#adrien bashing

“Is everything alright, Marinette?” Tikki asked as she floated around her holder’s head. Marinette blinked and looked up at the pocket-sized god in bewilderment. 

“I- Did you hear that? Like, did I just imagine the videos on my phone or did Jason really just say that he’s ‘goin’ to lock that shit down’?” Marinette asked, blinking again and reopening the video on her phone. He hadn’t used a name, hadn’t said he was talking about her explicitly…but who else could he have been talking about? With the amount of time they spent together and the amount of time when he wasn’t with her spent as Red Hood, how could he possibly have time for someone else? And Conner had just sent them to her with a cheeky ‘Thought you should know’. What else could that possibly mean?

“He most definitely did say that,” Tikki confirmed, making Marinette’s face burn even hotter. “Is that a problem, Marinette? You’ve been spending a lot of time together, it would hardly be a surprise if he fell in love.” 

“Love-?” Marinette choked at that, feeling like she was going to faint. Did Jason love her? He couldn’t. They were casual! Sure, they saw each other nearly every day…and ate meals together…and cuddled… “Oh my god, Tikki, I’m in love with him.” 

“If you say so,” Tikki shrugged, coming down to settle in the crook of Marinette’s neck. “I, personally, think you should call him and find out what that was all about because he was very obviously inebriated. And unaware that he was being recorded.” 

“You want me to have that conversation over the phone?” Marinette demanded. “No. No no no, this conversation needs to be in person so that if he is in love with me I can jump him then and there. Crap, he sent that message about going and getting breakfast near his place, do you think he’s still there?” 

“Why don’t you message him and find out?” 

“Because then I’ll chicken out! Come on, I bet we can find him really quickly, he likes to take his time with breakfast when he eats out.” 

Moving quickly, she checked her reflection and spent an agonising few extra minutes adding a little lip gloss and making sure her hair was straight before grabbing her bag and darting out of the apartment before she could lose her nerve. Tikki was right, they spent so much time together, there was nothing to be anxious about! They were going to talk, decide that they should be exclusive instead of casual - what a joke, as if she’d been with anyone else this entire time, she was pretty sure they were already exclusive - and then she was going to drag him back to his place to celebrate their new relationship. Lots. 

She was almost to the diner when the door banged open and she saw her target step out into the dingy sunlight. Her whole body fizzed with anticipation that turned to static when a tall, gorgeous woman followed him out and pulled him into a side hug that he didn’t dodge away from. No, he was clearly comfortable with this woman and didn’t mind the public nature of her affection. 

Her feet were now rooted to the floor, horror flooding her as she watched the pair walk in the other direction. She swallowed, hard, and tried not to hyperventilate as pieces fell into place. Thought you should know…Conner was warning her that the end was coming. That Jason had found someone else and was head over heels for her. God, he was talking about marriage. 

And now her mind couldn’t help but point out all the differences she could see between them. This woman was tall, dark skinned with fiery hair and a curvaceous body. Hell, if Marinette wasn’t horribly infatuated with Jason she would be more than willing to entertain a woman like that too. She looked like someone who could keep up with Jason’s other life too, something Jason probably wanted and needed. 

“Marinette, what are we doing?” Tikki said from within her hair where the kwami had apparently relocated during Marinette’s despair. 

“Going back to the apartment and either drinking until I pass out or designing until I can’t see anymore,” Marinette said, the weight of her realisations sitting on her chest. “Let’s go.” 

_ _ _ 

It didn’t take long for her to realise she needed to message Jason so he didn’t just show up at her apartment. She knew that it was over but she didn’t know if she could handle having to hear him say it now that she knew how she felt. She would rather relive the torment of being ignored by Adrien for months on end while pretending they were the perfect couple than hear Jason say that he’d found someone. 

So she took a deep breath and replied to his text as cheerily as she could. She leaned hard on the excuse that she was designing for someone who needed them to stay private, so she couldn’t have him over because she’d be breaching the contract. Would Jagged and Penny have understood? Of course. Would Jason have leaked the designs? Never. But it didn’t change the fact that it was a convenient way to create some distance between them. 

