Jason's POV
I sat on the couch of my safe house thinking back on what happened today. It all involved Marinette. That girl is something else. She's got a secret, and I'm determined to find out. Why does Marinette always stop mid sentence? What is she hiding?
Also is she dating Adrien? The two seem really close as if they have bonded over something big. One could not exist without the other. They probably sleep in the same bed half the time. But if they were dating then why was Marinette flirting with me? Adrien doesn't seem to be the type of guy who would date someone like that. I can't know for sure since I've only had one conversation with the guy. Is Marinette just a big flirt and Adrien knows that? No guy would want to be with someone who flirts with other men. I'm confused over their dynamic, but that doesn't mean that I care if they are dating. It's not like I feel any butterflies when I'm close to Marinette or blush at her flirty remarks. I don't sit on my couch thinking about her...
You know I'm gonna tag along tomorrow. Technically I don't have to, but I have some research to do. Gotham Zoo here I come.
Marinette's POV
Who knew a stupid guy could keep you up? I'm not talking about Adrien with his dumb questions. Jason Peter Todd and our interactions kept me up. There won't be anymore since his 'babysitting duties' are over. I refuse to admit it out loud, but I'll kind of miss him. I enjoyed our short time together. Jason was a lot of fun to tease and flirt with. There's nothing more to our relationship than being barley friends.
I got out of bed before everyone else like usual. We weren't doing anything big for outfits. Today was only small accessories or in Chloe's case hair dye. Due to my conversation with Ivy yesterday, I decided to wear a necklace with a marigold. I don't care what anyone has to say, Ivy really has changed and is great once you get to know her. I wish Harley was there to see Chloe's outfit. She would have been jumping for joy.
Not only did getting up early give me extra time to get ready, I also got to finish the last of my sketches. After spending all this time with the Waynes, I may have put in extra love and work than most of my designs. I swear I'm not bias.
~Time Skip~
We started walking to the entrance of the zoo were I was supposed to get the prepaid admission tickets. To my surprise I saw Jason. Next to him was Dick and a large group. Getting a closer look it was the entire Wayne family including Mr. Wayne himself.
"Oh God," I muttered.
"What's wrong?" Nino asked with concern.
"The entire Wayne family including Mr. Wayne is by the entrance. This is going to be a nightmare due to Lila and her huge mouth."
"Well shit," Adrien said.
"Wish me luck," I nervously said as I walked up to the Wayne family who were talking amongst themselves.
"I swear to God if you touch me one more time Drake, I will kill you and make it look like an accident," a young boy threatened.
"Damian, you can't say things like that. We are in public and soon to be with the French class," Dick scolded.
I cleared my throat getting their attention. I may have been imagining things, but it looked like Jason perked up a bit at the sight of me. Stop it Marinette. You need to be focused.
"Ms. Dupain Cheng, it's great to finally met you in person," Mr. Wayne said holding out his hand.
"The pleasure is mine Mr. Wayne," I replied shaking his hand. "I hope this doesn't come off rude, but what are you and your entire family doing here? I thought it was going to be two at a time."
"After I was made aware of yesterday's events, I thought I should meet your class. I have heard a lot about them."
"That must suck for you," I joked out loud. My eyes grew wide in realization of what I said. Shit. He wasn't supposed to hear that. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to say that out loud."
All I got in response was a chuckle. "It is quite alright. Between you and me, your reaction was spot on."
"I would have preferred you to hear more positive things about us. I can only imagine what you think of my class."
"You can't control who is in your class unfortunately, but not to worry, I have heard great things about you and your friends."
"Glad to hear that. Would you like to introduce yourself to everyone?" I asked pointing to my class standing a couple yards behind me.
"It would be the best."
I walked back with my head down. Today is going to be a shit show.
"Today is going to go horribly if Lila and her sheep act like themselves," I whispered to my friends.
"Hello everyone. My name is Bruce Wayne, but you can address me as Mr. Wayne. After hearing about yesterday's events, I thought it best for me to come along to prevent it from happening again. It is also a great opportunity for family time for my family and those who are considered to be so. The winner of the trip will pass out the tickets I hold in my hand," Mr. Wayne said.
"I can't believe we are meeting your future father-in-law," Alya said a bit too loud. Lila's face became white at the comment.
I facepalmed and shook my head in response. Mr. Wayne looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Go get the tickets," Rose said pushing Lila towards Mr. Wayne. This will be good.
"And who are you?" Mr. Wayne said towering over Lila.
"Lila. The winner," Max spook up for her the tone of his voice was as if it should be obvious. I facepalmed once more. Not only was he setting up Lila for a rude awaking, but drama was sure to follow.
Behind Mr. Wayne, I heard some of them snickering. "Lila isn't the winner. In fact, I only know her name from the essay Marinette wrote."
"Really Marinette? You are still trying to take credit? You are embarrassing all of us in front of Bruce," Mylene said.
I walked towards Mr. Wayne mouthing sorry to him. "First, it's Mr. Wayne. Second, I'm not stealing credit. Third, you're the ones embarrassing us in front of Mr. Wayne. Now please get in a line so I can pass out tickets."
I grabbed the tickets and started handing them out getting glares from half the class. A part of me felt like being immature and stick my tongue out at them, but I don't think that would look too good.
"Now that everyone has their tickets, let's head in. Please stick together in groups," Mrs. Bustier instructed.
"First time she's acted like a teacher this entire trip," Kim joked in a hushed voice.
I elbowed him in the side. "He's not wrong Bug," Adrien defended.
"We can make fun of her at the hotel when we aren't around Mr. Wayne," I replied still whispering.
Everyone flooded into the zoo after showing the admission our tickets. As the first part of the trip went by, I could feel someone staring at me as if I was an animal. Out the side of my eye, I saw Damian scowling at us. I looked him in the eye raising my eyebrow. Took only moments for him to back down and turn his head walking away.
"You are full of surprises Pixie," I heard Jason say behind me.
"How so?" I asked not turning around. Instead, I just look at the animals in front of me.
"You caused Demon Spawn to back down. Usually, he'd just glare at you harder until you looked away."
"Damian? He's just a grumpy twelve year old who thinks that because he is a Wayne he is better than the rest. I don't mean that in a bad way. Damian has hardly hit puberty and his mindset hasn't matured yet. However, I do think there is something else."
"Oh?" Jason questioned now by my side leaning against the railing to the lion exhibit.
"I'm not sure yet, but I think I'll leave it alone. It's his story after all. So why did you come? I thought you wanted to get your 'babysitting duties' over." I asked changing the topic.
"It's just like Bruce said. He wanted to see your class in person after hearing what happened yesterday with your class leaving you behind."
"You and Dick really didn't need to say anything. I can handle myself. I live in Paris after all."
"What does Paris have to do with handling yourself?"
I just chuckled wanting to say death and resurrection leave some lasting scars. "Let's just say there are some similarities between Gotham and Paris Jay Jay."
"You are a mystery Pixie. You are able to give the whole truth with as little details as possible. What will it take for me to get all those details?"
"As I told you yesterday, you'd have to buy me dinner before I spill."
"Fine then. Marinette want to get dinner with me tonight?"
It's finally happening.