today it was a dog. She can't even get her fake facts straight." Chloé scoffed.

Marinette laughed and stopped at her room. All five of them had rooms right next to each other. 

"Hey! How come you two are sharing a room?"

Chloé raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at Kim, who was leaning against the door, stopping the girls from going into their room.

"Because gay people don't exist on school trips and the rooms aren't co-ed." Marinette giggled as Adrien whined.

"But my whole personality is being gay! What am I supposed to do now?" Adrien slumped to the ground and wailed.

"What about the terrible puns?"

Adrien gasped at his best friend, "Traitor!"

"Just go to your room, young man!"

"You're not my mom!"

"I could be! I'll go fuck your dad right now!"

"Good luck breaking into prison!"

While the original superhero duo argued, the other three left to their respective rooms.

Marinette finally ended the argument with a few words about using a different miraculous to break in and a loud 'boom, bitch!'

She walked into her room and flopped on the bed, staring at Chloé, who was sitting and reading a magazine. Pollen sat next to her on one of the hotel pillows, looking over her shoulder.

Marinette groaned into the blanket, making the blonde laugh gently.

"You okay, Bug?"

Marinette's muffled reply was lost to the dark blue blanket.

Chloé leaned over and rolled her girlfriend onto her back.

Marinette sighed and sat up, she sat criss-cross-applesauce (she still refused to call it anything else but that, it was what Jason would say every time).

"To be honest, it feels wrong here. The energy is all weird, and yet, it feels like home."

Chloé reached for Marinette's hand and grabbed it tightly.

Tikki flew out of Marinette's purse to sit on the bed. "Marinette! Of course it feels weird, you're the Guardian now and can feel the negative energy in this city!"

"And it feels like home because it is home. This is where you were born, Bug, it's your home more than Paris is." Chloé added.

"Which is why this would be a perfect place to live when you graduate in a few months! You can help fix the energy!" Tikki was squealing with excitement.

Fix the energy? She could. But...but would it be okay for her to be there? Where Jason died?

"Hmm, maybe. Can I think about it?" Marinette bit her lip, refusing to look either one in the eye.

"Of course, Marinette! No matter your decision, it's okay!"

Marinette nodded and laid down. She could think later, all she wanted to do right now was sleep.

The ravenette barely registered her girlfriend laying beside her and stroking her hair as her eyes grew heavy.

And sleep she did.

Her friends had sent her almost thirty texts asking where she was and if she was okay. Apparently When Chloé woke up and saw her missing, she had assumed Marinette had already left. Which was sort of true.

So now Marinette was stuck begging the receptionist for a bus schedule or a map--at the very least--to Wayne Enterprises. She had been pleading with the poor woman to tell her if there were any bikes or even rentable cars nearby when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

Marinette whirled around to see one of the most handsome men she had ever met--and that was saying a lot, seeing as she was gay and friends with a male model.  Her coffee almost spilled with the abrupt movement, that would have been a tragedy.. He was almost a foot taller than her--but that didn’t take a lot--and had jet black hair and deep blue eyes.

“Miss? If you need a ride, you can come with me.”

Well that wasn’t creepy at all.

“Um, no thanks, sorry but you know, stranger danger and all.” Marinette bit her lip and tried not to look at the man. She shifted uncomfortably, hopefully he would take the hint and leave her alone.

“Oh my god!” The man’s blue eyes widened almost comically. “No I--I didn’t mean--ah, fuck.” He facepalmed and cringed.

This was getting weirder and weirder.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come off as creepy!” He sighed. “Name’s Dick. Dick Grayson.”

Marinette blinked at his outstretched hand. “Your name is Dick.” She deadpanned.

To her surprise, the man laughed. It was a nice laugh. Maybe she wasn’t as gay as she thought she was.

“Yeah, blame my parents, I guess.”

Marinette laughed a little, wondering where this conversation was going. Hopefully to Wayne Enterprises.

“I heard you were heading to Wayne Enterprises, it just so happens that I was headed there myself.” Dick rubbed the back of his neck--the gesture was all too similar to Adrien’s own nervous habit.

Marinette narrowed her eyes. Every instinct in  her body screamed for her to run away, or maybe kick him in the nuts. But Dick seemed genuine. And maybe her time in Paris had softened Marinette’s common sense, because then she said, “Uh, yeah.”

Dick visibly brightened. And honestly, he reminded Marinette more of a puppy than a predator.

"Awesome! You need a ride?"

And they were back to the almost sort of uncomfortable part of the conversation.

Oh, fuck it.

"Yeah, that'd be great." Marinette said. Dick led her outside to a sneak black car, very fancy.

He opened the door with a grin. "To Wayne Enterprises!" Dick pointed onward like a pirate standing at the hull of his ship.

While they drove, the two chatted aimlessly.

Surprisingly, Marinette felt pretty comfortable with Dick. He was charming and playful. And every second they rode together made him seem more and more like Adrien.

Especially with all the puns.

To Marinette's disappointment, they arrived at WE all too quickly. She rather liked talking to Dick.

As Marinette left for a different direction than her new friend, Dick called out. "Wait! What's your name?"

Legally, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Always, "Marinette Todd!"

---

Dick was freaking out.

She said Todd. Marinette Todd.

Maybe it was a coincidence? Todd wasn't a super rare name...but she said Marinette. And it was far too insane to be a mere coincidence.

Dick couldn't convince himself she wasn't Jason's sister.

Everything about her was like seeing Jason.

The way her dangerous eyes gleamed with chaos that suggested she knew exactly what incident was about to occur, and that she had most likely caused it. The way she held herself like she was constantly ready for a fight, and that she knew she would win. Her black--almost blue--hair and deep blue eyes. Her laughter sounded just like Jason's.

Every little thing reminded Dick of his adopted brother.

Which meant Jason's twin sister was in Gotham.

---

"Bug! Oh my god I'm so sorry, I thought you were on the bus so I got on to see you but Madame Bustier wouldn't let me off when I couldn't find you! I'm so sorry!" Chloé had tackled Marinette the second she saw her girlfriend, blonde pigtails swinging.

Marinette laughed and hugged her girlfriend tightly. "It's alright, Bee. I shouldn't left a note or something."

Chloé sniffed a little, and held Marinette back to see if she was hurt. Her blue eyes narrow to a squint. "How did you get here?"

"Dick."

Chloé blinked. "What?"

Marinette laughed at the expression on her girlfriend's face. "Dick Grayson, he works here. Gave me a ride."

"His name is Dick? How unfortunate." Chloé linked their hands and pulled the ravenette over to her other friends. Marinette was grinning at the bunch, they all looked so good dressed as rogues.

Nino had on a pair of dark gray sweatpants paired with a blood red sweatshirt with black and Grey accents. He was wearing a hat that looked very similar to his usual one, except that it was a light gray with the Deadshot symbol on it in red.

Kim wore a deep violet muscle shirt with two arrows crossing over one another to make an X. He had on black exercise shorts and purple and black sneakers. And to complete the look, he had on a purple and gray braided leather bracelet.

Adrien’s outfit was probably her favorite. He had on tight black pants that clung to his legs and a matching black leather jacket. Under the jacket, Adrien had on a dark gray--almost black--V-neck shirt with an image of a cartoon cat wearing a jewelled necklace saying "these jewels are purr-fect!" The blonde also insisted on having a black choker with a small bell on it.

Chloé was wearing high waisted red leather shorts with black diamonds embroidered over the pockets. She had on a long sleeved black crop top that clung to her body and over it a jacket with side red and the other black, it had two intersecting diamonds on the back (one black, one red). The blonde had her hair in high pigtails along with a black scrunched and a red one in each tail. She had a choker made of red and black cloth diamonds sewn together and matching bracelets on each wrist. Under her shorts, Chloé wore red and black tights and knee high heeled boots.

Marinette had a hard time concentrating with her near.

"You guys look so great!" Marinette squealed, her friends posed dramatically.

"Not as great as you do, Bug." Chloé said, winking and slipping her hand around Marinette's waist. The dark haired girl blushed the same bright red as Chloé’s lipstick.

"Ew! PDA!" Kim shrieked and waved his hands around, flapping around in a circle like a bird.

"Yeah! Stop making goo goo eyes at each other when the rest of us are single!" Adrien moaned.

Marinette laughed as Nino looped his arm through hers to tug her away from Chloé and to the rest of the class, who was--surprise, surprise--fawning over Lila as she said something about helping pick out the wall art for Bruce Wayne.

As the Miraculous Squad walked over to the class, Madame Bustier finally seemed to notice Marinette.

"Marinette! Where were you? You know you can't just leave like that!"

Behind Madame Bustier, Lila had a triumphant look on her face. The rest of the class was glaring at Marinette like she murdered all their fish.

Marinette gave her teacher an unimpressed look. "I didn't leave. You left me behind without checking to see if everyone was on the bus."

Madame Bustier floundered for a minute before clearing her throat. "Well, uh, Lila said you were on the bus already."

The ravenette's glared, behind her, her friends wore equal expressions of disgust and annoyance.

"I'm sure she did." Marinette's tone was icy,  leaving no room for a retort. The squad pushed passed the class to the receptionist, a tired looking lady with graying brown hair and smile lines. Her name plate read: Deb.

"HI! I'm Marinette Todd, here for the tour with my class?" Her smile was bright as Marinette spoke to Deb.

After her initial shock of going to Gotham, Marinette, as class president, was forced to plan everything for their trip. Which meant everything was in her name.

"Of course! Now that it's actually your check in time, I'll be happy to let you up. Your tour guide will be here in a minute to show you around." Deb seemed relieved to not have to deal with Marinette's class anymore, no doubt they yelled and screamed to be let in early.

Just then, the elevator dinged and the doors opened, revealing none other than Dick Grayson.

"Marinette! Short time no see!" Dick said cheerfully, walking out of the elevator with the biggest grin, except the look in his eyes was more calculating than happy.

The class behind her whispered to each other, how did Marinetye know this strange man?

Chloé glanced at Marinette, questions brewing in her eyes. Adrien bumped shoulders with her, a clear question.

"Hey, Dick. Are you our guide?" She returned his smile with her own.

"Yup!" Dick didn't seem to notice the rest of the class until Madame Bustier cleared her throat

"Hey, I'm Dick Grayson." Dick's smile turned more polite than excited, he held out his hand for Madame Bustier to shake.

"Your name is...Dick?"

His smile never wavered as he nodded and said, "It's actually Richard, but in America we shorten it to Dick."

Madame Bustier looked unsure but shook his hand anyway.

"Well! Let's get this tour started!"

As Dick led them through WE, rather than pay attention, the class gushed over Lila.

Marinette and her friends were the only ones to pay attention, asking questions regularly and staying quiet whenever Dick was talking.

While they walked, Chloé held Marinette's hand while Adrien bounced around on her other side. Kim would point out things he thought would inspire Marinette for her designs. Beside Kim and behind Marinette, Nino would crack jokes about Lila and her posse.

Dixk seemed to be studying Marinette almost the whole tour, not in a creepy way but more like he was curious about something. Marinette wasn't sure what.

"Alright! First half done, let's all eat and then continue!" Dick clapped twice and led them into the cafeteria.

The class went to get their food before spreading out. Most of the class went to sit with Lila where she was holding court. The Miraculous Squad made sure to go to the other side of the cafeteria.

Marinette was eating her sandwich and joking with Adrien when Dick came over to sit with them.

Marinette smiled in greeting at the man. "Christ Mar, your class is evil."

The ravenette laughed, her friends looked on curiously.

"So uh, hey guys, I'm Dick." He waved and grinned at her friends. "I gotta say, I'm digging the outfits. Where'd you get them?"

Chloe beamed, happy to brag about her amazing girlfriend. "Marinette made them, she's an amazing designer!"

Adrien nodded happily before adding, "Yeah! She even made me a little bell!"

Dick blinked for a moment, something lie awe on his face. "You made these! That's awesome!"

Marinette blushed and buried her face in her hands. While she was proud of herself and her work, it was embarrassing for someone to compliment  like that.

"Oh yeah," Kim added, smiling smugly. "She's super awesome." He leaned across the table to flick her between the eyes. Marinette groaned and stuck her tongue out at him.

"She even has her own company!" Nino added. He waved his arms around and grinned.

"Holy cow, really?" Marinette nodded, she didn't take her hands away from her face. "What's it called? Maybe I've heard of it, unless it's only in France."

Marinette finally looked up. "Its, um, MTD."

Dick blinked, his mouth agape. "You're serious? I have to tell Tim! Your designs are his favorite! Holy cow give me a minute!" Dick leaped up and bolted out of the cafeteria.

The Miraculous Squad blinked at where Dick stood only a minute ago.

"You guys just had to tell him?" Marinette mock glared at her friends who looked somehow both confused and triumphant.

"Well he asked!" Nino tugged on his ear and smiled sheepishly at the ravenette.

Marinette sighed.

Dick burst back into the cafeteria tugging along a boy who looked far too exhausted to be moving so fast. He had monster sized eyebags the color of an eggplant. Marinette sympathized, she remembered all the sleep she lost being Ladybug and designing.

"Guys! This is my brother Tim! He's super obsessed with you by the way!"

Tim blinked for a minute. He didn't really look all there.

"You're.." he paused for a moment. "You're MTD?"

Marinette waved awkwardly.

"That's so cool! You're like my favorite designer! Can I get your autograph?" Suddenly, like a switch was flipped, Tim was wide awake and freaking out.

"Uh...sure." While Gim scrambled for a piece 0f paper, Marinette took the opportunity to study him. He had Dark hair and blue eyes like his brother but looked much more tired. He also looked to be barely 15.

While Marinette signed the paper for Tim, her friends snickered and giggled. Traitors.

"Oh my gosh, thanks! Wait, Dick! Do you think we can get B to adopt her?" Tim was rambling uncontrollably to Dick as he dragged him away.

After Tim was unceremoniously shoved out of the cafeteria, Dick came back and clapped a few times to give everyone's attention.

"Alright! Tour time!"

“Jaybird!” Dick slammed open the door to Jason’s room. “I need to know if you have a picture of your sister!”

Jason snapped his head up from where he was reading Pride and Prejudice. “What the fuck, Dick?”

Dick was breathing heavily, he had run all the way from the driveway. It really wasn’t a long way but Dick was too excited to breathe properly. “I need to know if you have a picture of your sister!”

He was rushing his words, far too excited about the possibility that Marinette was the Marinette that Jason’s sister.

Jason narrowed his eyes, “Why?”

“Jason! Just tell me, it’s life or death.” Okay so maybe not really, but it was still important.

“I have one.” Jason started to rummage through his desk drawer. “Uh...here it is.”

He handed the picture to Dick, who scanned it quickly.

In the photo, a girl--who Dick assumed was Marinette--was in the middle of jumping on Jason’s back, she had her eyes closed and a large grin on her face. She was missing one of her front teeth. Jason was caught mid-laugh, one of his eyes was close, squinting into the sunlight.

