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itawonka-creates · 4 years

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This Jewelry Will End Up Killing Me - Chapter 3

[Prologue] [Ch2] [Ch 4]

Damian didn’t know what mask he should put on. Servants rushed behind him, answering every request and whim that the residents of the manor threw at them. If this was a business dinner, he’d normally stay quiet and ignore the jargon thrown about the room. If this was a dinner with the titans, he’d do much of the same to avoid a headache and only talk when addressed. In both cases, even if he was cold they wouldn’t be able to kick him out.

Looking around, he found an odd mix of both cases. Lord Bourgeois had his own guest, sitting at the far end of the long table discussing taxes and laws. Papers were scattered around their dishes as they ate and talked to each other. However, on his end, it was more so reminiscent of the tower. Alya and Nino were clearly becoming somewhat inebriated by the wine. Marinette and Adrien were doing their best to keep them under control. Chloe was sitting in the middle, not appearing to be part of either world.

He wanted to make a good impression if only to lengthen his stay while he figures out his next step. Damian wasn’t the personable type, but staying quiet would likely sour his image with the family. While trying to decide which group was easiest to approach, he overheard Lord Bourgeois. “-ising the taxes would be beneficial to the growth of the economy.” Considering the bakery had a fair amount of customers when they dropped off their clothes, he couldn’t imagine that the debt came from lack of business.

“Sir, with all due respect the people are restless with the taxes as it is.”

“The people have to understand that the Demon King’s terrorism costs the city thousands in repair costs. Adventurers and travelers only bring in so much income. What we need is-”

“Have you tried looking at the current budget?”

Both men looked up at Damian who simply shrugged, “Perhaps looking at the current budget would shine some light on current liable expenses.”

The man looked at Lord Bourgeois and pointed at Damian, “Who’s this?”

Bourgeois narrowed his eyes, “As far as we know, a young lord from a land called Gotham.”

“Never heard of it.”

Damian sighed and set down his fork, “Do you have a copy of your town’s current expenses? I can help look them over.”

The man looked at Bourgeois for permission and Bourgeois nodded, “Go ahead, Roger.” Roger gathered the papers and handed them over to Damian. Damian shuffled through them, looking at its contents and humming. Roger chuckled, “It can be complex. You know, you can hand those back t-”

“It’s true that travelers and adventures, the number of places they could spend their money is severely limited. There are only one or two blacksmiths and weapons dealers. You have a grand market of clothing and food, that’s not enough to make a sustainable profit. You need an attraction or a larger variety of goods. If you choose the second option, then you’d need to make sure there are fair prices on all wares, but you can allow higher prices on rare goods you can only find within the city or surrounding area.”

Damian seemed almost bored as he continued to shuffle through the reports, “Expenses on the city’s infrastructure is significantly high. Someone is skimming revenue from the taxes meant for rebuilding. This amount of Tikki should be enough to sustain a village, so you’re overtaxing your people and being scammed.” Damian handed Roger back the papers and waved his hand dismissively, “Just look at your city’s council members and see if any of them have recently made any big purchases. You’ll catch them.”

Both men simply blinked, disbelief written on their faces as Roger looked over at Lord Bourgeois. “What do you think?”

Bourgeois seemed to be embarrassed at the whole thing as he forcefully coughed in a feeble attempt to clear the tension. “Yes, well, Roger see to it that you investigate this matter at once. If anyone is taking advantage of the people’s hard work they must be severely punished.”

Roger wiped the corners of his mouth and saluted, “Right. Thank you for the dinner, sir.”

Roger scurried off and Lord Bourgeois narrowed his eyes at Damian, “So where did you-”

“My family has trained me to be proficient in various skills and trades. Economics is child’s play.”

Bourgeois hummed, seemingly satisfied with the answer before resuming eating. “Well, thank you for your input, Damian.”

Damian shrugged and finished the last bite of his meal, “It was nothing.”

Chloe scoffed and mumbled, “Sure it wasn’t.”

