Trying something new for the new year
Ringleader aka Admin of Maribat Menagerie
Crossposting for the first time
202Thrive to Survive
Requests Currently Closed but Inbox Open!
Welcome everyone once again to the first year of Adribat October!
As stated in the previous and original post, Adribat is a subsection of the larger Maribat fandom that focuses on Adrien x DC rather than Marinette x DC.
While this calendar was posted before, down below is a newer version with slightly more bolded lettering upon the original black background. Featured below it will be a light mode version for those who would like to print it out!
(Clicking on the images will give a clearer view of the prompts)
These prompts are set up as themed days for those who would like the extra challenge. However, you do not have to make them with the theme. (Aka day 7 does not have to be a Mystery)
The theme days are:
Bloody Sunday - Angst/MCD
Mystery Monday - Mysteries & Conspiracies
Trick Tuesday - Tricks, Plot Twists, Messing with the Audience
Sleepover Wednesday - Crossovers or Location change
Thriller Thursday - Thrillers & Suspense
Freaky Friday - Swap AUs
Treat Saturday - Fluff/Slice of Life
The prompts themselves for each day of the week have themes of their prompts. Wednesday and Friday are explained above, but the rest are a fun bonus challenge to decipher in the comments/reblogs.
These prompts are also rearranged into two bingo boards to give a more self-paced option. Feel free to use whichever form of prompts you like and remember to tag us here with @maribat-menagerie.
Finally, feel free to reblog and share this out as well as the original dark mode boards (found here)! The more eyes that see this, the more we may get to participate, which means more to create!
Happy Creating Everyone!
P.S. Prompt List can be found under the line!
Adribat October Prompt List Written Out
1st: Mirror(s)
2nd: Hex Girling
3rd: "Life's no fun without a good scare."
4th: Miraculous Swap
5th: Jack O' Lanterns
6th: Kill All Your Friends
7th: "Our lives are one masked ball."
8th: Rabbit
9th: Sigil Writing
10th: "Take a breath and look around, a lot of folks deserve to die."
11th: Origin Swap
12th: Autumn Leaves
13th: Radioactive
14th: "To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration."
15th: Playing Cards
16th: Cipher Hunting
17th: "Don't Wish. Don't Start. Wishing only wounds the heart."
18th: Body Swap
19th: Flannels & Sweaters
20th: For Whom the Bell Tolls
21st: "Good and evil are so close as to be chained together in the soul."
22nd: Fox
23rd: Going Nowhere
24th: "It's a full moon tonight. That's why all the weirdos are out."
25th: Partner Swap
26th: Hot Beverage
27th: Children of the Grave
28th: "Death is a mystery, and burial is a secret."
29th: Crowbar
30th: Grim Adverturing
31st: "Please, they're dead."
Bingo Board Bonus 1: Ghosts of the Past
Bingo Board Bonus 2: Restoring the Balance
Bingo Board Bonus 3: No Longer You
My life has been such a clustercuss lately that we did not get a new calendar/board out for Adribat October this year. However, last year's is totally fine to use again for anyone interested!
I hope to revamp some other rarity stuff for MLB x DC in 2026 so we will have to see what happens and if I can get the burnout to leave me.
random crossover drawing idk just wanted to see these two cats on a rooftop together. Also I'm really surprised about the lack of them in the miraculous/batman crossovers like.. look at them! adrien is like prime gotham bait if anything
dont ask me which catwoman this is I just mashed bits of different suits together and made up my own :P (also wanted the whip to imitated a tail like chat noirs belt tail hehehe)
They're the best duo potential in the entire crossover don't at me fr. Exact reason why I love Adribat besides the thought of Adrien Allen and a friend getting me hooked on Bio-Dad Dick Grayson to him.
I'd love to do a fan writing for this if you have any specific ideas. (sorry, that sounds scammy but I just love supporting the fellow Adribat/Mirabat lovers <3)
Oh, please do feel free to write anything that my drawings inspires you too, I would love to read it, if you do!
I drew this in the first place to get my slight disappointment of the lack of content, and to kinda show "hey it would be really cool if these two characters interacted right?" out. So, if you want to write anything my mission was accomplished lol
now this was just a simple two characters sitting next to each other idea, but I have a separate lil fun scenario with the two in mind if you’re interested? It’s more momma cat with stray kitten coded haha
random crossover drawing idk just wanted to see these two cats on a rooftop together. Also I'm really surprised about the lack of them in the miraculous/batman crossovers like.. look at them! adrien is like prime gotham bait if anything
dont ask me which catwoman this is I just mashed bits of different suits together and made up my own :P (also wanted the whip to imitated a tail like chat noirs belt tail hehehe)
They're the best duo potential in the entire crossover don't at me fr. Exact reason why I love Adribat besides the thought of Adrien Allen and a friend getting me hooked on Bio-Dad Dick Grayson to him.
