Shadowed Threads

Chapter Forty-Five: Home is a Funny Thing

Marinette had been to a lot of places in her life.

She had traveled. Hid. Started over more times than she could count.

But she had never thought of anywhere as home.

Wayne Manor, though?

It was starting to feel dangerously close.

⸻

Jason's motorcycle cut through Gotham's streets, the hum of the engine steady and familiar.

Marinette let the wind whip past her, the city lights blurring into streaks of gold and blue.

For once, she wasn't thinking about Lila, about Agreste, about the next fight waiting to happen.

She was just here.

With Jason.

And somehow, that was enough.

⸻

When they pulled up to Wayne Manor, Marinette hopped off first, pulling off her helmet and shaking out her hair.

Jason watched her with that damn smirk of his, flipping up his visor.

"You sure you don't want to run away together?" he teased. "I hear Blüdhaven has great hiding spots."

Marinette rolled her eyes. "If we went to Blüdhaven, Dick would find us in five minutes."

Jason huffed. "Yeah, he's annoying like that."

Marinette grinned.

Then, before she could think too much about it, she grabbed Jason's helmet and nudged his arm.

"C'mon, Hood," she said. "Let's go inside before your brothers make up more rumors."

Jason chuckled. "Oh, Bug, that ship sailed weeks ago."

Marinette sighed.

He was probably right.

⸻

The moment they stepped into the Manor, Marinette immediately regretted it.

Because every single Wayne brother was sitting in the living room.

Waiting.

Like they had been expecting this.

Tim was on the couch, coffee in hand, looking like he was watching a live drama unfold.

Dick leaned forward, too entertained.

Damian stood by the fireplace, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but clearly analyzing every move.

Even Bruce was there, though he looked far less amused than the others.

Jason sighed, tossing his keys onto the counter.

"Oh great," he muttered. "The welcome committee."

Marinette gave them all a flat look.

"...Why do I feel like I'm walking into an interrogation?"

Tim smirked. "Because you are."

Dick grinned. "You guys were out for a while."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You tracking us now?"

Damian scoffed. "As if we need to. You are painfully obvious, Todd."

Jason groaned. "You guys need new hobbies."

Bruce, still watching with his signature silent Bat-stare, finally sighed. "Was dinner good?"

Marinette blinked. "Uh. Yeah?"

Bruce nodded. "Good."

Then he simply stood up and left the room.

Marinette blinked again.

"...That's it?"

Tim grinned. "Oh, he approves."

Jason scowled. "You guys are impossible."

Dick chuckled, shaking his head.

"Alright, alright," he said, stretching. "We'll back off."

Then-grinning at Marinette-

"For now."

Marinette sighed.

Wayne Manor was going to be the death of her.

⸻

Later that night, Marinette found herself in the Manor's library, curled up in a chair with a warm mug of tea.

Jason found her easily.

She heard his footsteps before she saw him, his presence impossible to ignore.

He plopped down on the couch across from her, stretching his arms over the backrest.

"Still alive, Bug?" he teased.

Marinette smirked. "Barely."

Jason grinned.

Then-more seriously-

"They're just messing with you."

Marinette sighed. "I know."

Jason tilted his head. "Does it bother you?"

Marinette hesitated.

Then-honestly-

"...No."

Jason raised an eyebrow, waiting.

She sighed again, staring into her tea.

"It's just... new," she admitted.

Jason nodded, as if he understood exactly what she meant.

"You're not used to people being up in your business."

Marinette laughed softly. "Not like this."

Jason smirked. "Yeah, welcome to the family."

Marinette rolled her eyes.

But she didn't argue.

And Jason?

Jason noticed.

⸻

For a while, they just sat there.

The quiet wasn't awkward.

It was just... easy.

Like they had been doing this for years.

Jason tapped his fingers against his knee, glancing at her.

"So," he said casually. "Think you'll stick around?"

Marinette exhaled.

She had spent so long wondering if she could stay.

If she should.

But now?

Now she wasn't thinking about running.

Now she was here.

And maybe-just maybe-she didn't want to leave.

So instead of answering, she just smirked.

Jason narrowed his eyes. "That's not an answer, Bug."

Marinette took a sip of her tea. "I know."

Jason huffed a laugh.

And for the first time in forever?

Marinette felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.