Adrien took notice of Chloe’s cold shoulder and peeled himself away from Nino, “Hey, Chloe-”

Chloe shied away from his reach and she sighed, “I’m exhausted. I’m going to my room.” Chloe looked up at a nearby servant and grabbed his arm, “Make sure our guests are treated well.” The servant nodded and she excused herself. Lord Bourgeois tried to call his daughter over for a kiss goodnight but was ignored as she left the dining hall.

Adrien went back to Nino and positioned himself where he could stabilize Nino as he stood up. “I think we’re all done with dinner for tonight. It was lovely.” He grunted as Nino pushed all his weight onto his friend, chuckling and slurring his little comments. “Yeah, I know Nino. You’re going to hate yourself tomorrow.”

“Damian? A little help?” He looked over and watched as Marinette struggled to stand up straight with Alya leaning on her. Damian rolled his eyes and threw Alya’s arms over his shoulder. Marinette smiled in relief and looked to Adrien, “Where are we putting them? Alya will probably just fall asleep.”

Adrien motioned for them to follow as he led them out of the dining room with a quick thank to Lord Bourgeois. Adrien walked down a few corridors and up some stairs, much to their friends’ dismay. Damian noted how antique everything seemed to be and how quiet it seemed. Adrien stopped in front of a door and opened it, “We can leave them here.” Marinette and Damian nodded as they unceremoniously dropped Alya onto the bed. Adrien brought next over and laid him down next to her before bringing up a blanket. “Why does it always end up like this?”

“Because they’re Alya and Nino.” The comment must’ve slipped out her mouth because Marinette froze and looked up to gauge Adrien’s reaction. Adrien laughed, putting a hand over his mouth to muffle the noise, and Marinette relaxed.

Damian rolled his eyes and headed towards the door, “Where are we sleeping?”

“Right!” Adrien ran over and out of the room, Marinette close behind. Adrien looked around the hall and walked over to another door. “This room can be Marinette’s and the room next door can be Damian’s. The restroom is down has a silver knob at the end of the hall.” Adrien unlocked both doors and smiled, “Breakfast will be waiting for us in the morning. Chloe and I sleep in the other wing. If you need anything, ask one of the servants.”

Damian didn’t hesitate to head into his room. He was too tired to watch Marinette try to say goodnight to the guy. Instead, he sat on his bed and looked around. An average size room with a large bed and dresser. The window had a small balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Damian stretched and laid down. “Tikki?”

The small goddess came out from within one of his belt’s compartments and hovered over him. “Yes?”

“What’s my next move? My weapons work against the creatures of this world. Even without magic, I was able to destroy those frogs.”

“You need to find my wielder.”

“Right. Is it Chloe?”

Tikki hummed and landed on his chest, “She has strong spiritual energy, but I’m still hesitant to say it’s her. My wielder is here though.”

“Alright then. Tomorrow I can convince them to go and capture more frogs. We can take the earrings for a test run.”

“Damian, you can’t just hand out the earrings to everyone. We have to be careful about this. If the public finds out that a goddess is not only among them but handing out power would cause too much of a commotion.” Tikki patted Damian’s chest, “I’m sure they’re here, though.”

Damian thought for a moment before asking, “Is that what happened with Nooroo?”

Tikki sighed, “He was too sweet, too generous. I believe he was tricked into his servitude.”

“What about the other deities?”

“The only other god to come and directly interfere with this world was Plagg.”

Damian looked down at the little creature and realized it looked vaguely like a ladybug. He absent-mindedly reached out to her and pet her head. Tikki didn’t seem too bothered. “Plagg?”

Tikki scowled, “Yes. I am considered the goddess of creation, he is the god of destruction.”

“Ah.”

“Plagg should’ve been the one to greet you. I took his post after he was reprimanded for causing too much mischief in your world.”

“Like?”

“Leaning Tower of Pizza. The lost city of Atlantis. Dinosaurs.”

