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[ali-annals]

Main Masterlist

Happy endings (or the option for one, in the case of CYOE fics) are the norm here.

Most fics are one-shots. Two-shots or miniseries have their prequel/sequel/chapters posted beside the name. Series are free from summary but have a status (completed/in progress/hiatus) posted beside their name.

Most Akuma Class fics are salty. I write Adrien and/or Chloe salt/sugar 50/50

Filed by: DATE ☄ SHIP ☄ MULTICHAP/SERIES ☄ COLLECTION ☄ AO3 ☄ ART

Format: Posted Fics - Date [title] | ship | rating | wc | - summary* Unposted Fics - Date [title/description] | ship | - summary/blurb

*series will have no summary; it will be at the top of the series masterlist instead

Summer 2021

☄ Chaotic Coffee Zombies | Timari | T | (in progress)

☄ How You Get The Girl | Jasonette | G | 1k

“Hi, Marinette.” She laughed sharply to hide her hurt. “‘Hi, Marinette?’ Jason, it’s been six months.”

☄ Enchanted | Jasonette | G | 1k

Jason laughed. “...Do you have a name or shall I call you M?” “You haven’t earned my name yet, monsieur, so M will have to do.” “What does earning it involve?” “Mmm, normally you’d have to be family or a close friend, or a loyal patron for over two years.” “Would a waltz make us close enough friends?” He extended his hand with a flourish, which she took. “Perhaps. No stepping on my toes, though,” she warned. “I’ll have you know I never step on people’s toes unless they deserve it,” he said in mock offence as they move onto the dancefloor.

☄ my tears ricochet | Daminette | T | 4.5k

It was over. Everything was done. Hawkmoth and Mayura were defeated. Ladybug was dead. Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s “friends”/classmates were crying around the fresh grave. She’d been revealed as Ladybug in her death, her transformation dropping one final time. The city mourned their fallen heroine. Chat Noir gave the final Miraculous Team’s press conference, stating that Marinette was dead, attacked by Hawkmoth; though she had defeated the villain and his partner, she had succumbed soon after to irreversible injuries. He would be retiring now as well. ... The next day, a lone figure made its way back to Ladybug’s flower-covered grave. He was the class’s foreign-exchange student, Damian Grayson. He set a single white rose on the headstone and stepped back to pay his respects. The dirt began to move, and a hand poked through.

☄ invisible string | Daminette | G | 13k (completed)

☄ Call it what you Want | Jasonette | G | (see February 2024)

Autumn 2021

☄ Marinette “Valkyrie” Wayne | Marijon, Platonic Maribat | G | 10k (completed)

☄ knock knock/who's th-/-interrupting bats | Daminette | M | 1k

Damian is kidnapped and the Bats try to find him. Rewind: Damian wants to spend time with his girlfriend and the Bats have really bad timing | SEQUEL

☄ Stars Around My Scars | Jasonette | T | 13k + drabbles (completed)

☄ Unexpected Visitors | Daminette | G | 1k

An unknown woman shows up on Wayne Manor's doorstep asking for Damian Wayne...

☄ Mazel Tov | Daminette | G | 0.5k

Talia attempts to arrange a marriage between her son, the Heir to the Demon, and the League of Assassins' rival order's head, the Grand Guardian. The Bats are insistent on stopping the wedding, but the couple don't seem that opposed to it...

☄ gold rush | Timari | G | 1k

Marinette has plans to meet her online gamer boyfriend on her class trip to Gotham, but gets distracted watching Lila flirt with their host, Tim Drake.

Winter 2021-2022

☄ Is this Hope just a Mystical Dream? | Jasonette | T | 5k

Did you know that some soulmates' souls are literally connected, meaning that when one half dies, the other follows them soon after to a personalized deathscape? Marinette and Jason sure did. | PART 2 (FINAL)

☄ clover blooms in the field/spring breaks loose, time is near | NetteWorth | T | 0.5k

☄ Renagerie | Jasonette | T | 1k

Red Hood and Menagerie hate each others' guts; everyone knows that. The Bats just want to know when they'll move from the Enemies phase of their relationship to the Lovers stage.

☄ It’s a Small World | Jasonette | G | 2k

Jason brings his fiancee home to meet his family. She gets along great with everyone! There's just one problem… They've met her before.

☄ I Wanted a Date, Not a Spouse! | Jasonette | G | 1k

Marinette bemoans her dry love life to her aunt. Jason is done with dating and tells his mom if she wants a daughter-in-law to find one herself. He should've known she would take him seriously.

March 2022

☄ The Terrifying Trio | Daminette | G | 1k | DCxDPxMLB

Everyone knew about the T3, as they called themselves. No one imagined they were real until they met them, and then they wished they hadn’t; the trio were far more terrifying than their tales.

April 2023

☄ sugar & bikes & everything nice | Jasonette | G | 0.5k

Biker meet car passenger...only Marinette's the biker.

☄ Outflirting an Outlaw | Roynette | G | 0.1k

Roynette meetcute, what more needs to be said?

☄ Ice to Meet You | Daminette | G | 1k

Marinette mistakes her new partner for her coach and a meet ugly meet cute ensues.

☄ sweet denials make for even sweeter victories | Konette | T | 0.3k

Conner is back from his trip with the JL, but his girlfriend isn't welcoming him as warmly as he would like.

☄ Pixie Reviews: Nightwing vs Red Hood | Jasonette | T | 0.5k

On patrol, Hood overhears a very interesting phone call from a very interesting woman.

☄ You don’t need to save me...but would you run away with me? | Jasonette | T | 2.5k

"What if Jason is hunted/captured by someone trying to remake the Lazarus Pit" but a meetcute.

☄ The Very First Night | Jasonette | T | 3k

Marinette’s phone rang, breaking her attention from her friends’ conversation. She checked the caller ID and excused herself. “MDC speaking,” she answered professionally, knowing her friends were half eavesdropping before she moved out of overhearing range. “Pixie, do you know how much I miss you?” whispered Jason. “These annoyances are driving me to do stupid things like call you in front of them just so I don’t blow us all up and alert the people we’re watching to our location!” “Aw, poor Jay,” she commiserated. “You need some reminders to keep you from eliminating your siblings?” “Please.” His exasperated tone in that one word told her volumes. “You’ll be in your family’s bad books if you do that, which means they’ll keep an even closer eye on you, which means you can’t see me without alerting them to my existence in your life.” Jason exhaled sharply. “Thank you, Pix. I shall restrain myself. Two more weeks.”

☄ Pretty petty pranks | Brucinette | G | 1.5k

“Damn right I'm pretty.” “I said petty.”

☄ All’s fair in love and Prank Wars | Jasonette | G | 2k

"Damn right I'm pretty." "I said petty."

☄ maroon | Dickinette | M | CYOE | 3k

“Can you hold my hand? My ex just walked in with her new boyfriend.” … "I see no one around besides us."

☄ Reputation 'Verse | Jasonette | E | 4k+ (hiatus)

May 2023

☄ Interrupting Bats Sequel | Daminette | M | 1k -prequel-

1+3 times Damian and Marinette interrupted their interrupters.

☄ look at those flowers that look like you | Jasonette | T | 3k

Hanahaki AU of my Reputation AU.

☄ Rival Mob Boss AU | Jasonette | M | 5k+ (hiatus)

☄ high tide came and brought you in | Jasonette, one-sided Daminette | T | 6.5k

Reverse Robins Little Mermaid AU where Jason is Ariel and Marinette is Eric.

☄ only bought this dress so you could take it off | Jasonette | M | 3k

Marinette finds her patrol rival/crush at the Wayne's party. They take things in a new direction.

June 2023

☄ from all the memories stored in my heart | Timari | G | CYOE | 1k

"Don't forget who you belong to" but SFW

☄ rude interruptions | Dickinette | M | 1k

Marinette is trying to make out with Dick but someone decided to disturb them. Also, why does she want to make out with Dick? He is such a dork.

☄ cracket | Timari | G | 1k

Cricket. Crnch!

☄ RavenBug Hanahaki trilogy | MaRave, Konette | T | 1k | (complete)

-one- -two- -three-

July 2023

☄ long live all the magic we made | Jasonette | T | 9.5k | minor DCxDPxMLB

In Gotham, Jason Todd is looking for Damian's dragonbat, Goliath, when he notices a strange thing in the sky. In Paris, Ladybug is fighting an akuma when a strange creature literally appears out of the blue. It might not be too big of a deal (they've both dealt with weirder things) if it wasn't A DIFFERENT UNIVERSE!

September 2023

☄ you're the hero flying around, savin' face | platonic Maribat, Adrinette | T | 1.5k | (angsty, unhappy ending)

He tasted salt. He cracked open his eyelids again. Oh. Her hot tears dropped past his reddened teeth, open in a half-smile, half-grimace. She was always so painfully optimistic. He hated to be the one to break it to her, but this would be more than a miracle. Optimism only got you so far. Look at him. Actually, don’t; you’d throw up like the person who had just followed her in here.

☄ there was one prize i'd cheat to win | Daminette | G | 1k

Marinette can only be roused from her daydreams by one word: Damian Damian will only respond to one word: Marinette They're so cute, right? Well... They secretly think the other dislikes them, being rivals and all.

October 2023

☄ "here, go stalk" (aka the coffee phenomenon) | Timari | G | 2k

Nightwing knocked on Red Robin’s mysterious rescuer’s window. She opened it with a stern look. “Really? And a blue and black vigilante outside my window isn’t as obvious as simply knocking on my door?” He shrugged, entering when she stepped back for him.

☄ tomorrow's a flower | Cassette | G | 1k

Cassinette meet cute at a fall fair turns to flowery romance.

☄ october request trilogy | T+ | 1.5k

February 2024

☄ the eras tour (jasonette's version) | Jasonette | T | 14k (completed)

March 2024

☄ stupid in love | Timari | T | 2.5k

Tim meets a competent new companion in his fight to make Ra's al Ghul's life hell. They just might be a match made in heaven (after all, Timari heaven is Ra's hell).

April 2024

☄ angel, don't fly so close to me (i'll pull you down eventually) | Jasonette | T | 0.5k

Jason's not the best at flirting; luckily the girl he's interested in thinks his attempts are cute.

Spring 2021

Operation Ruination, or, The Girl Who Fooled the Bats | Daminette | SMAU, all the typical Maribat/Daminette tropes

What I do isn’t a Crime...but it Should Be | Gen | Marinette toys with the Bats

Summer 2021

happiness | Daminette, Adrigami, past Adrinette

Miss Parisiana and the Heartbreak Prince | Jasonette | Jason leaves Gotham and finds a home in Paris

Peace | sequel to MPatHP | Jasonette | The Bats finally track Jason down and are surprised at what they find

daminette drabbles x3

Shattered Glass and Shadowed Ghouls | Daminette |

The Saga of a Ladybug and her Robin | Daminette | Medieval AU

Vengeance of Shadows | platonic/bio-sib Daminette |

bio-dad John Constantine | Daminette

"The Best Choice I Ever Made was Loving You" or, 4 times Damian and Marinette were almost caught and 1 time they were- | Daminette | Arranged Marriage AU

Autumn 2021

Ladybug in Paris, Phoenix in Gotham | Daminette

Ladybug & Kitsune | platonic Daminette | inspired by TheCuriousCat's series on ao3

Dragon Kwami AU | Daminette | Dragon AU

Accidental Marriage

Brucinette

Daminette +John Constantine scribbles

Angelwrath | Daminette | Demon AU, Childhood friends AU |

Innocent | Jasonette | Soulmate AU

bio-mom Lady Shiva

Ladybug & Lightning | Daminette | Soulmate AU

4+1 Daminette

Friends in Paris, Lovers in Gotham | Daminette

How to not Adopt a Pixie | Jasonette | Shifter AU (kinda)

Timari/ Batfam ID shenanigans

Dark Knight of Gotham (Maribat Edition) | Daminette | Mafia AU

Winter 2021-2022

Jasonette parents drabble | Jasonette | new parents fluff <3

Tears Streaming down your Face (I Said I’ll Never let you Go) | platonic Jasonette

Everything Has Changed | Gen | Marinette asks Bruce to adopt her. crack.

Soulmates Soulhates | Daminette | Soulmate AU but angstyish

Neighbours AU | Jasonette | Joker dies and Marinette Is Innocent

March 2022

the lakes | Daminette

Kaos | Daminette | Assassin Mari

[ali-annals]

Stars Around My Scars (Cardigan AU) Masterlist

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T | Ao3 | WC: 17k | CW: - | A/N: inspired by Taylor Swift's cardigan ~ many thanks to the darling @/sarcasticbambi, who was a fantastic beta and encouraged me to polish up my first longfic <3

Marinette has moved to Gotham and gained a boyfriend. Life is finally looking up for her after leaving the Liar and her cronies behind after she defeated Hawkmoth. It's still not perfect, though--her boyfriend has secrets, she misses heroing, her old class is planning their trip to her school…and not least of all, there are some weird new villains in Gotham she has to team up with the Red Hood to fight against!

one - you drew stars around my scars | 7k

two (fin) - i knew you'd come back to me | 6k

~ drabbles ~

drabble one: i knew you'd come (i didn't) | 1k

drabble two: you put me on and said i was your favourite | M | mdni | 3k

drabble three: i knew you'd linger (like a tattoo kiss) | 0.5k

[ali-annals]

you put me on and said i was your favourite

Cardigan AU Masterlist | Ao3 | Part One | CW: smut, first times (both 18+) | WC: 3k

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupainn-Cheng | M | A/N: Set between when Jason and Marinette left the school and showed up for brunch at Wayne Manor.

“I want to sleep with you.”

Jason turned from the movie to stare at her. “What?”

“I mean, I don’t want to pressure you, of course! But, when you’re ready…I will be.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course, cheri .”

Jason searched her face for several moments, studying her open, sincere expression. “Thank you, Pix.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We should set some boundaries first, huh?”

“That’s a good idea. Start simple?”

Jason nodded. “Yeah, tell me what you definitely do and do not want, Pix.”

“Uh, it’s our first times, let’s just take it as it goes. I want to talk and check that both of us are okay with everything. No super kinky stuff yet.”

“Of course, Pix. And if there’s something you want to try, ever, just tell me, hey?”

She coloured a little. “I will. You too?”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to you, Pix. I agree we should take things slow. Do we need to…get anything?”

Marinette shook her head, the colour in her cheeks darkening. “I got them…just in case.”

“You could be a Bat with your preparedness, Pix,” he grinned.

She smiled brightly at him. “If I had to, I’d rather be a Bat by a different way.”

Dropping that bomb on him, she abruptly changed the subject. “Now that the ground rules are out of the way, I want you to kiss me.”

“With pleasure.” Jason’s hand slid behind her neck to cup her head as their lips met. It started off sweet and romantic, a soft press of their lips. 

Then Marinette swung her leg over his and straddled his thighs, nipping at his lip. The mood changed, the kiss becoming rough and the air heating up. 

Marinette hadn’t realized she’d started rolling her hips until she brushed up against him and he let out a choked groan. Curious, she tried rolling her hips, on purpose this time. 

“I see your smirk, Pixie.” Jason’s voice had gotten deeper, and his hand moved to her waist and yanked .

She faceplanted in his neck, plastered to his front in a most pleasant way. Jason’s surprisingly soft lips brushed down her neck as he searched for spots that made her react the most. She shivered when he hit that spot and ground down onto him in pleasure. 

Jason nipped her lightly and she repeated her actions, searching for friction.

Realizing she was face deep in his neck, she decided to return the favour and began a line of wet kisses up and down his neck and jaw. She nipped his earlobe and backed away to pull his her hoodie off and free her hair, leaving her only in a thin black camisole and her jeans.

Jason groaned again. “You’re killing me, Pix.” He stood and hoisted her in his arms as she wrapped her legs around his waist. 

The easy way he lifted and carried her made her insides warm and her heart skip a beat. She eagerly pressed her mouth to his, prodding his lips with the tip of her tongue. 

Her back hit the wall but Jason kept moving, his sturdy form pinning her between the two. The pressure only made her squirm more, letting out a needy whine as he nibbled on her sweet spot.

“You’re still sure about this, Pixie?”

She nodded emphatically.

“Do you want me to leave your shirt on?” he met her eyes seriously.

“No,” she whispered.

His eyes softened and he kissed her sweetly. “Thank you for trusting me, Pix. I promise to do my best not to let you down again.”

“I know, mon amour.” She kissed him back, harder, reminding him why they were in her bedroom.

Her back met her bed and she realized belatedly that they'd switched positions. He pulled his lips off her and she tried to draw him back with pressure on his neck from her arm.

“Pix, can I at least take my shirt off?”

He smirked and winked at her speed to release him so he could pull his shirt over his head, revealing his toned, muscular torso, littered with various scars but even more beautiful in her eyes. 

“Why are you so hot, it’s unfair,” she groused, unbuttoning her jeans and kicking them onto the floor.

Jason sat propped against her headboard, only in his boxers. She crawled slowly up the bed to him, dropping kisses on various scars as she inched her way up. Eventually, she was straddling him again, cupping his face in her hands and dropping gentle kisses on his cheeks, nose, eyes, chin, and finally lips.

“Don’t freak out when I take my shirt off, okay?” she asked lowly. 

Jason leaned forward, pressing a surprise kiss to her swollen lips. “I’ll love you no matter what you look like, Marinette. I promise I won’t freak out.”

Smiling shyly, she slowly drew the hem up, then yanked it over her head in one smooth motion, squeezing her eyes shut.

It was the first time he had seen anything more than her arms, which were already plenty scratched and scarred. 

Slowly, he trailed a finger over the worst of them.

“Mari…I’m so sorry you had to go through that, alone.” He softly kissed each scar, as she had done to his. 

He glanced up and saw her gazing down at him, a tear in her eye. “Thank you, Jay.”

He smiled up at her and softly ran his hand through her hair. “I think you are beautiful inside and out, Pixie. The scars do nothing but show me how strong you are and how much you fought, and that’s just one of the things I love about you.”

Marinette brushed the lost tear off her face and kissed Jason thoroughly. “I love you so much.”

She made a half-hearted effort to return the mood to the eager sensuality it had been before, but they were too emotional, and it remained more soft and loving, less active horniness.

Many kisses were exchanged on each other’s bodies, scars covered in love.

Eventually, the two fell asleep, curled into each other’s arms.

Jason woke up to Marinette twitching in his embrace.

“Pixie?”

Realizing she was in the middle of a nightmare, he gently shook her. When she still didn’t wake up, he propped them up against a pillow and began carding his hands through her hair, whispering reassurances in her ear, hoping they’d reach her subconscious. 

After a few minutes, she settled, staying still and appearing more peaceful. 

A couple minutes later, her eyes cracked open and she stared at him sleepily.

“Hey, you feeling okay?”

“It was okay…as far as nightmares go.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, Jason continuing his finger-combing and Marinette tracing patterns on his hand draped over her shoulder.

“Do you want to go back to sleep, or do something else?”

In response, she turned and kissed his jaw. “I have a couple ideas,” she smiled flirtily.

They hopped off the bed and headed for the bathroom, in a rush to brush their teeth before continuing where they’d left off last night.

The feeling of Jason’s calloused fingers rubbing over her rough skin sent shivers of the most pleasant kind through Marinette. His incredibly soft hair brushed against her as he kissed his way down her chest, all of the sensations overwhelming her and making her more and more aroused.

Jason licked a stripe across her belly button, the cool air brushing across the trail of saliva and making her stomach muscles clench.

Hints of his stubble tickled her thighs as he kissed up her knee, and Marinette was one string of sanity away from demanding he stop his teasing and pushing his face where she wanted it, but this was an unspoken competition and she was not going to-

A cool wave of air hit her dripping slit and the last string snapped.

“Jason!” she growled.

Sensing the imminent danger, he gave her a cheeky wink and settled between her legs, her thighs closing around him to keep him where she finally had him.

A burst of pleasure hit her a second after she felt his tongue lick up her slit, and her hand flew to tangle in his bicoloured locks, a loud moan escaping her. “Do it again,” she said breathlessly.

He bent his head in earnest and, guided by her grip on his curls, licked in swirling patterns around her swollen clit and down to her soaked hole, sending strange new sensations through her body that sent the most pleasant sparks to her brain.

His tongue experimentally entered her hole, and he brought his hand up to rub her clit in loose, lazy circles.

Marinette gasped and tugged harder on his hair, her thighs tightening even more around him. “Don’t stop.”

Jason pulled off her enough to slide his finger in his mouth, then slid it into her hole as he returned to his previous efforts of tonguing her clit.

The strange feeling of his finger in her, stroking the rough patch of skin that made her clench around him, and his tongue circling her clit in tighter spirals soon sent her to the edge. “I'm close!” she gasped, rolling her hips into his face and feeling like she was in the middle of a firecracker.

His free hand came up to play with her nipples, sending a stream of stimuli sparks throughout her body and making her burn even more.

A couple more licks sent her to the top and she fell over the edge in a glorious explosion, chanting Jason’s name.

Jason rubbed his sore jaw and watched in awe as his incredibly sexy girlfriend came down from the first orgasm he’d ever given her. A pretty flush had spread over her skin, her breasts were heaving, and her hole was dripping, all because of him.

She opened her slightly dazed eyes and waved a hand loosely at him. “I’ll return the favour in a minute.” She huffed, currently a little lacking in oxygen. “That was amazing.”

He smirked in pride and leaned over to press a kiss to her forehead and run his hand through her hair and down her face and neck. 

Once her breathing had steadied, she propped herself up on her elbows. "Can I try giving you a blow job?"

"Uh…absolutely."

He shuffled his boxers down his legs and leaned against the headboard, curiously watching Marinette kiss her way down his chest. 

She took him in her hand and slowly moved it up and down, then bent her head lower to curiously lick at the head.

Wet warmth surrounded him as she took the first couple of inches in her mouth. 

He groaned and bunched her loose hair in a fist, fighting the urge to buck his hips and tighten his grip.

She set a steady rhythm, bobbing her head up and down slowly as she grew accustomed to the experience; one of her hands moved to play with his balls.

Surprised, he tugged on her hair a little rougher than he'd intended, and she let out a little moan, which didn't help his situation.

"Pix, stop; I'm close."

She glanced up at him, nearly making him come right then. "Don't think I can handle it?" She challenged. 

"U...uh…no, I just didn't want…"

She giggled at having rendered him incomprehensible.

"I want to try it–if you're comfortable with it."

"Yeah, go for it."

She doubled down on her movements, hollowing her cheeks, sucking, and humming and moaning gently, the vibrations tickling him most pleasantly.

He tapped her head, keeping his hips still through sheer force of will. "Gon' come, Pix."

She hummed louder to let him know she heard and bravely swallowed his load, a hint of white escaping her lips as she coughed.

Jason hauled her up and kissed her, uncaring of the taste; he was an assassin, dealing with any and all types of bodily fluids came with the job. This was certainly the most pleasant encounter in a while.

Jason kissed down her neck, alternating nibbling and soothing with his tongue. He made his way to her chest and began gently stimulating her nipple with his lips, sending tingles throughout her body. His hand moved to her free breast and he plucked her nipple between two of his knuckles while he ran his thumb around her areola, the contrasting sensations making her feel as if she was unravelling.

His other hand traced delicately over her skin finding bundles of nerves, the airy pressure urging her to beg for more.

"Jay," she mumbled.

He looked at her, starry-eyed and rosy-flushed, the early morning sun casting a glow over her lips, red and swollen, her skin dotted with marks, her hair a gorgeous mess. She was otherworldly.

