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If you asked Damian, training had gone as hard usual- tough, relentless, and exhausting. Yet, it wasn't the physical challenges that weighed the most on his mind.
It was Nika.
She was the first person who had dared to see through the stoic facade he had built, countering it with a wink, back when they first met during their time at Lazarus.
While most of the contestants gawked at Damian's reputation as Batman's son, Nika had treated him like a normal person. Well, as normal as killers can be.
She mocked his brooding in a way no one could, and ultimately taught him that he could let his guard down just a little. Nobody would take him for prey if he loosened up, yeah?
But Nika had no idea what she was getting into. As much as Damian tried to deny it, his world- his person- if he really looked into it was dark and dangerous, filled with secrets and the weight of expectations.
Yet as he strolled the halls, he still found himself smiling at the thought of her. It had been a week since they'd last seen each other, and he still couldn't ignore the flutter in his stomach that always signaled he missed her.
He walked up the stairs into his room. Immaculate quarters. It felt a bit more like home, now that he found his person, and he managed to fill his room with it.
Manga, art, music, and clothes he actually liked wearing, styles he smiled at. His bed felt more comforting with the matching hello kitty plushies.
At night, a simple kuromi plushie sat on his bed, but during the day he hid it in the closet.
So chilidsh, embarrassing and immature, he first thought- but particulary rough nights, he'd deny he ever hugged the plushie tight hoping Nika was sleeping the same with her own-
He could make out the loud chatter and unescapable hum from his family. Arguring, and bickering.
The season felt more jolly.
Tonight, they were having one of their seemingly endless dinners, where different members of his family would engage in obnoxious bickering, while still managing to engage in a depth of conversation that would surprise any outsider.
Any sane person
"Hurry up, Damian!" He would hear Dick's voice call out, echoing from the hall, right outside his door.
"Yes, I understand that you're eager to interrogate me," Damian muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Interrogate; you want the back story?
So Damian had been caught kissing his own not girlfriend in his room one late night, of course someone walked in- word spreads quick on gossip lips.
'Curse you Brown,' he thought venomously.
Dick rapped his fingers against the door.
"Alright, I'm coming!"
Though he tried to keep his voice steady, there was a tinge of apprehension in his chest, now he'd be forced to confront them about it.
God.
He stepped ouside the room, and Dick was long gone. He sprinted down the stairs and lingered outside the dinning hall entrance.
His ears were greeted by the usual chaos of their pre family dinners. Alfred was bustling around, ensuring everything was perfect, like the saont he was- while Bruce and his criminal girl- Kyle were engrossed in a discussion about the latest news in Gotham.
'Old people ugh,' He thought.
Dick and Jason were competing, as usual, to see who could set the table, and Stephanie was attempting to mediate, her own laughter lighting up the room.
"About time you showed up!" Dick chirped, gesturing for him to take a seat. "I would've thought you were doing solitary confidement."
That enticed a small giggle from one of his....siblings. he could call them that, right?
"Or maybe he was busy with someone," Duke added with a grin. Steph looked so red, from containing the laughter. "You know, out there with his girlfriend?"
Damian felt his cheeks flush. "That's not-"
"Too late! You're exposed!" Steph let the laugh out, winking at him as she threw a playful look.
"We're not-" he began, but was swiftly interrupted.
"The Tokoyo crime lord?" Bruce interjected, his gaze piercing but filled with curiosity. Bruce Wayne was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
Like, everyone.
Damian shifted uncomfortably but felt a surge of determination. "Actually, I wanted to invite her over for dinner. Nika-" he paused, searching for the right words, "I want you all to meet her."
This would be real, they can't make fun of his type if they got to know her.
The room fell silent, all eyes on him. His heart raced as he awaited their reactions. He was used to this vulnerability now, but it didn't make it easier.
"What do you mean, 'dinner?'" Dick asked, leaning forward with a warm smile. "Like, an actual dinner? As in, 'bringing her into the family' dinner?"
"Yes," Damian replied firmly, not thinking too hard. "I think you all would like her."
"I like her already, and I barely met her." Duke pointed. Damian felt relived, he had some sort of defense.
"Can we do it next weekend? I want this girl's impressions before Bruce can scare her away with his brooding." Tim spoke up for once.
Damian shot him a glare- beflre realizing they were now on okay terms.
"You all realize this is my decision, correct?" Damian muttered quietly, but the anticipation in the room was infectious.
"Absolutely," Bruce said with a nod. "But it's nice to see you opening up, Damian."
In that moment, he thought.
Nika would fit well. She was brave, smart, and capable. A badasss. So pretty- enough enternal monolouge.
"Alright, I'll ask her," he said, feeling a surge of confidence.
Until....
"You HAVEN'T?" Stephanie blurted out.
-
The week passed in a blur of anxiety as Damian prepared for Nika's arrival. He found himself meticulously perfecting every detail. Like; what to cook, what to wear.
In his mind, he had created scenarios that included everything from his family outright rejecting her oddness to embracing it with open arms.
