Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Damian Wayne was not hiding his relationship from his family. He really wasn't, it's not his fault that they were oblivious as hell. They were absorbed in their own lives, so it made sense. He was going to tell them eventually, but he didn't think it was important right now. At least, this was what he told  himself. Not that he wanted to keep his girlfriend to himself for just a little longer, not at all. Jon saw right through him, but that didn't matter. He knew Jon would keep his mouth shut. At least, for the time being. 

This first instance takes place on a Friday night, where Colin Wilkes and Jon Kent stayed over. They'd known Marinette well, she'd done a year at Damian's school, and they four of them had hung out together. Damian had introduced her to them as they went out.  The two had seen how much Damian liked her, and just how openly he expressed it. They were happy for him, who wouldn't be? But they were also sworn to secrecy long after Marinette had gone back to Paris. So, they'd been quiet about it, until they were safe in Damian's room. They'd sat down for dinner with the family, well, who was currently in the manor and went up to his room. Bruce had granted Damian the night off just for the occasion, and the trio rushed up the stairs right away. Colin flopped down on Damian's bed, sighing as he landed. "So, Damian, how's school?" he asked and Damian shrugged in return. "Normal, I suppose. Nothing had really changed." Jon smirked and turned to Colin who smirked right back. "Except for one thing, no more Marinette. Or what did you call her, Angel, Habibi?" Colin asked and Jon shook his head. "Wilkes..." Damian warned. "All I'm saying is, you were head over heels for her, you are still together, right?" Colin asked. "We are, we call nightly." Damian admitted. "Oh my God, we have to call her!" Jon squealed and Damian felt like it was going to be a very long night. 

Alfred was walking the halls, admittedly aimlessly. He wasn't exactly bored, but nobody was calling on him either. Bruce, Tim, and Duke went out on patrol, so he was honestly just waiting on Damian or one of them to call. Oracle or Barbara was in the batcave currently and would alert him if he was needed. He passed Damian's room and quietly walked back as he heard a girl's voice. General curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned on the door frame. Damian was alternating from English to French, which Alfred had no idea he knew. He raised a brow, having an inkling feeling this was Damian's girlfriend. "So, you two are celebrating your one year soon, right?" Colin asked. "Yes, in about a month." Damian replied and the girl giggled. "Yeah, at the end of the month. I'm already working on Damian's present." she confessed. "I already know what I'm getting you, and how it will get there." Damian smirked, turning to Jon. "You owe me." Jon said, sending a glare that Damian ignored his way. "I will buy you lunch calm yourself, Kent." The girl laughed again and Damian let out a soft sigh. So soft that Alfred's ears barely caught it. He was just about to knock when he his phone vibrated in his pocket. He was needed. He quietly rushed to the cave, smiling at this new information. He could sense the boy's happiness and that was all that mattered to him. They'd discuss this soon, but not now. 

"Did you hear that? It sounded like running?" Damian asked. "Alfred?" Jon replied, confused. "Maybe, he should be the only one home. Maybe father called for him." He said. He was really hoping that Alfred hadn't heard, but knowing his luck, he probably did. "Is everything okay over there?" Marinette asked. "Yeah, Angel, everything is fine." Damian said softly. "If you say so, I just don't want you to be upset if someone found out." Damian blushed a little and Colin smiled at the realization. Jon shook his head, grinning as he heard Damian's heart pounding in his chest. "I wouldn't be too upset." he murmured and Marinette nodded. "Oh no, how could I forget that?" Marinette suddenly stood up, and Damian raised a brow. "I have an art project due soon, I am so sorry." she gasped and Damian chuckled softly. "That's okay. I should probably get off here soon anyway. Goodnight, Habibi." he said. "I love you." Marinette said. Jon heard his heart start pounding furiously as he replied with a quiet "I love you too."  He closed his laptop and let him heart slow down. "You are so adorable." Colin laughed. "Shut up, Wilkes. Kent, stop laughing." he pointed at Jon who was cracking up at his reactions. "You are so whipped." he laughed louder. Damian rolled his eyes, but felt a fond smile forming at the corners of his lips. He loved this, talking with his love and his friends. Freely expressing his feelings was new to him, but with Marinette, maybe one day he'd get there. 

Damian awoke early that next morning, both Jon and Colin were still asleep, comfortable on his large bed. He quietly slipped out, Jon letting him do so without complaint, despite hearing him. He cringed as his door audibly closed and went down the stairs. As he suspected, Alfred was the only one awake. "Good morning, Master Damian." He nodded and said "Good Morning, Pennyworth." Alfred paused and decided his next step quickly. "How about I make some tea and we can talk." he offered. Damian swallowed sharply and nodded. They both knew the conversation at hand. Damian had slept on it, and wasn't completely opposed to talking to Alfred about it. "I didn't tell anyone but them." Damian started and Alfred smiled. "I overheard you talking to her last night. I want to say that I am very proud of you, Master Damian." He said and observed Damian's reaction. "Why?" Damian asked. "Because you are allowing yourself to feel this. When I first met you, I do not think you would've let yourself fall for someone. Now, you have a girlfriend and you let your friends know. You have grown quite a lot." Damian felt a blush form over his face and Alfred felt a bit of amusement that he pushed down.

