Is Love A Strong Enough Word?

Seventh Year

Life is good.

Kagami and Liset are back from their exchange program, Damian and Marinette are still going steady and its the start of their last year at Hogwarts.

Marinette was eagerly looking forward to what she'd do after graduation. Where would she live? What fashion houses should she apply to? What clothes should she start designing?

Damian had a very different outtake on graduation. There wasn't much question in his mind as to what he would do. Go back to the muggle world, it's what's expected of him. He has people waiting for him back in Gotham. One day, he'll be expected to take his father's place at Wayne Enterprises.

But that future... Damian isn't so sure he wants it anymore.

Sure, he'll finish the year with a high school diploma but he feels like what's waiting for him back home isn't really him anymore.

Marinette notices how torn he is, between the world he grew up in and the world he's come to be a part of. Eventually, she coaxes him into confiding in her.

"It was all I was meant for, taking over W.E. It was all my mother wanted for me. To unite her grandfather's empire with my fathers. But after everything fell apart, I was just sent to stay with my father, take back what was mine from his wards who were in my way. Now, they're my family. But, I don't want to waste my life away in board meetings and galas." Damian starts, eventually backtracking to his childhood.

Marinette cried for him, holding him close at the realization of everything he'd been through.

She couldn't offer a solution, only support.

They hadn't discussed what their relationship would be like after graduation and both were too afraid to broach the subject.

It wasn't until after Christmas, when everyone had just gotten back from break, that they were forced to talk about it.

Marinette had snuck into his dorm and dragged him out of bed one night, they snuck out into the grass area between the castle and the owlery.

Marinette was holding a letter, flipping it anxiously as they walked. Suddenly she stopped.

"Alfred sent me a letter, or well a note and a letter but the letter isn't his and he asked me to give it to you so you could decide what to do with it in private. It's... it's from your mom." She says, still anxiously holding onto the letter for dear life.

Damian can see how worried for him Marinette is as she paces. "If you want I'll burn it right now, or just give it to you and go, or stay and hold your hand, or if you want to talk, or anything you want. I could run and get some deserts for after you read it if you want. Some people crave sweets when they're upset-"

"Marinette, give me the letter." He says it gently, carefully he reaches his hand out to her, She hands it over, pale and anxious, He decides to reassure her, "No matter what happens-"

"I'll always be here for you," She finishes resolutely.

Damian opens the letter, it's Alfred's handwriting:

Damian,

Your mother left a voicemail to your phone, we were able to retrieve it from the cloud. I've transcribed it below. If you need anything, we're only an owl away.

***

Damian, my son. Your father's made it clear to me that your school isn't... that what he told me years ago is true. He's also told me you've excelled in both normal and magical studies and will be graduating this year.