#roynette

She glared at him as he seemed to move slower until he stopped and turned to face her.  His teasing smile eased into a serious but soft expression.  “I’m not going to go faster than I think your body can handle.  I’m not going to stop you from doing anything, but I’m not going to facilitate the things I think will hurt you.  If you think you can find your way,” he motioned down the hallway ahead of them, “then feel free to limp at the speed you prefer.”

“I’m perfectly capable of walking, running even.  Which, please feel free to do as well,” she snipped.  “I would love to prove myself.”  He raised an eyebrow at her.  After a staring contest that Marinette would normally have been more than willing to let continue until she won, she finally groaned then let out a long breath.  “Fine.”  She motioned ahead of them, her lower lip pulled down into a pout.

With a pointed nod, he moved again, continuing his previous unhurried pace, looking back over his shoulder frequently to assure himself she was keeping up.  Instead of being endearing, which she knew it should be, it was making her resentful.  She didn’t have time to go this slowly.  Even if it did hurt, which she would never admit to Roy that it did, and every movement did, in fact, cause extreme pain, running would probably actually kill her, the pain would be temporary.

They were in a hospital.

She’d be fine.  Afterall, she’d come back from worse.  But, if something had happened to Adrien, that could be permanent.

“How do you know the hospital so well anyway?” she huffed.

Roy snorted.  “Are you kidding me?  I’m a Queen and friends with the Waynes and a bunch more friends who have more money than brains  I know the layout of every major hospital in every major city in America.  And a few in other countries too.”

Marinette froze mid-step and stared at him, her pout disappearing as her jaw dropped.  “What?”  Roy looked back and blinked like hearing her shock at the bomb he just dropped was unusual.  “That’s… that’s… why would you know that?”

He grimaced and his shoulders slumped as he edged toward her.  “Yeah, okay.  I’m not doing great with words… today.”  He sighed and met her eyes offering a wry smile.  “I will have you know, typically, I’m charming and the best one on the… of the group with words,” he finished awkwardly.  He may be having significant issues over the past day with telling truths that were a bit too deep for the short amount of time they’d known each other, but his status as a hero was definitely one that he knew wasn’t the right time to expose, because it didn’t just expose him, it exposed her entire family.

He gently cupped one side of her jaw, the side that seemed the least colorful, actually it might be the least colorful part of her entire body at that particular point.  “I think something about you unsettles me,” he stated in a soft voice.  He searched her face for a second before placing a soft kiss on her lips.  “In the best possible way.  Come on, let’s get to the waiting room.”

Marinette stared after him for a second, her mind warring between focusing on his words and the mission she had only moments before.  Roy made it all the way to the next set of doors before one side finally won and she marched toward him, eyes narrowed.  He’d win this one.  She would let him change the subject, but only because she was so focused on Adrien.  If Adrien had been any less injured, she would pursue the topic, but not today, a fact he clearly knew judging by the wide, smug smile on his lips as he held the door open for her.

She glared at him as she passed through the door refusing to acknowledge the way her stomach fluttered, and her chest felt a little less constricted as a result of that smile.  He might have won this one, but she didn’t have to be happy about it.  She kept the harsh eye contact until she passed him, only then facing forward and immediately freezing.

In front of her, feet from the confrontation just moments before, her friends were sprawled in chairs and a makeshift bed, which Chloe had taken command of after pushing several couches together.  Or more likely, which Chloe was resting on after having had Conner push them together for her.  Not that she couldn’t, but if there was someone around that she could get to do it for her, she wouldn’t have.

“I hate you so much,” Marinette hissed lowly.

He kissed the top of her head as she stomped toward the trio sleeping or seemingly trying to sleep.  “Love you, too,” he chuckled, then froze instantly.  “Like you… Care about you, too…” he rushed out.  “Not… it was an automatic response.”  He glanced up at her desperately, trying to read her expression to make sure he hadn’t screwed anything up with her.  They’d already established where they were.  She’d made her opinion clear, and he didn’t want her to think he was trying to pressure her or worse take advantage of her distress.

However, she didn’t appear to share his concern about the topic.  Either that or she hadn’t heard him, because she was already across the room, descending upon its innocent sentries.

“How is Adrien?” she demanded loudly.

Max jerked up and looked around him anxiously, slumping back into his seat when he recognized his assailant.  Marinette standing inexplicably angrily in front of them, Roy quietly closing the door.  “Hey, look at that,” he sleepily reached over the arm of the couch to smack Chloe’s arm, “the doors don’t have to slam.”

Chloe batted his hand away distractedly, having risen significantly more gracefully and disdainfully while he was still floundering.  “That’s because…” but her retort died on her lips as her eyes laser focused on Marinette’s legs then snapped up to Roy in a dark glare.  “Why isn’t she wearing pants?” she demanded.

Max snapped back up in his seat, eyes suddenly wide open.  He stared at Marinette’s legs for a few seconds before his head cocked to the side.  “I put pants in your bag,” he noted puzzled.  “I distinctly remember doing it.”

“Dude,” Conner groaned tiredly.  He slowly unrolled himself from his, frankly, torturous looking folded position in the waiting chair.  “Really?”

Chloe whirled back to face Max, face thunderous and accusatory.  “Did you put… oh,” she interrupted herself and deflating only for a moment before turning her thunderous expression back to Roy.  “Why isn’t she…”

“Did I pack the wrong pants?” Max asked, head still cocked to the side as his brain whirred to put the clues in the correct sequence to form a coherent picture.

“The wrong pants?” Conner asked, his voice thick with confusion and sleep.  “How would you get the wrong pants out of her bag?”

Max looked uncertainly between Chloe and Marinette’s legs then back again.  “She complains about not getting the right combination of…”

“Oh my God!” Chloe snarled.  She shoved the second couch away with enough force, the heavy seating scooted back a few feet, so she could stand and glare down at him with more authority.  “This is Marinette.  She doesn’t care what she looks like.  She is perfectly content going around looking like a…”

“Adrien, how is he?” Marinette repeated more loudly this time, frustration rising in her tone.  They were all there for a reason and it felt like everyone else had forgotten what that was.

Chloe’s attention shot to Marinette but instantly drifted to Roy standing anxiously behind her.  Her eyes narrowed as she scowled and stalked toward him.  “I said rested, not happy,” she screeched.

“I did!” Roy exclaimed quickly, jumping out of Chloe’s reach before her nail, chipped at the edges from having been bitten throughout the night, could dig into his chest.  “I mean I didn’t.  I got her to sleep!”

Chloe’s eyes widened and her entire face morphed into pure fury.  “You…”

“Not like that!” he exclaimed.  He moved quickly behind Conner, which was pure coincidence.  It had nothing to do with the whole body of steel thing.  At least nothing he would ever admit.

“Adrien!  Now!” Marinette yelled, causing even Markov to bob back in surprise.  “How is he?” she continued at a lower volume but no less rancor.

“He’s okay,” Conner answered before anyone else recovered from their surprise.  He edged toward her cautiously, hands held out toward her as though he could push down her fear and anger.  “No change in status... well, no negative change. He's getting stronger,” Conner assured her.

