#ibts

The past several months drug lords had been shot, their gangs busted and taken over by a new player in Gotham. Just before they began, Red Hood had fought with Bruce and left angrily. Now, after three weeks of Oracle reporting sightings of Red Hood around the crime scenes, Batman had finally caught his errant son.

“I’m perfectly fine, B,” snarked Hood as Nightwing and Red Robin landed behind Batman. “Doin’ better than I ever was, actually.”

“Little Wing, where’d you go?” asked Nightwing sadly. “We were doing so well…it was one fight.”

Red Hood rounded on him. “It’s always one fight, ‘Wing! And it’s not me–I was out of the country when Sionis was taken over!”

“Please, calm down, Jaybird.”

“Let’s go back to the Cave and talk it out,” suggested Nightwing, slowly advancing. 

Hood turned around, seeing Black Bat and Robin had gathered behind him. His breathing quickened and he started to shake, claustrophobia setting in. 

A girl in black and red walked towards the cluster of Bats. The last thing he saw was her taking his family out, then only blackness.

~~~

Jason awoke to rhythmic beeping–a heart monitor. Through slitted eyes, he noticed he was in his medical safehouse. A familiar face swam into focus.

He smiled slightly. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself. How do you feel?”

“Fine. It was just some…”

“I know. Okay, the scan says you’re clear; you can get up.”

“What time is it?”

“One-thirty. You’ve been out for two-point-two-five hours.”

“We’re in M-2?”

“Mhm. You want to talk about it?”

“It was just–too much. Too close.”

His companion slowly came forward and hugged him. “They’re out for a bit, except BB. She let me take you. The others are in the lockup bay. I figured we should explain, and this seemed like the safest option at the moment.”

He wrapped his arms around her, sighing contentedly as her familiar comforting scent surrounded him. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She untangled herself from his arms after a few more seconds. “So, how much are we telling them?”

“Everything. B will hate it.”

“That is not why we are doing this, mon cherie .”

“I know, but it’s a nice plus!”

~~~

Batman, Nightwing, Red Robin, and Robin were securely tied up. Their lockpicks and dislocated thumbs wouldn’t help them escape. Though their masks/cowls stayed on, their utility belts had been removed. Black Bat was wrapped in rope, but she could escape easily enough; the rope was more for show than anything, as she was currently the most sensible of the cauldron. 

The room was a fair size, all metal. No windows, doors, or any type of escape hatches were visible. 

The steel door flush with the wall slid open silently. Red Hood stepped in minus his helmet and mask. Following him was a petite Eurasian woman in a black bodysuit with red accents. A red mask covered her eyes, nose, and forehead. Her eyes were blue, her waist-length braid black. A red yoyo hung from her hip, but the Bats knew better than to underestimate such an unconventional weapon.

“I am Jason’s alibi for the past eight months, Monsieur Batman.” Her mildly French accent was polite yet cold. “When Roman Sionis was taken down, Jason was with me, in Paris. Here are dated pictures and his plane tickets as proof,” she laid the information on the steel table in the middle of the room after passing them in front of the captives’ faces. “For the others, I have similar proof except for one, but if this is the same criminal–and I’m sure you’ve come to the same conclusion as well–-then that automatically rules him out.”

“Who are you?” asked Nightwing.

“Oh, did I not introduce myself? Pardonnez-moi, messieurs et mademoiselle. Je suis Ladybird , Red Hood’s partner. Red Robin and Oracle will find no trace or mention of me. No one sees me, though I am just as active as Hood. I retired from heroing after I caught my villain. I missed the action, so I unretired to become a vigilante.”

Jason untied Black Bat. “Cass knows Ladybird is on my side and that I’m innocent. She let Birdy take you guys out.”

Cass nodded at Ladybird and slipped into the room’s shadows.

“If you promise to remain calm, civil, and unaccusing while we explain, I’ll let you go,” he told the Bats. 

They quickly agreed and were led to a comfortable living room. Jason started a fire in the fireplace while the Bats settled themselves on the couches, sizing up the room. Most of the decor could be used as a weapon of some sort.

Ladybird reappeared with a tray of coffee and pastries. She handed a pastry to Jason and put a mug on the knitted coaster on the table beside his leather armchair, then handed a mug to Red Robin. 

Jason caught her waist, pulling her onto his lap; she leaned into his embrace comfortably, clearly used to his casual handling.

“So, uh, are you two dating?” asked Nightwing.

