Chapter 36

Damian shuffled through some papers which had been left on his desk. He was trying to figure out why they were there and who they belonged to. Then his phone rang.

"Mar'i, I'm at work," he reminded her.

"I know. But this is important. I just left my father, who's fuming by the way."

"Huh? Why?"

"He heard that we were together and so he had a 'talk' to me about how I'm a big girl and can make my own decisions, but not to date 'the son of Bruce Wayne'."

"Wow. That's kind of hypocritical."

"Yeah, for some reason, Papa has more issue with your heritage than you as a person."

"You'd think Grayson would find the taking you to play con with me as a bigger problem than my father being Bruce Wayne."

Mar'i silently agreed with him. Damian glared at the couple of agents listening his his side of the conversation.

"You know what? I think I have an answer. Do you mind meeting for lunch?"

Damian stood tall as he waited for Mar'i to arrive. What he had in mind made his stomach turn and he wasn't even thinking of facing his father or Grayson.

Mar'i stepped out of a taxi and his heart almost stopped.

"Is there somewhere to eat lunch around here?" she asked as she looked around. There were stores around but no sign of one serving food. Not even a restaurant.

"Just around the corner," Damian responded. "But that's not why I asked you to meet me here." He motioned towards the nearest jewellery store, hoping she'd get the hint while feeling like the biggest idiot in the world.

"I don't think you're going to placate my father by buying me fancy jewellery."

"I agree. I am most likely going to infuriate him." Mar'i looked confused. "If you are alright with it, I was thinking of buying you the kind of jewellery that indicates a commitment to each other."

"Wait. Are you talking about an engagement ring? Or is it a promise ring?"

"The first one." Mar'i froze. "I am springing this on you, aren't I? I had been thinking and planning for a while but there was no time so-"

Mar'i started laughing and Damian gasped a moment later as she wrapped him in one of the tightest hugs he'd ever received.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"That's... great," Damian wheezed out. When Mar'i let go a moment later, he coughed. Her hugs were tight. "Now I know this wasn't the best proposal so maybe we don't need to tell anyone about it?" Or how nervous he was?

Mar'i grinned at him. "But I'm sure Peter and El will want the whole story. And maybe Chuck too, he strikes me as someone who loves a good romance story. And the Justice League."

Wait, what was that last one?

The White Collar office all cheered. Mar'i couldn't help holding up her ring as Damian slipped back behind his desk. Sadly, it wasn't out of the way as he was right there for everyone to talk to.

"I don't think you're going to get any work done," Peter said with a chuckle. He congratulated Damian warmly. "Come to dinner with Mar'i. El's going to be making those fancy little chickens you like."

"I wish I could but we're planning to tell our parents about the engagement tonight." Damian's stomach churned at the thought. He was mentally going through all the escape routes present in the Justice League's headquarters. While Mar'i could just fly back to Earth, he needed a better plan than 'fly into space'.

Peter gave a little 'ah' and actually looked worried. Damian suspected he had an idea just who they would be facing that evening.

"Are you going to be alright? I can't imagine her father being happy about her marrying a conman."

"Ex-conman. And he wouldn't have an issue with that. He has more of an issue with my father."

Peter seemed surprised by that. "But didn't your father-"

"Look after Grayson? Yes. That's probably the issue. He saw the way my father acted towards those who are important to him. My father is a good man but not very good at showing care. Grayson doesn't want that for his daughter."

"Why are you talking about Damian's father?" Chuck asked.

"Because Damian just got engaged," Peter responded a moment before realising who he was responding to. "Chuck?"

"What are you doing here?" Damian asked.

Chuck grinned. "Sarah sent my Mum a message and she cornered us and Dad today. I made my escape using the excuse of letting you know that we've booked flights for tomorrow evening."

"Wow. How bad was the reunion?"

Chuck made a face. It was somewhere between relieved and disgusted. "There's some kind of tension around them. I'm not sure if it's sexual or not and I don't want to know."

Damian couldn't help imagining Frost and Orion in a sexual situation. He shook his head in the hopes of removing the image. "Ew. Don't need the image."

"I know," Chuck sighed. Apparently, this image had been haunting him for a while. "Let's talk about something else. What's this about an engagement?"

It wasn't the entire Justice League gathered for this meeting. Nightstar; daughter of Nightwing and Starfire, called a select group to a 'meeting'. The roster included Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Batman of course. Nightwing was invited as well, even though he wasn't a full member of the Justice League.

Nightstar entered with Damian by her side. Damian was wearing a domino mask and one of Byron's suits. He had been out of the active community for so long that he didn't have an identity to use. He was too old for Robin but there was no other free title for him to take.

"I have an announcement to make!" Mar'i said, grinning wildly and with her feet not touching the ground.

"Let me guess," Green Arrow said, "you two are dating?" He had heard it from the young Red Hood, who was daughter to his ward. He couldn't help giving up the information in order to look smart.

Damian and Mar'i shared a look, grinning smugly.

"We were," Damian said. "Until this afternoon."

"You're engaged," Batman stated. He could see the ring and it was difficult for them to tell whether he approved or not.

Damian nodded while Mar'i showed off the ring. The room went up in cheers and congratulations.

"It's wonderful to be called here for a celebration, rather than an upcoming battle," Wonder Woman said. "Do you mind if we spread the news?"

"Not at all."

"I'd rather keep the ceremony private though," Damian said. "Especially since I plan to invite some of my friends."

"The FBI?" Batman said in a disapproving tone.

"And CIA."

"Charles is fine. The rest..." Batman trailed off, making it clear that he didn't approve.

"Good thing it's not your wedding and you aren't in charge," Nightwing said. "Give me a moment with your son."

Damian swallowed as Batman walked away. Nightwing glared at him, sending a chill down his spine. To Damian, this was more intimidating than the Batglare.

"Take care of my daughter or else," Nightwing said.

Don't ask 'or else what?', just don't ask; Damian kept repeating in his head. He didn't want to know any of the many plans Nightwing had for getting revenge should Damian hurt Mar'i.

"Dad."

"Starshine! Congratulations!" Nightwing hugged his daughter. Mar'i hugged him back, knowing full well the kind of conversation which she had interrupted.

"That went well," she said after Nightwing was pulled away by Superman. "See, they can't really react with everyone around!" Batman was in the corner, unreadable as ever while Nightwing was working the room and keeping a cheery expression.

"I'm spending the night at Peter's," Damian said. "The last thing I need is Batman and Nightwing coming through the window."