Dick had just returned from patrol. It had been a quiet evening. He removed his things as discreetly as possible, then went to take a shower. Finally, he put on his shorts, took a tank top and finally went to bed.

Marinette was already in bed, she seemed to be sound asleep. He sat down beside the young woman. Instinctively, she came and huddled against him.

Dick smiled.

He breathed in her sweet perfume. Soon, he let himself go into Morpheus' arms.

Since the accident with Blockbuster, Dick had finally managed to convince Marinette to come and live with him for a few days, enough time for her apartment and her café to be refurbished. Indeed, her apartment had been completely ransacked and her café half destroyed.

Initially, he wanted to sleep on the couch and leave his bed to Marinette. But the little bluenette had categorically refused.

In the end, they decided to share the bed.

After all, they were just "good friends".

It took a few adjustments. Dick finally found an excuse for his patrols as Nightwing, the fact that he was on guard duty. He also had to use his imagination to hide his vigilante stuff.

But these small "sacrifices" were worth it.

Marinette was, as he had imagined, a bit of a maniac. In the space of three days, his apartment had metamorphosed.

To begin with, the apartment was spotless. There was nothing lying around, which was very unusual. Dick was the embodiment of disorder when it came to his stuff.

There were several green plants near the window. The living room wall had been decorated with an assortment of black and white circus-themed frames. The Flying Grayson poster was now framed and stood proudly in the middle of the other smaller frames.

The sofa, as well as the armchairs, had been covered with plaids and throws of fabric in light blue, white and black. There were now decorative cushions on the sofa, in bright colors.

There was a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the middle of the side table.

It was a very successful mix of industrial retro style. The apartment was now tastefully decorated, and that was a good match for Dick's jovial personality.

The young man was also very insistent that Marinette simply rested. She wouldn't listen to him. She made him breakfast every morning, she made him lunch, she made dinner... (And god... what a good cook that girl was...)

The blueberry had even started sorting his clothes, doing the laundry... She didn't have to do any of that at all! He was completely embarrassed by the situation.

Then, little by little, he got used to this little routine.

He got used to the decoration. He was eating more properly. He had gotten used to having to walk around the apartment in socks only... His co-workers started teasing him about his "roommate" (especially Amy, who didn't miss one).

Dick found himself looking forward to going home. He could then spend time with Marinette.

He learned a little more about her.

Her father had died in an accident and her mother had abandoned her. Her Chinese teacher adopted her and took her with him to his home village in Tibet. She then spent seven years of her life training in a Shaolin temple. Marinette did not go into details, but Dick quickly realized that the scars on her back were from that period.

In other words, Marinette's "guardian" had made sure to isolate her as much as possible and take advantage of her vulnerable situation. But Dick was careful not to say so.

After the death of her first guardian, she had a second one. It was this second guardian who took her to the United States. He was also the one who provided her with the funds to open her café.

"Maybe you will meet him one day... He is... a bit unique, you might say... He always calls me "Goddess"...According to him, it suits me."

"Hmm. I don't think he's wrong. You're very pretty. Besides, I'd love to meet your benefactor."

And to give him a medal for taking you away from an unhealthy environment.

"Ahaha, very funny. Here, for once you have a day off and enjoy your breakfast."

"Yes, boss!"

"I'm going to take a look at my renovation work today, normally everything should be ready in two weeks. I took the opportunity to make some small changes in the coffee."

"Two weeks eh..."

"Yes, you would finally be rid of me!"

She winked at him and stuck her tongue out.

Get rid of you... Uh... If only you knew...

Dick laughed, to hide his discomfort.

The young man was... lost...

He had growing feelings for Marinette. He was not in love with her. Yet. But he knew he could.

The fact that she stayed with him didn't help his heart make his choice. Dick loved her presence. He liked being in her company, he liked the idea of sharing a roof with her...

However, even though he had affection for her, his heart still belonged to Barbara.

Dick couldn't help it.

Heavens, he felt so bad about having so many conflicted feelings.

I feel like I'm just a bastard...

His heart beat faster as soon as he heard the sound of Bab's voice on his earpiece. There was again this chemistry between them, this little spark.

Dick wanted to keep that flame alive.

Barbara is my first true love... She is an incredible woman. Strong, daring, intelligent, extremely beautiful... My heart beats strongly just by seeing her. I'm breathless. A shiver runs through my whole body, just her presence alone is enough to trouble me.

But on the other hand...

Another spark had been created in his heart. The more time he spent with Marinette, and more this little spark became a flame.

As time went by... And more he realized that the connection he had with Marinette was mutual.

The more I hear your laughter, and the more melodious it becomes... Now, when I snuggle up to you, my traitor of heart is screaming that I' m home now... When I see your smiles, I tell myself that I would like to see more of that luminous sun that you are. What have you done to me?

