She'd been so nervous for her interview.

There was a lot hanging on this and she really couldn't afford to screw up.

Her clothes had been carefully picked and were some of her own designs.

Pep talks had been given from practically everyone that stood her close.

Damian had even sent a "You've got this" text to her earlier in the morning.

It was sweet.

Especially since she was well aware he'd never do it for anyone else.

It made her feel special.

However all preparations in the world might have gotten her there, but that wouldn't be enough if she wanted to get in.

Scholarships were rare in such an exclusive school.

She'd been a wreck when she stood outside the office.

But she needed this.

This was a once in a lifetime chance.

All expenses paid education far away from Paris and it's troubles.

She couldn't let some nerves spoil this for her.

A deep breath in and assuring nods from both Tikki and Plagg.

Shoulders untensed and game face on.

A folder filled with her portfolio, recommendations and other important documents.

When she entered she'd looked every part of confident businesswoman.

When she exited she'd done so with a large smile on her face.

One of the fanciest cars she'd ever seen rolled up right where they'd said her ride would be.

They never did anything by half did they?

The driver was an older man that introduced himself as Alfred Pennyworth.

He was very friendly and insisted she called him Alfred.

Though she couldn't help but think that he knew something she didn't.

He looked just a bit too amused.

She stepped through the doorway and within seconds all three of the guys were there.

Had they been sitting nearby in waiting or had they looked at the security footage?

It was a manor.

There was no way they didn't have security cameras.

It was only common sense really.

That and she had already spotted more than a dussin so far.

They were very well hidden, but she knew what to look for.

That made her sound like a criminal.

It was just a habit she couldn't get ridof.

There had been too many times where she'd had to break in somewhere to preserve her dignity and that only made it sound worse.

Greetings were exchanged and off they were to get her the sewing machine.

"Its so good to see you," Jason said all dramatic and all. "I've been stuck with these people on my own for too long."

Tim snorted. "You say people like you're not one of us."

And wasn't that true.

One thing she'd caught onto quickly was that they might all be very different individuals, but they shared the same kind of crazy.

Dick slung an arm around Jason. "Little Wing you don't have to act like you don't love us. We already know you do."

"Keep dreaming," was what he answered, but no one in the room was fooled for a second.

They might have a funny way of showing it, but they were clearly close.

Would she share this dynamic with someone if she'd had a sibling?

She'd probably never know, but she certainly hoped so.

Her company was ignored in favor of inspecting the sewing machine.

And wow.

What a sewing machine!

It was clearly older than the ones she was used to, but it definitely didn't disappoint.

There wasn't any screens or thousands of fancy stuff.

She'd never seen one of these in real life.

Industrial sewing machines weren't exactly common nowadays.

A hand was suddenly on her shoulder and she had to restrain herself from flipping the person over.

"Are you alright?" Dick sounded worried. "You kinda spaced out on us."

"Yeah, yeah! Totally alright." She shook of the tenseness from being startled. "It's just... Do you know what a gem you have here?"

He chuckled. "No, but I don't sew so that might be why. What's so special about it?"

She did not feel the least ashamed in admitting that she rambled for more than ten minutes.

They somehow ended up in the living room of some kind.

She wasted no time in pulling out here measuring band from her purse.

She pulled out her pocket sketchbook and a pencil too.

"Just curious, but do you always carry that in there or is it only for today?"

Surprisingly enough Jason wasn't the first one to ask her that.

It was a common question.

"Never leave home without it."

She motioned for Tim to come over.

From then on she rotated between taking measurements, scribbling them on a page in her book or answering questions about her process of creation.

All of them were a lot more interested in the behind the scenes work than she'd initially thought.

Tim actually looked like he would be squealing in delight if he wasn't currently being measured.

She still couldn't believe she had a fan.

Unreal.

Tim practically had heart eyes when he saw the ideas she'd sketched up for him.

"Marry me."

He actually went down on one knee and all.

Jason and Dick laughed their heads of.

"I'm pretty sure my boyfriend wouldn't approve of that."

Tim didn't even bat an eye.

"Then I'll have to move on to plan B." He turned towards his brothers. "Do you know where Bruce keeps the blank adoption papers?"

They nodded.

She honestly couldn't tell if they were joking.

With time Alfred came and told them lunch would be ready in ten minutes so they made their way to the dining room.

There were already three people there.

Bruce Wayne she assumed and two girls a couple of years older than herself.

The dark haired one smiled and waved, but didn't say anything.

The blonde one instantly just appeared in front of them and shook her hand with vigor.

"You must be Marinette. The boys have told us so much about you." The girl realised something. "Oh, I nearly forgot. I'm Stephanie, but you can call me Steph and that's Cass over there."

It was kind of like meeting a blonde american version of herself.

"It's nice to meet you. Sorry, but are you family friends or...?"

It was awkward asking, but it was killing her not knowing how this all pieced together.

Stephanie wasn't actually the one to answer.

Instead Cass did.

"Sisters." Simple and straightforward.

Stephanie picked up from there. "At least now we are. B has a habit of adopting kids. I'm the new one. Paperwork only went through two days ago."

And that was that apparently.

After that she got to shake hands with Mr Wayne.

"Just call me Bruce," he'd told her.

She was in no way an expert regarding any famous people except a few that didn't have with fashion to do, but didn't Bruce Wayne have a reputation that was quite different from this?

Maybe that was something to look into...

Soon everyone was sitting around the large table.

Dick explained that they were waiting for one last person. "Our youngest brother had a video call or something."

There were enough people around the table for multiple conversations to start up at a few places while they waited.

These people were a weird bunch, but it didn't take much effort for her to fit into the mix.

She was weird too after all.

A discussion about the most unusual uses for coat hangers just didn't happen in normal company.

That didn't mean she was complaining.

Far from it.

Some of the things they came up with...

But everyone stopped what they were doing when someone new entered the room.

She turned around to see Damian looking straight at her from the doorway.

Seriously. How did this keep happening?