Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Marinette rolled over and reluctantly opened her eyes to the kwami tugging on her hair. The red-and-black sprite shushed her before she even began to speak.

In a whisper, Tikki explained that around 6:30 a.m. she had jumped from her room at the Kane Hotel to wherever this was, and it was now 6:40. Oh, the person beside her was her soulmate. 

And Marinette freaked out.

About 5% of the population had soulmates. No one knew if they did or who it was until they had physical contact with their soulmate, so likely the percentage was much higher but not known until it was too late. Within 24 hours of the first physical contact with your soulmate, one would jump to the other’s location.

Well, this was awkward, considering they’d both been asleep when it happened. Most people were awake and immediately understood what had happened, not in bed and unaware of being alone…Marinette shuddered at the thought of anyone’s soulmate jumping and not finding their new soulmate alone–that would be extremely awkward.

What was only slightly less awkward right now, was the fact that she still didn’t know her soulmate’s identity, or had any clue about it, and she was far too nervous to turn around and look. She’d touched a lot of people yesterday, during her rush hour jaunt around Gotham. 

The Akuma Class was on a tour of the New England states, and were currently in their last stop, Gotham. 

Last evening, Mari had lost track of time at the art museum and was left behind by her class. She couldn’t begin to count how many shoulders she’d bumped on the subway as she headed back to the hotel alone, surrounded by strangers.

She’d taken a shortcut through an alley–surely it was safe, she could see the hotel across the street–and was promptly mugged.

Red Hood had arrived just as she sprayed the second one with the pepper spray Chat Noir had half-jokingly given her. He’d taken her to the hotel and was quite courteous, asking if she was okay and it wasn’t the shock saying yes. (She really was–please, a mugging isn’t even a blip any more–her life was far too weird.) He’d made sure her roommate (Chloe) was supporting her before leaving.

As soon as the window shut behind Hood (because, of course, he couldn’t take the door), Chloe had turned to her with a sigh. “Two days left, and you find trouble, Marebear?”

“In my defense, I lasted two weeks without it?”

“True. I should’ve known Tikki would be no help in Gotham.”

“Rude!”

And Chloe was going to freak when she found Marinette not safely in bed, after promising to sleep until at least 7 a.m.

Ah well, problems for future Mari.

Present Mari needed a plan. All she could see was a lump under a red and black and gold comforter and black hair on the pillow.

But the room was definitely masculine. Warm grey walls; piled books by an old leather sofa; bookcases full of first-editions and classics, some in other languages than English. She thought she could make out a French title or two. 

An aloe and a fern lived by the tall window facing the bed, and all the furnishings were high-quality and taken care of, though well-loved. On one wall hung a realistic painting of Gotham’s night skyline, a collection of various knives and blades, and a picture of a large, well-dressed family smiling widely.

Further down the wall the bed was pressed against was a hallway that Mari assumed led to the kitchen and bathroom.

The lump under the blankets rolled over, facing her, and she unconsciously held her breath. When the moving stopped, she quietly released a long breath, then wondered how she was going to get out of this situation in the best way.

Suddenly, her arm was encased in a steel grip as teal eyes met hers. “How’d you get in here?” a gruff voice asked.

“Eh…bonjour! I am Marinette, your soulmate. Surprise?”

His eyes narrowed. 

“I woke up like this only a few minutes ago! I don’t even know where we are or who you are, beyond my soulmate.”

“Gotham, New Jersey. Where are you from?”

“Paris–my high school is on a trip touring New England before our baccalaureate, eh, I guess you call it graduation. We’re going home in two days. I’ve technically graduated, but I wanted to travel…so I delayed it. I know I’m in Gotham, but do you know how far I am from the Kane Hotel? My roommate will kill me if I’m not back before we leave for our tour of Wayne Enterprises!”

“Do you always ramble when you’re nervous?” He released her wrist, smiling slightly.

“Eh? Oh, I’ve tried to stop–this is just very unusual.”

“Your hotel is fifteen minutes away, but WE is eight, five if you speed. I can take you to your hotel or you can meet your roommate at WE. I don’t suppose you jumped with your things in your arms?”

“No.”

“You can use my phone to text your roommate. WE’s first tour starts at 8. Which option is better?” He climbed out of bed, rummaging through the dresser at the foot. 

