#stephcassnette

• Marinette is finally in Gotham!! The flight was long and exhausting. Fortunately, Tim was meeting her in the airport because Marinette wasn't sure she wouldn't get mugged if she went alone

• Marinette smiles victoriously when her eyes find Tim in the crowd. It's been a long time since they saw each other. Next to him is standing a very pretty blonde girl and Marinette bluescreens

• The girl's name is Steph and she's Tim's girlfriend. It makes Marinette die a little bit inside. "Why every person I like is either taken or doesn't reciprocate?". You know, the usual struggle

• Steph also thinks that the other girl is very cute and adorable. "Is my type blue eyes and black hair?" she wonders and then looks at Tim "Certainly fits the bill"

• But aloud she said "We shouldn't let her meet Bruce. She certainly fits his criteria for adopting kids. Blue eyes? Check. Black hair? Check? There's only traumatic past missing"

• Marinette just forces herself to smile because Hawk Moth's reign was rather traumatizing. Especially with her being Ladybug

• Marinette doesn't remember the ride to the penthouse rented by Jagged at all. She was too tired to comprehend anything. She goes to sleep immediately after changing her clothes

• Tim invites her to a coffeeshop. He says that it's the only place where he gets the amount of caffeine he needs. Marinette is very interested because she has too much projects to actually sleep at night

• Marinette feels a little bit disappointed when Steph doesn't join them, but she quickly suppresses that feeling. She came here to reconnect with her friend, not to think that his girlfriend is pretty

• Talking with Tim was easy so Marinette didn't even notice they've been talking for 2 hours. They were so engrossed in conversation that they didn't even notice two women approach them

• "Boo". Both Tim and Marinette shudder because they were so engrossed in the conversation. Marinette blushes when she looks up and sees Steph with a triumphant smile. Next to her is standing a black haired asian woman with brown eyes. "Marinette, this is Cass, my sister. Cass, this is my old friend, Marinette", Tim introduces the woman

• Marinette just mentally bangs her head on the table because her bi heart wasn't prepared to see two very beautiful women in a less then two days. It just wasn't fair to her. But after years of being Ladybug she is very good at hiding her true emotions so she just smiled at Cass. Judging by the mischievous look in Cass's eyes she has noticed Marinette's mental struggle and she was enjoying it

•Steph: How long are you going to stay in Gotham, Mari? Oh, do you mind me calling you Mari? Marinette will forever wonder how she didn't say "you can call me whatever you want" though she barely managed to say "I'm not sure. Tim said something about working with WE and I think it would be a great opportunity for me." I'm also very gay for you so I will use any opportunity to spend more time with you went unsaid

• Steph and Cass leave some time later. Tim approaches the subject of Marinette being his personal designer because he really needs good suits. Marinette agrees

• they argue a little bit about where exactly Mari will work but she ends up agreeing that they should work together so Tim can change what he doesn't like. And they kinda did the whole going to Gotham thing to hang out more

• unsurprisingly Steph comes every day. sometimes she has snacks. sometimes Cass is with her. Marinette is not blushing every time she sees Cass smirk slightly. no, sir, you're seeing something

• most of the times Steph and Marinette end up alone in Tim's cabinet (Marinette can't stop hating and loving it at the same time). why? because, apparently, CEOs are busy people. and also Conner Kent. no, I will not elaborate

• Cass and Marinette go to the Robinson Park. Marinette shares her story about realizing she's bisexual and how she came out to her parents

• "do you like anyone?" - very smooth Cass. but it works because Marinette is as red as a tomato and babbling 25 things at the same time. Cass is slightly worried because she didn't want to offend her crush friend. but she doesn't have to time to think about it properly because Marinette blurts out "you!" a moment of silence. "let's go on a date!"

• Cass freezes and Marinette starts panicking because she does like Cass but she like Steph too, and what if Cass hates her now and will tell Tim to not hang out with her anymore, and...

