Work Text:
“Welcome home, Master Damian.”
“Pennyworth,” he responded.
Intelligent blue eyes found hers.
"And you must be Miss Roth. It is a true pleasure to meet you, Master Dick has told us what a special young lady you are," he said with a pointed look for the man next to her.
Whereas Damian has told them nothing, she understood the butler’s double-meaning.
Raven smiled, making a mental reminder to thank Dick when she saw him. "Thank you. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone."
"And they, you," he said with a polite nod before addressing Damian, "You're father is still at Wayne Tower, but will be back in time for dinner tonight. In the meantime, I'll be happy to show you to your guest room so you can refresh, Miss Roth."
Damian stiffened, and she could feel his irritation. "She'll be staying with-"
"Thank you, Alfred," Raven cut in, shooting Damian a warning glance. Please don't make a scene already. His mouth snapped shut, but he still looked annoyed.
"Rules of the house, Master Damian," the butler said matter-of-factly, completely unaffected by the awkwardness of the moment. “We wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.”
A pink plus sign flashed in her mind's eye and she could have laughed. Or cried. Oh, just you wait. It’s far too late for that. Damian shifted uncomfortably next to her, clearly thinking the same thing.
Sleep already! Raven had been tossing and turning for the last three hours, unable to get comfortable or turn off her racing mind. She had so been hoping for a power nap after the long stressful drive to Wayne Manor, especially with the pressure of meeting Damian’s family looming over her.
As if to compound her misery, a sudden wave of nausea hit and she had barely enough time to scramble into the adjoined bathroom and empty her stomach of the pitiful amount of food she’d been able to get down that day. At least Damian wasn’t here for that one . As attentive as he’d become over the last few weeks, his constant fretting had begun to get on her nerves. Raven leaned back against the wall with a groan, one hand resting gently on her still flat belly.
She guessed she was about eight weeks in, and all the books she’d read suggested there was only more fun to look forward to. Still, her physical symptoms felt like the least of her problems. Finding out how to break the news to Bruce Wayne and the rest of the bat-family that their youngest member was having a baby with a literal demon seemed a bit more pressing. They had only recently revealed their relationship after three years together and she knew how bad the optics were.
What if they thought she had Damian under some kind of spell? Bruce and Zatanna were close, and the magician had never trusted her. Raven caught herself starting to feel weepy and fought the urge to cry. Damn hormones.
She slowly rose to her feet and made her way back to the bed, collapsing with another beleaguered sound and burying her face in a pillow. After a few minutes, she heard her door click open and Damian’s worried aura suffused her.
He sat next to her on the bed, resting a hand between her shoulder blades and rubbing lightly. Raven let go of a contented sound despite her bleak mood.
“Are you feeling any better?”
No, damn it. I want to go home. She locked away the petulant thought, “I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with,” she sighed, making no move to rise.
"You shouldn’t be so worried, habibti," he said comfortingly, running a soothing hand down her spine.
"Or you should be more worried," she mumbled back, eyes still closed.
"Everything will be fine. If anything father will blame me. So relax. ”
She cracked one eye open to glare at him, "You are aware that we did things out of order here? Most people meet each other’s families before getting knocked up.” And who knows what kind of pregnancy...what kind of baby someone like me will have? She didn’t say it out loud, Damian hated hearing her talk like that.
He ignored her tone, having grown used to her snappiness over the last couple of weeks. “We’re not most people. We make our own rules,” he smiled cockily.
She felt his confidence and grabbed onto it like a lifeline, trying to force away her fear and doubt . Between that and his warm hand on her back, she almost felt better. Almost.
Raven pushed up, inhaling deeply against another wave of nausea. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat anything,” she admitted, knowing he’d come up to fetch her for dinner.
“Try for me?”
The sincere concern in his eyes made her heart flutter, and she couldn’t help but smile when he momentarily dropped his eyes to her belly.
“Fine. For you. Just don’t let me embarrass myself in front of your rich family. Show me which fork to use and all that.”
He scoffed. "You are aware most of my so-called siblings were picked out of the gutter, right?”
“They must be so fond of you,” she teased, letting him pull her up off the bed.
Damian rolled his eyes, running a thumb across her knuckles affectionately. “I’ll let you get ready and meet you in the parlor. Remember, it’s going to be fine.”
She found him there less than a half hour later, sensing him with her powers to avoid getting lost in the labyrinthine house. Azar, I’m going to need to leave breadcrumbs to find my room again. He was surrounded by his relatives and looking customarily annoyed. One young woman stood apart from the group, head cocked curiously and dark eyes locked on the empath as she approached.