Marinette’s body relaxed instantly.  She collapsed into a chair as a tautness she hadn’t realized was holding her muscles’ position, releasing at the news.  “Oh, thank God.  Has he woken up?”

“No,” Max answered, his voice soft with concern, “but that is expected.  It would be highly unusual, and slightly concerning, if he had.  We’ve been keeping a close eye on him.  Especially Markov.  He’s given an update every time anything changed.  So, we’ve been on top of it.”

“Conner Kent is correct,” Markov agreed.  “Adrian is stronger, though still in a concerning state.  He should remain under doctor watch and care.”

Marinette’s lips curled into a slight smile.  “Thank you, Markov.  We agree.  If anyone suggests changing that, let us know immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Markov bobbed forward in agreement.

“I'm sorry,” Chloe cut in, the tentative edge from Conner and Max’s voices nowhere in her sharp tone, “are we just going to ignore the lack of pants?”

Marinette instantly scowled at nobody, but her eyes immediately found the doors to Adrien’s door.  “I forgot to put them back on.”

“Put them back on!”  Chloe screeched.  She advanced on Roy again, harshly motioning toward Marinette.  “Why did she take them off?”

Roy threw his hands up and edged around Conner again.  “Back on after she threw them at Bruce when she found out he’d been tracking her through bugs in her clothes.”

“I am right here you know,” Marinette grumbled without looking over to them.  “I can also give reports on my life.”

“But not accurate ones,” Roy scoffed.  Marinette’s eyes finally moved from Adrien’s door to pin him with a glare.  Her scowl deepened when Max snorted in agreement.

“He’d been what?” Chloe asked carefully, emotionlessly.  An innocuous tone that would seem innocent to anyone who did not know her.  However, to anyone who knew her, anyone who had experienced her outbursts.  Those people knew that tone was more dangerous than any venomous, harsh timbre words.

“How did you get here with no pants?” Conner asked curiously, unaware of the chill that had run down Max’s spine.

“With a tight grip and a lot of luck,” Marinette quipped, a bit too lightly, avoiding Chloe’s gaze.

“We should get her some pants,” Max offered, immediately looking around to find pants she could use.  He ruled out using the pants of anyone else in the room almost immediately and let his mind move to less traditional options.  They were in a hospital; she couldn’t be the first person to come in without pants.  They must have options for such cases.  He looked for Markov to ask him to run some analytics but was interrupted by Roy.

“It’s fine.  She’s going to be in a hospital gown anyway,” he stated, not loudly, but with a definitiveness, it was almost a solid thing.

Conner looked back and forth between Marinette and Roy.  “Why will she be in a hospital gown now if they didn’t admit her before?” he asked delicately, like he was afraid the answer might break the straining stick holding up a cracked dam wall and release the flood water.

Chloe cocked her head and stepped closer to Marinette, her eyes running over her like she could run one of Markov’s analyses.  “That is your first smart question.  Let’s discuss that.”

“Hey,” Conner exclaimed.

But while Chloe, Max, and Markov’s attention was on Marinette, Roy shifted his attention to Conner and shoved him as hard as he could, trying to at least produce a minute movement.  “What the hell?” Conner grunted.  “Is that your new introduction every time you see me now?”

“You saw how bad she was and didn't say anything,” Roy whisper hissed, he looked around to make sure nobody was listening to them but pulled him away a few steps despite the others having become more focused on Marinette’s legs.

Conner blinked at him shaking his head like shaking the words into a more reasonable order.  “She said she saw a doctor and was cleared so I figured you knew.  Plus, she's no worse than a few of your latest fights.”

“She not a hero,” he growled through his teeth.  “The gage is different.”

Conner opened his mouth to respond but immediately snapped it shut again.  “You’re right.  I’m sorry, Roy.  I’m so used to you guys…” he sighed and nodded.  “You’re right.  I’m sorry.”

Chloe’s eyes carefully traced the edges of the bruises exposed by Marinette’s impromptu wardrobe, tracking as one deep purple seemed to melt into a lighter purple of the next bruise before deepening so dark, it was almost black and disappearing under the shirt that swallowed her, making her appear even smaller than she already did.  Chloe started to lift the hem of the shirt to continue tracking the path but was shocked back into reality when Marinette batted her hand away.

Chloe rolled her eyes and leaned back; arms crossed over her chest with an annoyed scoff.  “Oh, come on, it’s not like it isn't something everyone here has seen before.”

“Excuse you!” Marinette shrieked.  “It is something NOBODY here has seen before outside of my bikini at your pool party last year.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow.  “Really? Well, that's disappointing,” she huffed.

“What do you…”  Marinette stared at her incredulously.  “He told you we didn't do anything.  You yelled at him for maybe not meaning it.”

“Well, yeah.  That’s my job.  Can’t let him think it’s okay,” she shrugged off Marinette’s dismay like brushing off annoying lint.  “But I thought he meant ‘we didn’t do anything’ like I mean it when I say I didn't do anything.”

Nobody responded for a few seconds, just watching the two women face off, one clearly considerably closer to a breakdown than the other, until Max finally broke the silence curiously.  “What do you mean when you say it?”

“That I definitely did something, just not everything… usually… sometimes… okay never,” she admitted flippantly, “but it’s what I expect other people mean.”

“That’s the exact opposite of what that means,” Max pointed out at the same time Roy chimed in with, “Oh... yeah, same.”

“Roy!” Marinette exclaimed.

“Just with clothes on,” he amended, but the contrite tone was countered by his smug grin.

“Well, that’s… slow, but that’s the speed she likes so...  Good job.  I’m proud… I guess,” Chloe granted grudgingly.  She eyed Marinette’s legs again, eyes narrowing into a dangerous glare.  “Bitch, what does Ginger Spice mean you didn't see a doctor?”

Marinette let out a long, pained sigh.  “I’m fine.”

Chloe’s eyebrow arched and bobbed back like she needed more space in order to properly evaluate the stupidity of the statement.  “The fuck you are and according to Lucille Ball’s less talented brother, you didn’t see a doctor.” 

Marinette met Chloe’s accusatory gaze with an apparently unbothered one of her own, just the slight tremor of the corners of her lips betrayed her.  Finally, she huffed out a breath to glare at Roy.  “Teller tale,” she hissed loudly.

Roy blinked once.  Twice.  Before finally responding, calmly, a harsh streak in his voice.  “Tattletale.  The word is tattletale.  And if you hadn’t done something to tattle on, I wouldn’t have taled.”

“So,” Max started tentatively, drawing the vowel out as he stepped next to Marinette and Roy, almost between them but just to the side, not quite willing to insert himself into the mire, but knowing he had to, “you didn’t see a doctor?”

“I said,” she responded through gritted teeth, but quickly switched to a threadbare smile, “I’m fine.”

“That’s a no,” Max sighed.  He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.  “Marinette…”

“No, she did not,” Chloe interjected with a sneer.  She stepped in front of Marinette, having absolutely no fear of jumping right into the mire and any creatures stupid enough to try to come at her, “the liar.”

Marinette gasped and straightened up instantly.  “I am not a liar.”

“Did you not imply you had seen a doctor?” Roy asked, though the tone was harsh leaving no doubt it was more of a disapproving demand.

