The UnTamed

CH 16

Asta pressed the fabric between her fingers. "It's soft," She said as she continued to rub the fabric against her skin. "of course, only the best," Damian said as he prepped her pain meds. She said she didn't need it, but he thought better safe than sorry.

"Who is going to be there?"

"All of my siblings, father and Alfred, will be present. Although-"

"He won't be seated at the table. I know." She felt him remove the needle and put a bandaid on her. Damian took the fabric from her hand. It was a dress, a simple, long black satin dress.

Soft.

Taking her hand, he helps her stand up, lifts her arms above her head, and slips the dress on. It slips on easily and gently falls on her shoulders. She turns around, allowing him to zip her up. He kisses her shoulder.

"Shoes?

"no, thank you. The dress is already too much."

"No, it's not. If anything, it's not enough."

"It's just dinner with your family. They've already seen me at my worst. Can't get any uglier."

"Astarea -"

She turned around. " Don't. They're waiting for us. Let's go."

-

Correct. They were waiting. Bruce sat at the head of the table with Dick, Cassandra, and Jason to his left and Tim and Duke to his right. Asta and Damian sat to the right. As they sat, Alfred began to bring out the food.

"Thank you," she said as Alfred put the last plate down. " I don't mean just for this. Thank you for caring for, healing, and allowing me to stay here. I know it couldn't have been -" Damian squeezes her hand, stopping the apology rant before it begins. " Thank you"

" You don't need to thank anyone here. You're family, and we'll always welcome you," Jason said.

" I couldn't agree more," Alfred said as he disappeared into the kitchen, leaving them to eat.

Asta held little to no Academics, surviving off of luck and animals' instincts. She could read ( not big words), count money, and do the basics as Eren taught, but not much. Just enough. So she knew she wasn't smart, very aware of her lack. Not a day in school being taught by another uneducated street kid, she knew what she needed to survive a day and nothing more. And this never really bothered her until she met Damian's family.

They were all educated, obviously, with the conversations they were having about companies, investments, stocks, etc., but they also held manners and behaviors. She didn't know how to properly hold a fork and spoon or any proper table manners. Sitting amongst these fancy people was embarrassing, not knowing how to eat properly.

Jason saw this, and he was this. It was years ago, and there were fewer people, but he had been her at one point. He knew how she felt. And he knew how to make her feel better, even if just a little. Switching the hand, he held his fork in holding it in a fist, he hunched forward over his plate. Asta watched as he went from a proper man with manners to someone who had none and simply knew food. Don't waste it.

The others watched, confused at Jason's behavior, expecting Alfred to correct him; he did not. Asta picks up her fork in a similar fashion and eats. They understand now. They also changed their conversation away from work and money. Talking more about simple things like charities and family.

"Who are you?"

"Tim" Dick scolded him.

"What do you mean?"

"you don't exist. Who are you?"

"I am Astarea, my friend calls me Asta" she said kindly not really understanding the question.