Ladybug In Gotham (crossover fic)

Chapter 25 Reliving Trauma

Third pov

When Nightwing and Red Hood finally got the room open water flooded out and two bodies hit the floor. Damian looked a bit dazed but Marinette was coughing and wheezing, her breathing way to fast.

Red Hood nodded for Nightwing to help their brother while he went over to the panicking teen.

Marinette had been acting like a normal teen the times he'd seen her with her class. At least as normal as a teen hiding her superhero life can.

Now though?

Now she looked like a wreck.

Soaked and with small burns on her arms and hands, shaking like a leaf she was coughing up her lungs and clawing at her neck and arms and anywhere she could get her hands on. Red Hood caught her hands and tried to put himself in her line of vision only to realize that she wasn't seeing him. Hell, she probably couldn't see the room either.

No. She's stuck in a PTSD flashback.

Shit.shit.shit. Fuck.

Okay, now's the million dollar question. If he tries to move her will he make it worse?

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Nightwing helped Damian up and checked him over. There was an ambulance outside just in case but he preferred to see for himself if his baby brother is alright.

"N? We have a problem. She's stuck in a flashback and I'm not sure she's safe to move." Red Hood called over to them.

Damian's eyes widened and he hurried over, Nightwing following closely.

Nightwing has seen the mental state that follows being a hero/vigilante. He's seen many people stuck in PTSD flashback. He's seen people dissociating just to get away.

And he understands the hell it is. He knows. He's been through it himself.

Doesn't mean he has to like it.

The problem is that you never really know, when it's people you don't know that well, what will make things worse.

"Beloved? Can you hear me?"

Nightwing almost squealed. Dami's found someone that he likes.

Said teen had gotten closer to the other teen that had curled up in a corner.

She didn't visibly react to his voice and he took that as he might be able to come closer.

Marinette looked to be in seriously bad shape. Nightwing personally would like to take her to Alfred. Buuuuuttt that might not be the best idea....

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Damian held a steady hand out to his angel's shivering form even though he's quite certain she isn't seeing him at all.

But he's surprised as she latches on to him.

She's ice cold, not that he's much better off but at least he's a bit warmer. Marinette though is cold as ice.

"We can't just leave her at the hotel. Not after this. I'll talk to B and Penny-one about it." Hood told him quietly.

Damian nodded and took a steady grip on Marinette as he stood up. Then-she mumbled something. Something that has the three of them freezing in place.

"Chat... Don't, you'll break.... Arm."

She's mumbling about Agreste. So safe to assume the water triggered a traumatic memory of an akuma.

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Dick frowned as he stripped out of his suit.

He and Hood had stayed close as Damian and Marinette was checked over by paramedics and since Marinette was still pretty out of it, they did the only thing they could.

They called Alfred and made sure the school knows Marinette will be staying at the manor after the days events.

They didn't want to take any risks.

Now she had been tucked into one of the guest room's bed with Dami watching over her.

One thing that could make or break any hero is what kind of support system they have. And while Paris heroes are doing their best, their support system needs to be better.

And they could properly do with a few sessions together with Black Canary while they're at it.

He wanted to meet the others. See the rest of the team. Sooner or later, they would have to see just how deep the trauma goes.

I tried my best to write a PTSD flashback. I'm sorry if it was bad.

Any ideas on what you want to see?

Vote and comment, it keeps me motivated :)