Notes:
TW: Graphic depictions of violence and injury
Chapter Text
"We have to tell them," Dick says as he rests his elbows on his knees. "Before you say anything Jay, it's the only way we can get more information. They'll have an idea about what's happening and we can confirm if they have the Miraculouses with them."
Jason opens his mouth but his brother interrupts. "We can contact them in suits. They already know about the JL anyway."
Jason looks at Tim. "You think this is a good idea?"
"It's not." Tim crosses his arms. "As much as I want to make my research easier, Bruce is going to know, a hundred percent. Plus, it's going to put our identities at risk. I can take a couple more days to look—"
"What if those monsters attack again? Then what?" Dick asks challengingly. Tim drags a hand through his face. Sometimes he can't bear the stubbornness from both sides. Not to mention, he's running on three hours of sleep.
" Then, we'll have to let the Paris heroes handle them," Tim answers. "I checked the police, and they also have footage of the attack. They're already suspicious since we carried Jason's unconscious body from the street and didn't take him to the hospital."
"If we go to them, are you willing to tell them that their dead friend is alive?" Jason narrows his eyes at the eldest.
Tim lets them argue and focuses on his laptop screen again whilst taking a swig of his energy drink. Adrien Agreste. He has already been revealed to be a former hero, ridding him of all suspicion as Hawkmoth's son.
He clicks to other files. Chloe Bourgeois. Kagami Tsurugi. Luka Couffaine. They were also close with Marinette. Tim doesn't have enough proof, but he won't be surprised if those three also wielded Miraculouses themselves.
The talks abruptly cut off when Damian steps into the room.
"What are you still doing here?" He asks. "We have to buy those souvenirs now."
Tim almost forgot; Stephanie, Cass, Duke and Alfred all asked for things from Paris. He rubs one eye and shuts his laptop. "Where's B?"
"He was invited to lunch with that girl's extended family," Damian replies as they file out of the hotel room. "The Dupain-Chengs apparently count him as a family member."
The walk to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées doesn't take too much time. Tim notices one area closed off: the same street where Jason met the incident last night. Hordes of people fill the busy city. Groups of teens convene in trendy cafes; workers rush in and out of clothing stores; and shop owners beckon customers in rapid French.
Tim keeps an eye on his brothers as he follows at the back. A stranger suddenly hits him on the shoulder, making him stop and squint at the man.
It's strange. The pale, lanky man is walking languidly in a straight line, with eyes glazed over. He seems to be in a permanent daze as his face is locked in a blank expression. Before Tim can look more closely, he loses sight of the stranger, who disappears within the crowd.
There's so many people. He faces forward again and tries to catch up with Jason's tall figure. He needs to weave around the current, brushing elbows with Parisians and maneuvering between bodies.
That's when the screams begin.
Adrien absentmindedly sips his drink. Chloe dragged him to an outdoor cafe when he deemed the hotel and his house stifling. Choking him. He traces the edges of the circular table. As it turns out, the avenue isn't any better. The throngs of passersby just overwhelm his eyes and the sounds make him tap his foot nervously.
