Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Damian retracted his katana from the fallen thug's body, swinging it to get rid of the blood with a click of the tongue. The rats of Gotham slums were getting sloppier these days. The sound of boots landing and a whistle behind him made his head perk.

"I don't know whether I should be impressed or mad, killing my prey on my turf. This isn't usually where the League operates."

Damian shot a sultry glance over his shoulder, his lips curling instinctively into a smirk.

"How else can an omega get your attention, Red Hood?"

The alpha merely quirked an eyebrow.

"You were the one who left every single time without a word."

"Well," The teen drawled. "Maybe I simply missed you and wished to see you, alpha."

Damian approached Jason seductively, batting his inky lashes like everytime they'd done this. Jason was not falling for it this time.

"Why are you here, Damian?"

The assassin halted with a frown. It seemed they wouldn't be playing games tonight. Damian swallowed, hating how he couldn't see Jason's eyes through the red lenses of his mask.

"You're the one who left the League, Jason. You left me first, and now you're acting like this."

Jason remained silent, and Damian felt a bile rise in his throat at that. So all those dalliances until now meant nothing to the older man after all.

"I came to say farewell."

"What?" Jason froze.

"We won't see each other again, Red Hood," Damian said, fist clenching around his blade. "You'll finally be getting rid of me as you wanted all along."

"Now wait just a second—" Jason took a step forward, but the omega pointed his sword in a warning.

"I will be leaving the League, and I will no longer come to Gotham. I will disappear where no one will find u—me. Not even you," Damian winced at the almost slip. Instantly he could feel a faint movement in his belly, and his green eyes became blurry. Jason scrutinized him.

"So you're running away again, just like you always have."

"Silence!" Damian shouted, emotional. "You understand nothing, so do not assume—do not pretend you know what it's like!"

He shouldn't have come here. Why was he even hoping anything from Jason? The man never cared.

Damian had thought they were always going to be together. They were inseparable at the League. But then Jason left, and Damian was heartbroken. They began a game of cat and mouse everytime he had a mission in Gotham, and ended in tangled sheets. But he never stayed. A part of Damian wished to spite the alpha, show him how it felt to be left behind. They were just playing with each other's emotions at this point, until four months ago when Damian stopped because he discovered something devastating. He was pregnant with Jason's pup. And the pup would never have a normal, happy life. Grandfather would be furious, and Mother would be disappointed. Jason would probably not even care. Why would he, when he didn't even love Damian enough to beg him to stay each time he left?

There was no other choice. Damian would have to leave and go into hiding if he wanted to give birth and raise the puppy. He would never get rid of it, because it was Jason's, and Damian was selfish enough to want to keep a piece of the alpha he loved one-sidedly with him. It was riskier to come to Gotham like this before his imminent departure. But Damian was weak, and he wanted to see Jason one last time. Hoping...for what? For Jason to plead his stay and accept him? How futile the wish turned out to be. Jason wasn't doing anything. The omega sighed, closed his eyes to reign in the tears, and turned his back as he sheathed his sword.

"That's all I came here for, to say goodbye. I hope you will be happy in a world without me."

But before he could leave, Jason suddenly surged forward to grab ahold of Damian's forearm, hard, and manhandled him against the nearest surface—a metal container. Damian's heart jolted for the puppy and his masterfully repressed scent briefly spiked.

"Is that what you really want?" Jason asked in an almost-growl.

"What are you getting at?" Damian sent the alpha a heated glare, but made no move to escape Jason's deathly grip.

"Running away. Alone. Disappearing off the grid. Betraying Ra's at the risk of your own life," Jason's voice became louder and more aggressive as he went on. "Answer me, Damian. Is that what you really want?"

"And why would you care?!" The omega screamed, feeling abruptly emotional and distressed. "You've never once asked me to stay! I kept hoping for just a word, a sign that my feelings are reciprocated!"

Damian's eyes were misty with unshed tears now.

"You held me like a lover yet you always let me go! Is it my fault to assume that I just don't mean that much to you? I would've betrayed Grandfather had you asked me just once— but you never did!"