Then she sent a ‘thanks for the warning’ text to Conner and buried herself in her work. She opened the message from Jason when it came in, dread seeping back into her every thought but it only said that he would text again soon. She debated sending one back that would absolve him of needing to but ultimately decided that leaving it was the safest way out. No doubt he wanted to tell her all about the woman he now had and she wasn’t stupid enough to think she could survive that. 

When she hit a stopping point with the design - stupid opening hours of fabric stores, didn’t they know she needed to be occupied?? - she turned to a bottle of wine instead. Tikki watched her get progressively more drunk and tried to encourage her to drink water as she lamented her woes and sobbed about how stupid she’d been. 

“I don’t even have time to come to terms with losing him,” she cried, cuddling a cushion close. “I already know who he chose to take my place and she’s- she’s- god, she’s so much better than me. He really traded up so I can’t even be happy that he’s missing out!” 

CHAPTER 4:

Breaking The News

Marinette had not felt so hopeful in years. Glancing up from her phone and cheap hotel breakfast she watched Tikki rub her tired eyes as she perched on the burnt and blackened metal sewing machine that acted as the hiding place for the miracle box, Tikki noticed her watching and shot her a warm smile that set the teen at ease and she returned to her phone call with her dearest  ‘Gotham Family’ as they planned out her new room together.

 Marinette had not spoken of them often in public but Tikki knew of them from the phone calls Marinette had throughout the years. Alfred was Marinette’s godfather and honorary grandpa; he was a close friend of her grandparents and had a secretive past. He was kind and wise with a knack for reading people. He had practically helped raise Tom and the family had remained close regardless of the long distance. And when Marinette was born he had been there just the same, and through the years he had come for visits and phoned often enough that Marinette called him family.

 Alfred had many honorary grandchildren having never settled down himself but he loved them just the same. Out of his ‘brood’ however Marinette only knew 2 of them from when Alfred was still able to visit regularly. They were her ‘big brothers’ Dick and Jason. Alfred had taken them to Paris several times when Marinette was younger, they had held her when she was a baby, played tea party and dress up when she was a little girl. The visits had stopped when Jason got kidnapped and was presumed dead but Dick and Alfred still stayed in touch through emails and frequent calls. And when Jason was finally found and his memories recovered he also started phoning again too. 

 Marinette loved her Gotham family (even if she was a little annoyed they never told her about her parents' time living there or her being born there) and she often talked about meeting the rest of Alfred’s grandkids and his ‘kid’ Bruce but the 3 of them always had an excuse. 

 Jason would often talk about his old man being horrible and Marinette worried that maybe this ‘Bruce’ wasn't as nice as Alfred said he was. When she asked however Jason denied it stating that it was more a disagreement of principles and that they were working on it in therapy. She knew it was a sore subject and dropped it instead choosing to chat about their other points of interest. They'd binge watch bad tv dramas together through video call and Jason would send book recommendations. On bad days where his past trauma resurfaced he'd send Marinette clown emojis to signify it was a ‘clown day’ and she’d send him pictures of ugly clothing being sold and they’d text back and forth tearing the cheap designs apart. 

 Dick would counter her questions by whining that Marinette wanted to replace them and that he and Jason didn't want to share her. He’d pout and tease and joke and soon Marinette would forget about meeting the rest of the family until their next phone call. Eventually Dick DID cave to Marinette’s puppy eyes and introduced her to his girlfriend who eventually became fiancee then wife (who Marinette happily designed a dress for when asked) and now Marinette got regular calls with Dick his wife and their adorable little daughter Ma’ri. She loved being called “Aunty bug” even if the nickname had originally given her a heart attack (Tikki had said it was her fault for making Ma’ri a giant plush Ladybug) and she grinned when Dick told her how her gifts always won over all the rest of the families' pricey presents. 