Ladybird laughed. “No, we’re not. The reason you are here is because you need to understand some things about Jason.”

“Go on,” grunted Batman. 

She took a sip from her mug, a deep breath, and began.

~~~

Two years ago

Ladybug stormed into Gabriel Agreste’s office. “Why did Adrien tell me–” She stopped in surprise.

Hawkmoth was there. They stared at each other in shock, then she lunged for his brooch. For five years he’d sat in his lair sending out butterflies. For five years she’d fought akuma after akuma, amok after amok. He didn’t have a chance against her rage-fuelled combat skills.

She ripped off his brooch, tearing his transformation away, revealing Gabriel Agreste. On the warpath, she headed for Nathalie and seized her pin as well, finally recovering all the Miraculous.

Paris assured of its safety against magical emotional terrorists, Ladybug and Chat Noir retired. 

Marinette Dupain-Cheng took a long-needed and well-deserved vacation. It was far away from Paris…New Jersey was a quiet New England state in the quiet USA, right?

Wrong.

A red-helmeted finger dropped onto her hotel balcony. 

“Oh, kwami! He’s bleeding out!”

She dragged Red Hood inside her room to heal him, a handful of kwami hovering around her to lend their energy.

Plagg latched onto Hood’s dark energy. “Pigtails, he’s died before. You know about the Lazarus Pits? He’s been in one and it’s twisting him. He’ll go crazy as the al Ghuls if you don’t fix it. You’re lucky a supreme being like me is around to help you with that.”

Using TIkki’s creation magic to level out the destruction of Plagg’s magic, Marinette began to even out Hood’s energy to normal levels.

Doing too much at one time could cause irreversible side effects, however, so when Hood woke up, noticeably confused and defensive, she explained the situation and received his agreement to continue his treatment.

She assured him he was perfectly safe with her, she’d once been a hero and understood how to keep identities secret. Sensing the magical darkness in Gotham, she moved there six months later, continuing to see Jason long after he’d been completely healed.

Seven months ago

Jason flew to France to meet Marinette’s friends and parents, happy to be surprising his number-one supporter.  

Somehow, he had made it to a field of flowers, down on one knee in front of the love of his life.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you let me become the happiest man in the world and be your husband?”

Tears prickled in both their eyes as she rapidly nodded. “Yes!”

Six months ago

 “Do you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, take Jason Todd as your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do!”

The gold ring sliding on her finger was cool, but warmed quickly from her body heat, like it had always been there.

They both wanted a quick, small wedding. Jason still wasn’t speaking to his family since their fight four months ago, and all her friends and family were there, so the couple were married in the city of lights and love.

Three months ago

Ladybird appeared beside Red Hood. He was closely following the new crime lord’s case, so of course she was too. No one saw them watching the Bats from the shadows, eyeing them as they worked.

One month ago

“Alright, this is stupid. Jason, mon coeur, I think it would be good for everyone if you reconnect with your family. I’m sure they miss you, and I know you miss them too, even if you’ll never say it.

“The Madness is gone, so even if you fight–which I’m sure you won’t–it won’t be nearly as bad as before. I’ll fight Bruce myself if I have to.”

“I’ll think about it, Pix.”

“That’s…the best I can ask for. Thank you, cherie .”

Now

“...and that’s what happened,” Ladybird finished.

The Bats were silent, finally broken by Batman.

“Thank you for this proof of Jason’s innocence, and for helping us meet again, Ladybird.”

She smiled. “You are welcome. I hope you’ll not waste this time?”

“No. When—Would you be willing to come to dinner one night?”

“Jay?”

He sighed, then looked at his father. “Sunday still family dinner day?”

“Alfred won’t let us skip it.”

“We’ll be there 4:30 then.”

Batman;s face softened–what could be read of it–and argument could be made that it was a smile. “I’ll tell Alfred you’re bringing a guest.”

“‘Kay.”

Ladybird stood up. “Jay won’t hug you, so you can hug me instead, Nightwing. I can tell you want to.”

With a squeal the vigilante bounded over to hug her. “Thank you! New little sister privileges!”

She laughed a little and patted his back. “I’m not averse to hugs, as long as I have warning beforehand. I don’t hold any responsibility for any KO’s you may incur.”

“Finally, someone who’ll let me hug them! Good job picking her, Little Wing.” Nightwing ruffled Jason’s hair.

So Damian protectively shooed his brother away from Marinette. 

Chloe and Icarus would be going on tour as well, in the States and Europe. At least Bruce hadn’t questioned him when he requested to not begin working at WE till January, taking a gap half-year. There was the tour, the wedding, and planning the functions to do. He couldn’t be there for Mari and keep an eye on her health while he was busy acclimating to working at WE as well.

