The Things You Do For Love {Discontinued 4 Rewrite}

18

(Another chapter? Holy hell. I'm pissed, I'm in pain - periods can fucking suck their own... whatever. I literally almost fainted twice today because the cramp pain was unbearable. Have this chapter because I have enough inspiration to write today. Don't get used to this treatment - just telling you now. All my... menstrual pain aside, sorry if that wasn't what you wanted to hear about, but who cares. Periods are part of life, despite gender. Gotta here it or face it as some time. I hope this is something you can enjoy while I just... attend my Zoom classes. Whatever. Jessica the author. How original.)

By now, it had been nearly three hours and Damian hadn't returned. At this point, Marinette was getting frantic. Every noise from outside the door triggered Marinette to return to her hiding spot behind the door, kunai ready to stab, slash, impale or cut. 

She had ditched her beautiful dress to change into a pair of 'ninja' attire she had dug out of Damian's drawers. With a little bit of adjustments, she was able to make the baggy leggings and the shirt to fit a bit better on her 'stick' build. As for armor, she found a fancy set of armor that was incredibly heavy for her pick up and even wear.

So, no armor. If Damian came back armed and ready to attack, Marinette's soft stomach may be turned into spaghetti if not careful. That's why she would wait for Damian to close and lock the door before she could eliminate him. Still, there was the lingering thought in the back of her mind:

'What if I actually kill him? And the police, or rather, other people found out? Would I still be sent to jail? This was all just for self-defense purposes! Escaping my captor and running away. I'm still technically a minor, so....' 

Suddenly, louder footsteps heard from the hall. Marinette instantly dashed to her hiding spot. Ignoring her trembling limbs, she prepared to strike.

"...لا أريد أن أفعل هذا يا حبيبي ... (I don't want to have to do this, my Beloved...)" 

'That was Damian's voice... he must be with his lover...' 

"أنا أعرف حبي. لكن هذا ما يريده را ، أليس كذلك. جدك يطلب المعجزه ... والوريث القادم," a deeper voice said. More mumbling. Whatever they were talking about, Marinette just grew more and more curious. 

(I know, my Love. But it's what Ra's wants, isn't it. Your grandfather requires the miraculous... and the next heir.)

"Tt. من المرجح أن يتم حل عصبة القتلة بحلول الوقت الذي سيحتاج فيه إلى الوريث التالي بعدي. أنا لا أفهم لماذا أحتاج إلى ضعيف كزوجة. سأكون أسعد معك ... (The League of Assassins will most likely be disbanded by the time he requires the next heir after me. I don't understand why I need a skimpy weakling as a wife. I would be happier with you...)" Damian's tone slightly faltered. 

"هذا لا يعني أنك بحاجة إلى إنجاب طفل معها- (That doesn't mean that you need to have a child with her-)"

"أتعلم؟ انسى ذلك. قد تسمع. أراك لاحقًا الليلة ، حبيبي. (You know, what? Forget it. She might hear. I'll see you later tonight, my Beloved.)" 

"لاحقًا ، داميان..." silence followed. Then Damian appeared, huffing. He locked the door behind him. 

'NOW!' Marinette charged, kunai raised. 

Damian continued to remove his heavy armor. There! An open spot on his neck! Marinette just barely touched him before he grabbed her wrist and threw her against the door. Marinette slammed against it, feeling all the wind knocked out of her. 

"Did you honestly think you're able to kill me," he bent down, grabbing the forgotten kunai. "With a simple kunai? It's going to take a lot more than that. One, you are inexperienced. Two, you barely have a single muscle on you. All skin and bone. More bone though. Three, you shouldn't keep trying. Mind you, you're attempting to assassinate the next head of the League of Assassins. You wouldn't want to make any enemies... more, I mean?" 

Marinette bared her teeth, getting up to charge again.

Damian simply landed a basic punch to her stomach, causing her to back away.

"I'm being serious. Without that miraculous, you are nothing."

Marinette paused. 'Without that miraculous, you are nothing.' 

Damian was positive he had her rethinking everything based on how she opened her mouth to argue, only to close it abruptly. 

"You see? Weak and powerless. Get lost."

"'fraid I can't do that. I don't have anywhere else to go." 

"Exactly. Follow me," he walked over to the door, holding it open like a gentlemen.

"I can open the door myself."

"It's called 'manners.' I wasn't raised an asshole."

"Sure seems like it."

"What can I say? It's in my blood."

Marinette took the time to study Damian as they walked through the drab hallways. Neatly trimmed hair that was sort of peaked at the top. Not a single facial hair. Surprisingly long eyelashes. Through the mesh material of his shirt he wore under his ridiculously detailed armor, she could see the tattoo sleeves from earlier. 

"So where am I staying?" she asked.

"Who knows. Perhaps... the roof?" 

Marinette glared at him. Damian just snorted.

"You'll have your own personal quarters. King sized bed, quartz-enlined bathroom... training room. I figure, if you are trying to kill me, you might as well train up before you do. I don't want my name to go down in history as the one killed by a literal twig." 

Marinette's ears showed her embarrassment and anger. 

"Yeah, I'm flat chested and literal bones. Big deal."

"Hn. Fair enough. You are, now, free to roam the island. Leaving however," Damian clicked his tongue. "Would be fairly impossible without a plane." 

Marinette simply sniffed.

Once the two had arrived, Damian opened the door. Marinette had to admit, this was better than any hotel or bedroom she's ever stayed in. Kagami, Adrien's (for platonic sleepovers with all their friends), even Chloe's. 

"Feel free to decorate. Change the paint or whatever," Damian opened the hallway closet to reveal multiple cans of paint. "These are your living quarters for... until."

The grim expression on his face spoke for him. 

Until they are forced to marry.

(Done!~)