Rites of Passage | Damian x OC

30. Homecoming

Chapter 30: Homecoming

It wasn't very often that his family would go on public outings, but when they did, dinner was usually a go-to choice. Bruce had suggested the other day that he, Damian, Selina, and Alfred spend an evening at the high-end restaurant they'd visited a handful of times (the same one Jess had worked at during the summer), something they had not done in a few months.

Five minutes before their reservation, the four of them stepped through the restaurant's double doors. Damian, dressed crisply in all black with an open blazer thrown over a turtleneck, trailed after his father to the young woman greeting them. He was vaguely aware of her exchanging words with Bruce as he took in the familiar golden albeit dim lighting and soft elevator music, but more obvious were the stares of recognition following them as they were led to the circular table in the far corner of the establishment. Some guests were much more inconspicuous when it came to watching the two Waynes pass through, and although it was something that happened frequently, Damian somehow found it particularly bothersome this time around. There were a few faces he recognized from past galas or other events that had required the presence of Gotham's elite and socialites — one was a businessman that Bruce had nodded towards and another woman was from the mayor's office. The servers that bustled to and fro were distinguishable by their white button-ups and black aprons, and one of them approached their table as soon as they were seated.

That was when Damian noticed that Alfred had sat on his left yet there was another chair, an empty, fifth one, to his right. Raising a brow, he glanced at his father, who was speaking with the middle-aged waiter that was listening intently to what he was saying.

As soon as he left to fetch the wine bottle Bruce had requested, the younger Wayne tilted his head toward the empty seat. "Are we expecting someone else?"

Blue eyes landed on him innocently as his father reached to adjust his tie. "Oh, yes. We have Weston Hess joining us tonight. It seems he's running a bit late though."

"I wasn't aware."

"It was last minute," Bruce explained with a small smile. "I changed the reservation this morning."

Hmph. Why on earth would Weston Hess, a mere member of the private sector, be joining them for dinner? Damian's gaze darted to Alfred and then Selina, but they were both occupied with the thick menus before them. Bruce seemed to have quickly forgotten about Damian's curiosity, leaning over to ask his fiancée what she was considering. It wasn't that the young man had any particular issue with having another guest join them — though there had certainly been times when he'd preferred that only family was involved — rather, it was the intriguing fact that his father had failed to mention it.

That and Damian was not a fan of Weston. He was, unfortunately, annoying with an unlikeable personality.

Deciding to overlook this new discovery, he picked up his menu though he had a fairly good idea what he'd order. He'd always been a fan of the mushroom risotto, though part of him was craving something lighter... Several minutes of consideration and light conversation with Alfred later, Damian checked his watch and saw that it was nearly fifteen past six. As if Weston wasn't already irritating — he was clearly not punctual either.

Before he could bring it up to his father, Bruce reached into his pocket and retrieved his vibrating phone. "This is Bruce," he answered. After a moment, he continued with a light smile, "That's alright. I'll send Damian out to get you..."

At that, Damian was giving him a look that said "Really, Father?" but the older Wayne only seemed to be amused by his son's expression.

"No, that's fine. He'll be out in a minute... Okay. See you soon."