Summary:
"Oh, please don't get it all wrong. I know Paris earned a bad rep after the Hawkmoth fiasco but that was years ago. I just decided to move here to find more opportunities for myself," Marinette answered smoothly.
"Why Gotham of all places, if I may ask?" Bruce chimed in. "Admittedly, this isn't the friendliest city in the country."
"Father, stop with the interrogation," said Damian.
"It's okay, Dames, I don't mind. Promise." She squeezed his hand under the table.
"Fine. But do not answer anything if you're not comfortable."
Marinette looked at Bruce. "One of my friend's parents who works in fashion suggested Gotham. There's a low competition among the designers here so it might be easier for me to make a name for myself."
"That's not a bad move actually," Tim remarked.
"So back in Paris, did you get to meet any of the heroes?" Dick leaned in.
---
After nearly a year of being together, Damian finally decides to introduce Marinette to his family.
It had been nearly a year since she moved to Gotham City, but the skyline seemed new each time she went out for night patrol. Ladybug zipped to another building with Red Hood to gain a higher vantage point. Her wings fluttered slightly with the breeze behind her.
"All clear here." Red Hood pressed on his comms.
"Okay. We'll wait for an update from Robin and Spoiler then we're finished for tonight if there aren't any problems," Batman replied.
"Yeah, it's a miracle we get to finish up early." The vigilante rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms. "So LB . . ."
"This small talk again?" Ladybug groaned.
Red Hood put his arms up. "Hey, I'm just curious."
"What is it now?"
"I was just wondering what made you transfer to Gotham." He perched on the ledge right beside her. "You defeated your city's villain, right? You had nothing to do anymore."
He's not wrong. She often thought about it herself. Her past and responsibilities clung to her like unshakeable nightmares. Ladybug knew the moment she gained guardianship that her life had no chance of reverting back to 'normal'.
"I think you know how it feels," she said.
"How what feels?"
Ladybug sighed, slumping. "When we defeated Hawkmoth, I thought we could finally rest easy. But I couldn't. I was restless, and between that and taking care of the aftermath, I realized I was missing the superhero life." She shrugged. "That's why I'm here now---it's inescapable. As the guardian, I decided it was better for the Miraculi to be used for good instead of sitting unused."
"Ah, classic PTSD like all the Bats." Red Hood nodded.
She snorted. "But that doesn't mean I still live a restless life. In fact, I've gotten used to life in Gotham."
"But why Gotham of all places?"
"The Miracle Box told me something. I can't divulge anything more."
"Just like you don't divulge anything about your civvy life."
She rolled her eyes, elbowing him on the side, which caused him to flinch dramatically. Bats and their nosiness. "Hey, we're not that close yet for me to reveal my identity. And it's a fair game. I don't know any of you either."
