Hello people of tumblr. MGI is hosting a new event right now!! That’s right we come to you with a new bracket event. Stories have been submitted and now it’s time to vote for your favorites!!! You can find all the stories here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/MGI_Bracket_Fic_War_2
And help us by voting to see who moves on to the next round!! https://forms.gle/tUk5aFs8hQ3FsmBi9
Hellooo, I keep seeing MGI Civil War everywhere and I absolutely adore the content I see but i have no idea what MGI means. Could you please save this poor unfortunate soul from confusion?
Hi love, ajdjs ofc, I’m sure everyone is happy you’re enjoying their works 🤍 MGI means Maribat? Get In! And it’s the name of our discord server (where every single work from the war is listed in a channel If someone is interested) Feel free to pop by If you feel like it!
Here’s an invite: https://discord.gg/fWNU4BnAxv
Check out the Maribat? Get In! community on Discord - hang out with 419 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
The previous round has concluded, and our winners are...
Enemies to Lovers (57.8%)
Coffee Shop Au (52%)
And with that, we move on to our final round! Enemies to Lovers versus Coffee Shop Au, who will win?
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHQZvGFkJzRVTxUhuQQE7oJzqjmF6DqEKfFhoDpc383G72nw/viewform
Once this voting ends, I'll post how many votes each of the 32 teams received!
MGI is proud to announce that, in order to determine the BEST trope in fanfiction, we will be hosting a Trope Madness! Open to everyone who wishes to vote.
There will be 10 rounds to determine the best trope, with three days of voting (via the google form linked below) to make sure people have a chance to see it and participate. Round one begins today! All you have to do is pick your favorite tropes.
https://forms.gle/Rd9R27HCpXCaJrr46
Updates will be posted here on Tumblr and our server, Maribat? Get In!
This post is to announce some regular stuff you need to know for our next event:
CIVIL WAR 2022 (Valentine’s Edition)
The event will be host from February 7th to 14th, teams can prepare as much as they want, but submissions have to be publish during that week for them to count.
It’s a content war, so please be nice to each other.
You can participate with whatever you can think of as long as it’s related to your pairing, the pairing doesn’t have to be romantic, If you want to make it platonic that’s okay with us too.
Some examples of participation are prompts, fics, art, doodles, recipes, tik toks, moodboards, playlists.
We’ll have a max of 20 memes per team this year. Even so, If you draw it yourself, they’ll be counted as art and won’t have a cap.
Example thanks to @thedragonbug participation in Civil War 2021
There’s not a min or max of works, you can contribute as much as you can.
All submissions have to be send to my dms (issarockz#1822) along with your team, word count, and the link. (Link can be whatever you published your work, from tumblr to ao3 to even an actual server channel if you’re more comfortable that way)
Example thanks to @phis-corner participation in Trope Tussle 2021:
Once they have been sent to my dms, I’ll publish them in the official event channel in the server and they’ll count as participation.
Example thanks to @flapdoodle-noodle participation in Civil War 2021
The table with points won’t be public this year, we want you all to have fun and do the content you want to do because that’s what it feels right, not because it’s what gives you more points.
Collabs between teammates will count as extra points
As last year, we’ll publish a general prompt everyday, it’s just for inspiration, you are not forced to follow it and can be also used in the following days.
If you’re going to publish on tumblr, please add the tag #MGICIVILWAR2022 and tag us here in @mgi-events or with our main @illiteratefucks
More questions and extra info can be answered in my dms or in the server’s #askthemods
If you’re interested in participating but are not currently in the server, go visit and let us know, we’ll make space 🤍
Thanks everyone! With love, @issaxcharlie, @flapdoodle-noodle and @eggadoodle
Server’s link: https://discord.gg/fWNU4BnAxv
Check out the Maribat? Get In! community on Discord - hang out with 387 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
Marinette looked out the window and cursed. Nightwing. Why was he there? Why was he just chilling on the next door roof. Fuck, no. Well there goes my safe, affordable apartment, she thought, sliding through her open window, looking up at where Nightwing was, before using her baton to reach the level of the rooftop, balancing on top of it.
“Was the bird trying to be a peeping tomcat?”
“No! No, I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight, Lady Noire.”
She raised a brow. “Really?”
“What’s special about that apartment. You seemed awfully cozy there. You live there?”
She sputtered for a moment before glaring at him. “No. Get that grin off your face, birdy, before I take it off for you.”
“You think you could?”
She narrowed her eyes, pushing off the baton to tackle him on the roof. He pushed her off, she twisted, to land on her feet, extending her baton to a staff and twirled it around, as Nightwing drew his escrima sticks.
“I guess it’s true what they say. Cat’s always land on their feet.”
She lunged at him, bringing her staff around to meet his escrima sticks, ears twitching at the clanging. She narrowed her eyes twisting to black his next blow, getting a hit in as she passed. The two traded blows back and forth, before Lady Noire managed to get a lucky hit, twisted her staff, pulling his weapons out of his hands.
Marinette whipped the belt around her waist off, lassoing it around Nightwing’s wrist. Yanking on the belt to bring his hand back, she grabbed the other, bringing the two together and quickly, tying his hands together, kicking the back of his knees.
As he started to move, she placed the end of her baton under his chin and tilted it up towards her. She tilted her head to the side as their eyes met.
“How much did you see?”
“What?”
“How much did you see?” she repeated, gently pressing the baton a bit further.
“You, in your apartment. I was patrolling not peeping like you suggested.”
She cursed, the ears on top of her head flattening. “So you just so happened to find me in my apartment?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t looking. I just got lucky.”
“Of course you did. Just my luck,” she muttered tilting her head back. She drew her baton back, yanking her belt off of his wrists, placing it back around her waist. “I’d ask you to stay away from my place, but I imagine that’s not going to happen considering we’re on opposite sides of the law. So I’ll simply ask that you don’t try and stake my apartment out right away. Give me a few minutes to try and protect my identity, for whatever good that might do me.”
Lady Noire quickly left him on the rooftop, slipping into her apartment through her window, locking it behind her before grabbing a blanket and throwing it over it and taping it in place, cursing her luck.
-------------
Dick locked his apartment as he left turning as a body ran into him.
“Merde. Oh, god I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going, I was a bit caught up in everything.”
He chuckled. “That’s fine. I don’t think I’ve met you before. I’m Dick.”
“Marinette. It looks like I’m your next door neighbor for the moment,” she replied with a small smile. Dick froze. He knew someone had recently moved in but hadn’t met them and the apartment next to his was the one he saw Lady Noire in last night. Shit.
He looked at the woman in front of him. She was Lady Noire? Her hair color was correct he supposed, though significantly shorter than the braid she typically sported at night.
“For the moment? Didn’t you just move in?”
“Ah. Yeah. Something kind of came up, but I can’t get out of my lease at the moment unfortunately. So I’m kind of stuck here but I’m hoping that’ll change soon.”
“That’s a shame. I was hoping I could get to know you better.”
The blush fought its way onto her cheeks as she twisted the ring on her finger. He smiled at her as they stood there. She took a deep breath before smiling at him in return.
“Well, I’ll be here for at least a week. Probably longer unless I can persuade the landlord to release me from the lease. If you’re ever free during the day, feel free to drop by. I need to run, and I’m probably keeping you from whatever you were doing. It was nice meeting you Dick.”
Dick watched her disappear into her apartment. That was the one he’d seen Lady Noire in the night before. He knew that for a fact. Marinette couldn’t be Lady Noire, they acted differently with several differences. But that made sense. They were the same build, had shown up at roughly the same time, their hair was the same color, though the lengths were significantly different, wigs were a thing. He shook his head, as he glanced over at her door once more, before heading out.
-------------
Nightwing’s eyes widened as he saw the entire mansion turn to ash in front. No flame, just dust. He wasn’t surprised as the silhouette of a woman with cat ears left the property, making her way onto the rooftop he’d been on.
“That was a neat trick you pulled,” he said, as she noticed him, the ears on top of her head twitching. She gave a small bow, and grinned.
“Always nice to have one’s work appreciated. Though not so much when it’s by one’s enemy,” she said as she ducked around him, with a soft laugh. “Sorry, but I don’t have the time for this tonight. So if you’ll excuse me-”
Nightwing grabbed the end of her braid as she pulled away, the small cry of pain causing him to let go almost immediately, as she wheeled around on him.
“So you're resorting to school ground methods now? Pulling my hair. That’s cheap.”
“I’m sorry-” he started. If that’s Marinette that has to be a wig- right? No. You just watched a building disappear. There’s obviously something else at play here, his mind raced as she cut him off.
“Keep it to yourself. Anything else you’d like to rub into the wound? Dig your hole a bit deeper. Go on,” she prompted, her eyes bore into him. “I’m waiting.” Nightwing was silent as she stared at him. “What? Cat got your tongue?”
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to stop the sneaky kitty who just committed a crime.”
She tilted her head to the side as he said that. “Oh wow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a vigilante apologise to a criminal. I’ll be sure to cherish the memory. I do have to run though so,” she swung her staff at his knees, whacking them, forcing him down. “I’ll be on my way. Bye, bye, birdy,” she gave him a small salute before disappearing into the night.
-------------
Dick knocked, grinning when the door opened revealing Marinette.
“Dick! Hi.”
“Hey, Marinette, I hope it’s okay I dropped by.”
“Yes! Come on in. I was just making tea if you'd like any,” she stepped away from the door with a smile.
“That’d be awesome.”
“I’ll bring out a mug for you in a moment. Feel free to sit anywhere.”
He watched as she disappeared into the small kitchen, before looking over the apartment. Fairly empty, a few photos, scattered here and there, something pretty expected since she’d just moved in. One thing did stand out though. An odd box sat on a shelf, it looked out of place. Dick picked it up and turned it over, trying to figure out where it opened. He turned, box in hands hearing a sharp intake of breath. Marinette stood there with two mugs in her hands, eyes wide.
She moved quickly putting the mugs down on the coffee table moving to take the box from him.
“Sorry if I was intruding. It’s just- that’s a very interesting box,” he said, taking in how tense she looked. What is so special about that box? He thought as she took a breath, holding it gingerly.
“Thank you. It was a parting gift. I’m sorry, for being so abrupt. It’s very valuable. I normally don’t leave it out like this. It shouldn’t be out. I’ll be right back,” she disappeared down the hall, a soft ‘Merde’ reaching his ears as she left. He took a seat as she returned.
“I’m so sorry I messed with that. I shouldn’t have.”
“No no you’re fine. I overreacted a bit. I’m sorry, I’ve been on edge for the past few days.”
“Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine. Someone I didn’t exactly want to know where I lived found my address so I’ve been tense. It’s fine though.”
Dick felt bad for a second, at that confirmation of his suspicions. “Do you need any help? Are you in any danger or something?”
“No. Nothing I can’t handle,” she smiled at him, taking a sip of her tea. “So what brings you to my humble abode?”
“Wanted to get to know my cute new next door neighbor, who, if I recall correctly, told me I could drop by anytime.”
“I did say that didn’t I. I’m glad you took me up on it.” A small blush colored her cheeks.
“I’m glad I did too. So, what brings you to Blüdhaven?”
“The proximity to Gotham and New York. I have a few fashion houses I’m applying with, just trying to figure out where I’d like to end up.”
“Fashion? Are you a designer?”
She nodded. “I am. I worked with Audrey Bourgeois back in Paris briefly, before she left to go back to New York. She’s actually the head of one of the houses I’m looking at. What do you do, Dick?”
“I’m a detective.” Marinette sputtered slightly as he said this. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just swallowed wrong, choked a bit on my tea. I’m fine, thank you, though,” she told him, giving a small laugh and tight smile.
“I actually have to get started soon, so I should probably head out, thanks for having me over so impromptu.”
“My pleasure. Stay safe out there,” she told him, walking him to the door.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Bye, Dick.”
“See you later, Marinette.”
-------------
Nightwing crouched as he waited for Marinette to leave her apartment.
Seeing the light behind the thick curtains she had put up go off, he gave it a few minutes before making his way over to the fire escape, surprised to find that she’d forgotten to lock it and climbed inside, heading towards when he’d seen her disappear earlier that day. He looked through the room, careful not to disturb anything too much, before finding a small nook the box had been tucked away in.
He grabbed the box and said a silent apology to Marinette, left the apartment the way he came, box in tow, travelling a few blocks before settling down to examine what he’d grab. There was no obvious way to open the box that he could find.
“It’s not nice to take things that don’t belong to you.”
“And yet you do it all the time,” he replied, looking to find Lady Noire, crouched on the attennea glaring at him.
“Give it back.”
“Why should I?”
“Give the box back and I’ll consider letting you go in one piece.”
“What’s so special about the box? Store your stolen goodies in there?”
“It’s none of your business. Do you often make it a habit to break into other apartments?”
“Only for dangerous thieves such as yourself.”
“Am I supposed to feel special? You’re just as much of a thief as I am. Now. Last time. Return the box.”
“I don’t think so.”
She leapt off the antenna, landing on top of him, knocking the box to the side as she pinned him down, the tip of her braid hitting his cheek as she leant down.
“Out of all the things I thought you would do after finding out where I lived, breaking and entering and stealing never even crossed my mind. And thanks to you I have to find a new place already after just barely moving in and I can’t really afford to get to know my cute neighbor now.”
Dick felt his face heat up at that. Nope. She’s a criminal. Like that’s stopped Bruce. She’s beautiful and thinks I’m cute. Nope. Not the time.
“Someone’s blushing. Does the little birdy have something to say?”
Nightwing grinned up at her. “While you look beautiful on top, I think we should try switching positions,” he said, twisting, flipping them so he was pinning her down. In doing so he knocked the box from where it had fallen when he was knocked down. Lady Noire pushed him off, how is she so strong?, and jumped off the building after it.
Nightwing scrambled to his feet and watched as she extended her baton, catching herself between two buildings after grabbing the box out of midair. She swung herself on top of the baton and walked on top of it to the opposite building,retracting it before scaling up the side. She turned at the top and stared at him, the ears on top of her head flat back, before she turned, her long braid flicking over her shoulder and making her way over the rooftops box in hand.
He let out a breath as he watched her disappear, heart pounding. I’m so screwed.
-------------
Dick hurried up slightly and pushed opened the door to his building as he spotted Marinette with her arms full.
“Thank you so much.”
“No problem. You need a hand?”
“Oh, I’ll be fine, thank you though.”
“You sure? We live on the 20th floor and the elevator’s having maintenance today,” he asked with a small smile. She groaned as she tilted her head back.
“Then yes please. Can you take the bolts of fabric on top? I have everything else handled.”
Dick took the bolts from her and gestured for her to lead the way. The two made idle small talk as they walked up the stairs, before reaching their destination.
“Can you get the door? I think I left it unlocked.”
He stared at her for a moment. “You- You left your door unlocked?”
“I know. I know. A stupid move but still, please.”
Dick tried the handle to find it still locked. “Not so bad after all since you did lock it.”
“My keys are in my purse, can you grab them for me?”
“No problem,” Dick shifted the fabric into one arm as he reached for her purse before she abruptly pulled away from him. That’s odd.
“No. I’m sorry. I actually need to get my keys. Sorry about that. Um. Can you grab a bag or two from my left hand please?”
Dick raised a brow but did as he was asked as she turned her back towards him and dug into her purse for the keys, pulling them out and quickly taking the bags back, heading into her apartment.
“What do you want me to do with your fabric?” “Can you just put them on the couch?” she called from the kitchen, accompanied by the thunking of bags on a countertop. He placed the bolts down as Marinette came out with a smile. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. Really.”
“Do you want something to drink or eat while you're here?”
“No I’m fine. I can’t stay, I was just going to grab something from my apartment before I had to meet some family.”
“Well thank you for your help. Have fun with your family.”
“It was no problem! Thank you.”
Dick left her apartment, closing the door behind him, wondering what she had in her bag she didn’t want him to see. She was Lady Noire, he was certain of that, but he still had so many questions.
-------------
“You keep watching my apartment from this rooftop. I’m starting to wonder if I should be concerned or not,” she greeted him, perched on top of her baton, just like she had been when he first found her apartment.
“I was hoping I could speak with you,” he started, as she raised a brow at that.
“You wanted to talk? I find that a bit hard to believe, considering how many times you’ve tried to catch me.”
Nightwing held his hands up. “Just want to talk. That’s all.”
She spun on the top of her perch. “No thanks. I’ll be leaving now.”
“Wait! Marinette.”
She froze. Turning around to him. “How do you know who I am?”
“Maybe a little kitty told me.”
“So what are you going to do? Call the cops on me. They won’t find anything. You already know that.”
“No. I wasn’t going to do anything. I just want to talk.”
“Now? After all this time?”
Nightwing sat down on the edge of the building, and looked over the Marinette. She sighed and seated herself a few feet away.
“So… Why the thievery and property demolition?”
She raised an eyebrow at him when he asked this. “Only thinking to ask me this now, birdy?” she asked with a soft laugh. “The things I steal, while extremely valuable, are extremely dangerous if they were to fall into the wrong hands. So I take them to where they belong.”
“And the property demolition?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Retribution.”
“And what makes the pieces you steal so dangerous?”
“Can’t tell you. Sorry.”
“It have anything to do with that box of yours?”
“Everything. Which is why it’s important it stays in my protection.”
“So you’re what? A guardian of dangerous artifacts?” He asked. She didn’t say anything, pulling her braid over her shoulder, before twisting the ring on her finger. “I’ll take your silence as a yes.”
“If you tell anyone, no one will find your remains. The last guardian was defensive, I’m a bit more offensive in my methods.”
“So that’s why you were so anxious to get it back. Don’t trust me to take care of it?” he asked with a small grin.
“I don’t trust anyone with it. Many people have used its power for bad purposes throughout history.”
“I wouldn’t have.”
“Ah. You’re talking about powers you don’t know about. Many good people have abused its power. Best no one knows about it and I keep an eye on them.”
“And you’re the best person for the job?”
“Yeah. And the only one at this point. So I suppose you can keep trying to stop me or just let me do my thing.”
“What you’re doing is still illegal.”
“Oh yes. Because vigilantism is so legal these days.”
“Touche.”
The two sat there in silence for a moment before Marinette spoke up. “How’d you figure out who I am anyways?”
“You told me. Shortly after I stumbled upon where you lived.”
He watched as she narrowed her eyes in thought tilting her head to the side as she studied him. “Oh...Oh!” she exclaimed a blush forming on her cheeks.
“Figured it out that fast?”
“I did.”
“Care to share?”
“Nope,” she said standing, flicking her braid over her shoulder. “You’ll find out tomorrow if I’m right or not.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Then you get the advantage of knowing who I am.”
“Okay, but if you’re right I get to take you on a date.”
She laughed. “I’ll accept those terms. See you later, birdy,” she winked, before hopping off the roof and sliding her way into her apartment.
-------------
Dick glanced at the note that had just been slipped under his door, opening his door and peaking out to see if he could spot the culprit before picking it up to read.
Looks like you owe me a date, Birdy.
~Marinette (555) 555 - 5555
Dick grinned at the little cat doodled in the corner, as he pulled out his phone, inputting her number, and shooting her a text.
When Marinette was born, she didn't have a soul mark, as her soulmate hadn't made a name for himself yet.
As she got older, she began to see a soul mark, but would wonder why it would switch so much.
Sometimes it was ابن الخفاش (Son of the bat) other times it was simply Damian.
There were never any last names. No. That would make it to easy
As Marinette got older, her forearm would only display the name Damian, rather than reverting back and forth between ابن خفاش (Son of the bat).
It seems like her soulmate figured out who he identifies himself with.
A few months after Marinette's 9th birthday, she had seen the name Robin appear, she was confused at first, seeing as the name had not changed in a few years.
She didn't have long to dwell on it though, it changed back a few hours later.
Seeing the two names Damian and Robin on her forearm became a common occurrence, so she didn't worry about it.
The one time she was truly worried about her soulmate was when her soul mark disappeared completely.
She waited for days, wondering what happened, she couldn't ask her
parents because they didn't know about it, and they were probably too busy anyways.
As Marinette was reading, her face showed great sadness.
Apparently, when your soul mark disappears, then your soulmate has ceased to exist.
In other words, dead.
After getting over the initial sadness, Marinette told herself that she wouldn't let that stop her.
She went about life. Soul mark mostly forgotten, when she felt a warmth like she had never felt before. Looking at where the warmth originated, she saw that her soul mark was back, the name Damian clearly displayed.