“You’re joking.”

Tikki groaned, “I wish I was. We voted to temporarily relieve him of his post but he never returned.” Tikki’s face morphed from frustration to concern, “I don’t think he’s in any trouble but when he didn’t come back I worried. He’s not known for laying low for so long.”

Damian paused for a moment before saying, “You are a lot more human than I thought.”

Tikki was about to say something before perking up and looking around. Damian wanted to ask a question, but Tikki darted to the window. “Damian, come over here.” Damian got up and walked over to the window. He noticed that all the windows had small balconies, it was very uniform, but what stood out was a bright green light that moved through the trees.

Looking closer, he noticed that the green light actually looked more like a pair of eyes. Damian asked Tikki, “Is that normal?”

Tikki shook her head, “No. It’s not. It may be magic, but those eyes are too abnormal.” Damian sighed and walked around to the drawer, “Damian?”

“They haven’t finished washing my things yet. They have my weapons.” Damian roughly shut the dresser and looked around, “If someone is lurking around the grounds of a wealthy family then either they’re here to steal or here to kill.” His eyes landed on the nearby vanity and he grabbed the letter opener, “This will have to do.”

“Damian, that’s not even sharp.”

“It doesn’t need to be sharp for me to hurt someone with it.” It was shiny, new, pointed end but that was about all. It was too light. He wouldn’t be able to do much with it, but there were a few options. Damian looked back out the window and noticed the eyes coming closer. The little red fairy’s gaze only grew in intensity, “Tikki-”

“I know this energy.” Tikki fluttered about, trying to figure out the best course of action, before going back to the same spot, “I know this energy!”

“That’s good?”

“Depends.”

“On?”

“The person.” The two watched as a figure lurked out of the shadows and into the moon’s spotlight. It was cat-like and much too modern, reminding him of Selina’s costume back home.

Home. He wondered what his father was doing now.

“Tikki, that looks like a uniform from my world.”

Tikki nodded before turning to him, “Do you have the earrings?”

“I couldn’t exactly let the staff take them with all my other gear.”

“No! No, I’m not chastising you.” She looked at the man strutting through the courtyard and shook her head, “In fact, I’d be happy for you to try them out. All you have to do is say spots on.”

Damian was taken aback, Tikki always insisted that the only person using the earring should be the chosen descendent. If she was asking him to try them on now, this could mean trouble. “Let’s be sure we know what we’re up against before we jump to our last resort.”

Tikki nodded, but before she could respond she retreated behind Damian. He looked out the window and noticed the man use a staff that extended to an unnatural length, bringing him up to the window next door. “Shit.” Tikki latched onto Damian’s collar as Damian stormed out of the room. Damian was quiet for a moment, tuning his ear to any little noises he could hear through the door. He heard a light tapping and, despite her better judgment, he heard footsteps. Damian mumbled to himself, “She has no sense of self-preservation, does she?”

Muffled voices could be heard, but nothing he could make out. Tikki flew forward and through the wood. Damian heard a soft click, but with the sudden silence in the room, he’s sure the man heard it too. Damian stood back and Tikki flew behind him. Damian was about to ask a question when the door swung open. Marinette rubbed her eyes, “Damian?”

Damian hid the letter opener and peered over her shoulder, “I heard something-”

Marinette yawned, “What? Is this a full moon or something? First Cat Noir-”

“Cat Noir?”

The green eyes suddenly came into view and he stepped out of the shadows and into the hall’s light. The mop of blond hair was a stark contrast against the black leather and he smirked. Crossing his arms and motioning to Damian, Cat Noir said, “At your service. So, princess, I thought I was your only dark knight. Who’s this?”

Marinette was not amused, “Damian, meet Cat Noir. Cat Noir, meet Damian Wayne.”

Damian didn’t know what to make of him, but Marinette’s calm demeanor threw him off. Damian held out his free hand, “Nice to meet you.”

Cat Noir took it and the ring on his finger glistened, “Likewise. How do you know Marinette?”