"Yes, Pixie?" He replied huskily.

"More."

"Where?" He teased her. "You're the one who wants to communicate everything clearly."

She flicked his forehead and rolled over to the nightstand.

He couldn't resist. Smack !

She turned and stared at him. "Did you just slap my butt?"

He gave her his best, most innocent grin.

Marinette frowned and held up the bottle of lube. "Oh, so you want me to put this back?"

He decided to call her bluff and shrugged. "Do what you want, Pix."

She tossed the lube to the mostly-untouched part of the bed and lunged, straddling his thighs and pinning his arms above his head.

"I have an idea," she purred. " Anything I want?"

"Okay, I'm sorry! I was calling your bluff!" He yelped.

Her lips twisted in satisfaction. "Good boy."

She freed his hands, which was a major mistake on her part.

He settled them on her waist and yanked her naked core firmly against his thigh.

"I can feel you dripping for me, Pixie." His voice was rough and she stared at him, wide-eyed. 

He pulled her towards him, dragging her swollen clit along the muscles, sending overwhelming signals to her brain.

She braced her hands on his shoulders and started rocking back and forth, creating a rhythmic friction.

He looked so pretty beneath her, her nails digging into his shoulders, his eyes half-lidded in pleasure as he watched her move, his curls all tousled and his lips kiss-reddened.

She noticed he was fully hard again and wrapped her hand around him, causing him to throw his head back in pleasure and a groan to escape, though he bit his lip.

Jason lifted her off and quickly yanked a condom out of the nightstand drawer.

She handed him the lube and he squirted a small amount onto his fingers.

Marinette was sure she was wet enough but figured better safe than sorry. The first two fingers slipped in easily, though the lube was unpleasantly cold compared to the heat of his thigh.

Jason hissed as he felt her squeeze around him, carefully moving his fingers in and out until she was loose enough for a third.

When he could fit three in comfortably, he rolled the condom on and lubed up.

The first couple inches were slow and easy to take, as she was used to the stretch from his fingers, but the next few she consciously relaxed and breathed purposefully.

It definitely felt…different…but as he slowly moved, finding the best angle and amount of force to use, the pleasurable feeling grew as she edged closer to the peak. Jason shifted so his weight was on one arm, freeing the other to rub her clit and provide more stimulation.

The sheer closeness of their bodies, coupled with the love and trust they had for each other, made Marinette feel overwhelmed with all the good emotions, turning her into a soft gooey mess.

Jason's soft lips met her own, swallowing her cries as she fell over the edge. 

A few thrusts later he joined her, collapsing bonelessly over her. His body gleamed with their combined sweat in the early morning light, damp curls falling into his eyes and giving him the appearance of a statue.

She reached up, tenderly brushing his hair back, one hand resting on his neck.

His large hand cupped her cheek, his thumb wiping a tear from her eye. "Why are you crying, Pix?" 

"I just…you make me so happy. I just love you so much and I got really emotional. I'm okay, Jay. That was amazing."

His face softened as a smile stretched across it. "It was– you are amazing. I love you so much."

He pressed soft kisses against her face for several minutes, exchanging tender words as they cuddled. 

Eventually, they got up and Marinette headed to the bathroom to clean up. She emerged a few minutes later, dressed and hair braided, to find Jason sprawled in her bed on his phone, the sheet draped dramatically across his legs, leaving his torso bare.

She admired the view, noting how right he seemed there, her heart full.

He glanced up, his eyes filled with love. "Hey, it's family brunch at the Manor today. D'ya want to go?"

"What?"

"Do you want to come with me, as my girlfriend, to meet my family over brunch in…an hour and a half, give or take?"

Jason wanted her to meet the Bats? A smile crept over her face. "Absolutely, cheri ."

Then reality crept in on her love bubble. "Should I bring something? What should I wear?"

"Alfred will have plenty of food, but he has one failing: he can never make palatable waffles. Steph will love you forever if you bring some," he suggested. "And you can wear whatever you want, you'll look gorgeous in anything. None of them will care anyways; they'll show up in sweats and gym clothes and bathrobes. In those jeans and turtleneck, you'll be the best-dressed there, aside from Alfred in his suit, of course."

Marinette pulled out her favourite waffle recipe and prepared the ingredients. Jason started on the wet ingredients, while she whisked the dry together after strictly warning him against making any jokes about it.

Soon a lovely stack of golden-brown waffles filled the warm oven. Marinette put them in the insulated bag and grabbed her jacket and boots-it was spring, but still cool in the early morning, and the wind increased the chill when they were on Jason's bike.

Jason locked up after her, double-checking it for security, and followed her down to the garage to his motorcycle. 

Marinette put the bag of waffles into the backpack she'd brought along and sat behind Jason, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He revved the motor and sped towards the Manor.

[ali-annals]

only bought this dress so you could take it off

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: M | Ao3 | WC: 3k | CW: PWP ;p | A/N: inspired by this felinette fic <3 thanks to @/sarcasticbambi for betaing <33

Marinette finds her patrol rival/crush at the Wayne's party. They take things in a new direction.

Marinette glanced around the room for the members of her host's family. He'd assured her that this night was for her to show off her works, and the city would be safe and patrolled by some of his partners, though he hadn't specified which. 

She found Dick, Cass, and Tim mingling with socialites and showing off some of her handiwork to their best advantage, but no one else. Bruce had escaped momentarily for some peace and quiet in the staff kitchen with Alfred, who was overseeing the party's service, just after she arrived.

She couldn't decide if she was relieved or disappointed that the three Waynes were the only ones she saw or not.

Then, stepping through the arching doorway to the small antechamber, she saw him.

His back was to her, showing only the broad, sturdy lines of his body, but she would know that back anywhere.

She'd seen it often enough.

He was unaware of her presence, and she took the rare opportunity to peruse to her heart's delight.

He was wearing a plain black suit, but it had obviously been tailored to his form and fit him perfectly. A silver brocade tie, embroidered with small details in white– she instantly knew it was one of her works. She'd designed it with him – well, Red Hood him – in mind, though she never told anyone or actually thought she'd see him in it.

He cleaned up well, clean shaven and his usually sweaty curls tamed and slicked back neatly, his suit worn properly and his shoes shined.

She sighed inaudibly, annoyed that her attraction to him stretched to his civilian form as well.

He turned from the window, champagne flute in hand, surprise and…something else…flickering across his features.

He stepped forward to greet her.

"You look…ravishing, Sweetheart," his low timbre made her heart speed up and her stomach and core clench.

She glanced at him, tilting her chin to look him in the eye. "I'm not your Sweetheart, and I'm not yours to ravish."

His hand tightened around his glass. "I beg your pardon, Miss."

He took another step closer. "May I have your name, or is that too much for a humble man such as myself to ask for?"

She scoffed. "Humble? More like himbo."

"I take offense to that claim. I have a perfectly good brain that I can and do use!"

"Oh really? When? 'Cause I haven't seen any instances of that happening."

"I have a Masters in Literature and a Bachelors in Education!" He exclaimed, and she took a step back in surprise.

"Wait, really?"

He paused. "You didn't know that?"

She shook her head, fitting this new piece into the puzzle that was Jason Todd.

His gaze raked over her in a way that sent sparks down her body and an uncomfortably familiar wetness to appear in her panties.

"I have them framed in my room. Do I need to show them to you to prove that they exist?" He challenged.

She considered it for a brief second. "You know I don't trust anything you say without proof, Fashion Disaster. I think I need to see these degrees in person."

He extended his arm to her courteously. "May I prevail upon you for a dance before I secret you away? It wouldn't do for the highlight of the party to leave without at least one dance."

"How'd you know I haven't danced yet?"

"I know everything, Sweetheart. See? Not a himbo."

She glanced up at him thoughtfully, a troublesome warmth spreading through her body from her chest.

~~~~~

Of course, once she finally consented to a dance, there was a lineup of other partners ready to take his place when they finished.

He dropped her hand and leaned against the wall, waiting for her popularity to wane and her ability to slip away unnoticed to reappear.

His gaze never left hers, though, and she almost tripped over Dick's graceful stride when he deliberately licked his lips and winked.

Dick caught her and a knowing look crossed his face. "You're both adults and can make your own decisions regarding your hearts and minds, but I beg you, Mari, please don't be cruel or string him along."

She hid her frown, contemplating Dick’s words. Cruel to him ? String him along?

He was the one who was ignoring her up until today! He was the one constantly butting heads with her and always having to have the last word! He was the one who made her all hot and bothered yet constantly left and avoided her needlessly!

After her dance with Dick, she was so steamed she excused herself from any future dances and left the ballroom, heading for the powder room.

Maybe Bruce had a point, hiding in the staff kitchen like that.

Jason caught her wrist in his gentle grip. "You okay, Sweetheart? Did Dick say something?"

No, that confounded worried tone and its speaker could go buzz right off, as far as she was concerned.

She spun around and grabbed his tie, pulling his head down so their lips could meet in a filthy kiss.

He eagerly reciprocated, his hands finding a home on her hips and gently backing her into the wall.

~~~~~

The door burst open, their bodies colliding as she pressed him into the wall, panting against his lips.

His hands undid her zipper and slid her dress down her body so she could step out of it, remaining only in her lingerie.

He swallowed and licked his lips as he took in her form, clad only in the red satin overlaid with black lace. She'd made it with his colours in mind, spending a good half hour matching swatches to his suit. His voice had a rasp to it as he commanded her to take her underwear off.

She smirked at his need and obliged, as if she wasn't as impatient as him.

It was nice to have his attention on her so flatteringly, though. Usually he barely acknowledged her. This sudden neediness was a nice switch, though she wondered why the sudden change in attitude.

He shrugged out of his suit jacket, hanging it on the knob while she undressed.

As soon as her underwear hit the floor he was on her again, attacking her lips and jaw passionately, steering her towards the bed in the middle of the room.

She let him seat her on the bed but wrapped his tie around her hand and tugged, watching as he dropped to his knees.

He raised a brow at her and calmly unbuttoned his cuffs, then unbuckled her leather heels that almost raised her to his height. 

Once her heels were set aside his warm hands caressed her hips and thighs, his lips softly kissing his way up the inside of her legs.

Not that she was complaining how this was going, but she'd imagined he'd be a little…rougher? Dominant? Kinky?

Well, they were only getting started.

He shoved his sleeves up to his elbows and yanked her hips towards his face, raising his head just enough to look her in the eye.

"Ya good with this?" His Gotham accent was coming out, she noticed, pleased that he was relaxing yet worked up over her.

She nodded with a smirk and gently prodded his head towards where she wanted it.

Oh, the first pass of his tongue over her wet slit was heaven, and her grip tightened on his hair as a moan escaped him at her taste.

"Ya taste so good, Sweetheart," he groaned before returning to feast between her thighs like his life depended on it.

She clamped her mouth shut, unwilling to make a noise so soon, but settled for clenching her legs around his neck and shoulders.

The sight of him on his knees, between her thighs, her naked and him in a suit was incredibly erotic. Her freshly shaved legs rubbed against the silk of his shirt and she could just see the back of his silver tie, making her wonder how it would look used in…other…ways. She stifled a moan at the images flashing through her mind.

His eyes flickered up to her to check in, displeased with how quiet she was being.

He redoubled his efforts, and despite her best efforts, a small whimper escaped.

His gaze took on a victorious gleam as he sensed he was winning, his dark eyes meeting hers sensually as he swirled his tongue around her clit expertly.

His strong arms yanked her legs from their grip around his neck and pinned her open to bury his face even deeper.

The sight of his flexed forearms made her whimper again and clench around nothing, feeling incredibly turned on and incredibly frustrated that his forearms were doing it for her.

It wasn't her fault she liked to be manhandled in the bedroom, she would like to remind her logical brain. And Jason was attractive and funny and a gentleman (when he wanted), but as he was also currently demonstrating, very much not a gentleman.

And oh, he knew how to use his mouth, both between her legs and when they argued, though lately he'd been quiet around her and ignored her as best he could, which was quite well, considering how he could ignore Batman when he was annoyed with him.

A spark of pain and pleasure from her nipple drew her attention back to the man drawing her closer to her orgasm, and she glared down at his audacity.

His eyes held plenty of mischief as he held her gaze. 

His hands, pinning her legs and stimulating her nipple, framed his face in her view and she closed her eyes in pleasure, reaching her peak. 

Another pinch to her nipple made her frown and open her eyes to glare at him. She opened her mouth to give a smart remark but a high-pitched moan escaped instead. 

"Look at me when I make you come," he ordered, then returned to his job.

The sight of his face messy with her slick and his hungry gaze filled her mind, and she stared directly into his eyes as she came, shuddering and biting her lip to restrain herself from calling his name.

He stood between her legs, cupping her head in his hands and bending to be eye to eye with her.

"So defiant, Sweetheart. When I'm done with you, you won't be able to say anything other than my name."

She despised his condescending tone and she despised how good he looked, his careful hairstyle mussed, his face wet with her cum, his close warmth and that delicious scent…

"We'll see about that," she spat. She tugged his tie again, yanking his lips to hers and meeting him in a furious kiss, messy and rough.

Her free hand crept down his delicious, warm, broad chest, unbuttoning his shirt and freeing it from where it was tucked into his pants. 

His hands dropped to fiddle with his pants and she lounged back on the bed, sliding her hand down her body to play with herself.

He glanced at her hand but said nothing, hurrying to undress himself; he joined her on the bed, his hand digging through the nightstand drawer for a condom.

His tongue flicked against her mouth as he licked the blood that she'd drawn when she'd bitten her lip. "Ya so stubborn, and for what?" He taunted.

"Ya don't wanna say my name? Whadda ya have against me, huh?"

She withdrew her fingers from her slippery core and pushed them into his mouth, effectively shutting him up.

His eyes fluttered closed and his dexterous tongue thoroughly cleaned her fingers, his hand wrapping around her wrist to maneuver it better.

He released them with a gentle pop and tightened his grip minutely. "Ya wanna stop, anytime, just say Batman, 'kay?"

She nodded and ripped the condom package open, sitting up to roll it onto him.

She guided his length towards her very empty and waiting core, focusing only on her need and not how perfectly she fit between his arms, or how his hair fell into his eyes, softening his face, or how good he smelled…

He began thrusting slowly, and she rocked her hips to meet his.

He tsked and held her still with a firm hand on her abdomen, a smirk twisting his lips as he felt her clench around him.

"Slow and steady, Sweetheart. What? You're always complaining how quickly I leave."

She glared up at him, steadfastly ignoring the muscle definition, the scar on his right rib from where he took a knife for her, and the soft, teasing look in his eyes. Why was he being so confusing now?

"Oh, so now you listen to me, yet you still somehow managed to annoy me, why am I not surprised?"

He chuckled, their closeness making it impossible not to feel the vibrations thrumming through her body and concentrating at her core. "The end result is worth it, Sweetheart."

He moved her arms to lie above her head and looked at her. "Keep your arms up or I go even slower."

She whined when he thrust even slower once, just to prove his point. "Okay, I'll keep them up…but only so I don't strangle you and get charged for 1st-degree while I'm naked."

His soft grin made her almost smile back until she remembered she was still mad at him for his ghosting issues…but with the way he was moving his hips, she might forgive him sooner than she planned…

He brought his arm down to her core, softly stroking her clit and building up that pleasant sensation.

Gradually, he increased the intensity and speed of his thrusts until she was right on the edge. "Right there," she moaned.

An evil smile crossed his face, and he stopped rubbing her clit.

She moved to lower her arms but he tutted. "Do you want me to slow down?" He reminded her, and she huffed at his condescension.

"Good girl," he purred when she settled, and the smile widened when he saw her reaction to his words.

"Hmmm…but you've been a very bad girl lately, haven't you?" He circled her nipple with his thumb. "You've been so sweet and worried and feisty and you look so good when you're taking down criminals, and you don't even know what you do to me…" he punctuated his words with a hard thrust and a pinch at her nipple, building her orgasm back up as she moaned at his words.

He…liked her? So he was avoiding her? So maybe he wasn't a himbo but sometimes he was a little stupid.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him so close their lips almost touched.

"And I've been showing off when I can around you because I like you."

"You mean it?"

"I've been waiting for you to notice me this whole time. When you started avoiding me I thought…I didn't know what to think, honestly," she confessed.

"I'm sorry. I guess I am a himbo, after all," he sighed.

She laughed. “I’ll forgive you. But will you please make me come,” she moaned in annoyance.

“Since you asked so nicely, Sweetheart.” He picked up his pace and began a quick, hard rhythm as he continued his attention to her clit.

With a groan, her eyes rolled back and her nails dug into his shoulders. “Jason,” she gasped, her body trembling and her eyes fluttering closed.

With a groan of her name, he came, collapsing over her and only catching himself on his elbows.

Her eyes opened and she stared into his eyes, an inch away from her own.

Soft little breaths tickled his neck as she panted. She brought her hand up and smoothed his hair back from his face. “So I never saw those degrees, you trickster.”

He huffed a laugh and rolled over to lie beside her, pointing a finger at the wall opposite his bed, where his desk stood. “There. Two degrees. Happy?”

“Extremely. I don’t know if I’ll be able to move for a while.”

“So stay.”

He stared at the ceiling, wondering why he’d just said that, hearing the pillow rustle as she turned to look at him. They’d just established they didn’t hate each other and liked each other, he didn’t need to scare her off.

“Fine, but be warned, Tikki has some words for you.”

He gulped.

[ali-annals]

Rude Interruptions

Pairing: Dick Grayson x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: M | Ao3 | WC: <1k | CW: suggestive content | A/N: prompt 1 prompt 2

Marinette is trying to make out with Dick but someone decided to disturb them. Also, why does she want to make out with Dick? He is such a dork.

Soft lips trailed down her neck, ending pleasant shivers through her body.

She ran her fingers down his strong, muscled back, tugging his shirt out of his pants and pulling it up.

Bright blue eyes grinned up at her behind tousled dark hair as he tossed the shirt to a forgotten corner and lifted her shirt up.

She lifted her arms to let him pull her shirt over her head, but he left the collared neck around hers, pulling her towards him to catch her lips in a passionate kiss.

They parted for air, breathing heavily, and she finished removing the shirt, sending it after his.

Her back hit the bed with a soft thump as he crawled up her body, caging her in, trailing soft, teasing kisses as he went.

She kicked her shoes off and scooched up the bed to gain a better position to continue their hot and heavy makeout, his lithe form continuing its slow pursuit of her.

She wrapped her legs around his waist to trap him into staying close to her, locking her arms around his neck and pulling his face down to meet hers.

His warm, rough hands roaming her body, mapping out her reactions to him, adding to the heady experience of his slow, thorough kisses, his sharp cologne mixing with a faint scent of sweat and the club and something she couldn’t quite place and didn’t exactly want to with how well-kissed she was…

Faint strains of an old song sounded through the door, and she prayed it was just because her roommates hadn’t expected her back this early and were chilling in the living room, and she would just have to make sure to be quiet.

Unfortunately, her luck never seemed to carry over to her civilian life in the most desperate times she wished for it, such as right now.

The music got louder, and she could make out the faint thumping sound of feet on the creaky hardwood plank just outside her door.

Dick’s kisses paused, and he turned towards her door in confusion.

She sighed and sat up halfway. “It’s my idiot roommates, who have a bad idea of a joke and even worse taste in music.”

Dick turned back to her, pouting slightly. “But it’s the perfect song! They have great taste!”

He hopped off the bed and swung the door open, facing two grinning green-eyed blonds.

Felix was holding the speaker above his head while Adrien danced to the music at his side.

Dick joined in, copying Adrien’s moves quite quickly. 

The sound of skin hitting skin sounded above the ending tune.

Felix looked past the two’s shenanigans and smirked at Mari, who had facepalmed. “Having fun?”

“The most,” she deadpanned.

Dick looked back at her. “Come on, Mari, it’s the perfect song!!”

With a reluctant and put-upon sigh she flipped out of bed and grabbed a T-shirt to replace her previously-removed sparkly blouse before joining the impromptu dance party.

The song ended and Felix queued a new one, a little livelier this time.

~~~

Once they were finally left alone and in peace (there was a difference, as Marinette could attest to, with this night as only the latest example), she turned to Dick.

“Why did you join them and introduce yourself and be all friendly?”

He looked her in the eye and grinned. It was evil, and a little shiver went down her spine.

“Because the fastest way to kill their fun is to join it and be even more fun.”

Her jaw dropped. “You are a genius,” she breathed, jumping at him and pinning him against the wall.

~~~~~

The last guest was seated and the song began playing, the same song that Felix had blasted three years ago.

Mari’s eyes filled with tears as the flower petals dropped to the carefully-tended lawn of the Wayne Estate.

At the foot of the aisle danced a man in a black tux, a bright blue tie at his throat and a matching fanny pack around his waist, dropping rose petals as he twirled past the rows of guests.

“What is he wearing,” hissed Mari to Steph in horror, but the blonde was currently doubled over in laughter, blinking rapidly to ensure she wouldn’t cry and smudge her makeup before the ceremony even began.

“Look, Mari, that ’s what you want to marry. You don’t have to follow that dork down the aisle, you know.”

“I love him because he’s that dork,” she sighed, settling her bouquet and straightening her shoulders. “Time to go become Mrs. Dork.”

[ali-annals]

All's Fair in Love & Prank Wars

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng, implied Timdrien

Rating: G | Ao3 | WC: 2k | CW: - | A/N: M?GI! Secret Writer's Bracket 2023, Round 1

"Damn right I'm pretty." "I said petty."

Jason angrily huffed and flounced out of the small living room, disgusted by the scene before his eyes. His dramatic exit was barely noticed by the main culprit, but their partner-in-crime did and looked at them, confused.

“Why is Jason so moody? He seemed happy to see me earlier.” Marinette looked up from where she was sketching cartoons of the Waynes, stretched out under Tim’s arm as he made snarky comments about it.

Tim rolled his eyes, tired of the pair’s blindness. “I wonder why.”

Marinette frowned. “Because you showed up and he’s mad at you for getting distracted on patrol last night?”

“That! Was partially your fault! Admit it!”

“Patrol was slow!” Mari defended herself. “I didn’t think he’d hate the idea of roof tag that much.”

“Probably just because you were constantly jumping me,” Tim mumbled. 

“Well, how else was I gonna get my coffee back?”

Their bickering quickly devolved into play-wrestling and Jason huffed in annoyance, glancing in as he walked by with his steaming tea and book.

~~~~~

Jason was mad that Tim was with Marinette, he was mad that he was mad about it, and he was mad that the two were so close he couldn’t dare say anything about it.

Yet another thing the Pretender had that he didn’t.

And he couldn’t even begrudge it, because she was just so bright, anyone would be lucky to have her companionship. But he sure wished that she’d toss a couple rays his way sometimes.

It bothered him that she was so nervous around him, so he tried to stay out of her way, but she was like the sun and he her earth, constantly drawn to her and staying close to her. Any further away and he’d freeze. As it was, he burned when he was around her, but the burning was from anger. Tim was often by her side, meaning if he wanted to bask in her warmth for a while, he had to put up with her and the Pretender’s…closeness.

The trouble was that he was delusional enough to wonder if he did have a sliver of a chance. The way Mari and Tim acted was sometimes more sibling-like than boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Then again, whenever he was around her and she noticed (which was often, she had good situational awareness), she turned into a nervous, awkward, endearing mess, stuttering and twice as clumsy, her eyes always flitting from him to exits to the people around them. He wondered if he could ever make her see him in a way that made her less tense around him.

Tired of not knowing if Tim and Mari were dating or simply concerningly close friends, Jason made up his mind to find out once and for all.

The trouble with this plan was that in this family, you couldn’t simply ask a question and find out the answer, unless it was an emergency or you were Cass.

This would require finesse…

Prank war it was!

He was 98% sure Tim was the one who’d spilled coffee in the library, anyways. The little brat was practically asking for it.

