Paris Monsieur in Gotham) [DISCONTINUED]

(Chapter 15)

Summary:
Two bros reconcile; toxic relationships are abandoned while happy healthy ones are embraced; Robin is ready to skin a cat; Supergirl is along for the ride.

Notes:
WARNING: There will be mentions of abusive relationships down there. Read at your own risk.
Don't get me wrong. I don't hate Alya but one, I'm salty, ok? Two, she's a reporter for crying out loud, she really got hit with the stupidity stick big time during Chameleon. I'm no psychologist but I can conclude that the reason why she's so deadset on not admitting Lila is a liar because to do so would mean she's confessing that she's a bad guy and she can't accept that cuz of self-righteousness.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text
Marcel hummed to the Jagged Stone song as he methodically sewed the fabric. He heard a knock on the door and paused.

Setting down his project, he opened the door and was surprised to see Nino standing there.

“Hi, Marcel.” The DJ said, giving him an awkward but friendly wave.

“What’s up….?” Marcel asked awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Can I come in? I just wanna talk.” Nino said.

“………..sure.” he said, stepping aside to let him in.

For a while, Nino just stood there, fidgeting with his cap and not looking at Marcel. The latter just crossed his arms, face blank and gaze apathetic but other than that, they weren’t hostile.

The awkwardness began to take hold.

Marcel was ready to tell Nino to get on with it when the DJ beat him to it.

“I’m sorry.” Nino said. “I know that won’t change anything- but please, hear me out first and let me finish. I’m so sorry, I screwed up big time.”

Marcel just raised a brow. “What did you screw up?” he asked.

Yeah, he was being petty but this was different from Nathaniel, Rose and Juleka this was a childhood friend, a guy who knew him since frickin kindergarten even. Nino’s betrayal stung as bad as Alya’s.

“I knew Lila was lying. I mean, at first I thought the girl was just exaggerating and being excited and upbeat to get more friends but…….” He waved his hand, vaguely gesturing. “After a while, I started to see the pattern and noticed all the loopholes, y’know? And well, she never kept any of the promises she made to me- but this isn’t about me. It’s just, everyone liked her and seemed so happy and….”

He looked down, ashamed. “We were so caught up in the new shiny thing that we forgot about you. We ditched you and stepped over your happiness even after everything you’ve done for us and…..and god, I have no excuse. I knew you since we were kids and…and I turned my back on you and left you to drown.

“I-I know I didn’t say anything or do anything but I didn’t do anything and that’s just as bad. I won’t give any excuses because I was wrong, simple as that but I didn’t say anything because….because…….”

“Because of Alya.” Marcel said. “You didn’t want to upset your girlfriend.”

“Yeah.” Nino sighed.

Marcel’s eyes narrowed and he looked closer. He looked-no, he observed. He looked at Nino and it was then he saw it.

He saw the fear.

He saw the hurt.

The same fear and hurt as him…..

“…….Nino.” he said.