Damirae week 2021
May 3rd: Pregnancy/ Parenthood & Family/ In-Laws
title: a cup of tea, please
summary: This is her first time being invited for dinner at the Wayne Mansion as his official girlfriend, and to say she's nervous would be the understatement of the year. While she waits for them to arrive from an emergency call, perhaps, a nice cup of tea can calm her poor heart.
.
The path connecting the gates to the main entrance is probably the longest she ever remembers walking in a long time, and the clicking of her black heels against the concrete is starting to sound too loud in her ears. She's miles away from Gotham, now, and the constant symphony of sirens that is always playing doesn't reach her ears anymore. The garden is enveloped in peace and quietness, the moonshine bathing the statues and trees with its delicate light.
The Wayne Mansion is a spectacular construction, indeed. Her lavender eyes can't stop looking around, carefully paying attention to all the details that make this place so impressive. The gothic style, the lit windows and the empowering towers make her feel incredibly small and she can't help the shivers that run down her spine when she sees the massive water fountain in front of her.
Perhaps, she thinks, it's a good thing that she came in alone. Raven doesn't know what kind of face she is making right now, but she knows for sure that her boyfriend would make fun of her for reacting like that. Due to a sudden call from the GCPD requesting the dynamic duo, the empath ended up teleporting herself from Jump City on her she would always grow worried whenever they received those emergency calls, Damian did promise to meet her at the mansion in one piece so the three of them could have dinner.
Oh, right, the dinner. She feels her heart skipping a beat at the thought, and she has to suppress the urge to bite her lower lip in order not to ruin her lipstick. Of all the monsters and bad guys she has had to face in her life, Raven doesn't recall ever being this nervous before. All of her primal emotions are screaming at her right now, and some of her inner demons— her father included— are telling her to run and hide in the depths of hell so she won't have to face what's to come.
She's having dinner with the Waynes. However, it's not just a simple dinner, no. It's her first dinner as Damian's official girlfriend— her first dinner meeting his father as his father. And even if she has already encountered Bruce Wayne many times before, she can't help but think things would be much easier if she believed he was just a rich and eccentric man.
It would certainly be easier if she didn't know he was, in fact, Batman.
Though she has never had any problems with Bruce since she's joined the Titans, Raven must admit that she does feel intimidated by the fact that her father-in-law is the Gotham City's very own Dark Knight. In all of their previous encounters, he has always been very cordial, never disrespecting her or any of her teammates. He is a good man, Damian says so himself. A good man with enough skills to go against every member of the Justice League without a single super-power.
He is a meticulous man, very precise and mysterious. He is her boss, and tonight, he is also her host.
It takes her a while to recompose herself from that wave of emotions, but eventually, Raven reaches the main entrance of the mansion. The mahogany doors are lustrous, and something tells her that the carved details were handmade decades ago. She takes one, last and deep breath, and finally, she reaches for the intercom with her index finger. A loud bell resonates inside the building, and before she has the time to rethink her choices, a muffled voice greets her.
"One moment, miss Roth."
At those words, the empath is left slightly startled, as she starts playing with her fingers. Judging by the few things she was told her about the manor, Raven believes it's safe to assume that voice on the speaker belongs to Alfred, the butler. According to her boyfriend's stories, he has been in the family for at least three generations and he's probably the one man who knows all of the secrets of the Waynes. Damian always speaks very fondly of him, saying he has always treated him like a boy instead of a potential assassin. Perhaps it wasn't a very wise decision at the very beginning, but it says a lot about the man he is.
It doesn't take long before the huge doors swing open in front of her, and as the lights start to creep out, it's like a whole new world is revealed in front of her. She slowly walks in, her eyes marveled by all the elegance oozing from every corner of that entrance hall, which is probably larger than the house she grew up in.
There's marble on the floor beneath her feet and a crystal chandelier hanging high above her head. Two spiral staircases unite the first and the second floors, and she notices as the walls are decorated with large, classical paintings of war and winter woods. There's a brunet woman beautiful portrayed in one of those frames, and something tells her she must be Bruce's mother. Though subtle, it's undeniable that Damian shares a lot of his delicate features with her.