I'd love to do a fan writing for this if you have any specific ideas. (sorry, that sounds scammy but I just love supporting the fellow Adribat/Mirabat lovers <3)
Yes, I will be back in June! I apologize for disappearing again. I got stuck in a hyper fixation on the Thunderbolts and it has only just started to allow me to think of DC again.
All the Bio-Parent month will be properly posted in June. My writing spark has returned so I'm hoping to run with it.
AU where Waylon Jones/Killer Croc is Nino and Chris' father? Cause Nino and his brothers doesn't have official parents yet so I thought it was funny if Killer Croc is their dad.
Rating: General
Warning: None
Category: Gen
Media Type: Fic
Word Count: 1,000
Additional Tags: Ladybug Wielder Nino, Turtle Wielder Nino, Waylon Jones is Nino's Father, Mirabat Bio-Parent, Adrien's selective hearing, Arkham Jailbreak, more tags to be added
Summary:
Nino and Adrien move to Gotham. Adrien finds a portrait of Nino's family that he has never seen before that reveals why they chose this city of all the ones in America. Alix, Marc, and Nathaniel tag along for the adventure.
Note: This took longer than expected. I'm so sorry because I love this idea so much and would love to try again. I'm thinking maybe a combined fic of a few characters realizing their parents are all rogues, so they have to come to terms with that.
Bio-Parent Month Prompt: Day 5 ~ Portraits
Bio-Parent Month Bingo Board: Free Space
Ao3 Link: To Be Added (It will get posted in June)
Adrien picks up a dusty photo from the bottom of Nino’s packing box. He coughs after blowing it clean.
“Are you good over there, Adrien?” Nino calls from the kitchen.
“Just clearing the air and this picture. I don’t think I have ever seen this one before.” Adrien squints at it.
Nino stops his unpacking to join Adrien in the living room. A smile comes across his face, instantly recognizing it.
“That’s an old picture of my Dad and I. You know he lives in Gotham, right?”
“What…” Adrien’s jaw drops.
“Dude, why do you think we are in this city otherwise?” Nino shakes his head.
“Because rent is cheap and no one would think the son of a deceased billionaire would come live here in a regular apartment?”
Nino places his hand on his hip. Adrien lifts one hand in defense.
“You aren’t wrong but we also could have gone anywhere else and rented an apartment.”
“I actually bought the entire apartment building…”
“Adrien, what part of that does not give off red flags?”
“So that father of yours, where can we find him? Let’s go visit him.”
Adrien skips his way to the other room, leaving Nino to properly sigh at his best friend. He was used to Adrien getting out of things this way. It is part of what makes Adrien himself.
Nino gives an eye down the hallway, making sure Adrien is not heading back. He picks up the portrait.
This was the last picture Nino had before everything in Paris went down. His father is all he has left. It truly was why Nino swayed Adrien into picking Gotham.
Nino hears Adrien coming down the hallway. He wipes the tears away. He is fine.
“Okay, so Nooroo insisted that I bring them alongside Duusu but Pollen and Trixx want to come too.” Adrien avoids eye contact.
“I claim them.” Alix announces herself.
Nino was wondering when they would show. Alix, Marc and Nathaniel decided to join Adrien and Nino in moving to Gotham.
“Pollen and Trixx have gotten so much time away from the box. Why not bring Roarr, Diazzi and Xuppu?” Nath poses the question.
Adrien leaves the room again before Nino can give his thoughts. He turns to the trio.
“He has no idea where your father is, does he?” Marc frowns.
“Not at all. I am not sure we will need all the kwami but having a little fun in a new city cannot hurt. Screw with the local heroes while doing some dual wielding exercise.” Nino smirks.
Nino had been the only miraculous wielder to have two miraculous until they defeated the Butterfly. His father had given him a turtle shell bracelet as a way for Nino to have a piece of him while he was away.
It turned out to be the miraculous of protection. The mystery figure who passed out miraculous left the earrings of the Ladybug to Nino without knowing of him having one already. This would end up being the winning factor for the crew.
Alongside Nino, Alix received the Black Cat miraculous. The two would be able to stand on their own until Butterfly figured out how to get around the eyes of the duo. That’s how Marc and Nath came into the equation.
“Okay, I have got the goods. Who wants who?” Adrien holds the miraculous out like they are playing cards.
Alix gladly accepts Xuppu’s circlet and Nath claims the anklet. Marc reaches to Adrien’s collar, taking Nooroo’s brooch. Adrien gives a playful pout as he places the panjas bracelet on.
“I’m ready to go have a fun night of patrol. Where’s our first stop?” Adrien shines a big smile.
“Oh, you’ll see.” Alix teases.
Adrien gains a narrowed glance to Alix before the group heads off. They each pick the form most appealing to them for the new city as their base transformation.
Alix the Black Cat, Marc the Butterfly, Nath the Rooster, Adrien the Tiger, and Nino sticks with the Turtle.
The As exchange way too many cat themed puns on the way to Arkham. Nino almost considers having the two go off on their own while the others go to get his father out but Alix really wanted to meet him.
They finally make it to the establishment. Adrien is stuck with all eyes on him. He blinks.
“Your father is in Arkham?? He’s not just an officer, is he…”
“Adrien seriously doesn’t know your Pop is a rogue?” Kon says nonchalantly, closing the portal he opened to join them.
Moving away from America to find a way to be a hero of his own brought Kon to Paris. The sunglasses he happens to find on the table of his apartment turn out to be a miraculous.
“Hey, you don’t have to be more of an ass than you already are Kon.” Alix smacks him in the back of the head.
Nino ignores the crew. He focuses on the task at hand. Kon and Adrien stop their bickering.
Marc takes his position as the communicator while the others plan to make their way into the building.
One elaborate escape plan later…
“So these are the friends you made in Paris? The blonde is a bit scrappy.”
“Hey! I prefer bird brained.” Adrien pouts, crossing his arms just like Duusu always does.
“I never thought that I would see you with any other miraculous than the turtle. How did you get the Ladybug? I had no idea that miraculous was in use or any of these for that matter.” Nino’s dad asks.
“That’s a long story sir. Your son was at the front of it all. He is a natural with both miraculous. You have a miraculous too, right? Killer Croc must be one.” Alix asks the question lingering in the group.
Waylon smirks. A little croc reveals itself from his false gold cap.
“Nino, when were you going to tell me that both of our parents held miraculous?”
“I already did.”
~
End Notes: Adrien's a little slow but we still love him. Also, I have no idea why this is one request that I took directly as writing a piece for. I guess I've been gone long enough that my brain skipped the fic plotting stage...
Also, my inbox flooded with so many Bio-Parent requests. Someone remind me to go back and do the Marc as Dent's kid idea because I plan to do the Rose one.
Well Anon, your wish may be coming true here a couple days later than you asked.
These requests I did start when I updated y'all. They're just taking longer than expected. Two have over 700 words on them and they have plenty more to add to them.
I want to give as much as I can to these requests. Discord peeps have helped me develop an idea for one of them that is going to end up easily in the 2-5k zone.
I know that some of these are from a couple months ago, but I promise I am working on them. I have also seen the ones from the past couple days with amazing Bio-Parent ideas that I am excited to get to.
Y'all I just want to say I appreciate all the Anons I have gotten because these are amazing. I am working through them, trying to give them proper love, and I get the widest smiles. You guys seem to get me so well.
This is making me excited to get through them and potentially receive more fun ideas for Bio-Fam/Parent month of June. You guys have so many amazing ideas.
Feel free to check out the prompts through this link below if you want to give me particular kid to parent or sibling ideas to do to fill up the entirety of June. And just so you know, the bingo card is meant to be the parent so certainly slide me kiddo ideas for them if you have any.
Thank you guys and I hope you enjoy the requests once I get them out tomorrow <3
Maribat Bio-Parent Month 2025
P.S. I will also take mirabat ideas for hanahaki hours (found here) just specify when you request
How long until you came back? (Sorry for this question)
It's a totally alright question, no need to apologize! I am officially back now (tldr life gave me no time and Tumblr hasn't want to work in what little time I did have)
Feel free to send asks my way and I working on them starting today!
Okay, real talk now. I got swamped by schoolwork and home life, so I have not been able to do much writing whatsoever. Tumblr on my laptop had also been acting up the past couple months whenever I have tried to use it... so that's nice.
This is all to be a quick thing to say that I am coming back to take requests, headcanons, and such through the ask box and I appreciate everyone that has stuck with me despite the impromptu hiatus.
P.S. My goals are requests, Hanahaki Hours, then Maribat Bio-Parent Month. (Feel free to request anything, this is just in case you want to help me knock out 1-3 robins with one stone)
TDLR (also, not mad for this ask): I have been swamped with schoolwork and life.
I have looked over the asks I've gotten, and I will be answering them in the next couple of days! I promise they have been swirling in the brain. I just have not had the time to be able to sit down and write out the plot burrows.
If you guys want to send some quick hitters (stuff like favorite character, ship, underrated, etc), I should be able to do those and get footing back to answer the other asks!
(I prefer to answer out the headcanons fully for you all, so you get the most from your ask and get a better look at how my brain processes them.)
Okay, okay please put the pitchforks down and hear me out here before you decide to give me the Robin treatment. At least give me the honor of going out by crowbar if you are going to get after me.
I am putting this out to get some thoughts and information from those in and out of the fandom in a civil manner.
I have seen this crossover fandom be the center of the salt and bashing scene so long that I was wondering if that is still how people see it. Whilst it is still rather dehydrating, it has started a good push away from all of that.
Is this the main factor keeping newcomers or old onlookers from giving in a chance in this new age?
Trust me, I have been eyeing the numbers in an effort of figuring out just how much salt is tipping the scale. I just wonder what the driving factors are keeping people from getting into the fandom.
There are a couple other potential questions/reasons I have.
Thinking/Assuming the fandom is only Marinette focused (which is fair because of "Maribat" taking over the name)
Characters being horribly OOC
Daminette specifically being the front ship being 99% salt/bashing 1% a proper ship
Honestly valid. However, it has developed into more than that on the side of Adribat and Mirabat. Both of these subsections focus on Adrien x DC and All Other Miraculous x DC, respectively.
All of this is to throw out a poll and space to discuss this.
Does the amount of Salt/Bashing in Maribat (as a whole) keep you from engaging in the fandom?
Yes, it is too much, and it would work so well without it
Yes, I don't like Salt/Bashing, and it turns me off
Sort of, I try to sort through the Salt/Bashing
No, hand me the saltshaker
I am in the fandom, and I dislike the Salt/Bashing
I am in the fandom, and I don't mind the Salt/Bashing
I am not in the fandom, but I would be interested if there was less Salt/Bashing
The Fandom needs a Salt Cleanse (aka Other)
Voting ended onMar 2, 2025
I would love to hear from the Anti-Maribatters on this too (as long as it is respectful). Replies, reblogs and ask box are all open to discuss this.
I honestly believe that we as a fandom could benefit from conversation of what can be improved upon as well as what is being done right that is being enjoyed the most.
Also, use this as a way/space to explore what else can be tried in this fandom.
I'll be honest, when I found out that people shipped Damian Wayne (DC comics) with Marinette Dupain Cheng (Miraculous Ladybug) I was like: Why the hell would people put these two together?
Like canonically speaking, Damian Wayne is the LAST person Marinette would ever date. Baby girl don't like dudes who are rude and condescending, and that's basically Damian.
As for Damian? He'd probably be mostly annoyed by her.
So, in theory, this ship doesn't make sense since both of these two's personalities clash.
However
I was willing to give it a chance and let the fanfiction writers cook with this ship. I've read some ships that canonically don't make sense, but the fanfic writers made it work, and it made me like the ship.
So surely I was going to find some good Daminette fanfics thar actually made this ship work right?
.... kind of. There are some good Daminette fanfics that I've read, but there was one teeny tiny issue I had with them.
It's basically the same plot.
No, seriously. Reading A Daminette fanfiction on Wattpad and AO3 felt I was reading the same plot over and over again.
Here's your standard Daminette fanfiction:
Lila has successfully turned the entire school against Marinette by framing Marinette as the bad guy, and now she's getting bullied.
Alya is Lila's new best friend who absolutely hates Marinette's guts.
The whole class either goes to Gotham City for a school field trip where they meet the Wayne family, or Damian gets transferred to Paris.
Lila lies about having met the Waynes and either enviously dated Damian or that Damian has a crush on her.
Marinette is somehow connected to the Wayne family or is related to a DC character (I actually read a fanfic where Marinette is Lady Shiva's niece. Sabine is Lady Shiva's sister and was previously part of the league of assassins.)
Damian becomes the knight in shining armour and the person to expose Lila's lies and humiliates her.
Obviously there's some miraculous/akuma and DC Young Justice and Teen Titans stuff going on but that's generally the what I've seen from damn near EVERY Daminette fanfic I've encountered and read.
Well, except one. It's called Darkest Night, Bluest Stars and it's written by my best friend. It's on Wattpad and AO3. It's pretty good.
It's like people are just recycling the same trope over and over, but don't even bother to be creative or play around with it at least a little. And I ain't gonna lie, it gets kinda boring seeing and reading the same trope for this ship over and over again.
Like is the only thing Daminette is good for is to be an outlet for writers and readers to have this one character/plot device who can actually expose Lila and just happens to come from a rich and elite family and has the power and influence to do so?
Like I see some potential for this ship.
We can go for
Enemies to lovers where Ladybug and Robin are forced to work together because they share a common enemy.
Forced proximity/reluctant allies where Robin is forced on a mission to Paris and has to work with Ladybug instead of riding solo.
You want some non hero AUs? I gotchu
Academic rivals to lovers
Blind Date
Fake Dating
Arranged Marriage/Business Partners
Opposites Attract
Like give us something with this ship that does not involve the Bullied Marinette and Saviour Damian trope, please, and thank you.
Yeah… this is unfortunately why I don't write or read much Daminette. It's not a bad ship itself but because the ship started an entire fandom and said establishing fic was based in salt/bashing, it kind of tainted the ship.
I absolutely agree that there is potential in the ship. Unfortunately, it is going to take a lot of work to change the ship up from those 6 points OP included due to how long the ship has remained like that as well as fandom goer's attachment to that dynamic of the ship and not wanting to switch it up. I hope that the fandom can prove me wrong.
Give us more than bullied Mari and Savior Damian absolutely. I'll get on my knees and beg for it, if need be, to get some variety.
Also, is it possible to not have Adrijon be thrown in as a way to "add flavor" to the piece if it's only slightly mentioned? A solid portion of "Adrijon pieces" seem to be where it was thrown in to give Adrien a partner then never explained/focused on in Daminette fics. They deserve better too.
I was originally gonna draw them as Asuna and Kirito from Sword Art Online but I gave up, now they’re part of an unnamed aū I’m creating, fic is in the works 😼
I did @maribatserver 's advent event alongside a friend so I am going to share both of ours here since she does not have Tumblr but deserves props for doing every day alongside me!
The ship will be included in parathesis and the one spicy piece I did will have a warning in brackets. They are also color coded of Pink for my friend and Red for me to help see them better
Day 1: Meet Hurt
Shootin' Stabbin' Flyin' Love by Nory_Gail (Dickinette)
The Archer's Reversal by ScarletImpulse (Roy/Felix) {Teen Wolf Au}
Day 2: Meet Shoot
The Story of How Roy Died (Jason Did It) by Nory_Gail (Roynette)
Sharp(ie) Shooting by ScarletImpulse (Adrien/Roy)
Day 3: Meet Fake
No Use Crying Over Spilled Coffee by Nory_Gail (Timari)
Monkeying Around With Switches by ScarletImpulse (Felix/Dick & Kim/Garfield)
Day 4: Meet Insult
Pick Up Lines by Nory_Gail (Dickinette)
Disco(wing) Doesn't Suit You by ScarletImpulse (Chloe/Dick)
Day 5: Meet Not Cute
Meet-Uncute by Nory_Gail (Timari)
Fate is an Enigma by ScarletImpulse (Adrien/Edward)
Day 6: Meet Fail
New School No Love by Nory_Gail (Daminette)
Bugging the Flash Without Trying by ScarletImpulse (Alya/Wally)
Day 7: Meet Sleep
Library Naps by Nory_Gail (Jasonette)
Knocked Out Cold by ScarletImpulse (Chloe/Tim)
Day 8: First Glance
Across the Room by Nory_Gail (Chloe/Dick)
Drawing in a Raven by ScarletImpulse (Marave)
Day 9: First Friend
A Secret For Myself by Nory_Gail (Wallinette)
Running Down A Dream by ScarletImpulse (Sublime/Wally)
Day 10: First Date
Reportedly A Good Time by Nory_Gail (Mari/Clark)
Don't Give Up Soap For Friendship by ScarletImpulse (Sublime/Wally)
Day 11: First Kiss
Kisses by Nory_Gail (Daminette)
Don't Give Up Soap For Friendship by ScarletImpulse (Wallime)
Day 12: First Fight
I'd Kill For You by Nory_Gail (Timari)
Don't Get Too Close, He Bites by ScarletImpulse (Felix/Dick)
Day 13: First Time
First Time by Nory_Gail (Dukette)
First Time in Paris by ScarletImpulse (Kim/Garfield)
Day 14: First Love
Tombstone Tears by Nory_Gail (Jasonette)
Nothing Can Replace First Love (Never Again, Lingering Love) by ScarletImpulse (Alley Cat aka Jaydrien) {18+}
Note: a couple of mine have different pseuds as they cross posted, however, I only used my main username here to make it less confusing
I just want to say it's cool that a couple days had a shared character for the ships. That was completely unintentionally.
PeaBat (Emilie x Bruce) is the first that comes to mind. When I got into Miraculous x DC, one of the first fics I read had Emilie and Bruce as a couple.
Other ships I think would be fun to explore:
Heartless Moon (Nathalie x Selina, the name coming from the meaning of Sancouer, heartless/without a heart, and Selina, moon).
Archer Bee (Artemis x Chloe)
Wonder Wasp (Cassie x Zoe)
Cobra (Jason x Luka; listen listen!! Snake with a hood. That's a cobra.)
Rating: Teen
Warning: None
Category: F/M
Media Type: Fic
Word Count: 2,654
Additional Tags: Sublimation, But make it Wallime, Dick Finds Out, Fluff, hint of hurt/comfort, Wally Jinxes Sublime Without Knowing, First Kiss, First Date, Gaining Friends
Summary:
Sublime and Wally manage to plan their first date, but they have to get there first. Sublime's trial gets moved up, so Dick goes to support her for Wally, and he learns a lot about the Paris hero/villain scene
Or
A continuation of Running Down a Dream where we see how the episode "Sublimation" would play out with Dick and Wally in town
Series: Part 1 ~ Part 2 of Key Wallime Pie (Ao3 Link Provided)
Note:
The Anon came back and asked for a look into my Wallime's dynamic for the episode "Sublimation"
Day 11 - First Kiss
Ao3 Link: Don't Give Up Soap For Friendship
Ping Requested: @anjuschiffer
Chapter 1/2: A Kiss and Run
Wally’s mornings were now filled with the best thing in the world.
Sublime
He missed her so much. Dick and Wally coming to Paris was the best thing to ever happen to the young speedster. That was the coolest part too!
This time was different. Now they were officially dating. He is Kid Flash and has a girlfriend. Life could not get any better.
Wally needed to stay focused though. The two young heroes came to Paris to investigate a problem. A miraculous problem.
Hal did his best to explain to the two what miraculous are. If they spotted a wielder, they would know immediately. Animal themed outfits are not hard to avoid.
This did make things harder on the duo. Wally could not use his powers, or it would risk not only himself but the ones he loved. He was not about to get his best friend, girlfriend or uncle hurt.
However, neither of the duo had seen any heroes. For something that was staged as such a serious thing, why have they not seen any?
Wally was lost in his thoughts, going through all the what ifs. Running silently with Adrien and Sublime was a nice mix of his past with the future.
No offense to Dick, Wally had been having trouble making friends beyond the charismatic teen. It was good to finally be making a new one.
The three of them make their way down the streets of Paris. As they pass by a bakery, Adrien breaks their silence and breath focusing to share a little information.
“My girlfriend Marinette lives there. You should both check it out sometime.” Adrien smiles as he glances to the rooftop.
Sublime and Wally send an agreeing nod to Adrien. It would be nice to check out the places in Paris recommended by a local. The couple have not had their first date, after all.
Once they eventually make it back to the school, they split off into the changing rooms to prepare for the day ahead. Wally must remind himself to take his time, as to not expose his powers.
“Hey Wally,” Adrien grabs the red head’s attention as they finish up. “When did you first meet Sublime?”
“Back in Central City.” A smile climbs on his face. “I joined track because I wanted a chance to get Flash’s attention. Luckily, I got something even sweeter out of it.”
“Oh cool. You’re from Central City?!” realization smacks Adrien. “Have you met the Flash?”
Adrien and Wally make their way out of the locker room as the blonde throws the question out. Sublime must have heard too because she waits patiently for an answer from her boyfriend.
“Yeah, I’ve met him a few times now. It was rather bittersweet because the next morning I managed to get myself out for a run after Sublime moved away was when I had my first encounter with him.”
Adrien and Sublime share the same level of curiosity. In the time Sublime has been in Central City, she never got to meet the Flash. She had only heard stories but regardless, she looked up to him.
Wally realizes that the conversation would be the perfect time to ask about the Paris heroes. However, luck was not with him because Sublime’s phone rings.
Once she’s off the phone, she points out a black-haired girl hiding behind a plant.
“Adrien don’t look now but there is some girl with ponytails behind the bush there. She wouldn’t happen to be your girlfriend, would it?”
Adrien rolls his eyes. He clearly knew who it was which signaled to the couple that it was okay.
“It’s probably Marinette. She is anxious to meet you guys. I will have to introduce you all sometime along with Dick.” Adrien nods to the duo before heading off.
Sublime and Wally take a moment to discuss their after-school plans. It seems that Sublime has some form of track exam that her mother forced her to do, and it started early.
Wally had to fight back the urge to chew the woman out. Sublime’s mother Caroline got on his nerves. She was not going about Sublime’s love of running correctly.
This was why Wally had yet to take Sublime on any dates between the two of them. He knew that he would not be able to hold back, and Caroline surely had not forgiven him for ‘slowing down’ Sublime all those years ago.
“Say Sublime, would it be alright if I send Dick to watch your trial? I promise he will behave.” Wally gives Sublime a kiss on the cheek.
“Of course! I have one condition though.” She smirks.
“Name it, Sunshine.”
“Let’s go visit the bakery that Marinette’s parents own afterwards.”
Wally immediately agrees. Getting sweets with his sweetheart could not possibly be a bad thing. He would find a way to pass the time with his uncle while the trial happens.
Dick and Wally meet up right after Sublime leaves. He explains the situation and Dick agrees. He had final period off anyway so he could go in Wally’s wake. The two hug and Dick runs off to get to the trial location.
Wally was on edge a bit. It was not often that he could not be alongside the ones he cares for the most and it was going to eat him up inside that he cannot for his girlfriend.
He trusted Dick though. If there was anyone that could keep a loved one safe, it was him. Wally trusted Dick with his life. If anything happens, he will be there.
Wally immediately rushes back to the apartment after school. Hal asks him about his day and the two chat about Sublime’s trial. Hal helps Wally not stress over it. He also realizes that he casually gave Sublime their first kiss. That was the perfect distraction for a running mind.
Chapter 2/2: I Soaped For Friendship... I May Have Slipped Up
Notes: Day 10 - First Date
Dick makes his way into the stadium. It was way bigger than he imagined. The track looked perfect for the trial ahead.
Once he notices the lack of Sublime, he does his best to track her down. She was probably in the locker room getting ready. He would have to wait outside.
His eye catches on a girl with black pigtails. She seemed rather familiar to Dick. She must have been someone from school that he had yet to meet.
What takes him by surprise is a little floating red ladybug. He would have said he was seeing things if he had not heard the girl call it ‘Tikki’ before storming into the locker room.
“That had to be the Ladybug kwami or I am going crazy. I need to stay whelmed for Sublime though.” Dick says to himself.
There was now a side mission to his initial request. He needed to make sure that Sublime gets through the trial fine and keep an eye on this other girl in the future.
It does not take long for Sublime to come out of the locker room. The look on her face worries Dick so he leaves the shadows of his slight vantage point.
“Sublime, is everything alright?” Dick catches her attention.
“Hey, Dick. I’m fine. Talk to me after the trial. I need to stay focused.” Sublime’s words cut out with rehearsed content.
Dick makes the decision to ignore her orders. He places himself in front of her, gently putting his hands on her shoulders. He would remove them if she fought it, but she allows it.
“Sublime, you are an amazing runner. No matter what any dumb judge says. Remember what running all is about. Think of what it means to you, not anybody else. You define who you are.” Dick slowly smiles.
“But my mother,” Sublime stops herself.
“What she says does not matter right now. If it did, Wally would here himself cussing her out for it.” He pauses for Sublime to laugh. “Go out there and give ‘em hell, Sonic!”
Sublime pulls Dick into a hug, thanking him. He was relieved to see her relax. She really needed it. Her eyes widen.
“I almost forgot my water bottle. It’s a good thing you came. You’ll be in the stands, right?”
“Yup! I need to use the bathroom quickly, so I’ll meet you there.”
Dick was not lying. He did need to run to the bathroom. However, there was part of him that wanted to stay back to get a look on that girl.
He made it out of the bathroom just in time to see a ladybug themed girl come out of the locker room. It had to be the girl from before.
Dick keeps enough of a distance behind her to keep out of her line of sight. By doing so, he makes note of a random person sitting in the stands with a notebook. He decides it best to go around to the opposite side to not be spotted.
He gets there right on time to see Sublime’s mother standing over her. Dick could not quite make out what she was saying but he knew that he would not have been able to hold Wally back if he were here.
Dick’s hands slap to his face. Sublime’s prosthetics shattered on her turn as the Ladybug jumped in front of her. He watches motionless as Caroline follows some sponsorship person.
Sublime is laying on the track and all she can think of is sponsorships. Dick takes a deep breath to not get wound up. He needed to stay focused. There had to be more to this.
As he goes to stand, Dick catches a super powered person come directly from where Caroline had been. He ducks down to watch it all unfold.
The person fights Ladybug. They end up flinging the hero out of the stadium. After they also jump away, Dick makes his move. He makes his way down to Sublime.
He ignores her father. Sublime notices Dick and her eyes fall. He cannot help but feel helpless in the fight. This was a situation he had no idea how to fix.
“I’m okay Dick. It’s all one big misunderstanding. I will be okay.” Sublime sighs.
“Sublime, I can see the pain in your eyes. Whatever your mother said, you are already the best version of yourself.”
“It’s not that. Marinette pretended to be ‘Soapinator’, so Ladybug showed up. She jumped onto the track to look for the akuma but there was none. My mother got akumatized after that.” Sublime’s head falls into her hands.
“It’s okay to let it out. I’ll go with you and Wally to make sure you get the best sweets after this.” Dick places his hand gently on hers.
Sublime’s head jerks up. She had been thinking of Wally to help keep herself calm but in the moment she forgot.
“Please don’t tell Wally what happened. I want to tell himself, so he won’t be as mad. There was nothing he would have been able to do anyway.” Sublime pleads.
Dick simply nods. He knew better than to keep something from his best friend, but he could also see in Sublime’s eyes that she was going to tell him.
Soon after, Ladybug and the Black Cat appear back in the stadium with Caroline. Dick stands as they talk to Sublime. Ladybug apologizes for the damages and ruining her race.
Ladybug throws something in the air and little ladybugs swarm Sublime. Her prosthetics were fixed. Dick has to hold back his shock.
The two heroes leave. They are left to redo the trial. Dick keeps a close eye on Sublime’s mother. There was a weird sense of change to her.
Sublime lines up to get ready for the race. She looks to the sidelines to see Dick cheering her own. A laugh cracks out at Dick mouthing, ‘act like you’re racing Wally’.
She makes quick work of the trial. It was the best time any of the workers had ever seen. Dick is the first one at the finish line to keep Sublime’s spirits high.
The sponsor from before comes over and tries to make them agree to a shoe deal. Her parents decline together. The look of relief on Sublime reassures Dick.
“Hey mom, dad. Would it be alright if I go with a couple friends to check out Marinette’s bakery once I get changed?”
“Of course, Sweetheart. We will meet you in the car.”
Dick and Sublime head to the locker room. He jokes about being her bodyguard as he places himself outside the door. She rolls her eyes with a laugh as she heads inside.
Dick’s pun sense tingles as time passes waiting for Sublime. It was none of his business but the feeling of a pun being said leads him to believe the girl was in there with Sublime.
Sublime comes out of the locker room with the same girl from before. She seems a bit awkward. It does not help that she gets all nerved up when she sees Dick.
“Were you using clever word play where I couldn’t hear it? I felt a disturbance in the wind.” Dick gives a playful stare to Sublime.
“Oh no,” Sublime places her hands up. “You’ve caught me officer. It would be sweet if you let me off with a warning so I can bring my friend to the bakery.”
“I guess I could do that. Who’s the lovely lady with you? I think I may have spotted her earlier.” Dick turns his head, faking a sneeze to hide his pun.
Sublime introduces the girl as Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The same one who faked being Soapinator and the one who came to ‘save’ Sublime from the ‘villain’.
Why did Dick have to be right?
Dick uses his training to suppress his true reaction. Instead, he would tuck that in his pocket for when he gets back to Hal. That was information that is not for right now.
Marinette goes ahead of the duo on her scooter while they use the time to talk on the ride over with Sublime’s parents. The two had yet to really enjoy company without Wally. It was good to establish their friendship too.
Dick pulls his phone out when he spots the bakery. He may have forgotten to tell Wally the trial was done. He pockets his phone after sending a quick text.
Sublime and Dick make it to the front door just as Wally and Hal meet up to them. Hal was a strange addition but with the talk of sweets, it would be hard to not have him tag along.
Hal’s excuse was ‘having an adult present so no funny business goes down’ which everyone there could tell was his way of saying ‘just don’t kill each other and let me eat whatever I want with no judgement.’
Marinette brings out a big selection of sweets to try. It is like Christmas but with the most delicious food you could think of. Wally would be bringing Sublime here again when possible.
The group enjoys the vibes of the full group. It was nice to meet new people in Paris. Wally is still a bit cautious with the butterfly problem, but it was seeming rather nice.
However, Wally was proven wrong yet again. After they dropped Sublime off, Dick opened about what happened at the trial. (Albeit the shattering of Sublime’s prosthetics).
“I think we need to find a way to help. This new butterfly is manipulation on a level the heroes are not prepared for. It reminds me of Joker…” Dick’s voice catches at the end.
“I know you said it wasn’t safe Uncle Hal. I agree with Dick though. We need to do anything we can.” Wally puts his arm on Dick’s shoulder.
“You’re both stubborn but strong. I had a long chat with myself, and I decided that the only way the two of you can stay safe is to give you magic of your own.”
~
End Notes:
I uh soap you enjoyed the puns. You can blame Dick for that. His pun senses are rather clean.
Also, I made the decision to keep it as single spacing because it is so long as a twoshot. If the two spacing (aka a space between each line) is preferred, I will come and edit it. Just let me know!
