The Hood And The Bug

Chapter 5

After that night, Jason tried to pass most of his time at the manor, hoping for a chance to see or talk to her and she was doing the same. He went slowly, not wanting to scare her or make her uncomfortable. They had exchange phone numbers and texting and calling each other became a daily thing they both like. When they saw each other, Jason would subtly try to get her attention and be close to her, so they could talk. Marinette didn't mind the attention and was receptive to it. Seeing the flirtatious side of Jason, when he was with her, she had decided to show him she was interested and flirted back, every time she could.

By the time Christmas came around, Jason was at the manor daily. Alfred and Bruce knowingly invited Marinette as much as possible and it included reminding Jon and Damian to do so almost every day. It was still a mystery to both men, how a family full of detectives hadn't noticed the flirting and the sexual tension between Jason and Marinette, with the exception of Cass and Barbara, who only pushed in the same way and invited the girl themselves to join the family whenever they could.

The age difference was not an obstacle for Marinette, but she was afraid of Damian's reaction when he would learn that she liked Jason romantically or if anything happened between them. She had tried to stay away from him, thinking that if she didn't see the man she kept dreaming about, maybe, just maybe her feelings would go away or be less intense. But just after a week of trying to avoid the Wayne's, with the exception of Damian and Jon at school, she had given up. The family always had something planned, like dinners, activities, galas, etc. and they made sure she was invited, she was now a part of their family, and she could not escape it.

For Christmas, she was invited to join and celebrate with them at the manor, Bruce also made sure she would be staying with them for duration of the Holidays, knowing she would be alone. Her parents had told her to stay in Gotham this year that they didn't need to see her, they were busy with the bakery and already had plans with friends. The young heroine was hurt by her parents' demeanor but found herself in the middle of her new family, where she knew she was loved: Jon and Damian her overprotective twins, Dick and Tim her older brothers, even Bruce treated her the same way he did with Cassandra, Stephanie and Barbara and finally Alfred with who she spent wonderful moments either in the kitchen baking and cooking or taking tea with him when she was present during the afternoon.

The girls also kept her in the loop and when they were not on a business trip, they would go out and sometimes Selena and Kor'i would follow during their shopping days or activities, like the time they all went to the spa together. Marinette easily fell in love with Dick's little girl Mar'i. When she was around it seemed like the rest of the world didn't exist to them, with the exception of Titus and Alfred the Cat. Mar'i would often let slip out 'Aunty Nettie', which the Parisian really liked, it was cute, and she secretly hoped that one day she will really be the little girl's aunt.

For Christmas, she made everyone gifts, the boys, the girls, the Kent's, Roy, Mar'i, Kor'i, Bruce and Alfred, all of them were personalized, because she is Marinette. She helped Alfred in the kitchen, mostly taking over the baking while he cooked the main meal. Their day was nice on the 24th, some close friends of Bruce were even present, and Mari easily recognized some of them being members of the Justice League. It was not a big surprise for her since she had already discovered the Wayne and Kent's secrets.

It was all confirmed when one night, at Halloween when she had stayed for a movie with the boys, Alfred had given her some food for the kwamis, calling her Guardian and sending her a wink, before leaving. After that, they exchanged experiences and he told her what he did during the second World War, and how his time as a holder had given him more time on earth. The old butler was sad to learn that Master Fu had lost his memory, but knowing him and Marianne, he was happy for the both of them. Marinette learned that the three of them worked together during the war, for the British army. Master Fu had the Turtle Miraculous, Marianne the Bee and Alfred the Snake. After learning this, Marinette made sure to bring Sass with her as much as possible, when visiting the manor.

The 25th went really smoothly, gifts were exchanged in the morning and games played in the evening. They had a snowball fight and had made snowman and snow angels, with a little giggling Mar'i. When everybody was finally sleeping, Jason heard a knock on his door. He opened it to find a blushing Marinette smiling at him.

"Can I come in for a second?" she whispered.

He didn't answer, he only took a step aside and opened his door to give her space and closed it behind him. She walked in slowly, looking around the room, taking note how organize it was, she was startle by the man behind her clearing his throat.

"Can I do something for you Mari? Shouldn't you be with Jon and Damian?"

"Oh, yeah! They are sleeping... I was hoping to see you actually..." she wasn't scared or stuttering like she used to, but she was still nervous, especially with the frown on Jason's face. She took a deep breathe to give herself a boost of confidence.

"I wanted to give you this," said Marinette, handling him a box she was hiding behind her back. The man looked at her surprised, but without a word he turned around and rushed to his nightstand, his behavior confusing the young woman, who's hope shattered, at the same time her heart did.

She was about to leave the room and go back to bed when he grabbed her hand.

"I... I have something for you too," in his hand Marinette saw a small box, wrapped in a beautiful red paper, with a gold ribbon. She smiled and they exchange the gifts.

He opened his package first and pull out a perfectly handmade leather jacket, with a hoodie style red hood. The inside was double with a bulletproof material and arbored several hidden pockets, really good when you are a vigilante. Looking closely he saw the embroideries 'JT' on the collar and the little fairy beside the upside-down 'Marinette'. Jason smiled, thanking her for the gift and gestured for her to open the small box she had in her hands.

Slowly unwrapping the gift in her hands, she recognized the form of a small jewelry box. She gasped when she opened the lid to see a beautiful necklace in pink gold, with a small rose pendent. Jason took the box and gestured for her to turn around and when she does, he attached the necklace on her neck and smiled. She was beautiful and he wanted to tell her how much he liked her, but he was scared, not that he would tell anyone, but he was scared to lose her or to break the relationship she had with his little brother.

Marinette turned to face him once more, looking into his eyes she didn't say a word, there was no need for them. She pushed herself on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek before almost running into Damian's room, a couple of doors down the hall, leaving the man stunned in front of his own. She was going to be the death of him.