When Christmas eve evening arrived, Damian stood in front of his bedroom mirror, adjusting his tight collar for the sixth time. Alfred had set it on the bed, as for everyone elses clothes, they must've dicthed theirs.
So Damian ditched the collar too.
A casual pair of black cargo pants, he still kept the black turtle neck, but he put a brown blazer jacket over it, and styled his hair in a way where it fell naturally.
Nika had said he looked cuter when it fell in his face. He felt warm at the thought.
Why, was he wearing a jacket? Because no way was he letting her walk here alone- not becase he doubts she can defend herself, but to prep her for his familes questions. It was hard to convey just how chaotic they could be while also he kept maintaining a sense of pride at that.
HIS family was crazy, and he grew to love it.
He glanced at his phone and saw that it was 5:52 PM. He was supposed to be out by 6:00 PM. Just then, his door flew open, revealing Jason, carting a tray of something he had just baked.
Or course, Jason felt like he HAD to bake something- because he enjoyed it too.
"Try one." Jason held out the tray of cupcakes.
So delicately shaped as a tree, and so detailed for his rough fingers.
"I'm good." Damian shook his head. Jason took that personally.
"It might just sweeten up that sour attitude you keep." Jason boasted in his face.
"Watch it, Todd," Damian warned, narrowing his eyes. "Today important."
"Important? It's nothing too serious. You're worrying about her too much. She's a nice girl. Only thing odd and serious-ly weird is your type-" Jason mocked , rolling his eyes.
Before Damian could retort, his eyes flicked to the clock.
He sprinted out the room in seconds pronto.
-
He knew where Nika stayed when she wasn't in Tokyo- which was often.
With Maya Ducard- because she's lovely and they're great friends. Does Damian remember where Maya lives?
No, but does his clone brother?
Yes. Most definately. So here he is, on the train like a normal person whilst ignoring odd glances from gothamites- now texting his clone brother who desperately answer immediately.
Record time.
"You saved me. Thank you" Resawn hisses over the phone.
If Damian recalls, Slade is trying to make an effort with his children which is why he personally invited - pleaded with, the living ones- to come spend Christmas eve with him.
God, Damian can't imagine Respawns position now.
"Where does Maya live?"
Respawn blinks on the other end, not that Damian would know. "Why do you ask?"
"I'm trying to see Nika right now. She's with her for the week- so where does Maya live?"
"The Apartments on Harkshire blvd. Building 398. Floor 8, and door 813." Respawn recited from his heart.
Damian smiled, even though Respawn couldn't see. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Love you." Damian said.
"What-"
Beep. Beep.
Call ended.
-
Now standing at Mayas door, she answered expectedly in a onesie and popsicle in her mouth despise the winter.
"What's up?" Maya greeted, looking him up and down. "Merry Christmas Eve, Dames."
"Nika's here." Damian said, which sounded less like a question and more a statement.
"Yep." Maya nodded, idely standing.
"Can you tell her I'm here?"
"Sure." Maya left, to return with Nika beaming brightly, and she seemed quite literaly etheral.
"Damian!" She smiled, Damian smiled back just for Nika to throw her pretty self into his arms.
He hugged back genuinely.
-
On the way there, Nika enjoyed the walk in the cold. Odd creature she was. No bus or uber.
"I was preparing questions they might ask-"
"Preparing? For my arrival? I thought I was supposed to knock the wind out of them." She smiled warmly.
He looked her up and down.
She knocked the wind of him.
Nika wore black flowy pants, with a tied bow at the waist, a nice bright sweater which somehow matched his dark attire! Contrast, he thought. Her white hair was longer then usual and it had many star clips in it.
Her lips were a pale undertone with tints of pink. She looked....amazing.
He smiled.
"Oh..Wow.."
Did he say that outloud? Doesn't matter. Nikas eyes lit up in triumph.
"Ya'like it! Ya really do! All this time ya were looking at me all funny and I couldn't tell if ya hated it or not- but ya love it!"
"Tt- obviously! You- you're- like......"
He stopped right there. No word he could possibly formuate would describe her beauty.
"Gorgeous"
-
He lead her inside the cozy mansion. She gasped dramatically as her gaze wandered around the room.
"Wow, this place is amazing!"
Damian felt himself relaxing as she stepped into his space, her presence somehow grounding.
"It's nothing special."
"Right, because most people don't live in historic mansions. And is that an Effiel Tower?" She pointed at a model on his shelf, her lips curling into a smile.
"Yes, it's a limited edition," Damian replied, trying not to sound overly proud. Alfred treasured it.
"Of course you'd have a model of it. Must date back to BC!" she beamed. "I like it!"
Damian gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"
As they made their way down the grand staircase, Nika kept glancing at the extraordinary artwork that adorned the walls. The further they descended, the more Damian's nerves flared.
What if they didn't like her? What if she turned them off completely? But when they reached the dining room, the warmth of his family welcomed them.
Or chaos.
"Look who finally joined us!" Dick called out, instantly getting up from the table. He immediately held out a hand.
"You must be Flatline! Damian's told us so much about you!"