She opened her mouth to deny, but the steely look in his eyes stopped her.  She readjusted her posture trying to find one that fit the new situation.  The incredulity of a moment ago felt wrong, like a too tight shirt, but giving in felt like not wearing anything at all and she wasn’t ready for that kind of vulnerability.  She straightened again, but with less solidity this time, just the tiniest bit of waver in her posture that felt more like a tsunami wave to her, one she was determined to ride through.  “Implication is not a lie.”

Roy’s expression fell into an unimpressed gaze.  “Is that really the lesson you want me to take from our interactions?  ‘Implication is not a lie.’  It’s okay if I only implied something false?”

Marinette huffed and looked away.  “There were more important things to worry about,” she mumbled.

Roy’s unimpressed look somehow flattened even more.  “The fucking genetics, man,” Conner grumbled under his breath, but still loud enough to feel like it echoed throughout the room.  “If ever there was a doubt…”

Chloe’s scoff, however, was actually loud enough to echo throughout the room.  She started to stalk toward Marinette but stopped when a nurse walked into the room, laptop open in his hand and fingers scrolling as his eyes darted back and forth across the screen.  “Oh, look how lucky that is,” she sneered at Marinette with an overly wide pompous smile.  “Hey, you, Doogie Howser, my girl needs someone to look at her.  Bill the Waynes.”  She waved her hand flippantly then immediately frowned as her eyes zeroed in on the chipped polish on her fingernails.

“Chloe!”  Marinette screeched.  She opened and closed her mouth.  Her brows furrowed and head cocked to the side as she tried to scrub her brain.  “Who is Doogie Howser?” she finally asked after finding no trace of the name.

“Don’t know.  Just know it’s an insult for doctors,” she shrugged.  Suddenly, she straightened up and leaned closer to Marinette, her eyes alight with glee, like she was sharing a secret.  “I heard someone say it a few years ago and the look on the guys face…” she glanced into the distance a blissful expression settling on her face making her look almost innocent, a look that was utterly alien on her features.  She let out a longing sigh and shook her head, snapping it toward the nurse when he took a step.  “Where do you think you’re going, Hot Lips?  We aren’t done here.  She needs a bed.  In the same room as Adrien.”

The nurse snapped his laptop shut with a loud crack.  “That is not how things work,” he stated firmly, just a hint of condescension in his tone.  “We will get her on the docket to get checked out and if necessary, we will find an available room that works with the appropriate nurse specialty and rotation for her to move into.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes, but a smirk settled on her lips and her body relaxed as if easing into a role she was intimately comfortable with.  “Do you know who I am?”

He looked her over apathetically, eyes settling on her blonde hair.  “Well, you’re not a Wayne.  Are you a Queen?”

“I am, but not like that.  That’s his department,” she scoffed motioning dismissively toward Roy.  “For your purposes, consider me a princess.  In fact, the princess.  The most spoiled, annoying, determined, screechy princess Gotham has ever witnessed.”  She took a threatening step towards the nurse.  “So, when I say, she will receive a bed in that room, I mean, she WILL receive a bed in that room.”

“Ma’am,” the nurse sighed heavily as if expelling his last, barely grasped reason to live, “if you think you are more annoying than one of the rogues messing with our medical supplies, causing us to have to triple check every single tool, supply, and medicine we use, you are sorely mistaken.  Now, if you will excuse me, I will finish my rounds then I can find someone to enter her information into the system so she can be added to the Emergency Room docket.  Or you could make it go faster by taking her to the ER yourself.”

“Look you insignificant irritant,” Chloe hissed.  “This woman…”

“Chloe, please stop and let the man do his job,” Marinette begged tiredly.

“What do you think that statement will accomplish?” Max asked, voice comprised of equal measures doubt and curiosity.  “You know it won’t work.  Are you trying to get in the hospital staff’s good graces?”

“No, I’m trying to…” the rest of her sentence was interrupted by a loud bang against the door then immediately a quieter, but deeper thump.  The nurse glanced at the door curiously, but Chloe, Max, and Roy immediately moved into battle stances, Roy’s move positioning him in front of Marinette.  His body was tense but pliable, ready to react whichever way the situation played out.  However, his body eased after a glance to Conner who was stifling a laugh.  He glanced at the door curiously as it opened slowly and Stephanie poked her head into the room.

“We brought waffles!” Stephanie announced meekly, holding aloft a bag, splotches where presumably syrup had leaked through.

“Waffles and embarrassment,” Tim chuckled stepping around her into the room.  His steps slowed until he stopped midway into the room.

She glared at him, dropping her hand with the bag so quickly the food inside bounced against the sides and a small tear appeared along one of the stains.  “That’s your fault,” she hissed.  “I was ready to wake up stupidly early for this, but that wasn’t good enough for you.  Noooo.  We had to come hours earlier than I agreed to so you could feed your paranoia.”

Her eyes widened and she slowly turned toward Marinette and Chloe with a strained smile.  “But I wanted... want to be here.  It's fine.  I'm happy to be here to support Marinette.  You.”  She motioned toward Marinette like Marinette may have forgotten who she was.  “How you doing girl?  You doing better?  You look... okay you look like death warmed over, not going to lie, but that means you're alive, so fuck Black Mask.  And, we brought waffles,” she exclaimed holding the bag out to Marinette.  “That makes everything better.”

Tim waved her away, physically trying to push down her distraction.  His eyes focused on taking in every detail in order to form an assessment of the situation before he chose a course of action, his eyes lingering on Marinette’s legs and his face contorting for just a second at the sight before slipping into a detached affect.  “What… uh, what did we miss?”

“Me doing my rounds,” the nurse grumbled and started toward the ward doors.  “Which I’ll perform for you now.”

Chloe smoothly stepped into his path.  “I don’t think so, Nurse Ratched.  Do you see my friend standing there?”

“My eyes work, yes,” he sighed.

“Then we aren’t done here,” she said slowly yet harshly with all the pomposity of someone explaining to one of their butlers why they were still wrong for not doing something she hadn’t asked them to.  A position she was very familiar with.  “We will not be done here until you take her to be examined.”

Stephanie straightened up and with significant effort tore her eyes away from Chloe, but her head quirked to the side, concern seeping into her tone.  “She needs to be examined again?”

“She needs to be examined for the first time,” Conner grumbled, with absolutely no concern in his tone.  There wasn’t room with all the frustration.

“She wasn’t examined?” Tim asked, his head whipped back and forth between Marinette and Chloe then finally landing on the nurse. “How the Hell did that happen?  She came in here after a fight with Black Mask and nobody examined her?”

Marinette’s shoulders slumped and she let out a long breath.  “I am fine,” she repeated yet again.

Tim stared at her incredulously.  “Not with bruises like those you aren’t,” he growled motioning toward her legs.  “And from what we heard, your legs were not the part that got hit the hardest.”  He turned his glare toward the nurse.  “I need Dr. Tompkins here now.”

“I was not on duty when any Black Mask victims were brought in so I cannot speak to what happened.  However, I can submit your request,” he agreed, “after I’ve done my rounds.  However, if you want Dr. Tompkins specifically…”

“We’ll submit the request now,” he cut in dismissively, already done dealing with him.  He sent Stephanie a look, one she instantly understood based on her nod just before she shoved the waffles into Max’s hands and stepped out of the room, phone already in hand.

