#jagged stone | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mochinek0 · 11 months

Text

I Could be a Better Boyfriend (sing-fic)

This is for Maribat Pride June 2023. It was suppose to be posted yesterday.

THEME: I have a thing for blondes

Marinette looked around the gala and sighed. It had been three year since she moved to Gotham and she still wasn't a fan of the galas in Gotham. Jagged Stone always gave her his tickets, anyways.

'Why turn them down when you live there, Cupcake? Show off you designs. Be proud!'

She knew he was just trying to help her out. Both him and Penny were trying to convince her to open up her deisgns and go public. After Paris, she didn’t want anyone trying to claim anything about her. She had been hurt too many times before. It didn't matter that everyone now knew the truth. She had been too damaged to go back. She preferred animosity; Jagged and Penny gave that to her.

Marinette sighed as she dropped onto her bed. She wasn't sure why she was so upset. She had seen Stephanie's boyfriend sneak out of the gala, several times over the last couple months. Sometimes, Stephanie would leave instead. Mari couldn’t help but wonder if their relationship wasn't as great as it appeared. Stephanie Brown would just smile when people asked where the CEO had gone and said he had to step out or something urgent came up.

It hurt to see her alone. She had spoken to her before about fashion and sweets. Marinette hoped one day she'd be able to call Steph a friend. They had spoken briefly a couple times before about fashion and sweets. She laughed when she learned she had a giant sweet tooth. She knew her parents would have loved her.

Marinette closed her eyes when an image of Luka came to her mind. It had been awhile since she thought of him, of Paris.

'Marinette, I know you don't want to say anything, but maybe you should at least write it down. You might not notice something right away, but you will be able to look back and see changes. Feelings change; it's normal. You might even notice something new or something you never even imagined possible.'

Marinette sipped her drink as she watched Stephanie and Tim Drake argue silently again. It seemed like the blonde was trying to get him to stop from leaving, but he broke free and left anyways. Marinette shook her head and turned at a compliment about her dress. She still wasn't ready for the world to know her identity. She would just smile and say her uncle's designer made it for her.

Once home, Marinette opened her notebook and began to write her feelings down. Many people had complimented her latest design. It was rewarding to hear so many compliments about her designs. What stuck out the most to her that night was Stephanie again. She hated feeling angry. I quick shower was the best way to wash away the anger.

Once she was out of the shower, she picked her notebook back up and read through it: I can't believe Stephanie is still dating Tim Drake. She doesn't seem like the kind to stay with someone for money. She should leave him! Stephanie deserves someone better than him. Who cares if he's a CEO?

Marinette frowned at her thoughts. She turned the pages back and began to read from the start. She had a year woth of notes. When Marinette had started this, she thought it would be a notebook full of abuse. She would show it to Steph and tell her how much better she was without Tim. That wasn't what she was reading.

Mari blushed as she read page after page, further cementing her thoughts. When she reached the page she had written that night, she turned the page and picked up a pen. Mari closed her eyes and quickly wrote down her feelings. She opened her eyes and saw it staring back at her.

'I haven't been upset. I've been jealous! Thanks, Luka.'

Marinette walked into the studio and looked around. She hoped to speak to Jagged about something.

"Hey, Cupcake." Jagged called out, "You usually don't show up in person, unless it's for a fitting. What's up?"

Marinette blushed and admitted, "I….I wrote a song."

"You did?" Jagged asked, standing up excited.

"It's probably not very good, but-" she began to say.

"Can I see it?" he questioned.

Marinette opened her bookbag and held out her notebook. Jagged looked over the lyrics, curiously and smiled.

"Think we can put a beat to it in the studio?" the rock star asked, "Would you be able to sing it?"

"Actually I wanted you to sing it." Marinette declared, blushing, "Not-It does not have to be released. I-I was thinking about giving it to someone."

"I have to hear you sing this." Jagged stated, "Please!"

I can't believe we're finally alone

I can't believe I almost went home

What are the chances? Everyone's dancing

And he's not with you

The universe must have divined this

What am I gonna do? Not grab your wrist?

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

"You sound wonderful, Cupcake!" the rock star announced.

"So, you'll sing it?" Marinette questioned, happily.

"No." he answered.

"What?" his designer asked.

"This is your song." Jagged declared, "You have to sing it."

"But I can't!" Mari replied, "I-"

Jagged pressed a button and let Marinette's voice flow over them.

"Cupcake, I can't give this song the emotions youre singing." he stated, calmly.

Marinette sat as she listened to her own voice.

"It could be a single?" Jagged spoke.

"But it's personal." she whispered.

"Most songs are. Musicians write about what inspires us. It's not always happy feelings, either. We write and sing so that people know they're not alone. Why else would there be so many break up songs?" the rock star spoke, "I'm sure there are other people who are feeling the way you are right now. No one has to know it's you. We can think of a rock and roll name. Anytime you think of songs and you decide to sing it, we can put it under that name."

Marinette tilted her head as she thought about her options. Jagged refused to sing it for her, but gave her the option to record it. Instead of personally handing her the song, it could be something they talked about in passing. She would never know it was her voice she was listening to. Animosity wasn't something new to her. No one knew she was Jagged Stone's personal designer. Besides, she usually only sang in the shower. No one hear her singing in passing.

"Okay." Mari sighed, "On two conditions. We create another alias; not my designer name."

"Not a problem." Jagged smiled, "What's the second?"

"No one but the recording studio knows who I am. Not even Luka or Juleka." she declared.

"What?" he asked, shocked, "But-"

"Not a word." Marinette pleaded, "I don't wanna be up on stage or end up doing duets. Nothing like that."

"Deal." he smiled.

It had been almost six months since the last gala when she walked back through those double doors. Almost instantly, she was able to spot Stephanie. She was alone again. Marinette took a deep breath and made her way over.

I could be a better boyfriend

I don't need to tell you twice

All the ways he can't suffice

If I could give you some advice

I would leave with me tonight

The universe must have divined this, mmm, mmm

Ladies first, baby, I insist

Marinette quickly noticed that Stephanie seemed shocked by her presence.

'Oh, God. Maybe she didn't want to talk to me. Maybe she was avoiding me. I look fine, right?'

She had worn a sweetheart, strapless lavender dress with a cape. Marinette had worked her hair into a bun and curled the loose hairs. Before Marinette could ask the blonde if she was okay, Tim appeared in front of them with a smile. The designer smiled back, but Tim and Steph quickly recognized it as the fake 'Brucie' smile.

Tim cleared his throat, "I don't think we've ever met before." and held out his hand.

Marinette kept her hand at her sides.

"No." she responded, "You usually run off, at some point in the middle of these things, over the last few years."

Tim paled. He never expected someone to notice him leaving to change into Red Robin.

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could be a better boyfriend

"Ha-Have you met Steph before?" Tim questioned, nervously.

Stephanie smiles, "A few times, actually, but you know how these things are. We barely get to say hi or hear a speech before anyone can introduce themselves."

Tim nodded, "So, are you learning the ropes to take over the family business?"

"I left the family business a long time ago." Marinette stated, "I'm here for my own business."

"You're own business?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes." The designer answered.

Tim began to panic. He couldn't remember inviting someone influential around his age. Obviously, she was because she had been here multiple times.

'Who is she?'

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his blonde counterpart bobbing her head.

"Are you to that song again?" He asked.

"What song?" Mari questioned.

The blonde looked around and popped an earbud out from behind her ear. She handed it to the designer. Marinette placed it in her ear.

'It's my song!'

I never would have left you alone

Here on your own glued to your phone

Never would have left you alone

For someone else to take you home

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus you know my clothes would fit

Marinette blushed as she watched Stephanie smile.

"Steph is obsessed with the song." Tim commented.

"It's amazing!" Stephanie declared, "I probably would have broken up him sooner if any girl had walked up to me and told me this."

Tim rolled his eyes, "It was a mutual break up."

"You-You're not together?" Marinette questioned.

"Nope." the blonde answered, "We're exes."

"Who are weirdly….adopted siblings or I guess you could say we fit better as siblings?" Tim tried to explain better, "Bruce has weird adoption habits."

Steph smirked and asked jokingly, "You wouldn't happen to have a tragic past or were possibly orphaned, were you?"

"Oh!" Marinette replied, shocked, "Um, bullied and emancipated. My parents bought my bullies bullshit."

Tim and Stephanie froze, before the side-eyed each other.

'Blue eyes. Black hair. Tragic past. She fits the Wayne bill, alright.'

Marinette giggled, "Don't worry. I've already been unofficially adopted by someone else. I'd like to see Bruce Wayne fight him, though."

"Fight who?" Bruce questioned, emerging from nowhere.

"Bruce!" his kids called him, shocked.

'They seem on edge.'

Bruce looked to the girl across from them. He had seen her at a couple galas, but could never place her.

'What did she do?'

"There ya are, Cupcake!" a voice cried.

"Jagged Stone!" Stephanie and Tim shouted.

"Uncle Jagged!" the girl cried as she hugged the rock legend.

"Bruce, this is my designer and neice." Jagged stated, "I've been giving her my tickets for the last couple ears since she lives in the city. M is an amazing bundle of talent and full of surprises."

"Wait!" Tim spoke, "You're a designer?"

Mari nodded.

Steph gasped, "Are you MDC?"

Marinette blushed and nodded.

"Can you design for me?" Tim asked.

"No, me!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"I asked her first!" Tim growled.

"She knows me better!" Steph declared.

Off to the side, Bruce and Marinette hid their embarrassment, while Jagged just laughed.

"Sorry, Stephanie, but you need to learn how to treat a lady." Tim spoke, putting his arm around Marinette's waist.

Marinette quickly grabbed Tim's arm, rotated it and threw him to the ground.

"I find it's better to keep a man on his toes." the designer declared.

Tim wavered under her glare. Bruce looked between them.

'Okay. Something definetly happened between these two. Is she one of Tim's exes?'

Mari shifted her attention back to the blonde, "I'd love to create something for you."

Stephanie quickly hugged her. Marinette quickly pushed her away and backed up towards Jagged Stone.

"Oh, um-" arinette began to mumble.

Jagged placed his hands on her shoulders, "Why don't you both go to the dance floor? Inspire yourselves."

Marinette slowly held out her hand for the blonde female to take. Stephanie smiled and took her hand, leading them both to the dance floor.

"Jagged?" Bruce questioned.

"Sorry about that, Mate." the musician spoke, "She isn't use to physical contact anymore. Cupcake can take care of herself, as your son found out."

Tim dusted off his clothes, as he looked at the girls questionably. He still knew nothing about MDC. He still didn’t have a name. Jagged called her Cupcake or M. He knew she was emancipated so her name could be completely different from what it once was, for all he knew.

Stephanie cautiously grabbed Marinette's waist as the reached the dance floor. Marinette tensed slightly, but forced herself to relax. Marinette took a step forward and began the dance.

"You know, I thought you and Tim were still dating." Marinette admitted.

Stephanie smiled, "We broke up about a year ago."

"Oh." Mari spoke, "It was…mutual; I think he said?"

"Yeah." the blonde stated, "We sorta mutually decided we wanted to explore the same sex, with out each other."

"Huh?" the designer asked, not understanding.

Steph giggled, "I was checking out girls and he was checking out guys."

"Oh!" Marinette spoke.

"Tim's dating a red head, who thinks one of his older brothers is secretly Nightwing because of the whole 'The Butts Match' theory." Stephanie explained.

Marinette laughed, "Oh, no!"

"We can see Tim loves him." the blonde smiled.

"That's sweet." Mari smiled, softly.

"I hope that doesn't make this weird?" Steph suddenly questioned.

"Weird?" the designer asked, "What is weird?"

"Us dancing." Stephanie whispered.

"N-No!" Marinette blushed, "I-I'm actually in the same boat…..actually."

"Really?" Stephanie asked in shock.

"It was a recent discovery." Mari admitted, "I know I've had crushes on guys in the past and-"

"You realized you might not be into just guys?" Steph finished.

Marinette nodded in embarrassment, "It took me months to realize how I felt."

The two left the unspoken words hang in the air as they continued to sway to the music. Stephanie recognized the familiar tune to her new favorite song, as the tune began to play in the Raycons. Before she could hum along, she heard the song louder than ever. The blonde looked up to see her dance partner's lips repeat the lyrics.

I could be a better boyfriend than him

I could do the shit that he never did

Up all night, I won't quit

Thinking I'm gonna steal you from him

I could be such a gentleman

Plus all my clothes would fit

Stephanie moved on auto-pilot, but she could feel her cheeks were burning hot.

'The cute girl who kept talking to me- I can't believe it; she's the singer to my favorite song! I wonder if I can convince her to meet up and have lunch with me. She looks adorable tonight! She's even wearing my favorite color! She likes girls, too. I might have a chance…if only I knew her name!'

Marinette pulled away from Stephanie when someone cleared their throat loudly. She turned and glared, only to spot Jagged looking sheepish.

"Penny has an issue with Fang." he spoke.

Marinette sighed, "He got into the closet again, didn't he?"

"F-Fang?" Steph questioned, still reeling over Marinette's identity.

"Uncle Jagged's pet crocodile." Mari answered.

"Sorry, Cupcake." Jagged apologized.

"It was nice to see you again, Stephanie." Marinette declared and handed her back her Raycon, "I'm sure I'll see you at another gala. I…have to go wrangle a crocodile and save what is left of my deisgns."

Stephanie stood on the middle of the dance floor. She watched as people quickly stepped out of her way with Jagged Stone, apologizing. She didn't even notice Tim approach her.

"What's got you all twisted?" he asked, causing her to break contact.

"New crush on the designer." she whispered, looking back to where she had left.

"Already?" Tim questioned.

Stephanie nodded.

"Well, that should stop Bruce from adopting her." he chuckled.

"Sooooo?" Jagged teased, as Marinette looked over her design book, "You have a thing for blondes?"

Marinette could feel her cheeks heat up, but kept her eyes focused on her sketches.

"I don't know, yet." she replied.

"Does she have green eyes?" he questioned.

"Blue." Mari answered.

"The song was for her, wasn't it?" Jagged asked.

Marinette merely nodded.

"Think you have a chance with this one?" he prodded.

"Yes." Marinette answered with a smile, "She liked my song."

Jagged merely smiled as his designer continued to focus on her designs.

TAG LIST: @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus @missmadwoman @meira-3919 @princessdaisysolosyourfaves @blep-23 @fangirlingfanatic @darkhinauniverse @ravenr22 @im-a-satanic-ritual @ravennm84 @bianca-hooks123 @a-slytherinish-gryffindor @starling218 @maribat-calendar-events

170 notes · View notes