Dick intercepted her in a crushing hug. “I’m thrilled you’re finally here. Everyone thought I was lying about Damian having a girlfriend.”
“Can you blame us? It's Damian. ” A pretty blonde asked. Stephanie , Raven reminded herself.
The two other men could only be Jason and Tim. She nodded towards them, straightening her posture and moving to stand by Damian. “Nice to meet you all.”
“So,” Jason regarded her, “you’re Satan’s kid, huh?”
Nice to get it out of the way early, I suppose.
“Smooth, Jason. Very tactful,” Dick said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“His name is Trigon...but basically, yes,” Raven answered, wary about where this was going.
Jason just snorted and raised an eyebrow at Damian. “You would end up with the Antichrist. Can I still call you demonspawn, or is it like a slur now?”
“Tt. You’re the last person who should talk about pedigree, Todd.”
“I think it’s sweet ,” Stephanie gushed, punching Jason’s shoulder to shut him up. “Two little demons made for each other! It’s like Tim and I, fate and true love and all that.”
Tim just looked at her like she was insane before shrugging at Raven apologetically. “I’m just going to keep things normal and say it’s nice to meet you. Hungry? I’m sure Alfred outdid himself.”
She felt her stomach turn at just the mention of food, but managed to keep her queasiness from showing. “Looking forward to it.”
The bats started to trickle out of the room, chattering to each other, but Damian kept her behind with him and motioned towards the dark-eyed woman in the corner. She still hadn’t spoken a word.
“Raven, this is Cassandra. She is the most tolerable of my siblings,” Damian informed her.
“Cass,” she corrected in a quiet voice.
The empath gave a small smile in greeting. High praise coming from Damian. She thought back fondly to years ago when he’d told her she was his most tolerable teammate.
She just stared for a moment, a powerful curiosity shining in her eyes and making Raven feel a touch self-conscious.
“You are very pretty,” Cass finally said. "Glowing.”
Both she and Damian stiffened, and a knowing smile erupted onto the other woman’s face. She glanced back and forth between the two of them, radiating excitement.
“What?” Damian snapped defensively.
Still smiling, Cass lifted her fingers and zippered them across her lips. “Don’t worry,” she said softly, turning to leave.
“How did she…?”
"It's complicated," he grumbled. "Cassandra had an... interesting upbringing."
“She won’t say anything?”
“No, she can keep a secret,” Damian assured her.
Raven exhaled, feeling stressed. “Well, that’s one down.”
“She approves.” He ran a hand down her forearm comfortingly.
“Mm. This bunch almost makes you look normal.”
“Almost. But not quite,” a voice cut in from behind them.
Bruce Wayne stood in the doorway, looking polished and powerful in his suit and tie. She was struck by how much he resembled Damian, having never seen him in person without his cowl.
"Father.”
"Damian. Welcome home.”
His son made a sound in the back of his throat and tugged lightly on Raven’s hand. “Societal norms dictate that you should meet my romantic partner.”
She fought an eye-roll at his choice of words. Great introduction, Damian. Really. Bruce just smiled, plainly amused. “Well, we wouldn’t want to break with tradition,” he said lightly, approaching and shaking her hand.
Raven met his gaze with an unfamiliar sense of trepidation. “We’ve met before...in uniform. But it’s good to meet you formally, Mr. Wayne.”
“Just Bruce, please - and likewise. Damian seems very fond of you,” he replied, earning an embarrassed scowl from his son.
Raven’s lilac eyes glimmered with amusement, “I hope so,” she said, elbowing her partner lightly.
“There’s something we’d like to discuss with you in private,” Damian said matter-of-factly, and just like that she felt her nerves return.
“After dinner,” Bruce replied, and she could feel his intrigue. “Let’s not keep the family waiting.”
From the corner of his eye Damian could see Raven picking half-heartedly at the food on her plate. True to her word, she’d tried a couple bites of the various dishes that had been laid out, but it was clear her appetite was lacking. The rich fare was almost certainly not helping, given how sensitive her stomach had been lately.
Fortunately, none of his siblings had mentioned it, far too busy asking her annoying, personal questions. And they wondered why he’d never introduced her before.
Cass was the only exception. She had insisted on sitting next to the empath and in addition to her soft, knowing smiles, Damian caught her subtly shifting platters so all the plainer foods and carafes of water were within easy reach. Cass neither knew or cared one whit about proper forks or spoons, and he caught Raven glancing between the two of them confusedly, clearly lost on which utensil she should be using. He would have helped her out if it weren’t so adorable and if anyone actually cared.