And it was her. Marinette was Jason’s sister.

The small smile on Dick’s face grew to a grin. “It’s her. Jay it’s her!”

“No shit.”

“No, I mean it’s her. I met her today!” Dick looked up at Jason.

“What?” Jason’s voice cracked, it worried Dick. “What do you mean you met her.”

“She’s on a trip to Gotham with her class! She’s been living in Paris!”

Jason was very, alarmingly pale. “jay?” Dick asked.

“She’s--she’s in Gotham?” Suddenly Jason lunged forward to grab Dick’s arms and shake him. “Are you sure? How can she--no, nevermind. I’m not gonna get my hopes up until I see her for myself.” By the end of his ramble, Jason was mostly talking to himself.

“Well you can come with me to Ivy’s gardens tomorrow. That’s where she said they’d be going next.”

Jason’s head snapped up. “Why were you talking to her?”

He was already going into overprotective brother mode, Dick thought.

“I was her tour guide, Jay. And before that I gave her a ride to WE because her class left her behind.” Dick attempted to pry Jay’s hands off his arms, but to no avail.

“They did what? What would they leave her behind! We’re in Gotham for fucks sake!”

Maybe he shouldn’t have said that.

Jason was shaking Dick enough to make his head whip back and forth.

“She wouldn’t tell me, alright? All she said was something about some lying brat. Only she didn’t say brat.” Dick grimaced, the two shared an affinity for swear words.

“Well, I’ll kill that lying bitch then!” Jason finally let go of Dick’s arms to stomp over to his closet, where he kept an almost frighteningly large amount of guns.

Dick sighed, Jason was getting more murder-y by the second. “Jaybird, you can’t kill a kid. And you’re a good guy now, remember?”

Jason was swearing under his breath and shoving his guns back into the closet.

“So now that I’ve dropped a bomb, why don’t you think about what you’re gonna say to Marinette when she sees you. You are dead, afterall.” Dick turned to leave but paused in the doorframe. “And just--just don’t kill anyone.”

And then Dick left his brother to have an existential crisis.

---

“Damn it! Why didn’t I wear my Poison Ivy outfit today? We’re going to the Ivy Botanical Gardens today and I wore my Poison Ivy outfit yesterday!”

Marinette was pacing her room and kicking herself over her idiocy. Chloé was watching her girlfriend pace with a fond smile on her lips.

“Bug, why don’t you just wear your hero outfit? That way we all match.”

That seemed to snap Marinette out of it. “Oh, Kwami! You’re right! I can’t believe I almost tried to change everything!” Marinette stopped pacing to scramble to her drawers. She tossed around clothes searching for her outfit.

From where she, Pollen, and Kalkki sat eating their respective snacks, Tikki giggled and said, “Marinette! Calm down! You still have an hour!”

It was true, Chloé had insisted that the girls get up extra early so this time Chloé would be there to make sure Marinette wasn’t left behind.

Marinette stood up and made a triumphant sound. “Here it is!” She stripped and slipped on her outfit. This one was Chloé‘s favorite.

Marinette was wearing black leather shorts, high waisted and adorable. Under the shorts, she wore black tights. She had on a black leather jacket with a blood red hood attached, all the zippers were bright red. Under her jacket was black shirt tucked into the shorts, the shirt had a triangle over her breasts made of mesh. She wore black combat boots with red laces and a black choker with a little red bat symbol dangling from her throat. Marinette had her hair pull into a high ponytail; with a few looses strands in the front, and she looked absolutely gorgeous.

“Is it alright? Do you think I got the jacket right? I know it’s black and not brown but it fit the look better but now I’m not sure--”

Chloé cut her rambling girlfriend off with a kiss. “You look fantastic, absolutely miraculous.” Chloé winked at the shorter girl.

“Thanks, Chlo. Now put on your outfit!” Marinette smiled brightly and shoved Chloé into the bathroom with a pile of her clothes.

Marinette waited impatiently for her girlfriend. She was already trying to think of anything that could be wrong with it. Hopefully nothing, but it was likely that a stitch was off or a button was loose.

“Ta-da!” Chloé swirled out of the bathroom dress in blue and black. “Am I a wonderful Nightwing or am I a wonderful Nightwing?”

Marinette rolled her eyes at her girlfriends antics but beamed once she took in the outfit.

“You look amazing!”

Chloé wore a tight electric blue dress with a back t-shirt under it. It hugged her curves and showed of her athletic body. She had her blonde hair down with a small ponytail pulling the top part back in a small ponytail, tied with a blue scrunchie. She was wearing calf high black socks with blue converse. For accessories, Chloé wore several black rings, a black bracelet, and a small round purse--also black. Her lips were glossed with light pink lipgloss and her eyes were done with smokey eyeshadow.

Marinette rushed forward and immediately checked for anything amiss, but there was nothing. Chloé‘s outfit was perfect (and so was she).

“It’s all thanks to you, Bug.” Chloé wrapped her girlfriend in a hug and kissed her all over the girl’s face, making Marinette giggle.

“Ready to go down and see the others?”

Marinette nodded, waiting as the Kwami’s flew into her bag. “Let’s do it!”

The two held hands and walked to the elevator.

---

“I AM BATMAN!” Kim jumped out from the vending machine as Chloé and Marinette exited the elevator, he deepened his voice to a gravelly drawl.

Marinette shrieked and Chloé snorted at Kim.

He was, in fact, dressed like Batman. Kim wore a large black sweatshirt with gray sleeves and hood. He wore black jeans and black and grey sneakers. Similar to Marinette, he had on his own choker, except, unlike Marinette, it didn’t have any charms. He wore rings of black gold and black on every finger.

Marinette squealed and jumped forward to hug him, letting go of Chloé’s hand. “You look awesome! Does it fit okay?”

Kim grinned down at his friend, “Yup, all good.” He flicked Marinette between the eyes as she let go.

Kim put his hands on his hips and posed, “Robin! Come see Red Hood and Nightwing! They’ve finally joined us!”

From behind a trash can that he had been waiting behind, sprung Adrien, dressed like a blonde Robin.

“Yes, Batman!” Adrien jumped beside Kim, copying his pose.

Adrien had on a large red sweater with a black shirt underneath, showing off the collar. Two yellow R’s were embroidered on the collar. He wore black sweatpants with two yellow and green stripes down the sides. His converse were black with little red, yellow, and green R’s. Adrien also had on several black, yellow, red, and green bracelets. Black eyeliner adorned his eyes--how did he make it so sharp? Marinette wanted to know.

Marinette grinned at the pair. “Wait, where’s Nino?” She glanced around, wondering if there was another trash can he was hiding behind.

“You mean--” Nino jumped out from Kwami knows where and copied the other boys’ pose. “--Red Robin!”

Chloé groaned as the three boys posed and acted like they were in a photoshoot. Marinette was elated! They all looked so amazing!

“Nino! You look so fabulous!”

It was true, Nino looked amazing. He wore grey skinny jeans with rips at the knees, for footwear he had on black converse with red stripes running near the bottom. Nino had on a short sleeved blood red t-shirt over a long sleeved black shirt. Over the t-shirt was a giant yellow X that went all the way to the back. Nino also wore his black eyebrow stud piercing.

“You guys are such dorks,” Chloé said fondly, patting Adrien on the shoulder as she passed them. The other’s turned to follow behind.

“You guys took forever to get down here, by the way. Kim’s been complaining about food for forever.” Nino grumbled, ignoring the indignant sound Kim made.

The group got in line at the buffet to get their breakfast. Marinette plunked some eggs down on her plate and grabbed a chocolate croissant

“You guys didn’t have to get up so early for me, you know.” Marinette said, biting her lip.

“Oh, boo. We’re making sure you’re not left behind again. Mari!” Kim announced, plopping down at a table.

“Geez, Kim, you’re so freaking loud.” Nino elbowed his friend in the ribs and sat down beside him.

“I’m not loud, I’m just hearable.” Kim shoved a scoop of waffle in his mouth.

“That’s not a word, you dolt Chloé said and rolled her eyes.

“What the hell is a dolt?”

“You, apparently.” Adrien snickered, sitting down on Marinette’s other side, The ravenette snorted and poked his arm.

“It’s way too early for you guys to be so annoying.” Nino muttered. “I haven’t even had coffee yet.” He leaned across the table and stole Marinette’s coffee as she was raising it to her lips.

“Bastard!” Marinette wailed. “Give it back!”

Nino took a huge gulp and handed the mug back to Marinette, you sent him a glare that would make even Mr. Freeze take a step back.

Nino just smirked back.

While Marinette chugged her coffee and the other’s ate, the clock ticked by until it was 8:00 am. The rest of the class would be up soon, or maybe they would sleep in.

“Ugh, she’s here.” Lila whisper yelled to Lila as they entered the dining room.

“I know right? And what is she wearing?” Alya laughed.

Yeah, laugh it up bitch. You weren’t laughing when I refused to give you the Fox miraculous again.

Marinette grimaced, suddenly she needed something much stronger than coffee.

“Oh, wow. Look guys!” Adrien drawled, “It’s a human cantaloupe and her sidekick: fake reporter wannabe.”

Nino snorted into his orange juice and Kim choked on his bacon

While Lila made a squawking sound similar to that of a pelican, Marinette giggled uncontrollably.

“Kitty, you know you’ll only piss her off more.” Marinette chided, but her continuous giggles ruined the affect of her attempted stern tone. Adrien was beaming at her and Marinette could practically see his tail wearing.

“Well, we wouldn’t want that. But I have to wonder, what would a screaming orange look like?”

This sent the table into another fit of laughter.

Throughout the next half hour, their classmates slowly trickled in, getting their food and waiting for Madame Bustier.

But their teacher didn’t show until almost 9:00 am--which was when their bus to the gardens would be arriving. Marinette  rolled her eyes as her teacher rushed through breakfast.

“Okay class! Let’s get going!”

The Ivy Botanical Gardens were beautiful.

Everywhere Marinette looked she was struck by inspiration. And with her friends beside her, it was hard not to feel giddy and excited.

"Red Hood! Come check out these Cattails!" Adrien called out. "They're paws-itively purrfect!"

Marinette laughed at the name--the group decided to call each other the names of the vigilantes they were dressed as for fun--and walked over to where Adrien was sitting by the pond, smiling giddily. He beamed at her from the grass as she crouched beside him.

Marinette was hit with inspiration and began sketching out a new design. A pale green dress with flowy sleeves and small lily pads all over. The sleeves were made of tool, meant to be light and flowy. Beside the dress, Marinette sketched a hair clip with two Cattails going out of the top in a V shape.

"Well, Robin. I think this might just be the best place I've ever been to." Marinette joked.

Beside her, Adrien grinned, showing off all his teeth in a blinding smile. Marinette pretended to shield her eyes and yelp.

"Robin! Red Hood! We are here to help! Where is the trouble?" Kim trounced over, once again posing dramatically.

"Batman! Robin's trying to blind me!" Marinette shot up and wailed.

Adrien gasped in mock hurt and jumped up. "Snitches get stitches, Hood!" He tackled her to the ground. The two rolled around for a minute with Kim calling out bets.

"Kim, why are Adrien and Marinette on the ground?" Chloé walked over to stand by Kim.

"Who is this Kim you speak of? I am Batman!"

Chloé rolled her eyes at Kim (who was posing again).

"Nightwing! Batman!" Nino yelled out and ran over from where he had been arguing with Alya.

"Red Robin! Get this fiend off me!" Marinette screeched, who was now standing. Adrien was holding onto her leg for dear life.

"I do not take orders from you, criminal!" Nino announced.

"I am not a criminal! I'm a vigilante with obvious daddy issues!" Marinette called out and wiggled her leg to get Adrien off. His grip tightened.

Chloé laughed and crouched down next to Adrien.

"Robin, off."

Adrien immediately released Marinette and jumped up to stand by her.

"What exactly is going on here?" Dick Grayson said, strolling up to them. He had another boy with him.

He looked...familiar.

"We're vigilantes!" Kim beamed. And as if all of them were part of one mind (at this point they might as well be) the five of them all posed dramatically.

Marinette and Adrien were back to back, she had her hands pointed like guns in the air. Adrien was crossing his arms and grinning. Kim stood behind them with his hands on his hips. In front of Adrien was Chloé, she had her hands poised like she was ready to fight and was kneeling on one knee beside Nino. Nino had his arms flexed dramatically in front of him and was squatting.

Dick snorted at the group. They looked ridiculous posing like that.

But Marinette wasn't focused on him.

She was staring at the boy beside him. Just like Dick, he had black hair--but it had a bluish tint to it and a white tuft in front.. He had a few freckles over his nose, just like Marinette. His eyes were a bluebell shade and were fixed on her.

He looked nervous. Nervous enough that the alarms in Marinette's head were ringing.

Around him, his energy was crackling. That was another thing Marinette learned being the Guardian, she could read someone's energy to see if they were friend or foe.

"You guys look great today!" Dick said. "Let me guess, Nightwing," he pointed to Chloé. "Robin," he nodded to Adrien, who grinned. "Batman," Dick laughed at pointed to Kim who grinned triumphantly. "Red Robin," he said to Nino. "And Red Hood." Dick was grinning at Marinette like he knew something she didn't.

"Yep, Nette made them." Nino said, poking his friend in the stomach, making her giggle and swat at him.

"Awesome! You guys look great!"

The boy beside Dick still hadn't said anything. He was just staring at Marinette like she should be dead.

"Anyway, this is my brother Ja--"

Dick was cut off by an explosion to their left. On their other side, Marinette's class screamed.

Marinette saw Dick give his brother a glance, if she hadn't been paying attention she wouldn't have seen it at all, and the two boys ran in the opposite direction.

Marinette and her friends exchanged looks, having been through enough battles to remain calm.

The five bolted towards the bathrooms, maybe they could transform and help.

But then they stopped.

Because Scarecrow himself jumped in front of them.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

Ah, fuck.

"Five little heroes all dressed for battle. Maybe I should give them a treat." Scarecrow mused, tapping his chin--or what Marinette assumed was his chin, that sack kind if messed with the effect.

"Eenie meenie miney...you!" Faster than Marinette could see, Scarecrow lunged forward and snatched her by the jacket, twisting her around and shoving his fear toxin gun against her neck.

Marinette froze, knowing that any moment he would inject her with fear gas.

Marinette was shaking, she'd never had a run in with Scarecrow before when she lived in Gotham. She didn't know how to deal with him.

Through the corner of her eye, Marinette could see Scarecrow's goons bringing her classmates to sit behind her friends.

She looked each of her teammates in the eyes. Don't do anything. Leave it.

Adrien was shaking, his eyes wide with fear. He hated to see his partner so defenseless, especially when he couldn't do anything. Chloé was bone white and shock still. She looked about a minute away from a panic attack.