"Are you going to tell my father?" Damian finally asked. "No, I don't believe it is my place. You should when you feel like it. Don't feel pressured to tell him." Alfred said. Damian took a sip of tea and nodded. Their conversation was interrupted by Jon, but neither truly cared. They'd talked, and Damian felt a bit better with Alfred knowing. It was a step forward. He could breathe a little better. Colin rushed down right after, and Damian admitted that Alfred knew. "Could be worse. Could be your dad who knew." Colin said and Damian nodded in agreement. "You're right." he muttered, sipping his tea again. Now the question remained in his head. Who would find out next? How would they react? He wasn't so sure he wanted to know the answer, honestly. At this point, though, there was little choice. People were bound to find out and he was lucky it took a year for anyone to notice or confront him about it. Good thing he was good at hiding, he would hide it for a little longer. After all, he wanted this relationship to be his, so he would make sure to keep his family separate. At least, that's what he told himself. 

Chapter Text

One night out changed Dick’s perception of his little brother for the better. Well, it had actually started on a weekend day, where Damian was drawing with his headphones on. Dick was staying over for the weekend, he was bored and wanted a break from Bludhaven. He appeared on Saturday morning, smiling and waving at Damian, who simply rubbed his eyes and waved back. "Did I show up too early?" Dick frowned and Damian shook his head. "I slept in." Damian admitted plainly. "I know." Dick said with a laugh. "It's nine, you're usually up by now." Damian shrugged, not willing to admit the truth. He was up way too late with Marinette, listening to her infectious laughter and feeling his heart beat furiously in his chest as he did so. Staring at her on his laptop screen as she showed hm a new pattern or her newly finished clay project for art class. He showed her sketches from his sketchbook. The two had been up until it was well past two. Now, it was nine in the morning and Damian was stretching tiredly. Dick was surely noticing. He knew his father had brought up him getting up later to him. "Oh hey! Bat burger just came out with a new impossible burger, wanna go there for dinner or something?" Dick asked and Damian turned to him. "Why not?" he decided and his oldest brother beamed at him. "Tim, you wanna come? Duke?" Dick called and both declined politely. They were simply too busy, and so was Cass. 

The rest of that day wasn't eventful before dinner. Damian texted with Jon a little bit, and Marinette reached out a little bit. He had been secretly looking forward to this night. It had been a long time since it had been just him and Dick. He just wanted some time with his eldest brother, and he had no idea the evening he'd been having. His attempts to hide his relationship would go up in smoke once more. He just wanted to believe they wouldn't, but he knew deep down that he was risking it when he talked to a family member. His resolve was slowly getting weaker. He was 16 now, he knew he should probably tell someone. It wasn't like dating Nika at 13, this felt real. He was so alive when he talked to her. it felt like he had been struck by lightning when she blew him a kiss or told him she loved him. He was genuinely starstruck. He had it bad, and he couldn't deny it. He was a teenager in love, and it wasn't shame that made him hide it. It was how his family would handle it that did. They would want to meet her, and that was what he wasn't ready for. He wanted to love her by himself, instead of his family meeting and loving her. He wanted Marinette Dupain-Cheng's attention on him and him only. This was going to be an interesting night regardless. 

Damian got in Dick's SUV with little complaint, trying his best to not show his excitement. He heard his phone buzz and looked to see Marinette texting him. He was grateful to see Dick's eyes on the road, and made little effort to hide his flustered blush. "Who's that?" Dick eventually asked and Damian froze. "A friend." he said a bit too quickly, too breathlessly, and he mentally cursed himself. He was going to get caught going on like this. "Oh yeah? I'm glad." Dick told him. Damian felt slightly guilty for lying, but he told himself it was for a good cause. he was protecting his and Marinette's peace. He was keeping her to himself. She would be his for a little longer before meeting the family, it was a perfect plan. Once again, he was just telling himself this. He might not have even really thought that it was true. All that mattered was he thought that he could hide it. His family was just too good. 

The two brothers sat down in a booth, one on each side. Damian smiled at him ad Dick smiled back. "I missed this place." Dick told him as he leaned back. He was relaxing, Damian could tell. It made him subconsciously relax too. He stopped fretting about his relationship, which made the slip up possible. He set him phone on the table and got up. "I'll be right back." he said and headed towards the restroom. Dick nodded, and raised his eyebrow at Damian's phone buzzing once more. Just who is this friend? They can't seem to leave him alone. Maybe I'll just have one peek. Dick thought. One peek was supposed to be it. What he found had his eyes widening a bit and his mouth curling into a big grin. Oh Damian, I get it. He thought, looking through some texts with a girl labeled 'Angel' in his phone. His little brother was dating! He knew that Damian was growing up, but he hadn't really expected this! Not that this was a bad thing, Dick thought it was quite the opposite. He felt the phone being taken away and Damian blushed a deep shade of red as he saw where his brother had been snooping. "You weren't supposed to know yet." Damian grumbled, sitting down. "Oh, Damian. I'm so sorry." Dick panicked. "I was just curious, I wanted to know who  you were texting. I should have stopped. Please forgive me." Damian rolled his eyes. "What if we went out for ice cream, huh? Let's talk." 