"Only good things, I hope," Nika replied with a grin, shaking Dick's outstretched hand.
"Only the best," Damian muttered, shooting his brother a warning look. "Don't embellish."
"Embellish? Me?" Dick said, feigning offense. "Never."
"Good to meet you," Bruce said, rising from his seat. He extended his hand, and Nika shook it firmly, a pleasant surprise for Damian.
He, was the final boss and Nika was taking it well.
"Welcome to our Christmas eve dinner."
"Thank you for having me, Mr. Wayne," Nika replied, her confidence unfaltering. Damian felt a flare of pride.
"Please, just Bruce," he insisted, a smile breaking through his typically serious demeanor. "We'll be informal tonight."
"Then you can call me...Nika."
Damians pride flared so tightly in his chest. Nika; something she wouldn't let most new people call her.
"Pleased to meet you, Nika." Bruce smiled back.
As they took their seats, the conversation flowed seamlessly. Nika flawlessly shared stories about her life, her aspirations, and her love for art.
The Waynes listened intently, finding themselves hanging onto her every word.
Questions were asked, but through it all, Damian felt a sense of pride swell within him. His family was welcoming Nika with open arms, embracing her humor and spirit. She fit in, effortlessly bringing refreshing energy to the table.
After dinner, they moved to the living area, where Alfred had set up an assortment of desserts. Bless him. Nika leaned back, clearly enjoying the familys dynamic.
It felt comforting.
Damian had never imagined someone could bring such light into his life- and into his home.
Eventually Steph and Cass -mainly Steph- stole Nika for a moment.
"Does he call you cutesy nicknames? How'd you get him to fall so hard!!!" Stephanie clapped her hands together. "There is no way he doesn't call you anything cutesy! Where is the tea at!?"
Nika blinked, before her stunned expression turned into a grin. "Not much- besides 'Habibi' or-" she stiffled a laugh, "the Conquerer of his heart."
Stephanie squealed so loudly. "I SHIP!"
"You met on the island?" Cassandra signed.
Nika analyzed her movements. Damian taught her some of this. She signed back- and Cass's eyes lit up, a smile graced her face.
Nila felt pride at the smile. She made a good impression!
"She can hear you- but signing back was sweet." Stephanie smiled at her.
-
Sitting across from Mr. Wayne- Bruce...Nika felt slightly nervous but more so at ease. She watched alot of high school boys announce to the girls father-
Damian being the girl in scenario made her smile. She could squeal at the thought of him all dolled up-
"My only intentions for your son is to make him smile. I wanna see him happy, ya'know? No bad intentions." Nika declared, a hand held out.
It didn't take much for Bruce to nod and shake her hand with immense force. "I approve of this- if this is what you both were aiming for. You make him happy, and that's all that matters."
Damian pretended not to be listening for that.
-
Eventually, as the evening drew to a close, they moved outside to the balcony. The cool night air enveloped them abruptly as Damian and Nika leaned against the railing and overlooked Gotham, the darkening skyline shining brilliantly in the dark.
Snow fell gracefully around them, like the sakura of the winter.
"I had a great time," Nika said softly, glancing at him. "Your family is... phenomenal. They're all so....warm."
"But they can be overwhelming," he admitted. "Sometimes I worry they'll scare people away."
Nika laughed, shaking her head. "Not me. I love how....they do things. It's the family dynamic I've been missing. It feels... real. Different."
Her sakura pink eyes seemed to mellow to something genuine. Her breath reflected the scent of her hot coco, she set her mug between them on the balcony wall. Tonight, Nika felt something real, and it reminded her of what she longed to feel.
Damian couldn't help but smile at her genuine admiration for his family. "You're different too," he confessed, maintaining eye contact. "I'm really glad you came tonight."
"Me too," she replied, and their heavy- not much hollow heartbeats seemed to sync as they stood together.
At that moment, Damian realized what it meant to share his life with someone else, to let her into his world of chaos and imperfection. Nika wasn't intimidated by it- instead, she embraced it.
The thought made him smile, he might've felt pathetic tears come to his eyes.
'All of this, and you've got the girl. Keep her, and love her.' He thought warmly, blinking away happy tears before they collected.
He took a step closer, hesitating slightly. "So, what do you think? Would you want to do this again?"
"Absolutely," she said, her smile brightening the night.
Damian stared into her eyes, their fingers intertwined.
He popped the question, eyes boring into her still mug
"Would you- be my girlfriend? For real this time?" He said hesitantly. What if this was too quick?
Nika leaned in, and her fingers graced his face. Her soft lips melted as they connected with his.
Damian himself, melted into the kiss, his hand ran through the long locks of her dainty her. His hands both settled on her cheeks. Her own, directed the kiss deeply, with passion.
He shut his eyes savouring it, She tasted like peppermint, and he tasted like cinnamon. It was so cold, yet they felt warm flush against eachother
She pulled away, noses inches apart, smiling.
"Does that answer your question?" Nika winked once more.
She could do it a thousand times more and his heart would always skip a much needed beat.