~~~~~

Marinette screeched and yanked the towel tighter around her. “Knock!”

“Sorry!” Tim backed out of his bathroom very quickly, his hands held up in innocence. “I just heard your screech and then a thump, I was worried.”

“Thank you, but please, boundaries !”

She shook her stringy hair in annoyance. Jason had messed with Tim’s shower in the Nest and it had been incredibly cold, which she hadn’t expected. This meant war.

Once she had showered, in the spare shower this time, which was thankfully untouched, she returned to Tim’s room and demanded an emergency War Council session.

He agreed, feeling a teeny bit guilty that Mari had taken the prank intended for him and a lot amused by her appearance as a half-drowned mouse , and pulled up his list of possible pranks to play that he’d been brainstorming.

Mari wrapped a towel around her hair and rolled over to the desk on a roller stool. 

“That’s a long list; how long have you been creating this list?”

“Since the very First Official Prank War,” his answering grin was a little maniacal.

~~~~~

Jason perched in the ceiling of the Nest, contorted to avoid Tim’s sensors and cameras. This position was starting to be a bit uncomfortable, especially since it had taken both of them longer than he expected to shower after their spar and workout. The Pretender still hadn’t showered, actually. 

Gross.

Unfortunately, Mari had been the victim of his tinkering with the taps, and he still hadn’t gotten conclusive evidence to her and Tim’s relationship either way.

He used his helmet’s capabilities to zoom in on the pair.

Marinette was pointing out prank ideas and Tim was listing what they were in retaliation to.

Jason raised the volume of his bug in Marinette’s bracelet. It was Bat-tech, for her to press if she was in trouble as a civilian, but he had hacked into it and activated it for this operation.

Tim finished saying something and Marinette slapped his arm.

Ugh, a flirty gesture, or friendly violence?

“You’re so petty!” she accused Tim, and Jason snorted. Petty was a weak adjective for him.

“Darn right I’m pretty,” Tim attempted a flirty hair flip with his loose bangs.

"I said petty. You sure think highly of yourself, huh."

"I've been told I'm very pretty, it's the truth," he shrugged.

"Yeah, by Adrien , he's biased. You know what's better than pretty?” she grinned.

Tim looked at her incredulously.

“...Okay, fine, you're pretty!” She gave into Tim's ridiculous puppy-eyes.”But it's delicate pretty, you know my type is rugged pretty-"

"- like Jason,  yes, I know. Ugh, when will you stop rhapsodizing over Jason, it's so gross,” Tim shivered dramatically.

What.

"You're so rude! You know, if I get with Jason, then I'll be out of your hair more…"

"Ooh! Good point, I should change my objective in this prank war to getting you two idiots together instead of just getting revenge on Jason…" Tim pulled up a new doc and began outlining plans that Jason heard nothing of, too stunned by what he’d just learned.

Marinette was nervous around him, not because he was so big, intimidating-looking, violent, or any of the other things he’d thought, but because she had a crush on him?

…Well, then, things just got a whole lot more interesting.

He focused on Tim’s plans again.

~~~~~

Jason “just happened” to be loitering in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil for his tea when Tim and Mari stormed in, arguing about coffee.

It seemed like normal, but Jason had learned of Tim’s plan and bribed him with pictures of Adrien he’d bought off Chloe last time she was in Gotham.

Tim was going to make Marinette think that they were pranking Jason by meddling with his tea. 

While Marinette was in the pantry fishing out the ingredients for his not-tea, Tim would blackmail him into baking for them, then when Jason was also in the pantry, Tim would lock them in.

(Of course, there was a way to unlock the pantry from the inside, but Marinette didn’t know that.

He hoped.

There was no way for him or Tim to casually ask her if she knew of the safeguard without giving its existence away.)

Everything went as planned and Jason was shoved further into the pantry, the door clicking shut and the decisive snick of the handle locking echoing in the neatly organized chamber.

Jason flipped the lightswitch and looked at Marinette, who was holding a variety of ingredients in her hands, attempting to look innocent.

“Oh, you’re in here too? What are you making?”

“Um…was just getting some things Tim asked for; he wanted to make something, I think?”

Clever, Sunshine, deflecting and twisting the words to not give anything away. Well, that won’t work here. I learned from the best.

“Oh, okay. I guess we’re stuck here till Timderella lets us out so I can make his beignets.”

Marinette muttered something under her breath, likely something uncomplimentary about her traitorous ex-prank-partner as she realized she’d been played. Good, she didn’t know about the safeguard.

“We haven’t hung out much one-on-one,” he noted casually, sitting cross-legged on the floor and opening a bag of M&M’s.

“I thought that was on purpose? You seemed to avoid me.” She cautiously joined him on the floor.

He smiled behind his handful of M&M’s. “You seemed nervous around me.”

He could see the realization cross her face.

“But recently I learned that my assumption was wrong,” he started. “I didn’t think this amazing girl I know would like someone like me, but apparently, she does, so I thought I should ask her out.

“Marinette, will you go on a date with me?”

She blinked, then nodded vigorously. “Yes! I’d love that!”

He grinned back at her. “Then giving my best collection of blackmail photos to Tim to lock us in here was the best investment I made.” He pulled out his phone to text Tim.

Marinette’s jaw dropped. “That little traitor,” she hissed.

Tim came back a moment later and unlocked the pantry, a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Congratulations, you two, I was waiting forever for you to realize what dunderheads you were being.”

The smile was quickly wiped off his face as Mari launched herself at him, chasing him around the kitchen.

“Call off your girlfriend!”

“She don’t bite,” shrugged Jason, cheering Marinette on.

“YES SHE DO!” screeched Tim, vaulting over the island.

“Wait, let me tell you something, let me tell you something,” Tim begged, poised to sprint to the safety of the hallway, his hands held up innocently, pleadingly.

Marinette paused, suspicious.

“Jason was the one who came up with the idea to lock you two in there!”

“He confessed,” said Mari, taking a step forward.

“He forced me to!”

“It was a bribe. That’s on your weak moral compass for falling for such material things,” she sniffed disdainfully.

“It was pictures of little Adrien! How could I refuse?!”

Marinette glanced back at Jason. “You have pics of little Adrien?”

He shrugged. “I bought ‘em off Chloe. All’s fair in love and war.”

Afterword:

[Once Marinette has chased Tim enough that her vengeful streak is satisfied] Tim, annoyed at Jason and Marinette being all cute and in love (oh how the tables have turned): Hey, Mari, did you know there was a way to get out of the pantry that Jason didn't want you to know about so you couldn't run away from him? Jason, silently promising Tim that he'll hide all his coffee if this turns out badly for him: Marinette, too happy to care about anything now: Yeah, I knew there was a way to get out. Alfred showed me the first time I baked here, just in case I got locked in. I decided it wouldn't be a bad thing to be locked in a small space with my crush, and Jay didn't look like he wanted to leave any time soon, which was great! Jason and Tim: ... Jason: Have I ever told you how much I love your devious mind, Sunshine?

[ali-annals]

my tears ricochet

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T | Ao3 | WC: 4.5k | CW: discussions of death & murder, ghosts & ghostly activities, class salt | A/N: This was inspired by Graveyard Siblings by @/arty-shadow-morningstar and my tears ricochet by Taylor Swift.

It was over. Everything was done. Hawkmoth and Mayura were defeated. Ladybug was dead. Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s “friends”/classmates were crying around the fresh grave. She’d been revealed as Ladybug in her death, her transformation dropping one final time. The city mourned their fallen heroine. Chat Noir gave the final Miraculous Team’s press conference, stating that Marinette was dead, attacked by Hawkmoth; though she had defeated the villain and his partner, she had succumbed soon after to irreversible injuries. He would be retiring now as well. … The next day, a lone figure made its way back to Ladybug’s flower-covered grave. He was the class’s foreign-exchange student, Damian Grayson. He set a single white rose on the headstone and stepped back to pay his respects. The dirt began to move, and a hand poked through.

It was over. Everything was done. Hawkmoth and Mayura were defeated. Ladybug was dead. Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s “friends”/classmates were crying around the fresh grave. She’d been revealed as Ladybug in her death, her transformation dropping one final time. The city mourned their fallen heroine.

Chat Noir gave the final Miraculous Team’s press conference, stating that Marinette was dead, attacked by Hawkmoth; though she had defeated the villain and his partner, she had succumbed soon after to irreversible injuries. He would be retiring now as well.

Paris was ashamed of how critical they had been towards the spotted hero--she was just a teenager, juggling heroing, school, home life, and not being akumatized herself. Yet she took their criticisms and critiques calmly, keeping on because it was her duty and she loved Paris; it was her home.

The various Team members were there at her grave as well, sunlight glinting off the jewellery she had entrusted to them.Yet even though they knew their everyday Ladybug was actually Ladybug, her class still bad-mouthed her in her hero and civilian capacities.

The next day, a lone figure made its way back to Ladybug’s flower-covered grave. He was the class’s foreign-exchange student, Damian Grayson. He set a single white rose on the headstone and stepped back to pay his respects.

The dirt began to move, and a hand poked through.

Damian grabbed it and pulled.

Marinette emerged, covered in dirt and panting but alive .

“Thanks.”

Damian stared at her, checking for injuries. “How?”

Three Days Ago

Plagg raced to Tikki. The ladybug kwami’s eyes widened as she heard the cat’s news. 

“I must tell my chosen!” she squeaked. “She must not…”

“No, tell Pigtails…”

The kwami of Chaos had the kwami of Creation on his side. 

Four hours later, Ladybug and Chat Noir stormed Gabriel Agreste’s lair. Once Hawkmoth and Mayura’s Miraculous were recovered, a nod from the yoyo-restrained-Gabriel had Chat Noir call “Cataclysm!” and launch the destructive black energy at Ladybug.

Her Miraculous suit protected her from turning into ash like other cataclysmed objects, but she fell to the ground, killed by her own partner’s betrayal.

“Get her earrings,” Gabriel told Adrien. 

Ladybug’s transformation dropped, revealing Marinette.

“No!” Father and son yelled. Gabriel because Ladybug’s earrings weren’t on her, and Adrien because both his crushes were the same girl, whom he had just killed.

Even Hawkmoth and Mayura’s jewels were gone; they’d been in Ladybug’s yoyo, which had disappeared with her transformation.

In Marinette’s pocket, Adrien found a note addressed to him.

Adrien, 

I know you’re Chat Noir. 

When you read this, you’ll know I was Ladybug. 

Plagg told me your father convinced you to join him and kill me to get my earrings. I have put your father and Nathalie’s Miraculi away safely, and mine are hidden as well. 

You’ve lost. I’m sorry; you had the potential to be a good partner. 

I had Tikki teach me a spell to transform once without earrings so that your father couldn’t get them. I sacrificed myself to stop Hawkmoth. I believe that is what a true hero would do. 

Adrien, I put a delayed renouncement on your Miraculous. When Plagg leaves, put the ring in the box, and the new Guardian will collect it. 

Goodbye. 

Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Present

“I cast a delayed Miraculous Ladybug on myself before I attacked Gabriel.”

“You woke up in your coffin and dug out? Did you pack an axe or something?”

“No. I think I’m part ghost now. I became intangible and floated up. It gave out just before I broke through the dirt, though, so I’m glad you were around.”

“You-you’re serious.”

“Yep. Clearly, these new abilities will require some testing and experimentation before I continue with my plan to get revenge on my classmates. I could use some help, and you’re good at labs and minding your business. Would you help me?”

“Absolutely. They’re imbeciles and weren’t even really sorry you died.”

Marinette scoffed. “Of course not. They still don’t understand the consequences of their actions. You’re staying at the Grand Paris, right? Can I, uh, stay with you till I find a place? I can’t go home.”

“You’re welcome to come by any time. I’m heading home next week, however.”

“That’s fine. Thank you. I only had so much time to prepare for my post-death before I had to actually go die, and housing slipped through the cracks.”

“You seem rather cavalier about this.” Damian observed carefully.

She shrugged. “I’ve seen the destruction of the entire planet several times. I’ve died, seen those I love die multiple times. I’m heavily emotionally repressed. I’m still in shock and shut down. Dark humour and acting like nothing bothers me is what got me through the past five years.”

Damian nodded understanding, considering if he should share Jason’s story or not. “Shall we head to my suite now, then? You can fill me in on your revenge plans.”

“Sounds lovely. How are you not more shocked about-” she waved her hand at her grave and herself, “-all of this? Surely you don’t talk to half-ghosts everyday.”

“Just a zombie,” he deadpanned. “I’ve seen a lot of things, Dupain-Cheng. Not much shocks me anymore.”

“How world-weary of you,” she teased, bumping his hip with hers. “Maybe you can help me take my hauntings up a notch, then, if you’re so experienced.”

“What were you picturing with your hauntings?”

“Just spooking my old classmates and taking back the Miraculi I gave them. They should all have been renounced by now, but I’d like to pick them up in person. I won’t be haunting Luka, Chloe, or Kagami, but the rest are fair game. Would you like to tag along and watch? I can guarantee some entertaining reactions.”

“I’d love to.” They approached the Grand Paris. “You can wear my hoodie to avoid any recognition,” Damian offered, shrugging his black and blue hoodie off.

Marinette eyed the strip of skin exposed as his T-shirt bunched up. “Thank you. Why are you being so nice to me, though? You’re so standoffish to everyone else.”

Damian pulled the strings of the hood tight, covering most of her face. “You avoided them too. I could tell they were fake. You’re different. You care about and help people, both as yourself and Ladybug. You’re smart and have an acceptable form of humour. Your biggest flaw is being too kind.”

“Thank you? Wait, that was definitely complimentary, coming from you.” She gasped. “Do you have a crush on me?”

“Why would I want to compactly reshape you? You could hardly stand getting smaller.”

Marinette gasped in offense. “Crush as in like me, not want to reshape me, you- you tree!”

“Yes, I like you. You’re far more tolerable than most people–even my family,” he added as he pondered the thought.

“Well then. Since we’re confessing, I like you too. In a more romantic than platonic way.”

Damian opened the door to his suite. “You can have the bed on the left. I prefer to sleep by the door, so I took the right. Will you need clothes?”

Marinette side eyed his blatant non-reaction to her confession. “Eh, I’ll borrow some from Chloe or Gami till I can make more. Oh! Once I haunt Alya, I can sneak into my room and get a few things.”

“So, what order are you haunting them?”

“ Alya first so I can get Trixx. Adrien next so I can get Plagg. Pollen, Longg, and Sass will be last. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to let their holders know I’m alive again. After Adrien, I’ll collect the others, then go back to Lila and Adrien.”

“Got it. You requested my help specifically in helping you experiment with your new ghostly powers. What were you thinking?” “I’m not sure. Since you’re so experienced with strange things, what do ghosts often do?”

“Ghosts have the ability to possess living beings, become invisible and intangible, and travel between the lands of the living and dead. Their power level is correlated to whatever body they are possessing. Ghosts are vulnerable to nth metal,” Damian recited. Marinette stared at him. “I…am not going to ask how you know that. So I guess I’m possessing my own body? I wonder how that works,” she hummed.

“How about you try your intangibility first? That seems like the most useful ability to master.”

“Good idea.”

Marinette stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. “I don’t know how to just…become a ghost. Tikki said she didn’t have any first-hand experience with such an occurrence. Do I have to kill myself to go ghost every time? Will I only be a ghost after I die? Is it like my Ladybug transformation? Is it like a switch, on and off?”

“Tikki is your…Miraculous being?” Damian clarified.

“My kwami, yes.”

“Can you still talk to her?”

“Tikki!”

The kwami popped into existence between them.

“Marinette! It worked!” She excitedly buzzed around her wielder, overjoyed that the plan had worked.

“Thank you for all your help, Tikki. I know you said you didn't have any first-hand experience with someone dealing with the aftereffects of that magic, but would you maybe know how I switch between ghost and human?”

Tikki circled her holder several times, thinking deeply. “I think it should just work like an on-off switch, although any future deaths would revert you to ghost form. You should be able to return to whichever state you wish after that, although I wouldn't go around carelessly tempting fate.”

“Thanks, Tikki.” Marinette focused intensely, making a scrunched face that Damian secretly found cute.

“Dupain-Cheng! You are translucent. I think you succeeded.”

Damian’s alert made Marinette open her eyes to see her ghostly form. She looked like her human self, although her hair was inverted from black to white, her eyes were supernaturally blue, and her skin was ghostly pale (shocker).

“Huh. I didn’t even feel the change.”

Damian pulled out his phone. “You don’t show up on camera…and neither does your kwami.”

Marinette nodded. “I’m not surprised. Show me?” She stretched out her hand for Damian to pass it to her, but it started floating towards her.

The two teenagers stared at it in surprise. 

“Well,” coughed Damian. “I guess you also have telekinesis.”

~~~

After an afternoon of practicing her transformation so she could tell when she did it, and practicing her powers to maximize the fright her hauntings would garner, the duo were ready to set out.

“Do you have something to change into that won’t give you away if you’re seen?” asked Marinette, switching into her ghost form for the final time that evening.

In response, Damian held up his Robin suit.

She raised her eyebrow at it. “Better than your predecessor’s, but don’t think that will save it once I get settled.”

1:13 a.m. blinked in red letters from the clock on Alya’s nightstand.

Marinette phased through the window, nudging the curtains back a smidgen so Damian could have a better view from where he lurked at its edges.

“Alya Cesaire,” she intoned, using her best ghostly voice. “Give me your Miraculous, Rena Rouge. You are unfit to be the wielder of such power.”

Alya awoke with a gasp, eyes and mouth wide open.

Eidolon extended her hand, summoning the jewel from around Alya’s neck. “Goodbye.”

“Wait!”

But Eidolon was gone, phased through the wall without a backwards glance.

Trixx’s necklace was deposited into her personal pocket dimension. Using her telekinesis, she flew Robin towards the Agreste Manor.

Adrien was sleeping.

Eidolon tapped his nose. “Wake up, kitty.”

He startled into a sitting position. “Bug? You’re back! I missed you! I’m so sorry!”

“Oh, Chaton, you didn’t miss me. Your cataclysm aim has really improved; you hit me in the heart. This is my ghost, haunting your dreams as you sleep, all warm and cozy in your bed, while I lie cold and stiff, covered only by six feet of dirt,” she spat.

“No!”

Damian smirked at the blond’s cry.

“I see my spell worked.” She nodded at the mark on Adrien’s finger. “Where is the ring?”

“On my desk.” He curled under his blankets.

“Goodbye, kitty. I’ll be back,” her final smile was full of teeth as she phased through the wall.

The ring joined the other Miraculi in her pocket dimension. “Let’s torment Lila,” she directed Robin.

“Lila Rossi.”

The liar awoke with a muffled yelp.

“I have come from beyond the grave to punish you for your treatment of myself and previous classmates. You will not speak of me ever again, be it good or bad. You have a way with words and people; you could be an excellent writer or PR person, if only you weren’t so self-centred and manipulative. You don’t have any excuse like a bad home life. Really? You are pathetic. Whenever you are tempted to lie, remember this night and this mark. No one will see it except for you and those I allow to. I hope you’re happy that I’m dead. Now I’ve got all this free time to watch you!”

Eidolon left a small circle stamped with a ladybug on Lila’s wrist, the mark glowing burning red. “Goodbye, Lila–for now!” she hissed as she floated through the roof. 

Three days later

“Since you don’t want to stay here much longer, why don’t you come home with me?” suggested Damian one afternoon. “Barbara can whip you up a new identity, and we all to some extent understand what you’re going through right now. Plus, we can see each other everyday. You can get a job at Wayne Enterprises, I’m sure, or collaborate in some manner. My family are huge fans of MDC.”

“I’ll need a passport–nevermind, I can portal over. But a job at WE? I haven’t graduated because I died; how would I explain missing transcripts and credits to them?”

“Barbara can easily transfer the equivalent of your credits to your new identity. Besides, my family would understand your circumstances. Oh. I remembered you don’t know. My real name is Damian Wayne.”

“...Kay….oh!” She pointed mutely at his nod. “Those Waynes are also the Batfamily.”

“Correct. How is your rebranding coming along?”

“I called Uncle Jagged and explained everything, and he and Penny still want to support me. I would tell my parents, but they’re always busy with the bakery and I was always pushed aside. It’s better that I stay away and leave their life how it is. Anyways,” she changed the subject overly-cheerily, “here are the forms for my new identity. Jagged’s future favourite designer will be Lenore Starr, professionally known as Len Starr. My civilian ID in Gotham will be Titania Wang. You may call me Ti.”

Tikki came flying over to Marinette. “Marinette, can we talk to you, please?”

“I’ll be in the gym.” Damian left, giving them privacy.

“Marinette, since your death and…changing…we’ve noticed a shift. You’re more suited to Plagg or Trixx than to me. I think Damian would be a good fit for me, though. WE want you to consider swapping Miraculi.”

“If that’s what you think best, alright. I did notice something off when I transformed with you, but I’d just assumed it was because I’d died. Should I tell him now or in Gotham?”

When Damian returned from his daily workout, Marinette sat him down. “We need to talk.”

“About?”

Marinette explained the situation. “Would you be willing to try?”

“If you trust me, I’ll do it.”

“Of course I trust you. You stayed by my side when no one else did.”

Four days later

Marinette walked through the portal Kaalki had opened to Gotham’s international airport’s bathrooms. 

She quickly found Damian at the luggage carousel, collecting his bags. Her baggy hoodie, jeans, sneakers, and oversized polarized sunglasses helped her pull off the nondescript, unidentifiable look she was going for as she followed her boyfriend to the shiny black SUV.

“Uh, who is this, Demon Spawn?” Three people in the back stared at her.

Damian looked at the man who had spoken in shock. “No One. You can see her? Oh, it’s because you died too,” he nodded his head in a ‘duh’ motion, fastening his seatbelt. “Nice to have such a warm welcome.”

“What?” interrupted the man.

“She’s a ghost,” explained Damian impatiently. 

“What?”

“I can see her and I haven’t died yet,” said the other man.

“Well, half-ghost,” Damian amended.

“What?!”

“Did you make a friend, Baby Bird?”

“Tt. Of a sort. I must speak with Father immediately when I get home. Alfred, can my guest stay in the constellation room?”

“Of course, Master Damian. Will you introduce your friend, or must I do that as well?”

“No One, this is Alfred Pennyworth, and these are my brothers, Richard Grayson–” “-I go by Dick-” “--and Jason Todd, and my sister, Cassandra Cain.”

Marinette smiled shyly and waved at Damian’s curious siblings, taking an immediate liking to Cass, who was staring intently at her, but in a curious way, not a rude one.

“We’ve arrived.” Alfred parked the SUV and opened the door, letting Marinette out first. “Welcome to Wayne Manor, No One.”

“Thank you.”

Cass tapped Marinette’s hand and motioned for her to follow. The door they stopped at opened to a luxurious room done in  black and silver, with a clear astronomy theme. A telescope on the balcony pointed up at the daytime sky.

With a smile, Cass left her to relax, which meant checking for bugs before she opened her pocket dimension and let out the kwami and what clothing & necessities she suspected she’d need.

A knock at the door sent the kwami (literally) flying to hide. It was Damian.

“Father would like to meet you. He’s in his office downstairs.”

Damian escorted her there, closing the door and perching on the arm of the chair she was in opposite Bruce’s desk.

“Damian told me a little about your story. You're Ladybug, you died in the final battle, revived after you were buried, and now you are half-ghost and going by the moniker Noirgent?”

“Correct. Did her tell you that we are dating, as well?”

Bruce looked at his son, who shrugged.

“No, he did not. He did say that he is now Vermeil.”

“Correct again.” She tugged her hoodie down so he could properly see her face-to-face. “Dami told me you Bats could provide me with a new identity. If you’d like, I can find a place and move out.”

“No, no! We’re happy to have you here; it’s the safest place in Gotham. We’d be glad to provide you with a new identity. Babs is in the cave now; if you go through the-”

“I can phase through things, thanks. I can help Alfred with chores or pay rent or something, while I’m here.”

“There’s no need to pay rent, but if you’d like to help Alfred, feel free to ask him. He doesn’t like help often, I’ll warn you.”

Damian whispered something in her ear and she giggled. “Thank you very much, Mr. Wayne.”

“Please, call me Bruce.”

They shook hands cordially, and then she grabbed Damian and phased through the floor, having discovered that she could temporarily imbue things with her abilities while she was in ghost-form.

Babs was lovely and promised to keep her and Damian’s secrets. Bruce had agreed they could prank Damian’s siblings, as long as they stopped if someone was hurt or in danger.

With Babs’s professional skills at work, No One soon became Titania Wang, an 18-year-old American orphan. 

Leaving Babs to her mastery, they phased up to Bruce’s office, startling the poor man. (He was suddenly glad Damian had forbidden him from adopting her. Imagine if there was another “____ ‘PR nightmare’ Wayne”!)

Damian and Marinette left the office, promptly running into a definitely-not-lurking Jason.

“Oh, sorry, Jason.”

“Tt. Todd.”

“Hi.”

“Hi. I’m Titania, by the way.”

“Like the queen of fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”

“Exactly! You like classical literature?”

“It’s my bread-and-butter. What’s your favourite book?”

“You ask me to choose?” gasped Ti, scandalized. “Fake nerd, expecting me to pick sides like that.”

“Oi, how dare you question my nerd status, Pixie! I’ll have you know I memorized the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice when I was twelve.”

“Hmm…acceptable. You’ll do; us lit nerds must stick together.” She stuck out her hand. “Titania Wang, at your service.”

“You’re perfect, Pixie.” Jason wiped a fake tear and turned to his brother. “How did you find her, Demon Spawn?”

Damian rolled his eyes. “With my eyes, of course. Tt.”

“Did- did Demon Spawn just make a joke?” Jason looked at Ti.

“I’m teaching him our-generation humour, so his nineteenth-century vampire self isn’t exposed so quickly,” she explained. “So, I hear you’re the one who likes guns and motorcycles. Wanna help me pick out a good bike?”

Jason’s eyes practically turned into hearts. “I’d love to!”

Tim arrived home from work, storming straight to Bruce’s office. Everyone watched his rapid pace with extreme interest. Why was he ticked off at Bruce?

They found out as he barged into the quiet study. “Are you kidding me, B? Another one? Did Damian get too old to-”

“Hi, you must be TIm, the one I haven’t met yet.” Titania was curled up on the couch, polishing her new throwing knife collection under Jason’s supervision as they discussed the French parts of A Tale of Two Cities.

Tim squeaked. “There’s two of them!”

They both had wavy black hair, blue blue eyes, a handful of freckles, and were wearing black pants, T-shirts, and a red hoodie. 

She looked like Jason’s long-lost twin, but much tinier than him. (Everyone was a little unnerved, especially when he announced that Pixie was his little sister after she beat Damian in a spar. Cass and Jason were going to spar for the honour of adopting her, but she proposed joint custody, although she and Damian reserved the right to veto their claims on her at any time.)

“Titania Wang. Pleased to meet you.”

“Seriously? Not even a hyphen? At least Jason and I got hyphenated surnames!” Tim wailed, plopping into a chair.

Ti frowned. “Hyphen? When I marry Damian will Wang-Wayne be too confusing?”

Everyone choked.

“Why are you marrying Damian?” Tim coughed.

“Not right now, obviously . He’s my boyfriend, so I don’t see why we wouldn’t marry in the future. I haven’t been adopted, Tim. I’m just living here. Titania Wang, W-A-N-G, not Wayne.”

Tim stared at her. “Nice to meet you. Tim Drake-Wayne. Sorry about that. With B’s track record I just assumed you were my new sister.”

