Meet the Bat Family

3: Bonding

The pre-teen looked at the laptop with eyes of wonder and amazement. Also, at a picture that the college student had gotten off the internet of the oldest adopted son. She was too focused to ask a question or to comment on the story, so the story just continued.

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It had been a week and Amelia was still getting used to being around the boys. She had connected with Jason and became somewhat friends. She saw the frenemy fights between Damian and Tim many times. She had also encountered the 'Timber' thing that happens whenever Tim faints from lack of sleep. The girl had to endure a gala or two as a special guest and not as a resident. Amelia watched a sermon with Dick and Alfred on Sunday. She sometimes helped make breakfast with Jason and Alfred. Although, it's more like they were helping her, for she's not that good at cooking. But not nearly as bad as the oldest of the bunch. Dick is not allowed into the kitchen after burning cold cereal.

When she walks past Damien's room, which she is not allowed in, sometimes she can hear a cat meowing. And if she were lucky, she would hear him laugh and talk to said cat. They didn't interact much, but when they did, she didn't treat him like a kid. He seemed to notice and gave Amelia some respect.

Dick showed Amelia his room the very first day. He wanted her to feel welcomed and trusted, which she should have expected from the one and only Dick Grayson-Wayne. It was blue and grey with a desk and a TV in front of the bed. She noticed the Flying Graysons poster above his dresser, but didn't say anything. Though her gaze didn't go unnoticed and he told her his story, which followed her him leading her to the gym and showing off his skills.

She spent some time there just talking to him and 'getting to know' him. She already knew almost everything, but acted as if she didn't have her prior knowledge. Such as he was a policeman for GCPD. He was kind and funny and friendly, always having a smile or twinkle in his eye. Amelia enjoyed his company and helped her forget for a moment she didn't belong here. But at the same time, the childish spirit reminded Amelia of her sister Melody.

Jason never really invited Amelia to his room, so she didn't wander inside, but sometimes she'd get a quick glance through a crack in the door. He had a red and black room and his headboard said, 'Here lies Jason Peter Todd'. Amelia knew that it is supposed to be a joke from the comics, but only he found it funny.

Jason was usually the one cooking breakfast, sometimes Alfred if he was still asleep or training. Jason would let her join him from time to time. He taught her how to make apple pies since she had been wanting to know how. Hers wasn't as good as his, but they had fun with the flour and dough. Ending up completely covered in it when Dick came to join the fun. Alfred found it amusing when he came in but said they had to clean up the mess. It took the three of them 6 and half hours of scrubbing and sweeping, but it was worth it.

Tim had shown Amelia his room after a week of observation. It was almost completely bare besides the multiple moving white boards, computer station, and a shelf filled with tech and coding books. Amelia guessed the boards had equations and theories filling them all for cases.  There was a coffee maker, no surprise, in the corner of the brown and white room, coffee mugs full and empty beside it. And in the chaos, a neat bed. 'He probably never sleeps in it,' Amelia thought, knowing how he spends his time from the comics and stories in her world. Eric and John, her brothers, would probably get along with tech genius. She sighed. Just thinking of them made her feel home sick.

Bruce had appeared a few times during her stay, probably because he was trying to figure out who she was and what was so special about her that the Joker would take her. Sometimes Tim was gone for a day or two being with him at a 'meeting'. Alfred was once gone for a day. That was also the day that Dick tried cooking again. She now understands why he is not allowed near the microwave or toaster.

He had asked her how her stay had been so far and things like that. He looked strict and stern, but he was welcoming just like Dick. Asked if she had family or friends she could get in contact with. She just replied she didn't know where they were or couldn't reach them. She played the part good enough that he didn't press further. He mainly showed up for meals or game nights, which apparently was every Wednesday. Monopoly shouldn't be allowed in the Wayne Manor...

Amelia had accompanied Alfred sometimes for errands and getting certain events ready. It was mostly silent when they went shopping, enjoying the quiet bustling of carts and feet shuffling. Amelia went with him also as an excuse to be away from the boys's bickering or if they started a prank war. Yeah, she had always dreamed of being there to witness one, but that's the thing. One. Not one a day. Though they were pretty funny and sometimes she was dragged into one, by choice or not. But she would also be the one to break them up before the weapons they shouldn't have came out. Yep, they were definitely children.

Besides the escape, Amelia and Alfred often chatted when they could find a peaceful place in the huge Manor. She'd talk about her family in little detail and he'd tell stories of the boys, some of which she had never heard. But it was Alfred's stories, those the fandom could never know or think of. They would laugh and joke and have a good time. But Amelia also came to him about issues. He was a great listener and gave the best advice. She talked about how she missed home but she wanted to stay there with them. Just left out the detail that her home was somewhere entirely different and that she most likely couldn't return.

At night, Amelia would go to her room early so the boys wouldn't have to make an excuse to suit up for patrol. No matter how much she wanted to see their costumes, she couldn't risk getting caught. Though, it was a matter of time before Bruce firmly figured out there was not an Amelia Sky in this world that looked like her. She hadn't told them her last name but there was no doubt they got her DNA somehow. They are the bats after all.

It has been a month since Amelia arrived in Gotham. She's gotten close with everyone. Though everyone was surprised when Damien wasn't as snarky with her after the second week. Even more so that he let her in his room which the whole house knew he kept the most important animal in. All the other ones like the bat cow and turkey were in the Batcave. He had a huge soft spot for the creatures, but nobody teased him about it. Apparently he had put Jason unconscious after he made a joke about 'father like son' since Bruce kept adopting kids. 

Everyone had their special memories and moments with her. They could all agree Amelia made the massive mansion feel more like a home. Knowing their weak and strong points, somehow, and being the peace maker. Almost claiming the title as the mom sister for the four boys. None of them liked her mad. But no matter how kind and warming she was, they still had a job to do, no matter how hurt they felt by doing it.