 Alfred should have been the reasonable one of the bunch and Marinette often tried to ask when she’d meet the rest of his family only for him to skillfully dodge the subject and distract her before she could properly ask. After the hundredth time of him dodging she finally managed to ask and Alfred had sighed before finally telling her honestly that after Jason’s kidnapping things had only gotten more complicated with the family dynamic and many new additions had made things delicate. If he ever introduced Marinette to the rest of the family he hoped it would be under better terms and in person. That conversation had been when Marinette was 10 and 6 years later she made sure to never ask again trying to respect her Gotham family's privacy and emotional needs.

 But things were changing soon because in a month's time Marinette and her family would be American citizens. The old bakery her parents still owned in Gotham was getting a fresh coat of paint and some updates and repairs to make it Dupain-Cheng worthy. Gina had moved to Gotham temporarily to see to the renovations personally with Alfred. When Jason found out he volunteered to help fix up the ‘home’ portion with new paint and appliances though it was clear he was showing his favoritism when he jokingly texted the group chat a picture of paint options for the living room all various shades of pink. From Jason’s blatantly suspicious behavior, Dick and his family found out about the big move and they ALSO insisted on helping. 

 Which led to Marinette and her poor overworked cell phone handling many calls about furniture paint and more. It was chaotic and messy but somehow it was also fun and relaxing and the pictures she got of a paint war aftermath with both Dick and Jason coated in pink paint with a victorious and spotless Ma’ri and Kori grinning in the background made Marinette all the more certain of her decision to leave Paris. 

 Her parents were glowing as they planned their new larger and better bakery. Sure Marinette’s mom occasionally broke into hate filled violent rants about the exact gruesome ways she planned on ‘punishing’ Hawkmoth (because death was apparently to merciful an end) and her dad still sighed at old pictures of there home but they were both ready to take on this new journey and regalled Marinette with tales of there life in Gotham and the friends they made.

 The kwami were also delighted by news of the move, talking about the safety hiding in a new place would provide and how their guardian was glowing with new energy and positivity. Kalki was preening at the news they would be getting out more often. But out of them all Wayzz had been a bit more cryptic saying that Gotham would welcome her as much as she welcomed it he then insisted they begin teaching her magic. Now THAT had been a surprise. Sure she was already training with Amazonians but actual magic?! 

 Marientte was skeptical at first, sure that training her in magic would only end in destruction and failure, her anxiety ridden mind sabotaging her before she even tried. But The kwami were buzzing about the idea and so Marinette gave it a try, surprised at how natural it felt to her once she started. She had not done anything big yet, just simple things like locating talking to the kwami with her mind instead of her voice and changing the appearance of some of the miraculous to look more modern and easier to hide. Well Marinette thought these things were pretty major but according to the kwami it was simple for a guardian of her caliber.

 But amidst all the phone calls, excitement, hotel living, magic training, Hawkmoth cursing and more Marinette had been pushing aside one rather ugly little task that she wanted to avoid for as long as she could.

 She had yet to tell her friends.

 With how busy she was it should have been easy to forget about it, but she hadn't if anything it was a thorn constantly pressing into her side. Every phone call about paint and furniture, every joke with her Gotham family and excited happy smile they shot her, every conversation or decision Marinettemade, she felt the sting. She was scared. She was terrified. She was guilty.

 There was of course the fear of losing her friends but more than losing them she feared DISAPPOINTING them. She feared their upset faces, their teary eyes, their pleading voices asking her if she really had to leave them, asking her to stay, asking her to be there everyday ladybug forever. 

 Marinette loved her friends, really she did. They were good, kind, honest people. But they always made her feel so GUILTY. So trapped by her own anxieties and their expectations that the word ‘no’ felt like a sin on her lips. They relied on her expected of her, they depended on her and each attempt to turn them down had them drowning her in guilt while Adrien looked at her with disappointment and Lila grinned and whispered words that only made the guilt worse. 

 Marinette loved her friends, but she knew a part of their friendship had become toxic.

 Worse, she knew that it wasn’t entirely Lila’s fault. Certainly the fox-like girl had not helped matters with how she wielded guilt like a weapon of war. She had perfected the art of whipping the class up getting them to ask her questions that tore into her tender heart.

