Chapter Text
With Damian being his cold, cynical self, he rarely showed interest in any of his classmates, and did not deign to bring any back to the manor. So when he brought Marinette, Ms. “I smile and it’s like the sun is shining” his family was surprised, to say the least.
Because of how he was brought up, Damian was very particular about who he trusted enough to let his guard down around. His family knew this, and his father made sure everyone knew to be kind and calm around any potential friends the youngest Wayne might bring home.
They were all reminded of these rules, when Damian said he would be bringing someone over to the manor over dinner one night. But when Marinette walked into the manor behind Damian for the first time, a bright smile on her face, all thoughts of a polite and calm ambiance in the Wayne manor went out the window as his brothers descended on them like wolves, wanting to know just how their grumpiest sibling had become friends with what looked like sunshine reincarnated.
***
After sitting through the impromptu interrogation, Damian and Marinette escaped out into the garden, silently thanking Alfred for appearing only a few minutes into the questions.
They wandered around for a bit, Damian giving Marinette a short tour of the area, before they found a shady spot to work. Setting down their backpacks, they took out their folders and laptops to get to work on their project.
Knowing Alfred’s expectation for meals at the manor, Damian let Marinette know that they would need to be at the table for dinner by seven. Looking thoughtful he added, “The sun will set earlier than that, most likely around six. Would you be alright with packing up some time earlier to go inside? I could also show you some of the manor rooms to pass the time until we eat.”
After getting the affirmation from Marinette, they both turned back to their work and started typing, with the occasional glance at the other.
As it started to get dark, they both began to put their things away, discussing their project as they did so.
***
They returned indoors as the sun started to set, Damian having accurately predicted the time of sunset.
After hanging their backpacks by the door, they returned to the entryway, where Damian started to give his tour. He gave explanations about the rooms around the house, showing the different areas with short anecdotes about his brothers, his comments derisive but fond.
“That is where our coffee table should be, but Drake spilled his coffee on it again, and Alfred decided we needed another.”
“That chandelier could have been an antique. Instead, we have the real one installed in the ballroom, because Grayson has tried to swing on it an innumerable amount of times. Father decided it would be in our best interests to get a less important one in case it one day breaks.”
“This is where I used to keep my katanas, but apparently Father says that it is unsafe,” he rolls his eyes before smirking. “Todd lost his gun privileges as well, though. I also have a secret stash of- ” Damian is cut off as his brothers come crashing through the doors of the room.
“I HAVE JUST COME UP WITH THE BEST IDEA!” Jason shouts after spotting Damian.
In his excitement, even met with Damian’s deadpan stare on him, his enthusiasm does not waver. “It will be fun, hilarious, and easy. We just need everyone to cooperate.” Here he spins around the room, pointing at everyone that came in after him, before landing on the two highschoolers.
Without preamble Damian states, “I will be partaking in no foolish activities, Todd,” crossing his arms.
Tim, from behind Jason, adds, “I’d like to know what we are getting into before I agree to anything. I don’t want to be dunked in paint or covered in glitter again. That took me weeks to wash out!”
Dick and Stephanie turn to Jason, wary, having been the others that were drenched in glitter.
Jason puts his hands up placatingly, “Okay, okay. I promise it’s nothing like that.” As their stares remain on him, unmoving, he adds with a smirk, “We are gonna play a prank on the old man.”
As Damian perks up a bit before turning to a nervous Marinette to reassure her, and the other four siblings become thoughtful, Jason knows he has just gotten the support needed to pull it off.
***
The Wayne children, both official and unofficial, along with Marinette all get to dinner early, sitting in their places, and going over the plans for the prank as they wait for their father to arrive.
Quieting down as they hear footsteps approaching, they turn to safer topics, to avoid giving themselves away.
“-and I got the cutest dress just yesterday! I can’t wait to style it with some other things.”
“-went out to race someone. Don’t give me that look Dick! I’m perfectly responsible.”
“-could totally pair it with your cream sweater, or even your tan turtleneck!”
“-just because I forgot my helmet one time, does not mean I am completely irresponsible.”
“-such a good idea! I could wear my new boots too!”
“-yes, I was speeding. What does that have to do with this?”
“-need to go shopping again! We can get you some new earrings!”
A tired and slightly haggard Bruce arrives at the dining room, nearly collapsing into his chair as he sags down to relax after a long day of work.
He looks up as a new voice asks, “Are you alright? You look a little tired.”
The owner of the voice has dark hair, and bright blue eyes. A quiet voice in the back of his mind adds to the description, looks like she could be one of my kids. Ignoring that voice, he asks, “Who are you? I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“Father, this is Marinette.”
“Really, Old Man? You can’t remember one of your own kids’s names? You really are old.”
“I get that you only just adopted her, but you already can’t remember her?”
Turning to Marinette with an awkward smile that matched hers, he thought, Of course she looks like one of my kids! She is one of them. “Sorry. I suppose I am more tired than I thought I was. I will probably remember you after a good night’s sleep.”
“It’s alright Mr. Wayne,” she said with a giggle. “I’m actually a friend of Damian’s from school. I came to work on a project. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure a good night’s rest would do you well regardless, you look pretty exhausted.”
As Marinette spoke, he recalled that Damian had told him about a friend coming over. I must be really tired to have forgotten all these things, and have mistaken her as my child. I suppose people are right when they call me a serial adopter if I managed to mistake her as one of mine.