Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Danika and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Daughter Of Batman 2 Chapter 2
A night or two have passed since that mess with Anton Schott.
Things have calmed down somewhat at home yet the mystery of what actually happened with the Dollmaker is still up in the air with Damian refusing to divulge anything about who really took the psychopath's life.
The only clue was the singular owl feather that had been out of place sticking out of the Dollmaker's mask.
As far as anyone knows the case is closed.
For the time being at least.
At present Bruce is having a dinner date with his girlfriend of some months Samantha Vannevar, a wealthy Gotham socialite, at Wayne Manor.
Damian and Danika are relatively out of the way, keeping out of sight and staying out of mischief.
It's only when dinner has officially reached its end and Bruce takes Samantha into one of Wayne Manor's numerous libraries that things get interesting. In the library he takes Samantha to the room that holds an intricate and highly detailed diorama of how he pictures Gotham to one day be.
Damian is reading quietly on the couch and Danika is on the second level browsing the shelves when they enter.
Eyeing the diorama interestedly, Samantha said "A new hobby?"
"An old one actually. The care and feeding of Gotham City," answered Bruce.
"Hm, that's one of the things that brought us together, wasn't it," said Samantha, circling around the makeshift Gotham City. "The Waynes and the Vannevars have both spent generations trying to make this city great."
"My father had a saying, 'Tomorrow is one dream away'," said Bruce, reminiscently. "Sentimental words, I know, but they stayed with me even after my parents were killed. Rather than focus on the demons, on the darkness, on all that's wrong with Gotham, something I've been guilty of for too many years, it's time to focus on how exceptional this city is, and how much better it can be, will be, tomorrow." All at once digital additions are made to the model, showing all the alterations Bruce sees can improve Gotham for the better. "But before we can build it, we have to dream it. And luckily, I have the imagination and the capital to do both."
"And all they write about is the billionaire playboy," said Samantha, silkily, cupping his cheek with a smooth hand, nails lightly tracing his skin.
Wrapping an arm around her waist to bring her closer, Bruce said "Not to worry, he's here too."
The two then close the distance to share a kiss.
That's when Damian decides to make his and Danika's presence known.
Damian releases a loud snore, pretending he'd been sleeping the entire time.
Danika slaps a hand over her lips, muffling the enormous giggle that's fighting to break free.
Yawning and stretching, rubbing his eyes as if he's just waking up, Damian sighed "I was reading. I must have fallen asleep. What's…What's going on?"
Bruce is not fooled by the display, but Samantha certainly is.
"Oh, and who might this be," said Samantha, curiously.
"I'm Damian, Bruce's-," began Damian.
"My ward. Well…he will be. Soon," clarified Bruce, making the introductions as he scans the 2nd level of the library searchingly. "He has a sister that I've, also, taken in. She should be nearby. Danika!"
"I'm here," said Danika, revealing herself at the railing.
Beckoning her to come down, Bruce said "Come meet our guest."
Danika obeys climbing down the ladder.
"This is twice you've surprised me tonight," said Samantha to Bruce.
"The twins have had a difficult life and I don't want those vultures in the Press Corps descending on them just yet. So we've been…," said Bruce, kneeling down to their height.
"Keeping us a secret," said Damian, a touch of annoyance in his carefully layered tone to barely be feasible.
"Only until the paperwork is finalized. Then we'll proudly announce the newest additions to our family," said Bruce, ruffing the hair on Damian's head and pushing a loss strand from Danika's bun behind her ear. "I should have told you, Samantha, but…"
"No, there's nothing to apologize for," assured Samantha admiringly, cupping Damian and Danika's chins in her palms. "You've taken these unfortunate children and given them a chance at a better life. You have to do it your way. I respect that."
Danika already doesn't like this one.
At the same moment, Samantha's cell phone goes off. Checking the message, a flash of displeasure crosses her face.
"Damn! Emergency board meeting," said Samantha, irritated.
"Is everything all right," inquired Bruce.
"I'll tell them to reschedule," said Samantha, shrugging it off.
Shaking his head, Bruce said "No. No, you should go. We'll have other nights."
"I'll look forward to them," said Samantha, seductively, leaning forward to kiss him on the lips.