So that was how they ended up setting on some stairs, eating ice cream. Damian glared weakly at Dick and decided to start talking. "I was going to tell someone soon. Pennyworth has known for a couple months." He admitted. "Of course he has, you can't sneak anything past him." Dick chuckled. "I managed to hide it for eleven months, Grayson. It wasn't easy." Dick's eyes widened. "You have been dating for over a year? Dami..." Dick hissed. "How could we have missed this?" he mumbled. "First of all, nobody suspected because it was me. Second of all, I hid it on purpose." Damian took a bite and paused, letting the silence explain further. "You didn't want us to know." Dick says. He understood, of course he did. He knew they always went a little hard on the teasing, he could see why Damian would want to hide it. "So, what's she like? Is Angel actually her name or a nickname?" Dick asked. Damian smiled. "It's a nickname, I also call her 'Habibi'. Her real name is Marinette. What else do you want to know?"

Dick chuckled. Habibi, huh? Just like his mother in that regard. He had to admit, seeing Damian like this was amusing. His little brother was smitten with this Marinette. It was glorious and adorable and totally teasable. "How did you meet?" He inquired, leaning in to hear his brother better. "She studied here last school year. She moved back home, she lives in France, at the end of the school year." Dick raised a brow. "France? You fell in love with a French girl? Oh, Damian, you are full of surprises today." He mused. "In love?" Damian sputtered, feeling his heart pick up. His face felt hot and Dick nearly burst out laughing. He was so seriously smitten! How the hell had they all missed this? "Well yeah, you've been going out for a year, right?" Damian nodded. "Have you guys seriously not said it?" Damian shook his head and cleared his thoughts. "We have, you are just too blunt about it." Dick shook his head now, smiling. "So, when exactly were you going  to tell us? Oh! One more question- what do you have in common with her?" Dick asked. "We both enjoy art, she's a designer. I was going to say something when she comes back next school year. That way, you could actually meet her." he replied. "She's moving here?" Damian nodded. "She had some business to finish in Paris, but now she's free to move here after the school year. Her parents want her to finish one more year at her school before moving here." Dick hummed. "So you were going to make us wait like eight more months? Not fair." Dick pouted like a child and Damian shook his head. "It would've been easier. I am not sure how much longer I can hide it, seeing as two people know now." It was totally fine, Damian was NOT stressed about his at all...totally.

Dick stood up, offering his hand to his little brother. Damian, for once, took it. "I'm not telling anyone but my wife. I'll tell her to keep quiet on the condition you stay over soon. Kori really misses you, you know." Damian nodded. "I suppose so." He stood and Dick frowned, glaring at Damian. "This is your second romance?" Damian nodded. "I figured Drake told you." Dick shrugged. "He didn't, I just guessed. Wait, Tim knew? But he doesn't know about this one?" Damian confirmed. "I told him because he and Dowd had just started. I needed a bit of help." Damian admitted. "God, you're so cute. Come on, let's go back to the manor, patrol is starting soon." Damian smiled with his brother. "Yeah, good idea." 

Chapter Text

Tim Drake was normally not this ornery, and neither was Duke Thomas. Yes, they messed around, who didn't? But this time, this was different. They had taken it too far and now, they were looking at each other with shock written on both their faces. Damian had a girlfriend! Like he was actually dating! Not that Tim was too surprised, he'd dated before but he kept it a secret for quite some time. That was what shocked him. You may be wondering though, how exactly did this start? How did they find out, and what are they going to do about it? Be patient and you will find out. So, without further ado, let's explain the scenario. 

It started on a late, boring night. Damian and most of the family had already retreated to their beds. Damian had, and Tim had peeked in just to make sure he was asleep. Noticing his steady breathing, Tim took that as an affirmative and nodded to Duke. They were going to play a tiny prank on Damian. They were going to hack into his phone as he slept. Nothing too bad, just a bout of bad judgement and a privacy breech. Damian might not even notice. He didn't seem like he was waking up anytime soon, if his quiet breaths were an indicator. Tim closed the door, letting his little brother dream on, undisturbed. He walked back to his room soundlessly, closing the door behind him. It clicked and he winced, hoping Damian wouldn't hear or care. "I think he's asleep, but he might've just woken up. I'm too scared to check." Tim admitted as Duke sat on his bed. "Dude, it's fine. We got thins. Just wait a few, he'll pass out again. Patrol was brutal today, and he always sleeps a little deeper after a long patrol." Tim was still worried, but he had no reason to be because it was true. In all honesty, Damian Wayne was sound asleep under his covers. He was breathing softly into his pillow, not a care in the world. Duke sat beside Tim as he worked, smiling with satisfaction. This was too easy.

