Author's Notes:
I have to warn you guys.
When I say this will go bad, no on will die. I swear.
But. It will take years for them to have their Happy Ending.
And I swear there is a happy ending. (Initially it was supposed to be a open ending)
~.~.~.~.~.~
It was finally Damian Wayne's Birthday party. And yet she still hadn't heard from him. She was standing in his bedroom by the window, looking at the party outside. She was already ready and the guests had started to arrive.
Raven could see Bruce Wayne from her vantage point welcoming the guest like the businessman that he is. A warm and friendly smile on his face. But it only made Raven even more worried.
She was supposed to go arm-in-arm with Damian, but why wasn't he here?
A part of her was worried that something bad happened to him.
A knock then came from the open bedroom door. Raven turned; her brows furrowed.
Even in the dark Raven's curvy silhouette was clear from where Dick stood at Damian's bedroom door.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you." Dick smiled weakly and Raven blinked and her expression softened.
"Oh no, it's not like that." She waved at him smiling then glanced out. "I'm just a little nervous, this looks like a really important party."
"Don't worry about anything, you're practically a part of the family. And let's be honest, the Waynes aren't really known to be the most proper. So, if anything, it's you who might set the bar for us." He told her with a small smile as he approached her and she laughed.
"Me? Set the bar?" She shook her head.
"I'm sorry," He stood before her, eyes twitching a little and it made Raven afraid of his next words. "Damian isn't here yet, and as the older brother," He playfully winked at her and smiled faintly, "I hope you don't mind me escorting you."
Raven did not answer and so Dick added, "Cassandra is with Tim because Steph can't make it, so it's either me or Jason and I think I'm the better option." He extended his bent elbow.
And Raven couldn't help but giggle at the thought of her going hand in hand with Jason, in some way the image reminded her of a grouchy Damian "Oh, yes, I have to agree, you seem like the better choice." She slipped her hand on his arm.
"What can I say, I am far more charming!" Dick shrugged with a small boyish smile as they made their way out of Damian's bedroom. Midway Dick stopped and placed his free hand over Raven's hand that was on his arm as he turned to look at her as she stared back.
The worry that was forgotten slowly crept back up at the way Dick was looking at her.
"He's coming. He promised." He reassured her and she blinked and looked away.
"Yeah. He promised." She repeated in a faint whisper.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Raven was left alone because the Waynes had to do their rounds of formalities and she didn't really know anyone here. Though, she literally avoided everyone's gazes. She could feel all their questioning eyes the moment she stepped out of the mansion with Dick Greyson.
She studied the bubbles in her champagne glass feeling out of place. This kind of world really wasn't for her.
The party was held on their lawn, with strings of light curtaining the area. The food was in small portions and everyone here was mostly talking. It was really just a social function to strengthen business relations rather than an intimate birthday party.
Bruce called for everyone's attention, "Good evening, everyone, it seems like the birthday boy is running late," He chuckled with a friendly and charming smile on his lips. It seemed that this charm was something his children mastered too.
Damian had it too.
Raven blinked; her facial expression neutral.
"He unfortunately took after me," Bruce added and everyone laughed, it was known that Bruce wasn't always on time for functions like this. "But he said he will be here in a bit. I hope you all can patiently wait."
Raven happened to turn her head a little and saw a boyish figure in white pants, wearing a white shirt under his blue jacket with a red necktie. He seemed to have come from the house. The man's blue eyes noticed her and he jogged his way to her.
"You stick out like a sore thumb, Jon." Raven smiled as he reached her. "Almost everyone here seems to be wearing black." She glanced at Dick, Tim and Jason, even Cassandra was wearing a black dress.
Was this really a birthday party? She couldn't help but briefly wonder. Most birthday parties would look festive and yet this looked somber.
But to be fair, black was literally the Wayne's family color.
With the bright lights Raven was able to study everyone's outfits. Dick, Tim and Jason were wearing a black suit, but there were of course differences in how they dressed. Likely a reflection to their different personalities and roles in the family.
Dick for example wore a white shirt under a black vest with a matching jacket and wore a black tie and everything was neatly buttoned, while talking to a guest.
Jason only had a deep red shirt under his unbuttoned jacket, in fact, his shirt's collar was over his jacket collar, and the first button of his shirt was undone. He even had a thick chain necklace that rested over his collarbone. He was standing beside Cassandra and they looked like they didn't want to be here. But in the case of Jason, he wasn't really hiding it, he was pretty much scowling.