Chloe nodded at him in approval but narrowed her eyes at the nurse.  “Now we just need them to put her in Adrien’s room.”

“This is not a hotel.  You cannot simply request a room.  There are regulations, requirements, health standards.  We have a hard enough time complying amidst all the rogue attacks.  We’re certainly not going to acquiesce to you,” he stated with forced, not entirely believable calmness.  “Not to mention I have no idea who you are talking about.”

“Adrein Agreste,” Max clarified.  “He was admitted last night.”

The nurse nodded slowly.  “Right.  Mr. Agreste.  Severe…” He snapped his mouth shut when the door eased open as Stephanie strode back in with a nod to Tim.  “I can’t reveal anything about his condition.”  He looked over at Marinette.  “And we cannot put her in his room.  He is in critical condition and under extensive observation.”

“And she would like to extensively observe him as well,” Chloe snapped.  “And she is going to get what she wants because she is of particular interest to the Director of Style Queen, the CEO of Graham Studios, Jagged Stone’s entire team and especially the man himself, Clara Nightengale, the CEO of Tsurugi Industries, the entire Miraculous team of heroes, Wonder Woman…”

“And the Bat family,” Tim cut in, crossing his arms over his chest.  “They’ve been watching over her since she was outed as a Wayne,” he added quickly.  “As well as the Waynes themselves and every executive of Wayne Enterprises who’s met her.”

“And the Queens,” Roy added in stepping behind Chloe, “and the Arrows.”

“And the Luthors, and the Supers,” Conner added stepping up on Chloe’s other side.  “Not to mention the lead reporter for the Daily Planet, and Clark Kent.”

“Oh my God,” Marinette groaned.  She dropped her head to her chest and covered her face with her hand as though she could disappear behind it.  “Chloe, guys, please…”

“And me,” Stephanie offered after a beat.  “I don’t, like, know who else other than the people they mentioned and I don’t have money or anything, but yeah, me too.”

“And none of them like to see her disappointed.  So, when I say, you will do everything you can to make sure she and Adrien are cared for and together,” Chloe stepped closer to the nurse digging her nail into his chest, “I mean you. Will. Do. Everything. To. Make. Sure. She. And. Adrien. Are. Cared. For. And. Together.”

The nurse looked down at his chest for a beat then looked back up with a look so over the situation, he could have pointed to this moment as his villain origin story and nobody would have been surprised.  “I told you already, I cannot put her in the same room, it would disrupt them both and the room is not able to support two beds and all the ancillary equipment,” the nurse responded tiredly.  He looked over them again then lifted his gaze to the ceiling with a silent prayer for serenity before returning his eyes to Chloe.  “But tell Dr. Tompkins there’s at least one open room in this ward.  I don’t know where it is but it’s at least close.”  He nodded to them and left the room, without getting intercepted this time.

Chloe glared at him until the door closed behind him then whirled around on the men who had stepped up to support Marinette, and more importantly her.  Her eyes narrowed as she studied them like a legal brief cataloging every weakness, every loophole, every unsaid admission.  “Interesting,” she stated.

“That was so fucking hot,” Stephanie whispered to Tim through hard pants, though the slight uptick of Chloe’s lips indicated she heard it.

“Can you guys not threaten and intimidate innocent people who are just doing their jobs,” Marinette asked though her voice lacked heat, instead sounding about as done as the nurse’s had been.

“No,” all four answered in unison.  Even Stephanie had allowed herself to take her focus off Chloe long enough to contribute to the chorus of voices.

Max blinked at them.  He just barely stopped himself from taking a defensive step back.  “Well, that’s just…”

“Fucking creepy,” Marinette finished for him.

“That is an accurate assessment,” he agreed.

“Threatening and intimidating people of all kinds is one of the many, many, many talents I was blessed with,” Chloe commented with only slightly less hostility than she had used on the nurse.  “Which you well fucking know so I don’t know why you’re wasting the energy you obviously don’t have to fight me.”

Marinette narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, being careful to make it appear like it was firmly done while simultaneously attempting not to actually touch her still aching chest.  “Fighting you is one of the talents I was blessed with,” she leaned in close to hiss through her teeth, “literally.”  She maintained eye contact for a few seconds before finally backing away to glare at her from a different position.  “And I’m not doing anything that means I can’t monitor Adrien.”

Chloe let out a long breath like she was having to deal with a particularly petulant toddler.  “Which is why I said in the same room or across from him.”

“And whatever tests they’re going to do?  You think they’re going to just do all of those in that room?” Marinette demanded.  “No, they aren’t.  They’re going to make me leave.  And then Adrien will be left with nobody here to protect him.”

“No, offense,” Max added in quickly giving Tim and Stephanie a strained smile.

“He won’t be defenseless,” Chloe huffed.  “He has…” she motioned toward the room and paused a second before continuing like she was looking for a word, “godlike things that float and watch over him.”

“Guardian angels,” Conner provided for her.

“Not what I would call them,” Chloe snorted dismissively, “and Markov, and whatever Bat is outside, and them,” she motioned toward Tim and Stephanie.  “And you won’t be far away for long and you’ll have Max’… lucky glasses.”  She took a step toward Marinette cutting the distance Marinette had just created.  “And because if you don’t, I will tell Kagami.”

Marinette narrowed her eyes at Chloe.  “No.”

“Yes,” she chirped back.  “And think how much better ‘she saw a doctor finally’ will sound to our heavily pregnant, on bed rest, friend than ‘the stupid fucking bitch still won’t do the very basic, no effort things to stay alive after actively trying to get hurt’.”

Marinette leaned back, arms almost over her chest again, and clicked her tongue.  “Oh, if it’s a stupid fucking bitch off…”

“It isn't,” Chloe cut in harshly.  “You'd win.  I’d win the insufferable but gorgeous fucking bitch off.  So, you’re going to get your tiny, likely dark purple ass in whatever room their doctor tells you to go into and get checked out and let them do whatever they say they need to do get you healthy again.”  She grabbed her phone and started toward the door, but called over her shoulder as she moved, “And call your fucking parents.  They’re worried out of their minds.”

Marinette huffed and pursed her lips but didn’t argue back.  She did want to talk to her parents, she was desperate for it, in fact.  This had been the longest she’d gone without speaking with them ever.  She just hadn’t had the chance or mental capacity to do it since Adrien had been taken.  “I still don’t have a phone.”

Chloe turned back toward her with an unimpressed look.  “Well lucky for you, you’ll have Markov.  And I assume the Red Queen here has a phone as well.”

Roy immediately stiffened.  “Red Queen?” he asked carefully, his eyes darted to Conner and Tim quickly and back to Chloe.  “Why, uh, why Red Queen?”

Chloe tore her gaze from Marinette to look at him face scrunched with such incredulity she would have scolded herself for causing semi-permanent wrinkles if she could have seen herself.  “Do I seriously have to explain the redheaded child of Oliver Queen why I’m referring to you as Red Queen?  Is that a thing I need to do?  Do…”

She shook her head with a disgusted huff and turned to Markov.  “We’re going to have to rely on you more than we thought.  Don’t listen to Strawberry Shortcake here…” she turned toward Roy, eyes widened in faux concern, “do I need to explain that one too?”

