#but alfred is so good with pep talks when dick gets too 'will i ever be good enough' | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

toastedside · 4 years

Text

Mothers

Damian had dinner with Talia and they talked about Batmom.

===========================================

Damian didn’t know what he should feel about this.

It’s been a very long time since he had a peaceful meal together with Talia. Or it felt like one, he didn’t know. Certainly, he had spent significant amount of days and night not having a peaceful meal together with his mother that he started to lose any strands of memories on how it should really be. Or does he never have any peaceful meal with her before? He wasn’t sure.

Should he really let his guard down? He wasn’t sure. It sure is felt wrong to let his guard down in the presence of his mother. After all, he knew her. She always had so many tricks underneath her sleeve. But it had been almost twenty-five minutes passed, and the dinner had been nothing but… pleasant.

“Hmm,” Talia made a sound. “They sure do make a great samosa. I admit your judgement is right. This is the best restaurant they have in the city.”

Damian pressed his lips together. “I am pleased to know you enjoy it as much as I do, Mother.”

Talia threw him a small smile. Or what he could considered as a smile from her, anyway. Damian did not have the smoothest relationship with his mother after all the odds happened. He certainly had seen her in different light after she had attempted to murder him with one of her clones of his own freaking self. But Damian certainly held a dear memory of days when his mother is warm to him.

She had not been perfect, but she tried, and she loved him dearly and fiercely too. In her very own twisted way, as she had tried her best to shield him from any bad influence that his grandfather is. But a powerful man of menace that he is, sometimes all of his mother’s best had not been enough to protect him from his grandfather. So, she had to send him away all across the country, gave the custody to his father, and had lived underneath the same roof with him ever since.

It certainly was a surprise that Talia showed up on the doorstep. Being civil and all, knocking the door and actually announce her presence. Not showing up out of nowhere sneaking her way into the Batcave or strike him in the daylight out of thin air. She wanted to rekindle and reconnect with him, that’s what she said, and Damian was hesitant. But Mom was enthusiastic with the idea – she had always been a very positive lady, bless her soul – and Father, surprisingly, did not opposed the idea.

Grayson did not. He was ready to throw a fit. But eventually begrudgingly agreed after a stern and long talk with Mom.

Besides, Mom and Father were supposed to attend a charity event in Star City this weekend. It’s a perfect occasion for him to have a day out with his mother while his other parents are away. God, it felt weird to address them that way. Grayson gave him a pep talk and a panic button that he certainly did not need in case things go south.

So far, things had been quite pleasant, if not good. They had stroll around the city, visited a zoo, went to a museum, and ready to end their day in this restaurant he had accidentally discovered few months ago. He didn’t even check his phone – well, once to text Grayson back and assured him that he was, in fact, very much alright – and surprisingly enjoy his time.

“If you have anything to say, then talk,” Talia’s voice snapped him out of his train of thought.

“Nothing. It had been a very good day with you, Mother,” Damian answered. He had almost forgot how straightforward his mother could be.

Talia pressed her lips together to form a thin smile. “Y/N…” she paused for a moment as if she was testing the way it rolled out of her tongue. “She had made you soft, hadn’t she? Or was it the work of your father?” Talia tilted her head to the side, studying him.

Damian didn’t say anything, but his hand tried to reach for his non-existent weapon on his pocket out of instinct. He and his mother agreed not to bring any sort of weapon on their day out together today.

“Y/N, what a bright woman she is. Too bright.” Talia’s finger traced the outline of the table. Damian braced himself for any words that would come next. “I understand why you take a liking on her.”

“You do?” the word came out before Damian could stop it. Talia’s head perked up at his question, the corner of her lips turned upwards.

“Yes. I admit she is a very likable woman. Even Jason Todd seemingly adore her, and we both know the man usually reluctant to put his guard down so easily.”

“In case it escapes your attention, Todd grew up with her.”

“And with your father too.” Talia raised a questioning eyebrow. One that she usually gave him when she questioned all of his method in training. Or progress. “Look at their relationship now. A little rough around the edges, if you ask me.”

“That’s just how they work.”

“That’s just how they work, indeed,” Talia agreed. “That’s just how it works with Y/N too.”

Damian nodded, understanding his mother’s point of view. But he couldn’t see where this conversation led them exactly, and why the matter of Mom had been brought into the table in the first place.

“You know, I only had met her once or twice. Not so much. But it certainly felt like I had known her for years. Your father used to talk fondly about her a lot back in the days when he was still in the League. Besides talking about his parents and Alfred Pennyworth, he had the habit to talk about Y/N too. Or should I call her Y/N Wayne, now that she is married to your father?”

Damian remained still. Talia waited for a few beats for him to answer, but the lack of response from his part was an enough answer. Talia shrugged it off. He knew she did. It wasn’t a first time.

“Any person would’ve known that it was love. He swore it was just a childish crush, he would say that a lot in his defence. But I know. I had always known. You should see the way his eyes shine when he talked about her,” Talia told him. Damian knew what his mother had talked about so well. He had witnessed it so many times. “Because he used to look at me with the same shine in his eyes, Damian.”

Damian’s breath caught in his throat. He remembered the early days of him arriving at his father’s doorstep, upset at the presence of another woman that he fondly calls Mom now. He recalled days of wishing his parents would just talk and reunite, before eventually made a peace with the fact that his father is very much happy with his marriage.

He couldn’t find any words to say, and Talia did not expect him to. An invisible weight had been lifted from his shoulders magically. A small amount it seems, the one he barely noticed. But it was a comical amount of relief to knew that he was brought here by love his parents used to had with each other. For a short amount of time, perhaps, but it was still one.

“I am actually glad that you get to grow up with her.”

“Are you really?” Damian was a little skeptical, albeit hopeful and a little surprised.

“I am, Beloved,” Talia reassured him. Damian closed his eyes; it had been a long time since he had heard his mother addressed him that way. “There are many reasons why I had to leave you with your father, but I mainly wish you to have a better path and future than I do. Y/N had not been on the plan, but now I am glad that she is. She is capable to give you breaks and normalcy that your father used to had when he was your age. The one that I unable to give. I understand why your father had chosen to marry her; she is capable to give him the breaks he needs from his battles. I couldn’t give him that. I certainly couldn’t give that to you.”