~~~

Vermeil and Noirgent swung out of Wayne Manor, heading out on patrol. Vermeil was showing Noirgent the usual patrol routes when Spoiler intercepted them.

“Who are you and what are you doing?”

“I’m Noirgent. Batman and Oracle know we’re here.”

Oracle confirmed their legitimacy with Spoiler, who let them go.

At breakfast, everyone showed up at the same large table, even Alfred. 

“So, B tells us that Robin is Vermeil. Does that make Titania Noirgent?”

“You’ve deduced correctly,” Ti smiled at Dick.

“Then how did you have time to make this full-spread English breakfast, patrol as Noirgent from ten to three, crack a cold case, and appear so chipper at eight thirty a.m.?” demanded Tim, slurping coffee from his third mug of the day.

“I don't’ sleep,” Ti shrugged, reaching for the eggs. 

“Even Tim sleeps sometimes,” said Jason.

Titania raised an eyebrow. “Fine. I sleep for ten hours a week. Are you happy now?” She left the room, carrying her dirty dishes.

Damian followed her. “Don’t be too nosy. She’d been through a lot lately.”

The rest of the morning was filled by the couple sparring in the Batcave.

The family was careful about what they said around her for the next two months.

They instead devoted their time to attempting to figure out how she appeared without notice, never setting off Bat-senses.

Noirgent went out less and less as she changed. Every day she noticed herself become more and more kwami-like. Tikki hypothesized the change stemmed from the spell Marinette had used to merge with Tikki minus the earring conduit when she died.

Finally, Ti sat the Bats down to explain the Miraculi and kwami situation. They took her revelation rather calmly, albeit with all of their innate dramatics.

Five months after she moved in, Jason finally caught her sleeping in the library.

He cleared his throat to let her sleeping self know that he was there, blinking in surprise when she just…disappeared. She reappeared a moment later, eyes wide. “Hi, Jay.”

“Pixie, where’d you go?”

“Me, go somewhere? I was right here the whole time.”

He narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

Tim entered with his camera and a frown. “Ti, I was going to print off some new family pictures, but you don’t show up at all.”

“What? That’s really weird.”

“Are you a vampire?”

She scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jason. I’m a g-Guardian.”

“Uh huh. About that bullet wound you got last week-”

“What, that scratch?” Ti started before Cass emerged from the shadows and lifted the back of her shirt up. 

“No wound.”

“Fine, you figured it out. I’m a half-ghost. My ghost powers have been leaking through to my human side as I get used to my new body post-resurrection.”

Her friends took a second to process that, having known something traumatic happened at the end of her Paris heroing, but were forbidden by Damian’s threat of loosing Plagg on them to go digging.

“So that’s why you have the white stripe. We really are twins!”

“I have so many questions.”

“Are you…okay, though?” queried Jason. “Like, not going to become a full ghost or anything, right?”

“No, I think I’m stabilized in this half-ghost/half-human form now. It just took a while for everything to settle, like those kinetic sand thingies.”

“Gotcha. I’m glad you’re not going full-ghost anytime soon.”

“Me too, who would keep you on your toes then?”

“You can still haunt us when you go full-ghost.”

“Oh, I will.”

“Uh-oh. Ti has that evil smirk on her face.”

“I have some glowing reviews from some…acquaintances. As long as you don’t eat my piece of Alfred’s torte, you should be good.”

“OhlookIforgotIhavetodosomethingtimetogobye!”

Alternative first meeting with the Bats:

Jason: Welcome back, Demon Spawn….why is there a girl with you?

Damian: Why would I have a girl with me?

Cass: She is beside you.

Damian: I don’t see anyone.

Dick, riding shotgun: I don’t see anyone either.

Marinette: *invisible and playing with Damian’s hair* 

Marinette: *smirks*

Marinette: *proceeds to ‘haunt’ the Manor and play pranks on the Bats, all of whom have solid alibis but start a prank war anyways*

[ali-annals]

Chlamian | Jasonette Crack

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Chloe Bourgeois, Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: M | Ao3 | TW: blood, implied serial killers, zombies | WC: 0.6k

ScarletImpulse requested: Chloe/Damian or Jasonette, Horror, Serial Killer in a Zombie Apocalypse (Inspiration reel here ) Somehow the horror became crack. Maybe the real horrors were the friends we made along the way.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?!”

Chloe shrugged at Damian’s shout of exasperation, scraping dried blood from under her nails with the tip of her dagger.

“He was in my way.”

Damian ran his hand through his hair, huffing. “Tt. I know you enjoy ridding the earth of scum but surely that is too weak a provocation for you to snap so quickly.”

Chloe rolled her eyes, sliding the dagger into her holster as she turned to walk away, her red-streaked blonde ponytail swinging. “He was annoying me. I’m a serial killer, Dami, I kill people for fun. Why can’t I kill him and permanently end my suffering?”

Damian trailed after her. “It’ll temporarily end your suffering, you mean.”

“Not if I keep killing him when his lazarus/zombie hybrid virus revives him,” she waved her hand flippantly.

The lock to their base beeped quietly as she entered the passcode, swinging the heavy metal door open for Damian to follow her inside.

Strands of red and yellow fluttered to the dusty entrance ground as a knife lodged itself into the wooden post by the door, narrowly missing Chloe’s neck.

“You’re lucky I was thinking of cutting my hair anyways,” she huffed, yanking the knife out of the post.

“Will you stop killing him for ONE DAY!” shrieked Marinette, tossing another knife, one that Damian caught before it hit Chloe’s hand. 

“Ridiculous.” Chloe took the knife from Damian and raised it, the sharpened blade cutting through her hair like air. “Keep your boyfriend on rescue missions instead of on elimination patrol with me, then. Better yet, TELL HIM TO STOP SINGING THAT RIDICULOUS SONG!”

“EXCUSE YOU, BABY SHARK IS ICONIC!” Marinette threw another knife, which Chloe caught this time.

“IT”S STUPID AND YOU AGREE! STOP DEFENDING HIM JUST BECAUSE HE’S YOUR BOYFRIEND! HE’S NOT EVEN ALIVE TO CARE RIGHT NOW, ANYWAYS!”

Marinette gasped in outrage. “YOU’RE JUST MAD BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SUPERIOR TASTE!”

“Would both of you keep it down?” Jason sat up, rubbing his face. “Reviving to my girlfriend and the pain in my ass yelling isn’t very welcoming, you know.”

Chloe crossed her arms, turning to face the opposite wall as Mari greeted her boyfriend as if it wasn’t the twelfth time this month he’d unfortunately revived after she killed him. Maybe the 13th time was the charm? And on Friday the 13th, too, how fitting!

…Wait, wasn’t there a serial killer named Jason who had a whole shtick about Friday the 13th? Ugh, now her plans were ruined. He’d totally use that ridiculous pop culture reference for an interminably long time, just to annoy her.

“What are you planning?” Damian whispered in her ear.

She jumped and frowned at him. “Who says I was planning anything?”

He gave her a look. Damn him and how well he knew her. 

She huffed. “Unfortunately, my plans are cancelled, because your brother is an asshole !”

“I heard that!”

“You were supposed to!” she smiled at him sweetly, then turned to leave.

She missed her ponytail; it was perfect for flipping as she walked away, a dramatic closing statement.

Oh well; it was too prominent a symbol by now, it had had to go. Apparently when you kill some pre-zombies in a zombie apocalypse, the remaining people don’t like it and warn their acquaintances about you. Honestly, she was doing them a favour. More resources were left for the ones she and her friends (and pain in the ass) didn’t kill. Tt.

[ali-annals]

long live all the magic we made

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T | Ao3 | TW: -? | WC: 9.5k

In Gotham, Jason Todd is looking for Damian's dragonbat, Goliath, when he notices a strange thing in the sky. In Paris, Ladybug is fighting an akuma when a strange creature literally appears out of the blue. It might not be too big of a deal (they've both dealt with weirder things) if it wasn't A DIFFERENT UNIVERSE!

“Daddy? Can you tell me a story?”

Jason smiled and brushed Sebastian’s hair back from his forehead. “Of course. Any special requests?”

“Something you did?” Sebastian’s eyes were wide.

Jason cleared his throat.

“A long, long time ago, I was in the city, on an errand for your uncle Damian. Goliath had gotten away, and your uncle was in bed with a broken leg, under Grandpa Alfie’s strict orders not to move. Goliath would only listen to me, so I was sent off to get him.

“It was a typical day in Gotham, grey and cloudy, and I wasn’t very happy that I had to leave my training to go find a rogue dragon bat.”

Sebastian scooched over and Jason lay beside him on the small bed, tracing the lines of his face as he spoke.

“I was busy hunting down my informants, hoping they’d have seen Goliath– you know how big he is; it’s hard to hide a dragon bat.

“The sky cleared up and became sunny. I think most of the Gothamites out and about almost collapsed from an overdose of Vitamin D,” he joked.

“I looked around to see what was up and saw this bright, sunny gash in the sky. It looked like the sun cutting through clouds, but it was definitely an unnatural occurrence. I grabbed my swords and headed to the gash. It seemed to be getting bigger, and wind was gusting through the rift.

“The wind picked up and carried me through the portal. There was this great whooshing noise and then I blacked out. It wasn’t very fun.

“I woke up and knew I’d been dropped in some other dimension because there was no way what I was seeing would happen in my world. The most gorgeous girl I’d ever seen was standing in front of me. She was dressed like a ladybug, and then she told me her name was Ladybug.

“She was a hero of that world, and something had happened during a fight that caused the gash. There was a whole team of animal-themed heroes behind her, busy fighting the strange-looking thing they told me was called an akuma.

“There was a snake, a fox and turtle, a black cat, and the Ladybug girl. They had some type of magic, and they were obviously used to these types of fights because it was over pretty fast– though that could have been the disorientation from crossing worlds,” grinned Jason.

As Jason told his tale, he watched Sebastian’s eyelashes flutter in his attempt to stay awake. Eventually, the boy lost the battle and drifted off to dreamland. Jason pressed a kiss to the top of Sebastian’s head and edged quietly out of his room.

~~~~~

“Maman, tell me a story,” begged Felicia, tugging at Marinette’s dress as she turned to leave after kissing her goodnight.

Marinette laughed. “Anything to extend your bedtime, huh? Alright, but only a short one.”

She perched on the edge of Felicia’s bed, smoothing out wrinkles in the comforter.

“Let’s see…oh, I have one.

“Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there was a group of heroes fighting villains called akumas. I was the ladybug hero, the leader of the team. It was a battle just like any other day, or so I thought. There was a big hole in the sky that strange creatures we thought were akumas kept dropping through, and finally, there was a man with a sword. The hole seemed to disappear after he came through.

“My team and I defeated that day’s akuma and then spread out to go looking for the creatures that came to our world.”

~~~

Marinette headed off in the direction of the strange-looking creature that had come through the portal. It looked like a furry gargoyle.

At first, she had thought it was an akuma or connected to the akuma, but it had completely ignored them and headed for the suburbs of Paris.

The closest green space was the Bois de Boulogne, so she started her search for the creature there. It was late evening, so there weren’t many people around; she thought it would be fairly obvious if a furry gargoyle was around and didn’t expect it to take long.

She could look around, swing by a couple smaller greenspaces on her way home, and then be in bed at a reasonable time. Hopefully, she could get a good 8 hours of sleep before her 8:00 a.m. class the next day.

The cracking of a branch behind her made her glance back at the treeline, hoping it was just a squirrel or something small. Now that she was possibly facing the furry gargoyle…she wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do once she knew where it was.

But that was still a problem for future Marinette, because there was neither squirrel nor gargoyle behind her. It was a man.

A…cosplayer?

He was wearing old-fashioned clothes and leather armour, and had a sheathed sword on his belt. From a fashion designer’s perspective, it was incredibly accurate, and Marinette found herself wanting to ask him who had made it or where he’d gotten such an incredible quality get-up.

Realizing she was staring at the man, who had paused, she blushed and smiled awkwardly. “Sorry for staring, I was just admiring your outfit.”

“It’s fine, and …thanks? I’m just uh…looking for something my little brother lost. ” 

He spoke French almost perfectly, but his accent was unlike one she had ever heard before. He definitely wasn’t native to either Paris or France, yet he spoke Parisian French, not Quebecois.

She nodded and glanced up at the sky yet again.

“I’m Jason,” the guy offered.

“Mari,” she said, not wanting to give her full name to a stranger just yet. He seemed rather familiar, as if she should know him.

She continued her search for the creature, either a sighting or maybe a footprint, but nothing came up.

She did collect some litter to throw out, a couple francs, and a dropped Ladybug action figure.

Seeing Jason a good distance away, she waved and approached him. “Is this your little brother’s lost item? It’s the only thing I found that might be a child’s,” she nodded at the debris in her hands (the francs had made their way into her pocket. What? She was a university student in fashion, she needed money).

Jason looked down at the toy and took it from her, turning it around. “No, it’s not his,” he said finally. “By the way, who is this? I’ve never seen a toy like this before, and I saw someone who looked like this earlier.”

“Oh, Ladybug? She’s a part of the Miraculous Team.” At his blank look, she continued. “Paris’s heroes? They fight Hawkmoth’s akumas and amoks.”

“Japanese demons?” Jason’s head tilted slightly to the left, and she found herself thinking it was adorable on a man his size. Also, he knew the Japanese term for demons? Interesting.

“Um, yeah, that was the inspiration for their names. They're like…mind-controlled supervillains? The actual villain is Hawkmoth; no one knows who he is, but he has this Miraculous –magic jewel that grants its wearer a power– that he uses to akumatize anyone feeling strong negative emotions. The goal is to get Ladybug and Chat Noir, the two main heroes, Miraculouses. The akuma agrees to attempt to get the Miraculouses, and Hawkmoth gives them the power to get revenge or whatever they want.”

As she briefly explained the situation, Jason looked more and more worried.

“How long has this been going on?!”

“Um, since I was 13…so six or seven years, give or take?”

“That’s awful,” Jason said, eyes flashing green like Chat’s.

“Yeah, it’s been hard on everyone,” she agreed. “The Team has been doing their best, but since no one knows who Hawkmoth is…” she trailed off, shrugging. “They do the best they can.”

“Do you have a way to contact the Team, like to announce an akuma attack or something?”

“There is the Miraculous Team Official website and Twitter, and one of my friends, Alya, has a blog where she reports on attacks and livestreams them sometimes. I’ve told her it’s dangerous, but since Ladybug’s Cure always fixes the damage after the fight, she doesn’t mind getting knocked around a bit for the footage.”

“Oh, the damage is reversed? That’s a handy ability. Thanks for telling me about this; I just arrived here today, so I had no idea so much was going on,” Jason explained.

“No problem! I hope your stay here is peaceful!”

Jason handed her back the toy and headed back towards the busier end of Paris.

She clutched the toy, staring after his form disappearing into the twilight.

~~~

Marinette burst into the Miraculous Team’s quarters. 

“Max!”

“‘Sup?” Max whirled away from his worktable, where he was fixing up secure devices for the team to use as civilians.

“I may have a lead on Hawkmoth, I don’t know. Can you check some things for me, please?”

“Sure,” he spun around to his computer station. “Whatcha need?”

“Can you check all the flight logs from this afternoon? Find anyone who fits the profile of a muscular white or white-passing male in his early twenties, about 190 cm, black hair with white bangs, blue or green eyes?”

“Want me to find you a date  without  breaking several laws?” he joked, typing away.

She huffed a small sigh, blowing her loose hair out of her face. “Haha. You know I’m focusing on the Team and school right now. I met this guy while I was at the Bois de Boulogne, and he just…created an itch in my brain I need to scratch. There's something very off about him.” She began laying out her evidence, ticking off the items on her fingers.

“He spoke almost fluent French, but with an accent that I’d never heard. He knew that an akuma is a Japanese demon, which, maybe he just knows French and Japanese, but there’s other stuff as well. I told him the basics about the whole situation, and his eyes started glowing or flashing the same green as Chat’s. He wanted to know if there was a way to contact the Team, and the most damning evidence that something is wrong?” Mari threw her hands up. “He had  no idea  what the whole situation was about, which is why I was explaining it to him! He told me he had no idea about any of it because he just arrived today, but  how  did he arrive? International tourism has dropped so much because of this, and everyone in Europe tries to use Eurorail lines that don’t require a stop in Paris! There are brochures and PSAs and waivers to warn the few fools who do come here what to do and what all this is about!”

“That sounds seriously fishy, dude,” Nino agreed, having joined with Alya mid-rant.

Alya immediately pestered Mari into giving all the details of her interaction with Jason while they waited for Max to work his magic.

Mari did so, needing to work through the strange feelings he had given her. Strange, yes, but unwelcome or creepy? If she was honest, not so much. It almost felt like she was finally grasping a tough topic to comprehend, or achieving success on a difficult project. Pre-satisfaction, she decided to call it, as she had not yet gotten that success, but it was so close she could taste it.

That, more than his strange appearance in Paris, was what niggled at her brain. 

~~~

Hours later, Markov reported no man of Jason’s description entering Paris in any legal way. A moment later, Mari’s newly-secure phone alerted her that someone had replied to a post on TMO’s page.

‘Anonymous: I’m a private detective offering my services pro bono to help Team Miraculous apprehend Hawkmoth. Please reply to me privately if you’re interested in my offer.’

Mari huffed an incredulous laugh, betting it was Jason. He’d given her an intense vibe like Officer Roger or other law enforcement members gave her.

She discussed the anonymous offer with the team and they agreed that at this point, it couldn’t hurt to try tracking Hawkmoth with outside help.

