The Arrangement

CH 7 - Discussion

"I believe that went well enough" Syn said as they pulled over a few blocks away from her apartment. Just to be safe.

"Alfred is on our side. That we can assure" Damian said more for himself than for her.

"Yes, at least someone was won over tonight."

Tonight was less of a dinner and more like a calculated integration which wasn't surprising she just thought they'd be more subtle about it. Apparently not. " Tonight did not go as planned and for that I apologize".

"Don't be," she said, smiling at him. Damian takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze." I knew what I was getting myself into"

"It shouldn't have been that way."

"Perhaps time will help." he nodded but didn't believe it.

Not one bit.

-

Syn once again did not stay the night and instead fled into the night away from the family upon Damian insistence. He didn't want her to spend the night after dinner, fearing that his family would ambush her into a more proper integration. He was very adamant that she doesn't interact with his family, besides Alfred, without him present. He knew how she was and how his family was and knew what they would do to her. Despite being raised by Assassins, Syn somehow was still emotionally and mentally sensitive (In Damian's opinion), at least to those she deemed close, important, and family. He knew she had placed his family in the category of important, and that, unfortunately, gave them the power to hurt her without even touching her. And they would, knowing or not knowing they would. So He'd keep them away and her save for as long as possible. Or as long as they kept this shit up.

His family were assholes.

-

Silence was a very good intimidation tactic, especially when paired with small sounds. Like right now, Damian has been sitting across from his father's desk for the last 10 minutes, listening to nothing but the sound of his father typing away at his laptop. Honestly, it annoyed Damian rather than intimidated him. That's probably what his father wanted.

"she's gone." It wasn't a question.

"Indeed"

"When will she be back?"

"That is up to her." That's a lie. Damian had forbidden her from stepping foot in Gotham without his permission. Although if she asked, he wouldn't hesitate to allow her back into the city. Walk her in himself.

"How much do you know about her family?"

"I lived with them for a short period. They are honorable in their own way.

"They're assassins for hire."

"I said they are honorable not good. They have their oen honor code, values, and rules."

All the training in the world couldn't hide anger and digust. " They kill people"

"If this is all you wish to discuss. I'll take my leave" he stood up and turn to leave. He was done with this conversation. He should have never let it happened.

" I spoke with Dick. He told me of your plans to marry her." Damian scold as he gripped the back of the chair his back still to Bruce.

He should have known Grayson wouldn't have kept their conversation private, he shouldn't have assumed. This was not a conversation he wanted to have. He didn't want to speak to his father about any of this. He already made his views on Syn and her family clear. He didn't want to hear it.

"I'm going to marry her. we do not need your approval. She will be my wife, my family, whether you like it or not." He turns around to look at him " What I said to Dick stands. I will have my life with her with ot without you. You still have time . I'd recommend using it to get your head out of your ass."

Okay. Okay. Okay. That last comment was a bit much even he realized that after he left. But he, much like his father, was too prideful to turn around. Bruce couldn't really be angry, he was the cause of this.

Honestly, Bruce had never taken to any romantic partners in the family with the exception of Barbara and Stephanie. Barbara was part of the family and business before Dating Dick So it was allowed. She was a valued member. Stephanie joined the business and the family after breaking up with Tim so it was allowed once again. Any other romantic partners however not so much. StarFire was not approved Bruce caution Dick going into the relationship and forbid them from being public( which actually made sense her being a 6ft orange lady). Bruce didn't care for any of Tim's partners and no matter how series they got forbid him from revealing the family secret which actually lead to some of them ending. Same for Duke. No one likes being stood up with no reason. And if Jason had a romantic partner beyond a fling no one was aware of it. ( They were all quietly rooting for Roy)

Everyone's romantic life was either suffering or nonexistent. Damian didn't want to suffer like them. He had something and it was good even if they couldn't see it.