Saturday Challenge: And They Were Roommates
Written by: The Maribat Pit @jasonette-july-event
Prompt: And They Were Roommates
Rated: T
Tim was surprised to learn that MDC Designs had set up shop in Gotham City of all places. He was in dire need of a new suit for the Wayne Gala after the last one was sliced to ribbons. The mysterious designer had worked with Jagged Stone when she was just a teenager. Now he was on his way to her home studio across town.
Tim got out of the car and knocked on the front door of the apartment. "Just a minute!“ A young woman’s voice called from the other side of the door. She rushed over and opened the door to greet him, on the other side of the door was a petite young woman with dark hair and blue eyes. "Hi, you must be Tim, right?” She asked cheerfully.
“Yeah, are you MDC?” Tim asked, maybe she was their assistant or something.
To his surprise she nodded, “yes, I am. Those are my initials.” she explained.
“I was hoping to commission you for a suit,” Tim held up the order confirmation.
“Yes, by all means, come in” she said as she opened the door a little wider to let him in. Tim looked around the studio as he let himself in, and he found it hard to believe he was still in Gotham.
There were pink fairy lights hanging on the walls, the furniture was either pastel pink, lilac, and maybe a soft jade green on occasion. There was a small kitchen in the corner of the studio and a few separate rooms off to the side. She gestured to the small podium in the middle of the studio. She had asked Tim to wear simple, basic clothes so that she could take his measurements accurately. Tim took off his shoes and made his way over.
“So, why Gotham?” Tim asked, trying to make some conversation with the young designer taking his measurements. "Not that I’m complaining just that,“ he assured her.
"It’s fine,” she said, “I came here because I thought,” Marinette tried to choose her next words carefully. "I thought maybe I could bring some light into Gotham City, it’s just so different from what I’m used to growing up.“ She explained, "sometimes it’s so different that it inspires me… creatively, I mean.”
“Braver men have tried to do just that.” Tim thought. "So uh, Miss…“ Tim stumbled on the young woman’s name.
"Just Marinette is fine,” she said, smiling up at him. He was honestly expecting her to be so… friendly, especially someone who had been living in Gotham for any length of time.
“Can you finish the suit by the end of the month?” Tim asked.
“Won’t be a problem, I’d say it’ll be done maybe two weeks from now,” Marinette told him.
He heard the door open behind him but couldn’t turn around and see who it was. Not unless he wanted to annoy the person taking a tape measure to him. They were probably a roommate or someone, this was clearly a studio that someone lived in. Maybe they had a roommate or there was another artist who was living here. That was until Tim heard the other person speak.
“Hey Pixie, need anything while I’m out?” a voice asked, one that was too familiar to Tim. He whipped his head around to find…
“What’s he doing here?!” The two of them asked in unison.
Marinette gave Jason a confused look, “Wait, he’s ‘Replacement’?”
“Dude, that’s what MDC knows me as?” Tim seemed more annoyed at Jason than at Marinette. "Also what are you doing here?“ He asked, while Jason looked through the fridge for something that wasn’t either sweet or an expensive wheel of cheese.
"I live here.” Jason deadpanned, grabbing a soda can from the fridge.
As Jason was looking through the fridge, Tim whispered to Marinette. “I’d move out if I were you, Jason’s dangerous.”
Just as Tim finishes whispering to Marinette, Jason yells “I can hear you asshole!”
Marinette frowned at Tim’s advice, “I know he’s the Red Hood. We’ve been living together for a while.”
Tim’s eyes widen, he looks back at Jason to see him walking back towards the living room. “You told her?” he cries incredulously.
Jason takes a large gulp of soda before answering, “I kinda came back injured.”
Marinette interrupted. “You still owe me a bolt of silk.”
Jason continued, ignoring Marinette’s interruption. “I kinda bled all over her stuff.” Then taking another swig of his soda.
Tim tentatively asks “So, uh, how did you two become roommates?”
“Rent in Gotham is stupid expensive, it takes two people’s income to pay for rent and utilities.” Marinette huffed.
“Yeah Timmy, not everyone can afford to live the high life at Wayne Manor” Jason said.
“Jason, if I lose customers because of you, this tape measure is going to have a very tight fit around your neck” Marinette hissed, before giving Tim an apologetic smile.
Tim groans and rubs his own forehead, “Okay fine, but what about you Jason? I doubt money was the issue.” he asked.
Jason shrugs, “Do you honestly think anyone would go looking for the Red Hood in a bright pink fashion studio?”
“Point taken” agreed Tim. Marinette resumes measuring him, moving on to measure his waist.
“Whoa Replacement, have you gained weight? No wonder you need a new suit.” joked Jason.
Marinette shot a glare at Jason, “All right that’s enough, don’t you need to be somewhere?”
Jason tosses his empty soda can into the bin all while chuckling at himself, “All right fine, need anything while I’m out?”
Marinette ponders for a second, “Chicken and wine, I’ll make Coq au vin tonight.”
Jason smirks, “Sure I’ll head to the grocery store to and ask for cock and wine” laughing like a maniac before leaving.
Tim releases a breath that he has been holding, “finally some peace and quiet.”
“Sorry, he’s usually out or reading quietly in the corner when other customers are here.” Marinette assured him.
“We’re brothers, trust me this is us being friendly.” He told her.
“Brothers?” Marinette asked, she would have thought that meant they had the same surnames.
“Adopted brothers. ” Tim clarified, Marinette nodded her head as she gathered up her sewing supplies.
“I see” Marinette replied, she looked over at Tim as he stepped down from the podium. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I’ll have your suit ready in time for the Wayne Gala.” she said as she stowed her supplies away.
BONUS
The next time Red Hood and Red Robin run into each other.
Jason: You need to lay off Alfred’s baking, or you might need a new Robin suit soon.
Tim: Why? Are you gonna bleed all over this one too?
Ladybug climbs in through the window late one night, Jason dramatically flicks on a lamp.
Red Hood: Well well well, it seems you have some explaining to do young lady.
