Chapter Text
Dick Grayson never wanted to be Batman. As much as he cared about his family and enjoyed being a vigilante, he never wanted to be the Bat. But life doesn't always play out the way you want it to, which is why he was on patrol in his mentor’s suit. Even though Bruce had been gone for six months, it still felt wrong to put on the cowl. Wrong that he had the chance to get to know Damian, to watch him grow as a person and not just a hero. Something that Bruce would never get.
“Are you ready for patrol, Richard?” Damian asks as he silently appears in the cave. Dick nods, slipping the cowl on. Time to continue pretending to be something he’s not.
---
Marinette Dupain-Cheng hadn’t had a good time since moving to Gotham. She’d only done so at the request of her Uncle so that she’d be easier to commission. Sure, her commissions were doing far better in the US than they’d been doing in Paris, but Gotham was dark. It was lonely. And it gave her a weird feeling. Yet somehow, she’d managed to not see any of the elusive vigilantes yet. That was probably her biggest shock. Searching through her fabric closet, Marinette sighs, pinching her nose in frustration. Of course she didn’t have any extra fabric from the last suit jacket she’d made for Jagged.
“You okay, Pigtails?” Plagg asks from his spot on the couch. Marinette gives him a tight smile, nodding.
“I’m fine, Plagg. There’s a fabric store not far from here that’s open late. I’m gonna go try and match this fabric so that I can actually get this dress for Penny done.” She says. Plagg frowns.
“Need me to come with?” He asks. Marinette shakes her head, pushing down her flaring anxiety.
“No, I’m fine. Just watch over the others for me, okay?” She suggests. Plagg frowns, but nods in agreement. Letting out a small sigh of relief, Marinette grabs her purse and rushes out the door before Tikki can ask to come with. Ever since the defeat of Hawkmoth (and every bad thing that happened because of it), Marinette had avoided wearing her earrings. Or any Miraculous. She still let the Kwami exist in the physical world- it felt cruel not to. But her relationship with Tikki was broken. And she was pretty sure the only reason Plagg spent so much time around her was that he was worried about what she’d do if she was left alone for too long. Pulling her jacket closer to her, Marinette shivers slightly. It wasn’t that it was overly cold in Gotham. It was just the feeling of darkness creeping over her. Nighttime in Gotham was the darkest night she’d ever seen. Even with the street lamps. It was as if the city had given up hope that it could be better. That it could do better. Shaking her thoughts away, Marinette feels a thrum of satisfaction flow through her as she steps into the fabric shop.
“Good evening! Is there anything I can help you find?” The woman at the counter asks, a pleasant smile on her face. Marinette pulls the small scrap of fabric that she had left from Jagged’s jacket out of her purse.
“Do you have anything similar to this?” She asks, holding up the purple, glittery fabric. The woman purses her lips, obviously lost in thought, before she nods.
“I believe so. It would be back on the far right wall near the bottom. We don’t like leaving glitter fabrics on the top shelf. They tend to shed on everything else.” She says with a laugh. Marinette nods in thanks, giving the woman a small smile before moving to the back of the store. Shifting through the glitter covered fabrics, Marinette ignores the way the glitter attaches itself to her clothes and hands. She’d deal with that later. Instead, she continues to shift through the fabrics until she finally spots the one that matches Jagged’s- shade and all. Grinning, Marinette grabs the bolt and carries it to the front of the store.
“Could I have eight yards of this?” Marinette asks, passing the fabric to the woman. The woman’s nose wrinkles slightly, obviously annoyed by the glitter, but she nods.
“Of course.” She says, before turning to cut the fabric. “So, why so much fabric? Making curtains?” Marinette snorts.
“Er, no. I’m making a dress for a friend. As much as she’ll enjoy the glitter, I’m not so sure I’d be able to stand having it in my living room all the time.” Marinette admits. The woman laughs, nodding.
“Never were truer words spoken. I don’t envy you for having to work with this though. It’s going to get everywhere.” She says. Marinette hums in agreement, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She quickly glances out the store front windows, but doesn’t see anyone. Quickly paying for the fabric, Marinette takes the bag from the woman and leaves the store. She wasn’t in the mood for any type of confrontation. Not that she couldn’t handle it herself, but she’d surely get chastised by the Kwamis once she got home, and that was not something she wanted to deal with today. Quickening her pace, Marinette is almost to her street when she feels someone yank her into an alley by her purse. Yelping in surprise, Marinette whirls around and glares at the man who tugged her.
“What is your problem?” She snaps. Her eyes widen as the man lifts a gun, aiming it right at her head.
“Shut the fuck up lady.” He says, a smirk forming on his face. “Take your jacket off.” He says. Marinette flinches, shaking her head. The man snarls, adjusting his hold on the gun. “I said take your jacket off, bitch.”
“I believe the lady told you no.” A voice says from the shadows. Marinette’s eyes widen as Batman walks out, a deep frown the only visible part of his face.
“Oh shit.” The man says, immediately turning to run. He doesn’t get far before a child drops down and knocks the man out with the butt of a sword.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” Batman asks, his voice much softer than she’d expected. Letting out a shaky breath, Marinette nods.
“Um, yes. Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, for that.” She says, smiling softly at him. Batman’s lips twitch up slightly and Marinette swears her heart stops. Since when did Batman smile?
“Tt. It was no problem.” The child- who she assumes is Robin- says, walking over and moving to place himself between her and Batman. Marinette’s smile doesn’t waiver as she looks at the grumpy vigilante (since when was Robin the grumpy one?).
“Thank you, too. That was an impressive take down.” She says. Robin’s chest puffs out slightly, a pleased look on his face.
“Obviously. It is part of the job.” He says. Marinette just nods, working hard not to smile too much at the kid. He reminded her of an odd mix of several of her friends.
“Could we escort you home?” Batman asks. Marinette’s eyes widen.
“Oh, no- I couldn’t- I wouldn’t want to take you off your patrol route any more than I already have.” She says. Batman shakes his head.
“Nonsense. Robin- go ahead and secure the man. I’ve already called in Gordon. I’m going to take Miss-” He pauses, tilting his head to the side.
“I’m Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” She says. He nods.
“Miss Dupain-Cheng to her home. Robin, I’ll meet you at rendezvous spot 32 in half an hour.” Batman says. Robin opens his mouth like he wants to argue, but one stern look from Batman makes him shut it just as quickly.
“As you wish.” He says instead, his voice full of aggravation. Batman turns to her, his arm open and suddenly, Marinette realizes he’s going to carry her home. Trying hard to stop the redness from appearing in her cheeks, Marinette steps into his hold.
“Where do you live?” Batman asks.
“Gardenview Apartments. My apartment is 42- I have a balcony.” She says. He nods and pulls her closer, using his grappling hook to take off into the night. Marinette gasps, the feeling of flying through the air without her suit new and inviting. Mentally, she makes a note to look into trapeze or aerial silk classes. Anything to get this feeling again. They arrive- too soon- at her balcony. Batman sets her down gently and Marinette grins at him.
“Thank you.” She says, her eyes widening as she takes in the state of his suit.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, just as she starts giggling uncontrollably.
“I am so terribly sorry.” She says through her laughter.
“What?” Batman asks, his voice wary with a hint of panic.
“Your suit- it is covered with glitter.” She says. He glances down and snorts. Marinette laughs even harder, feeling a lightness in her chest. She’d made Batman laugh? Even though she’d covered the poor man in glitter?
“How did that even happen?” He asks, the amusement clear in his voice. Marinette holds up the bag of fabric somewhat guiltily.
“That would be my fabric. Is there anything I can do?” She offers, finally calming down. After all, the man had saved her and she’d repaid him by covering him in glitter. He shakes his head.
“No, no, that’s uh, that’s okay.” He says. “I have a spare suit that I can wear while I try to figure out how to get all of this out.” He says. Marinette winces.
“I really am sorry about it. I know it didn’t sound like it with all the laughter but-”
“Hey, it’s fine. Really. Are you okay?” He asks. She nods, smiling softly at him.
“I am. Thank you, again.” She says. He nods.
“Of course. I should leave. Robin will be waiting.” He says, turning and grappling off. Marinette sighs as she watches him leave, feeling the darkness creep back around her.
“Well you seem happy.” Plagg says as she walks into the apartment. Marinette raises an eyebrow.
“Were you watching me?” She asks. He snorts.
“Of course I was Pigtails. Gotta make sure you’re safe. Wanna explain why the local hero had to drop you off?” He asks, crossing his arms. Marinette rolls her eyes.
“Goodnight Plagg.” She says, walking past him. He huffs.
“This conversation isn’t over!” He calls after her.
“Yes it is!” Marinette calls back. Walking into her room, Marinette sets the fabric on a chair away from her bed before changing into pajamas. She’d originally planned on working on the dress after getting the fabric, but she actually felt relaxed for the first time in months. So instead, she decides to sleep.
---
Dick arrives at the spot before Damian does, and quickly tries to wipe the smile off his face. He shouldn’t be flirting with a random woman while in the suit. It was dangerous. And besides that, he didn’t have the time for a relationship right now. He was Batman. He was raising Damian. He was trying to stop Jason from being a terror to Gotham, and trying to get Tim to take a break and accept the fact that Bruce was gone. There was too much for him to do to waste time building a new relationship, no matter how badly he wanted to. But her laugh…
“Why are you smiling like that?” Damian asks, and even though Dick can’t see his eyes because of the mask, he’s sure the kid’s eyes are narrowed. “And why are you covered in glitter?” He asks, taking a cautious step back. Dick grins even wider.
“What, do you not want glitter on your suit, little D?” He asks, taking a step forward. Damian scowls.
“No names in the field.” He scolds. Dick snorts, shaking his head before darting towards his little brother. He chases him the entire way back to the Batmobile, thoughts of pretty girls and glitter floating around his head the entire time.