“What time is it?”

“Just after 7.”

“Oui, Chloe meeting me there is better. You do not mind?”

“Of course not. If you’re stuck with me, the least I can do is drive you to WE.”

She decided to give that more thought later and focused on the day ahead. “What’s your name?”

“Jason Todd,” he glanced up at her under his bangs, seemingly curious about her reaction to his name. It was a nice name, she liked it.

“Nice to meet you, Jason. Sorry for the rude wake up.”

“You’re fine, it’s not like you planned it. What are your plans for the rest of the week?”

“Today, we tour WE in the morning, then we have a free evening. Tomorrow, shopping, browsing, I think some of my class want to visit a museum. Saturday, fly home way too early.”

“Would you like to go out with me tonight so we can get to know each other better?”

“I’d love to!”

Jason tossed a leather jacket on the bed. “You can wear this till your roommates brings your stuff.” He tossed his open phone to her. 

She input Chloe’s number and began typing. 

Text sent, she shrugged on the jacket and zipped it up. Her pyjamas were a tank top and pyjama pants, so it was nice and warm around her bare skin. It smelled like him, a nice masculine scent that wasn’t overpowering like the Adrien fragrance. “Thank you. I think I’m going to start sleeping in my clothes just in case.”

“This isn’t a one-time thing?” He dug up a fresh t-shirt for himself, having slept in his jeans and a muscle shirt.

“No? Soulmates jump randomly. The reason is different for each couple, but until we figure it out…I’ll be sewing pockets into my pyjamas or something.” She called to the room Jason had stepped into.

He reappeared, dressed for the day, combat boots on his feet. “How do you feel about motorcycles?”

“I love them! My nonna has one and taught me to drive when I was fifteen.”

“Oh, good. My car is at…my dad’s; all I have is my bike. Are you ready?”

She smoothed her bedhead down as best she could as nodded. “Yep, Chloe said she’d meet me at WE with my things. Thanks for lending me your phone.”

“You’re welcome.” Jason locked the apartment behind him and led her out to his bike, handing her a helmet.

Chapter Text

Six minutes later they pulled up to WE. Three minutes after that, the bus the class used to get around the city arrived. Chloe was the first one out and immediately headed for Mari, though she’d kept the helmet on for anonymity. 

Mari thankfully took the tote purse Chloe had packed and removed her helmet, hiding behind her grown-out hair. 

Jason guided her in through a side door to a large, wheelchair-friendly bathroom. “I’ll wait outside the door.”

“‘Kay, thank you.” She shook out her clothing, hoping it hadn’t wrinkled too badly in the tote, pleased to find that the grey dress pants and red blouse were still wrinkle-free. Chloe had added a red-embroidered black vest and red heels for accessories, and Mari quickly brushed on a coat of mascara and red lipstick. It was too late to do anything about the rest of her makeup, but thankfully her skin remained mostly clear. 

She fished through the purse until she found a paper and pen, scrawling a note and dropping it into the jacket pocket before she zipped it up. 

Jason’s jaw dropped a little when she emerged with two minutes to spare before the tour. “Wow.”

She grinned and blushed a little, flattered by the clear admiration in his gaze. “Thank you. I made it myself. It’s inspired by the Red Hood, my ex-BFF told me about him. Chloe has a funny sense of humour, making me wear this in Gotham. What if he sees me?” she giggled nervously.

“I’m sure he’d be flattered if he saw you,” Jason reassured her, dragging his eyes up her body. “I see your class congregating by the ‘tours’ sign; follow me, Sunshine.”

She followed him out the door and around the corner, where her class was awaiting admittance. 

“Thank you, Jason. I’ll see you later!” she handed him the jacket, brushed a bise on his cheek, and walked away.

“Number?” he called after her.

She waved and called back, “Earn your date! I left you a clue!”

He grinned and waved back at her, watching as a blonde and a girl with pink hair greeted her. 

Jessica Silver, tour guide for WE, led the irrepressible group through the floors and departments with an engaging spiel. She was impressively knowledgeable about its inner workings, even things she didn’t need to know about as a guide but that Mari or a classmate asked. 

Jason coincidentally visited Cass, WE’s head of security, using his time in the security room to watch the class’s progression on the cameras. 

As head of donations/charity for WE, he found places in need of sponsorships and ideas in need of funding and then compiled data on how to achieve the best and the most from WE’s assistance. A lot of it was legwork, building connections, and weeding out the scams from the legit, but he came in two or three times a week for meetings and other boring parts of the job. At least he wasn’t in the office all day like Tim or B.

His soulmate was perfect–how was she his soulmate? Cheerful, friendly, nice, polite, beautiful, humble…either she was secretly a villain, or the universe had made a huge mistake. She seemed to like him now, but once she jumped to him as Red Hood (hopefully it wouldn’t happen?) and knew everything he’d done, she’d push him away or something. After he’d dropped her off at her hotel last night, he’d looked up Marinette Dupain-Cheng and the Akuma Class. 

That made for very interesting reading, and wow was Paris messed up! Apparently a year ago the villains Hawkmoth and Mauira had been defeated by Chat Noir and Ladybug, then all of the heroes publicly retired. He bet they weren’t privately retired, though, Once a vigilante, always a vigilante. It got in your blood. 

The Agrestes were all in the news, as Emilie had returned(?) Gabriel didn’t look too good and Adrien just looked exhausted…he had two guesses why. 

The Akuma Class had settled down some, and it seemed Kubdel and Couffaine had switched sides from ‘sheep’ to ‘Marinette Protection Squad’, or MPS.

Jason was definitely joining MPS. He observed Rossi’s sheep’s clumsy attempts to spite Marinette. Tripping, losing stuff, being left behind, interrupting, verbal jabs and insults still didn’t dim his ray of sunshine. He was proud of her but slightly concerned that she didn’t fight back. Maybe he or Hood could teach her more than self-defense? She’d need it if she became associated with a Wayne and /or a Bat. If she stayed that long. 

At lunch MPS eagerly surrounded Mari to be filled in on the details about her soulmate. In happy whispers, Mari quickly told her pleased friends that she’d woken up to Tikki, freaked out, met her soulmate–he was courteous and nice, name was Jason–drove here, and had plans to go out that evening. And then she got scolded for being mugged the night before; even Juleka joined in. Betrayal.

At five-ten Jason pulled up to the Kane Hotel, where Marinette was waiting. 

She’d traded her tote for a cross-body bag, but her look remained the same. “Where to, good sir?” she asked, fastening the helmet.

“I thought I’d show you my favourite place to eat. Do you have allergies or dietary restrictions?”

“Nope, although I try to eat healthily most of the time. You?”

“The same. I do like a good cup of tea.”

“I can brew really good tea, Chinese-style. My Mandarin teacher taught me. Maybe I could make it for us sometime?”

“I’d like that. Hop on, Sunshine!”

They pulled up to a rooftop restaurant owned by a friend of Jason’s. The ambiance was private but upbeat, and afforded a nice view of Gotham that Mari appreciated. 

Once they’d ordered, they began a game of 20 questions. 

“Place of birth?” he started.

“Paris. You?”

“Gotham.”

“Birthday?” she asked. “Mine’s July 9–I’m 18.”

“August 16. I’m 19. Career? I work for my dad with charity.”

“I’m a fashion designer. Not big–mostly just friends and family who commission me. I enjoy drawing, music, and martial arts. Do you have any hobbies?”

“Sometimes I help my friend Roy in his mechanic shop–I’m pretty good with cars and bikes. I like reading, especially classic literature, and I like martial arts too. I enjoy annoying my siblings…I have four official siblings. Do you have any?” 

“No, although my friend Adrien I consider my brother. I always wanted a hamster, and I love animals. Your thoughts?”

“I prefer dogs over cats, but don’t let my brother hear that or he’ll come for my head. I like most animals, as long as they’re not trying to kill me.,” Jason shrugged.

They ate quietly, speaking up now and again to ask or answer a question. 

“How do I join MPS?” Jason queried.

“What? How do you know about that?” Marinette could feel her face turning pink.

“I overheard MPS talking. So is there a fee, or an oath, or some weird hazing–?”

“You’ll have to speak to the founders…and I don’t want to introduce you yet…they’re a little overprotective. Oh, it’s been an hour. One second please, I need to text Chloe.”

She reminded Chloe that she was safe, then put her phone away, turning back to Jason. “Three random facts about you.”

“I’m claustrophobic; I speak English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian, Latin, and Arabic; and….oh, I edit Batman x Bruce Wayne fanfiction anonymously.”

“That’s a great hobby! I wonder if you’ve read some stuff Alya Cesaire wrote–she’s really into superheroes and got me curious about the Bats when I was younger.”

“Is her handle AC_Ladyblogger? Yeah, I’ve seen some of her work. Who’s your favourite Bat?” he asked casually .

“Mmm…that’s tough. I admire Batman’s drive, I like Nightwing–is he a Bat?--’s acrobatics…Spoiler is funny…Red Robin is such a meme…I’m a little scared of Robin because he should not be that good with a sword when he’s so small, but he’s got some pretty cool moves…I love Black Bat…I guess it’s a tie between BB and Red Hood. I didn’t like him at first, y’know, but after going through some…stuff, I think now that he was just angry and hurting about something, but now he’s become this guardian of Gotham. I admire how he’d doing his best to help the more-ignored parts of the city, too.”

“You have some very interesting takes,” he considered her. “My favourite is Black Bat, I guess. It’s impressive how scary she can be for being so small.”

“I know, right? The precision and grace in those takedowns…I’m so impressed. Anyways, my three random facts…I used to be Multimouse, a French hero; I’ve died before, but I only remember snippets; I want to open a fashion boutique here after I officially graduate.”

“Why here?” asked Jason, ignoring the questions he really wanted to ask: You know what it’s like to be a hero? You know what it’s like to die, too?

“Well, I was using this trip to scout for a good location to set up shop, and since you’re here, it makes sense. I’m ready for a change, and I like Gotham, it’s very inspiring. Favourite colour?”

“Green,” he replied instantly, “but most people think it’s red.”

“My favourite colour is red,” she said. “Have you lived here your whole life?”

“I traveled around a couple years ago, but yeah, Gotham’s always been home. I guess you’ve spent most of your life in Paris?”

“Yep. I’ve really only been out of France for this trip and my family’s summer vacations to visit my maman’s family in Shanghai. My uncle has a restaurant there.”

“Oh? I love cooking. Do you have any favourite recipes?”

“Um…Uncle Cheng’s Celestial Soup?”

“Cheng as in Chef Wang Cheng? Wait–you’re the Marinette the soup is named for?”

“Guilty,” she chuckled awkwardly. “I guess it runs in the family. My parents are bakers. You prefer cooking to baking?”

“I do, but I don’t mind baking. There’s something very satisfying about punching a loaf of bread down.”

She grinned, well-acquainted with the feeling. 

“If you’re finished eating, do you want to go for a ride, see some landmarks, find an ice-cream place or something?”

“Sure,” she updated Chloe and followed Jason to his bike.

Chapter Text

They strolled around Wayne Botanical Gardens with their ice cream cones, enjoying the fresh breeze as they chatted about their lives (both omitting certain portions).

“So, I did some more research on soulbonds—apparently you can learn to control when you do or don’t jump. The bonds become stronger and easier to use the closer you and your soulmate are,” Jason mentioned. 

“I can feel our bond becoming stronger throughout this evening,” Marinette agreed.

His quick smile lit the night. “Me too. It’s getting late though, I guess I should take you back so your teacher doesn’t worry about you.”

“She won’t,” Mari muttered, then coughed. “Um, yeah, I’m sure Chloe will have a ton of questions.”

When they pulled up to the side door of the hotel she gave him a quick hug, thanked him for the lovely evening, and ran in unaccosted. Once she’d reported to MPS and asked about new member rites, she texted Jason. 

JT: I had a really lovely time tonight. Thank you for agreeing to go out with me on such short notice. Sleep well. 

MDC: you too. Chloe says theres an oath to join and an interview to pass. if you were serious about mps.

JT: Will she accept a phone interview since I haven’t met her yet?

MDC: She says thats fine

JT: You’re just shopping and touring tomorrow, right?

MDC: yep

JT: May I join you? I’ll be your bag carrier if you want. And your friends can meet me or not, as you wish.

MDC: if ur sure
MDC: chloe and i have worn out several ppl, be warned ;p

JT: I’ll be sure to stretch and warm up first. Good night :)

MDC: good night!!

The next morning, Marinette and MPS took full advantage of the lax safety measures in place to split off from the others and meet up with Jason. They turned out a colourful bunch, all in matching black jeans and colour-coded T-shirts, with varsity jackets proclaiming ‘MPS’ and a number, in order of their joining.

Since Mari wasn’t technically part of the squad (the others would argue that she was, in fact, their antithesis), she just wore black jeans and a black T-shirt with little red ladybugs and flowers embroidered on it, along with her red varsity jacket marked only with an ‘M’.

Jason arrived at their agreed-upon meetup on his bike, which he parked and walked across the street to the little group.

“Tikki’s working overtime on this one for you,” Chloe stage-whispered as they watched him stride towards them.

Marinette pinched her side but then Jason was there and she couldn’t risk a retort.

He flashed a charming smile and greeted them all with the politeness they’d only find at one of Chloe’s or Adrien’s parents’ parties.

“Greetings from the Marinette Protection Squad; members 5 and 6 are in Paris. I’m Chloe Bourgeois, and these ruffians are Adrien Agreste, Alix Kubdel, and Juleka Couffaine.”

“It’s nice to meet you all. I hope to become number seven soon, if you find me acceptable. So, where would you like to go? The best shopping is not in the Diamond District, despite what tourist brochures will tell you; it’s actually in the little holes-in-the-wall.”

“Oooh, really? Okay, we’ve been wanting to look for fashion, music, skater, and martial arts stuff. Do you have any recommendations for stores like that?” Marinette asked. 

Jason nodded thoughtfully. “I can think of a few stores that you might like. Most of them are within walking distance, too. I will advise you now to be on your toes and keep an eye on your valuables at all times. Don’t wander off too far, either; try and stay within eye- and ear-shot of the rest of the group.”

The group saluted as one and promptly cracked up at their unintentionally-in-sync sarcasm, before walking after Jason, who was already shaking his head at their antics.

All the little shops he brought them to they fell in love with; despite not looking like much on the outside, their interior had a fascinating variety of items that they’d never seen before (or seen in person), either in France or on previous stops of their trip. Jason good-naturedly carried all their bags, until finally he called uncle and pointed them towards a cafe for a lunch break. 

Once rejuvenated, the group headed out–and all promptly sprinted into the closest shop as they noticed Lila and her group coming their way. Thankfully, no one noticed them, and they breathed a sigh of relief. Then they turned and took in the merchandise in the shop–weapons of various kinds–and scrambled for their favourites. 

Jason moved his hand in front of his throat, glaring at the shopkeeper who almost outed him. He hadn’t intended to bring them to this weapons shop (or any weapons shop at all, how would they pass airport security), but his tour group had all headed in like someone was chasing them, and now he was stuck while they tried out the stock in his favourite weapons store.

Much to his surprise, they all handled the dangerous items they casually picked up expertly, or at least with a degree of familiarity. 

“I’ll take these sais, please.” Mari plunked the blades on the counter and paid, not blinking at the price. Jason had eyed them more than once himself—top quality and lethal in the right hands? No way he wasn’t checking them out!---but had ultimately never purchased them, preferring his old blades that he knew how to use expertly. His soulmate had great taste.

“You have a good eye, ma’am,” said the shopkeeper.

Mari smiled sweetly. “Thanks. My mom taught me how to use these and my friend is a fencer, so I have a soft spot for blades. Though with steel like these, I imagine most people would have a soft spot for them.” Grinning at her joke, she added the box to Jason’s pile. “If you’re done browsing, we should head back,” she told the others. “You don’t want to scare Jason away before you’ve indoctrinated him!”

MPS gathered around Mari and headed out, followed by Jason. Or at least, the mound of boxes and bags carried by Jason–he couldn’t really be seen behind them. The day was a better workout for him than some of Bruce’s exercises; he was winded by the time they returned to the hotel and distributed the parcels.

“So, your mom likes sais?” he asked, once he was left alone at the lobby doors to say goodbye to Mari.

“She prefers a stiletto, but yes.”

At his inquisitive look, she elaborated. “She, my friend Kagami’s mom, and their other friend used to be expert martial artists. They taught us what we know, and we’re teaching the others.”
“Should I be scared?”

“Absolutely,” Chloe interrupted, switching a bag in Mari’s hand for one she’d brought down. “But only if you break Maribear’s heart or betray us, got it?”

“Yes ma’am! I hope to never do either of those things. So…who’s your mom? I have a friend who’s a fan of MMA; they may have heard of her.”

“Mom was the Gray Ghost, and Aunt Tomoe was the Blue Reaper.”

“Huh. Cool names,” Jason said, screaming internally. Lady Shiva’s friends?! “So, uh, when I meet your mom, how should I act?”

“Just be yourself. And hungry, so her mom instincts kick in.”

“Got it.”

Conversation faded as they stared at each other, Mari rocking slightly back and forth on her heels while Jason fiddled with the zipper on his jacket pocket.

Their awkward moment was interrupted as Chloe poked her head around the pillar next to them. “Welcome to the Mari Protection Squad. Mari’ll make you a jacket to match. Colour?”

“Red–but a deeper red than yours. More maroon. And black and white trim, if possible.”

“Perfect.” Mari held up a measuring tape she’d conjured out of thin air. “Can I grab your measurements upstairs?”

“Sure. But if I go, do I get a shovel talk from your friends, or…”

She waved her hands reassuringly, though her words were anything but. “No, Chloe’s already informed you I have wonderful people who know how to dispose of a body and never get caught. They all say I’m the one to watch out for, anyways—but you’ll be fine! My standards are pretty low: Don’t lie. Don’t stab me in the back. Get along with my friends and family. Treat me with respect. Do not call me Princess, Snookums, Milady, or any gross nickname like that-–Sunshine is fine, though, I liked that.”

“Noted.”

Chapter Text

Finally, the question Jason had been dying to ask slipped from his tongue. "So...how are you planning on getting those sais home?"

"I have my ways," Marinette winked.

"How ambiguous."

"Gotta earn your information. Just because we're soulmates doesn't mean we're entitled to each other's deepest darkest secrets right away."

"I heartily agree with that," he nodded.

Marinette looked up from the sketchbook she was drawing his jacket design in. "Oh? Got something to hide, yourself?"

"Maybe," Jason smirked.

"I like a boy with a bit of mystery around him." She turned back to her drawing. "You said black and white cuffs?"

After eating supper (Chinese takeout) with the MPS, those not staying in Marinette and Chloe's room left to pack up and sleep before they were up far too early to head to the airport. Chloe kicked Jason and Marinette out to the balcony so she could pack up in peace, leaving the two alone to talk and enjoy the twilight.

"Are you going to sleep tonight?"

"No, I'll sleep on the plane. I'll just journal or something until we have to leave."

"Pulling an all-nighter on top of jet lag will be rough for you once you're home," Jason noted.

Mari shrugged. "I'll be fine. I haven't slept much in ages."

"You sound like my brother. He survives off of energy drinks and spite."

"He sounds like a great guy."

Jason snorted. "He's...not bad. One of us is probably going to Jump around them. Or your parents. My family's a bit crazy...and suspicious of new people."

"You're saying you'd like to keep it a secret for now?"

He looked over at her. "You're very intuitive."

She chuckled dryly. "I prefer 'creative' or 'lucky', but I guess 'intuitive' works."

At midnight, Jason finally left, swinging his legs over the balcony railing. "I'll just scale the walls. No point waking up Chloe if I don't have to." Marinette deserved to know he had secrets too.

She smiled and waved as he made his way down the exterior of the hotel, not ruffled in the least at his unconventional descent.

Both times Red Hood swung by the building that night, he saw Marinette on the balcony, drawing in her sketchbook and gazing up at the faint stars above her.

After texting Jason that she'd arrived home safely, Marinette crashed and slept for ten hours, finally waking up mid-afternoon. She filled in her parents on the trip, then told them all about her soulmate. Kagami and Luka came over to catch up with the rest of MPS, who'd come over to add their two cents' worth of perspective on the situation.

"I can feel the bond growing or strengthening as I spend more time with him." Closing her eyes, Marinette felt for her bond, tugging experimentally on it. It felt a little weird. almost like it was stretched too far, then suddenly, Jason's presence was directly in front of her.

"Uh, Sunshine? Did you bring me here?"

"Oops." Mari took in the circle of friends and family watching them with undisguised interest. "I wasn't intending to, I just wanted to feel you and our bond."

"Well, I'm glad you did," Jason smiled.

Tom and Sabine insisted Jason stay for dinner, he insisted on helping them prepare it, and MPS insisted Marinette join them in her room for a quick consult while the other three cooked.

Shutting the door behind her, Mari faced her friends and allies. "What's up?"

"How are you getting Jason home, Mari?"

She glanced around at their concerned faces. "I...was thinking of using Kaalki."

"This soon?" Kagami questioned. "You've only known him for a weekend."

"I know, I know. I'm not 100% sure that it's the right thing to do, but I've got to get him home somehow; buying a plane ticket every time one of us Jumps is not going to be feasible long-term. But he's my soulmate, which means he's been deemed my perfectly complementary companion. It's extremely rare for soulmates to do anything that endangers their bonded. I think it should be safe. Besides, Tikki is sure that this relationship will be good luck to us both."

"Are you going to tell him everything right away, then?" Adrien asked.

"No, absolutely not. Not even that I'm Ladybug. I plan to start with the fact that I'm close with her, which is a relatively common fact around here, and that I used to be Multimouse, so she trusted me with the Transportation Miraculous temporarily, until I get my soulbond figured out."

The group nodded. "That's a good plan to start with."

"I will let you all tell him your roles when you are comfortable with it. I won't unmask you before you're ready. Just because we're soulmates doesn't mean we won't have any boundaries, you know," Marinette mentioned to settle their minds.

After dinner, Marinette brought Jason up to her room.

"What's with the need for privacy?" he wiggled his eyebrows teasingly.

"I thought you'd like to know I have a way to get you back home."

"Oh?"

"I have to ask you first, can you keep a secret? Not like what someone got for someone else as a birthday gift, but something important. Possibly dangerous."

"I have experience keeping difficult secrets like that," he confirmed seriously.

"Do you promise to keep whatever I am about to show-slash-tell you a secret from anyone else?"

"I promise."

"Good," Mari smiled, pulling a pair of glasses out of her pockets. "How much do you know about the Miraculous: Paris Squadron?"

"Er...I looked up the basics of it. There was a magical supervillain and a team of magical girl superheroes who fought against his mind-controlled minions. His name was...Bird-moth? No, Hawkmoth. But it's been over a year since he was taken down."

"Right. There were a bunch of temporary heroes who helped out the core team, and I was one of them. Multimouse. Ladybug, one of the main heroes, became friends with me, so I contacted her when we met and asked for her help. She's agreed to temporarily lend me the Miraculous of Transportation until we get the bond figured out, so we don't waste time and money flying back and forth every time one of us Jumps.

"Kaalki, Full Gallop."

A bright purple light enveloped the room, and when Jason's eyes adjusted, he saw Marinette in a formal dressage outfit, purple glasses on her eyes.

"With this, I can create a portal to anywhere in the world. So, where were you when I yeeted you to me?"

"My apartment, Gotham."

"Voyage!" Marinette dragged Jason through the portal to his apartment. "Okay, we've got a bit of privacy now. By the way, I can only portal to some place I've been or seen before, so out return options are going to be limited if we head to Gotham." She cocked her head at him, crossing her arms and scanning his relaxed posture. "You're weirdly calm about this, you know."

"Sadly, that's not even close to the weirdest thing I've seen this month. Perks of living in Gotham," he shrugged. "Do you want some water or something?"

"I'm good, thank you. Sorry about dragging you to Paris, I really wasn't meaning to. I hope I didn't interrupt something important."

"It's okay. I was curious what was going to happen when I felt you tugging on the bond. Do you think that we'd be able to control it? Or maybe use it to communicate?"

They faced each other across the room and took turns experimenting. Eventually, they figured out a system and made a basic list of important signals to communicate.

Two long tugs: Can I come/can you come?

Long/Short: No

Short/Long/Short/Long: Yes

Short/Long/Short/Short/Short: Later/I'll contact you

Short/Short: Emergency/Pull me quickly

Short/Short/Short: Emergency/Come quickly

Signals figured out, Marinette reluctantly stepped back from a final practice Jump. "I should get back to Paris. Thank you for not freaking out and being so understanding about the whole situation. I know magic isn't super popular around here."

"It's no problem. I'm not one of the people magic bothers. Have a good night, Sunshine!"

"You too! Kaalki, Voyage!"