Damian blinked. He didn’t know what to say.

“She had raised you and nurture you as if you are her own. Besides, she is bright and very well-educated. Maybe not the best fighter, if she ever learned at all.” Talia paused to formed a smile. “I like her.”

Damian let out a shaky breath he did not notice he was holding. He experienced a rush of many emotions at once, many that he couldn’t register and understand. He felt a hot prickle in his eyes, and if his mother notice there were tears welled in his eyes, she didn’t point it out.

There are few moments of silence exchanged between them. Talia was the first one to broke it off. “Let’s finish this off and I’ll drop you off at your father’s house. It’s already dark outside, and I’m certain Dick Grayson would explode if you don’t come back any time soon.”

Damian grimaced. “He tends to worry about me a lot. Sometimes I am convinced that he forgets I can protect and defend myself very well.”

“It is a good thing to have someone care about your well-being. Count it as a blessing,” Talia said with furrowed eyebrows. “Y/N told me you joined a soccer club in your school. Tell me about it on our way to your father’s house.”

Damian didn’t have any expectation on how his day would go, but certainly he did not expect to talk about his soccer club experience to his mother as they take a route back to the manor. He talked about his practice and an upcoming tournament that sadly his mother couldn’t attend.

It soon become a tradition between two of them. Talia would take Damian out somewhere whenever she could, which wasn’t that often considering her condition and line of work. Sometimes it would take days, sometimes it was a mere quick day out that last few hours. His mom and his mother would sometimes engage in a nice small talk whenever Talia visited. All of his siblings conspired that they had secrets shared with each other and had a secret girl’s night out no one knows about.

Damian didn’t want to dwell on that. He was happy and content with the life he led on now. Even though this wasn’t the initial output he had wished, he was still very much happy to receive love from two amazing women he had privilege to call Mom and Mother, respectively.

751 notes · View notes

nxrthmizu · 4 years

Text

Daminette December Day 16: ‘Hogwarts AU’ [Part Nine]

[Note: This will be a continuation of my Hogwarts AU series, if you haven’t read that yet, use the link >>

/Part One//Part Eight/

Enjoy!!! :D ]

---

“Todd, are you an idiot?” Damian scowled angrily, glaring daggers at his brother. Jason opened his mouth to snark back an retort, but not before Dick stopped him.

“Come on, give the kid a break. He’s stressed out because his girlfriend is coming over for Christmas.” Dick whispered, nudging Jason as he did so. Tim nodded in agreement, giving the youngest son of the Wayne household an encouraging smile.

“It’ll be fine, Damian.” Tim smiled warmly. “I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Damian scoffed at his third brother. “I’m not nervous!”

Alfred, bringing out a plate of cookies, raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Master Damian?”

Damian blushed in embarrassment. “I’m not nervous.” He muttered, refusing to look any of his brothers in the eye.

Jason, who was notorious for not caring, gave in. “Look, demon spawn, if there’s ever going to be a girl who’s going to love you, it’s her. I’m a 100% sure we could live in a dumpster and she’d be accepting with that.”

Dick and Tim cast amazed glances at the second eldest of the family. And then that amazement was quickly ended with Jason’s need of adding a snarky remark.

“Of course, if you screw up and she decides she hates you, maybe you might never get married.” Jason shrugged, trying to hide his embarrassment from having made such a cringe-y pep-talk with his youngest brother.

Damian internally panicked at his brother’s words, his emerald eyes swarming with worry and anxiety.

“I’m sure she’ll love our manor, Damian.” Dick soothed, using his wand to levitate a cookie from Alfred’s tray to hand to the green-eyed Slytherin.

“But maybe she won’t love you.” Jason added, laughing playfully as Damian shot a quick jinx at him angrily. Tim hid a smile, glad to see Damian back in his usual hexing habits.

“Get back here, Todd!” Damian screeched angrily, and Bruce was heard from his office above.

“No hexing in the manor!” He hollered, reminding the boys of the no-hex rule.

Damian growled angrily, chasing Jason into the kitchen. “Fuck that. Get back here, Todd!”

Alfred watched him with a small smile, putting the next batch of Christmas cookies inside the oven. “Master Damian, please take your hexing out of the kitchen.” He then glared at Jason. “Master Jason, please keep your remarks to yourself or no cookies for Christmas.”

Jason pouted at this, but not before he yelped, dodging another hex that a still-furious Damian had thrown at him. “Oi!” He yelled. “No hexes in the manor!”

---

“Thank you so much, Madame Bustier.” Marinette thanked for the twentieth time, levitating her trunk by her side.

The woman smiled warmly at her. “Just have fun, and come back in time for school to began.”

Marinette nodded, taking a pinch of the Floo powder into her hands, stepping into the fireplace.

“Gotham!”

---

“Calm down, Damian!” Tim yelled in exasperation. “Please! Enough!”

Dick tried to say something in the defence of the emerald-eyed boy, but lost himself in getting interrupted by Damian’s agitated pacing of the living room.

“Can you just stop pacing before I hex you?” Jason growled.

“I’m just-!” Damian threw his hands up in frustration. “Fine!” He plopped down on the chair, crossing his arms as he panicked in place.

The fireplace suddenly flared green, and out stepped the bluenette that they all had been waiting for.

“Marinette!” Damian greeted, getting up abruptly from his chair. He whipped out his wand, performing a quick non-verbal spell (Impressive for a first year, but hey, he grew up with three brothers) to levitate her trunk inside as she looked around in awe.

“It’s so big!” She beamed. “Thanks for inviting me.”

Damian smiled. “No problem.” He shot Jason a glare when the said boy cleared his throat, wishing to be noticed. “As you know, these are my brothers, and that’s Pennyworth, our butler.”

Marinette bobbed her head up and down, nodding along with what he said. “You don’t have any house elves?” She asked in surprise.

“Father doesn’t like them.” Tim informed her, pulling out his wand. “But since there are so many of us in the manor the chores are split between all four of us and Alfred.”

Marinette oohed in understanding. Then she remembered something. “Damian, can we go see Titus? Please?” She asked, eyes wide and adorable.

Damian blushed badly, and all his brothers resisted the urge to laugh and awe at the situation. “O-Of course.” He stuttered. “He's outside.”

Once the two had left, Tim let out a loud wheeze from all the laughter he was penting up. “Did you see him blush?”

“Damn, demon spawn has it for her bad,” Jason snickered.

“He’s completely smitten.” Dick chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, who’s up for spying them in the garden?”

---

Once they were in the garden, Damian let out a sharp whistle, and the pair stood in silence for a while before the black dane came running out, panting happily at the call of his owner.

“He’s adorable!” Marinette smiled.

Titus eyed the girl weirdly before looking back at his owner, only to see Damian gazing at her with fond eyes.

Ah. This must be master’s mate. Titus thought. He woofed, nudging Marinette nearer towards Damian by pushing on her leg with his snout, wagging his tail proudly. His little master got a mate. About time, too.

“Titus!” Damian scolded, but the dog only continued pushing them together playfully.

“Seems like Titus ships them as much as we do.” Dick whispered from behind a bush. “Dang, we go loads of Daminette shippers in here.”

“Indeed, Master Dick.” Alfred replied, wiping a tear from his face. “Master Damian is growing up so fast.”

“Let’s hope she doesn’t ditch him.” Jason remarked off-handedly, only to be whacked on the head by multiple people at the same time.

“Either join Daminette club or leave, Jason.” Tim scowled.

Up above the garden, looking below from the window, was Bruce. He was very proud. His son had made a good choice, and he rather liked the bluenette. Using the muggle device called a ‘camera’ he snapped a photo, smiling. “For the Daminette club.”

---

/Part Ten/

---

Aye it’s been a long time but I finally updated this :D

Tag list: @kceedraws @constancetruggle @ellerahs @2sunchild2 @mystery-5-5 @ki117h3dr4g0n @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @tbehartoo @resignedcatservant @im-here-for-the-content @mooshoon @darkened-flame @spicybelladonna @whomthefyck @mysteriouslyswimmingfan-blo-blog @xxmadamjinxx @rhub4rb @a-marlene-s @mochinek0 @zalladane @t-nikki10 @angelicbookfangirl @politelyvicious @mikantsume @iggy-of-fans @shizukiryuu @littleredrobinhoodlum @thebananathatwrites @my-name-is-michell @7-sage-7 @linnyalou @ladylb @particularlygeeky @vivilakitty @iglowinggemma28 @alexzandria-747 @luciferge @lunar-wolf-warrior @aurordraws @urbanpineapplefarmer @clumsy-owl-4178 @creator-josie @driftingmoonlitpetals @fiendsangelical @mjisntme @two-faced-biatch @thecatnipmademedoit @northernbluetongue

220 notes · View notes

spoiled-batgirl · 7 years

Photo

Deadly But Beautiful pt.2

Shit shit shit shit!! Bella scrambled over the rooftops of Gotham before swinging into her small apartment in Crime Alley. Fuck fuck fuck fuck!!! Oh god fucking damn it shit she had been caught. Maybe the kiss would make him forget? She doubted it, those bats were wired, even if he was drugged he’d most likely have another proof of their encounter via audio or something on his person. She should’ve known. She had known. But she’d had killer croc and two-faced and the ruffled as baby sitters and the Gotham City Sirens as family! What else was a girl like her supposed to do? The only thing her dad, George Grayson, had ever given her was acrobatic gymnastics skills. Besides that he held her at arms length while the rouges of Gotham were in jail or in trouble or something. She sighed as she saw her tia calling. “Hola, tia..” she said with a defeated sigh. “Hola, gatita. Bruce wants to see you, amor.” Selina said, her voice singing a told you so under her words. Bella sighed and went to wipe off her dark lipstick that had light poison in it and the jacket that know stunk with something hazing like a good syrupy liquor that reminded her of strawberry daiquiris. She put her phone on her dresser and set it to speaker. “Is he mad?” She asked as she stripped her black leotard off with a zip and put some ripped jeans over her fish net panty hoes. She pulled on a cropped sweatshirt with a blue floral print. She stepped into her neo sneakers and grabbed her keys and purse. “More surprised. And confused. He wants a DNA test and a psych exam. It’s okay, gatita. Everyone gets caught by a bat eventually, we’re even thinking of throwing you a milestone party.” She laughed at her Aunt being silly but knew her mom probably already had one brewing. “What about my moms?” Bella switched off the speaker, holding the phone to her ear as she headed outside. “They’re headed over there now. I’m already here, trying to debrief the boys before you get here. Dick is excited, cautious, but excited. Really scared him when he thought he had a daughter he had no clue about.” Bella laughed at what her aunt had said. “Okay.. less nervous. I’m heading to the Wayne address now.” She got onto her motorcycle and put on her helmet, securing her phone in her backpack purse before speeding off towards the Wayne Manor. She’d been to a gala or two with Selina, wading in the crowd to talk with others about her mama or her aunt about business. She knew the way to the manor. Music played in her helmet as she tried to calm her nerves. She sighed as she stopped in front of the gates, pausing a minute before they opened for her. She rode up the drive way and parked outside. Gulping she took off her helmet and put it under her seat. Now she was more adrenaline than nerves. She sighed and stretched out her arms, tugging her sleeves of her sweatshirt over her hands in an nervous gesture. Looked up from her stretch to see an elderly man looking out at her as she fidgeted. She gave him a smile and his expression softened. She nervously tucked a raven curl behind her ear. She walked to the doors and held a hand out to him. “Belladonna Grayson, nice to meet you!” She said, cheeriness taking over her anxiousness. The old man regarded her amusingly, a touch of shock in his expression. “Alfred Pennyworth, Miss Belladonna. Like-wise.” He shook her hand and led her into the manor. She looked around in awe. She felt like a street rat and circus brat that she was being shocked by something so grand. She fidgeted and controlled her heart. She breathed. You are not Bella, you are Belladonna. You are deadly nightshade. You are Rouge. You’re strong, you got this, she gave herself the small pep talk. Alfred put a kind hand on her shoulder, “Relax. Master Bruce knows better than to mess with miss Selina’s kittens.” Bella laughed a little, “Thank you. It’s just, growin’ up with Arkham people you kinda get a phobia of bats and birds..” she walked with him to a nice room with a bunch of books and a fish tank and a piano and a big beautiful clock and lots of paintings. The hell do rich people call these rooms? A study? A common room? Jane Austin did not prepare her for this fancy crap. “I understand Miss Belladonna, but you’ve done nothing wrong. Besides perhaps, knocking out Master Timothy.” He said to her as he led her in. She saw four boys, a big man, and her moms and tia. She bit her lip as she recognized Tim. “Uh, yeah, sorry about that. Panicked.” She said to him. He blushed and an older boy with a white streak in his hair laughed. Alfred closed the door and stood behind me neatly. Bella stared at him confusingly. “What is it Miss Belladonna?” He asked. “Shouldn’t you sit down? Why are you just standing by the door?” She asked, turning away from the people. “I’m a butler, Miss. it’s what we do.” He said. Bella pursed her lips. She didn’t like it all, he was so kind and she saw no other help around. “Please have a seat. I stayed awhile in Louisiana for my mother’s work, respect for elders was always pressed to me as a child. Please sit.” Bella said, feeling how overworked he was just from looking in his eyes. He warmed. “If you insist, Miss Belladonna.” He went and sat by the big man and she looked to see him and the others smiling. She went to sit by her moms when the oldest boy came to her. He was tall, not the tallest in the room, and built. Rosy tan skin and blue eyes and wavy black hair like hers. They looked at each other for awhile, mixed emotions showing before he pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, I should’ve paid more attention to the carney world. I’m the worst cousin ever..” he spoke softly. Bella bit her lip in guilt. She’d known they were family but was too intimidated to reach out. She laid a hand on his arm, “nu vă faceți griji despre asta, eu sunt, de asemenea, la vina,” (don’t worry about it, I’m also at fault.) she said. His blue eyes gleamed with emotion and he hugged her tighter. She squeaked a bit as he crushed her to only be hugged tighter. “Ah! Vărul meu frumos!” (My beautiful cousin) He picked her up now and spun. She laughed and pulled herself up to be comfortable in his grasp. Sitting on his forearm with an arm around her shoulders. “You look like siblings or even Dad and daughter if Dick had been about 15 when he had you..” the big man humored. She looked to her Tia with an questioning look. She nodded that was Batman. Bruce Wayne. There was a growl and Bella saw it to come from the tan small version of Bruce. Damian. Current Robin. Also worked with Dick, were brothers.. maybe jealous she was getting his big brother’s attention? She clambered out of her cousins arms and made her way over to Bruce. She shook our her hand and smiled politely, “Belladonna Grayson, nice to meet you!” He smiled warmly with a hint of caution. He enveloped her small hand with his large one, “likewise, Belladonna.” She went back to hug her moms. “Sorry,” she whispered. “Don’t worry, precious flower.” Her mama whispered back with a kiss to her cheek. Her ma just kissed her all over her face making her giggle. She stands back and has her hand held by her ma as she sits on the arm of the couch occupied by the Sirens. Her cousin moved to stand next to her. “Belladonna is poison. Deadly nightshade.” The young boy, Damian remarked. Bella smiled with a shrug. “Bella works if you prefer. Belladonna is only poisonous when put into the situation though, so I think it’s fitting.” “-tt-“ the young boy clicked. “How’d you know my identity?” Tim asked. She evaluated him. Was he hung over from the toxin that knocked him out? Whoops.

