Maribat One-Shots

CW! Mild Panic Attack

Marinette runs away to the shadows as Batman chases her, streaks of dried up tears visible as she hides. She's frustrated, she's overwhelmed, she's... she's just very very tired. Everything finally caught up to her. Every degrading remark, every time someone brushes off her worries, every time someone drops a dozen more expectations on her.

She's exhausted.

She wants a break, she wants someone to understand, she wants for once... for someone to think of her, not her thinking of them. Is that really too much to ask? Is she being selfish? Is it selfish to want someone to see beyond that smile on her face there is a little girl begging, crying, shouting for help? Is it selfish that she wants someone to hold her while she cries? Is it selfish that she wants someone to make sure that she stays afloat? For someone to make sure she doesn't drown?

As she hides in the shadows, she curls into a ball, letting more and more tears flow down her eyes. Her sobs are soundless, hiding her emotions for anyone who couldn't see her.

Everything's just too much.

From having found out that her parents aren't biologically related to her, to the duties she needs to uphold as the guardian. From having to pick out new holders, to trying to please her newly found family. From trying to get them to accept her, to ignoring all the jabs she gets from her classmates.

She's just a kid.

She's just a little girl.

She shouldn't have to do this.

She shouldn't have to do any of this.

And as she cries and cries till she has no more tears, Batman is still roaming out on the roofs looking for the person that biologically is his daughter. A girl that was once again hidden from him. He didn't know what was going on. He didn't understand what happened. All he knew is that he was told, "Marinette is gone, we don't know where she is."

Now he's jumping over rooftops, looking for her.

The sounds of speeding cars and people trying to get home as quickly as possible fill his ears. He hears nothing that sounds like his daughter.

"Have you seen anything yet, Nightwing?"

"Unfortunately not," Nightwing replied with a sigh.

"Red Hood, Red Robin, Robin, anything at your end?"

"Nothing," all three answered simultaneously.

Batman sighed as he leaped back up to search again. Just as he was going to leave his location, he spotted a pair of pink flats peeking out of a corner. He slowly walks towards them, careful not to make a sound. He soon sees his daughter curled up in a ball, head on her knees, fast asleep. Tears were still left on her face and it broke his heart to know that she was crying.

"I found her, heading back to the cave now," he informed the others.

He hears their acknowledgements and gently picks Marinette up. She stirs a little but soon falls back asleep. He heads back to the cave trying not to wake her and when he gets there, he immediately goes to her room and tucks her in. He hurries to change and comes back a few minutes later as Bruce Wayne.

Bruce sits on the foot of the bed, looking at his daughter intently. She looks so peaceful. Without him realising it, he lays down right under her feet and soon sleep overtakes him as well.

Early in the morning, Bruce wakes up first. He stretches a bit, his back sore from sleeping in an uncomfortable position. He decides to sit near Marinette's head, stroking her hair while he waits for her to wake up. And soon enough, she starts to stir.

"Bruce?" she says.

The man in question smiles, "Hey Mari, you gave us quite a scare last night."

Marinette hides her face, cheeks turning red in shame.

Bruce notices this, "You want to talk about it? I'm here to listen, Mari."

Marinette feels tears pool up in her eyes again, but this time, someone pulls her in for a hug.

"Let it out, sweetheart," Bruce comforts, "I'm here."

"E- everything's just- too much..." Marinette says softly between sobs.

"Yeah?"

"Everyone expects me to be either one thing or another. I can't seem to find a way to keep everyone happy- I just can't! Everyday is just more expectations while fulfilling all the other ones before. Everyday is just a new problem after the next. When can I rest? When can I just be happy without having to worry about people hating me for it. When can I stop worrying over people leaving me for something I didn't do..."

"Oh sweetheart..." Bruce says softly, "I can't say anything for anyone else but you will always have me. I know I'm not the best father, but I'm here, I'll always be here. I won't say I don't have any expectations for you, but I would never hate you if you couldn't fulfill them, I wouldn't be disappointed either. Because I know you tried."

"Marinette, sweetheart, you're an incredibly hard working person, you always try your best, and that's really all I ask of you. Try your best, the results don't matter. What I expect of you isn't anything you need to feel obliged to complete. Also never, I mean never, be afraid to ask for help. Whether it's for opinions, advice, or assistance, I'm open. My doors won't ever be closed for you. Okay, darling?"

Marinette glances up at the man who holds her. She searches his face for any sign of a lie, any sign of insecurity on his face. Yet, she finds none. All that was written was genuine love and concern. Hesitantly, she leans into his touch, sniffling from crying earlier. She smiles a bittersweet smile.

"Thanks, Dad. I mean it."

Bruce stiffens in surprise at the title but Marinette seems too tired to realise. He holds her tighter in his grasp, holding on as if she'll disappear if he doesn't. He smiles.

"Of course, sweetheart, anytime."

1010 words

This is a vent fic if you couldn't tell. Anyway, wrote a fic cause I didn't want to post a note only. I'm taking a break from writing. School is just really overwhelming me and everyone's expectations aren't helping. Especially since now I'm apart of the new School Organization ad the secretary. It's a lot and I really need a break. Hope you understand. Love you all! Thanks for your support

XOXO
-Leen