"He really needs to get better at making his phone less hackable." Duke laughed. "I went to Babs for help with that." Tim said and Duke chuckled. "Me too." the two boys laughed and Tim smirked as he opened his photos. Nothing too bad, mostly Titus, Alfred the Cat, or other animals. Some funny photos of Jon, and other amusing but overall boring pictures. One was of a few people neither brother recognized. "It just dawned on me that we've only met Colin and Jon. This must be his friend group." Duke said. "Yeah, probably. I met that girl, Skyler, once." Tim pointed to the redheaded girl in the picture. "Hmm, oh well. Wait, let's check his messages!" Duke suggested and Tim laughed, tapping his brow. "Smart, let's do it!" He opened them up to find the top one to be text from a girl named 'Angel'. Tim raised a brow and his jaw dropped at the messages. Duke seemed impressed and also extremely entertained. 

Angel: Well, it's pretty late for us, why don't you get some rest? You just got home right?

Damian: Yeah, less than an hour ago. It is getting kind of late. 

Angel: Was patrol long tonight?

Damian: Not too long but it was chaotic. Also, for future reference, don't call it patrol. 

Angel: Oh, sorry. I'll call them walks from now on!

Damian: Good idea. I'm headed to bed, Habibi. I love you

Angel: I love you too, Damian. Goodnight

Damian: I'll call you tomorrow

Tim's mouth was dry his jaw was so low. "Damn, he has a girlfriend?" Duke asked. "She knows about the patrols, Duke! We have to confront him!" Duke flinched and reread the messages. "Holy shit, she does! Yeah, we have to ask him. But do we do it now or later?" he asked, putting a finger to his chin. "Later, he's got school. We have to let him sleep." Tim replied. "Okay, joke's over. I'm closing out of this. We confront him tomorrow. We'll cut comms and talk to him in uniform. He won't run away then." Duke nodded. Both felt bad now. They wouldn't need to confront him if this girl didn't know his identity, but they had to now. There was no way around it. For now, they'll let their little brother rest but come tomorrow, they'll be having a long talk. 

Damian awoke with a sense of dread. He had no idea why, but after his morning stretches, he felt something in his gut. Today would be interesting that was for sure. He just wished he knew why. He put on his uniform and caught Duke's eye as he came downstairs. "Morning, Dames." Duke greeted casually, or what he thought was casually. Damian noticed his hand tensing up a bit, and raised a brow. "Is your hand injured or what?" he joked as Duke reached up to pat Damian's head. "Oh, sorry. I think I slept on it. It'll untense throughout the day, I'm sure." Damian just looked at Duke with a puzzled expression before pouring himself some juice. That was weird. He thought but the funny feeling from this morning wouldn't go away. All day, Damian was uncomfortable. Skyler several times asked what was wrong and Damian had no reply. What was wrong? Was it really a good idea to patrol tonight? Is that what was eating at him? He had no idea. He shrugged it off to her, saying he probably was just on edge for no reason. Skyler warned him not to take his feelings for granted and went on with her day, finally. He agreed with her and sighed. Maybe he should call Marinette after school...

So, in the evening, he did. She hits accept instantly, and Damian sits at his desk. "Something feels off, today." He started off the call and Marinette frowns. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously. "I have no idea, that's the problem. How am I supposed to know when nothing has happened?" he groaned and Marinette sighed. "Like a general feeling of dread, is that it?" she asked and he confirms with a soft grunt. "I see, maybe you shouldn't uh...'walk' alone tonight. You know, change up your routine. Just to be safe. Two people is safer than one." she suggested. "That's not a bad idea, but how do I bring it up?" he inquired. "Hmm, with Chat I always just told him the truth. I think you should just say you feel uneasy. If you think something is going to happen, your body is trying to protect you. There's a reason you feel off, you and I both know what that's like. The day I defeated Monarch, I felt it." She admitted. You didn't tell me that before." he said softly. "Did I need to?" she asks him, and he knew the answer. "Look, I think you should say something, I kind of like having you around." she joked and he smiled. "Yeah, sure. I'll update you, Marinette. I love you." he said. "I love you too, and please do!" she said. He hung up and sighed. He felt better, but he was still concerned. Luckily for him, no actual harm was going to come from tonight. 

Damian got dressed into his Robin uniform, swallowing a lump in his throat. "Everything okay?" Duke asked, already ready to go. "Yeah." Damian confirmed. "Let's head out." Bruce ordered and everyone left the Batcave, eager to get patrol started. Duke and Tim followed Damian, who looked back with intrigue. "What?" he asked. "Nothing, we just don't want to leave you yet." Duke said smoothly. "Okay." Daman drawled, concerned and confused. Fifteen minutes later, Tim cuts his comms, and duke does the same. Damian follows suit as it begins to dawn on him that they needed to talk to him. "What is it?" He asked. "Sit down." Tim ordered. Damian and Duke sat with Tim, who stared at the moon for a few moments before speaking. 