 “But why can't you help Marinette?”

 “You know how much this means to me?”

 “You know how much I need help?”

 “Don't you care about us Marinette?”

 “Real friends would help.” 

 “Lila offered to help so why can't you?”

 Marinette had worn herself to the bone helping her friends. She was use to saying yes without a thought and when she inevitably crashed or needed help herself Lila was there again whispering words that made her friends doubt her. But her classmates and Lila were not the only one responsible, so was Marinette. She had never tried to talk to them, never tried to sit them down and tell them honestly about her own feelings, she let them use her and called it love and friendship because she was so scared that saying ‘no’ would mean losing them all. 

 With only a month left until she got on a plane and started a new chapter of her life, Marinette knew she owed it to her friends to tell them. Sure she would still see them regularly as Ladybug since Hawkmoth loved targeting her school and classmates but it would not be the same. She could not hang out with them as Ladybug. Tikki had even asked if she wanted to tell Alya about her being Ladybug but Marinette was not ready for that just yet. Especially not when Hawkmoth clearly had an interest in Marinette Dupain-Cheng. 

 As Marinette alarm rang she ended the call with Jason telling him in no uncertain terms that he was NOT to buy her the stupidly expensive pink laptop he found and that she would get herself a new one once she moved to Gotham with her own money. He gave a devious smile and Marinette groaned in frustration as she hung up the call and shoveled the last of her cheap hotel breakfast into her mouth and gathered her things to go to school. Her parents were already out that morning to get paperwork sorted and arranged for the big move. 

 Tikki zipped into Marinette’s bag and she left the hotel room locking it safely behind her before jogging down past the receptionist who she waved to eagerly and out of the hotel to catch the train to school. On her way to school Marinette’s mind raced as she thought of how to break the news to her friends. She knew Mme. Bustier would not keep quiet about it forever, it was frankly a miracle that the teacher had not exploded keeping the news to herself for so long. 

 Getting off at her stop and then walking to school Marinette saw several of her classmates arriving to school including Adrien who shot her a smile as he got out of his car. The sight of his dazzling smile made Marinette’s stomach flutter briefly before those butterflies got squashed by Lila exiting the car right after Adrien and latching herself to the blonde's arm with a happy giggle. 

 Marinette didn’t really like Adrien anymore. Sure she still thought he was the cutest guy ever and felt flustered by his bright green eyes. But the past few years had created a massive gap in their relationship and there were some things Marinette could not forgive him for even if the blonde himself was utterly oblivious. Shaking off her thoughts, Marinette focused on her mission and stole her heart for what lay ahead ignoring the feeling of eyes on her.

 As Marinette made her way to class she heard the chattering of her classmates and her heart rate increased. She felt like she was going to be sick and the only thing keeping her grounded was the feeling of Tikki’s warmth pressing into her side from the purse. Stepping into the classroom Marinette stopped at the front and waited for everyone to be there. This was common for her as she was the class president and as her classmates noticed her one by one they stopped talking to look at her expectant smiles plastered on their faces. 

 Was she going to be announcing a fundraiser to rebuild her family's bakery? Or maybe a fun new trip for the class to go on? What if it was news about the back to school fall bash? Or maybe Lila’s petition to save the polar bears had been approved by Damocles? As the whispers and hushes of excitement grew and the last of Marinette’s classmates scurried into the room and quickly took a seat Marinette took a shaky breath and focused on the back wall unable to look any of her friends in the eye.

 “Good morning guys.” Her mouth was dry and she tried desperately to swallow. “As I’m sure you're all aware, a week ago my family's bakery… Burned down. In an accident.” 

 A ripple of whispers went through the class and Marinette put on a fake smile to try and put her friends at ease as she licked her dry lips nervously.

 “My family has been living in a hotel and after a lot of thought we decided to move-” 

 A loud bunch of chattering cut Marinette off mid sentence as her classmates all chittered excitedly about the move. Would they get a bigger bakery? Would they further out into the city? Marinette cleared her throat, regaining her classmates' attention.

 “We decided to move… To America.”

 There was a brief few moments of silence before the whole room exploded into a cacophony of noise. Between the screaming and screeching of chairs and tables and people, Marinette could just barely make out questions of ‘why’ and ‘where’ and ‘she can't be serious?’. In the chaos before her Marinette could not help but notice the look of horror frozen on Adrien’s face. The utter shock and disbelief on Chloe’s as she yelled and argued with those around her arguing it was her fault. The betrayal and near tears of Alya. The confusion and disbelief of Nino. But most of all she could not help but notice the smirk on Lila’s lips and the way her eyes looked down on Marinette in that moment. It sent a shiver of cold up Marinette’s spine and she quickly looked away biting her lip as she filed the information away for later.

 For now Marinette knew she should try to regain control of the class and she tried several times calling for them to listen only for her voice to drown in the sea of confusion she’d helped make. As her desperation mounted so did her frustration until finally she pursed her lips and whistled LOUD. The high pitched sound cut through the confusion and her classmates clapped their mouths shut to cover their ears instead. After the last voice died Marinette took a deep breath and lifted her head ready to face her friends and all the guilt they could throw her way.

 Rose struck first teary eyed and wailing. “T-This isn't a funny joke Marinette!”

 Ouch a tough one right off the bat. Swallowing her guilt and stealing her heart, Marinette faced Rose honestly and openly as her friend. 

 “It's not a joke, Rose. It was a hard choice to make but it's what my family decided was best for us.” 

 “But why?” Marinette’s heart clenched as she turned to face Alya the girl was looking at her like Marinette had just torn her heart out and stepped on it. 

 Marinette bit back her tears and took deep calming breaths reminding herself to be strong as she answered her best friend. 

 “My parents… They wanted to move to America even before Hawkmoth arrived. But they stayed for my sake because I have friends here. But now Hawkmoth is getting more dangerous each day and then the fire… It was just the last straw. They don't think I’m safe here anymore.”

 Silence filled the class as everyone considered her words. None of them wanted Marinette to leave but none of them could argue with such a reason. Many of their own families had thought about leaving Paris at one point in the last few years thanks to Hawkmoths reign. The fact that one family had finally been pushed to do just that was inevitable really. 

 “B-but.” Alya stood from her seat fighting back tears. “But… But… We're going to miss you.”

 Marinette felt herself suck in her breath as her face went hot and her eyes began to burn with fresh hot tears. As she tried to get her feelings under control she saw Alya wipe her eyes and that was all it took for Marinette to let out a sob. 

 “I… I'M GOING TO MISS YOU GUYS TOO!” 

 As Marinette desperately wiped away her tears and rubbed her eyes she felt her resolve break a little. 

 “I-I promise to phone a-all the time! And we c-can do movie nights o-over Discord! A-and I will s-send you guys gifts all the t-time! W-We can still be friends!” 

 Suddenly strong warm arms wrapped around Marinette breaking her out of her spiral as she removed her hands from her eyes she saw Alya holding on to her tightly.

 “Of course w-were still gonna be your friends! Paris, America or the North Pole, you're not getting rid of us that easily!” 

 Marinette felt her breath hitch and fresh tears fill her eyes as she hugged back within seconds most of the rest of the class joined in on the group hug and they held each other and made promises of how they would all stay in contact and continue to hang out. It was enough to certainly stop any of Hawkmoth butterflies before they had a chance. 

 As the hug broke off Marinette wiped her wet eyes and smiled shakily at the class. No one was happy but they also were not akuma bait anymore so it was a win. As the class chattered more about ways they could hang out with Marinette through a computer the good vibes were suddenly interrupted by Lila subtly clearing her throat. 

 “Oh i'm so sorry for interrupting guys I’m just desperate to know WHERE In America you're moving Marinette? Being a diplomat's daughter I lived there for a bit myself!”