A little while later, she replied to his message privately, sending a location and time for Anon and the Team to meet and discuss their offer.

~~~

The Team arrived at the location a few minutes early, to their surprise finding a man in jeans and a red jacket, a Ladybug mask peeking out from beneath the edge of the hood.

“Anon?” Ladybug asked.

“That’s me!” His gaze slid across the team, who were spaced out in a manner hard to be all attacked at once. “I have many years of detective training, and I’d like to help the Team and Paris if I can,” Anon said. “I’ve found a lot of bad guys, but the cases aren’t public so I’m afraid I can’t verify my identity that way.”

“At this point, you’re offering free help and that’s all we care about,” said Ladybug tiredly. “My partner, Chat Noir, and I would like to take a few moments to ask you some questions privately, if you’re up for that?”

“Sure,” Anon hopped up onto a roof vent and swung his legs, the heels of his boots hitting the metal echoing in the night air.

The Team cleared off, keeping a lookout in case this was a trap while their main defenders interrogated the detective.

Chat Noir wound around his extended baton, examining Anon’s body language and humming thoughtfully.

“Anon, my dear partner and I want to examine you quite thoroughly. You must admit, as a detective, this offer is rather fishy-smelling, even to a cat like me. So, Bug and I would like to try something with you, if you’ll give us a moment to prepare?”

Anon shrugged. “Take your time.”

The heroic pair snuck behind tall vents and detransformed, having already placed duplicate masks on their faces before they transformed and worn plain, generic black sweatsuits.

They reappeared behind Anon, who didn’t so much as flinch when they popped up at his elbow, kwami hidden in the depths of their hoods, tiny glowing eyes assessing Anon and his demeanour.

“Why are you only offering your help now?” asked Chat.

“I only arrived here today and found out about the situation.”

The heroes hummed, exchanging glances. Ladybug went next.

“That’s interesting…because Paris has been broadcast around the world and we’ve warned tourists away. Everyone knows not to come here unless it’s absolutely necessary. Even if you’ve been living under a rock, you would have noticed our posters and PSAs at airports, Eurorail stations, and around the area, if you arrived legally. As a self-titled detective, I find it rather interesting that you don’t even know the basics of the situation you claim to want to help with. So this is either a very badly-planned trap, or you’ve arrived illegally, possibly from another world…?”

It was a long shot, but Anon stiffened when she mentioned another world, and Tikki whispered that he was nervous now.

“You wouldn’t make a half-bad detective, yourself,” he said. “I guess another world isn’t any stranger than what you’re dealing with daily,” Anon sighed. “Yes, I’m from another world. In my world, we often face issues like you’re dealing with, and my father is the head of a team that deals with them. I’ve been training since I was young, and I have my own team. Those are my credentials.”

“Did you come through that bright void in the sky that occurred during the akuma attack this afternoon?” Ladybug asked.

Anon nodded. “I was looking for my little brother’s dragon bat, and then I saw the void in my world, so I went to check it out, because, Detective, and then I got sucked in here. I think Goliath is here somewhere.”

“Goliath is your brother’s dragon bat? Is it kinda red and furry and looks like a gargoyle?” Ladybug inquired with interest.

Anon nodded again. “That’s him. You’ve seen him?”

“Just when he came through the void-thing. I thought he was part of the akuma attack, but he just flew away and I had my hands full, so I have no idea where he could be now.”

Chat crept around Anon’s back, letting Plagg get a full impression of him.

Ladybug called Rena Rouge over and requested she also detransform so Trixx could act as a lie detector, transforming into Ladybug so their defences weren’t lowered dramatically.

Rena stalked around Anon. “Do you plan to double-cross us?”

“No.”

“Are you working for Hawkmoth?”

“No.”

“Have you lied to any of us about anything?”

“No.”

“Why do you want to help?”

“Because I inherited my dad’s gene for butting into other people’s business, especially when it involves villains.”

Chat chuckled, modifying a pole dance move as he watched Alya’s interrogation and Anon’s straightforward answers. “Your dad sounds like the opposite of my dad. He only butts into my business when he thinks I’m ruining his image.”

“Move, Catboy, I’m the bad cop here,” Rena gently pushed Chat out of the way.

“Are you easily corrupted by power?”

Anon chuckled lowly. “Quite the opposite. I was dunked in a pit of glowing green goo that tried to make me mad for blood and go completely insane. I’m quite accustomed to pushing out unwanted mental influences or evil powers drawing me to the dark side.”

Chat pushed Rena out of the way considerably less gently than she did him. “Glowing green goo? A Lazarus pit??”

Anon stared at him. “You know about those?!”

“My kwami does. He helped create them. But…you have them in your world? But no Miraculous?? How…”

Anon shrugged. “ I  don’t know. Any other questions to determine my sincerity and goodness? Maybe a blood oath binding me to never double-cross you sounds good?”

Rena and Chat exchanged considering looks.

“I was joking,” yelped Anon, raising his hands defensively.

Ladybug swung back over. “My kwami thinks we can trust you. If you let us down…just remember  you’re  in  our  world now, and our Miraculous can make you disappear without a trace, and there’s no one in this world to go looking for you..”

“Got it, ma’am.”

“Oh, one final question: you’re Jason, aren’t you?”

Anon looked at her piercingly, green eyes glowing under his hoodie. “Yes.”

“Mari told me about you; we’re pretty close. And a suspicious person she talked to came up in our conversation, naturally,” Ladybug hastily explained.

Jason smirked. “Naturally. It wasn’t the hot guy she ran into who was the best big brother looking for his kid brother’s toy?”

“Of coUrsE noT,” squeaked Ladybug. “We have different tastes in guys, anyways.”

“So Mari thinks I’m hot, but you don’t? Or you think I’m hot, and she gave me a 3/10?”

Rena and Ladybug gave each other a deer-in-the-headlights look.

Chat grinned, canines gleaming. “Oh, he’s good, Bug. I like him.” He held out his fist for Jason to fistbump.

Ladybug glared at Chat, then Jason. “I refuse to answer on behalf of my friend.”

Chat coughed into his hand. “Coward.”

Ladybug wrapped her yoyo around his baton, yanked so that he’d tumble from his acrobatic show-off, and turned back to Jason. “So, if you’re world-jumping, I guess you don't have a place to stay, huh?”

“Nope. I’m a former street kid; I’ll survive.”

“We have a place you can stay if you want.  Don’t  tell anyone about it.”

“Sure,” he agreed easily.

~~~~~

Ladybug showed him to the safehouse they’d had waiting, just in case any of the Team’s identities were compromised and they couldn’t return home or to the Team’s base.

A camera was installed in the one-room apartment, and the barest of necessities were left in the cupboards.

“One of us will be by in the morning to bring you to the base and get you started on your detecting. Here’s a burner with the Team’s numbers installed if you need something. Good night!”

“Thank you, Ladybug. Sleep well!” he waved her off, and she yoyo’ed home, considering the changes that would happen in the coming days.

~~~~~

Ladybug showed up bright and early to show Jason to the base before she headed off to uni for her 8 a.m. class.

Pegasus opened a portal from the Base, and the duo stepped directly through, eliminating any need for secrecy or division; there was no way that a portal would allow Jason to guess where their base was.

She let Chat and Pegasus take the lead, introducing Jason to the tech–which thankfully was similar to what had been developed in Jason’s world, so he picked up how to use it fairly quickly– and their suspicions of who could be Hawkmoth, et cetera.

~~~~~

After uni, which was thankfully only a half day that day, Marinette headed back to the Base, curious to see what progress, if any, Jason and the Team would have come up with.

At the last second, she remembered to transform and popped in through the window.

What she saw was not what she expected.

She’d been imagining them clustered around the computer setup, typing away or maybe stretching after hours of tracing leads.

Instead, she was greeted with the not un-welcome sight of Jason and Chat, shirtless and glistening in sweat from their spar.

The workout space on the far side of the Base had caught Jason’s eye as soon as he walked in, but he’d headed straight for the research part of the base.

Marinette supposed Adrien had taken advantage of Jason’s need for a break and coerced him into sparring with him. (She suspected Adrien had a bit of a boy crush on Jason, which she didn't blame him for. She might have a teeny bit of a crush, too.)

The two were having a break, guzzling water in that stereotypical jock way of squeezing water from the bottles into their mouths, the missed droplets joining the sweat drops as they trailed down their bare chests.

Marinette gulped, then remembered she was Ladybug. “Having fun, boys?” she purred, walking up to them with a calculating glint in her eye, watching Jason as he turned to face her.

“Yeah, Jason was showing me some of these moves he picked up from some trainers he had,” Adrien answered, bouncing over to her excitedly.

She pushed his sweaty locks away from her in disgust. “You reek; go shower, kitty.”

He pouted but sniffed himself and agreed a shower was probably for the best.

“So, you’re not just a pretty face or brains, you’ve got brawn, too.” She eyed Jason.

“The whole package,” he agreed with a sunny grin. “Would you like to spar with me?”

“Why not, I’m already in uniform,” she agreed. “Gimme a minute to warm up.”

Once she was sufficiently limbered up, she followed Jason onto the sparring mats and squared up.

She danced around him, trying to figure out his styles and cursing herself for not making Jason and Adrien fight in front of her first, so she had more time to study him.

He was a solid fighter, not giving her an opening even as he darted out to attack her…he was awfully light on his feet too.

Deciding first-hand experience was the best teacher, she finally dodged a swing and appeared up in his personal space, hooking an ankle around his leg and attempting to trip him up. Unfortunately for her, Jason was used to this type of attack and evaded her trap, spinning behind her and pinning her arms to her side.

She kicked out backwards for his knee and managed to clip the side, as he was slow to move out of the realm of an angry, kicking Mari.

His grip loosened, and she took advantage of his slightly bent knee to climb him and wrap her thighs around his neck, taking him down in a scissor hold.

Jason tapped out and Mari loosened her grip, letting him go.

“That was a great fight!” commented Jason, impressed. “Your resourcefulness must be a great asset in the field.”

“Thanks,” she flipped her hair behind her shoulder. “Want some lunch?”

“Please,” he followed her to the kitchen, smelling the aromas of the Dupain-Cheng bakery wafting from the bag she carried.

She laid out her offerings on the counter and motioned to the kwami hiding behind her hair to take what they wanted.

“YiKeS!”

Marinette snickered at Jason’s reaction to Daizzi. “This is a kwami. Relax, they won’t hurt you.”

“Huh,” he looked at the little pig kwami thoughtfully.

“You’ve passed the tests and Chat and my kwamis vouch for you, so we’re going to trust you, Jason,” she said, looking him right in the eyes. “Will you accept the Miraculous of the Goat, to use it only for good, and return it when needed?”

Jason glanced down at the hairclips, then back up at her. “You’ve known me for a day.”

“Well, you’re not trying to get a Miraculous, for one. We’re kinda desperate, for two.”

Jason shrugged, “Fair point,” and clipped the pins in his hair, sweeping his white-streaked bangs back. “How do I look? Is it too Harry Styles?”

Marinette rolled her eyes. “Nah, you’re too bulky to be a good Harry.”

Jason gasped in mock offence, which she ignored in favour of teaching him how to use the Miraculous.

“Say, ‘Ziggy, let’s stot’ to transform, and ‘Ziggy, let’s idle’ to detransform. The power is Genesis, which lets anything you draw come to life– but it’s dematerialized when you detransform and the Miraculous Cure fixes everything, so don’t go drawing $100-euro bills or anything.”

“Got it.”

~~~~~

Ladybug and Chat Noir sparred with Bouc, training him in acting as a member of the Miraculous Team while he took a break or let programs run on Max’s computers.

He was plenty well-trained before he transformed, but with the added abilities the Miraculous lent him, he was a force to be reckoned with. Ladybug found herself almost wishing for an akuma attack to show off their new member to Hawkmoth and warn him they were coming for him.

Finally, after Rena and Carapace brought supper (takeout) into the base for them all (Chat, Ladybug, Jason, Pegasus, Rena and Carapace, and Viper and Tigresse who’d come later) the computer program alerted Jason and Max to a hit on their algorithms.

Jason instantly dropped his Chinese and scooted over to the computers. “There is a hit! It’s someone you’ve had on your list of suspects, Gabriel Agreste.”

Chat looked at Ladybug, stricken. She scooched closer and wrapped her arm around him, Carapace and Viper joining her in comforting their friend.

Jason and Max finally looked up and noticed the sombre mood and cuddle pile. “Is…everything okay?”

Chat’s head dropped onto Marinette’s shoulder as he mumbled loud enough for Jason to hear, “Gabriel Agreste is my father.”

Jason made a commiserating noise. “That sucks. My dad worked for one of my city’s bigger villains when I was a child. He wasn’t great. If you want to talk –or punch something– I’ll be around.”

“Thanks.”

~~~

Marinette skipped classes the next couple of days and spent her time formulating attack strategies with Jason and comforting Adrien, who was cycling through the 5 stages of grief.

Jason taught her how to plan the perfect heist, but they eventually decided they needed to unmask Hawkmoth in front of Paris and show everyone that he was finally gone.

Adrien agreed to partake in the plan, and the entire day was carefully gone over, with contingencies being brought up wherever they were (and weren’t) needed, thanks to Marinette’s paranoia and overthinking and Jason’s Bat- and League-training.

Each member of the Team was thoroughly briefed on their part until each simulation ran as smoothly as they hoped it would on the day of.

~~~

Jason woke up from his nap, rubbing his hands over his face and wondering why he’d woken up. There was no danger to him here, so no spidey senses were pinging. Why had he woken up, then?

A faint blue glow from across the open space caught his attention and he rolled into a crouch silently, focusing on the light.

It was surrounding someone’s form as they leaned over Marinette, who was slumbering in front of the computers, drooling on her pencil-sketched plans and contingencies.

The form turned to him and lifted their finger to their lips.

The blue light was seeming to dim, but as his eyes had adjusted to the light levels, he was able to make out the person was in a rabbit-themed outfit that appeared to be Miraculous-given.

Vaguely recalling Marinette telling him that as long as the rabbit holder didn’t appear to tell them the timeline was wrecked, he approached the stranger.

“Are you the rabbit user?” Jason whispered.

They nodded. “Bunnyx at your service.”

“Are you here because the plan doesn’t end well?”

Bunnyx shook their head and moved away from Marinette so she could sleep in peace. “The problem is that I can’t see what happens after the battle,” they frowned. “There’ve been some major disturbances and events happening lately. I wonder if that’s affected the timeline and my ability to see what happens.”

Bunnyx glanced over at Marinette. “I can’t say too much, but before everything went wonky, I saw you and her together.”

Jason looked from Marinette to Bunnyx. “Did you see anything about my world?”

Bunnyx pressed their lips together. Finally, they said, “You get Goliath back to your world. Don’t worry about him; he’ll come back to you when you need him.”

“I wasn’t too worried; he’s League-trained. Thanks. Can you see across worlds as well as timelines?” Jason asked curiously.

Bunnyx shook their head. “My burrow only focuses on this world’s timelines. Well, this universe’s, because multiple worlds form and are changed every time someone makes a decision. Your universe is different from ours, and I can only see through things like the portal that caused this cross-universal gap.”

“You really think there’s something between Marinette and me?” he couldn’t resist asking, sensing Bunnyx was about to leave.

They nodded firmly. “I ship it, and not just as a friend. You have some undeniable chemistry that, in my opinion, you should at least test. I know you’ve felt it as you two have gotten closer together.”

He nodded, glancing over at the sleeping Marinette again. “Yeah, but I didn’t want it to just be a two-week fling like I’m on vacation, or something that happened for a month and then we never saw each other again after the portal was fixed and our universes never came in contact again. She’s been through too much, and I don’t want to play with her emotions like that.”

Bunnyx nodded understandingly. “That’s part of the reason I approve of you two. You’re a good guy, Jason Todd. I wish you luck, whatever you choose.”

A glowing blue portal similar to Kaalki’s purple ones opened and Bunnyx stepped through.

Jason pulled up a chair opposite Marinette and rested his head on his arms, studying her face.

“Are you a chemist, Mr. Todd?”

Marinette’s baby blues stared right back at him and he jumped. 

“You were awake?!”

She stretched and yawned. “Hypersensitivity. Miraculous sensing. You two weren’t  that  quiet,” she shrugged.

“Sorry.”

“‘S fine….So, are you a chemist? Don’t think I didn’t notice you avoiding the question.”

He sighed. “Chemistry and I don’t mix well; we tend towards explosions and burns.”

Marinette scooted forward, laying her hand gently over his, her eyes full of compassion. “Different universe, different rules?”

“You really want me?”

“You really want  me ?” she returned. “You might have outward scars, but most of mine are inside. Let’s just admit we’re both messes.”

“You’re not-” he started to protest, but she placed her finger on his lips.

“Think we can try to make something out of this mess?”

Jason removed her finger and pressed a small kiss to the back of her hand, his eyes full of sincerity. “I’m willing to try.”

~~~

Team Miraculous gathered in a huddle after their final simulation. By now, they had all revealed their identities to Jason to help plan their plot, and Marinette now dug into her jeans pocket to pull out an old picture of the team, the first one printed in the papers of the final team members.

“Remember this feeling? Before we realized just how bad this would become?” she asked, rubbing her thumb over younger-Ladybug’s face. “How long have we wished for this day?”

Adrien patted her back. “Too long, ‘Bug. But we’re finally getting this off the sidelines and facing the real villain head-on. This will all be over by tonight.”

She handed the picture to Adrien and leaned into Jason. “Promise me you’ll stand by me forever. All of you.”

“I promise.” Adrien, Nino, Alya, Luka, Juleka, Max, and Jason promised solemnly.

“Long live the magic we made together,” said Marinette, wiping a tear away half-formed and hugging each of her team members.

~~~

“What was it you wanted to talk about, Adrien?” asked Gabriel, sitting in the chair across from his semi-estranged son in the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

The entire plan had hinged on Adrien successfully convincing Gabriel to come out from the safety and privacy of the Agreste mansion, which he had managed remarkably innocently.

Adrien was a model, acting was what he’d been trained to do by his father, and now he was using those skills against him in a way he never saw coming.

He’d asked to see Gabriel between classes to discuss the details of his trust fund Emilie left him for when he turned 21, which would be in a few months. It was important, and he didn’t have time between classes to head to the Agreste Mansion; besides which, he wasn’t comfortable there and wanted his friend Marinette nearby for support. 

Adrien pulled out all the stops and even used the guilt card with no remorse on his end, after finding out who his father really was.

(Marinette suspected some influence from Nathalie on Gabriel’s surprisingly easy capitulation to Adrien’s terms.)

Jason and Marintette sat at a table nearby for an illusion of privacy, while also being close enough to rush to Adrien’s physical defence if he needed, under the cover of being Adrien’s emotional defence.

“We’ll work on finding you a way back home as soon as we have this whole situation wrapped up,” Marinette promised quietly, keeping an eye on the next table. “I am so grateful for your help. We would still be struggling with the issue if you hadn’t come. I don’t know what that thing was that brought you here, but I am incredibly grateful for it.”

“I wonder if B would be able to find a way for us to contact each other; he’s invented many more items for such purposes. With so many cross-world heroes to gather for Multiversal crises, we need easy ways to collect everyone.”

“You’ve told me lots about your adventures and hobbies, but not your family. What are they like?” she asked curiously, looking for the symbol Adrien would give her when he activated the plan.

“Uh, we’re all quite different, but we’re also quite similar in other ways. My oldest brother absolutely lives up to his name to those who know him, but to those who don’t, he’s an angel. Trust me when I say he’s the worst of us all for getting away with stuff.”

Adrien held her gaze and bit into his croissant.

Marinette reached out, grabbing Jason’s hand to get his attention. “Go!”

He squeezed her hand and stood. “It will work, Mari. Trust us all.”

He headed out the back door and Viper, spying from the kitchen out of customers’ prying eyes, set Second Chance.

Adrien brushed the crumbs off his fingers and stood, offering his hand formally to a fuming Gabriel, who simply stared at it in angry disbelief.

He lunged and yanked the butterfly brooch off Gabriel’s tie, turning to run out the door, but tripped over an entering Bouc, the brooch flying into the air.

Ladybug, who had ducked out to transform, came back too late to catch the small piece of jewellery, watching in horror as Gabriel caught it and put it on, transforming into Hawkmoth, who started towards the newest hero threateningly.

A purple butterfly flew towards the shadow in the sky, landing on Goliath the Dragonbat’s collar and turning him into a fire-breathing dragon, snorting angrily and flapping his bat-like wings, stirring up strong gusts of air at the civilians and heroes on the ground.

Of  course  the dragonbat showed up and saw one of his friends being threatened, becoming angry enough to be akumatized, thought Ladybug. Was this the ‘needing him’ Alix had told Jason about?

Adrien wiggled away and ducked into the alleyway to become Chat Noir, joining Ladybug as they faced the fiasco.

Alya was nearby, livestreaming the whole thing while she was illusioned to be invisible by Nathaniel, who had been temporarily recruited as a Fox holder since Alya was needed in her civilian capacity.

“Goliath!” yelled Bouc, waving to get the dragon bat akuma’s attention. “Get Hawkmoth!” he pointed at the garishly outfitted villain.

Goliath snorted and breathed a wall of flame at Hawkmoth, who stared at the flames approaching him with abject horror, standing still in shock.

Carapace threw up a shield to protect the other heroes and civilians from Goliath’s flames, though the heat and smoky smell still hit them like a wall.

Bouc carefully inched towards the blackened figure of Hawkmoth, unpinned the unharmed Miraculous, and inched back towards Ladybug and Chat Noir.

With a courtly bow, he presented the Miraculous to Ladybug. 

Still in shock, she took it, clasping her hands around it and squeezing her eyes shut. “Thank you,” she whispered. 

“Lucky Charm!” 

A trophy dropped into her hands, confetti sprinkling from the sky and raining on the gathered crowds like tiny pieces of their hope returning.

A butterfly fluttered out of the collar and down to Ladybug, who tossed her yoyo out with a flick of her wrist and captured it, “Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!”

She looked at the glint of the sun on the gold of the trophy as it flipped through the air. “For Paris.”

The flurry of ladybugs swept over the scene, returning everything to normal (minus the abnormal sight of a dragon bat sitting in the middle of the road). 

A choked groan from the reverted pile of ash that was Gabriel alerted the Team to his rejuvenation.

Chat Noir and Carapace yanked him to his feet and held his hands behind his back, taking advantage of his lack of coordination and presence of mind.

Officer Roger, called by Juleka, arrived with a whole squad of policemen and took Gabriel into custody, reading off a long list of his wrongs (and rights, as in, Miranda rights).

Viper went with them to make sure Gabriel didn’t get away with anything, while Pegasus escorted a squad car to the Agreste Mansion to collect Nathalie and grab the Peacock Miraculous for Ladybug. There was enough evidence to prove Gabriel’s guilt beyond a doubt, especially when coupled with Nathalie’s agreement to testify against him in court.

Goupil disillusioned Alya and she immediately took charge, turning her camera to Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Bouc.

“Ladybug! Any final words to say to Paris, now that Hawkmoth has been revealed to be Gabriel Agreste –which I’m sure we all suspected at least once, right?– and taken into custody?”

“I am so pleased to announce that Hawkmoth has been unmasked and will be judged as he deserves, which is definitely thanks to our newest team member, Bouc,” she gestured to Jason, who waved at Alya’s camera. “Team Miraculous will be retiring now. It’s been a long seven years, but you can rest now, Paris. We will be setting up counselling centres, which I urge you to take advantage of, or to find a trauma therapist either here or online. More will be announced on BugOut later, so please tune in. Ladybug over and out!”

The remaining team members gathered in their base, comforting each other and celebrating their win.

Jason busied himself drafting a post for the Team’s website, BugOut, with resource links, cell centre helplines, and a summary of the Team’s achievements and members over the years for Ladybug to look over before they posted it.

Marinette herself was busy comforting Adrien, as he was finally fully free to mourn his father and all the baggage he had from that.

~~~

Marinette looked up at Jason, who had a tray in his hands.

The aroma of chicken soup drifted down to her. Adrien lay beside her, his head on her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair. Juleka and Luka were an arm’s reach away, with Alya and Nino on their other side. Max had left their comfort pile to get the final posts and links up on BugOut.

Jason kicked a pillow over to her, and she eased Adrien’s head onto it, inching out from under him and scooching over so there was room for Jason beside her.

He placed the tray down and gently pushed her head down to rest on his shoulder. “You want some soup? I made it myself.”

“How’d you do that?” she asked, voice quiet from having cried for a good half hour earlier and also out of consideration for her resting teammates. “This place doesn’t have anything more than a kettle and some granola bars.”

“I endeared myself to your parents.”

She could hear the smirk in his voice and looked up at him suspiciously.