Cassandra was also wearing black. A simple dress at the front with a high collar design but the back was scooped with a deep cowl. She had a blank expression looking at everyone, then turned to Jason and looked like she was scolding him.
Tim wore a white shirt and a red tie, all his buttons properly buttoned as he talked to some guests and looked like he was entertaining them quite well.
Cassandra was known to be someone of little words so it was normal that she wasn't mingling. Jason was known to mingle here and there but nothing like his brothers, Tim and Dick who were the best at talking business. Damian takes third place when he has to.
Raven smiled at Jon, kind of thankful to see a familiar face. Suddenly there was a bout of playfulness that came out from within her.
"Jon…" Her smile turned teasingly and he looked at her confusedly and then frowned.
"Oh, I know that look, you got that from Damian." He was almost fully scowling but it didn't form because Raven's hands were against his chest tugging at his suit by the lapels.
He looked down at his chest and particularly at her hands.
"You look like your dad." His blue eyes glanced back at her face and he realized that she was a bit too close to his face. He couldn't help the blush that formed through his cheeks.
"You know you'd think if your best friend is a billionaire, he'd at least buy me a suit if everyone was going to wear black." He rapidly brushed her hands off of him, "The invitation said semi-formal, why is everyone here wearing black, and others are actually wearing a tux."
Raven laughed at him, "Well, there are some wearing grey suits and dark blue suits."
Jon crossed his arms and stared at her blankly, "I had to borrow my father's old suit."
Raven giggled, "I can see Clark wear that alright. But you know, you do kind of look like those fancy yacht owners." The playful glint still in her eyes and at the corner of her lips.
"Damian is a bad influence on you." He mumbled, shaking his head but his ears were now slightly pink.
She tried to smile but ultimately frowned.
Jon felt bad for mentioning Damian, it was clear his absence was weighing on her, "Why don't we dance? You need to enjoy yourself while we wait for him to come. He'd want that." He offered his hand to her and she stared at his outstretched hand, "I know he will be here."
The redness on his face was gone. Jon was taking his words and offer very seriously.
Raven nodded and gave a weak smile, placing her hand over his, "Yes, he promised." She lets him guide her to the dance floor.
But the music was slow. A live orchestra was at the side.
"Do you know how to dance?" Raven asked, placing her other hand on his shoulder.
"Remember? Damian taught me years ago, but… let's just sway side to side." He weakly smiled, and she giggled.
At first, Raven looked startled at his information, before smiling at him. "He was the one who taught me too…" She spoke softly as if recalling the memory.
"I'm sure he was a kinder teacher to you than me." Jon smiled and Raven laughed.
"Oh, I can imagine he was." Raven placed both her hands on his shoulder.
Raven glanced behind Jon, to look at Cassandra and Jason who were now accompanied by Dick and Tim. They seemed to be glancing at Raven and Jon but pretended to look elsewhere when Raven's eyes laid in their general direction.
To the public, they were known as Bruce Wayne's children.
"Jon, can you hear them?" She asked using her eyes to guide him.
Jon turned slowly, guiding her along as part of their little slow dance to see who she meant. When he saw the Bat Fam minus Bruce, who was still with other guests. Jon smiled at them and then settled to situate Raven and him in a way that their side profiles would be towards their hero peers.
"They are talking about Jason– that he needs to mingle." Jon smiled at her.
"So, no news of Damian?" She frowned and Jon couldn't help but mimic her frown. "I was hoping they were telling him off– that he's late."
"Sorry…" He couldn't help but say.
"No, there is no need to apologize, I was just hoping they were in contact with him…" Raven sighed looking opposite from where the Wayne kids were standing.
"Don't worry, I'm listening out for Damian, I'll tell you if I hear him arrive, of course." Jon guided their bodies to turn a little.
"Yeah, thanks." Raven's violet eyes were searching for one familiar figure, everyone else was just a blur to her. "Do you know where he is?"
"I'm sorry, no." He shook his head briefly. "But you know, he worries about you and thinks about you every time." Jon suddenly supplied and Raven froze for a moment. Her muscles are tightening at his words.
"I hope I'm not a distraction." She quietly replied as she willed herself to relax.
"You're his inspiration to always be the best version he can be." At those words, Raven's eyes flickered to look at Jon– directly into his blue eyes.
To the onlookers though, they looked way too intimate. Like lovers lost in each other's eyes.
"He's been working really hard to make sure you won't be asked to report." He quietly said, his lips barely moving scared that his words would be heard or read by someone. In fact, he had turned themselves to make his back face the bat siblings. "But I will be honest. This doesn't look good Rae."
Her eyes twitched at the information, "Don't say anything more Jon, I don't want to get you in trouble."
But the sad look on his face made her understand how bad things were. And that Damian was trying his best to keep everything under control.
It was Raven who broke away from his gaze as she resumed looking for her boyfriend with her eyes. She didn't know how to respond to Jon. His words echoed in her head. And he could see that she was bothered by what he said.
Knowing she didn't want to say anything, Jon figured he might as well keep an eye and ear out for a particular man.
Raven and Jon didn't notice that their hand positions had shifted. Raven's arms rested leisurely on Jon's shoulders. And Jon's hands were on her waist. The placement was quite intimate making onlookers think that they danced like that frequently.
The image was quite convincing if someone told them that they were a couple.
They were dancing, but they weren't even looking at each other. It was clear they were looking for someone. But their proximity was far too close. If they turned to each other, in the eyes of Dick, Tim, Jason, Cassandra, and everyone else who noticed Jon and Raven, they were certain they'd end up locking lips.
They continued like this longer than anyone thought they would.
"Will he even come?" Raven asked lower than a whisper, maybe just asking herself.
Jon turned to her concerned because it sounded like she was close to tears, he also felt her shiver a little under his hands. But when he turned, he realized just how close her head was to his that he was left frozen.
"I–" At the moment Jon spoke, a hand slipped on Raven's back, lower than where Jon was holding her. It was a very familiar hand to Raven– who turned her head to the other side and Jon took a step back so there was a bigger distance between Raven and Jon's faces.
"May I cut in?" Gentle green eyes were looking at Raven.
Jon turned his head too and saw Damian, "Of course." He immediately backed further away.
"Thanks." Damian patted Jon's shoulder.
Jon nodded, his eyes brushing Raven's face.
Raven looked like she was glowing at the sight of her boyfriend. She placed her hands on his chest, feeling his superbly made black suit under her soft hands.
Jon stepped away from the couple. And then turned around to go somewhere only he knew where to.
The moment Damian arrived; Raven did indeed have a glow to her. At least to those who were already attracted to and curious about this mystery woman. They believed she gained a special glow and became even more enchanting, the moment her eyes met Damian Wayne.
She had a small little smile, her hands now moving up to his shoulders, "I thought you weren't coming."
Damian looked shocked in such an exaggerated way that she knew it was all for a show to tease her and put a smile on her lips, "Me? Not come to my own birthday party?" His eyes were wide and so was his mouth that formed an o and with his free hand resting at his heart for a moment. And then that hand found her waist and pulled her closer, "I promise you, didn't I?"
Raven hummed, her hands feeling the cloth of his jacket.
Their eyes locked and at that moment as the couple discussed, those observers who thought Dick was Raven's lover, then maybe Jon, realized that she was Damian Wayne's secret girlfriend, because of all the males she has interacted with, Damian was the most intimate.
Their chests were practically against each other.
At one point, the onlookers were certain she was with Jon with how closely they were dancing, but it appeared that they were wrong. The closeness Damian and Raven shared was nothing in comparison to when she was with Jon.
Damian was also wearing a black suit but with a plain white formal shirt underneath with no tie. She raised a brow and brought her lips near his ears, "Hmm, this outfit looks oddly familiar." She purposely blew on his ear a little, "Are you wearing a thong underneath?" Her lips slowly turned up and even more so when she noticed her boyfriend's ears turn red.
She giggled as she pulled her head away and they continued to dance. "Even this hairstyle is almost exactly like that night." She brushed her fingers through his hair.
He pulled his head away a little, cheeks actually a bit pink, "Now, this is just helmet hair, I had to get here by bike and–" He stared at her and smiled, "The details aren't important, but it was challenging." He took a step back and looked at Raven's clothes.
Raven wore a black dress; it hugged her body nicely. But Damian could tell that it wasn't too tight, he knew it was quite comfortable. Her pale skin looked aglow against the black cloth of her dress– or maybe it was the light bouncing off her skin, he wasn't quite sure.
The hem of the dress is a few inches above her knees. She had on black high heels that covered her toes and strapped around her ankles. Her heels made them almost the same height.
The dress wasn't grand, it was rather plain. But he noticed that little peeping cleavage between the small v-cut at the center of her chest. It was an off-shoulder dress, Damian thought that it looked lower than Raven liked, but he can't deny that it made her shoulders and clavicle look really pleasing.
It suited her well.
A rather sly smile bloomed on his lips as he took a step closer to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"You look so beautiful." He whispered; eyes locked at her lips.
"We-we can't, people are watching," Raven whispered to her boyfriend, knowing instantly what he wanted because the desire in those bright green eyes was familiar.
"That's why you are here, to prove my girlfriend isn't a blowup doll," His face was dark for a moment "God, I hate Jason." She giggled at his words recalling the time Jason Todd told the press– well implied, that maybe his brother's girlfriend was inflatable.
"What's the best way to show them that you're real?" He asked, eyes glittering with mischievousness.
"A peck. "She answered back, eyes firm but her smile was sweet.
And that was what he did, a slow blink on Raven's part and the kiss was done. But her ears still turned pink from the interaction.
"I'm sorry, I'm late." His green eyes were swimming in guilt.
Raven couldn't help but look sad a little, cupped his face, and simply said, "As long as you aren't hurt." There was a pause, "You're not hurt right?" The panic is clear.
Damian shook his head, then merely rested his forehead against the side of her head, "No."
She sighed and adjusted her head so that their noses would be touching one another. His eyes were closed and she forgot that she was in a public place. She closed her eyes and let him sway their bodies to the soft violins.
"I had to pick something up…" He mumbled and Raven's eyes opened and she pulled her head away from him.
"Pick something up?" She asked, but Damian was not able to answer because a ringing came and captured everyone's attention.
"Everyone, it seems that the birthday boy has arrived, fashionably late, if I may add." Bruce smiled at his son, lifting his champagne glass.
Damian and Raven's heads turned to where Bruce was, she was about to pull away, but the arm on her waist guided her toward Bruce and she looked at him confusedly.
"I would love to officially introduce you to everyone. I asked everyone to leave their phones and cameras at the entrance for this reason." Damian smiled at her and his girlfriend looked startled.
"Well, that explains why I haven't seen anyone on their phones." She raised a brow and he weakly smiled at her as he hid his confusion, but he was a bit too late because she detected the confusion on his face.
"Yes, so that no one takes a picture of you, so we may keep your appearance a secret, the papers can talk about how you look, I made sure that there is a firm warning if anyone even dares to have you drawn by the description they give." Damian further explained and Raven nodded slowly.
"Did you change your mind?" He asked slowly and Raven was startled again and shook her head no.
"What? Of course not." Raven faintly recalled them talking about introducing her to his social circle as Damian Wayne's girlfriend, but she wasn't exactly certain if they did.
He smiled at her and it brought her comfort and she followed his lead.
They went to Bruce's side, who gave the couple a glass of champagne.
"It's my birthday but everyone must be wondering why I specifically requested for the attendees to leave their phones and cameras at the entrance." Damian started, "It's because there is someone very special that I want to introduce to everyone. People have wondered if my girlfriend is real, and here she is, in the flesh– contrary to popular belief– thanks to my brother Jason." Damian turned to Jason and lifted his champagne glass to Jason. And everyone laughed.
Jason playfully shrugged.
"This is my beautiful girlfriend Raven, and I hope you all understand that we wish to keep our relationship private, which is why it took so long for me to introduce her. So, I hope you all respect our desire for privacy and understand why I asked you all to leave your phones or any recording device at the entrance. And if you're wondering what her full name is, that is a secret, just another assurance that her identity remains mysterious." Damian smiled at Raven who just watched him talk the entire time.
To those looking, it must seem like she was head over heels for the youngest Wayne, and well, they weren't wrong.
"That is my birthday wish, so I'd appreciate it if everyone here would give us the privacy we ask for as your birthday gift to me." Damian smiled, lifting his champagne glass. And one by one his guests lifted their glass as if to agree to his demands.
Raven just kept staring at Damian, wondering how he was so charming that he could even make a room of socialites to follow his lead.
A born leader. That was what Damian was.
"Please, enjoy the party, everyone." He beamed a smile at people, who were– in all honesty, quite shocked at his friendliness.
The black-haired man beside Raven leaned toward Raven and whispered to her ear, away from everyone's view, "I have a gift for you."
Her surprise was quite clear on her face, "What? It's your birthday. Why am I getting a gift?"
He smiled at her genuinely, "The highlight of my life is you; how can I not give you a gift?"
The conflict in Raven's eyes was crystal clear, and Damian matched it with a strong neutral expression. He needed to look unconcerned by her reaction so that she would feel at ease.
"I should be the one giving you a gift." A soft whisper from her.
"Who said I won't accept it? I look forward to what you've prepared." He flashed her his pearly white teeth then guided Raven a little to the side while Bruce made a little speech.
She smiled at his words, the relief very clear: "Well, your gift is in your bedroom, I can't exactly put it on me…" Raven studied the man before her and it was clear that she had caused him to worry about her. "Well, I could think of a couple of places." She teased and seeing Damian shift made her calm down a little.
"Don't say anymore." He sighed hugging her and then pulled away, a hand inside his jacket. "My gift for you." He held a black velvet box that was too big for a ring or earrings. Her eyes locked at it waiting for the reveal.
With a smile, he gently opened the box, "This was why I was late, I had to pick it up– and there were some distractions." It was a simple necklace, a drop-shaped blue gem on a silver chain. "But I'm glad you aren't wearing anything around your neck."
She blinked, "It's beautiful." She said as he pulled the necklace off the box. Raven held the box as he went behind her and she lifted her hair to make it easier for him to put the necklace on her.
Once done, Damian stood before her and arranged the pendant. It rested just above her clavicle bone, "Beautiful." He added, then glanced at her violet eyes that were trying to look down on the pendant, her fingers tracing his gift.
"I thought of you when I saw it because of its clarity. To me, you have always been as clear as the bright sunny sky." Damian tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
But Raven could not answer. Or maybe she did not remember what she said.
Her fingers are still touching the stone.
She looked up at him with eyes filled with love, "Thank you."
He smiled back and brushed her cheek with his thumb. Then Damian told her that he had to go and meet some guests and that he did not want to drag her into those boring conversations, and suggested that she go and take a look at the buffet, so they could pick out what they'd eat in a bit.
Raven understood why he suggested such a thing and agreed to it. He was protecting the secrecy she wanted to maintain. Raven then found herself standing by a table with food lost in thought. Her head tilted down observing the varieties on the table.
"Hello, Raven." It was a familiar voice and Raven looked up and was startled.
BONUS SCENE
At the moment Damian arrived and intervened with Jon and Raven's dance, particularly where the children of Bruce Wayne stood, Tim was staring blankly at the three, and whispered softly. "Think they ever invited Jon as their third?"
Cassandra's eyebrow twitched. Dick's eyes widened.
Jason hollered and laughed. "Oh! I didn't expect that it would be Tim who would say that!"
Tim's face scrunched up, "Oh…I said that aloud?" He looked at everyone.
Cassandra smiled and patted Tim's shoulder. "Did you take your cup of coffee?"
"I didn't mean to say that aloud." Tim added, Jason placed an arm over Tim's shoulder.
"But it is quite the valid point, Timmy" Jason smiled, looked at Raven and Damian dancing and glanced at Dick. "If I had said that, Dick would have punished me." He patted Tim. "I always wondered how she could put up with Little D for so long. This explains it all, they spice it up by having Jon."
Dick rolled his eyes, "Alright, we need to go back and talk to our guests." Dick stated and glanced at everyone as he pulled Tim away from Jason. "That includes you, Jason."
Jason rolled his eyes, "I did my part already."
Dick blankly stared at him, "I'm not gonna cause a scene, and you shouldn't. So reel in all that playfulness you have right now Jay." And he stared at everyone with a firm gaze. "And we didn't have this conversation. This shouldn't get to Damian or we are all toast."
Tim struggled in Dick's grip, "I didn't mean to say it aloud."
"We are gonna get you a shot of espresso – maybe with a little something to wake you too." Dick pulled Tim, smiling to look amicable to their guests.
Cassandra quietly watched them walk away. Dick talked to a staff member, likely asking for the coffee for Tim. She turned her head to look at Raven and Damian, who then shared a kiss.
"I don't know if I should say this to you of all people, but I have been thinking that Raven has changed." Cassandra glanced at Jason and it seemed like they were on the same page.
"I have been thinking the same thing." Jason turned to look at the couple.
Raven's ears were a little pink, but there was a smile on her lips and she seemed to glow.
"Well, on the bright side, she seems happy when she's with him." Jason added.
"Particularly happy only when with Damian…" Cassandra mumbled.
Jason clicked his tongue, nodded and hid a small smile. As if saying, 'so it wasn't just him who noticed'.
Cassandra and Jason glanced at each other, secretly agreeing that what they discussed is between them.
~.~.~.~.~.~
Author's Notes:
I'm sure there are some who are upset with me. Don't worry, I'm digging my grave as we speak...
I am actually rushing to reach the 'worst' that I am talking about...asap...
Also, aren't the bad sibs interesting, there will be another alternate dialogue in the next chapter…if it ever gets posted…
