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.