Kim was snarling at Marinette's captor, his fists were clenched so tight they had turned white. Nino looked like he was about to tackle Scarecrow. He was kicking himself mentally, he was the protector, so why couldn't he protect her?

The rest of the class looked scared shitless. Lila was crying--no surprise there, Alya was holding her broken phone in her lap, one of the goons must have broken it when she tried to film the attack. Madame Bustier was knocked out.

Some help she was.

Everyone else looked terrified, Rose had even thrown up, judging by the smell.

Marinette's breathing was erratic, she didn't have a suit to protect her. She didn't have her Lucky Charm or Miraculous cure.

But she was still Ladybug.

And she was going to save everyone, even if it meant giving up herself.

"Tiny little hero, caught in my web. What do you have to say about that, little missy?"

Marinette growled. "Fuck you."

Scarecrows laughed, a deep booming sound that raised the hair on her neck. He might not be on the Jokers level but hearing any sort of villain laugh never meant anything good.

"Oh my, so fearless. Or maybe you aren't...why don't we test that out?"

And then he injected her with fear toxin.

---

Jason was freaking out.

It was Marinette

Marinette Todd.

His sister.

Jason couldn't say a word as he stood beside Dick. All he could do was stare at Marinette.

She looked so happy with her friends, dressed like his adoptive family's vigilante personas.

And Marinette was dressed like him.

She didn't look much different than she did when they were kids. Still shorter than him by at least half a foot. Hair black-blue hair was pulled into a ponytail, longer than it was when they were separated.

Her smile was still so bright, it had always been like that. Even when they were huddling in alleys for warmth.

And she was there.

In Gotham.

So close.

But she didn't seem to recognize him.

"Anyway, this is my brother Ja--"

And then the explosion happened. And Jason had to go.

He never hated being a vigilante more than in that moment.

Him and Dick ran to change, Jason was cursing life the whole time.

And then he heard the scream.

Jason, now dressed in his Red Hood uniform, immediately bolted towards the sound.

Just in time to see his sister drop to the ground.

The GCPD police officers told Marinette that Jason Todd was dead. Beaten to death in a fake Robin suit.

By the Joker.

Marinette couldn't breathe when they told her.

Beaten to death.

It hadn't even been painless.

Her heart had been beating far too fast.

Her head was pounding like a line of a thousand drummers.

Her breathing kept coming out in short bursts. Like something was blocking her air.

The world was tilting.

Marinette was panicking.

The voices of the police officers talking to her turned to distant murmuring.

The sharp scent of blood filled her nose, making her gag and choke.

The cold metal chair that she sat on seemed to disappear.

And suddenly she was falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

And Marinette was screaming.

Screaming for her brother. Her twin. Her best friend. Her partner in crime.

But the screams seemed too real to be a memory.

And it wasn’t her screaming.

And then Marinette remembered.

Gardens. Friends. Explosion. Scarecrow.

Fear toxin.

And screaming, but it wasn't Jason's name she was screaming. She wasn't even the one yelling out.

It was Chloé.

Chloé was screaming her name.

But why?

Gardens. Friends. Explosions. Scarecrow. Fear toxin.

Oh.

Marinette wouldn’t open her eyes.

Because she knew exactly what she would see.

Jason.

Lying still, covered in blood.

Dead.

It was a nightmare she used to have for the months following her brother’s death.

Marinette began to trembled, she fisted her hands and took a deep breathe. It didn’t work. Her breathing became erratic. She could feel her heart racing.

The second he injected her with fear toxin, Scarecrow dropped her so he could take a step back and watch.

“Open your eyes, little hero. The real Red Hood would have opened his eyes.”

His voice was enticing, she wanted to comply, to open her eyes.

“Don’t, Marinette!” She heard Adrien scream before a sharp thud sounded and he went quiet.

Someone hit Adrien.

Fury boiled Marinette’s blood. No one hurt her partner. No one.

Marinette’s eyes snapped open.

And she saw Jason lying in front of her.

But it wasn’t just him. Adrien, Kim, Chloé, Nino, Tom and Sabine.

They all lay dead around her. Their blood was all pooling together.

Marinette pulled herself up, shaking all the while. She stumbled backwards, eyes wide.

And then she heard the laughter.

That sickening, mad laughter.

Marinette whipped around to see the Joker standing over Jason, laughing.

Laughing.

Laughing.

She knew he was the one that killed Jason. The GCPD officers told her.

And then she saw it again, in the newspaper. Black and white and bloody.

Marinette growled and took a step forward.

That bastard.

He killed her family, her brother, her friends.

So she was going to kill him.

Marinette lunged forward with a snarl.

And she grabbed Joker by the throat.

“You fucking bastard!” She screamed, slamming her fists into the Joker’s face.

His laughter had seized and now the green bastard was gasping for air as she wrapped her hands around his throat, squeezing with all her might.

Faintly, Marinette heard someone call her name.

“Get her off of me!” the Joker screamed. Someone grabbed Marinette’s hood and yanked.

She didn’t move.

Marinette bared her teeth at the Joker, more animal than human, and let go of his throat to punch him in the face again.

“Marinette!”

That made Marinette pause.

It sounded like Jason.

“Pixie!”

Marinette whipped her head around to see Hawkmoth rushing forward, an Akuma at his heels. The Akuma was Syren, the mermaid that flooded Paris and killed almost two million people.

That day was horrible. Two million dead. Marinette broke down that day, even after Syren was defeated and she used her Miraculous Cure.

Two million dead.

And now her friends and family were too.

Hawkmoth ran forward and tackled her while she was frozen, throwing her off the Joker.

“No! he killed Jason! Let go of me!” Marinette screeched, tears leaked down her face. When had she started crying?

“Pix, I’m here. I’m right here.” Hawkmoth whispered. No, no-- who was this man to call her that? Only Jason called her that.

Marinette screamed and attempted to get away from him, but his grip was firm.

He was going to kill her and take her Miraculous and hurt Tikki--

Marinette could distantly hear the Joker being subdued, but she couldn’t see with her face pressed against Hawkmoth’s chest.

“Bug? oh my god, please be okay!” She could hear her friends--her dead friends--surrounding her.

“Marinette! It’s okay, Mari, I’m here. It’s me okay? It’s Chloé, your Bee.” Chloé‘s voice was broken, but how was she talking?

“No!” Marinette cried, “You’re--you’re dead. You’re not here.” She was sobbing now, clutching at Hawkmoth. She squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered.

“Nette, It’s us. We’re not dead.” Nino said softly.

“Pix, it’s okay, you’re okay.” Hawkmoth murmured to her, petting her hair the way Jason used to when she was sad.

“No, no, no, no, no.” Marinette was shaking her head and mumbling frantically.

“It’s gonna be okay, Pix. Batman will be here in a minute with the antidote.”

“No! Batman doesn’t help! No, no, no--”

Batman didn’t help when Willis and Catherine Todd died. He didn’t help when they had to live on the streets or steal to survive. He didn’t help when Jason and her were separated.

And he didn’t help when Jason was murdered.

Marinette was shaking violently.

She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t--

Something pricked her neck. Marinette sucked in a breath as her vision tilted.

Her heart rate slowed. Her breathing evened out. Marinette stopped shaking so much.

She stilled completely.

And slumped over into Chloé‘s arms.

---

Jason didn’t know what to do. Marinette was half-conscious in the blonde girl’s arms. The girl was stroking Marinette’s hair and murmuring sweet nothings to her. She had tear tracks leaking down her pale face.

“Hood. Let’s get her to an ambulance.” Nightwing placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder. When Jason looked up at him from where he sat on the ground, the look on Nightwing’s face was full of pity.

That snapped Jason right out of it. He brushed Nightwing’s hand away and glared at him.

“Yeah, let’s go.” He said a bit gruffly. If Jason’s voice was watery, that was his business.

When Jason tried to scoop Marinette up, the blonde glared at him. Marinette’s other friends gathered around the girls like a shield, sending him equal glares.

Jason blinked, “I’m just going to take her to an ambulance to be checked out.” He hoped he didn’t sound as annoyed as he felt.

“We’re coming too.” The tall black boy said, he was dressed like Replacement.

Jason huffed but nodded, but when he tried to pick up Marinette again the buff boy dressed like Batman blocked him. The boy crossed his arms and glared at Jason.

“I’ll carry her.”

“Fine.” Jason bit out. Even if they were Marinette’s friends, they were starting to get on his nerves.

The group passed Marinette’s other classmates, they were almost to the ambulance when one dark-skinned girl with glasses stopped him.

“You’re Red Hood! Can I get an interview for my blog?” The girl asked, she already had her phone out and aimed at him. It was cracked and had a few glass chips falling off. She must have tried to film Scarecrow like an idiot.

“No.”

The girl looked aghast. “What? But I--”

“I’m kind of busy here if you can’t fucking see.” Jason growled. Marinette needed help and this stupid kid wouldn’t let him pass.

“With Marinette?” The girl looked past him at his limp twin. She scoffed and waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh she’s fine, she’s always been such a dramatic attention seeker.”

Rage boiled up inside of Jason, he would’ve punched or shot the bitch if Nightwing hadn’t walked over and grabbed his arm.

“Don’t, She’s not worth it.”

And for once, Jason listened. Marinette needed him more than this fucker needed a punch to the skull.

Jason turned back to Marinette and her friends, who were all looking just as murderous as he felt. Especially the boy dressed as Red Robin.

The tall, buff boy set Marinette down in the ambulance to be checked out by a paramedic.

After the paramedic was done, Marinette took four minutes and thirty-four seconds to wake up. Jason counted the whole time.

Before he could step forward to talk to his twin, Batman placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You want to tell me what's going on with you?"

Jason flinched. "I--she's, we're--ugh." He couldn't say it. How was he supposed to tell Batman that she was his twin sister that he never thought she'd see again? How was he supposed to explain to Batman that he kept her a secret for five years?

"Is she your girlfriend?" Batman asked, his eyes remained fixed on Marinette. The blonde girl was hugging her fiercely like if she let go Marinette would disappear.

The boys stood around her, waiting for their turn for a hug.

Jason wanted a hug.

"Ew, B. She my--" Jason made a face.

"Sister. They’re twins." Nightwing said, appearing on Batman's other side.

Jason glared at him. "I was gonna tell him!"

Nightwing shrugged. "I didn't really think you would."

For the first time since Jason met him, Batman looked shocked. Even when Jason died he had remained stoic, but now? Now he looked genuinely surprised.

"You have a sister? And you didn't tell me?"

Jason crossed his arms and gave Batman a pointed look. "I didn't trust you when we met. And then I died and stuff."

"Why weren't you together when I found you?"

Jason flinched. He really, really didn't want to talk about this now. He just wanted to go talk to Marinette.

"Can we talk about this later?" Even to himself, Jason sounded tired.

Batman sighed but nodded. "Fine. Meet me at home in an hour."

With that, he left, leaving Nightwing to elbow Jason in the ribs and grin.

"Go talk to our new sister! I can't wait for B to adopt her!"

And then he left.

Jason sighed and stepped towards his sister. He couldn't make sense of his jumbled emotions, they were all too entangled.

"Bug, I'm so glad you're okay! We were so scared!"

Jason heard the blonde boy wail to Marinette, hugging her around the neck. Marinette patted him on the back and smiled gently. She was obviously used to her friend's dramatics.

"Marinette? Can I talk to you?" He could do this. He was Red fucking Hood. He was a a vigilante and past crime lord.

He could talk to his sister.

Marinette looked at him curiously and was about to respond when the dark-skinned boy and the tall guy stepped in front of her.

"Why? She's still recovering." The dark-skinned boy said, narrowing his eyes.

"It's really a private matter."

This wasn't working.

Jason sighed and tugged at the bottom of his jacket.

"Guys, it's fine. He's not gonna hurt me." Marinette said, staring up only to wobble.

Jason lurched forward to catch her. "We can talk here, don't waste your energy."

Marinette bit her lip and nodded.

Her friends were hesitant to leave but one look from Marinette sent them trudging away. The blonde girl gave Jason the 'I'm watching you' gesture and kissed Marinette on the cheek.

The two sat in silence for a moment. It was too awkward. Why was it so awkward? Oh wait, maybe because he was a stranger wearing a fucking helmet.

"So...what did you want to talk about?"

"I--" Jason cringed. Why did this have to be so hard?

He sighed. What he was about to do would compromise his identity.

Jason reached into his jacket pocket.

And he handed her the clip.

Marinette stared at the clip in her palm for what seemed like hours.

Her mouth was open in shock. She wouldn't stop blinking.

Slowly, as if unsure, she turned to Jason, who steeled himself for what was about to happen.

"Where did you get this?"

"You gave it to me. The day we were separated. I was going to help you put your hair up but the crowd swept you away."

Marinette was silent. She stared at Jason like she wasn't convinced.

"You're dead."

Well, that wasn't what he expected her to say.

Jason put his head in his hands and groaned.

"Well, it didn't stick."

"You're fucking with me." Marinette bit out, she wanted to bash her head into a wall.

How could Red Hood know so much about her?

"If I was fucking with you how would I know you and I were homeless for years after Catherine and Willis died? Or that you wanted to steal the Batmobile's tires before I talked you out of it? Or that I called you Pixie Pop to annoy you? Or that--"

"Okay I get it!" Marinette jumped to her feet, wobbling a little but catching herself against the ambulance door.

Jason looked up at her, hoping that even through the helmet she would understand that he wasn't lying.

What if she didn't believe him? What if he fucked up his last chance to get his sister back?

"What can I do to prove it to you?" Don't say nothing, please don't say nothing.

"I-- I don't know."

Jason wanted to cry.

"License? Birth certificate? Weird adopted parents?" Jason was pleading now, he didn't care about his dignity.

"Show me the picture. If you were really Jason then you'd still have it."

The picture. The picture!

Jason was smiling hopefully as he reached into his pocket for where he usually kept the photo.

But it wasn't there.

Because Dick still had it.

Dick still had it.

Jason was desperate as he searched all his pockets just in case.

"Fuck, fuck. I gave it to Dick so he could confirm it was you and he never--fuck!"

Marinette was unimpressed.

"Give me twenty minutes. I can go get it! Dick still has it!"

Marinette crossed her arms. "Why?"

Fuck, why did she have to be so stubborn?

Oh yeah, because she was related to Jason.

"Twenty minutes!" Jason called out as he bolted away.

---

This was fucking insane.

Red Hood couldn't be Jason. Jason couldn’t be Red hood.

Jason was dead. And Red Hood most definitely was not.

But Marinette waited anyway.

She really, really wanted Red Hood to be right.

It didn't stick.

That's what Red Hood said.

It didn't stick.

She kept waiting.

Once her friends realized that the vigilante was gone, they came back over to bring her back to the hotel for some rest.

"I can't leave. It's important."

"Bug! You just got hit with fear toxin! You need to sleep!"