Damian subtly rolls his eyes at the gesture, Danika lightly elbowing him in the midriff.
"And I look forward to seeing more of you, Damian, Danika. I'll call you tomorrow, Bruce," said Samantha, politely shaking each of their hands in greeting and farewell and blowing Bruce a kiss as she leaves.
Only after Samantha's footsteps fade down the hallway are the facades thrown aside.
"You were awake the whole time, weren't you," said Bruce, flatly.
Imperiously petulant, Damian said "Not the whole time. She's very attractive, a hair pretentious. Definitely a little shallow, but…"
Is Damian talking about Samantha or himself?
In amusement, tearing the book from Damian's arms to check the title, Bruce said "What are you reading?"
"I've been working my way through Dickens. What I'd do wrong now," said Damian, indignantly.
Smiling, handing the book back, Bruce said "Nothing. The fact is, I tore through Dickens when I was just about your age. You ever see the 1948 version directed by David Lean?"
"Our Grandfather wasn't much of a movie phenetic," said Danika, somberly. "Not much of a movie buff."
"Well, I am," said Bruce, reaching Alfred through the intercom. "Alfred."
"Yes, sir," said Alfred.
"Popcorn, drenched in butter. And open up the screening room," said Bruce.
"I'd reconsider the butter, Sir," advised Alfred, knowingly. "Terrible for the cholesterol."
"You know what, Alfred, let's be daring tonight," said Bruce.
"As you wish, Sir," said Alfred, cutting off the communication.
"Coming," said Bruce, invitingly.
The twins exchange smiles.
"Okay, but I'm not sharing. I want my own bowl," said Damian, running out of the room.
"Can I have one, too? He'll hog it all," said Danika.
Later on, during that same evening, when supposedly everyone else is asleep Damian goes to sneak out of the Manor. He's met with the array of security measures laced throughout the property for their protection. Having gone through the bulk of them already Damian expertly maneuvers around them until he reaches the stone walls. Turns out Bruce had done a certain modification to repel Damian. The bars on the metal fencing that emerge from the brick electrify Damian as soon as he touches them.
Landing on his back, winded, Damian groaned "That's a lot better."
Bruce disarms the defenses once he's sure he has Damian trapped.
Danika is nowhere to be seen.
A brow raised, Bruce said "You didn't really think I'd let you sneak out again."
Grunting as he stood, furiously, Damian accused "You've got me under surveillance?"
Arms crossed, Bruce said "I thought we were making some progress."
"You show me a movie and that gives you permission to make me a prisoner in my own house," shouted Damian, teeth gritted angrily.
Placing a hand on Damian's shoulder, Bruce said "It's for your own protection."
Shoving Bruce's hand off and poking a finger into his shoulder, Damian said "Bad enough you won't let me out in public as Damian. The least you could do is let Robin have a life."
Bruce grabs Damian's wrist, the expression on his face warning him to watch it.
Patiently, Bruce said "If you were a little more trustworthy, I would."
"Like Danika. I'm sure she must've been the one to tell you I was leaving," said Damian.
"Despite what you might think your sister didn't alert me that you were trying to leave. And unlike you, she hasn't been blatantly ignoring the rules and regulations I've put in place for you two. She's worked hard for it. You can do the same," said Bruce.
"You've never trusted me," spat Damian.
Sternly, Bruce said "Trust has to be earned, Damian."
"That works both ways," scoffed Damian, stomping back toward the mansion.
Bruce watches him go, expressionless.
From behind the curtains in her warm Danika has seen and heard everything. As Damian returns the sadness in her deepens, the internal struggle taking an even stronger hold.
Authors Note:
Just a heads up to those of you who aren't aware of this yet, Email alerts for this website are now only active if Email opts is enabled in account settings.
For those of you who are wondering heavily on whether or not Bruce is ever going to permit Danika to use the Moonstone's power again, well, here's a little tidbit for you. Let's just say that some circumstances will arise that'll make Bruce rethink options about Danika using the Moonstone, but only when it doesn't go against his morals.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
By the way whose been watching House of the Dragon? I am so in love with Prince Daemon. He is a dream. Matt Smith was the perfect person to play that character.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure.