#“bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA” except instead of a random viral song on the radio

[whenthegoldrays]

I’m sorry but no one will ever embody “invisible string” like Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok do. They can come close, but nothing can top “the song you played as an expression of your grief over your deceased brother was the piece of music that made me want to keep going and live another day”

[lonelystarbuckslover13]

The lyric “bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA” is still so funny to me like the way she’s acting like that was some cosmic coincidence that could only be brought on by fate and not as though she’s literally one of the most famous artists in the world and bad blood was a chart topping hit that got constant radio play lmaooo

[taylorssfilmsss]

TYING YOU TO ME

↳ PAIRING. mason mount x fem!reader

↳ WARNING. none!

↳ SONG INSPO. invisible string by taylor swift

masterlist! | requesting guidelines!

a/n!

mwah. thank you so much for all of the love i really appreciate it. this is pre-transfer news and all that. this probably sucks but that’s okay and i did cut out some lyrics to make it a bit shorter hope you enjoy! love yaaa🫶🏽🫶🏽

green was the color of the grass

where i used to read at centennial park

i used to think i would meet somebody there

you were reading on the green grass at your favorite place.

Centennial park in your hometown, Nashville.

you had always thought about meeting someone you’d spent the rest of your life with there.

teal was the color of your shirt

when you were sixteen at the yogurt shop

you used to work at to make a little money

after spending hours at centennial park you’d finally gotten up and we’re now headed home.

you had walked passed the yogurt shop you used to work at when you were sixteen.

you were leaving Nashville in a week to move to London with your boyfriend Mason.

talk, curious talk

gave me no compasses, gave me no signs

were there clues i didn’t see?

and isn’t it just so pretty to think

all along there was some

invisible string

tying you to me

you were going to miss Nashville knowing that you could always visit later.

you had finally arrived home walking in and straight up to your room sitting on your bed checking your notifications from your phone.

bad was the blood of the song in the cab

on your first trip to LA

you ate at my favorite spot for dinner

a few years had passed and for your three-year trip you both agreed to show him around your favorite places in the states.

first, you were taking mason to LA. you’d been there many many times and he said he had never been there before.

as soon as you both had got off the plane you both were hungry.

you decided to show him your favorite spot to eat in LA.

bold was the waitress on our three-year trip

getting lunch down by the lakes

she said i looked like an American singer

you both were now eating lunch by the lakes

when a waitress walked up to your table and asked if you were a american singer.

you and mason had both laughed at her question you responded with a simple no.

one single thread of gold

tied me to you

…

gold was the color of the leaves

when i showed you around centennial park

hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

you had then brought him to your all time favorite spot.

centennial park in Nashville.

time, wondrous time

gave me the blues and then purple-pink skies

and it’s cool

baby, with me

and isn’t just so pretty to think

all along there was some

invisible string

tying you to me

[dhaaruni]

States (or Cities in States) that Will Go Blue in November 2024 according to Taylor Swift

Put those Georgia stars to shame that night ("Tim McGraw", Debut)

Rebekah gave up on the Rhode Island set forever ("The Last Great American Dynasty", Folklore)

I was high in the sky/With Pennsylvania under me ("Seven", Folklore)

Back to a first-glance feeling on New York time ("Holy Ground", Red)

Flexing like a Vegas acrobat, me and karma vibe like that ("Karma", Midnights)

And there are places I will never ever go and things that only Carolina will ever know ("Carolina", Where the Crawdads Sing (soundtrack))

At least the dolls are beautiful, fuck me up, Florida ("Florida!!!", The Tortured Poets Department)

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to L.A. ("Invisible String", Folklore)

And you know I love Springsteen, faded blue jeans, Tennessee*** whiskey ("London Boy", Lover)

*** I doubt Democrats will win Tennessee but one can dream

[sxthee]

My blog's just revolving around them now, huh? Gods, there's no escape for this chronic brainrot—

ANYWAY.

You know how when you brainrot on desertduo sm, every song you hear is just about them???? I just had a ponder and invisible strings by taylor swift vaguely represents them???

OKAY HEAR ME OUT—

(Ramble under the cut)

I believe this song can be taken from Grian's internal dialoguing. Like Grian slowly having a soft spot for Scar and realizes he's not all that bad as soon as he slowly got to know him better. Also a great allusion to Double Life that makes use of the "soulmate" thing, wherein that idea is usually represented with strings tied to people (to which where the song will be used!)

Paragraph one. Grian crossed various places just in hopes to find his soulmate (and is walking on grass), and coincidentally, met (or revealed) him surrounded by the greenery. Teal was the color of the shirt could be just his shirt getting wet from the river water that could be visioned as teal-looking. You used to work at to make a little money just basically describes Scar's conman days way back on Third and Last Life, where he would "work" to make a "little money" to which that would be resources.

Paragraph two. Grian was baffled and confused as to how everything fell exactly to where they were at. There weren't any clues to give him a sign of this eventual thing, and for some reason, it's so intriguing. And to him, it's kinda funny at how of all things, he was tied to him. He could not believe that.

Paragraph three. Bad was the blood of the song in the cab (on your first trip to LA) ; clearly, there was somr "hate" in Grian. Hate because he was paired with Scar — someone who's prone to disasters (and whatever Grian has going in with him lmao-) And there was some slight argument between them to which where they should base. Scar wanting to reside in the jungles(?) with the Jellie pandas, and Grian on a hill across Joel and Etho (but it wasnt much of an issue because Scar came to terms with it anyway by creating a compromise himself by bringing the pandad to their base, and it's because he's Scar). While that bad blood part was more on Grian, the "secret soulmate" thing was definitely a bad blood between Scar, BigB, and Grian.

Paragraph four. Now THIS. This is what I believe to be the epitome of the desertduo in this song. As time progressed and they spent more time each other, as what most would agree (and have portrayed them), they would slice each other open out of love, and bleed them out of love, yet they are the remedy to that because they love each other. Like two forces dancing, colliding and creatinf pressure and damage as they draw closer, yet every repel they take would take then closer, to only repeat the cycle again — something like that, that's how their relationship works. And the repetition of the isn't it just so pretty to think all along there some invisible string, tying you to me? Is like something that Grian repeats in his mind over and over again. Yet again, as if he was in disbelief, yet amazed. Like.. "What the hell?" And simultaneously "Wow, he's gorgeous".

Paragraph five. Forgive me if I may have made a mistake in connecting the lyrics to the "canon" story, but as far as I could remember thanks to the desert duo dynamics I see on my feed, Scar was the one who saved Grian, like his blanket — his comfort — amidst the battlefield that they were in. Maybe Grian was still scared of hurting Scar so he pushed him away, yet Scar had his arms warmly open for him, locking away Grian's insecurities by barb wiring, and by forgiving him, and forgetting the past and wanting to move on and live with him in this new life they have. They've gone through so many hardships, and even if they had briefly separated via alliances on Last Life, somehow, they would still wound up to each other's side. (Also, with Watcher Lore being applied + the power of fanfiction, A string that pulled me out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar: it could be Scar pulling or saving Grian from the watchers without hesitation)

Paragraph six. It's not "canon" compliant, since the two of them are just so— (iykyk) Anyway. If we are to restate this into a fanfiction with no angsty ending, we could say that Grian eventually came to terms with the past and is no longer chained to it.

Paragraph seven. It was at this point as if Grian had accepted it that it was kinda a wonderful thing. He was intrigued and found it beautiful that they were tied by a mere string. Scar gave him a hard time (he did too) and misunderstandings and quarrels were created in the process too, but in the end, it still felt like heaven. Blissful. To be by his side.

But of course this is Grian who were talking about. He may have accepted it. But he won't ever openly admit it.

JSNSKFNEJJRNRNR i have no idea if this made any sense, or had i correctly remembered how it goes to connect it to the lyrics. this is literally just all over the place, i apologizeeee JESNFNDNN what are your thoughts about this?? (-v-")7

[maybank612]

Invisible String

Green was the color of the grass

Where I used to read at Centennial Park

I used to think I would meet somebody there

Teal was the color of your shirt

When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop

You used to work at to make a little money

The first time I saw her she was walking down the beach, headphones in and a book in her hand. It was a miracle that she hadn’t run into anyone. Some may say that its creepy, but I couldn’t stop watching her. Admiring her. She was perhaps the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Hair up in a bun, dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a red bikini top. I know I should have said something to her but I got caught up in conversation and next thing I knew she was gone. 

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab

On your first trip to LA

You ate at my favorite spot for dinner

Bold was the waitress on our three year trip

Getting lunch down by the lakes

She said I looked like an American singer

The second time I saw her was at the local bookstore. The pogues and I were out getting drinks for the kegger tonight and as we walked by the bookstore I saw her through the window. I could have stayed and watched her read book covers for hours. However, my friends had different plans, John B pulled me along telling me to “stop staring” because it was creepy. 

Time, mystical time

Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

The third time I saw her she was driving through the cut windows down blasting a song I had never heard. Both of us stopped at a red light, her in an old beat up Jeep Wrangler and me on my dirtbike, helmet on. She looked over and noticed me staring, she gave me a small smile then kept on singing as the light turned green and she was gone. I swear i felt my heart flutter at her soft eyes and elegant smile. 

A string that pulled me

Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar

Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire

Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons

One single thread of gold tied me to you

The fourth time I saw her she was picking up food at the wreck. I was waiting for Kie to finish her shift so we could head out and go fishing with the crew. Something in me knew this could be my last chance, I mean how many times could I run into her before I never see her again. 

She walks out the front door and I follow like a bat out of hell.

“Hey excuse me?”

She turns around a little confused by the stranger yelling at her. 

“Can I help you?” her voice was angelic, better than anything I could have imagined. 

“I just, umm” suddenly I lost every ounce of courage I had in me. 

“Wait you’re JJ right? Kie’s friend?” 

“You know who I am?”

“Yeah,” she says, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’ve seen you around with Kie, I kinda of thought that you looked familiar so I asked her your name”

I let out a small laugh and a look of confusion grew on her face. 

“Was that funny?” she giggles nervously, oh my god that might be my new favorite sound

“No, it’s just that I swear all year I see you everywhere. I’m sorry it took this long to introduce myself” 

“Oh, well I’m y/n” she smiles and offers her hand for a handshake. 

I graciously take it and before I let go I take my chance. 

“So, y/n is there anyway you would want to go out with me tonight?” 

“Are you.. I ummm..” she could barely speak, her hand still in mine. “I would love to” she finally says with a smile. 

Time, wondrous time

Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies

And it's cool, baby, with me

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

[turnallthemirrors]

BAD WAS THE BLOOD OF THE SONG IN TBE CAB ON YOUR FIRST TRIP TO LA

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Our invisible string… that lead me to you

(Aricka x Steve)

Green was the color of the grass

Where I used to read at Hawkins Park

I used to think I would meet somebody there…

Aricka had her legs tucked under her on the bench she was sitting on, brown strands of hair blowing in her face as she skimmed a page of her book- Little Women. She didn’t usually like this genre of books, but she had to write an essay on it for her English class. She grabbed her highlighter and ran it over a line in the story, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Fifteen minutes later, she packed her bag and headed home; not knowing that a boy would take her spot; and crack open the same book she’d just been reading, and would highlight the same thing she had.

Royal blue was the color of your shirt

When you were nineteen at the ice cream shoppe

You used to work at to make a little money…

Steve sighed and wiped the back of his hand across his forehead; he had been working 12 hours straight at the new ice cream shop in town- Scoops Ahoy!-and he was exhausted. A new customer entered as he groused internally, and his heart almost stopped when he saw who it was- Aricka Hopper, the daughter of the police chief. She was pretty; chocolate brown hair, stormy blue eyes that pulled you in with the first look, and a smile that lit up every room she entered.

Steve had a hopeless crush on her; he’d always been too shy to approach her; instead preferring to admire her from afar.

Robin threw her hat at him; “Hey dingus; maybe while you’re drooling over your crush; could you ring up her ice cream order-?” He blushes furiously as he scrambled to the counter, to the cash register where Aricka was standing; oblivious to what had just been exchanged; a sweet smile on her face- aimed right at Steve. He blushed even more; and managed to stumble through asking her her order and then, when she handed him her cash, their fingers brushed; and he thought he was going to vomit from nerves and giddy ecstasy.

He was a goner; a fool in love with the daughter of the police chief.

Time, curious time

Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs

Aricka and Steve were two planets, constantly orbiting each other; seeming doomed to never collide. But they would; they just had to wait until it was the right moment, like all truest loves had to.

Were there clues I didn't see?

Along the way they would meet: words would be exchanged, but nothing substantial would occur. Steve couldn’t quite get over his hopeless, endearing awkwardness around her; and Aricka was just old-fashioned enough to want the boy to make the first move, so nothing ever happened in high school.

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Ooh

Time would pass, they would graduate, and Aricka would move to California as part of her friends, Dori Henderson and Eddie Munson’s, band. Long Live The Outcasts! they called themselves, and they started as a small garage band, yes, but seemingly overnight they became a sensation, and everyone was buying their first album.

Steve nearly broke his vinyl and cassette tape versions of it; just to hear Aricka’s solo in the third song. She sounded like an angel; he couldn’t get enough of it.

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab

On your first trip to LA

You ate at my favorite spot for dinner…

Steve eventually left Hawkins as well; he took Robin with him; and they moved to LA, citing a fresh start away from the gossip of Hawkins; Indiana. He played LLTO’s album all the way there; and anytime he heard the voice of his first and only crush’s voice he cranked up the volume just a little bit more.

And eventually he ran into Aricka, in a little dive bar not far from the apartment him and Robin shared. She still smiled just as sweetly as he remembered, and she still was able to send a zing of electricity down his spine when their fingers not only touched, but interlocked as they walked down the boardwalk.

And then he finally got the courage to ask the girl of his dreams on a date; and he whirled her around when she said yes, overjoyed to finally hear him ask her.

Bold was the waitress on our three year trip

Getting lunch down by the lakes….

She said I looked like an American singer…

Three years after that fateful reunion; they were at dinner, and the waitress commented on how Aricka looked familiar, but Aricka just giggled and waved her away, before reclaiming Steve’s hand and smiling adoringly at him; and he could only kiss her for it.

Time, mystical time

Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine…

Steve still had nightmares- his father was not exactly Dad of the Year material; he had the scars to prove it- but now Aricka was there; pulling him from the dark and into her arms, soothing him with a song and a kiss, promising she would never leave him, never hurt him, that she loved him and she would always be there for him.

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Ooh….

They loved to dance together; and soon, they were spinning slowly in a gazebo; a sparkling diamond engagement ring on ar Aricka’s left hand as her newest solo song played overhead,

“A string that pulled me

Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar

Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire

Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons…” she sang along, words for Steve only; words they’d penned together, words she sang and words he’d made the accompaniment for.

“One single thread of gold tied me to you

Cold was the steel of my axe to grind

For the boys who broke my heart

Now I send their babies presents…” he kissed her as she finished the verse; she was too breathless to finish when he was done.

Gold was the color of the leaves

When I showed you around Hawkins Park…

Finally they made it back to the park where they had both read Little Women all those years ago. It was autumn; and they were bundled snuggly in warm clothes, and they each had their copy of Little Women. They sat on the bench, and they opened their books and began to read.

Aricka laughed when she found the spot she’d highlighted, and showed Steve.

His eyes widen, and he flips a few pages further into his book, and shows her the same highlighted spot in his own copy-

““Love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.””

Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

Time, wondrous time

Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies…

And now; the sweet shy sheriff’s daughter and the handsome, shy “King of Hawkins High”; now they have each other, which is all they ever wanted. The comets finally collided, and the resulting explosion was a beautiful combination of patience and hope.

And it all began in Hawkins Park with a shared book, and a homework assignment.

And it's cool, baby, with me

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping thanks for Dori-!!! @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[dissectedgrrl]

spacedolls red thread of fate send ask

real. they should get married 😋

2. Green was the color of the grass Where I used to read at Centennial Park I used to think I would meet somebody there Teal was the color of your shirt When you were sixteen at the yogurt shop You used to work at to make a little money Time, curious time Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs Were there clues I didn't see? And isn't it just so pretty to think All along there was some Invisible string Tying you to me? Ooh Bad was the blood of the song in the cab On your first trip to LA You ate at my favorite spot for dinner Bold was the waitress on our three year trip Getting lunch down by the lakes She said I looked like an American singer Time, mystical time Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine Were there clues I didn't see? And isn't it just so pretty to think All along there was some Invisible string Tying you to me? Ooh A string that pulled me Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons One single thread of gold tied me to you Cold was the steel of my axe to grind For the boys who broke my heart Now I send their babies presents Gold was the color of the leaves When I showed you around Centennial Park Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven Time, wondrous time Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies And it's cool, baby, with me And isn't it just so pretty to think All along there was some Invisible string Tying you to me? Ooh Hee Ooh

[taylorswiftandx]

california

Thanks! I didn't find the word California, but from TS and Specific Places there are these locations in California:

White Horse: This ain’t Hollywood, this is a small town

The Lucky One: New to town with a made up name in the angels’ city chasing fortune and fame

I Bet You Think About Me: You grew up in a silver spoon gated community, glamorous, shiny, bright Beverly Hills

The Very First Night: But don’t forget about the night out in L.A.

Gorgeous: Whiskey on ice, Sunset and Vine

London Boy: I love my hometown as much as Motown, I love SoCal

Invisible String: Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to L.A.

‘Tis The Damn Season: So I’ll go back to L.A. and the so-called friends who’ll write books about me if I ever make it

[meaningtotellyou]

BAD WAS THE BLOOD OF THE SONG IN THE CAB ON YOUR FIRST TRIP TO LA

[littleoldme-posts]

“shes literally insane”

- i say after forcing my family listen to me rant about “bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA”

[thatwasthenightthingschanged]

BAD WAS THE BLOOD OF THE SONG IN THE CAB ON YOUR FIRST TRIP TO LA!!!

[womanexile]

Random Taxi/cab references:

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell: "That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?"

You're Losing Me: "And you know what they all say""You don't know what you got until it's gone"

Other TS ref:

Come Back… Be Here: "Taxi cabs and busy streets that never bring you back to me"

Girl At Home: "Call a cab, lose my number, you’re about to lose your girl""Call a cab, lose my number, let’s consider this lesson learned"

IDWTLF: "Now I'm in a cab, I tell him where your place is" 

[Title ref? Who wants to live forever - Queen]

New Year’s Day: "You squeeze my hand three times in the back of the taxi"

London Boy: "Show me a gray sky, a rainy cab ride"

Invisible String: "Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA"

You’re On Your Own, Kid: "I called a taxi to take me there"

Taylor talks about cab rides & taxis a lot. It’s kinda hard to picture her actually taking one. Lol

[ali-annals]

2: one single thread of gold tied me to you

Invisible String Masterlist PREVIOUS NEXT AO3

Time/Curious time/Gave me no compasses/Gave me no signs/Were there clues I didn't see?

Damian al Ghul had never heard about soulmates. No one in the League of Assassins had one. Why would he? So Talia and Ra’s never mentioned them to him.

He was six and a half and on a mission in Paris. Talia and Damian silently passed by a bakery in a quiet corner in the middle of the night.

He lurched towards the door, stumbling.

“Stay awake!” whispered Talia sharply.

“Yes, ummi.” He didn’t tell her he was not falling asleep but felt drawn to something.

He was nine and in Shanghai on another mission, this time by himself. 

He was passing an enticing-smelling restaurant when he lurched towards it again.

He would have investigated but he caught sight of his target when he jerked.

Damian silently thanked his luck and stalked after the target he was supposed to trail.

When he went to visit live with Father, none of his family had soulmates either, at least not that he had heard about.

He still didn’t know about them, and when he heard people mention them, he dismissed it as figurative speech.

{Alfred had a soulmate, a romantic bond with a girl who became his wife, Eleanor. She died from cancer three years after they were married. As she was Alfred’s soulmate the family didn’t know about her.}

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA/You ate at my favorite spot for dinner

August eighth, the day he turned nineteen, his annoying brothers took him to LA for ‘brother bonding’ which was code for ‘Road Trip’, which was an excuse to attend Jagged Stone and Fairy’s concert.

Dick had the cab driver take them to a diner that had really good reviews, insisting they had to try local LA cuisine while they were there. Donna had tried it and raved about it, apparently.

Dick and Jason started bickering about something inane while Tim dozed on his shoulder and Damian tuned out the horrible music playing over the radio.

The cab slowed to let a car exit the driveway, and Damian’s head bumped against the window. “Ow!”

He turned to Tim, who was now drooling on his shoulder, rubbing his forehead in annoyance.

“Really, Drake?”

The food was quite good, however, with an extensive vegetarian selection.

~~~~~

All along there was some/Invisible string/Tying you to me?/.../A string that pulled meOne single thread of gold tied me to you

In October, Damian and Tim were casing a dive bar suspected of being a drug-smuggling front.

Tim was working on his laptop, so Damian got up to get a drink.

He stumbled down the aisle, acting drunk already without his intention.

His mind whirled.

Had he been drugged somehow? He hadn’t drunk anything yet, and Tim had only ordered water when they entered.

He hadn’t felt a needle prick…could it be a gas? But no one else seemed to be affected… unless this was a mind-warping gas? But he hadn't felt any typical gassing side effects…

A soft body crashed into him. He looked down and saw dark hair and tear-filled blue eyes staring up at him blankly.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you,” she whispered in French.

A taller blonde girl came marching up. “Watch it, buster. She just lost-”

“Chloe.” The brunette laid a hand on the blonde’s arm. She glanced up at him again. “He’s my soulmate.”

He scoffed inwardly; he couldn’t believe she would use that absolute rubbish to try and get close to him for his name and money.

She looked so innocent, yet so broken before she revealed her true colours. He’d actually thought her intriguing before that.

He frowned and looked down to harshly disabuse her of her notions, then stared blankly at the gold thread glowing around him and the gold digger.

He blinked and cleared his throat.

No, this must be the drug. I’m just hallucinating. This is a trick like some adversaries have used against Father. Snap out of it, Damian Wayne al Ghul!

He slapped his cheek hard.

The two girls stared at him, the gold illuminating their incredulous expressions. He shook his head and slapped himself again.

The girls looked at each other, then asked him carefully, “How much have you had to drink?”

“Nothing; I’m just drugged-was it you? Soulmates aren’t real; I'm hallucinating. Where is Drake; he can get an antidote…DRAKE!”

Tim’s head snapped up and he came over when he saw what was happening. “You called?”

“This guy started rambling, says he’s drugged and we did it even though we met him a literal minute ago, and that you’ll have the antidote. Seems pretty lucid for a drugged guy.” Chloe eyed Tim carefully, who shrugged.

“It’s Gotham; we’re all used to being drugged. Thanks for finding my brother, Miss…”

“Bourgeois. As in Andre and Audrey Bourgeois, Paris. Bon soir.” She turned and dragged the other girl home.

Damian stared blankly after them until Tim dragged him out to go back to the Cave.

~~~~~~

Marinette slept for six hours, then woke up and demanded, “What happened?”

“Lieutenant Feuillet called, you found your soulmate and he said he was hallucinating you, but I gave his brother my name so he knows how to contact me.”

“Right. Lt. Feuillet. Plane tickets?”

“Mom’s in New York and said I could take the jet. We leave for the airport in an hour. I packed for you, so all you have to do is shower and eat the breakfast Tikki made.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The plane landed safely in Paris, and Jean picked the girls up and took them to the police station, where Lieutenant Feuillet met them.

“Mlle Dupain-Cheng, my condolences.”

“Can I see…them?”

“Oui, Mademoiselle. The coroner’s office is just down the block.”

Marinette flinched at the word ‘coroner’ and Chloe wrapped her arm around her.

Marinette stared at her parent’s faces on the cold white slab and cried in Chloe’s arms. 

“They...they’re really…really gone!”

“I’m sorry, Maribug.”

Marinette numbly walked to the charred ruins of the bakery, escorted by Chloe. Gina was there and came running to hug the girls.

They stayed with Rolland and Gina for the week until after the funeral.

~~~~~

Tim took Damian straight to the Batcave to analyze his blood. Each sample came up clear–no alcohol, no drugs, and everything looked good.

“Dames, you’re clear.”

“Question: why is his cheek red like he was slapped?” Jason strolled over, having just come in from patrol.

“I slapped myself twice to stop hallucinating.”

“Aw, shucks. No girl giving Demon Spawn what-for?”

“There were two girls, but they were quite nice,” Tim said.

Damian stared at him. “You saw them too?”

“Yeah, they talked to me. At least, the blonde did. The other one seemed a little out of it.”

Damian stumbled to his feet. “What did they say?”

“You said you were drugged and hallucinating, she said her parents were Andre and Audrey Bourgeois of Paris…that’s all. Are you sure you didn’t insult her and she slapped you?”

He glared at his guffawing brothers and headed up to his room to think and research.

By morning he discovered that there were three types of soulbonds, each demarcated with a colour to distinguish them. Some people had two or three, a few even had four. Sibling/familial bonds were silver, platonic were red, and romantic soulbonds were gold.

His soulbond type was the string, as best as he could figure out. However, everyone else’s record of the string was visible before they met their soulmate– some since birth, some when they were within a certain distance.

The invisible-string bond might have simply not been recorded– string bonds were less common than telepathic or physical bonds, and research was still quite incomplete on the phenomena.

Once he recovered from the realization that soulmates did exist and weren’t just a figure of speech, and that he had one , he searched up Bourgeois, Paris.

Andre Bourgeois, former mayor of Paris, and Audrey Bourgeois, Style Queen, showed up.

Then Chloe Bourgeois, MDC’s friend and Fairy’s manager. She introduced Fairy and MDC, who was now the singer’s main designer, blah blah blah...ah! He found the Parisian airport’s records and hacked in to discover that the Bourgeois jet had flown from New York to Paris that morning, carrying just the heiress and a companion, Dupain-Cheng, Marinette.

She must be her friend and his soulmate.

Now what? He’d said to her face that she was a hallucination.

How long was she staying in Paris? Did he drive her away after he unknowingly rejected her? What would he say when he saw her again?

Hopefully, she wouldn’t hold his ignorance against him…if he got to explain what happened to her.

Her friend seemed a bit protective of her.

From what he’d gathered in his soulmate research, the bonds were special and highly precious to those who had them.

Wait, why was he so worried about a girl? He was Damian Wayne for goodness’ sake.

Ah, because he didn’t believe someone would be able to deal with him being Robin, the first decade of his life, the press and scrutiny of the world for being involved with a Wayne if she made it that far…

That she would be complementary to him and his skills–what did that even mean, anyway? Soft and gentle, hopeful, with a heart of gold…he should stay away.

It was too good to be true. He’d drag her down. She’d be in danger as a Wayne Friend and al Ghul enemy, if she allied with him, never mind all of Gotham’s Rogue Gallery.

Yet he found himself planning what he’d say when he saw her again.

He was lost already and didn’t even know it.

~~~~~

Damian set an alert that would tell him if she flew anywhere, so he could find her easily if he left Paris.

He didn’t tell his family about his soulmate–he’d wait and see if it worked out first. It had been almost a year since he'd met her, and she was still in Paris. Either she had been visiting (which was strange, because no one visited Gotham), or he had scared her off when he didn't acknowledge her and claimed she had drugged him.

Which...was not very welcoming, he realized. (See? Those therapy sessions were helping him.)

Just because they were supposedly perfect for each other (a fantastical concept, and one he still didn’t fully believe in), didn't mean they had to have a relationship, or that she wanted one after he so harshly rejected her.

But he wanted to make a better second impression if he ever ran into her again, so a new, elaborate suit went on the list. Also, if he continued gradually acting out of character while he waited to find his soulmate again, it would be less out of character to his family when he did meet her and acted strangely.

A new seamstress had moved to Gotham recently, opening a shop called Lucky Charms. She had high ratings and an exclusive clientele. He’d try her –his family hadn’t met her yet, so no alerts should be triggered that he was acting out of character, right?

He could ask her to sign an NDA.

Chains around my demons/Wool to brave the seasons

He dressed in his favourite jeans, a dark grey T-shirt, and his vegan leather, wool-lined jacket Tim had gotten from MDC for him last Hanukkah.

(It was his favourite, though he never said so.)

Even though it was late October and Gotham (read: dark, foggy, even at noon) he put sunglasses on to help disguise himself.

Apparently, it worked for Superman and Kent. (He privately thought that Metropolis knew Clark Kent was Superman but humoured the alien and kept their mouths shut; a whole city couldn’t possibly be that dense.)

Lucky Charms looked nondescript, a wise choice in Gotham, where standing out meant you were a Rogue or a target for said Rogues.

On second glance, it showed a cozy charm and welcoming atmosphere amid the red-and-black theme.

No one was in the store when he walked in, the bell walked in, the bell on the door chiming.

“Come to the back if you’re my 1:15 appointment! If you’re not, look around or get out,” called a voice from the back of the store.

He chuckled silently and walked to the back, which was twice as tall as the front. A young woman was bringing a mannequin down the stairs to the main level.

She ignored him and set the form in the corner, so he assumed she hadn’t heard him, but she turned to face him.

“My 1:15?” she asked.

He nodded, looking around at all the sewing paraphernalia.

“Name?”

“Damian Wa–” She was his soulmate! “You’re real,” he blurted.

She gave him an amused smile. “I should hope so, considering you’re my soulmate.”

When they reached 10 meters apart, the gold thread reappeared and pulled them together. 

“I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“Damian Wayne.”

“It’s nice to properly meet you, Mr. Wayne.”

“Likewise, Miss Dupain-Cheng. …I apologize for my behaviour when we first met. I did not know soulmates were real and not simply a figure of speech, never mind that I would have one, so I was…reevaluating everything and did not act appropriately.”

“Hmm. “ She looked him up and down. “I understand. When were you born?”

“August eighth, twenty years ago. You?”

“July ninth, twenty years ago. Were you in Paris fourteen years ago?”

“Yes. So it was the bond in Shanghai eleven years ago as well?”

“I believe so,” she replied softly. “Were you at Lucy's Diner in LA on the twentieth of August last year?”

He blinked. “Yes, my brothers kidnapped me for my birthday. That was you ? I thought it was my brother pushing me.”

“How many brothers do you have?”

Everyone knows the four Wayne boys. Is she really that naive or is she playing dumb? Wait, when did she come back? My alert never went off…something’s off about her. Of course, my soulmate is suspicious. I must have Father’s luck with women.

“Three– Richard, Jason, and Timothy. I have a sister, Cassandra, and a sort-of sister, Stephanie, as well.”

“Wow, that’s a big family. I’m an only child, and my parents…died on the day I ran into you -I’d just found out, so I wasn’t very coherent right then. I didn’t even remember what you looked like,” she chuckled.

“Oh…I’m sorry for your loss, Marinette.” She smiled a little at him. “Thanks. Um, do you mind if I take your measurements while we talk? The string disappeared so I don’t have to worry about accidentally tying us up while I work.”

“Not at all.”

“So what did you want me to make? The description was only for a suit fitting, so…that can be quite broad.”

“I was planning on a more adventurous suit than my typical tuxedo for events. I’m trying to loosen up lately, and I also wanted a new suit for when I found you again.”

She laughed at that. “Too late!”

~~~~~

Marinette had no other appointments and few customers that afternoon so most of the time was spent getting to know each other.

She had started designing him a suit from when she’d met him, so a few alterations and hemmings later, she handed him a rough draft of the finished product.

He tried it on, and it fit perfectly. “How? You eyed me up once.”

“You have the same measurements as Robin. I’ve seen him enough to get a close estimate. I’ve also been doing this for years, so I have a pretty accurate eye for sizing a person up.”

He turned to grab her wrist, but his hand closed around air and her image disappeared completely.

“You are a hallucination?”

A musical laugh sounded from above him. “No. You just discovered one of my secrets. Fair’s fair, after all.” She landed lightly in front of him and the ‘ghost’ Marinette appeared behind him. “My superhero alter ego is Ladybug. You just met Trixx.”

After she demonstrated the kwami and her powers, she told him, “Sass saw you were on the offensive, high alert when I mentioned you and Robin. Trixx created an illusion of me while the others flew me up. Thanks for confirming you’re Robin, by the way.”

“Well, we’re starting off with no secrets. What could go wrong?”

They shared a glance. “Everything,” they said in unison.

“Would you like to come to my house for dinner?” she asked after tidying her workspace.

“If you’re sure. We’ve been talking all afternoon, after all.”

“I don’t mind, but if you have things you need to do, or you need some space-”

“I’d like to continue getting to know you. Are you ready to go, then?”

“Yep, just locking the door!” she called from the front. She returned and handed him a piece of paper. “My number and address.”

“You don’t live above the store?”

“No, that’s my storeroom and the kwami playroom. I bought a house instead.”

“You walk home alone?” Even if she was a superhero, that was risky.

“No, Kaalki portals me. I do have a motorcycle, though.”

“Good, I brought my bike. Can you direct me?”

They climbed on.

“Sure, I’m used to being my Nonna’s backpack."

Fifteen minutes later they pulled up in front of a large two-story stone house.

She walked up to the porch and unlocked the door, disabling the security and warning the remaining kwami she had a guest.

“Welcome to my humble abode! I know it seems a bit big for one girl, but Chloe lives with me when she’s not in Paris or New York, and the kwami like lots of space, and I often have friends and family drop in without warning, and my parents…were maybe going to move here.”

“It looks quite welcoming and cozy,” he commented, looking at all the pictures of Marinette and random people, some of whom seemed very familiar, scattered around the house.

“I'm glad you think so! You’re vegetarian, so…tofu stir-fry?”

“That sounds good. Would you like me to help?”

He followed her to the kitchen.

“Could you set the table? The cutlery is in the drawer by the sink and the dishes are in the cupboard above the peninsula. Just snoop around till you find what you need.”

Damian set the table while Marinette sliced vegetables and cut tofu for the stir-fry.

The kwami drifted in and out of the kitchen, snacking and spying.

Marinette was obviously accustomed to it, but it was a little strange for Damian. He’s seen weirder things, so soon it barely registered.

“This is delicious, xin gan . Did your parents teach you to bake as well?”

She glanced up. “Yes…Wait, what did you call me?”

“Uh…” his face pinked as he realized what he said.

“I like it, if that’s going to be your nickname for me,” she declared. “Can I call you ma lune ?”

He blinked at her. He had no nicknames besides Demon Spawn and the like. "Y-yes. Why ma lune , though?”

“Your past is too dark to be the sun–and I also know an actual sunshine child– but you’re overcoming it, so moon it is.”

“How did you know that?”

“Partly the kwami rubbing off on me, but you also think yourself unworthy of happiness, so something major happened in your childhood. I’m not pressing, but I just want you to know I’ll never judge.”

“How did you know that I think myself unworthy of happiness?” He put his fork down.

“You said you’d never thought you’d have a soulmate. Most people like to imagine they have one, even if they don’t. You also looked so …conflicted, like you couldn’t believe you had one and didn’t deserve it, or some guilt over it?”

“I was raised in a place called Nanda Parbat until I was ten when I was sent here to live with my father. My grandfather and mother–”

Marinette jumped up, slamming her hand on the table, her eyes flashing. “Those ravagers! How dare they! A child! I ought to have kicked their butts harder!”

“What?”

“You were referring to Ra’s al Ghul and his daughter Talia, correct?”

“Yes, but how-”

“They wanted my Miraculous; I refused, of course, and told them in no uncertain terms to leave me alone or I would Cataclysm Nanda Parbat too. I destroyed 'Eth Alth'eban to prove my point. It was kind of funny, watching them run.”

“You beat them?”

“Yes, my mother was League; she left as a reward for saving Talia’s life. She moved to Paris and met my father. She trained me in the League’s ways but with non-lethal techniques. I’m assuming you did not have that mercy?”

“It was not that bad…but yes, I was sent on missions.”

“Can I hug you?” All the fire had dimmed, and Marinette looked…sad.

He almost thought it was pity, but he saw the look on her face, and having someone be mad for him and not at him because of his early years was…a very nice feeling. So he nodded and opened his arms a tiny bit, letting Marinette wrap her around him. 

She fit perfectly, and he rested his chin on her head.

“I’m sorry, Damian.”

“Me too.”

~~~

Marinette washed the dishes and Damian dried them, while the kwami put them away.

“I haven’t told my family about my soulbond,” he confessed.

“I can see why. That’s okay; tell them when you feel comfortable. If it’s for my sake, I assure you I’ve dealt with much crazier and scarier stuff.”

Damian smiled at her. “You survived the maternal side of my family. That paternal side will be much less deadly…they’ll probably give me the shovel talk, actually.”

“Well, my uncle will threaten to feed you to his crocodile-”

“What?”

“He won’t -–Fang won’t eat you, anyways— but he’ll threaten you with Fang.”

“Your uncle is Jagged Stone?”

“Oh right, I never told you….yeah. He adopted me as his niece. My biological uncle, my mom’s brother, is a chef –Wang Feng.”

"His recipes are quite delicious– Father hired him one year. I quite enjoyed…Marinette’s Soup…”

“He named it after me. All my friends are famous, at least in their fields. Not one person I’ve met has been normal–even you are a vigilante. It’s like I'm cursed to know celebrities.”

“It must be because of your genuine character and beautiful smile.”

She blushed bright red and dropped the bowl she was rinsing, which he caught thanks to his reflexes.

At the door, Damian put his jacket and shoes on. 

“How’d you get my jacket? Your name was new on my client list.”

“My brother got it from MDC last year.”

“What’s his name?” she furrowed her brow.

“Timothy Drake…”

“That’s why his name sounded familiar! I am MDC.”

That makes sense. Their styles are similar.

“My family will be jealous. They love you already, so they’ll never let me go unless I bring you to meet them. But I don’t want to let them know about you just yet.”

She smiled slyly. “Secret romance? I’m shocked– behind the big bad Bat’s back?”

He smiled back. “Absolutely. We’ve got a running bet on who can figure out who MDC is and another bet on who Fairy is. I don't suppose you would give away client confidentiality, would you…?”

She smirked and shook her head.

~~~~~

A/N: Xin gan is a Chinese nickname that means 'my heart and liver' or 'my other half' (according to the two websites that were not Google Translate that I visited.) I thought it was fitting for a soulmate story to have Damian call Marinette his other half. Also, people seem to forget that Damian is part Chinese on his maternal side (at least in some depictions), and I think more people should capitalise on the potential to have Daminette bond over their shared part-Chinese heritage

[ihadamarvelouztime]

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA