"Knock knock." Adrien said, entering the hospital room. Guillame and Mme. Mendeleiev waited in the hall to give the friends some privacy.
"Hey guys." Marinette said tiredly, not moving from her place next to her brother. She hadn't let go of his hand since she'd been allowed in there with him. He was lucky, the bullet had only grazed his side, and it required a few stitches, but nothing vital had been hit. "Anyone else planning to stop by?"
"Some of them wanted to." Chloe responded, taking the seat on Michael's left side. Marinette was on his right, and Adrien had pulled a chair up beside her. "But Mlle. Bustier and Mme. Mendeleiev thought it would be better for everyone's mental state to keep them at the hotel for now and let him rest. We were allowed to come because we're so close."
"You guys are too loud." Michael groaned into his pillow.
"Someone's finally awake." Marinette teased softly. Michael made a noncommittal noise, but didn't close his eyes again.
"How are you guys holding up?" Michael asked his friends.
"You're the one who's been shot and you ask how we're doing?" Adrien asked, eyebrow raised. Michael shrugged and then winced as the movement caused some pain.
"On that note," Marinette decided, "you're benched until you're healed."
"What?" Michael protested. "C'mon, I barely got-"
"Barely got shot?" Marinette asked, icy glare directed at him. "I am the Guardian, and I am benching you, Michael. I will not having you get hurt further because you couldn't wait to let yourself rest and heal. Do not make me take your miraculous until further notice."
"Fine." The boy grumbled. "But you better make me some of that healing potion so I can get back out quicker."
"Already planning on it." Marinette responded sweetly.
"If you think Marinette is scary, just wait til we get back to Paris." Chloe piped up as the door opened. "Gami's going to make sure you're okay and then she's going to gut you yourself."
"I hope I'm not intruding." A new voice spoke. The four teens looked up to see Bruce Wayne standing in the doorway.
"You're not." Marinette said. "Come on in." He stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him.
"I wanted to apologize." Bruce started. "I am sorry that your class had to go through something like this, and that you had to get hurt because of it, Michael."
"It wasn't your fault." Michael said, pushing himself into a sitting position against his pillows, Marinette arranging them to make it more comfortable for him.
"Still, I apologize." Bruce said. "I wanted to let you four know that I have invited your class to lunch later this afternoon, my treat, and you are more than welcome to join in if you're feeling up to it."
"I think we'd all like that." Marinette agreed.
"I also wanted to thank you." Bruce started. "Thank you, Michael, for pushing my adopted, if estranged, son out of the way at the beginning of the attack. And Chloe, thank you for your concern when you checked with the vigilantes on the whereabouts of my son when you didn't see him get out."
"Anyone in my place, who actually knew there was someone else there, would do it." Chloe shrugged, but her friends could tell she took pride in the thanks. A couple years ago, she'd never have done something like that, and she was happy with her progress.
Then Bruce hesitated. "I was wondering if I could speak to you two, Marinette, Michael, alone for a moment?"
Chloe and Adrien both looked to the twins for their decision, and Michael just let out a weary, "Stay, please." Marinette squeezed his hand, and Adrien rubbed soothing circles on her back. Chloe looked back down at her phone, updating their friends in Paris.
Bruce nodded, then sighed. He pulled something from a pocket, then handed it to Marinette. Her hand flew to her throat when she saw it, not having even realized she was without. Adrien looked at the man suspiciously, obviously confused as to how he got it. Chloe took that moment to speak up. "Marinette ripped it off during her panic attack. Your son was sitting right beside us when she did, he held onto it?"
"That's correct, Jason found it in his pocket back at home last night, and he'd wanted to return it. As your class is on our sponsored trip, finding you was not an issue." Bruce paused, looked at the twins for a long moment. "There is something else, though. Another of my sons heard the name read off of the tag, and recognized it as yours after meeting you at Gotham Academy. I… also recognized the name when it was read aloud."
"You knew our mother?" Marinette asked curiously. Michael watched the man quietly.
"I was, once, in a relationship with Nalia Lavayez, before she got orders to move and was stationed away from Gotham." Bruce admitted. "We fell out of touch, both of us busy with our own lives. I heard about her death a short while after it was confirmed, almost two years after I'd last seen her, but I'd never been aware she'd had children. That… I'd had more children."
"Well, that's just… wow." Marinette rambled. Michael squeezed her hand softly.
"Whatever happens next is up to you two." Bruce assured them. "I know that you were adopted, and I would never try to take you away from your rightful parents. But, if you'd like to, I'd like to get to know you guys. Maybe introduce you to some of your siblings."
"You don't have to make any decisions right now, bugette." Adrien said softly, already seeing the look that meant she was about to start rambling or freak out.
"This just means we get to join the rich kids club, Nettie." Michael said with a grin, poking Chloe in the side, who deftly shoved her chair back. "Poor Luka's going to be all alone."
"As if." Chloe shot back. "We all know Jagged is that boy's father, even if they refuse to get tested and prefer to just keep the relationship they've formed so far."
Marinette seemed lost in thought, but then she broke out with, "The Waynes are invited to tonight's MDC show at the LaRose. VIP tickets for the meet and greet, and that comes with early access to the venue, so make sure to show up early for a spot close to the catwalk."
Bruce was surprised, but before he could begin to question or try to figure it out, Michael groaned. "Gotta make it hard for me, huh? Can't even let your manager catch a break when he's been shot?"
Marinette smiled sweetly at her brother. "Maybe you shouldn't have gotten shot, then."
Bruce let out a soft chuckle. "I assume that means you're MDC?" Marinette nodded. "A couple of my other kids are big fans. I would be honored to gather what of the family I can for the show."
At that, Chloe cackled. "Mom's gonna be so pissed that she couldn't get away from the branch for this." Marinette laughed with her, knowing Audrey would hate missing meeting someone so prevalent in Gotham at the meet and greet.
The twins exchanged contact info with Bruce, and he left them to spend some time with their friends before lunch.
Lunch was a bit of a fancy affair at a restaurant booked out for the class. With Bruce Wayne also in attendance, Lila refrained from her stories about the family, at least for the time being. That didn't stop her from telling stories at all, but Marinette and Michael would take what they could get. Especially knowing that who she was talking about were people they were apparently related to.
Back at the hotel, the class gathered in the lobby to hang out until it was time to get ready and go to the fashion show they'd been invited to. The official story was simply that MDC had learned about the class from her hometown being in the area, and had thus invited them. Lila took advantage of that, and made a claim about knowing the french designer and having gotten them to invite the class to the show, having told the designer they'd be in Gotham at the time. While many of their classmates clamored around Lila, thanking her, Marinette just snorted into her sleeve.
When it was finally time to leave, Marinette and Michael both brought backpacks. They'd have to get changed quickly backstage in order to make it in time for the meet and greet. The class would only be attending as general audience of the show, but part of Adrien's agreement with his father letting him go on the trip to Gotham was that he was modelling in MDC's show, Audrey having asked for him specifically. Chloe would be backstage for her mom, too, so the class went early and would wait in a nearby park before they could enter the venue.
Marinette was excited for the meet and greet. It was always nice meeting fans in an environment like this, and it made her feel that much better about her designs. She'd dressed in an outfit of her own design, a yellow halter crop top, a black leather jacket similarly cropped, and ripped black jeans. Black flats, a traffic light pendant choker and no purse, Tikki rested comfortably inside an inner pocket of her jacket. She'd let her hair loose around her shoulders, and a pair of reflective sunglasses and a bold red lipstick helped conceal her identity. She also wore a fake septum ring, to further muffle any idea of her identity as Marinette when she was greeting guests as MDC.
Beside her, Michael also wore an outfit of her design. Rather than being based on Batman with a nod to Robin, his outfit was based on Red Hood. Ripped black skinny jeans, black steel toe combat boots, a dark red tank top under a brighter red leather jacket. Chains clipped to belt loops were actually his miraculous, moved from his hand so as to keep anyone who knew him from recognizing the panjas bracelet he never took off. He'd donned a similar pair of mirrored sunglasses, and also wore fake piercings, though his were a pair of snake bites on the left side of his lip.
