A Pain Most Wonderful (Damirae)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Having finished adding her own, timidly smiling contribution (that yes, they did get along well and had complimentary personalities) the witch caught Jason's joke. It was not received well. Raven took a sip of water, trying to align herself with the coolness slipping down her throat when her control threatened to slip.

Having too heard Jason, Clark broke off mid-sentence, having made a comment about them being a lovely little couple, to say, "Hey now that's not very nice."

A deer caught in headlights, Jason stared at the smooth table surface, glancing up bashfully at Clark. Biting his lips, Duke stifled a laugh that Jason had been caught out. Had Bruce told him, Jason might have flipped him the bird or made some crass comment and moved on.

But this was good ol' Uncle Clark here. Even if his tone had been light, it was still humbling.

Jason swirled about his tomato soup (the pasta had long since been finished) and shot a quick eye over the table to see if Raven or her boyfriend had noticed. The demon appeared a little frazzled, but wasn't looking in his direction: Billy had engaged their attention explaining to them, Mr Wayne, Cassandra and Kon the time he'd fought a zombie kraken in the spirit realm with Dr Fate and Aquaman.

Now, that did pique his interest. Jason contemplated the idea of having a kraken for a pet: on one hand, it's a freaking Kraken dude; on the other, insurance claims and the costs of looking after it...

Speaking of pets, who would waltz in to the chandelier-lit dining room but a dainty-pawed, high-tailed menace.

"Meeeeooowww." Pennyworth the cat greeted Damian.

His whiskers twitched. Pennyworth would not meow his command again. So Damian pushed back his chair and reach down, placing the cavalier feline on his lap and rubbing gently between his ears. Mr Pennyworth (the cat, please do remember) rubbed his head in to Damian's fingers.

The boy picked up his cat and scrunched his nose, pressing a kiss to its forehead. "Habeytak ya albi." He cooed.

Ugh, Baset must be loving this.

"Woah is that a cat?" Billy asked, leaning forwards to see. "Sweeeeet, what's her name."

Whilst Pennyworth sauntered on to Raven's lap, nuzzling in to the witch's arms, Damian said, "He is Mr Pennyworth-"

Kon pointed an unsure finger at the stiff-moustached butler, "But isn't that...?"

"His namesake." Damian responded, curt, more interesting in finding out what had summoned the cat.

Nodding slowly, Conner went back to dipping bread in his tomato soup. He caught Cassandra's eye and the chunk of bread fell in the bowl. She cracked a smile at the fumble; Conner was too dumb to think of scooping it out.

Meanwhile, Raven and her boyfriend fussed over the dear cat, whose periodic mews were preening and purposeful. The witch sensed Pennyworth's desire for affection. The pair were all-too happy to oblige.

"There's an occupational opening for a witch's familiar. " Raven scratched beneath Pennyworth's chin, "You interested?"

Damian narrowed his eyes and pushed her hands away, stealing back his cat on to his lap. "TT. Familiars do not just have to be for witches, any magical practitioner may have one." He flashed Anubis' golden irises, "Hands off demon."

Neglecting the half-finished meal (much to Alfred's despair), Raven said, "Oh? Or what?"

Okayyy I'm not particularly sure where this is going....

Damian raised a sharp eyebrow and responded, "Would you like to find out?"

The dangerous glint in his eyes wasn't Anubis' doing. His shifted aura and that devious smile caught the breath in her lungs.

Pennyworth meowed.

"Ewww they're flirtingggg!" Billy cringed.

"Shut up!" The both of them snapped, but the boy had done enough to shattered the tension.

Billy sank in to his chair, grumbling about stupid people in love, whilst Alfred announced the conclusion of dinner and preparation for desert. Lois hoped it was chocolate: she loved the stuff. The chocolate aficionado's expressed hopes sparked a conversation with Selina (both of whom seemed to be equally matched in their love). 

As Alfred made a motion to collect their plates and bowls (having received no protests of 'I'm not finished yet!') several others rose to help.

"I can manage it in less than a second Alfred- literally." Clark tried, picking up both his plates and Lois'.

Conner and Dick made similar offers of help; Raven went so far as to elevate the surrounding utensils, gathering them within a purple bubble in midair (in Damian's lap, Pennyowrth the cat rose on to his hind legs, pasig at the air as if to burst it).

Ordinarily, the butler would have refused, but the pushback was overwhelming. Begrudgingly, Alfred pocketed his dissent and allowed others to take the plates in to the kitchen using a combination of magic, super-speed, and regular old hands.

Damian's excuse for not offering his assistance was the poor baby he clutched in his arms, rendering him absolutely immobile. Seeing as desert wasn't yet in front of them, Selina sped over to his side, temporarily stealing Raven's seat. Damian stared at her in apprehension.

"This little darling has been avoiding me all this time." Selina said, faking a glare at the impassive feline. "Can't escape me now."

Damian peered at her as she rubbed the head and neck of his precious dear, "Pennyworth isn't good with new people," he hummed, brushing down the cat's forehead, "we have that in common."

Struck by an odd pang of sympathy, Selina admitted, "That makes three of us."

From the opposite side of the table, Bruce observed his girlfriend and son seem to not glare at one another (dare he say there was somewhat a smile between them). Bruce had hope.

Selina had to shuffle out of the seat when Raven and the others returned, arms adorned with plates topped by-

"Yes!" Lois fist-pumped, " It's chocolate  cake!"

A.N:

Hiya darlings! How are you all? I hope you've enjoyed this here chapter (it was quite fun to write)- stay tuned for the next one! Just a lil spoiler for the next chappie, we'll be getting an idea about how Diana and J'onn's date went! Oop!

Also! Just a lil book recommendation if you're interested. It's not Damirae but if any of you are in to this kind of book:

There is a Zatanna x Artemis x Reader YJ fix written by @CADENSCHAOS it's 18+ FYI but if you're interested please check it out :) it's really well-written and makes for a great read; even if you're not so into reader inserts or Young Justice fanfics.

Welp I think that's it! Have a lovely well my darlings!

-Bats :3