"Why does your girlfriend know about our patrols?" Tim questioned and Damian's heart started beating really fast. "How did you know about that?" he snapped and Tim frowned. Duke fiddled with his hands. "So, we may have did a thing..." Duke started and Tim shook his head. "I'll take accountability for this, I convinced Duke it would be fun to hack your phone. We saw the messages." Damian slapped Tim's hand, who pulled away. He wasn't exactly shocked, but he was a tiny bit surprised. "Why would you do that?" Damian grumbled, glaring at the pair through his mask. "It was supposed to be a prank, we didn't expect to find anything." Duke defends and Tim sighed. "We didn't know you had anyone, we thought it would be funny until we saw the messages. Answer the question Robin, why does she know?" Tim demanded. "She's a hero too." He said and Duke raised a brow from in his suit. "Oh." The duo laughed and Damian rolled his eyes. "Who did you think I was dating? I have never dated a civilian." Damian. "You've never dated." Duke shot back and Tim shook his head. "He has." Tim confirmed and Duke's jaw dropped. "Really? Robin, you need to tell us, man. Red Robin, how did you know?" Duke inquired. "He told me. We were both in new relationships so I helped him." Tim confessed. "I see. We should really do something before the big bat gets mad, by the way." The trio got up and moved, checking for any suspicious activity as they talked. 

"So, what's she like?" Tim asked. "She's nice. She's also really witty when she needs to be." Damian replied. "Hobbies?" Duke chimed in. "She designs and sews. A lot of her outfits she wears are those she made." Tim nods in approval. "Nice. Where does she live?" Daman paused. "Paris." he admitted and Duke paused. "How did you meet her?" he inquired. "We met here, in Gotham. She was here for one school year." He says. "Oh I see. So, when can we meet her?" There was another pause. "She moves back in August." he told them. "It's March. Does anyone else know?" Tim asked, deadpan. "Nightwing, and one other person, I'm certain you can guess who." Alfred popped through both their minds. "Yeah, you can't sneak anything past him." Duke said as Tim snickers and says "Makes sense. When did Nightwing find out?" Damian landed on a rooftop and took a deep breath. "Two months ago, I think? We've been dating for a little over a year. It was around our anniversary." He replied. "Oh my god, a whole year? Robin!" Duke laughed. "That's all I'm telling you for now, meet me back home." Damian turned on his comms and they let him slip away. They turned their comms back on and checked their routes. 

"What else is there to know?" Tim asked. He was with Dick, Duke, and Damian. They were huddled on the couch, eating cookies. Alfred kept watch, keeping Bruce away. It wasn't difficult, Bruce was exhausted enough to where he went straight to his room to shower and collapse. "Can we see her? I haven't even seen her?" Damian pulled up a photo, the one from earlier. "The girl with her arm around me." He said. Sure enough, they missed it. She had her arm around his stomach, pulling him in. "Aww, she's so cute!" Dick said and Damian felt a smile forming over his face. "So, she's moving back in August?" Duke confirms. Damian nodded and Tim leaned back. "I still can't believe we never found out. It was so obvious!" He groaned and Dick laughed. "I thought that too. It's nice, seeing you love someone, Damian." He affirmed and Damian turned away to hide his blush. Alfred looked and in smiled, seeing Damian's red face. He instead looked down, and Tim shook his head. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I promise we won't tease you too much." he reassured his little brother who nodded. "Okay." Damian said. He leaned back onto the couch and yawned. "If there's nothing else, I have school tomorrow." He stood up and Dick leaned over to hug him. "Okay, good point. Goodnight." he said. Damian left and Tim shook his head in disbelief. "That just happened." He laughed. "Says the one who knew about the first one. You should not be shocked." Duke teased and Tim laughed. "You're right. I just hope this relationship lasts." He said. "Amen to that." Dick said, raising his mug of tea. They clinked their cups together and Dick said "To Damian's happiness!" They all repeated it and changed the topic. After all, Damian was no longer there to tease, and they wanted to leave it at that.