Jason was eerily silent as the first drop of tears rolled down Damian's cheek. It was the hormones, Damian reasoned in his head. Otherwise he would've never allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of an alpha. He angrily wiped his face with his free arm as his distressed scent began to pour out without control.

"...I never asked because it was your choice," Jason finally replied in a quiet voice, his grip loosening on Damian's arm.

"What?"

"Of course those nights meant something to me, dumbass. I never ask you to stay because I love you enough to let you choose."

Damian blinked once, twice—unable to believe the words coming from the alpha's mouth. Jason reached up and removed his mask and Damian could finally see the truth in Lazarus green eyes.

"I would've been fine with rejection too, because I knew you were loyal to the League."

"So you..."

"Are you really gonna make me say it again?" Jason grimaced, then sighed and removed his grip to caress Damian's tear-stained cheek instead. "If going away...is what you really want, then I love you enough to—"

He stopped mid-sentence. Jason's nose flared slightly. Damian froze when he felt a phantom movement in his stomach and watched as Jason's eyes widen.

"Wait a second...you smell different."

"Jason, I..." Damian swallowed, suddenly nervous. It was inevitable—he'd lost control of his scent and now the alpha would know.

"You smell...like an expecting omega." Jason's demeanor flipped as rage flickered a toxic green in his eyes. He grabbed Damian's shoulders with both hands roughly. "Who was it? Who was the fucking bastard alpha that impregnated you?! I'll shoot his fucking brains out!"

Damian hissed at the aggression and shoved Jason off of him at last.

"Cease your clownery! Who else do you think I have rolled around with? Do you take me for some sort of harlot?"

Jason's enraged jealousy was replaced with shock instantly.

"You mean...it's mine?"

"No, it's mine," Damian corrected, but an omega's growl wasn't as threatening as an alpha's. "You are the sire, yes. But this is my pup."

"Does that mean your reason for leaving is because you want to raise this pup?" The alpha looked tense. Damian scoffed.

"I have no intent of making my child suffer a life like mine. They will be given love and a proper, happy childhood," Damian turned his back and cradled his small bump. "I didn't want to get rid of it. Because...I thought this pup would be the only piece I have left of you."

It was silent for a moment, then there were arms around Damian pulling him back against a sturdy chest. A light gasped escaped his mouth before Jason's head leaned on his shoulder.

"Let me come with you," He pleaded in a whisper. "You don't have to do it alone."

"Jason..."

"I'm tired of us dancing around each other, Dames. I won't choose any other omega as my mate, so."

Damian shifted his head to stare at the man.

"You want to come with me? But...Gotham? Your family?"

"You're more important to me than some crime-infested city and a family I never truly returned to," Jason confessed. "The thought of never seeing you again or Ra's hunting you and our pup down for treason...scares me."

Damian heart leaped. This was what he'd been hoping for.

"Nothing would make me happier...Beloved."

His love was not one-sided, and his alpha wanted him and their baby. Their pup, Jason had said. He really did love Damian. The omega was glad he decided to come here before leaving.

He had gained a promising future.

Chapter Text

Damian stood in the kitchen of his pack’s cozy home, cooking some delicious mloukhieh for dinner in an apron as he hummed a little melody Talia used to sing to him when he’d been an infant and she’d been kinder. His brows furrowed slightly at the sudden loud noises of running footsteps coming from upstairs—no doubt his boisterous pups were playing chase again. Damian turned the fire down and walked out to the living room, coming to a stop at the end of the staircase with his hands on his hips.

“Children, what did I say about running in the house?” He called out disapprovingly, and there were tell–tale little gasps and shushes followed by something being knocked down before he received a guilty ‘Sorry ummi!’ from his oldest, Alexander.

The omega shook his head with a smile. They were so much like their father in that way, rowdy and reckless. It would be a miracle if he wouldn’t have to deal with their mood swings once they reach a certain age.

The sound of the door handle clicking open made Damian turn around in reflex, eyes automatically searching for the nearest weapon due to the assassin training his body had never forgotten. But his stance relaxed instantly at the familiar scent of his alpha mate as Jason entered the den after a long day at work, looking somewhat tired but relieved to be at home.

