Demons (Damirae)

Chapter Twenty-Two

All of those living in the Manor sat down for dinner, watching with watering mouths as Alfred revealed several dishes with the looks and scents to make ones stomach eat itself. Steaming mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, boiled vegetables, roast beef and a literal JUG of gravy lay on the fittingly large table, begging to be eaten.

Adyn was on the verge of throwing himself over the priceless Victorian furniture just to satisfy his hunger. Though he had only tried a Sunday roast a few times (on Sundays like this) they were becoming his favourite Earth meal.  It was just soooo goooood! Quote unquote.

Before he could begin loading mash on to his plate, Koriand'r and Dick (Adyn knew he preferred that to 'Richard') stood up, halting another fight that was about to break out between Stephanie and Jason: he had tried to argue that pancakes were better than waffles, a dick move by all standards.

At the head of the table, Bruce sat up straighter, resting his elbows on either side of his plate- eager to know what his son and Kori had to say. Of course, he received a largely disapproving look from Alfred: elbows were simply not allowed on the table!

"Get on with it for fuck's sake!", the Redhood growled, staring longingly at the roast- and receiving a harsh reprimand for his language, courtesy of Alfred Pennyworth.

"Loath as I am to agree with Todd, COULD YOU JUST SPEAK ALREADY?! Some of us don't enjoy starving!", Damian sassed, much to the amusement of his closest friend.

Raven watched sceptically as Dick cleared his throat, causing Stephanie to sigh at the amount of time it was taking for him to spit it out.

"Kori and I have some... important news that we feel you need to know.", he said, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

"Indeed, we have withheld this for too lengthy a time.", Kori said, luminous eyes finding a vote of confidence when they met Raven's.

The half-demon had a feeling she knew what they were about to say, but she wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet: it would be better just to wait and see.

Exhaling heavily, Dick decided to rip it like a bandage, confessing, in front of his immediate family and closest friends, "We are engaged."

Tim and Jason fell off their chairs.
Cassie, Raven and Damian's eyebrows had raised significantly.
And the rest were FANGIRLING!

Apart from Bryce Wayne.

He stayed frozen in shock, unable to comprehend that his son, the unruly ex-womaniser, was engaged and to be marr-holy shit! Engaged and to be married?!!!

It was unfathomable!

Yet, it made so much sense.
Kori was the calm to his storm, the muse to an artist, the one thing keeping him in check. Koriand'r balanced his wild character so perfectly, the prospect of them getting married and possibly having children in the future was just... beautiful.

Tear-jerkingly beautiful.

A layer of moisture threatened Bruce's eyes and his pride, but it came nonetheless. He couldn't contain it. Dick had come so far from the gullible orphan desperate for love. He had come so far from the Robin who wanted to be Batman. Come so, so far from the Nightwing that wanted nothing to do with the cowl. Richard Grayson's soul had matured, though his boyish character might not have, and Bruce, as a father, was awestruck.

After receiving numerous congratulations and several slaps on the back, the pair looked to Bruce.

The Batman blinked a few times, still processing what had happened.

A smile found it's way to his lips, growing larger with every moment. Standing up, Bruce walked over to his son and future daughter-in-law.

"Congratulations,", he lay a hand on Dick's shoulder, voice truly as deep and earnest as his current emotion, "both of you."