Chapter Text

Jason Todd entered Wayne Manor, stepping up from the Batcave. Alfred followed suit, walking right behind him. "I've made some tea and prepared the library for your visit. Your favorite authors are on the nearest shelf to the entrance." he sad and Jason touched his heart. "You've always been my favorite, Alfred." He cooed and Alfred chuckled. "You didn't have to do that, seriously." He smiled. "Well, you don't visit all that much, Master Jason. I wanted everything to be perfect for you." Jason kept his hand on his heart, reaching out with his other one patted Alfred's shoulder. "I think I'll be here for a little while, so I really appreciate it." Jason sat down, sharing some tea with Alfred and Damian came up as well. "You got school tomorrow?" Jason asked. "No, we're on spring break. I'll be here." Damian said. "Cool, so I guess I'll see you before dinner." Damian nodded. "Maybe." Tim added dryly. "I'm headed home soon, Bernard called." Tim said. "Have some tea beforehand, Tim." Bruce offered. "Sure thing." Tim grinned. Cass patted Jason's arm as she passed. "Glad you're here." She grinned, and he leaned into her touch. "Honestly, Cass? I am too." He admitted. These next few days were going to be chaotic, but in this family? When is it not? 

After a long sleep, Jason blinked awake and stretched in his old bed. He stood and felt his back pop, and he sighed in satisfaction. He knew what he wanted, and he was going to do it. He would eat, drink some coffee, and head to the library to read. He headed down the stairs, waving to Alfred lazily. "Good morning, hey Dami!" Damian waved, eating some avocado toast. "That's all you're eating?" Jason asked. "For now, yeah." Damian replied and Alfred whispered "I tried, he's too stubborn." Jason figured as much, and just watched over him, a tiniest bit concerned. "You did a lot last night, you should eat more." he tried but Damian wouldn't budge. "Not yet." Damian replied calmly, and Jason just nodded and smiled. He was overreacting and he knew it. He knew that Damian ate plenty but he could still fret over his youngest brother, right? Little did he know he wouldn't be fretting much longer. Bruce was grinning at Jason, not even bothering to hide his happiness behind his mug. "I'm glad you're here, son." He told Jason who smiled back. "Me too, B, me too." Now, he'd enjoy this food and coffee with some of his favorite people. And later, it was time for Jane Austen in the library. Well, in a little bit. 

Tim and Bernard walked into the manor as Jason was about to head up to the library. "Oh, hey Timmy!" Jason teased and Bernard smiled as Tim crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Hey, Bernard." Jason greeted and as always, Bernard shook his hand. "Is Damian here?" Jason nodded and Bernard walked upstairs. "Is he okay?" Jason asked and Tim smiled. "Yeah, Bernard likes Damian, so he tries to talk to him every time he comes over." Jason and Tim laughed together and Tim sat down on the couch with Jason. "Has Damian told you anything personal?" Tim inquired. "What? No...?" Jason murmured, confused. "Ah, forget I said anything." Tim chuckled nervously. "Uhm, okay? What the hell?" Jason's voice shook, confused and amused. "I wonder what that was about." Alfred smirked. "You know, you're too smug to not know." Jason grumbled. "Of course I do. You can't hide from me." Jason chuckled. "Ain't that the the truth. I tried anyway." Alfred laughed back. "That you did, my boy. That you did." He walked off and Jason had to shrug off the conversation. He had to for his own sanity, the curiosity was admittedly killing him. He was so curious, and now he had to wait to find out. Luckily, he'd find out soon enough. 

Damian was sketching away in his bedroom, hunched over on his desk. He was drawing the line art for his art gallery submission. He was drawing his friend, Skyler. Marinette had suggested drawing her, actually and he agreed to do it. She wanted to see the finished product, but said it sounded fun, drawing a friend. Speaking of Marinette, she called as he was drawing. "Hello?" Damian started and she began to ramble on about school and how things were going. He let her talk for a while, and then got up and walked out of his room, heading towards the library, where Jason happened to be. This choice would obviously have consequences. But he didn't know that yet. 

Jason was settled in with 'Emma' in his lap. He was several chapters in, hovering over the book. He was smiling as he read, completely content. He had nearly completely forgotten his conversation with Tim and Alfred, having shelved that thought for later. His thought was if Damian wanted to tell him, he would. He couldn't force it, and so he wouldn't. He had no idea what was about to be in store for him. But, the universe was gracious, and would allow him in on the secret they were keeping, the one he had been perplexed by not knowing earlier. "Kent has been really annoying lately, that's an update." Damian said and Jason chuckled before pausing. Who was Damian talking to? He had a feeling that it was the conversation he had earlier. Was a partner the secret? Jason stopped thinking, stalling to listen as Damian leaned against the wall across from the library. "My older brother is here for the week. Yeah, it's my spring break. I'm glad this worked out. Who would've thought we'd have break at the same time? " Jason smiled. So it was at least a friend, from a different school it seemed. "Yes, the legally dead brother, Habibi. Keep up." Damian laughed. A girl laughed on the other side of the phone and Jason silently walked and pressed his ear to the library door to hear better. Habibi had already confirmed it, he was dating but he wanted details and fast. "No, Angel, come on. I don't really want to tell him right now." Jason paused and in a bout of stupidity, walked out of the library. "I'll uh...call you back, Marinette." He murmured softly. "Todd, you heard." Jason led Damian into the library. "Didn't want to tell me?" Jason asked softly. Damian blushed slightly. "It doesn't matter." he said, cringing as his voice came out harshly. "It does to me. Come sit, let's talk." 

