Moving On

Chapter 5: Feeling Numb

Gotham. Marinette looked out her window as she approched the city. The only people who know she visits Gotham is Luka, Kagami, Chloe and her parents. She sighed and leaned back into her seat. She could already see Damian and Alfred waiting for her at the airport. She grabbed her phone to text them, but saw Lilas name on there.
LI- You may have won the trip but you are still nothing. You are worthless to any of your friends. Even if you try to 'dethrone' me, it wont work. I have back up 'stories' to keep them here, with me.

She handed Luka her phone and pulled out her sketch book. She drew three different outfits. When they landed Luka, Kagami and Chloe were there. They made sure Lila didn't do anything to Marinette. After retrieving their luggage they walked to the car parked out front. Damian got out and was ready to engulf his girlfriend, until he noticed the protective circle around her and the distant look in Marinettes eyes. Damian walked over, breaking the circle up and wrapped his girlfriend in a tight hug. Mari nuzzled her face in his neck. Damian kissed her head and sighed.
"How was the flight Angel?"
"Good till the last 20 minuets. Lila texted me and it just bugged me."
Damian gripped her harder to reassure her, she was safe. Damian took a place at Maris side and lead her to Alfred. He gladly hugged his goddaughter and helped the rest with their luggage. They got in the car and started their journey to Wayne Manor. After arriving Jason instantly picked Mari up and carried her inside.
"Jay-Jay you promised not to do anything." Mari pouted
"I did not promise to do anything. I promised I wouldn't say anything. There is a difference."
"Ugh. Well I have to take my boots off, so don't wig out."
"But the doctor said to keep your boot on."
"What doctor?"
They both jumped and saw Bruce sitting there. Crap.
"Um- nothing."
"You promised if someone asked questions I could tell them." Jason said
"Fine, I am going to my room to ice my ankle. Tell Chloe to come to my room when she is done settling in."
They nodded. Marinette hobbled up the stairs. Trying her hardest not to. When she got there she slumped into bed. Tikki instantly by her side.
"Mari, you need to stop hiding this stuff from Damian and Alfred. if you don't tell them I will."
"Tikki, I can't. Plus if they did find out they will just kill her. Not that I mind that idea..."
"Mari, come on. They need to know. Plus Jason has the recording of Lila talking to you in the classroom." Tikki stated
"I know, but I can't. If I do, I am just admitting to myself Lila has control over my life. I can't do that." Her fists clenching. She was not ready to accept that.
"But Mari, that's part of moving past it. You need to get out there and move on. Damian and his family are helping as much as you let them. Please let them know what is going on. I am getting worried you will go to far and you wont be able to come back from it."
"I wont do anything crazy. I will tell them later. Just-I-I-I can't ."
She looked down at her foot, realizing she never took it off to ice it. She grabbed a washcloth from her bathroom cabinet and and ran it under cold water. She took off her boot after sitting back down, and started to ice it. She sighed as some of the pain eased from her ankle. She was so relaxed she didn't hear the knock on her door. Or that the door opened to reveal the one person she didn't want to see.
"Angel?"
"Damian, What are you doing in here?"
He didn't say anything. Marinette looked over at him and saw him looking at...her ankle.
"What-happened?"
"I tripped on the street and hit my ankle on the curb. It broke. Yeah."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"i didn't want you to mother hen me. When I got sick last summer you refused to leave my bedside. I loved you for that, but you go all out when that happens."
"Sorry about that. I haven't completely figured out how to act in that scenario." He walked over and sat on the bed. sliding an arm around her shoulders and tucking her in close. "So how are you feeling?"
"In pain, and tired."
"You know Jason was freaking out all week, and I did some digging. And I found a voice recording..." Mari instantly felt ashamed for lying to him.
"I'm sorry for lying to you. I really didn't want to lie to you, I just dob't want to accept that she has control over me."
"It's ok. I just want to make sure you are ok."
Mari took a deep breath. "I feel numb. I don't feel like feeling this way. Especially since Lila happened to get physical."
"Mari, I love you and all, but don't lie to me. I just want to help you."
"I know" She said as she gave Damian a kiss on the cheek.
Damian smiled. "I love you" He whispered
"I love you too." He kissed her on the lips and sighed. They laid back and rested. Damian frowned as he realized his Angel got hurt.
"You know I am going to kill Lila right?"
"I knew it. You know you can't."
"I know. But Tim and Dick already have a slideshow set up so they can take her down. We also have a couple other guests coming to town to help out as well."
"Please tell me you didn't bother Uncle Jagged and Auntie Clara."
"I would but that's a lie." He said
"You know me so well. I love you"
They laid there, completely relaxed. They didn't even notice the crowed outside the door as they fell asleep.