Kintsugi

Chapter 8

August 29, 2017 - At the Hotel

Marinette POV

I woke up at 10:00. I was proud of myself for actually making it 'till 9:00 last night. I had barely been able to keep my eyes open, but I had stayed awake until 9:00. I smile and go downstairs to grab breakfast, my friends had left me a note saying that that was where they would be. 

I get in line, and load my plate with waffles and fruit. After I turned 17 I had gained a love for fruit. I blame it on my inner bug. I walk to the table that the miraculous crew was sitting at. Dodging limbs along the way.

Seriously, they haven't tripped me yet so why would they now? It's not like I'm a super dangerous assassin or anything that has super awesome reflexes... Could they seriously not tell that I was hamming up my clumsiness? One person cannot trip over air that many times. Come on.

I roll my eyes as I perfectly dodge an outstretched hand that was meant to knock over my beautiful waffles. I send the owner of said hand a glare and continue on my way. No way was I letting their pettiness get in the way of my food. Without more than a good morning, I start digging into my food, savoring the taste of black coffee and sweet waffles. Delicious.

"Well good morning Marinette." Adrien's cheery voice breaks through my sugary haze. I send him a glare.

"Right. Minimum two hours before you're human enough to talk." He rolls his eyes at me and goes back to chatting with Chloe about something. I just relish the fact that no one is talking to me and continue eating my glorious food.

I glance at my watch. It was 10:30, I had to be ready for dinner at 4:00 so that I could be picked up and taken to the Wayne Manor. It was crazy to me how one family could afford a Manor and I wouldn't have heard about them. Then again my celebrity "idols" usually consisted of fashion designers.

It's hard to believe that Gabriel Agreste had been part of that list relatively recently...

Gabriel Agreste. A crappy father, a sub-par designer, amazing villain. He had come out a few months ago - after he had put two and two together about his son's identity. He truly did care for his son, and in his own convoluted way, was trying to do something nice for him. He was in court-mandated therapy now, and was monitored 24/7. His son; Adrien; had control over all of the accounts. But Gabriel was still Adrien's father, and so the boy couldn't help but feel obligated to listen to the old man. For that I felt sorry for him, he didn't deserve all the things this life had thrown at him. Not to mention the damage that had come from wearing the miraculous without being a true user. The day after I had gotten my full powers as a True Holder, I paid him a visit - healing the chaotic damage that had been dealt at the will of a small silver ring. That had been the day I had made him retire. I now wear the ring on a chain around my neck - Plagg had to stay active or else I would need to retire Tikki, and while Plagg and Tikki are both out, they can look for the True Holder of the Miraculous of Destruction. I just hoped they found them soon - I couldn't take the smell of that awful cheese anymore.

"-ug. Buggy. Maribug!" I snapped out of my daydream to Adrien's and Chloe's hands in my face. I gave them an innocent smile.

"Yes?" Chloe smiled at me and shook her head.

"We want to go to the mall before you and I have to leave, hows that sound?" I look at her and smile again.

"That sounds great!" I hurry to finish my food before running off and changing to have a good time with my friends.

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Dick POV-

It didn't take me long to find Marinette after I hacked the hotel cameras. She was eating waffles and talking to her friends.

I stared that the small blue-eyed, dark-haired girl.

Bruce better not adopt her before we get her with Damien.

I quickly text my brothers to say that I had seen the girl, and that we need to keep Bruce away from her before she actually meets (remeets?) Damien. Can't have my little brother being in love with his sister... that would be very hard to explain to the press.

I only had a few hours before she was going to come over. It was 10:30 now, meaning that I only had 6 hours to make sure Damien didn't find out what we were planning. This was going to be fun.

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-3 hours later-

We had specified to Marinette that this was going to be an informal dinner. So no suits, thankfully. But that didn't stop me taking my sweet time getting ready. Barbra was going to be joining us for dinner, so I wanted to look my best. Sue me.

I gave myself a once-over in the mirror. I think I look good.

Just as I give myself a nod of approval, someone shouts downstairs. Babs was here! I smile giddily and make my way down to my wonderful girlfriend and best friend.

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Barbra POV - 

Of course when I heard what my idiot boys were planning I decided to be here. If not to save them from the death blows of a mad child with a katana, then to film as two people reunite. This could either end in a blood bath or go viral. There is no in between with this family. Why? I have not the slightest clue. 

I enter the Manor, through the special side door that was only about a year old. I glance sadly at the stairs leading up to the entrance.

I never thought I would miss going up stairs this much...

I shake my head as I shout for my boyfriend. A door opens upstairs, and I hear quick footsteps descending the staircase. A few seconds later I am met with my boyfriend's giddy smile and peppy steps. He gives me a hug and starts whispering in my ear.

"I missed you so much." I roll my eyes at that.

"I was gone for 3 days." 

"I knowww. Way too long." I laugh at his childish actions. It had taken a long time for the two of us to end up together, but now that we had made it official nothing could ruin our relationship. Dick was nothing if not fiercely loyal, and I cherished my relationship with him. If either of us tried to get away, it wasn't going to happen very easily. 

He wheels me to the kitchen, and I make popcorn. Currently, the only people allowed to cook are me and Jason. While Damien is allowed in the kitchen, and hasn't really had any cooking privileges revoked, all he really does is make himself tea. Tim is allowed to make his coffee, and is allowed to touch nothing else. Dick and Bruce however, arent allowed to even use the microwave. Dick had somehow set fire to cereal, and Bruce had put too many forks in the microwave to count. Poor Alfred didn't need another kitchen fire on top of all of the crap he regularly goes through. 

Once the popcorn is done, I sit and munch as Dick picks a movie. This had become a sort of ritual of ours, every time one of us went on a mission or needed to be away from the other, we made sure to have a movie night, or afternoon in this case. But it was one of the things that I really looked forward to, and I wouldn't change anything for the world.

I glance at the clock as the third movie ends. Its 3:30. Alfred will be bringing the girl here at 4:30. Only an hour 'till stuff goes down.

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Word count: 1342

edited 7/26/23