Damian tapped his foot nervously as Jason finished his chapter of 'Emma'. Jason's smile hadn't returned, it wouldn't until he and Damian spoke. He stayed because he knew. Jason set the book down and looked him in the eyes. Green eyes meeting blue-green. "So, you didn't want to tell me that you had a girlfriend?" Damian sighed. "I didn't want to tell anyone, but people keep finding out. Grayson knows, Drake knows, Pennyworth obviously knows. Thomas knows as well." He complained. "Secrets aren't safe in this family, Dames. I can't blame you for wanting to hide it from people like Dick, and Tim I definitely understand, but i thought you trusted me." Damian nodded. "I don't really trust anyone." He said coldly. "Anyone but her?" Jason finished. "You certainly are a romantic, Todd. That's why I didn't want you knowing. The others tease me a lot, but you're romantic side is what I didn't want to mess with." Jason chuckled. "I can be romantic, but I can't hold a relationship to save my life, so sue me for wanting to know about someone else's love life for a minute." Damian smiled at him a bit and shook his head. "Tell me about her." Jason said. Damian couldn't decide why he opened up so quickly. Maybe he did trust Jason, or maybe he got used to that statement. It didn't matter. He opened up easily. 

"I was actually thinking of commissioning her myself." Damian admitted. "An online business sounds cool. That's a great idea! She'll love that!" Damian blushed. "You think so?" Jason nodded. "She was telling me about how she enjoys the commissions she gets." Damian considered. "You said she's also a hero?" Damian nodded. "Ladybug in Paris." Jason gasped. "A Parisian! Ooh la la! Oh Damian, you chose well." Jason laughed. "Thank you for telling me, Damian. I just want you to know that I can tell you how to not fuck this up." Damian shrugged. "Not be you or Grayson." he supplies. "That too." Jason chuckled. "Wait, can we call her?" Damian pulled out his phone at the suggestion. "Don't tell the others, they'll get jealous." he joked and Jason grinned. "Oh I won't." 

Marinette laughed and Damian felt his heart thumping away. Jason was watching his expression, grinning widely at his smitten, red face. He hid his face in his hands at one point. He was so happy, but so, so embarrassed. "Damian, are you coming close to finishing your drawing?" Marinette asked. Her accent was thick and her voice was squeaky but smooth. Damian seemed like he couldn't get enough of it. "Nearly." he lied and she scoffed. "Damian Wayne, finish the drawing soon!" she huffed and Damian let out a small "Yes Ma'am." and Jason burst out laughing. "Oh my God! You two are so ridiculously adorable." Jason cackled. "Shut it, Todd!" Damian frowned, glaring at him. "Well, it's just amusing. Seeing you like this. I have never seen you act like this." He laughed. "Yeah, yeah." Damian groaned. "Amore, he's just teasing." Jason's jaw dropped at he nickname, and he suppressed his urge to tease him. "I know." Damian smiled. Jason guessed it was okay. He was sixteen, and now he was in love. It wasn't surprising, most the kids had been in at least one serious relationship by then. Dick had Kori, Tim and Steph used to date, etc. Jason was overjoyed though, Damian was happy, like really  happy. Happier than he had ever seen him. Which raised a question in his mind- How had the family not caught on? He didn't voice that question but Damian caught on. "Why I everyone asking that?" he groaned and Marinette laughed. "Genuine question." Jason murmured. "I didn't tell anyone." Damian answered simply. "Well there's that." Jason replied plainly. Marinette listened for a little bit and then said she had to go. "Oh okay, Habibi. I love you." Damian said and Jason's grin couldn't get any bigger. "Love you too, goodbye!" Jason surprised Damian with a hug, and Damian sputtered as he fought his way out of it. "I'm so damn proud of you, Damian." His younger brother paused and for a split second, hugged his back. "Yeah." Damian murmured. "If you need anything, just tell me. I will help you out. I' your brother, don't be afraid to tell me things, okay?" Damian nodded. "Do you think I should tell Father?" he inquired. "Well, I wouldn't go that far. Maybe Cass or Steph. Babs wouldn't judge." 

"Gordon probably knows. Drake hacked my phone and found out. I doubt she doesn't know by now. She's Oracle." Damian reasoned. "True. So Cass or Steph would be my bet." Damian nodded. "I know that I'm a romantic, Damian, and I might be delusional, but she could be your forever partner, you know? I really think you have a shot at true love with Marinette. She really seems to get you." Damian smiled, taking this in. "She does. She understands me more than anyone else." Jason laid on the couch and smiled. "Great. I really think this could be the one. Again, I'm a very poetic man so take this with a grain of salt." Jason said. "I will and uh...Todd?" Jason sat up. "Thank you." Damian walked out shyly and He laid down again. Damian was doing great. God damn it, Jason was so so proud of him. Finding love, joining an art competition, he was doing fantastic and Jason couldn't have been prouder. "Good luck, Damian. I'm rooting for you." 