 Marinette felt her body stiffen at Lila’s honey covered words. The Italian had been strangely docile since the fire. Marinette was torn between trying to decide if Lila was taking pity on her or planning something and now with the strange smile and glint in her eyes Marinette was sure of it. As the class urged Marinette to tell them more, the baker girl focused on building her alibi; she didn't want Lila to have any room to turn things around and somehow make things about herself.

 “We're moving to Gotham actually. Apparently my parents met there and I was even born there. They are very excited to be moving back after all these years.” 

 The second the words ‘gotham’ left Marinette’s lips Lila’s eyes widened and her body went rigid. But it only lasted a second and when Marinette blinked Lila was smiling again and looked relaxed. 

 “Gotham? Oh I spent a few years there actually! But Marinette, are you sure your family will be okay? It's sooo dangerous there.”

 As the class excitedly asked Lila for more information Marinette felt her brows furrow. The details Lila was able to give as she answered the eager questions was more than she would normally ever give when she lied so Marinette felt inclined to believe it. Her strange reaction was another clue. But it was all very strange and something about Lila’s overall attitude since the fire had her instinct flaring up.

 As Mme. Bustier finally entered the class and the students all scurried to their desks. As Marinette took her seat in the back she let out a deep breath. Things had gone better than she could have hoped. And while her heart still weighed heavy in her chest, the fact that her friends were ready to make an effort to keep her in their lives was good. Lila had also been strangely merciful. Marinette had expected the girl to try and spin Marinette’s move as being a result of the grudge or to try and make the class turn on Marinette with feelings of betrayal. But if anything Lila’s restraint was only more suspicious, her obvious joy at Marinette leaving, and her reaction to Gotham all of it just raised more questions.

 As Bustier called on Marinette to help pass out papers for the class the girl let her thoughts slip away. She’d think more about it later. For now she wanted to enjoy one of her last days in Paris with her friends.

[ Wanna Support Me? Donate HERE! ]

[ Wanna Read More? Masterlist HERE! ]

Marinette stared at the school right next to her from her seat next to the taxi’s window as she sat inside th car.  She didn’t really want to be here, but she wanted to see what happened to her class after their fallout.  Wanted to see how her ex-friends fell from their glory space.  She sighed sadly and was thankful that the taxi driver was understanding of her predicament.  Well, at least some of her friends would be there too, and she could stay around them and avoid everyone else.  Yea, she could do that, besides Damian said that he would be here soon.  So gathering up her courage and thanking the cab driver she stepped out and walked to the entrance of her old highschool.

“There you are!”

She heard Chloe say in her exasperated and fondly annoyed voice.

“Hurry up, I’m starting to lose my patience hanging around these losers.”

Marinette smiled and rolled her eyes at her friend.

“I’m coming, I’m coming, though I’d rather not be here.”

“Yea, yea.”

Chloe said flippedly as she grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the common area.

Alya watched as Chloe dragged her best friend towards the left stairwell where Nino, Max, Sabrina, Rose, Juleka, and other students from other classes were also standing.  They all greeted her with excited hugs and smiles.  Alya crossed her arms and glared at the group.  They must think they were better than everyone else, just because they didn’t spend time with Lila.  Though, Lila turned out to be a lying fraud.  Because of all the lies on her LadyBlog, she was unable to get a successful job as a reporter and was currently working as a barista in one of the coffee shops near her apartment.  She had talked to her other classmates as well, and learned that they also suffered greatly for believing in Lila.  Kim wasn’t able to make it to the Olympics and had ended up having an accident that caused him to be unable to do any sports for a while.  Now he was a kids swim teacher, so it wasn’t all bad for him she guessed.  He was also married to Ondine and was expecting a kid soon.  Nathaniel never really was near Lila, and they never really talked much, so while he wasn’t able to make it to his dream job as a comic designer for Marvel Comics, he was selling lots of his work online and doing commissions.  Adrien still worked for his father, and he seemed so worn out and tired.  She felt bad for the guy.  Alix was working as a hairstylist, she said she was okay with it.  Everyone was unable to pursue their real dream, yet everyone seemed happy with their life except her!