Maybe he should throw water on the fire before it becomes an inferno?

I have to get away.

His heart tightened.

Dick didn't want to leave. He felt irretrievably drawn in. Like a planet that had finally found its sun.

Damn it... I don't understand what I want.

-XxxX-

Marinette Fu.

This young woman was a real enigma.

After Dick left her shamelessly, during their evening, Barbara had started to research this mysterious young woman who seemed to have all the attention of her ex.

This reminds me of when he was dating Kori...

The more she searched, the more discomfort grew in her.

Something was wrong with this woman. She had a strange past.

Marinette Fu, whose birth name was Marinette Lenoir, had been adopted at the age of 14, after being abandoned by her biological parents.

This simple fact was already raising a lot of questions. Why did her parents abandon her when she was already a teenager? According to the papers, the parents could no longer afford to take care of her. But if that was the case... Why didn't they leave her with a relative? Why did they hand her directly to the social workers?

Moreover, Barbara searched everywhere but could find nothing about the young woman's so-called parents. She only had their names: Mathilde Lenoir and Bastien Lenoir. They were supposed to be small businessmen, but it was impossible to get their name of their business...

After her adoption by this "Wang Fu", the young woman and her "adoptive father" disappeared completely from the radar. There is a gap of several years in her life. No activity on social networks, no banking activity, no known address.

Nothing. Zero.

Not everyone can just vanish like that.

It was as if, for seven years, the young woman had simply disappeared from the face of the earth.

Another surprising fact is that she was recently adopted, three years ago, by a certain Kent Nelson.

Her last name was actually Marinette Lenoir Fu Nelson.

It was at that moment, while reading the young woman's full last name several times, that Barbara realized one thing: Kent Nelson's name was not unknown to her.

She continued her research on the surname of the second adoptive father of this Marinette. When the picture of the man appeared on her screen, Barbara's heart missed a beat.

This girl was the adopted daughter... of Dr. Fate?!

Barbara nervously bit her lip for a few moments. There were several alarm bells ringing for her.

Where had this girl been for seven years?

Why did Kent Nelson adopt this girl when her previous guardian was apparently still alive? (Barbara hadn't found any death certificates yet.)

It was clear to Barbara that the origin of this "Marinette" (if it was really her first name) was false and that these "official" papers were completely fake.

What was interesting was that the adoption of Marinette by Kent Nelson had allowed her to obtain American citizenship in record time. This once again aroused Barbara's suspicions.

This woman had no social network, no cell phone, only a landline. Part of the funds of her business came from an unknown source, which Barbara was unable to find.

Barbara was skeptical.

Why on earth was Dick dating someone with such a questionable past?

She knew him well enough to know that he was the type to always give people a chance, even when he shouldn't. Maybe the young man knew about this girl's past, and decided to give her a chance? Or maybe it was another one of his "someone needs me so I'm going to play the Good Samaritan" phases.

Dick would be her friend, because he just feels sorry for the girl...

In any case, the redhead couldn't see herself asking Dick the question. It would imply to confess to him, that she had done some research about his " friend ". And it could also be very misinterpreted. If there was one thing Barbara wanted to avoid at all costs, it was that there be the slightest ambiguity between them.

Their history had been an intense moment, but that was in the past.

The redhead wanted to move on and just stay on good terms with someone she considered a friend. Her search was simply justified by curiosity!

I'm pathetic. Who am I trying to fool?

No really, at that point Barbara had to admit one thing: she was hurt.

After almost a whole year away from the young man, Barbara had come to the conclusion that she missed him very much, and that maybe... they could try to put the pieces back together? It was true that their relationship had had its ups and downs. Perhaps they had gotten together too soon?

God... How stupid of me.

Barbara spent almost an hour listening to Dick talk to her about another girl.

A girl who was supposed to be "just a friend."

And yet, the vigilante could sense the affection that Dick had for this girl. With every word he said about her, his eyes shone with a certain tenderness.

A tenderness that was reserved only for her...

Was she hurt?

Yes, completely.

Was she jealous?

Perhaps she was.

Was she angry?

Absolutely.

No mistake about it. Barbara had absolutely NOTHING against this girl. Her anger was mostly turned against Dick. This idiot was giving this girl false hope.

The redhead was far from being an idiot. If Dick had contacted her, it was because he wanted to make things better between them. Instead, he spent his time talking to her about another woman, for whom he undoubtedly had feelings... But... Who obviously weren't as strong feelings as Dick still had for her.

In other words, for Barbara, Dick was using this girl as a band-aid, to forget their old relationship.

It was totally unfair to this young woman.

Finally... It was what she thought...

One evening, she decided to visit Dick. She was clearly tired of the situation and wanted to clarify their relationship once and for all.

Her first surprise? Dick's apartment had undergone a complete makeover.

"Did you redecorate?"

Barbara couldn't help but notice that there was a shoe cabinet at the entrance. And that on this piece of furniture, there were several handbags. The redhead knew very well that these objects did not belong to Dick.

"Ah, yes... I'm still having a little trouble getting used to it. It was Mari's idea after seeing the state of my apartment. She forced me to go shopping."

They... live together?

"You mean she bought the decorations and you just carried the packages."

"Touché."

Barbara had a forced smile on her face. But Dick didn't seem to notice.

"Can I offer you something?"

"Just a cup of coffee will be fine."

Dick began to talk cheerfully for a while about all sorts of things. Especially about his work at the police station. Barbara listened silently.

When Dick came back with the coffee, he put on the table several small assortments of small macaroons, all in different colors.

Barbara's heart squeezed at the sight of these little cakes. She was sure that these macaroons were made by... that girl.

"So, do you have something to tell me?"

"I've been... thinking a lot lately. About... us."

"…"

"Dick, I want to know why you called me the other night."

"I..."

There was a great silence. Dick scratched his head nervously.

Barbara felt offended once again.

"Dick, this girl, what does she mean to you?"

"This ... You mean Marinette? She's just a friend."

Barbara let out a sigh.

Just a friend, huh?

She silently watched the new decoration of Dick's apartment.

A "friend" for whom you left me high and dry. A "friend" who obviously lives in your apartment. A "friend" you let re-decorate your apartment.

She didn't have time to put her thoughts into words. Dick's cell phone started ringing.

"I'm sorry... I have to take this call."

Dick got up and left the room. When he returned, he seemed a little confused.

"That was Amy... I have to get back to the police station. Can we... have this conversation a little later?"

"Hmm. Duty calls."

"Yeah... Duty calls."

She left the place with bitterness inside her.

-XxxX-

Gotham, 3:30 a.m.

Fate watched the scene unfolding before his eyes with some concern.

The Court of Owls was really an organization made up of psychopaths, narcissistic, self-centered perverts, and guys with a god complex. And this crazy gang wanted to get their hands on the primary Miraculous box at all costs. Those who granted a wish that changed reality and erased the past.

With the help of the last Guardian, he had needed two years to recover all the Miraculous lost around the globe (which was relatively short in view of the considerable number of Miraculous recovered). These Miraculous were now under the protection of the group he had formed very recently. A new group, of which the young Guardian was a member.

"Gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight because we have great news. We have finally managed to establish the identity of the last Guardian."

Fate sighed.

He had sincerely hoped that the little one could finally have a normal life. But unfortunately for her, by merging all the Miraculous of the original Miracle Box, she became the universal balance of the universe. This meant that her whole life would constantly be governed by the law of "equivalent balance".

If she was lucky, then, as a result, she would have to endure a period of bad luck equal to the good luck she had enjoyed.

And Fate knew that Marinette had recently had a change in her life. She had developed powerful feelings for someone. This meant that a misfortune as great as her "positive feelings" would come upon her soon.

Fate remembered that day when he had found the little Guardian. She was about to take her own life after the last Miraculous Temple was robbed. The man had sensed that the entire universe was disintegrating.

In order for their universe (and all life) to continue to exist, this young woman had to live.

She told him her story.

He chose to take her under his wing.

The first thing he did was to introduce her to someone who would help her regain her self-confidence. Someone who also needed to be reframed.

He introduced Marinette to John Constantine. If there was one person on this Earth who wouldn't go to the Justice League and offer her up on a platter, it was that eccentric blonde.

Marinette was a little lady with a big heart. Someone who had suffered enormously. Many had taken advantage of her kindness, including the Guardians.

These guys were supposed to protect magical artifacts from those with bad intentions, not hold children hostage and brainwash them.

The girl hadn't realized this. But she had a serious Stockholm syndrome.

Her former "Master" had abused his authority. He had made sure to isolate her. With all the emotional baggage that the girl had, it was very easy for him to do whatever he wanted.

The former guardian had used Marinette to free himself from his responsibilities.

Constantine was not easy to persuade. At first, he was indifferent. But by dint of insistence, the blond eventually gave in.

Fate could declare with certainty that Constantine had become attached to Marinette. He saw her as a little sister (even though he was certain that the blond man would probably never admit it).

Fate himself saw Marinette as his daughter.

"This time we will proceed differently. I have in mind to hire several assassins."

The magician's attention turned again to the members of the court.

He could disintegrate them if he wanted to. But he had no desire to attract the attention of Batman (this guy was dangerous to the little Goddess. Since the death of the second Robin, his judgment was particularly impaired. If he learned the truth about Marinette, he would try to control her).

Fate felt sorry for the little Goddess. But for her safety, and the safety of the universe.

Marinette had to leave Blüdhaven.