“They were all too happy to let me have free reign of their kitchen as long as I sang your praises, which I was more than happy to do. Anyways, we’re probably going to be married off tomorrow,” he finished cheerfully, spooning some soup and bringing the spoon up to her mouth.

“Wha-?!”

She sputtered around the soup and Jason tsked. “Don’t wake up your friends, Your Grace. Don’t worry, I’ll turn the offer down. We should wait until all of this is cleaned up first,” he continued solemnly. “I don’t want you overburdened.”

Marinette coughed. “I hope you’re joking; although, this is amazing soup– I wouldn’t be  mad  if I did marry you.”

She felt Jason preen as he scooped another spoonful of soup for her. “Alfie will be so pleased to hear I followed his recipe well enough you proposed to me.”

“That’s not what I sa-” Another spoonful of soup shut her up.

~~~

A week later, Bunnyx showed up again, thankfully in the middle of the day and not the night.

“The gap is going to open again sometime in the next two days. My foresight is still a little wonky around that thing. Something very big is going on somewhere.”

“With my luck, it’ll be another multiverse-ending event,” groaned Jason. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

The next thirty–six hours were spent on as many dates as they could fit in: attending the zoo, visiting the Louvre, strolling along the Seine, baking together in the Dupain-Cheng’s kitchen after-hours, getting ice cream from Andre, following a scavenger hunt Jason had set up in the library, having a picnic on the Arc de Triomphe…

The rest of the Team members were pretty understanding and didn’t begrudge the budding couple their time together, though Jason and Marinette both made sure they didn’t ignore their teammates.

Then came the notification.

The Team members were called on to testify against Gabriel and Nathalie.

~~~

Jason padded up behind Marinette, who was rubbing her fingers along the edge of her right earring stud as she gazed sightlessly out at the moonlit view.

“Whatcha thinkin’ bout?” he wrapped his arms around her waist after getting the OK, hooking his chin over her shoulder though she was shorter than him by a good six inches.

“Adrien is going to reveal his identity as Chat Noir tomorrow.”

Jason hummed his acknowledgement, swaying to some unheard music in his head as she spoke.

“If he gets backlash for it…in his state right now…I’m probably going to have to reveal myself as well. I won’t let him go through with this alone, not after everything else he’s had to go through by himself.”

“Adrien is stronger than you think, Your Grace. I’m sure he’ll need all of our support, but he’ll be okay in the end. He does have you and the rest of the Team now, and he knows that.”

She turned in his arms and he spun her around to face him, pulling her along to follow the beat of his invisible melody.

“You think so?”

He counted the freckles dotting her face, little stars on her perfect features. “I know so. Just like I know that you’ll be okay one day, too. All of you will.”

He felt her lips on his before he realized she was moving.

She pulled away after a few seconds, suddenly bashful.

“Gonna kiss me like you mean it?” he taunted, and then her lips were on his again.

~~~

The morning dawned clear and sunny, the air was fresh, and the streets were lined with thousands of people eager to know what the outcome of the trial of Paris v Agreste would be.

A gentle breeze blew loose strands of Ladybug’s braid into her eyes, and she nervously huffed them away.

Bouc squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Chat Noir, Bouc, Viper, Tigresse, Pegasus, Rena, and Carapace followed Ladybug into the courthouse, striding confidently down the aisle in their uniforms, ignoring the flashing lights from reporters’ cameras and people’s murmurs.

Marinette couldn’t help the little bit of joy she got when she saw Gabriel in chains and guarded by two officers on the defendant’s side.

The trial began.

~~~

“And what was Adrien Agreste’s reasoning for this?” the prosecutor asked Gabriel, who was on the stand.

“We haven’t been able to find a trace of Adrien Agreste,” spoke up the aide. “There has been no activity at his apartment for days and no one has seen or heard from him or his friends.”

Chat Noir stood and raised his hand. “Permission to speak, Your Honour?”

“Yes, Chat Noir.”

“Claws in.”

Ladybug immediately stood beside him, calling “Spots off.”

“Let’s rest.”

“Let’s idle.”

“Scales rest.”

The rest of the Team stood and called their transformations off, revealing themselves as regular civilians Adrien Agreste, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Max Kante, Nino Lahiffe, Alya Cesaire, Luka and Juleka Couffaine, and one unknown dude.

Gasps filled the room and the reporters’ flashing lights started up again, brighter than their transforming glow.

“I am Adrien Agreste, and my friends and I are the Miraculous Team.”

“No,” whispered Gabriel. “No.”

The crowds in the gallery erupted into chaos at the revelation from the hero’s mouth.

“Order!” The judge banged his gavel, but Marinette could tell even he was surprised at the soap opera-worthy plot twist and dramatic revelation.

The crowd eventually quieted and the trial continued, with both civilian and heroic identities being called upon as needed. The temporary holders were also called for corroborating testimonies, such as Rose Lavillant as Pigella and Chloe Bourgeois as Queen Bee.

The judge called for a break and Jason turned to her, holding her hands in his. “You’re doing great, Your Grace. The onlookers have been tame so far, let’s hope it continues to be so neutral or positive, yeah?”

She nodded, leaning forwards to rest her forehead on his shoulder.

“When you go back to your world, can I come with you?”

~~~

The crowds did not continue to be so neutral/positive towards the Team’s identity reveals.

The next day on their way to court, they passed throngs of people divided in their reactions.

Many, especially those who had known one of the Team’s members, were on their side, their rage only burning hotter against Gabriel for fighting children–his own son, even if he didn’t know that.

The Miraculous glamour had kept people from guessing their true ages very accurately, but now that they were revealed and people had done the math, they were not happy.

Others were against them, questioning who had let kids have the Miraculous to fight an adult, why the teenagers hadn’t found someone else or turned them in, or a thousand other things. Everyone had a piece to say and did their best to make it heard.

Marinette had been doing her best to be optimistic, hoping that people would support the Team when the truth came out, but with so many people (even though they were the minority) criticizing and questioning them and going back to fight footage and picking apart every decision and action she and the team made, she got quieter and more withdrawn and less Ladybug-like.

Now that Ladybug and Marinette Dupain-Cheng were one and the same person, the mask did little to help her, in her mind.

“It’s okay, Your Grace. I’m here, and you are Ladybug, even if they know that, don’t let them get to you.” Jason leaned over to whisper in her ear before the judge arrived.

She smiled and tried to slide the Ladybug persona back on.

It felt like she had been on top of the world, riding the high of the people’s praise as they now had someone they knew to thank for Ladybug and the Team’s services, and now she was worse than nothing, being questioned for every little thing she did. Being a leader wasn’t all glamour like the media portrayed, she thought glumly. 

~~~

Gabriel was sentenced to life in prison.

The Team walked out, accosted by hundreds of flashing lights and reporters yelling questions.

The storm of questions was replaced by dark, green-tinged clouds and a brightly glowing tear in the sky, the wind picking up and turning into storm-strength gales rapidly.

Jason looked at Marinette.

Marinette looked at Jason.

They stood under the gash, the shadow of Goliath appearing as he rapidly approached, called by a special dragon-bat whistle that worked similarly to a dog whistle.

Jason grasped the harness dangling from Goliath’s tack and put his arm around Marinette’s waist. 

“Before you go, promise me one thing,” she said, raising her voice to be heard above the sound of the wind.

“Anything,” he said instantly.

“If you can’t find a way for us to meet again, show your future kids these pictures and tell them about me. Don’t forget me, Jason,” she kissed him desperately, holding him as close as she could.

“I’ll never forget you, Marinette. I’ll find a way to get back, I promise.”

With one last slow kiss, Jason swung up onto the specially-made saddle and flew through the gash, which closed behind him and sealed up with a bright green flash.

It was only as she was sadly turning away, ignoring the confused reporters’ and bystanders’ questions, that she was struck with a horrible thought.

What if the gash opened into a different world?

~~~

“What happened next, Maman?” asked a sleepy Felicia, her eyes blinking very slowly.

Marinette smiled down at her daughter. “What do you think, mon coeur?”

“Jason came back and they got married and lived happily ever after?”

Her smile turned a little wry. “No, he did not.”

~~~

Marinette went on with her life, avoiding reporters, supporting Adrien and her other team members, finishing her uni courses, turning down book deals and modelling gigs and interview requests and overeager fanboys, helping Nooroo and Duusu heal, and gradually things went back to normal.

What was normal, though? She couldn’t remember.

She had been twelve when she became Ladybug, eight years ago. She’d never experienced a year of high school without the added pressures of heroing, she’d never skipped a class simply because she could or for a mundane reason like her boyfriend being in town, she’d never she’d never she’d never.

What she did do was sign up for all the therapy, support her friends in their healing journeys, spend time with her parents, who were all too relieved that her days of being a hero were over, and completed her year of university with the highest grades she’d gotten in years.

She also filled countless notebooks sketching memories of Jason, her and Jason, outfits that she thought Jason might like or wear, Jason’s face, Jason’s eyes, Jason’s hands…

~~~

“And then what did you do, Daddy?”

Jason smiled down at Sebastian and his sleepy question. 

“I went back home with Goliath. Apparently, time works differently in different universes and I was only gone for a week in my universe.

“I told my family some of my story, and I asked your Great Aunt Diana for some help. She’s had lots of experience with strange things like this.”

“And?”

“And she did have some help. Apparently, she’d been contacted by an old acquaintance –that means a person she knew of– recently. The Ghost Zone, the place where all the ghosts live, had recently got a new king, so some of the bureaucracy was acting up a bit for him and things weren’t proceeding like normal. But once the King got some help and set some rules in place, everything got fixed up nicely. And so I begged Aunt Di to get me a visit with the Ghost King, and he was very nice and explained that the Ghost Zone was very, very big; so big that my universe and Marinette’s both touched it. When our universes were close enough and the Ghost Zone was glitching, the gash opened and we were able to travel through it.

“But,” Jason lowered his voice dramatically, leaning in closer to Sebastian, “only some people could go through it. People who were exposed to something called the Lazarus Pit in my world. Your Uncle Dami grew up around it, and I got pretty close to it, and so did Goliath after living around it for years. You see, Seb, the Ghost Zone, the Lazarus Pits in my world, and the Lazarus Pit in Marinette’s world are all connected. So, I talked to the new Ghost King, a nice guy who knew how us young people worked, and he was so moved by my story that he agreed to take me through the Ghost Zone to Marinette’s universe.”

~~~

The fine hairs on the back of Marinette’s neck stood up, and she turned slowly around to see a small gash opening in her apartment.

First, a foot came through, then a leg, then a hand, then… “You’re not Jason,” she said in surprise, stopping short from hugging the stranger.

He chuckled nervously. “Surprise! I’m actually a…friend…of Jason’s. Helped him get here.”

The real Jason stepped through the gash, a big smile on his face.

Marinette launched herself at him and gave him a tight hug, almost knocking him over.

“Oof, careful, Your Grace.”

“You made it!”

“I did! Thanks, Danny.”

“Anytime, man. Call me if you lose your amulet.” ‘Danny’ waved and disappeared, closing the gash behind him.

“Who was that?”

“Danny Phantom, King of the Infinite Realms. Apparently, the Ghost Zone connects our universes.”

“King of WHAT?!”

~~~

Once they had happily reunited and caught up, Jason explained what he had found out about their situation.

“Danny is really nice, and he gave me these amulets that will let us travel through his Zone as his guests, basically, even though we’re just using it as a highway. Someone I know is going to make teleporters of some type for us so we can eventually make a quicker trip, but it’ll work for now. The only problem is that to traverse the Zone, we have to be ghosts or exposed to its energy for a long time.”

“I wonder if being around Plagg’s ring would have the same effect? Because he’s connected to this place somehow. Oh, and there were all the times I died in a fight on alternate timelines. I wonder if I was dead long enough to count?”

Jason stared at her.

“I do not know how to answer that question, Your Grace.”

~~~

Jason pulled the old, tattered picture out of his pocket. “Here is Mommy as Ladybug, in the red, or as you might have heard, Marinette. You call her Mommy, I call her Your Grace… She loves you very much, and she is so proud of you and how well you’re growing up, her little prince. She wants you to shine as bright as the sun, and get a good night’s sleep so you’ll be all rested and sunny for tomorrow.”

Soft, even breaths told Jason that Sebastian was asleep, and he quietly crept out of his room, soundlessly closing the door and meeting Marinette in the hallway as she exited Felicia’s room.

“Seb asleep?” she whispered.

“Yep. Felicia?”

“Dead to the world.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[ali-annals]

it's a small world after all

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: G | Ao3 | TW: - | WC: 2.1k

Jason brings his fiancee home to meet his family. She gets along great with everyone! There's just one problem… They've met her before.

Jason squeezed Marinette’s hand gently and smiled reassuringly at her. 

“They’ll love you, I promise. And if any of them offend you, let me know. If you get tired or overwhelmed, tell me, and we’ll leave–whenever it is.”

She patted his wrist. “You can relax, Jay. I’m sure I’ll be fine. You’re more nervous than I am,” she giggled.

Jason opened the door and they stepped into Wayne Manor’s deserted foyer.

He led her down hallways till they reached an empty room set up with gymnastics and trapeze equipment. “My older brother–”

“Dick!” Marinette exclaimed, watching the acrobat flip towards them. He twisted and stared.

“Dick, it’s Marinette! Remember my Nonna Gina would bring me with her while she visited Pop Haly? And you’d take me for rides on Zitka?” Her blue eyes lit up as she reminisced about her childhood visits to Haly’s Circus.

“Mari?” Dick came running up and hugged Jason’s girlfriend. 

Jason frowned.

“Mari! It is you! What are you doing here?”

“I’m meeting Jason’s family as his fiancee. So you’re his older brother, huh?”

“I am, as much as he hates to admit it,” Dick grinned and ruffled his hair, and Jason slapped his hand away.

“Congrats on getting Jason to let us meet you! How’d you two meet?”

“Nonna introduced us, of course. I still don’t know all the details because those two like giggling about their little secret adventures behind my back, but it was some life-threatening situation, of course.”

“Of course,” Dick nodded.

His phone buzzed and Dick excused himself to answer the urgent call.

Jason led Mari to the next sibling. “It’s not personal if he doesn’t like you; he hates everyone,” Jason warned. “Don’t let the sword fool you; he’s just protective of our family.”

Marinette stepped cautiously into the old art studio. 

“Ukht!”

“Akhi altifl!” Marinette swept Damian into a warm hug. “You’re Jay’s Little Demon, huh? I should have guessed when he said ‘sword’,” she grinned. “But I thought you were with your ummi, what happened?” she frowned and pulled away to look him over critically.

“Tt. Ummi sent me to Father. You are marrying Todd? You could do worse, I suppose,” he sniffed.

“Thanks, bat altifl. That actually makes a lot of sense,” she muttered under her breath. “Bat altifl, Batman…”

“How do you know my little brother, who has not been out of one of our sights since he came here from the League?!” demanded Jason, thoroughly confused.

They both looked at him unimpressed. “My maman is good friends with Talia al Ghul, as they used to work together. I visited the League often when I got older, and Dami and I are quite good cousins, I would say.”

“Tt. Not blood cousins,” Damian took pity on Jason’s breaking brain.

“I had a good friend there before Damian was born, but she left a while ago. I was overjoyed for her sake; her training was…” She shook her head sadly.

Jason blew out a breath and shook his head. “Of course you know two of my siblings. You always know everyone somehow, and I don’t understand it,” he muttered as he led her down yet another hallway.

Mari dropped his hand and tackled a shadow. “Cass!”

“Of course, you know Cass, too,” sighed Jason, leaning against the wall as he watched the two embrace and break into body language and some spoken communication.

~~~

“Now there’s only B and Replacement left to meet; they should be home from work soon,” said Jason after Mari met Babs, whom she did not know, much to Jason’s relief. “I suppose you’ll be Timbourine’s long-lost sister or B’s goddaughter? You’d better not be B’s daughter, is all I can say. That would be a little too weird, even for this family.”

Mari giggled. “I’m 99% sure that I am not biologically related to your dad. Oh no.”

Jason turned to her, a little panicked after the events of the day. “What is it?”

She smiled innocently up at him. “Nothing, I just remembered something I forgot to do. I’m a little hair-brained because I knew I was going to meet your family.”

Bruce and Tim walked in the door as the couple descended the staircase.

“Mari, this is Bruce, my dad, and Tim, my brother. B, Timtam, this is Marinette, my fiancee.”

Bruce smiled happily at Jason calling him ‘dad’. “Hello, Marinette. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you, you as well,” she smiled and shook his hand. “I told Jay it was better to meet before the wedding, but he said if we met after the wedding I couldn’t be scared off! I’m still here, though, so I think he was just being dramatic,” she winked conspiratorially.

Tim stepped forward and took Mari’s hand. “Hi, I’m Tim Drake. Do you have any embarrassing photos or stories about Jason?”

She grinned evilly. “Plenty, but we’ve got loads of time to share them. I hear your family is awfully fond of blackmail.”

Alfred announced dinner was ready, and the family gathered around the dining table. They got into a slight scuffle as to who would sit beside Mari, especially as Jason wouldn’t budge from her left-hand side. 

Damian won the privilege of sitting on Mari’s right, and Dick and Cass sat opposite her. The others scattered to their usual seats.

Bruce shook out his napkin, frowning in puzzlement at his children’s strange antics. “Have you met my children before, perhaps?” he asked Marinette.

“Some of them. Cass and Dami I met in the League, and Dick and I used to play together at Haly’s when it was in Europe before they came to America.”

“The League…?”

“Of Assassins,” Mari finished cheerfully. “My mother used to work with their mothers, and I often trained during summers at a League base with them. Also, I know you’re Batman, just so we can get the elephant out of the room. I love Zitka, but she would make eating a bit squished,” Mari flashed a smirk at Dick, ignoring Bruce speedrunning the 5 stages of grief.

(Why had he thought Mari was a perfectly lovely young woman and why had he been so pleased when Jason introduced them, again??)

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything about your little secret,” she pledged. “I figured it out because Dami would never pass up an opportunity to–mmph!”

Damian shoved a bun in her mouth and glared at her. “Don’t say another word if you value your life,” he threatened.

Mari removed the bun and smiled sweetly at him. “But I don’t, bat altifl. I have 0 self-preservation instincts whatsoever and throw myself into threatening situations on the regular. Besides, I think I could take you on and win.”

She turned back to Bruce. “So, your youngest son here could never resist telling me all about his father and how amazing he was and how he was going to inherit the mantle of Robin, although somehow that came out as being renamed Robin. Anyways, baby Dami was adorable,” she cooed.

Damian pouted and she kept an eye out for flying swords after supper.

~~~

When Jason took Marinette back home that evening, she pulled him inside and sat him down. “Okay, I have a couple things to tell you, please hear me out to the end, okay?”

“Okay,” he took her hands in his and softly stroked the backs of her hands with his calloused thumbs.

“You know how you joked that I’d better not be Tim’s long-lost sister?”

“...you aren’t.”

Mari winced. “My full name is Marie Annette Drake.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah, I’m Jack and Janet Drake’s firstborn. I went with them to Paris for my seventh birthday and an archeological conference. My tutor was half-French and spoke it around me, so I grew up bilingual. It was easy enough to hide from my parents and let them fly back to Gotham without me. Someone found me, and I ended up adopted by the Dupain-Chengs. 

“Timmy was three and left with a nanny, and I always felt guilty for leaving him behind.”

“Oh, Pixie…I’m sorry you had to go through all that.” Jason slid closer and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Do you think Tim would like me as a sister? I know I’ll be his sister-in-law, but would he appreciate me telling him I’m biologically related to him? Would he hate me for leaving him and never telling him, preferring to never know about me? He looks happy with you guys.”

“Well, Timbrie’s abandonment issues would not like being told another person left him, but he’s logical, so once he got past that, he’d see you weren’t leaving him but your parents, and you were only a kid yourself. Who knows what goes on in that kid’s head, though,” he shuddered.

She groaned and dropped her head to her knees.

~~~~

The next week she texted Tim.

M: Hey, it’s Marinette. Can we talk?

T: Sure, what time?

M: I think you’re busier than me. When works for you?

T: I have 30 min on Tuesday from 12 to 12:30

M: Perfect, thanks so much. See you at WE?

T: I’ll tell my PA you’re expected in my office

M: Should I bring lunch?

T: Batburger and jokerized fries?

M: You got it ;)

~

At 11:59, Marinette arrived at the top floor of WE and made her way to Tim’s private office.

Tam Fox, his PA, greeted her and let her in.

Marinette gave him his lunch and took her own, sitting across the desk from him in a comfy chair.

“So, why the meeting?” asked Tim around a mouthful of his burger.

“Er…how much do you remember of your childhood?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Enough. Why?”

“Do you remember playing with a girl called Marie?”

“I have a few memories of her, yes. Again, why?”

“I was Marie.”

Tim blinked. “Oh, were you Mrs. Mac’s granddaughter or something?”

“Mrs. Mac? Was that your nanny’s name? No, I’m…your sister.”

Tim blinked again and swallowed. “What?”

"My biological parents are Jack and Janet Drake. You’re my little brother.”

“You’re serious?” Tim shook his head in disbelief.

“I am. Jack and Janet took me to Paris for my seventh birthday. I stayed behind because I couldn’t stand being with them anymore. I got adopted by a lovely couple there. Aunt T wiped any traces of my existence as a Drake, but if you want proof, I can call her. I’m sure she has a backup somewhere. I’m willing to take a blood or DNA test or answer any questions you have. Or, if you’d rather, we can ignore this and pretend I’m only your sister-in-law.” Marinette gulped for air after she nervously monologued without stopping to breathe.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind, Tim. I always felt guilty about that.”

“Tell me stuff only my family would know, then,” Tim challenged.

“You were born on July 19th. Your middle name is Jackson, which is a little on the nose in my opinion. You love photography-- even as a kid you loved looking at photos and playing pretend photographer. Your bedroom paint was robin’s-egg-blue– ironic, huh? Jack and Janet’s walls were an ugly mustard-coloured wallpaper. I taught you how to make KD, but I never let you make it by yourself in case you got hurt. Your secret teddy bear was named Mr. Cuddles. The Drakes’ motto was ‘Never bring shame on the Drake name’.”

“I never told anyone about Mr. Cuddles,” Tim said slowly. 

”I gave him to you when you were born,” Marinette reminisced.

~~~~~

The DNA test came back, confirming Tim and Marinette as biological siblings. “Hey, I’m the only one with a bio sibling,” realized Tim. 

“I’ll be Mari’s favourite now,” he boasted to the others, sure he finally had the secret code to win the quiet competition to become Marinette’s favourite.

A throat cleared behind him, and he turned to see Jason and Mari standing there, Jason’s arms crossed over his chest.

“Sorry, my favourite is Jason,” Marinette defended him.

He very maturely stuck his tongue out at the others.

“Wait, Jason’s marrying my sister!” Tim exclaimed in dawning horror. “I’m feeling the urge to deliver a shovel talk.”

“I’m your brother!” said Jason.

(“And that’s not weird at all, Tim’s sister marrying Tim’s brother,” said Babs to Cass as they watched the altercation.)

“I’m shockingly gonna agree with Demon Spawn here and say blood comes first,” Tim said.

Jason gasped. “Betrayal!”

Damian came charging, sword drawn, and the room devolved into chaos.

Mari stood back and snickered at the chaos with Plagg.