#jason todd #tim drake #Dick Grayson #batman fanfiction #bruce wayne #selina kyle #Harley Quinn #pamala isley #alfred pennyworth #my art #oc art

3 notes · View notes

linaofthemyscira · 7 years

Text

Day One: Family

For Batfam week!

Pairing: none

Word Count: 3176

Summary: as Alfred prepares to make a gift for Father’s Day, he begins to look through a photo album which takes him down memory lane in his time with the batfamily.

Warnings: cursing (always), badly executed puns

A/N I’m so sorry I’m late but I have been in Spain and London these past 2 weeks…yikes

“What to do, what to do,” Alfred murmured to himself as he strolled into the main living room of Wayne Manor. Bruce was a very simple man; he didn’t need an extravagant party to satisfy himself for father’s day. Yet somehow, finding a gift for him was a struggle.

Alfred neared the corner of the coffee table and spotted a large, brown leather-bound photo album sitting on it.

“Ah, now there’s an idea,” he smiled to himself and sat down on the sofa, grabbing the album in the process.

“A collection of photographs of Master Bruce and the family. Perfect,” Alfred opened the album delicately and began flipping through the pages.

With each picture, Alfred’s smile grew bigger and bigger. Some photos were ones that he took, some by Bruce and some by each of the “kids”.

He spotted a particular picture, one where he took on Damian’s first day of middle school. Everyone crowded around him with large smiles or silly faces, except Damian, who was in the middle, scowling and crossing his arms.

He remembered that day perfectly…

“Guys guys! It’s Damian’s first day of middle school!” Barbara announced as Damian strolled into the kitchen, where Jason, Dick, Tim, Duke, Cass, Stephanie, Harper and herself were getting breakfast from Alfred.

“Middle school, that was a fun time,” Dick reminisced.

“Not for me,” Jason commented as Alfred placed a stack of pancakes on his plate.

“Yeah we know, you tell us that almost as much as you tell us that ‘you died once’,” Tim noted.

“You know what Replacement?! You can suck my–” Jason began.

“BLEEEEEEP!” Dick yelled as Jason made his vulgar remark.

“Yes, it is my first day of middle school, and Todd is already telling Drake to execute some incredibly inappropriate task. No respect here,” Damian rolled his eyes and strolled out of the kitchen into the dining room.

“Master Jason, if you could refrain from making any dirty jokes or comments on Master Damian’s first day of middle school, that would be splendid,” Alfred glanced at Jason. Jason furrowed his eyebrows but agreed to Alfred’s request.

The rest of the family joined Bruce and Damian in the dining room to eat their breakfast, who were simply engaging in light conversation.

“…so, please Damian, just go to school, learn, come home, do your homework and repeat the process. I don’t want to hear from your teacher that you punched someone in the face for insulting Batman, or animals or anything. You’re in middle school, I expect you to be more mature,” Bruce told him. Damian sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Okay, father,” Damian said exasperatedly, expecting more of a pep-talk than a lecture.

“Geez, old man, lay off the kid, he’s only 11,” Jason sat down and stuffed a bite of pancake in his mouth.

“You weren’t this hard on me when I went to middle school,” Dick stated.

“Well you weren’t like Damian when you were his age,” Barbara pointed out.

“True, but I mean, I got in plenty of trouble at that age,” Dick said.

“Maybe it’s because Damian is his blood son,” Cass said. Dick, Jason and Tim gasped in unison and stared at Cassandra.

“Wow, I’m…I’m hurt,” Dick placed a hand on his heart.

“That was cold, Cass,” Jason shook his head.

“My heart…my soul…they ache,” Tim hung his head.

At the head of the table, Bruce put his head in his hands and sighed. He didn’t want it to come off like he was being hard on Damian because he was his blood son, or that he deserved special treatment because of that connection, Bruce was just aware of Damian’s personality and how he tended to get very defensive, and then offensive. He wanted to make sure Damian knew what was expected of him. Bruce never would have guessed he was coming off as “hard on Damian”.

“Damian, just…have fun, make some new friends and I know you’ll do great,” Bruce said to his son. Damian shifted his gaze from his siblings to his father and saw a small genuine smile on his face. Damian returned the smile and nodded his head.

“Thank you, father,” Damian said softly.

“Master Damian, I do suggest you prepare yourself for school. The bell rings at 8:30 AM and it is currently 7:45. We must leave soon.” Alfred came over to Damian and gave him a time update.

“Thanks Alfred, I’ll go now,” Damian excused himself as argument from the older siblings began and went to get himself dressed for school.

When he came back downstairs in his Gotham Academy uniform and backpack, his siblings were all waiting for him in front of the front door, along with Bruce and Alfred.

“What are you all doing?” Damian asked cautiously.

“We’re going to take a picture!” Stephanie smiled at him.

“Ugh, why? Can’t I just go to school please?” Damian complained.

“Come on! It’s your first day of middle school! We gotta capture the moment!” Dick beckoned for Damian to come over.

“Yeah, Lil’ Wayne. It’s just a quick picture,” Duke put his hands in his pockets.

“Do not call me that ever again, Thomas,” Damian chastised his brother as he joined the group for a picture.

“Okay then fine,” Duke shrugged.

“How about strawberry shortcake?” Jason cackled.

“I will stab you, Todd,” Damian looked up at Jason.

“Go ahead,” Jason scoffed.

“Damian, no,” Bruce warned.

“Fine,” Damian rolled his eyes as he trudged towards the middle of the group. Alfred placed himself parallel to Damian and raised the camera to his eye.

“Cheese!” Alfred smiled and snapped the photo right then and there. When Alfred finished, he lowered the camera and approached Damian.

“Let us go Master Damian,” Alfred nodded his head.

“Okay,” Damian shrugged and headed out the door with Alfred.

“Wait we wanna come with!” Stephanie exclaimed.

“I don’t,” Jason and Cass said simultaneously.

“I don’t want you to come either. I’d like to arrive at school without being embarrassed by my family,” Damian said.

“Aw come on, Dami, we just wanna escort you, that’s all,” Dick gave Damian a small noogie.

“No,” Damian protested.

“Too bad, we’re coming anyways,” Barbara told him and stepped inside the limousine.

“What the fuck, why are we taking a limousine?” Jason asked.

“Language!” Dick called from inside. Jason rolled his eyes and scoffed.

“It has enough space for all of us!” Stephanie replied.

“Yeah but it’s a little too flashy, who takes a limousine to school?” Harper chimed in.

“I did once!” Dick yelled.

“No one cares!” Jason yelled back.

“Why is my family like this?” Damian asked himself as he sat in the passenger seat of the limo.

As soon as everyone strapped in, Alfred started the car and drove out of the manor. About 10 minutes into the drive, Damian was frightened by the sudden blast of music from the back. It was “Low” by Flo-Rida and it seemed as if his siblings were having a party.

“SHAWTY GOT THEM APPLE BOTTOM JEANS, BOOTS WITH THE FUR, GOT THE WHOLE CLUB LOOKIN AT HER SHE HIT THE FLO’ NEXT THING YOU KNOW SHAWTY GOT LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW!” Dick chanted.

“This is trash put something good on!” Jason yelled.

“Trash?! This is a classic!” Duke argued.

“I agree this is not good music,” Cass said.

“Give me the remote!”

“Let Dick and Duke enjoy the song.”

“No, let’s put some quality tunes on.”

Suddenly the song was “The Irony Of Choking On a Lifesaver” by All Time Low and angsty guitar riffs filled the back of the car.

“Stop fucking around with my emotions…”

“JASON!”

“What?”

“This has bad words!”

“So? The other song was glorifying a woman’s ass that’s not cool at least this song has meaning,” Jason justified.

“It was just a club song!” Duke defended.

“I like this better than your song,” Cass said to him.

“Put something else on!” Tim said. “Or at least let me pick!”

“Ew no your music taste is terrible,” Jason told him.

“Jason be nice,” Barbara chided him.

From the front seat Damian was repeatedly facepalming and growling angrily.

“They are so annoying,” Damian grumbled.

“You learn to get over it in time, Master Damian,” Alfred chuckled lightly. Suddenly, punches and shouts were heard from the back of the limo.

“What on earth?!” Damian whispered.

“I WANT TO PICK–”

“NO YOU ASSHOLE LET ME–”

“I HAVEN’T HAD A TURN YET!”

“OW YOU ELBOWED ME IN THE NOSE!”

“GET YOUR ASS OUT OF MY FACE!”

“GET YOUR FACE OUT OF MY ASS! It’s a nice ass though isn’t it?”

“I hate this so much.”

Damian couldn’t take it anymore so he pressed a few buttons from the front music selector and picked a song he knew they’d all enjoy.

Suddenly the back became quiet as new guitar riffs filled the air.

“Who chose the song?”

“I don’t know but kudos to them.”

“Yessss this is my jam!”

“Finally a good song!”

Then the main chorus hit and Damian could hear his siblings collectively sing it.

“‘CAUSE I’M JUST A TEENAGE DIRTBAG BABY! I’M JUST A TEENAGE DIRTBAG BABY! LISTEN TO IRON MAIDEN BABY WITH ME OooOOOooooOOOooo”

“Oh my what is this song?” Alfred asked.

“Just some song they all love,” Damian shrugged.

Soon, Alfred pulled in front of the gate of Gotham Academy. He parked the car and stepped out, walking around to help Damian out of the car. Damian opened the door and Alfred grabbed his hand and helped him up.

Then, his siblings piled out of the back of the car and regrouped.

“Alright Damian! Have an awesome first day!” Barbara waved.

“Bye Damian!”

“Bye Dami!”

“Later, chuckles.”

“Goodbye Damian.”

“Hasta la vista Lil Wayne.”

“Thomas…”

“Okay my bad.”

Damian glanced at his family and gave them a curt wave before heading in the gate of Gotham Academy.

“TO HOME AGAIN!” Dick hollered dramatically.

“Calm down, George Washington, we’re just going back to the manor,” Jason shook his head as he got back in the car.

Alfred waited until he saw Damian go through the doors of the school and then sat in the driver’s seat again.

He drove home with the siblings again and the carried out his daily duties.

At 3:00 pm he went to go pick up Damian from school and brought him home.

Since it was the first day of school, Damian didn’t have any homework and was free to do whatever he wanted. He did some training, took a cat nap and then it was dinner time.

“Hey where is Alfred? Aren’t we going to have dinner?” He said snobbishly as he came into the cave.

“Ah, Alfred isn’t making dinner. We’re all going out,” Dick turned to him.

“What? Why?” Damian asked.

“We’re celebrating your first day of middle school!” Barbara cheered. “Yay!”

“No! No ‘yay’! I just want to sit here and eat dinner like a family.” Damian whined.

“In the batcave?” Dick asked.

“I just want to sit in Steak N Shake and eat dinner like a family but it looks like we can’t do even that,” Jason muttered.

“No no, not in the batcave! In the dining room like a normal family,” Damian exclaimed.

“I hate to break it to you, but we’re not a normal family. We’re Bruce Wayne’s kids,” Tim told him.

“I don’t care! We can at least still have dinner together in our house!” Damian exclaimed.

“Damian, calm down. We can have dinner together in our dining room tomorrow but we just want to celebrate you getting one step closer to becoming an adult,” Dick brought Damian into a hug. Damian pulled away immediately.

“Why didn’t you ask what I want?! It’s my first day!” Damian cried.

Damian’s siblings looked at each other in concern and confusedly.

“I mean he has a point. It’s his first day, we should ask him what he wants to do to celebrate,” Jason took a bite of the apple he had just obtained.

“Okay okay, Damian what do you want to do to celebrate?” Dick asks Damian, and all his siblings look at him expectantly.

A mischievous smile played on Damian’s lips.

“I want…”

From the kitchen, Alfred heard ruckus of all sorts coming from the batcave. It was so loud, his pots and pans shook violently.

“What the devil…?” He muttered and left to go find out what was happening.

As he approached, he heard shooting and yelling and became concerned.

“I do hope they are not arguing,” Alfred shook his head and opened the door to the cave.

“HEY HE’S RIGHT THERE! GET HIM! NO NOT HIM! HIM!”

“Can’t catch me haha!”

“Has anyone seen Tim?”

“Harper, stop shooting me! We’re on the same team!”

“Sorry!”

Alfred looked around the cave and watched the chaos before him.

All of the siblings had obtained laser tag guns and were playing a massive game of laser tag in the cave. Obstacles had been set up in random places and black lights had been placed accordingly.

However, where was Bruce?

“HEY!” Speak of the devil.

Bruce swooped in and landed in the midst of the war.

“What is going on here?” He demanded.

“We’re celebrating Damian’s first day of middle school! Now get out of the way…please!” One of his several children announced.

“And whose grand idea was it to play laser tag in the cave?” Bruce asked. Damian popped up from behind a large couch cushion.

“It was mine, father,” he admitted. Bruce’s hard stare softened.

“Was it now?” Bruce asked.

“Yes.” Damian slightly hung his head.

“Aw come on, B, let the kid have fun!” Jason yelled from across the room.

“Let us all have fun,” Tim said.

“JOIN US!” Dick shouted.

“NO!” The rest of his siblings yelled.

“The last time Bruce joined us in a family activity, bad things happened.” Stephanie pointed out.

“Things I don’t want to speak of,” Jason shuddered.

“I still have nightmares to this day,” Duke stared off into space dramatically.

“Alright, alright. I won’t join in laser tag, but you can play for about half an hour more and then you all have to go to bed.” Bruce said.

“B, I’m 22. I think I can make my own decisions.” Jason stated.

“I’m 25,” Dick added.

“No one cares,” Jason replied.

“Father! You have to play with us!” Damian insisted, “We are a family we must play together. Plus we have an extra gun.”

“I guess I’ll join,” Bruce shrugged and went to get the other laser tag gun.

“Damian, you’ve doomed us all,” Jason glared at his brother.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” Duke yelled.

“Relax, it won’t be like go-karts.” Bruce chuckled.

“It’ll be worse,” Tim mumbled.

“I heard that,” Bruce looked in Tim’s general direction, even though he couldn’t see him.

Tim looked up in surprise, “What? How…?” He mouthed.

When Bruce was set up and ready to go, the game resumed and it was all out chaos again. Alfred was not sure what to do. He simply stood back in awe and watched his family participate in the somewhat violent game.

But they were doing it together. And that’s what mattered.

“Alf. Alfred. Hello?”

Alfred was brought back to earth as he heard Dick’s voice next to him. Alfred turned his head to face Dick, who was gaping at him in confusion.

“You okay, Alfie?” Dick asked.

“Yes, Master Grayson, I was simply recalling this day,” Alfred pointed to the picture he had looked at minutes before, “while looking at these photos. I needed an idea to make a special gift for Master Bruce for father’s day, and this might help.”

“You mean like a scrapbook? That sounds perfect, Alfred,” Dick flashed him his signature charming smile.

“I’m not one for sentimental, mushy bullshit, but I like this idea,” Jason’s voice was heard from the entrance of the living room. He was casually leaned up against the doorframe with an uninterested look etched into his features, yet the twinkle in his eyes deceived his facial expression.

“Oh please we all know you’re a softie,” Dick rolled his eyes as Jason sauntered over to the sofa with swagger in his step.

“I would say something rude, Alfred is sitting right next to you,” Jason retorted.

“Is Todd being annoying again?” Damian suddenly materialized at the entrance.

“No, you are,” Jason shot.

“Master Jason…” Alfred warned.

“Sorry,” Jason muttered.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?” Tim followed Damian into the living room. Jason groaned as he sat down on the recliner.

“We’re helping Alfred pick photos for Bruce’s Father’s Day Scrapbook,” Dick responded.

“I want in,” Damian responded almost immediately.

“Me too!” Tim chimed in.

“Me three!” Barbara appeared at the entrance. “I don’t know what we’re doing but I want in as well.”

“Are we doing something? Can I join?” Stephanie asked as she walked in after Babs.

“Well this project requires all of us to be involved,” Dick glanced at the newcomers.

“Okay, then someone call Duke, Cass and Harper,” Jason said flatly.

As if on cue, all three of them showed up at the entrance of the living room instantaneously.

“Hey, is this a family meeting?” Duke asked as he, Cass and Harper walked in.

“Yes. Hear ye hear ye!” Dick responded. No one quieted down, as they all chatted about what the meeting could be about.

Jason sighed in exasperation and took matters into his own hands, “HEY EVERYONE SHUT UP FOR A SECOND!”

Suddenly, the room became quiet.

“Hey guys!” Dick greeted.

“Hi!” a collective greet came back to him.

“Alfred has something to say. Take it away, Alfred.”

“Hello children. As you know, father’s day is coming up, and I was planning on making a gift for Master Bruce this year instead of purchasing one,” Alfred began explaining. A chorus of “oohs” and “aahs” came from the group of kids and young adults. “With that said, I would appreciate if you send any photos you have of Master Bruce and the family, or Master Bruce and you to me please. I plan on creating a scrapbook.”

“I have tons of selfies of Bruce and I!” Dick announced.

“I have a collection from my snapchat,” Tim offered.

“I might have some pictures, but I can’t make any promises,” Jason said. Suddenly, everyone in the room started offering up the photos they had with Bruce, which completely overwhelmed Alfred.

“GUYS ALFRED IS NOT WHELMED!” Dick shouted.

“Sorry Alfred,” Damian apologized.

“It is okay, Master Damian. I appreciate your participation. Now, let us continue searching for photos here…” Alfred flipped the page of the album in his lap.

“Wait! How about that one?” Damian pointed to a photo.

Dick and Jason laughed in unison, and Tim shook his head. Barbara buried her face in her hands and Damian looked confused. Cass, Stephanie, Duke and Harper were all confused as well.

“Well you see…that happened a long time ago…the story goes like this…”

I hope you guys liked this! Sorry it took me so long to get this out!

TAGGING:

@just-a-girl-maybe @saltyteengirl @blxkestnight @wynterrobin

#batfam week #day one #family #batfamily

58 notes · View notes

teentitansblackbird · 7 years

Text

Chapter 3

Wayne Manor. July 15th, 2018. 1:25 PM.

The air was warm out in Gotham today. An uncommon experience, Damian thought, as even in the heat of summer there almost always seems to be an unnatural chill over the city. Perhaps it was just Damian's imagination, but he couldn't seem to recall a day when didn't feel cold in this town... or maybe it had something to do with the way he saw Gotham. Even compared to the mountains where he'd been brought up the first ten years of his life, Damian found Gotham City to be much more resistant, more inclined to fight against his presence. This didn't bother him, of course; when the city pushed him, all he really had to do was push back. But that's not how Damian saw things these days. These days it was much easier to look at the world and see the positives. Silver linings seemed to shine at the edge of every cloud. Damian wondered why that was as he knelt between the joined graves, reading the words carved into the stone.

Thomas Wayne. Beloved husband and father.

Martha Wayne. Beloved wife and mother.

Damian sighed as he placed a single rose at the door of each headstone. Despite his new outlook, Damian could never see any sort of good that came from death. Ironic, given his training in the innumerable ways to bring it about, but Damian had grown to detest any sort of violent death. Not to say he was averse to violence, of course; Damian still had no issue with bringing pain down into another for the sake of justice. But needless bloodshed? No. That was barbaric and disgraceful. If it hadn't been for the deaths of his grandparents, perhaps Damian would never have been born. But if they hadn't died, how much would have been different? How much could have been better?

"Damian?"

The youngest Wayne whipped around to see Raven and Alfred coming down the hill toward him. He smiled as he rose back to his feet, turning to greet them as he retreated from the graves. "Hello, Pennyworth. Raven."

"Your father has need of you in the Cave, Master Damian. I'm afraid Miss Kelley is in need of a proper sparring partner." Alfred cocked an eyebrow as he spoke, expecting some sort of snarky reaction from the boy.

"Excellent," Damian replied, cracking his neck as he smirked. "It's about time Kelley and I had our rematch." Alfred chuckled quietly; competitive as always.

"Just try not to get pinned too quickly this time, okay Damian?" Raven teased as she came closer.

"Hey, she got the drop on me last time!" Damian snipped back playfully as he bumped gently into her shoulder. "C'mon, you know that's not--"

"Oh."

Raven knelt down by the two graves before them, staring down at the foot of Thomas's headstone. "What... what kind of flower is this?"

"Oh, that's a..." Damian looked back down at the flower. "That's a Pennyworth Blue. Alfred breeds them."

"Indeed," the butler confirmed with pride. "One of my finest works."

"It's beautiful..." Raven whispered, reaching out and gently running her fingertips along the petals. "How do you do it?"

"Oh? Well, I suppose I could take you to see the garden if you'd like," Alfred responded, a sort of pep in his tired voice. "Not many of Master Bruce's children have shown interest in my gardening before, save for Master Jason."

"I'd love that," Raven said with a smile as she stood back up, turning and reaching out to take Alfred's hand. Damian couldn't help but notice the twinkle of light as her ring caught the sun at just the right angle... that was it. That's why it was so easy to see the positives these days. It all came down to her.

Wayne Manor. April 22nd, 2028. 7:43 PM.

It was a bittersweet feeling, Damian thought, looking down at the grave now placed beside that of his grandparents. It was a position he'd never really expected to find himself in that, while not at all that surprising considering the man's age, still came as a shock when he finally passed. Damian let out a sigh as he knelt down, putting a hand on the headstone as he reads the words carved in the granite slab.

Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth. Loving father, loyal friend.

The youngest Wayne paused for a moment, reflecting on the life Pennyworth had led. Despite not being a Wayne by blood, Alfred was more of a grandfather to Damian than Ra's al Ghul ever was. When his father couldn't be there, Alfred was. When he and Batman were heated over a case or some other dispute, Alfred stepped in as the voice of reason. Of course Alfred had saved Damian's life on the operating table on more occasions than either of them ever bothered to keep count, but more than that, Alfred played a major role in ensuring that that life was worth living. Alfred was... Alfred was the best of all of them.

Damian jumped a bit when he felt his wife's hand light on his shoulder. He looked up to see her smiling somberly down at him as he knelt beside him, placing a single blue rose on the grave. The old caretaker had taught Raven how to tend to a proper garden a few years before he had passed, and while it may not have come as naturally to her as it did to him, she still did well at breeding Pennyworth Blues the way he had before. They'd quickly become her favorite flower after Damian showed them to her, and she had one from her wedding bouquet pressed in a diary at home.

"Bruce said to come on inside," Raven said quietly, her gaze cast over her Damian. "It's about time to eat."

"Yeah..." Damian replied softly. "Just thought I should say thanks."

...

"So Damian." Bruce leaned over his coffee in his chair by the fireplace. "How did Tommy handle his first patrol?"

"He's a natural," Damian leaned back in his seat, smiling back at his father. "Takes orders like a soldier, and fights every bit as smart as the best of them. You would have been so proud of him."

The older Wayne chuckled, throwing an eyebrow up in response. "Sounds like it went far better than yours."

"Hey!" Damian called, a wry smile on his face. "It's not my fault mother was insane!"

"Ha! Maybe not," Bruce shot back, "but it's definitely your fault I am!"

"You say that. But last I checked, you were dressed like a giant bat and attacking gangbangers long before you ever knew about Damian." The two turned as Raven came into the room, a cup of Earl Grey in her hand. Damian stood, putting his arm around her waist as she walked in.

"Dad," the half-demon continued, "are you sure you don't need us to move back into the house with you? Y'know, help look after you and everything."

"I'm fine, Raven. I promise." The old man let out a low grunt as he rose to his feet. "If it'll make you two feel better, maybe I'll get a dog or something to keep me company. But you two have enough to worry about as it is. What, with the company every day, and the criminals every night..." Bruce glanced at Raven with a smirk. "And pretty soon you'll have one of your own to take care of."

Both of the younger Leaguers froze, shocked by their mentor's words. Raven dropped her tea, the hot drink spilling over the rug.

Damian looked down as a splash of liquid hit his loafers. "... Honey, come on. That rug is expensive."

Raven shot Damian a glare in response. "I thought we were gonna tell him together!"

"What? I didn't say anything!" The youngest Wayne threw his hands up, gesturing frantically at his father. "He just, I dunno, he just--"

"Come on, Raven, I deserve some credit!" Bruce laughed as he crossed his arms. "You think I'm not old enough to tell when someone knows they're pregnant? You've been glowing since you walked in the door."

"Well you totally missed it when Barbara was pregnant!" Damian shot back, his mouth pulling into a grin.

"I've learned a thing or two since then," Bruce replied as he walked forward, putting his arms around the both of them. "Either way, I couldn't be more proud of you both. You're going to be wonderful parents."

Raven smiled, closing her eyes as she pulled the two Batmen in close. "Thanks, Dad."

...

As the fire began to die down, Bruce let out a low hum from his chair. It had been a good day; every day one of his children came home was. With Dick always working at the GCPD, Jason on the road with Harper and Kori, Cass studying abroad, Tim always in orbit on the Watchtower, and Damian running the company... well, it was hard to find time to check in on the old man. Bruce understood that. It just made the occasional visit that much more special. And today's visit was no different. Another grandchild... this made two. Bruce smirked; to be honest, he was surprised this hadn't happened sooner. But it was happening at last... they'd talked about names, and it made the old Wayne smile to hear what they'd decided on. Thaddeus or Angela. One for Alfred, one for Arella.

"Wouldn't it have been sweeter if they named it Bruce, though?"

Bruce lurched forward as swiftly as his tired old body let him out of his seat and swung his head around to see an old woman standing in the hallway, a familiar deadpan stare on her face.

"Waller..." Bruce let out a sigh. "Who let you in here?"

"I did," Amanda Waller replied. "I need to have a word with you about your old job."

"I ought to have you arrested for breaking and entering..." Bruce stood up straight, crossing his arms as he stared down his uninvited guest. "But I suppose charges against you don't exactly stick, do they?"

"I work for the government, Mr. Wayne," Waller replied, an eyebrow cocked. "People haven't been able to make things stick to us since the Luthor administration."

"Was is it you want, Amanda?" Bruce's eyes continued to bore into the woman, who remained unfazed.

"Let me be clear here. Your son is doing a fine job filling in for you." Waller took a step forward, the smoldering embers in the fireplace casting a faint light over her grim visage. "But we need to put together another contingency plan nonetheless."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Bruce raised an eyebrow of his own.

"Let's be frank, Mr. Wayne. You're running out of time." Amanda continued forward, squinting up at the old man as she advanced. "And once you're gone, we need to be ready with something to fill that gap. My people have a plan for that."

Bruce was silent for a moment before responding. "... what did you have in mind?"

Amanda smiled. "You may need to come to DC with us, Mr. Wayne. Something like what we have planned is a bit... beyond simple words."

#Teen Titans #teen titans fanfiction #Teen Titans: Fireworks #teen titans: blackbird #raven #raven roth #raven from teen titans #Rachel Roth #Damian Wayne #robin #batman #batman fanfiction #damirae #damian x raven #demonbirds #bruce wayne #alfred pennyworth #amanda waller

82 notes · View notes