She turned back to Markov before Roy could respond.  “About anything,” she continued.  “And when we come back this afternoon, with food, because we care if our friends have eaten or not,” she added pointedly glaring again at Roy, “we will bring your phone.  And the charger for you, Markov.  Also, I’m putting you in charge.”

“Thank you,” Roy nodded as he stepped forward to place a protective arm around Marinette’s shoulders but only hovered over them so as not to put pressure on her bruises.

Chloe’s face immediately scrunched in disgust.  “Not you, snitch.”  She motioned toward Markov who had already floated forward to meet her gaze with a bob forward.  “Wake us up immediately if anything happens, Markov.”

“Of course, Chloe.  I will monitor both of them,” he stated.

“Wait,” Roy interrupted, “it gets a full, accurate name, and I get the snarky monikers?”

Her eyes flicked up and down with a sneer.  “I respect Markov.”

“Thank you, Chloe.  And I fear you,” Markov stated matter of factly.

“And I appreciate that about you,” she cooed.  “Now I need to get some sleep before I start looking like her.”  She motioned toward Marinette almost like an afterthought as she made her way toward the door.

“Thanks Chlo,” Marinette deadpanned.

Chloe halted her progress enough to sneer without heat at Marinette.  “Well see a fucking doctor and get better and I won’t get to say shit like that.”

Marinette scoffed.  “Like that would stop you.”

Chloe shrugged.  “True.”  She continued walking toward the doors again and froze in front of them to glare at Max who had forgotten he was apparently supposed to go with her.  He scrambled to join her and opened the door for her.  She continued her glare for another few moments then turned back toward the room.  “And let us know if you detect any…” she motioned like bugs flying about, or more specifically a bug and a cat, “messages we should know about.”  She moved through the door without another acknowledgement or a thank you.

Max sighed and looked back at Marinette.  “And let us know what your doctor says.”  Marinette nodded but rolled her eyes and looked back toward the door leading toward Adrien’s room.  He groaned and looked toward Roy.  “You let us know what her doctor says.”

“Will do,” Roy nodded with a small smile.  At least someone trusted him.

Max snorted.  “Not you.”

 “Yes, Max.  I will let you know as soon as Dr. Thompkins enters her report,” Markov answered as he floated forward over Roy’s shoulder.  Max nodded and followed Chloe out.

“Fucking figures,” Roy grumbled and dropped into a seat ignoring the snorts from the other people in the room.

Tags:

——

“I know you want to search for her, but head to the cave first,” were the first words that were told towards Jason when he called his brothers as he made his way out one of his bases.  

While he wanted to just go out and kill the asshole of a clown who had dared lay a finger on his sister, he knew he shouldn’t go in blinded by rage.

“Where the fuck is he?” Jason gritted, scanning over Gotham's map displayed on the computer within the Cave once he got there, his eyes darting from corner to corner. Tim’s notes on Joker’s sightings caused his rage to burn even more, taunting him as his head racked no answer on Marinette’s location.

Why couldn’t today be just like any other time they would hunt the clown? Why couldn’t they find him within minutes, just like any other week? 

Why did he have to be two steps ahead of them this time? Why did he have to hide himself completely from the map, disappear without a trace? Why now? 

Dick watched as Jason continued to scowl, placing a hand on his shoulder. 

“Jason, we’re going to find her. Babs and the girls are already searching for her, Damian’s also helping with the-“

“And what if we don’t?” Jason cut Dick off, his eyes never leaving the screen. “What if we don’t find her in time?”

“We are.” Dick firmly stated, his grip on Jason’s shoulder tightening. “B won’t let that ever happen again. Ever.”

Those words seemed to do something to Jason, Dick feeling him both relax before tensing up.

Thinking that Jason took his words the wrong way, Dick was prepared to say something else when Jason cut him off.

“The fuck are they doing here?” Jason muttered, Dick quickly looking at the screen as well, his eyes narrowing upon seeing an ever so familiar duo wandering through the streets of Gotham. Damn Tim and his cameras picking up on every little thing that happens in Gotham. “Pops is going to kill them if he- and he found them.”

“Think we should-”

“Probably.” Jason said, walking towards his bike, picking up his helmet along the way. “Who knows what Pops might do to them. Oi, Stalker!”

Jason didn’t need to look at Tim’s way to know he was glaring at him. “Keep us updated.”

“We’ll be back with her, Little Wing.” Dick reassured Jason,  grabbing his own keys for his bike. “You know she won’t go down without a fight.”

With the silent agreement between the three brothers, Jason and Dick went off to make sure the intruders of Gotham didn’t get killed the moment B snapped. 

-

“What the hell are you two doing here unannounced?” Batman gritted through his teeth, Oliver trying not to get overwhelmed by his masked rage. Sure, he’s seen Bats pretty pissed, but this was a new level. Then again, he expected this much. 

It was his daughter that was being held captive after all. “This is Gotham, my city, not yours. Get out.”

“We’re here to help.” Roy stepped up, standing between Oliver and Batman. 

“Don’t need your help. Leave.”

“Bruce,” Oliver said softly, slowly approaching Batman, no, Bruce. “It’s going to be fine.”

“It’s not going to if I keep wasting my time having to get you to leave Gotham. You came here unannounced, armed, and undetected until now. What makes you think-”

“It was my decision to drag Oliver into this, Bruce.” Roy cut off. “This isn’t just another kidnapping. This isn’t about any Gothamite. This is about Marinette. 

And she’s not just your daughter, Bruce. 

She’s my friend too.  And I want to help you look for her.”

“I don’t need your help. I need you to leave so that we can-”

“None of you are in your right minds right now and you can use at least one head that isn’t-”

“We can handle this.” Bruce said, his voice booming. “We don’t need outsiders-”

“Marinette went out of her way to pay for my rehabilitation treatment when we met in New York those months ago. ” Roy watched as Bruce stood there silently, as if allowing him to continue. “She was there, by my side when Oliver wasn’t, when Dick couldn’t be…

She would reschedule her meeting with her clientele when it was time for my appointments, talked with me when I would start to back out…she was there…even when I didn’t want her to be there…

She was there every step of the way despite living in Paris -which might remind you is across a whole fucking ocean!” Roy looked Bruce straight in the eyes. “So what kind of friend would I be if I’m not at least trying to help find her?

Is this how I will repay her for all those times she waited outside the rehab center? Outside my operating room?” Roy could hear his voice rise in volume with every word he spoke, but he didn’t care. “My hospital room when I would relapse and be found on a curb? Is this how you want me to repay your daughter for her kindness?

By spitting at it?” Roy waited for an answer, but got none. “So please, let me help you. Let us help you find her, as not only her friend, but also yours.”

Before they could even get an answer from Bruce, they picked up the faint sound of bikes getting closer. 

The three turned as the sound got louder, Roy narrowing his eyes when he saw Dick and Jason get off the bikes and headed towards them.

“This isn’t going to end well, is it?” Oliver murmured, hoping he and Roy would live to see another day. “Think they’re here to help us?”

“Hopefully.” Roy said, “if not, we’re going to have to fight our way in.”