Marinette was confused.
What happened? It was gone. I had searched for days wondering what happened.
Even online there was no explanation, it was unheard of.
Marinette never told anyone, not wanting to be considered even more of a freak then she already was.
°
Everything went back to how it was before, the names switching back and forth, but that was normal.
After Marinette received the Ladybug Miraculous, she wondered if her own name would change on her soulmate.
She had always considered Marinette and Ladybug two separate people.
Marinette was just the clumsy baker's daughter who is always late, clumsy, and tends to get stuck in her.
No one wanted to be her friend anymore.
She was 15 now, but between Lila and Chloé, no one wanted to come near her.
In contrast, Ladybug was someone everyone listened to. She was a leader, and everything about her seemed like it. She didn't take from anyone hands down, and her creativity has saved the day more times then you can count on.
She doesn't resonate with both, it's always one or the other. Never both.
°
Marinette wins the class a trip to Gotham. Most of her classmates are excited, but a few know that their parents would never let them go.
It makes no difference, Marinette wouldn't be talking to them anyways.
In the end, only Lila, Chloé, Sabrina, Alix, Kim, Ivan, and Mylene are allowed to come along.
°
Marinette had gotten bored during the few days that they had to get over the jetlag, only ever talking to Tikki, and occasionally Mrs. Bustier.
Since it was dark outside she decided that there was no problem with doing a quick patrol.
What she did not count on was a Bat seeing her.
After Marinette noticed someone was tailing her, she landed on a roof to get a better advantage point.
That is when Robin struck.
Quickly deflecting his sword with her yoyo, she exclaimed
"Who are you?"
"My name is unimportant - you, tyrant, will die today by my blade."
"Tyrant?! I'm a hero, from Paris. I’m Ladybug!"
After hearing that Robin's steps faltered
"Ladybug?"
°
Thank you @ramos123 and @ashbrea381writings for beta reading!
Marinette hurriedly ducked into the nearest alley way as a figure dropped down from the rooftops. A quick glance revealed a glimpse of a red helmet, leather jacket, and guns. Red Hood. Just great, she thought, cursing silently as she ducked back around, hand lightly resting on her baton. Just in case. If all goes well I can skip away scot free. The cat ears resting in her hair twitched at the soft scuffle of a boot against the concrete as he moved.
She held her breath as the streetlights cast a shadow at the mouth of the alley. She lowered herself to the ground, gripping her baton as the shadow stopped, the silhouette of Red Hood staring intently into the alley, before taking a few steps inside.
Please, please, please. I have to have some residual good luck left that Plagg hasn’t completely butchered.
She froze, ears twitching at every small sound, she focused on the soft footsteps. He turned his back for a moment and Marinette took that as her cue to move, quickly extending her baton, carrying herself to the rooftop, and collapsing it as he turned around. She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped as she watched, ducking back from the edge as he scanned the alley way once more. She waited a moment before creeping back to the edge to check if the coast was clear.
He hadn’t moved, only he had taken his helmet off, holding loosely in his left hand. Fuck, he’s handsome, she thought looking down at him, eyes focusing on the shock of white in his black hair as she looked at him without the helmet.
She shook her head as she backed up, standing. Nope. She was not about to fall for a vigilante. Especially not the shooty, violent one with a body count. Nope. Not today.
She made her way across the rooftops, reaching her apartment’s roof before realizing she’d forgotten the jewelry she’d stolen in the alley.
Merde.
---------------------
Marinette dropped down into the alleyway she had hidden in the nights before, hoping that any surveillance or anything might have cooled down by now. She moved back over to the jewelry store, picking the lock quickly and slipping inside the dark store.
She scanned the display cases for what she had stolen originally, eyes narrowing when she spotted them on top of the counter. Either the shopkeeper is incredibly stupid, or this is a trap of some sort.
The soft click of a lightswitch behind her, flooded the store with light. She closed her eyes, hissing at the sudden adjustment.
“Back already?”
“Have you been sitting in that corner all night, hoping for me to show up?”
“Some people don’t wait. Since this store is under my protection. Thought I’d give it a shot. Looks like I got lucky.” Oh of course. She got lucky last night, he got lucky tonight. Balanced out evenly enough.
She inched her way back, away from Red Hood as he stood, and closer to what she came for as he spoke up again.
“So cat. Selina get a sidekick now?”
“I am not a sidekick, and I am currently out a partner if you’d like to join me in the heist. Or are you aiming to be my jailor?” she asked tilting her head to the side with a sly grin as her back hit the counter. She hopped up, perching herself on the counter and leaned back, one hand trying to subtly grab what she came for and shove it into her pockets.
He placed his hands on either side of her and leaned down slightly. “Tempting as that offer is, I’ll play nice this time and let you leave without a scratch if you put the jewelry back.”
“And where's the fun in that? You know, I like you better without the helmet. I prefer seeing that handsome face of yours,” she said, reaching up to tap the side of his helmet as he paused hearing that. She took advantage of the small hesitation and pulled her legs up, rolling backwards off the counter, before leaning on it. “You might not have known who you were looking for, but I did see you in that alley last night. You on the other hand missed me by a hair.”
“Fuck. You were the laugh I heard?”
“No need to curse. No one needs to know what I saw, though I will admit, I liked what I saw, Hood. And while I’d love to continue this chat of ours, I need to run,” she said turning and bolting. She heard him curse behind her as she caught him vaulting over the counter after her in a mirror behind her. She cursed as he yanked on her braid pulling her back.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going so soon?” he asked as she gritted her teeth to keep the small yowl of pain building in her throat down.
“So soon? I just thought you might hate to see me leave but love to watch me go.”
“As much as I do, those don’t belong to you.”
“They do now,” she said, digging the claws at the end of her gloves into the hand holding her hair, whipping the braid around to the front, she ducked around and dashed through the front door, using her baton to vault herself up to the rooftop across the street, grinning as she ran, making it safely to her apartment.
---------------------
“Fancy meeting you here. Here to steal from another business under my protection?” Marinette turned at the voice that had spoken up from behind her, a small smile making its way on her face.
“Not tonight. Just stretching legs. Running into you was a coincidence. Whether a good one or an unfortunate one has yet to be determined though.”
“I don’t think anyone’s ever considered running into me as a ‘good coincidence.’”
“Then they’re missing out.”
“Cat got something to share?”
“You may or may not be in my thoughts lately. In the middle of the night. In my dreams. You should see the things we do,” she listed, winking at him, dying a bit inside as she heard herself say that. What did I tell myself about not falling for the violent crime lord vigilante? Just threw that out the window now didn’t I.
“You’re just bitter that you can’t catch me. I have slipped through your grasp twice now.”
“I could catch you if I wanted to.”
“Is that so? I see how this is gonna go. How’s this sound, if you think you can catch me, a game of cat and mouse.”
“What’s in it for me when I win?”
“You’ll see,” she responded with a wink. “Are you ready for it?”
“Anytime kit cat.”
“Then let the games begin,” she said, grinning as she vaulted over him, and ran, leaping from rooftop to rooftop through Gotham’s skyline. She laughed, putting on a small burst of speed as she ducked away from him, turning a corner.
This went on for several more blocks before Marinette felt his body tackle her down to the ground, the two of them rolling, Marinette ending up on top, pinning him down.
“So close and yet so far, Hood.”
“Fuck. You’re stronger than you look aren’t you, kit cat?”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. Good game, Hood. I had fun,” she told him, leaning back, loosening her grip for a moment. That was all it took for their positions to be flipped.
“Who said it was over? I do believe I win.”
“So it seems,” she replied grinning up at him. “Congratulations. You get a prize of your choice for your troubles.”
“How about a kiss?”
“That can be arranged.”
He’d barely taken his helmet off before being pulled down, their lips meeting. Her fingers curled, tugging his hair as they kissed, pulling him closer to her. The two stayed there for a few minutes before breaking apart. Marinette traced the outline of his domino mask with a grin.
“I definitely like this look better than the helmet,” she said, leaning up to catch his lips once more before pulling away and standing. “I’ll see you around, Hood.
“Kissing and running, Kit Cat?” he asked, pulling himself up as she walked away.
“A girl’s got to keep some fun in their life now. Good luck catching me next time,” she winked at him before leaping off and beginning her journey home.