~~~~~

June 25th the Waynes were stunned by the cover of Fairy’s new album, Golden Ties. It was different from her debut album, Gossamer Wings. Gossamer Wings’ background was an iridescent, shimmering background with golden lines like butterfly wings curving up from the surface. Black italics spelled the title.

Golden Ties was a black background with loopy gold letters all connected spelling the title.

Fairy’s picture on the back of Gossamer Wings showed her back, with fairy wings attached. (Actually, they were her Ladybug wings and the background of the cover.)

On the back of Golden Ties was her profile in black, wearing her signature red lipstick and a plain gold masquerade-style domino.

July second, the tracks –all sixteen of them– were released, plus Threads of Time (MV). 

Damian, as Icarus, appeared in it.

One of the songs, Emerald Eyes, was about him, though no one except him, Mari, Jagged and Penny, and Chloe knew that.

~~~~~

Fairy began the American leg of her tour in Gotham with Jagged.

The Waynes came, of course, minus Damian again but including Bruce this time.

Fairy sent Chloe with a note inviting them backstage after the show.

Chloe reported that they were happy to join her and that they had all (minus Bruce) squealed in excitement.

Once the backstage fans left, Icarus escorted his family to Mari’s dressing room. 

“Hi! How have my ‘biggest fans’ been doing?"

“Great! This album is even better than your debut, and the concert was amazing!!”

“Thank you! Icarus inspired a lot,” she smiled at him in a way that the Bats could *tell* was reserved for him only.

"Did you know MDC was engaged to someone?” asked Bruce, not foregoing his detective tendencies even in the face of his children’s favourite artist.

“MDC is engaged? I didn’t know she made a press statement,” Fairy played dumb. “I did notice a lovely ring on her hand, though. She also seems quite close with whom I believe is your younger brother...Damian?”

“That’s him. Unfortunately, he had a previous engagement scheduled and couldn’t come tonight. I do know he actually quite enjoys your music.”

“High praise! I’ll have to tease him about it if MDC brings her man around!” Fairy giggled like her namesake. She turned to Icarus. “Remind me next time we see him?”

“Of course, Cherie. ”

~~~~~

Gold was the color of the leaves when I showed you around Centennial Park

Damian asked Jon to cover for him while he followed Marinette around the US. In return, Jon got MDC clothing and signed Fairy and Jagged Stone merch.

Jon was introduced to the kwamis, and Trixx was enlisted to create illusions of Damian and Marinette as needed. Kaalki was the MVP, opening portals regularly so Damian could maintain his presence in Gotham. 

At the end of August, Fairy headed to Europe for the next leg of her tour. She hit all the capitals, saving Paris for last. Luka, Jagged, and Clara all joined her at different parts of the tour for surprise collabs. 

Finally, the day came when Marinette arrived in Paris again. She hadn’t been since she wrapped up her and her parents’ affairs two years ago, and she was glad she was only there for a short while.

Damian portalled over, thanks to Kaalki, and they disguised themselves to go sightsee.

Marinette showed him Master Fu’s shop, the Couffaine houseboat, her grandparents’ house, and at last, the park by her old house, where she used to sketch.

The sunlight filtered golden through the leaves, the warm air blowing Marinette’s hair in her face.

Damian brushed it out of the way and handed her an elastic off his wrist.

She took it with a smile, grateful one of them could keep elastics close at hand.

They came out at the other end of the park, standing facing the corner where the bakery used to be.

Marinette’s grip on Damian’s hand tightened, and she wiped a tear away from her cheek.

“Let’s head back, mon ange .”

~~~~~

Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

“Bonjour, Paris!” called Fairy the next night on the catwalk. “As many of you know, I’m originally from here. It’s good to be back!” And it really was, as she thought about it. With Damian by her side, her return had been much less painful than she had originally thought.

“As I wrote Lady Luck to pay homage to the Miraculous Team, I’m proud to perform it in their city! If you’re watching this, I hope you know how much we appreciate your hard work and selfless sacrifices!”

She knew the Couffaines were in the audience, and Chloe was backstage. Adrien and Kagami were planning their wedding for the week she was back, so she was unsure if they would be too busy to come or not. She had sent them tickets anyways.

Her guitarist played the opening riff, and she started the song.