All throughout the meal he felt the weight of his father’s stare and forced himself not to let his discomfort show. Despite his assurances to Raven, he was unsure what reaction their announcement would get, and a not insignificant part of him wanted to break the news by himself. She would be devastated if his father reacted poorly, and he couldn’t stand to see her in any kind of pain. Unconsciously, he laid a hand on her thigh under the table.
It’s going to be fine , he told himself. Raven smiled, darting her eyes down to his hand before giving him a warm, sidelong glance. Cassandra’s right, she’s glowing, he thought fondly. But there had always been something ethereal about her.
“I’m sorry to interrupt sir, but there’s an urgent message for you,” Alfred announced from the doorway.
“Something we can help with, Alfie?” Stephanie asked, eyes shining.
“Stay put, Steph,” his father answered, rising. "I’m sure I can handle it.”
Damian scoffed to himself, wondering why his father collected sidekicks like trading cards only to insist on always working alone.
“Not hungry, Rae?” Dick asked abruptly, breaking through the thought. Raven’s plate was still mostly full, and for the past ten minutes she’d been pushing food around with her fork in a facsimile of eating. Damian frowned, she had barely eaten anything today, and yesterday wasn’t much better. Still, it wasn’t a conversation he was about to have in front of his nosy siblings.
She gave a casual shrug and apologetic smile. “I guess not. I’m sorry,” Raven answered, dropping her utensil and pushing her plate away.
Cass rescued her. “Alfred won’t mind. Bruce never finishes anything either.”
The conversation reverted back to safer territory for a few minutes before his father re-entered the room, posture tense. “There’s an emergency,” he informed them. “I need to go.” “Batman-related,” his tone said.
Several of his siblings exchanged a look before rising to their feet expectantly. Something like pride flashed in Bruce’s eyes.
“Fine,” he said, “but I expect you to follow my orders to the letter.” Bruce ignored Jason’s eyeroll and glanced curiously at the still seated demonbirds. “Damian?”
“Not tonight,” he responded tersely.“Raven hasn’t been briefed on the intricacies of crime in Gotham. It could be a liability. I’ll stay behind with her.”
She pinched his waist under the table and flashed him an aggravated look before adopting a neutral expression. “Perhaps next time,” she added with a shrug. He’d be paying for that excuse later, but couldn’t deny the slight grain of truth in it. Powerful as she was and pregnant or no, the idea of Raven fighting crime in this cesspool of a city deeply unnerved him.
His father blinked in surprise, and Damian realized this was the first time he’d ever turned down a mission with him. It was pointless to hope the Bat wouldn’t read too much into it. Hell, at the rate things were going, his whole family was going to figure it out before they had a chance to tell them.
“I’ll stay too,” Cass announced, dispelling some of the awkwardness. He caught Tim flicking his eyes between the two women, not liking the inquisitive glint in the other man’s blue orbs.
“Aw, she likes you,” Steph teased the empath, oblivious.
Bruce gave a firm nod to the three of them, any curiosity he was feeling hidden beneath a familiar determined expression. “I apologize, Raven. Don’t wait up, you three.” With that, he set a brisk pace for the Batcave.
“And remember, separate rooms, Master Damian,” Jason said in his best Alfred impression and smirking at his brother’s scowl.
The second the door slid shut Raven fixed him with an annoyed glare. “A liability. Really?”
He looked at her apologetically. “Father is a stickler for preparedness. It seemed like a plausible excuse.”
“Gotham is ugly,” Cass added. “Even if you have powers.” The mage huffed, a familiar prideful expression in place. Time to change the subject before she starts hunting down Rogues to prove a point. His sister saved him. “We have baby books in the library,” she continued, beaming at her. “Do you want to see?”
Raven’s ire instantly vanished and she turned towards the other woman. “Library?”
It was just what Raven needed, and relief spread through him as he watched her navigate the polished shelves, occasionally floating up to read the topmost titles. She looked the most at peace she’d been since they arrived and Damian let his mind wander as his eyes tracked her through the room.
For fun on the drive over, Raven had read off a list of old wives’ tales to predict the baby’s gender.
Morning sickness? Girl.
Pregnancy glow? Boy.
Extremely moody? Girl.
Feeling cold? Boy.