"Adrien, I'm fine. And I need to wait."

Chloé sat beside Marinette and wrapped an arm around her. "Why? What's going on?"

Marinette just shook her head. She didn't like withholding information from her team, but she needed to be sure it really was Jason before she told them.

It was just too important.

Marinette gripped the clip tightly. It was her biggest piece of evidence that it really was Jason under the helmet.

Hope wrapped itself around her heart and squeezed.

Twenty minutes.

It didn't stick.

It was such a Jason response.

Even when they were kids, Jason had always tried to make light of bad situations. He would joke and poke fun at anything that would make Marinette frown.

Marinette waited with her friends, Tikki had come out to sit on her shoulder, cuddling her gently.

Five Minutes.

Ten minutes.

Fifteen minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Marinette was sitting nervously. What if he didn’t come home? What if he brought a different picture?

Twenty-five minutes.

Thirty.

Fourty.

He wasn’t coming.

Twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Jason had twenty minutes to find and bring the picture to Marinette.

But he couldn’t find it.

Because Dick still had the picture.

And Dick wasn’t home.

“Bruce! Where’s Dick?” Jason was racing towards the oldest Wayne. “He’s not in his room and I need to get something from him!”

Bruce looked unfazed by Jason, who hadn’t changed out of his Red Hood suit yet.

“Dick’s on patrol, he wanted to check everything out after the whole Scarecrow incident.”

Jason flinched, seeing his sister injected with fear toxin was terrifying. When she had screamed out his name, Jason wanted to throw up. It was his fault she was seeing him. If he hadn’t gone after Joker that day, he would have been able to find her sooner.

And she wouldn’t have seen his dead body.

“Well I need to talk to him!” Jason was panicking now, he only had twenty minutes.

“And we need to talk.” Bruce gestured for Jason to follow him into the sitting room.

“What? B, this is important! It’s about--”

“Your sister, I know.”

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no--

“That’s what we need to talk about. Why you were keeping her hidden for six years?”

Well, this wasn’t good. Bruce sounded seriously miffed.

Maybe Jason could speed this along? He would talk to Bruce, find Dick, and get the picture to Marinette. He could do it.

“I wouldn’t say I kept her hidden, I mean, I didn’t really know where she was either.” Jason tugged at his jacket nervously.

Bruce looked unimpressed. “Why? Where has she been?”

Paris, apparently.

“Um, France?”

Bruce blinked at his son, folding his arms across his chest. “Excuse me?” He said.

“We were separated a few months before you adopted me and she was taken to Paris. I don’t know why or how, that’s why I need to leave right now to find Dick.”

Bruce sighed, “We’re finishing this conversation later.” He waved Jason off.

Jason shot up and raced away, calling out “Thanks, B!” as he ran.

He checked his watch, 11:47 am. 6 minutes left.

That wasn’t enough time.

Shit.

Jason climbed up the nearest building and raced across the rooftops, heading for Dick’s usual patrol sector.

“Di--Nightwing!” Jason called out, practically tackling his adoptive brother.

“Hey, Hood! How’d the talk go?” Nightwing said and grinned at Jason.

“Shut up! I need the picture!” Jason yelled frantically.

“Doesn’t she believe you? You two are basically the same person, although she's a lot nicer. Want me to talk to her?” Jason could tell Nightwing was trying to be helpful but right now he was far too panicky.

“No! I just need the damn picture!” Jason was gripping Nightwing by the shoulders, digging into his kevlar suits armor.

Nightwing pried Jason’s fingers off his suit, smiling gently the whole time. It pissed Jason off. He was running out of time to finally reconnect with his twin.

“Nightwing!”

“I’ve got it, Hood.” Nightwing reached into one of his hidden pockets to get the picture.

“Come on, Nightwing! I only have--” Jason checked his watch, 12:01.

He was out of time.

But maybe she was still waiting? Marinette’s curiosity had always gotten the best of her, often leading them into dangerous situations. Jason remembered all the times he had to pry Marinette away from eavesdropping on a gang meeting or jump in to stop her from stopping a mugger.

Marinette had always been too curious for the streets.

“Here it is!” Nightwing looked far too pleased with himself. Jason attempted to snatch it out of his hand.

"Nuh, uh, uh!" Nightwing, the infuriating bastard, grinned and jumped out of Jason's range. "Tell me why you need it!"

Jason clenched his fists. He was running out of time. Marinette might wait a little longer but she wouldn't stay there forever. Especially with her friends trying to take care if her.

"God damn it, Dick! She doesn't believe me and I need the picture as proof!"

Nightwing stilled, the teasing grin on his face melting away. "Does she seriously not believe you?" Nightwing's voice was practically dripping with concern.

Jason couldn't take it.

He lunged forward and tackled Nightwing against the roof. He snatched the picture from his adoptive brother’s hand, taking a moment to smooth it out before he bolted away.

Back to his sister.

Please be there. Please be there. Please be there. Please--

Jason skidded to a halt in front of the Ivy Botanical Gardens. He looked around hopefully.

She had to be there. She needed to be there.

But there wasn't a single sign of the ambulance his sister was sitting in. Of her friends. Of the police.

Of Marinette.

She left.

She left.

She left.

Jason let out a pained yell and threw his helmet. He didn't care if anyone saw him.

He didn't care.

His sister, the one person he could trust in his life and with his life.

His twin, the one person he took care of and who took care of him when they were still on the streets.

She was his best friend and he needed her to be there. They needed to reconnect. To be friends again. They needed to be twins against.

But Marientte Todd wasn't waiting for him.

She had left.

Left.

Left.

Left.

The word echoed in his head.

Left.

Left.

Left.

Marinette Todd had left him.

But Jason didn’t blame her, he had taken too long. Jason shouldn’t have ever let Dick take the picture. If he had just kept the picture he would’ve have all the proof he needed but he, like a fucking idiot, let Dick borrow the picture.

Left.

Left.

Left

Jason smacked himself in the forehead, squeezing his eyes shut so he wouldn’t cry. He hadn’t cried since he first lost Marinette. And now he was losing her all over again.

Left.

Left.

Left.

Marinette had always been the twin to deal with her emotions properly. She would laugh and cry and scream with rage whenever she felt like it.

Left.

Left.

 Left.

But Jason couldn’t do that. He could never let his emotions out. All he felt after Bruce adopted him was loneliness and anger. And then after the Pit, just anger.

Just anger. 

Nothing but unfiltered, untamable anger.

But then Dick told him he found his sister.

And there it was, like a spark of light in the all-consuming darkness. Water in the hot desert.

Hope that was now squashed.

Left.

Left

Le--

“Jay?”

Marinette didn’t want to leave.

Her bones were heavy and her brain was mush. She felt like garbage with more garbage on top. Streaks of dried tear tracks itched on her face and her ponytail was drooping.

But she didn’t want to leave.

With every second Jason--Red Hood--was gone, the hope in Marinette’s chest shrunk just a little bit.

When had she started thinking of him as Jason?

Maybe the second he gave her the clip.

Or when he asked to talk to her.

Or when he tackled her off the joker--Scarecrow, he wasn’t actually the Joker.

Marinette already thought of Red Hood as her dead brother, living.

But it wasn’t possible.

Jason was murdered five years ago by the Joker. He couldn’t be alive and beating up super villains.

“It’s not possible,” Marinette groaned to herself and set her head in her hands, bringing her knees to her chest.

Tikki floated up out of Marinette’s purse and pried Marinette’s hands away from her face.

“Marinette! You know that anything is possible! You’ve done things that seem impossible!” Tikki squeaked, smiling at her Chosen.

“Yeah!” Kaalki said in agreement, coming up to float by Tikki, out of sight.

Marinette frowned at the Kwamis. “But that was magic, I couldn’t have done those things if I wasn’t Ladybug.”

Tikki huffed and crossed her tiny arms. “You know very well that you are Ladybug, in or out of the suit.”

Marinette bit her lip, unconvinced.

“And besides, maybe he was brought back to life with magic! Didn’t you feel his weird energy?” Kaalki grinned.

Marinette had felt it. The energy surrounding Jason--Red Hood--was...dangerous.

Marinette sighed and stood up. “I felt it, but that’s something to deal with later. Right now, It’s time to go.” Marinette sighed, feeling her shoulders droop. Red Hood wasn’t coming back. “He’s out of time.”

Tikki and Kaalki exchanged a glance before darting back into Marinette’s purse.

“Bug! You ready to go?” Adrien slipped into place beside her, grinning widely as he slung an arm over her shoulder.

Marinette smiled back before checking her phone’s clock.

12:04.

She didn’t have any time left to give Jason--Red Hood.

“Well,” Chloé said, falling into line on Marinette’s other side, grabbing her girlfriend’s hand and kissing her cheek. “I think we should go back to the hotel and watch movies the rest of the day.”

“Ooh! We can get room service!” Kim called out, appearing on Adrien’s other side.

Nino knocked shoulders with Chloé from the outside of their line. “Are you never not thinking about food?” He said, throwing an incredulous look at Kim.

Marinette zoned out as they bickered, feeling better touching and being near her friends. The fear toxin had fucked with her head but feeling how alive all her friends were was calming.

And then there was a crash from back where the ambulances had been.

Marinette skidded to a halt. Was it...?

“Nette?” Nino asked, looking back to his frozen friend. “You alright?”

Marinette didn’t answer. She barely even saw the concerned looks her friends gave her.

All she did was turn around and run.

Marinette felt the hope blossom in her chest, blooming until it spilled out of her smile like the blinding sun.

“Jay?” She called out. Please, please, please--

“Pixie Pop?”

Marinette grinned as she saw her brother turn to look at her, his helmet was several feet away. It must have been the crash she heard.

Call it intuition--twintuition--but Marinette knew immediately when she saw him.

Earlier, when Marinette first saw him with Dick, she had thought he looked familiar. But now, seeing him again, close up, everything clicked into place.

His eyes were the same shade of blue she saw every morning when she looked in the mirror. His hair was mussed, but still black as midnight, all except for a small patch of white in the front. His freckles were less prominent but they were still visible, splattered across his nose like paint.

Marinette grinned and leaped at her brother.

Her brother.

Her very much alive and breathing brother.

She was a fucking idiot. She should’ve just told him to take off his helmet instead of demanding to look for a picture from six years ago.

Jason squeezed her tightly, laughing slightly. “Hey, Pix.”

“I’m sorry,” Marinette mumbled into his chest--she was so much shorter than him now. “I shouldn’t have made you leave.”

“It’s okay, I would’ve done the same.” Jason pulled back from the hug and ruffled her hair gently, grinning the whole time.

Marinette grinned up at her twin before her expression turned serious. “You have some serious explaining to do, Jay! You died. Your death was in the paper! ‘Son of billionaire Bruce Wayne killed by the Joker!’ you were dead!” Marinette yelled out, shoving Jason in the chest. Jason smiled sheepishly.

“Pix, I’m sorry. I did die, but like I said: it didn’t really stick.” Jason looked like he was trying not to laugh as he went to retrieve his helmet.

How dare he laugh at her! Marinette would have strangled Jason if she wasn’t so happy to see him.

“And another thing! You’re a fucking vigilante! And you just revealed your identity like an idiot!” Marinette scowled at Jason, who grinned in return.

“Why do you think I was even with Joker in the first place? I was hunting him down.” Jason shrugged.

He looked more comfortable with the helmet on. Like he was trying to hide.

Marinette huffed, “Well--”

She was cut off by Kim tackling her brother to the ground. “Back off, creep!” Kim yelled as he and Jason rolled.

Even with the helmet covering his face, Marinette could tell Jason was shocked by being tackled by a 6′0″ teenager dressed like Batman.

“Hey!” Marinette tried to jump in to help but was caught by Nino and Adrien.

“It’s okay, Bug! Kim’s got him.” Adrien wrapped an arm protectively over his partner’s shoulder. Marinette knew they were only trying to help, but it pissed her off that even after she defeated Hawkmoth they still tried to protect her like she couldn’t fight for herself.

Before Marinette could call her friends off, Nino said, “Though I do think Chloé might kill that creep for touching you.”

The girl in question was stalking towards Jason like a predator. She was snarling at Marinette’s brother in a way that made Marinette shiver.

“How fucking dare you touch her!” Chloé spat out, voice dripping with venom. She grabbed Jason and yanked him into a standing position before kneeing him hard where the sun doesn’t shine.

“Chloé, no!” Marinette pulled herself away from Nino and Adrien to pull her girlfriend away from Jason, who was groaning painfully.

Chloé struggled against Marinette, but all those years as Ladybug allowed the ravenette to keep a tight hold on the blonde.

Kim was sitting on the ground glaring daggers at Jason.

“Jesus, Pix, call off your attack dogs!” Jason groaned out, he was slightly bent over with pain.

Don’t talk to her you bastard!” Kim looked ready to tackle Jason again so Marinette let go of Chloé to set a hand on his arm.

“Guys, he wasn’t being creepy!”

“We saw him touching you, Bug!” Adrien said, growling at her twin. Adrien tried to grab at Jason before the vigilante twisted around--finally focused enough to defend himself--and practically throw Adrien across his shoulder.

Adrien yelped at he hit the ground.

Marinette was starting to panic, no one was listening to her and they were attacking each other. This was not how she wanted her friends to meet Jason.

Marinette snarled and yelled, “Everyone stop!”

As the Miraculous team leader and the Guardian of the miraculous, Marinette had a way about her that screamed authority. She could make her voice more commanding and authoritative so those listening had no choice but to listen.

And it worked like a charm.

Everyone froze.

Chloé had her fist raised to hit Jason again, a look of pure fury on her face. Nino was next to Marinette, ever the protector. Adrien was up from the ground, he had stopped mid-step and was wobbling. Kim was on the ground, grabbing Jason’s leg and a second away from biting it. Jason had his fists raised for a fight.

Marinette let out a huff. “You are all being ridiculous! Red Hood wasn’t being a weirdo, okay? So if all of you would knock it off so we can talk like civilized people, that’d be great.”

She crossed her arms and waited for all the heroes to separate.

Adrien, who had been fully prepared to jump on Jason’s back and claw his eyes out, huffed before moving to stand beside Marinette.

“So what’s the deal then, Bug? After you ran away--”

“Stupid decision by the way, you almost died an hour ago.” Kim interrupted from where he had reluctantly let go of Jason’s leg. Adrien glared at him, he hated being interrupted.

“Not that all your decisions are stupid, you are team leader, but that one wasn’t great.” Nino added, scratching at his arm--his nervous habit.

Marinette snorted at her friend’s words.

“What these idiots are trying to say, Bug, is that you ran away and we saw you hugging this creep.” Chloé sniffed haughtily, nodding her head in Jason’s direction.

“I’m not a creep, and you’re just as annoying as the real Nightwing, Blue.”

“Did you just call me blue? How dare you!” Chloé looked ready to take another swing at Jason, so Marinette quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back.

