Adrien froze as soon as he heard shouting coming from the classroom. He took a deep breath and halted as the voices became clearer.
"God, Marinette, you're such a bitch!"
"You need to stop obsessing over Adrien!"
"He's allowed to date whoever he wants!"
"You need to leave him and Lila alone!"
"You're so fucking pathetic!"
"I can't believe you interrupted their date!"
"Stop stalking him and ruining everything!"
"He's allowed to be happy without you!"
'What?'
Adrien slammed open the door to see everyone glaring at Mari, and her just sitting in her seat. She didn't even seemed fazed by all the yelling that had been happening.
'How often are they yelling at her that she isn't even fazed by it? What happened to all of us being friends?'
"I would like to know how Marinette is stalking me and why no one thought to mention it to me?" Adrien demanded.
Alya turned to Marinette with a smile, like they had won something.
"It's okay." Nino said, putting his hand on his shoulder, "Lila told us everything."
"I can't believe you had to deal with that!" scoffed Alya, "Lila was so uncomfortable that her mom took her to Italy to visit family. She says she'll be back in two weeks."
"I asked about Marinette, not Lila." Adrien stated, confusing everyone.
"She's ruining your dates with Lila, on purpose!" cried out Rose.
"I'm not dating Lila!" the model shouted, "Not even if my father forced me too!"
The class looked at him as if he had just sprouted another head. They looked around at each other, but their focus went back to him.
"What?" he asked.
"But…Lila said-" whispered Mylene, unable to continue her sentence.
The silence of the room was interrupted as Marinette's giggles broke through.
"Why are you laughing?" Nino shouted.
"She…what?" Marinette questioned, smiling at them, "Or is Adrien doing it?"
"You're enjoying this!" Alya scowled.
"I told you, but you wouldn't listen." She sang.
"What is going on?" Adrien demanded.
"I'm sooooooo obsessed with you so I'm bullying Lila because we belong together and you will eventually love me." Marinette cooed.
Adrien spun around to the class, "Better question, what is wrong with you guys?"
"But she is!" cried Alya.
"No, I'm not." Marinette smiled, as her phone chimed, "Bye."
Alya stepped in front of her as she tried to leave, "No; we're gonna talk about this!"
"I talk. You never listen." Marinette stated, shoving her to the side, "Now, it's my turn to ignore you."
"So who is lying?" Ivan pressed.
Adrien growled out, "Lila is!" rushing after Marinette.
'Fuck! I need to apologize! Is this what she has been dealing with this whole time? I can't believe they think I would date her!'
Adrien froze on the steps, the class right behind him, as they watched Marinette kiss a guy on a motorcycle. Adrien felt himself tense up as he took in the guy's olive skin and black hair.
'How old is he? He has so many muscles! That shirt is a gift from God to show us what's under it.'
"I…..I don't think Adrien is her type." he heard someone speak.
"Neither do I." the model replied, moving towards them.
'Where can I find me one of those?'
As he reached them, the guy turned and glared him down.
'Uh, or maybe not.'
"Did you have a question?" Damian demanded.
Adrien quickly turned to face only Mari, "Where can I find a guy like him……but not so much of my father in the face?"
Marinette broke into a giggle fit, while her boyfriend looked at him confused.
"He doesn't like your glare, Habibi." Marinette explained, "His dad is strict with him."
"Physical?" He asked.
"No!" Adrien expressed, quickly.
Something told him that if the answer was yes, he'd be an orphan.
"Just…..has my life….structured." the model explained, attempting to ease the new guy.
Mari's boyfriend stared at him for a few moments and sighed, "I recommend Kon."
"Oooh!" Marinette smiled, "I agree. Adrien reminds me too much of Jon."
"Kon?" Adrien asked.
"Konner." Damian declared, "A relative of an…..acquaintance."
Mari smiled, "He's his best friend's older brother."
"And he looks like this?" the model asked, gesturing to Damian.
Marinette bit her lip to keep from laughing again, as she took out her phone and brought up a picture of them at a picnic. Adrien looked at the picture and saw how happy Marinette looked with her boyfriend.
"This one!" She said, zooming in on one of the guys in the background.
Adrien felt his cheeks flush as he stared at a guy with blue eyes laughing. He was wearing a leather jacket and a Superman shirt underneath.
"Sign me up!" Adrien said, trying to take the phone out of her hands.
"I'l let him know." Damian smirked, "Who knows, he might even visit soon."
Adrien froze, trying to figure out what he would say to him. He was too busy with his thoughts to see Mari get on the back of the bike.
"Bye, Adrien!" she shouted, as they drove off.
'Fuck! I could have asked her what he liked!'
"Dude, what was his name?"
"Yeah! How do they know each other?"
"How long have they been dating?"
"How old is he?"
"Give us the details!"
"Oh, I didn't ask." Adrien admitted, "I just asked Mari how I could get a guy like him and they recommended me someone they know."
"A guy?" Nathaniel asked.
"Yeah. He looked……..beef cakey? Hunk-able? " Adrien shrugged, "I think that was the word, right Nino?"
Everyone quickly turned to Nino. It was written all over their faces on how he could keep such a secret from them.
"A gym bro?" Nino questioned, cautiously.
"So, you like muscular guys?" Alix smirked, elbowing Kim, "If so, Himbo, but he didn't look dense. Ripped? Jacked?"
Adrien smiled, happily, "I don't know yet, but I liked what I saw when they showed me his picture and I'm willing to try!"
"What did he look like?" Alya asked.
"Uh…..if Marinette and Luka had a baby, but was a badass!" he announced.
"That's no help, whatsoever." sighed Nino.
He shrugged, "Makes sense to me."
"I'm confused." Rose admitted.
Adrien looked at her, confused as well.
"Why would Lila lie to us about dating you? Why would she tell us that Marinette came to sit with you, on your date, even after you told her to leave? She said that Marinette was following you to the movies and to your picnic spot and -" Rose was sniffling.
Adrien took a step towards her, "Lila lied to you all. I have no feelings for her, at all. If I spend time with her, outside of school, it's because it's for a photoshoot and my father asked her to be there. I have asked him to find a new model because I know that Lila likes me. I've rejected her over and over again."
"Lila didn't lie about Marinette stalking you!" Alya cried out.
Adrien looked at Alya as if she was speaking a different language, "Did you see the guy she just left with?"
Adrien lifted up his shirt to reveal a flat stomach.
"God painted that shirt on him!" the model shouted, "Hell, that God was ready to attack me for getting close to Mari! His abs summoned me to him! I would have left me for him, too!"
"Lila was very detailed about the dates, Dude." Nino winced.
"I dated Kagami, which Marinette helped me with. She even helped me plan some of those dates. Kagami said she even tried to help her work out why it didn't work so we could get back together." Adrien confided, "That doesn't sound like jealousy or obsession to me. Kagami calls Marinette her best friend and I happen to know that Mari goes to visit her and Felix, once a month."
"She said you reserved a resturant and took her-" Alix began.
"Anything I want to purchase has to go through Natalie. I have to explain how it's useful to me and why I want it." Adrien interrupted, "I'm lucky I'm not writing an essay. There's no way I could reserve a resturant and everything I eat is through a diet and portioned. It's why I go home for lunch."
The class looked at each other and he could see the doubt growing.
"What about the park?" asked Mylene.
"It sounds like a nice idea for a date, but I'm allergic to feathers and birds would likely try to get close to the food." the model confessed, "I did have a picnic in my backyard with Mari once. We played video games. It was after Kagami broke up with me and she was trying to make me feel better."
"Hah!" Alya shouted, "She was trying to get you to like her! It was a date!"
"Marinette kicked my ass at UMS3, constantly!" He shouted, "She told me to get better! She's reigning champ with Max! Kagami called her and she answered the phone. She destroyed me with one hand! If anything I got a crush on her, just from that!"
"You watched Solitude with Lila!" Alya snapped, "She said the director knows her, personally! You told her she was as great as the lead actress!"
Adrien turned to Alya and snarled, "Call that Bitch and tell her she is dead to me! She'll be fired by the end of the day from Gabriel, just for that comment."
Adrien pulled out his phone and called Natalie, "Send the car. Father and I need to have a talk. Immediately."
"Wait!" Alya panicked, "Why-"
"Learn how to use Google, Miss Reporter." He replied, "I know the directors, the lead actress, the costume designers; I know everything about that film. There are only two people I have watched that with. My father and Marinette, because she tried to help me escape to see that film in theaters. I only watch the first ten minutes with her before fans realized I was there and she had to help me escape again. Father had a copy at home. That bitch is nowhere as great as the lead actress and now she never will be."
The car pulled up and before it could even stop, he entered it and slammed the door. The class had never seen Adrien that angry.
Nino looked down at his phone and gasped.
"What?" Asked Nathaniel.
"Lila is fucked and she was definelty lying about the movie." Nino answered, "I guess we owe Adrien and Marinette more than one apology, especially her."
Alya grabbed his phone out of his hand and looked over the movie. The lead actress was Adrien's mother. His aunt was her stunt double. The Mayor helped direct the movie, along with Kagami's mother. Style Queen and Gabriel designed the clothes.
'That bitch is nowhere as great as the lead actress and now she never will be.'
"Alya?" questioned Nino, as he slipped his phone out of her grasp.
Alya opened her phone and selected Lila's name. She pressed call and put it on speaker.
"Alya!" Lila cooed, "Today isn't a great day and-"
"Today was interesting here as well." Alya interrupted.
"Alya, I need to-"Lila tried again.
"We all watched as Adrien eye-fucked Marinette's biker boyfriend. He asked them to set him up with a guy and he has a date planned with him already. He literally called her boyfriend a God and wanted to lick his abs. Also, Adrien said he would never date you, even if Gabriel forced him to. Oh, and before I forget, Adrien called you a Bitch. See you in two weeks, you liar!" Alya snarled into the phone and hung up.
Alya trembled as she fought against her sobs. She looked in the direction Marinette had ridden off into and wondered at what point she stopped believeing her. At what point had she started disregarding her best friend's words as nonsense. When had Lila's words become so much more important ad believable. When had Marinette stopped being her best friend and become Kagami's? How had she not noticed Marinette's taste for guys change so much?
"It's Friday so we have to wait until Monday to apologize to Marinette and Adrien." Max spoke up, "We can apologize about all assumptions we listened to and learn more about them."
"Assumptions?" Alya laughed, "We listened to Lila and never questioned anything she said! We became mindless zombies to her words! She said not to talk with Adrien and we never did! We could have asked and-we yelled at her so many times. She said it herself: 'I talked; you never listened.' ." as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Nathaniel sighed, "I don’t know if Marinette's friendship is something we can get back at this point. Alya's right. We listened to Lila and didn’t listen to Marinette's side of the story. When we did, we still believed Lila and called her a liar."
"She did seem happy to see us all confused." Alix admitted, "She reminded me of Chloe, at that moment. She was waiting for everything to fall apart and be blindsided. "
"No." Juleka whispered, "She wasn't like Chloe. She was worse and we made her that way. Marinette was our friend and we bullied her."
The class remained silent as the truth hit them hard. They had bullied Marinette and now she wasn't the same person they remembered. They knew nothing about her and wasn't sure if she would let them back in. They all looked at each other, understanding they all needed to let today's information sink in and walked away.
There’s a fic I remember reading but I can’t find it for the life of me. It involved Damian and Marinette meeting and then Marinette and Damian got split up, they reunited on a class trip, and Marinette breaks down in his arms, basically saying that she was pretending to be happy and joyful, wearing pigtails and her whole room was pink, but she hates pink and yanks her pigtails out. Thank you so much.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng quickly ascended to Queen of Gotham University. She was the French Beauty who no one could believe came to Gotham. She was kind to everyone, but also distant. She had come to Gotham at fifteen and quickly broke many hearts. She had become a topic everyone talked about and it annoyed her competition. It was whispered that she was like Damian Wayne; cold-hearted.
"Marinette!" a guy called out.
She turned and looked at him confused. She couldn't recall him from any of her classes and she needed to be at her next class in five minutes.
He took a deep breath and half-question, half-shouted, "What would it take for you to date someone? You have denied so many people!"
Marinette looked at the stranger shocked and actually thought about the question.
'What would it take for me to say yes to a date? I haven't thought about dating in years and everyone in Gotham seems so shallow. They care about appearance and money. They're just like Chloe and Lila. Oh!'
Mari smiled, catching the guy off guard, "Make me a dress to wear on the date. It can be simple. It doesn’t have to be expensive material or an expensive date. My only personal requirement is that the dress not be revealing. If it looks trashy, that tells me you are trash."
The guy smiled happily and ran away. Marinette turned and headed straight to her class. She had no idea the weight her words carried and to how many. Many onlookers turned to each other before rushing away; eager to win her heart.
Marinette groaned as the teacher informed her the lab was currently full for the third time that week. She peaked in and saw every sewing machine was occupied. There were even ten people in line waiting to use it. Mari sighed and turned around, deciding to work at home instead.
'It's not even finals week! What is going on?'
Marinette finally understood when people started bring her clothes and asking her opinion. Some were pretty, but too short. Others the sleeves were too long or mismatched.
"You're nothing but a liar!" A guy screamed at her, "We all made clothes for you to wear and you always pick something wrong with it! You're just wasting all of our time!"
Marinette glared at him, and hissed back, "I told one person about the dress requirement, not the entire school. I despise liars. I liked the dresses and gave valid information on how they could be better, but they couldn't even do the first part of design right."
The guy took a step back, never seeing her so upset.
'Fuck! I ruined my chance.'
"I have my design, right here!" A rejected boy called out, "My dress even looked like it!"
Marinette turned and eyed the design. She recalled it. It was a blue, off the shoulder dress, but it looked like it the bottom was uneven. There had also been no security band for the dress to remain above the chest.
"I told you what needed to be fixed." She stated, "You have not brought me a new version. You are throwing a tantrum because your so-called effort was wasted."
Suddenly, he was shoved to the side as Damian Wayne walked up with his own bag. Marinette looked at him and everyone went silent.
"You-" she began.
"I have a dress. I designed it, myself. I have the sketches in my art book. I have the receipts for the fabric. My mother taught me how to sew up wounds and asked Alfred how it would differ. He had me watch many video before attempting a single stitch." Damian announced, "This was my first attempt."
Damian pulled out a teddy bear that looked like it had been found in Crime Alley. He heard a few snickers behind him, but kept his eyes ahead.
"I have hope for you." She spoke, taking the bar and hugging it.
Craig scoffed, "Let me guess, cause he's a Wayne? I thought you were different!"
"No." She replied, opening his garment bag.
Mari showed off a plain green dress. It was sleeveless and so ridiculously plain, it looked like it was something off the rack from a store. Damian stood still, embarrassed feeling everyone judge him.
"Damian was the only one to ask me for my measurements. " Marinette announced, "You can design anything you want, but for someone to wear it, you have to know their sizes. Everyone has different body types and those deserve the same respect. None of you respected me enough to ask. I was a trophy to you."
The crowd remained silent.
"I'll try it on today and let you know how it fits." Mari spoke up, "Where would you like to go on your date?"
"Gotham Muesum and a cafe." He answered.
She smiled, "I'd like that." and left with the dress.
Damian felt his throat tighten as Marinette arrived to the museum in his green dress. Somehow it looked amazing on her. He could tell she didn't change a thing. There was still a few threads hanging loose from the bottom and on the side.
"You can change if you wish." Damian spoke, as she approached him.
"Does it look bad on me?" She questioned.
"No." He answered.
Mari smiled. "Maybe I will get inspiration while we're here."
"Am I taking you away from something?" He asked, "Do you have an event coming up?"
"Nope." She stated as she entered the muesum, "Just…. Maybe you can wear one of my designs on our next date."
Damian watched as she entered the muesum, leaving him outside. He smirked.
Lila huddled in the corner, with the rest of the class, avoiding The Riddler's gaze.
'I can't die here! Not like this! I'm supposed to marry a rich man! I supposed to be buried in a designer gown!'
"The answer is a snowflake!" a voice spoke.
The class turned to see Marinette stand up.
"What did you say?" The Riddler questioned.
"You asked 'I'm not a blanket, but I cover the ground; a crystal from heaven that doesn't make a sound. What am I?'" Mari stated, "My answer is a snowflake."
The Riddler laughed, "Correct, My Dear. Ready for another round?"
"What are you doing, Marinette?"
"Sit down!"
"He would have left us alone!"
"What can you break without touching it." The Riddler asked.
Mari sighed, "A promise.
"Very Good." He smiled, "Accent?"
"We're on a trip. We're not from Gotham." She answered, honestly.
"Shut up, Marinette!"
"What if he gives you harder riddles?"
"Next one!" He shouted, "I feel you move. I know your every thought. I'm with you from birth, and I'll see you when your rot."
"Max, any ideas?"
"No."
'Oh God; we're gonna die!"
"Why did we come to Gotham?"
"I wanna go home."
Marinette smiled.
"I suspect you have an answer, My Dear." The Riddler spoke.
"I do." Mari declared, "Your reflection."
The Riddler let out a cheer, "You are very clever, My Dear! I only have this much fun, with the Bats. I would say you are one of them, but you're not from here."
"It's my first time in Gotham." she replied.
"Then we must continue, immediatley!" He cried out, "I can be cracked. I can be made. I can be told. I can be played. What am I?"
The class looekd around to see if anyone could figure it out, but they all looked just as confused.
Marinette laughed, "You're a joke!"
"Marinette!"
"Is she trying to-"
"Correct!" He shouted.
'What?'
The Riddler turned at the sound of glass shattering. Marinette spotted the opening and rushed towards him. The Riddler was taken by surprise as she somersaulted his way and kicked his jaw as she performed a handstand. As he stumbled back, Marinette tackled him and pressed the button on his cane to disable the security system, allowing the police to rush in.
The class looked on in silence as Marinette took down one of Gotham's rouges. They had no idea she could move like that. Marinette stepped back as Batman and Red Robin approached her. She tossed the cane to Batman and walked away. The police rushed in and took The Riddler in handcuffs. Lila could hear a few of the classmates whispers.
"I didn't know she could do that. Did you?"
"No. Did you?"
"Thank you, Marinette."
"Yeah, thanks."
"You were really cool, Mari."
Damian walked over to the police and quickly explained that the group that was attacked was from Paris, France.
"It is unlikely that they will be able to understand your questions." Damian spoke up, "Wayne Enterprise will provide you with the full recording of what transpired in the lobby. We will also double check to see is the most prominent in English so you can speak to them."
"Thank will do, Mr. Wayne." Commissioner Gordon replied.
'Damian Wayne!'
Lila rushed over and latched onto his arm.
"Please!" she sobbed, "Marinette was in on this! Have her arrested! She's a bully and she probably planned this whole thing!"
Lila blinked, realizing she was now on the floor. She looked up to see Damian glaring at her.
"Filth, you do not have permission to touch me." He sneered.
'What did he call me?'
"Don't shove Lila!"
"Who do you think you are?"
"He acts just like Chloe!"
"What kind of man shoves a woman?"
Commissioner Gordon began to walk over, hoping to quell Damian's rage. He did not need another incident on his hands, right now. He stopped as Damian turned away from the class and walked towards a girl who was by herself.
'Why is he walking over to Marinette? Why didn't he listen to me about her? Everyone listens to me!'
Unable to handle being ignore by her 'biggest catch', Lila screamed, "How can you just ignore me like that?"
Damian Wayne turned and glared directly at her, "Mother informed me that a weak woman is a useless woman, who would crawl her way into another man's bed. Woman with strength, with power; those are who will remain loyal."
Lila simmered with rage, as the class shouted out her 'achievements'.
"She knows Jagged Stone!"
"She saved his cat!"
"She help Prince Ali and his environmental charity!"
"She helps build homes in the rainforest!"
"Shes a fashion model in Paris!"
Damian noticed Marinette roll her eyes; as the class continued to shout, to persuade him the girl, throwing a tantrum, was worth something.
"You do not believe her." Damian asked, out right, "Why?"
She sighed, "Everything Lila claims to achieve are lies. Her best friend has never even looked her up on Google! Is she even did a fraction of what she claims, everyone would know. Not to mention her 'wonder-like case ' illnesses would be a medical marvel and known throughout the world, just so other doctors could study and learn."
"She's been lying for years and I just learned how to tune her out and ignore her presence." Mari declared, "I don't associate with these people, anymore."
"Lila isn't a liar!" Shouted Alya.
Mari shrugged, "Are you willing to be your future dream on that, Alya?"
'Huh?'
Damian felt a chill run down his spine and a flutter in his stomach as Marinette turned and smirked, coldly, at her classmate.
"You do remember who you are talking to, right Alya?" She questioned, "The Damian Wayne? The same Damian who has the money and resources to confirm or deny anything Lila has ever said. His family owns the Daily Planet. He could even ask your idol, Lois Lane, to do the background check and do a massive interview about all of "Lila's Wonders". Imagine your blog apart of that."
Alya beamed happily.
"Of course." Mari continued, "If it's all lies, like I said,......your blog will be just laughed at by the very idol you worship and Damian will probably never hire you."
Alya's smile faded instantly. Lila could see the doubt creeping in. Marinette had turned the tide, in their war, instantly. Her biggest supporter was now backed into a corner and she was losing her kingdom. The class looked between the two former friends. They waited and waited for Alya to jump all in for Lila, but her hesitation made them worry.
"Alya?" Nino whispered, attempting to coax an answer out of her.
Damian took her hand in his and pulled it to his lips, for a soft kiss. Marinette felt her face heat up and pulled away, quickly. Batman and the police stopped what they were doing, seeing their city's Ice Prince show affection.
"Strength, power, brains....and a cold heart. My mother would love you." Damian stated, not realizing his father was still there.
"I stopped feeling anything years ago." Mari admitted.
"Even better." He replied, taking a step closer, "She believes emotions are useless."
Mari laughed, turning the tips of his ears red. Red Robin looked to Batman, eagerly. He could tell the Bat was happy, but also hesitant.
"It's starting to seem like your mother manipulated my life." She stated.
"It does sound like something she would do, but if she had, you would have been with me since childhood and we'd at age five." He declared, making her giggle.
"Oh, like Lila!" Rose cried out.
Mari snorted. Damian turned to look at the class. Batman looked to Red robin, who nodded. They needed to change immiediately before this blew up. They quickly rushed away.
"The same liar?" He asked.
"Yes! " answered Mylene, "Here in Gotham."
"I was born in Africa and lived in that country until I was ten." Damian stated, "It was only after that, was I brought to Gotham and met my father for the first time."
Lila remained silent.
"Lila?"
"But you told us-"
"Why would you tell us that if it wasn't true?"
Alya started to get nervous, "Surely, there must be pictures, right?"
"All of my brothers were adopted over the age of seven. There are no photographs of any of us as infants." Damian spoke, "Gotham does not even know who my mother is. Grandfather believed in traditional art painting."
"Oh, Kwami." Mari mumbled, low sodium the class wouldn't hear her.
The young Wayne immediately turned to her, "Habibiti?"
She looked at him confused.
He smirked, "You were saying?"
"Oh, uh, just that my grandfather, on my Dad's side, is traditional, too." She replied, embarrassed, "Nothing is what it was and must be-"
"Maintained to preserve the traditions." He finished.
Mari nodded.
"Perhaps, our families have more in common that I thought." He replied, "Join me for dinner."
She blushed at the sudden proposal of a date. The class looked between the two, now aware that they were being ignore and interrupting.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"I believe this is the right choice. I do not ask anyone out; Mother warned me to choose carefully." Damian replied, "I don't hope that you will forgive me, but I insist on selecting the restaurant. I solely eat vegetarian and not every restaurant has a wide selection for me."
"Of course!" She exclaimed, "I have no problem with you diet."
The young Wayne nodded, "I will lead you to my elder brother. He will be leading your tour."
Dick rubbed his eyes, thinking he had started day dreaming. He even pinched himself.
'Nope.'
In front of him, Damian was leading a girl by his hand.
'Oh my God!'
He immediately pulled out his phone and started taking pictures. He realized they were getting closer so he rushed up to them.
"Are you Damian's girlfriend?" He quickly shot out.
"If she will, after our dinner tonight." Damian answered.
Dick squealed, happily, "That's amazing! Does Bruce know? What about Alfred? Are you coming to the manor for dinner?"
The class looked on in shock. The difference between the two brothers was monumental. Their 'tour guide' was fangirling over his brother and Marinette. Damian on the other hand was very direct. His bluntness had put them all on edge.
"I'm not sure who they are." Mari answered, " And no, Damian insisted on choosing the restaurant. I think it would be too soon to go to your home, no offense. Damian felt we.....connected, but the date may very well end with us simply being friends."
"You're so cute! I approve, Little D!" The eldest exclaimed, "I'll take excellent care of her throughout the trip."
"As you should, with the whole class." Damian spoke.
"Oh yeah." He said, looking up at the class for the first time, "I'll keep a special eye out for her, though."
Damian turned to Marinette, "I will pick you up at 5pm, when the tour is over. I will have you back at the hotel by 7pm, at the latest." before he left.
"You know, it's not often my little brother makes a friend." Dick smiled, "He's......very selective and even calls his best friend an annoyance. I'm glad he found someone who could get through that thick skull and armor of his."
Marinette smiled
Dick immediately pulled her into another hug, "You're adorable! I dont know how you won him over."
"I don't know, either." She answered, still in the hug, "He just said his mother would like me."
Dick froze and slowly pulled away. He looked at this girl, who seemed so innocent, and confused.
"H-He did?" The eldest brother asked.
She nodded.
"That's not a good thing.....is it?" Asked Juleka, "You look like you saw a ghost behind her or something."
Dick didn't answer, "What else did he say?"
Mari thought back, "We bonded over emotions being useless and our grandfathers preferring traditional values."
"And what do you think?" He questioned.
"I don't think about that kind of stuff." Mari admitted, "I have called off relationships a long time ago; its why I said we may simply be friends. I'm focused on owning my own company."
"Like Wayne Enterprise?" He asked.
"An international company?" She replied, making a face, "Uh, probably not, but you never know. I have selective clients and they do travel."
"SO, what do you do?" He asked, "You mentioned clients."
"Fashion design." She replied.
Dick smiled, "What do you think of our bats?"
Her smile turned into an unyielding glare, that made him shiver, "I think if I ever saw Nightwing, I'd punch him in his face. Disco died and it should have stayed buried."
He chuckled, "I can see exactly what attracted my brother to you. His mother was.....is a strong and independent woman. I should pro6start the tour. Wouldn't want to make you late for your date?"
'He's definitely B's son. A glare that stopped me cold; if he saw it, I don't think he would ever stop pursuing her.'
"Habibiti." Damian spoke, "Would you explain to me what happened? It appeared he was distracted from his true intentions."
Mari sighed, "That was Adrien. He walked in on the class screaming at me."
"Why?" He growled.
"That lying bitch I told you about." she answered, "She decided to leave somewhere again and told them it was because I was stalking them on their 'date'. Adrien yelled at them for being idiots and that he wasn't dating her. I'm pretty sure he just gave them a whole new reason to doubt her."
"How do you feel about her demise?" Damian questioned.
Mari smiled, "She'll never see it coming."
Damian smirked.
'That’s my girl.'
Lila stared at her phone, in hand. She hesitated for one second before quickly dialing Alya's number. With bated breath she listened as it sent her directly to voicemail.
'Did she just block me? Since when does Miss Goody-Goody have a "biker boyfriend"? What happened to her wanting Adrien? Did something happen between them I don’t know about?' I can't even use Adrien as an excuse anymore! There's no way that Adrien Agreste would choose some guy over me! I'm exotic. I'm a model! I can literally make his life better and his dad likes me!'
Lila quickly brought up Marinette's social media, but found she had been blocked. Lila groaned as she quickly made a new account. The screen was blank; Marinette had the sense to private all of her accounts. Irritated, Lila tried calling Rose. No answer. Mylene? Nothing. Panic began to set in as she called her classmates, but no one was responding ding.
'They always take my calls!'
She felt a sense of relief as her phone pinged.
'Natalie! Perfect; I can-'
Lila dropped her phone in horror.
"I'm fired?" She whispered.
'What the fuck is going on and why now, when I'm stuck on this stupid farm?'
Konner sighed as he flew thru the open hotel window. Damian and Marinette were cuddled up on the couch watching a movie.
"Can someone explain to me why I am here?" He asked, "Jon called me screaming that I needed to pack a bag and come to Paris. To find you."
"I knew he was bored, without me, but not that bored." Damian chuckled.
DING
I'm not that bored!-Jon
"You are eavesdropping." Damian spoke, "You are bored."
DING
I was making sure you got there safe!-Jon
"Well, I suggest eavesdropping on the other side of the planet, soon." Damian hissed.
DING
Damian and Marinette turned to look at Kon. He huffed and pulled out his phone.
Is Mari in the hotel with him? Does she have a bag?-Jon
He rolled his eyes before typing back: YES
DING
I'll let him tell you-Jon
Kon groaned, "He said you would explain."
"Someone decided to drool over Dami." Mari began.
"And she's in what hospital?"
"He is very much not injured and wanted someone like Dami, but 'Not so angry-looking in the face'." she continued, making him chuckle.
"I am being….set up?" Kon realized.
"Yes." Damian answered.
"Uh, it might go well, it might not." Marinette quickly interjected, "It's the first time he's spoken that he's interested in guys, in general."
"What expression did Jason use?" Damian asked, "He pulls bottom energy?"
Kon looked at him confused.
"His last realtionship was with a girl who was stong, commanding, and spoke her mind. From what I can assume, he thouht Damian was the same and you might be too." Mari explained.
"He likes strong people." Kon seemed to understand.
Mari scoffed, "I thought he was going to lick my phone when I showed him your picture from the last BBQ."
"What was I wearing?" Kon asked, trying to remember.
"You're jacket and super shirt." Marinette looked up and smiled, "I thought his brain was going to explode."
"You at least seem to appease him physically." Damian interjected, "If you do not like him, you can go back home an d pretend it never happened."
Kon sighed, "Fine, but I'm leaving my stuff here. I'll be back in a few hours."
Adrien had asked if they could stop at Marinette's bakery really quick. They were an hour ahead of schedule. He only had a few questions to ask her. Natalie didn't need to know they were about Kon.
"Adrien, how lovely to see you." Sabine smiled, "Would you like a crossaint?"
"No, thank you." he chuckled, wishing he could say yes, "Can I speak to Marinette?"
"Oh, sorry Adrien." Sabine replied, "She's staying with Damian until he goes home."
"She….You…You let her stay with her boyfriend?" Adrien questioned, in shock.
'Father won't even let me have a friend over!'
"Of course." Tom spoke, coming out from the back, "We trust them both completely and we know how protective he is of her."
"Are you implying your daughter is…active?" Nat asked, uncomfortable.
Tom and Sabine started laughing, "If only! We would love a grandchild1"
Adrien turned red, realizing Natalie's question.
"Damian said he would wait until she graduates and secures her business." Tom explained.
Sabine nodded, "They have some more contracts to work through with her lawyer."
'Business? Lawyer?'
"Marinette has….her business up already?" Adrien questioned.
'I thought she wanted to work for Father.'
"Well, her clients have been talking with her about the things they didn't like from previous designers who didn't listen to them, things they would like, timelines, pricings; that sort of thing." Sabine continued, "Damian and his family are merely helping her work out how her contracts would look like in the future."
"I don't believe you have mentioned a 'Damian' in your class." Natalie spoke up.
"Oh, Damian lives in the Unites States." Tom stated, "They have a long distance relationship and after graduation, she'll be moving to his family's home."
"She's moving!" the model cried out.
Tom and Sabine looked at him confused, "She said she told the class."
Adrien shocked faced turned crestfallen, "I found out the class hasn't been nice to her, lately. She probably did, but they didn't believe her. I don't think I was there. I think the class is just now realizing that they bullied her."
"Never let Damian here you say those words!" a voice snapped behind them.
Adrien turned and saw the guy from Marinette's phone. He instantly felt his cheeks flush.
'He's here! He's hotter in person!'
"Konner, my boy!" Tom exclaimed, hugging him, "Marinette said you were coming to help with the bakery today!"
"As best as I can." Kon shrugged, embarrassed, "I'm more use to helping on a farm than making pies."
"If I can do it, so can you!" Tom laughed.
"What would this Damian do is he learned Miss Dupain-Cheng was bullied?" Natalie questioned, trying to piece together how bad this person would be.
Kon sighed, "Damian isn't subtle in what he cares about. He cares about his family, his pets, friends, and Marinette. He doesn't say it, but Marinette is at the top of his list and his family knows it! If he walked into a room and she was crying, he would attack his family to find out who hurt her and she could have just stubbed her toe."
"Last month, some girl tried to kiss him on Valentine's Day; he broke her jaw. Her parents were upset and demanded compensation. Damian argued he would sue her for sexual harassment and assult. He explained he had a girlfriend and their daughter attacked him. Bruce did confirm to the parents that Damian was dating and she wasn't at the school, but he knew who she was. The girl typed on her phone that she thought he was flirting with her. Damian didn't even know that they sat next to each other in two separate classes. Her parents demanded she apologize for her ….delusional fantasies. They said she always believed in fairy tales and about prince charming. Damian told them she obviously needed therapy if she had the same mentality as a five year old. She broke down crying and left. Her classes were changed after that." He continued, "If anything, Damian is in Paris because he's bored. His mom taught him everything and he only talks to my brother at school. He doesn't even need to go to school; Bruce has him go to be social with his own age group. Bruce probably doesn't care because he's calmer around Marinette and less violent. The Waynes love her for that, alone."
"Wayne?" Natalie asked, "As in-"
"Damian Wayne, the youngest and only son of Bruce Wayne." Kon smirked, holding out his hand, "I’m Konner Kent, cousin of Clark Kent from the Daily Planet. The Kent and Waynes are close friends."
Natalie gripped the tablet, feeling nauseous. They had already fired Lila after Adrien's tantrum, but this would have made them immediatley terminate her. Lila was creating rumors about Damian Wayne's girlfriend; Gabriel couldn't handle that level of bad press.
Kon turned towards Adrien and winked, "They also mentioned you wanted to see me."
Adrien just nodded.
"How about tomorrow; if your schedule allows it." Konner pressed.
"He has a free day tomorrow." Natalie declared, already deleting the schedule.
Adrien turned and smiled at him, brightly.
'I thought Jon was the only person who could look like a puppy.'
An alarm sounded off and Kon saw the light from Adrien's eyes drain in an instant.
"Adrien, you have a shoot in thirty minutes." she announced.
"Yes, Natalie." he responded, turning to leave, "Uh,…..tomorrow, here, at noon?"
Kon nodded, wondering what kind of person he just agreed to date.
"We need to date." Damian declared, as he set his books down on Marinette's kitchen table.
"Excuse me?" She questioned.
Damian sighed, "Father is starting to offer me up to daughters of his business associates. He said I would have a 'great night' at the next gala."
Mari stared at him, "What did you do this time? This has to be a punishment, right? I mean...how many hospital bills has he paid until he learned that you don't like to be touched?"
"If it is, I am unaware." The Wayne heir sighed.
Marinette shrugged, "I guess I can help. I'm not seeing anyone and your family has met me before."
"We will keep it simple." Damian spoke, "I asked you out at the cafe on Grandeur, while studying."
Mari nodded, "We can also say that we have only had a few dates because we have been busy with finals."
Damian immediately agreed. Marinette closed her text book and stretched.
"Go ahead and undress." She stated.
"I do not believe my family will require proof of a relationship. " Damian declared.
Marinette turned bright red, "Damian, no! I- As my boyfriend, you are wearing my clothes to the gala. I need your measurements."
Damian turned away, "Father has already paid for-"
She glared at him, "Think of it as the 'cherry on top' of our dating announcement. Not a bad idea, right?"
Damian nodded in agreement.
"Where's Damian?" demanded Bruce.
"He said he was on his way." spoke Tim.
"He didn't come with you?" his father questioned.
Jason scoffed, "He left before us and he was in his tux. Track him or something."
Bruce sighed and reached for his phone, when he froze: "Announcing arrival of Damian Wayne and Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"Marinette?" Dick spun around.
The Wayne family froze when they saw they were wearing matching outfits and Damian's arm around her waist.
"This is the first time you have brought a guest, Damian." A reporter spoke, "Is this your date or an acquaintance?"
"This is my girlfriend, Marinette." He replied, "I had the pleasure of asking her to be by my side."
"How long have you been dating?" The reporter pushed.
"It's been about two months." Mari answered, "We've been busy with studying for finals, so we haven't been out on too many dates. Damian insisted I accompany him to the gala as our first big date."
Damian took her hand, ignoring the reporters and led her to the dance floor.
"I don’t know, Damian." Mari whispered, "You know how clumsy I am."
"I am here to hold you up." He replied, "Do you doubt me?"
"No." she answered.
The Waynes looked at the couple from the sidelines.
"When have you ever seen him look this happy?" Tim asked.
"With his mother." Jason spoke, taking a swig out of the champagne flute.
"No one fuck this up!" Dick roared.
As the song ended, the Waynes approached the couple.
"So, you're dating now?" Bruce questioned.
"Yes." Damian stated.
"Since when?" asked Tim.
"Two months ago." Marinette replied, "He asked me out while we were studying."
"While you were studying?" Dick responded, "Little D, that's the worst possible way you could have done it!"
Mari giggled, "I actually prefer it that way."
"Why?" Jason demanded.
"Well, obviously if he had done something over the top, I never would have believed him." She scoffed, "Damian's blunt, but honest. It's what I love about him."
Damian quickly turned to look at her.
"Like!" Marinette shouted, "I meant like! I'm gonna get a soda."
Damian watched Marinette's retreating figure.
'Love? I thought this was fake. Is it not?'
"Damian." Bruce spoke up.
The youngest turned and glared at his father.
"You should go have yourself a great night with your date." he smiled.
Damian could feel his ears turning hot and rushed after Marinette.
'We might need to speak about this….arrangement and extend it.'
"What just happened?" Jason prodded.
"Your brother is growing up." Bruce spoke, "Let him.
Lila collapsed on her bed, thankful her grandparents were so traditional. She had managed to convince her family she was sick and didn't want to infect her grandparents. They convinced her mother she was almost old enough to 'leave the nest' and this would be a 'test' to see if she would survive the real world. Lila had made promises to call if her 'symptoms' worsened.
It was Sunday night and no one was answering their phones. She tried to look through social media, but no one had posted anything; not even Alya.
'This is just a bad dream; this is just a bad dream. Everything will be fine tomorrow at school.'
Lila put on the bravest face she could manage when she got to the school. She entered the class with a bright smiled.
"I'm back!" she announced, "My mother had important business so we had to-"
The class turned and looked at her, but then went back to what they were doing. Lila immediately felt out of place.
'No! I couldn't have lost them already!'
"Hey, Alya!" she cried, rushing to sit with her.
"Hey." Alya replied, not even looking at her.
"I think I had some spotty reception when I was in Italy." Lila began.
Alya sighed, loudly, "I already told you, Lila, we know you made up the lie about dating Adrien. Adrien called out the whole thing."
Lila opened her mouth, but she didn't get the chance to speak.
"We were telling Marinette to back off and how creepy her obsessive behavior is and Adrien walked in." Kim declared.
Rose stood up and glared from her seat, "We told him we were trying to protect your love and get her to leave you alone. He said he would never date you!"
"Marinette laughed at us as we tried to figure out which one of you two was lying; you or Adrien." Mylene stated, "Then, she told Adrien why we were yelling at her and how he would eventually love her. He started yelling at us!"
"Marinette even told Adrien how obsessed she was with him and how he would love her." Juleka spoke, "You could hear how sarcastic she was about it."
"Adrien informed us that Marinette helped him with his first girlfriend." Max declared, "That he asked her to help him plan dates."
Nathaniel stood up, "He even told us that she tried to help them work through their problems so they could get back together, but they didn't."
Lila looked around the classroom, like a cornered animal. She could quickly see that everyone was against her. She couldn't tell what stung worse. The fact that Adrien had turned everyone against her in one afternoon or the fact that he was still on Marinette's side.
"Marinette left the room while Adrien was calling you a liar." Ivan insisted, "Adrien chased after her and we followed. She was kissing a guy on a motorcycle. Adrien went over to them."
"When Marinette and her boyfriend left, we went up to Adrien and asked what he found out about the guy." Nino continued, "Adrien said the only thing he asked was if they could set him up with a guy that looked like her boyfriend. They said they knew someone."
Alya shoved her phone in Lila's face, so quickly, she had to take a step back. There was a picture of Adrien eating Sweetheart's ice cream with a guy with blue eyes and a leather jacket.
"I asked permission to take the picture, just to show you. Adrien agreed." Alya smiled, "Meet Adrien's new boyfriend; Gabriel Approved."
Lila was on the brink of actual tears. All that she had worked for over the years was gone because of one vacation. Marinette had moved on and she had no idea how long ago. She couldn't use Marinette's obsession with the model anymore as an excuse to bully her now. She wasn't a model anymore and Adrien was dating someoen she couldn't compete with.
"Where do you get off telling people that we're dating, Lila?" Adrien snarled, announcing his presence to the room.
Lila spun around, caught off guard by the furious look in his eyes. Adrien walked over, setting his things on his chair, in the process.
"I'm so glad your best friend told me about your delusional fantasy." he snapped, making Alya flinch, "I told her you would be fired and I'm sure you've already gotten the message."
Lila glanced over to Alya, but she was looking towards Adrien.
"I've already started removing things off my website." Alya spoke, as if that would fix everything.
"Do better, Miss Reporter." He shot back, "I've heard you tell Mari for years to fact check; you couldn't even do that. I already told them, but let me make myself clear, Liar. I don't date trash; especially not some bitch who lies about my mother."
Lila opened her mouth as if to speak, but couldn't even remember if she had said something bad about his mother. If anything, she would have praised her.
"You don't remember?" he scoffed, "You told everyone here how I sang your praises and how you would be a much better actress than her; the lead actress from Solitude."
Lila grabbed the desk, as she felt the floor fall out from under her. She had buried her own grave and she could see the hatred in his eyes.
'That's what this has been about? I only heard he liked that movie. I didn't know it was that important!'
Lila hadn't felt herself sit down. She was too fixated on his eyes. His eyes spoke volumes. Adrien Agreste would never trust her again. He wouldn't even listen to her. All she saw looking back at her was her father's disgusted face; there was no winning him back.
"Just so you know, that was a project done by my parents, my relatives, Chloe's parents, and my ex-girlfriend's family. I believe my ex-girlfriend said it best: 'We're diamonds and you're just a stone'. No one is greater than my mother." Adrien finished.
Marinette walked into the silent classroom and Adrien immediatley lit up. He grabbed onto her arm, pulling her towards the others, away from Lila.
"Oh my God!" He cried out, "Konner is perfect! He is amazing and understanding! I wasn't prepared to meet him! Did he say I was weird? I forgot to ask you about his likes and dislikes."
"Yeah, you were too busy drooling over my phone." Marinette spoke.
Adrien chuckled, rubbing the nape of his neck.
Marinette took a step towards him and glared at him, "You keep Kon and keep your eyes off of my fiancé. Got it, Agreste because if I have to fight you for him, I will and Gabriel will be down another model. Kagami has taught me fencing over the years and your dear cousin has been teachign me martial arts. Damian can outdo them both. I've learned from the best. I'm sure Kon mention the…..extent My Damian will go to."
Adrien quickly nods.
Marinette smiled, "Good boy." before she leaned in and whispered, "I'd hate to tell him how you’re the reason I was bullied all this time. I took your high road. Every time the class yelled at me, every time the ripped up my homework, every time they pushed me down to the ground and I sprained my wrist and couldn't do my commissions; all I thought about was you. Your stupid words. How everyone would realize Lila was full of shit. You lied to me; you spoke up. If you had stood by me in the first place, I wouldn't have had to suffer. Kon hates bullies; he would never look your way again. Enjoy your boyfriend. His father is worse than yours and in politics. I hope Gabriel is prepared for the fallout."
Mari took her seat and everyone felt the power shift. It was undeniable with Marinette at the top and Lila, now, at the bottom. Adrien wasn't a prize she wanted, but they could tell by the way he wobbled his way to his seat, she was now in control over him. She hadn't looked at them and now they doubt she ever would. Any thought of regaining her friendship was immediately shattered.