“Did you think I was an intruder?” The man chuckled, a playful grin forming on his lips.

“I was not expecting you to return so soon, Beloved. You said you might be held up until late tonight,” Damian replied, already walking into Jason’s awaiting arms. His scent sparked with a sweet alpha–home–safe as he nuzzled his husband’s strong, warm chest, kicking up a gentle purr from the back of his throat.

“I tried to finish early. Wouldn’t miss my darling omega’s amazing mloukhieh and seeing our pups at the dinner table for anything,” Jason rumbled lovingly as he dug his nose into Damian’s hair and inhaled deeply. They shared a tender kiss right as three other presence made themselves known on top of the staircase with a collective loud gasp.

“Daddy’s home!”

Damian turned around and stepped aside with a smile at his growing pre–teen and two toddlers—Jane and Austin (yes, Jane Austen, because it had been Jason’s turn to name their pair of pups and he was truly the biggest bookworm there was) —hurried down the stairs to barrel into their father’s embrace with happy chirps and squeals. He watched the tiredness on Jason’s face melted away into something so positively bright as the alpha ruffled Alexander’s hair and picked up the twins with both arms. Damian felt a warm maternal feeling expanding inside his chest at the sight of his mate smothering their children with the affection neither of them had truly experienced during their respective childhoods.

“My favorite little troublemakers,” Jason laughed, teal eyes immensely fond as he nuzzled Austin and pressed a big kiss on Jane’s cheek.

“That stings a little, daddy!” The little girl giggled, pushing half–heartedly at his stubbled chin.

“Whoop, looks like daddy is due for a good shave. What do you think, ummi? Don’t I still look handsome?”

Damian’s response was to roll his eyes fondly at the mildly suggestive look Jason sent him.

“You would most likely look better freshened up and at the table. Dinner is almost ready,” He said light–heartedly, turning on his heels and heading back toward the kitchen. “I want everyone to have their hands clean by the time I set the food.”

As he walked away, Damian heard his mate ushering their children to the dining room, followed by the pitter patter of the pups’ little feet as they raced each other to the sink to wash their hands. He had a serene smile on his face as he began to set the table and checked on his simmering mloukhieh stew. Ever since Jason had agreed to come with him and establish a new life in a place where the people from their past could not find them, Damian found it easier to smile a lot more and enjoy the simple happiness of building a family with his chosen alpha. A few peaceful years had passed since then and their little pack of three had grown into five, their lives were undisturbed and finally normal—at least for Jason and Damian. Their demons no longer haunted them.

Back when he had shown up at Gotham four months pregnant with Alexander, a mix of turbulent emotions inside his heart, the omega had never dared to think he’d be able to achieve all of this with the older man by his side. Damian had expected Jason not to care, especially when all they’d had were countless nights tangled in the sheets ending in him leaving before sunrise. Their relationship had been a complicated one, filled with unsaid confessions and uncertainty. But when Damian had been prepared to bid Jason farewell, the love of his life had pleaded to come with him after a heartfelt confession. Until this day, he dared not fathom how it would have turned out had he not given into his selfish, weak desires to see Jason one last time.

Their lives were much more blissful ever since they’d settled down in another country under false identities and Damian had given birth to three beautiful, healthy pups. Every now and then, Richard Grayson would ask Jason if he could visit them, as the ever caring man he was who was adamant in keeping touch with his brother. Damian got to see the person underneath the Nightwing mask for who he truly was, and occasionally received a few wistful comments everytime Grayson came over to play with his niece and nephews.

“If you hadn’t been loyal to the League, we would’ve loved to have a new little brother in the family. I know Bruce would’ve been happy to have you,” He always said. 

“TT. Do not be absurd, Grayson,” Damian scoffed. “I fought against Batman every other day alongside my Mother. He would never accept a son who was raised to be the deadliest assassin alive.”

“I would’ve convinced him,” Dick frowned. “You’re not a bad person, deep down. I can see how happy you make Jason. I’ve never seen him this content. Having your special person by your side changes people.”

He hadn’t been entirely wrong, of course. If his alpha had not impregnated him, Damian wasn’t sure if things would be as they were now. They would probably still be enemies with repressed feelings, occasionally chasing carnal pleasure behind everybody’s back.