“Bee, it’s fine. He didn’t mean it.” Marinette whispered to Chloé, it was an awkward angle with Marinette standing slightly behind the taller girl, but it worked. Chloé relaxed against her girlfriend, still grumbling lightly about being yellow and not blue.

Jason studied the two girls for a minute, watching as Marinette calmed down the crazy blonde. The other boys stood around comfortably, like they were used to this sort of thing.

“Okay,” Marinette let loose a breath. “Red Hood is a friend, and I was hugging him because I haven’t seen him for a while.”

Marinette didn’t want to lie to her friends and her girlfriend, but they wouldn’t believe her if she told them Red Hood was Jason Tod, dead brother of Marinette Todd.

Chloé was once again the first to react. She stalked forward and poked a finger at Jason’s chest. “If you lay a hand on my girlfriend I’m going to break it and then, then I’m going to break the rest of you.”

Jason nodded, his helmet emotionless (like helmets should be). “Deal, and if you hurt her,” He leaned down so he was level with Chloé. “I’m going to drop you from Wayne Enterprises.”

None of the boys stepped forward to reprimand Jason for threatening Chloé, they knew she could take care of herself. And they had each given her similar shovel talks when the girls had first started dating.

Chloé‘s only response to the threat was a sharp grin that looked more like she was baring her teeth.

Marinette sighed, “Alright, now that that’s out of the way, you all need to go back to the hotel. I need to talk to Red Hood.”

All her friends gaped. “What?” Adrien practically screamed. “You were just injected with fear toxin! You need to rest!” He was shaking Marinette by the shoulders now, something that was the opposite of resting.

“I-- Adrien knock it off!” He let go, looking sheepish. “I know that I should rest, but I really, really need to talk to him. You guys go have fun, explore, stay safe though.” Marinette lightly shoved Adrien away, gesturing for her friends to leave.

Thankfully, there were no more arguments, just a few suspicious looks thrown in his direction.

Marinette turned back to her brother--her brother, it was weird saying that now.

“Alright, let’s talk.”

“First order of business,” Marinette said, poking her brother in the arm. “How did good ol’ Batsy react to you being one of the kids to steal his tires?”

Jason laughed, a deep sound that made Marinette grin.

She missed laughing with him.

“He has no fucking clue. But every time I see the Batmobile it’s so hard not to laugh,” Jason leaned back against the wall.

The two were sitting next to the ticket window to the gardens; they had closed early because of the attack.

Jason had looted around for some peanuts at the snack bar for them to munch on. He claimed that it was “payment” for being an “awesome vigilante”, Marinette had smacked him in the arm but took the peanuts anyway.

Marinette threw one of the peanuts at Jason from the opposite wall. “Hear me out, what if we break into the Batcave and steal the tires again.”

Jason sat criss-cross-applesauce and put his chin (helmet?) on his hand, then he shot up like he had a revelation. “We could sell them on eBay!”

A slow grin spread on Marinette’s face, “Hell yeah!”

“That’ll piss him off!” Jason cheered, flopping down on the ground.

Marinette was laughing so hard she couldn’t breath. Her shoulders were shaking and her chest hurt.

She hadn’t laughed like that for a long time.

“So,” She started, trying to shake off her giggles. “So, how exactly are you...not dead?”

The two sobered up completely at her words. The world was still. Silent.

It was a long moment before Jason spoke, and when he did, it was barely above a whisper. “The Lazarus Pits.”

Marinette scooted closer to him, smiling gently.

“The...Pits?” Despite her time in Gotham, Marinette had no idea about the Lazarus Pits other than a few stray words.

Jason nodded and sighed. “Yeah, after the Joker unalived me--”

Marinette raised her eyebrows at ‘unalive’ and snorted.

“Yeah yeah, so after he unalived me, I went to Ra’s al Ghul and he resurrected me in the Pits. And that’s pretty much it.”

Marinette scoffed. “’And that’s pretty much it’ Jesus, Jay, you died!” That’s not ‘just it!’ what the hell?” She smacked him in the arm and glared.

Jason made a sound closer to a dying whale than a human and he rolled away from her.

“Pix! That’s so mean! I died and you’re telling me off!” Jason screeched, moving to a sitting position to wail some more.

Marinette giggled. “Now you’re acting as dramatic as Adrien!”

“Is that the blonde one that looks like he would wear cat ears to school?” Jason said, making little cat ears with his fingers.

Marinette laughed, he had no idea how right he was. “That’s the one! He’s such a drama queen.” She grinned fondly at the memory of her partner doing such idiotic stuff. Once he fell off a building because I was rolling around in “pain”.

“Alright, so tell me about your weird friends. Especially your girlfriend.” Jason teased. Marinette couldn’t see his face, but she assumed Jason had on a shit eating grin.

Marinette flushed a bright red. “That’s Chloé, we started dating a few years ago. She’s so brave and beautiful and I love her so much.”

“I’m glad you found her, Pix. She seems perfect for you.” It was one of those moments when Jason wasn’t joking or teasing, he was completely genuine. It felt like a massive weight was being taken of her shoulders at those words.

“Me too.” Marinette said softly. She blinked for a moment, looking down at her lap. “Okay, so enough of that!” She threw a peanut at her brother. “It’s weird seeing you be sincere!”

“I can be sincere!” Jason said, dodging the peanut and sending another one her way.

“Sure, Jay.” Marinette laughed.

Jason grumbled for a minute. “So, what about the others? That tall kid’s got a good tackle.”

Marinette snorted, “Kim. He was my first friend in Paris. Crazy, tall, proud. I love him so much but Kim’s got some flaws, just like the rest of us.”

“He’s an idiot.”

Marinette shot a glare at her brother and threw another peanut at him. The peanut hit his helmet with a ping and bounced off.

“Don’t be an ass!”

“I can be an ass if I so choose!”

Marinette blew a raspberry at her brother. “Okay, Mr. Shakespeare. You can shove those fancy words right up your--”

“Nuh, uh, uhh! Bad words are for delinquents!” Jason chided, shaking his head.

Marinette rolled her eyes. “Oh sure, says the guy that’s been swearing since we started talking.”

Jason gasped in mock hurt, clutching at his heart. “That’s not-- how rude.”

Marinette grinned. “I’ve won!” She cheered, throwing her arms up in the air.

“Yeah, yeah. For now, Pix!” Jason screeched.

"Sure, Jay. Sure." Marinette rolled her eyes and playfully shoved her brother.

"No! Traitor! A betrayal of the highest order! Twins don't shoved other twins you fiend!" Jason yelled, gasping dramatically.

"Well twins don't--"

"What the fuck?"

Marinette and Jason froze.

---

“Shh! She’s going to hear you, you mangy alley cat!” Chloé shoved Adrien from where they were crouched behind the stone entrance to the Ivy Botanical Gardens.

“Beeee!” Adrien whined, slumping over her lap. “I’m trying! But I don’t really get what’s going on. Did Mari just say she stole Batman’s tires?”

Chloé rolled her eyes at her fellow blonde. “Yeah, she’s such a badass.” Chloé smiled fondly at her girlfriend. After the blondes had forced Nino and Kim to go back to the hotel (they were hesitant but one look from Chloé had sent them running), Adrien and Chloe decided to spy on Marinette.

Just to see if she was okay. Not because Chloé was jealous. Not at all.

Just because Red Hood was a hero didn't mean that Marinette was going to fall for him. Marinette was already a hero, so it wouldn't be that impressive. And as far as Chloé knew, Marinette was a full on lesbian.

Nothing to worry about.

Right?

Maybe Chloé was being paranoid.

But she had never met anyone as amazing as Marinette. She had loved the ravenette since the moment she met her. And then Marinette had the audacity to love Chloé back.

And it was the most incredible feeling.

So Chloé had a reason to fear losing Marientte.

Right now, Marinette and Red Hood were sitting at the entrance of the gardens.

The two looked oddly comfortable with each other. But Marinette did say they knew each other.

Still...something in Chloé‘s brain tingled while looking at the two.

And then it happened.

Red Hood said something about...twins.

Twins.

Twins.

But Marinette's twin was dead.

Jason Todd died almost six years ago.

So Marinette was being scammed.

Chloé couldn't hold back, she shot up and screamed, "What the fuck?"

Marinette whirled around, a surprised expression stuck on her face.

"Marinette, stay away from him!" Chloé growled. Adrien tried to grab the blonde to pull her back, but Chloé shrugged him off.

"What? Chlo, what are you--"

"I know you think he's your twin but you need to understand that Jason is dead. This guy isn't him." Chloé took a step towards her girlfriend, reaching out to grab her hand.

But Marinette pulled away.

"Chloé," Kwami, when was the last time Marinette had called her Chloé and not a nickname? "I know how it seems, but this is Jason."

"Cool, so everyone knows my identity? K." Red Hood said, but shut up when Marinette shot him a look.

"Mari! He's not your brother! Jason died six years ago!"

Marinette flinched.

She flinched.

She flinched.

Chloé made her flinch.

Red Hood moved to stand by Marinette, the imposter put a hand on her shoulder.

"Marinette," Chloé said, more softly this time. "I'm sorry, but you need to know that Jason is dead. This guy is some imposter."

Chloé tried to take another step forward, to hug her girlfriend. To do something.

But Marinette, who always had a smile for her girlfriend, her Bee, was frowning--no, glaring--at Chloé.

"Chloé. He's my brother. I know, I have proof. And right now I'd like to talk to him. So if you wouldn't mind leaving, that would be great." Marinette's voice was cold. Chloé had never even heard her talk to Lila like that.

She had fucked up.

Big time.

Red Hood grasped Marinette by the shoulders and led her away.

Away from Chloé.

Chloé couldn't move. Her girlfriend was mad. Pissed. At her. They hadn't ever fought before.

Not like this at least.

Sure, there were some skirmishes and squabbles when they disagreed over a battle strategy or some petty thing like that.

But they had never been so mad that Marinette would just leave.

That she wouldn't have a smile for her Bee.

They had something amazing.

And Chloé had the audacity to fuck it up.

"Chloé?" Adrien whispered, tugging at her arm. "We can't just stay here all day."

Chloé didn't move. She didn't respond.

"How about we go back to the hotel and brainstorm a way to make Mari less...annoyed."

Chloé didn't say anything. She didn't nod.

She didn't move.

But Adrien led her away anyway.

Chloé barely registered Adrien getting a cab. Or them stepping into the lobby of the hotel. Or Nino and Kim greeting them at their rooms.

All she could think about was Marinette.

Her beautiful, kind, generous and sweet Marinette.

Who was mad at her.

Chloé was worried about her. Red Hood couldn't be Jason Todd. He was dead. And once someone was dead they didn't come back.

That was life.

But Marinette was so sure. She seemed so positive that Red Hood was her long dead brother. She said she had proof.

And Chloé wanted to trust her. She did. With all her heart.

Chloé had always had a hard time letting people in. Letting them touch her heart and fill it up.

But then she met Marinette.

Sweet, brave Marinette. Who then turned out to be her hero Ladybug. Who asked her to join her team and defeat Hawkmoth.

And that beautiful, clumsy hero had filled Chloé’s empty heart up with light and love and trust 

And Chloé feared she might have just broken that trust.

Darkened that light.

Destroyed that love.

Marinette felt sick.

She wasn’t being dramatic, she shouldn’t have been so mean to Chloé, she was just like her class said she was, a jerk, a jealous whore, a--

“Pix?”

Marinette took a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s fine, Jay.”

“Sure, because girl drama is always fine. I’ll just have to remember that when I find a severed finger in the mail.”

“Why do you have a severed finger? Who sent it to you?” Marinette sent Jason an amused look, trying to shove down her guilt and regret.

“Oh, but that’s the thing, Pix. I don’t know, and I never will.” Jason nudged his sister while they walked.

After the argument--could she even call it that?--Jason had led her back into the gardens, he knew nature calmed her. Even after so many years apart. The thought would have made her smile if she didn’t feel so shitty. He had even taken off his stupid helmet when Marinette commented on how weird it was talking to the equivalent of a red cone.

The teasing grin left his voice. “But seriously, are you okay? I know it might not be my business but that didn’t seem...great.”

“Oh really? I had no idea it wasn’t great.” Marinette said dryly.

She didn’t really want to think about it. Chloé was her whole world. She loved her so, so much. And how was she supposed to deal with the restless waters of the world without a boat? Chloé held her aloft, she kept her sane in a crazy world of liars and heroes.

She sighed after a minute. “Sorry, I--I just--” Marinette could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “Chloé and I have been through a lot together. She’s been with me for forever and I’m so afraid that I screwed it all up.”

“Aw, little Pixie Pop has feelings.” Jason snarked, pulling Marinette towards a large tree. “Gross.”

Marinette shoved him, trying to keep the smile off her face.

“Back for a day and I already want to shove you into the pond!” Marinette growled, the laughter wracking her body made it hard to be intimidating.

“Pix! You wound me! I can’t die again!” Jason cackled. He was a few feet away, bent over at the waist with his hands on his knees.

“Oh sure, Jay. You’re hilarious. A real comedian.”

“Oh, I know. I should do stand up!” Jason flashed her a grin.

Marinette took a deep breath. Another one. In, out. In, out. In, out.

She could do it. She could tell him about being Ladybug. They were twins, and Marinette had always seen that as a reason to tell him everything. And besides, he was a hero himself.

“So...” Marinette paused and bit her lip. “What would you say if I told you that you weren’t the only Todd that’s a hero of sorts.”

Jason stopped walking. He turned to look at her. He gave her a look that meant “what the fuck”.

“Ex-fucking-scuse me?”

Marinette winced, this was going to be hard. “Yeah, so let’s say--hypothetically--that I was the hero in Paris that defeated Hawkmoth about a year ago? Hypothetically, of course.” Marinette trailed off at the look on Jason’s face.

He didn’t look mad, per se, just tired. Like he put orange juice in his cereal by accident and ate it before realizing that it wasn’t milk.

“Marinette.” Uh oh, first name. “Are you Ladybug?”

“Hypothetically--”

“Marinette Pixie Pop Todd. Are you the Parisian superhero flying around in spandex and using a yoyo like it’s a weapon?” Jason gave her the Big brother Stare, making Marinette squirm.

“Hey! My yoyo is a wonderful weapon! And I’m very good with it!” Marinette crossed her arms and glared at Jason.

"Oh you are never gonna live this down, Pix," Jason laughed, punching her lightly in the arm.

"Yeah well at least I don't call myself Red Hood when wearing a helmet!"

Jason gasped. "How dare you!"

Marinette scrunched up her nose and narrowed her eyes at her brother.

"How dare me? How dare you!" She yelled, lunging forward to tackle Jason into a hug.

Jason shrieked as Marinette wrapped her skinny arms around his waist.

"Pixie! Tackling's rude!"

“But hugging’s so nice!” Marinette giggled.

Jason let out a quiet shriek as Marinette attempted to squeeze him to a second death.

“Marinette! You’re going to squeeze his lungs out!” A little voice yelled. Jason yelped and Marinette let go of him at the sight of Tikki flying out of Marinette’s bag.

“What the fuck is that thing!” Jason shrieked, falling backwards onto his butt.

Marinette let out a startled laugh at her brother, “Her name is Tikki, Jay. Don’t be a dick.”

“Nice to meet you, Jason! Marinette has told me so much about you!” Tikki smiled and flew toward Jason, who gawked from the grass.

“Uh...hi? Not to be rude but, uh, what are you?” Jason narrowed his eyes and sat back up to look at Tikki.

Tikki didn’t seem fazed by Jason’s question. She just smiled and flew to perch on Marinette’s shoulder. The ravenette moved to sit across from her brother in the grass.

“I’m Tikki, Kwami of creation!” Tikki said.

Jason still looked confused.

And this was why he was the brawns of their operation.

“A Kwami...is that a type of bug? Or a mouse?”

Oh, Jason, ever the inquisitive little street rat. That was affectionate by the way. Marinette loved her brother, even when he called her friend a bug mouse (she’s been there).

Tikki giggled. “Marinette said the same thing when we met.”

Marinette smiled at her Kwami.

“A Kwami is like a god or goddess, Tikki is the Kwami, or goddess of creation. She gives me my powers as Ladybug.” Marinette explained.

Jason nodded, the crease between his eyebrows slowly disappeared.

“And what exactly are those powers?”

Marinette grinned before standing and calling out, “Tikki! Spots on!”

It probably wasn’t the best place to transform. But as Marinette felt the magic wash over her, she felt at peace, happy.

Ever since the defeat of Hawkmoth, she was barely able to transform. Occasionally, the Miraculous Squad would patrol, but once they realized crime had declined significantly once the superheroes showed up, patrols were kind of useless.

But the magic. It was cold, like taking a dip in a lake on a hot day. And it was soft, feeling like a blanket wrapped around her, protecting her.

It felt...well, magical.

“Holy shit!” Jason yelped as a flash of pink engulfed his sister. When the light disappeared, Marinette stood there in a red and black suit.

She was in an armored suit, black boots stopping just below her knees, a black breast plate that covered her chest, and black gloves ending at her elbows. The rest of her suit was blood red. The bottom half of her mask was black but the top was red with black spots. Marinette’s hair was pulled into a high ponytail and her bangs fell into her eyes.

Jason gaped at his twin sister, standing confidently in a mask. Before they were separated, Marinette had always been shy, timid. But now she was self-assured and poised.

It made Jason smile. His little sister (by like half a minute), looked so happy and confident.

“Ta-da!” Marinette grinned, spinning in a circle to show off her suit.

“Holy fucking shit balls. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Balls.” Jason jumped up to shake Marinette--now Ladybug--by the shoulders.

Marinette laughed at her brother’s reaction. She grabbed his wrists and tugged him off.

“You are the dorkiest of dorks, Jay.”

“But you’re a superhero!”

“So are you!” Marinette grinned.

“Well--” Jason’s response was cut off by the dinging of his phone. He swore quietly before checking the text. “Oh fuck.”

“What?” Marinette tried to grab his phone but Jason ducked out of the way. He held her at an arm’s length, shoving his hand against her head to keep her there.

“Bruce wants you to come over for dinner tonight.”

Marinette closed her eyes in exasperation, she could feel a headache coming on. She turned to glare at Lila. The brunette in question was leaning against the white walls with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

“What do you want, Lila? I really don’t want to deal with you right now.” Marinette said, she was starting to feel the weight of the day falling onto her shoulders. If she escaped Lila now, she’d have time for a nap before she met the Waynes.

“You know,” Lila’s smirk never left her face as she circled Marinette like a predator. “I had quite a bit of time to talk to everyone. The whole class was pretty shaken up after you worked with Scarecrow of all people just so you’d have a pinch of attention.”

Marinette could only stare. Lila told them what?

And they believed her?

Even after all the bullying and harassment from her classmates, even after they believed some new girl over someone they’d known for years, Marinette never thought they’d believe she worked with a supervillain.

“Such pitiful little sheep, it’s a good thing I’m here to herd them, no? What would they do without me to protect them from their insane classmate?” Lila’s smirk widened until it just looked like she was baring her teeth.

“Even Alya, your best friend doesn’t believe you. I’ve won, Dupain-Cheng. Give it up.”

And then Marinette snapped.

She was done being bullied.

On the streets, people thought she was an easy target.

She was done being harassed.

In school, older kids thought that because she was small it would be easy to bully her.

She was done being hurt.

And Lila. A lying, cheating bitch who thought she could destroy Marinette’s life because she was nice.

And she wasn’t a Dupain-Cheng.

She was a god damn Todd.

And Todd’s didn’t take shit from anyone.

Marinette snarled, stalking forward to grab Lila by the front of her shirt. She pulled the liar close until they were barely an inch apart. Marinette could smell the pizza on Lila’s breath.

“One thing, Rossi. I’m not a fucking Dupain-Cheng. My name is Marinette Todd and if you ever talk to me again I’ll show you how a Todd deals with scum like you.”

Her Gotham accent had come through in her anger. And despite speaking French so the ignorant bitch could understand, her accent sort of muddled her words.

Marinette shoved Lila away and stalked off, leaving an open-mouthed liar in her wake.

---

Chloé was so, so very nervous. 

She saw Marinette being dropped off by Red Hood through their bedroom window.

And now she’d be in the elevator, Chloé. That is, if she even wanted to see Chloé. Maybe she’d just go hang out with Adrien--they were partners. Or Nino and Kim--they’d been around the longest.

“Agh! This is too hard! She hates me!” Chloé collapsed on her bed, groaning into the blanket.

“She doesn’t hate you, my Queen. The guardian is loving and just, she would not hate you for asking for being skeptical.” Pollen said, munching on a chili pepper--her preferred snack.

Chloé‘s response was a groan into the pillow.

And then the door clicked open.

“Bee?”

Oh fuck.

Chloé winced and sat up. Time to face something worse than death...her angry girlfriend.

Only she wasn’t angry.

Marinette stood in the doorway, biting her lip and scratching awkwardly at her arm.

“Look, Bug, I’m so sorry. I know your brother has always been really important to you but I thought he was dead! And now he’s not, which is insane right? But I was out of line! I was trying to protect you from a stranger, but apparently he’s less of a stranger than I am and--”  Chloé‘s ramble was cut off by a small body crashing into her.

“I’m so sorry, Bee! I was so mean and I hated it! I get why you wanted proof but please, just trust me on this!” Marinette sniffled.

Chloé smiled into Marinette’s hair. She wasn’t mad. It felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders.

“Well we can’t both be sorry, one of us is gonna have to be a dick about it.” Chloé murmured, pulling Marinette closer. The ravenette giggled and squeezed Chloé again before pulling herself out of the hug.

“I thought you were mad at me! I was being a jerk!” Marinette sniffled, rubbing at her eyes.

Chloé ‘s smile turned soft. “Bug, you had every right to yell at me, I was in the wrong. But now I’m here to be supportive and happy for you, I promise.”

“Well, good! Because we have some important things to talk about!” Tikki said, flying out of Marinette’s bag with Kaalki to sit by Pollen.

Marinette glanced curiously at the Kwami. “Like what?”

“Like your brother! And the Pit Madness affecting him!”

“The what now?” Chloé sat down on her bed, pulling Marinette down with her.

“Pit Madness!” Pollen offered, mouth full of chili peppers.

“It’s from the Lazarus Pits. The giant pit in Switzerland.” Kaalki said, rummaging around for some sugar cubes.

Marinette and Chloé stared.

“It was created by Tikki and Plagg thousands of years ago after they got in an argument over whether resurrection was creation or reverse destruction.” Pollen supplied.

“It was an accident! And I was right!” Tikki grumbled, shooting a dark look at the other Kwamis.

“So...these Pits, they brought Jason back?” Marinette asked, tilting her head cutely (in Chloé’s opinion).

“Yep, and that resurrection was what caused his Pit Madness.”

Chloé was very confused. “Wait--so you’re saying this ‘Pit Madness’ was from being brought back to life? that’s insane.”

“Anymore insane than jewelry being home to flying bug creatures that grant magic powers?” Tikki said.

Chloé shrugged, not really believing it yet.

“So what exactly is Pit Madness? Is it hurting him?” Marinette asked, her teeth digging into her lip.

Tikki flew up to nuzzle against her Chosen’s cheek. “I wouldn’t call it hurting exactly. It’s more like...unfiltered anger. He’s more aggressive and angry.”

Marinette’s heart wilted. He seemed normal-ish when they were talking before, but maybe her judgment was clouded by her excitement.

“Unfiltered anger. Aggressive.” She said softly.

Chloé wrapped her arm around Marinette’s shoulders, pulling her close.

“It probably hurt when he first got out of the Pit,” Kaalki supplied, oh so helpfully. The horse Kwami ignored

Marinette flinched. “What do you mean?”

“Well he was probably insane for the first few weeks or months. I mean, he is the Red Hood, right? Probably killed quite a lot of people without being in his right mind.” Pollen said.

Marinette was starting to shake. What if Jason was hurt beyond repair? He might have seemed fine but he could be hiding his pain for Marinette’s sake.

“But he--”

“Shh, Bug. There’s no need to worry. He seems fine now. Maybe it didn’t last that long.” Chloé tried to sound upbeat, but her voice wavered a bit. “We can figure it out tomorrow, why don’t you rest for today. The whole class is confined to the hotel for the rest of the day, anyway.”

Marinette’s head shot up. “Wait, what? Confined to the hotel? Why?”

Chloé stared at her girlfriend. “You do remember the attack earlier, right? Apparently someone convinced Caline that it was best to stay at the hotel, though she didn’t seem to care that you weren’t back yet.”

Marinette suddenly stood up and ran over to her bag. “But I can’t stay at the hotel! Jay asked me to have dinner with his adoptive family!”

“Well maybe another night--”

“No! Bee, please! You’ve got to help me sneak out!” Marinette pleaded, only looking up from her rummaging to give Chloé her puppy dog eyes.

Chloé bit her lip. “I--” She sighed and moved to help Marinette find an outfit. “Fine. Okay.”

Marinette grinned and pulled out a red sweater vest. “Hmm, maybe I go Ladybug for tonight? Bring some Paris to Gotham.”

Chloé smiled and brought out a pleated black skirt. “Perfect.”

By the time the girls were done getting Marinette’s outfit together, the boys had joined them in their room. The three boys tossed around comments and offered ideas. All of them were ridiculous.

“Maybe wear one low pigtail and one high one. Fashion statement of the year!” Kim said, throwing a few different colored scrunchies at Marinette.

“That’s awful! Wear this blue skirt instead of the black one! More colorful!” Nino grinned from his perch on Marinette’s bed.

“You’re ridiculous, Lahiffe! Utterly ridiculous!” Chloé sniffed haughtily, sticking her nose in the air.

“Found a Ladybug Broach in your bag, Bug.” Adrien said, throwing the broach to Marinette.

The ravenette caught it deftly, smiling at her partner.

Marinette looked at her outfit in the mirror. Along with the red sweater vest and the black pleated skirt, she had a long sleeved, black collared shirt tucked into her skirt. She wore black platform boots with tall black socks. A silver chain rested around her neck, shining brightly. Her hair was pulled into a ballerina bun with a few strands framing her face, a red ribbon tied around it. On her shoulder was a small, round black bag with a chain strap that held her phone, some cookies, and her wallet.

Adrien had helped apply sharp winged eyeliner and red lip gloss, he was surprisingly good with makeup.

Marinette fastened the brooch above her right breast and did a twirl for her friends.

Adrien cheered, Nino whistled, and Kim gave a whoop. Chloé smiled at her beautiful girlfriend and kissed her cheek.

“You look beautiful, Bug.”

Marinette grinned and glanced at the clock. 7:00pm. Jason would be here any minute. Marinette couldn’t suppress her excitement. She was going to have dinner with her brother! And meet his new family!

“Thanks, Bee.” She whispered, squeezing Chloé‘s hand. She gestured Tikki over.

“Thanks all of you, I’ll see you guys later!” Marinette waved goodbye, called her transformation, and jumped out the window.

She slid down the roof and dropped into an alley, releasing her transformation.

As Marinette was leaving, a small meow came from behind her. Marinette whirled around to see a little kitten, seemingly dyed blue, sitting on the ground.

It was a skinny little thing, it probably hadn’t eaten in a while. And the blue must be from the rings. Marinette had heard stories of dog fights including cats for betting purposes. But she’d never actually seen a dyed cat before.

“Aw, hey little guy.” Marinette cooed, scooching forward to hold her hand out to the cat.

A meow was the only response.

Marinette let the kitty smell her hand before lightly stroking its head. “Hi there. I’m Marinette.”

“Meow.”

Marinette carefully scooped the cat up and smiled at the blue furball.

“You don’t have an owner, do you?”

Marinette sighed and hugged the kitty close.

“Whatcha got there, Pix?” Jason voice caused a smile to appear on Marinette’s face. She turned to see him leaning against the entrance to the alley, dressed in normal clothes. A dark blue t-shit under a brown leather jacket and black ripped jeans.

“I found a kitty!” Marinette said, grinning at her brother.

“I can see that.”

the two of them walked side by side to a sleek black car.

“Hmm, no motorcycle this time?” Marinette sent a glance at her brother.

“Nope. B thought you might prefer a normal, boring car ride.”

“Boo,” Marinette said plopping down into the car as Jason went around to the driver’s side.

“That’s what I said! Alright, ready to enter hell?”

Marinette laughed. “I’ve been there for years. Bring it on, bitch.”

The car ride was brief. But while they drove, Marinette and Jason chatted about their lives apart. Jason told her about being Robin and then Red Hood, and then about the Waynes. Marinette talked about being Ladybug and her foster family, she told him about being the Guardian and her friends. She left out the part about Lila and her pathological lying.

Talking with Jason was amazing, Marinette missed talking with someone who was on the same wavelength, even Adrien, her partner, didn’t think quite the same way.

“Well,” Jason said, pulling into the driveway of a freakishly large mansion. “Here we are.”

Marinette hopped out of the car before Jason parked it, she was careful not to upset the sleeping cat on her lap. 

“Pix! The hell are you doing” You’re gonna get hurt!” Jason called from the car.

“I’ve fallen off buildings and seen my own death, I don’t think jumping out of a car is that much of a risk.” Marinette said, smiling and bounding up the stairs of Wayne Manor

“You’ve seen your what?” Jason chased after her.

Marinette giggled but froze as the door opened suddenly. She quickly placed the cat in her sweater and covered it with her arms; they didn’t need to know she practically kidnapped a stray kitten.