-

The class watched as Joker paced back and forth, his eyes never straying from Marinette.

Adrien had been released shortly after the vile broadcast Joker had done, glaring at the clown as they all awaited for Batman’s appearance.

“I can feel your eyes, blondie.” Joker flatly said, not bothering to turn towards Adrien. “Glare all you want, it’s not going to help you one bit.” Adrien huffed, now turning his attention towards Marinette. 

Her face was covered in dried blood, her hair unruly and her clothes covered in dirt and splotches of blood. New bruises were starting to finally set in, like the one on her temple. Older bruises like the one around her neck were starting to turn a shade darker. Her wrists were red due to being suspended in the air by some chains that looked years too old. The rust slowly chipped off, falling down the floor below. 

She didn’t deserve this, not one bit. Not when she and her family have been helping him ever since he told her about his living situation. 

“This is all Marinette’s fault.” Lila whispered, interrupting his thoughts. “It’s all that-“

“Don’t you dare say that!” Adrien hissed, causing everyone to flinch. They’ve never heard him yell, ever. 

Yes, they’ve heard him raise his voice, but yell? 

It was new…unsettling… “If anything, this is all your fault that we are in this situation! If you hadn’t gone off with your stupid lies on how you were a relative of the Wayne's -which by the way, you aren’t- we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“My fault?” Lila scoffed, everyone torn between trying to get her to calm down or let her continue. 

After all, some of them still wanted to trust her. Yes, they didn’t fully understand the argument between Lila and the Joker that well, but they were still able to pick up a few English phrases here and there. 

And from what they picked up, Lila had lied to him. And seems like she had lied to them as well… 

What else has she been lying about? “Who was the one who arranged this trip in the first place? Certainly wasn’t me! Last time I heard, it was that bitch’s fault!” Lila failed to see the wide eyes from her classmates and the series of gasps. “It’s because of her that we’re-“

“Shut your mouths!” Joker seethed, glaring at Lila. “Especially you!” 

The classes split like the sea did for Moses when Joker approached them. “To think that I actually bought your words when I should’ve smelled them from a mile away! After all, you stink of lies and misery!”

“What do you know-” Lila started, only to stop when Joker gave her a feral grin.

“Doesn’t take much to recognize a fellow liar. After all, it takes one to know one, sweetheart.” Joker said, leaving the class in turmoil. 

Just as Joker was going to continue to shout at Lila, Marinette began to stir, causing Joker to smile. 

“Rise and shine darling!” Joker grabbed Marinette by her hair, a weak yelp leaving her. “Guess who has to look their best since daddy dearest is taking his sweet time getting what I want?”

-

“-already said she didn’t know.” Tim heard Roy say towards Jason, watching the two set their helmets on the seat of their respective motorbikes. 

As soon as Dick and Jason were able to help Oliver cool off Bruce, Oliver suggested that the five split up and scout the streets to look for the class and Marinette. If they found nothing, everyone had to rendezvous at the Cave. Although, that was better said than done.

Dick was the first to arrive an hour after having separated from the rest, Oliver and Bruce following shortly after. Then half an hour later, Roy and Jason arrived.

“Probably saying it because she’s back with him again.” Jason muttered, taking off his mask as he approached the small group huddled by the debriefing zone. “That or Harley might have had a minor role in this in exchange for something he has.”

Seems like Jason and Roy’s interrogation with Harley wasn’t fruitful. 

Tim and Dick exchanged a glance before looking at Oliver, who shook his head. 

“I’m guessing you found nothing on your end either.” Dick stated, causing Tim to huff in frustration. “Ivy didn’t know anything either when I went to her place, although she did mention Joker being more unhinged than usual.”

“Not surprised.” Oliver said, taking out a vile and placing it on the table. “From what Victor told us, it seems like Joker has been paying visits to Scarecrow again. Something about Scarecrow wanting to test out a new toxin in the making.”

“Cat, know anything about this?” Dick asked through his earpiece, waiting for Selina’s answer. 

As soon as Selina saw that broadcast, she also started to help with the search, bumping into Damian as she looked for the lost kitten. She immediately teamed up with her other beloved kitten, much to his distaste.

“Just learned about this from you guys. What about you, kitten?” Dick heard her ask Damian. “Know anything about this?”

“I told you many times, it’s Robin. And no. I also just found out about this.” 

Dick let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. This wasn’t looking good.

Just as Dick was about to bring up their next phase, the Batcomputer went off, the alert blinking once before opening up a video call. 

“She wasn’t at the Basin.” Steph announced through the live, “then again, I haven’t heard from Cass yet. Perhaps she found something-“

“She’s here.” Cass interrupted. “I found her...doesn’t look good. Going to need medical help.” 

That’s all it took for the family to go into motion, Bruce barking orders, only to be overridden by Oliver.

“Aren’t you forgetting that Joker not only has Mari, but also her entire class?” Oliver challenged. “You can’t just-”

“Marinette-”

“Bruce, I know. We all know.” Oliver cut off. “As much as I want to prioritize Marinette’s rescue, Joker has an entire class hostage as well.” Bruce grumbled. “We don’t have a moment to waste! Let’s move!”

But before they could go, another alert went off on the Batcomputer, making them stop in their tracks.

Without delay, a broadcast started to play.

“Brucie!” Joker’s voice echoed through the Cave. “It’s been an hour!” He sang, the camera following him. “Seeing as you’re taking your precious time getting me Batsy, I thought of getting your precious daughter to help convince you to speed up the process.”

The camera then shifted to what seemed to be a gas chamber, the blue tinted glass making it semi-difficult to see inside. 

But with one shine of light piercing it, anyone would have recognized the person sitting behind the glass.

And everyone in the Cave did; without a second to waste, they ran.

-

Marinette woke up to an aching headache, her head ringing in pain. Just as she managed to open her eyes, she noticed the blue tinted room around her…or rather…the blue tinted glass that separated her from the rest of her class…and Joker. 

Why would-

It didn’t take long for Marinette to figure out where she was. She tried to get up, only to realize her hands and feet were bound to handcuffs behind her and to the floor respectively.

She began to violently shake her hands free, feeling her breaths became slightly uncontrollable when she realized the lack of wiggle room on her ankle.

Seems like she was strapped to her chair. 

She tried to stand up, only to feel the chair pull her down…bastard made the chair weighted…

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Joker sang, standing in front of her. “You’ll just make me want to start the show earlier than when I need to!” He warned her. “Instead, why don’t you greet our viewers!” The clown grinned as he turned his back to her. 

Marinette looked past him, noticing the camera and the guns pointed to her classmates. She noticed as some of them were frozen in fear, others holding in tears of frustration.

This is all my fault. “Marinette, dearest. The viewers are waiting.” He reminded her. “But! If you don’t want to greet them, that’s okay! Why don’t you, instead, remind your father-”

“Why don’t you try to find Batman yourself?” Marinette retorted. “Too lazy to track him down that you resorted to having to have a hostage to make him come to you? 

It’s been, what? 10 years and you have yet to figure out his weakness?” She let out a scoff. “Some villain you are.”

“That wasn’t the correct answer.” Joker sneered, only to grin shortly afterwards. “And for your information, I do know his weakness: you.”

A hiss sparked from the sides of the room, Marinette turning her head, seeing nothing surrounding her. She smelled nothing out of the ordinary, causing her anxiousness to rise. “My, my. For such a smart-mouthed little girl, you’re not exactly the best at connecting the dots, are you?”

“What are you-” Marinette felt her heartbeat pick up the pace, noticing her vision begin to throb. The tips of her hands felt warmer than usual, her feet feeling heavier by the second. 

She tried to hear what Joker was trying to say, but the noise buzzing in her ears made it hard to catch the words. 

She kept picking up small noises around her, making her turn head to see what was causing them, only to find nothing.

She turned her attention back to Joker only to find him gone. But that wasn’t the only thing gone.

She was no longer inside the room, no longer bound by the hands nor feet. 

But despite the lack of restraint, she remained seated as she looked past the camera that was left on. 

There, just feet away from her were her classmates, laying in their own pool of blood…

Adrien’s lifeless eyes looked back at her with tears still in his eyes, his hand reaching out for her…

Then she felt a breath right next to her ear.

“I thought you said you were going to fix everything.” The voice told her, a voice she thought she had long forgotten…a voice that sounded just like Adrien’s, yet…a voice that wasn’t his. 

Chat Blanc… “I thought you still wanted me…

I thought you still needed me…” She felt her heartbeat quicken with each word he spoke. “I thought I was still your partner…” 

The voice made its way in front of her, materializing into the Adrien of her nightmares, his blue eyes looking down on her. “I trusted you, Marinette…so why?” He growled, wrapping his hands around her throat, Marinette feeling his claws dig deep into her skin, feeling it pierce her throat and closing her airway.

“Why did you let me die, My Lady?” She couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She screamed.

-

Everyone watched as Marinette screamed apologies as she tried to kick something away from her, eventually knocking herself over.

What was going on?

She was fine just moments ago.

They watched as she was talking to Joker when she suddenly grew quieter, watching as she looked around, her eyes darting to every corner.

She suddenly looked in their direction with wide eyes and the next, she began to scream and cry hysterically, causing Joker to laugh alongside her agony.

“Oh my! This is better than what I expected!” Joker continued to laugh, turning to face the camera. “But we’re just beginning!” Joker brought over a spinning wheel, several nicknames written on it. “With every ten minutes that Batman isn’t here, I will spin the wheel and see who will be our next vic-”

Suddenly, the lights began to flicker before permanently dimming, Marinette’s screaming still going on in the darkness. “Who goes there?” Joker demanded an answer, his cheerful attitude gone. His eyes scoured the darkness, trying to pick any type of silhouette in the shadows that didn’t belong to his henchmen.

A goon next to the class suddenly dropped to the floor, his gun hitting the floor with a thud. “Show yourself!”

But no one responded. Instead, his henchmen started to fall or disappear one by one, the class huddling closer together as some other them started to fight their assailants in the dark. “Will somebody turn the goddamn lights back on?” Joker spat the order, moving closer to the chamber Marinette was still screaming out of.

Not a second later, they heard glass come crashing down from above them, the class watching Joker got drop kicked by a person half his size. Judging from the sword that pierced Joker’s shoulder, the class knew it wasn’t Batman who attacked the maniacal clown. 

The sound of the breaking glass had signaled more henchmen to appear and soon, the room was soon filled with them and their yells as they fought with the darkness.

“Adrien,” Nino whispered. “Should we-” Adrien shook his head. 

This was new territory, there were guns involved, not magic. He couldn’t just guide his friends to their death. And then there was whatever gas Joker had made Marinette inhale in that chamber…

And then there was that: Marinette…

Before Adrien could figure out what to do next, another masked individual appeared before them, cladded in black with a purple hood and cape. The yellow bat insignia on her uniform allowed her to be trusted.

“You’re going to be okay.” She reassured, then realized that only some of them understood what she said, judging by some of them slightly relaxing their shoulders when she said that. “My name is Spoiler. I’m going to guide you out.” She motioned, only to stop when only one person followed her. “Everyone. I need-”

“We can’t leave Marinette behind.” Adrien spoke up, some of the others nodding in response. “She sacrificed herself for our safety. We need to-” 

“My job is to help you guys escape,” Spoiler shared, “I need to-”

“We need to get you out of here before we can start saving your friend.” A voice spoke up, the class turning to see yet another vigilante, but this time, she was older than them and in what seemed to be in a spandex outfit. “Your hesitation is risking her safety.”

“Catwoman!” Spoiler hissed. “But, she’s right.” She sighed. “Once you’re all safe, we can start working on rescuing your friend until our backup arrives. So, please…follow me.”

That seemed to convince everyone as they soon followed Spoiler out of the warehouse.

The minute they were out, the class stood face to face with blaring lights and multiple paramedics rushing to their sides. Multiple voices asked them rapid questions in English, overwhelming the Parisian class. But one broody voice stood out among all of them.

A voice that questioned Spoiler, not them.

“Where’s Marinette?” Batman asked, only for five others joining their small rendezvous.

“Is she okay?” The red haired asked, Adrien wondering where he had seen him before.

Spoiler pursed her lips, her mouth opening and closing like a gaping fish. The red haired grabbed her by her shoulders. “Tell us!”

“She’s inhaled Scarecrow’s latest fear toxin…” she spilled, freeing herself from the red hair’s grasp. “And it seems to be more potent than his previous one.” She reported to the group.

“How so?” Batman asked.

“It took seconds for her to become insane and start to hallucinate compared to his previous dose that took a minute…we need to get her out of there before it does any permanent damage to her.”

-

Roy knew what to expect the moment they arrived at the Funhouse, yet he wasn’t prepared to hear what had happened to Marinette through Steph’s report.

Whatever plan they had spoken of beforehand was soon forgotten and the orders for him to come back fell on deaf ears as he ran into the Funhouse. 

He ran past aisles of towering boxes and past the mobs of henchmen that Black Bat and Catwoman were holding off with ease. He saw as Tim joined her, allowing Roy to continue to search for Marinette.

With each stride he took, the louder her screams got and the heavier his anxiety grew.

By the time he got to where she was, he froze.

Marinette had managed to free her legs from her restraints and was kicking the air, screaming apologies to Adrien as she moved her head from side to side, as if avoiding something.

While he couldn’t see her face that well, he knew they were probably drenched in tears and covered in purpling bruises left from Joker’s manhandling.

“What the hell are you doing Harper?” Damian’s yells snapped him from his thoughts. “Help her!”

“Come on Roy,” Jason’s voice came from behind, a slap on his back causing him to step forward. “She needs us.”

That’s all he needed to rush to Marinette once again, helping Jason analyze the chamber, finding the keypad to operate it. 

While Jason tried to stop the gas, Roy tried to break the glass but to no avail.

“I’ve got it!” Jason yelled, prompting Roy to help him open the chamber’s doors, causing Marinette’s already loud screams to become louder. 

They approached her with caution, Jason going over to try and prop her upright when he locked eyes with her. 

Her screams came to a stop before she started screaming again.

“Stay away!” She yelled, trying to create distance between them. “Don’t come here!”