[ali-annals]

Here, go stalk (aka the Coffee Phenomenon)

Pairing: Tim Drake x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

WC: 1.8k | Ao3 | TW: blood | A/N: for @/the-coffee-fandom for National Coffee Day 2023

Nightwing knocked on Red Robin’s mysterious rescuer’s window. She opened it with a stern look. “Really? And a blue and black vigilante outside my window isn’t as obvious as simply knocking on my door?” He shrugged, entering when she stepped back for him.

Thump .

The sound of light feet hitting the roof made the girl turn slightly.

All she saw was a black blob weaving around, making her dizzy.

With a put-upon sigh, she heaved herself up from her perch hundreds of feet above the ground and dusted herself off.

“Hey, are you okay?”

The blob collapsed.

The girl rushed over, the scent of blood hitting her nose as she got closer.

The blob was revealed to be one of the vigilantes of the city she was in, clearly badly hurt.

The girl quickly rolled up her sleeves and checked for the vigilante’s pulse and breathing.

Carefully, she rolled them over into the first-aid recovery position and inspected them for their injuries.

With a tsk and muttered reproofs, she yanked her shirt over her head and tore it at the seams into long, makeshift bandages. The vigilante was suffering from multiple knife wounds; some shallow, a couple quite deep.

Shaking her head as she realized her meagre first-aid equipment was useless, she raised her hand to her head. “Jument, voyage!”

~~~

“Robin, report.”

Robin raised a hand to his earpiece. “There is a small puddle of blood on the roof of Killinger’s Department Store. One of Red Robin’s Batarangs is a little ways from it. There is a ripped black shirt by the blood. It appears to have been used as a makeshift bandage, then discarded. No signs of a struggle or foul play.”

In the Batcave, Batman growled at the lack of clues. Nightwing’s name popped up on the Batcomputer.

[Incoming Call: Titan’s Tower: Nightwing]

[ACCEPT]

“Hey, B. O told me Red Robin went missing. Raven is in Gotham incognito. I can ask her if she’d try to track him down.”

“Hnn.” Batman considered. “Okay.”

Fifteen minutes later, Raven entered the cave in her Titans uniform.

Batman explained the finer details of Red Robin’s disappearance, then Raven opened a portal to the roof where he had been last identified.

“There was definitely magical interference of some kind,” Raven decided. “Someone opened a portal. It’s unlike any portal magic I’ve seen, though. This might take some time.”

Batman & Co. waited on tenterhooks for Raven to finish her…whatever she did. Finally, she turned back to them. “I can trace the portal’s energy and hopefully follow RR.”

The Bats breathed a sigh of relief and waited even longer as Raven opened a portal and disappeared.

~~~

Raven blinked at the scene before her.

Red Robin was lying on a couch, unconscious.

A petite dark-haired young woman was sitting in the chair beside him, bent over him as she…sewed his suit up? At least, that was what Raven thought was happening.

“Excuse me? Who are you, and what are you doing?” The woman looked up, flashing a smile before she returned to her stitching. “Oh, you work fast. I’m a friend, and I’m sewing up Red Robin’s suit. It got badly cut up in some spots, so I’m fixing it till he can get a replacement.”

Raven wondered at the woman’s word choice, but didn’t say anything.

“Is he alright?”

“Oh, yes. He’s just asleep. I healed him from his wounds, but natural healing and rest is best.”

“You seem familiar,” murmured Raven. “Have we met somewhere before?”

She shook her head. “I don’t recall meeting you. Raven, from the Titans, right?”

“That’s me. What is your magic from? I can’t recall coming across a signature like yours before.”

“I don’t exactly flaunt my skills,” laughed the girl, snipping a thread. “There, you can take him home. I assume he won’t remember any of this at all, since he collapsed before I got to him.” 

“How did you find him?” Raven tilted her head curiously. “He was on a roof. That’s not exactly a common hangout spot.”

The woman laughed. “I’m not exactly common. I was on the roof to think. There’s nothing like a quiet nightscape to think over.”

Raven silently agreed. “Thank you for taking care of Red Robin.”

“Of course; I couldn’t just leave him there. He was bleeding out too fast and I didn’t know how to contact Batman.”

“I’ll leave you my number and Nightwing’s in case you come across something like this again. One of us should be available.”

“Thanks, Raven. Can I give you mine as well? Save Batman the trouble of stalking me?”

Raven’s lips quirked up at the edges. “Sure.”

Raven placed her and Nightwing’s business cards on the table by the woman’s sewing stuff, freeing her hands to pick up Red Robin, a card tucked into his belt by his rescuer.

With him slung over her shoulder, she opened a new portal and popped back into the Batcave.

“He’s been healed, courtesy of his rescuer. He’s currently unconscious so he can rest and naturally heal. I gave his rescuer my and ‘Wing’s cards in case she needs to contact one of us again, and I got hers.” Raven fished the card out of RR’s belt and handed it to Batman. “Here, go stalk.”

~~~

Nightwing knocked on Red Robin’s mysterious rescuer’s window.

She opened it with a stern look. “Really? And a blue and black vigilante outside my window isn’t as obvious as simply knocking on my door?”

He shrugged, entering when she stepped back for him.

“I wanted to say thank you for rescuing Red Robin and healing him. He’s the most energetic he’s been in ages. Probably because he actually had a good sleep. How did you do it?”

“Magic,” she winked. 

“The Teen Titans wanted to extend an invitation for you to partner with or join us, at your convenience.”

The young woman blinked back at him. “How much did Batman find on me that you want me to join your team?”

“Er…Raven vouched for you. Empath, you know? She could tell you’re inherently good.”

“Ah. I’d like some time to think about it, please.”

“Of course. You have my number, feel free to contact me whenever.”

~~~

“How is it going?” Raven stopped by the new recruit Marie’s room.

She looked up from her unpacking, a large red box in her hands. “It’s going well. I’m glad I accepted the invitation. I’m excited to work with a team!”

“We’re glad to have you.”

“So, Red Robin is also part of the Titans?”

“Yes, though he works under the moniker Robin, here.”

“Oh, that’s not confusing at all,” joked Marie.

Raven rolled her eyes in sympathy. “I know. That’s the Bats for you, and RR in particular.”

~~~

“So, you found your soulmate.”

Nightwing’s face appeared upside down in Marie’s vision, from where she was hanging upside down on the couch in the Titans’ den.

“Huh?”

“Robin and you. You keep the exact same hours, drink the same unholy amounts of coffee, espresso, and energy drinks, and are both paranoid about your rooms and confidential information. You’re practically the same person in two bodies.”

“Huh.” Marie mulled that over for a bit, the increased blood flow fueling her brain, or so she claimed. “I wonder if we became that way because of heroing or if we became heroes because it fit our lifestyle like that. I should do a study on that.”

Marie flipped over the arm of the couch and headed down the hallway to Robin’s room, ready to get a partner to study the phenomena.

Nightwing sank onto the vacated couch and groaned, his head in his hands.

~~~

It came as no surprise when Robin and Epiphany revealed they were dating. Their strange living habits practically threw the two together. Luckily for everyone, they got along instead of clashing over their similarities.

The longer Marie spent around the Titans and assimilated to their family, the more she opened up. She used to be the leader of a small team of heroes in her city, but once their villain was finally defeated, almost all of her team members had chosen to give up their loaned powers and erase their memories of heroing.

Alone and tired, Marie had moved, changed almost everything about her, and kept a quiet profile. She had missed heroing, though, and when Nightwing approached her with the opportunity to join a team and not be the leader, she accepted. 

Her fellow members welcomed her with open arms, and she was filled with warm fuzzy feelings of belonging and love.

~~~

Raven gently placed her hand on Marie’s knee, exerting pressure until she stopped bouncing it rapidly up and down. 

Marie turned to her, only realizing she’d been literally vibrating in her seat as she met Raven’s eyes. “Okay, I might be a bit nervous meeting Batman and Oracle and Red Hood and Robin and Spoiler and Alfred,” Marie answered the unspoken question, her voice becoming higher pitched as she listed each member of the BatClan

“It will be okay,” soothed Raven, surrounding Marie with calming emotions. “Batman will like you because you saved RR, and everyone else will like you too. It’s going to go fine.”

“If you say so,” she muttered, only half-believing her best friend.

The zeta tube announced the BatClan’s arrival, and Marie stood nervously, though less uptight than when Raven first saw her. 

Red Robin was the first through, followed by Batman and the rest.

He immediately headed to her, presenting her proudly to the Dark Knight. “This is my Marie, Epiphany.”

Marie melted at his possessive use of her name, and the remaining nerves went with it. “It’s nice to meet you all, I’m Marie.”

“We’re happy to meet you, finally,” said Spoiler, bouncing out from behind Robin. “Nightwing and Red Robin said we’d love you, and they were right!”

The visit went very well.

Marie was surprised by Batman’s non-Batman-ness, but Spoiler leaned over to tell her he was on strict instructions from Nightwing, Raven, and herself not to blow this.

The BatClan eventually left, having collected the information Batman came to receive (and thus required everyone else to tag along and get a glimpse of Marie), and Marie and Tim curled up on the couch, mugs of Marie’s Special Brew in hand.

“That went better than I expected,” commented Tim, pressing a kiss to Marie’s head.

“Everyone was perfectly nice,” said Marie. “I feel like you were exaggerating your stories now.”

He snorted. “Trust me, I was not . Once they know for sure they’re not going to scare you off, then they’ll show you their true forms. It will be nothing but chaos and glitter from here out.”

Marie giggled. “You say that as if you don’t encourage chaos. But, speaking of chaos, I may have some outsourced help to make a splash worth remembering when I enter the world of Bat shenanigans.”

Their evil chuckles filled the den, and Raven retreated to her room. She wasn't getting involved when a Bat laughed like that .

[ali-annals]

angel, don't fly so close to me (i'll pull you down eventually)

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T | CW: recreational drinking, poor flirting (not inappropriate) | WC: 430 | Ao3 | Prompt | for @otome-wandering | A/N: not beta'd & written in like 30 minutes, so feel free to point out any typos <3

Jason's not the best at flirting; luckily the girl he's interested in thinks his attempts are cute anyways

The quiet R&B tune playing over the speakers muffled the noises of the bar just after its rush hour, melding into one not disharmonious layer of noise.

Headlights passing by cast stripes of lights across a young woman’s face as she gazed out, chin propped on her hand as she bobbed a toothpick-stabbed olive in her martini glass absentmindedly. 

The man at the bar counter mirrored her position, only staring at her instead of the bleak rainy night outside. The bartender caught his attention, and he straightened, turning away from the object of his thoughts to close his tab. 

Tucking his wallet back into his inner jacket pocket, he was distracted from his surroundings, blinking in surprise when he looked up again and the woman was perched on the stool one over from his.

She received the replenished glass with a small smile and nod of thanks, sipping at the drink appreciatively.

Deciding he’d better regret the things he does that the things he doesn’t, he swiveled on the stool, leaning a little closer so he wouldn’t have to shout over the buzz of the business. 

Noticing his attempt to get her attention, she leaned in a little as well, turning her stunning baby blues to study his face. 

He cleared his throat. “Did you fall from heaven?”

Her brow furrowed at his strange opener.

Flustered, he tried to remember how the next part of the pickup line went. This was why he never tried to pick up people at bars (or anywhere else).

“‘Cause that would explain what happened to your face.”

The incredulous look on her face deepened. “Excuse me?”

She even had a cute French accent, a small part of his brain noticed, while the rest yelled at him to fix this horrible flub.

“Wait, no, that came out wrong!” Panicking, he waved his hands earnestly at her. “I’m so sorry.” He hung his head. “I should’ve stopped a drink ago…and not tried pickup lines; they’re not my style. Have a good night.”

Her soft voice paused him as he slid off his stool, prepared to leave in ignominy.

He glanced back.

She was smiling earnestly at him. “You happen to be my type, and you’re polite, even if it comes across awkwardly. It’s cute. Will you stay while I finish my drink?”

He nodded, hopping onto the stool next to her that she patted in invitation. “I’m Jason.”

“Marinette,” she grinned over the rim of her glass. She shook his hand calmly. “It’s nice to meet you. So, if pickup lines aren’t your style, what is?”

Taglist (open): @jennifer-rose123 @questioning-blob-of-fog @official-jasonette-server

[ali-annals]

Is this Hope just a Mystical Dream? (ii - final)

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T+ | WC: 2.3k | CW: Dark humour, pain of resurrection etc | A/N: For the loml @sarcasticbambi <3 | ao3 | PART ONE |

Did you know that some soulmates' souls are literally connected, meaning that when one half dies, the other follows them soon after to a personalized deathscape? Marinette and Jason sure did.

The feeling of Marinette’s soft lips was replaced by a burning tingling sensation, spreading throughout his entire body, inside and out. A soul-deep pain radiated his body, nerves lighting up with a pain like he’d never felt before. Red filled his vision, clouding his brain as the pain diminished. Clawing at the liquid around him, he struggled up, filling his lungs with a breath of air. Black-clad beings hovered around the edges of his vision, and he lunged at the closest with a snarl, quickly disarming them by muscle memory.

The beings went down surprisingly easily as the rage coursing through him seemed to fuel his desperate actions, leaving nothing but a spread of unconscious beings lying around him.

“Jason!”

The voice cut through the deepest red of the haze he was in, making him turn to see who had summoned him. A woman in black, like his previous opponents (though her face was uncovered unlike theirs), wrapped her arms around him, stroking his back soothingly. “Jason, it’s okay.  You’re safe here. You can calm down. The Rage will fade soon.”

She kept muttering reassurances as she grounded him with her firm yet caring backrubs, gradually turning the red from his vision to green. 

“You’re not–” Jason bit his soulmate’s name off as his sense fully returned, recognizing the woman comforting him. “Talia?”

“Yes, Jason, I’m Talia. You are with me in the League of Assassins’ Nanda Parbat base. You just came out of the Lazarus Pit, so you may feel some rage and volatility. You are safe here. I will protect you–from yourself, if I must. You will still be disoriented and recovering from the aftereffects of reviving and being healed via the Pit, so I will place you in the room next to mine so I can keep an eye on you. Do you understand me?”

Jason nodded. “I understand you.”

“Today is October 31st. You are sixteen years old. Your name is Jason Peter Todd. You’ve been responding to your name, so I assume you are familiar with it. When you feel ready, I will take you to your room and have a doctor look you over and make sure the Pit healed you properly.”

Jason’s grip around Talia tightened a fraction. “Please no doctors.”

“Okay, Jason. I won’t bring you a doctor. Will you let me look you over, at least?”

He nodded. “Okay.” He struggled to his feet, suddenly feeling woozy. Looking down, he noticed his limbs were longer and more muscular than he was used to, and his centre of gravity was not what he was accustomed to.

Talia wrapped his arm around her shoulder and supported his waist with her other arm. “Do you think you can walk a little? It will only be a couple minutes.”

“I should be okay,” he decided, taking a tentative step. The stroll got easier as they went along, as Jason became accustomed to making his newly changed body work how he wanted. He still stubbed his toes a couple times, being used to taking shorter steps and putting his feet down sooner, but overall, their progress was good.

Talia opened the door beyond the one she pointed out as hers, showing him in to his. It was plain, holding only a simple bed, chest, and chair. He lay on the bed, relieved to relax and feel his new self when he wasn’t forced to move his lengthened limbs. 

Talia settled into the chair beside his bed, placing two fingers over his wrist to take his pulse. She asked him basic questions, testing his cognizance, although he’d been responding fairly coherently to her earlier. She checked his pupils and that his senses were working well, that he wasn’t still feeling overcome with rage and violent tendencies. 

“You seem to be okay. I’m relieved,” she admitted. “I was worried about you for a while. Especially right after I found you in Gotham. Do you remember anything from the past six months?”

Nothing but the deathscape I share with my beautiful soulmate, Marinette.

He shook his head slowly. “How did I end up here? The last I remember is…the warehouse.”

Talia’s lips flattened and she hummed neutrally. “I see. Well, the League found you wandering Gotham four months ago, catatonic. I recognized you from your movements–you were fighting an attempted sexual assaulter with nothing but muscle memory. I brought you back here and hoped you’d regain your consciousness with care and time, but it wasn’t working. My father wanted to dispose of you, so I was left with no choice but to put you in the Pit.”

Jason filtered through his memory, finding nothing along those lines in his files. Shaking his head, he told her none of what she said rang any bells. 

“Did I ever say anything or try to leave?” Do you know about Marinette?

“No, you never tried to leave. You stuck by my side when you could. You only said ‘Bruce’ a couple times, but I heard you mention someone else once. I could find no record of a ‘Mary’ in your records that you would call for, though.”

Mari. Good, the League still doesn't know about her. 

“I wonder why I said Mary,” he deflected. “I only know a Mary in my class at school, but we’ve never talked.”

~~~

A sharp pain like a stab wound made Marinette gasp and clutch her chest. The pain spread throughout her body, a tingling sensation similar to the one she associated with being revived but more…spicy?...flooding her veins. 

Instinctively, she knew that something was happening to Jason. Gritting her teeth, she focused on all the love and affection she held for him, hoping that the power of true love would work and help relieve some of the excruciating pain she was sure he was experiencing. 

Gradually, the pain faded, leaving nothing but questions behind for Marinette to stew in. Would Jason’s apparent resurrection trigger hers again? Would she be the one staying behind in the deathscape this time? What was happening to him? Was he okay?

~~~

TWO YEARS LATER

Red Hood was on his first patrol with Batman since they’d (at least partially) made up. Bats was grappling onto the next building, and Jason was about to fire his grapple when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Whirling around, he sensed no one around him, making him frown. Warily, he continued on his route across Gotham. Either he was finally hallucinating, or someone was good enough to evade even his highly trained senses and didn’t want him to find them. That probably wasn’t good.

Batman paused in the mouth of an alleyway after stopping a mugging. “What’s on your back?”

Of all the words he expected Batman to say to him since their patrol started, those were not them. 

“Huh?”

Batman patted his back, then showed him a note he’d unpinned from his jacket. “How did someone get this on you?”

He shrugged and opened the folded note.

Cheri, I’m in your room. Don’t be surprised and shoot me ;) ~Pixie <3

“Nothing, just a prank pulled by one of your weird kids.” Folding the note up, he tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket, over his heart. Could it be ?

“You’re one of my weird kids,” Batman pointed out.

Jason felt a warm glow at those words. Even with their rocky relationship after his return to Gotham, Batman still thought of him as his kid. 

~~~

Once he’d showered and changed, Jason headed upstairs, towelling his damp hair and weighing how accurate his hopes of the mystery note writer being Marinette were.

He cautiously cracked open his door and exhaled, relieved, and smiled at the sight. Marinette was curled up on his bed, fast asleep in his Gotham Knights hoodie. 

He sat carefully on the edge beside her, stroking her hair. “Hey, Pixiepop.”

“Hey, Jay, missed you,” she mumbled, curling into him. She stiffened and jerked into a sitting position. “You’re here!”

“I am. Why are you here? How’d you get resurrected?”

“Tikki was able to put me in a magic coma, kind of like Emilie Agreste was in, until I was ‘dead’ as long as you’d been. Once we were even, I woke up. I graduated and looked you up, but you were in the middle of your feud with Batman, so I waited until things had settled down to contact you so you wouldn’t be distracted.”

“You’re distracting?”

“Mhm,” she nodded against his chest. “Very. And you would’ve been trying to keep me away from Bruce, too.”

“How’d you  know where I was?”

She shrugged. “Looked up Gotham, found a new player, figured it was you ‘cause of all the drama–”

“HEY!”

“--and had Kaalki portal me over to make sure it was you. Trixx helped me spy on you, and once I knew it was you, I applied for universities in the area. I moved to the US officially, but I think I’m going to be right here more often than not. Your hoodies are really cozy, by the way.”

“You can have them all,” Jason told her, thrilled to be with her again.  “I’m so glad you’re alive again,” he squeezed her even tighter into his side. “I missed you.”

“Not as much as I missed you,” she countered. “How did you stand being in the ‘scape for so long when I wasn’t there?”

Jason snickered. “I had plenty of books, and I trained lots–had to keep the Robin skills sharp–and I tried all the hobbies that you were into so I could understand them…it wasn’t too bad most of the time.”

She sniffed disdainfully and slung her legs over his. “I’m still salty that the Pits severed our telepathic bond. And who thought it was a good idea to use one, anyways?!” 

“That would be Talia al Ghul, mother of the current Robin and daughter of the head of the now-dismantled League of Assassins.”

“Your dad…oh wow. How’s that work? Did Bruce know?”

“He did not; T just showed up one day and said he’s yours and your problem now. And now we have a spiky baby brother. Talia has The Worst™ timing.”

“Yeah she does. She interrupted us last time when she revived you–the rudeness!”

“We shouldn’t be interrupted now,” suggested Jason.

Marinette looked at him. “3…2…1…”

Jason’s door opened and Tim poked his head in. “Who’re you talking to? Also, Alfred wants to know if you want tea or hot chocolate, and if you had a good patrol.”

“I’m good, tell Alfie thanks. And it’s none of your business who I’m talking to, Replacement. Knock next time, yeah?”

Tim shrugged and closed the door, slapping the lightswitch before he went. “Turn a light on, sheesh.”

Marinette smirked up at Jason. “Now we’re good. Thanks, Trixx.”