He has her cheeks, she thinks, a tender smile taking over her lips. It's a pure emotion contrasting her current uneasiness, and right now, it's enough to provide her some sort of comfort.
Even if Raven is completely absorbed by whole scenario around her, she's quick to notice his presence in the room. Though her ears didn't realize exactly when he arrived at the entrance hall, her senses are quick to detect the way his warm emotions mingle with hers. There's a pinch of worry mixed with calmness, but mostly, she can feel a certain excitement building up inside him. It's completely different from what she feels coming from the Wayne men she knows, for it's lighter and consistent, and she can't help but feel welcomed by that.
She still doesn't even know his voice, but the empath is starting to understand why her boyfriend likes this man so much.
"Good evening, Miss Roth." He starts, speaking politely and never taking his eyes away from hers. He's dressed with a formal smoking, his black shoes perfectly shined and his gloves withe as the snow. "My name is Alfred, the butler. Welcome to the Wayne mansion. I apologize on behalf of Master Bruce and Master Damian, for they are still busy handling some matters in Gotham. They should be arriving shortly."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Alfred." Her voice is steady and low, as she tries her best to cause a good first impression. "I'm sure they must be taking care of some important business. There's no need for an apology. The city needs them, after all."
"You're a very kind, young lady. Please, allow me take your coat and walk you to the living room."
She offers him a smile in response, carefully removing the black coat covering her petit body and revealing her outfit. She's wearing a long, beige skirt that falls just above her calfs. Her onyx stilettos are giving her some extra inches, and a charcoal, sleeved shirt completes the set. For the material was a little transparent, it was possible to see her dark, lacy cropped beneath it, but according to Zatanna, it's not indecent or anything. While preparing for tonight, Damian told her not to worry about futile details, but it only felt natural for her to want to look presentable for this evening's event.
"Thank you, Alfred." She handles him the coat, and she realizes how careful he is as he puts it inside a hidden closet.
"You're welcome. Now, if you could accompany me."
"Of course." She nods, following behind his footsteps. They walk down a large hallway with frames also decorating the walls, and even if she wanted to stay and look carefully at every single one of them, Raven knows better than to risk getting lost. Instead, she keeps paying attention to the composed man leading the way, observing in awe as the living room finally comes to view.
As expected, it's another no by veryelegant room, filled with classical furniture and a gothic-themed fireplace that is responsible for keeping the area warm. Another large portrait hangs above it, and this time, that same woman is accompanied by a man very similar to Bruce himself. It's a powerful painting for newcomers such as herself, but she knows it probably has a deeper meaning for those living inside those walls.
The carpets now are thick enough to muffle her heels, and while she's distracted admiring the clocks spread around the living room, once more, his delicate voice bring her back to their reality. "Would you like a drink, Miss? Master Bruce has chosen a fine wine for the dinner, but feel free to ask me anything."
"Uhmm." She hums, pondering, her lips now pressed in a thin line. Though she doesn't want to sound rude, Raven isn't really a fan of wine. She doesn't hate it or anything like that, but it's undeniable that she doesn't have a high tolerance for alcohol. Once Bruce arrives, though, she will eventually have to share a glass with him, so, for now, she thinks it will be safer to avoid any liquor in order to prevent any embarrassing incident. "How about a cup of tea? I mean, only if it won't cause you too much trouble, Alfred."
"Non-sense. I will go boil the water immediately. Would you like any tea in particular?"
"Thank you very much, Alfred. And about the flavor… You can choose whatever you like, I guess. Damian once told me you know a lot about tea, so you probably know better than me when it comes to tea and the best choice for each occasion."
His expression freezes for a fraction of second, a certain surprise now lacing his emotions. "Oh, did he?"
"Yes, he did." She nods, offering him a soft smile. "He talks a lot about you, actually."
"Good things, I hope."
"The best, I assure you."
"Who would have thought…" He nods, accepting her words and it's as if she can sense a certain happiness in his voice. "Very well, I will go boil the water. If you need me, I will be in the kitchen. Please, make yourself at home."
"I will, thank you."
After nodding politely— because everythinghe does is polite— he turns around and walks away until he disappears in one of the many hallways she imagines this mansion to have. A soft smile takes over her lips as a warm sensation fills her chest. Alfred is really an amazing man. He's thoughtful and his emotions are as transparent as Damian's are filled with pride. Her first impressions on him are impeccable, and though he's very different from the entire Wayne familiar circle, Raven is starting to understand why their dynamic works.
Maybe, with time, she will come to a full conclusion on that matter.
For now, though, she's just happy to have finally met the man Damian always mentions whenever he's talking about home. And now that she's finally having the chance to add real images to his vague descriptions, well…
To say she's just impressed would be the understatement of the year.
Though she has been in the mansion for a while now, Raven is still finding it hard to get used to her surroundings. Perhaps it's the sepulchral silence or the fact that she's all alone in Batman's living room, but suddenly, she's starting to feel a mild anxiety creeping around. She's starting to feel self-conscious, as if she's been watched— which is very likely to be happening, for sure— and even if Alfred has told her to make herself at home, the empath realizes it's easier said than done.
She should've brought her book, damn it.
Her eyes are looking around in search of something to distract her from overreacting, but she soon realizes it's useless. All of that subjective pressure is starting to get the best of her, and chances are that, if that continues like that, she will be teleporting back home before Damian even gets back.
Raven needs to calm down. She needs to stop overthinking and get herself together.
She needs Alfred, preferably with that tea. And even if she doesn't really know where the kitchen is, it's not like she can't use her powers to help her find the butler.
Without sparing a second thought, her eyes are already glowing and some loose locks of her purple hair are lifting up. With just a little concentration, she's able to locate the only emotional human-being in the mansion and even if she doesn't know which corridor will take her to him, Raven decides to improvise.
A dark energy envelops her body, and in a blink of an eye, the empath is teleported to a dim-lit room that is filled with a slightly bitter citric fragrance she's very familiar with. It's Earl Grey tea, she knows. The scent invades her nostrils and she can feel her body calmly responding to it. She takes a deep breath, then, and that's when her eyes finally acknowledge the man responsible to that delicious aroma.
He's standing in front of the stove, the boiling water working its magic on the leaves floating above it. As it appears, he's following all the correct steps to brew the perfect Earl Grey and she doesn't feel like she can thank him enough for that.
She stands a couple of feet away from him, near a wooden table that has a porcelain tea cup that certainly belongs to an english crockery set. There are four stools near her, and she also notices the many kitchen utensils displayed around the room. The newspaper is resting next to a pair of reading glasses, and she wonders if that's what he was doing before she got here earlier this evening.
"Miss Roth, may I help you?" He speaks, not bothering to turn to face her, as he's delicately blending the black tea with Bergamot oil. Though she has literally just appeared behind his back, she noticed how he remained calm and focused. Years of living with that family must do that to a person, she thinks.
"Oh, Uhm… It's nothing, really." She starts, stumbling upon her own words like a 5-year-old child who was caught stealing cookies from the jar. Apparently, Raven didn't really think of a way to properly explain why she even bothered coming after him in the first place. "You see, Alfred, I was just… I was—"
"It's overwhelming, isn't it?" He speaks, and suddenly, it's like her worries dissipate in thin air. It's funny how she's the empath between them, and yet, he seems to know exactly what she's feeling right now. He's a good man, for sure.
"Yeah." She sighs, a smile on her face. "I guess I just didn't want to be alone in Batman's mansion. Do you mind if I stay here with you until they get back?"
"Of course not, Miss Roth. Please, sit and make yourself comfortable. The tea is almost ready."
"Thank you." She says, choosing one of the stools for her to sit. Even if it's not one of Bruce's expensive armchairs, Raven is feeling a lot more comfortable here, with him. "Also, I see that you've chosen Earl Grey… It's my favorite."
"I know it is, Miss Roth."
Her eyes widen for a moment, and slowly, she lets his words sink in. Few people in this world know such simple details about her life, and though she wouldn't take Damian for one to chit-chat about his girlfriend's favorite kind of tea, she's not oblivious to what that means.
They do get along, she can tell. And even if she can only make guesses on that matter, she definitely wants to know more about that relationship.
"So, Alfred…" She starts again, not really sure how to ask him those questions without sounding too nosy. "How was Damian before he joined the Titans? He talks a lot about you, his father and Dick; but never really about himself."
"Uhm… Master Damian is different from all the others." He states, finally turning off the flame of the stove. He lets it sit for a couple of seconds, only then opting to pour it in the cup he had separated for her. The scent is stronger now, and she can't wait for the temperature to drop just enough so she can take a sip of it. "He's the only one who wantedMaster Bruce to be his paternal figure, even if he might not be aware of that himself."
"And did he get what he wanted?"
"You perhaps need to spend more time with Master Bruce, my dear." He says, his voice laced with a certain sarcasm as his mustache slightly turns upwards.
"Well… I don't know how it was before, but I think they're starting to understand each other a little better now, right? At least that's the impression I get every time he goes back to the tower after a night patrol."
"I believe you're right, indeed. Both of them are too similar in many aspects, and I think it's safe to say they're making progress as father and son. An old man such as myself can only hope for them to find a balance."
"Damian Wayne finding balance in life… That's something I would love to see." She giggles, earning a side smile from him.
"He's changed a lot since the first time we met him. Master Damian is certainly no longer that irreverent child who's constantly angry and lost."
"Maybe that monastery did good for him."
"Well, not only the monastery, Miss Roth."
A comforting warmth creeps under her skin and she can't help but feel a sense of wholesomeness taking over her emotions. Though she doubts she's had all of that effect on him, it's nice to know she was able to make a difference, no matter how small it might have been.
Her boyfriend is a very complex man, filled with doubts and conflicts that might never come to an end. He struggles to become a new man without abandoning his past, and perhaps, that's the one thing she loves the most about him. He's unique, original in his own shape and colors. He's not trying to please anyone, and yet, even if he doesn't believe her words whenever she points it out, he's trying to be a hero.
He will be a fine leader someday, and she can't wait to be there by his side when his day arrives.
"Thank you, Alfred… For taking care of him when he was a little boy."
"It was only my job as the family's butler. I should be the one thanking you, Miss Roth. For taking care of him now that he's no longer one."
His old, wrinkled eyes are now looking at her, and there's an emotion there that Raven can't really name. It's pure and laced with honesty, and for a moment, she thinks this is how grandparents are supposed to look at their grandchildren.
It feels special to be looked at like that. It feels warm and safe in a whole different level, and she feels encouraged enough to talk to him about anything in the world. Her tastes, her doubts, fears, and mostly, the things she loves.
At last, she's beginning to understand the man behind the dynamic duo. At last, she beginning to understand why Damian loves him so much.
There's an inch of expectation in his face as she finally takes a sip of the tea, and she hopes he can see the satisfied look on her face after that. It's perfect, for sure. Perhaps the best Earl Grey she's ever had in her life. As expected from a man such as Alfred Pennyworth.
"It's delicious, Alfred." She nods, closing her eyes to savor the moment. "Would you like to drink with me?"
"Don't mind me, Miss. It's still too early for my tea."
"Oh, I see… Maybe next time, then?"
"Of course. Next time will be perfect."
Neither of them really knew for how long they've been talking, but eventually, their ears capture the sound of rushed footsteps coming from down the hallway. Unalarmed eyes turn their attention to the source of the new sound that has disturbed their chit-chat, and in a matter of seconds, a raven haired boy dressed in his black turtle-neck shirt appears.
"Alfred, we're home! He starts, sounding slightly breathless. "Have you seen Rav—" Though he did seem bit exasperated, at first, once his emerald eyes meet her amethyst one, it's as if time stops and he allows himself to breath. "Oh, there you are."
"Hi." She greets him, a warm smile now forming on her lips. "Took you long enough, Boy Wonder."
"You see, everything was going just fine until those lunatics decided it would be fun to rob the Gotham museum. Penguin was behind this one this time."
"And did you get him?" She asks, taking another sip of her tea.
"Not really… He escaped through the sewers, that bastard. Next time he won't stand a chance, though!"
