Chapter Text
Dick Grayson had never expected this.
When they were young children, his little sister was a little ball of sunshine. Always in their colors as the flying Graysons, though she hated them. She much preferred pink. Sometimes white. Apparently, a lot had happened since her days of swinging to and fro with easy smiles and easier friendships.
Standing in the lobby of his adoptive father's company stood one Mary Annette (Marinette) Grayson. She hadn't changed her name, but she'd certainly changed everything else. Her black cargo pants had silver zips everywhere, the pants themselves tucking into sturdy boots. The seams of her pants were outlined in red, matching the tank top she wore that was just distinguishable under her black leather jacket with untold amounts of zippers. On her head, holding back long hair that stopped at her waist was a red headband. On one of her wrists, a red and black striped scrunchy sat undisturbed and she popped her bubblegum once.
"You know Lila, you could at least do me the courtesy of waiting until I turn my back to stab me in it."
The phrase was spoken in French, though Dick knew that if she'd kept up on her studies at all she could have called the girl out in a host of other languages. The brunette in question turned quickly, what the man could tell were fake, forced tears collecting in calculating eyes the color of dying grass. She sniffled, rubbing at one of her eyes.
"Wh-what do you mean Marinette? I'm just looking out for your best interests. The world of fashion can be so cruel. Don't you see?"
Lila and Marinette liked each other about as much as a root canal without anesthesia, but they had an agreement. Lila left Marinette alone, and vice versa. If she wanted to, Marinette could've brought Lila's entire little kingdom to a grinding halt. A lot of the things Lila boasted of? The people she claimed to know? Marinette had been in and out of the foster care system since she was a little girl. She'd been all over the world, really had done quite a few of the things she claimed, and had most of the people Lila claimed to know on speed dial. She didn't buy anything Lila said. Hadn't from the very beginning. And the Italian girl hated her for it. Across the room from her, the girl with the dark hair snorted. Arcing a brow over piercing azure blue, she set a hand on her hip. The class looked back and forth between their prima donna and their most dangerous student. She'd often used it to protect them. Who should they defend? But neither girl would need it.
"Yeah, telling the entire class that I would need things that are 'so far out of my reach' what with my 'amateur-ish designs' and my 'quick temper' sounds a whole lot like friendly advice. Thanks Lila. But don't forget to look out for your best interests."
Her tone was dry, but she didn't otherwise react, staring down the brunette across the room, green eyes looked away first.
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself."
Marinette just shrugged.
"I'm sure you can. But this is Gotham City . . . Anything could happen here. Somebody tell Mme. Bustier I stepped out for a sec, yeah? I could use a minute to sketch. Work on my 'amateur-ish' designs."
The threat was obvious to Dick, but apparently not to anyone else. She did exactly as she said she would, stepping outside. But not before she gave Dick's hiding spot a meaningful glance on the way. She'd known he was watching!
Slightly shaken by the rather massive changes she'd gone through since he'd seen her last, he followed her out a second later. She was leaning against the building wall, popping another pale pink bubble.
"You gonna tell me why you're watching my class?"
The former acrobat swallowed thickly before stepping out of the shadows.
"I'm not allowed to miss my songbird?"
She froze, telling herself it couldn't be true. The only people who'd ever called her that were her family, and they were all dead. But when she turned her azure eyes to a matching set not five feet away, her mind cataloguing everything about him in seconds, she knew he couldn't be anyone else. So either this was a fever dream or-
" . . . Ricky? Is it really you?"
Her eyes burned with salt water she thought she'd long ago run out of. But somehow, someway, there were more. There were always more for him. He nodded minutely, and she wasted no time in launching herself into his arms with silent tears leaving trails down her face.
In the shadows, a certain Italian girl had taken several pictures. Gleaming sharp teeth showed through the darkness of her hiding place.
"Let's see how miss high and mighty handles it when someone outs her secret boyfriend."
Finally something she could use to discredit that arrogant girl! But to Lila's annoyance, they didn't even kiss. They hugged for a long while, and Lila sent a frown their way. Why were they just standing there? But the siblings staunched their tears and whispered soft words to one another, snickering softly at her attempt.
When they finally pulled away, Dick held out his arm for her to take. Marinette took hold of it easily, grinning devilishly at him.
"Care to meet a few friends?"
He grinned back, equally malicious.
"I'd like that little bird."
So she led him back in. This would be quite entertaining. In Marinette's pocket, Plagg gave a little purr of content. He decided he liked this boy his kit seemed to know.
~~~~~
Kagami had known that someone had been watching them. As a world class fencer, her senses were quite honed. Not to mention being the blood daughter of Marinette's current host mother. The two had been living and training together for almost three years now. At this point, in they final year of high school (which Marinette had somehow talked Tomoe into sending them both to), they were both quite lethal. Combining Kagami's classic training with Marinette's melee style, learned on the streets when she was on the run from abusive or ignorant families over the years had proved beneficial to both girls. Now, they were unstoppable.
In the hood of Kagami's sleeveless hooded polo, overlaid with a jean jacket, pulled up to cover her shoulder length hair and one red headphone, Tikki giggled and pointed out her chosen's sister. Marinette was walking in arm in arm with a boy who looked startlingly like the two of them. From the chin length dark hair that shone lighter when walking under rays of sunshine, to the cold, deviously calculating gaze. He was built, broad shouldered and lean. The girls were nothing to sneeze at either, muscular, lean frames hidden under artfully baggy clothes that Marinette was the mastermind behind. She signed every piece she created with a little embroidered bluebird. The same azure blue as the two pairs of eyes that found her.
Marinette tugged him over, relinquishing his arm and setting both hands on her hips. Kagami crossed her arms over her chest with a playful grin.
"Ricky bird, meet my foster sister Kagami Tsurugi. Don't let the word foster fool you. She's been family since I first met her. Kagami, meet my- sorry- our big brother Richard Grayson. He's my Ricky bird. Has been since we were kids."
Dick's eyes sparkled with amusement, and gave a firm handshake to Kagami. Apparently his other sister. An obnoxious laugh carne from the center of the rest of their class, Alix, Chloe and Juleka breaking off to come and meet them. Alix's black shorts and sleeveless tank top were perfect for her short, lithe frame as she roller bladed over. Juleka's red and purple swirled long sleeved t-shirt and dark wash jeans matched the theme, a light black vest over her top. Chloe sported a red leather jacket, reminiscent of Marinette's, a black tank top and red jeans, accompanied by fire engine red pumps and sunglasses. The three joined the group with shaking heads. Kagami just chuckled.
"So what's going on in the idiot court now?"
Alix just huffed softly, shaking her head and imitating Kagami's stance, arms crossed over her chest.
"They're saying this guy is Mary-cat's boyfriend."
Juleka chuckled softly, wrapping one arm around the shorter girl's shoulders and one arm astound Chloe The pink haired teen deflated a little, shaking her head. Kagami arched an amused brow.
"Would you like to explain or shall I?"
Marinette glanced over to where Lila held court, chuckling devilishly.
"Nah, just give it a minute."
Marinette and Lila met eyes, and Lila smirked. Finally! She could knock the other down a few pegs! As a whole, the class turned to Marinette and her friends. Rose spoke up in a tone that sounded almost betrayed.
"Marinette? Why didn't you tell us you had a long-term boyfriend?"
Behind her, Alix, Kagami and Juleka snickered. Dick looked a little confused, but with a head shake from Kagami, he just sat back to enjoy the show. Marinette's smile made Lila's blood run cold. She turned to Chloe for a moment, arching a curious brow.
"May I?"
Chloe nodded eagerly, striding up to Marinette, who put an arm around the blonde and planted a movie worthy, fireworks inducing, toe curling kiss on the heiress's lips right there in front of everybody. Turning back to Lila's cronies as they pulled apart, Chloe's knees turning to jelly as her friend with benefits held her upright.
"You wanna try that again Lila?"
The girl in question just sputtered, her face bright red and getting redder. Marinette just chuckled, whispering in Chloe's ear.
"I'm really sorry about putting you out like this. They don't respond any other way."
Chloe let out a breathy little giggle.
"If it gets me kisses like that, put me on the spot whenever you want. I'm not taken."
Lila's jaw dropped as Marinette and her friends went back to talking. But she wasn't quite finished yet.
"Then who is he!?"
Marinette glanced over her shoulder and shook her head.
"Don't point Lila, it's very rude. And you're very loud. We are in a place of business, so please quiet down. To answer your question, this is Kagami's and my older brother Richard. He lives here in Gotham."
Clapping his hands together once, he turned his eyes to the class as a whole.
"I also happen to be your tour guide. So now that we've gotten introductions out of the way, I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to sabotage my little sisters. Thanks. Now, on with the tour!"
With a conspiratorial wink toward the giggling girls who all found him quite amusing, the started in on the history of the Wayne family.
Marinette decided this day could not get any more interesting. She was proven quite wrong as Bruce Wayne himself strode through the doors followed by three young men. One who looked roughly their age, one who looked slightly younger, and one who only looked about thirteen. He stopped beside Dick with a slight frown. They must be his sons then. But she'd heard Bruce Wayne had four- . . . oh.
"Sorry we're late. Alfred had a troubling matter for us to see to before we could leave the house."
Dick arched a brow.
"Would that troubling matter be Jason's disturbing Yankee fashion sense?"
The aforementioned 'Jason' glared, puffing out a breath.
"That's real funny Dick. Better sleep with one eye open though. You never know what could happen to all your limited edition, special made superhero ties."
"You monster!"
Bruce rubbed at his temples slightly, sighing before turning his attention to the class.
"I see you've already met my oldest son Dick. These are my other three boys, Jason, Tim and Damian. In that order. I apologize for our tardiness. Please follow Dick to the conference room. We'll have a short presentation and get the tour started before lunch."
Oh, Marinette's day had just gotten so much better.