The UnTamed

CH 20

How the fuck did she not know it was Christmas?! Asta will admit she only followed holidays and events if they affected her community and people. During winter, she didn't care for Christmas. She cared. It was cold people needed warmth, shelter, food, and actual shit to help. The only good things that came from the holiday were that people were more generous and those decorative lights lit up alleyways enough for no one to truly hide. Bad things that came were more desperate thieves, the cameras with generous gifts, the cold, and the rogues. They often thought holidays were a great time to make big plans.

Asta didn't celebrate Christmas; there were no gifts, maybe a blanket here or some warm food there. After meeting Damian, she had grown accustomed to receiving warm meals and spending time with him the day after. But Asta wasn't on the streets; she was in a fancy manor with fancy people who do fancy holidays and gifts. And she had nothing to give.

So here she was on Christmas Eve Christmas Day actually, it was 5 a.m., and she had nothing to give. So now she was pacing in thought, worrying about what to do. And by pacing one means shifting from one animal to another while going back and forth.

"Are you done yet?" Damian asked as he sat up. He was aware of her worries, and tried reassuring her gifts were not needed. But she found the Christmas tree and presents and thought otherwise. Now she just feels like an ungrateful freeloader.

"I don't know what to do."

"Nothing is expected from you," he said as held out his hand, beckoning her to bed. She crawled into the bed .

"You've all been generous. You should be rewarded with something."

"Nothing. We need nothing. But I need you to rest." he pulled her into his arms, kissing her forehead. Pulling the blanket back, he pulled her underneath the covers.

"I'm sorry"

"Please, never apologize."

-

Damian woke up several hours later to find himself alone with no Asta.

" It's CHRISTMAS" Dick shouted as he kicked in the door. Damian groaned and immediately tried to hide under his blanket, but it offered no protection. He moaned loudly as Dick scooped him up with his blanket and tossed him over his shoulder. He saw that his other brothers were up, but Duke looked to be the only one slightly pleased as they trailed after them.

"Why?" he asked breathlessly as he hung upside down.

"It's Christmas, that's why".

They made their way to the family room, where Dick ceremoniously dropped him on the couch, then went to the other side where Cass was and pulled her into some cuddles. Bruce was already here, sitting in an armchair. Tim made his spot on the floor by his legs. Duke also took to the floor before the coffee table, laying his head on it. Jason found space on the couch after shoving Damian and Dick a bit.

No one said anything, just sitting in silence, listening to the fireplace cracking.

"Good morning," Alfred broke the silence as he passed out coffee, and Asta trailed behind him with Hot Chocolate. " Merry Christmas," Alfred took a seat in an armchair, and Damian placed Asta on the floor.

Thus, the presents and chatting began.

Asta sat and watched as they passed out gifts, giving compliments and thanks as they opened them. Asta couldn't help but bask in everyone's joy and happiness. She had never been drunk before she imagined this is what it felt like.

"Here." She looked up to see Bruce with a kind smile and a gift box in hand. She was shocked and hesitated at first but took it slowly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Open it"

She didn't want to; the paper was so pretty and elegant. It shouldn't have to be ripped. " It's okay" Damian said and showed where scotch tape loosely held paper. She gently pulled the wrapping apart with no rips or tears. Everyone watched patiently.

"What is it?" she whispered once the paper was removed. She opened the box to reveal the fabric. It was soft. Pulling it out, it was a cloak on the back, which was a symbol of a white waning moon, covered by a black waxing moon, with a grey fall moon in the center. The symbol for her Night Orphans. She giggled as she pulled it out and showed it off all the way.

"This is mine," she says. They didn't know if she meant the symbol or the cloak. It didn't matter, not really, as she held it closer to her chest and grinned. They ignored the tears that accompanied it. This was her first Christmas gift, and it was precious. "Thank you"

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