"You'll get him next time, I'm sure."
"Yeah…" He nods, running his fingers through his dark locks. "Sorry to keep you waiting for so long."
"Oh, don't worry about it. Alfred here has kept me company while you were busy." She states, looking at the butler so they could exchange an honest glance. "Though I believe he's too polite to tell me to leave so I can stop distracting him from the important things he has to do."
"Nonsense, Miss Roth." Alfred states, no hesitation in his voice. "Our talk has proven itself quite amusing."
"I'm glad to know that. I really enjoyed our talk, too." She states, taking the last sip of her tea before finally standing up. She takes a few steps to get closer to Damian, who almost instinctively, places his hand right on her lower back. Their eyes meet once more, and there's a small smile playing on his lips.
"Good to see you two getting along. What were you two talking about?"
"You, of course."
"Me?" He lifts an eyebrow, and she watches amusedly as confusion takes over his face. "Can you be a little more specific?"
"Sure. We were talking about this silly game you play with all the girls you bring home for dinner." She teases, a sparkle lit inside her amethyst eyes. "Honestly, keeping us waiting all alone so close to Batman's secrets isn't a really good idea."
"TT." He scoffs, a pout decorating his face. "You're not funny."
"I would have to disagree, Master Damian. She's quite the spirituous one."
"Thank you, Alfred."
"You're welcome, Miss Roth."
"I'm clearly outnumbered here."
A giggle escapes her lips as she smiles at her new partner in crime. Alfred nods back at her, and once her attention returns tenderly towards her boyfriend, the butler clears his throat in order to get their attention. "Master Damian, why don't you take Miss Roth to the living room to meet your father? I'll be finishing the preparations for the dinner."
"Great idea, Alfred." Damian agrees, offering her his arm to hold as a true gentlemen would. "Shall we?"
"Of course." She nods, accepting his offer and bringing her body even closer to his. Her emotions feel lighter, and her chest is warmer now that she is getting to know more about him and his life away from the Titans. Her conversation with Alfred was very pleasant and she really hopes she can get another chance like this in a nearby future. "Thank you for keeping me company, Alfred. It was a real pleasure meeting you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Roth." He bows cordially, and she has no reason to doubt his words.
Both Alfred and Raven reach a mutual agreement, and carefully, she feels Damian carefully pulling her towards the corridor from where he came. The two lovers are about to walk away with their arms laced, but suddenly, the butler's voice stops them in their tracks.
"Master Damian, if I may…"
"What is it, Alfred?" Damian asks, curiosity now taking over both of them.
"You've found yourself a very nice girl and my old heart can't handle another emotionally inept Wayne. Don't let her slip away."
Her eyes widen at his statement and she can even feel a blush threatening to tinge her cheeks. A mix of feelings is running through her veins right now, and if anything, she feels her heart skipping a beat while waiting for Damian's answer to this.
Is he going to laugh it off?
Is he going to opt for one of the rude answers he's always giving Dick?
Is he going to—
Her train of thoughts is suddenly interrupted by the feeling of his other hand on top of her arm. His fingers caress her exposed skin, and for a moment, she hopes she doesn't look half as dumbfounded as she is inside. His emerald eyes are now looking deep into hers and all of the words disappear from her mind.
"I won't, Alfred." He answers, his voice an octave lower than before. "I certainly won't."
A soft smile slowly makes its way to her lips, and right now, she realizes how happy she is to be here. Not only she got to know the famous Alfred, but Raven also got the chance to know more about the man she holds so dear in her heart.
At last, they make their way to the dinning room where Bruce is probably waiting for them. They exchange smiles and a few words in order to catch up on the last couple of hours. There's a chuckle, a sigh and even a muffled sound that shall be kept in secret by the walls of the mansion. Without a hurry in the world, their feet keep moving forward, their arms never once untangling.
a/n: hapy Damirae week! This is my first time participating and I'm so excited! Thanks to this ship, I've met so many wonderful people and all I want right now is for our beloved ship to be showered with all the love and affection it deserves! Thank you all who have made me feel so welcomed and let's have a blast during this week! Hope you enjoy this one, and please, tell me what you think!