Chapter Text
It could have been another peaceful morning in Paris, but Marinette knew that ever since Hawkmoth had been revealed as Gabriel Agreste, things would not return to normal anytime soon.
The city seemed to have exhausted most of its anger. People still wanted somewhere to direct their frustration, and the comments about the Agreste family online were far from kind. Even now, they remained harsh, though they rarely crossed the line.
The citizens had worked hard to stay strong and deny the villain one final victory over the city.
Her class, however, had been another story.
The revelation that Lila Rossi had been working with Hawkmoth had shattered what little stability remained. Everything had been tensed ever since. Although their treatment of Adrien had not changed drastically, Marinette could not ignore how isolated he had become. She was one of the few people who still stayed close to him while everyone else seemed eager to hold him accountable for the actions of a man who had never truly cared for him.
The situation saddened her more than she cared to admit. Adrien's maternal relatives were too busy searching for a cure for Emilie's condition—they had not even allowed Ladybug to examine her—to pay much attention to him. Amid the legal battles and family turmoil, he had been left almost entirely to fend for himself. He is greatly surprised to go downstairs and observe Bruce Wayne - here the man who helped them stop Hawkmoth - sitting in his living room next to Adrien, who smiles uncomfortably. Her mother is serving her tea.
Good morning, darling! Mr. Wayne was just telling us about a possible solution to the situation with your class."
Marinette glanced at the other adult in surprise. It was neither his responsibility nor his concern, and yet he had involved himself anyway. After the week she had endured, the sudden turn of events was almost enough to leave her speechless.
"Good morning. I suppose your timing couldn't be better." She smiled at her mother before approaching the guests. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Wayne."
"The pleasure is mine, Marinette." Bruce accepted the cup of tea Sabine offered before taking a seat on the couch and gesturing for Marinette to do the same. "Thank you."
"Since Hawkmoth's capture, I've noticed that the situation at your school has only become more complicated."
"Yes. You would think everything would improve once Lila's network fell apart, but somehow things became even more difficult. I can't really blame them, though. I doubt any of us know what to do with our emotions right now." The last part escaped in a thoughtful murmur. "And we've only been dealing with this for three years."
"Indeed. It's concerning how deeply Hawkmoth affected people, warping their ways of coping into something far from healthy." Bruce set his cup down. "With that in mind, Alfred, one of my children, and I discussed a possible alternative."
That immediately caught Adrien's attention.
"I would like to offer you the opportunity to complete your secondary and higher education in the United States under my family's supervision. It would also provide access to mentors who could help guide your future as heroes."
Adrien looked particularly excited at the prospect of leaving Paris.
Adrien nearly jumped out of his seat. This was not at all how he had imagined his and Marinette's three-in-the-morning escape plans becoming reality, but he was not about to complain. He did not particularly care that Bruce Wayne's offer was motivated by their lives as heroes. The important part was that someone was offering them a way out.
Admittedly, their original plan had involved stealing all their savings and fleeing to Tibet.
Why Tibet? Adrien honestly had no idea.
Somehow, after three in the morning, it had seemed like the obvious destination.
"Yes! Please, Mr. Wayne!" Adrien clasped his hands together, looking as though Christmas had arrived several months early. "I'm sure they'll listen to you. They're my family, but they're disgustingly elitist. They treat me like a stain on the family name, even though I never chose to be Gabriel Agreste's son."
"Of course, Adrien." Bruce's smile softened. "I'll have my lawyers contact the Graham de Vanily family. Negotiations tend to go more smoothly when all the cards are already on the table before the other side realizes a game is being played."
Adrien looked ready to explode from excitement.
"What about you, Marinette?"
Bruce's attention shifted toward her.
Marinette instinctively looked to her mother for guidance. She wanted to go. That much was obvious.
The opportunity was incredible. Better education. Better resources. A chance to build a future outside the shadow of Hawkmoth and everything he had left behind. But accepting would also mean leaving her parents.
"Honey," Sabine said gently, taking her daughter's hand, "this is an incredible opportunity." She smiled warmly; "You'll escape that incompetent woman's influence, receive a far better education, and have the freedom to pursue your dreams. And if Mr. Wayne is making this offer, then I'm sure he's taking it very seriously." Sabine pulled Marinette into a hug. "We'll be fine. Paris will be fine. You and Adrien deserve the chance to think about yourselves for once."
Marinette leaned into the embrace. Over the last hour, she had come to understand something important about Bruce Wayne. He had not arrived as Batman. He had not come offering training, missions, or responsibilities. He had come as Bruce Wayne.
"Okay, Mom."The words came easier than Marinette had expected and then, she turned toward Bruce and smiled."I'd like to accept. Thank you, Mr. Wayne."
Relief, excitement, and gratitude swirled together inside her chest. For the first time in months, the future did not feel like something frightening.
It felt full of possibilities.
A new beginning.