• Cass gently touches her shoulder interrupting her mental rant. "I'll pick you up on Friday, 4 pm." Marinette only nods

• the atmosphere is a little bit awkward but fortunately (or unfortunately) Cass her her ballet classes and has to go. Marinette is conflicted, because on one hand she wants to hang wants to hang out with Cass. but on the other, her cheeks are hot enough to burn someone

• I pity Tim because he will have to listen to both his sister and his friend rant about each other for several hours. Marinette is more vocal but confusion in Cass's movements is obvious. he also has to listen to his girlfriend complimenting the same sister and friend. he would live with it because sometimes he also compliments Kon a lot but he thought Steph is less oblivious

• so Tim tells them both the same thing "go on a date, try doing more 'romantic' things. it will help figure out your feelings. if it doesn't work then try to spend some time apart and revaluate your relationship. decide what is more important"

• and they do exactly that. the date was fun. they went to a coffeeshop for some coffee. then they went to a library. you can find out a lot about person from their favourite books. after library they walked in a park. Marinette sketched a little bit. their next destination was Marinette's apartment. they watched movies and cuddled on a coach. it was a very nice date overall so they decided to try dating

• Cass wanted to write Tim and tell him that his advice had worked but Marinette had a better idea.

Marinette: we can write Tim and Steph and ask them to meet up in a cafe. we will have to act incredibly cryptid and not answer their questions. and only after they start panicking we will tell them that we are dating

Cass: great idea

• they do exactly as Marinette has planned but ... it doesn't work out the way they wanted. Tim just had a "I knew it" expression. but Steph was properly surprised, wide eyes, opened mouth, expression of shock and disbelief. it took several moments for her to process the new information. "I didn't expect it. but I'm happy for you! you deserve each other!". Cass noticed that Steph wasn't as happy as she pretended to be but she couldn't understand why. well, she had an idea but it seemed too unlikely to be true

• thankfully, the rest of the outing wasn't awkward and everyone had a good time

• but after Cass and Marinette had left Steph felt really awkward. why was she so upset about Cass and Marinette dating? they were really awesome and would be good for each other

Steph: what a surprise, huh? I didn't think they would start dating. did you?

Tim: *nods* I knew it. Cass asked me about Marinette's favourite activities. she also wanted to know where the best coffeeshop is. and they were holding hands the whole time

Steph: you knew and didn't tell me?

Tim: it wasn't my place to tell you about their love life

Steph: yes, but *thinks for a several seconds* you are right. *a sudden realisation* you hold hands with Kon all the time!

Tim: well, we are very good friends. and we've never gone on a date

Steph, internally: are you, are you sad about this? do you want to go on a date with Kon? are you sad I'm doubting you? do you want to date Kon? why does every person I like is attracted to everyone but me?

• Steph felt great. her crush best friend was dating her another crush friend.

....

She needed to talk with someone. but who would be the best person?

• "Tim? no, talking with your boyfriend about liking someone else wouldn't be nice. Jason? no, he was as emotionally constipated as Bruce. Dick? no, she needed someone smarter. Babs? perfect

• and that's how Steph ended up drinking tea with Babs. the older woman had this gleam in her eyes that obviously meant "I know everything about you". Steph gulped because there was a bit chance Babs did know everything

• Babs: so what do you want to talk about?

Steph: Cass and Marinette are dating!And I'm really upset! And I don't know why!I should be happy for them!They will be good for each other!

Babs: slow down. who's Marinette?

Steph: Tim didn't introduce her? she's his old friend. they've met long before Tim became Robin. and because of being Robin he didn't have enough time to write her so they grew apart. but Marinette wrote him and they started talking again. she also came to Gotham to spend more time together. that's how Cass and I met her

Babs: well, I hope Cass would invite her to the manor. that Marinette seems like an interesting person

Steph, with a small smile: she is *frowns* but I still don't know why I am so upset

Babs: hm, do you want to hold hands with Cass or Marinette?

Steph: both, I have two hands

Babs: what do you think about cuddling with Cass and Marinette at the same time?

Steph: it would be really nice. we could watch movies and eat popcorn

Babs: congratulations, you have a crush on both of them

Steph: *panics* but I'm dating Tim! does that count as cheating? and I can't like them both at the same time!

Babs: yes, but sometimes relationships don't work out. it doesn't make them less important or that partners don't respect each. you can like them both at the same time. Dick is dating me, Kori, Roy, and Wally at the same time

Steph: well when you put it like this... but they still aren't interested in me!

Babs: *facepalms*