In front of her stood a clean-shaven man who was even more massive than Jason. Marinette’s eyes widened almost comically. It was Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne.

“I--uh, hi,” Marinette squeaked. She had faced supervillains and Akumas of massive power, but seeing her twin brother’s adoptive father was probably the scariest thing she’d ever faced.

“Hello there.” Bruce said, he seemed to be studying Marinette, probably taking note of the wiggling lump in Marinette’s sweater vest.

“Jesus, B, stop scaring her.” Jason said, coming up beside Marinette and throwing an arm over her shoulder.

Bruce smiled at his son and nodded at Marinette. He opened the door and gestured for the twins to enter the manor.

Marinette smiled brightly, she wasn’t going to let this man scare her, despite her shaky introduction. Bruce seemed a little taken aback by her smile, though she didn’t know why.

The entrance room was absolutely beautiful. Fancy bookshelves covered most of the gray walls, casting a dark aesthetic over the room when paired with the intricate--and probably expensive--carpets. It was an inspiration heaven.

“Marinette!” Dick, who was running towards the trio waiting in the hall, screamed before scooping up the girl in question in a hug.

Marinette giggled as Dick twirled her in circles. “Hey, Dick!”

“Aw, Mari, it’s so good to see you!” He said, squeezing her tightly.

“You two know each other?” Bruce asked.

Dick finally let go of Marinette, who had scratch marks covering her stomach from the cat attack (words of advice: cats don’t like being sandwiched between two people).

“Of course, B! I was the first one to see her in Gotham! I figured out the whole mystery connection!” Dick boasted, eyes closed and smiling proudly. “Which makes me Marinette’s favorite!”

Marinette rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Hey! I’m Marinette’s favorite!” Jason glared at his adoptive brother. 

While the two argued, Marinette leaned over to Bruce and whispered, “You wanna know a secret? Tim’s my favorite.”

The man stared down at her for a moment before chuckling deeply. The chuckle turned into full blown laughter, which made the previously arguing boys turn and stare open-mouthed.

“Marinette! You’re here! In our house! Oh my god I think I might pass out!” Tim gasped, suddenly appearing in the doorway. “Wait, is B laughing? What the hell?”

“Are you magic?” Dick gasped in awe.

Marinette giggled at the boys, turning to wave at Tim. “Hey, Tim! How’s it going?”

Tim mumbled something incoherent and turned bright red.

“Tt, Drake, you look like a tomato.” A new voice came from the shadows in the form of a small boy with bright blue eyes and ebony hair. He wore an annoyed expression and looked to be about 12 years old. Wait--was this Damian Wayne? The boy Lila claimed to be dating? He was a child!

Marinette smiled cheerfully at him and held out her hand for a handshake. “You must be Damian!”

The boy looked unimpressed. Marinette bit her lip and thought for a moment, what could she do to impress him?

Damian was dressed casually, a black turtleneck and black jeans. Nothing too flashy. But there it was: Marinette’s first impression saver, a tuft of dog hair on his shoulder.

Marinette’s smile widened. “Do you like pets?”

Marinette reached down her sweater vest and pulled out the little blue kitten, holding the cat out to the boy.

“Did she just pull a cat out of her shirt?”

“Shut up, Dick.”

Damian blinked a few times at her before narrowing his eyes. “Did you dye this cat?”

Marinette recoiled. “What! No! I found him in an alley by my hotel before Jay picked me up! I’m thinking he must’ve been part of a dog fighting ring, I was hoping to find him a nice home and you seem perfect!”

Damian seemed shocked by her words, did he not understand that dog fighting rings sometimes dyed cats for bets? Did she offend him?

Finally, after a way too long silence, Damian reached forward and took the kitten from her, who immediately curled up in his arms. “I--thank you.”

Marinette grinned and gave him a thumbs up. Everyone else in the room was quiet, Damian didn’t thank people often--or ever.

“No problem! I’m just glad there’s someone to take care of him! His name’s Bat Cat by the way.” Marinette said the last part with little smirk and a wink.

Marinette turned back to the others, who all stared at her in shock.

Did she do something wrong? Marinette’s smile dropped. “Sorry, is something wrong?”

“Holy shit, she is magic!” Dick screeched, darting forward to try and hug Marinette again before Jason smacked him upside the head.

“Oh shut up, dick head. Of course she’s magic, she’s related to me.”

“Very funny, Jay.” Marinette elbowed her brother in the ribs, grinning.

Before Jason could retort, another voice cut through their bickering. Seriously how many people were in this house?

“Master Bruce, dinner is ready.” The voice was British and...old. it resonated with something in Marinette’s chest.

She whirled to see an old, graying man standing in the doorway beside Tim. She blinked. Could he be...

“Bug.” The man said, nodding in respect.

“Peacock.” Marinette nodded back. She understood it now, this man was one of Duusu’s past holders.

“Uh...what just happened?” Dick asked.

“Did Alfred just call Marinette a bug?” Tim said, brows furrowing.

Marinette waved them off, “I’ll explain later.”

Alfred led them all to the dining room, a very shiny room Marinette was definitely going to draw later for inspiration.

Dinner went by smoothly, the dinner was delicious and the company was fantastic. It wasn't until dessert that everything went to shit.

"So Marinette," Bruce began, setting down his fork. "Where have you been all these years? I didn't see you at Jason's funeral."

Oh sweet Kwami, that was an awkward statement.

"B--" Jason started, but was cut off by a look from Bruce.

Marinette quickly swallowed her cheesecake and glanced at Bruce.

"Paris." She whispered. "I was in Paris."

Bruce folded his hands together and gave her a pointed stare. Marinette squirmed under his hard gaze. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"And why is that? I would have taken you in with Jason if you were together at the time."

Rage simmered under Marinette's skin. Exactly what was this man implying?

"For your information, Bruce, I was in Paris because I was adopted. Jason and I were separated months before you adopted him. And I looked for him everyday until the cops found me. So if you think you can try to scare me with your whole 'rich asshole looking for gold diggers' act then you've got another thing coming. Especially because that would imply I was trying to fuck my brother, which, gross."

Marinette's voice was cold and final. She would not let this man boss her around just because he was someone important to Jason.

The two were locked in a glaring contest, waiting to see who would break first.

But then they were interrupted by Jason. Specifically, his laughter.

"Pix-- you...oh my god." Jason was laughing so hard he could barely get the words out. He had his hand pressed against his eyes and his shoulders were shaking. Finally Jason looked up to grin at his sister before ruffling her hair.

"What exactly is happening right now?" Tim asked, staring at Marinette like she was the ninth wonder of the world.

"I think sweet little Marinette just roasted the hell out of B." Dick was gaping, his mouth open wide.

"Tt, Father deserved it." Damian said, continuing to pick at his dessert.

Bruce was ignoring his sons, once again studying Marinette the way one would study an impossible math problem.

He leaned forward, tilting his head to the side.

Marinette was freaking out internally. She loved Jason--he was her best friend--but standing up for herself to someone who was basically sort of her dad (he was Jason’s dad and they were twins so...) was making her freak out just a bit.

And then the weirdest thing happened.

Bruce Wayne...smiled.

What the god damn fuck is happening.

“Welcome to the family, Marinette.”

“What the fuck nuggets,” Tim whispered.

“Language, Drake.” Damian said.

“She really is magic!” Dick grinned.

Jason was completely silent beside her. He was studying Bruce with a masked expression. After a few moments of silence from him, Jason sighed and finally spoke up.

“You’re not putting a mask on her, B.” Jason grumbled, rubbing his face tiredly.

Before anyone could speak up about secret identities, Marinette interrupted. “I already have one anyway.” She took another bite of her cheesecake.

The clattering of silverware and chattering of voices screeched to a halt.

“What?” Dick choked out.

“Does no one understand the secret part of secret identities?” Jason groaned. Marinette shrugged and continued to eat her dessert.

“You’re Ladybug.” Bruce said, raising an eyebrow.

Marinette gave a hum of affirmation. She frowned at her plate, she had finished her cheesecake.

“You’re MTD and Ladybug!?” Tim jumped up from his seat. “Will you marry me?”

“I’m gay and I have a girlfriend so maybe another time.”

“How old are you Marinette?” Bruce asked.

Marinette blinked lazily at him, thinking about how she should’ve saved some of that cheesecake for Plagg. “Same age as Jay, 17.”

“So you must have been 12 when you became a hero?”

Marinette hummed her agreement. She wasn’t really paying attention to Bruce anymore, her and Jason were kicking each other under the table. Marinette was about to twist her leg up to kick Jason in the crotch when Alfred returned.

“Why don’t you guys ask Alfred more? He’ll probably know more than I do.” Marinette sent a sly smile to Alfred who returned it with a nod.

“Indeed, Guardian. I know much about the Miraculous. I was once a holder myself." Alfred said.

"What exactly is a ‘Miraculous’?” Tim asked, shoving the rest of his dessert in his mouth.

“And what did he mean by ‘Guardian’?” Dick cut in, pointing his fork at Alfred.

"And you were a holder? You were a hero?" Jason asked.

“Miss Marinette here is the Guardian of the Miraculous. She holds and protects all the Miraculous Jewels, giving them out or taking them away when needed.”

“I own the Miracle Box, which is the home of various Kwami’s and their respective Miraculous. Like Tikki. You can come out now.” Marinette said the last part to her Kwami, who flew out in a blur of red.

“Hello everybody! It’s so nice to meet you!” Tikki smiled brightly. Everyone stared at the red and black goddess.

“What the hell is that thing!?” Dick screeched, jumping up away from the table.

“Dick! Be nice!” Marinette chided.

“What are you?” Damian whispered to the Kwami that floated in front of him. Tikki smiled at the boy and sat down on the table.

“As Marinette said before, I am the Ladybug Kwami. Kwami of creation. I give Marinette her powers.”

“Hey, Tikki, how’s it going?” Jason asked, waving slightly.

“Hello Jason! Wonderful to see you again!”

“Wait,” Dick said, slowly sitting back down at the table. “You two know each other?”

“We met earlier.” Jason shrugged.

"What? How? When? Where?" Tim fired off questions like a revolver.

"After Scarecrow..." Jason trailed off, glancing at his sister.

"Speaking of Scarecrow, how are you feeling Marinette?" Bruce asked.

Marinette shrugged. She didn't feel awful, a slight headache was all that was left. It wasn't like she hadn't seen her dead family--she's had plenty of nightmares.

"I'm fine. The antidote worked and I had a while to rest so I'm all good."

Jason tensed for a moment, remembering the girl that tried to get an interview.

"Do you by chance know a bitchy reporter?" Jason asked, turning to frown at his twin.

Marinette's sweet smile turned sour. "So you met Alya."

"Oh yeah, great first impression."

"Was she the one that called you a dramatic attention seeker as you were literally dying?" Dick asked.

Marinette couldn't help the flinch that came with the words. Even after months of name calling and bullying, her best friend's betrayal always hurt.

"She did what?" Bruce growled. Marinette shrunk back in her seat.

"Doesn't matter. She's been like that since Lila showed up." Marinette murmured. Tikki flew over to sit on her shoulder and nuzzle against her neck. 

"Would you like me to kill her for you?" Damian asked, looking far too serious for Marinette's liking.

"Normally murder's pretty bad but I think this Lila deserves it if she hurt you." Dick said, making Marinette flush a bright red.

"No one's murdering anyone. Marinette, please explain who she is."

Marinette sighed, staring down at her plate.

"Lila came to school two years ago. She lied about everything--knowing celebrities, heroes, she faked injuries and got out of assignments. She even pretended that she and Ladybug were best friends, which was how I knew she was lying in the first place. When I tried to call her out, she threatened me by saying she would ruin my life and I would lose all my friends."

A sharp intake of breath from Dick had Marinette pausing to breathe.

Marinette took a deep breath. "I didn't think it would work, I'd known all my classmates for years, I didn't think--" Marinette cut herself off with a choked sob. Tears brimmed her eyes.

Under the table, Jason grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly, grounding her. "I didn't think they'd believe someone they'd just met over me. Over the years I've helped them with so much, I got couples together and I made clothes and food for them all for free. I even introduced Alya to Ladybug for her blog."

She took a shaky breath. "But then Lila’s lies starting to take root. She told everyone I was bullying her and that I stole her designs. She got everyone but my friends to trip and push me when I walked by or to throw things at me. Eventually it got so bad that I had to retire a few heroes because they were no longer trustworthy."

"Lila even tried to kick me off the trip by stealing my plane ticket. And then she made everyone leave me at the hotel, that's where I met Dick." Marinette sniffed and wiped away a tear. She gave a watery smile to the oldest Wayne boy.

"But my friends helped, Chloé got me a backup ticket just in case, and then Dick gave me a ride to Wayne Enterprises."

Dick flashed her a grin and a thumbs up.

After a long silence, Marinette grew more and more uncomfortable. What if they didn't believe her?

"Today is the day I'm going to kill a child." Jason growled, Marinette tightened her grip on his hand.

"Technically, Todd, you are still a child." Damian cut it.

"Well I'm not!" Dick snarled. "I'll kill her!"

Marinette was growing more and more worried by the second.

"You guys aren't killing anyone." Bruce said, though he looked absolutely murderous.

"What? B, she hurt Mari!" Tim said, shocked and angry.

"I'm aware. Which is why we are going to deal with her civilly and legally."

There were grumbles all around the table. 

Before anyone could protest even more, Alfred cut in. "As much as your murder plots help us all, it is rather late and Miss Marinette needs to return to her hotel soon."

Marinette checked her phone, eyes widening at the time. It was far too late and she needed to wake up early tomorrow!

"Oh! Thank you Alfred! And thank you guys for the dinner and company! I really need to get going!"

As she spoke, Marinette hastily stood up, opening her bag for Tikki to fly in after saying her goodbyes.

Marinette went around the room to kiss all the Wayne’s and Alfred on the cheek (Tim turned bright red) before waving goodbye and leaving with Jason.

The Wayne’s followed the twins out the door and stood on the porch waving their goodbyes.

After the twins left, Bruce stood on the steps in silence for a moment before speaking. "We're going to have to do something about this Lila Rossi."

Kim sat next to her wearing an outfit inspired by Penguin. He wore a black blazer with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The blazer had little embroidered icicles along the hem and cuffs. Under the blazer he had on a white t-shirt with a navy blue penguin silhouette. He wore tight black jeans with a silver chain. All over the jeans was a gallery of embroidered icebergs and penguins. Kim had his hair slicked back with gel and an earring shaped like an icicle in his left ear and a black stud in his right. Kim wore a pair of white converse with light blue icicles along the bottom.

"Kim you look great! Does it fit right?" Marinette sprung forward to turn Kim around and inspect the outfit, all traces of sleep disappearing from her eyes once she saw her friend in her design.

"Yup! Perfect as ever, Mari!"

Marinette gave him a final once over before turning to Nino.