Chapter Text

Cassandra Cain wasn’t exactly snooping, she was not. She was just simply looking for a pen in Damian’s bedroom. What? He has dozens of them, certainly she could just take one, right? That’s all she was doing, and she stands by that. Damian was currently out, she had no idea where but he wasn’t home. Perhaps he was at art club, or maybe he was with some friends after school. 

So, she grabbed a pen from his pen jar and happened to see a sticky note on his nearby laptop. That was where she’d first got an inkling suspicion. On it was a to do list. At first, it was simple. 

• Get new sketchbook
• Patrol
• Get Marinette more fabric

Cassandra raised a brow. Who the fuck was Marinette? Not that she was too curious but she was allowed to be at least a little, right? Well, if not that would suck. So, she just did quick peeks around her brother’s room. Nothing crazy or invasive. Just tiny peeks to see what was going on. She walked out after looking at his sketches, and seeing his computer background. Nothing. She wasn’t disappointed, just curious. 

“Damian, I have your pen.” She told him as he came in. “Okay, you don’t have to give it back, I have more.” He called back. He was acting casually, like he had no worries about her being in his room. She let out a sigh as Tim sat next to her. “It’s been a while.” She said. “A month since I last stayed over, at least. How’s everything going?” He asked and she simply shrugged. She didn’t dare ask but he caught her gaze. “What?” He asked. “Is Damian dating?” She inquired and he just smirked at her, one that gave her an answer. “I thought so.” She said, clearing her throat after a tiny gasp. 

“Bruce doesn’t know, so please refrain from saying anything to him.” Tim told her and she nodded. “Okay.” She replied, turning to look at Alfred who was walking over. “Tea, you two?” He asked, setting down a teapot before they could respond. He came back with cups and served them, and Cass realized there were three. “I heard your little chat, my apologies. I think it’s best to let Master Damian know you know.” He told her and she nodded seriously. “He’ll be relieved that you know, honestly. It’s not like you’ll tell anyone.” Tim agreed. “Really?” She asked. “He trusts you greatly.” Alfred confirmed. “I’ll tell him.” She said, smiling at them. After all, she was close with him. They’d bonded over their similar experiences with the league. He’d be okay with her knowing, right?

Damian felt calm, actually. He was warm in his room, looking down at his sketchbook. Marinette was on the phone, smiling as his brows furrowed with concentration. “It’s just a rough sketch. You don’t have to finish it tonight.” She reassured him. “The sooner I get it done, the sooner I can focus on something else. You move here in just a few months and I want more time to prepare.” Marinette giggled. “Prepare for what? You have something in mind?” Damian smirked. “I have a few things to do before you move here, we’ll say that.” Marinette raised a brow but otherwise kept her face neutral. In all reality, he was making some stuff for her. He’d taken up sewing just for it. He was making room decorations and a new jacket for Gotham. She’d need it, Gotham was always cold. 

A knock on his door made him hang up and Cass opened the door to see a scowling Damian. It dropped once he realized who she was. “I was not expecting you to be at the door, Cass.” He said. She smiled and walked over to his bed, sitting down as he turned his swivel chair to face her. “Why are you in here?” He inquired. “I know.” She said and he stared at her, annoyance and confusion written on his face. “About what?” He asked. “Marinette.” His face softened and he sighed. “ who doesn’t at this point.” He grumbled under his breath. “That’s okay, right?” She asked and he nodded. “Ask what you want.” He murmured. 

“No questions. You tell me what you feel I should know.” She replied. “Well, we met last year in school, she’s moving here soon and she’s an artist. She wants to be a designer, she does commissions online. Her name is Marinette and she currently resides in Paris.” Cass smiled. “I see. I am happy for you. Anything else?” She asks. “What else? Hmm… well she is learning Mandarin and is like I said, skilled in art. Her parents taught her how to bake, too. Her parents own a bakery in Paris.” Cass hadn’t stopped smiling. She could see it. The subtle pride in his voice and the instinctual softening of his eyes. He was in love and it was clear to her. “What?” He asked, dropping his smile. “Is it love?” It had just slipped out, surprising both of them. 

“Seriously, you too? Why is everyone asking me that?” He groaned, and Cass sighed. “It is a little obvious.” He nodded, opening his green eyes and taking a deep breath. “I do love her.” He confessed. “I’ve told her so.” Now that was surprising! Damian was rarely vulnerable with anyone, this conversation was pushing it but damn was it satisfying to know that. “I see.” She said, smothering her chuckle with a cough. “I heard that.” Damian said, starting to smile again. Cassandra got up and he waved to get her attention. “I’m telling Father soon. Just let me tell him.” She turned towards the door. “Also you can ask more questions if you want to. In a little bit.” He said shyly. “I may. See you at dinner, little brother.” She waved and he gave a wave back. Maybe Cass knowing wasn’t so bad.