She glanced at Adrien and saw the way his eyes sparkled as he laid eyes on Marinette.  She could tell that he was now interested in the young lady.  Maybe she could get them together, and that would make up for all the bad she had done to the girl during their school years.

“Come on Adrien, let's go say hi!”

Alya said happily as she grabbed Adrien’s wrist and dragged him towards the group, before she could get there though some of the other people from the class came up to her first.

“Hey Mari,”

Kim said in a small yet happy voice.  Marinette turned to him and the others, her eyes cold and calculating.

“Kim.”

She said briskly.  Kim gave her a small awkward smile,

“I just wanted to apologize for my behavior in highschool. I know you probably won’t forgive me, and I understand that, but you did a lot of good.  I hope your life only got better after you left, you deserve it.”

Marinette smiled softly at Kim and the others as they nodded in agreement and added their own apologies and well wishings.  Alya rolled her eyes, why were they apologizing when it wasn’t their fault?  It was Lila’s fault, they shouldn’t be asking for forgiveness.  Alya pushed to the front with Adrien still in her grasp, only releasing her grip on him when they were in front of Mari.

“Marinette!  I’m so glad to see you again!”

Marinette’s soft happy eyes turned cold and blank when they turned to her and Adrien.”

“Césaire.  Agreste.  What do you want?”

“What’s with the last names gurl?  There’s no need to be formal like that, we’re all friends here!”

“No, we are not.”

She said before turning back to her group of friends, something about Rose and Juleka starting a flower shop/ beauty boutique.  Alya huffed in annoyance,

“What are you talking about, of course we are!  Look, I brought Adrien over!”

“I don’t care.”

“What do you mean?!  What’s wrong with you?!  Why are you being so cold-hearted?!”

Marinette didn’t say anything, choosing instead to ignore them.  Adrien then decided to finally make a move.  Adrien quickly grabbed her shoulder and she could see Mari tense under it.  She must be so excited!

“Marinette, why are you acting so cold?  It’s not a good look on you.”

The air seemed to chill around them, but the only people who didn’t notice the change were Adrien and Alya.

“Take your hand off of me this instant Agreste or I will remove it for you.”

Adrien sighed annoyedly,

“Marientte-”

Before he or even Marinette could do anything another hand grabbed Adrien’s wrist and yanked it away harshly before pushing him away.

“I believe she said to remove your hand, Milksop.”

Marinete turned around quickly, her eyes shining more brightly than they had the entire night.

“Damian!  Thank goodness you're here.”

She said as she launched at him for a hug.  He easily caught her and chuckled softly, careful now, we wouldn’t want to startle the little one.

“Wait, what?!  Gurl, what’s going on?!  You should be with Adrien, and-”

“Quiet you harlot, you do not understand the nonsense you spew.”

The man said again.  He was tall around 6’ 7”, very well built, had dark black gelled back hair, green eyes, and tanned skin.  In short, he was an intimidating figure, but she had seen and faced worse in her youth.

“I am no harlot, and who are you to say that I don’t understand what I’m talking about!  I’ve know her longer than you and am her best friend.”

The man snorted and rolled his eyes.  He gently grabbed Marinette holding her to his side with an arm wrapped around her waist.  Adrien glared darkly at the man, but he just smirked back at him, a mischievous glint in his dark green eyes.

“Allow me to introduce myself,”

He said with mock courtesy,

“My name is Damian Wayne, this is my wife Marinette Wayne, and this,”

He said placing one of his large hands gently on Marinette stomach, which now clearly looking at it was rounded slightly,

“is our lovely child.  So I’m afraid that the poltroon has no chance with her.”

Marinette smiled softly leaning into the side of The Damian Wayne, and placing her hand atop the one one on her stomach.

“That was the surprise you were going to tell us!”

Chloe yelled as she marched up the couple.

“Well, now I have to come with you so that we can plan a baby shower when the gender is revealed.”

“Wooo, this is so exciting!”

Squealed Rose as she ran up and hugged the couple, Juleka standing off to the side giving them a thumbs up and saying,

“Congratulations you guys.”

“I’m going to be an uncle!”

Taglist: