Sorry I'm a day late, but Happy Halloween! I had to turn my phone into a mobile hotspot to post this! I don’t have internet right now and I’m not sure when I’ll be getting it back up and running.
"What are you going to be for Halloween, Habibiti?" asked Damian, on October first. Surely his designer girlfriend already had her costume drawn out and ready to assemble into one of her masterpieces.
"Halloween?" Mari asked, confused. "Doesn't Paris celebrate Halloween?" he questioned. "I guess not." she answered, "What is it?"
"Well, Halloween is a holiday here in the US. Lots of people dress up in costumes and go door to door to get candy. It's suppose to be one of the spookiest times of the year."
"It sounds interesting." Marinette replies. "There's holiday movies, too." Damian stated. "Really?" Mari asked, excited, "What kind?" "Loads. There's kids movies to horror movies. I can probably try to find some." Damian answered, "We can watch one tomorrow while we video chat." "I'd love that!" she cried. "I'll start looking and you, Angel, need to start on homework." he smirked. Mari groaned in response.
As the days turned to weeks, Damian showed her movie after movie. From Monster House to Halloween. He got a scolding for showing her that one. Today he had a new mpvie he thought she would like very much.
"Habibiti, I have a new movie." he announced, as her face came onto the screen. "What kind of movie?" Marinette asked. "I already promised not to show you another scary movie! This is a kids movie and believe it or not, it's incredibly popular between Halloween and Christmas." Damian shouted. "What? That…That doesn't make sense!" Mari shouted back, causing him to smirk.
She knew that smirk all to well. That smirk was basically his way of silently telling someone 'I told you so'.
"I present…The Nightmare before Christmas."
Damian watched her expressions as she got absorbed into he movie. The music. The wonder. The moment of realization for Jack!
"That was amazing, Dami!" she cried out, as the credits rolled. "So you liked it?" he replied with a smug smile. "Yes! Sally was my favorite." Mari smiled, "Oh, poor Jack but I'm glad he was able to realize that he only needed to be himself to be happy."
"As much as I would love to continue this conversation, I have to get ready and head to some Gala with father, again." Damian groaned. Marinette giggled and asked, "I'll talk to you tomorrow?" "Yes, my Angel. Same time as always." he answered. "Good night, Dami." Mari said. "Good night, Mari." Damian stated before the screen went black.
Marinette sighed as she got her homework together, but the songs still played in her head.
'Maybe if I can find the songs, I can play them while I do my work.'
Marinette bobbed her head to the music as she finished her assignments and she couldn't bear the thought of turning off the music.
'Maybe I should design to this to!'
Page after page, her sketchbook filled up with Nightmare Before Christmas ideas, but her favorite was Sally's inspired outfit.
'Maybe I should make this costume! I can still celebrate Halloween with Damian that day!'
At lunch, she sat by the Oak tree and waited for Damian to call. No one would be bothering her. Everyone was inside listening to the Liar's tales during lunch. The cafeteria was her stage and she hated being a part of the audience.
Her phone rang and she switched it to a video call.
"Hello , Angel. How has your day been so far?" Damian asked. "So far so good." Mari answered, "I decided to make a Halloween costume so I can celebrate with you." "Really? As who?" he questioned. "Sally. I drew up a lot of sketches last night after I finished my homework." "Well, maybe you should get the full experience." Damian smirked. "What?" asked Marinette. "Would you like to come trick or treating with us?" he requested. Marinette nodded, furiously. "I would have to see if Maman and Papa are fine with it though. I should have an answer by our next call." she cried, as the school bell rang. "I'll see you later, Habibiti." he stated. "I'll see you later, Dami." she smiled as she ended the call.
Damian could see Marinette was bouncing with energy as the video call began.
"So?" he asked. "They said 'yes'! She shouted. "That's great, Angel." he replied. "I still have school so I can't miss much." Mari frowned.
Damian looked at his calendar and nodded.
"I can pick you up on Thursday, after school, and bring you back home on Monday. We would just have to travel at night on Sunday. We could sleep on the flight and you should be able to make it in time for school." Damian declared.
"That sounds perfect. A mini vacation, just until Christmas." Marinette smiled.
Damian already had plans for Christmas, but he wasn't going to tell her that.
"After our call, Maman said I could go get the fabric for my costume. I just have to do my homework first before I start on it." Mari bounced in her seat.
"Angel?" Damian called. "Yes, Dami?" she asked. "Did you happen to make a costume for Jack, as well?" he questioned. "You- You want to wear matching costumes!" Marinette blushed. "I just figured Sally couldn't be by herself. The movie does have a happy ending, after all." he mumbled. Marinette beamed.
"I do have a Jack Skellington costume drawn up!" she exclaimed. Damian grinned. "I'll forward you the money for my piece. Are my measurements still up to date?" he asked. Marinette looked at her notepad and frowned, "I haven't checked them since May." "I'll have Alfred double check when I was last measured here and send you an updated version." Damian replied. "Oh, I should make a list of what I need for yours!" she cried, pulling out her sketchbook and noting things down in her notepad.
A knock on Damian's door cut through the video.
"Hey, Demon Spawn, it's time for dinner." they heard a voice shout. 'Jason.'
Damian rolled his eyes and shouted, "I'll be down in a moment!"
"Looks like I have to go, Angel." he frowned. "It's okay, Dami. It just means I can get the stuff sooner and have more time for my homework." she frowned back. "Don't stay in the shop all day, Habibiti." he smirked, knowing how his girlfriend got around fabric. Marinette giggled, "I won't."
Marinette was going to have a talk with her boyfriend about his payment. She should have known better then to accept that he was going to pay for "his" costume. He had sent her well above the required amount. She shook her head as she walked home with her bags in hand.
Off to her right, she noticed a wig shop.
'Couldn't hurt to look.' she smiled.
As she exited, she didn't notice Lila Rossi smirk nor take several photos.
'Ah, I'm gonna be late! I thought we landed in time. Stupid time zones!' Marinette thought as she hurried quickly through the halls to her class.
As she entered, she was bombarded with shouts.
Marinette tried to take everything in but in the center of it all, she noticed Lila with shorter hair, sobbing, and her hair in a cloth on her desk.
"How could you, Marinette?" she made out.
"Why would you cut Lila's hair?" someone cried out.
Marinette opened her mouth to speak, but she heard a familiar voice call out, 'Angel'.
"Damian?" she questioned, What are you doing here?"
"You took the house keys, Habibiti." he stated, causing her to gasp. Marinette quickly set her bag down and found the keys at the bottom of her bag.
"Sorry, Dami. I didn't realize I had taken the with me. I was in such a rush. I thought I was going to be late." Mari apologized, earning her a kiss on her cheek. "All is forgiven." he smirked, "Is there anything else that could go to the house?"
He noticed her eyes roam. "Marinette." he spoke. She pouted and opened her bag fully, giving his a glance at the horde of sweets that lay inside.
Damian sighed and put his duffle bag down. After opening it, he pointed to it. It was Marinette's turn to sigh as she overturned her bag, allowing the goodies to flow out and into his bag.
Pouting, she sealed her bag. Damian smirked and placed a kiss on her lips. "Sweet, just like you." he whispered, only to be interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat.
"Who are you?" asked Alya, with her hand on her waist.
'How could this guy be kissing Marinette and she allow it? What happened to Operation: Adrienette?'
"Why do you care?" Damian answered, glaring back.
"You’re here with Marinette and we want answers as to why she chopped off Lila's hair, yesterday!" she shouted.
"No she didn't." answered Damian. "Yes, she-" Alya tried to continue. "Did I finish speaking? No? Then shut up!" Damian continued.
Alya was at a loss of words on how to continue.
"It couldn't have been my Angel because she was with my family in the States since Thursday. We just got back from the airport." he stated, pulling up their plane tickets on his phone and showing them to the enraged girl with two-toned hair.
"Well, wh-what about the wig!" she shouted, pushing the phone back at him.
"Wig?" Marinette questioned.
Alya smirks and brings up the photo that Lila had shown her. Lila had cried to her yesterday on the phone, that Marinette had come to her, poorly disguised in a wig, and had chopped of her hair.
"Oh, I bought that two weeks ago. Damian took me trick-or-treating for Halloween." Mari smiled, looking back at Damian.
"Halloween?" someone asked.
"It's an American tradition." Damian stated.
Simultaneously, they brought up pictures on their phones of people dressed up in costumes, including Marinette in costume, with and without the wig.
"I just got back. That's why I had all the candy." Mari whispered, seeing everyone glance between her and Lila.
"I'll see you at lunch, Habibiti." Damian said, before pulling her into another kiss, picking up hi bag and exiting the room.
Mari sighed as she headed up to her seat and feels everyone's eyes on her as she pulled out her missing assignments.
Ms. Bustier arrived and noticed Marinette.
"Oh, Marinette, your back from your vacation. Do u have your report ready?" she asked.
"Class, Marinette left on Thursday , with her parent's permission, to experience a holiday in the States: Halloween." she announced.
Lila was beginning to panic in her seat. She could have fooled the class by saying those photos were fake and that she had hired that guy to create her alibi. Or maybe that Halloween was celebrated in Italy as well and was another for of April Fool's Day, but she wasn't aware that the teacher was aware of her location during her absence.
"I asked Marinette to do a report on it." Ms. Bustier smiled.
Mari walked down the stairs and stood in front of the class. She slipped a USB into the laptop up front and began her report.
"Halloween, also known as All Hallows Eve, is a celebration in select countries. It happens on October 31st.
In western Christianity, it marks the beginning of the 3 day, all hollow tide, a time to remember the dead, including saints, martyrs, and the faithfully departed. Many believe that this tradition originated from an ancient Celtic harvest festival.
On Halloween, many people dress up in costumes and go trick or treating. Which is the act of going to someone's door, saying "trick or treat" and getting free candy.
As you can probably guess, this is a big holiday loved by many children."
Marinette pressed a button and photos were revealed to the class.
"People of all ages dress up." then photo shown was the one she had shown earlier to prove her innocence. There was Damian's family all dressed up. Some in ridiculous costumes, some were scary, and some were just for fun.
"There are carnivals and parties for families and friends. When I was in America, I was able to carve a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, which is basically cutting out a silly face on a pumpkin and lighting a candle inside so people know who's house is celebrating. But there are some people who turn it into an art form."
Her next photo was of her and Damian, side by side, with their pumpkins. After that was Jason's who had been very dedicated to his pumpkin.
"At the carnival, I went for a hay ride and bobbed for apples." she spoke, once again showing them a new picture. This one had her head in a giant bucket of water and the her holding an apple in her mouth.
" There were also haunted houses, which had really long lines. Some were up to 2 hours. Everyone seems to like getting scared on this day." she showed off the idea of a haunted house with timed wait.
"Many cultures celebrate this day differently. I dressed up as Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas, a Halloween movie in the States." Marinette smiled, showing once again her in and out of costume with the wig.
"Thank you, Marinette." Ms. Bustier smiled, not knowing what she had caused, "You may take your seat."
As Mari headed to her seat in the back, she felt the eyes shift between her and Lila. It wasn't her fault Lila had decided to pull something like this.
As the bell rang for lunch, Marinette stood up and walked down the stairs from her seat. No one dared to move, but all eyes were on her. As, she shut the door, Mari heard the class roar with questions pointed at Lila.
'How could she do this? I thought we were taking the high road!' thought Adrien, as he ran after her.
As Mari reached the front of the school, she felt someone grab her wrist.
"How could you do that?" shouted Adrien, "How could you humiliate, Lila?"
"Ow, Adrien, let go!" Marinette cried out.
"Why would you do that?" he questioned, tightening he grip. He was determined to get answers.
"You're hurting me!" she cried.
No sooner were those words spoken, Damian had broken Adrien's grip on Mari and shoved him away from her.
Adrien glared at him from the floor, as the boy from earlier pulled Marinette closer to him.
'Doesn't this guy know who I am? I'm one of Marinette's best friends!'
Seeing the confrontation, Natalie and the Gorilla, rushed to Adrien's side.
"What is going on?" Natalie asked.
"I just wanted to talk with Marinette about something important." Adrien explained.
"You lost your right to have any contact with my girlfriend when she told you that you were hurting her!" Damian shouted.
"Adrien will only take a moment of your time." Natalie reassured him, making a slight nod in the Gorilla's direction.
As the Agreste's bodyguard moved forward, Damian wasted no time in bringing him down and knocking him out. Anyone in the vicinity was surprised.
"I believe I told you that your request was denied." he said, glaring at them.
Natalie glanced towards the baker's daughter and saw she was seeking comfort with this boy and glaring at Adrien. She was sure this had been the girl that had feelings for Adrien.
"Very well. My apologies for interrupting your lunch, Miss Dupain-Cheng." Natalie said.
"Thank you, Natalie. When he wakes up, please tell him he may have something on the house from my parent's bakery. I will notify my parents." Mari spoke.
'I should get his name as well. Perhaps Gabriel could use him as an akuma. He already seems very skilled. Surely he'd give Ladybug and Chat Noir trouble.' Natalie pondered.
"My apologies as well, Mr…." she broke off.
"Damian Wayne." he announced, "I believe my father is meeting Gabriel as we speak."
Natalie's grip tightened on her tablet, knowing this was correct.
"Seems his brat has no manners. Unlike Gabriel, my father listens to us and if we have a bad feeling about a corporation, he doesn't do business with them." Damian stated while glaring at the two of them.
Adrien took a step back, realizing that one false move could cost his father greatly and get him sent back to being homeschooled.
"My father already adores my Angel, as if she were family." Damian spoke, bringing Marinette closer to him.
His body language told them all the needed to know. He was sending them a warning. Don't mess with Marinette.
Everyone's thoughts were broken as a car honked it's horn twice.
"Now, Habibiti, where would you like to go for lunch? After, we can discuss about you having a more permanent residence in the manor. We'll talk with Father about preparing transfer papers." Damian spoke, guiding her to the car.
"Good day Master Damian, Lady Marinette." announced the driver. "Hello Alfred." Mari smiled. "Anything to report, Young Master?" Alfred asked, glancing at the Agreste's household.
"Not at this moment, Alfred, but we'll see." he spoke before turning to face Adrien once more, "After all, Father never signs on the dotted line without talking with all of us."
Adrien could feel his hair standing on end at the threat sent his way.
Damian turned to Mari and said, "Maybe a home cooked meal is in order." kissing her cheek. "If you take me home, I won't be able to come back to class." Marinette stated. "That's the point." he answered, causing her to giggle at him.
Marinette entered the car with Damian right behind her. Alfred shut the door and drove the couple away, leaving the Agreste's wondering what lay in wait once they got home.
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The Wayne's and Marinette gathered in the living room to discuss the incorporation of Gabriel into Wayne Enterprises.
"I don't think we should do it." stated Damian.
"Damian." shushed Marinette.
"His brat is rude and attacked Marinette today." he shouted, "His staff is no better! They tried to force Marinette to have time with his kid!"
Dick, Jason, and Tim jumped up ready for battle.
"I'll get the suits!" shouted Dick. "I'll get the guns!" cried out Jason. "I'll get Barb on backup and Gabriel will be bankrupt in a week!" exclaimed Tim.
Bruce saw Marinette was flustered and attempting to calm the boys while throwing glares at his youngest.
"Enough!" Bruce shouted, "Marinette, I would like to know your thoughts."
Marinette sighed and sat down. "Well, it's true Adrien was rather aggressive today. He is normally passive. I can't fault Gabriel's business for that. The only thing Adrien does there is model. I don't think he even wants to do that."
Bruce nodded and continued, "What are your thoughts on the Gabriel brand?"
"Gabriel is what got me into designing! His clothing line is gorgeous and would be a big hit in Gotham, especially with all the Galas. He specializes on evening wear and looks for the runway. Not to mention, he has ties with Audrey Bourgeois. She was the one to discover him and if she found out that you went to him first, she'd more then likely show up with an unscheduled appointment to negotiate a deal."
The Wayne's took the information into consideration.
Bruce once again stood at the large gates of the Agreste Manor.
Quickly, he was allowed entry and shown to Gabriel's office.
"Hello, Mr. Wayne." greeted Gabriel, "Hello, Mr. Agreste. I have gone over the contract and see nothing wrong with it." Bruce stated. "Good." said Mr. Agreste. "The only thing is that my son's and I have decided to add some requests." Bruce began. "Oh?" asked Gabriel, as he motioned for the other man to take a seat.
"These requests pertain to your son." continued Bruce.
"Explain." glared Gabriel.
"Yesterday, there was an incident that occurred at the school that pertains to your son and my youngest. It seems your son plays rough when he doesn't get his way." Bruce spoke, sliding some photos to Gabriel.
"These photos contain the arm of the girl, who I hope, will soon become my daughter-in-law. Your son gripped onto her so hard that it left these bruises, Mr. Agreste. My son had to intervene after she shouted that he was hurting her. Not only that, but your secretary and bodyguard tried to force her to talk with your son. I hope his bodyguard has fully recovered from my son's little brawl." Bruce glared back.