They leaned in again, and the third time really was the charm, because they were blissfully uninterrupted. 

~~~

Marinette woke up to quiet yet insistent whispers. “Uh, Little Wing, who’s that?”

“Shh! You’ll wake her up! She’s as bad as Replacement about sleeping.”

“Sorry,” at a slightly lower volume. “But who is she?”

“Nunya business. Can you…not tell anyone about this, though? Or her, in general?”

“...I guess. Why is she so important?”

Jason’s chest heaved with a sigh under Marinette’s cheek. “You cannot tell anyone. She’s my soulmate.”

“That’s great, Jay!”

“SH!”

“Sorry! How did you know?”

“We met.” Marinette popped her head out of the hoodie she’d fallen asleep in. For once, neither she nor Jason had had nightmares. “Hi, I’m Marinette. You’re Dick?”

“Yeah. Sorry if I woke you up. Alfred sent me to get Jay for breakfast.”

She shrugged, patting her hair down. “‘S fine. Cheri, do you think Alfred would mind a guest?”

Jason groaned and ran his hands down his face. “Pix, please say you’re joking?”

“Absolutely not, but if you’re not ready, that’s fine. I’ll wait.”

He groaned again. “Fine. But you’re explaining everything.”

A grin slipped across her face. “That’s fine.” She bounced off the bed and smoothed the hoodie down, holding a hand out to him. “Ready, Romeo?”

Jason tossed her a disgusted look at her teasing nickname, knowing how he felt about the play, but took her hand, letting her pull him to his feet. 

Babs and Steph had arrived with coffee and now all the Bats and Bat-adjacents were at the table. The chatter abruptly ceased when they saw three, not two, people joining them. 

Marinette ignored the awkwardness. “Good morning!” she greeted cheerily. “I’m Marinette, Jason’s soulmate. Nice to meet you all!”

“You’re his…soulmate?” repeated Bruce, stunned. 

“Yep, we’re part of the 15% that has one.”

“How’d you meet?” asked Steph at the same time as Tim’s “What’s your bond?”

Marinette looked at Jason. “A crowbar introduced us. We have a death bond.”

The Bats mulled over this intriguing piece of information.

“So…you died and resurrected when Jason did?” asked Babs softly.

“Sort of. It’s rather complicated to explain. But the basics are, when we die we go to a deathscape, just the two of us. It’s like a dreamscape created by the dream-type bonds, but a little bit longer sleep. It was more of a coma in my case, so I didn’t wake up in my coffin.” She grinned at everyone’s awkward expressions. “Yes, I’m the one who corrupted your sweet Jay and told him death jokes are great for making situations awkward for everyone. You’re welcome.”

“How did you get in without any alerts going off?” asked Tim.

“I had one of the miniature gods I’m the guardian of open a portal directly to Jason’s room. Also, I used another’s illusion skills to pin the note to his jacket last night.”

“So you know who we are.”

“Of course. I’m also a hero–Ladybug, of Paris, at your service,” She bowed jokingly.

“Please allow Miss Marinette to eat her breakfast without having to answer all your questions at once,” Alfred said, bringing in the plates. 

“You are immediately my favourite,” Marinette declared.

A/N:

1) Yes, I know Jason canonically went to Heaven and also only resurrected in his grave around October, but this is a crossover and I do what I want :3

2) His body was resurrected because of his and Marinette's bond and her random deaths/revivals, but his soul stayed behind in the Deathscape until he was forcibly reunited with his body via Lazarus Pit.

3) Because of the meddling with his body/soul, the soul-pathic connection between the couple was severed, though they're still soulmates and still love each other (since that isn't because of the bond).

4) Jason still became RH because a) Bruce should have killed Joker before Mari did [in Jason's mind] b) he realized that he disagreed with Batman's letting everyone live. He was a lot calmer as RH though, and less focused on the Bats. Without all the Joker/RH/Bats angst, it was easier for them to work something out with him.

5) The League Talia wouldn't have done anything to Marinette, but Jason thought better safe than sorry, in case she revived and the League caught her. He still learns lots from the LoA and stays close with Talia. Why doesn't he look Mari up? ....Shh, stop thinking about my fic now please and thank you <3

6) Adrien is doing fine with Amelie and Felix.

Hope you enjoyed!

Taglist (open): @questioning-blob-of-fog @jennifer-rose123

[ali-annals]

Is this Hope just a Mystical Dream? (i)

Pairing: Jason Todd x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T+ | WC: 2.7k | CW: Discussions of death/murder, dark humour, temporary character death, mentioned permanent offscreen character death (it's the villains it's fine/hj), morally grey MDC >:) | A/N: For the loml @sarcasticbambi <3 | ao3 | PART TWO (final) |

Did you know that some soulmates' souls are literally connected, meaning that when one half dies, the other follows them soon after to a personalized deathscape? Marinette and Jason sure did.

3…2…

Bruce wasn’t coming. Jason squeezed his eyes shut.

...1… 

“Dad.”

Kaboom!

~~~

A soft white light surrounded the cloudlike bed he lay on, surprisingly not hurting his eyes when he opened them.

This was clearly not his room and he was not dressed as Robin. Maybe someone got him out of there in time after all? Maybe Sheila came back for him?

He didn’t feel hurt and wrapped in bandages or high on painkillers like the beating he’d received warranted. Had he been in a coma and was fully healed now?

“Bruce? Alfred? Dick? B?”

When no one answered his calls for his family, he edged out of bed, feeling as spry as ever, and cautiously stepped into a hallway. 

This was definitely not the Manor, but it had a similar appearance. He wandered around, taking in the kitchen, living room, and a few other rooms eerily similar to the Manor’s. Then he saw the library.

Shelves full of his favourite volumes, plus his ever-growing list of books he wanted to read. A couch that looked like he could stay there for days, getting immersed in a thousand fictional worlds. Steaming tea just the way he liked on a table next to the fire, a bookmark in place at Chapter 34, where he’d paused his reading to disembark the plane in Ethopia. 

A scuff drew his attention away from the setup of his dreams. He looked up, expecting Bruce or maybe Alfred or Dick, but it was a stranger. A girl with black hair and blue-grey eyes and a worried smile, around his height. 

“Bonjour. J’mapelle Marinette.”

He eyed her carefully before deciding she wasn’t an immediate threat and relaxing from his defensive stance. “Hi, I’m Jason. Where am I? What is this place? What happened?”

The girl–Marinette–sighed and plopped onto the far end of the couch he was standing beside. “What’s the last thing you remember? Before you woke up here?”

“Um…I was in a warehouse, a bomb was about to go off. Joker beat me and left, but I managed to free m–my mother.--Do you know who saved me? Where B is?”

She smiled sadly, placing her hand on his knee in a confusing gesture of comfort. “I’m sorry, Jason…you’re dead.”

He gaped at her. “What?! Why are you here, then?”

“I’m your soulmate. We meet here, in this deathscape of ours. You know how some soulbonds manifest through dreams?”

“How do you know so much about this? How…long have you been here?”

“I just arrived, but I’ll be leaving soon, I think. I’m Ladybug, one of Paris’s heroes. Our team is powered by magical jewellery, which house tiny gods that lend us their powers to fight. Mine, the Ladybug Kwami of Creation, Order, and Good Luck, is one of the oldest kwami, and she explained the deathscape concept to me after the first time I died and ended up here.”

Jason shook his head. “That’s a lot to take in. Paris has heroes? And magical jewellery? The Justice League has seen weirder, though, so I guess you make sense. But you shouldn’t go around telling people your secret identity like that!” he scolded suddenly, straightening. “You could end up…”

Like me. Apparently, dead. 

Ah wait, she is already.

She smiled sadly as he trailed off. “You’re my soulmate, if I can’t trust you, who can I?”

Jason sputtered, unused to such easy reassurance. “Still, you only just met me. Why did you say you’ll be leaving soon? Scratch that, why did you say ‘the first time I died’?!”

She grimaced. “My kwami has the ability to restore any damage that happens during a fight. Now that I’m dead, my teammates will pass my Miraculous on to one of them and continue the fight. Once it’s over, Miraculous Ladybug will cover the city and reverse any side effects of the fight, which includes my death. I’ve been in and out of this deathscape several times.

“I must say, this is a new look for it, though. It usually looks like a mix of my favourite places and my home, but this time it’s quite changed. I guess you influenced it since you’ll be here a while longer than me.”

“What?”

“Deathscapes are tailored to the soulmates’ lives, or so my kwami tells me. You must be well off, huh?” she glanced around the poshly furnished room.

“My dad is pretty rich, yeah,” he shrugged. “Er…how many times have …”

“Have I died? Mmm…28,379 I think. Will you throw me a party if I hit 30,000?” she blinked innocently at him.

He stared at her incredulously. “How are you so blasé about it?”

She shrugged. “Dark humour helps…and it makes others uncomfortable, so it’s not just me. And death is a social construct, y’know? So far, it hasn’t stuck. I’m sure you’ll un-unalive too. But a lot of these deaths, like 27,000, were in a now-erased timeline. So only 1,379 belong to other timelines.”

Taking pity on his confused look, she explained. “Two of the Miraculous have time abilities. We often spend hundreds of loops on one akuma, and until we figure out the correct sequence of events to take it down, we have to keep replaying the fight. Sometimes the collateral is a little higher than we’d like. But don’t worry, only a couple of us team members remember the timelines. The civilians are blissfully unaware.”

“That’s great for them but it must be tough for you, not being able to talk about it or get sympathy for it, Marinette.” Jason could feel his heart squeezing in sympathy for his new-found soulmate.

Taking a leap of faith (he was dead, what more could happen?) he told her his biggest secret. “I’m a hero too, so I understand how that feels, though I don’t have powers.” Being Robin gives me magic! “I’m Robin. From Gotham.”

“My ex-best friend loves superheroes; I think I heard her talk about you before. You work with Batman, right?”

“Yep. Can...I ask how you died?”

“The battle’s been going on for 24 hours. I was slow. I missed a piece of metal and got impaled. Can’t say it was the nicest way I’ve gone. You?”

Crowbar. Which hurts more? A or– ”I went looking for my biomom. Found her working as a doctor in Ethopia. Joker, one of B’s Rogues,  was blackmailing her. I offered to help her and she sold me out to him. He…beat me with a crowbar, then turned on Sheila and left us in the warehouse with a bomb. I untied her and she escaped but I couldn’t…B didn’t…didn’t make it.” I hope he kills the clown.

Marinette winced. “I’m sorry.” After a pause, she added, “the piece of metal that impaled me was a crowbar, too. Kinda poetic, both of us dying by crowbar, huh?”

He snorted. “Crowbar buddies. Cool. When you get resurrected, do you think we can stay in contact somehow? Phone, ghostly apparition or haunting, telepathy, something?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll ask my kwami, Tikki. Try anything you can think of, I’ll be listening. While we’re waiting, do you wanna play 20 Questions?”

“Sure, but we have to answer our questions too, to get more mileage out of them.”

“Sounds good to me! Okay, when is your birthday? Mine is July 9–I’m fifteen.”

“August 16 and I’m fifteen, too. Oh–I can’t answer this one. What day is it?”

“April 27th, why?”

“I thought I lost time. Still the day I died. Do you like to read? I do.”

She looked around the well-filled library in surprise. “You mean these books aren’t mine?” she gasped sarcastically. “It’s not my favourite hobby, but I like classics and well written books.”

The game continued, the two traumatized teenagers bonding over mutual interests and mocking the other when they disagreed. 

Finally Marinette looked at Jason. “I’m leaving now. I’m sure I’ll be back–hopefully not too soon. Is there anything you want me to look up to tell you when I return?”

“If Bruce killed Joker yet. Where I’m buried. Don’t come back for 80 years!”

“No promises! I’ll see what I can find. Au revoir, soulmate!” With a shimmer, she disappeared.

Jason collapsed lengthwise on the couch, suddenly feeling incredibly lonely. “Now what?”

~~~

The first time Marinette died, she’d woken up in a strange bed in a huge fancy house that was much nicer than Adrien’s. It definitely had a more lived-in, home-like feel, for one. She’d just finished exploring its vast premises when she woke up again in Paris, to her teammates’ relief. 

Later, she’d asked Tikki about it. “You must have a soulmate, Marinette,” the kwami decided. “Some have dreamscapes, and a very few have deathscapes. They’re usually involved with the Miraculous or magic or supernatural forces of some kind. Both sides of the soulbond end up in the shared ‘scape when they die. They tend to join one another fairly soon…the Miraculous must affect it some. Your deaths are temporary because of the cure, so I do not know how that will affect your ‘mate’s bond and life. Your death must not be long enough for your soulmate to join you.”

The next several times she ended up there, Marinette took note of the things familiar to her from her life, such as the extensive sewing room. Other things hinted at aspects of her ‘mate’s personality, such as the large tea collection, the vast library, the well-equipped gym that has many types of equipment she wasn’t familiar with. 

The deathscape appeared to have been shaped around more of their life than hers, leading her to suspect that they would be in the ‘scape longer than her. 

And then she was fighting a metallokinetic akuma, and got impaled by a shiny crowbar. And there was someone else in the ‘scape with her–a boy with blue eyes and black hair, a little taller than her (but still pretty short) and scrawny but muscled, sipping tea and reading Pride and Prejudice. 

“Bonjour, J’mapelle Marinette.” Does he know he’s dead, he’s my soulmate, this is our deathscape? That it’s my fault we’re here right now?

He took the news fairly calmly, all things considered, and appeared to tolerate her, though it could just be loneliness and shock keeping him so subdued. She liked him, like she knew she would–he was funny and smart and well-read and had a nice smile. It was relaxing to get to know him, knowing he was her soulmate for a reason and she could trust him. Besides, they were dead, who was he gonna tell she was Ladybug? 

She was a little sad to feel the now-familiar tingling signalling her return to the land of the living. She only hoped that her return would somehow work through the bond to revive Jason as well, so he wouldn’t be stuck in their ‘scape alone for who knew how long. He knew enough he could look her up if he revived, she was pretty sure. 

Once she’d reassured her team that she was fine, she zipped home as fast as she could, desperate to talk to Tikki alone about her soulmate. 

Tikki hummed thoughtfully when Marinette asked if there was any way for her to contact Jason. The kwami told her to contact Adrien and get him to bring Plagg over so they could discuss a possible solution. 

While the miniature beings confabbed, Marinette told Adrien about Jason. 

Finally, Tikki turned to Marinette. “You should be able to communicate in a manner similar to telepathy.” The two kwami placed their paws on her forehead. “You can try to contact ~Jason~ now.”

“Jason? Can you hear me? It’s Marinette, your soulmate.”

“I can hear you loud and clear, Marinette. Can we contact each other? Is it telepathy?”

“Sort of…it’s like souls talking instead of our minds talking, because we’re uniquely linked?”

“Cool. Are you okay?”

“Of course, I’m alive now. The cure heals everything.”

~~~

Jason and Marinette talked to each other often, especially during school and fights, where he would coach or distract her as she wished (he was an invaluable help during her English and literature classes).

But even with his help during akuma fights, Marinette started dying more. Tikki said it was their bond trying to balance each other out, bringing them together once again. 

In October, Marinette appeared beside Jason yet another time. “Hi.”

“Hey. What happened this time?”

She flopped on the couch beside him, tilting his wrist so she could see the title of the book he was reading. “I have the Miraculous.”

The non sequitur made him blink until he remembered her telling him her plans to retrieve the two abused Miraculous from Hawkmoth.”Really? That’s great! Wait, why are you here then?”

She sighed. “Our bond. I think I’m gonna be here for a while. Anyways, I was with Adrien at his dad’s–’cause he’s Hawkmoth and that’s why Nathalie had a heart attack so young, she was using the broken peacock Miraculous–and we were all transformed. We fought and I got the Grimoire and Miraculous. Then Adrien and I switched and I cataclysmed Gabriel. Then we detransformed after we said Hawkmoth and Mayura were gone for good. I went home and apparently died again.”

“You cataclysmed Gabriel?!” Jason’s voice went up an octave.

“Yep. He deserved it. He ruined Adrien’s, my, my team’s lives, terrorised Paris for years, abused Nooroo and his powers…he absolutely had it coming.”

“I just can’t see my sweet pixie Marinette cataclysming someone,” Jason shook his head in disbelief. “You’re so longsuffering. Everyone has a limit, I guess–and I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it, I’m just surprised you did it.”

Marinette gave him a shaky smile. “I hold one of the two kwami of balance. I’m perfectly capable of balancing the scales where I need to.” She promptly burst into tears.

Jason panicked for a second, bewildered, but recovered quickly, scooting closer and wrapped his arms around her, letting her sob on his shoulder. 

“I’m so confused, Jay,” she wailed. “I’m glad he’s gone, but he was Adrien’s dad. I just killed one of my best friends’ parents! How can I feel so relieved to know everything is over? It’s not over for Adrien, I just made him an orphan! Yeah, he’ll be better off with his aunt, but that was still his father-”

Jason patted her back soothingly, understanding the sudden outpour of emotions coming from his soulmate as she was coming down from quite an adrenaline rush, being in a safe place to feel freely for the first time in years. He wouldn’t be surprised if she acted erratic and was extremely emotional for the next little while. He didn’t mind–he much preferred her to be her entire self, emotions and tears and all. 

“It’s okay to feel relieved, Marinette. It’s okay to feel sad, too, or angry, or guilty. Feel it all. You’re safe now.”

She breathed out a shuddering sob, squeezing her arms even tighter around him.

They sat there for a good while, Jason’s shirt absorbing all of Marinette’s emotions. Finally she wiped at her face, scrubbing the sleeve of her shirt over the tear and snot tracks. 

“Thank you, Jason,” she said hoarsely. 

“You’re welcome. Anytime, okay?”

She shot him a watery smile. “I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you that I portalled over to Gotham before the fight and cataclysmed Joker.”

His jaw dropped. “You what?!”

“He definitely deserved it.”

“You’ve got no arguments from me, believe me, I just–you killed him? Why?”

“It was about time. He killed and hurt hundreds of others and he killed you.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I’m thrilled I got to meet you and know you, but I’d far rather you alive than with me right now, if it meant Joker never killed you.”

“Thank you, Marinette,” he whispered, leaning his head against her shoulder. 

“You’re welcome. Anytime.” She repeated.

After a while he laced their fingers together, staring at their entwined hands. He looked at her. “I’m glad you’re my soulmate.”

“I am too. That you’re mine, I mean.”

“I know,” he snickered. “I…really like you.”

“Like, like-like?” she frowned. “That was too confusing. I like-like you as well, Jay.” Her gaze met his as they slowly leaned in.

Her eyes fluttered shut as his lips brushed over hers, so soft she barely felt them, and disappeared. She cracked one eye open.

Jason…wasn’t there.

“When I said I’d rather him alive than with me, I didn’t mean for him to resurrect before we even properly kissed for the first time!”

Taglist (open): @jennifer-rose123 @questioning-blob-of-fog

[ali-annals]

Unexpected Visitors

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: G | WC: 800 | CW: - | A/N: This is one of my first fics so I'm not super proud of it but the lovely peeps on ao3 seem to like it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I thought I'd cross-posted this already but apparently I haven't, oops :| | Ao3 |

An unknown woman shows up on Wayne Manor's doorstep asking for Damian Wayne…

And enjoy this lovely fanart made by @tinybrie 🥰

A bright light flashed through the windows of the manor, the echo of thunder sounding overhead almost immediately. The knocking on the wooden door echoed down the dimly lit hallway, almost covered by the sound of rain and wind gusting outside.

The family butler swung open the door, taking in the visitors.

A young woman was standing there, holding a baby. She had her mother’s dark hair, but her eyes... 

He tore his gaze away from the baby when the pale, tired woman asked, “Is Damian Wayne here?”

“I’m afraid he is not ‘in’ at the moment, Miss. May I say who called?”

“He’s alive?”

The butler blinked, hearing the note of relief underneath the urgency in her voice. “Yes, Miss..?”

“Oh, thank goodness! His tracker stopped working and I was…I thought…can I see him, please? I can help heal him.”

“How did you know he was injured, Miss?”

She stepped further inside, brushing raindrops off the baby’s and her clothing. “Tracker. If it stops working and he doesn't reply, he’s either dead or severely injured. And since you say he’s alive-”

Alfred still didn’t know her name, but he knew she was trustworthy. Call it an old man’s intuition, call it experience from sizing up every type of person under this roof (of which there were many), he could tell his youngest Master would be safe with her. 

“I’ll show you to his room, Miss.”

“Thank you, Alfred.”

~~~

Damian groggily opened his eyes. Owww… His muscles protested after all that had happened in the last short while. 

The faint sound of rain hitting the window by his bed provided soothing white noise, mixed with the soft breaths from the dark head resting on the bed by his hand. 

Marinette was fast asleep, like the baby in her arms.

He stroked her hair gently. “ Habibti , I’m awake.”

She jolted upright, carefully cradling the baby so as not to disturb her rest. “Ma lune? You’re okay?”

“Just fine, mon coeur . I take it you healed me?” He scooched into a half-sitting position.

She nodded. “I thought…Your tracker stopped, so I came to see…”

“Shh, it’s alright, habibti .” Damian cupped her face in his hand. “It broke when I was fighting. I would have immediately contacted you but they forced me to stay and heal, and drugged me so I would sleep and recover without protest.”

“I’m so glad you’re okay!” She leaned over to kiss him. “I brought Zara.”

After Marinette had reassured herself that he was well-healed thanks to her handiwork, he brought up the question niggling at the back of his mind.

“How many people know?”

“Alfred, and whoever’s watching your monitors right now.”

“You’re okay with them knowing, now?”

Marinette nodded. “I’d prefer to be close by if anything like this happens again. So what if Bruce doesn’t like magic users or the fact that we hid this from him? He can get over it or not, but I will be by your side,” she stated firmly.

He smiled softly at her, seeing the feisty woman he fell in love with. “Let’s go settle their disturbed brains, then, shall we?”

He removed all the health monitors and stood, stretching and enjoying the slight discomfort.

She handed Zara to him, whom he carefully cradled in his arm and stroked his finger over her tiny cheek, and then they headed down to the dining room, where the rest of his extended family were gathered for a celebratory meal. 

The entire Bat clan was there, in various stages of recovery from an assortment of injuries.

Alfred brought in the plates of crepes and casually announced, “There was a young lady here to see Master Damian this afternoon, just after your last check. She’s up with him right now.”

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?!” The ones who could, jumped up to check on their youngest.

“Hello, family. I am perfectly fine, so don’t scold me for getting up. Dinner looks delicious, Alfred.” Damian and the visitors strolled in.

“Why do you have a baby in your arms? How are you up?”

“This is Marinette Wayne, my wife, and our daughter, Zara. Marinette healed me; thus, I am awake and about.”

“Since when were you married? With a child? When did you get a girlfriend?” Questions echoed from all corners of the table.

“We met when I was in Paris to help Ladybug six years ago. We got married last year and Zara is nine months old now.”

“Jon helped Damian escape when he needed and covered for us. He’s quite good at illusions,” Marinette spoke up. “Hi, I’m Marinette Wayne; it’s nice to meet you all.”

Taglist (open): @jennifer-rose123 @questioning-blob-of-fog

[ali-annals]

Mazel Tov

Pairing: Damian Wayne x Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: G | WC: 400 | CW: attempted arranged/forced marriage, implied kidnapping | A/N: A short ficlet I typed up to celebrate 1 year on ao3 :] | Ao3

Talia attempts to arrange a marriage between her son, the Heir to the Demon, and the League of Assassins' rival order's head, the Grand Guardian. The Bats are insistent on stopping the wedding, but the couple don't seem that opposed to it…

Marinette reached up to rub her aching head, groaning internally when she couldn’t. Opening her crusty eyes, she determined  that she was chained in a gloomy torch-lit room. Rather dramatic, so it was probably some villain’s lair.

“You are awake, Guardian, I see. Good. Now we may talk business.” A lithe dark-haired woman emerged from the shadows. “I am Talia al Ghul, general of the League of Assassins. You may have heard of us, as we have been fighting the Order of Guardians for centuries. We have an unspoken truce currently, but to solidify our peace, you will marry my son, the Heir to the Demon.”

Talia was not prepared for the young Guardian to laugh wildly, a tear streaking down her cheek. Finally she sobered, blinking away the moisture in her eyes. “Sorry, that’s just hilarious. I thought your League were superspies or something!” She burst into giggles again.

“Talia, let the girl go.” Batman and Nightwing burst into the room.

Taking advantage of the distraction the Bats caused, Marinette had Plagg cataclysm her chains, taking off and running down the hallway.

Talia and the Bats stared at her in astonishment. Damian, dressed in his League robes, ducked out of a corridor and grabbed her hand, the pair running headlong out the window at the end of the hallway. 

The Batcopter, piloted by Red Robin, hovered below, grapples attached to the struts. With their objective safe, Batman and Nightwing followed their example, landing safely in the helicopter. 

The helicopter rose past the window, Talia’s kidnappees waving smugly through the glass at her. 

Marinette pointed to the woman’s belt. Confused, she fumbled through the tactical belt at her waist, pulling out a small folded piece of paper. 

Talia, Damian and I eloped two weeks ago. I may have married your son, but I will not be your puppet. Sincerely, Grand Guardian Marinette

The Bats turned to their “rescued” members. “At least we got here in time to stop the wedding!”

Marinette and Damian exchanged glances. “Er…about that…Dami and I have been married for two weeks. We eloped on the tenth.”

“What?”

Damian sniffed. “World’s Greatest Detective. Hmph.”

Taglist (open): @questioning-blob-of-fog @jennifer-rose123

[ali-annals]

inspired by boop day, reblog this post if its ok for people to send you random asks and interact on your posts with no judgement. i want to talk to people.