“Marinette, it’s me.” Jason tried to tell her, but he knew she wasn’t able to hear him. “It’s me, Jay.” He tried once again only for Marinette to plead for mercy. “Roy, administer the temporary antidote.” Jason stood up and took a few steps back. “I have a clown to fight.”

Roy watched as he got out the chamber and disappeared from his sight, hearing bullets whiz with screams following shortly after.. 

Ignoring the mayhem outside the chamber, Roy took out a pouch he had on him and quickly prepared the injection.

He twisted the needle to the barrel and measured the dosage from the vial Bruce had given to him before they left the Cave. Once he withdrew the appropriate amount, he flicked the barrel to let out some air before pressing the plunger to get rid of all the air. 

He turned his attention to the now cowering Marinette, her screams now quiet prayers of pleads as she kept Roy in her vision. 

“Marinette, I’m here to help you.” Roy softly spoke, seeing her eyes dart from him to the needle in his hand. “I just need-”

“No!” She screamed, “stay away!” She began to kick again. “Stay away!”

Seems like he had no other choice.

He pulled the chair closer to him and pinned her down with his spare hand, making sure to at least stop her from flailing around too much.

Her screams grew louder the minute the needle pierced her skin and Roy administered the antidote. Slowly, Marinette’s screams grew quieter and were replaced by shuddering breaths. After a few seconds, they turned into wails and sobs.

Without a minute to spare, Roy worked on releasing her hands and brought her close to him, cradling her cold body to him. 

He brushed her hair away from her sticky face, his heart churned at the bruises scattered around her face and the dried blood on her lips. 

He held in a sob as she grasped onto him tighter, her trembling not stopping. 

“You’re going to be okay, Marinette.” Roy whispered soft reassurances as he stroked her hair, wanting to take all her pain away and fear that very second. 

She didn’t deserve this, not her… “You’re safe now Marinette.

You’re safe.”

She couldn’t wonder what they were doing there or what else was hurt. She could only think of the pain. She was likely flailing around and making noises, but she had no ability to contain any display. When the paramedics arrived, she didn’t even know what she told them. She was on a gurney, hopefully heading for relief. She could see Alya, holding onto Nino as the doors on the back of the rig closed.

“I’ll call your boyfriend,” she shouted right as the doors slammed.

—

There was a frenzy of activity that she couldn’t even begin to assess what was happening, but after a while she could feel some relief so whatever they had given her to help with the pain was taking effect. It was still very noticeable, but the rest of the world wasn’t a loud blur. She tried to focus as a nurse directed attention at her.

“We are getting your room ready, but your boyfriend is here to see you. Is it okay to let him in?” she asked.

Marinette nodded and tried to smile when she saw Jason, unfortunately she moved at the same time and it was mostly a wince as pain shot through her again. He rushed over to her and kissed her head.

“Try not to move,” the nurse said, “we are heading for xrays next but we are fairly certain at least one arm is broken.”

“No,” Marinette said. “That's not going to work for me.”

“We will work it out, Darling. It might be a struggle, but we will struggle together,” he said. “I’m gonna go get you a few things while they finish what they need. I’m leaving my number so they can tell me any updates or call if you need me back sooner.”

Marinette just nodded and he watched while they wheeled her away before he turned to leave.

—

They wheeled her back to the room with casts on both arms. One was only on the forearm but the other one encased her entire arm. She was groggy from the anesthesia they had given her for the process, but she smiled when she saw who was waiting for her.

Roy waited until they helped move her from the travel bed to the one in the room and adjusted it to her preferences before he leaned over and kissed her on the head.

“You scared me, Sweetie. I don’t ever want Alya to call me like that again.”

“I’m so sorry. I should have waited, but it didn’t seem that high,” she said, pouting.

He leaned down and kissed the pout off her face, “I want to tell you how foolish and wrong it was, but you probably feel bad enough. Instead, I’ll just build you more shelves lower for all your fabrics.”

“We will run out of space if we do that though,” she said, she twitched her arm and grimaced as she yawned, unable to cover it.

“Then, I’ll just have to hold you closer,” he said. “I’m gonna go so you can get some rest. Have them call me if you need anything.”

She watched him leave past the nurse hovering in the doorway. She came in and checked vitals but she watched the door a lot during the process.

—

Jason was there when she woke up. She smiled up at him. He pushed her hair back from her face and she tried to lift herself to assist, but she failed. He stood and lifted her from under her legs so she was sitting up and then he pushed the button to have the bed move up behind her back.

“How is that?” he asked.

“Better, except I feel so helpless. I can’t even push my hair out of my face,” she whined.

“I’ll fix it; don’t worry.”

He leaned down and kissed her before digging a brush out the bag of her things he had brought. She closed her eyes after he started. He was very gentle as he brushed her hair back. Then, his hands moved through it, smoothing it out and scratching her scalp with the pads of his fingers. He did that for several minutes before he moved to divide her hair and began weaving it together. He finished very quickly with the simple braid and tied it off. She found herself wishing her hair were much longer to keep him at it.

The timing worked out though because a tray of food arrived and they got to go through the process of him feeding her. He was very patient and surprisingly adept at getting it in her mouth, but she still felt like a baby bird screaming with her mouth open.

The nurse popped in to see if she needed help, but Jason assured her they were fine.

“Let me know if that changes, I will come back later to help you freshen up,” she said before heading out.

—

The nurse got the hair into a towel on her head when she finished helping her shower. Marinette was waiting in a chair as she finished what she needed with the bedding before she moved back to the bed. Roy was sitting there waiting for her when she came out. The towel fell over and she made a noise, but was unable to fix it without the use of her arms.

Roy rushed over to help her. Instead of rewrapping it, he used the towel to scrunch the hair dry and then gently combed through it. Just like Jason, he spent several minutes massaging her scalp with the rough pads of his fingers. He knew that it was one of her favorite things. After a few minutes, he began dividing her hair into sections. Unlike Jason, he didn’t gather it all together to do a simple braid.

He started at the crown of her head and wove it in piece by piece so it was all together and even the shorter pieces were tucked around so they wouldn’t fall around her face. She closed her eyes as he continued. Now, that she was clean and her pain managed, it was the most relaxed she had felt in days.

Once her hair was finished, the nurse guided her back into bed, helping her along as it was difficult to manage without arms.

“This is ridiculous,” Marinette said. “I don’t know how we will manage like for the rest of the week, let alone nearly two months.”

The nurse laughed as she brought in her dinner tray, “This could be your villain origin story.”

“I’m sure it will be. I’ve seen it happen for less,” she turned as Roy was helping her stuff the pillow in the right spot behind her while the nurse was clearing space for the tray.

“Villains need very little reason in Gotham or Paris,” Jason said from the door.

The nurse gasped and dropped the tray.

They all looked at her suddenly stricken expression. Jason and Roy both bent down to help clean it up as she stood there guiltily looking back and forth. She looked at the men and then at Marinette before they realized what she was waiting for. Jason leaned over and kissed Roy before he moved to throw away the remains of the dinner he had picked up. Roy kissed Marinette before he grabbed a towel nearby to wipe up the wet. With his hands now free, Jason walked over to the other side of Marinette’s bed and leaned down to kiss her.