Gabriel picked up the photos to see an arm indeed bruises and the indentation of his son's ring on her arm.
"Do you know what he wished to speak with her about?" he asked. "Something about her bully at school." Bruce stated, "I don't know if your son has feelings for her bully or is merely on her side, but Marinette has stated that your son is usually passive."
"Marinette? As in Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" Gabriel questioned. "Ah, so you know of her. She will be thrilled to hear. Apparently, you are her idol in the fashion world!" smiled Bruce, "It is only by her wish that my four son's have not rained down their wrath upon your son and that we are doing business. Had she not been there while we discussed the contract, I'm sure I would not have signed."
"Please explain." motioned Gabriel.
'What had his son gotten into?'
"Marinette explained that while Adrien had physically assaulted her, it was no reason to not go through with the contract. It would not hurt Adrien in any way, only your corporation and she had nothing but high praise for Gabriel. She also saw how signing would grant revenue for the both of us since Gotham does tend to have lavish Gala's for charity." spoke Bruce.
"And the requests, you said they pertained to my son?" Gabriel growled out.
"Yes, My sons only wish that your son, Adrien Agreste, no longer has any type of contact with Marinette Dupain-Cheng, unless absolutely necessary. He is not permitted to talk with her with her or send a message through a mutual friend. He is also not allowed to lay a hand on her. Should he work with us in the future and she is present, he is not allowed to speak to her and most likely one of my son's will be accompanying her." Bruce stated.
"Sounds simple enough. What would you consider a necessity for them to have contact?" asked Gabriel. "A project of sort where they are paired up, whether it's group or otherwise. It's up to their teacher should either of them ask for a new partner, if to allow it or not. I would say this type of activity would be supervised. I don't think my sons will hold back the next time they find out she is injured." Bruce summarized.
"What do you mean exactly by 'hold back'?" questioned Gabriel with a glare.
"All of my sons carry a black belt in martial arts and it was my youngest who took down your bodyguard. Damian has a bit of an temper issue. I blame his mother seeing as she raised him in secret until he was ten. He was taught many skills in several martial arts, including how to weild a blade. Jason on the other hand, is an expert marksman." Bruce smiled, "The boys merely wish to keep their 'little sister' safe."
"I see no issue with these terms." Gabriel announced, signing the papers, "I apologize Mr. Wayne that my son acted this way. I will be speaking to him momentarily. I was not made unaware of yesterday's events. Please send my deepest apologies to Miss Dupain-Cheng."
Bruce nodded and left the manor, as Gabriel called Natalie and Adrien to the office.
"I would like to announce to the both of you that the contract with Wayne Enterprises has been signed with some added negotiations." Gabriel started.
He picked up the pictures that Bruce had handed him and gave them to his son.
"Adrien, can you tell me what this is?" he questioned. "Looks like a bruise." he stated, confused. "Yes, can you explain to me why those bruises are on Miss Dupain-Cheng's wrist and why your ring is imbedded into her skin?"
Adrien flinched and stared down at the photos in his hands.
'He had done this? He had hurt his Princess this badly?'
Adrien stared at her creamy white skin and how it seemed to pale in comparison to the ugly purple mark her had left her.
"Natalie, why was I not made aware of this altercation?" Gabriel asked.
"The fault lies with me. I thought it would be best to mention once the contract was over." Natalie bowed in response.
"Well, imagine my surprise when Bruce Wayne gave me these photos and announced that the only reason he signed is because of Miss Dupain-Cheng's love of my work. None of the Wayne's wanted to sign after yesterday's events but she managed to convince them!" Gabriel shouted.
"You, Adrien, are not to speak with her any further!" Gabriel continued.
"What?" his son gulped, "But Marinette is my friend!"
"It is part of the contract I signed with the Wayne's. You should count yourself lucky that I am not pulling you out of school! You are not to talk with her, touch her in anyway shape or form, or have a mediator to talk through to her. Mr. Wayne has made it very clear that he has high hopes that Marinette will become a future Wayne and that his son's are ready to hurt anyone who harms her. Think of yesterday as a mere…..demonstration as to his youngest's abilities." Gabriel stated, glaring at the two of them.
"Yes, Father." Adrien spoke, bowing his head in defeat.
I hope you enjoyed this trick and treat!