“We only recently met.”

“Really? And yet you were about to barge into her room unannounced at night?”

Damian’s eye twitched, “I wouldn’t have felt the need to check up on her if someone wasn’t stalking the grounds.”

Cat Noir wrapped his arms around Marinette’s shoulders, “I was not stalking. I was checking in on Marinette. It’s been a while.”

“A while? You were gone for several weeks.” Marinette shook herself free of his grip and stepped towards Damian, “Cat Noir, couldn’t you visit me in the day time?”

“Now where’s the fun in that?”

Damian couldn’t keep his eye off the ring, “Where’d you get that?”

Cat Noir looked at the ring skeptically, “A gift. Why?”

“I’ve never seen a ring glow like that before. Is it enchanted or something?”

Cat Noir drew his hand back, “It’s one of a kind.”

“Right.”

Marinette frowned as she looked between the two, “Is this some weird dominance thing or-” Her sentence trailed off as she stared at something behind Damian’s shoulder. He turned and noticed Tikki poking her head out. Tikki’s eyes were trained on the ring, she didn’t even realize she was caught. Damian looked back at the two and noted their reactions; Cat Noir seemed frozen while Marinette was ready to shriek.

Damian quickly covered her mouth and shushed her, “Stop. Stop. Calm down.”

Marinette looked frantically at Damian for answers he didn’t have. Cat Noir snapped out of it and grabbed Damian’s arm, “Hands off!”

Marinette jumped away, “Bug! Mouse? Bug mouse!”

“It’s not a ‘bug mouse’! It’s a-”

“Kwami.”

Tikki finally seemed to snap out of it and glared at Cat Noir, “How do you know that word? Humans should not know that word!”

Cat Noir stepped away and grabbed his staff, taking a defensive stance. He looked over at Damian and Marinette and nodded his head, “Marinette, get behind me!”

“What?”

The look in Cat Noir’s eye was desperate, panicked, full of anger and pain. Take out the fear and it would’ve been eerily similar to the way Damian looked at his enemies after Rah’s al Gul died. Vengeance, fear, and a hint of sorrow; a dangerous combination. “Can’t you see he’s dangerous?! Only the Demon King has a kwami! He must be working for them!”

Marinette shook her head, “What are you talking about, Cat Noir?”

Cat Noir shook his head, “I’m not letting this happen again!” He extended his staff and swung it around. Objects and decorations shattered and Damian grabbed Marinette before throwing them against the ground.

Damian looked up, “Are you insane?!” His staff retreated into itself, going back to normal size before he tried to smack it down on Damian. Damian rolled himself and Marinette out of the way before grabbing her arm and pulling her onto her feet. “C’mon!”

“Wait, but Cat Noir-”

“Is trying to hurt us! Move!” He pushed Marinette’s head down as they ducked under another attack. Damian pulled them both out of the room and quickly shoved her into his own. He locked the door behind him. He looked around for any exit routes and noticed the window. He cursed under his breath and pulled Marinette to his chest as he turned around. He took the brunt of the impact when Cat Noir busted through the window. The glass shattered around them and the action knocked them both down. He wasn’t even able to take in the damage when he was suddenly pulled off of Marinette.

Damian was thrown against the wall and grunted as Cat Noir held him up by his collar. The strength was unnatural. “I’m not going to let you hurt her!”

Damian glared at the cat, “You’re the only one doing damage!” He lifted his legs and wrapped them around Cat Noir’s arm before twisting his body and throwing them both to the floor. “Calm down!”

Cat Noir grit his teeth as he struggled against Damian. Cat Noir managed to break free and elbowed Damian in the stomach. With the wind knocked out of him, he wasn’t able to react fast enough. Cat Noir was on top of him, “Cataclysm!” Suddenly a surge of dark energy surrounded his palm as he held it overhead. “You won’t hurt my friends!”

Damian struggled against his grip, “Tikki!”

Cat Noir brought his hand down and Damian braced for the impact. However, it never came. He looked up and noticed Marinette holding a now corroding vase. The vase’s ashes scattered over Damian and there was a sudden beeping coming from his ring. Marinette’s hands shook once the vase was completely gone and she pushed Cat Noir off of Damian.

“Marinette-”

“Stop!” Marinette’s voice flattered, but her conviction was clear, “Just stop.”

Damian sat up and looked at Cat Noir to gauge his reaction. It was shock, “He’s a threat!”

“You’re the only threat here, Cat Noir!”

“He has a kwami!”

“And so do you!” The red goddess flew up to his face and her gaze was unwavering, “De-transform.”

“What?”

“De-transform now!” Looked down at the ring as it beeped and another piece of the paw print disappeared. “Three minutes. I’ll have my chosen follow you. I will see him either way. De-transform.”

Cat Noir looked behind the red goddess and noted how much of Marinette’s attention was on Damian as she helped him up. She wasn’t even looking at him. Cat Noir shook his head, “Not unless she leaves.”

“What?”

“Not unless-”

“I’m staying right here!” Marinette wrapped her arm underneath Damian’s and stabilized him. She looked back up at Cat Noir and stood her ground, “I’m staying here. I was going to find out sooner or later. Just do it.”

Damian looked between the two before settling on Cat Noir. He watched all of Cat Noir’s resolve die out as his ally stood against him. Cat Noir’s ears drooped and he gulped, “Cla-Claws in.” A green light enveloped him and once their eyes adjusted Marinette gasped loudly.

Adrien shuffled his feet and looked to the ground as a cat creature flew beside him. Tikki didn’t react at first, but the cat was clearly at her mercy. It chuckled nervously, “H-Hey, sugar cube.”

Tikki blinked before asking Damian a question. Her monotone voice made it all the more intimidating, “Where are the earrings?”

With the threat gone Damian could only ask, “Why?”

“Either you put me in the earrings or I kill this cat!” She charged at the other creature and gave chase. Anything that wasn’t knocked over was suddenly smashed on the floor as the two flew around the room.

However, in the wake of the destruction, none of the humans moved. Adrien kept his head down, he was shaking his head and mumbling to himself. He seemed to be in a bit of shock himself as he fidgeted. Marinette, on the other hand, was ridged. Damian was the first to reach out, “Adrien-”

“Hello!” The new voice caught all of them off guard. Damian shoved Adrien behind the bed and ran to the door. He opened it a crack, noticing one of the manor’s servants about to knock. “Oh!”

“Can I help you?”

“There seems to be a commotion-”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“But, sir, the crashes-”

“Your greeting was the only thing that woke me up tonight.”

The servant grew flustered, “I’m sorry. I’ll check on the miss next door.”

“No need!” Marinette ducked under Damian’s arm and looked up at the man. “I’m right here. I didn’t hear anything either.” Marinette smiled, although it was clearly forced.

The servant looked between the two and flushed, “Oh! Oh. Well, I’m sure you two didn’t hear a thing. I’ll be sure to let the staff know to give you two privacy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing! Nothing! Have a good night!” The servant quickly left their sight.

Damian closed the door once the man was out of earshot and sighed, “Well, not the best excuse but it’ll give us some privacy.”

“What do you mean?”

Damian shook his head and guided her back towards the center of the room, “I’m not having this conversation with you. Let’s focus on one thing right now.”

Marinette looked at the bit of blond hair poking out from behind the bed, “Right.”

Tikki flew back over to Damian’s side, dragging her cat counterpart by the ear beside her. “Remember the old god of your world?”

“Plagg?”

She shoved the cat in front of her, “The one and only.”

Plagg rubbed his ears, “I expected a warmer welcome!”

“I expected you to return to your post! Where have you been?”

Plagg rolled his eyes and flew over to Adrien, “I found my chosen. It seems that the Demon King made this boy an orphan. He was still young when he survived the attack, but he wants to take the Demon King down. He’s a good kid!”

Tikki growled, “You did this without consulting anyone!”

“You’re down here too!”

“Yes, but I didn’t leave my post! You have been missing for well over three years!”

Plagg waved his hand nonchalantly, “That’s like a day for us up there.”

Tikki growled and looked as though she was about to charge when Damian stepped in, “Woah! Woah! We don’t need two of you fighting here. Adrien stand up.” Adrien nodded and left his little hiding space, “Adrien, look up.” Adrien hesitated but did so. Damian looked him over and shook his head, “What are you getting yourself into?”

“Plagg came to me a few years ago. I’ve been moonlighting as Cat Noir since. Gathering information, fighting monsters. Getting stronger.” Adrien’s voice cracked, “I’m sorry, I just-”

Damian closed the gap between them and placed a hand on Adrien’s shoulder, “Adrien, I’m going to tell you something my father told me. Justice, not vengeance. If Marinette didn’t step in, you would’ve taken it too far.”

Adrien opened his mouth to say something but instead shook his head and covered his face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Marinette bit her lip and stepped up. She cautiously reached out before running her fingers through his hair. She frowned and licked her lips, “Hey kitty, it’s okay. It’s okay now.” She gently shushed him as his shoulders shook, “It’s okay. We’re all okay.” Marinette looked up at Damian as if to ask if things really were okay. He didn’t give an answer. Instead, Damian looked back at Adrien and stepped forward to rub his back. Marinette took it as permission to get closer and pull Adrien into a hug. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Tikki stopped berating Plagg when she heard a soft sob rack through the chosen’s body. Plagg looked on with pity as Adrien worked through the guilt of almost killing someone. Damian bit his lip and looked around the room, it was a wreck and Marinette’s was even worse. Still, at least his bed was clear.

It felt like putting a kid to sleep, the two guided Adrien to bed and sat by him as Adrien let everything out. Marinette looked at Damian, surely full of questions that would have to wait until tomorrow. Even the gods sat by their side, quiet and calm. Tonight the five simply sat together, comforting their own as they worked through the destruction.

As the night went on, the room only got darker. Damian looked around and thought about his next steps. His train of thought only broken by a soft voice, “Are you awake?”

Damian looked over at Marinette. Adrien had fallen asleep beside her. Damian helped her lay him down without waking him. Marinette pushed some hair out of his face and whispered, “I don’t know what to think right now.”

Damian was almost surprised at the gesture. Hours ago she would’ve fainted at the thought of him being so close. Now, she was acting so familiar. “What’s going through your head?”

She shrugged, “I’ve known Cat Noir for a few years now. He’s someone I can count on.”

“So this is a shock.”

“That’s one way to put it.” Damian watched as she ran her fingers through his hair, putting him at ease and making her smile. “So we have gods among us?”

“Yes.”

“I have so many questions.”

“I expect you to, but it’d be best if we got a bit of sleep.” She nodded and laid onto her side. She continued playing with Adrien’s hair in the same way he would play with Ace’s back home. As he laid down on Adrien’s other side, he wondered how all of his pets were doing. Did they know he was dead?

Marinette looked over at Damian, “I’ve never seen him like this; as Adrien or Cat Noir.”

“Trauma can do that to you.”

“Trauma?” She hummed, “People always talk about the Demon King, but I’ve never had to deal with him.” She shook her head, “I don’t know anything, do I?”

Damian shrugged, “You’ve been sheltered. I’m not surprised.”

Marinette bit her lip, “I don’t want to be anymore. I want to fight. My friends shouldn’t have to deal with this.”

Damian turned onto his back and looked around the bed. He noticed Tikki and Plagg already asleep. He felt something poke him and remembered the earrings still with him. He looked back to Marinette, “You want to fight with me?” Marinette nodded and he handed her the earrings, “Put these on. We’ll train tomorrow.”

Marinette reached out tentatively, but quickly put them on once they were in her hands. She turned back to Damian, “Is it bad that I’m terrified? Especially after tonight?”

Damian sighed, “It’d be bad if you weren’t.”

“Aren’t you?”

Damian closed his eyes, “No.”

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ali-kitkat · 5 years

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Adrien followed the boy who sabotaged his plans to Chloe’s hotel. He assumed that he just left Marinette’s home before leaving for the night. His newest strategy was to show Marinette the error of her ways by hurting her friend, before he re-did the wish. She should have told him about her new friend, he should’ve met him before they were even alone together. She made her choice. She’s going to live with it now, he mused. When he re-does the wish, she’s going to remember her friend was injured, but only because she was going to have inkling of his actions, she should know that he wasn’t going to put up with insubordination. Altering her memories wouldn’t be difficult, she’s going to believe her friend was beaten because he was dangerous, which he is. That her friend was going to hurt her, Damian did, he took her away. He was going to be her hero again. Damian, he recalled, was checking in and headed upstairs to sleep for the night.

Having all the information he needed he headed to the bakery to get the ring. He loved her but she wasn’t exactly the smartest, hiding the ring in her diary box was a huge mistake on her end. He remembered that box very well as she had to unlock Sabrina’s hand from it. Since she wouldn’t open the box for him, he needed to delay her. Knocking her out was the smartest option, she wasn’t going to remember he hit her either.

*~*~*~*

Damian wasn’t surprised that the blond idiot couldn’t even hide on the roof tops very well. He spotted Adrien, pun intended, instantaneously. His was in a bright, obnoxious red suit, and he was sitting on the edge of a roof top watching the street, only moving when he had walked into his line of sight. He was easy to divert as well, all Damian had to do was walk into the Grand Paris hotel and Adrien left as feigned checking in. He left as quickly as he entered.

*~*~*~*

Adrien stared at his room in bewilderment, it was a mess. Marinette had destroyed it searching for the earrings.

“Spots off.” He muttered. Tikki flew out of the earrings and floated in front of him.

“What’s your plan now? Marinette has the ring and her memories; you can’t win her back and you can’t beat her either.”

“That’s where you’re wrong Teeks. I’ve got the ring right here,” Adrien taunted, holding out the diary box in his hand. “and you’re going to open it for me.”

She phased through the box and barely contained her giggles at the ring inside. She recognized Mari’s craftsmanship. A fake, she gave him a fake ring. Adrien snatched the ring out of the box. Slipping on the ring, he stood waiting for Plagg to appear and when he didn’t, he glanced down at the ring to see it hadn’t changed.

“Marinette gave me a fake.” He sighed infuriated, he ripped the ring off and threw it across the room.

“I’m going to show her the error of her ways, starting with her friend. Spots on Tikki.” He shouted as he leapt out the window.

*~*~*~*

His family didn’t worry about where he was all day, they did wonder why he was going out in his suit when all they were supposed to be doing was research on the botched timeline.

“Why are you going out as Robin? You know we’re not supposed to be seen, right?” Tim questioned, not looking up from his laptop.

“I have a friend who knows why the timeline was changed.” He replied, putting the ring in a false wall. He hoped his brothers wouldn’t question him about it.

“Wait what?” Dick asked, shock written on his face. Bruce looked up from the document he was reading and raised an eyebrow in question.

“You have a friend!” Jason and Tim yelled; the shock on their faces was quite amusing to him.

“Focus idiots, the timeline. You know why we’re actually here. Magic users and speedsters felt the change and my friend knows why. I’m going to check up on her because the person responsible happens to be obsessed with her.” He snarked exasperated, at the rate they were going to make him late and he was worried about Marinette. Damian had left immediately after.

He knocked on the balcony window waiting for a response. The interval of silence was too long for it to be normal, sure she could be asleep, but she knew he was coming back after he hid the ring. Carefully climbing in through the window he could see her on the ground, unconscious. She was still breathing, that much he could see. When her side he was enraged, her jaw was starting to bruise. Adrien knocked her out, and Damian was going to skin him alive. Lifting her into his arms, she shifted closer to him. He slipped out the window back to where he and family were staying.

When he got back, his family was waiting for him, Bruce and Drake sat while Todd and Grayson stood. They were all wearing shocked expressions.

“Damian, what the hell? Did you kidnap her?”

“What? No! Fucking Adrien Agreste knocked her out.” He defended, his rage rising. He attempted to set Marinette down on one of the sofas, but she wouldn’t let go much to his family’s amusement. The snickers behind him were setting him off further.

“Come on angel, you have to let go.” He muttered; she didn’t let go much to his annoyance and relief. He shifted her around enough that he had eventually woken her up. She froze in his arms before letting out an unholy screech.

“Who in the hell are you?” She yelled, flailing out of his arms. His family let out snorts and chortles at her bewildered expression.

“It’s me, Damian. Did I forget to mention that I’m a vigilante?” He replied dryly. She shot him a glare while rubbing a hand across her cheek. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just peachy. My ex-partner punched me in the face after he got what he wanted. Add that on top of the fact that he’s been manipulating me for the past year and that he caused my mother’s death. Yeah, I’m doing fucking swell; I’m going to tear him into pieces Damian.”

He could hear his family making noise behind them, fairly certain he heard Todd mutter Holy shit there’s two of them and decided to bite the bullet and introduce them motioning Marinette in the direction of his family.

“Marinette this is my family, unfortunately.” Damian presented, waving a hand in the general direction of his family.

“That’s rude baby bird.” One of the men standing spoke in a teasing voice.

Marinette didn’t bother to muffle her laughter at Damian’s disgruntled expression. He glared down at her and she stuck her tongue out at him in return.

“I’m Jason Todd, the old man in the chair over there is Bruce Wayne. He’s Demon Spawn’s father.” A man with the white streak in his hair introduced himself.

“I’m Dick Grayson. How did baby bird meet you, because you are too cute to have just made friends with him?” The shorter man beside Jason spoke. “The one on the laptop is Tim Drake, don’t take his silence for rudeness though.”

“Right, Damian said you know why the timeline is screwed up. Can you tell us?” Tim interrupted, turning to face Marinette and Damian. Marinette raised an eyebrow in question. “Magic users and speedsters have experienced the backlash. They’re saying it originated from Paris, but they can’t place why or how.”

“A year ago, Paris was under attack by a magical terrorist named Hawkmoth and his accomplice Mayura. He wanted the miraculous from the local heroes Ladybug and Chat Noir. A set of earrings and a ring, together those two miraculous can make any wish true. Adrien Agreste the son of Hawkmoth, Gabriel Agreste, took the earrings and wished his mother never fell into a magical coma.”

“There’s no evidence of anything like that anywhere. How do you know that?” Tim questioned; wariness etched onto his face.

“I was Ladybug. Adrien betrayed me. He used them to wish for his mother back and magic comes with a price.” Marinette responded. She paused a moment. “That price was my mother.”

“Isn’t Agreste your boyfriend? Why would he betray you? Or knock you out?” Dick inquired.

“That asshole is not my boyfriend.” She snarled. “he’s the bastard who wished for me to love him and made me lose my memories of the last year.”

Dick stared at her in shock. “He made more than one wish?”

“Yes. He wished for me to love him and manipulated me into being his.” She sneered. “Not long after my mother died either.”

“What happens when you get the earrings back? Are you going to wish the timeline back to what it was?” Jason asked, curiosity taking over the shock. “Do you have the ring to do so?”

“No, I’m not going to wish for the previous timeline. I’m not stupid enough to abuse magic like that. Damian hid the ring for me, speaking of which. Could I get that back? I want to go rip Agreste a new asshole.”

*~*~*~*

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#maribat #maridami #damian x marinette #marinette x damian #daminette #slow burn #ali-kitkat's writing #my writing

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