They were about halfway through the meet and greet when Michael nudged Marinette with his shoulder and nodded to one of the next guests. Marinette looked forward and smiled sweetly as the girl spoke. "Hi, my name's Lila, and I love your work, MDC!"
"Thank you, Lila!" Marinette responded, pitching her voice a little lower than normal. Rather than make a scene, Marinette treated her as any other guest and took a selfie with her, autographing a polaroid for her (a neat idea Michael had come up with - he would take a polaroid of her with each of her guests, and she would sign them for a cool keepsake for guests). As soon as the girl was gone, Marinette whispered to her brother. "She's so going to use that as proof she got the class here, but hell if I was going to let her cause a scene at my show." Michael snorted.
After a few more guests, they got another familiar face. Phone guy from the mall, one Jason Todd. After getting his photo taken with Marinette, he turned to Michael shyly. "Could I get a picture with you, too?" He asked quietly.
Michael raised an eyebrow while Marinette grinned.
"You're just really cool, you stand up for your sister whenever the media tries to target her for her age or her identity or whatever else, and you do so much to make sure her career goes well, you help organize all these meets and shows and that must take a lot of effort. I agree with your outspoken stance on a lot of different topics, and I just- I admire you a lot." Jason explained. "You're a good guy."
Before Michael could respond, Marinette plucked the polaroid camera from his hands and shoved him into Jason. The two struck a silly pose, and Marinette took a few pictures with her brother's phone while the polaroid developed. He'd been taking the occasional pictures for promotional and event posts, and she sent the photos of the two to her own phone before giving her brother his phone and camera back. Michael signed the polaroid of him and Jason as 'MDC2,' and they sent him on his merry way.
Eventually, the Waynes made it to the front of the line. Bruce introduced Dick, Tim and Cass, as well as Alfred, and of course Damian, who they'd already met. The twins only introduce themselves as MDC and MDC's manager, MDC2. They each took a photo with Marinette, though Alfred insisted both of the twins be in the same photo as him. Bruce did the same, smiling softly at the camera. They signed the polaroids, and the family made their way into the main room of the venue.
The show began with Marinette modelling her own outfit, voice distorted by the microphone she wore. Michael modeled his outfit as well, Marinette telling the audience they just had to tribute the city they were in.
After the show, Marinette thanked everyone for coming out, and as the crowd dispersed, she spoke to a few reporters backstage about her designs. Once she and Michael had changed into the outfits they wore to the show, they joined the class back on the bus to the hotel.
If Marinette later tweeted out a couple photos on her MDC account, a couple of Jason and Michael and a photo of the twins with Alfred, captioning it, "Gotta love the love for my manager! He does so much for me, it's nice to see there are fans of my crew, too ;))," well, that was her prerogative.
The day after the show is a simple day of tours around businesses and museums in the city. Marinette and Michael are invited to dinner at the Wayne Manor in order to properly meet their family, and are introduced to Dick, Tim, Jason, Damian, Cass, Stephanie, and Barbara. Barbara isn't technically a Wayne, but she's close enough and practically been adopted into the family. Bruce doesn't mention MDC, and neither do the twins, smiling over their secret as they get to know their family a little more.
The day after that, the class tours some Wayne Enterprises charity foundations around the city, in honor of that night's Wayne Gala. Bruce extended an invite to the twins, but they've already been invited. Adrien would be in attendance to represent the Agreste brand, which had donated to multiple Wayne Enterprises charities, and Audrey, while somewhat of a selfish woman, was based in New York and therefore donated to multiple charities along the east coast. She extended her invitation to her daughter, as well as to her apprentice and apprentice's manager.
Needing to make their own professional appearances, the twins promised to meet up with the Waynes and spend some time with them during the gala.
"Oh, darlings, I love your dresses!" Audrey greeted as soon as the four teens had made their way into the ballroom the gala was being hosted in.
"Thank you." Marinette responded, curtsying to the woman. "I finished them the other night."
Marinette was in a deep red dress, strapless and tight, hair twisted up into an elaborate updo of braids, complete with a delicate silver hair ornament resting on the back. Short black heels adorned her feet, while she accessorized with a dark red lipstick, a black clutch and a silver necklace with a teardrop pendant. Chloe was in a gorgeous golden gown that was tight at the top and looser toward the bottom, flaring out beautifully in a spin. It sparkled in the light, silver glittering when the light caught the fabric just right, and her hair was in an elegant updo, a diamond necklace resting against her chest. A matching bracelet rested on the wrist holding her golden clutch, and tall white heels gave her a dominating figure.
"Well, they're just lovely." Audrey decided. "Your suit, too, Michael. No offense, Adrien, dear, but your father's formal wear is just a tad boring."
Michael was in a nice pair of black slacks, a white button up, sleeves rolled up just past his elbows, and a deep orange vest with black buttons. A matching black tie was around his neck, and his short blue-black hair was messy and spiked, eyeliner lining his eyes and black polish on his nails. His miraculous was in the form of belt loop chains again. Adrien, on the other hand, was in a simple suit combo, as this wasn't a show or photoshoot, and he had to be in his father's designs. His red tie was made from the same as Marinette's dress, though.
"It is what it is." Adrien shrugged. "I'd love to wear Nettie's designs, but I'm representing father tonight."
"Yes, well, you may as well go ahead and go get your networking done for the night. I know you four will want to have some time for fun." Audrey smiled and gently pushed the teens toward the crowd.
After they had made a few rounds and met up with a couple potential clients, Marinette and Michael joined Audrey on the way to where Bruce Wayne was speaking with someone. Audrey thanked the man for the invitation and spoke with him for a few minutes, before going on her own way. Adrien and Chloe found their way over and they chatted with the man for a bit.
"Go have fun." Bruce said, breaking Marinette out of her thoughts. She glanced at him. "I saw you eyeing the dance floor, go have some fun while you're here."
Marinette smiled and grabbed Adrien's hand. He laughed as she pulled him onto the dancefloor.
Beside where the two had just been, Chloe let out a loud sigh, arms crossed.
"I can be your girlfriend for the night, if you want." He offered with a grin.
"Step on my shoes and I'll beat you with a hairbrush, Dupain-Cheng." Chloe responded, but took his outstretched hand.
"I would never!" Michael said dramatically, other hand splayed against his chest. "They're white!"
At some point, Marinette and Adrien made their way back over to the Wayne family. There were a few reporters around, but not many, and Marinette had been thinking of revealing MDC's identity soon, anyways.
While they were over there, Michael and Chloe were getting drinks. Some women passing by commented about them 'making an interesting looking couple,' laughing at the two teens.
"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous." Chloe cut them off haughtily. "I would never be seen like that with the likes of him. I am in a loving and committed relationship with my absolutely gorgeous girlfriend, and while she could stand to dress a little more fabulously, she is the most perfect being in this world."
"Aww, I think I'm pretty enough to be a sugar baby." Michael said jokingly. "Why won't you love me, Chloe?"
The group of women who'd been passing by looked aghast at that, but then someone else getting their own drink spoke up with a laugh. "I'd pick you for a sugar baby."
Chloe snorted as Michael stepped over to Jason and ran a hand down his arm, the women quickly turning and leaving. Chloe watched them for a single moment before shaking her head and walking away from the two boys heavily flirting with each other, doing their best to cause a scene. She linked back up with Marinette, Adrien and Bruce, who raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, what are they doing?" The man asked. A quick look back told her that Michael and Jason had moved onto the dance floor. Marinette and Adrien followed her gaze, before laughing at their antics.
"They're causing Michael's first Wayne scandal because I won't be his sugar mama." Chloe explained, pulling out her phone to take a few pics to send to Kagami and Luka. Bruce just sighed, shaking his head with a soft smile. He might not have the best relationship with Jason anymore, but he cared about the boy.