Gotham Mouse, Paris Bug

Chapter 14

Thank you, Mr. Wayne! Honestly, I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”

Bruce chuckled a little, waving her off as she was being gently tugged out the room by Jason. He was clearly anxious to talk to her about something.

And right he was, though Bruce didn’t know that Jason would be asking about an international super terrorist.

When they reached the spare room Jason had decided on(because Tim had a bad habit of bugging his room when he was curious), Marie flopped on the couch with a happy smile. “Your dad gave me a job.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I have a job with Bruce Wayne. ”

“Yep.”

“ Jason. ”

He snickered at her pouting, moving to sit on the other side of the couch and kicking her arm a little. “Try not to pass out, little celebrity.”

“Says the actual celebrity,” Marie rolled her eyes, finding the t.v. remote to turn on some cartoons. “I’m guessing you have something important to talk about, but I also kinda wanna start sketching out ideas. I mean,” She gesticulated wildly much to Jason’s amusement. “I have about three months to design and tailor five suits. And my own dress for the gala on top of that.”

She sighed happily despite the obvious bit of stress. “Thank you, Jason, I don’t know if you knew he would do that but I really appreciate it either way.”

He just nudged her, smirking as the cartoon character on screen was hit with a broom. “I told ya I’d take care of ya right? I want you to be safe, happy, running on more than an hour of sleep.”

“How’d ya know?” She laughed, poking him in the ribs in retaliation.

“You haven’t exactly had a good week Marie,” He answered, trying to give her a heads up to what he really needed to talk to her about. He knew she’d pick up on that, he wasn’t really trying to be subtle. He didn’t really do subtle much. More of a shoot em in the face, push 'em off a balcony vigilante rather than a gymnastic hero.

Marie was sort of a vigilante in Gotham, and more of a hero in Paris. He wondered if Ladybug was more like her past life if this Marinette was more gentle than badass. Was Marinette more understanding or was she a pushover? Marinette was a mystery to him, and while he wanted to know about her past life, he knew first hand that your background didn’t define your future indefinitely.

“I’ve had worse,” She replied offhandedly, grabbing a red bull and chugging it.

“That doesn’t make this week better.”

She shrugged a little, the way you do to convey you don’t care when you really care too much. Jason knew that move. Heck, he’d practically invented that move.

She didn’t reply, unable to really refuse what he was saying. But not wanting to concede his point either. She didn’t really want to have this conversation, but it was a long time coming. She knew it too.

“Marie, I’m worried about you. I know you’ve been through hell in your life. Hell, I’ve been through hell too, but you haven’t even tried to process any of it.” He smiled bitterly, pulling her against his side a little. “I know you’re tough as nails Marie, but you still gotta let yourself be human.”