~~~~~

Adrien and Kagami were married with Marinette and Damian in attendance. They planned to honeymoon in Osaka, then fly to Gotham for Marinette and Damian’s wedding. Two days later, Fairy and Icarus returned to Gotham. 

Marinette and Damian’s long absences had been chalked up to wedding planning, which was true. Mari only wanted a small wedding–just friends and her few family members– and Damian didn’t want lots of fuss either. His family attending was enough fuss, considering all their drama, he grumbled to her once. She simply giggled and told him she was sure they would be on their best behaviour.

Wayne Manor had much larger grounds than Marinette’s house, so the ceremony was set to be held there.

Tikki, Wayzz, and Pollen definitely never snuck over to encourage the lush grass and flowering blossoms, and Trixx never aided and abetted by illusioning them. The greenery was all Alfred’s green thumb.

In between concerts, Mari sewed her wedding dress and Chloe’s maid of honour dress. 

Damian’s tux and Jon’s suit were already prepared, and she collected what had been Gina’s veil while she was in Paris.

The final touches of embroidery were added in the last weeks before the wedding, and all the preparations ran smoothly, thanks to Chloe and Damian’s combined terrifying ruthless efficiency.

October 10th dawned clear and bright, sunny for once in Gotham.

(Marinette bet it was something to do with Tikki’s luck and cleansing accumulating in breaking down the curses on Gotham.)

As Chloe helped her dress she reflected that maybe she should be nervous, but she only felt happy and content. She was marrying her romantic soulmate today, what more could she ask?

(The whole week before she carefully avoided even thinking of anything that could go wrong, lest Plagg’s bad luck jinx them.)

Marinette surveyed herself in the mirror by the door as Tikki and Pollen slipped into their Chosen’s bouquets.

Her veil was her ‘something borrowed’, Tikki’s earrings her ‘something old’, her dress her ‘something new’, and the sapphire necklace Damian gifted her for her birthday her ‘something blue’.

The dress was scoop-necked white tulle over white silk,  the layers creating a slightly flouffy skirt. It was simple and understated, but when the light shone on it, gold threads embroidered throughout the fabric became visible. The patterns ran from her slightly pouffed sleeves, down her fitted bodice, and branched off in the skirt. Many little mementoes and details important to her and Damian were stitched in it. Ladybugs, the league of assassins and the bat symbol, a needle and thread, masks for Fairy and Icarus, dates important in their relationship, like their first meeting, the day Damian proposed, the day they found each other in her shop.

Damian’s suit was black, but another gold thread wound throughout it, spots and feathers trimming the edges. Plagg had taken a liking to Damian, and she had occasionally let him practice with the ring, just in case he needed to use it, so a tiny pocket for Plagg was sewn into his suit as well. 

The car pulled up to the flower strewn aisle, and Marinette gripped her bouquet, preparing to step out. The door opened and Bruce extended his hand.

She took it with a smile, sad that he wasn’t her own father but pleased that she could incorporate Damian’s into the programme.

Alfred, as the officiant, was waiting at the end of the aisle with Damian and Jon, Damian’s best man.

Damian’s jaw dropped as he saw Marinette walk down the aisle like a pageant queen, but he quickly closed it when Jon nudged him.

His eyes fell briefly to Tikki, hidden in the bouquet Mari held. She and the other kwamis had given him the equivalent of a shovel talk, which he took quite seriously, as he should. They all walked away from that conversation satisfied (and a little unsettled, on Damian’s end).

Damian met Marinette’s love-filled gaze and smiled widely at her, causing Dick, Bruce, and Alfred to tear up a little.

Tim, Steph, and Babs were a little surprised at how outwardly happy Damian was acting, but were pleased for him. Cass watched closely as Marinette took Damian’s hand and joined him in front of Alfred. Her hypothesis was confirmed when a faint golden glow appeared as they exchanged rings. Soulmates .

Bruce eyed his new daughter-in-law’s bouquet. He was sure something in it was watching him.

Plagg cackled quietly in Damian’s pocket.

After a lovely reception provided by Alfred and Wang Feng and Marinette’s cousin Fei, the newlyweds departed for parts unknown on their honeymoon.

In reality, they moved into 195 Andes Plaza. Relaxing at home sounded much better than jetting off after they’d just been on an extended world tour. Now was the time to be quiet and put down roots.