One claim was that craving sweet foods meant it was a girl, while salty or sour foods meant a boy. And if you’re craving nothing at all?
It was all foolish pseudoscience, but it had been a fun diversion from their nerves as Wayne Manor drew closer. Whatever it is, it’s ours . The thought was still so foreign and thrilling, and even the vaguest mental image of Raven holding a baby did strange things to his heart.
Despite not being an empath himself, Damian pinpointed the exact moment her mood turned. One moment she was happily indulging Cassandra’s rapid-fire name suggestions and trailing her hand along a row of books, the next she was frozen, her purple eyes locked on a particular text. He followed her eyeline and frowned at the title.
Malleus Maleficarum.
She plucked the book from the shelves and began to flip through, and he moved to her in a moment, stopping her getting to the page he knew she was seeking.
“It was written in the Dark Ages, habibti. It has nothing to do with you or our child.”
“There could be some valuable information about-”
“No.” Damian knew just what this particular book had to say about demons and the children born from them. He’d read it long ago, when experiencing some curiosity about the arcane. “Trust me, beloved.”
Cassandra was nowhere to be seen now, similar to the Batman in her ability to vanish when unneeded.
Raven’s look turned sad and defeated. The uncertainty surrounding her pregnancy was taking a heavy toll on her, Damian knew, the first few weeks after their discovery being fraught with anxiety instead of joy. The monks of Azarath had told her she was infertile from a young age, and had instilled...less than positive ideas about parenthood in her. "They said it was for the best. That demons beget demons, and there are too many of us as it is."
He told her now the same thing he'd told her then. "There's nothing some dead zealot ever said that could make me want anyone else."
Raven replaced the book on the shelf before relaxing against him, small hands bunching in the fabric of his shirt. "I'm tired," she sighed. Damian nodded, curling an arm around her waist and guiding her from the library.
When they reached her guest bedroom he followed her in without hesitation, letting the door click shut behind him
"Rulebreaker," she chided as she sat on the bed and slipped her shoes off.
"We make our own rules," he reminded her. “Besides, Pennyworth won’t leave the cave until they return.” And like hell am I leaving you alone right now. "Lie down for me, hayati."
In short order Damian was stretched out next to her, the back zipper of her summer dress fully undone and his hand running across her spine and shoulders to work out the knots. He murmured affirmations in his native tongue and she sighed when his hand migrated north to run through her hair. After several minutes of his ministrations, she was fully pliant. "Love you," she mumbled tiredly.
Damian smirked, but his eyes were soft. "I know." He curled her against him, fighting his baser instincts at the feel of her body pressed to his - her current condition had only inflamed his desire for her lately. Several long minutes passed, him still trailing a soothing hand up and down her spine. As much as he didn’t want to, he knew he should slip back to his own room before his family returned. The last thing he wanted was for any of them to think less of her.
In true Raven fashion, she picked up on his inner conflict and raised imploring amethyst eyes to his. “Stay just for a while?” she asked hopefully.
As though I can deny you anything, beloved.
It was a freezing night in Gotham, but adrenaline kept Bruce comfortable. He and his children were stationed at various spots around the pier, waiting for Black Mask to make an appearance. The villain had abducted the mayor’s two children, promising to skin them alive unless the arrested members of his False Face Society were released. It was far too delicate a situation for Gotham PD, and Jim had wasted no time contacting Batman when the hysterical mayor showed up to his office.
“Report,” he ordered.
“Nothing here.”
“Nada.”
"Zilch.”
“Getting bored, Bats.”
“Stay sharp, Hood,” he responded firmly. It wouldn’t be long now.
He took the quiet time to mentally run through everything he knew about Raven, feeling the slightest bit of guilt for running out on her and his son this evening. He never thought the day would come that Damian, perpetual misanthrope, would bring home a woman.
Telekinesis, flight, empathic ability, dark magic, phasing, teleportation.
Suffice to say he knew far more about what she could do and almost nothing about the girl herself. Mysterious, quiet, pretty beneath that hood. Some might consider her shy, but reserved would be a more apt term. At any rate, she had caught Damian’s eye and that had to mean something - his son was nothing if not selective. He wondered for the umpteenth time what matter they had wanted to discuss with him, suspecting an engagement.
It wouldn’t be surprising. The official story was that they’d only been dating for a few months, but Bruce knew it had been years. He wasn't called the World’s Greatest Detective for nothing and Damian didn't seem to realize just how differently he acted around Raven compared to everyone else.
The instantaneous change in tone and expression when regarding her, the covert touches, the near constant glances in her direction. His son was known for his sharp edges and unapologetic bluntness, but with Raven...with her Damian was endlessly careful. It should have been clear to anyone paying attention. Still, he had some reservations about such a young marriage, Damian had only just turned eighteen and she was barely a year older.
“North end, Batman. They’re here.” Red Robin’s voice cut through his reflections.
“Do you see the children?”
“Yes, bound and gagged. Guns trained on them.”
“Everybody move in. Save the hostages and leave Black Mask to me.”
With familiar ferocity and anger coiling in his chest, Bruce leapt from his perch in the night.
'Just for a while’ turned out to be most of the night. Damian had dozed at some point, but woke an hour before dawn in his usual way. For the first time all week, Raven had slept through the night and he hoped it would mark a turning point in the severity of her symptoms. He rested a hand over her stomach, eager for the day he could feel the life within stirring. Be easier on your mother, little one.
"So giddy. You're going to ruin your fearsome reputation if you don't reign it in," she interrupted his musings sleepily.
He smiled and pressed his lips to her temple in answer before beginning to rise. “I should get back to my own room. Go back to sleep, habibti. It’s too early for you.”
She tugged the blanket up and rolled onto her side with a sigh. “No argument here.”
He smoothed his rumpled clothing and slipped out the door, picking his way through the darkened hallway to his old bedroom. Father will be back soon, if he isn't already . With Raven content and sleeping, the urge to break the news himself was stronger than ever. A voice cut through his deliberations as he reached his destination.
“Busted.”
Damian sighed, turning to meet Cass’s radiant expression. Her room was right across from his and like him, she was an early riser. "Going to tell on me?"
She just zippered her fingers across her lips again. “They just got back, but everyone is still in the cave. You’re clear.”
He nodded in response, weighing his next move. Raven wouldn't be pleased. Damian knew his recent overprotectiveness was starting to get under her skin. Cass picked up on his unease and the smile slid off her face, “You’re worried."
“We both know how father feels about metas," he admitted reluctantly.
“She’s not technically a meta,” Cass countered.
“The distinction may be lost on him.”
She looked at him sympathetically, seeming to struggle for a response. “If it helps, I’m happy for you.”
Damian met her gaze gratefully. “It helps. Thank you.”
She smiled again. "I have dibs to be the godmother. Tell Steph and Kori."
He rolled his eyes and pushed his bedroom door open, deciding against a visit to the cave. "I'm staying out of that fight." The rest of the family would sleep til noon at least, ensuring a few more stressful hours for him and Raven to harbor their news. Much more of this and I’ll need to take up meditating with her.
Late morning found Raven huddled miserably over the toilet, nauseous and dehydrated, unable to bring anything up from her empty stomach.
Damian knelt behind her, holding her hair and murmuring soothing words. She could tell he was trying hard to keep his anxiety locked away behind a mental wall, and felt irrationally guilty for making him worry so much.
When the spell finally passed she leaned back into him, utterly drained. “You have to eat more today,” he insisted.
“I know,” she sighed.
“Is it normal to be this ill?”
“Apparently the first trimester is the worst. Being a half-demon may complicate things later on, but so far it’s by the book.”
“Hm,” he sounded doubtful. “The sooner we tell father, the sooner we’ll be able to find you a doctor.”
She smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Do you know of any doctors who specialize in cambions?”
“Tt. We’ll find one. Or get the League to help.”
It was her turn to feel doubtful. Raven's relationship with the Justice League was tense at best. “Breakfast?” Damian prodded, sensing her discomfort with the topic. “I can make you waffles?”
“That...actually sounds good.”
He lifted her up easily and she nestled against him with a wry smile. "You won't be able to do that for much longer. I’ll be a whale soon.”
“A pretty whale.”
“Watch yourself, bird boy.”
The sweetness of the moment was instantly shattered when Raven felt a magical signature manifest inside the Manor. She tensed in his arms and worried emerald eyes found hers. “What is it?”
“The Zataras are here.”
“It’s always so good to see you, Bruce,” Zatanna said warmly.
He gestured for her to sit in the armchair across from him, trying not to let his exhaustion show. In typical fashion, he had been out almost the entire evening cleaning up after the Black Mask fiasco.
“Likewise. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked politely, although he had a firm suspicion.
“As if you don’t know,” she responded, smile starting to slide off her face, “Look, Bruce, I’m not saying that she’s guilty of anything right now, but it is fully within Raven’s capabilities to control people’s emotions. I would feel much better if you would let me check Damian’s mind for any of her manipulation and put a protective charm over all of you.”
He said nothing for a moment, blue eyes locked on hers inscrutably. “I will not force my son to undergo anything he doesn’t want to. As far as a protective charm, I expect it would make Raven feel unwelcome.”
“Given her background I’m sure you can make her understand your concerns. And if she has no ulterior motives, she would have no reason to object,” Zatanna insisted.
Bruce tapped his fingers along the arm of his chair. Truthfully, he was almost certain that Raven wouldn’t object, but the gesture would drive a permanent wedge between the young couple and the rest of the Bat-family. Damian would be furious.
“I appreciate the offer, Zatanna. But it isn’t necessary. Throughout her years as a hero, Raven has given us no reason to distrust her. I refuse to alienate the woman my son has chosen for a partner.”
She was momentarily speechless, mouth opening and closing experimentally as she struggled for the right words.
“You can’t be serious,” she finally managed. Zatanna raised a hand to her temple as if fighting off a headache and let out a bitter laugh. “When I first heard your son was shacking up with that demon, I wanted nothing more than to kick your door in and demand you put a stop to it - and you should , for the record. Constantine encouraged me to be more reasonable - just a scan and protective charm to keep you and your family safe.”
She looked up at him then, sapphire blue eyes filled with anger and hurt, “And you’re telling me no...because you don’t want to hurt her feelings?” Her venomous question hung in the air for several seconds. Bruce couldn’t help but be disappointed in his longtime friend - the Zatanna he knew was kind, fair, and level-headed. But it seemed there was nothing he could say to make her unwary of Raven.
“Yes,” he answered firmly. “It’s time for you to leave.”
“She’s talking to your father,” Raven informed him as they headed down the hallway. “He’s with Dick, Cass, and Jason in the den.”
Damian just nodded in response, trying to keep his anger under control. Just who in the fuck did the Zataras think they were? Dropping in uninvited to... what? Convince father to ground me?
“Maybe it’s not what you think…” Raven trailed, no doubt feeling his anger. "Zach has always been nice to me," she offered hopefully as they drew closer to the den.
He bit back a growl. The younger magician had visited the Tower once, apparently considering joining the Titans despite his cousin's objections. Gods forbid the pure and perfect Zatara line share any air with a demon. While a powerful addition to their team for a brief time, he had also been young and rebellious, privately confessing to the male Titans that he wouldn't mind hooking up with Raven to really piss off Zatanna. So, yes, during his brief stint with the Titans he had been what some would call nice to the empath.
If Raven felt like she needed the approval of either magician, clearly Damian was doing something wrong. He surged ahead to push the den’s swinging double-doors open for her, steeling himself for a confrontation.
The atmosphere in the room was stifling - even without an empathic ability, he could almost feel the tension radiating off his siblings.
"Raven. Pretty as ever,” Zachary smiled at her.
She gave a small, wary smile. “Thanks.”
Damian's jaw clenched, hating the sly, appraising look in his blue eyes. Blue met green, and he smirked, darting his eyes back towards Raven knowingly. Fucking great . Of course he would be able to sense it. She had told him when they first found out that their baby already had developed its own magical energy.
“We were just talking about you actually,” Zachary continued airily. Cass tensed towards him, expression and body language resembling a cat ready to pounce.
“Good things, I hope,” she responded casually.
He waved a hand dismissively, “Well, now that you’re here I can see Zee’s got it all wrong.” He turned to Damian, winking lazily. “You really don’t believe in wasting time, do you?”
“Why are you here?” he demanded, wanting to change the subject before Dick and Jason had time to interpret his comment.
“My cousin’s upstairs trying to convince Bruce to let us take some precautionary measures. Nothing extreme, just a few wards to protect your little minds in case Raven decides she wants to take after daddy-dearest.”
Her hand constricted around his painfully, but Raven’s face was still perfectly neutral. “If that’s what they want, I won’t stop you.”
“No? That’s sweet of you. No takers yet, though.” Zachary shrugged, gesturing around the room.
“I’ve known Raven for years,” Dick interjected. “She’s nothing like her father.”
“Probably true,” he said disarmingly. “Although they do have similar breeding habits.”
“ Zatara ,” Damian hissed. “ Shut up.”
Before Zachary could respond, the doors banged open to admit Tim and Steph, yawning and bed-headed. Both stopped short as they took in the scene before them, sharing a confused look.
“Zach?” Tim said quizzically. “What’d we miss?”
“A lot, I’d say,” he replied smugly.
Damian felt his ire rising by the second, wanting nothing more than to knock some teeth out. Raven fidgeted next to him, her perfect poise slipping as the tension in the room mounted.
Jason finally spoke, something sharp flitting in and out of his green eyes. “Top-hat here thinks Raven’s not good enough for Damian.”
“Ha!” Stephanie whirled towards him. “First, have you met Damian? Second, what do you care?”
“ I don’t. It’s Zee who’s bent out of shape. Personally, I just find the situation amusing,” he said with a shrug.
“Go be amused somewhere else,” Dick replied.
“Kid’s birthday party, maybe?” Jason added.
The younger man rolled his eyes. “Haven’t heard that one before,” he grumbled before looking directly at Raven. “And I never said you weren’t good enough for him. It’s just that humans and demons don’t always mix well.”
“Thanks for your concern,” Damian responded dryly.
Tim stiffened in his peripherals, clearly picking up on a double-meaning to the conversation and turning his gaze towards his younger brother. Raven squeezed his hand again, having regained some composure. “All things considered, I think I’m pretty well-adjusted,” she replied lightly.
Zachary favored her with a charming stage-smile. “Always a coin toss though, huh?”
I have to get her out of this room, Damian thought desperately. The memory of her defeated expression from the previous night flitted across his mind. The idea that their child might not come out stable, healthy, or free of Trigon had been plaguing Raven non-stop for weeks now. The last thing she needed was someone to stoke that particular fire. He glared at the magician furiously, mentally swearing to get him back for this somehow.
"If that’s all you came to say,” he growled, pulling on his girlfriend’s hand to start urging her to the door.
“Can I stay for the announcement?” he interjected, faux-smile still in place.
“What are you talking about?” Stephanie demanded.
“Steph,” Tim said, shaking his head at her minutely.
“You cannot.” Cass’s soft, deadly voice cut through. “Leave.”
Jason and Dick were eyeing the exchange curiously, and Damian knew any Son of the Bat was sure to put it together soon. Mercifully, the magician had apparently decided he’d had enough fun - done enough damage , he mentally corrected.
“Alright, alright. Sheesh. I’ll get out of here once Zee’s done with the Bat.”
Zatanna said nothing to him as she stormed away, footsteps fast and angry while he followed behind at a more leisurely pace. He hoped with time they could repair their friendship, but didn’t regret his decision to refuse her.
They nearly crashed into Damian and Raven leaving the den and Bruce instantly took note of his son’s absolutely murderous expression and the tension in the room. Zatanna’s cousin stood towards the back of the room, smirking smugly at his youngest. She’s here out of genuine concern. This one just wants to kick the hornet’s nest. Unsurprising, as the younger Zatara had cultivated a reputation amongst the older heroes for never quite growing out of his ‘selfish brat’ stage.
Zatanna made a disbelieving sound in the back of her throat, and he turned to see her eyes were locked on the half-demon. “Congratulations,” she said stiffly, ignoring Bruce’s questioning gaze.
“Let’s go, Zach,” she ordered, vanishing in a flash of magic.
He straightened, throwing a final triumphant look at Damian. “By the way, Raven’s pregnant.” A second later, he was gone and you could have heard a pin drop in the room.
“Wait, what the fuck?”
God damn it, Jason.
Raven flinched almost imperceptibly at the sharp question and Damian's eyes snapped towards him furiously, angling himself in front of her.
“What he means is congratulations,” Dick offered quickly, ever the mediator.
Bruce was speechless, unable to take his eyes off the young couple. Raven met his stare and the raw, stricken expression on her face revealed just how young and frightened she was. Nineteen years-old. Practically a child. It only lasted for a second before she schooled her features back into neutrality and became the composed, reserved Raven the world knew. “Well, now you know,” she said coolly. Cass approached her quickly, powerful concern shining in her dark eyes as she saw past the witch’s perfect mask. She reached up to touch her shoulder, but Raven paid her no mind.
“This isn’t how we wanted to tell you, obviously,” Damian cut in flatly. Bruce didn’t miss the way his hand tightened on hers and knew he had to say something, but the empath didn’t give him a chance.
“Excuse me,” she said tonelessly before pulling away from Cass and Damian and vanishing in a rush of black magic. They eyed the spot where she vanished with alarm.
“That went well,” Jason observed dryly. His youngest whirled on him angrily, seeking an outlet for his distress.
“What’s wrong with you, Todd?!”
“What?” He shrugged. “If you want to be mad at someone, go find the Zataras.”
“Calm down, Damian,” Dick interjected with a wide grin. “This is great news, really.” The younger man just lowered his glare back to the place where Raven had been standing, body language still tense.
“I can’t believe you guys beat us to it,” Steph groaned, earning an eye-roll from Tim. “I get to be the godmom.”
“No! I already called dibs,” Cass said smugly. She then turned and beamed at Bruce. “I knew right away.”
“And you didn’t tell me?! What the hell?!” the blonde yelled.
Bruce tuned out his daughters’ bickering along with Dick and Tim’s attempts to mollify Damian, instead pulling out his cellphone and checking the Manor’s security system. He scanned the various cameras and motion sensors until he found her. Leaving his children behind, he swiftly made his way to the third floor balcony.
Raven sat on the ledge overlooking the hedge garden, straightening slightly when he approached. Bruce stood next to her, saying nothing at first just in case she decided to run again. She stayed put and he took it as a cue to proceed. “At least now we know why you were so peckish at dinner last night. Alfred was worried he was losing his touch.”
She turned her face towards him and he saw she was no longer hiding, violet eyes wet and nervous. “I’m sorry. It’s been a rough couple days for the...morning sickness.”
“I can imagine. When should I expect to meet my grandchild?” he asked, smiling as surprise overtook her pained expression.
“I don’t know exactly when I’m due. I haven’t been to a doctor yet. I don’t even know where to find one who might know anything about a demonic pregnancy.”
“Fortunately, both Batman and Bruce Wayne have very deep pockets and unlimited resources,” he told her reassuringly.
She studied him for a moment, a variety of emotions flitting through her violet eyes. “You’re not upset?”
“I’m certainly surprised,” he answered, “Though Damian has always had an impulsive side I didn’t expect this. And while I wish you two were just a bit older, I’m not the least bit upset.”
She must have sensed the truth in his words, but she was still looking at him suspiciously. He sighed. “Whether by birth or by circumstance, happiness has never come easily to us Waynes. Damian especially has struggled. But you make him happy, Raven, and I’m forever in your debt because of that.”
There was a silent beat as she struggled for a response. “You know I’m not controlling him, right? That I would never do that?” she asked, all the weight of the world in her young voice.
He met her eyes unflinchingly. “I believe you.”
She let go of a shaky breath and looked away, eyes welling with tears. “I’m not usually this emotional,” she murmured apologetically.
“Given the circumstances, I think you get a pass.”
“Thank you, Bruce.”
He smiled at her. “Let’s get back inside before my son tears the house down looking for you.”
Sensing Damian’s location, she used her power to teleport them down to the manor’s foyer, inadvertently startling Alfred so badly he would have fallen over if not for Cass’s quick reflexes.
“Sorry!” she exclaimed.
“Not at all, Miss Roth,” he replied with a hand over his heart. Once he was stable the other woman released him and he smiled kindly at her. “I’ve just heard the happy news. Congratulations to both of you. This house surely needed another bat.”
“Thank you, Pennyworth.” Damian was already at her side, his aura sharp with concern. She bit her lip guiltily and looked up at him.
Cass surged forward then, beaming at her. “You’re alright,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“Yes,” she answered, feeling vaguely embarrassed at her earlier reaction. The dark-haired woman cocked her head, picking up on her discomfort and touching her arm gently. Raven blinked in surprise, not used to being read so easily. Damian definitely still needs to explain this one to me . Speaking of...
“ Are you alright?” He asked meaningfully, eyes darting between her and his father.
“Yes,” she smiled. “Bruce helped me out.”
“Talked her off the ledge, I did,” his father added. “Alfred, Cassandra, let’s give them a moment.”
After they had the room to themselves Damian breathed a sigh of relief and rested his forehead against hers. “I was worried you’d gone all the way back to Jump.”
“I’m sorry. It was just a bit...overwhelming. Hormones, I guess,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
No use. “I’m going to kill him,” he murmured, more to himself than to her.
“Forget about him.” The last thing Raven wanted to think about was the Zatara family. She kissed his cheek. “How are your other siblings taking it?”
“They’re ungodly annoying. But,” he smiled down at her, “they’re happy for us.” She returned his grin, stepping back and exhaling. He grabbed her hand, thumb running over her knuckles automatically as he did so. “Ready?” Damian nodded down the hall where his raucous bat-family was surely waiting.
I can hardly wait.