But now wasn’t the time to ponder on ‘what ifs’. He should focus on the present, where his little pack of mate and pups sat at the dining table awaiting his delicious cooking. Jason had quickly changed into more comfortable clothes and was trying to get the twins to stay still. Dinner passed by quickly with Alexander enthusiastically telling stories of his day at school, Jane and Austin chiming in here and there and Jason recounting the more adventurous memories of his youth to entertain the children, sometimes even his shared moments with Damian.

“You know, I met your ummi when he was this small,” The alpha mimicked a very inaccurate imaginary size in the air, a teasing grin on his face. “He was a total troublemaker, just like you all. Short and grumpy, like a cat. Definitely a handful.”

“Jason…” Damian warned.

“Woah, really?” Jane gasped. “Was ummi as pretty as he is now?”

Jason’s teal eyes met his omega’s emerald green and Damian felt his breath hitch slightly at the immense love they held.

“The most beautiful person I’d ever laid eyes on. It might have been love at first sight, honestly.”

Heat rushed to his cheeks as his husband leaned over and pressed a kiss over his blush. Even after settling down and becoming parents, Damian still wasn’t used to Jason’s open affections. It was a stark contrast to when they had been on opposing sides.

“Ew, daddy’s being sappy with ummi again!” Austin scrunched his nose.

“Gross,” Alexander injected with a childish laugh, and was instantly brought into a playful noogie by his father.

“What was that, you little rascal?”

“Jason, do not noogie your son!” Damian spoke up disapprovingly, fondly, as Jane broke into a fit of light–hearted giggles alongside her twin.

It warmed his heart. This was his life now. Away from the League of Assassins, away from Ra’s al Ghul, away from constantly being at war with his father.

Damian loved it.

He loved the domesticity of washing the dishes after having dinner with his family as Jason walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around Damian’s waist. The omega’s lips stretched into a knowing smile when he felt a nose digging into his scent gland. He pretended to not notice the way his husband’s hands were caressing his hips and stomach.

“Couldn’t stop thinking about you at work, baby,” His alpha hummed. “I keep wanting to rush so I can get home faster. I missed you.”

“You see me everyday, Beloved.”

“Yeah, but every second away from you is literal torture,” The older man said unabashedly and Damian rolled his eyes at the hyperbole. “You know…I was thinking, after I put the pups to sleep, we could…try making another one. What do you say, beautiful?”

He pushed at Jason’s face half–heartedly despite the little shiver at the low tone in his ear. Horn dog.

“I thought you were already tired from a long day? You certainly looked the part when you stepped into the den.”

“Never too tired for you, Omega.”

Damian’s eyelids fluttered instinctively at the slight growl and he leaned in with an enticing whisper of his own, eyes capturing the way Jason’s nostrils flared at the provocative change in his younger mate’s scent.

“Be a good daddy and tuck our pups in properly, then I may be inclined to reward you afterwards, Alpha.”

Jason snapped his fangs once with a wolfish grin at the promising implication and immediately took off, not before pulling Damian flush against his body and bending him back for a deep kiss. The omega let out a little chuckle at his Beloved’s enthusiasm and turned back to finish his chore. However, when Damian was done with cleaning the kitchen about an hour later, he walked upstairs to check up on his little family and found his alpha already snoring away with two arms of sleeping pups in the children’s room—all together on Alexander’s bed. Jason’s body was a bit too large for it, so only half of his body was perched on the mattress yet somehow it was able to accommodate a full grown man and three kids. Coupled with the glowing stickers on the wall and rotating stars on the ceiling coming from the LED projector, the sight of his mate and their children all cuddled up made Damian feel as though his heart could burst from sheer adoration.

As he carefully approached them with muted footsteps, he pulled a blanket over his pack and pressed a loving kiss to Alexander, Jane and Austin’s heads. He kissed Jason’s forehead last, lingering there for a few seconds as he thought about how much he loved them all and how grateful he was to have found a future he sought.

Damian was so, so happy to have them in his life.

“Sleep well, Qalbi.”