The dark skimmed boy sat in the corner and was looking at his phone. He glanced up when he noticed Marinette inspecting him.

Nino wore a pair of black overalls with one strap unhooked, leaving the front hanging. Crawling up the pant legs like wires were thick red and grey embroidered ropes. Under the overalls he wore a blood red sweater with a black collared shirt underneath. He wore a large red ring on a silver chain around his neck--like Banes steroid button thing. On his feet were back combat boots with grey and black laces.

"You look so amazing!"

Nino shot her a grin and Two thumbs up before turning back to his phone.

"Hey what about me?" Adrien whined, setting his head in Marinette’s lap.

Marinette grinned down at her partner, gently brushing his bangs to the side.

Adrien's outfit, inspired by Two-Face, was the most fun to make. He wore cargo pants, one side black, one side white. The pockets of each side were the opposite of the rest of that side. Black pockets on white and white pockets on black. Adrien wore a black crop top with a half face silhouette in white. Over the crop top he had on a black flannel with white lines. He had a few black and white bracelets on both wrists. And last, Adrien had on Van style shoes, one black with white soles and one white with black soles.

Marinette smiled brightly, ruffling Adrien's hair. "Chaton, you look absolutely fantastic."

Adrien gave her a lazy grin, snuggling into Marinette's hand. He was becoming more cat-like since he got the Miraculous years ago.

"Don't I know it, Bugaboo."

Marinette giggled lightly as she continued to stroke Adrien's hair.

"Dearest Bug, have you found it in your heart to replace me?" Chloé said, grinning as she left the bathroom, brushing her hair.

Marinette smiled at her girlfriend, taking in her Riddler inspired outfit. 

Chloé wore a shallow-tailed green jacket covered in scattered black question marks. Under the jacket she wore a black V-neck crop top and a green emerald on a gold chain along with several other chains. Chloé had on a pair of matching green dress shorts and fishnets, and with them she wore black platform boots. Her makeup was sleek and fitting of her outfit, plum purple lip gloss and thick eyeliner with slim green under the black.

She looked stunning.

"Yeah! She's mine now!" Adrien yelled at Chloé, sticking out his tongue. Marinette shoved him away playfully. Adrien wailed as he hit the ground.

"You know I could never replace you, Mon cher." Marinette grinned--a perfect recreation of Adrien's Chat Noir smirk--and moved towards Chloé. She pulled her close and kissed Chloé gently.

"Ew!" Adrien shrieked.

"Get a room!" Kim called out.

Marinette pulled away from the kiss, "We have a room! You're in it!"

"If you guys don't mind, I'm trying to get laid here," Chloé drawled, glaring over Marinette's shoulder at the boys.

Marinette smiled and tapped her on the nose.

"That's disgusting!" Nino yelled from his spot.

"That's pretty fucking gay, Bug." Kim added with a sly grin.

"Oh really, I had no idea." Marinette said sarcastically.

"Hey guys, lovin' the banter but if we don't go downstairs in a minute we're gonna be late. So Bug, I suggest you get ready because you have ten minutes."

"Shit!" Marinette flung herself towards her bag, grabbing her outfit.

Despite her fear and hatred towards him, Marinette chose to inspire her outfit after the man who destroyed her life.

The Joker.

Her outfit was simple, an oversized dark violet bomber jacket over grey--almost black they were so dark--mom jeans. Tucked into her jeans was a tight green half-turtleneck. On the back of her jacket were the words "Fuck The Joker" in large green bubble letters. Marinette had a series of earrings crawling up her ears, all black and green.

Chloé helped her apply bright red lipstick and sharp eyeliner. Marinette was already pale enough.

Most people would think she dressed like this as a tribute to the Joker--or at least until they saw the words on her back.

But not her, Marinette wore it as petty revenge. Revenge for killing her brother. Revenge for destroying her life.

So with her last few minutes running out, Marinette smirked at herself in the mirror.

"Ready to go, Nette?" Nino asked, peaking into the bathroom. Having known each other for a few years short of a decade, they were long past boundaries.

"Yeah, let's go crush today!"

---

Turns out, the class's last attraction before going to Gotham Academy for the rest of their trip, was none other than Wayne Manor.

How ironic.

Apparently, the Manor was a last minute change to the trip. Brought up just the night before.

Suspicious. Marinette thought with a grin. She knew full well that Jason had something to do with this, even if Lila claimed to pull some strings.

Marinette hoped the Waynes kicked Lila's ass. Figuratively, of course.

"It's really cool that you got us this inside tour, Lila!" Marinette heard someone say from the front of the bus. Probably Mylene, judging by the timid voice that still carried across the bus.

"Of course! Dami-bear insisted that we visit his home for when I live there after school--" Lila said before gasping quietly. "Oh no! I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about our engagement!"

Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Poor kid, bet he doesn't even know Lila claims to be his girlfriend." Adrien said, turning around in his seat to look at Chloé and Marinette.

"Bet she doesn't know he's barely twelve." Marinette grumbled, flicking a gum wrapper at Kim's head.

"The kid's twelve? That's disgusting!" Nino said from behind Marinette and Chloé's seat.

"Yep, and he's definitely not as sweet as Lila says. Adorable though. Like a blue kitten." Marinette said, smiling fondly at the memory of the cat she gave Damian the night before.

"A blue kitten?" Chloé asked, looking at her girlfriend curiously.

Before Marinette could even begin to explain, the bus rolled to a stop in front of Wayne Manor.

"It's so big!" Nathaniel said in awe, pointing at the manor.

"Beautiful!" Rose squealed.

"Creepy!" Alix yelled.

Marinette smiled, even if she'd only been there once, it already felt more home than the bakery ever did.

She just hoped the Waynes felt the same way.

"Well damn," Kim whistled lowly.

Adrien pressed his face to the glass, squishing his cheeks.

Chloé squeezed Marinette's hand, "I hope it's as cool as you said it was."

"It definitely is! And I can't wait for you to meet everybody!" Marinette said, already pulling her girlfriend off the bus with the others.

"Alright everybody!" Madame Bustier called out.

Maybe this time she would actually do her job.

"Mr. Wayne has graciously allowed us into his home, so It's time to have some fun!"

Or not.

"She doesn't seriously think he's gonna let us do whatever we want right?" Adrien asked incredulously as they walked to the steps of the manor.

"She probably does." Marinette laughed, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets.

"Not the brightest bulb in the box." Nino added.

"Marinette? Chloé? Can I please speak to you?"

Chloé gagged at her girlfriend before the two turned to talk to Madame Bustier.

Marinette crossed her arms and glared at her once favorite teacher.

"What? If you hadn't noticed, Caline. We'd like to enjoy ourselves on this trip, just like you said we should." Marinette snarked.

"Girls, I just wanted to talk to you about you choice of wardrobe." The incompetent teacher said nervously.

Marinette raised an eyebrow.

"And what about them?" Chloé said, placing her hands on her hips.

"It's just that you girls are showing quite a bit of...skin and I fear it might be distracting to the boys."

What. The. Fuck.

"Excuse me? 'Too much skin'?" Marinette clenched her fists.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Lila's out here prancing around with her tits out and you want to talk to us about skin?" Chloé raised an eyebrow mockingly.

"And Adrien’s wearing a crop top, showing the same amount as us!" Marinette growled.

“That’s true!” Adrien called from the steps, where he waited with the rest of the class.

“And how about the fact that you, a grown adult woman, are slut-shaming two underage girls.” Chloé crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side.

"W--well girls there's also the foul language on your jacket--"

"Last time I checked, the school dress code says nothing about foul language. So if we're quite done here, we really should get back to the class." Marinette smirked.

“Unless, of course, you’d like to make another comment of one of our bodies, hmm?”

Marinette and Chloé linked arms and walked back to their friends, who were waiting on the steps along with the rest of the class. Alya shot her a glare as she walked past. Marinette returned it with the finger.

Marinette was the first to actually knock on the door.

The large door opened, Alfred stepping forward to smile at Marinette and hold the door open for the class.

"Hello Miss Marinette, pleasure to see you again."

"Hi Alfred! It's nice to see you again too!" Marinette said with a bright smile. She pulled her friends through the doors, introducing them to Alfred as each walked past. Behind her, Marinette could hear her classmates murmuring about how Marinette knew that "strange old man".

"Marinette, you'll be happy to know that Bat Cat is well rested and happily fed." Damian said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere.

"Wonderful Damian! Did you manage to get any of the dye out?" Marinette asked, waving to Damian--she could already tell he didn't like physical contact.

"Unfortunately no, Bat Cat remains blue as ever."

"Well that explains the blue cat thing," Adrien murdered from behind her.

"These are my friends Chloé, Adrien, Kim, and Nino." Marinette grinned, ignoring the class behind her.

"So you're the girlfriend. Drake hates you for stealing away his idol. I like you."

Chloé stared in shock as the boy spoke. "Uh...cool?"

"Excuse me, but who the hell are you?" Alya's very annoying voice cut through their conversation.

Damian scowled. "My name is Dmaian Wayne. Who are you?"

A few gasps rippled through the class. This was Damian Wayne? Lila's rich boyfriend? He was a child!

"You're lying! Damian is our age! Lila wouldn't date a baby like you!" Alya called out, not noticing Lila shrinking back.

Damian looked disgusted. He took a step forward. Hopefully to shake the liar.

"Hey! Mari!" Dick's voice flooded through the room, diffusing the tension slightly, but not the confusion.

"Dick, I was over last night you don't need to be so excited!" Marinette leaped forward to hug him anyway.

"Aren't you our tour guide?" Rose asked, raising her hand.

Dick glanced over at the rest of the class, nothing then for the first time.

"Oh yeah. That wasn't very fun."

Marinette snorted. Dick's grin faded from his face as he took in her outfit.

"Wait a minute--are you dressed like Joker?"

Marinette gave him a sly smirk, turning around and jutting two thumbs at the back of her jacket.

Just then, Jason ran down the stairs, screaming her name. "Pixie Pop! Pix! You're finally here! It took you forever!"

Marinette giggled and launched herself at Jason, who caught her and swung her in the air.

"Who the fuck is that guy?"

Jason turned to glare at the rest of the class. "My name's Jason. I'm Marinette's brother."

Lila turned bone white. How was it that Maritrash was related to a Wayne?

Marinette could honestly understand why they wouldn't believe her. Jason was standing at an overwhelming 6'0" while Marinette was barely 5'4, she was like a little Pixie standing next to him--hence the nickname.

"You-- you're Marinette's brother?" Alya squeaked, she was almost as pale as Lila.

"Does that make Marinette a Wayne?" Rose asked from the back.

"Yep, Pixie Pop is my twin sister. Which makes her part of the family."

If possible, Lila turned even more pale. Was there a disease that made you pale? Because She probably lied about having it and then contracted it as karma.

"Can we go back to the part where Lila's supposed boyfriend is a literal child?" Adrien snickered. Damian turned his icy glare on the blonde, who immediately shut up. The kid was scary.

"Yeah, Lila, it's not like you lied right?" Chloé sneered at the brunette who shrunk back.

"N--no of course not! It was a misunderstanding!" Lila attempted to cover her poorly laid tracks.

"Yeah! Lila, tell everyone about your boyfriend!" Alya said. She might have been trying to help her friend, but the look Lila gave her meant it was anything but helpful.

Dick looked like he was holding in a snort. His face was all scrunched up. Jason, with his arm still thrown around Marinette's shoulder, narrowed his eyes.

"Demon Spawn, you didn't tell us you had a girlfriend!" Jason cackled, doubled over. Marinette was practically holding him up.

"Tt, I would never sully myself with the likes of her."

Lila's face turned bright red. Marinette finally couldn't hold it in anymore, she burst into laughter.

"What? Lila what are they talking about?" Mylene looked to the girl she followed around like a lost puppy.

Lila splattered indignantly. "I-- no, he's lying and--" she finally looked at Marinette--who, just like her twin was wheezing-- and pointed and accusatory finger. "Marinette! W--why w--would you turn them a--against me? All I wanted was to b--be your friend!" She blubbered.

"Is she seriously crying?" Jason asked, bewildered.

"I'm afraid so." Nino said, snickering quietly as his ex-girlfriend tried to comfort Lila.

"How unfortunate." Dick said dryly.

"Look what you did, Marinette! If you weren't such a bitch Lila would be able to enjoy this trip to her boyfriend's house!"

Jason tensed beside her. "What the fuck did you just call my sister?" He attempted to take a step forward before Marinette grabbed his shirt.

“I called her a--”

“Hello, Marinette, pleasure to see you again.” Bruce entered the room, successfully stopping a bloody massacre. Marinette sighed in relief and loosed her grip on Jason just a bit.

“Hi, B! How’s it hanging?”

Bruce blinked. “Nothing is hanging, but I am well.”

Marinette grinned, feeling Jason relax beside her.

“You--you’re Bruce Wayne!” Nathaniel gasped. Bruce looked to the class and frowned slightly before it turned into a charming smile.

“Welcome to Wayne Manor, I’m happy to have you here.” He nodded to Madame Bustier, who bit her lip and giggled.

Weird. Gross.

“Is Bustier flirting with Bruce fucking Wayne?” Kim whispered to Marinette. She giggled and flicked his arm.

“Hey, B? You done being gross and charming?” Dick asked, using Marinette’s head as a res for his folded arms.

“Oh like you’re one to talk, Dickie-bird. You’d flirt with a street lamp if it looked vaguely humanoid.” Jason said.

“Tt, I have seen Greyson flirt with an elderly woman before.”

Marinette fake gasped, clutching her chest--right above her heart. “Dick! You mustn't prey on the elderly!”

“Why is everyone ganging up on me today?” Dick whined, slumping over Marinette’s body.

Adrien snorted behind her. “It’s paw-sitively clawful isn’t it?”

Dick gasped and whirled around to clutch Adrien by the shoulders, shaking him aggressively. “You like puns? Mari you didn’t tell me your friend likes puns!”

“Don’t tell me there’s two of them?” Jason whined.

“It’s pretty terrible, but there’s no need to go bananas!” Kim added, laughing hysterically.

“Well you two are bee-ing annoying.” Chloé said smugly. Marinette groaned.

“Not you too, Bee!”

“Well, these puns are pretty pun but shell we move on now?” Nino grinned.

“You are all dead to me.”

Bruce, who had been watching the pun-tactular banter with a hint of amusement, cleared his throat.

“Shall we start brunch?” Bruce said.

“Ah, brunch. The rich person’s breakfast.” Kim said, nodding sagely. Marinette snorted.

“Sure beats eating garbage off the streets.” Jason gave a pointed look to Marinette, who pursed her lips and nudged him in the ribs.

“Your mom eats garbage off the streets.”

“We have the same mom, idiot.” Jason stuck his tongue out at Marinette, and she returned the gesture.

And that’s how they went, bickering as they walked to the dining room.

Marinette was happy, even if she had to share a meal with Lila Rossi.